After negotiations failed with the Phoenix Court, a representative body of the 6 systems of the [[Ark Reach Cluster]], the war began. The first 4 systems fell to the combined assault of the [[Space Wolves]] and [[Word Bearers]]. The Space Wolves waged a destructive campaign nothing short of genocide, while the Word Bearers destroyed much of the Cluster's culture and knowledge before erecting idols of the [[Emperor]] on the orders of [[Kor Phaeron]]. Only the world last two worlds were still resisting thanks to the efforts of the [[Avenians]], whose defeat required the assistance of the [[Thousand Sons]]. This resulted in the [[Battle of Shrike]]. In the aftermath of the battle, a dispute between the Wolves and Thousand Sons over the fate of the planet's Great Library resulted in a brief skirmish between the two sides. Total bloodshed was only prevented thanks to the efforts of [[Lorgar]].{{Fn|1}}

*{{Endn|1}}: [[A Thousand Sons (Novel)]] , Chapter 11-1211–12