More Daemonic entities and Chaos hordes materialized. Even those Daemons recently banished once again burst forth from the Warp passages, clearly resurrected by the Ruinous Powers.
Such entities are usually only banished back to the Warp, and can only reappear in physical form after recovering their energy naturally. However, this process can be accelerated by the Chaos Gods, who inject them with raw power to prematurely revive the banished.
Doing so consumes the energy of the Ruinous Powers, slightly diminishing their combat effectiveness. Even if the impact seems negligible, it disperses a portion of their strength, causing their collective power to ebb.
The renewed influx of Chaos forces, with Daemons now filling the sky and land, caused the Astra Militarum's morale—which had just soared—to sag again. The reappearance of the recently banished entities was a fatal blow to their spirits. Were it not for the Emperor's Golden Host forming an unyielding barrier around them, the lines would have collapsed.
"A mass wave tactic?" murmured Strauss Yaeger, the commander of the Ten Thousand Strong Custodes Regiment. "So be it. Your tactics have long been anticipated. If you want to compare numbers, we too have plenty of forces!"
As Yaeger's words settled, a massive deployment of drop pods began slamming down onto Cadia's surface.
Three full Chapters, in Dominion terms, three million Space Marines, had arrived!
This force was complemented by 2,000 Warlord-class Titans and 200 Emperor-class Titans, all committed to the defense. Once these overwhelming reinforcements landed, the Imperium of Man could continue the fight, and the sheer number of war machines would instill fear even in the Daemonic hordes. The war was far from over.
The drop pods struck directly into the enemy lines, their ramps dropping to unleash waves of Space Marines. Their particle guns fired constantly, vaporizing the lives of Chaos soldiers. These were not the basic energy weapons of old, but the standard-issue particle guns of the Terran Dominion army. Ordinary Chaos units were instantly dissolved, and even greater Daemons struggled to withstand focused fire.
Simultaneously, each Space Marine was protected not by basic armor, but by integrated particle deflector shields.
The war had officially entered its second, decisive phase.
The sudden, colossal change plunged the Imperial armies into an eerie silence. They couldn't comprehend what they were witnessing. Where had such a massive number of Space Marines come from? The collective strength of the entire Imperium couldn't field this many Astartes.
And the markings? None of the assembled Space Marine companies recognized the insignia of these new warriors. Which Chapters are these? The questions tormented the hearts of the old Imperium's warriors, but no one answered.
The Terran Dominion forces cared little for the confusion of the Imperium's armies. In their eyes, this was the perfect opportunity to serve the Emperor. The quality of life Zeke provided them was unbelievable.
They had expected a ruthless purge for abandoning the old Imperium, but instead found a structured, abundant life. The Dominion covered all their needs—food, shelter, medical care—with rations superior to what planetary governors consumed, plus a substantial monthly salary.
The citizens of the old Imperium could not have conceived of such a life. Under the previous regime, they were taught to atone for their sins and suffer for the God-Emperor. The Dominion had instead told them that a truly miserable life was one without freedom. Now, they were eager to offer their lives for their Emperor in the only way they knew how: by winning.
"Kill! For the Emperor!"
"Blood for the God-Emperor, skulls for the Golden Throne!"
If the old Imperial citizens were ignorant and brainwashed by religious dogma, the people of the Dominion were equally fervent, driven by the belief and purpose Zeke offered.
They were not the only ones energized. The Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii, Cult Guards, and Archmagi watched in stunned silence as over six hundred Emperor-class Titans and six thousand Warlord-class Titans materialized. What did they see? So many Titan Legions!
Many Archmagi began to leak sacred oil in awe. They had barely contained their shock at the three Star-Whisper Battlesuits, attributing them to the Yaeger Knight House's ancient legacy. But this sheer industrial might—millions of Space Marines, legions of Titans, and powerful ground vehicles (tanks of an unrecognizable pattern, yet clearly formidable)—defied explanation.
The Mechanicus and the old Space Marines were dumbfounded, unable to place the origin of this powerful reinforcement force.
The only ones truly happy were the soldiers of the Astra Militarum. The arrival of the Emperor's Angels and the Titan Legions meant victory was possible. They did not fear sacrifice; they only feared meaningless death.
"For the Emperor!"
The Astra Militarum roared, charging alongside the new Space Marines. The remaining Leman Russ battle tanks reactivated and surged forward. Beside the Chimera transports, a large number of Baneblade super-heavy tanks rumbled into the fray.
The mortal forces were brave, refusing to shelter behind the superior warriors. Simultaneously, the remaining Basilisks unleashed their final barrages, collectively forming the ultimate counterattack against Chaos.
The Emperor, observing from his station, watched the overwhelming enemy push.
"Is the moment upon us, little brother?" he asked Zeke, who was monitoring the battle's ebb and flow. "They are emptying their last reserves of power; why not act now and join the fight?"
Zeke shook his head. "It's not yet time. Let the Custodes and the ground forces deplete the Ruinous Powers further. More reinforcements are still inbound to consume their strength. The easier the fight is for us, the better."
"These entities seek to drain my energy. If that is their goal, they will not have an easy time of it. I may be bruised and battered, but they will be left broken, wailing, and crippled." Zeke's voice was sharp with killing intent.
"Understood. I shall follow your plan. When you require me, simply reinforce the psychic seal on my prison and I shall move with you."
The Emperor knew his ability to intervene was entirely dependent on Zeke. He would wait, and when the time came, he would simply hack away at the four entities he had waited so long to strike.