Boarding in Glory

Before the world-ending ark, the Spear of Doom, arrived, Valerian hastened the evacuation of all ground forces still inside the temple.

No matter how the Spear of Doom appeared, no one wanted to stand beneath a supercapital ship more than a dozen miles wide. There was no doubt that Amon's most insane servants piloted it. It would be a cosmic suicide train barreling toward them at firing speed.

As Valerian watched the last Imperial transports preparing to take off, the Xel'Naga Temple beneath their feet had already undergone earth-shaking changes.

Using the Xel'Naga Temple and its myriad dark creations as a medium, a gigantic maw of the Void opened at the center of the collapsing temple. It was a gateway to another world, a lens reflecting the endless Void—like a tiny hole between the Void and reality, like a wormhole bored through a wooden plank.

The Void's corruption of reality was glaringly apparent. Like ink spilled across the ground, hundreds upon thousands of black holes large enough to swallow human bodies kept emerging from the temple's cracked stone floor. A twisted veil spread beneath everyone's feet, and the shadows of the Void grew wildly like a black forest, completely engulfing the temple.

The boiling Void was unimaginably cold. Temperatures began plunging at a terrifying rate, until a layer of white frost formed over the Marines' armor. As time passed, the bone-chilling Void energy brought terrible frost storms that nearly tore apart the surrounding terrain. The cold wind cut like razors, making the Imperial evacuation increasingly difficult.

The Fallen ruled the Void, but their control over reality was minimal. Even so, Amon could use Void catalysts to influence the material universe, greatly strengthening his warriors, weakening his enemies, or erasing both sides along with the entire battlefield.

As they battled the