Chapter Text
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war... But one can hope to change it.
At the end of 41st millennium, soon before Abaddon was to launch his Thirteenth Black Crusade, a small group, calling themselves Schismatics, decided to break off and launch their own assault on the Imperium. With feat of dark sorcery unheard of previously, they managed to create what became known as The Second Eye of Terror.
While at the beginning, the Imperium was unimpressed, they were soon proved to be dead wrong - not only has the attack completely bypassed most of the established defenses and major Fortress Worlds, not only were the Schismatics able to strike at various keypoints that swiftly crippled local forces and threatened Imperium's capabilities to respond, but most importantly, it showed terrifying truth regarding the new force. United under a charismatic and strong leader, they were no ordinary mob of raving lunatics - they were raving lunatics under proper management. Directed to tasks that were most suited for their strengths, Chaos warriors proved to be much more terrifying force than what Imperials got used to. The only sliver of the silver lining was the fact that, due to the schism, Abaddon was not able to launch his Black Crusade. But Imperium was in no way out of the woods yet, as it turned out...
Like sharks sensing blood in the water, other enemies attacked at once. Tyranid Hive-Fleet Leviathan, which, for quite some time was attacking and absorbing remnants of other hive-fleets, has finally launched an all-out assault, swiftly overwhelming numerous worlds. Ork warboss Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter launched Waaagh that almost rivaled that of the Beast. Not long afterwards, second, even stronger Waaagh under command of Ghazghkull Mag Uruk Thraka ravaged Armageddon and launched onto rest of the sector... and then, even deeper. Dark Eldar, never ones to pass upon opportunity, started grabbing slaves like there is no tomorrow. And Necron dynasties, finding pressure on themselves lessened, started consolidating their forces. Things looked damn bad to humanity.
It was said, that in the Humanity's darkest hour, their greatest heroes would return. Lo and behold, it turned out to be true. First, Lion El'Johnson woke up from his slumber, deep within the Rock. Soon after, Khan emerged from abyss of the Webway. Then, Russ turned up, without cure for the Emperor, and desiring vengeance for his failure. Vulcan made his return official. Dorn came back as well. Humanity mightiest champions stood up to challenge, fighting tooth and nail against invaders - and retreating bit by bit. Even their talents and might were not enough to deal with red tape, paralyzing their efforts, to overcome lack of manpower, to produce necessary supplies out of the thin air. They had to accept hard, cold truth - Humanity was not able to win this. Not on its own.
High Lords of Terra, worried with lack of success, summoned Primarchs, along leaders of other fractions to the Holy Terra for Grand War Council. Once they gathered, truth of the devastating losses turned out to be impossible to deny. Of the military highest echelons, over two thirds have been lost. Twenty-eight Astartes chapters were wiped out. Guard and Navy lost nearly third of their numbers. Ecclesiarchy, Inquisition and Cult Mechanicus did not fare any better.
Primarchs were furious. Situation on the frontlines was desperate, and they had to waste their time and grovel before pompous bureaucrats and fools. When they demanded for more resources to be diverted towards war effort, the answer they were given was that new cathedrals were more important, since only faith could deliver Humanity.
By all means, that should be a breaking point. Primarchs still remembered their Father's dream. But before words, that cannot be taken were said, before actions that cannot be unmade were taken, before blood was spilled, a young Inquisitor asked to address gathered. He was to become known as Lord Lucius.
Under any other circumstances, Lord Lucius would never have a chance to speak before High Lords. He was young, considered inexperienced, preaching some radical ideas, known to deal with likes of Inquisitor Valeria, suspected of consorting with Necron Trazyn. Alas, thanks to a whim of fate, he was the most senior Lord Inquisitor that could be diverted to the meeting. Had there be any other taking his place, who knows, what would happen. But he was there, and presented his idea.
Thanks to help of his allies, like Inquisitor Helynn Valeria, Lord Rogue Trader Felix Corazone, or Eldar Farseer Mirehn, has managed to establish and secure wide array of contacts and treaties with numerous xenos - among them Trazyn the Infinite (via Lady Valeria), Nemersor Zahndrekh (trade partner of Corazone Dynasty), or several Asuryani craftworlds. As such, persuaded young Inquisitor, it was possible to forge a treaty with them - and maybe even alliance. There were fractions among xenos that were in just as dire situation as the Imperium, or at least in need of a secure flank - and who knows, maybe it could turn out that an actual alliance would be possible.
High Lords laughed at the very idea. To be human was to abhor the alien, after all. But then, Primarchs took turn to speak. They needed help. They needed secure flanks, to divert manpower and efforts. They needed manpower on the battlefield. Then Cult Mechanicus spoke. While as always, they were more than happy to grab whatever technology they could, their delegation was led by Archmagos Ultima Faustinius, famed by his actions on a Tomb World Silva Tenebris. Having first-hand experienced, how counter-productive could be squabbles between factions, he warily backed Lord Lucius' idea.
It was no surprise that Ecclesiarchy was adamantly against proposed treaty. They insisted that only pious zeal and total devotion could deliver Imperium and Humanity from destruction. It was then that the division within church has become visible. One of the archbishops, Nathaniel Haal, announced he was leader of the Humanists - newly created faction that preached religion was to help Man, instead of being the sole reason for him to exist. While not strong or influential enough to make their voice noticeable under normal circumstances, now Humanists were in ideal position to let them be known.
Any other day, such ideas would be shot down and mercilessly ridiculed. Under any other circumstances, High Lords would never even consider taking them seriously. If not for the horrific losses the Imperium endured so far, such voices would never even be heard. But this was desperate times and no other option was viable. No other plan offered even slight chance of success. And Primarchs agreed that this might actually give them fighting chance.
In the meantime, T'au were undergoing a crisis of their own. When Shadowsun and Kais finally cornered Farsight, he not only spilled the reasons that made his desert Ethereal Caste, but also provided hard evidence. Confronted with monumental lie, trio of Puredtide students decided it had to change. Together, backed not only by the Enclave, but also most of the Fire Caste, which hold a great respect for them, they returned to the T'au Empire's capital, bent on making things right. The Ethereals were quickly rounded up and those who were not executed were forced to join other Casts, according to their talents.
Coup was not without consequences. Without the Ethereal Caste, T'au societies quickly come onto the brink of collapse. In an attempt to galvanize them in a common effort, new government decided to go down on another expansion attempt. Using warp drive provided by their allies, and striking at region that already was under combined assault by numerous enemies, they were able to grab countless worlds, thus diverting attention of invaders.
Seeing border skirmishes as a golden opportunity, Imperium engaged its whole might. With Guilliman, resurrected via xenotechnology provided by their new allies, taking care of logistics, one flank secure and Inquisition-led Triumvirate engaging and containing Schismatics, Primarchs were able to lead Imperial forces and fight to a stalemate, securing their borders.
Landscape after battle was not a nice picture. Imperium has lost approximately the fourth part of its territory. Higher echelons, both societal and military were decimated. Ecclesiarchy engaged itself in a civil war, fighting tooth and nail between Humanists and Traditionalists. While the latter emerged victorious and dictated church to become even more fanatic and uncompromising, new faction did manage to secure enough influence and power to be able to start preparing for the next round, assisting untold masses in the process. Tech Cult also split, between followers of Scaevola, those who chose dogma of Videx, and the few who agreed with Faustinus that technology should serve Men, and not the other way around. In the meantime, Lord Lucius managed to unite Reformators and make their voice heard. Thanks to his new status as the war hero, it was actually easier than it should - but still, neither Purists nor Radicals were not ready (nor willing) to agree to cooperate more than barest minimum.
Primarchs, on their end, started to consolidate Humanity, using their status as Emperor's favored sons to start working on internal reforms. Task was arduous, night-impossible, especially seeing as not only were enemies of Mankind still at large, but also Imperial bureaucracy and Ecclesiarchy were doing all they could to hamper any progress that would threaten their power.
Century later, Imperium did not change much. Primarchs, Reformators, Humanists and followers of Faustinus are pushing for internal reforms. Lord Lucius' Triumvirate, though shaky, is still in one piece - though it's called Pentavirate now, with several Exodite worlds and T'au also agreeing to an uneasy alliance in order to provide some mutual protection. Although lack of trust is present at every turn, all sides are trying, having found that in these trying times, one cannot stand on one's own.
Such is the world that Holt Corazone, son of the esteemed hero Felix Corazone, and operative under direct orders of Lord Lucius, faces. He will have to meet numerous challenges, and question many dogmas, but there might still be a hope for the galaxy at large - if only the races will manage to seize it.