When it came to psykers, Horus was not especially hostile.
There was also the fact that his mother, his sister, and his father were all psykers.
Psykers could indeed harm those around them unintentionally, causing devastating effects on society, far worse than the dangers posed by mutants or abhumans.
But to deny the value of psykers entirely was unreasonable.
The Imperium's survival depended on them. Without psykers, not even the most basic Warp travel would be possible.
"Librarians are extremely important. They possess potent psychic powers while also carrying the enhanced bodies of the Astartes. Their strength surpasses ordinary Space Marines. They can perform special missions, and use their psychic arts to support their Legions in war.
"They can manipulate elemental forces, even cause localized distortions in time, foresee fragments of the future, and in some cases see entire visions.
"Take Kasha and I for example, we often work together in coordinated strikes against xenos and you should've alredy received reports ofour battles," said Axis.
The significance of Librarians was beyond question. Otherwise, ten thousand years later, every Chapter would not have included them as standard.
That said, Rogal Dorn's gene-line had always shown strong aversion to psykers. The most famous example was the Black Templars, who had no Librarians at all.
Though their parent Chapter, the Imperial Fists, did maintain Librarians, the truth was hard to ignore. The Black Templars had become the true inheritors of Dorn's legacy. They had even surpassed their parent Chapter in reputation, and their numbers were large.
"Then we should hold a Primarchs' council to hear what our brothers think. To see whether the Librarius Project can be accepted into the Legions," Rogal Dorn said.
In the current situation, Horus was in favor, the Emperor had not opposed, Malcador had not yet spoken, and Axis, along with the new Imperial Princess supported the plan. Dorn found himself in the minority.
Thus, a Primarchs' council seemed the best way to decide. Dorn's estimate was that Mortarion would surely stand with him.
"Enough. There is no need for a council. I declare it here and now: I approve the Librarius Project. All Legions are to train Librarians," the Emperor said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
This decision had been carefully considered.
Axis and Kasha were correct, Librarians could greatly enhance the combat strength of the Legions. Moreover, several Primarchs had already voiced their support to him in private.
Magnus had been the originator.
Leman Russ, Sanguinius, Jaghatai Khan, and even Lion El'Jonson, who had just departed, had all given their approval.
"Your word is absolute, Father!" Dorn said, dropping to one knee.
Since the Emperor had spoken, he would press the matter no further.
"The Librarius Project was proposed by Magnus, and his Legion will oversee the training.
"We only need to provide some gene-seed. The rest can be left to Magnus," Axis added.
It was convenient.
Unlike the age ten thousand years later, when it would be almost impossible for a Chapter to acquire even a single suitable Librarian, this plan was straightforward.
Normally, psykers were drawn from the Black Ships across Imperial worlds, with less than a 0.1% chance of producing one strong enough for Librarian candidacy. Even then, their training would take immense time and astronomical resources. On Prospero, however, it could all be handled efficiently.
Selection, implantation, training, and delivery, an entire process completed in one place.
"I believe that would only produce Thousand Sons carrying my gene-seed. If the Librarius Project is necessary, then each Legion should conduct its own training and development, not leave it entirely in Prospero's hands," Dorn argued.
Axis rolled his eyes.
Dorn really was like a stone from a latrine, foul and impossibly stubborn.
Axis had dealt with several Primarchs already, even the long-erased Second Primarch. Yet Dorn was the only one who could make him so infuriated.
"I stand with Dorn. Librarians should be trained within each Legion, not entirely by Magnus," Horus said.
The matter touched on a deep taboo among the Primarchs. Axis might not have understood it yet, but the purity of each Legion was sacred.
Even if an outsider bore their gene-seed, it would be difficult for such a Librarian to win full recognition among their brothers.
The Emperor spoke calmly. "The first batch of Librarians will be trained on Prospero. After their training is complete, they will be assigned to the various Legions. In the future, however, each Legion will cultivate its own Librarians."
It was the most practical solution.
None of the other Legions had any experience in organizing or training psykers, so the responsibility had to fall to Magnus.
Prospero's population of psykers was a thousandfold higher than most worlds, giving it a natural advantage.
Axis and Horus exchanged a glance and nodded. Even Dorn inclined his head in agreement.
"Good. That is settled. I will have the Astropaths inform the other Primarchs. If your Legions already have psykers, or if you discover promising candidates, you may also send them to Prospero for training," the Emperor added.
"As you command," they all answered in unison.
"Enough. You may all depart. Soon we will hold the wedding of Axis and Kasha. Horus, Dorn, after the ceremony, you are to return to the Great Crusade without delay.
"Axis, you will remain here on Terra to form your own Legion. Once it is complete, you will join the Crusade. Do not forget the task I gave you."
The wedding of Axis and Kasha needed to be held on Holy Terra.
But such a matter did not warrant recalling every Primarch.
"Yes, Father!" the three of them responded.
"Yes, Father-in-law!" Axis added.
"Good. I am tired today. Leave me now. I wish to rest," the Emperor said, waving his hand with a weary expression.
The day's events had drained him, and soon he would need to meet Erda in private.
The others bowed in respect and departed the Imperial Palace.
Once outside, Axis called after the two Primarchs who were about to leave. "Horus, Dorn, come with me. I have something to share with you."
The Emperor had already instructed Axis to use his ki to strengthen the two Primarchs. Axis also thought it the perfect chance to teach Dorn a lesson.
"Not interested," Dorn replied curtly.
He saw no reason to waste words with Axis, much less accept a gift from him.
"What is it?" Horus asked with a smile.
In truth, he had something of his own he wished to ask Axis. Thinking back, he was nearly certain someone had pushed him earlier, and the only likely culprit was Axis.
"Hahaha! Come with me, both of you." Axis threw his arms around their shoulders and led them toward the underground chambers.
Horus followed naturally, conversing with Axis along the way. Dorn struggled but found himself bound by a crushing strength, unable to resist as he was dragged forward.
His face flushed red as Axis hauled him into the underground training hall.
"What's wrong, Dorn? Why is your face so red? Are you unwell?" Axis asked with a grin.
"Say what you mean. What do you want?" Dorn snapped, wrenching free of Axis's arm.
The man's strength was outrageous.
"Nothing serious. I just think Primarchs should get to know each other better. And there is nothing between men that a fight cannot solve. So let's spar," Axis said, flexing his wrists.
"Ahem! Axis, the gift you spoke of wasn't just a brawl, was it?" Horus interjected, trying to smooth things over.
"You know of my ki. It can enhance your physical abilities and push even a Primarch further. But first, there are some preliminary activity to be done.
"A warm-up, let's say. And I will not bully you, Dorn. Both you and Horus can come at me together," Axis said.
If you will not respect me, then you can taste my fists.
The Emperor had indeed told Axis to use his ki to empower them, but He had not specified how.
A beating first, empowerment after, it would serve the purpose.
"…" Horus sighed.
This had nothing to do with him, yet Axis was dragging him in regardless.
"You need not involve Horus. If you want a fight, I will oblige," Dorn said coldly, stepping into the center of the training hall in his golden plate.
If it was to be a duel, so be it.
He would face it as the Unyielding that he was, even knowing he might lose.
"Then let us begin. Do not worry, I will be holding back. I will fight you with one hand only, while you are free to wear your armor," Axis said, placing one arm behind his back.
"You are far too arrogant!" Dorn growled.
"This is not arrogance. This is confidence. In fact, I will raise the stakes further, I will fight you with both hands bound and only my legs. That will be enough," Axis said with a smirk.
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