As the Iax fleet headed back toward Segmentum Solar, Guilliman once again encountered Evelyn aboard the Glory of Fire, arriving uninvited.
Ever since the Men of Iron's last raid on the Imperial Palace, Trajann Valoris had recalled the Adeptus Custodes stationed beside Guilliman to monitor him. With the situation as it stood, these bodyguards of the Emperor could no longer spare anyone to keep watch over Guilliman.
Led by another Mime Master and several mime performers, Evelyn and Asurmen, who had disappeared for some time, slipped aboard Guilliman's flagship together.
The recent succession of battles had left Evelyn weary. Even with the Harlequins' help, crossing such a vast distance and risking the journey here to meet Guilliman had exhausted her.
Through the first Phoenix King's persuasion and the news brought by the Laughing God's followers, Evelyn learned for the first time just how earth-shattering the deeds of those Iron Clanks who had once fought beside her had been.
What had once been only a handful of Machine Bodies had now become a terrifying force. They had destroyed the entire fleet that the Alaitoc Craftworld had deployed against the Necrons, capturing hundreds of thousands of Aeldari survivors and an enormous number of Spirit Stones.
That amounted to nearly one percent of the Alaitoc Craftworld's total population.
And these Aeldari were not ordinary civilians. Every one of them was a warrior.
The Spirit Stones, moreover, came from the various wraithbone constructs aboard the ships. The souls of elite warriors preserved within them were an immensely valuable asset.
The Reaper Host needed more support.
Rather than sacrificing all Aeldari to awaken Ynnead, the god of death, the Reaper Host was pursuing another plan.
They would gather the five Crone Swords to awaken the god of death.
The Crone Swords originated in Aeldari mythology.