Little Angel Looks for Her Mother

She looked out from the unpainted earthen walls and stone windows.

At dawn, a pale red light shone on the stone slabs.

Most mornings on Baal II are filled with a biting cold, yet they are also extremely beautiful. The silky sky is tinged with rose color by the light from the red scar, and the rosy glow shines on it. This beauty is enough to make one forget how much she hates her life.

But it only lasted for a fleeting moment.

She was the daughter of a salt miner, and her name was Louise.

As Baal II wasteland covered by radiation fields and deserts, most people here are unlikely to have any interaction with Space Marine in their entire lives, even though this is one of the homeworlds of the Blood Angels. Every few decades, the Chapter selects suitable young people from the planet to join.

Louise is only eleven years old. Although she has loved listening to her father Areias, tell her stories about the Blood Angels since she was little, the salt gatherers who travel around for survival are not a warlike group, and naturally they would not be considered high-quality recruits by the Blood Angels.

They were few in number and had no ambitions beyond survival; they simply wanted to live a peaceful and uneventful life in this sparsely populated area.

On Baal II, there are quite a few people like this.

The brilliant sunrise was fleeting in Louise's eyes—soon, a thick red mist enveloped everything before her.

The red fog was something she disliked most: it was a suffocating, sand-filled storm with a heavy, rusty smell.

Although she didn't understand the formation principle of the red fog, she was even less aware that it could only occur on low-gravity satellites like Baal II.

Louise's worldview is inevitably quite limited.

All she knew was that the day's business was ruined. The red mist had a sharp, iron-like smell and texture, making it unsuitable for salt collection.

But this was also an opportunity for her, a rare opportunity.

At this moment when everyone's career is limited by the red mist, she finally has the opportunity to break through this layer of mist and reach the testing ground where the Chapter selects talents.

No one, including Louise's father, believed that she, at only eleven years old, could become a Blood Angel.

She needs to act alone.

Under the crimson fog, she drove the stolen dune buggy towards the place in her memory.

She had no idea where the training grounds were; she just kept driving forward, never stopping.

This journey through the desert seemed exceptionally long—the red mist surrounding her made it impossible for her to discern her location; she could only press forward, with no way back.

She seemed to see her body transform. With the help of the Angel gene neutron bomb, she became a tall, beautiful, and healthy giant. With the help of others, she put on the legendary armor of the Blood Angels and soared freely in the sky with a flight backpack that resembled wings.

With each swing of the blade and the gun, countless enemies of humanity fell.

In the red mist, she saw herself clad in Golden Armor and wearing a mask of compassion.

She became the Blood Angels in people's eyes.

But what about Areias?

How heartbroken would her father be when he learned that she was gone and would never return?

"."

Remembering this, Louise wanted to drive the dune buggy back, but the thick red fog wouldn't give her a chance to change her mind.

As the crimson mist churned and rose, Louise seemed to see her father sitting and gazing at the dawn and dusk, which shimmered like silk with crimson clouds, waiting day and night.

Even though all the salt miners said she had definitely died in the trial grounds, he still couldn't believe that this was Louise's fate.

He believed that Louise had now become a glorious Angel.

However, since she is already Angel, she should be addressed by her Angel name.

"What will Louise's Angel name be?"

He had been waiting for her return.

"No"

Beneath the crimson mist, tears streamed down her face, but she no longer had the right to stop.

Never.

The world needs her, and she must fight for it.

Over the long years, the five silver service studs on her forehead were melted down and transformed into one gold service stud.

As time continued to pass, the five service gold nails were melted down and combined to form one.

--Serving in the military [Dante].

"Grown ups."

"Grown ups.?"

Of course, now, according to the Angel's name, she should be called [Dante], and she opened her eyes again.

"What's up?"

"Your bathing time is over. The Chapter Master of all the sub-churches are waiting for you in the monastery hall to perform the [Chapter Sacrament]."

Those are all ancient things of the past. Was it a thousand years ago? Or two thousand years ago?

Dante was unaware of this, but the feeling of guilt lingered in her heart for a long time.

She was so old—she could even feel the marks of time on her face and in every part of her body while bathing.

Even if she survives the next battle, there will be enough time for her to be the final assassin and take everything away from her.

Thinking of this, a relieved smile gradually appeared on Dante's face.

She's getting old and dying soon.

After completing this arduous task, she will return to the Golden Throne and to the side of the Angel Mother Sanguinius.

This was an unusual event for a Space Marine, whose casualty rate was extremely high.

The Leviathan Tyranid Fleet, the largest Tyranid swarm ever to appear in the galaxy, is now engulfing the Blood Angels [Baal]. According to reports from the front lines, they are about to face an almost endless swarm attack, whose numbers even exceed those of all living beings above Baal!

Moreover, as the Zerg fleet drew closer, the Warp shadow of the Great Devourer was killing or driving the Astropath on the planets insane, making it impossible for their messages to be transmitted through normal means.

If it weren't for the intervention of their Chief Librarian, Mephiston, their communications for help would have been delayed.

Even though they had successfully requested aid from within the Imperium, their situation remained far from optimistic.

Their greatest ally— the Ultramarines —also appears to be under attack by the Tyranid Fleet. Moreover, according to reports from the front lines, the Chaos forces that have slumbered in the Warp for millennia are beginning to corrupt the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar and even the entire Extreme Star Zone.

Reports of the plague within the Extreme Star Zone are becoming increasingly frequent. The Ultramarines, already burdened with both Chaos and Xenos threats, seem unable to spare the resources to provide assistance at this critical moment.

Meanwhile, in the central region, an Orks warlord force known as the "The Beast" is rising in Armageddon, plunging the nearby front lines into silence.

The once glorious Imperium of Man is now in a perilous situation, surrounded by enemies on all sides.

Whether it's the Chaos Heretics or the Xenos, they all come from those who are eyeing this galactic overlord who is showing signs of decline and fatigue.

The main hall of the Baal Fortress-Monastery.

At this moment, the hall of the Blood Angels, sculpted with the beauty of art and sacrifice, was filled with Chapter Master from various sub-command groups, or company commanders or generals representing their Chapter to participate in the Battle of Baal.

The Blood Angels' sub-groups are second only to Ultramarines in size among all First Founding.

As one of the very few Primarchic Legions among all the First Founding, the Blood Angels can easily identify their sub-chapters by having female Primarch Space Marine, thus reducing the possibility of other Chapter trying to infiltrate under false pretenses.

Not to mention the Angel's innate beauty and artistic talent.

"Dear children of mothers, dear compatriots, you have waited long enough."

Dante, clad in full Golden Armor and wearing the mask of Sanguinius, emerged from the hall. Behind her, the relief depicting the Sanguinius's Torment appeared even more poignant in the Baal sunlight. Beneath the mask, her aged yet still bright eyes shone brightly amidst the many figures in the Fortress-Monastery hall.

Divine Angels, Angels of Light, Crimson Angels, Blood Legion, Blood Wings, Burning Blood, Bloodletters, Flesh Tearer, Blood Knights, World Eaters.

They, children of various Blood Angels and also Sons of Sanguinius, are now gathered at the Baal Fortress-Monastery.

Some Chapter were even on the verge of corruption, Dante was unwilling to admit that the Space Marine who were killing in the name of their mother, Sanguinius, were also her offspring. But with Baal's life hanging in the balance, she had to make the most of every available force.

However, Dante, who believed he had lived long enough, did not recall any of Sanguinius' offspring being known as the Sons of the Phoenix.

There is no record of this in the register of the Fortress-Monastery.

Where did these tall, burly guys come from?

"I apologize, everyone, but before the Chapter's Sacred Ritual begins, there is one thing I need to clarify."

"Charlotte, Chapter Master of the [Sons of the Phoenix], on behalf of the Blood Angels and all its sub-commands, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your arrival."

"But I have one more request—if you are not children of Sanguinius, the upcoming Chapter Sacraments may involve core secrets of our Blood Angels."

The Blood Angels' Chapter Sacred Ritual is shrouded in mystery.

Dante, a veteran of a thousand years, is only comparable in reputation and prestige to Calgar, the Chapter Master of the Ultramarines, within the Imperium of Man.

"Lord Dante, thank you for your kind reminder. However, according to the examination report of the Archmagos Belisarius, we, the Sons of the Phoenix, are all offspring of the Blood Angels."

Now, his purple-gold paint job has been changed to red-gold. He has taken the Kasgar Charlotte, the Chapter Master, and together with his lieutenant Nullus (Titus), he entered the Fortress-Monastery as the leader of the Blood Angels.

The initial impressions of these two mysterious guests who suddenly intruded upon the battlefield were all the same for the many Chapter Masters and commanders.

Big.

Compared to the Primaris Space Marine, the average Space Marine appears shorter in comparison.

Which child of Angel is this big?

"He is not simple."

As for Mephiston, the chief Chief Librarian of the Blood Angels' think tank, he still seems to be very wary of Kasgar.

"I hope you really are here to help us fight the Zerg, just as you say."

Before Dante came out to preside over the Chapter's sacrament, he spoke to Kasgar with great caution.

"This is thanks to the new technology from the Archmagos Belisarius — the Primaris Technology."

Seeing that almost all the squad leaders and Dante were casting incredulous glances at Kasgar, he calmly offered his explanation.

He had already prepared his speech and the choice of his envoy before he even arrived.

Since demons can possess the concept of "Chaos Undivided Demons," then the mysterious Sons of the Phoenix, derived from the Gene-seed of various Chapter (veterans salvaged from the Commorragh Arena), could also be considered a form of Imperium Unbound.

The Imperium has no Chapter!

Although most of the rescued Commorragh veterans were Guilliman's sons, this did not prevent a few who were genuine Primaris warriors of the Blood Angels from going to the Fortress-Monastery as guards accompanying the Kasgar to Baal.

Next, Kasgar recounted how his Sons of the Phoenix suffered heavy losses and nearly perished during their expedition into the Warp.

However, at this critical juncture, the miraculous Dora Cawl delivered crucial Primaris Space Marine technology to them—allowing them to complete the extensive modification process, which originally required nineteen surgeries, in just a few months.

New recruits manufactured using the Primaris Technology not only come to fruition quickly, but also save a significant amount of training and reserve time.

Furthermore, because a large amount of pre-existing technical and tactical knowledge was infused during the Primaris Surgery, although they were all new recruits, in terms of technical skill, each of the Sons of the Phoenix was no less skilled than any veteran—this was the combat experience of those veterans who had been rescued from the Commorragh.

Faster, bigger, stronger (more Waaaaagh) Primaris Space Marine, the Sons of the Phoenix, are about to be deployed into real combat as the first new force of the Cawl.

"If the response is positive, I think he will be willing to help all our Space Marine complete the Primaris upgrade in the future."

Kasgar's words caused a huge stir.

"Cawl? How can that guy claim to have improved upon the Great Emperor's creation? The Space Marine are already perfect!"

"I don't believe what he said. They're clearly a bunch of Ultramarines painted in red. I didn't see any love for his mother in his eyes."

"That's right. This is not the look a child of Sanguinius should have."

"Perhaps you really should get out of here with that nonsensical Primaris Technology— "

"Well."

Faced with numerous questions from regimental and company commanders regarding Kasgar's explanation, Dante stepped forward and signaled for everyone to stop.

As a living fossil who has served for over a thousand years, she has gradually become the embodiment of Angel in legends. It can be said that Dante's prestige among all the Blood Angels and their subcommittees is now second only to the Angel themselves.

"Let the Sons of the Phoenix join our sacred rites."

With a formidable enemy at hand, if the Blood Angels were to argue over such a trivial matter as whether the other party was a pure Sons of Sanguinius, they would only face the fate of being swallowed up by the Tyranid Fleet.

Since the Sons of the Phoenix are all newcomers participating in the Chapter's Sacred Ritual for the first time, let them experience the unique Chapter culture of the Blood Angels, which will help them integrate more easily.

Perhaps this will also awaken their deep-seated "love" for their mothers.

"."

"I have a bad feeling about this."

Titus, standing beside Kasgar, spoke after Dante returned to the main position.

The Chapter's sacrament begins with a grand feast.

Despite the barrenness and high radiation levels of the land in Baal, the food at this feast was absolutely top-notch and luxurious.

Not to mention the fine wines served at the banquet—countless treasured wines were opened here on the eve of Baal's impending doom.

As a glorious warrior about to bravely face death against the Tyranid Fleet, the Blood Angels would naturally not be stingy with its treasures.

Kasgar took the bottle of wine from the waiter and took a small sip.

Good.

But it still can't compare to Fulgrim.

Before the grand feast, Dante also described the current situation.

Currently, there are 60,000 Space Marine defending Baal and his two satellites.

"It's doubled compared to the original situation."

It seems that due to the efforts of Lord Regent Guilliman, the Blood Angels, whose numbers were limited by the Codex Astartes, have regained some of the Radiance they had during the previous Great Crusade.

But compared to the enemy they were about to face, this was still far too weak.

The Leviathan Hive Fleet alone consists of 150,000 Bio-ship, meaning each Blood Angels would have to take on a single Tyranids Bio-ship.

Even if Kasgar now possesses Primarch-level Psychic Power and combat strength, it's impossible for him to wipe out the entire Tyranid Fleet single-handedly.

Even if he could wipe out all the insect swarms around him, he couldn't possibly defend the entire planet's area.

We need to find a better way to stop the Tyranid Fleet's attack from invading the nodes. How about cutting off the Tyranid swarm's command and control?

But how can he then perform node intrusion?

Just as Kasgar was pondering a solution, the holy bell in front of the Fortress-Monastery hall rang out melodiously.

Sacraments

Etc.

He suddenly realized a blind spot.

If Kasgar remembers correctly, the original Blood Angels Sacrament was supposed to be a blood-drinking ritual to suppress the Chapter's own Black Rage to a certain extent.

But!

Hadn't the Blood Angels already been cured of his Black Rage by now?

So what exactly is the purpose of this Chapter Sacred Ritual?

Before Kasgar could think further, halfway through the feast, almost all the Promethium torches and candles in the entire hall went out in an instant.

The light dimmed, leaving only the central relief of Sanguinius, whose expression of compassion and suffering resembled a stage.

Behind that beam of light, Dante, clad in Golden Armor, slowly emerged.

Next, please enjoy the stage play performance by Dante, the Chapter Master the Blood Angels, for everyone present—[Sanguin].

Clap clap clap clap clap

As Dante's powerful and passionate aria came to an end, the Chapter Master erupted in applause, their eyes filled with tears.

Even at the climax of the performance, the pained cries of "Mother!" could be heard from all over the hall from time to time.

He couldn't understand Titus, but he was deeply moved.

Kasgar understood, and the shock he felt was no less than anything he had experienced in the past ten thousand years.

It's those Blood Angels again!

Ten thousand years have passed, and the Angel's condition has not improved after losing Sanguinius; in fact, it has worsened.

Broken.

It seems he's stumbled into the imperial palace by mistake.

"I seem to remember them saying that each Chapter would have to perform on stage?"

Titus, deeply shocked, and Kasgar, who had just understood what was happening, looked at each other in bewilderment.