The Emperor Falls.

Part 7 - Love, War and Daemons.

Abaddon's body lies at the Emperor's feet. He turns toward the Webway gate, hearing rapid bolter fire. Space Marines, Blue and Gold emblazoned. The Ultramarines have arrived with it's leader at the fore front. Roboute Guilliman, Lord Commander of the Imperium, knee deep in the dead, calls out to him "What are you?" The Emperor informs him of the situation and of who he is. Turning to see a large red form, strange yet familiar "Sanguinius lives? How?" "That is not Sanguinius any more."

Guilliman immediately notices his Marines being pulled out of their armor and eaten alive. "BROTHER!" WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" He calls out. It looks toward him, having heard his brash anger. "I have ascended. The gods have granted me their power. I have mastered chaos." The Emperor immediately interjects "Horus said the same. No man can master chaos. You are the servant, not the master." "Horus was a weakling, there's a reason they called him the sacrificed king, even before he died. Chaos knew he would fail in killing you. He knew the legions would be pitiful. They enlightened me to this, Father."

"You will die just as Chaos itself will die. Just as Horus died." The Emperor states before walking toward him. The Emperor retakes his sword, using his hold over the warp to summon it. He immediately begins slashing at Sanguis' armor, no longer holding the Golden Angel he used to know, now a sick, twisted parody unworthy of holding the name Sanguinius. Sanguis returns the favour, attempting to use a hammer made of blood and bone to crush him. Sanguis however maintains a strong defense, one touch of that blade upon his body and he will be vanquished, gone from the world. He blocks attacks, even taunting at points. "Father, how does it feel as everyone abandons you. Your sons, your allies. How does it feel to see your Custodes ripped to pieces by our Daemons. How does it feel knowing it's all your fault, playing us like pieces on a board, making us just to throw away." The Emperor's face barely able to contain his rage, he swings, his sword caught in his armor. If he can get it out and get one more swing, he should be able to win. However, Sanguis has other plans. Gripping him, he knees him directly in the stomach before kicking him in the groin. He pushes him back, before spinning and slamming the hammer into him. His ribs and organs punctured or broken, he is knocked down. Custodes near him take up defensive positions to stop him being harmed. They are ripped to pieces.

It is here, the Emperor using the last of his psychic might, purges the Daemon from Sanguis, in a last ditch attempt to save his son. The incredible effort succeds, the Daemon defeated. However, the Emperor and Sanguinius lay there, near death. His physical body on the throne now falters and begins slipping into unconsciousness. The webway rips open, the Astronomican blinks. Sanguinius overcomes the Black Rage still brewing inside and manages to pull strength from the jaws of chaos. He stands, attempting to help his father. It is too late. He is to die. His soul flickers, he casts out Magnus' soul and he offers his last, pained commands to Sanguinius and Guilliman. "Take the people away. My death will destroy this piece of the Cosmos. There will be no return for me, my soul has been damaged. I will likely be consumed within the Warp. Inform the people of chaos, the grey knights. This will be a war unlike any other. Find your brothers. Go to Prospero." A look of immense agony, rife insanity and manic depression upon his face. So many emotions. He wishes he could tell his son why he treated them like this. And while he could spend the last of his energy spieling on about how it was for the good of all and that he truly believed the ends justified the means, he instead grips Guilliman's hand and picks a last word that he hoped would solidify him as a good man, in the history books of the future but most of all, in his own fractured and dying mind and in Guilliman's. "-Son."

And with that, he finally slipped into death's cold but loving embrace.