Almost at that same instant, on the bridge of the battleship Law of Faith.
A steady golden radiance appeared out of thin air, swiftly coalescing into human forms.
The light faded, revealing Lorgar at the center, surrounded by Hercules, Orpheus, Anastasia, the Word Bearers veterans, Mortarion, and his Deathshroud guard. Everyone appeared unharmed on the ship's adamantium deck, engraved with intricate runes.
The ship's constant artificial gravity and familiar air circulation system made the warriors relax involuntarily after their escape from the bloody battlefield and the treacherous xenos warship.
The Tech-Priests and attendants waiting around the receiving array immediately stepped forward to begin routine purification rites and basic examinations.
Hercules and the others immediately established a defensive perimeter again. Though they had returned to their own ship, instincts honed through years of combat would not let them relax their vigilance.
The Deathshroud remained silently gathered around Mortarion, like utterly faithful statues.
Lorgar swayed slightly, but Orpheus discreetly steadied him at once.
He drew a deep breath, suppressing the waves of dizziness brought on by psychic energy depletion and physical exhaustion. His golden eyes swept over everyone who had returned safely before finally settling on Mortarion.
The Death Guard Primarch was looking at him as well, his gray-brown eyes deep and inscrutable. The redness and swelling on his face had not yet fully subsided.
He said nothing, merely giving a slow, almost imperceptible nod.
Lorgar responded with a smile, then watched as the Death Guard Legion's Apothecary escorted Mortarion away.
Before long, Mortarion's medical report was delivered to Lorgar as well.
The scars previously covering Mortarion's body had healed for unknown reasons, and the wounds from his battle with Apophis had also vanished.
Moreover, the Primarch's bodily functions seemed to be better than before.
Except, of course, for an injury to