Medrengard's surface was shrouded in smoke and fire. The original 150,000-strong auxiliary army of the Spear of Hector fought amid the fortresses and forge districts of the Iron Warriors.
The Auxiliary Army's Laser Guns wove a red net of light across the labyrinthine surface as tank treads crushed abandoned debris and wreckage. Ogryn Ape-men swung massive warhammers and cleavers, tearing gaps through the lines of the Iron Warriors' mortal slave legions.
At first, the advance was slow but resolute. Facing poorly equipped slave soldiers and the occasional flickering daemon, the Auxiliary Army relied on strict formations and ample ammunition to steadily push the battle line toward the Fortress of Hate.
However, the turning point came swiftly. When Perturabo gave the order to attack, the gates of many fortresses rose at once. Iron Warriors clad in iron-gray Power Armour poured forth like a tide, instantly tearing apart the Spear of Hector's lines.
The Iron Warriors' Bolter Guns spewed death. Every round could blast a soldier into a mist of blood, while Power Armour trampled over corpses with dull crushing sounds. Missiles streaked across the sky with flaming trails, striking the Auxiliary Army's armored vehicles and tanks with precision. Fireballs from secondary explosions rose one after another, crippling the armored vehicles.
"Hold the line! Fire at will!" A regimental colonel's roar burst through the comms, only to be swiftly drowned out by the thunder of bolter fire.
The soldiers with Laser Guns pulled their triggers at the charging Iron Warriors. The beams left only black scorch marks on the Adamantium of their Power Armour. Then the Iron Warriors' Chainswords cleaved into the crowd, splitting soldiers and guns in half together.
One group of Chapter Auxiliary Army soldiers quickly ran out of ammunition. When the last Laser Gun fired its final beam, the