A New Battle

"They are very fast." Guilliman sat back up.

"They were already on their way to support us. Your awakening led them to temporarily abandon their pursuit of Chaos to divert to Macragge."

Sicarius's voice was low and powerful over the comms.

"They indicated they could wait, but I thought it best to inform you."

"There are many urgent matters in this world, but receiving a group of loyalists who have traveled from afar is an immediate priority that must come first. Let them come; I shall await them in the reception hall."

"As you command, my lord."

A crackle of static sounded as the comms cut out, and the cogitator processing the information fell back into a deathly silence.

Guilliman sat in his seat, contemplating the future.

The new technology had been given to Cawl, and the reform council was ready.

The remaining task was to purge the Chaos forces from Ultramar and gradually push forward his plans.

When the time was ripe, he would head to Terra to seize full authority over the Imperium from the corrupt and greedy High Lords and continue to drive his agenda.

The opening of the Great Rift did not just empower the Chaos Gods; it also provided an opportunity for the Emperor to recover.

He needed to secure enough power to protect himself before the Emperor fully awoke, to avoid being discarded or struck down by the Emperor once his usefulness had passed.

After ten thousand years of worship, no one could guarantee that the Emperor was still the same Emperor from ten millennia ago.

The Emperor's awakening might not necessarily be a good thing.

The wide corridors of Hera Fortress.

More than fifty representatives from various Chapters were being led toward the reception hall by two Space Marines of the Ultramarines.

The corridor was magnificent, covered in ornate gold and silver carvings.

Every few meters, a marble pillar supported the soaring ceiling.

The floor was paved with an intricate pattern of black and white tiles.

"This whole affair feels unbelievable to me."

One Chapter representative held a staff inlaid with a golden skull and a ring of bone spikes; the crackling psychic energy radiating from it marked him as a Chapter Librarian.

Librarians were Space Marines who possessed psychic powers; they generally held abilities such as precognition and elemental manipulation, helping their Chapters combat daemons and various psychic xenos.

"Nothing is unbelievable; everything is the Emperor's design," said the Space Marine clad in black and white armor.

Two gold service studs and one silver one were embedded in his scarred head, making him stand out.

He was a veteran with over a century of service, and judging by the golden Aquila on his chest plate, his status was exceptionally high.

"Do not speak of these things anymore. We are standing on the surface of Macragge; do not discuss a Primarch so casually."

Villano, walking in the lead, turned his head to look at his two colleagues, signaling them to stop the conversation.

Discussing the awakened Roboute Guilliman on Macragge was a sign of disrespect to the Ultramarines.

He did not want to cause friction between the Chapters over such a matter.

The two who had been talking fell silent, and Villano turned his head back, surveying everything within his view.

Cobalt-blue banners hung outside the corridor, the emblem of Ultramar embroidered in silver thread to form unique patterns surrounding the crowned Imperial Aquila.

Standing along the path to the hall were Invictarus Suzerain Terminators clad in fierce Cataphractii armor.

They stood like statues, solemn and silent, their power weapons in an activated state; should they strike, a brilliant blue or white power field would flare to life.

The entire area was under high alert.

Villano had seen these armored Terminators before, during the several crusades led by Calgar.

These Victrix Guard had surrounded that Imperial legend as he walked through grand triumphal processions.

The first gate opened with a sharp pneumatic hiss, revealing even more members of the Victrix Guard standing within.

The atmosphere felt oppressive; these Victrix Guard were all battle-hardened veterans who had survived slaughter against Chaos, xenos, and traitors.

An Ultramarine in captain's armor walked toward 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. If you wish to reminisce, please wait a moment; my master is awaiting you. Please go to meet him at once."

Sicarius gestured for them to proceed inside.

Villano and the others followed the corridor to the final door.

The Victrix Guard members on duty stomped their feet to attention, creating a solemn and imposing sound.

The hall doors, made of marble and carved with complex patterns and an inlaid golden Imperial Aquila, opened with a mechanical groan.

A trace of nervousness welled up in the hearts of the representatives from the various Chapters. They removed their helmets, did their best to remain calm, and stepped inside.

The moment they stepped in, they froze.

Sitting on a throne of pure adamantium, surrounded by hundreds of decorations, was a living miracle.

A giant warrior clad in blue and gold armor sat upright upon it, his broad face handsome and solemn. One hand was equipped with a massive gauntlet, and a colossal power sword in its scabbard rested beside his throne.

Villano thought he had prepared himself, but upon seeing that face, he realized he had not. He was overcome with uncontrollable emotion, and within moments, his face was streaming with tears.

He had seen this Primarch before; Macragge had once faced the threat of the Tyranids, and his Chapter had been ordered to provide reinforcements to repel those threats from beyond the galaxy.

It was precisely because of this that he had been able to see Guilliman in the sanctuary of Hera Fortress.

He had been placed within a stasis field.

The battle ten thousand years ago had brought him within a second of death, yet the unique function of the stasis field had infinitely prolonged the arrival of that final moment.

And now, he had been freed from the stasis field, sitting there, alive and breathing.

Boundless vitality surged from his robust frame, and his gaze was filled with wisdom and majesty.

Villano and the other Space Marines knelt on one knee, as if by instinct.

"It is true what they say; you have returned, my lord."

Villano could feel his voice trembling.

This was not out of fear, but caused by excitement and fervor.

In this situation, everyone in the Imperium would tremble with excitement; a living myth had appeared in their world.

Guilliman scrutinized them and 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 formalities."

Guilliman walked toward the nearest Space Marine, gripped the man's shoulders with both hands, and helped him up.

"What is your name?" Guilliman asked.

"Villano, Captain of the Silent Company, from the Raven Guard."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain," Guilliman said.

"It is my honor to meet you as well, my lord."

"I hope so. I thought you might not acknowledge me, which would have given me quite a headache," Guilliman said with a touch of humor.

"That is an impossibility; we shall fight for your will," Villano said.

"Haha," Guilliman patted Villano on the shoulder. "Soon, you will have the chance to prove it. I hope you will not disappoint me too much when the time comes."

Guilliman greeted the representatives of the Chapters in the front row one by one; these Space Marines came from the Raven Guard, the Space Wolves, the White Scars, and several successor Chapters.

They had all come for the resurrected Primarch.

He asked for their names and did his best to create a relaxed and humorous atmosphere, closing the distance between them amidst laughter.

Guilliman spoke highly of every visitor, praising their contributions to the Imperium.

After the conversation concluded, Guilliman prepared to get straight to the point.

"You have traveled from afar, and I should have allowed you to rest properly, but the current situation of the Imperium is dire. Chaos and xenos have not given us any time for leisure. I urgently need to stabilize the situation in Ultramar so that I may proceed with my next plan. The fleet is already assembling, and the armies are gathering on Macragge. I wish to ask if you will fulfill your oaths and join my forces."

Guilliman looked around at the representatives of the many Chapters and asked.