Sword in the Stone

Lion El'Jonson fell into a brief silence. He gazed at the distant castle, his heart filled with conflict and struggle.

On one hand, his pride as a Primarch and his instinct to explore the unknown strongly drove him to challenge the trials within that mysterious castle; on the other, Chen Xi's warning and his own clear understanding of the current situation forced him to proceed cautiously.

He could feel that the castle held a strange attraction for him, as if it were bound to him by blood and constantly calling him toward it. That call was both familiar and strange, enticing yet fraught with hidden danger.

This attraction was not merely psychic interference. It felt more like a resonance originating deep within his genes, a natural yearning for power of the same source.

He tried to analyze the origin of this sensation. Was it a psychic effect, or some more fundamental summons at the material level?

But there was too little information to reach a definite conclusion.

In the end, his sense of responsibility toward the Imperium and his desire for greater power temporarily overcame his caution.

He knew well that amid the many threats currently facing the galaxy, any opportunity to strengthen his own side was crucial, even if it came with risks.

He took a deep breath, made his decision, and began moving upstream along the river, seeking a route that could take him across and closer to the castle.

He knew he could not wait forever. The crisis facing the Imperium would not allow him to hesitate here for long.

His steps were firm, his Power Armor treading across the soft forest floor with dull, steady sounds.

However, after taking only a few steps, the air beneath the shadow of a massive ancient tree beside him rippled