Sermon of Ashes

The void between the stars burned. Not with fire—void could not burn—but with the wrongness of Warp-light bleeding through reality, a sickly glow that clung to the enemy formation like a halo carved from blasphemy. Auspex returns painted the truth plainly enough: a Word Bearers strike fleet, six vessels strong, running dark except for a single capital ship at its heart. The Sermon of Ashes. A repurposed battlecruiser, its hull carved over with scripture older than most civilizations still burning under the Emperor’s light. Vox intercepts confirmed what the Black Templars already suspected—this was not a raiding force. It was a procession. On the strategium hololith, the projected path ended at a nameless Imperial supply world: agri-domes, fuel silos, pilgrim traffic. Nothing glorious. Nothing defended enough to survive what was coming. “Identify the architect.” Marshal Gabriel said sternly. The hololith shifted. A single rune flared crimson. Dark Apostle–Sorcerer Malachor Veyl XVII Legion, bearer of the Ashen Catechism Confirmed architect of three system-scale daemonic incursions Known preference for sacrificial void-rites Boots thud down the corridor as squads prepare for boarding actions, Chaplain Kayde raises his Crozius Arcanum, Oathbreaker's Doom, "It is by the will of the Emperor that the arch-enemy will be vanquished here!" Chaplain Kayde proclaims to capture his brothers attention, "Let hate fuel you brothers! Leet the Emperor guide your bolters! Let Sigismund guide your blade! Let all of Terra hear the screams of these traitors!" Chaplain Kayde raises Oathbreaker's Doom higher "For Helbrecht! For Sigismund! For Dorn! FOR THE EMPEROR!" Teleporter coordinates lock in. Boarding pods launch from the Battle Barge, the battle commences.