Deep in the Fortress-Monastery, within the largest known crater on the dark side of the Moon.
Outside a meditation chamber cast entirely from adamantium, its inner walls carved with sacred wards against evil, a psyker wearing a restraining device hurried through the doorway, head bowed and clutching a parchment scroll smeared with holy oils.
Stepping inside, the psyker was met by the scent of strange incense mingled with low prayers.
The entire room was made of steel, with hardly any sign of luxury or facilities for pleasure. The first thing to catch the eye was a steel battle standard, its twin-headed eagle—the symbol of the Imperium—gleaming brightly.
Before the only brazier stood a hulking figure.
He sat cross-legged on the cold metal floor, his body encased in black carapace beneath a coarse gray robe. Like an ancient ascetic, he bowed his head, eyes closed, and prayed softly.
Yet, wondrously, every breath he drew and released seemed to hold a strange power.
Faint points of light like stars bloomed and vanished around him.
Sensing the intruder, the hulking giant slowly opened his eyes. Terrifying bolts of lightning seemed to erupt within his icy blue pupils.
The Star Whisperer met his gaze and immediately felt his entire being cowed. He lowered his head in fear.
"My lord, we have just received a psychic transmission from Holy Terra."
The Star Whisperer, his head bound by a restraining device, dared not look directly at the revered warrior before him. He bowed his head and spoke quickly. "After the Star Whisperer Court decoded it, Chapter Master Afkar confirmed that the message was the No. 666... Final Purge Protocol, issued by the Solar Lord, the Seal Keeper of Holy Terra."
"Target confirmed: a high concentration of Warp activity has appeared on Holy Terra. Suspected... Daemons!"
"The