47 Chapter 14: the Grand Conspiracy pt 4

-M???.???. The Warp-

In the boundless ocean of the warp, myriad creatures and gods reside within their own realms, fortifying their dominion over their powers. The warp is a realm that stretches across all time, spreading and surrounding countless realities. Within this endless expanse lies a bubble of unreality, a domain once inhabited by mortal humans, now elevated to godhood in the name of their followers and concepts.

Within this domain, territories are divided, each representing the gods dwelling within these pockets of reality. And in one such crevice where they gather, sits a god with gnashing teeth, eyes ablaze with red fury, clad in war armor and wielding a halberd.

"Hardy, you scoundrel," the god remarks sharply.

"Calm yourself, Emroy. We will find a way to resolve all this chaos," responds a graceful goddess with white hair, her voice exuding patience.

"Have we ever faced an empire like this, Elange?!" Emroy roars angrily. "A civilization not only capable of existing in the material world but also harnessing the power of Ether with such ease."

"Indeed, if we're being honest, the power of this Imperium of Man is truly concerning," Elange speaks slowly, her eyes cast downward in thought. As the goddess of knowledge, she holds domain over the concept of knowledge in the Warp, allowing her to see what other gods cannot.

"What lies beyond that gate is something dangerous. I can feel it," Ral, the twin consciousness of Elange, spoke softly.

"Dangerous?" Emroy inquired, his gaze turning toward the goddess.

"Look at them. These Imperials can create mountains of steel in the blink of an eye and wield weapons so immense they could flatten continents," Ral's words hung heavy in the air, met with silence. "Moreover, Hardy has been unreachable until now. Something must have happened."

No one dared to speak, silenced by the weight of uncertainty. The tension among them only heightened until a new presence arrived, casting a radiant beam of light into their midst.

"I have ordered Mabel to inspect the Zalvus Gate," the voice accompanied by the luminous presence of Zumfuut, a sharp-eyed dwa perksayang gazing towards the other gods.

"Zumfuut," Elange uttered softly.

"How is Rory, Emroy?" Zumfuut immediately inquired of the armored god beside him.

"Ugh, that's the problem. I can't connect with Rory for any reason," Emroy retorted irritably.

"This is truly unsettling," Zumfuut remarked, his brow furrowing.

"I suggest we investigate our new adversary. The JSDF may pose a serious threat to our designs in the mortal realm, but the Imperium is on a different level," Elange voiced her opinion with a sense of urgency.

"I agree with you, sis," Ra nodded firmly, his expression grave.

But before the elder sibling could respond, Elange felt something that made her freeze in place. All the gods present there immediately looked at her oddly, but then they felt it too.

"You sense it, don't you? Someone is watching us," Elange spoke slowly, her voice filled with concern, sending a shiver down their celestial spines.

All the gods there nodded slowly. What they felt was not just a mere presence, but an overwhelming force, as if the fabric of reality itself was watching them, an existence that seemed to transcend the very essence of space and time.

As Elange gazed far beyond the confines of reality, where their existence intertwined with the planet Falmart, she sensed the source of that dreadful sensation. It emanated from Zalvus Hills, precisely from the Gate. With the power she gathered from within herself and tens of thousands of supplicants, she attempted to breach the barriers between realities.

With Herculean effort, Elange managed to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond. There, she beheld a dazzling golden glow that mesmerized her, a sight so magnificent that words could scarcely capture its splendor.

But in an instant, that gentle radiance transformed into a searing heat that engulfed her body and essence, threatening to consume her in its fiery embrace.

As Elange gazed upon the entity before her, she was overcome by a surge of pure, inhuman rage. Its intensity was so potent that it seemed to overshadow her divine essence as the goddess of all knowledge. In that moment, her lofty title felt insignificant in the face of such overwhelming power.

The being turned its gaze toward her, its eyes piercing through her with an intensity that sent shivers down her immortal spine. With a sudden, burning surge, Elange felt her consciousness erupt into chaos. But this was no ordinary loss of awareness; it was a visceral, gut-wrenching realization that the very essence of her being was beginning to ignite with an uncontrollable fury.

With a swift motion, Elange pulled herself back into the safety of the realm of Falmart, leaving behind the ominous presence that had threatened to consume her. As she regained her composure, all the gods who had been frozen in place turned their gaze towards her, their expressions filled with questions.

"What did you see?" Emroy's voice broke the silence, his body still frozen in place.

"He's coming. No, I don't know... but he's already shown his hostility towards us," Elange replied, her breaths still ragged from the encounter.

"Who?" The sun god pressed for more information.

"The one the Imperium calls the Master of Mankind," Elange said sharply, the pain evident in her voice.

"But it's strange. He should have known of our existence. Why decide to focus on us now?" Ra's voice echoed with concern, prompting a realization in Elange's mind.

"It could be the energy burst from earlier," she responded sharply. "From the same person. It could mark the beginning of a new game, unknown to us. Do you remember what happened tens of thousands of years ago when we finished modifying the Gate?"

As Elange's words hung in the air, a chilling realization struck them like lightning, flooding their minds with grim memories. They were brought back to the time when thousands of abominable creatures emerged from the Great Beyond, spreading corruption and devastation throughout Falmart. The gods had fought valiantly to protect their realm, erecting barriers and granting blessings to mortals to combat the invaders.

Though they emerged victorious from the war, the cost was staggering. Corruption and devastation lingered in Falmart's wake, forcing the gods to rebuild their realm from scratch, a painful reminder of the sacrifices made in the face of existential threats.

Their defeat left deep spiritual scars in each of their souls, forcibly confronting them with the true horror of the cosmos. Yet, before this realization could fully settle, another grim discovery dawned upon them.

"Hardy," Emroy uttered, his voice trembling with fear.

"We must act swiftly. And I fear she may not be our only concern," Zumfuut interjected, his eyes narrowing with concern.

"Rory," Ra spoke slowly, her voice laden with apprehension. "Her reckless actions have led her beyond the Gate. The possibility that the Master of Mankind has corrupted her is all too real."

Emroy gritted his teeth, his determination evident as he moved to revoke his blessing upon the ancient girl. Yet, something inexplicable prevented him from doing so, confirming the gods' fears in the darkest of forms.

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-M29.671. Terra. Imperial Palace-

The Master of Mankind, seated upon his Throne, merely smirks as the abominations of Falmart become keenly aware of his next move. The next phase of his plan unfolds seamlessly, drawing countless enemies into his dominion. Yet, the cost pales in comparison to the priceless outcome.

Using the Destiny Engine embedded within his Throne, the golden Emperor peers beyond the constraints of space and time. He glimpses the truth, unraveling the grand plan of unfathomable proportions.

There, amidst his three aspects, the Master of Mankind had already woven the strands of humanity's ultimate destiny, set to unfold along its final path. Should his calculations hold, the journey, wrought with sacrifice and struggle, would culminate within a span of fifteen millennia.

With but a single shift of his gaze, he glimpsed the countless victories awaiting them, and envisioned the repercussions of conquering Falmart and harnessing its essence. With this conquest achieved, the Imperium would ascend to the pinnacle of its power.

Casting his eyes toward the distant horizon, the Emperor beheld the Eye of Terror, its dark abyss increasingly overrun by the relentless hordes of the Primordial Annihilators.

However, his loyal servants and bastions would endure; the dark hands of corruption would find no entry into the dominion of man. Moreover, the intricately woven chessboard upon which he and the Annihilators played would ensure his ultimate triumph.

Once more, his gaze shifted to another plane of reality, where humanity still crawled amidst the mysteries of atomic energy. Japan, once a mighty nation in the late M1 era, had been intentionally crippled by their ally, reduced to a mere shadow of its former glory.

He recalled with clarity the prophecy of a rising power that would propel humanity into the future, heralding the next phase of Earth's unification.

Yet, as he beheld the billions of souls and glimpsed the myriad futures of Old Earth, the Master of Mankind knew it was time to reveal himself. Despite the immense gamble, he must take the first step.

Harnessing his power, he reached beyond the veil of reality, seeking his old friend.

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-M2. Earth. Japan. Parliament. Private Room-

Ollanius returned from his initial meeting with a smile, the preparations for Gilgamesh's arrival at Old Earth now in motion.

Then, he felt it—the unmistakable presence of his old friend drawing near.

"What can I do for you, Gilgamesh?" he asked, his smile widening in anticipation.

The Emperor appeared before him in his ethereal form, urgency dripping from every word. "I need you to announce my arrival sooner than originally planned. Three days from now."

The statement caused the oldest human to visibly startle. "Why the sudden change?" he ventured to ask.

"The Four are advancing swiftly. And the void rift in Falmart is expanding, devouring more with each passing moment. I fear it may soon threaten Old Earth," the revelation weighed heavily on the ancient man's weary shoulders.

"I understand now," Ollanius replied, his eyes narrowing with a calculating gaze.

"I must tether this planet with my essence and awaken her if she exists," Gilgamesh declared with solemnity.

"Her?" Ollanius was taken aback. "Are you certain she exists in this reality?"

"There's no harm in trying. And if she does, it's my duty to awaken her," the Emperor's smile, though gentle, carried the weight of ages, prompting a somber smile from the oldest Perpetual.

"Always one for unorthodox methods, my friend," Ollanius remarked slowly, his demeanor returning to stern resolve as he grasped the gravity of the situation. "Do what must be done; I'll do what I can to support you."

"Thank you, old friend. I look forward to sharing a moment of respite once this is all over," Gilgamesh said, a hint of longing in his voice.

"Your countless masks never ceases to amaze, though it does give me a headache," Ollanius quipped with a touch of sarcasm.

The golden man chuckled lightly. "I wish you well, my friend."

The golden man reached out and gently placed his hand upon his friend's forehead, transferring a flood of information that only a transhuman mind could process. Ollanius drew in a deep breath as the vast knowledge flowed into his consciousness, filling him with clarity and purpose.

With that, the astral projection dissipated, leaving Ollanius alone in the room. He took a deep breath before reaching for the phone on the table.

"May I speak with Miss Rei?" he inquired into the receiver, then after a moment, he made an affirmative nod. "Very well, I'll await her."

After a few moments of anticipation, a familiar knock echoed through the room. Ollanius steeled himself, knowing the weight of his friend and master's urgent message. He opened the door to find the young diplomat standing before him.

"Lord Ollanius, did you summon me?" she asked politely.

"I did. Please, come in," he replied, gesturing for her to enter. They took their seats opposite each other, and Rei braced herself for the news to come.

"What's the reason for your urgent call, milord?" she inquired.

"I have urgent news from His Majesty. His arrival is imminent," Ollanius dropped the bombshell, leaving Rei stunned.

"His Majesty is coming sooner than expected?" she sought clarification. "But why?"

"Indeed. And as His Majesty has emphasized, it is of the utmost urgency."

The Perpetual's tone carried a gravity that seemed to amplify the already heavy atmosphere in the room.

"How long do we have to prepare?" Rei inquired, attempting to grasp the magnitude of the situation.

"Three days. His Majesty will arrive in five," the man replied slowly, his gaze piercing as he assessed the diplomat before him.

"Three days? That's hardly any time at all," Rei remarked, feeling the weight of the Perpetual's scrutiny slowly chipping away at her carefully maintained composure.

"I am aware. But His Majesty's resolve is unwavering. And given his motives, I find myself compelled to agree with his plan," the statement sent a shiver down Rei's spine, her intuition screaming at her from within.

"May I know the reason behind this urgency, Lord Ollanius?" she asked tentatively.

She treaded carefully, mindful not to arouse any irritation from the lord.

"I'm afraid I cannot provide an answer to that question, Miss Rei. The Emperor himself will likely convey his intentions to your people," he responded with a reassuring smile, though it did little to alleviate the diplomat's anxiety.

"I-I see," she stammered, her facade crumbling under the weight of her own stress.

"Do not fret; we will assist you in your preparations. The Lord General has been notified, and I trust they will take appropriate action," despite the lack of concrete information, Ollanius inferred that such a significant event would have alerted all Imperial authorities.

"That would be most appreciated, milord," the tension visibly lifted from her face.

"Excellent. Now, I must confer with the Prime Minister regarding His Majesty's impending arrival," Ollanius declared with determination.

"I understand," Rei replied, her demeanor composed once more.

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-M29. 671. Falmart. Deep in the planet core-

Chosen by their Primarch, Ahelax and his squad embarked on a mission of utmost importance: to delve into the heart of Falmart and retrieve the Alpha-Primus priority target, as decreed by the Emperor himself.

As members of the Arcanum Legion, successors of the esteemed Fifth Logos, Ahelax and his brethren wielded formidable control and power over the Immaterium, albeit a mere echo of the Logos' true might. Nevertheless, their abilities proved more than sufficient for their perilous journey into the planet's core.

With Ahelax's keen calculations guiding them, the squad pressed deeper into the unknown. The planet seemed to harbor a latent spirit, its presence growing more palpable with each step. The Immaterium thickened around them, warping space and time as they traversed the psychic miasma.

Despite the temporal distortions, Ahelax and his battle brothers remained shielded from the searing energies of the Warp, their psychic prowess warding off its harmful effects.

"We've barely spent a day in the material realm, but the warp's influence has already stretched five thousand years ahead," remarked one of Ahelax's brothers, encased in a protective psychic barrier.

"Your observation holds weight, brother. The Emperor has entrusted us with this task, and we shall not falter," Ahelax declared resolutely, urging the group onward.

Their journey was fraught with peril as they faced ambush after ambush from warp-spawned horrors. Some resembled ghastly aberrations from beyond reality, while others wielded soul-rending powers with grotesque forms.

But as Astartes, second only to the Logos' might, they withstood the onslaught with unwavering resolve. Ahelax countered their assaults with deftly erected psychic wards, erasing the abominations from the reality.

Undeterred by the horrors that assailed them, the squad pressed onward, their determination unyielding. After enduring countless trials, they finally reached the planet's core.

There, suspended in the ethereal void, floated a colossal crystal pulsating with boundless psychic energy. Its form shifted with Ahelax's slightest lapse in concentration, hinting at its enigmatic purpose.

"Is this our target, brother?" inquired one of Ahelax's comrades.

"Yes, it is," Ahelax confirmed, his gaze fixed upon the crystalline enigma before them.

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AN: Finally, the chapters you guys are waiting for are coming.