Horus Heresy Luna Wolves Legion Running into Battle Art
The Rise, Betrayal, and Fall of the Luna Wolves Legion
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The rise of the Luna Wolves
The Luna Wolves were one of the twenty original Space Marine Legions created by the Emperor during the Great Crusade. Originally known as the XVI Legion, they were renowned for their discipline, relentless efficiency, and unmatched ferocity in battle. They were among the first Legions to achieve major victories for the Imperium, spearheading numerous campaigns to bring compliance to rebellious human worlds. Their Primarch, Horus Lupercal, was found on the feral world of Cthonia and quickly rose to become the Emperor’s most trusted son. Under his leadership, the Luna Wolves became the most favored Legion, earning the honor of leading the Emperor’s grand vision for humanity.
The influence of Horus Lupercal
Horus was not only a master tactician but also a charismatic leader who inspired unwavering loyalty among his warriors. Unlike some of his more aloof or brutal brothers, Horus understood the importance of unity and camaraderie, fostering a sense of brotherhood within his Legion. The Luna Wolves thrived under his command, becoming the tip of the spear for the Great Crusade, known for their bold assaults and rapid planetary conquests. The Emperor himself rewarded Horus with the title of Warmaster, placing him above all other Primarchs, a decision that would later have dire consequences. This newfound authority only increased the Luna Wolves’ prestige, but it also set the stage for their eventual fall.
The transformation into the Sons of Horus
As Horus grew in power and influence, his Legion underwent a transformation, both in identity and ideology. They abandoned their original name, becoming the Sons of Horus, a symbolic shift that reinforced their absolute loyalty to their Primarch above all else. This renaming was more than just a formality—it marked the beginning of their separation from the Emperor’s vision. They started adopting darker, more brutal tactics, embracing their Primarch’s growing ambition and disdain for Imperial bureaucracy. It was during this time that Horus fell to the whispers of Chaos, seduced by the promises of power and immortality offered by the Ruinous Powers.
The betrayal at Isstvan III
The first true test of the Legion’s corruption came at Isstvan III, where Horus ordered a brutal purge of his own forces. Loyalist elements within the Sons of Horus, as well as detachments from other Legions, were betrayed and exterminated in a horrific act of treachery. The massacre solidified the Legion’s descent into darkness, as those who remained had fully embraced Horus’ rebellion. From that moment on, they became the spearhead of the Horus Heresy, leading the charge against the Imperium and ultimately marching toward Terra itself. The warriors who had once been the Emperor’s favored Legion had now become his most feared enemies.
Legacy and damnation
The Luna Wolves, once paragons of Imperial might, had become the harbingers of destruction that would tear the Imperium apart. At the climax of the Heresy, Horus faced the Emperor in a final, fateful duel aboard his flagship, the Vengeful Spirit. Though he came close to victory, he was ultimately slain, and with his death, the Legion shattered. The remnants of the Sons of Horus retreated into the Eye of Terror, eventually splintering into warbands and forming what would become the Black Legion under Abaddon the Despoiler. Though the Luna Wolves are long gone, their legacy lingers in the history of the Imperium, forever marked as the Legion that nearly brought the Emperor’s dream to ruin.