Fulgrim: Guilty as Charged?

Spoiler Alert: This post contains spoilers from the Horus Heresy Books "Fulgrim" and "The Primarchs" to name but two.


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In Fulgrim, we learnt that the primarch became possessed by a daemon concealed inside an insidious Laer blade.  Many, including myself, leapt on the possibility the Fulgrim could actually get redeemed somehow at a point in the future.  This was appealing from a number of points of view, including the secretive illuminati covens.

In contrast, we now learn through The Reflection Crack'd (a book within The Primarchs), that Fulgrim was able to best the daemon who had control of his flesh.  This must have taken time, as Horus, Lorgar (read: Aurelian) amongst others were certainly aware of his possession before Fulgrim managed to free his body of the possession.

Although I didn't really like the torture scenes within The Reflection Crack'd, the dialogue was interesting. Fulgrim reveals that he figured out how to transpose places with the possessing daemon, but along the way, he has fell to the seductions of the Dark Prince, Slaanesh.  The death of Ferrus Manus was but a little blip of regret along the way, and now all but forgotten.  Around them, the Emperor's Children start to tear themselves apart: Lucius considers that it won't be too long till there's nothing left but self-serving (and servicing) warbands.

I like this outcome.  From reading previous books, I was becoming concerned that many of the primarchs weren't fully guilty of Heresy.  Lorgar perhaps taken in by his lieutenants.  Fulgrim being possessed, etc.  But now it turns out that Fulgrim is guilty as charged: he has willingly taken steps along the path of Slaanesh and submitted himself to the Dark Prince's service, thanks to previous exposure and his own weaknesses.  Moreover, he has started to (possibly) mutate along the path toward daemonhood.

Although there has been discussion about whether it is Fulgrim back in his body in actuality, I contend that it is.  I like the evil, chaotic primarchs being guilty as charged and leading their legions to damnation.

(image from warhammer 40k wikia; I'm not sure of the original source though -- let me know!)