Ch. 521Istvan III (6)
Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
+ The Word Bearers launch a massive offensive, targeting the capital city.
+ The Death Guard captures and retakes the gates guarded by the Sons of the Emperor.
+ The World Eaters break through the Word Bearers' outer defenses, causing significant casualties on both sides.
+ The Iron Warriors bombard the Lunar Wolves' rear positions, destroying several spires.
+ The Imperial Fists prepare for an Exterminatus on Istvan III, using a natural asteroid belt for a primitive, covert approach.
+ The Lunar Wolves, Alpha Legion, Death Guard, and World Eaters begin to withdraw from the planet.
Character Developments
+ Loken reflects on the war and the death of a Son of the Emperor, experiencing a surge of emotion and a renewed sense of purpose.
+ Lorgar continues his intercession rituals, believing he is calling upon the Emperor to purify Istvan III.
+ Mortarion confronts Lorgar about his rituals, expressing his disapproval and suspicion.
+ Horus discusses the war and Lorgar's actions with both Lorgar and Mortarion, trying to maintain unity among his allies.
+ Rogal Dorn oversees the preparation for the Exterminatus, discussing the fate of Istvan III with a Chronicle Keeper from the planet.
Significant Themes
+ The destructive nature of war and its impact on both soldiers and civilians.
+ The moral and emotional toll of war on individuals, as seen through the Chronicle Keeper's perspective.
+ The differing views on the Emperor and the Imperial Truth among the Primarchs and their Legions.
+ The use of propaganda and mobilization in warfare, as discussed by Perturabo and Fulgrim.
Character Interactions
+ Loken and the Son of the Emperor he killed, highlighting the brutal reality of war.
+ Lorgar and Mortarion, showcasing their differing beliefs and the tension between them.
+ Horus, Lorgar, and Mortarion, illustrating the Warmaster's attempts to manage his allies' actions and maintain unity.
+ Rogal Dorn and the Chronicle Keeper, demonstrating the Primarch's perspective on the destruction of Istvan III and the importance of recording history truthfully.