General Issa Hypenamber stood at the center of the vast command chamber aboard the Imperial Fortress, her gaze unwavering as the screens around her fshed with reports of the Warp’s ever-increasing influence. The situation on Hypen was dire, and time was running out. Billions of civilians had fallen victim to the sinister whispers of the Chaos Gods, their minds and bodies twisted by Warp radiation, their eyes glowing with unnatural colors. The world she had sworn to protect was slowly descending into madness.

  General Hypenamber smmed her fist onto the table in front of her, silencing the whispers of her officers and advisors. It was time for decisive action, no matter how harsh.

  "Enough!" her voice boomed through the chamber, echoing with the authority of a seasoned commander. "We cannot allow this corruption to spread any further. I will not see our world torn apart by these cursed Warp entities. It is time to act."

  She turned her gaze toward the holographic image of Head Scientist Anna, who was standing by remotely from the Imperial research vessel that orbited Hypen. Behind her stood Anna Pungent, overseeing the data collected from the Ancient Elven Ship that had long been in their possession.

  "Anna," Issa spoke with a steely tone, "we need to initiate the cleansing protocols. I want every unit equipped with Warp Radiation Meters. If anyone shows signs of radiation above acceptable levels, they are to be detained, processed, and sent to the Warp domains of the Chaos Gods who corrupted them."

  The command room fell silent as the full weight of her words sank in. The officers present exchanged uneasy gnces, fully understanding the gravity of what the General was ordering. This wasn't just a containment measure—it was a purge.

  "Yes, General," Anna responded, her voice measured but ced with a hint of reluctance. "The Ancient Elven Ship's data aligns with the radiation signatures we’ve identified. Anyone exposed to Lucifer's pride, Satanel's bloodlust, Lilith's lust, or Beelzebub's filth will be identified through the readings. But..." she hesitated, "you realize this will condemn millions to their fate in the domains of these Chaos Gods?"

  Issa’s expression remained hard. "Better they be sent back to the ones who corrupted them than let them destroy everything we’ve built."

  One of her senior officers, Captain Duron, stepped forward, his brow furrowed in concern. "General, with all due respect, we’re talking about civilians—innocent people who may not even know they’ve been tainted. Are we really going to condemn them to a fate in the Chaos Realms?"

  Issa’s gaze snapped to him, her eyes cold and unyielding. "They are no longer civilians, Duron. They are agents of the Warp, knowingly or not. If we do nothing, they will become tools of the Chaos Gods, and Hypen will fall."

  Duron took a step back, nodding grimly. The truth of the General’s words was undeniable, even if it was a harsh truth.

  General Hypenamber looked toward the rows of screens that dispyed footage of Hypen’s cities. From the towering spires of the capital to the desote outskirts, the symptoms of Warp corruption were everywhere. People with glowing red, purple, and green eyes walked the streets, their minds controlled by the dark whispers of the Chaos Gods. Many had already begun to turn on their fellow citizens, spreading chaos and bloodshed.

  "We'll deploy the Imperial Army and the 5th Imperial Regiment to the hardest-hit regions," she continued. "Our mission is clear: identify the corrupted, send them to their Chaos God domains, and cleanse Hypen of this filth."

  Anna Pungent, still standing behind Head Scientist Anna, stepped forward. "General," she began cautiously, "according to the Ancient Elven records, the process of sending the corrupted to the Chaos God domains isn’t an execution—it's more of a... banishment. They are taken to the realms of the Chaos Gods where their fates are sealed by the will of the entities they served. Some may even be welcomed as soldiers in the eternal war between the Warp factions."

  "That’s a fate they chose the moment they gave in to the Warp," Issa replied coldly. "We cannot save them. Our priority is the survival of Hypen."

  With that, she gave the order.

  Across Hypen, the Imperial Army moved swiftly into action. Soldiers equipped with the Warp Radiation Meters fanned out through the cities and countryside, scanning civilians for any signs of corruption. The meters, developed from the technology recovered from the Ancient Elven Ship, were tuned to detect the specific energy signatures tied to each of the Chaos Gods.

  The process was efficient but brutal. Those found with Lucifer’s mark of pride—red eyes and horns—were immediately detained. Those influenced by Satanel, with their bloodlust and fiery red eyes, were rounded up next. Those corrupted by Lilith, marked by purple eyes and overwhelming desire, were captured, and finally, those cursed by Beelzebub with their bright green hair and decaying bodies were removed from society.

  Many cried out in protest, insisting they were innocent, that they were still in control of their minds. But the meters didn’t lie. The taint of the Warp was upon them, and their fate was sealed.

  As the transports filled with the corrupted, they were brought to specialized containment zones created by Anna Pungent and her team. Each of these zones had a connection to the Warp Gates linked to the realms of the Chaos Gods.

  When the final preparations were complete, the first group of corrupted individuals—nearly 10,000 of them—were sent through the Warp Gates. Their bodies shimmered and distorted as they were drawn into the unnatural portals, vanishing from Hypen and into the domain of the Chaos Gods who had cimed them.

  It was an unsettling sight, even for the hardened soldiers. But for General Issa Hypenamber, it was a necessary evil.

  As the days passed, more and more of the tainted were identified and sent through the gates. The streets of Hypen began to quiet, the influence of the Warp slowly fading as the corrupted were purged. But the cost was high. Families were torn apart, neighborhoods emptied, and the shadow of the Warp lingered, even if its influence had lessened.

  In her command chamber, General Issa stood by the window, watching as another transport took off, its cargo of corrupted souls bound for the realms of the Chaos Gods.

  "We've bought ourselves time," she said softly to herself, though there was little satisfaction in her voice. "But for how long?"

  Behind her, Anna Pungent quietly entered the room, her expression grim. "General, the Warp storms are beginning to subside, but there's no guarantee they won’t return. The Chaos Gods will not stop."

  Issa turned, her face hard but tired. "Then we will not stop either. We fight until there's nothing left to save."

  Both women stood in silence, knowing the battle against the Warp was far from over.

  General Issa Hypenamber stood at the forefront of the vast spaceport, her gaze hard and unwavering as thousands of civilians, now corrupted by the Warp, were lined up in front of her. Their once-human forms now bore the undeniable signs of Warp-taint: glowing red eyes, grotesque horns, purple irises, bright green hair, and in some cases, twisted, demon-like limbs. These were no longer the people of Hypen, the ones she had sworn to protect. They had become something else—beings touched by the Chaos Gods themselves.

  The massive Imperial transports hummed in the background, their engines preparing for the journey to the exile world of Hypen II, a desote pnet on the edge of the Hypen system. The world was chosen not just for its remoteness, but for its heavy Bckstone pilrs, specially designed to limit the influence of the Warp and contain the growing corruption.

  Issa stepped forward, her voice booming across the assembly as she addressed the exiles. "You have been marked," she decred, her words cold and cutting. "Touched by the Warp and tainted by the influence of the Chaos Gods. You are no longer citizens of Hypen. You are turning into demons."

  The crowd stirred, some faces showing shock, others resignation. Many of the exiles had begun to succumb to their dark transformations, their minds bending to the will of the Chaos Gods. Whispers of Lucifer’s pride, Satanel’s bloodlust, Lilith’s lust, and Beelzebub’s decay echoed within their thoughts, pushing them further from the realm of humanity.

  Issa raised her hand, silencing the murmurs. "But despite what you have become, we offer you one chance at survival. You are being sent to Hypen II, a pnet equipped with Bckstone pilrs to contain your corruption. There, you will rule yourselves, free from our ws and our society."

  She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing, her tone hardening. "But be warned: Hypen II is not an empty world. It is inhabited. Should you threaten the stability of the pnet or attempt to expand your influence, you may be cssified as traitors to the Imperial Empire. And if that happens, your world will be exterminated."

  Her words hung in the air like a death sentence, the exiles staring at her with a mix of fear, anger, and defiance. They had been exiled, yes, but the consequences of their actions were clear. The Empire would not tolerate any rebellion or attempts to spread the Warp’s influence beyond the confines of Hypen II.

  One of the exiles, a man whose once-human form had twisted into something almost demonic, stepped forward, his voice trembling with both fear and fury. "You send us to die," he growled, his red eyes glowing with hate. "We are not demons. We are still your people."

  Issa’s gaze hardened even further. "You were our people. Now, you belong to the Warp. We give you a chance to survive on Hypen II, but if you threaten us again, you will be wiped out. This is your only warning."

  The crowd fell silent once more, their fate sealed.

  Issa turned to Anna Pungent, who stood at her side, observing the situation with a cold, analytical eye. "Are the ships ready?" Issa asked, her voice now more businesslike, as if the fate of thousands of corrupted souls was just another task to complete.

  Anna nodded, tapping a holographic dispy on her wrist. "The ships with Bckstone steel are prepared, General. The material was found only on the gas giants of the two Hypen sor systems, as you requested. Each transport is equipped to handle the journey, and the Bckstone will ensure that the Warp’s influence remains limited during the voyage."

  Issa gave a curt nod. "Good. We need to ensure the corruption doesn’t spread beyond Hypen II. The Chaos Gods will not be allowed to cim more than they already have."

  She turned back to the exiles, watching as the transports began to load the corrupted civilians, their once-proud forms now reduced to shells of what they had been. Many of them were now whispering to themselves, hearing the voices of their new masters—the Chaos Gods—guiding them, promising them power and dominion over their new world. But Issa knew better. The Warp offered nothing but madness and destruction.

  As the st of the exiles boarded the transports, Issa looked out at the horizon, where the twin suns of the Hypen system bzed in the sky. Hypen would survive. The Empire would endure. But the battle against the Warp had only just begun.

  Later, aboard the Imperial Command Ship, Issa stood before a massive tactical map of the Hypen system. Hypen II was now clearly marked, with the Bckstone pilrs erected to keep the corruption contained. The pnet’s inhabitants would be monitored closely, and any sign of rebellion or chaos would be met with swift retaliation.

  "We’re not out of the woods yet," Anna Pungent remarked, her eyes scanning the reports from the surface of Hypen II. "The Chaos Gods will not stop at this. They’ll continue to test us, to push the boundaries of their influence. We need to be ready."

  Issa nodded, her expression grim. "We will be. The Empire stands strong, and as long as I live, we will not fall to the Warp."

  As the ships carrying the corrupted exiles disappeared into the stars, Issa knew the struggle against the Chaos Gods was far from over. Hypen II would become a battleground—between those who had succumbed to the Warp and the forces of the Empire that sought to contain them. But for now, the immediate threat had been dealt with, and Issa could focus on the next phase of the battle.

  Anna Pungent stood at the command terminal, her sharp eyes scanning the holo-screens as transports descended onto Hypen II, the cursed exile world for those tainted by the Warp. Despite the Bckstone pilrs surrounding the pnet, tension hung thick in the air—there was no telling how the exiles would behave during the nding process. Already, whispers of rebellion and Chaos worship were spreading like wildfire through the ranks.

  She turned to the gathered Holy Temprs, their white and gold armor shining, a symbol of unwavering devotion to the Imperial Empire and their sacred mission to protect the gaxy from Chaos. Each of them bore the sacred mark of the Emperor Hariko Lee, the ultimate divine figure of the empire.

  "Temprs," Anna began, her voice cold and authoritative. "You are under strict orders. If any of the exiles resist or fail to follow commands during the nding process, they are to be executed on the spot. There will be no mercy. Chaos does not tolerate weakness, and neither do we. This world must be controlled, or we risk contamination of the rest of the system."

  The Holy Temprs saluted in unison, their disciplined eyes betraying no emotion. They knew their task, and they knew the dangers of failure. The Warp had already touched these people, and any sign of rebellion would be crushed with righteous fury.

  Anna stepped back, letting the Temprs move into formation as they prepared for their mission on the ground. She watched as the transports began nding, one after another, the Bckstone-enforced nding bays glowing ominously in the dim light of Hypen II's twin suns.

  Across the command deck, General Issa Hypenamber was hard at work, directing the operations. Her hands flew over the controls, ensuring that every detail of the Bckstone protocol was carried out to the letter. Issa had been relentless in overseeing the production of Bckstone steel—a rare and powerful material capable of weakening the Warp's hold. Thanks to the efforts of the head scientist Anna, the Empire had harvested massive quantities of it from the gas giants of the Hypen systems.

  Now, it was being used to construct everything from buildings to weapons, all in the hopes of containing the Chaos-tainted exiles and preventing their corruption from spreading further. Issa’s orders were clear: both regions of Hypen II—where the exiles were being quarantined—were to be made entirely with Bckstone steel. Any object, structure, or tool not reinforced by Bckstone was to be dismantled and repced.

  Issa’s face was set in a grim frown as she addressed the engineering teams overseeing the construction of the settlements. "I want everything reinforced with Bckstone. Buildings, walls, even the weapons the guards are carrying. The only way we keep the Chaos influence in check is by creating an environment where the Warp’s power is diminished. No compromises."

  One of the engineers, a tall, nky man with dark eyes, nodded quickly. "Yes, General. We're already converting the initial buildings and defenses. But it will take time. There’s a lot of ground to cover."

  "Time is not on our side," Issa snapped. "The exiles are already mutating, and every minute we waste, the Warp’s influence grows stronger. We need this finished as soon as possible."

  The engineer quickly reyed the orders to his subordinates, the urgency in his voice mirroring the General’s.

  With the logistical operations underway, Issa turned her attention to the spiritual front of the war. For all the military might the Empire could muster, there was no denying the insidious nature of the Chaos Gods’ influence. No weapon could entirely erase their whispers, their manipution. That was where faith came in.

  Issa bowed her head for a brief moment, her mind filled with thoughts of the Emperor Hariko Lee, the chosen one of the Empire. In her eyes—and the eyes of many—the Emperor was not just a mortal leader, but a divine protector, blessed by powers far beyond mortal comprehension. Issa believed that if there was any hope of truly lessening the effects of the Chaos Gods, it would come through a combination of Bckstone steel and the prayers of the faithful.

  She moved quickly to the communications terminal, her fingers tapping out a message to the Empire’s high priests.

  "To all clergy of the Imperial Faith," Issa began, her message ced with both urgency and reverence. "Effective immediately, I am requesting that all temples and chapels across the system hold daily prayers to the Emperor. We need his divine guidance and strength to combat the forces of Chaos that threaten to consume us. Every prayer matters. Every act of faith is a weapon against the Warp."

  She paused for a moment, her thoughts racing as she considered the spiritual significance of what she was about to suggest. If their prayers could be synchronized with the activation of the Bckstone, it might form a powerful barrier against the Warp’s influence.

  "I also request that our high priests consult with Anna Pungent and her team of scientists to explore the possibility of combining our prayers with the resonance of the Bckstone steel structures. If we can align the Emperor’s divine will with the properties of Bckstone, we may have a way to reduce the Warp’s influence on a more permanent basis."

  Issa sent the message, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a bold strategy, and one that would require both science and faith to work in harmony. But there was no other option. The Warp was already spreading, and soon, Hypen II would become a battleground not just for the survival of the exiles, but for the very soul of the Empire itself.

  As the transports began to nd and the exiles were herded into the Bckstone-enforced settlements, Issa watched from her command post, her eyes cold and determined. The war against Chaos was just beginning, and she would stop at nothing to ensure the Empire's victory.

  "May the Emperor's will guide us," she whispered, her gaze locked on the distant horizon of Hypen II. "And may the Bckstone keep us safe."

  General Issa Hypenamber stood in the grand communications chamber of the Imperial Fortress, her breath steady as she prepared to address the most important figure in the gaxy—Emperor Hariko Lee. The weight of recent events pressed heavily on her shoulders. What had transpired on Hypen II was unlike anything the Empire had seen before. She had to ensure her words were precise, her report clear and without hesitation. Chaos was rising, and the Emperor needed to know exactly what they were up against.

  The holoprojector hummed to life, and within moments, the regal figure of Emperor Hariko Lee appeared before her, bathed in the light of divine authority. His presence filled the room, even through the vast distance between them. His sharp eyes were fixed on her, the weight of a thousand wars reflected in his calm demeanor.

  "General Hypenamber," Hariko's voice was commanding but serene, carrying both the authority of a ruler and the calm of a seasoned warrior. "You requested an audience. What news from Hypen II?"

  Issa straightened, her hand pressed over her chest in salute, before beginning her report.

  "My Emperor," Issa began, her tone unwavering, "as per your orders, we have carried out the exile of the affected civilians to Hypen II, the world fortified with Bckstone pilrs to contain the warp-tainted individuals. But the situation is... evolving in unexpected ways."

  Hariko’s brow furrowed slightly as he listened. He was patient, but Issa could sense the importance of what she was about to say weighing heavily in his mind.

  "The exiles... they are changing," Issa continued. "The warp-taint is mutating their bodies and minds faster than anticipated. Reports from our observers indicate that the corruption runs deeper than initially thought. Many are showing signs of transformation—horns, colored eyes corresponding to the sins of the Chaos Gods, and behaviors we had hoped to prevent with the Bckstone containment."

  There was a long silence as Hariko absorbed the information. His expression remained stoic, but there was a keen awareness behind his eyes.

  "And the Bckstone pilrs?" Hariko asked, his voice betraying a slight edge of concern.

  "They are holding, for now," Issa replied. "The structures have proven effective in dampening the Warp’s influence, but it’s not enough. We believe that while the Bckstone is weakening the connection between the exiles and the Warp, the Chaos Gods themselves are growing more aware of our efforts. The whispers of the Warp have grown louder among the popution, even through the Bckstone’s protective aura."

  Issa paused, her next words weighing heavily on her. "Emperor, the exiles are turning into demons. It is no longer a question of 'if' but 'when.' Their bodies are beginning to adapt to the warp energies, transforming into lesser forms of demonic entities. Some are growing horns, while others exhibit violent, uncontrolble tendencies. The situation is becoming critical. We've isoted them for now, but if the Warp's corruption spreads unchecked, it could breach even the Bckstone containment."

  Hariko’s eyes narrowed. "And what of the Temprs? The loyal soldiers overseeing the exiles?"

  "They have been instructed to execute any who fail to follow orders," Issa replied. "The Holy Temprs are unwavering in their duty. But even they have reported hearing the whispers of the Chaos Gods. I’ve initiated additional precautions to monitor their mental state, but the Warp is insidious, even in the strongest of wills."

  Hariko remained silent for a moment, contempting the situation. He was no stranger to the chaos that could unravel entire systems, but this was personal. The Warp was attacking his empire, his people, and it would only grow stronger if not checked.

  Issa continued, sensing the gravity of the moment. "We are fortifying the remaining sectors of Hypen II with Bckstone steel structures, as well as expanding the defense protocols. Head Scientist Anna has assured me that this is the best course of action for now, but we must be prepared for the worst. If the exiles continue to transform, we may face a full-scale invasion from within."

  Hariko's gaze hardened at those words. "And what of the exiles themselves? Do they still serve a purpose, or are they now a greater threat to the Empire?"

  Issa hesitated, then spoke the truth. "They are no longer citizens, my Emperor. They are something... else. Their loyalty to the Empire has been repced by the whispers of the Chaos Gods. I fear they will soon be beyond redemption. That is why I’ve prepared for the worst. If we can’t contain them, we will need to exterminate them."

  Hariko was silent again, then slowly nodded. His decision was clear.

  "I will not allow the Warp to corrupt my Empire," he said firmly. "You did well to isote them on Hypen II, General. But if they continue to turn, then you have my full authority to cleanse the world. We cannot risk the spread of Chaos beyond that pnet. Let it be a sacrifice, if necessary."

  Issa’s heart sank slightly, but she understood. There was no room for weakness in the face of Chaos.

  "Understood, my Emperor. I will ensure everything is prepared. However, we have an additional asset. The clergy of the Empire are working with Anna Pungent to combine the Bckstone’s properties with the power of prayer. If we can synchronize these two forces, we may have a fighting chance to fully contain the warp energies."

  Hariko’s eyes lit up slightly at this. "An intriguing strategy. If faith can combine with science to repel the Warp, then we may yet find victory in this war. Proceed with the experiment, but be cautious. Chaos is deceptive, and even the strongest defenses may falter."

  Issa nodded. "Of course, my Emperor. I will report back the moment we have results."

  Hariko’s figure seemed to rex slightly, though his demeanor remained firm. "Good. I trust your judgment, General Hypenamber. You have served the Empire well in these trying times. Continue to do so, and know that you have my full support in this war. Chaos will not take us."

  Issa bowed deeply, her heart swelling with determination. "I will not fail you, my Emperor. The Empire will endure."

  With that, the transmission ended, and Issa was left standing in the cold silence of the communications chamber. The weight of her responsibilities hung heavy on her shoulders, but she felt a renewed sense of purpose. Hariko had pced his trust in her, and she would see this war through to the end.

  Turning to leave the chamber, Issa whispered to herself, "For the Emperor. For the Empire." And she marched out, ready to face the growing darkness.

  The days that followed General Issa Hypenamber’s report to Emperor Hariko Lee were marked by a tense stillness across Hypen II. The warp-touched world, now home to the exiled civilians tainted by the whispers of the Chaos Gods, became a test ground for the Empire’s newest weapon against Chaos—the combination of Bckstone steel and the power of prayer.

  The affected, while exiled, were not abandoned entirely. The Emperor's clergy, working alongside Head Scientist Anna Pungent of Hypen, orchestrated daily prayer rituals meant to reinforce the effects of the Bckstone pilrs, hoping to lessen the influence of the Warp. It was a gamble, but one that had to be taken.

  As each day passed, the Warp’s corrupting grip seemed to weaken ever so slightly. The prayers, chanted in unison by thousands of faithful Temprs and clergy across the Imperial Empire, began to show signs of success. Reports came in from the surface of Hypen II: the whispers that had driven the exiles mad were becoming quieter, less constant. The oppressive pull of the Chaos Gods on their minds had lessened, their once-overwhelming presence reduced to distant echoes.

  But while the prayers lessened the psychological torment, the physical changes that had already taken root in the exiled popution remained. Those who had succumbed to the Warp’s touch still bore the markings of their corruption.

  Men and women who had fallen to Pride still carried their twisted, regal horns and bck-and-red eyes. Their arrogance remained, but they no longer burned with the insatiable desire to rule over everything they saw.

  Those affected by Lust kept their unnatural purple eyes, a permanent reminder of the seductive nature of the Chaos God that had cimed them. However, their uncontrolble urges had quieted, as if the constant whispering temptations had finally faded into the background.

  The ones afflicted by the chaotic forces of Decay and Filth still bore their grotesque, mutated forms. Their hair remained a bright, sickly green, but the rot and sickness that had once oozed from their very pores seemed to slow in its spread. They were still deformed, twisted, but not completely lost to their disease.

  And for those warped by Wrath and Bloodshed, the raging red fmes in their eyes remained, though their bloodlust had cooled. Their bodies had been honed for battle, muscles straining under the weight of their transformation, but now they could stand without the constant, unyielding desire to destroy.

  Each of these changes was a permanent mark left by the Chaos Gods, a sign of their once unbreakable hold over the exiled. But the power of the Empire’s faith—prayers sent in devotion to Emperor Hariko and his divine mandate—had lessened the more severe effects of their corruption.

  For the first time in weeks, there was something close to peace on Hypen II.

  General Issa Hypenamber stood in the observation deck of her command ship, her gaze fixed on the once-doomed world below. Her hands were csped behind her back, her brow furrowed as she reviewed the test reports from her officers.

  "General," came the voice of Anna Pungent, standing beside her. The head scientist had been instrumental in the creation of the Bckstone pilrs, and now she seemed cautiously optimistic. "The prayers... they're working."

  Issa nodded but didn’t look away from the pnet. "For now," she said, her voice hard. "But the changes remain. The exiles are no longer truly human. No matter how much we weaken the Chaos influence, they will always bear those marks."

  Anna sighed, adjusting the data tablet in her hands. "Yes, but we've bought them time. They might not fall further into corruption. At least, not while the Bckstone pilrs hold and the prayers continue."

  "And what happens if the pilrs fail? Or if we lose control of the clergy? These people have already transformed once. What’s to say they won’t fall further?"

  Anna was silent for a moment, knowing the weight of Issa’s concerns. They had stemmed the tide, but they had not cured the disease. The warp-touched exiles were living in a delicate bance—one wrong move, and they could plunge back into the hands of the Chaos Gods.

  "We monitor them closely," Anna finally said. "And if we see any sign of further deterioration... we will act. We will not allow them to become a danger to the Empire."

  Issa turned to face her, her eyes cold but resolute. "If it comes to that, we will do what must be done."

  Down on the surface of Hypen II, the exiled popution was adapting to their new reality. Though the physical transformations remained, the people slowly began to accept their fate. They had been cast out of their homes, branded as tainted by the Empire they once served, but they had not been completely forsaken.

  The towering Bckstone pilrs that surrounded their cities hummed with a strange, alien energy. Each pilr, embedded deep in the ground, pulsed faintly in time with the prayers of the Temprs on distant pnets, linking the exiles to the Empire’s faith.

  There were still whispers—faint, echoing voices from the Warp. But they were softer now, distant, as if the Chaos Gods themselves were retreating to their domains, frustrated by the Empire’s resilience.

  The exiles organized themselves into small communities, governing their lives under the constant watch of Holy Temprs. There were no rebellions, no uprisings—only the quiet acceptance that they had become something other than human.

  Still, not all were content to remain passive.

  A group of exiles, led by a man once proud and powerful, whose eyes now glowed with the burning fmes of pride, approached a Tempr outpost one morning. They demanded answers—why had they been exiled, when they had been loyal citizens? Why had they been abandoned to a world of Bckstone and whispers?

  The Tempr captain, a stern woman who bore the symbol of the Emperor on her chest, simply looked at them with a mixture of pity and resolve.

  "You were touched by Chaos," she said ftly. "Your bodies have been marked. The Empire cannot afford the risk of your corruption spreading."

  "And so we are left to rot on this world?" the leader spat, his prideful gaze defiant. "Are we nothing more than demons now?"

  The captain did not flinch. "The Bckstone keeps you safe. The prayers keep the whispers at bay. That is more mercy than you deserve."

  The leader’s eyes burned, but he turned away, knowing there was no arguing with the Temprs. They were bound to their orders, and the exiles were bound to their fate.

  As the days went on, the people of Hypen II would live under the watchful eye of the Empire, their bodies forever changed, but their minds held in check by the power of faith. The Chaos Gods had not won, but they had left their mark.