Chapter Summaries

Kirkland fought through the Daemon Princes to restart the Blackstone Obelisk while Lorgar and Perturabo battled the dying Underking under the Warp’s ritual. Lorgar sacrificed her remaining pure soul to the God-Emperor in exchange for the Underking’s survival and humanity’s future, as the Obelisk overloaded and the final clash erupted.

• Kirkland and Angerthas fought through the Daemon Princes toward the Blackstone Tower, where Little Herrela let Kirkland pass the Soulless’ defenses.
• Kirkland entered the tower and began repairing its circuits while Charon and Angerthas left for the main battlefield, with Charon urging Kirkland to overload the Obelisk.
• Lorgar and Perturabo attacked the weakened Underking as the Warp’s ritual threatened to claim them, and Lorgar struggled against the compulsion to strike.
• Charon shoved Angerthas toward Lorgar before he and Little Herrela were swallowed by the Daemon Princes, and Angerthas hurled his golden scepter to her.
• Kirkland used the Blackstone spear to reconnect the broken circuit and trigger the Obelisk’s overload.
• Lorgar caught the scepter and offered her last pure soul to the God-Emperor in exchange for the Underking’s survival and humanity’s eternal existence, as the final clash erupted.

Hades was struck by the Dark Prince’s poisoned arrow on Cadia, and his fall let Chaos reclaim much of the Imperium as the Astronomican went dark. Mortarion saw the galaxy-spanning flash and recognized the catastrophe as the future Hades had foreseen, then gripped his scythe with renewed resolve.

• The Dark Prince shot Hades with Poison Fang, and Hades fell into darkness on Cadia.
• The Blackstone Obelisk screamed as the daemonic tide rotted away, while Angerthas collapsed beside Lorgar and Kirkland stood holding his spear.
• The Emperor said Hades was still alive for now as signs of his fall reached Guilliman, Angron, the Archangel, Konrad Curze, Magnus, and others.
• The Emperor’s chessboard split, and a vast Psychic Power tide engulfed much of the Mondus Sector and Ultima Segmentum as the Astronomican went dark.
• Chaos declared war as shattered faith swelled its power, while the souls Hades had redeemed shone amid the spreading darkness.
• Mortarion watched the galaxy-wide flash on Barbarus, asked whether Hades had foreseen this future, and tightened his grip on his scythe.

Hades and the primarchs watched a recap of his apparent death, then learned that the events were only the beginning. As they left for the next scene, they toasted Hades and Lorgar.

• Hades described having been death-like, while Guilliman and Magnus reacted to the destruction and Warp turmoil shown in the recap.
• Malcador and the Emperor discussed the enormous Psychic Power attack, and the Emperor warned Mortarion that humanity had to cooperate with Xenos.
• Guilliman asked whether they could return to their Legions, but the Emperor said the next events were only beginning.
• Hades mocked Malcador, and the Emperor stopped Malcador from attacking him before the group learned another scene was about to start.
• Angron, Mortarion, Guilliman, and Magnus toasted the Underking as they left, and Hades raised a toast to Lorgar.

Guilliman discussed the Day of Calamity, Perturabo’s disappearance, and Hades with Yutton while Macragge struggled to contain its crisis. On Baal, Amit and the Blood Angels fought Khorne’s daemons as John succumbed to bloodlust and Sanguinius arrived to save the company.

• Guilliman told Yutton that Dantioch’s Iron Warriors had lost their connection to Perturabo after dreaming of Hades on the Day of Calamity, leaving Guilliman unsure whether Perturabo was dead or had betrayed them.
• Yutton reassured Guilliman that Ultramar remained intact and asked about Hades, whom Guilliman recalled seeing with Malcador and regarded as an exceptional anti-Psyker talent.
• Guilliman planned to use the Pharos Beacon to guide ships to Macragge and focus on calming its people and controlling its stricken Psykers while long-distance travel remained impossible.
• On Baal, Amit led the Blood Angels’ Fifth Company against Khorne’s Greater Daemons and ordered John to stop fighting after John’s bloodlust took hold.
• John charged Amit, who dragged a Greater Daemon down and let John kill it before John disappeared into the enemy ranks.
• Sanguinius descended and slaughtered the remaining Greater Daemons, then saw John’s corpse and flew off to support other battlefields as Amit continued directing the Fifth Company.

After Lena attacked the medical district and killed its guards, Mortarion learned that he was an agent of the Hydra from the dying Apothecary Io. Mortarion delayed the Warp Jump for seven days to investigate and began a silent purge within the Death Guard.

• Io prepared for recruit surgeries on Barbarus while Lena visited him and asked whether he was leaving.
• Lena attacked Io and killed thirteen Death Guard guards, but Io fought back and killed Lena.
• Mortarion arrived at the emergency ward and heard Io's dying warning that Lena was Hydra and the enemy was within.
• Mortarion told Vokes they needed seven days before the Warp Jump and planned to root out the infiltrators.
• Mortarion summoned the first group of Death Guard, beginning a silent purge.

Mortarion and the Death Guard arrived on Macragge in response to Guilliman’s request for help. Guilliman welcomed them with a public ceremony, where Mortarion’s unsettling manner made their first meeting awkward and tense.

• Mortarion learned that Macragge was the destination marked in the Warp and resented being diverted from a battlefield.
• Guilliman arranged a welcoming parade to reassure Macragge’s people amid the Astronomican’s disappearance and widespread rumors.
• Guilliman approved the Death Guard’s landing, and Mortarion arrived with his legion as the crowd fell silent at his appearance.
• Guilliman greeted Mortarion and offered his hand, but Mortarion removed his hood and mask before accepting it with an ambiguous smile.
• Mortarion praised Macragge as the primarchs shook hands, gripping Guilliman’s hand hard enough to make his gauntlet creak.

Mortarion met Tarasha Yutton, Guilliman’s adoptive mother, and learned how much she cared for him. He refused to explain the wider crisis because he knew nothing about it, then invited Yutton to visit the Death Guard before Guilliman burst in, furious at him.

• Mortarion waited in Macragge’s reception room while Yutton introduced herself as Guilliman’s adoptive mother.
• Yutton praised the Death Guard’s work and asked Mortarion for information about the crisis, explaining that she feared for Guilliman.
• Mortarion asked whether Yutton would have subjected Guilliman to the brutal treatment he had endured, and she firmly said she would protect him.
• Mortarion withdrew his suspicion, respected Yutton for raising Guilliman, and admitted he knew nothing about what had happened.
• Mortarion invited Yutton aboard the Death Guard, but Guilliman entered and roared at him.

After fighting Guilliman to a draw, Mortarion agreed to keep the Death Guard on Macragge while their navigators searched for a route and Malcador traveled there. The chapter ended with Mortarion setting off to see Macragge as Guilliman awaited another brother’s arrival.

• Mortarion and Guilliman fought to exhaustion in Guilliman’s training hall, then called the duel a draw.
• Guilliman told Mortarion that Malcador was heading to Macragge, and Mortarion recalled the Psyker’s formidable power.
• Guilliman urged Mortarion to keep the Death Guard stationed in Ultramar to preserve their strength amid the Warp crisis.
• Mortarion decided the Death Guard would remain on Macragge until their navigators found the correct route.
• Mortarion took Yutton’s tea and left to see Macragge, while Guilliman regretted his performance and anticipated another brother’s arrival.

Angron arrived on Macragge and reunited with Guilliman, revealing that he knew and admired Hades. When Guilliman confirmed Hades was absent, Angron sensed a disturbance and discovered Mortarion sampling local street food.

• Angron reflected on his unexplained grief and concluded that something might have happened to Hades, whom he considered a true warrior.
• Angron's World Eaters reached Macragge, whose Pharos Beacon shone through the Warp as mysterious whispers spoke of fate and three gathered figures.
• Angron greeted Guilliman and asked whether Hades was on Macragge; Guilliman said he was not and was surprised Angron knew him.
• Angron sensed intense emotion coming from Mortarion's direction and urged Guilliman to investigate the disturbance.
• Mortarion stopped at a civilian snack stall, ordered several specialties, and told his Ultramarine escort to make Guilliman pay double, calling it a treat for Hades if necessary.

Mortarion and Angron met Guilliman in Macragge and discussed their ominous sense that Hades might be dead. Mortarion hoped to return to battle soon, believing that staying idle would disrespect the deceased.

• Mortarion waited in Macragge with flatbread until Guilliman and Angron arrived.
• Guilliman found Mortarion and Angron squatting together in the street, eating while Ultramarines redirected the crowds.
• Angron asked Mortarion about Macragge, and the two discussed the flatbread as Guilliman grew increasingly exasperated.
• Angron asked whether Hades was still alive, and Mortarion realized Angron had sensed the same ominous feeling.
• Angron said he had planned to attend Hades's award ceremony, while Mortarion said the Death Guard did not flee from or mourn death.
• Mortarion said he hoped to return to the battlefield, since resting in Macragge would disrespect The Deceased.

Mortarion woke from a vision of Hades warning him that fate had begun to rewind, then wondered what danger awaited Guilliman and Macragge. Meanwhile, Apothecary Radon prepared an infiltration of Ultramar, and refugee Seven discovered strange growths on his body while waiting to enter Macragge.

• Mortarion dreamed that Hades had failed to stop a catastrophe and struggled to answer him as he sank into the River Styx.
• Hades warned Mortarion that fate had begun to rewind, and Mortarion woke on Macragge with Angron and Guilliman nearby.
• Mortarion asked when Malcador would arrive and wondered what fate awaited Guilliman and Macragge.
• Apothecary Radon met his allies and said seven Blessed Ones were positioned to infiltrate Ultramar.
• Seven recalled the Astronomican going out during his voyage and arriving with refugees at Helion's orbital platform.
• Seven found blood beneath his fingernails and felt three bumps beneath his hair that seemed alive.

Roboute Guilliman debated Mortarion’s demand to impose emergency restrictions on Macragge, while Angron tried to keep the dispute from escalating. Mortarion left after warning Guilliman that his confidence in Ultramar’s defenses rested on luck.

• Guilliman finished his paperwork and asked Angron and Mortarion to leave his office.
• Mortarion proposed closing entertainment venues and schools, imposing a curfew, and restricting access to districts.
• Guilliman refused, arguing that such measures would disrupt civilian life and could provoke protests.
• Mortarion warned Guilliman that he should shoot protesters and left the room.
• Guilliman shouted after Mortarion about Ultramar’s defenses, but Angron silenced him and urged him to be understanding.
• A series of beeps ended the day.

Konrad Curze wandered through Nostramo as daemons overran the planet, while Sevatar tried to save the Night Lords and their father. After Sevatar drugged Curze and ordered Exterminatus, he considered where the survivors could seek refuge.

• Curze hunted and skinned daemons across Nostramo, passing the ruins of Sevatar’s reforms and sewing daemon hide in a hospital.
• Sevatar found Curze and urged him to return to the Nightfall, explaining that the Kyroptera Council had voted to launch Exterminatus on Nostramo.
• Curze told Sevatar that they were trapped in Hell, but Sevatar injected him with the poison the Apothecary had extracted and ordered bats to catch his collapsing body.
• As daemons and insurgents overwhelmed the Night Lords’ defenses, Sevatar withdrew the survivors from the factories and reserve school to the Nightfall.
• Sevatar bound the unconscious Curze aboard the Nightfall and confirmed the launch of its Vortex Torpedoes, destroying Nostramo.
• Sevatar considered asking Lion El’Jonson, Horus, Fulgrim, or Sanguinius for refuge as Curze groaned beside him.

Boris, an Alpha operative disguised as an Ultramarine, began the mission that would lead to Angron’s sacrifice, while Mortarion realized Angron was in danger after a spaceport exploded. The chapter left Mortarion racing toward the fortress as the threat closed in on Angron.

• Boris recognized himself and the lost old man as Alpha operatives, escorted the man, and alerted his superiors.
• An Tai entered the Dreadnought chamber with Buster and revived Calas Typhon, hoping to learn how Typhon became the first traitor in the Death Guard’s records.
• A spaceport exploded near the World Eaters’ station, and An Tai rushed out to respond.
• Calas learned that Buster was Hades’s disciple and demanded that someone else put him back to sleep.
• Mortarion realized he had overlooked Angron, turned back toward the fortress, and ran as flames burst across the sky.

Angron and Guilliman rushed to the Macragge spaceport after explosions threatened the World Eaters’ fleet, leaving Mortarion behind to guard Macragge. At First Hospital, nurses discussed a surge of patients with symptoms resembling those of Psykers who had gone mad.

• Angron ran for the spaceport after sensing that the explosions threatening his sons were a deliberate trap, and Guilliman and Mortarion chased after him.
• Angron boarded a transport craft with Karn and another World Eater, then caught Guilliman as he jumped aboard; Mortarion was left behind.
• Guilliman told Mortarion to handle official matters and offered him the choice of returning to his fleet or joining them, but Mortarion shut off the communication and decided to stay on Macragge.
• At Macragge First Hospital, nurses noted the growing crowd of patients and whispered that their symptoms resembled those of Psykers who had gone mad.

Angron sensed the World Eaters’ pain and rage through their restored bond while he and Guilliman prepared to respond to an attack at the spaceport. They joined the Ultramarines’ advance against the psychic threat, with Guilliman’s Zero Company leading the breakthrough.

• Angron felt the World Eaters’ pain, anger, and sense of betrayal through their restored connection, while Guilliman tried to comfort him.
• Angron urged Guilliman to stay back, but learned that Guilliman had already sent Ultramarines to support the Death Guard and dispatched Zero Company after detecting psychic fluctuations.
• Angron and Guilliman reached the spaceport, where Guilliman’s chapter master reported that District C3 was under attack and communications were disrupted.
• Guilliman explained that the Ultramarines were using a formation adapted from the Death Guard to fight psychic enemies, but Angron said the World Eaters could not wait for their slow advance.
• Guilliman ordered an advance squad to break through, and Zero Company marched out as Angron joined the push.

Angron and Roboute Guilliman entered the World Eaters’ burning warship together, where they found signs of a deliberate attack and a blasphemous ritual. When Guilliman spotted an Ultramarine defiling a wall with a World Eater’s blood, the primarchs split up: Angron headed for the Arena while Guilliman pursued the suspicious warrior.

• Angron killed a crimson blood-father, smeared its blood across a blasphemous symbol, and invited Guilliman to choose whether to follow him into the inferno.
• Guilliman followed Angron aboard the ship, choosing to face the danger beside him, while Karn and another World Eater joined them.
• Rorke fought through Ultramarines and ran toward the World Eaters’ Arena after hearing calls for support.
• Angron and Guilliman found deliberate destruction and bloodshed throughout the warship, and Angron sensed his sons calling from the Arena.
• Guilliman saw an Ultramarine smear blood on a wall and ran after him, while Angron continued toward the Arena.

Sanguinius rejected Khorne’s offer and defeated Ka'Bandha on Baal. Meanwhile, Guilliman pressed through a Blood Mist of possible illusions toward the World Eaters’ command room, while Mortarion worried that Guilliman had been lost.

• Sanguinius recalled his vision of humanity’s ruin and refused the Blood God’s invitation, then hurled his spear at Ka'Bandha.
• Eight minutes later, Sanguinius delivered the final blow and banished Ka'Bandha.
• Guilliman encountered Ultramarines in the Blood Mist and questioned Boris about what the warriors had seen.
• Guilliman warned the squad to remain vigilant and led them onward toward the World Eaters’ command room.
• Mortarion, waiting on Macragge after three days, declared that it was time to hold a funeral for Guilliman.

Hades warned Roboute Guilliman that Warp hallucinations could affect even the strongest minds. Trapped in a Blood Mist illusion, Guilliman watched his Ultramarines vanish and die, then killed the apparent traitors before Angron charged at him.

• Hades told Roboute Guilliman that he had never experienced immersive hallucinations and suggested asking Mortarion, while warning that people rarely wanted to discuss such illusions.
• Guilliman advanced through the Blood Mist with his Ultramarines, but warriors disappeared and he found their corpses arranged in a blood-painted ritual scene.
• Lion El'Jonson and Konrad Curze appeared in the mist, and Guilliman saw a wound on his helmet before reminding himself that they were hallucinations.
• Guilliman found Vulkan's scorched corpse, but it vanished beneath rising blood when he tried to examine it.
• An Ultramarine killed himself after Guilliman heard Euten scream, and Guilliman killed Boris and the remaining apparent traitors.
• Guilliman set out to escape the illusion and find Angron, then saw Angron charging at him with a battle-axe.

Angron resisted the illusions and refused to keep fighting Guilliman, choosing to run toward his surviving World Eaters instead. He reached Rorke and the others as Guilliman charged them, and hurled Bloodchild at him.

• Angron found the bodies of his World Eaters in the Arena and confronted a phantom Lorgar, who offered to save him.
• Guilliman emerged from the Blood Mist and attacked Angron, while Lorgar’s phantom and the altar revealed the trap around them.
• Angron sensed his living sons and remembered his need to protect them, so he declared that he surrendered and ran from the fight.
• Angron escaped the Arena’s staged battle, causing the altar to collapse and Lorgar’s phantom to vanish.
• Angron found Rorke and the other World Eaters fighting Ultramarines, then hurled Bloodchild at the charging Guilliman.