172 Truly Inhuman

Three months later

Terra

Applause!

Again and again, with long pauses in between—the applause was deep and steady, echoing through the lofty space of Terra's underground palace.

The Custodian Guard led them into the hall. The Pale Lord walked at the front, followed by Hades, who was discussing dinner with Angron. Behind them, Sanguinius lay peacefully within a mobile treatment chamber, while Guilliman brought up the rear, pushing it onward.

They walked across the red carpet in the empty hall. No one else was in sight; only the applause continued.

The red carpet stretched ahead, climbing step by step toward a raised platform. Upon it stood a throne—empty.

The contempt in Mortarion's eyes nearly overflowed. A sharp intake of breath sounded behind his mask, but the voice behind him interrupted him before he could speak.

Hades placed a hand on Mortarion's shoulder. The Primarch turned, and the two exchanged a glance.

"I'll do it."

Hades said, releasing him. Then he raised his voice and shouted into the hall,

"Oi! Old man! Get out here!"

Guilliman's expression froze for a moment like a cracking mask, while Angron failed to suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth this time.

Yet neither Guilliman nor Angron, not even the unconscious Sanguinius, corrected Hades's grossly disrespectful form of address.

The applause stuttered for a moment.

Then came heavy footsteps, no matter how one listened, carrying an air of deliberate mystique as they fell upon the carpeted marble.

"So he really can walk."

Hades muttered a curse under his breath. Mortarion sneered.

"I merely wished to give you a surprise."

A casual voice spoke. Neos emerged from some obscure shadowed corner of the hall and stood upon the first step of the dais.

No one had noticed him beforehand.

Neos wore no armor. On