Warhammer [527-529] (Patreon)

Chapter 527: The bait is Guilliman; ambush at Vigilus

As a father, the Emperor knew his son very well. At their first meeting he was deceived by Fulgrim. Back then Fulgrim gave a stirring, impassioned speech so moving even he himself was touched, and he thought this child was humanity's future!

He would, like Horus, become a pillar of the Imperium, so he made an exception and named the III Legion the Emperor's Children.

Reality proved him completely wrong. Fulgrim was a performer, an artist—his greatest skill was surface-level showmanship.

Otherwise he wouldn't have survived his brutal homeworld and even risen to become a political leader. The man is a self-serving scoundrel.

When Horus rebelled back then, Fulgrim chose to answer the call almost without any reason.

The Emperor couldn't even understand why Fulgrim would betray him. He had treated the child very well—second only to Horus!

If you're going to betray me, at least give me a reason! Like Lorgar—I destroyed his Perfect City.

Angron—because I stopped the coup he and his brothers launched. Mortarion, even Magnus—they all had reasons. But you, Fulgrim, betrayed for no reason at all.

"So we must stop him and seize the Chaos divinity from his hands," Rhodes said.

"If we take the Chaos divinity from him, it'll need a host. Rhodes, you're not planning to become the new Slaanesh, are you?" the Emperor asked.

That was his bottom line. If Rhodes answered wrongly, the Emperor would act without hesitation!

No one knows better than the Emperor what state one falls into after becoming a Chaos god—that is total corruption.

"I'm not interested! But I do have an idea for the divinity. I used your power to make an Emperor Avatar, used the Death God's power to make a Death God Avatar.

"At the same time, I used Slaanesh energy to make a Slaanesh-Avatar. We can transfer the Chaos divinity into the avatar I created, let it inherit the divinity, so we'll have a Chaos god forever on our side," Rhodes laid out his plan.

"No. If it's only a portion of Slaanesh's power, you can control it, but the entire godhead? That cannot be controlled.

"It's even possible Slaanesh is playing some scheme—she deliberately released her divinity, even inserted a portion into Fulgrim to create a false appearance.

"Her real goal would be to seize control of your avatar. That Ace Killer can contain a portion of a Chaos god's power.

"Slaanesh would gain the power to walk the material world, and then the power she could exert would surpass all of us," the Emperor said.

Chaos gods are the ancestors of plots and schemes. No matter what they say, you can't believe it—anything might be bait, corruption, or a scheme.

"So we just let it be?" Rhodes asked.

The Emperor truly is cautious beyond measure! Or rather, ever since being screwed by the four Chaos gods and ending up on the Golden Throne, the old man has grown ever more cautious, seeing plots in everything.

Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of the rope.

But the issue is, Aisha has already separated from her divinity. If not, Fulgrim would never have had a chance to touch the Chaos godhead. The four are cunning, but they won't gamble with their own godheads.

And speaking of bodies, the giantess's body now is far more perfect than that Ace Killer's body!

He couldn't say this to the Emperor—the Emperor's hatred for the four Chaos gods is too deep.

"I need to verify the truth of this. What if this is a Chaos scheme? What if through the godhead he takes control of that avatar of yours? Then everything is over, Rhodes," the Emperor said.

Stopping Fulgrim from obtaining the divinity is crucial, but he must confirm whether Fulgrim is truly fusing with it.

"Didn't you just confirm it?" Rhodes asked.

"I only confirmed residual Chaos power there. Corax and Lorgar have indeed been captured, but I can't confirm the rest," the Emperor said.

"If you won't help, I'll face Fulgrim alone. But if I fail, the entire human race is finished.

"Even if I can preserve some humans, our tech level will regress," Rhodes played his trump card.

"I need to see Fulgrim with my own eyes. I need to confirm what's happening to him before I help you. As for the divinity, I propose we destroy it outright—do not keep it. It's a total mistake," the Emperor said.

The best method for a Chaos godhead is to destroy it, erasing a Warp god entirely.

"Emperor! Can a Chaos divinity be destroyed?" Rhodes rolled his eyes.

You think it's some object? Something tangible you can smash? What a joke! A Chaos godhead is intangible.

Part of it is on Aisha, yet part can transfer into Fulgrim. It's a kind of authority, a mantle.

If you could destroy it, the four could be killed; they wouldn't be immortal. Once a godhead forms, it's deeply bound to the Warp.

Hearing this, the Emperor fell silent. Rhodes was right—the godhead can't be directly destroyed; it's unrealistic.

But he also didn't want the godhead transferred into Rhodes's Chaos avatar.

Because that might create a new evil god.

"Rhodes, let's confirm Fulgrim first. If it's as you say, I'll reconsider," the Emperor finally chose a compromise.

He would help, but only after confirming whether Fulgrim has truly gained the godhead.

"I've prepared a trap. I'll leak to the Slaanesh Keeper of Secrets a piece of intel.

"About the making of Emperor Avatars and Slaanesh-Avatars. That will definitely draw their attention," Rhodes said.

"You're too naive, Rhodes. That might not draw out Fulgrim. His mind is sharp—he won't miss such obvious bait," the Emperor shook his head.

No one knows a son like his father! In cunning, Fulgrim ranks among the top of the Primarchs.

"Emperor, Ace Killers are extremely powerful lifeforms. Their physical qualities far surpass a Primarch's—comparable even to those fused with cosmic behemoths—and they can wield Primarch-level soul-power.

"Most importantly, the Ace Killer can absorb energy. It can perfectly bear Slaanesh's power, so Fulgrim will come to seize it.

"Because this is his only chance to wield supreme power both in realspace and in the Warp," Rhodes said.

It's obvious bait, but if the bait is big enough, sometimes fish bite even knowing it's bait.

Because it's irresistible. Without a cosmic beast, without a Super-Beast body, a mere Primarch body can't cut it in 40k now.

"Don't forget, Vashtorr can also copy gigantification—though we don't know how.

"He must have gotten something—very likely cells from that fallen Custodian," the Emperor said.

"Then do you have a better way to lure Fulgrim out?" Rhodes asked.

"Of course I do," the Emperor smiled mysteriously.

Rhodes's plan seemed perfect, but Fulgrim is too cautious—he won't take the bait easily. To lure him, they need another bait.

Another bait! What could the Emperor use to attract Fulgrim?

The Emperor didn't answer Rhodes. He sent a mental summons to Guilliman, who was handling state affairs outside.

What is the best lure for Fulgrim? Need you ask? It's Guilliman!

Fulgrim is proud, a perfectionist, and cannot tolerate failure.

He killed Guilliman ten thousand years ago, but Guilliman has returned, stronger. To Fulgrim, that's unforgivable.

If Guilliman and Rhodes's Ace Killer appear together, the double temptation will stir Fulgrim to act. Then the Emperor can observe whether Fulgrim truly has the Chaos godhead's recognition.

If he has, the Emperor will join Rhodes without hesitation to take him down. If not, Guilliman plus Rhodes's contingencies can still kill Fulgrim—two birds with one stone.

Moments later, Guilliman arrived at the Imperial Palace, nodded to Rhodes, then looked up at the Emperor on the Golden Throne.

"Father! You sent for me?"

Seeing Guilliman, Rhodes suddenly understood—the old man's bait was Guilliman!

As expected of the Emperor! He's got Fulgrim pinned on this point. Guilliman and the Ace Killer can indeed draw Fulgrim out.

"Guilliman, Rhodes has just told me something terrible." The Emperor relayed his conversation with Rhodes.

He explained Fulgrim was about to gain Chaos power's recognition and would devour all human souls.

"What!! This—Rhodes—thank the Father you found this in time. We must stop Fulgrim. He must not succeed," Guilliman said, shocked at first, then resolute.

This is the annihilation of humanity! He couldn't take it lightly. That bastard Fulgrim!

This time, he must die for good.

"As long as you understand the gravity. Rhodes and I plan a trap, with you and a newly made avatar as bait," the Emperor said.

Since most Ace Killers had been converted into Emperor Avatars and deployed across Imperial fronts, people now just call them avatars.

"Father, how exactly?" Guilliman asked.

"First, Rhodes will prepare an avatar with no self-awareness, not yet activated. You'll escort it to a bait location, then spread the word you'll use it to absorb Chaos power to make a Chaos-demon-killer," the Emperor outlined Rhodes's plan.

"So, something akin to an Emperor Avatar, right?"

"Exactly. The avatar has extreme absorption—any psychic power can be absorbed, including the other Warp gods.

"It can even absorb some realspace powers—like a C'tan's," Rhodes said.

"If so, let's say it's to absorb a C'tan shard. That'll make it more convincing, and the Imperium can add some secrecy. I'll see to getting the word out," Guilliman said.

"Leave that to Rhodes; he'll leak it to Fulgrim. Now we need a suitable site to ambush him. Guilliman, suggestions?" the Emperor asked.

"Father, I have one: Vigilus in the Nachmund Gauntlet. We'll ambush there," Roboute Guilliman said after a moment.

The ambush can't be in Imperial Sanctus—too obviously a trap; nor in the Imperium Nihilus—their strength there is insufficient and Chaos permeates it, even the Emperor's sight is hindered.

So the best site is Vigilus in the Nachmund Gauntlet. Though the Aeldari opened Webways, those can't serve every link between Sanctus and Nihilus.

For example, you can't open Webway gates on every planet—you need a broad corridor for Imperial logistics.

So merchant traffic usually takes the Nachmund corridor. Vigilus there is a perfect ambush point.

Rhodes was slightly surprised. He'd thought his presence would avert the Vigilus campaign, yet it will happen anyway!

And at Primarch scale!

Chapter 528: Plan begins

For the details, Rhodes and Guilliman coordinated, like arranging transport personnel and releasing news of an Emperor Avatar.

"Rhodes, this Emperor Avatar's base form—the Ace Killer—how is it made? This lifeform is truly marvelous," Guilliman asked.

"I used to produce them secretly, but this time I'll bring sufficient materials and make one openly in the Martian Mechanicus," Rhodes grinned.

After creating the extradimensional space with Yapool, Rhodes no longer lacked extradimensional energy. If he wished, he and Yapool could fabricate Ace Killers with raw energy.

But their mass-produced ones weren't as good as the system's. The system's could level up, get free extradimensional metals, and strengthen cores.

The ones he and Yapool made could absorb energy but couldn't be strengthened—far inferior in growth potential.

"Ace Killers are forged from extradimensional metal, plus vast extradimensional energy.

"These used to be scarce, mostly reserved for making Super-Beasts," Rhodes said.

Since creating the extradimensional space, Super-Beast upgrades have increased. Rhodes is confident he can, within years, upgrade all Custodians in the Palace into Super-Beasts.

As for Custodian loyalty:

Rhodes has been named Imperial Heir Apparent; to some extent, he's become the Custodians' new focus of fealty.

After Super-Beast conversion, at a subconscious level their loyalty to Rhodes grows daily.

And the Emperor has given Rhodes the Custodian modification protocols. With the Super-Beast machines they can be mass-produced, though at high energy cost.

Hence Rhodes wanted the Custodian protocols—to perform conversions in his own domain. One Custodian takes 20–30 years to complete.

With med-bays, success rates rise greatly, and Yapool, Balt, and Zett can research enhancements.

"I see. If produced within the Martian Mechanicus, Fulgrim will be more at ease," Guilliman said.

…

Days later, Rhodes brought 100,000 tons of extradimensional metal and Yapool to Mars, assembled many Tech-Priests and other Magi, even Great Magos Belisarius Cawl.

Then they loudly publicized the Ace Killer. They declared that after creation, the Emperor would infuse it with his psychic might to become an Emperor Avatar of terrifying power.

The Mechanicus had long been curious about the mysterious avatars; now, with permission to produce one, they were eager to see it.

Unlike the slow, methodical Magi, Yapool working with Rhodes, drawing enough extradimensional energy and metal, made an avatar with ease—in just half a month!

In the remaining half month, they made another. In a single month on Mars, two avatars were completed.

To make it grand, the Emperor even held a public ceremony on Holy Terra.

Before all Imperial citizens, he infused golden energy into one avatar, transforming it into an Emperor Avatar.

The people watched a red giant turn into a gold-armored giant in the Emperor's image.

All citizens cheered; they finally knew how the mysterious avatars were made.

It wasn't some Warp sorcery, nor a new living saint of the Emperor.

It was science—plus the Emperor's psychic power!

Imperial officials recorded the ceremony and broadcast it across the Imperium.

The Emperor Avatar's method was finally public—and Chaos learned it too.

…

"So that's it. They use a strange energy. No wonder—no wonder the body's strangeness kept scripture from duplicating it," Vashtorr said in the Warp.

Beside him stood Abaddon. He had completed a new round of gigantification; his strength now nearly matched a giant Primarch.

After the method was public, he immediately brought the recording to his partner, Vashtorr.

Seeing the process up close benefited Vashtorr greatly. He also realized the gigantification he'd devised differed clearly from the Avatar.

"If we can get a base-form specimen, perfect. We can try infusing other energies—mine, undivided Chaos, or the other gods'," Vashtorr said.

"I've thought the same. I even suspect that so-called Child of Slaanesh is just a mutated Ace Killer!

For some reason Slaanesh cooperated with the Emperor and obtained this lifeform," Abaddon snorted.

The puzzle that plagued him was solved: you're merely a manufactured bioweapon, not some spooky demigod!

"No, not quite. I've seen that Child of Slaanesh. It resembles these, but if you simply inject Slaanesh's power, it shouldn't be that strong," Vashtorr shook his head.

As one foot into godhood, his eye was keen. The Slaanesh-infused avatar was unlike the Emperor Avatar's base form. Too much god-power would be rejected; too little wouldn't reach that might.

He was puzzled. To understand, he needed an uninitialized specimen.

"That won't be easy. If you want an Emperor Avatar, I can probably help capture one," Abaddon mused.

To topple the false Imperium, he needs a counter to the avatars. Vashtorr's gigantification needs further upgrades.

And that tech is only for Chaos Champions, Lords, or Daemon Princes. He wants a cadre of avatars belonging to him, Abaddon.

So mastering the Avatar's manufacture is crucial.

"An Emperor Avatar is no use to me. I've recovered some of their remains on battlefields.

"Only the untouched base form will do," Vashtorr said.

"That's not easy, but I'll keep watch. If a chance comes, I'll try to grab one," Abaddon nodded.

At the same time, the other Chaos gods received the broadcast and learned the method, further convincing them Slaanesh had cooperated with the Emperor.

This lifeform that can absorb their god-power to forge special warriors is formidable. They must obtain it.

Right then, Rhodes's Slaanesh-Killer underling moved. First he revealed this to his loyal lackey, Lucius.

"My lord! Is that true?" Lucius looked in disbelief at the purple giant.

Recently, mortal Slaanesh cultists, Daemonettes and Princes found it odd—their link to their patron had been cut, then returned—but now there were two.

One stronger, one weaker!

All Slaanesh daemons were confused.

Rumor spread that the so-called Child of Slaanesh, Sidonis, was merely an Emperor Avatar.

Their former patron had allied with the Emperor; a new Slaanesh was about to rise.

"To be honest, Lucius: the one who made you Champion has abandoned her Chaos godhead and fully embraced Order. I am the product of her deal with the Emperor," the Slaanesh-Killer, under Rhodes's control, confessed partially.

Though Aisha abandoned the godhead, Lucius, being her Champion, still had some link.

"My fealty has always been to the one who made me Champion, never to any Primarch or some 'new Slaanesh.'

"If that great one embraces Order, I embrace Order.

If that great one chooses Chaos, I choose Chaos," Lucius said.

He never got on with his Primarch, and he didn't know who the new Slaanesh was. Following his current patron seemed better.

"Good, Lucius. Then now your master has a special task for you."

Chapter 529: Lucius—casting the giant net to snare Fulgrim

"Lord Sidonis! Master—whatever task you give me, I will complete. My life was given by the Master! But one thing: I will never return to the Imperium," Lucius said.

He was sure his master had allied with the Emperor. If asked to return to the Imperium, he couldn't accept it. Over ten millennia he'd struck the Imperium hard. Returning would be awkward for him and them. He'd do the Master's work—but would not go back.

"No problem. You can remain a free swordsman. But your prey will become Chaos forces—so you can stay by my side. I can even grant you gigantification," the Slaanesh-Killer, under Rhodes's direction, promised.

Rhodes also needed someone for the dirty work—defiant nobles, disobedient planetary governors.

Rather than dispatch Custodians or Astartes, better to send Lucius.

"Then I've no objections, Lord Sidonis. What is the task?" Lucius asked.

"Soon, the Imperium will transport a base-form Ace Killer to Vigilus.

"Your task is to quietly spread this news—let Daemon Princes, Greater Daemons, other Chaos Champions and Lords learn it 'by chance.' Can you do it?" the Slaanesh-Killer asked.

Lucius was the key. If he handled it well, Rhodes would reward him. If he betrayed them, the news would still spread—just differently. It was up to Lucius.

"I understand. Easy enough. I'll handle it quickly. Lord Sidonis, is there no other task?" Lucius asked.

He felt it was almost too easy.

"If you complete it, I'll take you to meet the true Master. Please her, and she will grant you unimaginable power," the Slaanesh-Killer said meaningfully.

Lucius bowed and left.

So this was a test—of loyalty and trust.

Interesting. He, Ahriman, Typhus, and Khârn were the four strongest Chaos Champions—far beyond others, even above many Daemon Princes.

A Champion is beloved of their god and granted special powers—for instance, his own immortality.

Anyone who kills him with even a flicker of joy can be possessed by him—he takes their body and soul.

Even if the killer feels no joy at all, kills him coldly, Lucius will be blessed by his god and resurrected.

So rather than follow a Primarch who despises him, or some nebulous new Slaanesh he doesn't know, he'd rather serve his old Master.

Taking a sparring match as a pretext, Lucius leaked tidbits to a fellow Chaos Champion, then to a Slaanesh Daemon Prince, a Great Daemon—

Even beyond Slaanesh's camp: Nurgle, Khorne, Tzeentch.

…

In mere months, the rumor sprouted wings, spreading swiftly among Chaos high ranks.

Meanwhile, on the Imperial side, Regent Roboute Guilliman personally escorted a mysterious cargo.

He would traverse the Nachmund Gauntlet to the Imperium Nihilus, said to be a very important load.

Chaos began probing what the Regent was escorting.

On a hidden Warp world, Fulgrim sat integrating his godhead. Recently, for some reason, the process had slowed—no growth at all, as if Slaanesh no longer wished to give it up.

"Great Master, we received news from the Imperium," an Emperor's Children Noise Marine—an old veteran—approached his Primarch.

He was a Chaos Champion—not blessed by Slaanesh, but by Fulgrim.

Though only initial fusion with the godhead, Fulgrim had some authority. He couldn't create his own Greater Daemons or pick Champions, since he wasn't a god. But through Chaos power he could make Champions, Daemon Princes, and Lords.

"What is it? I said, unless it's important, don't disturb me," Fulgrim said.

"A matter making the rounds: the base form of the Emperor Avatar has been revealed, said to be a new bioweapon developed by the Martian Mechanicus.

"This bioweapon can absorb psychic power. The Emperor injects his power into it, and it evolves into his Avatar. In base form it can absorb any energy attribute,

"Even the power of Chaos gods. After absorbing, they become the strongest beings in realspace," the Champion reported.

"Hmph. The Emperor Avatar—so it was indeed my father's doing," Fulgrim said.

That so-called Child of Slaanesh, Sidonis, was unfriendly even at first meeting, even fought him, provoking him at every turn. In retrospect, clearly the Emperor's arrangement to punish him.

But who could have predicted he'd be recognized by the Chaos godhead, about to become a new Chaos god. He didn't know why that woman abandoned her godhead.

But since he'd been recognized, he would never let go. He would become the strongest in the universe!

His current limit was his frail body—by the time he fully fused the godhead, it would shatter, leaving him like the others:

A god who could only walk the Warp, not realspace.

This Emperor Avatar base-form is powerful; getting one would help immensely.

"I understand. Keep a close eye on this avatar. If there's intel, report at once," Fulgrim said.

"Master, that's exactly why I came. We've learned the Imperium intends to send a completely blank avatar to the Imperium Nihilus, to absorb certain powers," the Champion said.

A precious intel—surely the Primarch would be pleased.

After his apotheosis, the reward would be greater—perhaps Daemon Princehood, even Championhood.

"Any details? I sense something off. Logically, making it into an Emperor Avatar by injecting the Emperor's power is optimal.

"Sending it elsewhere—besides the other gods—what power surpasses the Emperor's?" Fulgrim asked.

"Report says the Imperium found a sealed C'tan shard in Nihilus. They want to use it—likely to have the avatar absorb C'tan power," the Champion said.

The Imperium had indeed dealt with C'tan shards recently. The new Primarch Rhodes and the Emperor himself had destroyed shards.

They did it secretly, but Chaos saw some of it in the Warp—like the Void Dragon shard sealed on Mars,

And Necron C'tan shards captured by the Imperium—absorbed by some method.

Could there be a connection?

Fulgrim pondered. If the Imperium hadn't fought C'tan before, this would be suspicious. But since they had, it seemed plausible.

A perfect opportunity. If he obtained an avatar, he'd have a supreme body in realspace.

It might be a trap, but if the Imperium dares dangle the bait, he wants to try to seize it.

At worst, he needn't show himself—send subordinates to snatch it.

"To reach Nihilus, they must take the Nachmund Gauntlet or the Aeldari Webway."

"Master! I've confirmed they'll take the Gauntlet. Escort is Guilliman himself. What are your orders?"

"Guilliman? Summon all Emperor's Children, Daemon Princes, and Greater Daemons sworn to me."