Warhammer [486-487] (Patreon)

Chapter 486: ICU War God, Rhodes Arrives on the Battlefield, Three Chaos Gods

Roboute Guilliman quickly grasped the details. Without any hesitation, he immediately projected his soul into the Warp to call for Rhodes.

If he were any slower, Calgar might die. Although Calgar had undergone super-beast augmentation, overall he was only about on par with that giantifying Custodian.

Since Khârn had managed to kill that Custodian, killing Calgar wouldn't be too difficult either. They had to hurry and reinforce him. Among all of them, only Rhodes's subordinate Tartarus could open a portal at any time.

At this moment, Rhodes's flagship was en route to Holy Terra. He was in bed, holding Isha in his arms, when he received Guilliman's request for contact.

Rhodes didn't dawdle. He immediately sat up, got dressed, and left the room.

Normally, if Guilliman needed to contact him, he would have a psyker send an astropathic message through Imperial channels. Only in the most urgent situations—like Sanguinius had done—would he reach out directly via the Warp.

Outside the room, Rhodes projected his soul into the Warp and met Guilliman there.

"What happened, Guilliman? Why contact me in such a rush?"

"Here's the situation, Rhodes—my gene-sons are in trouble. Macragge has suffered a Chaos assault.

"They're trying to seize the Primaris Astartes' superhuman organs. The Custodian guarding them has already been killed," Guilliman explained, laying out everything.

"What? How is that possible? You know how strong those giantified super-beast Custodians are.

"Even the repaired Dreadnought-tier giant warriors can't stand up to a giantified Custodian. Ordinary Chaos Champions can at best trade blows with Primaris Astartes.

"Against a giantified Custodian, even a Daemon Prince or a Greater Daemon would be walking to their death," Rhodes said.

He knew the super-beast Custodians' power. The first to undergo super-beast augmentation had been Ultraman—a Custodian from ten thousand years ago.

In terms of strength, there was no question: he could one-shot a Greater Daemon or a Daemon Prince, with sky-high combat power, not far off a normal giant. Killing a super-beastified Custodian should be no easy feat.

"This time is different. It's Khârn the Betrayer, Khorne's chosen—second only to Angron among Khorne's faction. And for some unknown reason, he gained the ability to gigantify.

"On top of that, with a Chaos God's blessing, he has a kind of undying body. He literally outlasted that giantifying super-beast Custodian," Guilliman said.

He didn't know how the opponent had acquired gigantification, but this was something Rhodes could handle. After all, gigantification originated from Rhodes; he was the one who had brought it into this universe.

"I understand. Don't worry, I'll go handle it right now," Rhodes nodded.

"What is it, dear? Did something happen?" Isha asked from the bedroom doorway.

She'd seen Rhodes's soul enter the Warp, but hadn't followed.

"Something happened—Macragge is under Chaos attack. It's led by the Changer of Ways, Tzeentch, and by Khorne. Khorne's chosen Khârn suddenly appeared with the ability to gigantify, and even killed a super-beastified Custodian," Rhodes said.

"Do you want me to go help?" Isha asked.

"No need. Tartarus and I can handle it. You keep heading to Holy Terra," Rhodes waved a hand to Isha and immediately called for Tartarus.

Tartarus quickly arrived. After hearing the situation, he opened a portal to Macragge and jumped through with Rhodes.

….

Macragge was in ruins. Legions of Chaos Daemons, Chaos Space Marines, Chaos cultists, and sorcerers were assaulting the world.

Ultramarines and mortal auxilia were fighting them tooth and nail. Among the Chaos Space Marines, some bathed in blood and slaughtered vast numbers of humans, catching the eye of the Dark Gods; they were rewarded and elevated to Chaos Champions.

It seemed deliberate—manufacturing more Chaos Champions to make up for the lack of combat power. After all, ordinary Chaos Space Marines were of no use against this new age of Astartes.

They were little more than cannon fodder. Even mortal auxilia who had been injected with super-soldier serums could suppress Chaos Champions through raw physicality alone.

So the two Chaos Gods naturally juiced their small fry, turning on cheats for their underlings.

At the center of the battlefield, a blue-armored giant was dueling a giant in blood-red armor.

The blue-armored giant was at the end of his rope—face swollen into a pig's head, his power armor shattered into pieces.

After super-beastification, their armor would also enlarge, using top-tier tech. But even so, in front of a God's Chosen, it was helpless.

"Calgar, is this all you've got?

"You disappoint me—truly disappoint me," Khârn taunted.

Calgar panted, spat blood, and barked back:

"You're only relying on your absurd regeneration to fight us. If you didn't have that, you wouldn't have even met me—the Custodian before me would've killed you.

"How many times did I crush you with my power fists? Can't you count?"

That undying body was disgusting. No wonder these Chaos Chosen could terrorize the galaxy for millennia.

They really did have some bite.

His own strength was about even with the Custodian who'd just been killed—both could gigantify—but facing an unkillable monster was exhausting indeed.

"Super Shockwave!" 

"Absolute Annihilation!"

A surge of red-gold energy and a bolt of golden lightning slammed into Khârn, blasting the Chaos Chosen into fragments. The giant body dispersed into smoke.

Rhodes and Tartarus had arrived and immediately struck, blowing the Chaos Chosen to pieces.

Rhodes frowned. There was something oddly familiar about the aura on this Chaos Chosen.

After Rhodes pulverized him, Warp energies surged. Crimson power gathered in the air, slowly forming a skeleton, then blood vessels and muscle—Khârn's body piecing itself back together.

"Hmph. Let's see how many times you can regenerate.

"Steelforce Ox-Breaking Fist!" Rhodes snorted, set his hands at his hips, and unleashed a charged strike.

Before the body could fully reassemble, Khârn was blasted apart again.

Meanwhile, Tartarus raised both hands and unleashed blinding golden power, dispersing the local Warp, sealing it. Even the Warp artifact personally gifted by Tzeentch shattered outright.

But Tartarus's appearance also drew the attention of two Chaos Gods. That golden power looked a bit familiar.

Years ago, they had gone with Vashtorr to Slaanesh's palace to kill the youngest Chaos God and seize her power—so Vashtorr could ascend as a fifth Chaos God. A mysterious golden power appeared and sealed the Palace of Pleasure. They'd thought that divine gold power came from the Emperor of Mankind—but now it seemed not.

The golden power used by this golden giant looked almost identical to what they'd seen at Slaanesh's palace.

In the Warp, three powerful Chaos entities gathered: two true Chaos Gods and one with a foot already in the realm of Chaos Gods.

"This is getting interesting. That Primarch named Rhodes doesn't seem ordinary," Tzeentch said, stroking his chin with a thin chuckle.

"He's not a worthy warrior—but I am very interested in his blood," Khorne said.

"He's the true variable of this universe—the Emperor's real hidden piece. The Emperor can fool you, but he can't fool me," Vashtorr said.

This universe had changed, with Rhodes at the source. From the moment he brought forth those mighty kaiju and terrifying mechanical lifeforms, and knowledge from other universes, Vashtorr had profited most—because the Warp always generated reflections of reality.

So he knew exactly where Rhodes came from.

"Why didn't you tell us about him earlier?" asked Khorne.

"Because I wanted to keep him. He brings new change to the world.

"He makes me stronger. Any science and technology from other worlds—if it concerns machines and technology—becomes my power, whether he likes it or not," Vashtorr sneered.

Not only would he not kill Rhodes—he'd protect him. Why would he have told them earlier?

"You're telling us now because he no longer needs your protection—and we can't deal with him either, right?" Khorne asked.

Vashtorr smiled without answering. The meaning was obvious.

Indeed—Rhodes no longer needed anyone's protection.

"Enough bickering. We are the supreme beings of this universe. There's no need to squabble over a mortal—or a new demigod.

"We've got what we wanted. Recall your forces. This battle is over," said Tzeentch.

So—Vashtorr had his own plans too.

Chapter 487: The Chaos Gods' Plot, Vashtorr's Gigantification Experiments

They had already obtained the special materials the Imperium needed for its newly developed Space Marines.

There was no need to continue the fighting. In fact, once they killed that Custodian, they could have withdrawn.

It was just that Khârn wanted to play a little longer, so they let the Chaos horde run wild on Macragge.

But now that Rhodes and that golden giant had arrived, it was time to end the battle.

"Understood. I'll recall Khârn. But, Vashtorr, you'll keep forging more of those giantified super-warriors for me," Khorne said.

They had killed that giantified super-beast warrior thanks to the ultra-gigantification tech provided by Vashtorr.

"No problem. I never hoard technology. I'm not like some who hide their treasures. I like sharing.

"Send me your underlings and I'll modify them immediately—like I did with Abaddon. And this is an upgraded version," said Vashtorr.

When the Warmaster Abaddon had worked with him, he'd procured some bodily material from Slaanesh's so-called god-child.

In secret, Vashtorr had also acquired samples from the Emperor's giantified Custodians and from that so-called Avatar of the Emperor.

Combined with his own Soul Forges, he succeeded in developing a gigantification power—able to gigantify any Chaos Champion, Chaos Chosen, or Daemon Prince.

"Ah, I won't be shy then. I'll send all my Daemon Princes, Greater Daemons, and Chaos Champions and Chosen to you," Khorne said.

He couldn't afford to fall behind Nurgle. That oaf had reportedly used the power of a kaiju to develop gigantification too, and was equipping his Greater Daemons and Daemon Princes with it.

Khorne was good at war, not research—so he would outsource. This Vashtorr fellow seemed quite capable. Khorne was satisfied. Tzeentch smiled without comment; he had already arranged cooperation with Vashtorr and would send his Greater Daemons, Daemon Princes, and Champions for upgrades as well.

"Slow down. This isn't done overnight. I can only upgrade a few per year. Sending them all at once won't help," Vashtorr said.

What did they think—gigantification mods grew on trees?

"We have all the time we need."

"In the Warp, time is meaningless. If you wish, we can permanently alter the time flow in your domain," said Tzeentch.

In any case, they wanted the upgrades done as quickly as possible. Whatever the Imperium had, Chaos couldn't lack.

"I understand," Vashtorr nodded.

Of course, his help had a price—clearly written in the terms. He was an honest, trustworthy businessman.

"What about that golden monster? We thought it was the Emperor who helped Slaanesh, but now it seems that golden thing did it," Khorne asked.

When they had besieged Slaanesh, they were stopped by that golden barrier—unable to enter the Palace of Pleasure. Slaanesh had since gone quiet.

They'd assumed Slaanesh had made some pact with the Emperor, because Slaanesh's so-called god-child was of the same kind as the Emperor's Avatar. But now, it seemed the matter had changed.

"Isn't it obvious? Think carefully—when did the Emperor begin to change? When did he recover somewhat upon the Golden Throne?

"It all started after that Rhodes appeared. Slaanesh's disappearance is indeed related to the Emperor, but the key is that one named Rhodes," Tzeentch said, as if seeing the board clearly.

All the coincidences aligned; after analyzing the intel, he'd reached the best answer.

Interesting—hiding right under his beak for so long.

"Should we tell that idiot Nurgle?" Khorne asked.

"No, no. Why tell that filthy simpleton? Let him clash with the Emperor. He'll target Rhodes anyway. If we tell him the truth, he'll focus everything on Rhodes and won't go all out against the Emperor and the Imperium. That's not good for us—we need him to be the vanguard," said Tzeentch.

Khorne and Slaanesh despised each other; he, likewise, despised Nurgle. If he could trip up that green fat oaf, all the better.

Recently, he'd noticed the Aeldari goddess of life getting along very closely with Rhodes…

When the time came, that green lout's face would be priceless. Tzeentch couldn't wait to savor it.

"Hahaha! Then we won't tell him," Khorne said.

"One more thing—the Aeldari God of Death has emerged. Legend says he'll kill Slaanesh—but Slaanesh is currently sealed.

"Also, your favorite Aeldari war god has been reborn, though in a peculiar way," Tzeentch said to Khorne with a wicked smile.

It was known that Khorne was desperate to possess the Aeldari war god and the human Primarch Sanguinius.

"What! Where is he now? Where is the Aeldari war god?" Khorne demanded.

"He's no longer an Aeldari war god—he's going to become a human war god. No—he's going to become a human Primarch," Tzeentch said.

The War God Khaine, stripped of all memory, was a marvel—abandoning his own people to turn to humanity and the Emperor, even willingly becoming a Primarch.

A thorough idiot.

"He chose the Emperor? Why not me? I could give him the greatest power. I am the one he should serve," Khorne growled.

"You'll get your chance. The Plague War will soon erupt. Nurgle will slug it out with the Emperor.

"Send your upgraded Daemon Princes, Greater Daemons, and Chaos Champions and Chosen to assault Holy Terra. Seize the Aeldari war god if you can.

"As far as I know, he's currently a baby—he chose to be reborn as an infant within the Imperium, to grow into a Primarch," Tzeentch shared all his intel.

"You'd goad the two of us into war with the Emperor—so you can reap the rewards?" Khorne asked.

The Emperor was no pushover. They had worked so hard to pin that bastard to the Golden Throne—unable to descend or ascend, stuck in that humiliating state.

If they pushed him too far, who knew what horrors he might unleash?

So the best option was to keep him on the Throne forever—maintain the status quo, to everyone's advantage.

"Relax—the Emperor won't rise. As long as we aren't bent on exterminating humanity—so long as we don't push him to the limit—he won't get up. And this time, it'll be the Primarchs who fight Nurgle.

"Several Primarchs have returned to the Imperium. They'll clash with Nurgle's hosts. Both sides will bleed.

"We want to weaken the Emperor—but keep him in a steady state," Tzeentch said.

"Hahaha! No wonder you're the smartest among us."

The two Chaos Gods and a near-ascended Chaos God cackled madly. Khârn, on the verge of re-forming, was recalled by Khorne.

On Macragge, the moment Rhodes and Tartarus arrived, the tide turned. With overwhelming power, Rhodes rampaged across the world.

Ordinary Chaos Space Marines and Daemons weren't even a match for a single exchange. Inspired by a Primarch's presence, the Ultramarines counterattacked. The Chaos assault was finally quelled.

Though the losses were heavy, the Imperium had won again.

"Lord Rhodes! Thank you for coming to our aid. Had you not arrived in time, Macragge would have fallen," Chief Librarian Tigurius of the Ultramarines stood before Rhodes.

"Think nothing of it. How bad are your losses?" Rhodes asked the Chief Librarian.

"Over a thousand Ultramarines have fallen, and several hundred of your sons—and that Custodian. They've all returned to the Golden Throne," Tigurius said.

The war had lasted less than a day, yet the devastation exceeded previous Chaos incursions. Gigantified combat power was overwhelming—crushing to mortals.

Numbers couldn't bridge the gap.

"Mm. Where's Calgar?" Rhodes asked.

"Chapter Master Calgar—well, the Legion's vice commander—was gravely wounded. He's in intensive care. I estimate he'll be laid up for a few days," said Tigurius.

Thanks to medicae pods; otherwise, with his injuries, he'd be bedbound for months.

Rhodes's mouth twitched. As expected—the legendary ICU War God lived up to his name.