Leman Russ's blood was boiling.
Like the scorching power contained within the core of Fenris, that freezing planet, released through the collision and splitting of tectonic plates, finally erupting as extreme natural disasters such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
By instinct, he could sense that he was drawing ever closer to Horus. That inevitable sense of destiny filled his heart and became a realization.
Only the Wolf Lord himself knew that this sense of destiny had been born when the Emperor found him and he first met Horus.
Back then, the immature Horus had enjoyed thirty full years of a father's love at the Emperor's side. Faced with a so-called "brother" who had suddenly appeared, he had displayed startled hostility.
Horus had feared this suddenly appearing brother. At the same time, he had worried that his father's love would henceforth be divided among all his brothers. Leman Russ was merely the first, but certainly not the last.
He had been too young, too lacking in guile to conceal his embarrassment and jealousy. After a brief moment of bewilderment, he had challenged the Wolf Lord of Fenris, who had only just returned, to a spar.
Like a human child declaring his ownership and exclusive claim to a parent's love, Horus and Leman Russ had grappled together. A purely savage brawl had broken out between the Wolf Lord and the Wolf King.
Of course, that had merely been a friendly exchange between primarchs, a tentative sparring match. It was entirely different from the life-and-death struggle about to unfold now.
Back then, Russ had exhausted himself fighting Horus and wondered whether he might one day have the chance to enjoy another proper battle with his wolf brother. Now, after the Space Wolves had paid every price to board the Vengeful Spirit, that wish