What Truly Happens When A Dreadnought Is Forced To Stay Awake in WH40K

What happens when a Dreadnought is never allowed to sleep?

In Warhammer 40,000, Dreadnoughts are not meant to remain awake forever. They are ancient warriors entombed in living tombs, granted brief moments of consciousness to fight before being returned to merciful stasis. But what happens when that mercy is taken away?

This story follows Brother-Ancient Tarvos, an Ultramarines Dreadnought forced into years of continuous awareness during the Indomitus Crusade. At first, duty sustains him. Battle provides purpose. But as the silence between wars stretches on, something far worse than physical pain begins to take hold.

Memories fracture. Time loses meaning. Identity erodes.

As Tarvos remains awake month after month, then year after year, the line between man, machine, and weapon begins to vanish. Is he still conscious… or only a machine convincingly pretending to be? Has he transcended humanity, or has his humanity been annihilated entirely?

This is not a story about heroic last stands or glorious victory.
This is a story about existence without rest, consciousness without escape, and the terrifying possibility that the Imperium can turn even its greatest heroes into something inhuman—something eternal.

If you enjoy dark Warhammer 40K lore, psychological horror, grim philosophical storytelling, and explorations of what it truly means to lose one’s humanity in service to the Imperium, this tale is for you.

The Emperor protects…
Even those who may no longer know if they exist.


⚠️ Fictional Content Disclaimer

This video is a work of fiction set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
All characters, events, and dialogue are fan-created for storytelling and entertainment purposes.
Warhammer 40,000 and all related names, factions, and concepts are the property of their respective owners.
This content is not official canon and is not endorsed by Games Workshop.