At the Holy Word Army's positions.
Smoke and Toxic Miasma drifted across the battlefield, shrouding heaven and earth in gray-green gloom.
The ground, repeatedly churned by artillery fire, had turned blackened and cracked. Craters and wreckage lay everywhere, and the air reeked of acrid gunpowder and putrid decay.
In the distance, warriors of the Word Bearers exchanged fierce fire with the enemy. The thunder of Bolts and the hiss of Laser rose and fell, mingling with clashing metal and the warriors' roars.
Baldwin, supreme commander of the Holy Word Army, had come to the front in person.
He stood at the edge of a trench, as straight and imposing as a statue.
A Power Sword hung at his waist, its scabbard engraved with golden scripture that glimmered in the dim light.
He wore a suit of force-feedback Power Armour, entirely white, with a striking red cross Insignia emblazoned on its back.
His white skin looked dazzling against the armour.
Thousands of Word Bearers warriors around him had already launched an attack, driven by instinct. Their figures darted through the smoke, their Bolters roared, and their battle cries echoed across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the Holy Word Army's legionaries, clad in force-feedback Power Armour, awaited Baldwin's orders.
Baldwin swept his gaze across the battlefield.
He saw the Word Bearers Warriors locked in deadly combat with the enemy, the brave men falling under artillery fire, and the land being consumed by the power of Chaos.
Watching the Word Bearers, who resembled predators that had spotted their prey, Baldwin slowly raised his right hand.
His fingers paused in the air for a moment, then he brought his hand sharply down.
"Attack! Attack on all fronts!"
His voice rang out over the Communications Channel, steady and powerful, carrying unquestionable authority.
"I can feel the great