The Haemonculi's craft was so renowned that the Imperium had once invited them to repair the Golden Throne itself.
One could only imagine the sheer prowess of such flesh-crafting technology. Humanity's own cloning techniques were merely scraps left behind by the Haemonculi.
"What is the theory behind this resurrection?" Axis asked with curiosity, "Can it bring someone back even if their body and soul are completely destroyed?"
"No, it is not as powerful as you imagine," Magnus explained, "First, you need to undergo a customized service. A sample of your genetic material and blood must be collected, and then a special technology is used to protect your soul."
He continued, "After you are killed, this flesh-crafting technology can be used to resurrect you. It is exceptionally well-suited for the Aeldari, because before the birth of Slaanesh, they were essentially immortal. Their deaths were equivalent to a brief sojourn in the Warp, after which they would return to the materium and be reborn.
Consequently, the souls of the Aeldari are incredibly potent, shining like beacons in the Immaterium. Some technology can safeguard these souls, retrieving them at the very moment of death to be used for revival. However, for humans, unless the soul is exceptionally powerful, this kind of resurrection is impractical."
It was, after all, xenos technology, and it was not fully compatible with humans. A great deal of experimentation and modification would be required to make it viable.
"Can this flesh-crafting technology also be used for bio-creation?" Axis inquired, his mind turning to a particular project of his own.
He wondered if this technology could be used to modify the second-generation Saibamen seeds he had created.
He still possessed over a thousand of them, and while they could not generate Ki, each was a monster with a respectable power level.
"Hmm, yes, it can," Magnus confirmed, though he shook his head, "But I am no expert in this field. Furthermore, I believe it would be best for us to avoid studying such xenos technology." He was a master of the psychic arts, not of flesh-crafting and cloning.
"I understand. I won't disturb you any longer," Axis said, "I will give you three days to study as many of these sorcerous arts as you can. After that, we will have a friendly spar."
"I accept," Magnus replied, "In these three days, I will focus on learning offensive psychic abilities. I promise I will not disappoint you."
Axis nodded and departed from the storeroom, leaving Magnus alone to immerse himself in the ancient tomes.
The next day, Sanguinius paid a visit to Axis. They conversed for a time before the Great Angel inquired about Magnus's whereabouts.
"He is currently busy with studying," Axis told him, "He will probably study for another two days before we spar. You are welcome to observe if you are interested."
Sanguinius's eyes lit up. "You are going to spar with Magnus?"
After returning to his legion the previous day, Sanguinius had organized matters with his sons, had Axis reinforce his body with Ki, and had consumed a second Fruit of the Tree of Might. His power had soared to new heights. The Great Angel was now confident he could defeat even Horus with a mere twenty percent of his strength. The very mention of a spar stirred a profound excitement within him.
Though Sanguinius was typically gentle and refined, a graceful and approachable man, battle transformed him. He would enter a state of fury, becoming a bloodthirsty and warlike warrior.
For his routine training, he often used Emperor-class Titans as sparring partners, taking flight with his power sword to challenge the war machines in single combat. None of his own sons were worthy opponents, and it was often difficult to arrange a match with his brother Primarchs.
Even when he did meet them, it felt improper to immediately challenge them to a duel.
"Axis," Sanguinius said, his voice laced with eagerness, "if you are looking for a fight, I would be honored to oblige."
"Oh? Excellent!" Axis responded with a wide grin, "Let us head to the training grounds!"
A look of thrilled anticipation spread across Sanguinius's face as well.
The two of them proceeded to the massive training chamber located deep within the bowels of the starship, the Solus Prime.
The facility had been built specifically for Axis, its area spanning the size of a city and constructed from the finest super-alloys to ensure its durability.
"You built such a colossal training chamber aboard a ship?" Sanguinius remarked, impressed.
"It makes training more convenient," Axis replied as a powerful aura of Ki flared around him, lifting him into the air, "You can fly freely here, can you not? And just so you know, I can fly as well. So please, do not hold back."
"If you say so, then I shall not be polite," Sanguinius said with a faint smile. He set his power sword aside and picked up an iron training sword. There was no need for power weapons in a friendly match.
Sanguinius stood in the center of the training chamber, his pure white wings slightly unfurled. His long, golden hair drifted softly in the still air. He held the sword with both hands, its tip lightly touching the floor, his posture a picture of grace and composure. Yet, his hawk-like eyes gleamed with an excitement he had not felt in a long time; it had been far too long since he had faced an opponent against whom he could truly unleash his full power.
"Are you ready?" Axis hovered several meters above the ground, arms crossed, a confident smirk on his lips. A faint golden aura of Ki now shimmered around him. He decided he would need to tap into a fraction of his Super Saiyan power to face the Great Angel.
"I am."
Before the words had finished leaving his lips, Sanguinius launched his attack. The Primarch's speed surpassed the limits of human sight, his training sword shrieking as it cut through the air.
A series of afterimages traced his path as the blade aimed straight for Axis's throat.
However, in the instant before the tip could make contact, Axis vanished. He had reappeared behind the Great Angel.
Sanguinius, his senses reeling from the sudden move, instinctively spun and swept his blade horizontally, but again, he struck only empty air. The Angel swiftly adjusted his stance, fully extending his wings and generating a powerful thrust that sent him hurtling back several dozen meters to create distance.
"Hah!" Sanguinius roared, his form blurring as he charged forward again. This time, his speed had nearly doubled. The training sword became a storm of afterimages, weaving an impenetrable web of steel that enveloped Axis completely.
The Great Angel's swordsmanship was truly magnificent, no less skilled than Fulgrim's and perhaps even slightly superior to that of Lion El'Jonson. But in Axis's eyes, it was still just that and nothing more.
Using the same technique he had employed against the Lion, Axis extended a single finger and wrapped it in a golden aura of Ki, forming it into a blade of pure energy. With this Ki construct, he met Sanguinius's assault.
"So this is your Ki," Sanguinius remarked, his voice steady despite the furious exchange, "Such precise control, to form your own energy into a blade. It seems the sword in my hands is inadequate."
"Switch to your power sword," Axis advised, pointing his golden Ki blade at the Primarch.
"Otherwise, that sword of yours will shatter in a few more blows." Against a golden blade formed from Super Saiyan power, an ordinary sword stood no chance.
Sanguinius nodded, tossed the battered sword aside, and drew his own power sword. Once he held the power weapon, his attacks grew even more ferocious. A bloodthirsty look filled his eyes.
Axis shook his head with a sigh. No wonder his sons suffer from that bloodthirsty affliction; he only had to look at his Primarch now why.
The sound of their clash rang out like a torrential downpour of metal. Axis's Ki expertly parried every strike. Their movements were a blur, too fast for the naked eye to follow, with only the continuous spray of incandescent sparks bearing witness to the ferocity of their duel. Sanguinius's attacks grew faster still, each slash aimed with lethal precision at Axis's vitals—the throat, the heart, the space between the brows.
To his astonishment, however, his opponent flawlessly blocked every single blow with nothing more than a blade of energy condensed around a single finger.
"That's some goog swordsmanship right there," Axis's voice cut through the cacophony of their duel, "But it is too… how should I put it? Toooo elegant." Sanguinius's style was superb, yet it felt overly ornate to Axis, flashy and inefficient.
"Is that so? Then perhaps you could offer some guidance," Sanguinius said, his power sword a whirlwind of motion.
"Very well. Then I shall."
As he spoke, the golden Ki in Axis's hand suddenly swelled to three times its size, becoming a massive greatsword of explosive energy.
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a crescent-shaped wave of Ki that swept across the chamber. Sanguinius hastily crossed his sword to block, but the immense force sent him sliding back a hundred meters, carving two deep furrows into the alloy floor.
Suddenly, Axis appeared directly above Sanguinius, his Ki greatsword descending like a guillotine.
The Great Angel barely managed to raise his own blade in a desperate defense.
With a deafening clang, Axis's golden blade struck Sanguinius's power sword, tearing a noticeable chip from its edge.
Sanguinius's pupils constricted in shock.
He beat his wings furiously, retreating with all haste. It was unthinkable. His own power sword had been damaged in a single strike.
"Let me show you something even more interesting," Axis said, dispersing the massive Ki sword.
He raised his palm, and a spinning, golden wheel of light coalesced in his hand. It was a technique he had devised in imitation of the Destructo Disc from the world of Dragon Ball, and its sharpness was absolutely terrifying.
A small smile played on Axis's lips as he hurled it forward.
"How do you like this? I call it the Destructo Disc."
Watching the disc-shaped energy attack fly toward him, the Great Angel's expression grew solemn. He beat his wings powerfully, attempting to dodge, but the disc, under Axis's control, pursued him like a homing missile, moving with incredible speed.
After so many years of mastering Ki, Axis thought, it would be a disgrace if I couldn't control the trajectory of my own attacks.
But this technique was capable of more than just tracking its target. With his precise Ki control, Axis could, at the last moment, split a single Destructo Disc into dozens.
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