The *Talons of Terra* drifted in close formation with the *Merciless Death*.
Void shields shimmered around the ancient Battle Barge as Thunderhawks and Storm Ravens launched one after another into the darkness.
Boarding torpedoes accelerated toward the derelict cruiser like silver spears.
For the first time since the Hidden Talons had entered the Amerikon Sector…
The entire Chapter was preparing to fight as one.
— Chapter Master Corven stood inside Launch Bay Primus.
Rows of Vantablack-armoured Space Marines waited in perfect silence.
The silver-black raven’s claw upon each left pauldron caught the crimson glow of the warning lumens.
The Second, Third and Fourth Companies stood ready.
Nearly two hundred Astartes.
Veteran Sergeant Darius stepped forward.
“Boarding parties report ready.” Corven nodded.
“Remember your oaths.” “No matter what you encounter aboard the *Merciless Death*…” He looked each veteran in the eye.
“…you trust your brothers.” The assembled warriors struck a mailed fist against their breastplates.
“As one.” — Deep beneath the cruiser…
Captain Alaric’s force raced after the Guardian.
The corridors became stranger with every kilometre.
Imperial architecture had vanished entirely.
The walls were formed from smooth black stone veined with silver light.
There were no doors.
No pipes.
No ventilation systems.
No sign that mortal hands had ever built this place.
Brother Cassian ran beside Captain Alaric.
“I can feel something.” “The Warp?” “No.” “My own memories.” Alaric frowned.
“What memories?” “They aren’t mine.” — Ahead, the Guardian stopped before an immense circular chamber.
Unlike the prison above, this room was open.
Thousands of silver pillars surrounded a central abyss that descended beyond the reach of helmet optics.
The Guardian stood perfectly still.
Its halo rotated slowly.
Then it spoke.
> **”Do not descend.”** Captain Alaric looked over the edge.
The darkness below appeared endless.
“What lies beneath?” The Guardian remained silent.
Finally it answered.
> **”The place where the Witness first opened its eyes.”** Brother Leon quietly muttered a prayer to the Emperor.
— Before anyone could speak again…
A bolter fired.
The round struck Brother Remus squarely in the chest.
The impact threw him backwards across the polished floor.
Every weapon snapped toward the shooter.
It was an Alpha Legionnaire.
Before Captain Alaric could react— Praetor Nemeon’s bolt pistol barked once.
The Alpha Legionnaire’s helmet exploded.
His body collapsed instantly.
Nemeon never lowered his weapon.
“He wasn’t one of mine.” Silence.
Brother Gideon advanced toward the fallen body.
He knelt.
Removed the shattered helmet.
Underneath…
There was no face.
Only smooth black stone.
Silver light pulsed beneath its surface.
The body dissolved into ash.
Brother Leon stared.
“It replaced him.” Nemeon nodded grimly.
“Days ago…” “Or perhaps…” He looked around uneasily.
“…ten thousand years ago.” — Captain Alaric’s command vox crackled.
Static filled every channel.
Then a calm, familiar voice broke through.
“Captain Alaric.” Every Hidden Talon recognized it immediately.
Chapter Master Corven.
Alaric activated his vox.
“My Chapter Master.” The reply came instantly.
“Hold your position.” “We’ve reached the cathedral.” “We’ll join you shortly.” The transmission ended.
Brother Cassian slowly lowered his head.
“My Captain…” “Corven never uses your title.” Alaric froze.
It was true.
Their Chapter Master always addressed him simply as **Alaric**.
Never “Captain Alaric.” The voice had been perfect.
The mannerism had not.
Brother Cassian whispered, “It learns…” “…but not completely.” — Aboard the *Talons of Terra*…
The real Chapter Master Corven stepped onto Thunderhawk One.
Captain Lucien Voss followed close behind.
“My lord.” “The boarding force is assembled.” Corven looked through the cockpit canopy toward the silent hulk of the *Merciless Death*.
“Maintain fleet formation.” “If we lose this ship…” Voss finished the sentence.
“…the Chapter dies.” Corven nodded.
“The Chapter is not a ship.” “It is our brothers.” With that, the Thunderhawk launched into the void.
— Back within the lower vault…
The Guardian suddenly turned toward Captain Alaric.
Its voice carried unmistakable urgency.
> **”It is above you.”** Every warrior looked upward.
Nothing.
Only darkness.
Then…
A single droplet of black liquid struck the floor.
Another.
Another.
Brother Gideon slowly raised his storm shield.
Something enormous clung to the ceiling nearly thirty metres above them.
Its body flowed like living shadow across the stone.
It possessed no fixed shape.
Every second it became something different.
For an instant it resembled an Astartes.
Then an Eldar.
Then an Ork.
Then forms no human mind could recognize.
Dozens of golden eyes opened across its shifting body.
All focused upon the gathered warriors.
Brother Cassian felt an overwhelming pressure against his mind.
Not an attack.
Curiosity.
The thing was studying them.
Learning.
Remembering.
Then, in Captain Alaric’s own voice, it spoke.
> **”Interesting…”** Its shape rippled.
Its armour changed.
Vantablack ceramite formed across its body.
A silver-black raven’s claw appeared upon its shoulder.
A power sword materialized in one hand.
The creature smiled with Alaric’s own face.
> **”Again.”** It dropped from the ceiling.
The marble floor shattered beneath its landing.
The Guardian moved first.
Its four arms spread wide as bands of silver light erupted around the creature.
Captain Alaric raised his sword.
“Hidden Talons!” The First Company answered as one.
“For Corax!” Storm bolters roared.
Power swords ignited.
Thunder hammers crashed against storm shields.
The battle for the lower vault had begun.
Yet deep within every warrior’s heart lingered a terrible realization.
Every second they fought…
The Witness was learning how to become them.
And somewhere far above…
Its perfect copies were already climbing toward the *Talons of Terra*.