"....You truly are a child who will not grow up, boy," Lady Euten spoke up after a while of silence, "You should learn to be more independent."
As a seneschal, she had never dared to dream of a long life, not one like a Primarch.
Yet, according to Guilliman, if she could successfully absorb the power within this fruit and obtain its life force, her lifespan would extend far beyond even Astrates.
"But I wish for you to stay by my side. Forgive me, for I am a child who refuses to grow up," Guilliman replied, his gaze toward his adoptive mother filled with warmth.
"Very well. Then I shall go and cause some trouble for this Mister Axis," Lady Euten said with a soft laugh, "But you must make sure to compensate him for the trouble."
"Do not worry, he will be compensated for his trouble. And, you are not old at all, Mother. You're still as lovely as you've always been." Guilliman said with sincerity.
No woman disliked being called beautiful, no matter her age.
"Your words are as sweet as the little child's I remember. Gulliman, you must look into having a child of your own. The positon of heir can't be left empty, for you will be battling for the Emperor in the years to come," Lady Euten said while seeing the figure of the seet young boy, mirroring the Guilliman before her. How she wished to go back to the days when he was still a child, clinging to her for everything. Now, she wished no more than to cradle her grandchild, bring them up like she had Guliman.
If she could truly live for more than ten thousand years, perhaps it was something she could now consider. Surely, in ten thousand years, Guilliman would find a woman he loved.
"I too hope for such a day," Guilliman said.
He knew that day would likely never come. Primarchs were capable of having children of their own blood, unlike Astartes.
However most woman weren't genetically compatible with them. Although Primarchs were human, in the eyes of ordinary people, they were gods through and through.
Not to mention their sexual drive, the funamental desire to populate their species, for them, was non existent.
In the end, after much persuasion from Guilliman, Lady Tarasha Euten agreed to travel to the planet of Nuceria with the team of civil administrators.
The next day, Guilliman had an Astropath send a reply to Axis, stating that his adoptive mother, Lady Tarasha Euten, would be traveling to Nuceria and asking Axis to take good care of her.
Axis, in return, sent a most interesting message.
Since Guilliman's adoptive mother was coming as a guest, there was no need for her to bring the Fruit of the Tree of Might. He would prepare one for her himself. As for the fruit Guilliman currently held, he could keep it for his own use.
…
"What the hell Axis?! why did you agree to bring his adoptive mother here? You have to participate in the Great Crusade soon!! Don't you remember?!" Kasha asked she was confused.
"Come on! The man asked with such scinserty! How the hell was I to refuse? He seemed so nice to care so much for his old mother!"
"And, you have many secrets, Axis. Are you really going to use the power of Ki to strengthen Guilliman's mother?"
This was an honor no other Primarch had received. Even the Emperor himself had only been strengthened by Axis's Ki for ten years.
"I have already given my word, so I cannot easily refuse. Besides, she's a mortal. I'd only have to strengthen her for some minutes for her body to reach the limit.
"Besides, I could even create a Saibaman to handle the task. In contrast, a favor from Guilliman is far more valuable.
"About the great crusade, I'm planning to let my sons participate in the great crusade themselves. Unless nessessary, I won't brother myself with the fighting. I'll have plenty of time," Axis explained.
He now commanded a large Astartes Legion that could, on his orders, strike out across the galaxy, dividing into dozens of forces to attack different sectors.
According to the rules established by the Emperor, Axis was permitted to focus on construction on his homeworld, though he was also free to lead his forces into battle.
However, unless there was a particularly stubborn enemy to defeat, Axis did not plan on taking to the field personally.
If he went, his sons would be left with little more than battlefield cleanup. Although It was a task his first batch of sons, those who had come from the Space Wolves, were exceedingly experienced in, it was not what they were built for. They needed to fight and gain experience, so they can remain an unrivaled force even without his presence.
"I'm just worried… never mind," Kasha said, hesitating.
"Just say what's on your mind. I dislike beating around the bush," Axis told her.
"I have heard that… Lady Euten is a great beauty. When you strengthen her with Ki, some degree of physical contact will be unavoidable," Kasha said.
"Hahaha! Nicee!" Axis laughed until he was out of breath.
"..."
"What? Are you serious? Why would I be interested in an old woman? She'd Gulliman's mother for goodness sake. I for one, have no intention of making Gulliman my step-son.
"Why on earth are you jealous, Kasha? Do you see me as such a vain man?"
"..."
"Hmph. You don't have to woory about me going looking for a mistress anytime soon," Axis srode forward, lifted Kasha by the waist, and kissed her chin, "You're here for me, no?"
Kasha struggled to hide a smile, but Axis could still see the poutiness hidden on her expression.
"Tell you what. Every time I strengthen her with Ki, you can be there to watch. How about that?" Axis offered.
Sometimes, a woman's jealousy simply appeared without reason.
"That's more like it," Kasha said, "Ahem , Put me down.
"Three months have passed, and now the gene-seed of every warrior in the War Hounds Legion has been completely replaced with yours. They are even able to use the Golden Transformation."
"Good. Then let them begin their assignments," Axis said., "And one more thing. They have a captain of the Eighth Assault Company named Khârn. Have him brought to me."
This Khârn was no small matter.
If Axis did not alter his destiny, he was fated to become the chosen champion of Khorne. It was also he who, through his actions, had compelled Angron to accept the XIIth Legion.
In terms of sheer talent, he was on the same level as the likes of Abaddon, Typhus, Ahriman, and Lucius. His combat prowess was arguably second only to Abaddon. For a warrior of such caliber, Axis planned to keep him close, train him personally, and use the power of Ki to strengthen his body, ensuring he would never be corrupted by the forces of Chaos.
"Khârn? I recall there is such a man in the War Hounds. Why have you suddenly taken an interest in him?" Kasha asked.
"I have spent the last few days reviewing the files of the War Hounds, and this captain has a particular gift for fighting. We have also met once before, and I have a premonition that he will become an exceptionally powerful warrior, perhaps even the mightiest of all my sons," Axis said, inventing the story on the spot.
Kasha nodded, well, likeminded people tend to attract each other, and in finding talented people in fighting, she'd trust her husbands judgement above anyone elses. She'd known her man for years to know that.
Kasha immediately notified the Departmento Munitorum to summon the man Axis had requested.
Khârn was an excellent warrior and a good friend to Captain Sigismund of the VIIth Legion's First Company, at least while they both remained loyal.
Any man held in high esteem by Sigismund was no common soldier. Khârn was a warrior possessed of a calm mind and formidable martial strength.
Even after his fall to Chaos, his fighting ability would be second only to Angron himself.
Before Axis had been transported to this universe, there was even a joke among fans that Khârn was the true Legion Master of the XIIth, a position much like that of Typhus in the Death Guard. Angron, that brute, did little more than swing his axe, endlessly killing and maiming, and never concerned himself with command.
Axis, therefore, held high expectations for this one.
Moments later, a towering man, standing a full two and a half meters tall with a body of explosive muscle, arrived before Axis and knelt on one knee.
"Great Father, you summoned me," Khârn said, his head bowed.
"Rise. I possess a unique ability known as Ki Sense. I have scanned every man in this Legion, and I have found you to be the single most powerful warrior among them. That is why I have called you here," Axis explained.
"You honor me too much. There are surely warriors in the Legion stronger than I," Khârn replied at once.
He felt unworthy of the title of the Legion's strongest, yet deep in his heart, he knew his primarch spoke the truth.
He was the foremost warrior of the Legion, a Legion that included not only the War Hounds but also the hundred thousand men his Father had originally commanded.
"There is no need for such humility. I know you are a powerful warrior. My senses tell me, for I am a warrior as well.
"My sons all gain the ability of the Golden Transformation after their conversion is complete. Tell me, can you unleash your full power?" Axis asked.
"This ability to Transform is an honor you have bestowed upon me and proof that I am your son. I can of course use it. In fact, I can push it beyond its normal limits," Khârn declared.
He had been a part of the Legion for four months now.
Every strand of his DNA had now adapted to became the likeness of his Primarch. He had naturally mastered the Golden Transformation, and in doing so, he discovered that his power surpassed that of all his brothers.
"Oh? The limit is a fivefold increase. Are you saying you can exceed that number?" Axis asked, his interest piqued.
"Yes, Great Father. I was already a veteran of countless battles, and my strength had reached the zenith for an Astartes.
"I would not fear a duel even with a Custodian. After mastering your unique transformation, I reached its limit with ease. Not long ago, I went beyond that state.
"I can unleash a transformation of more than six times my normal power." As he spoke, Khârn activated his Golden Transformation.
A golden aura flared around him, and his battle power instantly multiplied by six.
"Hahaha! You are truly worthy of being the warrior I have chosen! Come, drink this!" Axis picked up a cup from the table, filled with a full fifty milliliters of juice from the Tree of Might.
This is a tenfold dose, he thought. Let me see your true limit, Khârn!
Khârn stood, took the cup without a flicker of hesitation, and drained the red liquid within in a single draught.
...
...
...
where are you going?! gimme powerstones!