I made a mistake. I accidentally touched Sarai's vox-caster, and was opened up to the world below as hell rained down from the Omnis Arcanum, cleansing the face of the planet. I felt each and every soul lost as it was snuffed out of existence, my people eviscerated from this plane of existence. In that moment, I lost all reason. I was overcome by their terror and pain, and I couldn't keep from projecting out my own sorrow and rage. Those closest to me fell near catatonic, the ones further away had their hearts torn asunder as they experienced the breadth and depths of my pain. By the time I'd reined my heart in, it was too late. All but Sarai and my nephew had fallen into despair. Sarai's expression betrayed her being overwhelmed, but she did not falter. I looked down at myself; I had sweat blood alongside my normal crimson tears. It had been so long since I'd lost myself in such a way. My nephew had simply passed out, and I turned my gaze to the Inquisitor.

  "Sarai, please bring her to me."

  I watched as Sarai approached the Inquisitor, her gait predatory.

  "Gently, please."

  Sarai's demeanor shifted, though only slightly. She carefully disarmed the Inquisitor and brought her, struggling, to me. I held out my arms, and Sarai handed her off to me. I held her close as she struggled.

  "You're safe, daughter of man."

  I fought within to shift my emotional state. I needed to change it, to bring about an inner peace that would help those around me after the emotional wounds I just inflicted upon them. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my friends, but my heart was torn asunder as I knew they must be dead by now. My brother's likely lost in some cataclysmic event. Father now resided in the Immaterium in some manner, else he'd have been there when I awoke. I was alone. Even my sons were not the sons I had with me in my life before. That feeling crushed me, which only made the others around me worse.

  The roar of Thunderhawk engines drew my attention as it flew in and landed. The doors opened, and my son Simeon disembarked, a dress I remembered from my last life folded over his arm, and a massive raven on his shoulder. The Raven's breast feathers made a crimson teardrop, and I felt my spirit soar as it launched from Simeon's shoulder and collided with me.

  "Navah?"

  She croaked at me, and I leaned my head into her affections. Slowly, the people around me came out of their distress as I felt everything within calm. The Inquisitor pushed off of me and reached for her power stake, only to find she'd been disarmed.

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  "Sarai, please return her armaments."

  I could feel Sarai's discontent with my request, but she ultimately complied. I felt a smile grace my lips, and gently pet Navah as the Inquisitor leveled her power stake at me.

  "First, please allow me to apologize, Inquisitor. I did not intend for what happened to happen. I accidentally touched Sarai's vox-caster, and wasn't prepared for it."

  "Explain." The Inquisitor's gaze was filled with fear and rage, her knuckles likely white beneath her gauntlets.

  "My ability as Primarch is to... Hmm... I've never actually had to explain it before."

  I stared off for a moment, grasping at errant ideas and concepts to try and explain it simply.

  "I can... Interact with the spirits around me. I can control how far, but there is always a large area around me that is affected whether I want it to or not. Those who carry my blood are more deeply connected to me, and the... Effect is filtered. Hence why Sarai was still standing."

  Sarai blinked a few times and looked to me.

  "But I never..?"

  "My blood got on your skin back in the convent. I did so to give you a boon for the combat I assumed would come."

  Sarai only seemed to swell with pride at her newfound connection to me.

  "Yes, this makes you my daughter now, if you'll have me."

  Sarai's pride seemed to outclass her physical presence, and Simeon approached and knelt with the dress.

  "My lady-"

  "Evaria, or I'll accept mother as well. That was once quite common..." My eyes flashed with amusement. "I recall you calling me that back in the convent before upon our first meeting."

  He paused, then continued.

  "Mother, I have brought the dress you wore to Imperial Gatherings, and as you know Navah. We cared for both, and upon request we will return your armor to you as well."

  I smiled and bowed my head. "Thank you, Simeon. I trust Gabriel will follow us to wherever it is I'm being taken?"

  "Yes, mother. The Omnis Arcanum will finish the Exterminatus shortly." I watched Simeon turn his gaze to the Inquisitor. "He requests that you wait to leave the system until then."

  "He has no authority over me."

  I noticed the pang of regret for her sharp response amidst Fahlia's indignation.

  "Which is why it is a request, Inquisitor. But considering the fact a Primarch is aboard your vessel, and that the forces of Chaos would clearly like to prevent her from getting to safety, you would do well to have the escort of the Omnis Arcanum."

  I could feel the Inquisitor's neurons firing like an assault cannon. They finally came to a grinding stop as she stood straighter.

  "I need the word of your Chapter Master that he will strike down Evaria should she be corrupt."

  Simeon's jaw tensed, but he gestured to Sarai's vox-caster. Fahlia nodded, and Simeon spoke through it, requesting the presence of the Chapter