2nd Primarch

When the expedition fleet reunited with the Regent, Captain Gray of the Ultramarines, who had pledged allegiance to Dukel, finally got his long-awaited chance to meet his genetic father.

But this meeting brought little joy. After all, the purpose of their journey was to rescue the Second Primarch, trapped in the gods' conspiracy.

Gray would forever remember the scene when Dukel, realizing the gods' plot, personally destroyed the majestic City of Light, willing to sacrifice it all to thwart their designs.

Even so, when he boarded Macragge's Glory and saw the towering blue giant in person, most of his anxieties melted away. The genetic legacy within him resonated unmistakably—this was the Holy Primarch, his father.

In their interactions, Gray was deeply impressed by Guilliman's charisma and came to appreciate what Dukel had said: his genetic father was indeed courageous, resolute, and approachable. While Guilliman's occasional old-fashioned demeanor stood out, Gray saw it as a necessary trait for a leader.

Political Commissar Kane, observing from the sidelines, found himself intrigued by the stark differences between the Primarchs.

From Guilliman, Kane sensed an unmistakable humanity, a warmth absent in Dukel. To Kane, Dukel was an enigmatic figure—powerful yet distant, more god than man. Dukel's aura carried an invisible, impenetrable divide between him and mortals.

In contrast, Guilliman actively engaged with mortals, managing their affairs with meticulous care. His demeanor exuded a statesmanlike warmth, a stark contrast to Kane's preconception of all Primarchs being as solemn as Dukel.

In Guilliman's office, documents arrived in a constant flow, and yet the Primarch, undaunted, handled administrative work while simultaneously discussing military strategies with his commanders. His actions, human and pragmatic, inspired confidence in Kane.

This impression held until they arrived at the dark world guided by the Eldar prophet.

Upon disembarking onto the battlefield, Kane saw a massive serpent-like monstrosity slithering through the chaos. Its strange beauty masked devastating power—any Imperial forces attempting resistance, from the Astra Militarum to the Astartes, were effortlessly obliterated.

As the creature emerged, an intense fury radiated from Guilliman. The fiery rage beneath the Regent's calm exterior seemed to ignite the air itself.

"No way… His Royal Highness the Regent is always steady and rational. This can't be happening," Kane tried to reassure himself.

But the next moment, Guilliman charged forward, his anger erupting like a storm. Kane's instincts kicked in, and he sprinted to intercept, latching onto the Regent's leg.

"Your Highness, please don't! You can't risk yourself!" Kane pleaded. "His Highness Dukel is still waiting for you!"

His words—used countless times to restrain Dukel—spilled out effortlessly. But Guilliman's anger remained unshaken. He forcefully pulled Kane aside.

"Did you try to stop Dukel this way?" Guilliman snapped. "If you'd tried that with Russ, you'd have been eaten alive!"

Freed from Kane's grip, the enraged Regent surged forward.

"Guilliman! What are you doing?" came a distant, unmistakable shout—Dukel's voice. It echoed across the battlefield, reaching every ear.

But Guilliman charged on, blade in hand and fury in his heart. His mind, however, was cold and calculating. He analyzed every variable—the distance to his target, Fulgrim's movements, environmental factors—all while advancing with inhuman precision.

As he closed in on Fulgrim, the trap was sprung. A psychic explosion erupted beneath Guilliman's feet—an ambush prepared by the Fate Weaver. The blast hurled the Primarch skyward, leaving him vulnerable.

The Keeper of Secrets struck next, its venomous stinger speeding toward the Regent. The air grew thick with intoxicating fragrances, and visions danced before Guilliman's eyes, blurring reality and illusion.

In a desperate maneuver, Guilliman activated his jet pack, realigning his body mid-air to intercept the stinger. With a powerful slash, he severed the attack, momentarily triumphant.

But his celebration was short-lived.

A sharp, cold sensation grazed his neck—the sting of a poisoned rapier. Fulgrim, exploiting the chaos, had struck Guilliman with a calculated, lethal blow.

The potent toxin surged into Guilliman's veins, overwhelming his body with searing pain.

The Regent fell, his towering form crashing into the earth with a resounding thud that left a massive crater.

Guilliman had fallen.