At the very instant Glorious Flame unleashed her psychic power, she summarily executed the fallen Emperor Titan Bloodbane.
Deep within the Imperial Palace on Terra, in the Throne Hall, the figure seated high upon the throne suddenly reacted.
"This power."
The Emperor was puzzled.
The faint psychic fluctuations rising from the surface were so similar to his own, yet carried so many differences.
This strange galaxy held far too many secrets.
Even he, whom Malcador called Revelation, was neither omniscient nor omnipotent.
"Hurry with the next batch."
An entire squad of psykers was brought into the Throne Hall. They were Martyrs.
The shifting war on Terra had left the Emperor feeling that events were slipping out of his control. He needed to see for himself.
But someone had to remain on the throne.
Malcador told the Emperor that he could take his place on the throne and hold the Webway in check.
The Emperor knew very well that Malcador, a psyker second only to himself, was indeed a suitable choice.
But the burden of the throne was far beyond imagining.
He could not stand by and watch Malcador burn himself out. Not yet, at least.
Yet Malcador ultimately persuaded the Emperor. Using ancient techniques he had mastered, the Sigillite laid out an array of arcane sigils, allowing him to draw on the psychic power of others and endure a little longer.
Those Martyrs would help Malcador bear the Golden Throne's load, minimizing the harm it inflicted on him.
Soon, he would be able to return to the battlefield and discover exactly what had happened.
Ollanius Persson's party had weathered many unexpected developments, its members coming and going.
After spending a long time lost in the vast palace, Ollanius Persson decided to reveal their whereabouts deliberately.
The Adeptus Custodes quickly