Combining Emrys' and Zabriel's descriptions, the Lion finally understood the series of major events that had occurred within the Imperium since his ten-thousand-year slumber—events that nearly made him lose his composure.
Initially, the aging Lion showed immense relief that he was not alone and had a brother, Roboute Guilliman, even asking a few more questions about his condition.
But when he heard that Guilliman's Astartes Codex had split the Astartes into Chapters, he immediately crushed the wooden bowl in his hand.
"Hmph, that bastard should have been the one to die back then!" the Lion cursed angrily, his mood changing with astonishing speed.
One moment, he was lamenting brotherly affection; the next, he wished he could cut down Guilliman.
Emrys remained silent, afraid of being implicated.
After a while, the Lion, with no outlet for his rage, lowered his head dejectedly.
"He… he did well. If I were in that position, I would have made the same decision as him."
At the time, with the Horus Heresy newly quelled and the Imperium facing internal and external strife, a million Space Marines were indeed a very serious problem.
If not handled properly, who knew if another 'Horus ran' would repeat itself?
Therefore, the splitting of Legions into Chapters was an inevitable process that no one could stop.
"Any more bad news?" the Lion sighed, continuing to ask.
He had slept for too long and needed to quickly grasp the current situation of the Imperium to determine what he should do.
Next, Emrys described in detail and vividly the various actions taken by Guilliman since his awakening, including the Ultramar campaign where the Primarchs awoke, the Terra Crusade for the Primarchs' coming home, the Battle of Lion's Gate, and the current Indomitus Crusade.
Of course, this also included the Thirteenth black Crusade, which led to the Imperium's division, and the birth of the Great Rift of the Eye of Terror.
The Lion made a stopping gesture; he felt a headache coming on.
"You mean, the Imperium... has split again?"
This plot gave him a familiar feeling.
It's all coming home, it's all coming home!
His Second Imperium... Forget it, that thing should be buried in the dust of history as soon as possible and never resurface.
"Yes" Emrys could roughly guess what the Lion was thinking.
"On a side note, if nothing unexpected happens, the current War Sir and Regent authority of the Imperium Sanctus should have fallen to Commander Dante Louis, Chapter Master of the Blood Angels and Lord of Baal."
At this point, he stole a glance at the Lion, wanting to see if this Primarch was as allergic to the word "War Sir" as rumored.
But unfortunately, the Lion's expression was calm; ten thousand years of slumber had long since allowed him to let go of his obsessions.
"Besides these, is there any good news?"
"Hmm... As of now, probably not."
The brief conversation caused immense psychological trauma to the Lion, leaving him speechless for a long time.
Even from afar, he could already roughly feel the pain of his brother.
After hearing the Imperium's current state, he now wished he could immediately find a coffin, lie down in it, and sleep for another ten thousand years.
But alas, he knew his 'father's' temperament well; if he dared to go back to sleep, he was guaranteed that within half a minute, he, along with his coffin, would be thrown into the Warp and drift to some unknown battlefield.
Want to strike? Impossible!
Pinching his troubled brow, the Lion sighed, already feeling a bit like dying.
Honestly, he had only been awake for less than half a day and had already learned of this heap of troubling matters, which was enough to exhaust his heart.
The Emperor was on the Golden Throne, his brothers were either missing or dead, and the situation created for humanity during the Great Crusade era had turned into this half-dead state. Even the abominable Ecclesiarchy had appeared; what more could he say?
Silence, a breakdown, revealing a fragile, pained expression on the Lion, who had endured the vicissitudes of time and suffered greatly.
He could not imagine how the Imperium had ended up on this path over the past ten thousand years.
So much so that in the current era, the gene-Primarchs... had become figures of myth and legend, each of them transforming into the 'divine sons' that the Emperor once most hated, and his father had changed from 'Emperor' to 'God-Emperor'.
All their efforts, sacrifices, and struggles had turned into an illusion.
One can only say... it was fortunate that Guilliman had revived before him.
Otherwise, if it had been the Lion, he couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't have strung up the Ecclesiarchy's people and burned them on a pyre!
"I must go back."
Finally, after a long silence, the Lion looked up at the starry sky and spoke these words.
His gaze was fixed on that scar, like a great rift, stretching across the night sky and among the stars, as if carved by a giant axe, with surging, treacherous colors and the chaos and malice flowing from the depths of the Empyrean!
At this moment, he seemed to understand the reason for his awakening.
The Imperium needed him, needed the Lion, needed Lion El'Jonson; his brother needed him!
He had to cross this scar, go to Holy Terra, find his brother, and also find his father on the Golden Throne.
"We have no warships, Lion."
Zabriel reminded him softly.
"I know," the Lion nodded indifferently, his gaze still fixed on the galactic rift.
A moment later, he lowered his head, took a deep breath, and calmed his complex emotions.
"Zabriel, you've been on this world the longest. Describe the situation here; we must find a route home as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lion."
Zabriel paused, then continued.
"This is Camas, located in the Imperium Sanctus, roughly near the star sector. Several months ago, it was attacked by a Chaos Warband called 'The Myriad Eye,' led by Commander Salarax, a fallen psyker Librarian."
"The planetary governor is leading the defense forces, striving to resist their invasion."
"With the addition of the Astra Militarum, the battle situation is currently stable. The Myriad Eye cannot advance further to conquer this world, but the planetary governor also cannot expel them. Both sides are currently stalemated on the northern side of this world."
"We start from here."
The Lion's eyes became extremely resolute, as if he had rediscovered courage and hope.
"Just like on Caliban, we will once again raise our battle standards and tell our allies in the Imperium Sanctus, and those Chaos scum... I am coming home!"
The Lion's name will become the hope that inspires the allies fighting against Chaos in the Imperium Sanctus!
The gene-Primarch, Lord of the First Legion, the Emperor's eldest son, Lion El'Jonson, returns with ten thousand years of pent-up fire. His sword will make those Chaos daemons tremble with dread and fear!
This name, along with the Lion's banner, will become an unshakeable nightmare for the enemy!
Looking at the Lion, whose rage seemed almost tangible in his eyes, Emrys silently mourned for the Chaos Warband named 'The Myriad Eye' in his heart.
Who told these people to run into the Lion, who was full of wicked fire and had nowhere to vent it?
One could only say they were unlucky.
Though the Lion is old, his fangs are still sharp and deadly!
Crimson Moon Fortress.
A heavily fortified bastion located on the border of the forest.
Karmas was once an outpost for the Crimson Host, and the Host was stationed there, but with the invasion of the Chaos warband 'Myriad Eyes', the situation on this world rapidly deteriorated, the Imperial forces fell into a disadvantage, and the fortress became a nest for heretics.
After careful reconnaissance, Emrys and Zaporiel reported the fortress' defenses, including its defensive strength, to the aged Lion.
"I think we need a plan."
Emrys sincerely offered his suggestion.
After all, this was considered a Host outpost, and to consider the worst, it definitely contained large weapons and equipment.
It wasn't that he didn't trust the Lion, but rather that he felt it was unnecessary to take risks.
But unfortunately.
His suggestion was rejected by the Lion.
"No plans or tactics are needed."
The Lion slowly rose, cast his gaze towards the fortress, and walked straight towards it, but did not forget to tell Emrys.
"On the battlefield, calmly analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of the enemy and ourselves is indeed something a Commander must do, but there is a prerequisite, it must be based on the situation where both sides are equally matched in strength."
Simply put, no tactics were needed, just charge straight in!
Emrys' mouth twitched; he couldn't help but feel that just barging in like this was a bit too dismissive of the opponents.
The defensive systems on their fortress were not just for show; if a cannonball were to hit him in the face, it was hard to say if the Lion would be alright, but his mortal body would most likely turn to dust.
Zaporiel drew his old bolter and, without a word, followed the Lion's footsteps.
Emrys, trailing behind, could only helplessly follow, praying in his heart that no accidents would occur.
Soon, led by the Lion, they walked openly across the scorched earth and shell craters in front of the fortress.
"Gulp!"
Emrys swallowed, wondering if they would be hit by artillery fire halfway through?
But thankfully, the Emperor protects.
The Chaos scum inside the fortress had most of their defensive systems destroyed during previous attacks,
This allowed them to take advantage of the weakness and enter the fortress unharmed.
Everything went so smoothly, it was like a fairy tale.
No way, is it really that simple?
Just as Emrys was bewildered, several Chaos cultists suddenly emerged from a corner of the fortress hall. They were corrupted PDF soldiers, and some mortals, who, upon seeing the intruders, revealed dumbfounded expressions.
The largest portion of their shock was directed at the Lion.
A four-meter-tall Space Marine?
What did this guy take to grow so monstrously strong?!
But very quickly, the Lion's eyes sharpened, and he took a step forward, a burst of violent gale sweeping forth as always.
Before the cultists could even let out a warning scream, he punched them one by one, blasting them into sprays of blood mist!
Viscous blood mixed with internal organs splattered across the entire hall, creating a scene reminiscent of a surrealist oil painting.
Very good, violent enough, formidable enough!
Emrys silently gave the Lion a thumbs up in the darkness.
Then, they continued deeper, until they reached a door. The foul stench wafting through the crack in the door made all three of them frown deeply.
The Lion took the lead and pushed open the great door.
From the darkness deep beyond the door, a mocking laugh echoed.
"You finally came, broken knight."
"You were waiting for me here?"
The Lion raised an eyebrow, questioning.
However, the voice did not answer the Lion's question, but instead asked another.
"You… which Sir do you serve?"
Although the room was dark, it did not affect the trio's vision.
Inside the door, there were seven Chaos Space Marines. They had been completely corrupted by Chaos, their armor unidentifiable, covered in twisted spikes and blades, and the walls were inscribed with blasphemous sorcery, filled with the scent of Chaos!
The one who had just asked the question was, surprisingly, a Chaos Psychic Space Marine, seated on a throne of bones, radiating evil psychic energy.
"You are Sarax?"
The gaze beneath the Lion's helmet held a chilling coldness.
"You know me?"
Sarax was slightly taken aback.
Excellent, the target has been found.
The already enraged Lion couldn't be bothered with these Chaos scum any longer; he launched a surprise attack first.
A footprint was pressed into the hard ground.
Immediately after, the Lion's figure suddenly lunged towards the target.
"Stop him!"
Sarax was startled.
However, facing the Lion charging at full speed, the Chaos Marines blocking his path were like mantises trying to stop a chariot. Accompanied by several dull thuds, they were sent flying backward at an extremely fast speed, as if hit head-on by a Leman Russ moving at full throttle, and slammed heavily against the wall.
At the same time, Zaporiel vanished into the shadow.
The bolter spat out scorching fire, sending bolt after bolt into the chests of these Chaos scum!
The fierce battle began in an instant!
Emrys only then reacted, without even time to complain, he was attacked by two Chaos Marines at the door, with explosive bolts hurtling towards him!
Fortunately, he wasn't a pushover either.
Chaos sorcery was rampant here, and psychic powers were greatly suppressed, but Emrys didn't only have this one method. He rolled low, dodging the shots from the Chaos Marines at the door, and seized the opportunity to use Kamar-Taj magic.
Clang, clang, clang!!!
Brilliant light exploded!
Their bullets were blocked by Emrys' magic shield, splashing dazzling sparks that were so clear in the dark room!
The two Chaos Marines were confused, what was this?!
It was neither psychic power nor equipment.
Emrys seized the gap, smoothly transforming the magic shield into a blade and throwing it, directly piercing through their heads!
By this time, the Lion had already dealt with four of the Chaos scum blocking his path, crushing them like a heavy tank!
Sarax chanted blasphemous sorcery, looking at the rapidly approaching Lion, his face filled with terror.
However, how could the Lion give him a chance to finish his Chaos sorcery?
The aged Lion, with his bare hands, shattered a corridor pillar, then his five fingers dug into the rock, lifting this several-ton rock pillar and sweeping it out like a club!
Boom!!!
Poor Sarax could never have imagined that this four-meter-tall Space Marine could wield something weighing several tons as a weapon!
With a loud crash, Sarax's mouth was struck by the rock pillar, and along with a few teeth flying out, his entire body was sent flying.
The Warp psychic energy that had originally gathered also dispersed again, violently interrupted by the Lion.
"You, who exactly are you?!" Sarax struggled to his feet in terror, loudly questioning the Lion.
But the Lion strode forward, with no intention of answering him. In his terror, Sarax loudly chanted evil, blasphemous words, cursing the mighty Lion.
Cursing the Lion?
Emrys couldn't help but want to laugh. Among the many Primarchs, the Lion and the Wolf King were famously resistant to the Warp!
If you wanted to curse the Lion, it would be more appropriate to use Lorgar!
The result was as expected; the Lion, as if unaffected, endured Sarax's curse and slapped him across the face!
Slap!!!
The helmet shattered in response!
Even the hardest power armor couldn't stop the enraged Lion. With his bare hands, he gripped the edges with five fingers, forcibly tearing off pieces of Sarax's twisted armor, which had already fused with his flesh and blood!
Each tear was accompanied by his screams.
Finally, the Lion 'mercifully' granted him a quicker death, punching Sarax's head, along with his neck, into his chest cavity!
Emrys thought the battle was over, but just then, he suddenly felt evil Warp psychic energy gathering throughout the entire room, and his pupils sharply contracted.
"No, Lion, be careful, the enemy has reinforcements!"
However, his warning was half a step too late.
A rocket, trailing a fiery exhaust, flew out from a suddenly distorted Warp rift and slammed into the Lion's chest plate!
Boom!!!
The Lion was immediately blasted away.