Causality

Half a solar hour later.

Qin Xa and Wuwei advanced along the corridor leading to the Throne Room.

Custodes who had just withdrawn from the battlefield surrounded the two of them.

Mortals, Space Marines, and their Eldar allies gathered from all directions along both sides of the corridor, watching the man who had literally brought the war to a halt.

When they reached the entrance to the Throne Room, the Custodes motioned for Wuwei, the White Scars Librarian, to remain outside.

He nodded to Qin Xa, then obediently stood outside the Throne Hall.

Qin Xa followed the Custodes into the Throne Hall.

Guilliman, Regent of the Imperium, Yvraine, leader of the Eldar death cult, members of Terra's High Lords Council, and senior figures of the Adeptus Mechanicus on Mars... all had gathered within the Throne Hall.

Behind these leaders stood the Golden Throne, with the God-Emperor's withered body seated upon it.

Black ash drifted down around the Throne...

This black ash was often used as material for anti-psychic weapons. The Culexus Assassins of the Officio Assassinorum used anti-psychic weapons made from it... if the Culexus Assassins still existed.

"Your Highness."

The current commander of the Custodes limped over to Guilliman and bowed.

Qin Xa stood where he was and silently surveyed everyone. He neither bowed nor offered any explanation.

He heard the High Lords quietly discussing his armor and psychic power.

He saw Guilliman—the Regent's hair and beard were white, his Armor of Destiny was severely damaged, his face was covered in wrinkles, and his eyes looked so exhausted that he seemed ready to collapse and sleep for ten thousand years at any moment.

"How do we know he isn't a heretic?" the blood-eyed Ecclesiarchy Pope muttered.

"Have you lost your mind in the slaughter? If he were a heretic,