This Is a Dark Age

"This is a dark era..."

Guilliman spoke, his voice not particularly loud, yet strangely drowning out the sound of the wind.

The sound clearly reached the ears of every soldier and every spectator in the square, as if resonating directly in the depths of their souls:

"An era shrouded in the shadows of fear, stagnation, and regression."

He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the countless pairs of eyes looking up at him below, eyes filled with strength and conviction:

"But those who live for 'tomorrow' will never be trapped in the 'past'!"

"The age of reason and enlightenment will surely, and will surely, return once again!"

His voice suddenly became impassioned, like the beating of war drums:

"I see! My loyal offspring! I see you, bathed in the eternal sun of Macragge!"

"You are so radiant! So bright! You are noble, you are great!"

"And you, so great as you are, must do even greater things!"

"My children, this sunlight does not belong to Macragge alone."

He opened his arms wide, as if to embrace the entire Milky Way:

"I want you to spread our pride, our faith, and this sunshine of hope to every corner of the Milky Way, dispelling the gloom that has accumulated over millennia!"

"My sons!"

His voice softened, filled with fatherly love and unwavering trust. "Hold your heads high with pride!"

"My gaze will forever be fixed on you!"

"It's because you're all here for me."

Guilliman's voice carries profound emotion:

"I am more convinced than ever before that this Imperium has not yet truly decayed!"

Only then could I say, "Hope... remains!"

"Father--!!"

Countless Ultramarines, these steel-like tough guys, have moved countless people to tears at this moment.

Ten thousand years of waiting, ten thousand years of fighting alone, ten thousand years of confusion and perseverance... In this moment, the response has finally arrived!

Their Gene-Father has not only returned, but also brought new life and a clear direction!

They will no longer be numb fighting machines, no longer lonely victims.

They will follow in their father's footsteps, carrying newfound strength, to reclaim, to rebuild, and to create!

They are the Sons of Guilliman!

Guilliman's gaze deepened, and he slowly knelt on one knee, amidst the astonished gazes of all his descendants and onlookers.

He was at the same level as his 150,000 descendants, looking at them with the same eye level.

"Ten thousand years ago, I led my legion on a journey across the stars."

His voice carried a heavy echo, the weight of history:

"Ten thousand years from now, I will lead you on another expedition."

I see the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar, my beloved home, now covered in dust and damaged... This is my dereliction of duty, my fault."

He raised his head, his face devoid of the arrogance of Primarch, revealing only sincerity and earnestness:

"Children, I cannot make up for this mistake on my own."

"I need you."

He looked around at each excited, resolute, and tearful face, and gave a warm and powerful smile:

"I beg you, help me, help your father, help all of us, to reclaim our homeland and restore the glory of Ultramar!"

"Would you like to join my expedition?!"

A brief silence.

immediately--

"For glory and courage! For Robert Guilliman!!!"

Chapter Master Calgar was the first to break free from the shock, unleashing a deafening roar as his golden hair swayed slightly within the invisible bio-energy field!

"For Father's sake!! Take back our home!!!"

The roars from 150,000 throats converged into a single sound in the world—a vow of loyalty, a clarion call for revenge, and a declaration of a new beginning!

The Gene-Father ' request was heavier and more fervent than any command!

For this, they are willing to shed their last drop of blood and burn their last bit of soul!

Just as this boiling sea of loyalty reached its climax, the Living Saint Celestine solemnly flew to Guilliman's side.

She held out her hands, presenting the "Emperor's Sword," which burned with eternal golden flames, to Guilliman.

Guilliman rose solemnly and accepted it with both hands.

The moment he gripped the hilt of the sword.

"Buzz--!"

The golden flames on the Emperor's Sword seemed to be infused with boundless vitality, suddenly rising and surging!

The blazing Psionic Energy flames coiled around the sword and spread along his arm, coating his imposing figure with a flowing, sacred golden light!

Bathed in golden light, the "Man of Tomorrow" stands proudly.

He raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the atmosphere, staring directly at the dazzling star of Macragge, his eyes no longer showing any confusion or hesitation.

The next moment--

Boom!!!

A golden shockwave exploded on the spot!

Guilliman's figure transformed into a golden meteor that tore through the sky, soaring into the heavens!

Without any propulsion, his powerful will and the new energy surging within him lifted him up and easily broke free from the planet's gravitational pull.

"For Guilliman! Follow your father!!!"

Calgar roared, bent his knees slightly, and then shot straight into the sky like an arrow!

There was no exhaust flame from the thrusters, only the shrieking sound of air being torn apart by pure physical force and bio-force field!

The brand-new flight capabilities are on full display at this moment!

"Follow your father!!!"

"For Ultramar!!!"

Like a chain reaction that has been ignited, one piece, ten pieces, a hundred pieces, a thousand pieces, ten thousand pieces...

On the square, 150,000 figures in azure blue stood.

Like a flock of eagles breaking free from the shackles of gravity, or like a torrential downpour of steel flying in reverse.

It roared to life and rose from the ground!

They soared freely with the power of new life, densely packed, obscuring the sky above Macragge.

Following the golden trail left by their Gene-Father, they Dreadnought converged towards that colossal object in near-Earth orbit!

The sight caused the pupils of Grand Master Kastin of the Grey Knights and Marshal Helbrecht of the Black Templars to shrink sharply.

Such large-scale, biologically-driven group flight completely overturned their understanding of Space Marines combat methods!

There stands the pride of Macragge, the Gloriana-class flagship stretching twenty-six kilometers long – the "Macragge's Honour".

Like a suspended steel mountain range, all navigational markers and engines are lit, and the streamlined bow seems to yearn to cleave through the sea of stars.

Nine smaller but equally imposing capital warships, like loyal guards, surrounded it, forming an indestructible steel formation.

Guilliman's figure descended like a god, landing steadily at the very top of the towering bridge of the "Macragge's Honour".

He held a burning Emperor's Sword, his scarlet cloak billowing wildly amidst the turbulence of the cosmic vacuum and the ship's energy field.

Behind him were countless loyal offspring who had followed him into the sky, hovering around the warship like stars surrounding the moon, their armor gleaming in the starlight.

They hovered in the void, like the Emperor's most powerful angelic legion, ready to take flight.

Before him lay an endless sea of stars and lost territories awaiting recapture.

He took a deep breath of air that wasn't there (but he could almost feel the will of the entire legion).

He raised the Emperor's Sword high, its tip reaching into the depths of the Milky Way, the direction that belongs to Ultramar.

Then, with a voice loud enough for the stars to hear.

To his fleet, his legions, and the entire Milky Way, he issued a resolute command announcing the start of the expedition:

"Now--"

"The Ultramar Crusade-- "

"Start!!!"

Wherever the sword pointed, the fleet's engines roared in unison, spewing out dazzling trails of flame that stretched for several kilometers.

A golden meteor led those blue wings, capable of freely soaring through the starry sky, resolutely heading into deep space, towards war, towards...

That Five Hundred Worlds will surely be rekindled!