Murphy opened his eyes in the captain's chair aboard the Origin Vanguard.
Just moments ago, his loyal and reliable Plague Lord had brought him firsthand reports from the battlefield in the Warp.
The brief exchange between the Mother of the Forest and the Plague Lord confirmed Murphy's suspicions about the changes unfolding in the Warp. This really was part of the plan cooked up by Avalon, the Warp's grand schemer, but the forces of Chaos had taken advantage of the plan at its most vulnerable moment, while Avalon was splitting off one of her aspects.
But Avalon had indeed gathered allies and prepared a counterattack. She had even made arrangements in the material world. Murphy was Avalon's secret weapon!
The vampire governor's arrival on the Castia Peninsula at this delicate moment was practically fate's handiwork. And there was no doubt that his arrival with a crack force of elite soldiers had provided the perfect opportunity to move things forward.
So, after gathering enough information, the vampire lord made his decision.
"We're heading straight for the Castia Great Tree!"
He said to Triss, who had hurried over:
"Avalon's appointed hour has arrived. We'll witness and take part in the cycle of the Mother of the Forest and the Father of Oaks in her original shrine.
"Notify the Avalon chapel at Crimson Castle immediately. Have them gather the faithful of Transia as quickly as possible. When the moment comes for faith to guide the way, their prayers and bonds of faith will help the Father of Oaks shape a new aspect and be born as a god in Transia's grand cathedral."
"Will the faithful of Transia alone be enough?"
Triss said:
"From my studies of gods and faith, the Avalon Church in Transia currently has fewer than a hundred thousand believers. That