Within the ruins of The Rock's central hall, the smoke had yet to fully disperse. The air was thick with the smell of molten metal, blood, and faint ozone.
Imperium soldiers were clearing the battlefield and gathering the wounded. Horus, the Lion King, and Sanguinius were engaged in an initially complicated and delicate exchange with the newly surrendered Perturabo, who was being closely "escorted."
During this brief respite after the battle, an almost imperceptible ripple spread through the space at the center of the hall, like a stone dropped into a still lake.
Then, a figure silently condensed into existence.
It was Lan.
He still wore that suit of armor formed from flowing stars and ancient geometric structures. His face was hidden behind starlight, leaving only a pair of cold stellar eyes, as though the laws of the cosmos revolved within them, clearly visible.
His aura had been restrained to the utmost, yet that sense of order which transcended physical laws and anchored reality still placed invisible pressure upon every Primarch present.
Kesha's cool voice rang out, concise and direct. "How did it go?"
Lan answered calmly, "Within the framework of physical laws in the real universe, the power they project has boundaries and limitations. Analyzing their composition and dismantling their forms is not difficult. In my current state, if I confront their manifested projections or powerful daemon entities in the real universe, I am confident I can drive them away or severely injure them."
He paused slightly. Icy nebulae seemed to turn within his star-like eyes. "But within the Warp, that realm formed from pure emotion and twisted will, physical laws are overturned and reshaped. They are the masters of that sea of Chaos, embodiments of its rules. There, their wills extend almost infinitely, and their power is nearly