Chaos

On Terra.

Rogal Dorn, the Primarch of the Imperial Fists, was communicating with the Word Bearers, Night Lords, Iron Warriors, Alpha Legion, Raven Guard, Iron Hands, and Salamanders Legions.

"We've received intel that Horus has betrayed the Imperium!"

"The Emperor has decreed that the rebels must be eliminated, and Horus brought back for judgment!"

Upon hearing this, the various Legions erupted in a clamor.

"How is this possible! How could Horus betray the Imperium!"

"Indeed, he had everything. What more could he possibly be unsatisfied with?"

"..."

They found it difficult to comprehend that the Warmaster of the Imperium had betrayed them. What had happened behind the scenes?

However, a few Legions did not appear particularly surprised, even appearing rather indifferent.

Soon, they witnessed some images from Istvaan III, which confirmed that Horus had indeed betrayed them.

Then, they heard Rogal Dorn continue.

"Ahem! Everyone, please be quiet. I can state clearly that this is true."

"Before we formulate our battle plans, there is one thing you must all remember."

"During the battle, do not harm Francis or his Soul Drinkers Legion. They are our own people, undercover with Horus."

"When the time comes, he will help us from the inside to eliminate the enemy!"

Hearing this, all the Legions became even more agitated.

"Didn't the Eleventh Legion disappear?"

"Yes, when did they reappear? We didn't see them on any expeditions."

"Dorn, explain what's going on!"

These questions were difficult for them to process in the short term.

Once everyone had absorbed this information, they began to formulate a series of plans.

This included the Raven Guard, Iron Hands, and Salamanders as the first wave of combatants after the initial orbital bombardment.

Following them would be the Word Bearers, Night Lords, Iron Warriors, and Alpha Legion as the second wave.

And the Ultramarines, Blood Angels, and Dark Angels Legions were en route to provide support.

After the meeting concluded.

Rogal Dorn looked at Leman Russ and said, "Don't worry, eight Legions against four. The advantage is ours."

"I hope so. I have a feeling I've forgotten something important!"

"Francis seemed to say something else, but I can't recall it."

Leman Russ frantically scratched his head, feeling that the matter was crucial, yet he had no recollection of it.

Meanwhile.

The Word Bearers, Night Lords, Iron Warriors, and Alpha Legion held a separate meeting.

"There's a traitor by the Warmaster's side! An entire Legion! Are they idiots, unable to see this!" a heavy growl emanated from the Iron Warriors' comms.

"Did none of you Word Bearers corrupt them?" the languid voice of the Night Lords came through the comms.

"We never even met anyone from the Eleventh Legion! We've never seen the Eleventh Legion! The most important thing now is to report to the Warmaster!" Erebus's voice came through the comms.

"Nonsense! If we don't report to the Warmaster, we'll just wait for the Warmaster to be..."

"..."

After a period of friendly and direct exchange, it was finally decided that the Word Bearers Legion would transmit all the combat information from this engagement to the Warmaster, including the message that Francis was a traitor.

Erebus looked at the message before him and couldn't help but sigh. "The Warmaster is still struggling, unable to even detect the enemy before him."

"Perhaps we should launch the true expedition in the Warmaster's stead!"

Erebus's disappointment with Horus continued to grow. He decided to speak with Lorgar before sending the message to the Warmaster.

Meanwhile, the Alpha Legion, who had remained silent, acted a step ahead, transmitting a message to their hidden personnel on Istvaan V, informing them that they had been discovered.

The message quickly reached Salpador, the Chief Librarian of the Soul Drinkers Legion. He looked at the World Eaters opposite him and asked, "Why are you telling us this?"

However, the other party said nothing and turned to leave.

After a brief moment of thought, Salpador dared not gamble that this was false. Gritting his teeth, he ran directly towards where Francis was.

"What method? Tell me quickly!" Fulgrim's eyes lit up noticeably.

"First, discard that Silver Blade you're holding."

Francis's words struck Fulgrim's heart like a heavy hammer.

"He won't put down the Silver Blade! He cannot refuse the pleasure bestowed by the gods." Fulgrim suddenly looked at him with a sinister expression, emitting a series of eerie chuckles.

"Mm. I know, didn't he kill all the Hrud? Did that make your god unhappy? I can tell you guys really like those aliens with long tails and four arms."

"Third Brother, maybe you'll turn into that someday. Damn, you'd be so ugly, unbearably ugly."

Fulgrim rubbed his chin, as if it was indeed possible for him to turn into that later.

"No!!!"

"No! Too ugly, just too ugly! I can't accept it!"

Fulgrim's face turned ashen. He looked at his body in a panic.

He wasn't perfect yet, how could he become ugly?

Francis put a hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Ferrus Manus is good friends with you, right? I heard you even exchanged weapons."

Fulgrim spun around sharply, the two almost colliding. Fortunately, Francis dodged nimbly.

"How do you know! Only our two Legions were there. Who told you?" Fulgrim looked confused, as few of the Emperor's Children knew about the situation at the time.

"Because just now, I saw a prophecy. I saw you personally killing Ferrus Manus here, using that Silver Blade, cutting off his head with your own hands."

"Sigh~ How tragic~"

Francis shook his head with great regret when he said this.

"Impossible! He's my dearest friend, my brother."

"How could I kill him? Are you lying to me! You actually believe in ■■■■! You're trying to please it!"

Fulgrim trembled, pointing at Francis. He couldn't believe he would kill Ferrus, how could he kill Ferrus.

He couldn't believe that Ferrus, with whom he spent his days, would be killed by him, when both of them were pursuing perfection.

It must be fake! He must be toying with his emotions to please ■■■■!

Francis: "..."

If Francis had to choose who to please, he'd rather please the second brother of Chaos, as for the one Fulgrim mentioned.

Tsk~

"You naturally wouldn't make a move, but the one inside the Silver Blade... that's another story~" Francis's voice was deeply imprinted in Fulgrim's heart.

Fulgrim fell into confusion. He was very sure that if his will wavered, the other party would seize his body.

Afterward, Francis drew what Fulgrim would look like after ascension – a demon with a huge purple snake tail, four arms, and greenish skin.

Fulgrim: "..."

He was almost crying from how ugly his future self looked. Compared to his current handsome appearance, the demon Francis drew was simply too hideous.

Seeing the look on Fulgrim's face like he'd eaten a fly, Francis continued, "Actually, you can go to the Ling Clan. They have methods to resist temptation. As long as you learn their secret arts..."

"Uh, but I've already destroyed many of the Ling Clan's virgin planets, and even their old prophet was driven away by me." Fulgrim looked surprised, not expecting those bean sprout-like aliens to be capable of such a thing.

"..." Francis took a deep breath, constantly thinking of new methods.

"How about throwing it into Chaos? Or you could have a group sex session in the Warp, turn into a demon yourself, and then eat it?"

"Can't you get free blessings from a god? Like, they just give blessings but not your soul?"

"Or you could change your faith..."

Fulgrim listened to these suggestions, his mind becoming somewhat muddled. He no longer knew what Francis actually believed in.

Until.

"Primarch, we have something very important to find you about, hurry out!" Salpador's urgent voice came from outside the door.