Even now, the Imperium harbors no intent of relinquishing its hegemony over the galaxy. This is a matter of course, for it is the Emperor's iron decree that Mankind stands above all. Even Roboute Guilliman clings stubbornly to Vigilus, enduring every hardship simply to maintain the singular viable corridor to the Imperium Nihilus.
Though any keen observer can see that even if the Nachmund Gauntlet remains open, the task of reclaiming the Dark Imperium is verging on the impossible, it is a hope that no one dares abandon.
Now, Lucius's objective is to force Guilliman and the Imperium to recognize that this half of their territory and strength is irrevocably lost. Only by plunging them into despair can they be made to see reality.
"Vermin? Again?!"
Abaddon the Despoiler's topknot quivered three times in fury upon hearing that the Skaven had returned. Ever since he was double-crossed by the rats during the previous campaign, Abaddon has held nothing but contempt for them.
However, his raised hand did not fall to strike, a hesitation that perplexed his Bringers of Despair.
"Let the vermin enter. Let me hear their lies once more." Abaddon ultimately conceded to the audience. The reason was simple: behind these rats stood a Chaos God, one whose rise was linked to the recent, cataclysmic fall of Slaanesh.
Abaddon had chosen a path of strategic submission. Though he claims to inherit the will of Horus and scorns the worship of the Ruinous Powers, his subordinates do not always share his restraint.
Soon, escorted by Chaos Space Marines, a delegation of Skaven entered. At their head was a rat clad in ornate, opulent robes, draped in fetishes made of bones inlaid with Warpstone.
This was a Grey Seer, flanked by a retinue of Bonebreaker Rat Ogres whose size rivaled that of Terminators. These specialized Rat Ogres were unique; their brains had been replaced by those of fiercely loyal Stormvermin brainwashed from birth. Only a high-ranking Grey Seer could command such a guard, as a single intelligent Bonebreaker would fetch an astronomical price from Clan Moulder.
Abaddon sat upon his iron throne in a posture of overwhelming malice, surrounded by twisted, mutated slaves whose horrific wails provided a chilling backdrop.
"Ah~ the great-mighty Grey Seer Pelk offers salutations to you, Master of the Chaos Man-things!" The Grey Seer shook his robes with theatrical flair, causing his bone ornaments to clatter and snap.
Abaddon watched with cold detachment. "What manner of lie do you bring this time?"
"Hehehe~ a fair-equal trade, of course! It is the will of the Great Horned Rat! Let the Skaven help-aid the Chaos-things seize Vigilus!" The Grey Seer rubbed his paws together, cackling.
Abaddon's expression remained unchanged, though he let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "The same lie? Do you truly think I will fall for it a second time?"
As he spoke, the plates of Abaddon's armor ground together with a terrifying metallic shriek, a silent threat of violence.
"Hahaha—the favor-grace of the Great Horned Rat is never bestowed without reason, Chaos-thing." The Grey Seer was undeterred. With a casual flick of his sharp claws, a surge of potent psychic energy slammed into a nearby Terminator.
"Aaaaaagh—!"
The veteran of the Long War let out a horrific scream as he was engulfed in a corona of red and green flames. In an instant, the Terminator's mutated, superhuman flesh was reduced to charred husks. This was the dreaded Skaven spell: Scorch.
"You—!" The other Terminators reflexively leveled their weapons at the Grey Seer, while the Bonebreaker guard immediately aimed their Warp-ratling barrels and Warp-claws at the traitors.
Violence seemed imminent, but Abaddon signaled his guard to stand down. He could see that this vermin possessed a dangerous level of confidence.
"T-tell you the truth, Chaos-thing!" The Grey Seer chattered, his snout curling into a smug grin at his displayed authority. "The Great Horned Rat decrees: the Nachmund Gauntlet must not… must not be left to the Man-things! Sangua Terra and Vigilus shall be ours-ours! If the Chaos-things do not help-aid, you shall not receive a single scrap, not one!"
Abaddon frowned. It seemed these rats were serious this time.
After weighing his options, Abaddon decided that regardless of their sincerity, he would use this opportunity to launch a new campaign to conquer Vigilus, wash away his previous shame, seal the Nachmund Gauntlet, and establish a new empire in the Imperium Nihilus, one free from the False Emperor, a feat even his father had failed to achieve.
"...Haarken!"
At Abaddon's command, the infamous Haarken Worldclaimer arrived via his jump pack. Upon seeing the horned rat, his interest was piqued as he realized the gravity of the situation.
"Warmaster!"
"Assemble the host immediately. Prepare to launch the assault on Vigilus once more! This time..." Abaddon looked toward the Skaven and pointed. "Let them go first. If these vermin actually commit to the fray, then commit our full strength behind them."
"By your command, Warmaster!" Haarken nodded, casting a predatory glance at the Skaven.
"Hehehe~ you will not… will not be disappointed, Chaos-thing," the Grey Seer hissed with a treacherous cackle.
Though Abaddon remained skeptical, the Skaven were indeed in earnest. The Great Horned Rat had personally issued the mandate through Skreech Verminking, ordering all Skaven to exert every effort to sever and occupy the Nachmund Gauntlet.
It was not merely a threat; it was a temptation.
The Clan Chieftain who conquered Vigilus or Sangua Terra would be rewarded with Daemonhood!
Such a transcendent prize was more than just an incentive; it was a lure sufficient to drive all Skaven into a state of absolute frenzy.
This word had spread far beyond the Skavenblight of the Dark Imperium. Even within the City of Blight on Holy Terra, Whitesick and Clan Ratling chieftain Bilbo were aware.
Consequently, both Clan Verminus and Clan Ratling within the City of Blight began to stir.
While the Grey Seer negotiated with Abaddon, representatives from the Skavenblight of Nihilus and the City of Blight were engaged in their own bitter disputes.
"Whitesick is the Chosen, the Chosen of the Great Horned Rat! His name must be on the Great Ascension list!"
"Lies! Filthy lies! How can a backwater peasant-rat who has never even seen Skavenblight dare to snatch-steal the slots!"
The envoys shrieked and spat, their argument showing no signs of ceasing.
Aside from Clan Eshin and the Order of the Grey Seers, who had already secured their ascensions, the primary contenders were the four Great Clans: Skryre, Moulder, Pestilens, and Clan Verminus.
However, there were only two worlds to offer the Great Horned Rat at the ends of the Gauntlet: Sangua Terra and Vigilus. It was a classic case of too many rats and too little cheese.
Ultimately, at a stalemate, the two factions decided: the Skaven coalition from the City of Blight would assault Sangua Terra, while the coalition from the Skavenblight of Nihilus would strike Vigilus.
To secure a spot on that list of Daemonhood, whether it was Verminkin or Morskittar, they were all prepared to pay any price. Of course, Arch-Pontifex Nurglitch of Clan Pestilens had also sought allies.
But Clan Pestilens was loathed even among their own kind. In a fit of spiteful rage, Nurglitch decided he would give everyone a "grand surprise"—by delivering both planets into the rot-choked embrace of his clan alone to present to the Great Horned Rat.
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