I was still weak. I could feel my body failing me, and my mind was the murky fog of a bogworld. Yet my eyes cracked open and were met by skies painted in the blood of the fallen. My senses returned to me one by one after that. I felt the cold hybridized material of the arms that carried me, and my gaze turned to find it was one of my sons. My heart swelled with pride and love, until the smell distracted me. The tainted stench of chaos permeated everything, including the blood that stained the armor of my sons and the warrior maidens.

  It had been so long since the whirlwind of scents that battle with chaos could muster had invaded my nose. I sneezed, to my surprise. The sound boomed out, and my son shifted. I realized I'd just interrupted an important argument as the Inquisitor glared at me, yet a son I’d yet to meet knelt before me. My other sons who weren't fighting did the same, and I brought my voice to bear.

  "Do not kneel for me, my sons. Please. Focus on saving as many as you can."

  The others immediately rose to their feet and organized into teams before marching off into the city. My son who seemed in charge rose to his feet, his one remaining eye locked on me.

  "I am Gabriel Angelos, Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens."

  I pat my son's shoulder, and he allowed me to stand, though I kept a hand on his shoulder to steady myself. "I am Primarch Evaria Manoash, second born of the Emperor."

  I held out my hand to him. He seemed confused, then took it. I used him to step forward and embrace him. His confusion seemed to grow, yet so did a sense of belonging. I could feel it.

  "I missed you all so much."

  Tears of crimson broke free from my eyes.

  "Thank you for coming for me."

  I felt him hesitantly return the embrace, and I kissed his forehead before disengaging, though I still held his arm to steady myself.

  "Tell me, my child. How goes the evacuation?"

  "We ought to evacuate you, my lady."

  I shook my head and pat his arm. "Tell me."

  I could feel it within him. An aversion to affection, as if he were afraid of this new figure in his life.

  "We've gotten thirty two percent of the population."

  A smile spread across my lips. "That's wonderful news. Far better than I expected... Can you show me where the Immaterium Tears are?"

  He led me to a table and began to show me the world map. I felt someone's gaze boring into the back of my head: the Inquisitor. But my people were more important.

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  "Abandon efforts in Sector's 3, 5, and 8. Anais Quadrant should be bombarded without restraint. Do not allow anyone to go near Kili City. It will bring only death."

  I could feel Gabriel's unease, and I smiled. "If that works for you, of course. I wouldn't want to override you, but for Kili City. That one is a direct order."

  "I will trust your stratagem, my lady."

  Yet, I felt no trust. I could handle that for the time being: I had his loyalty.

  "Thank you, Gabriel. Now, I believe I am to go with the Inquisitor here-"

  "I protest, my lady." Gabriel paused, then bowed his head. "Respectfully, may I speak?"

  I smiled and pat his arm. "Of course, my son."

  He lowered his voice. "Every Blood Raven will attest that you are our Primarch, as will members of the other chapter's our brothers were split off to."

  I nodded and leaned down to whisper in turn. "I understand, and I appreciate you. All of you. However. I have missed much, and this will be the quickest way to be vetted and to get answers of my own."

  "We have amassed greater knowledge than the rest of the Imperium combined." Gabriel's voice was low and urgent, his gaze resting on the Inquisitor.

  "I need to see my brothers." I smiled and kissed his cheek. "Everything will turn out as it should, my precious son. But I will permit you and your exquisite vessel to escort the Inquisitor's to wherever they take me."

  "I would have even if you'd ordered me not to."

  I laughed softly, a glint of humor in my eyes. "You remind me of an old friend, Gabriel. I look forward to many years working alongside one another."

  Gabriel bowed his head. "As do I, my lady."

  I looked out at the horizon, then closed my eyes. "May I have a communication device connected to the planetary PA system?"

  He immediately provided it.

  Fahlia stormed forward. "Wait!"

  Gabriel turned his cycloptic gaze to Fahlia. "The only reason you and your Ordo Hereticus sisters still stand is my lady has deemed it so. Do not presume to hold authority here, Inquisitor."

  Fahlia's face went crimson, and I placed a hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "Please, my son. Don't act with such hostilities. She only acts as is within her role."

  I turned my gaze to Fahlia. "May I please address my sons, and my people?"

  Fahlia glanced at the Blood Ravens that surrounded them, and the two dreadnoughts.

  "Yes, but make it brief."

  I bowed my head. "Thank you." Taking in a breath, I brought the Vox-caster to my lips, my voice projected across the world.

  "My sons and daughters, hear my voice and know me. I am Evaria Manoash, your Primarch, the Incorruptible. I will liberate you from the clutches of Khorne, and you will be mine once more."

  I felt my tears running down my cheeks, and I knew my words must have felt hollow. But I did not waver. "I love you, my children. I will return."

  I could feel lives being snuffed out and twisted throughout the area.

  "Finish the evacuation in half an hour, Gabriel. To stay any longer will only feed Khorne."

  I watched his will falter, guilt overriding his heart.

  "But my lady, to give up is to condemn-"

  I smiled and took his armored hands in mine, and his eyes returned to see my crimson tears. The pain in my heart flowed outwards, touching all in the area. "I know. But we must leave before we too are swallowed in Khorne's lust for blood. This world is lost once more."

  His jaw muscles tensed, but he nodded and gave the order. I turned to Fahlia. "Let us depart."