Three years after Secret War. Attelus and the other survivors are sent to investigate the war torn world of Sarkeath. With Attelus' hallowed heroes, the men of the Velrosian 1st fighting on the surface, it's personal. Especially when their leader, General Tathe had ordered a successful Exterminatus months before. Is this yet another scheme of their shadowy foe? Or a dead end?

On the brink of losing his humanity, an Imperial soldier finds his hope restored as he falls in love with Eldar woman. But such things as hope and love tend not to last in the galaxy of war. Together, they must protect their relationship from encroachments of those who wished to make puppets out of them, be they friends or foes. What can remain when the journey is so long?

The Imperium of Man is desperate. Despite the parades and the propaganda, humanity is fighting a losing battle. They need a game changer, something that can turn the tide in their favour. The future does not bode well for them, so they seek assistance from the only place left: the past.