The current age was a shadow of the legendary era Kayvaan remembered. In those aimes, the Adeptus Astartes were the undisputed masters of war, dominating every battlefield, whether in offense or defense. In that grim and glorious epoch, whether against the traitorous Horus Heresy or loyalist insurres, the Space Marines were the Emperor’s unyielding champions. T in stature, their fearless charges shattered enemy lines and inspired awe in allies and foes alike. Those who bore wito those hallowed campaigns knew oruth—Space Marines were the very heart and soul of war.

  But now, the Imperium’s military structure had evolved. It prised three vast brahe mightiest of which was the Astra Militarum, anded by the Departmento Munitorum uhe High Lords of Terra. Uhe transhuman Astartes, these were ordinary humans—on soldiers without the gene-fed enhas or sacred power armor of the Adeptus Astartes. Their strength y in their sheer numbers, waging war across tless worlds with unending waves of infantry, armored divisions, and pary bombardments. Through relentless attrition and overwhelming force, they ground down the enemy. In terms of raw military poresehe Astra Militarum now stood as the Imperium’s dominant military force.

  Annifit military force within the empire was the Adepta Sororitas, the militant arm of the Ecclesiarchy—a group of zealously devout women armed to the teeth with advanced onry and fanatical vi. Aside from the faithful masses who revered them, nearly everyone else in the empire kept a wary distance from this ferocious sisterhood. Meanwhile, the once renowned Space Marine Corps had long since lost its former splendor, and the retionships among the empire’s three main military branches grew increasingly tangled. Budget disputes and struggles over trol of resource-rich gaxies ofteo small-scale flicts. Though covert skirmishes fred stantly, the three groups maintained a brittle veneer of harmony in public. Still, when pared to the other two main forces, the Space Marine Corps could not cim any particur advantage in overall might.

  For the Space Marine, raas everything—the easure of their worth. That’s why creating any new regiment held immerategic value, signifying a tangible boost to their collective power. However, the process of f a new regiment was no simple matter. It required passing stri reviews from multiple departments, and the Space Marine Corps couldn’t just set it up at will. Yet Kayvaan, holding direct mandate from the Emperor himself, would face fewer hurdles. With that bag, he could potentially establish a neter and pce it under his own trol.

  In the beginnis pyed out exactly as Jacob had pnned. He carefully set the stage, using the enviro and a few friendly words to lower Kayvaan's guard. Once Kayvaan rexed, Jacob revealed the harsh truth of the situation. Acc to Jacob’s calcutions, Kayvaan would then panic or bee disced. That moment of vulnerability would give Jacob the leverage to pressure Kayvaan into giving up actual and of this newly f “Chapter Corps.” The precious imperial ission wouldn’t go to waste; it would simply be transferred from Kayvaan's hands to those Jacob preferred. While Kayvaan would remain the figurehead leader of this new regiment, the real authority would be surrendered willingly—or so Jacob thought.

  Yet Kayvaaed in an ued way. He didn’t seem to care about the risk to his life at all. In Jacob’s view, this ure madness rather than ce worthy of any admiration. “Will you not pursue responsibility afterwards?” Kayvaan asked calmly. “In other words, even if I were to kill those soldiers, would I fao sequences?”

  Jacob rolled his eyes. He found it hard to imagihat this slender, unassuming young man could even scratch a single Space Marine warrior. Still, he maintained a polite tone. “In theory, that’s correct. But historically, no new ander has ever actually killed those who issued the challenge. After all, it’s more of a ceremonial test. The purpose is just to make the soldiers reize their own limits, giving them a benchmark to strive toward, not to spill blood.”

  “I see,” Kayvaan replied, unfazed. “I’ll be mindful of what I do. Shall we begin now?”

  “Now?” Jacob repeated, caught off guard.

  “Yes, the soohe better,” Kayvaan insisted. “I’m about to and a brand-neter Corps. There’s a lot I o take care of, and I ’t afford to waste time on long-winded formalities.”

  Jacob was stunned. He had id out all the facts and tried to dissuade this young man from risking his life, but Kayvaan still insisted on pleting the procedure as quickly as possible. Jacob had no grounds or authority to refuse. Trying to maintain his posure, Jacob cpped his hands, summoning the servants. “Very well,” he said. “You heard him. Prepare the arena. Master Kayvaan here will face three Space Marine warriors immediately.”

  One of the servants leaned in to whisper a few words to Jacob, causing him to frown momentarily. He soon rexed, though, and raised his voice, “It’s fine. Hurry up and make the arras. I’ll take Mr. Kayvaan to the arena right now. Don’t keep us waiting.”

  The servant bowed a. Jacob then turned back to Kayvaan. “Before we proceed, you’ll o sign a dot aowledging the risks. If something happens out there, no one bears any responsibility.”

  Jacob also reminded Kayvaan to ge into more suitable bat attire. But Kayvaan waved this off. “That won’t be necessary.” Without an his own clothing, he strode straight into the arena.

  The so-called arena was actually a massive, cleared-out church, so enormous it seemed designed fiants. Even with thousands of spectators, the pce wouldn’t feel cramped. High above them, a golden cross gleamed, symbolizing the faith in the God-Emperor that held this empire together.

  Ihree muscur soldiers stood waiting. Hands csped behind their backs, legs firmly phey exuded an intimidating presehey wore identical uniforms: long bck military boots, blue trousers, and snug white vests stretched over their bulging physiques. Just by looking at them, you could sehe raw power radiating from their bodies.

  This was Kayvaan's first time stepping into a real, life-or-death battle. He had imagihat in this kind of situation he would be shaking untrolbly with fear, terrified down to his core. Now, he was irembling, but not for the reason he first thought. His hands wouldn’t stop shaking, yet Kayvaan knew perfectly well that it wasn’t fear c through them—it was excitement.

  He could feel his owh turning hot, and his heart began to pound faster and louder. Kayvaahe blood in his veiing up, as if it were starting to boil. Even though his body wasn’t as strong as it was housand years ago, he could still feel that a longing for battle stirring inside him. His soul, too, yearned for a fight. Despite all of Jacob’s mistakes, he had gotten one point right: in this strange new world, fighting was the only thing Kayvaan truly reized. No matter what else happened, struggle and violence were what defined him now, what he uood and excelled at above all else.

  Whewo halves of Kayvaan's soul—one from the distant past and one from the prese within him, their fate seemed sealed. No matter which side prevailed, in the end, Kayvaan would be someone who fought and killed. It was the only familiar path left to him, the only real skill he could rely on.

  “Uhe gaze of the God-Emperor, we begin this fair test,” Jacob’s voice sounded out, crag slightly as it emerged from a meical deviearby. “No ons are allowed, for this fight is one of strength, skill, and faith. Let both sides prove their worth with honor and valor, as the Emperor observes all.” After a brief, solemn silence, he added, “So be it. The trial begins now. May the Emperor’s light guide you!”