Beneath the cold sun, a loyal soul slowly awakened.
At first, he did not understand where he was. But when he saw the forest of glorious banners and the Golden Throne gleaming beneath the sun's cold light, he knew this was the Golden Throne worshipped by the Imperium's soldiers and citizens for thousands upon thousands of years.
Shaken, the soul chose to remain silent. Beneath the Golden Throne flowed a burning darkness, formed from countless Black-armored Warriors. Every one of them was utterly silent, like a cast statue. Each bore fury and hatred within them, emotions that became blazing flames constantly surging around their armor.
Mercy, indifference, approval, respect, and other emotions mingled into a sacred voice that resounded beside the soul. "You have not betrayed your oath. You loyally fulfilled your duty as a warrior. You devoted your life to humanity, and now I grant you the right to choose. You may choose to rest, enjoying hard-won peace beneath the Throne's protection. Or you may continue onward, burning for humanity's future until the end of time."
There was no hesitation, no thought. It was as though he had imagined this scene thousands of times while he was alive, and every time, he had only one answer.
"Burn everything for humanity's future! This is my supreme honor!"
Sacred flames rose once his words had fully faded. His pure white soul was firmly protected by black armor forged from fire. All glory became the flawless white skull emblem upon his chest, while all fury and hatred became scorching flames coiling around his black armor.
He became a warrior of the Legion of the Damned. From the hazy heavenly fire above the Golden Throne surged forth a phantom wrapped in blazing flames.
He was a giant among giants, his powerful arms bare.