Stasis Ice Coffin
On the scorched land of Baal, the battle did not cease instantly due to the arrival of a miracle or powerful reinforcements; rather, the scales of victory had already tilted irreversibly.
In one corner of the battlefield, a deep blue body was carefully removed from the spot where it had perished alongside the Hive Tyrant.
It was placed in a portable stasis ice coffin that was temporarily activated.
The coffin lid was not completely closed, leaving a gap, as if unwilling to completely sever the warrior from the sky he had sworn to defend.
Marcus Malum stood before the ice coffin, like a blue-gold guardian statue.
His signature white tactical helmet drooped slightly, and his gaze, through the visor, fell on the face in the coffin— Titus, frozen in a final roar and a moment of relief.
Just now, several Blood Angels warriors, covered in wounds but with burning eyes, recounted to him with utmost respect the heroic deeds of this Ultramarines brother:
How did they fight for ten days and ten nights in a desperate situation, completely isolated and helpless, and finally, with the strength of mortals, confront and kill a terrifying Hive Tyrant?
"A true warrior, a pure exemplar."
Malum silently recited these words, a deep respect and regret for his comrade-in-arms welling up beneath the calm mind of a tactical mastermind.
He had also heard bits and pieces about Titus's past, about the Death Company and the century-old miscarriages of Inquisition.
Today, this brother has proven himself in the most glorious yet brutal way, adding a magnificent chapter to the glory of the Ultramarines.
His remains must not be desecrated in any way.
Malum Whisper to himself, and to his fellow Blood Angels and Ultramarines who occasionally glanced at him with concern.
He gripped the Chainsword tightly, and the Power Armour's servo system emitted a slight hum, adjusting to optimal alert status.
"I will stay here until this war is completely over, until peace is restored to Baal."
While fulfilling his guard duties, he also cleared out the Tyranids of Zerglings that kept pouring in from all around him with dazzling efficiency.
The Bolter precisely targeted the Termagant attempting to spray acid from afar, while the Chainsword, like a living silver storm, carved out a death zone within a few meters around him.
"At that time,"
Malum continued his "prayer," his voice steady yet unwavering, as if conversing with Titus in the coffin:
"You will be honorably returned to Macragge."
You will rest in the Legion's most sacred memorial hall, your name will shine as brightly as the stars of Ultramar, and be forever remembered and revered by future generations.
Your sacrifice will become...
He turned slightly to the side, and the Chainsword slashed upwards at a precise angle.
He cleaved a blade insect that had silently pounced from the side and rear in mid-air, the filthy fluids splashing onto the sand and hissing as they corroded.
The movements were so fluid, without a single unnecessary movement.
"... our courage and motivation to keep moving forward."
He finished speaking as naturally as if the lightning-fast sword strike he had just delivered was merely a breath.
These remaining Tyranids units, though still ferocious, were nothing more than buzzing, slightly larger "flies" in Malum's eyes.
They lack the cunning and teamwork of higher-level Tyranids, possessing only the most basic instinct to devour.
For Malum, who had just finished sparring with Angron and then joined forces to instantly kill the Insect Saint, dealing with them required no complicated tactics—just a swing of his sword.
His swordsmanship had reached a state of perfection; the Chainsword in his hands was no longer a violent tearing tool, but a precise and deadly extension of limbs.
The sword light wove a dense, impenetrable silver net; not a single insect could remain intact before entering the threatening range of his armor.
They are often sliced, split, and pulverized by a seemingly premonition of cold light the moment they flap their wings, take a step, or even just transform their attack intention into muscle contraction.
After quickly clearing the area of threats, Malum also took the opportunity to "deal with" a few Blood Angels warriors who had been seized by "Black Rage" again due to the fierce battle and the loss of their comrades.
His method was simple, brutal, yet exceptionally effective—he charged into the Chapter with greater speed and strength.
Precisely grab the opponent's Power Armour by the neck or arm joint, forcibly detach and control it, and then...
"Slap! Slap!"
Two powerful, soul-stirring large pockets.
This was followed by a perfectly timed neck press, which forced the enraged warrior into a brief period of oxygen deprivation and nerve shock, causing him to lose consciousness.
Malum would gently place them behind relatively safe cover, then continue his guard and clearing work.
After doing all this, he returned to the ice coffin, his posture still upright like a pine tree.
His gaze fell once more on Titus's peaceful face, and he prepared to say something more.
Perhaps it's about details about Macragge, or perhaps it's about more news about the Primarch's return.
He wanted to give his sleeping brother a clearer promise "after his death".
"Wait a little longer, brother, let's clear this area..." Malum's words were cut short.
A sudden change has occurred!
"For Guilliman --!!!"
A deafening battle roar, brimming with the violent power of new life and boundless ecstasy, erupted from within the ice coffin like a volcano that had been suppressed for millennia!
Immediately afterwards--
"Boom!!!"
An incredibly hard metal fist enveloped in a faint blue-gold Psionic Energy.
It ruthlessly pierced through the reinforced coffin lid, which was not yet completely locked, with the power to shatter everything.
It landed squarely and solidly on Malum's visor as he was bending over Whisper!
The force of that punch exceeded all of Malum's tactical predictions and fighting instincts.
It was not a simple physical impact; it contained a vast Psionic Energy that he was extremely familiar with yet had never seen before.
And a new, explosive will to emerge, seemingly originating from the deepest source of life!