Act 0, Chapter 3: "Raphael, what the hell are you doing?"
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Kardia deftly dodged the incoming attack by taking a calculated half-step to the side. His reflexes were so finely tuned that it felt as if he had trained for countless years or fought in endless battles.
The enemy's strike whistled past him, mere inches away. Not only did he evade the blow, but he also maintained his energy and momentum, positioning himself perfectly for a swift counterattack.
Without missing a beat, Kardia unleashed his own assault. The demonic sword, Moralltach, pulsed with cold energy in his grasp, its crimson blade gleaming ominously in the dim light.
As he swung the sword with precision honed from countless skirmishes, the Tyranids that fell under his attack were sliced into tiny pieces.
This was Kardia's perfected sword style, enhanced by his incredible strength. However, as soon as his attack ceased, he paused to survey his surroundings.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of Tyranids lay slain, many cut into tiny fragments. These alien creatures, notorious for killing and devouring everything in their path, were now experiencing the suffering they had always inflicted on others.
After taking a few more glances at the scene, Kardia stopped observing.
He raised his right hand, uttered a single word, and all the corpses of the Tyranids, along with the blood and toxins, were drawn into what appeared to be a black hole.
This was Kardia employing the Ultimate Skill "Azathoth, God of the Void."
Once he had finished, Kardia simply sat down, waiting for the next wave of Tyranids that he sensed approaching. He could feel them coming, but it would take time for them to arrive.
Kardia let out a sigh.
He felt the weight of the universe pressing down on him. He finally understood why this world was so chaotic.
An unsettling twinge gnawed at his gut—an inexplicable discomfort that sharply contrasted with his lethal efficiency.
This left him questioning the source of his unease as he prepared for his next move.
Kardia was acutely aware of the reason behind his discomfort: it was the world itself.
He had not even fully reincarnated into the Warhammer 40K universe, and already he had encountered the devouring Tyranid race.
The Warhammer 40K universe was defined by war, and now he knew this firsthand. In less than a day, he found himself engaged in an all-out battle with the Tyranids.
This situation prompted Kardia to reflect on his beliefs and circumstances.
He was certainly not a pacifist; however, he came from a time when wars were uncommon, and he personally did not engage in them.
The most recent conflicts he was aware of, prior to arriving in this universe, included the tensions between China and Taiwan, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as some minor conflicts that largely went unnoticed.
Overall, Kardia had been fortunate to avoid participating in any wars. But now, he found himself fighting a battle all alone.
His battle against the Tyranid was not filled with bullets flying everywhere or airplanes overhead; rather, it was reminiscent of ancient times.
A man wielding a sword—well, more accurately, a man who wielded twin swords and had golden portals shooting weapons at his enemies—but you get the idea.
He was fighting in a manner that felt remarkably medieval, all while facing a powerful alien race that sought only to destroy and consume.
Kardia understood that the reason for his exceptional performance against this formidable alien race, which was not easily defeated by regular humans or even by the Space Marines known as the Astartes, stemmed from the extensive battle experience that he gained artificially, his refined fighting style, and his unwavering determination to continue fighting.
Although you can argue that his Divine Protection of the Weapon God allowed him to become a God of War, it actually didn't do much.
Don't get Kardia wrong... the divine protection of the Weapon God granted him almost infinite information about fighting styles with several types of weapons, but it was that information.
Information that was badly placed. Just given but not organized.
Thankfully, Kardia had Raphael to grab the information, further perfect it, and combine it with the information they already had from his integrated templates.
All of that combined allowed Kardia to survive and to also become stronger the more he fought.
But the same question popped up.
How the hell was Raphael able to do that?
He did not pay attention to the core question at the beginning, mostly because he was worried about the incoming Tyranid attack, but now... he wanted to know.
He asked the question.
The response?
Raphael explained that she possessed a powerful sub-skill called "Perfect Data Conversion."
This ability allows her version of Raphael to instantly convert numerical data into various types of data—and vice versa.
But... Unlike the original Ultimate Skill, "Lord of Wisdom, Raphael," Kardia's version of Raphael is not limited at all.
She can apply her sub-skills to memories, energy, souls, experience, matter, antimatter, ideas, concepts, abstract concepts, and even the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual laws of the Universe.
Since experience is essentially another form of data that can be processed in multiple ways, like adjustments of movement when fighting against certain enemies, or different decisions in combat, or changing the rhythm of combat to a more passive or aggressive one, or different bio-electric signals, Raphael was not unable to use this sub-skill to extract that information.
In fact, for her, it was as easy as drinking water or breathing air for a normal human to gather the information and make it useful.
...
Kardia also began to notice something important.
From his theoretical experience, gained by reading and watching Lore videos and audiobooks about Warhammer 40k, he understood that the Tyranids were often referred to as a plague.
However, now that he was actively fighting against them, he realized that this comparison fell short.
The Tyranids were more than just a plague; they were a terrifying force that Kardia wouldn't wish upon anyone, not even his worst enemies.
They were nightmares made flesh.
But... hey, at least, they were making him stronger.
For what felt like countless hours, he has been fighting against the tyranids.
Due to the amazing and perfected version of Eclipse Breathing, the one that Raphael created for him after he requested Sun Breathing, Kardia has been fighting as if he had infinite stamina.
This is because the original Sun Breathing optimizes oxygen intake to an extreme degree.
As a perfected version of Sun Breathing and Moon Breathing, Eclipse Breathing has the fusion of both, or even greater.
It also keeps the muscles in an ideal metabolic state, reducing lactic acid buildup, which is the acid that forms fatigue. Maintains constant blood flow and temperature, and keeps the heart in an efficient rhythm.
But those are the benefits that the original sun breathing gives; the Eclipse breathing that his version of Raphael made for him was on an entirely new level. Giving him entirely new benefits, and also transcending the already established benefits.
But...
Even with his new abilities and time, Kardia also felt that the Tyranids were getting annoying.
The initial fear of the Tyranids was gone, and it was now replaced with... indifference.
Yes... indifference.
He has seen the Tyranids face-to-face for too long to even care. This indifference grew bigger when Kardia began to get stronger.
"My mind and body have also been growing stronger and stronger."
During the initial wave, right before the end of the previous chapter, Kardia felt overwhelmed.
EXTREMELY OVERWHELMED. To the point that he thought that he was going to die because they were going to swarm him.
Even with "Psychic Perception," which allows him to see attacks from all angles, he was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Tyranids, and he thought he was going to die.
At the beginning, it was evident that he had the experience and the perfected fighting style, but he did not have the strength.
It was like in those Korean regression stories, where the protagonist goes back in time with the memories of his future training and how to use his powers, but when he tries to use them, he can't because his body is too weak.
That was Kardia's situation at the beginning.
After the first wave, which resulted in numerous dead Tyranids, after a hard challenge, which you didn't get to see, Kardia used Azathoth to absorb their remains.
Just like he did earlier.
As the corpses of the Tyranids were absorbed, Raphael, by devouring the bodies of the Tyranids and later transmutating matter into energy, while also separating impurities and negative influences, channeled this energy into two types: mental energy to strengthen his mind and give him more mental energy, and physical energy to enhance his body equally.
This was why, after countless hours of fighting, absorbing, purifying, and channeling energy, his body and mind had grown stronger.
With his mind and body stronger, his senses were stronger than ever, and they allowed him to feel everything around him.
He could go as far as to see atoms if he really wanted to. That was his level of perception. This level of perception also helped him in combat.
That is why Kardia, at the start of this chapter, was able to move so efficiently and so masterfully, because he now had the strength to use his experience and fighting style more efficiently.
Kardia now could claim to possess greater raw physical strength than the Emperor's Space Marines, the Adeptus Astartes, due to the vast amount of energy he had been ingesting, which was used to strengthen his body.
Raphael even made a scale of how much energy and power each member of the Tyranid fleet has and how much energy they can grant him.
Yeah... a scale similar to a DBZ-style scale of power.
It is a power scale that goes from 1 to 20.
A Ripper Swarm is approximately one unit of energy and power, which is relative to a fit human but still more dangerous.
A Termagant is around two units of power.
Hormagaunts, Gargoyles, and Spinefist Gaunts are about three units of power each.
A Venomthrope is worth seven units of power.
A Zoanthrope has seven units of physical power but possesses double the psychic energy, making it approximately fourteen units of power.
A Tyranid Warrior stands at eight units of power.
A Tyranid Warrior Prime is about nine units of power.
A Tyranid Tyrant Guard is estimated at ten units of power.
A Carnifex is around fourteen units of power.
Both the Hive Tyrant and its winged version reach around twenty units of power.
The legendary Swarmlord, an extraordinarily powerful creature, is beyond this scale.
According to Raphael's calculations, this beast is estimated to have around thirty units of power.
No wonder the Imperium says that when the Swarmlord is deployed, it can't be stopped AT ALL.
For the Space Marines. Space Marines, in terms of physical strength, are worth ten units of power.
Still, due to their experience and equipment, they can technically defeat any adversary that comes their way.
However, due to this scale and how many Tyranids are on this planet, Kardia gained a lot of energy. Energy is used to strengthen his mind and body in a perfectly balanced manner.
Due to this, the Tyranids, who at first thought that Kardia was weak and that he had interesting abilities, didn't think that Kardia would become so strong in such a short time.
Kardia has grown so strong that Kardia himself has become what the humans of this world call a "Primarch." Or at least, that is what he thinks.
Aside from pure physical strength, his mental powers are also very incredible.
After all, he has integrated a template of MULTIPLE Omega-level psionics, psychics, and espers.
That is where another question came into existence.
How was he using psychic powers?
When a Hive Fleet of Tyranids arrives in a star system inhabited by psychics, those psychics often find themselves unable to use their abilities due to a phenomenon known as the "Shadow in the Warp."
The "Shadow in the Warp" is a massive psychic null-field generated by the Tyranid Hive Mind.
It overwhelms opposing psychics, disrupting their communication, divination, and sorcery.
The Hive Mind operates both in the material world and within the Warp. It gives direct directions to the Tyranid members of the race, and also gives them an immense advantage against psykers.
This "Shadow in the Warp" phenomenon, created by the Hive Mind, allows the Hive Mind to consume the psychic energy and souls of the affected individuals.
This is because as soon as a person tries to use Pyschic abilities, the reflection of the Hive Mind in the Warp will notice a change in the warp, and will block it, or even try to eat it, just like they do in real space.
However, Kardia was not affected at all.
Which brings them to the same question: how was he using psychic energy? It should be impossible, as he was under the Shadow in the Warp.
He hadn't given much thought to this because he had been focused on surviving, but it felt strange that he was still able to use his powers.
After all, he knew the lore, and if the Hive Mind was present on this planet or in the vicinity of this unknown star system, psychics in this sector should be completely powerless.
So what was happening?
What Kardia didn't know was that this was thanks to his unique identity as some kind of "higher-dimensional being," like the system of reincarnation said.
Although when Kardia heard the system of reincarnation say that, he thought it was just to protect him from the Gods of this world.
But he didn't know it was also going to work even in circumstances like this.
He can use the powers of the Warp without problem, even when the Shadow in the Warp is right above him, which is a big yes for him right now.
Kardia got up from where he was sitting. He heard the hurrying steps of the Tyranids coming his way, and he was ready to start fighting again.
In fact, he didn't wait for them to come his way; instead, he rushed towards where they were.
....
Raphael glanced around her, taking in the chaotic landscape sprawling before her.
From the memories of her Master, she recognized this dreadful place—this nightmarish realm could only be described as "Hell."
The atmosphere was suffused with an unsettling red-purplish hue, and a swirling tapestry of violent storms roiled overhead.
In the distance, the echoes of demonic laughter mingled grotesquely with anguished screams. Yet, even after hearing the gruesome sounds and feeling the extent of corruption surrounding her, Raphael felt no fear.
She didn't care. She didn't give a fuck.
Raphael would never care about the screams and voices of the tormented souls trapped in this eternal torment, forever clawing for a freedom that would never come. Nor would she ever care about the demonic souls that were whispering to her.
In fact, she simply removed her hearing and ignored the Demons altogether. That is how much she didn't give a fuck.
Nonetheless, she continued to observe.
She saw how some souls experienced endless and distorted pain, their essence twisted and consumed by the insatiable hunger of this realm.
The very corrupted energy of the Immaterium pulsed like a living entity, a malevolent force seeking to devour all semblance of identity and hope.
Yes, you guessed it.
Raphael was now inside the Immaterium, the Sea of Souls, or, as the inhabitants of this accursed universe referred to it, the Warp.
Each heartbeat of this realm resonated with the chaotic rhythm of the dimension, a constant reminder of the thin veil separating madness from clarity in a world that thrived on despair.
But...
How the hell did Raphael enter the Immaterium?
The answer lies in a sub-skill of hers known as "Infinite Parallel Calculation and Division."
This ability allowed Raphael to divide her mental capacity into an infinite number of threads. Each thread could handle separate tasks independently without ever running out of capacity or efficiency.
In essence, it functioned like cell division, with the main Raphael still controlling all the mental threads. Technically, she could separate her mental focus—her mind—into distinct threads to accomplish different tasks simultaneously.
Of course, Raphael maintained complete control over every single thread she created. Once a thread completed its task, she would close it or reclaim that mental thread.
Did this affect her computational power?
Actually, no.
This is a perfected skill; her efficiency and capacity remained unchanged, regardless of how many threads she created.
Another way to think of each divided mental thread is as a perfect clone of Raphael, meaning she did not lose any efficiency while utilizing this ability.
With this skill, Raphael created multiple mental threads to manage every aspect of the battle that Kardia, her Master, was engaged in within real space.
Meanwhile, the main consciousness of Raphael, "Raphael" herself, successfully found a way to connect to the Warp.
It wasn't difficult to do.
In reality, she connected to the reflection of Kardia's soul in the Warp and took control of it, and that is how she can see inside the Warp.
Upon making this connection, the first thing she perceived was a vast expanse of infinite energy—energy that could be harnessed.
However, she also noticed a massive shadow looming above them, standing out.
This immense shadow was what people referred to as the "Shadow in the Warp."
This was the reflection of the soul of the Hive Mind. A collective force. It was truly formidable, but... in the eyes of Raphael, it looked... small. Somehow.
Raphael also realized that said Shadow had also targeted the reflection of the soul of her Master. It seems it recognized the energy used by her master during his battle, and recognized their soul from the many below it.
Raphael entered a defensive mode. If she couldn't stop this shadow from attacking her Master, she wouldn't forgive herself.
To tackle this issue, Raphael devised a surprisingly simple plan.
She decided to use the Ultimate Skill "Azathoth, God of the Void."
Yeah... as simple as that.
Right now, in terms of energy, which in the Warp means power, Kardia and Raphael cannot defeat the Hive Mind.
So... if you can't defeat it, just eat it.
Exactly.
Use the same tactics of the Tyranids against the Tyranids.
For that, Raphael was going to use Azathoth within the Warp.
How could Raphael, Kardia's loyal servant, utilize Azathoth within the Warp?
In the world of Tensura, Unique and Ultimate Skills represent a person's individuality. Essentially, these skills embody the experiences that have shaped an individual's soul.
For this reason, no two people in Tensura can possess the same skill. Skills are a direct REFLECTION of the soul, and since no one shares identical experiences or souls, duplication is impossible.
Moreover, in the world of Tensura and now the Warhammer 40,000 universe, after Raphael analyzed how it works, figured out that skills can be utilized even in a soul-like state.
This means... Azathoth can be used in the Warp.
Utilizing Azathoth in the Warp would represent the most significant advantage imaginable to Kardia, or to anyone who has this skill.
Should Azathoth be allowed to roam freely in the Warp, which is now possible, Kardia could quickly become a being comparable to the Chaos Gods.
The Chaos Gods consist of pure psychic energy, thoughts, emotions, and the spiritual and metaphysical concepts they embody.
However, despite their immense power, they cannot absorb the energy of the Warp. This is ironic, as their entire existence is shaped by it; THEY ARE GODS of the Immaterium, the Sea of Souls.
But why can't the Chaos Gods absorb energy from the Immaterium?
The answer is simple: their own existence.
There are four Chaos Gods and one being—the Emperor of Mankind—who refuses to ascend to godhood. Together, these five forces cancel each other out.
If Khorne were to begin absorbing the energy of the Immaterium, he might unintentionally take in the essence of Nurgle, Slaanesh, or even Tzeentch.
This could lead to complications, as even gods that absorb the essence of another can be influenced by them.
Like Slaanesh controlling Khorne's actions.
This concept has appeared in comics, manga, and various other forms of media.
If we now consider that fictional worlds are real, then the idea of one god manipulating another becomes likely.
The four Chaos Gods and the Emperor of Mankind are aware of this. That is why they choose not to absorb energy from the Immaterium; instead, they rely on followers throughout the galaxy to channel that energy.
Khorne, who harbors a deep hatred for Slaanesh, would never allow Slaanesh's energy to penetrate his spiritual body.
However, this does not apply to Kardia. Kardia cannot be influenced by the Chaos Gods whatsoever, as his identity is that of a higher-dimensional entity. This is contradictory, as he is still too weak to be considered one.
But... Azathoth also has Kardia to absorb any kind of energy and make it its own.
...
Raphael looked up.
The Shadow in the Warp seemed to have "noticed" her master's reflection below them. It seems it wanted to attack.
Raphael, ready for any sudden attack from the "Shadow in the Warp," accelerated her thoughts a million times to anticipate the incoming threat.
After a brief moment, Raphael spotted it.
The immense "Shadow in the Warp," resembling a giant kraken limb, directed a large black tentacle toward Kardia's soul, which was under Raphael's control.
At the perfect moment and after careful calculations, Raphael activated Azathoth to counter the incoming attack. She also used the black tentacle as a starting point for Azathoth to begin its feeding.
The "Shadow in the Warp" soon realized it had made a grave mistake. The black energy in the form of a tentacle attempted to move and escape from Azathoth's grasp, but it was futile.
It was as if the space around it had been locked, rendering the entire "Shadow in the Warp" unable to move.
The "Shadow in the Warp" discovered something terrifying: the more it tried to escape or fight back, the more energy it inadvertently fed into Azathoth's black hole.
With each passing moment, the growing energy only amplified Azathoth's devouring power.
The "Shadow in the Warp," a manifestation of the collective soul of the "Great Devourer," was now being consumed. How ironic. How poetic.
However, Raphael was indifferent to this; in fact, she didn't care at all. She intensified Azathoth's ability to devour the energy and souls within the Shadow in the Warp.
According to her calculations, it would take only about ten more hours for the entire Shadow in the Warp to be consumed—if Raphael restricted Azathoth to drawing energy solely from it.
But there is infinite energy in the Warp and boundless energy surrounding the soul of her Master, Kardia.
So why not utilize that energy?
That is exactly what Raphael began to do.
To improve efficiency, something needed to change, and Raphael started making that change right away.
Suddenly, the reflection of Kardia's soul, controlled by Raphael, began to transform. Yes... This was the change that was necessary.
The form that Raphael chose to manifest was that of Kardia.
Since this was Kardia's reflection in the Warp, it was designed to resemble Kardia in the most perfect form, which was how Raphael perceived it. After all, her master was, indeed, her master.
Raphael drew inspiration from the Aeon of Abundance, Yaoshi, and also from the mythological gods like Surya, Buddha, Athena, Odin, Zeus, and "Buddha" to recreate Kardia's reflection in the Warp.
However, unlike Yaoshi, who was genderless, Kardia was genderfluid in this world. Nonetheless, Raphael knew that Kardia preferred to present as male.
For this reason, Kardia's reflection embodied the most beautiful and handsome male god.
It represented perfection made manifest.
Kardia's reflection was both beautiful and handsome. While these qualities might typically suggest a more "feminine" aesthetic, Kardia was anything but that.
The reflection also embodied masculinity. Kardia's form featured perfect muscles, defined and well-proportioned. Even the largest and most muscular men would envy Kardia's physique.
This physique was crafted for strength, durability, and endurance, while also enabling extreme speed, agility, and flexibility.
It was the "perfect" size—not too small to be labeled a "twink" and not too large to be seen as a brute of muscles.
(Think of Hades from the Record of Ragnarok.)
Just simply... perfectly balanced.
Just like Yaoshi, this reflection of Kardia was dressed in white and gold robes and had six arms—three on each side of the body, like a Buddha of six arms.
The clothing evoked Greek and Roman mythologies, creating a living reflection of both a newborn and a mature deity.
Although this reflection, or avatar, mirrored Kardia's image, it also had distinct differences. Raphael perfectly crafted this visualization to embody the duality of life—light and darkness.
It represented the duality of existence.
Creation and destruction. Harmony and chaos. Justice and injustice. Angels and demons.
Ultimately, Kardia embodied humanity. That was his true essence, though he remained unaware of it; only Raphael understood.
Humanity was the most versatile race. It could harbor saints and demons in human form. It could create but also destroy.
In this new life, Kardia embodied that duality.
To reflect this, Raphael designed Kardia's avatar with both white and black colors. This aesthetic was so pronounced that it extended to the skin.
If you have heard of the character Arlecchino from the video game Genshin Impact, you may know her for her striking hand design.
From her hands to her elbows, a black color gradually fades into the natural tone of her skin, contributing to her fame.
Raphael took inspiration from that reference, as well as from the symbolism of Yin and Yang.
The hands on the right side embodied light, appearing as white as the purest essence of the universe, adorned with black markings for decoration.
Conversely, the three left hands were as black as the darkest corners of the universe, illuminated by white markings.
Kardia, who had multiple templates integrated into him, actually embodied both light and darkness, not just one concept.
Thus, the aesthetic that Raphael chose fit perfectly.
For the six arms: two extended upward, and from their palms, a black substance filled with sporadic sparks of lightning flowed toward the Shadow in the Warp above them.
If you have seen the anime "Tensura," you would recognize this black substance as Beelzebub's predation sub-skill, now functioning as Azathoth's sub-skill under the name of "Soul-Gluttony."
After all, Azathoth is the "evolution" of Beelzebub in Tensura.
These two upward-facing arms, reaching for non-existent stars in the sky, were actively performing Azathoth's sub-skill, "Soul-Gluttony." Their work continued to devour the Shadow in the Warp.
The lower arms moved to create symbols that contributed to the aesthetic of a divine being. At certain intervals, those hands changed symbols, as if conducting a grand symbolic ritual.
However, the pair of arms in the middle was the most significant. These hands were extended outward, as if holding something of great importance. And indeed, they were grasping something crucial.
They were holding a literal black hole, comprised of swirling black and white.
Yes, a black hole.
And just like that... the black hole began to operate.
As the insanely gravitational pull began to work, the vast and infinite energy that is mostly unused began to rapidly get attracted towards the Black Hole.
...
Some demons, observing from a great distance, sensed a shift in the Immaterium and began to look towards the source of the change.
Though they were far away, they were still close enough to see but not be affected by the massive "Shadow in the Warp" above them.
Once they reached a relatively "safe" distance, they caught sight of a divine figure that was growing ever larger. This figure was performing actions never before witnessed in the Sea of Souls.
The laughter of some demons gradually ceased. Their expressions shifted from amusement to sheer horror and terror.
It was impossible.
In the Immaterium, the physical laws of realspace did not apply, so how had a black hole suddenly appeared in the spiritual realm?
What was even more terrifying was what the entity was doing. This male god, with six arms—an unprecedented sight—was actually holding the black hole.
They could sense that the more energy it absorbed, the larger it became. They witnessed something that seemed impossible.
This entity was consuming vast amounts of the infinite energy from the world of thoughts, emotions, and psychic power as if it were nothing. It possessed a capability that others could not replicate.
Some even dared to speculate that not even the gods they worshipped could achieve such a feat.
After all, in a world filled with emotions, souls, and the taint of corruption, absorbing energy that is mixed with various essences could likely lead to one's own demise.
It could result in an inability to remain loyal to the god they worshipped, as another god might begin to exert control over them.
But... this entity was... actually eating away the energy of the Immaterium like it was nothing, like a God that accepted the gifts of its followers.
Despite the nearby demons being the first to notice the unfolding events, it didn't take long for other powerful entities within the Warp to become aware of what was happening.
After all, there was an entity gaining power at an astounding rate—so rapid that even some of the mightiest beings, who had been striving to increase their own power for thousands of years, now paled in comparison to this burgeoning force.
...
Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways, known as the Lord of Change and the Lord of Sorcery, bore an oddly serious expression on his face as he surveyed beyond his dominion, known as the Realm of Sorcery.
As a god embodying change, Tzeentch thrived on the constant flux of reality, relishing the subtle manipulations of fate and the conspiracies spun against his fellow chaos gods.
It was, however, an irony that gnawed at him—despite his obsession with alteration and upheaval, he found himself increasingly perturbed by a recent, radical shift in the Immaterium.
An enigmatic entity had emerged, one that eluded even the keenest of his arcane perceptions.
This presence, once hidden within the shadows of the warp, had now become a glaring, vibrant white and black sun, a reality for all within this chaotic dimension.
It was executing miraculous feats of power that even Tzeentch, at the zenith of his strength—before being forcefully subdued by the combined might of the other three chaos gods—could only dream of achieving.
This unknown force was voraciously consuming the boundless energy of the Immaterium. This phenomenon flummoxed even Tzeentch himself, who had long been the master of such ethereal energies.
It was happening.
The echoes of its actions reverberated through the warp, causing ripples of unease among the denizens of chaos.
Tzeentch couldn't help but wonder: was this entity the C'tan's version of the Immaterium, a being that held the power to consume the infinite power of emotions, thoughts, and souls?
The implications of this were staggering and threatened the delicate balance of power in the cosmos, setting the stage for a new and perilous game of manipulation where even he might be a mere pawn.
The most frustrating aspect for Tzeentch, the God of Change, was that he couldn't obtain any information about a certain entity.
Every attempt proved futile.
Even the once-omniscient Tzeentch found himself unable to peer into the past, present, and future of this rapidly growing being.
While he could not uncover its origins or access its memories, he could discern the identity of the individual.
"A human...? Another son of the Anathema?"
"No... that shouldn't be possible. If it were another of the Anathema's progeny, I would have known."
Tzeentch was perplexed.
If this human possessed such power, how could he remain unaware of its existence?
The ever-changing heart of Tzeentch began to race.
"Wait... could it be... a human from beyond?"
That was the only explanation Tzeentch, the God of Change, could conceive—The Well of Eternity.
The Well of Eternity is considered the deepest known point in the Warp, a place where time, space, and causality cease to function normally.
Tzeentch believed it to be the path beyond the universe; however, even he was hesitant to venture there and investigate.
The only individual known to have returned from the Well of Eternity was Kairos, the Fateweaver.
Kairos had somehow survived but had been fundamentally altered in the process.
Yet, the notion of this human emerging from the Well of Eternity seemed impossible. Tzeentch had sealed the Well, and occasionally, out of curiosity, he would send demons into it to see if something would occur.
But at that moment, it remained closed.
So, what was this human?
Tzeentch quickly arrived at a conclusion: much like the Emperor of Mankind, this human, who was rapidly gaining power, was born to become what he was destined to be.
"I guess... we only have to wait. Interesting... extremely interesting."
Tzeentch, after calming down, simply sighed and later laughed. A sinister smile was on his face.
This was an unknown change, one that might even threaten his entire existence, but one that could actually bring some joy to his boring existence.
...
In the dimly lit chambers of the Mansion of the Plague Lord, a sinister fortress drenched in decay and festooned with vibrant, clinging fungi, Nurgle paused his grotesque experiments.
His bulbous eyes turned toward the horizon, where an ominous presence stirred in the shadows.
Just like Tzeentch, the Changer of Ways, Nurgle was acutely attuned to the fabric of the Immaterium.
Still, this time, an unsettling gravity weighed upon him. He felt a profound, visceral urgency—more intense than any he had ever experienced.
While Tzeentch danced in the realms of flux and possibility, Nurgle was gripped by an icy fear.
This unknown entity loomed as an embodiment of myriad concepts: destruction and abundance twisted together in a diabolical dance; order and chaos collided in an unholy union.
It was a catalyst for both creation and annihilation, a force that mirrored the sun's blinding brilliance and the ruthless fury of lightning strikes.
Lust and greed pulsed within it, powered by a relentless hunger that threatened to consume everything in its path.
This enigmatic being encompassed the duality of existence—life, death, and the cycle of rebirth intertwined, revealing the stark reality of mortality.
It harbored the raw power of war and knowledge, and within its essence lay an incomprehensible mastery over space and time.
For the first time in his grotesque, immortal existence, Nurgle felt the cold, clammy grip of fear tighten around his heart.
The potential of this entity sent waves of dread coursing through him, a stark reminder that even the Plague Lord, master of disease and decay, could one day be reduced to nothingness.
The very thought of being erased from existence by this unfathomable force brought an unsettling chill that permeated the air of his decaying mansion.
Nurgle, who had stopped, noticed something. He checked his hands. They were trembling.
"I-is this fear...?"
Nurgle, who watched his hands in shock, later felt an uncontrollable rage. How could he, the lord of decay and plagues, feel fear of a human?
Yes... just like Tzeentch, could see how this special human was the one growing in power. He also thought that this was another human created by the Anathema, but that idea went away.
This human was not like those human primarchs. He was not like his Mortarion.
Yet... he didn't understand. It was something that was beyond his reach. Beyond his comprehension. It terrified him and also angered him.
For the time being, Nurgle decided not mess with that human. Maybe it was out of fear, but he also knew that if he did something, it was going to turn bad for him.
Of course, it didn't mean that Nurgle was not going to attack the human. Nurgle decided to allow his demons to deal with the human. If they couldn't handle it, unless it was a big moment, Nurgle wouldn't intervene.
However, unknown to him, where he kept the Aeldari Goddess of Life, Isha, Isha was looking at the horizon with eyes filled with hope.
She always hoped to escape Nurgle's grip, and now, after thousands of years, she saw the light; she saw the embodiment of hope.
"I hope... he can save me. I'll give myself to him if he saves me."
Isha murmured to herself as she watched on the horizon.
...
In the Palace of Pleasure, Slaanesh also watched towards the distance, but not even seconds later, she simply moved on.
Unlike Tzeentch and Nurgle, Slaanesh couldn't care less.
Slaanesh was that type of god.
As the literal embodiment of excess, lust, and pleasure, for her or him, if a new god came into play, she wouldn't care.
Of course, she would fight to keep her place in the realm of chaos, but in reality, she wouldn't care. For her, everything was a game.
Unless what happened with Tzeentch happened, when he grew too powerful, and they had to drag him down to their level, Slaanesh wouldn't care.
Although she does think that the unknown entity is growing extremely fast. She actually didn't care.
In fact, her mind began to think of something else entirely.
...
Khorne was... furious.
The Blood God, revered as the God of War and the Lord of Rage, seethed with uncontainable wrath. From his infernal realm, he surveyed the Sea of Soul in the far distance, sensing the ripples of an unfamiliar entity stirring in the distance—one whose power echoed the very essence of violence and chaos.
Yet, amid the familiarity of his furious thoughts, there was an unsettling strangeness.
This intruder wielded a godhead infused not only with the concepts of wrath, war, and destruction but also with an array of other enigmatic powers that eluded Khorne's grasp.
It was a blend of energies that transcended his understanding and challenged his dominance.
What ignited Khorne's fury further was the realization that this being possessed the ability to siphon the boundless energy of the Immaterium, growing stronger at an alarming rate.
Not even he had that ability.
The speed of this ascent was reminiscent of the tumultuous birth of Slaanesh. Yet, it surpassed that, promising a threat Khorne had yet to fully comprehend.
The thought of this entity eclipsing his own might, fueled in the distant future, ignited the fire of his rage.
It ignites a desire not only to battle but to obliterate the source of this challenge to his supremacy.
Yet, Khorne was not stupid.
He knew that something was extremely wrong here. A being like that couldn't appear out of nowhere. Also, that growing rate was something he never heard of.
Also, how the hell did he manage to create a black hole in the Immaterium? And how was he devouring a sub-Hive Mind of the Tyranid Race at the same time?
So many questions left unanswered.
Just like Nurgle and Tzeentch, Khorne didn't act right away. But this did not calm his anger. He was just acting cautiously because of the circumstances. Still, once he found a weakness, Khorne was going to exploit it and kill that entity and absorb it.
...
The Emperor of Mankind, often revered as the "God Emperor," floated serenely above the Astronomican in a transcendent form, resembling a colossal, cold sun.
His luminous presence cast a dim, ethereal light over the vast expanse of the Sea of Souls in the Immaterium, illuminating the tumultuous currents of psychic energy swirling around him.
Gazing out towards the distant horizon of the Immaterium, where the chaotic tides of warp storms surged and receded restlessly like the restless waves of an infinite ocean.
As he observed, a palpable surge of energy drew his attention, an echo of a presence in the distance growing stronger with each fleeting moment.
He could feel its power pulsing with the fervent rhythm of ambition and untamed determination, like the heartbeat of a newborn star igniting in the void of space.
A flicker of satisfaction ignited within the Emperor's core, sending warmth through his being.
It thrilled him to witness a fellow human emerging from the shadows, ascending to prominence amidst the vast and chaotic tapestry of the universe.
Yet, much like the other deities of chaos who roamed the Immaterium, the Emperor's countenance was marred by a tumult of uncertainty.
While he reveled in the emergence of another human being claiming their rightful place in the cosmos, he was acutely aware that this newfound power was something he could not directly control.
The Emperor's love for humanity eclipsed even his own ego, a profound devotion shaping his every action across millennia. Nevertheless, as the sovereign of mankind, it was intrinsic to his nature to seek dominion over his subjects.
His primarch sons, the genetically-engineered progeny who embodied the diverse facets of his will, had often remarked upon this inherent duality: the Emperor sought humanity's flourishing while simultaneously wearing the heavy mantle of a tyrant, resolutely unwilling to relinquish control over what he deemed his sacred empire.
The very prospect of another ruler—one capable of challenging his sovereignty, of daring to defy him—gnawed at his consciousness like a persistent, unwelcome whisper.
The rise of this new human, who gathered strength with alarming speed and fervor, eclipsing even the once newly-born Slaanesh of Ten Thousand Years ago, and, to some extent, himself, stirred an unsettling mix of anticipation and trepidation within him.
"Perhaps this is not entirely a negative turn," the Emperor mused quietly to himself, a glimmer of cautious hope piercing through his otherwise resolute thoughts. "Maybe engaging in dialogue with him could lead to a mutually beneficial alliance."
Deep down, he recognized that this emergent being, steeped in ambition and likely resistant to any form of submission, would probably rebuff any overtures of allegiance directed at him.
Yet, he clung to the faint possibility of collaboration; perhaps together they could forge a united front against the encroaching darkness threatening humanity, a force that loomed, ravenous and patient, just beyond their collective horizon.
This seemed the most prudent course of action.
If he could not convince this individual to kneel before him, then perhaps he could inspire them to work alongside him for the greater good.
The Emperor of Mankind had taken on many forms throughout history, embodying both powerful men and women across the ages.
If it required the ultimate sacrifice, perhaps even marrying this new rising monarch to further humanity's cause, he would not hesitate. He would do it willingly, guided by his unwavering commitment to the future of mankind.
The Emperor, although mostly appearing as male, could easily turn female if he wanted.
"For now... I will observe him," he murmured softly, the weight of his resolve echoing in the emptiness around him.
"I will watch his actions, weigh his decisions, and note how he develops in the times to come. Should he outpace my expectations, I could create another avatar—some reflection of my will—and seek a conversation with him."
With that thought, the Emperor continued to survey the figure in the distance, a being so powerful that he was quite literally holding a black hole in his hands, a swirling mass of energy entering that hole.
Not just his reflection, but also the human version that was fighting the Tyranids on that empty planet.
The Emperor had to admit that said human being had a fighting style that he never seen; it was efficient. It combined strength, speed, agility, and the flexibility to adapt to all scenarios in a combat scenario.
The Emperor even thought of wanting to replicate it, but... the speed needed to pull it off was out of his range. Not because he wasn't fast, but because that style of fighting was designed for that man's physique.
The Emperor is technically a giant, and while he can replicate the same level of speed, his massive size would be too disadvantageous. Of course, this was the Emperor thinking that if he had to fight against Kardia.
If he replicated this fighting style against other enemies, it was obvious that the Emperor could replicate at least ten percent of its efficiency.
However, he simply didn't do anything; he just... watched in silence, while he kept his job of lighting up the Astronimican.
...
Kardia, who didn't know what was going on, but if he knew about it, he would say...
"Raphael, what the hell did you do?!"
...
End of Chapter.