144. Neos

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He was badly injured and had already fallen into a state of suspended animation.

Khan rose to his feet and looked at Lion lying on the stone platform. After being wounded by Konrad Curze in Commorragh, Lion had fallen into the scene of the Eldar Imperium's destruction and been struck by the aftershock of Slaanesh's Psychic Power, thus entering a state of suspended animation.

And the Lion they had been watching over before... had already gone to the true battlefield where victory and defeat would be decided.

Khan heard Russ grumble and curse a few times in Fenrisian before switching back to High Gothic.

"It is time to return."

Russ said that their fleet was traveling through boundless darkness.

The game had been decided—the Allfather had won.

Khan smiled.

"It is time for me to go back and see that faster-than-light inertialess engine."

Infected by Khan's mood, Russ smiled as well, though there was still a trace of sorrow in it.

"It is a pity Lion still cannot return."

He spoke softly. Khan pondered for a moment.

"He will return, Russ. His side is over as well."

Terra

"Are you feeling better, my friend?"

The Emperor calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip. He sat by the bedside. They were currently in Malcador's chambers on Terra, while Oll was wandering curiously through Malcador's study.

The Emperor watched Malcador's eyelashes tremble. Then Malcador slowly opened his eyes, and cloudy tears rolled down in great drops as they opened.

They were physiological tears—certainly not tears born of emotion. That was what the Emperor believed.

"You should have killed me."

Malcador let out a long sigh, then immediately asked his next question.

"Where is Ouroboros?"

"I gave it to Orikan, but I believe it has now shattered and scattered completely