On the other side, Lorgar and the Word Bearers were fighting just as smoothly. Though they were not as elegant and swift as the Emperor's Children, the fervor revealed in every word and gesture deeply inspired the other troops.
Because they shared the same religious stench, several times more Ecclesiarchy troops had gathered around Lorgar and the Word Bearers than around Fulgrim. Even the conscripted Astra Militarum largely came from religious worlds, having been influenced by the Ecclesiarchy's fanatical atmosphere of sacrifice for generations.
Though the Word Bearers were great traitors, to these mortal troops of limited experience, the Word Bearers in white armor and white helmets looked exactly like the Angels of Death from myth.
Especially Lorgar, whose frame and roar were the greatest of all. A gleaming golden iron halo floated behind his bald head, and a bulwark of faith moved with him. Deathmark shots vanished the moment they entered that dense golden barrier.
This was Lorgar's Warp essence: unacknowledged blind faith. Beneath the golden radiance, even the most rational veterans would be stirred into action, forgetting the purpose of the guns in their hands and joining the tide of the charge with bayonets leveled. But the Deathmarks were no lowly units. Their strength was formidable as well, and they could exact a grievous price from any who underestimated them. Many soldiers were torn apart by Deathmarks in their fervor, only for still more soldiers to roar, "Long live the God-Emperor!" and avenge their comrades.
As Lorgar and Fulgrim battled the Deathmarks, Mortarion led the Death Guard into the battlefield as well. They did not crush the endlessly emerging Deathmarks from the rifts through valiant melee combat. Instead, they formed mobile walls with heavy shields and slowly, irresistibly rolled forward.
"They charged too quickly." Mortarion looked upon the