Trapped Between Two Dead Ends

The former commander of the Spirit Stone Cultivation Site's garrison led the surviving warriors in a desperate retreat.

A flying shard of Wraithbone had sheared away half his left arm, and the shock wave had left him almost deaf.

He gulped air thick with Wraithbone dust and turned his one eye that could still focus toward the mine entrance for a final look.

The entrance to the former Spirit Stone Cultivation Site's mine was gone. The entire hill had collapsed, and flowing sand and rock had sealed the tunnels tight.

Not a single body of his kin was visible. They had all been buried inside.

The Aspect Warriors behind the commander were hardly in better shape.

Every one of them was filthy, covered in wounds, dust, and scorch marks.

The Spirit Stone Cultivation Site had originally been guarded by twelve hundred Aspect Warriors. Those closest to the mine entrance when the Seismic Bomb exploded were all gone. Not one warrior from the close-defense force had escaped; they had all been buried in the tunnels.

The Bonesingers were wiped out. Every Spirit Stone was shattered.

Fear had swallowed the commander's thoughts.

A cultivation site guarded by twelve hundred Aspect Warriors had vanished from the universe less than ten minutes after the Ultramarines landed.

How had those human tin cans become so strong?

When had those humans changed so much?

If humans were like this now, would there be any room left for the Aeldari to survive in this universe?

He roared at the survivors behind him, "Fall back to the keel! The Infinity Circuit! We have to report this to the Supreme Warleader! Run!"

Unable to hear himself, he shouted until his voice came out hoarse and distorted.

But the other Aeldari understood his orders.

They hauled the badly wounded to