The World Eater force erected huge pyramids of skulls outside the cities and summoned hordes of Daemons to aid them in the slaughter of the population. The planetary governor and his aides managed to flee to an underground base in the northern mountain range and established a guerrilla force to repel the invaders.
Strangely, the Khornate worshippers sought out an old ruin on the western plains of Halon’s Retreat. The ruin was in fact an Aeldari Webway gate and the World Eaters tried to gain entrance to it, but was annihilated by an appearing force of Drukhari, led by Dhrazaryn Kael, Archon of the Cabal of Crimson Carnage. After their defeat, Abaddon struck a deal with Kael, offering slaves in exchange for limited use of the Webway to transport his fleet further into imperial space. He left behind a large force of World Eaters and used the Webway to transport the rest of the fleet away from imperial retribution.
Soon after, a combined force of the Black Templars led by Chaplain Holmbaud, and Blood Angels led by the Sanguinary Priest Lazarescu, launched a planetary assault against Halon’s Retreat after having repaired their ships. Their attack was met by a vicious World Eater counterattack. The battle ended in a stalemate as both forces suffered terrible losses, and withdrew to lick their wounds.