Chapter Summaries

After Celes appointed Roka bishop, he handled the church’s administrative work while wondering whether she suspected his true identity. The arrival of ships brought familiar Warp presences into view, including a chained fortress and an ink-formed motorcycle.

• Celes told Sister Superior Anlens to brief Bishop Roka, who approved the Carcharodons Chapter’s request to resupply at Saint Codgas.
• After leaving Celes, Anlens accepted Sister Superior Mawen’s promised punishment, while Mawen privately cherished the hand Celes had touched.
• Celes left Roka a stack of documents and flew off to check on the children; Roka continued the administrative work and wondered if Celes was testing him.
• Roka recalled that Celes searched his soul each night and questioned what he should do on the planet.
• Roka sensed a familiar presence as ships descended, then saw Warp visions of distant Aeldari and two vast shadows among the human ships.

Roka was captured by Drukhari, but Celes and the Battle Sisters intervened, only for a powerful attacker to arrive and fight Celes. Roka remained unsure which side Tzeentch expected him to help.

• Tzeentch instructed Roka to blend into the group, and Roka sat down to handle paperwork.
• Drukhari warriors paralyzed Roka and tried to drag him through a rift, but Battle Sisters stormed in to stop them.
• Celes arrived, killed the Drukhari warriors, and burned away their rift.
• An attacker ambushed Celes, wounded her, and killed the Battle Sisters who tried to help.
• Celes fought the attacker while Roka wondered whether Tzeentch wanted him to aid her or the Drukhari.

Roka helped Celes defeat Drazhar and used devotional power to heal her, prompting her to suspect he was chosen by the God-Emperor. When Celes tested him with golden flames, Carlos intervened, and Roka witnessed the flames being used to inspire martyrdom across Ecclesiarchy worlds and gather the martyrs’ remains.

• Roka helped Celes fight Drazhar, and Celes severed one of his arms before he wounded her and vanished.
• Roka healed Celes with devotional power, making her wonder whether he was a new saint chosen by the God-Emperor.
• Unable to receive guidance from the God-Emperor in the Ghoul Stars, Celes tested Roka by enveloping him in golden flames.
• The flames began to burn away the golden feathers concealing Roka’s Tzeentch Greater Daemon essence.
• Carlos appeared in Roka’s vision, drew the flames into his staff, and scattered them across Ecclesiarchy worlds.
• Roka saw believers and bishops enter the flames in martyrdom ceremonies as Carlos collected their ashes.

Roka survived the God-Emperor’s trial and joined Celes as she fought off Drukhari raiders, while Celes investigated a ruined museum where Space Marines from three Chapters were on the verge of fighting. Jaghatai and Perturabo’s clash escalated, and the chapter ended with the revelation that the Aeldari had failed to stop a powerful Necron dynasty from awakening.

• Carlos vanished after telling Roka to use his ignorance and confusion, and Roka emerged unharmed as Celes declared that the God-Emperor had recognized him.
• Celes carried Roka into battle, destroyed a Drukhari raider ship, and threw Roka through its deck with a chainsword.
• Celes joined the fighting and noticed the scattered Drukhari attacks appeared to be a diversion.
• Celes found three groups of Space Marines confronting one another amid the ruins of Saint Codgas's Museum of Antiquity.
• Perturabo attacked Jaghatai after their argument, and his armor’s flash-and-noise devices briefly blinded Khan.
• The chapter revealed that the Aeldari had failed to prevent a powerful Necron dynasty from awakening.

Jaghatai Khan and Perturabo traded blows and insults until Perturabo summoned Iron Circle robots and prepared to attack. Celes and Lin Fan intervened, and Lin Fan began persuading Perturabo that he and Jaghatai had more in common than either realized.

• Jaghatai Khan disabled the melta cannon in Perturabo's palm, but Perturabo kicked him hundreds of meters away.
• Jaghatai taunted Perturabo about his destructive record, prompting Perturabo to summon drop pods carrying Iron Circle robots and order an attack.
• Celes flew up and called for everyone to stop, but Perturabo's robots fired at Jaghatai anyway.
• Lin Fan and Trazyn emerged through a portal and halted the shells; Lin Fan chastised Trazyn for hiding and urged Perturabo to reconsider fighting Jaghatai.
• Perturabo reflected that he and Jaghatai had both been marginalized and that he knew very little about his brother.

Jaghatai and Perturabo reconciled after Lin Fan stopped their fight, then learned Celes was a Living Saint appointed by The Emperor. As Yvraine pursued a vast Drukhari fleet carrying stolen spoils, she concealed the Ynnari nearby to investigate what it was transporting.

• Perturabo powered down the Iron Circle robots, and he and Jaghatai sheathed their weapons and shook hands in a painfully forceful truce.
• Jaghatai and Perturabo mistook Celes for Sanguinius's daughter until Lin Fan explained that The Emperor had made her a Living Saint.
• Perturabo said the Drukhari had escaped with a floating coffin, while the group shared information about the raid and Yvraine's pursuit.
• Yvraine spotted a huge Drukhari fleet bearing newly unified insignias and watched it receive ships through numerous rifts.
• Yvraine ordered the Ynnari to conceal themselves and observe the fleet because she sensed something important among its ships.

Vect and Urien Rakarth used a golden shard and a captive robed figure to create a two-dimensional map that they believed could help the Drukhari survive the Black Muse’s growing hunger. They left the chapter facing the coming apocalypse, as Rakarth fed on an ancient Aeldari Seer.

• An Archon sent a coffin containing the map through a rift, where Drukhari sacrificed themselves to the Black Muse’s rune.
• Vect opened the coffin and found a stone statue containing a golden shard, which he shaped into a conceptual plane.
• Vect summoned Urien Rakarth and threw a captive robed figure into the plane, where it unfolded into a detailed two-dimensional map.
• Vect and Rakarth called the map their hope of survival and discussed the accelerating corrosion and the Black Muse’s hunger.
• Vect placed a mask on an Incubus, transforming him into Drazhar, Lord of Blades.
• Rakarth opened a statue’s chest, seized an ancient Aeldari Seer from within, and devoured him.

Rakarth’s vision confirmed that Commorragh faced famine, while Vect revealed his plan to destroy the Dark City and free an ancient Aeldari war ark trapped at its core. As the ark emerged, Vect defiled Isha’s Tear and became the Black Muse’s chosen.

• Rakarth devoured an Aeldari seer and gained a clearer vision of a vast rift and famine threatening Commorragh.
• Vect revealed that he had survived his funeral and used his loyal Incubi and Haemonculi to seize control of the attending kabals.
• Vect dismantled Commorragh, breaking its spatial anchors and exposing its inhabitants to Slaanesh and the Warp.
• As Commorragh collapsed, Vect saw an ancient Aeldari war ark emerge from a black hole at the city’s core, its hull scarred by a vast wound.
• Vect corrupted Isha’s Tear with a sacrificial dagger and became the Black Muse’s chosen.

Vect forced Rakarth to reveal three possible futures for the Aeldari, then set his fleet on the course marked by the Deceiver’s map. The Deceiver trapped Yvraine’s fleet in a vortex before erasing himself as a powerful entity approached.

• Rakarth endured visions of three futures, describing the Imperium’s possible fates and an Aeldari path under the gods’ protection before collapsing.
• Vect ordered the Incubi to rebuild Rakarth’s body from the remains of other Haemonculi.
• The Deceiver told Vect that he was the fourth person to meet him and described the three who had come before.
• Vect dismissed the Deceiver, rolled up the map, and directed his fleet toward its marked destination.
• The Deceiver gathered Yvraine’s fleet into a vortex and held its ships spinning in place.
• Sensing the Subjective One approaching, the Deceiver ate himself away until he could no longer be observed or confirmed to exist.

The Deceiver tried to expose Tzeentch’s disguise aboard a human warship, while Tzeentch retaliated by manipulating Azmodai during an interrogation. The Deceiver returned to find Azmodai leading the Dark Angels in a purge across several star systems.

• The Deceiver spotted a Greater Daemon of Tzeentch disguised aboard a human warship and decided to reveal it.
• Tzeentch warned the Deceiver not to interfere, but the Deceiver mocked him and threatened to expose the daemon’s disguise.
• Tzeentch possessed a Fallen Angel during Azmodai’s interrogation and made the prisoner confess a set of coordinates before dying.
• Azmodai took the confession as proof that his methods worked and ordered the Dark Angels to capture more Fallen Angels.
• The Deceiver returned to his hideout and saw Azmodai commanding the Dark Angels to purge a planet, killing every suspicious person.

The Deceiver exposed Carlos to the Grey Knights while Roka was summoned to answer for his beliefs about the Emperor. Roka declared that the Emperor was human rather than a god, leaving the hall silent and the assembled leaders contemplating his words.

• The Deceiver retaliated against Tzeentch by alerting the Inquisition to Carlos, who urgently called for help as Grey Knights arrived.
• Roka felt a terrifying presence aboard the Ecclesiarchy warship, then followed Canoness Mawen to meet Lin Fan, Jaghatai, and Perturabo.
• Lin Fan questioned Roka about his unorthodox beliefs, and Roka insisted that the Emperor was not a god.
• Roka argued that the Emperor was a mortal human and that elevating him above humanity placed him alongside other races' gods.
• Roka urged humanity to follow the Emperor's example, and the gathered Sisters, priests, and Space Marines fell silent.

Roka explained his view that the Emperor should be honored as a human exemplar and proposed rebuilding Cemetery World as peaceful hometown memorial parks. Perturabo and Jaghatai approved of his ideas, but Jaghatai left discouraged by the obstacles to reforming the Imperium.

• Jaghatai told Perturabo that Roka’s theory differed from the Imperial Truth and might restore some of the Emperor’s humanity, while Lin Fan warned that weakening the Emperor’s divine power could endanger his fight against Chaos.
• Perturabo asked Roka how Cemetery World should be rebuilt, and Roka admitted he had only a rough concept and no design.
• Roka argued that the fallen should be buried in their hometowns among parks and lively communities rather than in a vast, heavily guarded cemetery.
• Perturabo stopped Roka after understanding his proposal, and Jaghatai supported the idea while criticizing the Imperium’s ignorance and cruelty.
• Jaghatai grew despondent over the obstacles to reform, and Perturabo ended the gathering as the attendees dispersed with differing opinions about Roka.

Perturabo proposed establishing a Second Empire in a region where Imperial authority was weak, arguing that rebuilding from scratch would be more effective than repairing the existing Imperium. Jaghatai objected that the plan amounted to treason and division, but he fell silent as Perturabo described how it could relieve pressure on the old Imperium.

• Celes changed out of her saintly armor while Perturabo stared at her bare feet, and Jaghatai cautioned him to mind his image.
• Lin Fan left Perturabo and Jaghatai alone, then listened as Yilafren chattered about looting Harlequins with Jaghatai and complained about him.
• Perturabo told Jaghatai that he wanted to establish the Second Empire, shocking him into calling the plan treason.
• Perturabo showed Jaghatai a star map and argued that the region from the Ghoul Stars onward could become a strong new government in territory where Imperial power was weak.
• Perturabo argued that starting over would be more efficient than repairing old Imperial systems, and Jaghatai fell silent as he considered the proposal.

Perturabo tried to persuade Jaghatai to support his Second Empire plan, then showed him a metal warhorse as a gesture of understanding and expressed hope that they might one day discuss humanity’s future together. Jaghatai remained wary of Perturabo’s intentions, and the chapter ended with an Inquisitor Greyfax and Celestine exchange.

• Perturabo set aside his pitch to Jaghatai and brought him aboard the Lamenters’ Mother of Tears to watch Iron Bone robots train new recruits.
• Jaghatai questioned Perturabo about his past and his old treatment of the Iron Warriors, while Perturabo admitted he had regretted the needless deaths of Dantioch and Forrix.
• Perturabo told Jaghatai about his contradictory need for care and distrust, then showed him a lifelike metal warhorse made for him.
• Jaghatai challenged Perturabo over his responsibility for the rebellion, and Perturabo said the Second Empire was the best home he could make for humanity.
• Inquisitor Greyfax treated Celestine as a demon and ordered her psychic focus broken, while Celestine accused Greyfax of using her to attract attention.

Perturabo gave Jaghatai a mechanical warhorse while reflecting on the Horus Heresy and the possibility that forces behind Horus had shaped its destruction. Meanwhile, Trazyn freed Yvraine from spatial turbulence and told her that Iyanden and Biel-Tan had been rescued, though the Necrons treated her people with contempt.

• Perturabo gave Jaghatai a mechanical warhorse, and Jaghatai rode it around the room.
• Perturabo recalled the chaos among his brothers during the Horus Heresy and wondered whether forces behind Horus had driven the destruction of Terra.
• Lin Fan visited Trazyn as Trazyn freed Yvraine from spatial turbulence.
• Trazyn told Yvraine that his Necron allies had rescued Iyanden and Biel-Tan and introduced her to Inamars through a holographic projection.
• Rotaros explained that both craftworlds were under the Executioner Fleet's protection, described the medical aid they had received, and dismissed it as charity.

Yvraine thanked Rotaros for saving her people, while Phaeron Inamars grew attached to an Aeldari girl and promised to find her parents’ Soul Stones. When representatives from Iyanden and Biel-Tan asked to leave with Annis, Rotaros refused, insisting they remain until the Phaeron ordered otherwise.

• Yvraine thanked Rotaros, and Szeras and Orikan argued over the damage and memory loss caused by their experiments.
• Rotaros found Inamars holding an Aeldari girl, who asked him to help find her parents’ Soul Stones, and Inamars ordered a search party sent out.
• Rotaros threatened a Deathmark captain who criticized Inamars, whose memories of his family had been worsening during the pursuit of the fugitive.
• Rotaros received representatives from Iyanden and Biel-Tan, who asked to leave with Annis.
• Rotaros refused to let the Aeldari leave and told them the Necrontyr would care for Annis until the Phaeron gave an order.

Trazyn revealed that he had a clone of Fulgrim, and Perturabo and Jaghatai reacted with anger and disbelief. The clone awoke and embraced Perturabo, leaving him conflicted as Fulgrim apologized for what he had done.

• Yilafren asked Trazyn to help find Fulgrim in exchange for her recording, and Trazyn suggested he could use the Primarchs' connection to locate him.
• Lin Fan brought Jaghatai and Perturabo to meet Trazyn, and both swore they would not lose their tempers.
• Trazyn opened a stasis canister containing a Fulgrim clone, prompting Jaghatai to attack him and Perturabo to examine the clone.
• Lin Fan stopped Jaghatai from attacking further and explained that the Fulgrim before them was a clone created by Fulgrim's subordinates.
• The clone woke, called Perturabo his fourth brother, and embraced him while apologizing for his past actions.
• Perturabo treated Fulgrim's injuries but could not bring himself to strike him, while Fulgrim believed Perturabo could never forgive him.

Lin Fan recounted Fulgrim’s humiliating history with Perturabo until Perturabo shot him and threatened to destroy the ship. Clone Fulgrim then thanked his rescuers and demanded that Trazyn release the others, leaving his anger toward Fabius unresolved.

• Jaghatai covered the naked Fulgrim with his cloak, and the group listened as Fulgrim and Perturabo discussed their past.
• Lin Fan told Yilafren, Yvraine, and Jaghatai how Fulgrim had made Perturabo build a theater, delayed explaining his plan, and used him to complete his ascension ritual.
• Perturabo shot Lin Fan in the head and threatened to blow up the ship if Lin Fan continued.
• Lin Fan welcomed Clone Fulgrim, who accepted his identity and vowed to capture the fallen Primarch and make him atone.
• Trazyn returned, and Clone Fulgrim asked him to release the others while reacting with rage at the mention of Fabius.

Fulgrim persuaded Trazyn to release a captured band of corrupted Emperor’s Children and welcomed them as his children, prompting their leader, Aiken Nykona, to kneel before him. Lin Fan reflected on how primarchs’ influence and their descendants’ desire for approval had shaped loyalty and betrayal across the Legions.

• Fulgrim demanded that Trazyn release the captured Emperor’s Children, and Trazyn agreed.
• Trazyn freed the Emperor’s Children from stasis, and they awoke confused and hostile.
• Fulgrim greeted his descendants with affection, and Aiken Nykona recognized him and knelt.
• Aiken told Fulgrim that he and the others had always followed him, and the Emperor’s Children gathered around their father.
• Lin Fan considered how primarchs’ treatment of their Legions had driven their descendants’ loyalty, suffering, and rebellion.

The chapter examined how the primarchs’ origins and family relationships shaped their conflicting needs for love and purpose, contrasting Guilliman’s upbringing with Perturabo’s and Angron’s. It ended with Guilliman holding onto his memories and ideals after confronting the Emperor’s ruined state, declaring that hope remained.

• Lin Fan’s understanding and teasing helped Perturabo endure his inner conflict and gradually open his heart.
• The chapter explained how the primarchs’ vat-born origins left them without maternal love, while the Emperor often treated them as tools rather than children.
• Different primarchs responded to their deprivation in different ways: Leman Russ was satisfied by the Emperor’s approval, while Angron’s losses and the Butcher’s Nails left him seeing the Emperor as an enemy.
• Guilliman’s loving parents and ideals helped him achieve a balance that supported the Imperium, while Konrad Curze’s knowledge of Guilliman’s family stirred jealousy and hatred.
• In a future without Lin Fan, Guilliman reached the throne, saw what the Emperor and Imperium had become, and broke down in despair.
• Guilliman drew strength from his family, ideals, and memories of his brothers, then faced the Imperium’s people and declared, “Hope remained.”