Date: 999 M41

  Location: Maelstrom, Bckstone Fortress, holding cell.

  In that darkness, in that cell closed by mutagenic fmes, bewitched by the abominable demons of one of the four Dark Gods, the Custodian was imprisoned inside, waiting. In a way, these cells remind him of the Dark Cells located beneath the Imperial Pace. Of course, he doesn't know what it's like inside, since it's the pce where horrors and technologies are locked up, so dangerous to the point that some of them shouldn't even exist. Before becoming a member of the Hataeron, he was seconded to the Shadow Keepers' Shield-Host, and honestly, he doesn't miss that role.

  The Crusade, called by Primarch Roboute Guilliman to reach Terra and confer with his father, stalled near the Maelstrom—an opening in the warp, smaller than the Eye of Terror. But the tter's expansion, triggered by Cadia's destruction, had produced the Cicatrix Maledictum, splitting both Imperium and gaxy. The Maelstrom found itself partially engulfed by this new rift.

  The attack by the renegade Red Corsairs, once honourable and proud defenders of the Imperium against the raids of the Maelstrom, was sudden, swift, and well calcuted. Many ships paid the price for their sortie. The true instigator was the demon Kairos Fateweaver—because of him, the Primarch of the Ultramarines was captured. Imprisonment awaited nearly all Crusade members. Meanwhile, the Sisters of Battle and Imperial Guardsmen were taken elsewhere; their fate remains unknown to him, though he harbours bleak suspicions.

  Now a battle raged in the fortress. The Custodian knew that the attackers were not imperial forces, but he cared little. Heavy, rapid steps were approaching. He opened his eyes the moment the fmes of his cell went out. He saw Roboute Guilliman with his genetic sons and a Space Marine, who, by the livery, identifies him as belonging to the ancient Legion of Dark Angels. However, although the livery identified the Astartes as loyal to the Emperor, the Custodian's instinct still considered him a threat.

  ?You're stealing my job, Lord Guilliman.? the Custodian said, amusedly.

  The Primarch's expression softened a little; he showed a tired smile, clearly relieved. The Custodian, along with Captain Sicarius, had remained at his side as a bodyguard, at least until they reached Sacred Terra. During these moments, the two exchanged a few words and advice. Though not friends, they respected and appreciated each other's presence.

  Free from his chains, he approached the Primarch, observing that they were also in the company of a band of Harlequins. Among them, he recognised Veilwalker, the Shadowseer admirer of the Archmagos Bellissarius Cawl.

  ?What did we get ourselves into this time?? he whispered, nodding toward the Dark Angel.

  ?He would have freed us if he had brought him to Terra.?

  ?Simply put, he forced her to accept his offer. He had the keys to get us out of here.? he added, making a mental note to keep an eye on the Dark Angel. ?I'll never get bored with you, Lord Guilliman? he added, amused.

  *****

  Date: 999 M41

  Location: Maelstrom, Bckstone Fortress, room with a Webway portal.

  Guilliman couldn't think clearly. Not because he was overwhelmed by personal feelings, but because of Skarbrand, the demon whose anger always infects neighbouring minds, driving them to the mad and irrational hatred that distinguishes demons and followers of Khorne, the Blood God.

  Skarbrand led the assault on the Bckstone Fortress to cim the Primarch's skull in Khorne's name. Now the Primarch, carried away by irrational rage, roared a scream of war and confronted the great demon.

  The ensuing csh was titanic and bewitching, yet violent. The Emperor's Sword cshed with the twin axes of the Bloodthirster in a whirlwind of fme and rage. Skarbrand, though with the Bck Bde in his chest and mad rage in his eyes, rejoiced in the battle.

  The Primarch felt the anger and hatred mounting, preventing him from thinking strategically. At that moment, he understood: he would soon throw himself on the enemy. He would abandon all restraint, determined to kill his opponent.

  He couldn't allow it.

  With a titanic effort of will, he suppressed the supernatural wrath that clouded his mind. He tried to force his fury into a ring of cold mental steel. He was fighting on two fronts, pushing not only his superhuman physique, but also his mental will, to the limit.

  The Bloodthirster lowered one axe onto the Primarch, but the blow was deflected. The Custodian had coldly calcuted his moment to intervene—not because he was overwhelmed by fury, but because he saw the Primarch struggling to regain control. Fighting two battles is never easy.

  The calcution was cold, like his interventions to ease the pressure on the Primarch. The Custodian was also influenced by the demonic fury infecting Guilliman. But, unlike the tter, he channelled anger into blows, parries, and surgical deflections. His fury was not fiery and explosive but cold and concentrated—much more dangerous for the opponent.

  ?Damn coward, stop interfering!!!? Skarbrand roared furiously

  The Custodian's response was swift and clear: his armoured fist made itself known to Skarbrand's nose, generating the typical sound of broken bones and forcing the demon to retreat.

  Taking advantage of Skarbrand's retreat, the Custodian swiftly moved behind the demon. With precise force, he lowered his Paragon Spear in one motion, slicing through the tendons in the demon's legs, crippling his movement.

  Skarbrand roared in pain and tried to turn to strike the Custodian, but he was already gone. Gunfire rang out, and bullets struck the demon, catching his attention. In front of him, he saw Guilliman target him with the rifle built into the relic power fist, the Hand of Dominion.

  One bullet hit the Bck Bde lodged in the Bloodthirster's chest. The cost that led to that result was the life of its possessor: the Emperor's Champion and former Marshal of the Bck Temprs, Amalrich.

  The sacred sword exploded in a shower of deadly shrapnel, and the Bloodthirster's torso was torn apart.

  Guilliman and the Custodian entered the Webway right after Sicarius and Saint Celestine. Inside, they breathed heavily amid strange energies and bright mists.

  ?This is certainly the most turbulent journey I have ever taken.? spoke the Custodian sarcastically.

  ?Do a full check of weapons, ammunition, and survivors.? Guilliman commanded, recovering ?Then we'll resume the journey.?

  ?Primarch.? spoke Veilwalker. ?I advise against lingering further.?

  ?Expin.?

  ?Our scouts just reported: heavily armed intruders, wearing ornate blue and gold armour. The warriors reek of chaotic witchcraft and the unmistakable mark of the Great Conspirator.?

  ?The Thousand Sons Legion?? asked the Custodian, icily. ?Well, that expins a lot of things.?

  Like the Custodian, Guilliman's expression changed: he now understood that many of the strange events were the result of someone's manipution. That someone was the Demon-Primarch Magnus the Red.