"They were moving quickly." Guilliman sat up straighter.
"They were already on their way to support us. Your awakening made them temporarily abandon their mission of pursuing Chaos and turn toward Macragge instead."
Sicarius's voice came through the communicator, low and firm.
"They said they could wait, but I thought it would be best to inform you."
"There are many urgent matters in this world, but receiving Loyalists who have come from afar is undoubtedly one that must be given top priority. Let them come. I will wait for them in the reception hall."
"As you wish, my lord."
A crackle of current sounded as the communicator shut off, and the Cogitator processing information fell silent once more.
Guilliman sat in his place, contemplating the future.
The new technology had already been given to Cawl, and the Reform Council was prepared as well.
All that remained was to sweep away the forces of Chaos in Ultramar and gradually advance his plans.
Once the time was right, he would go to Terra and take all authority over the Imperium from those decayed, greedy High Lords, continuing to push his plans forward.
The opening of the Great Rift had not merely strengthened the Chaos Gods; it had also given the Emperor a chance to awaken.
Before the Emperor returned, he needed to gain enough power to protect himself, lest the Emperor cast him aside once he had served his purpose and kill him in turn.
After ten thousand years of faith, no one could guarantee that the Emperor was still the same Emperor he had been ten thousand years ago.
The Emperor's revival might not necessarily be a good thing.
In the broad corridors of Hera Fortress.
More than fifty representatives from various Chapters, who had come from afar, were led toward the reception hall by two Ultramarines Chapter warriors.
The corridor was magnificent, covered in ornate gold and silver carvings.
A marble pillar stood every few meters, supporting the soaring ceiling.
The floor was laid with interwoven black-and-white tiles.
"This is rather unbelievable."
One Chapter representative held a staff set with a golden skull and a ring of bone spines. Crackling Psyker currents marked him as a Chapter Librarian.
Librarians were Space Marines gifted with Psyker abilities. They generally possessed powers such as foresight and elemental control, helping their Chapters fight Daemons and all manner of Psyker Xenos.
"Nothing is unbelievable. Everything is arranged by the Emperor," said a Space Marine clad in black-and-white armor.
Two golden service studs and one silver stud were embedded in his scar-covered head, making him particularly conspicuous.
He was a veteran who had served for more than a century. Judging from the golden Aquila on his breastplate, he held a position of great status.
"Stop discussing such things. We are standing on the surface of Macragge. Do not casually speak of a Primarch."
Villano, walking at the front, turned back toward the two colleagues speaking and signaled for them to stop.
Discussing the awakened Roboute Guilliman on Macragge was disrespectful to the Ultramarines.
He did not want a dispute between Chapters to arise over such a matter.
The two who had been speaking fell silent. Villano turned back and examined everything within sight.
Cobalt-blue banners hung outside the corridor, the symbol of Ultramar embroidered upon them in silver thread, forming unique patterns around the crowned Imperial eagle.
Along the path leading to the hall stood Invictarus Suzerains Terminators clad in savage Cataphractii armor.
They stood like statues, solemn and silent, their Power Weapons activated. Once unleashed, azure or white Power Fields would flare around them.
The entire area was under tight security.
Villano had seen these armored Terminators during several expeditions in which Calgar led Imperial forces.
These Victrix Guard had surrounded that legendary figure of the Imperium as he passed through grand victory ceremonies.
The first great door opened with a sharp pneumatic hiss, revealing even more members of the Victrix Guard standing within.
The atmosphere grew oppressive. These Victrix Guard were all battle-hardened veterans who had fought Chaos, Xenos, and traitors.
An Ultramarines Captain approached them.
"Welcome to Macragge."
"Sicarius, I am glad to see you again." Villano saluted the Ultramarine in greeting.
"I am glad as well, Villano. It has been twenty years since we last met, has it not? If you wish to reminisce, please wait a while. My lord is waiting for you. Go and meet him at once."
Sicarius extended a hand, gesturing for them to enter.
Villano and the others followed the corridor to the final door.
The Victrix Guard members assigned to guard it stamped their feet to attention, producing a solemn sound.
The marble doors of the hall, carved with intricate patterns and set with a golden Imperial eagle, opened amid mechanical noises.
A hint of tension rose in the hearts of the representatives from every Chapter. They removed their Helms, kept themselves as calm as possible, and stepped inside.
The moment they entered, they froze.
Upon a throne of pure Adamantium surrounded by hundreds of ornaments sat a living miracle.
A giant warrior in blue-and-gold armor sat upon it, his broad face handsome and dignified. One hand bore a massive gauntlet, while a huge sheathed Power Sword rested beside his throne.
Villano had thought himself prepared, but when he saw that face, he understood that he was not. His emotions became impossible to contain, and before long, tears streamed down his face.
He had seen this Primarch before. Macragge had once faced the threat of the Tyranids, and his Chapter had been ordered to provide support and repel that threat from beyond the Milky Way.
Because of that, he had been able to see Guilliman in the Sanctum of Hera Fortress.
Guilliman had been placed within a Stasis Field.
The battle ten thousand years ago had left him only a second away from death, yet the Stasis Field's peculiar function had infinitely prolonged the arrival of that second.
And now, he had broken free of the Stasis Field and sat there alive.
Boundless vitality surged through his powerful body, while his gaze was filled with wisdom and majesty.
Villano and the other Space Marines dropped to one knee as if by instinct.
"What they said was true. You have returned to life, my lord."
Villano could feel his voice trembling.
It was not fear, but excitement and exhilaration.
In such a moment, everyone in the Imperium would tremble with emotion. A living legend had appeared in their world.
Guilliman studied them, then descended the steps.
"Rise, all of you. You have defended humanity and the Imperium. You are heroes of the Imperium. There is no need for such ceremony."
Guilliman walked to the nearest Space Marine, grasped the man's shoulders with both hands, and helped him up.
"What is your name?" Guilliman asked.
"Villano, Captain of the Silent Company of the Raven Guard."
"It is good to meet you, Captain," Guilliman said.
"It is my honor to meet you as well, my lord."
"I hope so. I had thought you might refuse to acknowledge me. That would have given me quite a headache." Guilliman made the joke with a smile.
"There is absolutely no possibility of that. We will fight for your will," Villano said.
"Ha ha." Guilliman patted Villano on the shoulder. "Soon, you will have the chance to prove it. I hope you will not disappoint me too greatly when that time comes."
Guilliman greeted each of the Chapter representatives in the front row. These Space Marines came from the Raven Guard, Space Wolves, White Scars, and several Chapters founded in later foundings.
All of them had come for the awakened Primarch.
He asked their names and did his best to create a relaxed, humorous atmosphere, drawing them closer through laughter.
Guilliman gave every visitor high praise, commending their contributions to the Imperium.
After their exchange ended, Guilliman prepared to get straight to the point.
"You have come from afar, and I should have allowed you to rest properly. But the Imperium's current situation is utterly dire. Chaos and the Xenos have given us no time for leisure or rest. I urgently need to stabilize Ultramar so that I may proceed with the next stage of my plans. The fleet is already assembling, and the armies are gathering at Macragge. I wish to ask whether you will honor your oaths and join my forces."
Guilliman swept his gaze across the representatives of the many Chapters and asked the question.
Before you continue