Recaps

On Craftworld Golar, Farseer Isona emerged from a divination chamber gravely shaken and warned that the Aeldari must protect Euten, the Young God’s adoptive mother. He left the Aeldari leaders with a prophecy that failure could doom their entire race and the universe to eternal damnation.

• Farseer Isona staggered from the divination chamber, and his attendants and senior Aeldari rushed to support him.
• Isona ordered the Aeldari to find the nearest human planet and deliver an urgent message.
• Isona demanded that they protect Euten, the Young God’s adoptive mother, at any cost, and said they must go protect her themselves.
• A Warlock and a Bishop objected to aiding humans, citing the Word Bearers’ destruction of an Aeldari Craftworld and the Aeldari’s blood debt.
• Isona warned that the danger exceeded the survival of the Aeldari race and prophesied that failure would bring eternal damnation upon the Aeldari and the universe.

A coordinated wave of attacks plunged Macragge into chaos, and Strange arrived to evacuate Lady Euten under Roboute Guilliman’s orders. A sniper wounded Strange as he shielded Euten, while Ultramar Auxilia officers behind them revealed their betrayal, trapping the group between enemies.

• An Ultramar Auxilia officer detonated a plasma device in a crowded street, and dozens of similar attacks erupted across Macragge.
• Lady Euten refused the 14th Army commander-in-chief’s request to flee until Strange arrived with Roboute Guilliman’s evacuation orders.
• Strange led Euten and a squad of Ultramarines toward a secret passage to the underground hangar.
• A hidden sniper blasted off Strange’s right arm as he shielded Euten, and the Ultramarines fired into the passage’s shadows.
• Ultramar Auxilia officers in the reception room drew weapons behind the group, leaving Strange and Euten trapped between attackers.

Strange and the Ultramarines fought brainwashed attackers while protecting Lady Euten, then faced an uneasy standoff with arriving Word Bearers and Aeldari. The Cabal’s assassination plot threw Macragge into a three-way confrontation, with Euten still trapped amid the competing forces.

• Strange and the Ultramarines formed a defensive line around Lady Euten as brainwashed officers and Ultramar Auxilia soldiers attacked them.
• Word Bearers arrived and fought through the attackers, but Strange kept them at gunpoint until their leader explained that Lorgar had sent them to protect Euten.
• Aeldari warriors led by a Warlock entered through a vanished stained-glass window, prompting the Ultramarines and Word Bearers to turn their weapons on them.
• The Ultramarines, Word Bearers, and Aeldari formed a tense three-way standoff around Euten as assassins and brainwashed Mortals assaulted the mansion.
• The Cabal’s plan to kill Macragge’s leaders and frame the Emperor and Lorgar was disrupted, leaving the city caught in conflict among three forces.

Ultramarines and Word Bearers fought the Aeldari and a hidden sniper while evacuating Lady Euten, then fled down the stairs under heavy fire. Volando carried Euten through a breached blast door to an Ultramarines Thunderhawk as the other warriors followed and tried to block pursuit.

• Volando and Strange rejected the Eldar Warlock’s demand for Euten and opened fire with their squads.
• A hidden sniper killed an Ultramarine, then struck an Aeldari warrior and a Word Bearer, disrupting the attackers and giving the Astartes a chance to escape.
• Volando led the warriors through an alloy door into the underground passage while Strange’s squad covered their retreat.
• Brainwashed Ultramar Auxilia soldiers and other pursuers attacked as the Astartes descended, forcing them to shield Euten while fighting back.
• Volando carried Euten and charged toward the hangar blast door as Strange and the other warriors covered him with suppressive fire.
• Volando kicked open the blast door, reached the waiting Ultramarines Thunderhawk with Euten, and the last warriors entered the hangar and tried to close the damaged door.

Volando and Strange escaped Macragge City with Euten aboard a Thunderhawk, but Cabal interceptors attacked them in flight. Lightning fighters sacrificed themselves to protect the gunship, leaving it to race toward the Orbit Star Fortress as Strange vowed revenge.

• Volando secured Euten aboard the Thunderhawk as Strange and the warriors escaped the hangar under fire.
• The Thunderhawk took off through Macragge City's burning skies and requested air support while heading for the Orbit Star Fortress.
• Three Cabal interceptors attacked, and Blue Falcon Squadron's ten Lightning fighters intervened to escort the Thunderhawk.
• The black interceptors destroyed most of the Lightning fighters with highly maneuverable attacks and deadly guided missiles.
• The final Lightning pilot sacrificed himself to detonate three missiles aimed at the Thunderhawk, allowing it to continue toward safety.
• Strange watched the pilot's sacrifice and vowed that the invaders would pay.

Strange and the survivors reached the Star Fortress when the Thunderhawk’s pilot sacrificed its front section to shield them from missile strikes. Volando protected Lady Euten from the crash, but died after pulling a steel bar from his brain.

• Strange and the others faced a missile attack as their damaged Thunderhawk neared the Star Fortress.
• The pilot turned the Thunderhawk’s sturdier front section toward the missiles, while Volando shielded Lady Euten with his body.
• The missiles destroyed the cockpit and front fuselage, and the remaining wreckage crashed into the Star Fortress passage.
• Volando kept Lady Euten safe, then pulled a steel bar from his head and collapsed.

After the Cabal's uprising was crushed on Macragge, Guilliman visited the recovering Tarasha Euten and thanked the surviving Word Bearers for saving her. Lorgar learned that Euten and Guilliman were safe, while the Emperor's summons drew him toward Terra.

• Ultramar's forces restored order on Macragge and rooted out most of the Cabal after its uprising collapsed.
• Guilliman visited Tarasha Euten in the hospital, and she urged him to reassure the people and make the conspirators answer for the attack.
• Guilliman knelt before the surviving Word Bearers and thanked them for protecting Euten, promising to repay Lorgar's kindness.
• Aboard the Law of Faith, Lorgar received confirmation that Euten and Guilliman were safe and learned that the brothers would gather on Terra.

Lorgar arrived on Terra with Angron and Konrad Curze, then joined Perturabo, Mortarion, and Leman Russ on the way into the Imperial Palace. When he approached Horus to introduce himself, Horus mistook him for the Emperor and asked why he seemed shorter.

• Lorgar asked Angron and Konrad Curze whether they had ever visited Terra, and both said they had not.
• Perturabo arrived and invited Lorgar and the others to enter the palace together.
• Mortarion and Leman Russ joined the group, and the Primarchs walked through the Imperial Palace grounds.
• Lorgar spotted Horus admiring a mural and approached to greet the Warmaster.
• Horus turned, mistook Lorgar for the Emperor, and asked why he seemed shorter.

Horus mistook Lorgar for the Emperor and then became unusually fixated on Lorgar’s incense-like scent, leaving Lorgar desperate to avoid him. Horus led the Primarchs toward the conference hall while Lorgar kept using Angron and Curze as shields.

• Horus approached Lorgar with open arms, mistook him for the Emperor, and apologized after Lorgar corrected him.
• Horus noticed Lorgar’s fragrance and repeatedly tried to draw closer, making Lorgar increasingly uneasy.
• Lorgar ducked behind Angron and Curze to keep Horus at a distance.
• Horus guided the Primarchs toward the conference hall as Lorgar repeatedly evaded him along the corridor.
• Leman Russ laughed at Horus’s pursuit while Curze watched with faint amusement.

The Primarchs gathered before the Emperor, who was preparing to withdraw from frontline command and choose candidates for Warmaster. Lorgar declined to openly support Lion El'Jonson but promised him votes from at least four brothers as the meeting was about to begin.

• Lorgar avoided Horus's invitation and sat beside Lion El'Jonson.
• The Primarchs assembled, and the Emperor entered with Malcador and Constantin Valdor.
• Dorn noted that Guilliman was late, and Guilliman apologized before taking his seat.
• Corax arrived supported by two Adeptus Custodes and took his place at the table.
• Lion El'Jonson told Lorgar that the Emperor planned to select Warmaster candidates and asked for his help.
• Lorgar said he would abstain from voting for either Lion El'Jonson or Horus, but promised Lion at least four brothers' votes.

The Primarchs began voting for the Imperium’s Warmaster, with Horus Lupercal and Lion El'Jonson emerging as the two candidates. Lorgar revealed that the recovering Brother Turing had voted for the Lion, leaving the election tied at eight votes apiece.

• The Emperor announced that he would withdraw from frontline command and have the Primarchs elect a Warmaster, and Horus Lupercal and Lion El'Jonson nominated themselves.
• The Emperor privately asked Lorgar to stand, but Lorgar refused and chose to abstain.
• Alpharius, Omega, Fulgrim, Ferrus Manus, Dorn, Vulkan, Corax, and Magnus voted for Horus, giving him eight votes.
• Angron, Curze, Perturabo, Sanguinius, Roboute Guilliman, Mortarion, and Leman Russ voted for Lion El'Jonson, while Lorgar and the Khan abstained, giving the Lion seven votes.
• Lorgar reported that the recovering Brother Turing had sent him a vote for Lion El'Jonson, tying the tally at eight votes each.

After the Warmaster vote ended in a tie, Lion El'Jonson challenged Horus to a duel, and the Emperor approved. The duel began when Lion arrived in a Baneblade and aimed its Volcano Cannon at Horus, declaring that there would be no rules.

• Malcador announced an eight-to-eight tie between Horus and Lion El'Jonson in the Warmaster vote.
• Lion El'Jonson proposed a duel with Horus to decide who would become Warmaster, and the Emperor approved.
• Lorgar predicted that Lion El'Jonson would defeat Horus, and Lion revealed that he had prepared a surprise.
• Horus waited for Lion in the palace plaza as the Primarchs gathered to watch.
• Lion El'Jonson drove a Baneblade into the plaza, aimed its Volcano Cannon at Horus, and declared that the duel had no rules.

Malcador stopped Horus and Lion El'Jonson from turning their Warmaster duel into a battle between a Primarch and a Shadowsword, and announced that the decision would be postponed. As Russ and Sanguinius relaxed over food, Lorgar brooded over the vote and the Emperor's ruling, sensing an ominous uncertainty.

• Lion El'Jonson aimed a Shadowsword's Volcano Cannon at Horus and challenged him to fight without rules, while Horus eagerly prepared to attack the tank.
• Malcador announced that the Emperor had ordered the duel to stop, and Horus and Lion El'Jonson demanded to know who would become Warmaster.
• Malcador said the choice of Warmaster would be discussed another day and dismissed the two Primarchs.
• Russ complained about the interruption and led Sanguinius and Lorgar to a side hall, where he and Sanguinius ate while Lorgar declined the food.
• Lorgar watched his brothers and reflected on the duel, the vote, and the Emperor's decision, feeling a vague foreboding.

Horus visited Lorgar late at night and asked him to wear a golden laurel wreath so he could compare Lorgar's appearance to the Emperor's. Horus became entranced by the resemblance, and Lorgar fled inside and slammed the door on him.

• Lorgar was preparing to sleep when Horus appeared outside his room in a white robe, carrying a golden Laurel Wreath.
• Horus asked Lorgar to put on the wreath so he could see how much Lorgar resembled the Emperor.
• Lorgar reluctantly put on the wreath, and Horus stared at him in stunned fascination, murmuring that they were alike.
• Horus stepped closer and murmured, "I am your first-found son..." as Lorgar became alarmed.
• Lorgar snatched off the wreath, pushed it back into Horus's hands, retreated into his room, and slammed the door.

Lorgar arrived at the Imperial Palace exhausted after Horus had visited him during the night, and he ordered Angron and Curze to guard his room. When Sanguinius announced a major campaign against the Ork Empire at Ullanor, Lorgar refused to join and claimed he had business on Terra.

• Leman Russ noticed Lorgar's dark circles and teased him about being up all night.
• Lorgar told Angron and Curze to guard his door and attack anyone suspicious who approached.
• Lorgar told Guilliman that an idiot had visited him at night with a golden hat and insisted he try it on.
• Sanguinius announced that the Emperor planned to send several Primarchs and their Legions to destroy the Ork Empire expanding from Ullanor.
• Lorgar declined to join the campaign, claimed he would inspect the Ecclesiarchy on Terra, and walked away with Angron and Curze.

Lorgar, Angron, and Curze encountered the escaped biomechanical engineer Basilio F and his grotesque creation while heading to visit Brother Turing in the Imperial Palace Black Cells. Basilio revealed his hostility toward the Emperor and Primarchs and began unleashing an uncanny psychic pressure as he asked them to let him pass.

• Lorgar suggested visiting Brother Turing, and Angron and Curze followed him deeper into the Imperial Palace.
• Lorgar sensed a concealed presence in a connecting corridor, and Angron and Curze readied their weapons.
• Basilio F deactivated his concealment field and appeared beside a grotesque biochemical creation.
• Basilio mocked the Primarchs and identified himself as an ancient biomechanical engineer who had escaped confinement.
• Basilio asked Lorgar, Angron, and Curze to ignore him and his creation, then released an uncanny psychic pressure.

Lorgar killed Basilio F’s Bio-Monster and was about to execute him when Curze foresaw that Basilio would still be useful. Lorgar spared Basilio and handed him over to the Adeptus Custodes, then left with Angron and Curze.

• Lorgar swiftly split Basilio F’s Bio-Monster apart with his greatsword after it attacked him.
• Lorgar held his blade to Basilio’s neck and demanded that he die or return to the Black Cells.
• Curze interrupted and said Basilio was still useful to Lorgar, prompting Lorgar to sheath his sword.
• Adeptus Custodes arrived, and Lorgar ordered them to take Basilio into custody and tighten security.
• The Custodians escorted Basilio away as Angron and Curze watched, and Lorgar told them to head back.

Lorgar avoided Horus’s invitation to meet privately aboard the Vengeful Spirit by escaping with Russ to eat. Later that night, Angron, Curze, Anna, and Hercules guarded Lorgar’s quarters.

• The Emperor assigned Horus, Perturabo, the Khan, Fulgrim, and Ferrus Manus and their Legions to the Ullanor Crusade.
• Russ grabbed Lorgar and tried to take him to eat after the meeting.
• Horus invited Lorgar to join him and Sanguinius aboard the Vengeful Spirit for a private gathering.
• Lorgar claimed he had already promised to eat with Russ, and Russ carried him away from Horus.
• Angron, Curze, Anna, and Hercules kept watch outside Lorgar’s quarters late that night.

Roboute Guilliman sneaked through the Imperial Palace at night to thank Lorgar, but Angron and Curze ambushed and beat him before recognizing him. After Lorgar stopped them, Guilliman explained his visit, leaving the three Primarchs in an awkwardly amused silence.

• Roboute Guilliman crept toward Lorgar’s quarters to thank him for helping Ultramar and protecting Lady Euten.
• Angron punched Guilliman, and Curze tripped him before the two attacked him together in the corridor.
• Lorgar opened his door and ordered Angron and Curze to stop when he saw them beating Guilliman.
• Angron and Curze recognized Guilliman, while Lorgar helped him sit up and asked why he had come sneaking around at night.
• Guilliman explained that he wanted to thank Lorgar before leaving Terra to resume the Great Crusade.
• Lorgar sighed as Angron, Curze, and Guilliman exchanged awkward looks.

After Guilliman limped away from his brothers, Lorgar attended a gathering of Primarchs with his bodyguard Hercules. Sanguinius proposed a contest for the strongest warrior of each Legion, and Leman Russ eagerly supported it, leaving the Primarchs considering the competition.

• Lorgar told the bruised Guilliman to rest, warning that peaceful nights might become rare, and Guilliman limped away in thought.
• Lorgar entered a Primarchs' gathering with Hercules, whose imposing size drew attention from the assembled brothers.
• Leman Russ joked that Hercules might be a monstrous brother before Lorgar introduced him as his trusted companion and bodyguard.
• Sanguinius proposed a fair contest between each Legion's strongest warriors for the title of 'Number One Below the Primarch.'
• Lorgar cautiously approved the proposal, and Leman Russ enthusiastically demanded that the contest begin soon.

The first duel in the contest to name the strongest warrior beneath the Primarchs pitted Hercules of the Word Bearers against Akurduana of the Emperor’s Children. Hercules disarmed Akurduana with one strike and knocked him unconscious, winning the bout in five seconds.

• Malcador warned the Emperor that the duels could foster needless rivalry, but the Emperor allowed the contest to proceed.
• The announcer called Hercules and Akurduana into the arena for the first bout, and the two warriors exchanged formal salutes.
• Akurduana launched a rapid twin-sword attack as soon as the referee signaled the start.
• Hercules struck Akurduana’s blades with his greatsword, tore them from his hands, and punched him in the abdomen.
• The referee declared Hercules the victor after Akurduana fell unconscious.

After Hercules swiftly defeated Akurduana, Fulgrim and the assembled warriors assessed his overwhelming strength. The preliminary bouts produced nine victors, and Hercules was drawn against Ezekyle Abaddon in the first elimination bout.

• Hercules defeated Akurduana so decisively that Fulgrim calculated it would take elite troops and heavy weapons to kill him.
• Raldoron fought Marius Gage, who won by a narrow judges’ decision.
• Khârn, Frix, Corswain, Sevatar, Ahriman, Ezekyle Abaddon, and Sigismund won their preliminary bouts, joining Hercules as the nine victors.
• The draw matched Hercules against Ezekyle Abaddon in the first elimination bout, and the two entered the arena.

Hercules defeated Abaddon in the arena after provoking him with a taunt about his pointed helmet, while Abaddon’s pride drove him to keep fighting after the first knockout. As Abaddon was carried away, the second blow brought back fragmented memories of his violent childhood.

• Hercules asked Abaddon why his head was so pointy, enraging the Luna Wolves’ First Captain.
• Abaddon charged recklessly, and Hercules dodged his strike and punched him unconscious.
• Abaddon forced himself back to his feet and staggered toward Hercules despite his severe injuries.
• Hercules punched Abaddon a second time, leaving him motionless and triggering memories of his childhood.
• Medical Servitors carried Abaddon away, and the arena announced Hercules as the winner.

Hercules defeated Ahriman in the first semifinal by enduring his psychic attacks and overpowering him at close range. Hercules advanced toward the title of “Number One Below the Primarch,” while Sevatar and Sigismund remained in the tournament.

• Ahriman opened the duel by striking Hercules with psychic lightning, but Hercules remained standing inside the resulting cloud.
• Ahriman prepared a trap with a psychic shield and a compressed flame spell, expecting Hercules to charge through the smoke.
• Hercules rushed through Ahriman’s dragon of psychic flame without slowing and reached him before he could cast or teleport away.
• Hercules shattered Ahriman’s shield, seized his wrist, and threw him into the arena floor.
• The referee declared Hercules the winner, leaving him to face the tournament’s remaining contenders.

Sigismund defeated Sevatar in the semifinal, setting up the final against Hercules. As the arena prepared for the match, Akurduana reconsidered his crushing loss to Hercules and Fulgrim reaffirmed his trust in him; Sigismund then made his solemn preparations and entered the arena.

• Sigismund exploited a brief opening to knock aside Sevatar's blade, strike him with his sword pommel, and win the semifinal.
• Akurduana examined the damage to his swords and realized that he had misjudged Hercules's overwhelming strength.
• Fulgrim comforted Akurduana, praised him as the Emperor's Children's foremost swordsman, and urged him to learn from the defeat.
• Sigismund reflected on the challenge Hercules posed, renewed his resolve through thoughts of Dorn and the Emperor, and saluted with his Greatsword.
• Sigismund walked onto the arena sand as Hercules emerged opposite him, beginning the final.