Saint Summer the Huntress

by Korykr

To most death is the end. To some death is a doorway. To Summer death is a beginning. Separated from her home and family, she must carve her way across a galaxy in flames in order to return to them. Nothing would get in her way. Not aliens, monsters, daemons, or evil gods. She would return to Remnant and leave her mark on the galaxy.

9. Chapter 9

RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth.

Warhammer 40K is the property of Games Workshop.

---

Chapter 9: The Utility of Faith - Departures

Summer watched as the people walked by without looking at her. It was odd. Usually, she would garner some attention when walking through a crowd. Either because of her outfit. Wearing a flowing white cloak tends to get attention on every level. Or simply because she was a woman in the presence of men.

Not this time, however strange it was. Since she should stick out like a sore thumb.

Standing in the small village of straw mud huts surrounded by primitive tribes' people, garbed in nothing but tanned and salted animal hides, she was completely ignored. All of them were a part of this small community built in vast grasslands. Everyone was busy, even the children who aided their parents. Mothers cooked or prepared cloths for both themselves' or the men along with mixing healing balms and ointments for injuries some had sustained from their hunts. Daughters helped their mothers. Learning from them in preparation for the day they would take up the task for themselves. The men carried thick animal carcasses across the village. Some were animals she had never seen before. One looked to be a version of a tiger but with two extremely large canines sticking out from its upper lip. It reminded her of the Saber Grimm from Atlas.

The men were busy skinning the beasts and prepping the meat for the women to cook. They also salted the skin and hung them across wooden frames to cure them, making them safe to wear. Their sons followed along, some in grim focus, others in enthusiasm. Sometimes even an odd mixture of both, switching depending on the difficulty of the task placed before them by their elders. Then she saw the sons being trained to use weapons by their fathers. Yelling harshly to toughen them up mentally. It was not an act of cruelty but love. They were hard on their offspring because they wanted them to succeed. The world of this time was harsh and untamed and only the strong would survive outside the relative safety of the village.

And while all this activity was happening Summer simply stood in the center of the village. A total anomaly among these people. She was completely out of place, and unnoticed.

The huntress glanced around, wondering why she was here. This place was interesting, but once the strangeness of the pre-technological camp faded away, it began to feel mundane. Boring. Normal.

She blinked as she registered these feelings. They weren't hers. They couldn't be. She could not look upon the sights before her and see them as normal. That was impossible. She had never been here before. Nor has she ever been to a village like this where the people have been so isolated that they had no access to technology.

So where did these feelings come from?

She felt a pair of eyes on her. Refocusing her attention to her immediate area, she discovered that she had finally been noticed.

Standing before her was a boy. He was young, probably no older than five or six, roughly Yang's age. He had fair skin, mahogany brown hair and had an impressively strong build for one so young. But what really got Summer's attention were his eyes. They were glowing amber gold.

The two stared at each other for a moment before she gasped. Realizing who she was staring down. The memory or the shadow of a memory made itself known to her. She had never been here before. Summer Rose had never been here before.

But he had. This was him. Her master. The boy who would be king. Her Emperor.

After her gasp she expected a reaction from the boy, but he gave her nothing. He just continued to stare.

"Umm…" She stammered, wondering if she should say anything before tossing it to the wind.

"We found him." She said, nervously. "We found Guilliman. He's alive."

The boy did not react. Not even bothering to blink as he wore her down with his stare. It brought back memories of her time witnessing Ozpin come close to becoming genuinely angry. But the old man felt like a child trying not to shout in comparison to the being before her.

And he was in the form of an actual child. Ironic.

This lack of reaction was more nerve wrecking than if he were angry with her. At least then she would know what to expect and prepare for it. Getting nothing was worse.

"Celestine and I did what you told us to do." She said, managing to keep her voice steady. This was the first time there was such a heavy effect on her, and she had no idea why. This felt different from the last time she interacted with him. She suddenly felt a lot smaller than she should be.

"What do you want me to do? We brought your son back. What else do we need to do? What more do you want before I can find my way home?" She asked rapidly.

She was not angry with him. Not in the slightest. Nor was she so selfish or impatient to get home that she would try to jeopardize everything her allies had worked for and abandon them. She just wanted some direction.

"He wants to see you." She said to the boy who would be king. "We just finished cleaning up his home. Now he's getting ready to come to you. Is that what you want? Is there something You need to tell me?"

Still no response. He just watched her, but now she felt less pressure than before.

Having weathered that gaze for some time she was starting to feel more comfortable. Before she could continue to push him, she heard a woman scream.

This sudden outburst drew her attention to a hut to her left. Her first instinct was to rush in and see what the problem was, but she stopped herself, remembering that none of this was even real, even though her master had done a damn good job at fooling every sense she had.

A crowd was forming around the tent where the scream was heard. A small crowd was gathering. Summer wondered what could provoke such a reaction. While she did not personally know these people, the sense of memory she had inherited told her that they were very hardy. That lined up with her personal interpretation of what such an environment does to people. They didn't scare easily.

So, it came to her as a shock that many of them looked terrified. She was about to walk to the crowd to get a better look, but she never had to take a step as the people parted. Two of the men were dragging the limp body of a third. What was concerning about the man was that he was bleeding at the mouth and by a substantial amount. Summer knew the signs. Internal bleeding. Something went very wrong with the man.

No. She realized, thanks to another shadow memory. Not wrong. What happened to this man was very deliberate. She recalled the coldness. A calculating coldness that led to a brief confrontation that only lasted a scant few seconds. An act of will, and the crushing of a heart.

The body was dragged to a nearby tent. This one was larger than most. Only being outclassed by one other in the village in fact. It was adorned with superstitious baubles. Animal skulls, small totems, symbols painted in the leather of the tent. Inside was an old woman. She looked to be the most experienced healer of this small community.

The elderly woman examined the fallen man as they laid his body before her. At first, she tried inflicting pain to try and invoke some sort of reaction, but the body remained still. Then she sprinkled some sort of powder on his bearded face staining the hairs with a yellow hue. Everyone around her either took a step back or tried to cover their mouths and noses at the sight of it. That told Summer that it was some kind of drug, or something that would startle the system into wakefulness. Even the shadow memory of what sort of sensation it brought made her want to cringe and tighten her stomach.

Seeing that there was still no reaction from the man, she laid her head on his chest. She was checking to see if she was either breathing or still had a heartbeat. It could have been both. A look of sullen acceptance formed on her wrinkled face as she sat back up.

Turning to another woman and a pair of children, the healer shook her head. Signaling that the man was dead.

Summer turned away, not wanting to see the faces of another destroyed family. Turning to the boy, she went wide eyed when she saw that he was no longer there. Instead, there stood a woman Summer knew well.

Standing before her was her mother once again. Smiling that knowing smile which was reserved just for her.

The woman Summer looked up to her whole life approached her. Only stopping when they were inches apart.

"He listens for our call." She said softly.

Before Summer could question what was said, she was blinded by light. Then came a sudden jerk and her world fell apart.

---

Summer woke with a loud gasp. The first thing she noticed was that she was sitting cross-legged in a dark space with a small messy stack of books in front of her. With controlled breaths, she refocused herself and registered the environment she was in.

At first, she did not recognize this place. Arched ceiling with elegant brazier like lumens lighting the vast expanse. Shelves of books lined the room. Actual books, she did not expect to find any in this galaxy. A part of her expected the Imperium to move beyond them for something more digital. Then again, they still use something like parchment for delivering messages. Some things just never go out of style, she guessed.

Then she remembered where she was. The Library of Ptolemy. One of the greatest repositories of knowledge in the galaxy. Allegedly. Summer believed Guilliman and Tigurius when they made those claims, but she knew that it was more centered towards them at this point. As in it was one of the greatest repositories of knowledge that they had access to and/or know about.

But still, despite her newfound skepticism, she could not argue that this place was impressive. There were so many books here that she could probably spend her entire life reading in here and she would hardly touch a portion of the contends this place contains.

Shaking her head, Summer contemplated the vision she had just experienced. It was odd. As strange as that sounds. It felt different compared to what she had experienced prior. The Emperor had been open and expressive in the limited and obscure fashion that he had been able to manage up until now. But it was never so rigid. So cold. Not to mention the pressure he exuded.

Then there were the words the visage of her mother said to her.

"He will be listening?" Summer mumbled, not understanding anything.

It was her impression that the image of her long dead mother was the Emperor's way of talking to her. But she spoke of him as if she were not actually him. Which contradicted the conclusion she came to before. But now that she was actually thinking back on it, her mother never gave her a real answer, she just smiled.

And that begged the question. If her mother wasn't the Emperor communicating with her, then what was it?

A low meow caught the huntress' attention. Turning to her side she saw her gyrinx companion, Gessel. Being so engrossed in thought she had forgotten that the feline was sleeping at her side while she studied.

Looking closely Summer took in the changes her pet had undergone over the past month. Her blue fur had changed to a soft black with patches of red at her paws, tail, and ears. Lazily, the feline raised her head to look at Summer with her own pair of slitted silver eyes. At first, the change surprised her, making her worry for her companion's health, but Yvraine had explained that this was natural. Gyrinxs tend to change in appearance to match their partner in some way. This process is out of either member's control. Hence why Yvraine's had not changed. Hers was far more of a mental change in comparison to the physical change Gessel was experiencing. Not to say that there was not mental change to accompany it. Gessel had become more open to the company of others as the war for Macragge dragged on. As well as an increase in temper when agitated. Something Summer explained away as something that was there before.

As for the silver eyes, Summer doubted they could perform the function of the real deal. But that hardly mattered. Her own eyes had gotten a huge power up after she died and after all those test runs during the war, she doubted she would need another silver eyed warrior to help her out.

Turning to the books she was reading before her annual meditation; she refreshed her memory. Tigurius had been picking them out for her ever since Guilliman had allowed her inside the library. Much to her surprise, at the exclusion of most others that had come with her from Cadia.

It made her feel uncomfortable, being given a special privilege over them. Sometimes she worried they might resent her for it. Especially Greyfax.

However, they were more than accepting of the Primarch's choice. Greyfax only gave her a passing glance in regard to the topic. But still, she felt uncomfortable about it.

As for the contents she was looking into. She was allowed to pick out anything she wanted. But she did get recommended readings from the Chief Librarian. This was nonnegotiable as she had made an agreement with Guilliman to determine how exactly she related to the Emperor. This involved a lot of questions from Tigurius and the Grey Knights who could perceive her aura with the greatest clarity.

Much to her relief, and Greyfax's chagrin, it turned out that she was not a daemon. At the very least she was not a normal one since the Grey Knights' fancy anti-daemon countermeasures did not work on her. As for their raw power, it definitely affected her. It bypassed her aura completely, but good thing her abnormal healing was still there to help her balance out the damage. Those guys hit hard. She wondered if that was what it was like for Qrow after he was electrocuted by Fria.

Then there was the mental aspect of her aura. Something of which she was completely unaware. She could still hear their telepathy, but it turned out that she was closed off to the whispering of the Warp. Apparently, daemons could talk to her directly from the other side as if they were right next to her. A chilling thought. It was like having an entire dimension of stalkers.

That was why all of them had those weird implants in their heads and hood shapes built into their armor. It was meant to act as a filter of sorts for their minds. To block out anything trying to exert influence on them while simultaneously acting as a form of concealment and protection from those on the other side.

While she was unaware of this fact, it did not change that Summer had never heard anything from the daemons other than the physical manifestations she had confronted on Cadia. Asking about dreams was pointless as she never slept anymore. No sleep means no dreams.

However, this did not change their minds on what they planned from the start. Summer was to undergo proper training from now on. Especially in mental defense and extreme self-discipline. With which she was fine. This was something she did all the time since she began her training as a huntress. It also gave her something to focus on while all the preparations were being made. It was going to be a long trip and Guilliman hadn't even made the announcement yet.

Summer rubbed Gessel on her fluffy head, earning a short purr. It was nice to have someone you could just be with as you ground on with your work.

She had no idea how long she had been sitting here but she knew it was long enough for her to get lost in her meditations again. That had been a habit back on Remnant that she never let go of. It would appear that her meditations were now a method of communing with him. She says commune as she wouldn't go so far as to call it communication.

Having felt that she had studied enough for the day, she stood up from her cross-legged position on the floor and stretched. One of the downsides of this library was that there were no tables. It was clear that books were supposed to be taken out of the library and read on one's own time. But due to Guilliman's decree that the library be closed off to all but the Ultramarines and those approved, it also became forbidden for anyone to take anything out of the library itself.

It was also a fact that after the fighting was done, there was so much to do that no one had the attention or care to think about putting any tables in there.

Not that she minded too much. It was quiet and she could study at her own pace. She even picked up on some of the language the higher ups and Space Marines used. High Gothic. It was weird. Not the language, but her desire to learn it. There was this odd sense of nostalgia that drove her to it.

Osiris had been a huge help in that. He was fluent in it and since he was not part of the economic or political structure of Macragge, he had more free time on his hands than most. So, he decided to spend it learning the difference between the High Gothic of today and the version he knew from ten millennia ago. She in turn, learned from him.

Standing up, she decided she needed to go for a walk. Gessel also stood up and performed a long stretch alongside her chosen partner.

Summer flashed her pet a mischievous grin and the gyrinx almost matched it with just her eyes somehow. It was as if the feline had read her mind. Jumping into her arms, Gessel got comfortable Summer made the long walk to the front door of the library.

She gave the door a quadruple knock to let the guards outside know that she was ready to be let out. Poor guys would get in trouble for the stunt she was about to pull, but it's not like they had a chance at stopping her anyway. Space Marines or not, they couldn't keep up with her.

The moment a beam of sunlight came through that door, she activated her semblance and shot past the two Victrix Guard that Guilliman had set for the library. They tried and failed to stop her, their hands grasping at fading petals as she zoomed away.

---

Summer stood perched atop a large eagle head which lay mounted on the side a large clock tower. From this vantage point she was able to properly survey her surroundings.

Magna Macragge Civitas or Macragge City was a beautiful place once you got past all the battle damage from which it was currently recovering. The scars of the war were everywhere. Yet despite this, she could see nothing but genuine enthusiasm from the people down below. Even the working who were sweating up a storm looked happy.

The sight spread that same joy to her own heart. They deserved to be happy after everything they had just been through.

The war for Macragge was bloody business. Traitor legions were everywhere, and she never thought she would be so thankful to not require sleep anymore. At first, she missed it, but after the near constant deployments and fighting, she could not be more thankful.

Every single one of the normal human troops looked dead on their feet. Elaine, Strang and even the stubborn Greyfax started to give out due to the expedient pace of the campaign. There were looks of shame on some of their faces as they took drugs to keep themselves going during those engagements. But they countered it with attitudes of pure devotion. She could still hear the prayers some of them were uttering before the assaults began.

It was a strange thing. How they all displayed such a singular focus on the mission they were given. She could barely keep her team from bickering with each other on the best of days. Particularly Qrow and Raven in their later years. Tai and Raven getting into awkward situations at the worst of times. Then there was the constant pressure of having to get them all to stop second guessing her so they could just coordinate. Good thing she knew proper meditations.

There were precious few occasions where she was able to genuinely form a cohesive unit with her team. Ozpin called them the rising stars, but Summer always felt that they were only the best in combat. In every other department they were more like meteorites crashing down to earth. Team STRQ was a mess behind closed doors.

The odd thing was that only when they had to work together with other teams, like Glynda, James, Peter and Oobleck, that her team suddenly became a lot more willing to follow along with her. Raven would still try to argue with her but the mass of affirmations from the other team would deter her from making it a detriment. It helped that she and James had similar views on how operations should be conducted with huntsmen teams. He often drafted plans before the operations started while Summer handled the execution. It also helped that she was more flexible whenever plans did not work out too well. Hence why James often differed to her when things got dicey as she tended to think on her feet while he tried to get the whole picture.

Compared to her sloppy attempts at unity, the Macragge Reclamation Army was a well-oiled machine. Not all of which could be attributed to the efficiency of the Space Marines. Every guardsman and PDF trooper worked together with a cohesion that she wished she could squeeze out of her old team. No complains. No objections. Just action. Just duty.

And it was all thanks to Guilliman. She was expecting something miraculous, but this caught her unawares. It never occurred to her that he could have such an effect on people. It was astounding. His tactical acumen was so far above hers that she thought he had some kind of fourth dimensional awareness of war. He processed information at such a speed that in the time it took her to come up with five scenarios for what the enemy might do, he came up with over a thousand. Plus, solutions to those actions and who best to do it.

Then there was that unnatural oratory skill he possessed. Even when his heart was not in it, he was able to stir those around him into a battle frenzy or give them such steely focus that they almost became whisper quiet outside of combat.

And he did it so effortlessly. She was impressed and slightly envious at the same time.

It helped that people appeared to hold a natural reverence towards him. And for some reason, she suspected that it was not simply a religious thing.

Her thoughts drifted back to her first meeting with him in the throne room. How he looked so relieved that she spoke with him as if he were just another person. After seeing how people tended to automatically treat him firsthand, she understood why he found such freedom in it.

That was something she had managed to hold onto after the war ended. Often when she found herself alone, either in the room he had provided for her or the library, he would come to visit her in those moments when he had free time.

He was able to let his woes out and she was able to ask all the questions she wanted. She had to say that she understood things a lot better now thanks to him. He went out of his way to explain things in a digestible manner for her poor slow mortal mind. He had chuckled at that one. But she had the advantage of never tiring, so he thoroughly enjoyed it as he never had to stop while he thought he was in the middle of an important subject. He would go on for hours on end without even noticing if the sun had set or not.

You could say they had become friends.

As Summer stared out over the city that he had brought to providence in eons past, she dearly hoped that was the case.

The sight of Adeptus Astartes Thunderhawks filled the sky. All of them bear different markings, color schemes and heraldries. Summer tilted her head in approval. More Space Marines come to see if the rumors floating around the system were true. That a Primarch had returned to the Imperium.

Most of them came with a healthy amount of skepticism. Wanting to berate the Ultramarines for spreading rumors, as such things would agitate those in power and make their operations much harder. Others came with boltguns at the ready. Fully prepared to shoot the person who dared to disrespect one of the Primarchs.

Only to fall to their knees when they eventually set their sights on him. Summer always found it funny how just looking at Guilliman stunned them into silence before dropping their weapons and falling into obeisance. It was entertaining and still made her think of all those old stories of knights and their kings. So many moments that could be recorded for her return trip to Remnant when she eventually found it.

Summer tapped her chin at the thought. "Maybe I should keep a journal so I can show it to everyone when I get back?"

The distant clamor of bells pulled her out of her short contemplation. Looking across the massive structures that dotted the landscape, she found the source of the noise. It was a bell tower, the roof of which was covered with four eagle's heads, each pointing perpendicular to their partner.

The bell was exposed by an arch under each head. It tolled with a clatter that sounded both doleful and joyous at the same time. A respectful toll of mourning, but also celebration. She could hear it in the tempo. It changed every few moments. The difference was subtle, but Summer could tell.

The religion of the Imperial Creed was something of a mystery to Summer. She understood that they worshiped the Emperor, but she didn't understand how they worshiped him. She used her experience with priests of the Church of the Divine Unity, the faith that worshiped the Brother Gods, for reference.

There was more nuance than simply saying the Brothers were the gods of Remnant. Both deities were treated with reverence but that did not mean they were viewed as the same. The Bother of Light was often associated with kindness, generosity and mercy. Making him out to be some sort of great savior. An idea Summer had always found to be laughable. If he had mercy or generosity, he would not have abandoned humanity to the tender care of his brother's monsters. As for the Brother of Darkness, he was often viewed with a mix of reverence and fear. Making him out to be some sort of punisher of wrongdoing. An idea Summer found to be infuriating. Were they genuinely trying to justify the slaughter the Grimm inflicted on the people of Remnant? This very thought made her want to set their precious churches on fire in her younger years.

But there was difference between the two and how they were prayed to. To the Bother of Light, it was always requests for good fortune and prosperity. Better crops, success in business or dangerous endeavors or extremely difficult tasks.

As for the other Brother. It was for mercy. To be spared the gaze of the Grimm, who were his divine punishment given form. It always annoyed her how they would always start with him. Thanking him for not sending his beasts to destroy them each morning.

It was as if humanity itself were collectively guilty of some unforgivable sin in ages past. Which was ridiculous. Even if that happened it was no reason to curse the entirety of the planet's population to forever be hunted by monsters.

She questioned Ozpin about it once and never got a direct answer from him, which only served to annoy her more. He always did his best to confuse her. It got to the point where she stopped going to him for any sort of advice since he never gave any proper answers.

The huntress narrowed her eyes, realizing that perhaps he knew more than even she suspected. Raven had always been the least trusting. Her natural paranoia constantly telling her that Ozpin was hiding something important. Summer never disagreed with her partner but deemed such things as unimportant when compared to keeping villages from disappearing overnight.

When she got back to Remnant, she planned on doing some investigating before showing herself to anyone. She would not be collaborating with a man who kept secrets that could cost everyone their lives.

As for the Imperial Creed, she was curious. Ever since her awakening from the mist, she noticed a strange theme in the architecture of the Imperium. They were obsessed with death. Skulls, skeletons and all sorts of morbid iconography dotted many of their most important buildings.

It made her wonder how they viewed the Emperor other than the supreme being of existence.

Spurred by curiosity, Summer scooped up the feline at her side and prepared to leap to the next building.

Summer knew they would be looking for her by now. So, she needed to find a place they wouldn't look. What better place than a church? The Caidans were aware that she was far from devout like them and Guilliman would not expect her to go anywhere near that place. It should buy her a few extra hours at the least.

---

The bell tower was the apex of a large cathedral. It was the largest church building she had ever seen, sporting a quartet of large towers, two flanking the entrance and two besides side entrances to that only those of the clergy and their servants used. Past those was a circular portion of the building. It was taller than the rest and far enough from the towers that it did not make them look redundant. The rear end of the cathedral formed a spiral on its roof that eventually rose into the high tower housing that great bell.

Summer stood at the top of the arched doorway that served as the front entrance. Judging by the crowd of people marching through, it was a fair guess that it was time for the midday service.

The crowd was quite diverse, spanning from gang workers, local arbites, PDF, average people, including families, and even some of the Cadian 21st. They all walked together, united by their beliefs.

Summer smiled as she spotted some children excitedly dragging their parents through the crowds. Truth be told she was surprised by the sheer number of people coming to this service. There were hundreds of them.

What surprised her more was that Celestine said that this church was modest compared to the ones she trained in before she became the Emperor's angel. Summer examined the towering structure around her. If this was modest then she could not imagine what the more grandiose places of worship must look like.

"Time to see what's so appealing about this place." She muttered as she latched onto the metal frame and climbed under the top of the archway, avoiding the crowd. Her equally agile companion followed shortly after.

Within ten minutes she had managed to navigate her way around the massive open interior of the building. It was majestic, she had to admit. At the very least this Ecclesiarchy took its devotion seriously enough to make every effort to impress. That was something Summer approved of. If you want to dedicate your heart to something, pull out all the stops.

The fifty-meter-high walls were all covered in arched windows, all tinted to emit a golden light. It was divided into two levels. The ground floor was covered with rows of stone carved pews. There were so many that Summer was confident that there were more than a hundred and each was long enough for twenty people. What annoyed her, if only slightly, was that they had no cushions. Just smooth stone.

As someone who spend a good portion of her life in a village in the middle of the forest and another portion of that traveling through said wilderness. She could say that sitting on solid stone for an extended period was extremely uncomfortable. You would think a church of this size and grandeur would be able to provide some kind of cushions.

The people didn't seem to notice or care when they found their places. All simply filed in and took their seats, thoroughly filling the hall.

As for the second level, it was divided into sectioned balconies that overlooked the podium at the end of the hall. They also had rows of pews, but they were made from polished mahogany rather than stone. In addition, their edges were smoothed out to allow their occupants to lean backwards should they feel so inclined.

These areas were mostly empty. If she had to take a guess why, these must be reserved for either the elite of Macragge or officials with ties to the church.

Since there was no one present, Summer decided to occupy one.

While it would be an obvious conclusion to most, wearing a white cloak tends to make it difficult to do anything stealthy the vast majority of the time. But that only mattered when you were within the line of sight. As she scaled the wall from pillar to arch to pillar, she remained unnoticed by the onrush of people who remained focused on either finding their places or the large podium that dominated the far wall.

Once she landed on the balcony, she quickly moved to the pew that sat furthest from the edge to avoid attention. Gessel sat at her side when the huntress decided that was enough parkour for the moment. The gyrinx nuzzled the woman's leg as she worked on getting comfortable.

The podium was a bombastic thing. With a staircase to each side, it stood ten meters high, towering over the assembling congregation. It was embossed with gold inlays over marble stone. The light from the windows caught on to it, forming an aura of warm gold that bathed the area around it. Summer wouldn't lie, these people knew how to decorate. If she were a child, this sight would have utterly captivated her. Such sights of beauty were meant to inspire awe and devotion. And judging by the crowd, it worked.

This ran counter to the priests back on Remnant who opted for the humble approach. Replacing such ornamented things with simple wooden furniture. Granted the podiums they used over there were still of the highest quality, but still. They looked like poppers hovels in comparison to this.

Perhaps they wanted to appease the people of Remnant? Make them think that by showing such a level of humility that the people were just as important as them? Perhaps. But that ran the risk of showing that you were not as important as people should think you are. If religion is to be respected, it must give off the appearance of something that respects itself. No exceptions can be tolerated. No compromises in doctrine. And while this over-the-top appearance may be interpreted as grandstanding, it still displayed that they took their devotion to the Emperor extremely seriously.

Brutality and superstition aside, while she did not agree with the Cult Imperialis, she at least respected that they had kept their religion alive and more importantly respected throughout the years.

Behind the large podium was an even larger statue. Summer was not surprised that she'd see one here. It was a statue of the Emperor molded from solid gold. He stood tall and gave off an imperious demeanor. Claw on his left hand and sword in his right. The blade was held point down, the obscenely large tip resting against the marble floor. His head was tilted down slightly. The sculptors likely wanted it to appear as if he were regarding the congregation. Judging them as, from their point of view, was his right.

After the pews belong had been completely filled, the bell high above tolled once again, causing the cathedral to become quiet.

Summer watched with interest as the people all fell silent, as if to utter a word were an offense to the Emperor. She spied on agitated mothers telling their children to remain silent until the chime was complete.

When the bell's final toll echoed through the corridors of the building, a low humming noise reached the huntress' ears, and it was coming from behind the podium.

As if responding to some necromantic spell, a mass of servo-skulls rose up from behind the statue of the Emperor. All of their jaws were replaced with speakers. As they began to hover over the crowd, they all repeated a line. A chant that came from unliving throats.

"Divina gloria Imperatoris. Numquam extinguatur lux eius."

Summer knew this language. It was High Gothic. She didn't understand exactly what was being said but she knew they were words of praise. Something about light.

"Divina gloria Imperatoris. Numquam extinguatur lux eius."

The servo-skulls all took up different positions around the hall and there were more than enough to ensure that everyone heard them. One floated up for each balcony, hovering in place just over the edge. Glad to see the priests took care to make sure everyone heard their words.

"Divina gloria Imperatoris. Numquam extinguatur lux eius." Blared the skull that hovered by Summer's balcony, its glowing red optic looking directly at her but doing nothing otherwise.

The chant repeated for a few moments while the crowd bowed their heads in silent reverence. Looking at the podium, Summer saw the clergy finally make themselves known. Many wore white robes accented with hints of red and gold. Some looked so simple that Summer would mistake them for the average preacher in some small town. These walked down the aisles bearing skulls dangling from chains. Smoke wafted up from them. Incense burners.

The ones that remained by the podium looked more important by far. They all bore many badges of office. Special necklaces that looked like a tiny skull with a bolt of gold on each side. Then there were their pointy hats. Summer could help but hold back a chuckle at the sight of them.

However, two of them were different from the rest. One stood off to the side. His robes were the same as those who ascended the stairs of the podium, but for the extra golden embroidery along the trim. He carried a large tome slung over his shoulder. If she had to guess, it was probably some kind of holy text. But that did not stick out as much as the large, spiked war mace he held at his side. It was as much a work of art as a weapon, each piece being lovingly crafted to show its wielder's devotion to their god.

He looked younger than most of the clergy but not by much. The rest looked to be in their fifties while he only looked to be in his thirties.

Then there was the one who stood at the top of the podium. He was the most lavishly decorated. Religious iconography covered his clothes. A pair of golden skull necklaces around his neck, a hat that was emblazoned with a golden Imperial Aquilla. A robe that was such a pure white that it almost looked to be shining in the light.

Summer stared at her own cloak. It was pristine as well, but she never considered how the appearance would look to others. But she was confident she was not outdone by some sixty-year-old man, as she always kept her cloak spotless.

Following behind the man was one of the younger men. He looked about Summers age, but it was hard to tell considering he was covered in robes and was wearing a hood. This man held a large book in his hands.

Before the leader took his place at the summit, the hooded man reverently placed the tome in its rightful place where the leader could look upon it while he addressed his flock.

The hooded man stepped aside but did not venture too far from the head priest. Was he some sort of servant?

The head priest took his place at the summit. He raised his wrinkled hands high, and the chanting stopped.

The congregation took that as the signal to look up. Now seeing the shepherds of their church gathered and ready to deliver their sermons.

The head priest took a deep breath and began to speak. He wore a vox transceiver around his neck so that when he spoke, his voice would be carried by the servo-skulls all around the cathedral.

"Ave imperator. Loyal citizens of Macragge. The blessed faithful of the God-Emperor." His voice was stretched out, clearly worn from years of speeches and fervent rallies. Yet, it still held a sense of strength to it.

"Ave imperator." The crowd greeted in return.

"I thank you for joining us today." Though not many would see it, his lips formed a smile.

The crowd did not respond at all, their focus was solely on the elderly man.

"I understand that these have been trying times for you. Trying times indeed. As such, it is within reason that you have not attended this our Church of the Emperor's Majesty."

Summer noticed movement among the crowd, subtle things, little twitches and glances to the sides.

"Do not feel shame, my friends." The head preacher said as if to reassure those who might feel either embarrassed or afraid of chastisement.

"We are not here to condemn any among your number. I know a sizable number of you grieve, for we lost so much over the past weeks. Many of you lost your loved ones. Comrades. Friends. Family."

Summer saw a woman in the crowd tear up. She looked so alone and lost. Summer felt the pang of empathy stir in her at the sight of this.

"As such, it is my duty as Cardinal of Macragge and servant of our Divine Majesty to say to you that your laxity in worship and faith is forgiven. He on Terra tells you to weep not for your laxity."

Summer furrowed her brow, unsure of where this speech was going.

"To falter in one's faith is to fail. I tell you now. No one here has failed our God-Emperor." The Cardinal declared with a pride Summer did not expect, and many in the crowd reacted the same, surprised by this upturn.

"If you doubt my claim, then I ask you to simply look around." He spread his arms to gesture to the cathedral.

"Had you failed, the Emperor would not have allowed this holy place to remain standing. Had you failed, all of Macragge would have fallen! Had you failed, our great and divine Lord would not have given us the greatest miracle in millennia!"

His voice rose as she continued to orate his point. "Your devotion, your faith, your love for our most Holy of Lords. The Master of Mankind. That allowed us to persevere, that allowed us to strive on. And as we bled in His name, as we suffered to protect this land, His Holy Imperium, He who sits on the Golden Throne sent forth His most favored servant, the Living Saint herself!"

Summer felt something in the room change. The air felt warmer somehow, more alive. It made her feel more energetic.

"Just over one standard month ago, the skies darkened. Macragge came under siege by the forces of the hated Archenemy. The Traitor. The Mutant. The Heretic. They raged against us like a storm. They sought to undo us. To break our faith in the one true god. But we resisted. You resisted. They crashed against the guns of this fair city like a flood of taint and corruption. Alongside our lifelong protectors, our Emperor's Angels of Death, the Ultramarines, we stood firm. We held on to our faith and fought on. Then she came. The angel of the Emperor. On wings of fire, she descended, accompanied by the fervent Sons of Rogal Dorn, the Black Templars Chapter."

The man took a short breath before continuing. "She approached the Lord Macragge and stated her holy mission. That the Emperor himself had sent her to call one of His sons back to the mortal world. Ascending to the Shrine of Guilliman, she stood before the fallen form of the Lord of Ultramar. By the grace of His Divine Majesty, Blessed Celestine called to him, pleading for his return. Weeping for the plight of his people. The Blessed Lady called out to our Emperor for this miracle, and He did not find her wanting. As Roboute Guilliman, Lord of Ultramar, rose from death after ten thousand years. Praise be!"

"Praise be!" The crowd chanted, almost frightening Summer with just how much gusto was put into it.

Summer frowned. It was a highly embellished and overly dramatic retelling of how that happened. Not to mention almost completely incorrect. The only part the Cardinal got right was that they were sent by the Emperor to wake Guilliman up.

"And when he rose, Lord Guilliman did not waver. He did not halt or slow. His love for his people spurred him into righteous rage."

Summer rolled her eyes while smiling. Not completely inaccurate but still not completely true. He would have demolished this place in the process if he could have afforded it.

"He set forth on a holy crusade to cleanse Macragge of the filth that had come to steal our world from us. With the blessing of his father, Guilliman became wrath incarnate, scouring the planet's surface clean of those who sought to torment us. This peace is owed to Guilliman and the Emperor. Praise be!"

"Praise be!"

The Cardinal stopped for a moment, allowing both himself and the crowd to calm down while the joy of this momentous occasion sank in.

"My friends. We stand here today. This first congregation of this new era to give thanks to the Lord of Man. Let us pray."

The Cardinal turned to the statue of his lord as if to address his deity directly. Getting down on his knees, he closed his eyes and clasped his aged hands together. Everyone in the crowd followed his actions.

"Emperor." He said with the crowd repeating his words shortly after.

"We are gathered here in this holy place to offer supplication to your magnificence. To offer up our pitiful gratitude for the blessing you have bestowed upon us, the people of your Imperium. By your omniscient will and omnipotent might, have the forces of the thrice damned traitors been cast down. Emperor. Hear us, we give you our devotion, we give you our love, and we give you our dedication. You have blessed us all with the return of your son, Roboute Guilliman. Emperor. Grant us the strength to press on from the wounds inflicted upon us at the hands of the damned. That we may serve faithfully in your name. To never be lead astray and to fall from your light."

Summer took notice of the choice of words the old man used. He asked for assistance, but not miracles. Making it clear that they wanted his blessing so that they may better serve. Yes, there was self-interest, but that was because they believed that everything the Emperor did was for them.

"Emperor. Should we be deemed worthy in your eyes, grant us the resolve to support your son. Give us vitality to follow in his mighty tread. Grant us the insight to comprehend his wisdom. Should our limbs grow tired, grant us your strength. In your name we serve. Amen."

"Amen." The crowd finished.

Summer watched the Cardinal turn back to his congregation, his hands turning the pages of that large book. "Now, a verse from our Holy Book. The Lectitio Divinitatus."

Summer blinked at the mention of that name. A shadow memory came to her mind again. A memory of disappointment and annoyance. Of a city reduced to ash and then thousand armored warriors being forced to kneel. And of Guilliman, facing off against another. A being of equal stature.

So wrapped up in the memory that she completely ignored the contents of the book that was being read. She did not recognize the armor at all. They looked nothing like the Space Marines of today.

"Your Holiness?"

The voice of a young girl shocked Summer out of her revery. Creeping closer to the edge of her balcony, she indeed saw a little girl standing in front of the pews.

Many in the crowd looked nervous, as if the girl had committed some offence. The Cardinal leaned over his podium to look down on her. She looked normal; a cute blue dress covered her small frame. Summer grit her teeth. If these bastards lay so much as a finger on her, she'd happy inflict her own form of judgement as Celestine would say.

The Cardinal gave a fatherly smile, which was enhanced thanks to his wizened features. "You wish to ask your question first, child?"

"Yes." The girl responded with nervous excitement, making Summer smile almost without her knowing.

"Then speak, child. This is a holy place where all questions of faith may be answered."

"I heard from my daddy that the Holy Primarch wields the Sword of the Blessed Emperor himself. Is it true?" The girl asked, not being able to hide the awe from her voice.

A murmur rose from the crowd. Summer understood why. The ruler of your planet holding a weapon that was wielded by their god would be a big deal.

The Cardinal did not drop his smile, but Summer did see a rigidness to his posture. Apparently, he didn't know that.

"I have heard the rumors, little one." He said, his voice was still being carried by the servo-skulls across the halls. "But I am forced to admit that I cannot confirm such claims as I have yet to see the Primarch myself."

Summer smirked at that. She remembered during one of her talks with the big guy that members of the church called to meet with him. The man they sent was so awestruck by Guilliman's presence that he looked like he was going to pass out right after wetting his robes.

She could only imagine how frustrating it was for them. To have a literal son of your god return from legends past and be denied the chance to meet him. It must have been very confusing considering the rank this guy has. Summer heard from Greyfax that a Cardinal had enormous power. So much that if this were not the Ultramarines' home planet, this guy might be in charge due to the Ministorum's backing.

Guilliman turned them away constantly because he did not want to deal with them when he had a world and a sector to fix. That gave him the perfect excuse to dismiss them every time. That being he was too busy to spare time for discussions of faith.

"It is true." Said a man, standing from his spot, not too far from the front. "Forgive my rudeness, your Holiness, but the rumors are true. Guilliman bears the Emperor's blade."

Another murmur washed over the crowd. This time, louder than the first.

"Be silent." Said the priest with the war mace. His voice also echoed from the floating skulls. He amplified his point by striking the floor with the bud of his weapon, sending a loud ring across the hall.

"Show respect." The man said. "This is not the time for discussion among yourselves. To allow such dissonance is an affront to the Emperor. For the Lord of Man values order. To disrupt it within His churches is a sin."

The crowd went quiet. Summer felt a collective weight fall on her. Almost as if she could feel the shame from all those who were guilty of this transgression.

"Confessor Michael is correct. The God-Emperor forged the Imperium to bring us unity. Such a union cannot be sustained in a state of chaos." The Cardinal said, now turning to the man after instructing the girl to return to her seat. "You speak of this with such conviction. I would hear your account."

Summer didn't recognize the man, but she knew he was Cadian. A member of the 21st. He folded his hands across his chest, creating the sign of the Aquila. "I am a member of the Cadian 21st Infantry Regiment. I was on the battlefield, your Holiness. I saw the Primarch with my own eyes. In his words of encouragement to us before the last battle was joined, he swore to lead us all to victory. He raised a mighty blade that burned with the most sacred of flame. He swore on the blade of the Emperor that we would not fall."

Summer recalled that moment. She was itching to just march in and end the whole thing. The war was quick, from what she'd been told, but it was a brutal thing.

"Truly we are a blessed people." The Cardinal said. "I must confess to you all that I never thought I would live to see such a thing. When I heard the voice of Lord Guilliman for the first time my first instinct was to retreat into my sanctum and offer thanks to our most Holy Lord."

He pointed a finger at Shock Trooper. "Tell us, what was it like to be in his presence? The Lord of Ultramar has yet to grace us with a formal announcement himself."

The Cadian looked nervous as a servo-skull lowered from its position and approached him. One of its tiny mechanical appendences reached out to him. Summer had a difficult time seeing what it was from her position, but she could only guess that it was some kind of microphone.

Before the guardsman could speak, a loud crash could be heard from the rear of the hall where the crowd had funneled inside.

"What is this?!" The Cardinal cried in outrage at his service being interrupted.

The crowd turned in shocked unison and Summer could pick up a familiar thump of armored boots. The sound grew louder, that steady thump, thump, thump. But it was only when she heard the calm yet commanding voice, she realized her time was up.

"You shall not bar our path. Stand aside."

A chorus of gasps were heard as a trio of armored figures entered the hall. First was Osiris, clad in full armor and wielding his spear. Next was Lothar, who held his crozius at his side. Funny enough his chains were missing this time. The final figure was Celestine, but she looked different. Her wings were gone, and the glowing aura she always emitted was not there. Summer could still feel her from the bond they developed through her recent training. Celestine had volunteered on several occasions to be Summer's test subject for when she had to learn to feel the presence of others. But now she felt smaller like all her potential was being kept inside.

The murmurs were beginning to rise from the crowd again.

"His angels."

"The Astartes are here?"

"Who is that woman?"

"I don't know. She looks familiar."

"I've never seen a Space Marine like that before?"

"He's huge."

The trio marched down the center of the aisles in single file as the design was not intended for their transhuman bulk. Summer could see the Cardinal and the Confessor shake with both trepidation and rage.

As they reached the front row, the Cardinal shouted in anger. "You! Who are you to interrupt this sacred sermon!? Astartes or not, this boarders on blasphemy! That you would halt this blessed hour of honoring the God-Emperor."

Summer expected Osiris to respond with a calm threat and demand for silence, but he did nothing of the sort. He just kept on walking. Instead, it was Lothar who spoke when they walked free of the aisles.

"A thousand apologies, Cardinal Folmark. To you, to your flock and to the Emperor for this offense of disrupting the devotion of his faithful. To barge into this sacred place while you declare your love for the Lord of Man would shame me had I no other choice." The Templar took a knee at the step of the podium, placing the head of his crozius on the marble floor to show his sincerity while Osiris stood at attention and Celestine made the sign of the Aquila.

"No other choice?" Folmark asked in a disbelieving manner. "I doubt it. Declare yourself. All of you. I would know who you are and why you would dare offend the Emperor in such a manner."

Summer narrowed her eyes at the man. Had he known who he was talking to he would not be so pompous, even for a Cardinal. She highly doubted the Emperor would care all that much if someone interrupted this. As Summer believed, the Emperor wanted actions, not words.

"I am Lothar, Chaplain of the Black Templars. We come in search of our charge." Lothar said as he stood back on his ceramite boots. "She escaped her overseers within the Fortress of Hera, and it is our belief that she has made her way here."

Folmark narrowed his eyes while the crowd looked around frantically for anyone who might look out of the ordinary. Summer wanted to giggle at how silly they were. As if she didn't know she would stand out. You don't become a proficient killer of monsters by being dull-witted.

"And who are you two?" Folmark pointed to Osiris and Celestine.

"I am Osiris of the Legio Custodes." The Custodian said in his usual neutral tone that conveyed very little emotion.

Every priest visibly flinched at the mention of Osiris' position within the Imperium.

"One of the Emperor's own bodyguards. The sacred host that protects his corporeal form." Folmark gasped. "To think one would travel all this way to see the Primarch. I never imagined such a thing."

Many of the throng clasped their hands together in silent prayer along with many of the clergy. Summer could only imagine how annoying that must have been for Osiris. While he had not moved a single inch, she could tell he was stiffer than usual.

"You are incorrect." Osiris stated to the Cardinal's confusion. "I was not sent by my order to confirm the Primarch's existence. I was already here when he awakened. I saw the Primarch rise and slaughter the traitors with a rage that would cause normal men to crumble in fear."

"Are you saying that you traveled with the Living Saint to bring our lord back to us?" Folmark asked with a wonder that almost made him sound like a child. Summer wanted to chuckle. This guy really did believe.

"Yes." Was all Osiris said.

"Then it only further expresses the mandate of the Almighty Emperor. Praise be!"

"Praise be!" Cheered the congregation.

Lothar and Celestine joined in but there's was mild compared to the rest.

"And you?" Folmark addressed Celestine sounding far more polite than he was when they entered. "You are of the Sororitas. But I do not recognize your armor. What Order do you hail from?"

"The Order of Our Martyred Lady." Celestine answered.

"Strange, I was aware that Order wore black and white, not gold. And what is your name?"

Celestine gave the old man a smile before a radiant light burst from her body. Her pristine wings formed at her back and her halo of divine light emerged into the waking world, further enhancing the cathedral.

This sudden display stunned the audience into silence. "I believe you already know who I am." Celestine said with no shortage of amusement.

"The Living Saint!" Summer never caught who said that, but she knew once the words were out, it caused the entire crowd to explode into cheers.

Celestine turned to them, raised her hands, and uttered a single word that carried across the hall. Summer felt the psychic wave that washed over them all. A calming feeling. An enhanced version of passive feeling she gives off on her own. "Peace."

This had the desired effect of stilling the people.

"While I am grateful for such a reception from you all, I am afraid this cannot go on for very long. The Emperor has more duties for me still and I cannot tarry." Celestine turned back to Folmark. "My humblest apologies for the short deception, your grace. But expediency was required if we were to return our charge to the fortress before the Primarch's patience runs dry."

"No!" The old man cried by accident, then corrected his composure. "No. It is quite alright. No need to apologize, Blessed Lady. I often forget that there are other authorities that can supersede my own. That of the Holy Primarch is one of them. Please, conduct your business as you wish. In fact, would you like some assistance? I am sure there are many among the faithful who would follow you."

Summer watched the scene with amusement building in her throat. Threatening to slip out in a laugh, but she couldn't do that. If she left now, she could still see more of Macragge City before Celestine caught up with her.

Her plans were cut short by the sudden meow of Gessel who nagged for a scratch on her head.

Both Osiris and Lothar looked up at the balcony and Summer backed away from the edge.

"Is something the matter?" She heard Folmark ask.

"No." Osiris answered. "I believe we have found our mark."

Quickly, Summer scooped up her little companion again, but once the gyrinx was comfortable in her arms, she felt the wind pick up behind her.

"I wouldn't try running now, my friend." Celestine said from behind her.

Turning around, Summer gave the angel a sad frown. "I just wanted to see more of the city." She said casually walking to the platforms edge.

"And now you have. I trust you enjoyed it." Celestine responded.

Summer's answer was a leap and a midair flip. Vaulting her over the Saint and landing her on the ground floor. She fixed both transhuman warriors with a glare that spoke of her displeasure. "Sometimes it's annoying how efficient you two have gotten at working together. Especially when it ruins my fun."

It was true. The two had become a formidable tag team when it came to both fighting and coordinating. While of diametrically opposing ideologies, their common ground in duty united them and blended their different methodologies into something frightening. It allowed them to solve problems much faster and overcome each other's weaknesses, even though neither would be willing to admit they had any.

Summer heard a number of gasps come from the crowd.

"How dare you!?" Roared Folmark from above. "You dare speak to one of the God-Emperor's personal guardians with such disrespect! Such insolence shall not be tolerated."

Summer looked up at the old bag of raisins and gave him and dead stare to show that she wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She heard the Confessor raise his mace and begin to approach her.

"I shall teach you respect, woman. Prepare yourself for the Emperor's Judgement." The Confessor said, walking up the stairs toward her. Still, she wasn't intimidated. She had fought Space Marines who wore the flayed flesh of their enemies, called on daemons to be bound to frames of metal and could turn people into powder with sonic weaponry. While Summer took all fights seriously, it was just the simplicity in how she could beat him that took the threat away. Besides, she was hardy defenseless even with her Ivory locked in her room back in the fortress.

Osiris blocked him off with the head of his Guardian Spear. "Take one more step, priest, and I will show you what that phrase truly means." Osiris said with the closest thing to anger she had ever heard from him.

"That is unnecessary." Celestine said as her boots touched the marble floor. "We do not have time for bickering now, Lord. The Primarch awaits and he cannot begin his conference without our presence."

"Conference?" Summer asked. Then in a blink, she realized what it could be. "Oh! Is he finally going to make the announcement?"

"Yes." Osiris answered, turning to walk down the aisle and Summer decided to follow him. Even with her newfound abilities she knew she wasn't his equal. Her Crimson Cloud could kill him, but she dared not use that unless it was absolutely necessary. Even then she still hesitates.

Celestine floated above the audience, deliberately giving them a short display of showmanship before following after the pair.

"Wait!" Called out the Cardinal. "What announcement? What is the news of which she speaks?"

"That is something only she has been made privy to." Lothar said still standing before the podium.

"By whom? By the Primarch?" Folmark asked, sounding dumbfounded.

"Yes." Lothar said with a slight chuckle. "You could say that she has become a confidant of sorts to Lord Guilliman. He tells her things he would not dare say to his own Ultramarines."

"But why? Why does the Holy Primarch entrust a woman like that with such knowledge but rejects meeting with us?"

"He rejects you because he is not ready for you, Cardinal." Lothar explains in an amiable tone. "He is weighed down by the need to ensure the security of Macragge its neighboring systems. His focus is on the physical, not the spiritual. He leaves such things to the likes of you and the Blessed Lady."

"But would he meet with us at all?"

"He will. He must. Have faith, Cardinal. The Emperor has a purpose for us all." With that Lothar took his leave too and marched down the aisles.

---

The crowds cheered. The thunder of their rapturous cries was only outclassed by the by the deafening boom of the horns mounted atop the massive machines that marched through the streets. Summer stared at them in wonder. Those giant mechs that were made to such size that it literally required the work of hundreds of individuals to function. And that was just for the smaller ones.

The Titans marched through the streets of Macragge City in a parade like fashion. At the rear, the noble Knights of House Tyrannis followed suit. Not wanting to be outdone, the Knights blared their own horns to create a syncopation in the regulated bellows of the larger machines.

The huntress watched all of this from a balcony picked out for her and the escort she had been provided. It consisted of Elaine, Tarn, Alexa, and Osiris. The mortals of the groups were standing at the edge watching this grant event unfold. As for the Custodian, he stood at the door. Ever ready in case someone decided that the event was suitable for an assassination attempt.

While Summer and even the Cadians believed this to be paranoid, Osiris did not budge. Even firing back with a claim that he shall perform his duty to the standard that he deems satisfactory. It was only later that Summer learned that he was a pathological perfectionist. Something that was bred into him by the Emperor.

"Nothing less can be accepted when it comes to the defense of the Master of Mankind." He said when Summer questioned him on it, that was as far as it went.

As for the parade. Summer stood at one of the tallest balconies of the palace in the capital, giving her an amazing view of the celebration. The Titans or God Machines, a name that almost sounded appropriate considering the sheer power they had at their disposal, marched in parade formation.

Never in all her life did she ever think she would bear witness to such a sight. It was beautiful in a way. But there was one problem.

"Why am I being punished like this?" Summer whined due to the fact that she was forbidden from leaving. The celebration was fun for the first hour, but she wanted to get back to the fortress for more practice.

"Because you upset the Cardinal and his decans." Elaine said in an aggravated tone. "What were you thinking? Sneaking away like that."

"I just wanted to see the city." Summer said for the tenth time. What was wrong with getting to know such a beautiful place?

"And you did." Tarn said. "As the expense of nearly making the Inquisitor get into a panic attack trying to find you. She turned the fortress into an ork hold by the time she figured out you were gone."

"I'm sorry." Summer said, patting the head of Gessel who slept on her lap. Summer was always baffled by how the feline could block out so much noise. Every time one of the Titans blew their horn, she felt the foundation of the building shake.

"Just be happy the Primarch was too busy to go looking for you himself. I'm sure he would have plastered your face across the city." Alexa said with a cheeky smile.

Summer glanced back at the cadet-commissar, who refused to look her way. "Are you still mad at me?"

"What do you think?" Elaine responded.

She was referring to the fact that Elaine and her squad had also been confined to the fortress. This was mostly because Summer had unlocked their aura. This puzzled both the Librarius of the Ultramarines and the Grey Knights. Tests were run and they were deemed safe but after learning that it was Summer who granted these abilities, Guilliman had ordered that further study be conducted. It was a sobering thing to the cadet commissar. She wanted to meet with Strang and continue her tutelage under him.

"That you're mad, but not so mad that you won't talk to me." Summer said, leaning in with a grin.

Elaine glanced at the woman for a moment before turning her attention back to the parade. Summer held the stare. Any moment Elaine would crumble. And she did.

A small grin formed on the woman's face. She was suppressing the amusement of how silly this moment was. Eventually she let out a giggle. Realizing what she had done, she clapped both hands over her mouth.

Both Shock Troopers looked at Elaine as if she had suddenly turned into a daemon and a mass of gooey tentacles with eyeballs on the edges.

"Did I just hear the commissar giggle?" Tarn asked, doubting the reality.

"I think she did." Alexa said, a slight grin on her features.

"No! You heard nothing!" Elaine drew her bolt pistol and aimed it at Tarn. Then she glared at Summer. "Damn you. How do you keep doing this to me?"

Summer didn't move to intervene. They weren't in any danger. She knew Elaine would not shoot and that little cuss was not serious. Summer had deciphered Elaine's personality by now. The similarity between her and Glynda was very close. Close enough that Elaine had many of the same little quirks about her. One of which was that if Elaine formed a genuine connection with someone it made it extremely hard for her to stay angry at them. Especially in moments of awkwardness.

"Heh. A commissar with an itchy trigger finger. Never seen that before." Came a chipper accented voice from the doorway.

Finlay passed through the threshold with a mocking grin showing through his now significantly cleaner beard. He looked fresh and new. His flak armor had been replaced with light carapace armor, while also having his cameleoline cloak mended. Needless to say, he looked more the soldier now rather than some hillbilly hunter who never bathed.

"I guess you got one of the good ones." Came a voice from beyond the door.

Summer stood up from her seat when she heard it. Being careful not to throw her companion off her this time. Gessel meowed as she took a new spot in a shaded corner of the balcony.

Summer's eyes lit up when she saw Nicholas walk through the door. Without thinking, she ran up to him and caught him in a tight embrace. "You're okay!"

Nicholas gave his usual hearty chuckle before answering. "Indeed I am."

That was when she noticed the difference. His voice was smoother. Less hoarse. Stepping back, Summer got a good look at him and flinched at the sudden change he had gone through. He also got a makeover. Like Finlay, Nicholas had received new clothes. His old business suit had been tossed aside. Now he wore what equated to an officer's uniform, only it lacked any sign of allegiance. He also decided to forgo the color white as it would give him away should they get into another battle. He was a good fighter, but he was not a trained huntsman and thus lacked Summer's light footwork. Also, it would help confuse people when he used his semblance.

Then there were the more shocking changes. Most notably his facial features. "You look… younger."

"Do I?" He asked, pretending to be surprised. Turning to Finlay, he asked. "You said I still look like a bloated raisin."

"I said you still act like a raisin from some governor's sample platter." Finlay grinned.

Satisfied with the jibe, Nicholas turned to Summer and spoke. "Yes. I guess I do look younger. And I hear that I have you to thank for it."

Summer gave her fellow Remnite a broad smile. "I remembered our conversation in orbit above Cadia. You were afraid you wouldn't live long enough to get home. When I heard about this treatment, I just had to try and get it done for you."

The Schnee patriarch stood forward and gave Summer a return hug. "I cannot thank you enough for this. You've given this old man real hope."

Summer had to admit, when she heard about this de-aging treatment, she thought it would be an internal boost. Extend his lifespan as Guilliman said. But looking at the man before her, she could see the difference, clear as day. While he was far from the typical old man with reems of fat across his face and a distended belly, he still had mild showing of that. Then there were wrinkles across his forehead. All gone now. The muscles looked better defined too. Gone was that tired look on his face. Replaced with a vibrancy that she had only seen in the memorial photos of the SDC's early history. Summer had underestimated the effect this would have on his appearance. From a man who was in his sixties and reaching his seventies, now he looked to be in his early thirties again.

"How do you feel?" She asked.

"How do I feel?" Nicholas asked rhetorically before picking Summer up by the waist and spinning her around. "I've not felt this good in decades!"

Summer laughed as the Caidans stared with their mouths' agape.

Setting the huntress down. Nicholas laughed again. "When I was called to go through one of these surgeries, I was a bit sketchy on the idea that it could restore my youth. But I'll admit it. This was worth the extra time in the hospital."

"Hold on. Hold on." Elaine cut in, holstering her gun. "You underwent rejuvenate treatments?"

"If I recall correctly, yes. That was the name of this little procedure."

"How?" Elaine asked, dragging out the word, clearly conveying her disbelief.

"Is something the matter?" Nicholas inquired, looking confused. "Is it that surprising that I underwent this process?"

Summer could see Finlay smiling. He hadn't told Nicholas the details of this process. Frankly, Summer was just as befuddled.

"Yes!" All three Cadians said in disjointed unity. Making both Remnites flinch.

"Why?" Summer asked out of reflex, this situation reminded her of some scenarios with her old team. They always raised some form of objection to her during their formative years together. The days when they all disagreed together made her want to grind her teeth.

"Do you have any idea how expensive rejuvenate treatments are!?" Alexa said, not bothering to hide her shock.

"I didn't have the time to ask for the price." Nicholas admitted. "I was too busy wondering what it was."

"Guilliman never said anything about the price when he offered it." Summer said, only getting further stares from the trio and Finlay lost his amused expression for surprise.

"Are you saying you managed to convince a Primarch to give him free rejuvenate treatments?" Tarn asked as if he had found a buried treasure.

Summer looked around, feeling the awkwardness build. "Yes." She answered meekly.

"By the Emperor's Blood, how did you…" Elaine stopped herself and sighed. "You know what. I'm not going to bother asking anymore."

Summer tilted her head. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No." Elaine said with barely contained frustration. "No. it just baffles me how you keep doing this so effortlessly. I should just expect it at this point."

"Doing what?"

"Rubbing shoulders with our leaders. First it was Creed, then the Living Saint, then a Chapter Master…"

"Marshal." Tarn corrected, causing Elaine to glare at him. He withered under it but didn't stop. "I asked the Templars once and they made a point not to call him that. Said it would be an offence to their High Marshal."

"Regardless." Elaine said, taking a breath. "As if all of those were not enough. You managed to do the same with a Primarch. A son of the God-Emperor, practically overnight. Even getting him to shelve out resources to help someone he doesn't even know. And you didn't just ask him for a new set of clothes or an augmetic. You got him to give Nicholas free bloody rejuvenate treatments."

"Are they really that expensive?" Nicholas asked.

"Yes!" Elaine said, showing the mental strain Summer's latest achievement had brought upon her psyche.

"Nic." Finlay cut in. "The surgery ye just went through is so costly that only the high noble snobs of society can afford them."

"I suppose that would make sense." Nicholas conceded in contemplation. "Now that I think about it, why wouldn't such a thing be astronomically high-priced? It is the closest thing to a fountain of youth. If I had control of that I could charge anything I wanted. It's not like anyone would refuse if they could afford it, even if it left them bankrupt."

Summer blinked as she saw a side of Nicholas she was not used to. While kind and honest, Summer had to remember that this was still the most successful businessman Remnant had ever seen. Having built the greatest industrial powerhouse in history from the ground up. It meant he was frighteningly well attuned to how business works.

"It is more than just the desire for extended life." Osiris spoke up from the door. He was unhelmed. "You must also consider the ingredients required for such an alchemical process to be possible. I can assure you, what is required to grant you a few scant decades more of life is both extremely difficult to obtain and highly hazardous to transport and prepare."

Finlay took a swig from his recently filled canteen. Judging from the smell, she judged that it was some kind of strong drink. Whether it was alcohol or cider, she couldn't tell. The closest she had come to the stuff was a cocktail, specially made by Hei for her when they celebrated the opening of his night club. She made sure to avoid the stronger stuff he had in the bar.

"Guess ye got the free trial aye, Fancy?" Finlay chuckled.

"All the more important that I do not waste the time given to me." Nicholas said with his usual jovial stoicism. Only to be drowned out by the crowd shortly after. "Remind me to say my thanks to the Primarch should I ever get the chance to speak to him in person."

"I doubt you'll get the chance." Osiris said. "He is busy, but from what I am seeing, he is less arrogant than many of his siblings. So, I cannot say. It may happen, despite the little it shall accomplish."

"I disagree." Nicholas said with a seriousness that many did not expect from him outside of a fight. "I may not know him, but I know business and bureaucracy, he's got a lot of responsibilities. Such men always appreciate being thanked for their deeds."

"He is a Primarch." Alexa countered, making the sign of the Aquila. "The bureaucracies of any world cannot stop him."

Summer looked at Osiris and smiled when she saw him glance in her direction. He wanted to object, but he knew he could not afford to damage anyone's faith in Guilliman. While Osiris did not acknowledge faith in any aspect, he could accept that Guilliman's perceived invincibility was something that could not be compromised for the sake of morale.

"Maybe." Nicholas mumbled. "But do not underestimate how much it means to be shown that your efforts mean something to someone. Sometimes one prefers to be thanked rather than revered."

"Speaking from experience?" Summer asked with a snide grin. Referring to all the messages Nicholas had gotten in his early career. There was a point where he had received so many that he needed to hire a full staff just to sort through them.

"Desperate people smile on those who look out for them." The Schnee said with a happy smile.

The huntress looked to Elaine. She appeared downcast. "You alright now?"

Violet eyes met silver. Summer did not see grief, only a slight weariness. "I'm just processing how you manage this. Was this common for you when you were still on your homeworld?"

Summer thought back. Back to the days when she was open and honest with all those around her. It was nerve-wracking, but she managed to endear herself to most people. But other than that, she wasn't anything special.

"Nope." She said with a shrug. "I never had a hard time making friends but if I met Guilliman before Cadia I probably would have…"

Summer paused as her eyes drifted over the balcony. Down to the stairs of the palace where Guilliman was being crowned. Something was wrong. Guilliman had thrown off the golden laurel wreath and looked angry.

"Summer?" Elaine asked, always put on alert when the huntress halted a conversation.

The huntress ignored her and focused on the man who stood at the Primarch's side. She activated her Soul-Sight. She nearly flinched at the potency of Guilliman. He was a strong soul, but he lacked the brightness that someone like Tigurius and Voldus possessed.

The man at his side, however. His soul looked… wrong. She gasped as his body began to bulge and distend. Like a balloon, he began to expand, and the wrongness came out.

"What is that!?" Summer cried pointing over the balcony's edge.

Everyone looked in the direction she was. Osiris finally moved from his position.

"Move." Was the only word he uttered, and everyone parted ways for the giant in their midst.

Slapping his helmet over his head, he stood at the edge. Then he leveled his spear over the railing, bracing it as if it were a sniper rifle.

"A Chaos Spawn."

"What!?" Elaine shouted, pulling out a pair of magnoculars to catch sight of the malformed thing.

"Here? In the middle of the city?" Tarn questioned the mere name of the thing setting his voice on edge.

"What's a Chaos Spawn?" Nicholas asked, being the most at a loss in the group.

"Trust me, mate. Ye don wanna know." Finlay groaned. "Last time I saw one, it took a full squad of us just to slow it down. Damn things are madness made flesh."

Summer watched as Guilliman walked up to the writhing mass of amorphous flesh. It moved so unnaturally that the huntress felt herself winch at the sight of it happening. If this was what she had to contend with, then all her years hunting Grimm suddenly gave her the impression that she was underprepared.

Guilliman brought up the Emperor's Sword and stuck it in the thing's gut, or what Summer assumed was its gut. Then it began to burn. The sacred flames of the sword spread across its tainted form, seeking to engulf and destroy the corrupted flesh it came into contact with.

Within seconds, the beast was reduced to nothing but a slight burn mark on the marble of the palace steps.

All the while, the crowd kept on cheering. They were too far away to see what had happened when all the pict-feeds were shut down. Guilliman reacted fast if he managed to turn them off that quickly.

"It's dead." Osiris said, moving to return to his position.

"Ye sure?" Finlay asked.

"Yes. Guilliman slew it."

"You think anyone saw it?" Alexa asked, sounding worried.

"Other than us and those on stage? I don't think so." Elaine sighed, flopping on a chair.

"Why would that be an issue?" Nicholas asked. "Sure, people might be scared, but watching their beloved ruler dispatch such a monster with such little effort would embolden them."

"That would only be true if this was some ordinary assassination attempt." Elaine answered. "When dealing with the fiends of the Warp, it's better that no one knows."

"Oh shite, I just realized something." Finlay groaned, getting ready to take another swig.

"What would that be, my friend?" Nicholas asked.

"Now the Inquisitor is going to be up in arms. Bet me brandy she's going to drag us around the city to see if anyone else was involved."

The three Cadians groaned in frustration. Summer understood that her rather unique position meant that she might not take part in this, but you never knew with Greyfax. Over the past few weeks that Summer had seen her outside of combat, the huntress had learned that the woman was someone who drowned herself in her work. That kind of work ethic would count as insane if Summer herself was not guilty of similar actions when it came to her micro crusades across the continent of Sanus.

"My people!" Guilliman's voice echoed across the citywide vox.

"Oh? Is it finally time?" Summer asked herself aloud.

"Time for what?" Elaine asked, not used to Summer knowing something that she did not.

"Just listen." Summer said happily.

"I come before you today to give you my thanks. I know how long you have waited. I know how long you have toiled and suffered in my absence. That time and time again you have been tested. That the forces of the traitor have come to destroy all that you hold dear. I know of the plague of the Orks that have repeatedly sought to come and pillage our realm. I know of the vilest of beasts. The Tyranids, the Great Devourer. I know that the Hive Fleet of Behemoth came to swallow you all in a mass of teeth, blade, and bile. I know how their numbers blotted out the sky as you and your fathers, and your father's fathers stood firm. Hurling them back into the outer dark. I know that many of you have suffered most in these recent tragedies. How you were forced into a war you did not want. Against foes you were not prepared to face. The tribulation they forced on you was not your choice. The malign intent of your oppressors was for you to suffer. To break. To see Macragge laid low after ten millennia of proud prosperity and defiance. To destroy the legacy, I left for you to inherit all those eons ago."

Guilliman paused for a moment, letting the silence permeate the streets of his capital. A good orator knows how to play the crowd. It was no different than controlling the morale of his troops in battle. You must remind them of what they faced, and what they've overcome. To instill that burning feeling of victory without bringing back the anxiety of how close they came to failure. Then you must raise them up.

"You have called out to my father. The Emperor of Mankind, who sits upon the Golden Throne on distant Terra. I say to you now. He has answered your prayers. For I am here now. I stand with you once again. And as I have promised you, my people, Macragge is free of the traitor, the mutant and the heretic. Those bravest among you stood at my side in those final days as we cast them out and those valiant navy officers above destroyed their worthless ships in orbit. Macragge is free!"

A roar exploded from the thong that filled the streets below. Summer noticed some of the language Guilliman used. She admittedly listened to him while he went over what he would say. He had no doubt that his people would listen to him, but he wanted Summer's opinion on how it made her feel. He was unwilling to show this to his Space Marines as she was confident that he believed it would be extremely awkward.

She gave him her honest opinion and stated that he needs to appeal to their religious side. He refused at first. But she just advised that he just sprinkle in some of their terminology. Just a word here and there. It wouldn't make much of a difference in the overall message and it will help him when it comes to his later dealings with the Ecclesiarchy. They pay attention to these things.

"But my work is not yet done." Guilliman called out, quieting the people.

"While our beloved jewel is clean of their vile stain. The rest of Ultramar still suffers from the blight that is their presence. They torture our neighbors. They plague our realm that was carved out by decree of the Emperor. The realm that I and the Ultramarines of old secured and made safe for you to live in peace. For mankind to find solace and thrive. Now, I wake to find it infested. This shall not stand. I shall rally my sons, and all those who would stand with me to purge our realm of these heathens. And once it is done, we shall commence a great work. Here on this day. I declare the need for unification once more. The five hundred worlds of Ultramar shall be made as one yet again!"

Another round of cheers came from the crowd who all were more than overjoyed to have lived to see such a momentous decree from their lord. Guilliman silenced them again.

"But our duty does not end there. As the last surviving son of the Emperor, it is my burden to see to the state of the Imperium he had me and my brothers create. When Ultramar is free of these vermin, I shall make my way to Ancient Terra and meet with my father once again."

"What!?" Elaine shouted standing up, while Finlay spat out the drink he'd been holding in for the speech. It covered Tarn who swore at the Tanithborn.

Osiris looked at Summer. "You knew of this."

"Duh." Summer said cheekily. "I knew before we chased the chaos warbands off planet. Can you honestly tell me you weren't expecting this?"

"I was." The Custodian said. "However, I was not expecting him to declare such things for some time. He was known to treat his little empire with no small degree of favoritism."

"He can't put it off for too long." Summer countered. "Granted, we may have some time, but the longer he waits the more difficult it will be to call the Imperium together."

"Fear not my people. I shall not leave you defenseless. For one of your mightiest shall shield you in my place, as he has done for centuries. Step forth, Marneus Augustus Calgar."

Summer watched as the bulky form of Calgar stepped down from his place in the line of Ultramarines behind Guilliman to kneel before him. It was comical just how small he was in comparison to his gene-father.

"Chapter Master Calgar. Lord of Macragge. Steward of my empire. You have led the Ultramarines with both honor and distinction. I thank you for your service. I honor you for your glories. I praise you for your loyalty. I acknowledge the burdens that you have borne. Forgive me, my son. For I must ask you to carry one more."

"Name it, my Lord." Calgar's voice echoed across the streets. "My life is yours to spend."

"When I am departed from Ultramar, it shall need a guardian. I require nothing but the keenest mind and the strongest resolve to protect our home. Calgar, from this day onward, I declare you Lord Protector of Ultramar. You are charged with the defense of my realm and its people."

"I shall not fail you, my Lord."

The crowd cheered once again, and Summer glanced to her side. Elaine looked deep in thought while Tarn and Alexa gossiped.

"We're going to Terra. The Throneworld." She said with no small amount of awe.

Tarn chuckled. "Heh. What do I keep telling you? A blessing in disguise."

Summer saw the glance he threw her way and gave him a sidelong smile. Looking up, she caught the shapes of the vase and overbearing structure of the void ships in orbit. Everyday new ships would arrive. She wondered just how many would get here. There were already new Space Marine Chapters who had arrived to join the fight.

With this momentum and their ever-increasing numbers, those murderers don't stand a chance.

---

Year: 000 M42

Personal journal of Summer Rose

Topic: Introduction to the galaxy

Well, it took about five months, but I finally got to write this silly thing. After all the fighting and the stress, I needed something to make my new state of existence feel a bit more normal again. A funny thing, since what counts as normal where I am now is to pray in a church and beg for forgiveness for not killing my enemies quicker.

Okay. Okay. Enough jokes.

Yang.

Ruby.

I'm writing this for you. I know that you were hurt by my sudden disappearance. I don't need to be some kind of psychic to know that. There's nothing I can do that can make up for the time I've lost and will lose with you. The only thing I can hope for is that you'll forgive me and not hate your father for the depression I know he's going through right now. I can't really explain why or how I left. Not in something as gutless as words on a page. Just know that it wasn't my choice. I'm not under any delusions that I'll be back any time soon. In fact, I am well aware that it is going to take years. Probably even decades. But hey, let's hope I get lucky, or perhaps my new boss slash deity decides that Remnant is actually worth something in the grand scheme of things.

But that is for another time. I'm writing this to tell you both of what I've done while I was away. I want you to know about all the wonderful things I've been through. But more importantly, to warn you of all the terrible things I've seen.

I'll start with the basic stuff.

Do you remember those sci-fi movies we all used to watch together? Those ones with the large space faring civilizations. As it turns out, they aren't far from reality after all.

And there are people out here. Human beings outside of Remnant. They've built a giant, galaxy spanning empire that has been around longer than our recorded history.

It's called the Imperium of Man.

Now, you are probably expecting a history lesson on this grant galactic empire. But I can't give that to you at this time. It goes back so far and is so poorly recorded that even the biggest brain here has trouble wrapping his head around it. And trust me, he has a big brain.

So, history will have to wait for later entries.

Another question you might ask is why I'm writing this to give to you in the first place.

Well, that's also complicated. All I can really say is that it has something to do with the history of the huntsmen academies. Its convoluted and I'm not sure how far the rabbit hole goes. I know this may make me out to be a coward and I won't blame you. I know I'd be mad at my own mother if she ever did this to me after dad died.

But my point is that when I get back to Remnant, I won't be able to just show up like I just left to get milk and got lost. There are a lot of questions that I need answered before I even think of dragging the both of you into this mess. That is why I plan to give this to you in the event you find out I'm back before I get all the prep work done.

I'm telling you this because I know that if you two are anything like me or your father, the second you get this you'll rush after me. I hope your father and uncle can teach you both enough critical thinking. A mistake I am in fact guilty of in the case of my final mission.

But hey, I know your father. Once he gets over his depression, again, he'll be smart enough to call someone from Beacon to come and help out. I'm sure Glynda will be a great godmother to you both. She was there on the days you were both born.

Now, I need to stop myself before we get completely off topic.

While I cannot say what the history of the Imperium is right now, I can tell you all about what happened when I arrived. Omitting a few details that I'm not allowed to put down on parchment.

Alright. Here we go. The first planet I found myself on was a fortress world called Cadia. Now a fortress world is a planet that has completely given itself over to its military. This isn't done for any political reason or government preference. It's done out of the necessity of being able to defend yourself at any given time.

Just like we have the Creatures of Grimm, the Imperium has its own predators to deal with. Many of which I have yet to meet and many I am forbidden to write about. Else this be burned, and I have to start again.

Oh, and before I forget, I know one of you is going to ask this question.

What about aliens? Did you meet any aliens? Are they real?

The short answer. Yes.

Aliens are very, very real.

I've met a few. Some impressions were better than others and now I have a pet alien. I can't wait for you to meet her.

But the first alien I met made the most impact. And if I have to be honest with you girls, he was kind of frightening.

While he was as polite as an Atlessian in a good mood minus the snobbishness, I genuinely don't want to see him in a bad mood. The stuff he can do is just insane.

Speaking of insane. You'll never guess who's out here with me.

It's Nicholas Schn…

---

Summer's hand applied too much pressure to the ink quill between her fingers and ended up breaking the tip against the paper, creating a large smudge of ink over Nicholas' name.

Summer groaned in frustration. This was the fourth time this had happened in the last few minutes. In her addled state of mind, she got too excited at the idea of her children reading her journal and lost her focus. She couldn't help it. As the words poured onto the page, she imagined that she was talking to them. Apologizing to them for being a bad mother.

Looking at the large binder on the wall mounted desk, she ran her fingers over the one thousand pages that would make up its contents. This would be her gift to them. She would tell them everything she did. Everything she learned. All the places she visited. They would learn of her adventures as they deserved to know why mommy took so long to come home.

She had to admit, it was slightly unhinged when you think about it, but sometimes it is better to lose your sanity in a fantasy rather than lose your grip on reality. And Summer had plenty of reasons to lose her sanity considering the things she's seen over the past few months.

The war for Macragge was just a warmup. When they took the fight to the rest of the sector, Guilliman kicked everything into high gear. He wanted this place cleared out as soon as possible and no one was in the mood to disappoint him.

After the celebration, Guilliman was in a bad mood. Summer managed to catch him alone and they had a quick discussion. As it turned out, that monster was some sort of messenger. From the brother that killed him. If that weren't enough to ruin your day, Summer had no idea what would. Not that Guilliman wanted the celebration in the first place, but he decided to use it to announce his intent. Needless to say, the clergy were beyond excited. And all the more when Guilliman finally called for an audience with them.

Then came the war itself. Summer, along with the Ultramar Defense Auxilia and the Cadian 21st were deployed to a world called Talassar. Which had been overrun by a cult that worshiped disease. They were an odd bunch and not well trained. But there were a lot of them and what's worse, the deity they worshipped was the one of despair and decay. He had granted them a resistance to pain that made direct gunshot wounds to the chest minor annoyances.

Good thing Summer still had Lothar and his squad to reduce them to pulp. Turns out feeling pain is rather useful for detecting missing limbs. Who knew? Then there was Osiris, who decimated the enemy with consummate professionalism.

The cultist had the initiative while the reclamation force made planet fall but after weathering a surprise attack, the momentum the cult had been enjoying while Macragge was cut off from the rest of the sector came to an abrupt halt.

After that it was just win after win. The cult looked to be little more than a nuisance. That was until the Cadians found their home base.

Summer could still see it in her mind's eye. Bodies. Hundreds of them, all stacked into a trio of mountains, forming some sort of triangle.

It baffled everyone and made Nicholas lose his lunch. Summer was used to the sight of dead bodies by now. It baffled everyone as to why the cultists would suddenly commit mass suicide. Well, almost everyone.

Osiris was not fooled by this. Having identified this mass grave not as a form of defeat, but revenge. They were not killed off, they were sacrificed. Having borne witness to the horrors of the Horus Heresy during the Seige of Terra, he knew the signs. Having fought the corrupted forms of the Death Guard, he knew their iconography well. This trio of body piles was an offering to the foul entity that they worshiped.

Summer wouldn't fully understand the implications of this until much later. When thousands suffered at the hands of what those lunatics had unleashed.

They named it the Sorrow. A horrific plague that tortured its victims with stinging tears made from pus. That nearly made Summer want to vomit. Seeing what it did to all of those poor soldiers was disheartening.

It was then that the cult showed its true hand to them. And Summer was shocked. They used gorilla tactics after they had unleashed their plague on the loyal defenders of the planet. This was a difficult thing to manage and many on the Cadians' side were inflicted with the Sorrow. Or the Weeping Plague, as the infected were dubbed weepers.

This was mostly because the plague targeted their eyeballs, causing them to weep stinging pus that either stuck their eyelids shut or forced them to stay open perpetually until they dried up or rotten out of their sockets.

It was a low rot, so it left the afflicted suffering for days on end, rendering them unable to sleep. The infection vector was soon discovered. Mites. Billions of mites hiding in ration crates, spare uniforms and ammo packs.

They bit and infected everyone they could get a hold of. For some reason they avoided Summer as if she were a plague to them. Then in a moment of desperation for a wailing man who was about to be euthanized, Summer stretched out with her aura and managed to banish the disease from his body.

When she realized what she had done, she had the idea of using her Soul-Sight on the weepers. Sure enough, the infection was not just physical. Thus, Summer set up a small station where the infected were gathered.

It must have been weeks before that idea picked up steam, as thousands were infected, the cult was stuck in a stalemate with those Summer had cured. But a stalemate was good enough to win because the enemy didn't have the means to call in another foul trick and they had nothing on their side that could match Osiris and the Templars.

But news of the plague had apparently reached outside the system, as Guilliman, Celestine and the Grey Knights had showed up to help deal with it before someone did something stupid. Like running off planet during the initial stages of infection for instance.

Summer had been stuck in her camp for weeks at that point. As the ill had to be brought to her at the whims of those who ran the medical hospitals. As it stood, none of them trusted the word of a witch. Good thing she had the backing of her transhuman companions to keep them from trying to shoot her.

But when Guilliman showed up things changed. Many of the preachers of the Imperial Creed mistook Summer's work for his. Proclaiming it an act of divinity. None objected as Guilliman commanded that Summer accompany him wherever he went. Using his authority to get her to where the infected were being gathered.

The clean up took a whole month as Summer was the only one who could effectively cleanse the victims. Celestine and Voldus carried out scourings to locate and purge any spawning grounds for the mites. As Astartes were not affected they ran no risk. To say the same went for Celestine would be like asking if a fish can swim.

Guilliman took all the credit, which was fine with her. Standing in the spotlight was for those who could handle the glare. Summer preferred to work in the background.

It was during those weeks that Summer bore witness to just how much the Primarch cared about his people. It warmed her heart to know something so grand cared about the small people.

With her reminiscence over, Summer leaned over her desk, the dim light casting her shadow over the tome she was writing in. She had been staring into space again. Literally.

Her room was an extravagant thing. When compared to the last room she got when on a spaceship, this one made her feel like a millionaire. First off, she had a bed. A real bed. With a real mattress. And it was queen sized.

In another time she might have been overjoyed at the sight of this. But now, all she feels is a form of casual indifference. She can't sleep anymore. So, she doesn't need a bed. Still, it was a nice gesture from the captain. Or was it commodore? She didn't really pay attention when she was transferred to this ship.

The ship she was on now was the Overlord Class Cruiser, His All-Encompassing Will. It was one of two in the fleet that escorted Guilliman's own Glorianna Class Cruiser, Macragge's Honor.

As she stared out the armorglass window, she could see it. A titan in the void, made from adamantium and gold. Armed with guns the size of skyscrapers and a city's worth of spires running across its spine.

She could feel him there. Her abilities had progressed at a rapid rate over the months. So much in fact that the Grey Knights wanted to put an inhibitor on her out of fear that her abilities might run wild. It was one big argument between Guilliman and Voldus but in the end Guilliman won.

The compromise was to isolate her from their main forces but keep her close enough to eliminate with minimal effort. Thus, Guilliman had her transferred to one of his support ships where next to none of his ground forces or Astartes were present. While he doubted such a thing would happen to her, he was not one to take risks.

It was an irony. The captain of the ship treated her as an honored guest because the Primarch had ordered it. He treated her as nothing short of royalty. She wasn't dull, she knew why. It was in the hope of getting in good repour with Guilliman. Not that he would care if she were treated well when he expected it.

This would be her new home until they reached Segmentum Solar. Then she could finally begin her search for Remnant. It was out there somewhere. Trazyn said he'd visited it before. His statement never once left her mind.

She would get home, as would Nicholas. Then she would settle things with Ozpin and Salem.

The sound of hydraulics alerted Summer that the door to her room had been opened.

"Mistress." Said the woman dressed in a navy officer's uniform as she walked inside.

"Yes?" Summer asked, closing the binder.

"You have been called to the bridge. We are about to commence warp translation and the Templars want you close by." She said with a polite professionalism that reminded her of James' military flunkies. It almost made her nostalgic.

"Just a minute." Summer said, standing up and moving to the nearly untouched bed.

Nearly untouched, because Gessel had taken to snuggling between the pillows.

---

The walk through the ships metal skeleton took around twenty minutes but Summer couldn't complain. It was the same as walking around Beacon once you get used to all the corridors and people constantly running around with new work to do.

This was the third voidship she had been on so far. It was definitely the busiest. Cawl's ship was like a factory but without any of the people who acted as their blood vessels. As for the Ultramarine ship that carried them to Macragge, that was busy, but in a comradery sort of way. It was like they were all one big family. Here, everyone was frantic. It gave Summer the same feeling of when her team were always at risk of being late for class and ended up arriving five late.

When the large bulkhead doors opened Summer's ears were assaulted with a chaotic chorus of voices all saying different things. After a short minute of walking up to the throne at the center of the raised dais in the center of the room, she managed to determine that they were giving off diagnostic reports. Checking to see if the ship's systems were all in green.

Standing at both sides of the throne were two armored figures. Summer recognized one immediately while the other took her a moment. Lothar stood, garbed in full battle plate, not like she's ever seen him without it, with both weapons at the ready with his oath chains binding them to his vambraces. He was expecting a fight, and this was due in some part to the other Templar.

The other one wore mich simpler armor, or simpler in appearance. When the huntress looked closer, she could see the forcefield generator emitters that plugged into his power pack. They were meant for bullets, but given how hard and fast Astartes can hit, she had no doubts that it was useful for close quarters too.

He was less embellished than the Chaplain. Save for the beaded necklace around his gorget and the ritual lantern he had clipped to a large leather belt. All topped off with the laurel wreath on his helmet.

It was the Champion, Guiren.

"I still do not approve of it." Came the voice of the captain who sat on the throne, hidden from Summer's sight. Her normal sight at least, but she was never one to peak.

"What you approve of is irrelevant, Captain." Guiren replied, clear annoyance coloring his words. "What matters is that we obey and perform as duty demands."

"Lord, if you'll forgive my insolence, but that is what I am doing. I am pushing my crew into exhaustion for this jump. Believe me, I want this to be perfect. Many of my family have dreamed of visiting the Throneworld since the Reign of Blood had ended."

"Yet you complain." Gurien chuckled as if he were scolding a child. "And about our lady's pet no less."

Summer looked at the gyrinx who walked at her side. Her head was tilted, and her ears were focused on the conversation. Despite her appearance, Summer had learned early on that her little friend understood every word in the Gothic language. Or at least every word Summer understood. It was like they were learning together. Which was just fine. It made their little chats all the easier and she didn't need to pretend that Gessel truly understood her because she did.

"I am just pointing out the unorthodoxy of this. I am no Rogue Trader. I am a proud Imperial Navy Captain. I follow protocol and protocol demands the destruction of all xenos on sight."

"Your excuses are as hollow as a wine cellar that had a visitation of Space Wolves." Lothar chided, earning a short laugh from Guiren. "All you truly desire is to be rid of the gyrinx so you may be free of scrutiny when we arrive."

Guiren let out a sigh. "Politics. It infests the Imperium from end to end. I am truly blessed that our Emperor made me an Astartes so I may be free of it among the Chapters."

"I assure you, my Lords. I merely wish to avoid questioning by the Inquisition on my crew. This has nothing to do with…"

He was cut off by a loud meow from Gessel. Both Space Marines slowly turned around. They were completely relaxed.

"Hi." Summer said with a smile.

"Greetings." Lothar said.

"My Lady." Guiren said respectfully, he was always the politest of the Black Templars.

When she rounded the throne, she got a look at the captain. Fair skin, with a full black beard rounding his face and jaw along with hints of grey forming.

"You called for me, Captain Jenick?" She asked respectfully, standing at attention before him. She might have been put here by the Primarch, but it paid to treat people as you would if the situation did not make you appear special.

"Umm. Yes." He answered, noticing Gessel at Summer's side, eyeing him with what Summer deduced was a smug stare. The gyrinx knew she could not be touched while her master was present.

"We have nearly reached the manderville point. I wanted you here for when we translate with the fleet. I am told your psychic gifts allow you to emit an aura that calms those around you. Is that accurate?"

"Yes." Summer answered plainly without elaboration. People who are used to giving orders are also used to doing all the talking unless they tell you to. A trick she learned from Ozpin. It made it so easy to keep secrets after you worked on your poker face.

As for the effect of her aura. It was one of the first things she had been told about by Tigurius and Voldus, which was a relief. She was worried she was passively draining the life out of other people to sustain her healing or something nasty like that.

Jenick looked relieved. "That is good. I want you here then. In case you haven't noticed, my bridge crew is so stiff I fear a soft breeze may snap their spines."

Summer looked around; she could see the signs. Shaking hands, sweaty palms. People clutching their dry throats every few seconds. Trying to disassociate from the situation by superfocusing on their work.

"Why are they so jumpy? Don't they do this all the time?"

Jenick scratched his neck. "Yes. But this time is a little different. You see, the Navigator and Astropaths have reported a growing warp storm in our path, and they are afraid that we will head to our deaths. Flying through a warp storm is deadly even in the mildest of tides."

"Aren't we going around it?" Summer asked, remembering what she had discussed with Greyfax via telepathy less than four hours prior.

"That is the plan, but the storm is still growing, and my crew have caught on to this. Please. All I want is for you to help keep them calm. The margin for error is infinitesimally small for a warp jump. I do not want my ship's legacy to end because my people were nervous."

Summer frowned at that. The ship's legacy? What about the tens of thousands of people who work on it? Summer wanted to scold him for not valuing the lives of those who allow his lifestyle to function but fought the urge down. That would not work in this situation.

"Sure." Summer said, turning around, ignoring the man's thanks.

Getting on her knees, Summer prepared herself for another round of meditation. This was a trick she had practiced since she learned she could spread her aura to others.

She completed his request. Shutting her eyes, she dropped all of her attention on the physical world and allowed her aura to feel existence for her.

It spread throughout the deck. Calming the anxieties and woes of those it made contact with. She imagined this was what it meant to be blind. Feeling your way through existence and allowing your brain to form hyper accurate simulations of what is happening around you with the accumulation of your sensory experiences.

With this she could see the entire bridge at once. Every action was within her notice. Every word uttered, every finger on a lever or keyboard. But Summer didn't stop there, she reached further. She went to the gun decks. The miniature factorum in the lower spine. The crew's quarters. Seeing those made her sad. This jackass of a captain should take better care of his crew. Engine room and mess halls.

Then came the Navigator's chamber. A place she was never allowed to go. But that didn't stop her from doing this. She could see the old man in his chair. All those cables looked so painful being plugged into him like that. He flinched when her aura touched him, but he calmed down. She even felt a psychic impulse that conveyed gratitude for whomever was aiding him. He was not used to getting help of any kind.

Then came the Astropaths' chamber. They all cried in fright when she reached out to them. Shouting questions in Summer's mind. Who is this? How dare you? Impudent little girl! And so on.

She covered the entirety of the ship after what only took a minute. She could see everything on the ship, but only the ship. Everything else was black.

"Manderville point reached." Echoed a voice from the outside. "Awaiting order."

"Awaiting order. Awaiting your command. I shall begin at your word." An onrush of voices she could pick up from the outside.

"All ships." Came another disembodied voice, it was Guilliman. "Begin Warp translation."

A chorus of affirmations rang though Summer's consciousness before she felt a buzzing. She saw a bubble form around the ship. This was supposed to block the daemons from getting through if she guessed right. But the voices still came.

Then something changed. She saw a series of tears. Rips in the black. They grew, forced open by cold machines until they became the size of mountains. Then they began to approach one. When they passed through, Summer bore witness to a familiar sight. A sight she hoped she would never have to see again.

The storms. The first thing that greeted her when she first arrived in this galactic reality. They were the same and not the same all at once. In the distance, Summer could make out the shadowed silhouettes of the other ships. All moving as one.

Then came the panic. It was a feeling that washed over her senses like a cold wave. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Navigator? Status report? What's happening?" Came the voice of her captain.

"Sir. The Astronomican. I cannot see it. I am lost in the endless night!"

Summer did not pay attention to their discussion as she listened to the other ships. They all gave similar responses. All of them were flying blind. And worse. Summer saw something in the distance. Colossal shapes that she nearly mistook for whales swam the soultides. All heading towards them.

"Have faith!" Came the voice of Celestine. "Do not abandon your devotion to the God-Emperor. He shall not abandon us to the cursed tides of the Immaterium!"

They weren't listening. They were all too busy wailing as they attempted to ensure none of them hit each other.

"The Astronomican has gone out!"

"We are damned! Lost!"

"The tides of hell come to swallow us whole!"

Summer tuned them out. Not willing to tolerate useless bleating. Given that her trance was unbroken, it meant that Lothar and Gurien were making sure the captain did not disturb her. That or Gessel was likely scratching at his face by now. She has become rather overprotective.

She needed to think. If she understood what Tigurius had taught her, the Astronomican was a beacon in this hell. Made by using the Emperor as its light.

If that were true, would that mean he has some degree of control over it? Unless she were misreading the context of what the Chief Librarian said, that should be the case.

'He listens for our call.' Came the voice of her mother.

Summer had no idea if that was her mother, the Emperor or just a figment of her imagination. But it had been repeating those words to her for close to half a year now.

She had no clue if calling out to her deity was a good idea right now. Considering she was in the middle of hell, and she remembered what happened the last time she did that.

But what other choice did she have? Let the fleet wander around aimlessly?

After a minute of solid contemplation and blocking out the ambient noise of the fleet approaching anarchy, she made her choice.

Withdrawing her visual focus on the ships, including her own. Looking outward only.

"Emperor? Can hear me?" Her psychic voice was the same as the first time. It sent out ripples in the Immaterium. Ripples everyone who could attune to it could hear.

"What was that?"

"It was a psychic cry!"

"Who is doing this?"

"Summer?" Questioned Celestine.

"What are you doing!?" Greyfax roared on the mental scape. Summer could see the ghost form of her, but she ignored it.

"Emperor! Can you hear me?" She called out louder this time.

"Who is doing this?!"

"Such force! I didn't know we had a mind this powerful among us."

"What are you doing, girl?" This time the gruff voice of Voldus reached her directly. "Have you gone mad? Cease these cries! You shall attract the denizens of this realm!"

She did not, even when he was correct. The leviathans in the distance had picked up speed. Their hulking black massed reminded Summer of the falling Pylons on Cadia, purely because she had nothing else of sufficed size to compare them to from her memory.

Then came an idea. She recalled a question she had asked herself more than once when seeing people worship her master. Did the Emperor really hear their prayers? Well, now was a good a time as any to find out. And to test out a new trick she learned with Celestine.

The Saint had said at one point that she knew all the names of the faithful, Summer was willing to bet on that right now.

Pushing away the insistent berating of Greyfax and Voldus, Summer reached for the Living Saint and forced herself into the angel's thoughts.

"Celestine!" Summer cried through the Saint's lips, nearly bringing her to her knees.

"Summer? What are you doing?" She asked uncertain and unused to such actions being taken against her.

"No time. I need you to give a sermon. Like right now!" The Geminae Superia, Geneviève and Elanor watched as their mistress conversed with herself. Both feeling rather awkward about it.

"You need me to light the fires of the faithful?"

"Yes! Do it! We don't have a lot of time. I have an idea, but I need you to get them to call out with me."

She felt the Saint's heart skip a beat. It was strange, being so in tune with another person's body. Interacting with it as if it were your own. At the very least Celestine didn't offer such stubborn opposition to the simplest things like Greyfax did.

"You wish to call out to our Emperor. Say no more."

With that Summer withdrew from the Saint but maintained a connection. She would need it if she were going to pull off this crazy idea.

Then came the prayers. Of all forms and vocals. They took the form of harmonies notes around each ship. All of which were drawn to the ship where Celestine was stationed.

Summer heard Guilliman's voice, he was demanding to stop this. Summer interrupted him by sending him a pulse that conveyed her desire for him to allow this to continue. His anger colored the warp red, but she calmed him down with another pulse, asking him to trust her.

Using the link she shared with Celestine, she gathered up all the prayers into one ever-growing mass. This would not harm anything other than the lowliest of thought forms. To anything else it would be an irritant, but even that might work.

With a force of will she never thought possible, she hurled the golden mass of prayer into the void like a depth charge in an ocean.

Then it exploded at her command. Sending golden masses flying with her words riding their trails.

"HEAR US! EMPEROR!"

Her last shout sent the fleet reeling. She heard both Greyfax and Voldus cursing her out and swearing to kill her should they survive this mess. Summer didn't care, she's died before. What mattered was that the fleet survived.

Then to her surprise. The void leviathans turned away, as if something had frightened them.

Then she saw a star. A pinprick of pure light in the madness of this place.

Then she heard the voice and due to the link, so did Celestine.

"I hear you." It was soft as a whisper on the wind, but she heard it as clearly as if her lord were standing right in front of her.

The light grew brighter. It escalated and expanded. It became so bright that she thought she would go blind.

Then the light reached them, creating a golden path for them, a firetide that burned all the neverborne that tried to hack at their Gellar fields.

"Our Emperor has heard our prayers!" Declared Celestine with weeping tears for all to hear. "Ave Imperator! Praise be!"

A cheering chorus of ascent came from the fleet.

"All Navigators, follow the light." Guilliman declared, still only having a vague understanding of the situation. Summer skimmed his thoughts and knew he was going to have her questioned about this. But she didn't mind.

Before she decided to close her mind to all the worry around her and go back to her quarters, captains request be damned, she could swear that she saw another shape in the storm.

It looked like a man. But she was not sure. However, she could tell that he was angry. Very angry. With flaring, multicolored wings, he stared right at her with a single, baleful eye.

---

And there we go. I had a difficult time with this one.

I know I skipped a lot of content about the retaking of Ultramar, but I didn't want to bore you all with tedious battle after battle against chaos that amounted to very little in terms of plot and personal development. Especially when its always Chaos. I'm sorry for those of you who wanted that, but I have to take my sanity into consideration. I'm not writing the Siege of terra here. Lol.

Don't worry. There will be plenty of fighting in the next chapter. Again I am sorry for skipping certain things but, I honestly cannot follow the canon pinpoint to the letter it is far too vague and with you all known g how those fights end anyway it's not really that fun.

Again. Sorry. That said, I hope you all enjoy.

Also. Same rules. If you want a character put on later on, throw your hat in the ring. Just keep it simple and make it workable.

Ave Imperator!