In the mountains, Kei noticed Saint Celestine constantly sneaking glances behind him toward the barbecue stall, trying to maintain a solemn expression but unable to hide a faint smile at the corners of her lips.
As one of the Three Chosen of the Emperor, she possessed a resurrectable divine form and the power to channel the Emperor's holy light. From the moment of her ascension, she was designated as the new champion of the Ecclesiarchy.
The brutal history of the Frateris Templar was never revealed to the reborn Celestine, who retained a certain innocence despite her martial prowess, still maintaining a core of human compassion beneath her divine purpose.
Facing Lord Guilliman, she was a respectfully independent warrior. Facing heretics, she became the unyielding Living Saint who fought to the last breath. And when among battle-brothers and sisters, she was the steadfast ally you'd want guarding your flank. She always maintained the greatest goodwill toward loyal servants of the Imperium.
There was a kind of earnest, endearing quality about her.
But...
Her fortune was abysmal! She was a certified beacon for catastrophe!
Because of a miscalculation by the Lord Commander, she was sent to reinforce the Astra Militarum, only to be marginalized in every way by the Inquisition and other Imperial factions.
After finally forging bonds of fellowship with the Steel Legion, she was manipulated by Lelith, who ended up destroying their fortified position, the Grand Bastion.
Unable to face her comrades, she wandered aimlessly, only to be captured and utilized by Cegorach, who then banished Yvraine.
This once radiant, spirited Living Saint... After experiencing this sequence of failures, no longer illuminated with her former grace.
Could all this really be just a matter of bad luck?
Kei exhaled softly at the thought.
She possessed the tremendous power of one of the three Chosen of the Emperor, yet because of the High Lords' political maneuvers and their binding edicts, most of her divine authority was restricted, with operational control given to the Ecclesiarchy Council and Lord Commander Guilliman, leaving her with only basic access to her powers.
She couldn't fully utilize her gifts, but enemies found ways to subvert and exploit them.
If she wasn't destined to be targeted, who would be?
BANG–CLANG!
The barracks entrance behind the Imperial Guardsman was thrown open by Captain Sicarius, armored in Ultramarines blue and wielding a power sword.
Inquisitor Greyfax, Sister Miriya, and an Inquisitor stood flanking him, weapons ready, prepared for confrontation.
But upon assessing the situation within...
Sicarius scratched his helmet in confusion and glanced toward Greyfax.
"This doesn't precisely resemble hostile engagement, does it?"
"...How should I determine that?" Greyfax's expression tightened slightly. She had only received Celestine's vox transmission, "Heretics, request reinforcements!" and immediately mobilized the others.
She had no accurate intelligence regarding the actual circumstances.
She moved past Sicarius, brushed aside the Imperial Guardsmen blocking passage, and stood beside Celestine, surveying the group beyond the warp portal, including Kei.
"Lady Celestine, what transpires here?"
"Ah~ This situation... Pardon me, Eldar? And you, extraordinary individual, what faction do you represent? What brings you to this sector?"
Celestine hesitated momentarily, realizing she had neglected to ascertain the visitors' purpose. She quickly composed herself and adopted the bearing befitting a Living Saint. But that subtle movement of swallowing nervously didn't escape the Guardsmen or the others.
It certainly didn't escape Kei, whose perceptive abilities far exceeded her own.
"We eat and talk?" Kei observed the assembled Imperial warriors and gestured toward the cooking station.
"You're providing the sustenance?"
Celestine had barely spoken when she felt Greyfax's stern gaze upon her. Recognizing her words might have compromised her divine station, she quickly cleared her throat and amended, "Ahem, then I shall determine your genuine intentions."
As she concluded speaking, she strode through the warp portal.
Greyfax's eye twitched visibly. Was that her interpretation?! He had clearly intended for her to approach the situation with appropriate Imperial gravity!
Not fixate on refreshment!
She should have first ascertained the purpose of these entities, who materialized unexpectedly on Holy Terra and opened a warp breach directly into an Imperial installation.
Yet Celestine merely rephrased her inquiry... and proceeded directly into potential danger?
While Greyfax remained uncertain how to address this breach of protocol, a transmission came through the vox-system integrated within her augmetics.
"Celestine, Greyfax, significant warp disturbance and xenos energy signatures detected in Solenfar Outpost in the southwestern quadrant. Intelligence suggests Lelith has arrived on Terra. Advise Astra Militarum forces to prepare for engagement."
"This is Solenfar Outpost. Inform High Marshal Helbrecht, situation neutralized."
Kei looked up and met Greyfax's eyes. He gestured toward the Imperial Guardsmen, who appeared hesitant yet intrigued.
"Lieutenant, the gentleman indicates you're all welcome to join."
The first Guardsman swallowed nervously and glanced at his comrade. "Why delay? Let us partake immediately!"
The second Guardsman eagerly traversed the warp portal.
"Captain, will you accompany us?" The first Guardsman draped his arm around the third's shoulder and called to Sicarius and the others.
"Emperor's blood! You demonstrate impressive capabilities!" Sicarius secured his power sword, offered Kei a respectful Aquila gesture, and promptly followed through the gate.
Rations with actual flavor!!
Since deployment to this region, they had subsisted entirely on standard-issue nutrient paste. The aroma of seared protein wafting through the portal was sufficient to stimulate his enhanced Astartes salivary response.
The Inquisitor and Sister Miriya exchanged glances with Greyfax.
After observing her slight nod following communication with High Marshal Helbrecht, they also proceeded through.
However, none deactivated their power armor systems.
Evidently, Helbrecht maintained operational caution regarding the unexpected appearance of Eldar, and the unidentified entity.
"One question, what explains this settlement's condition? Why is the civilian population absent?"
Sicarius approached the cooking apparatus, retrieved protein rations from an adjacent surface, and positioned them over the heating element while surveying his surroundings.
Celestine, the Guardsmen, Greyfax, and the others instinctively turned to Kei, awaiting clarification.
"The Drukhari vessel induced mass evacuation upon arrival. Civilians will return shortly, no casualties sustained."
"By the Throne, most impressive!" The second Guardsman interjected while unsealing an amasec flask, offering his commendation with perfect timing.
Kei, accompanied by Jain Zar and Kyganil, located a bench and seated themselves.
Kyganil, exhibiting tactical awareness, extended his hand and projected a psychic transmission, a comprehensive review of recent events, to the only individual present capable of receiving psychic impressions: Celestine.
"By the Emperor's light~ how shall we address you?" Celestine gasped slightly in amazement.
As she relayed the information to Imperial command through her armor's vox-unit, she regarded Kei with illuminated interest.
Her tactical database contained extensive intelligence regarding Lelith and Drukhari war parties, the Drukhari queen herself represented a threat requiring Astartes intervention. Even Lord Guilliman approached such encounters with strategic caution.
Yet the entity before her had dispatched her as though she presented minimal challenge, truly remarkable!
Most significantly... No corresponding records existed within Imperial archives!
"Dimensional Demon God, Kei. From an alternate manifestation of Terra, within a different reality."
"Reality? You reference existence beyond known dimensional parameters? Not merely another sector or planetary system?"
"Correct."
"The Ecclesiarchy advocates Imperial unity and human dominance. The Eldar uphold ancient traditions and cosmic balance. What principles govern your reality's inhabitants?"
"Diverse interpretations, actually. There exists no universal philosophical mandate."
"Then how do you administer population control?"
"Fundamental ethical frameworks and juridical systems. Regarding additional structures..." Kei considered briefly, then provided a generalized explanation of governance systems from the Naruto world, alongside the current state of Earth in the Marvel Universe.
Kyganil observed attentively, committing each detail to memory. Jain Zar, meanwhile, displayed subtle indicators of intellectual engagement.
The Eldar had been methodically evaluating this self-proclaimed "Dimensional Demon God," attempting to determine his nature, ideology, and administrative approach through indirect discourse. Yet somehow, Celestine's direct, unvarnished line of questioning appeared... significantly more effective?
Charmingly straightforward...
Mentally correcting, perhaps authentic sincerity represented the superior tactical approach?
"So, you essentially embody a dimensional consciousness. You administer a realm designated as the Five Spirits Domain, and within an extensive multidimensional framework, you simultaneously oversee an iteration of Terra, while repelling extra-dimensional incursions... By the Golden Throne, your responsibilities far exceed mine."
Celestine rested her cheek upon her gauntlet, expression reflecting genuine concern.
Even with Lord Guilliman's strategic support, she struggled with her duties as the Imperium's Living Saint. And this entity managed far more complex domains... surely that imposed tremendous burden?
"Within the Five Spirits Realm, you appear to maintain structured protocols for warrior development. But regarding the expansive multidimensional Terra, the civilization lacks unified purpose. And you select champions through mechanisms called 'Demon God Trials'? Doesn't this methodology generate... excessive strategic complexity?"
Jain Zar's eyes conveyed authentic concern. She abandoned circuitous inquiry and addressed direct questions. Such expansive, multidimensional realms undoubtedly harbored significant conflicts.
Kei, maintaining authority over that Earth, necessarily resisted incursions from both this universe's civilizations and other dimensional entities.
A singular planet fragmented into countless nation-states, how could effective cooperation possibly manifest?
Why not unify all inhabitants and consolidate their collective strength?
"Diverse cultures and ideologies lead to more possibilities." Kei casually offered theoretical justification.
In truth, his chronological age approximated Celestine's in this incarnation, and he had only recently established presence within the Marvel Universe. Even if comprehensive reforms represented his objective, temporal constraints prevented implementation!
As for telling Jain Zar that he was just in his early twenties?
Absolutely not.
Given her disposition, should they develop closer association, wouldn't she address him as "young one" with irritating frequency?
"So, can these Demon God Trials function within our reality? Do power limitations apply?"
Celestine provided Kei with filled amasec vessel, expression radiating undisguised excitement.
"Yes. Anyone weaker than me will be pulled in... Why?"
"Lord Guilliman indicated imminent arrival on Terra, heh heh heh~"
"..."
Kei observed Celestine, her strategic contemplation clearly directed toward ambushing Guilliman, and couldn't determine appropriate response.
Saint... oh Saint...