The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Just as the crowd (of Eldar) was stunned by the dazzling psychic light erupting from the golden power claw, the Raven Lord suddenly flung his arm, the golden spear uncontrollably thrown out and directly disappearing into the nothingness of the warp.

Then, with lightning speed, he transformed into a black comet and rushed towards Leman Russ, pressing down on the other's arm as he drew his sword.

Immediately afterward, the Blackstone Fortress shuddered violently, and a roar from the warp pierced the invisible veil, shaking the material universe and causing all Eldar to pale in horror. At the same time, the veil of the webway gate began to ripple strangely, with an eerie purple hue spreading within.

Taking advantage of Corax's stunned reaction to this sudden surge of malevolent power, Leman Russ leaned in close to his brother's ear and whispered a few words.

The Raven Lord's expression shifted drastically several times. He glanced at Veronica, then turned back, his lips moving as if he were saying something to Leman Russ.

Then, Corax flashed in front of the webway gate, which was now surging with energy. Upon closer inspection, the ripples revealed countless twisted, screaming daemonic faces. The Raven Lord raised his golden power claw high and slammed it into the webway entrance.

Immense power and blinding light formed a terrifying psychic shockwave between the two worlds.

Seizing the opportunity, the Wolf King roared and raised his arm, howling towards the sky.

Corax also raised a hand, and black lightning spread from his claw tips, engulfing the entire hall.

All the Eldar felt a flash of light before their eyes. When their vision returned, both Primarchs were gone, along with all the Space Wolves and Terminators, including the corpses. Aside from a few scattered limbs, there was nothing to prove they had ever been there.

The terrifying power had also vanished, and the webway gate returned to tranquility.

Leaving with the Primarchs was also Drazhar, who scurried back into the webway gate without a word.

"Your Majesty, the warship outside"...

Veronica looked in the direction where the two Primarchs had been, where a large crater remained as evidence of the presence of two godlike beings. Hearing the cautious voice of Chief Attendant Loreena, she shook her head.

"Let it go."

"Should we inform His Highness immediately about this matter?"

"Not yet."

Veronica surveyed her surroundings, seeing many people treating the wounded, while others mourned the dead, preparing to retrieve their spirit stones.

And many more Eldar were filled with anger and hatred, their psychic flames burning fiercely, like a boiling furnace.

Veronica summoned the Heart of Avalon, letting the power reflected from this ancient artifact enter her eyes. A pale green life essence began to dart through the air, gathering hopefully, circling above the Eternal Queen's head, bathing her in its dreamlike radiance.

Then, Veronica closed her eyes, allowing the dazzling light to merge with her body, filling her with a brilliance like the sun descending upon them.

As she flung open her arms, the light swept across the battlefield, riding the wind, gently caressing all life it touched, until the radiance faded.

Those wounded by the battle immediately felt their pain disappear, their wounds healing, and lost limbs regenerating. Even some of the dead, who had not suffered mortal wounds, were revived, while the souls of those truly deceased were filled with peace and beauty.

For those who mourned, their inner rage immediately subsided, replaced by a wave of warmth, and flowers of light bloomed one after another, becoming even more beautiful.

"Life will ultimately conquer all. Death is but a part of the cycle, as Mother Isha taught us. Death is merely the prologue and epilogue of each life—when one life ends, another will be born in its place. This is the ultimate truth of all things, that life will continue to thrive, and when the time is right, it will flourish above all else."

All the Eldar looked up at the gentle, emerald eyes, eyes that knew nothing of hatred, bitterness, or malice.

Then, they all knelt down reverently.

Suddenly, the Heart of Avalon in front of Veronica flickered slightly and fell to the ground. She frowned, gently pressing her abdomen and swaying as if she were about to fall.

Jain Zar immediately darted forward and caught her.

"What's wrong? Are you injured?"

Veronica shook her head slightly, a look of confusion on her face.

"No, it's just strange, as if something is disrupting my power."

Veronica's Chief Attendant, Loreena, also approached. She examined Veronica's slightly sweaty face, then lifted Veronica's left hand to look at her wrist. Her expression gradually became serious, and she turned to look behind her ear for a moment before whispering:

"Your Majesty, may I be so bold as to examine you?"

"Examine? Is something wrong with me?"

Loreena said nothing, placing her hand on her lower abdomen, her fingertips glowing faintly.

After a moment, she withdrew her hand, pursed her lips, and looked around, making sure no one else was nearby, before whispering:

"Your Majesty, you are pregnant. Your discomfort just now should be a sign that the embryo is about to form."

Veronica opened her mouth slightly in surprise, and Jain Zar also made a low gasp of astonishment. At this moment, Drahzar, who had been knocked away earlier, was about to approach, but Loreena immediately turned and scolded:

"Stay back! No one is to approach!"

Drahzar was bewildered but obediently turned and left. In terms of rank, his wife was higher than him.

Veronica was still immersed in the shock of pregnancy, and Jain Zar looked at Loreena.

"Are you sure?"

"Lord Jain Zar, don't you remember? Once an Eldar has given birth, they can recognize the pregnancy of other Eldar. I have given birth to two daughters. How could I be mistaken about such a thing?"

Jain Zar looked at Veronica, sensing her confusion and doubt even through her helmet.

"Veronica, you wouldn't"...

Veronica immediately frowned.

"How could I ever be unfaithful to my husband?"

"I'm sorry, it's just that this is too..."

Veronica tilted her head and pondered for a moment, then blinked and asked Loreena:

"Have there been any Eldar-human hybrids in the past?"

"Your Majesty, that... there are rumors, but even those are extremely rare. And His Highness... he is not exactly human. He is an Astartes, and Astartes cannot reproduce even with humans, let alone with our race..."

Loreena's words reminded Veronica of the mysterious sacred site of the Old Ones where she and Sojyan had their "wedding."

Could it be related to that place?

So she tentatively asked:

"Didn't Drahzar say that Sojyan is now neither human nor Astartes? Is it possible in his current state?"

"Your Majesty, this... this is beyond my knowledge. I cannot answer. However, since Your Majesty is certain that this is your child with His Highness, you should return to the court immediately to have the Seers determine its future fate and try to discover the secrets within. After all, it may be a new life beyond our current understanding, perhaps even a new race."

As the initial surprise gradually dissipated, Veronica accepted the fact that she was indeed pregnant, and joy filled her heart. She wanted to fly to Sojyan immediately and share the news with him.

After all, after marrying him, she had thought that she probably wouldn't have children, as the vast racial and physiological gap was almost insurmountable.

"This matter... not yet. I need to... um, discuss it with Sojyan."

Loreena said nothing, guessing Veronica's mood at the moment, and said softly:

"Then I will congratulate Your Majesty."

"Don't tell anyone else about this yet."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

At this moment, Veronica gently nudged Jain Zar, who seemed to be lost in thought. Feeling the nudge, she turned her head.

"Godmother, please don't tell anyone else either."

Jain Zar nodded, but after hesitating for a moment, she whispered:

"Veronica, do you know about Sojyan's"...

But Veronica immediately interrupted her.

"Whatever he is, he is my husband and the father of my child."

Hearing this, Jain Zar did not continue the topic.

"I understand. I will protect you, don't worry."

Then, Veronica summoned Drahzar.

"Lord Drahzar, contact His Highness immediately and tell him that we have secured the Blackstone Fortress and Huron has no way out."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Watching everyone disperse to clean up the battlefield, Veronica moved her hand to her lower abdomen, frowning slightly. After calming down, she suddenly realized that something was wrong.

Looking back now, Leman Russ seemed very unusual.

If he was truly determined to kill her, he would have had more than one or two opportunities. It might have even been more appropriate before she entered the Blackstone Fortress...

And why did he specifically appear in that military uniform?

Also, what was the meaning of his unspoken "sorry"?

But if he didn't want to kill her, then what was his purpose in coming here? He did aim his spear at her several times, showing obvious aggression.

Or, from the beginning, Leman Russ's arrival was inexplicable, and his departure was inexplicable. And the final roar from the warp, that power even shook Veronica's mind, was very likely from their race's eternal enemy—

And that prophecy about the wolf, was it a true prophecy, or was someone trying to tell her something?

This matter may not be as simple as it seems.