The Waaagh! Ghazghkull descends upon the Hive World of Armageddon. The Blood Angels are one of three Space Marine Chapters to respond. Such is Commander Dante's reputation that Tu'Shan of the Salamanders and Marneus Calgar of the Ultramarines cede overall command to him.
“Get up, Dante, I will not accept displays of humility from a man like you. You are one of the few in this era who have earned the right to speak to me on equal terms. // I am going to name you Warden of Imperium Nihilus, commander of all Imperial forces north of the Great Rift.”
“The hive mind looked out of its innumerable eyes towards the dull red star of Baal. It apprehended that this was the hive of the warriors that had hurt it so grievously, who had burned its feeding grounds and scattered its fleets. It hated the red prey, and it coveted them.”
Your eyes beg Him for mercy. A son to his father. End this. End it now, if you can. If that is even possible. End it before it is too late. // Your father looks at the knife.
+I wait for you and I forgive you.+
He drives it into your heart.
Art by Alex Cristi
“There is nothing to forgive, Dante. You stopped them. You have achieved what few others have, and destroyed a major hive fleet tendril. I would congratulate you, but there is nothing I can say that encompasses the scale of what you have achieved.”
- Roboute Guilliman
He turns, and sees the Angel. The Bright Lord of Baal, head bowed and turned to the left, is crucified against the far wall. He hangs like an icon or relic, a sacred sigil to be worshipped and knelt before. His arms and wings are outstretched, his golden wargear dented and torn.
“Sanguinius had torn the crown from Angron’s head and cast the Twelfth Primarch’s body down the steps of the Sanctum. // She’d never have believed it without the scratchy pict-footage from helmet feeds, showing Angron’s immense form crashing to earth and rupturing open.”
“Get up, Dante,” said Guilliman gently. “I will not accept displays of humility from a man like you. You are one of the few in this era who have earned the right to speak to me on equal terms. Rise. Now.”