Editing Female Primarchs (section)

=== Discovery of Lilith Aurelian ===

The Thunderhawk touched down gently in the central square of the city, and the vibrant angels that descended from its ramp left the citizens of Colchis wide-eyed.

Scars of battle traced their fingers around the once-mighty buildings. A thin, grey dust stung Hera's eyes as the wind pulled it from the ground and toyed with it. Before the group lay a wide perron ascending into a temple-like structure adorned in burnished bronze--seemingly undamaged. 

For a moment, the Emperor stood alone at its foot, a golden giant looking upwards, like he was searching for something in the sculpted pantheon marking the top of the structure. He turned back to Hera, Magnus, and their warriors, and bade them come forth.

As they ascended the staircase, the eyes of thousands of Colchisians stared on in cautious, perilous interest. Hera and Magnus shared a wary glance, uncertain what the silent crowd would do; the Emperor seemed unconcerned. The Luna Wolves and Thousand Sons trodded on behind them, unflinching.

Towering doors stood at the front of the temple, their facades carved with scenes of battle, religion, and righteousness. Emblazoned at the top was a single, giant cat's eye. Somehow, the cat's pupil slit seemed infinitely dark, as though the obsidian was drawing Hera into its depths. She snapped out of it with a shiver.

A latch unlocked with a resounding thunk, and the bronze entryway creaked open at a crawl, two small servants pulling it open on either side.

The hall they entered was lit only with torches and braziers, and the gold-bronze panelling tugged the light to its surfaces greedily. Though it was a grand creation, Hera could not shake the impression of feudal darkness looming off of the stars and symbols among the walls. Anguish and suffering lurked in this place, and they were seeping out.

At the far end of the long hall was a stone throne, empty. Hera realized its owner was most likely the woman striding towards them. They locked eyes for a tiny second, and in that moment Hera saw uncertainty meet her own confused expression, the distant red irises probing Hera's green.

As the glance broke off, the woman stopped, and shock overtook her as she saw the Emperor and dropped to one knee.

"My God! My Lord! You are the ones I have seen in my visions," though she threw another quick, odd glance at Hera, "I have fought for your glory on Colchis, and have conquered false faiths in your name!"

At this Hera took a sharp breath and looked to the Emperor. His visage remained stoic as the woman carried on exalting him.

"--this world is yours, we have thrown off the yoke of lies and see you as our one True God. Ask of us anything, and we shall--"

"I am not your God," the Emperor said over her.

Stunned, the woman at last broke off her prattling.

"W-what?" she stuttered.

"There are no gods. There are people. There is no faith. There is reason. There are no miracles. There is science. This is the creed of the Imperial Truth, the truth I will bring to the galaxy--at the tip of a sword, if I must. I am the Emperor of Mankind--its ruler, but not its god. I created you, Lilith Aurelian, to be one of my generals, to lead this crusade of intellect alongside your siblings. You have learned the ways of war, but you must unlearn your religion if you are to serve me. I shall give you command of a mighty legion of warriors and the resources of my Imperium will be at your disposal. Do you accept?"

Without a moment's pause: "Of course, my lord! But, but how did you--"

"Fear not. Worry not. Rise. You will learn of my power in time, but feel now the strength of purpose within you. We go to conquer the galaxy and bring Man into a new golden age."

The woman stood, gazed up into the Emperor's eyes, and her fervor relented.

"I will try, my lord."

The Emperor smiled and said, "Good. I should introduce you to your brother and sister here. This is Magnus the Red of the Thousand Sons," he said, gesturing to the red giant, "and this is Hera Lupercal of the Luna Wolves. They and your other siblings can help guide you as you adapt to your new task. If you have anything you wish to bring with you, gather it now. We must depart soon, and bring you to your sons."