While Rhodes was conversing with Daram, Horus was apologizing to Sanguinius and his other brothers.
The other Primarchs were emotional seeing Horus—this was the real Horus of the Sixteenth Legion, the Luna Wolves.
He was their brother. When Horus rebelled, none of them could believe it. Of all the Primarchs, Horus was the least likely to betray the Emperor.
Yet it was him who dealt the Imperium a wound that would never heal.
They all wanted to forgive Horus, but who had that right? Not even the Emperor could forgive him.
His betrayal had killed untold billions and shattered countless worlds.
If not for Horus, the Great Crusade could have continued, humanity might have ruled the galaxy.
Without the Heresy, the Emperor would have developed the Webway, and humanity would be more advanced than during the Golden Age.
But now, if not for Rhodes, the Imperium's military would be even weaker than ten thousand years ago.
"Horus, if you can help Sanguinius evolve, I'll forgive you.
But I can't speak for all the Imperium's people. You can't appear in public," Lion El'Jonson said.
"I know. That's why I keep my whereabouts secret. Ordinary people in my territory don't know of my existence—just that nameless angels protect them.
Of the Chaos Marines who follow me, those who are too far gone I've dealt with, but the rest—many were falsely accused. Deep down, they still yearn to serve the Emperor," Horus explained.
Having taken over the Red Corsairs, Horus had learned the tragic stories of his subordinates. Many were once loyal servants who became traitors through no fault of their own.
"The High Lords were indeed deeply corrupted. They became exactly what we didn't want to be when we founded the Imperium.
Since becoming Regent, I've worked to change this. The High Lords have basically been wiped out by Rhodes!
Once our armies reach the Imperium's shadow, I can pardon those still loyal Marines," Guilliman said.
"Thank you!" Horus nodded.
"No need to thank me. Loyal Marines deserve redemption, even if it comes late," Guilliman replied.
Now was a time of need, and the Red Corsairs were worth recruiting. Rhodes had already recruited some, and Guilliman had some intelligence on Rhodes's territory near Ultramar.
"These Chaos Marines can be purified with the cosmic phantom beast's power and become true Firstborn. After this, I'll send someone with cosmic phantom beasts to help," Rhodes said.
He planned to send Blackheart Huron to purify these former subordinates and bring them back. Anyway, Blackheart would soon join the campaign against the Void Dragon.
"Cosmic phantom beast power can purify Chaos?" Horus asked.
"It's a power of order—it can cleanse Chaos energy, as long as the corruption isn't too deep.
Blackheart Huron, former Red Corsair leader, is now my subordinate. His Chaos Marines have been purified by cosmic phantom beasts. I'll send him to help," Rhodes said.
"Thank you so much," Horus said.
At last, there was hope for those loyal Chaos Marines—they deserved saving.
"You're welcome. For now, convert them into Firstborn, and when the main army enters the Imperium's shadow, upgrade them to Primaris," Rhodes said.
They discussed the details and prepared to begin Horus's transformation.
"So, Rhodes, what exactly do we do? Should Horus rest for a few days?" the Emperor asked.
He'd never done this, so Rhodes needed to set the steps.
"No problem. Horus must first become the Dark Giant form, and have Daram rest in the mind-space, letting Horus take control.
Emperor, inject your holy power into his chest timer—but don't use too much power at once, let Horus try to absorb it," Rhodes explained.
He'd never done this either, but according to Tartarus, the success rate was high.
"Understood. Let's begin. I'll control the output," the Emperor agreed.
The palace was cleared; only the Primarchs remained, the Custodes standing guard outside.
Horus took out Daram's transformation device and raised it high.
"Daram!" A flash of black light, and the 80-meter-tall Dark Giant Daram appeared.
His massive form, exaggerated muscles, and dark red armor radiated an oppressive darkness that chilled the air.
"What terrifying dark power! I can barely keep myself from attacking him," Lion El'Jonson said warily.
Vulkan nodded. The aura from this Dark Giant was deeply unsettling—an evil different from Chaos, somewhat similar to their father's darkness.
"Daram absorbed some of the Dark Emperor's power, suppressing it and allowing the Emperor to communicate with us. Otherwise, the Emperor would not appear as he does now," Rhodes explained.
If he hadn't fixed the Golden Throne and absorbed the Dark Emperor's power, the Emperor would have been speaking with hundreds of voices—each a negative personality, a side effect of ten thousand years on the Throne.
Since returning, the Dark Emperor had barely emerged—a sign of the weakened darkness.
"Let's begin. Horus, if you feel unwell, tell me immediately," the Emperor said.
Horus, controlling Daram's body, nodded and approached the Golden Throne, exposing his green chest timer.
The Emperor began to radiate golden light, slowly injecting his purest psychic power—the Light of Humanity—into the Dark Giant's timer.
This golden power, born from humanity's faith, was the ultimate light.
As soon as it entered, it clashed violently with the dark energy. Horus grunted but gritted his teeth and endured.
"Continue, Father. I can bear it. This power can be absorbed!" Horus said.
The Emperor didn't hesitate and kept pouring golden power into Horus.
"Argh! This is unbearable, Horus, stop!" Daram screamed in the mind-space.
Even though Horus was in control, Daram felt the pain. The light was poison to him.
His body was starting to crack with golden fissures.
Rhodes frowned—Tartarus said Horus and Daram should be able to absorb the Emperor's power!
The golden energy kept coming, Daram's body was now half black, half gold, and he screamed in the mind-space.
"Master, please, stop! I can't handle the light. I'm not like Tiga. My body can't take it," Daram pleaded through the system.
Without Horus, the golden power would destroy him instantly. But even together, they couldn't take it—their transformation wasn't even a third done, and their body was already collapsing.
If this continued, they'd be atomized—both would die!