Space War: City of Light.

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ault, Arx Ang

enginarium of a void ship. Mephiston led his gusts to a relatively quiet corner and seated them around a circular bronze table, well all of them except Mariah. He had rehearsed the meeting several times in his mind and asked them to sit in specific chairs and told Mariah to stand beside him so the scene co

chair, shaking his head, his expression grim. "Commander Dante, what do

ged" Brother Albinus, but neither am I in the ha

hough. Exasperation, perhaps, but Albinus was a good man. A friend. And too loyal to feel anger at his superior officers. It was doubt that made his soul shimmer. He did

ston and Mariah, noting how

but we both know Albinus' objection is fair. You both have been remade, but your new form has still to be fully tested. And in a

d us from the rest of the imperium, unsanctioned psychic activity has been growing at an unprecedented rate. And not just here bu

ntrol of that whole region to the Archenemy. It is a hornet's nest. They mentioned Tzeentchian cults and even engagements with Traitor Marines." He shook his head. "We face war on all front

nto view. It showed the galaxy bisected by a savage, purple scar. The Librarian pointed to a small point on the star chart, j

m the immaterium to poison real space. A daemon world so warped by sorcery that it is more of a nightmare than a physical place." He

magisterial expression softened,

acelus had always been wary of Antros. Mephiston had long struggled to convince him of Antros' worth. Then, during the recent fight for Ba

reporting residual xenos nests. Hive fleet Leviathan could still make a counter attack. To say nothing of the warp-spawn that attacked our ships." He waved at Dante. "Besides which, consider Commander Dante's new responsibilities. He is now regent and w

eft to stand watch over the abyss. And you're

e an easy matter for them to sway the Sanguinary Priest's mind by esoteric means, but it would be a cowardly way to treat a noble servant of the Chapter. He would convince his guests with irrefutable truth. A benefit

hololith. Lines and intersections shimmered across the metal as the galaxy tu

it like a holy relic, his eyes wide. "The Ephemeri

seemed to have emerged from a part of his mind that was utterly alien to him. It had taken them decades to rationalise his words and decipher connections between the phrases and diagrams. Parts, even now, eluded them. Most of the gly

t interspersed between the gridlines and ventricles were columns of densely packed script. Ther

rs of study have pointed us to this location – to this moment." He traced a line from the nine points to a passage of text, written in an archaic language.

ered Antros, fro

also felt it through the nexus link. He had not

he Librarian's thoughts and found, as on previous occasions, the way was barred. It would take an

os, but he looked awkward and Mephiston did no

hat is still officially under the control of the imperial forces. It is not, like Sortiarius, in the thrall of warp-entities but it is on the verge of defeat." He glanced at Dante. "You are right about Lord Commander G

sed image of a vulture. "In the moments we have not spent here, when we have bee

proud old Blood Angels like Albinus were wary of Mephiston. They sens

realities. We thought it was making us wiser – a more useful member of the Librarius." He hesitated, recalling the vi

"our endeavours have not been fruitless. For a long time we have been studying intersections between events, identifying connections no one else has recognised – not even our predecessors in the Librarius. Our research let us to places

his position in the Chapter. Not even to Dante. Everyone present knew the essential facts: through violent rebirths, a Blood Angel called Calis

to explain." It pained him to pin down facts in such an unequivocal fashion. He, more than anyone, knew that reality

ow you can do this, you have to if you want Dante to

's deceits into reality. I am not talking about a brief incursion or the possession of a few damned souls. I am talking about an empire of unreality and misrule, w

d an inkling of Mephiston and Mariah's pla

s. "What does this have to do with you

e have counted Albinus as a friend, but he could hear the distrust in his battle-brother's voice. He shrugged off the thought, annoyed by his self-pit

ies revealed that this daemon is significant beyond merely the inherent danger of all warp entities. Zadkiel is a herald of the new Tzeentchian empire. Mariah and I have seen its face in our dreams. We have heard its dreadful oaths. Zadkiel is here," he tapped the metal, "on Sabassus. And it means to unite the final threads holdi

e, as though he had disturbed the surface of a pool. The drawings and

mplex to be fully understood but everyone felt the significance of what they were seeing. "This is the galaxy unmade," said Mephiston. "

the sign of the aquila and

ade will come to nothing if Mariah and I do not reach Sabass

ert Guilliman's fleet. We should alert Guilliman's fleet. If he need

." she waved at the purple scar across the star chart. ""The Cicatrix Maledictum is between us a

h Sabassus?" demanded Albinus, loo

changed my very spirit. It made me a worthy conduit for Sanguinius' gifts. It gave me control." The word thrilled him. "Control I have never achieved before. I can find a way through the Great Rift. And, travelling with Mariah, we can move fast enough to reach Sabassus before it is too late. Think how long it would take to redirect an Imperial Fleet. Even if Mariah and I took Commander Dante with us and we managed to convince Lord Guilliman to base his strat

gether, everyone's gaze was on the repulsive design. Mephiston and Mariah could see from

the Imperial Regent's subordinates. We have our own destiny to fulfil." He glanced at Mephiston and

my Lord," re

eve this nightmare will come to pass, then I believe it too. How would you f

ry rites has been preformed Mariah and I can devote ourselves fully to deciphering the meaning. I have..." His words faded as he realised he was about to share more than he intended, about to deviate from his planned explanation. The designs on the salver had shown him a starting

and Sister. I would appear that Albinus is right. I have unfinished work to do. Augur relays from the Avendum orbital are picking up a massive signal and we can get no word

tood and saluted. "What of Mephiston's request?" He glanced back a

erything on the scroll. The task of forging and ruling a new empire, away from the light of

onsumed. Mephiston and Mariah must deploy their gifts where they can have most impact." He placed his hand on Mephiston's shoulder. "it is always a comfort to have you and Mariah at my side, Mephiston, but I learned long ago to trust in both your judgement. If anyone else conjured visions from a plate

will not fail you this

the Chief Librarian with such familiarity and Mephiston felt an unexpected

ii know you have lifted a great weight on our behalf. A weight no one else coul

d Mephiston, as Peloris' cor

e omniscient, even you. Do not swea

cept Mariah saw." He waved at the salver. "You have been single-minded and there have been terrible costs, but weigh those costs

nomican. My second condition is that you both do not go alone. I cannot spare a fleet but if speed is of the essence, my parsimony can be forgiven. Choose whomever you wish." He nodded at Rhacelus. "As long as you make room for Brother Rhacelus. You're both heading to the hor

riah could feel pride radiating from him. Mephiston nodded and salut

left the chamber. "Our prayers are with you, Mep