Saul did not know how much time had passed, but he could feel his physical life drawing to an end.
He had succeeded.
He had absorbed all the divine power within the Abyss Engine. There would be no secondary detonation, no sector-wide catastrophe. The Star of Hope was saved, the surrounding planets were saved, and hundreds of billions of people were saved.
But the price was his life.
"Worth it..." Saul's consciousness grew increasingly hazy. "Well worth it..."
He took one last look at this world.
Though he no longer had eyes, his soul perceived everything on the planet.
He sensed the loyal resistance fighters emerging from their hiding places, watching the clouds of Chaos dissipate overhead, their faces breaking into the smiles of those who had survived a catastrophe.
He sensed his brothers in the Lamenters holding a memorial service for him on Optera.
At last, his consciousness scattered completely.
Saul, Chapter Master of the Lamenters, Living Saint, and embodiment of hope, died at that moment.
``` [Eternal Reincarnation System activated]
[Current host deceased. Soul protection protocol activated]
[Ninth life: concluded]
[Beginning conduct assessment...]
[Assessment: You counteracted the Chapter's ill fortune with your own dazzling radiance. You shielded countless human civilians from the butcher's blade. On the Star of Hope, you forcibly absorbed enough Chaos divine power to destroy a sector into your mortal body, never forsaking your oath to protect humanity, even in death. You slaughtered xenos and traitors without mercy. Countless xenos and heretics wailed beneath your feet,]
[Forging...]
[Ability generation complete]
[Sorrowful Reflection (Passive: You become a "vessel of misfortune and suffering" in Realspace. You can unconditionally absorb and store "curses," "despair," "extreme misfortune," and even "Warp corruption" originally directed at you. When facing xenos or heretics you deem "sworn enemies," you can forcibly project these