How swiftly we have emerged from the shadows of the Unknown Regions—our fleets sharpened, our legions reborn. In the mind of our cause brews not chaos, but order. As we reach the edge of the Outer Rim, a vision comes—not in sorrow, but in promise.
The spirit of the Empire stands before me—not broken, but waiting. Her robes of state tattered not by defeat, but by disuse. Her eyes burn with the fire of a million suns. And she asks:
'To where do you lead my banners, Warmaster? Where do you march with my legions? If it is still for law, still for unity, then this far—and no farther—was once the limit.'
For a moment, I hesitated—not out of fear, but out of reverence. For we were once bound by treaties, shackled by the ashes of peace. But I looked to the stars and spoke:
'O Emperor, whose will still echoes from the Throne—
O spirits of the Legions lost and the order that was—
O flame of unity, eternal in the heart of loyal sons and daughters—
Witness me now. Not with rebellion do I come, but with purpose.
Not in betrayal, but in fulfillment. I am no usurper—I am the sword of the Empire reborn.'
O spirits of the Legions lost and the order that was—
O flame of unity, eternal in the heart of loyal sons and daughters—
Witness me now. Not with rebellion do I come, but with purpose.
Not in betrayal, but in fulfillment. I am no usurper—I am the sword of the Empire reborn.'
Then we cast aside hesitation. The stars themselves bowed as our destroyers surged forward, banners unfurled. The old borders lie behind us.
And I declared:
'Here we abandon stillness and shattered pacts.
Destiny, it is you we serve.
Farewell to decay.
From now on—order shall be our judge.'
Hail the Empire. We who shall rise again salute you.
Zakuul | Orbit | Imperator RexDestiny, it is you we serve.
Farewell to decay.
From now on—order shall be our judge.'
Hail the Empire. We who shall rise again salute you.
As the vision faded, the spectral banners of the old Empire dissolving into starlight, Imperius sat motionless, his breath shallow. The silence of the meditation chamber pressed in like the void beyond the transparisteel canopy above him. Then - his eyes opened. Slowly. Deliberately. Like sealed vault doors long undisturbed by time or mercy.
Lidless, soulless, barely reflecting in the low light - eyes that had seen empires fall and empires begin. The air around him seemed to tremble with subtle tension, as though the Force itself recoiled and obeyed in equal measure. He inhaled once, deep, steady, sovereign. The breath of one who had stood on the threshold of destiny... and stepped forward. The shadows receded. The vision was gone. But its echo lived now in him, etched into every nerve, every thought, every purpose. The war drums of fate had sounded. And Imperius had heard them.
