(Thanks to the generous supporters Zhang Tianzong of Qingyakou and God-Emperor Above, Slaanesh Below, Me in the Middle for their Superfan Certification gifts. An extra update for National Day.)
Sanguinius spread his wings and rose.
Those enormous, flawless white wings unfurled silently in the vacuum, their span and the radiance pouring from behind them almost blotting out the stars.
Every feather on Sanguinius's wings seemed cast from solidified light, its edges glowing softly, strikingly bright against the depths of space.
He did not hesitate, look back, or issue any further orders. He simply snapped his wings inward and became a golden meteor, charging straight toward the enormous war machine.
The machine hung at the very center of the star system, almost as large as a star.
Its surface consisted of countless overlapping layers of metal plating, each as vast as a continent, with rusted, serrated edges curling outward and dark red veins of light shining through the gaps.
The entire structure rotated slowly, drawing the surrounding dust and debris into a visible vortex. Even light warped in its vicinity.
Countless mechanical tentacles extended from its surface, each thousands of kilometers long, their tips branching into dense metal filaments like the feelers of some deep-sea creature probing the darkness for prey.
The Blood Angels' fleet followed close behind.
Raldoron stood on the flagship's bridge in crimson armor. Watching the golden trail ahead, he spoke over the army-wide channel, his voice steady and decisive. "Follow our father! Prepare for battle! All Assault Squads, maintain formation and provide covering fire along the Archangel's approach!"
The fleet surged forward like falcons diving at a behemoth, engines at full thrust, exhaust flames trailing long ribbons of light through the darkness.
Gun turrets turned, torpedo tubes finished loading, and every warship entered maximum combat readiness.
But