One had to admit, the being's appearance was simply celestial, even among the most handsome of mortals. It was a fitting heir to the bloodline of the Great Angel.
Who could have imagined that a Saibaman could ever assume such a form? In the Dragon Ball world, Saibamen were nothing less than grotesque aliens.
Even the one that absorbed some of Buu's cells had a bizarre appearance. Yet the blood of a Primarch had brought about a qualitative transformation.
The newborn being twitched. Two pairs of pure white wings on its back fluttered, and it approached Sanguinius before dropping to one knee.
"Father!"
Sanguinius stared in astonishment at this son of his who had just seemingly grown out of soil.
In appearance, it was undoubtedly human. Apart from its slightly pointed ears and the wings that mirrored his own, there was nothing out of place about it.
Yet that was the most unnatural part. How could a human be grown from the soil? To be born mature within a few short hours was simply too absurd to comprehend.
However, Sanguinius could indeed feel a special connection to the son before him, a bond of blood identical to the one he shared with his other sons. No, it was even stronger. The connection he felt with this one was far more intimate.
Sanguinius nodded. "Axis, is he… is he a Space Marine now?"
"Yes, as you can see, he is indeed a Space Marine. All nineteen of his Astartes organs have fully developed," Axis explained.
Sanguinius was rendered speechless by this. The way this son had developed its own organs was so remarkably similar to the process for his own Blood Angels.
"Surprising, isn't it? When Axis first created a son for me, I was just as shocked as you are. They are a special kind of Saibaman," Magnus said as he stepped forward, "I suspect they are a product of ancient human ingenuity from the Dark Age of Technology."
He had initially suspected that the Saibamen's creation was related to the Orks, but a closer comparison revealed no connection between the two.
What was certain was that this life form, known as a Saibaman, was a biological weapon. In their original state, they might not have been created from scratch, but their genes showed clear signs of artificial modification.
The most likely candidate for such genetic engineering was humanity from the Dark Age of Technology. As for xenos doing it, what kind of alien could create something that could absorb a Primarch's genetics and bloodline, yet still appear so perfectly human?
"It certainly seems that way," Sanguinius agreed, still feeling the incredible blood-bond, "So this child can wield the power of Ki, is that correct?" he asked, looking at Axis.
"Not only can he use Ki, but he can also use it to help you evolve your gene-seed to perfection," Axis elaborated, "He can assist your sons during their transformation surgeries and use his Ki to strengthen your own physical body."
The benefits of these Saibaman were numerous. Their combat prowess was second to none, surpassed maybe only by their Primarch father.
If they consumed the fruit from the Tree of Might, their power would grow even more formidable. As natives of the Dragon Ball universe, Saibamen, though inferior to Axis, could still consume the fruit. Their mastery of Ki allowed them to break down the life energy within it, unlike the beings of this universe who could only rely on their physical resilience to endure it.
"Father, please grant this son a name," the winged Blood Angel kneeling on the ground requested.
His father was Sanguinius, and his master was Axis. His future mission would be to remain by his father's side forever.
"Let me think," Sanguinius mused for a moment, then spoke as if guided by some unseen force. "What about the name Sanguinor?"
Axis was a little lost for words.
The identity of the Sanguinor had always been a mystery, with many different theories. Some said the Sanguinor was an incarnation of a fragment of Sanguinius's soul. Others claimed he was actually Azkaellon from ten thousand years ago, but that theory seemed less plausible.
Thus, in the far future, the Sanguinor remained a legend spoken of only among the Blood Angels and their successor chapters. Very few had ever truly seen him. The golden angel's most direct appearance was during the Devastation of Baal, fighting against the Tyranids.
"Perhaps a different name?" Axis suggested, "What about Gabriel, the Great Angel? Or Michael?"
"Those names are from the myths of ancient Holy Terra, are they not?" Sanguinius pondered, "They would be suitable, but I have this inexplicable feeling deep within me that this child should be named Sanguinor." He did not know why, but a faint intuition told him that Sanguinor was the best choice.
"I think it's a fine name," Magnus interjected, "He has wings like Sanguinius and shares his handsome features. There is nothing wrong with calling him Sanguinor."
These Saibaman were remarkably similar to their Primarch progenitors, almost like copies. His own son was, aside from himself, the strongest warrior in the Legion. Before eating the fruit of the Tree of Might, Magnus was not even sure if he could have defeated his own son in a fight.
"Very well," Axis said with a shrug, "What you name him is your decision. If you wish to call him Sanguinor, then Sanguinor he shall be."
Sanguinius turned back to the kneeling figure. "Then from this day forward, you shall be known as Sanguinor, my son. You will remain by my side as my adjutant."
Given his son's unusual origins, Sanguinius did not wish to send him to a company as a standard combat unit. He preferred to keep him close, to observe him carefully. From the Imperium's definition of humanity, however, this child was not even considered an abhuman or a mutant. He could be classified as fully human.
"Well, Sanguinius," Axis said, "it seems the problem plaguing your Legion has largely been resolved. And with that, welcome to our alliance."
Sanguinius sighed. "As long as we remain loyal to the Imperium, to humanity, and to the Emperor, the name of this alliance matters little to me." To be suddenly inducted into a so-called alliance and learn so many of the Imperium's secrets had given him a tremendous headache.
"Sanguinius, the Imperium hides many secrets," Axis began, deciding to drop another bombshell, "For example, you primarchs have a mother."
"?" Sanguinius froze.
"????" Magnus was equally stunned.
What was happening? What had Axis just said?
"Please, Axis, do not jest," Magnus stammered, his initial disbelief shifting to a look of hopeful surprise, "We are… we were life forms created by our Father, we grew up in incubation pods. Do we… do we really have a mother?"
"Axis, what do you know?" Sanguinius asked, taking a deep breath before resolutely shaking his head, "If this is one of the Imperium's highest-level secrets, then I do not wish to hear it." He felt that if he heard any more, his faith would waver.
It was better not to listen. Though he desperately wanted to know about his mother, he restrained himself.
Magnus, standing to one side, also had a sudden change in expression.
If their mother was normal, then their Father would have had no reason to conceal her existence. Was there some grave problem?
"Axis," Magnus said, taking a deep breath himself, "tell us what you can. What you cannot, leave unsaid."
"The reason you were all scattered across the galaxy is, in fact, tied to this mother," Axis explained, "She is not as you might imagine. She was once swayed by the Chaos Gods. She believed she was doing the right thing, giving you freedom, but in reality, she took you from the Emperor's side and cast you into the void."
Erda's scattering of the Primarchs across the galaxy was a multifaceted plot. There was even a theory that the worlds the Primarchs landed on had been meticulously chosen.
"Is… is that so? I understand," Sanguinius said, calming his agitated heart. A faint suspicion began to form in his mind. Horus must have learned something that caused his personality to change so drastically after he returned from Holy Terra.
While still loyal to the Emperor, his methods had become colder, more pragmatic. Sanguinius now deeply suspected that Horus had met their mother on Terra or learned something about her.
"That is all I can tell you. For now, do not try to find out more about her," Axis said, "You know my wife, Kasha, do you not? She is the daughter of the Emperor and this mother of yours. So, by bloodline and every other measure, Kasha is your sister. Your biological sister."
The relationship between Kasha and the Primarchs was indeed very close. In terms of blood, she was their true-born elder sister. This news brought some comfort to the two Primarchs.
"Axis, I have learned too much today. I wish to return and rest," Sanguinius said after a deep breath.
Axis nodded.
Magnus stepped forward and patted Sanguinius's shoulder, offering a few words of comfort. He then arranged for Sanguinius, his retinue, and his new son, Sanguinor, to be transported back to his Gloriana-class battleship.
The Great Angel had received a massive influx of shocking information and needed time to process it. This was a normal reaction, and he would adapt.
After Sanguinius had departed, Magnus turned to Axis. "Is there any chance of reconciliation with my mother?" he asked.
"I do not know what to say," Axis said gravely, "It is for the best that she remain in holy terra."
To know one's fault and correct it is the greatest virtue. But to know one is wrong and refuse to repent was a sign of being beyond salvation. Her corruption was deeply seated and it did not seem like she herself wanted to believe the truth.
Erda will remain imprisoned in the dungeons of Holy Terra.
That was best for her, and the Imperium.
"I understand," Magnus said, his voice laced with sorrow. "What she did was… inexcusable. But at least we have a sister, do we not? One who shares our blood. You know, when I first saw Kasha, I felt a kind of affinity that I couldn't quite describe. It turns out she's my older sister all along. And here I was treating her like someone younger!"
"It is not too late to know now," Axis replied, "Come, let me show you the gift I prepared for you."
"Another gift? I very much am looking forward to it," Magnus said, his interest piqued.
"They are tomes of psychic disciplines from the Black Library," Axis said, "You have heard of the Black Library, I presume?"
"The Black Library! Of course, I have! It is legendary. There are even a few records of it on Prospero. How did you get inside? As far as I know, it is guarded by the Eldar Harlequins, and they are not a foe to be trifled with."
"You need not worry about that," Axis said with a smile, "You only need to know that I have acquired these texts." He led Magnus to a storage chamber filled with countless transcribed books of psychic lore and other documents copied from the Black Library.
The moment Magnus stepped into the room, his eyes lit up, and he began to excitedly browse the shelves. For a sorcerer, there was nothing more thrilling than a place like this.
"Haha! This is magnificent!" Magnus boomed, "These psychic disciplines are treasures beyond measure. With this knowledge, my Book can be perfected!"
"Study for a few days," Axis suggested, "Then we will find a place to test our skills against each other."
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Guys! No bonus chapters for this week as well! I have an exam coming up, and I can't stretch myself too thin as this is going to be an important exam.
I said I'd start uploading the due chapters this week, but I was overestimating myself a bit too much! I'm sorry! However, I'll update daily from now on!