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From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
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Outraged by such reckless use of advanced weaponry, the Eyes of the Void unleashed their own terrible device in the form of a [[C'tan Shard]] of [[Iash'Uddra]]. Binding its fragments into thousands of [[Canoptek]] constructs, the ravening swarm overran several entire Imperial Guard regiments before sweeping down upon Behzt's landing parties. Utilizing the horror of the C'tan, the Canoptek Swarm reduced the Skitarii forces to fighting one another as their minds were fractured by the Endless Swarm. Vowing not to suffer the same fate as her soldiers, Behzt activated her own final hidden weapon of unknown origin. A dark orb crew around her landing party, then hundred of miles across Torantis' surface. Humans and Necrons alike died in the bubble, which consumed a full third of Torantis' mass along with countless billions. In its wake left a shattered world tumbling out of its orbit, denying the planet to both sides.{{Fn|9d}}
The nightmarish conclusion to the Torantian Campaign repeated in myriad forms across the Nephilim Sector. Apocalyptic reprisals and technological atrocities were unleashed by both sides in escalating insanity. On [[Thalcifer]], [[Einvahld Veridian]] unleashed [[Mohrgar Fex]]'s Hyper-Alembic upon the [[Oruksh Oruskh Dynasty]] legions of [[Overlord]] [[Khutmecc]]. Necron and Imperial forces alike were both reduced to bubbling slime. In the [[Zann System]], an Imperial push upon a voidborne Necron Pylon triggered a massive naval engagement which was thrown into chaos by a cabal of Szarekhan Dynasty [[Cryptek|Plasmancer]]s. The Necron scientists bound a dwarf star and propelled it into the Imperial naval formations around the System with devastating consequences, killing billions within minutes. However thanks to the ramming sacrifice of the [[Chalice Cruiser]] ''Silence in Suffering'', one of the stellar shackles containing the star's power was destroyed and the Zann Pylon was badly damaged. Cawl learned of the spreading madness soon enough, and issued an immediate decree that forbid the use of any recovered ancient weaponry without proper understanding and approval. However his orders were slow to spread, and many Magi ignored the decree even after they had received it.{{Fn|9d}}
The Silent King watched the developing war with disquiet. Imotekh was making steady gains in the north and eastern Nephilim Sector, while two full Pylons had been destroyed. His "waste" of ancient weaponry and setbacks further agitated his [[Technomandrite]]s, whose discontent was becoming impossible to ignore. Szarekh knew he needed a clear decisive victory to improve his political and strategic position. To that end, he sought to advance on every Imperial-held system compromising Stornvor's fortress network. Szarekhan, Nihilakh, and Oruskh Dynasty armies intercepted far-ranging Imperial fleets and the Myrtika and Shen'Tai Systems were invaded once again. Crypteks were ordered to use their talents and arcane weapons to swiftly annihilate the Humans, regardless of the collateral cost. At [[Zeta IIX Hespus]], Crypteks of the Nihilakh Dynasty unleashed ten full C'tan Shards in a single warzone. While some Necron warlords pursued their own agendas, only Imotekh's armies did not join the Silent King's new offensive.{{Fn|9d}}
