Chapter Summaries

Su Ming confronted Judge Arishem over the Celestials’ plans to experiment on Earth, rejecting a truce that would leave them in control of choosing human test subjects. He attacked Arishem again, aiming his greatsword at the Celestial’s energy core.

• Su Ming sent Wade and Wanda to handle the local authorities, but Chewie accidentally vomited the Judge along with assorted junk before they left again.
• Judge Arishem identified Su Ming as Deathstroke, the Sorcerer Supreme, and offered to postpone Earth’s experiments in exchange for peace.
• Su Ming told Arishem that he would accept experiments only if he chose the people involved, and Arishem insisted the Celestials had the right to dispose of test subjects.
• Su Ming rejected Arishem’s reasoning and charged, using what he had learned from examining the Celestial corpses to target the energy reservoir in its chest.

Su Ming fought Arishem, using the Time Stone to restore himself while steadily damaging the Celestial replica. He left the useful Timeline trapped in a repeating cycle, and the universe collapsed around Arishem.

• Su Ming recalled how Odin forged the Terminator Armor and Gungnir after the Ancient Avengers barely defeated the First Progenitor.
• Su Ming traded blows with Arishem, then used the Time Stone to repair his injuries and resumed attacking the Celestial.
• Su Ming repeatedly reversed time to recover while enlarging the hole in Arishem’s chest.
• Su Ming told Arishem that it had failed to recognize the Timeline’s altered time, then teleported away using the Teleportation Gem.
• Arishem discovered that the universe and its inhabitants were cycling back to earlier states while it alone remained damaged.
• The universe darkened and collapsed, and a chain reaction through Arishem’s chest destroyed everything.

Su Ming explained how Kang’s six Timeline-based Parallel Worlds had become part of the 40K Universe’s ascension and how he used one of them to defeat Arishem and bargain with the Cosmic Will. He weighed the Demon Gods’ competing offers while Wanda remained confused about the forces involved.

• Su Ming told Wanda that the battlefield had been a Parallel World Kang created from a looped Timeline, and explained that he had preserved six such worlds as subordinate universes to 40K.
• Su Ming recounted how Wade delivered Starbrand to the Cosmic Will, securing an agreement for the other Parallel Worlds to be upgraded as 40K ascended.
• Su Ming explained that the Cosmic Will and several Demon Gods had intervened because the new Multiversal System could create valuable worlds for them to exploit.
• Su Ming interpreted Cyttorak, Set, and Vishanti’s actions as bids for influence, then used a Parallel Universe to destroy Arishem and warn the Demon Gods not to pressure him.
• Su Ming considered partnering with Vishanti or The Upside-Down Man, while concluding that Wanda should stick to Chaos Magic; Wanda remained confused.

After surviving the White Light Event, Su Ming returned home badly injured and worried that the universe’s ascension would attract stronger enemies. As Gin prepared a traditional roast-camel victory feast, Su Ming summoned the mages to help, then asked Hermione whether her new Palico could cook.

• Su Ming recovered on the sofa while Gin asked whether their world was safe, and he explained that the White Light Event was over but greater dangers lay ahead.
• Gin insisted on celebrating with roast camel, so Su Ming sent Cloak to fetch Wong, spices, and Hamill and invite the mages.
• Wong arrived with the other mages and went to help Gin prepare the camel while Su Ming warned them to strengthen defenses at the Three Great Sanctums.
• Hermione arrived with a calico Palico, offered Su Ming a potion, and heard him ask whether the Palico could cook.

A wounded Battle Sister prayed in a ruined church and healed her arm just as a Necron Destroyer threatened to kill her. A mysterious Black and Yellow Armored Figure saved her, and she was left stunned when he revealed a face identical to the Emperor’s recorded appearance.

• The Battle Sister sought shelter in a ruined church after a Necron weapon began corroding her arm, and her prayers helped her heal it.
• A Necron Destroyer entered the church and aimed its Plasma Cannon at the Battle Sister as she reached for her weapons.
• A golden warhammer flew from behind the statue and destroyed the Heavy Destroyer with a single strike.
• The Black and Yellow Armored Figure emerged, claimed to be a passerby, and questioned which Order the Battle Sister belonged to.
• The Battle Sister demanded that the figure remove his helmet, then froze when his face resembled the Emperor’s appearance in Imperial records.

Su Ming met Efferal Stern, who mistook him for a lost Primarch and swore to escort him to Holy Terra. He chose to remain on the war-torn planet, and Efferal agreed to fight alongside him as he continued searching for the world’s hidden treasure.

• Efferal Stern used psychic power to confirm that Su Ming’s appearance was real and concluded that he was one of the lost Primarchs.
• Efferal swore to return Su Ming to Holy Terra, but he told her he wanted to keep playing on the planet.
• Efferal asked to join him, and Su Ming accepted, viewing her as a useful source of information about the Imperium.
• Su Ming recalled arriving in the galaxy, spotting a massive battle among rival factions, and entering a ruined church to find human survivors.
• Su Ming found Efferal in the church and decided to use her as his guide.

Su Ming learned that Efferal had come to the planet alone to recover her slain sisters’ remains and avenge them, though she had followed the wrong daemon. They headed for the city’s Relay Station to call for reinforcements, but found Orks had taken over the tower.

• Efferal explained that a Tzeentch daemon had killed her sisters and an Inquisitor, and she had pursued it to reclaim their remains.
• Su Ming pointed out that the Chaos Warband on the planet served Sha Li Shi’s Fallen Ones, not Tzeentch, and urged Efferal to seek reinforcements.
• Efferal said her ship had been destroyed and identified a communications Relay Station in the city as their best chance to contact incoming forces.
• Su Ming tore through the church’s rear wall and followed Efferal toward the Relay Station.
• Su Ming and Efferal saw that Orks had outfitted the still-standing tower with junk and a huge brazier.

Su Ming and Efferal encountered a squad of Eldar Banshees while heading toward the planet’s Relay Station, and Su Ming explained the Eldar’s history and the birth of Slaanesh. He left the Banshees dead after swiftly defeating them, while Efferal knelt to praise the Emperor.

• Su Ming decided he needed intelligence on the Necrons’ treasure and planned to clear greenskins from the Relay Station so Space Marines could hold the line.
• A squad of Eldar Banshees emerged from the ruins and charged Su Ming and Efferal.
• Su Ming recounted how the Eldar’s pursuit of pleasure led to Slaanesh’s awakening and the destruction of their civilization.
• Su Ming charged the Banshees and killed the entire squad with his lightning-wreathed hammer before Efferal could join the fight.
• Efferal recognized Su Ming’s overwhelming strength and knelt to praise the Emperor.

Su Ming fought through waves of enemies with the Sister, then escaped into an Orc tunnel to avoid the endless battlefield and continue toward the relay tower. The pair pressed on through the dark passage, where Su Ming stopped to avoid stepping in Gretchin dung.

• Su Ming tested Strangle’s Vibranium armor against Ripper Swarms, then crushed the bugs with his hammer while the Sister repeatedly knelt to praise the Emperor.
• Su Ming quickly killed a squad of Necron Warriors, but Greenskin Boyz and a drill excavator burst from a tunnel nearby.
• Su Ming fought off successive waves of Greenskins, Eldar, Chaos forces, and other enemies before grabbing the Sister and heading into the Orc tunnel.
• Su Ming blew up the tunnel entrance with a grenade to block their pursuers, leaving himself and the Sister to continue through the winding passage.
• Su Ming stopped to avoid a pile of Gretchin dung as the Sister prepared for what she thought was an enemy.

Slade and Efferal traveled underground toward the Relay Station while Slade explained the battlefield’s events as the Emperor’s will. Efferal’s suspicion faded as she watched Slade fight, though he eventually noticed her attempts to test him.

• Slade led Efferal through blood-soaked tunnels, warning her that the soil above them was loosening.
• Efferal questioned Slade about his armor and the battle, and he claimed he had arrived by accident and credited the Emperor for what had happened.
• Efferal secretly watched Slade’s actions to determine whether he was truly a Primarch or a disguised daemon, but Slade defeated each wave of enemies before she could join the fight.
• Efferal stopped pretending to pray and stood behind Slade, and he recognized that she had been testing him.

Su Ming and Efferal surveyed an Ork-infested Relay Station and decided to sneak in rather than risk damaging its already broken equipment. Su Ming hoped the Orks’ WAAAGH! field would make the station’s locator work, and he asked Efferal if she could climb the tower.

• Su Ming and Efferal spotted Imperial Guard corpses and Orks around the bloodstained Relay Station Tower.
• Efferal offered to fight their way inside with her Flamer Pistol, but Su Ming said they should avoid alerting the Orks until they activated the locator.
• Su Ming explained how the Orks’ WAAAGH! field let them modify weapons and machines through their belief that the changes would work.
• Su Ming decided that he and Efferal would infiltrate the camp and asked whether she was good at climbing trees.

Su Ming and Efferal climbed the communications tower while Greenskins brawled below, then reached the rooftop and began dealing with its guards. Efferal attacked the guards as Su Ming prepared to inspect the communications equipment.

• Su Ming persuaded Efferal to climb on his back so he could carry her up the tower.
• Efferal dropped a grenade that killed a Bike Boy and detonated his bike, sparking a Greenskin brawl over Gork and Mork.
• Su Ming used the explosions and smoke to conceal their climb as he explained the value of exploiting an enemy’s weaknesses.
• At the rooftop, Su Ming threw Efferal onto the platform, where she drew her Power Sword and attacked the Greenskin guards.

Su Ming and Efferal defeated the Orcs at the relay station, and Su Ming inspected a Squig while considering whether it could be cultivated as food. After Efferal could not repair the communications equipment, Su Ming forced it to restart and send an emergency signal, leaving them waiting for Imperial reinforcements.

• Efferal defeated the Orcs roasting meat above the relay station, and Su Ming joined her on the balcony.
• Su Ming examined a Squig corpse and discussed its uses, while Efferal refused to eat it.
• Su Ming stored the Squig corpse, planning to plant it in the Spectre Universe and cultivate more.
• Efferal admitted she could not repair the damaged communications console.
• Su Ming forced the loose control lever upward, restarting the equipment and transmitting an emergency location signal.

Azrael learned that the Gladius System had sent an emergency distress signal and ordered the Dark Angels to intervene while keeping their secret objective concealed. The Chapter prepared to enter the Warp, with Orpheus and Seraphis leading forces to the planet and Azrael commanding the fleet in orbit.

• Azrael summoned Chaplain Orpheus and Seraphis to discuss reports that their targets were heading to the Gladius System.
• A newly received report revealed that Gladius was almost entirely overrun and that survivors had sent an emergency plea for help.
• Azrael changed the mission orders, sending Orpheus and the 2nd Company to assault the Relay Station and Seraphis with the Deathwing Terminators to establish a forward base in Antarctica.
• Azrael stayed aboard the flagship to command the fleet battle against the Chaos fleet in orbit and ordered his men to keep the Chapter's true objective secret.
• Orpheus and Seraphis accepted their assignments as the Dark Angels prepared for the Warp jump.

Su Ming and Efferal defended a communications tower from Orks while the Dark Angels and another Space Marine Chapter headed toward the same distress call. The Orks discovered the humans on the rooftop, where Su Ming revealed his surprising ability to bring down aircraft with thrown stones.

• The Dark Angels departed without formally answering the distress call, while an Ordo Hereticus ship secretly followed them and the Pride of Russ fleet also set course for Gladius.
• Su Ming and Efferal failed to understand an Ork transmission, and Su Ming knocked over the crude cooking pot because he suspected it was interfering with the signal.
• Efferal urged Su Ming to prepare the rooftop defenses as the Orks climbed toward them.
• Efferal opened fire on the Dakkajet Boyz and shouted prayers to the Emperor as they attacked.
• Su Ming hurled a hot stone with enough force to strike a Dakkajet, killing its pilot and making the craft crash.

Su Ming and Efferal defended the communications room against waves of Greenskins while waiting for Space Marine reinforcements. As Su Ming took over the stairway, the reinforcements arrived in blazing drop pods.

• Su Ming and Efferal retreated to the communications room as Orc aircraft and ground forces overwhelmed the outpost.
• Efferal held the stairs while Su Ming guarded the balcony, and they discussed how long the damaged building could withstand the assault.
• Efferal asked Su Ming about his greatest wish, and he answered that he wanted peace in the universe.
• When a Boss assault squad threatened to break through, Su Ming switched places with Efferal and held the stairway with his warhammer.
• Several flaming drop pods crashed around the signal station, and giants emerged to charge the Greenskin horde.

Su Ming recognized the arriving Space Marines as Space Wolves and considered how their aggressive close-combat style would draw the Greenskins’ fire. He reflected on Fenris’s deadly climate and the brutal culture that produced the Space Wolves, ending with the revelation that their mutated Gene-Seed carried a curse.

• Su Ming identified the arriving Drop Pods as belonging to the Space Wolves and judged their preference for charging into melee both a liability and a way to draw enemy fire.
• Su Ming recalled that Fenris was a Death World where extreme seasonal changes forced its people to struggle constantly for food and survival.
• Su Ming described how the Fenrisians learned to endure the planet’s brutal winters, volcanic summers, dangerous beasts, and treacherous seas.
• Su Ming recalled that Fenrisian tribes worshipped the Space Wolves as gods and hoped to prove themselves worthy of joining them in Asaheim.
• Su Ming noted that Fenrisian courage did not guarantee acceptance as a Space Wolf, whose Gene-Seed had mutated severely and carried a curse.

Su Ming explained how the Space Wolves recruited warriors and the deadly trials that turned surviving aspirants into Space Marines. He escaped the Orcs with Efferal by using a helicopter rotor to fly down from the tower, then spotted Dark Angels drop pods arriving.

• Su Ming described the Fenrisian selection rituals, the Morkai Trial, and the dangers of the Space Wolves' Gene-Seeds.
• Su Ming abandoned the stairs and told Efferal to hold on to him as Orcs flooded into the communications room.
• Su Ming spun an Orc helicopter rotor overhead and carried Efferal off the terrace, shielding her from gunfire.
• Su Ming and Efferal drifted downward as the Orcs swarmed onto the terrace and fired at them.
• Su Ming saw Dark Angels drop pods descending beyond the Relay Station Tower.

Su Ming and Efferal landed behind the Space Wolves and found the Dark Angels fighting on the other side of the Relay Station. To avoid taking either Chapter’s side, Su Ming charged into the green-skin horde alone, leaving both forces astonished by his speed and slaughter.

• Su Ming and Efferal landed near the Relay Station after he used a thrown propeller to destroy pursuing Flyboyz.
• They saw the Space Wolves and Dark Angels fighting the green-skins separately, and Efferal worried that joining either side would provoke the other.
• Su Ming decided they would fight independently and planned to cut through the gap between the Chapters before surrounding the horde.
• Su Ming sprinted into the green-skin ranks and smashed through them with Godslayer while Efferal hurried after him.
• Su Ming raced level with both Chapters’ front lines, ignored calls from their leaders, and left nearby Space Marines questioning whether they had come to provide aid or witness his triumph.

Su Ming carved through the Greenskin army with astonishing precision while the Dark Angels and Space Wolves struggled to keep up. His tactical reading of Ork priorities drew most enemies toward the Space Marines, leaving him free to advance deeper into the horde.

• Su Ming killed a Kommando Boss with a hammer strike and punched a Gretchin pilot out of a Killa Kan with precise blows.
• Su Ming disarmed a firing Stompa, destroyed an Ork Dreadnought, and cut through other Greenskin forces as the Space Marines watched in disbelief.
• The 2nd Company's Company Champion praised Su Ming's skill, and Chaplain Orpheus ordered the Dark Angels to hurry after him and cover his advance.
• The Wolf Lord challenged his warriors to race Su Ming through the Greenskin line and led his honour guard into the charge.
• Su Ming used the Greenskins' instinct to target larger, more numerous foes to draw their attention toward the Space Marines and continue advancing largely unopposed.