"Was that... the light of the Astronomican?"
The Navigators aboard the warships were the first to cry out, beside themselves with joy.
Lox leaned against the observation window of the New Caliban, the crew's excited cheers surging around him like waves. He watched the galaxy, once dimmed by the Ruinstorm, brighten once more.
It was as though a filter had been stripped away, revealing the universe in its most fundamental form. The light of the countless stars in the galaxy was once again plainly visible to the naked eye.
Starlight.
Something that had once been utterly commonplace had vanished for so long after the Ruinstorm's arrival, only to shine again today after the destruction of Davin.
Lox could not help holding his breath. He feared it was merely a beautiful illusion, but it was incomparably real. Like the clouds dispersing after years of apocalyptic floods to reveal the sun, that warm starlight inspired everyone who witnessed it.
After the great battle for Davin, everyone had been exhausted to the limit. Even the hardiest mortal auxilia had their nerves stretched to breaking point by years of war.
Now, at last, there were signs that the galaxy might return to its former state. Every crewman and every auxiliary soldier cheered in delight. Some even began to weep with excitement.
Then came the news that the Navigators had sighted the light of Terra's Astronomican, driving that excitement and ecstasy to even greater heights.
Though the people of the Five Hundred Worlds did not feel particularly strong ties to the Imperium of Man, and though their upper ranks, represented by Lady Euten, had once faintly displayed separatist leanings—
When the Astronomican's light reappeared, everyone was still moved from the depths of their hearts. The Astronomican still shone. That meant Terra still stood, the Emperor