[ It all becomes crystal clear in that moment of awakening. Sacrifice, the Imperium is built on it. The sayings are all true. The Blood of Martyrs is the Seed of the Imperium. The Loyal Slave Learns to Love the Lash. Only in Death does Duty End.
For ten thousand years we have endured, sometimes we have prospered, other times merely survived. For a hundred centuries we have fought and died, spilt the blood of of our enemies and our own over an uncountable number of battlefields. Mankind has sacrificed itself, for itself, so that it might last another generation, and another, and another. Those sacrifices are for no greater cause than the acts themeselves. It is done in the unspoken hope that some day, perhaps in another ten thousand years, a generation will live without sacrifice and mankind's destiny is assured for eternity.
The Emperor will not remember you by your medals and diplomas, but by your scars.
It is not only in death that we offer up our lives to Him, but also in life. We are not judged merely by the manner of our deaths, we do not earn His eternal grace merely by dying in His name. It is by the way we live out our lives before we die that defines who we were. it is easy to sacrifice a body, for it's nothing more that a mortal shell for our soul. To sacrifice your life, not your death, is the ultimate test of faith.
It is a test I have always failed. I have lied and cheated and killed my fellow men for my own reasons. I have squandered the opportunities for glory I was given. Time and again I stood upon the precipice of true sacrifice and turned away.
Von Strab's look of triumph turns to horror as I fling my arms around him, lfting him off the ground. I see von Spenk's astonished face flash past as I drive forwardsm with the overlord in my arms, the panicked bellows of Urkug sounding in my ears.
His legs hit them rope barrier and buckle, and my momentum carries us forward, toppling us head or heels into the precipice.
Now I truly understand what it means to have a Last Chance. I'm glad I finally took it.] (/spoiler)