When the alarm sounded again, what lay before them was no longer the radiant Golden Throne, but warm, gentle sunlight.
They had left the Warp and returned to realspace.
Bona stood up again, only to discover that Horus had vanished from his side at some point.
After leaving the Warp, Bona felt much weaker, as though he had just climbed ashore after soaking in water. Even moving a finger felt unbearably cumbersome.
His connection to the Warp had weakened dramatically, and that sense of omniscience and omnipotence was gone.
The moment he realized he seemed to have become enamored with the feeling of being in the Warp, Bona silently repeated the words his father had once told him.
Remain humble.
Just then, the Inquisitor approached.
Arlith gave an Aquila Salute.
"I misjudged you earlier."
Then, right in front of Bona, she took out a broadcasting beacon and switched it off.
Bona paid it no mind.
"Taking the necessary precautions is perfectly normal."
"But I won't let my guard down, even if those historical records are very likely genuine."
Bona smiled wryly, then remembered something.
"Where did you get that skeletal hand you found earlier?"
At the mention of it, Arlith lost all trace of composure.
"That... I borrowed it from the Ecclesiarchy."
"The Ecclesiarchy?"
Seeing that the man's knowledge still seemed rooted in the 30K era, the Inquisitor had no choice but to explain what the Ecclesiarchy was.
From time to time, Bona asked probing questions to clear up his confusion.
As their discussion went deeper, Bona's expression grew increasingly grim.
If he had once felt that the Imperial Truth merely needed a few minor additions, the present-day Imperium was using it as toilet paper.
When their conversation fell silent, Captain Spire approached.
Bona immediately understood and looked rather apologetic.
"Captain, we only need a Thunderhawk. We won't stay long."
"Once we've left, you can report our coordinates to the Imperium."
But before he finished speaking, Captain Spire suddenly gave him an Aquila Salute.
Everyone on the bridge followed suit, including the commodore serving as his adjutant and the fleet Commissar.
"The Guardian of Justice is now yours to command."
Bona was taken aback.
"Hmm... are you sure? You could say we're the Imperium's most wanted fugitives."
Spire nodded firmly.
"Anyone granted an audience with the God-Emperor cannot be utterly wicked."
"I believe you have your reasons."
Bona nodded and returned the salute.
"Thank you for understanding, Admiral. If you're willing to join us, we do have an urgent task."
"What would that be?"
"Raiding an Ecclesiarchy World."
Heavy footsteps returned to the bridge as Horus strode brazenly inside.
"I thought you had a mind of your own, but now it seems you're no different from my slave-born brother, so easily blinded by anger."
Bona looked at Horus with displeasure.
"It would be nice if you shut that filthy mouth of yours."
"Right now, I need that pile of Ecclesiarchy relics to keep myself under control."
Horus stopped dead. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face, but his expression quickly returned to normal.
"Ah... that's fine, then."
"An Ecclesiarchy World won't have much in the way of defenses, after all."
"With the Imperium's efficiency, reinforcements probably won't arrive for another ten years."
Storm Zone, Ecclesiarchy World Atas-
Atas was one of the few Ecclesiarchy Worlds in the Storm Zone, and the sacred light it spread sheltered countless suffering people.
The Holy City of Apollonus stood in the planet's southern hemisphere, its soaring spires almost piercing the sky, with countless worshippers gathered below.
But that scene was soon shattered.
A Lunar-class Cruiser rammed aside the barge sent to guide it, then swept directly above the Holy City of Apollonus and dropped dozens of Drop Pods from the starry heavens.
The stunned Holy City of Apollonus failed to react at all. Only when the Drop Pods were about to strike the ground did scattered defensive fire begin.
But it was already too late.
The stately white paving stones shattered, and the people nearby scrambled out of the way.
As the dust cleared, the distinctive tread of steel emerged from within.
A group of oversized Astartes in battered Power Armour stepped out of the Drop Pods, followed by a towering figure.
"Ah... fresh air at last," Horus said, seemingly savoring it.
"Stop blocking the way. Get moving," said Bona, whose path the towering figure had obstructed.
"You have no appreciation for life's pleasures. Even the air in that damned Warp is filthy."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Just then, Admiral Spire's voice came over the communicator.
"The target is roughly three streets away from you. Expect possible armed resistance."
"Understood, Admiral."
Bona looked at the ragged worshippers around them. They all looked skeletal to varying degrees, their faces filled with panic.
Some stood up and hurled abuse, while others gave bewildered Aquila Salutes.
The group ignored them and headed straight for the cathedral where the relics were stored.
Gunfire rang out when they reached the main road leading to the cathedral.
"It's a Rebel Company! Kill them!"
"For the Emperor!"
A fierce hail of bullets followed, tongues of flame lashing out from two Choppa Guns.
The Thunder Warriors at the front quickly scattered, evading the furious barrage before returning fire in an orderly fashion.
Ten thousand years of fighting together had brought their coordination to something approaching telepathy, and their seasoned skills allowed them to pick off the defenders with ease.
Bona looked over and saw that those lying on the ground were...
Women?
He could not understand why the Imperium would send women onto the battlefield.
Suddenly, the roar of chainswords sounded beside him. He turned to see a group of figures leaping down from the tall towers on either side.
"For the Emperor!"
But the Primarch's reactions were clearly a cut above theirs.
Horus caught one by the foot and hurled her to the ground among her companions, then swatted another away and seized the last one by the neck with his other hand.
Just as he was about to wring her neck like a chicken's, a voice came from beside him.
"Don't kill her. Keep her alive."
Horus looked at Bona with interest, then turned to the silver-haired, blue-eyed woman struggling to escape his iron grip.
"Oh... want to enjoy the spoils all by yourself? The old rules. I understand."
Bona rolled his eyes.
He had no idea what had gotten into Horus. Ever since seeing his father, Horus seemed to have opened the floodgates and had not stopped talking the entire way.
"What do your other brothers say about you?"
"All sorts of things. Clever, valiant, witty..."
"All right, you're certainly very witty."
One of the main reasons Horus had become Warmaster was his ability to maintain good relations with almost all his brothers.
Before you continue