Chapter 48: Erebus — Emperor, You Beast!
The Banquet Continues
When was the last time Perturabo had attended a family gathering?
He couldn't remember.
The burdens of the Imperium, the endless sieges, the logistics, the calculations—everything had consumed him. There had never been time to stop.
The only moments he could recall as pleasant…
Were quiet conversations with Calliphone.
And now—
She was laughing.
Talking freely.
With Erebus.
Perturabo's eye twitched.
His gaze sharpened.
This bastard…
Stay away from my sister.
Redirecting the Room
"So," Perturabo said suddenly, his voice cutting through the hall, "why did you break into my prison?"
The atmosphere shifted.
Attention turned.
Erebus smiled.
"To reunite your family."
He gestured lazily toward Dammekos.
"I noticed you didn't seem particularly fond of your adoptive father. Coincidentally, Lorgar has an adoptive father who is… rather lonely."
Lorgar froze slightly.
Erebus continued smoothly:
"So I thought—why not find him a companion?"
Perturabo's expression darkened.
"…And my sister?"
"A surprise."
Erebus spread his hands.
"A proper family gathering requires everyone."
The Gift
Perturabo narrowed his eyes.
Sophistry.
Pure sophistry.
And yet—
He couldn't lash out.
Because Erebus handed him something.
A book.
Simple.
Unremarkable.
"The Emperor's gift," Erebus said solemnly. "He hopes you will cherish your family… as He cherishes you."
Perturabo looked down.
The Imperial Truth.
A standard copy.
Nothing special.
But—
There was a signature.
Fresh.
Clear.
Neoth.
Perturabo froze.
"…This is the Emperor's hand?"
Erebus leaned in.
For a split second—
Even he was confused.
When did that get there?
Then he straightened instantly.
"Yes. Recently signed."
Perturabo exhaled slowly.
Carefully—
He stored it away.
Uneasy Silence
Behind them—
Angron, Magnus, and Lorgar exchanged looks.
Something felt…
Wrong.
Erebus' performance was too perfect.
Too seamless.
It was as if—
Reality itself was cooperating with him.
Gifts Returned
The silence grew awkward.
Then—
Angron moved.
He tossed something onto the table.
Khârn's spare chainaxe.
"For you."
Lorgar followed.
A finely bound tome.
"The Lectitio Divinitatus. Annotated."
Magnus hesitated.
Looked around.
Then—
Raised his hand awkwardly.
Formed a crude heart shape with psychic energy—
And ignited it into a small burst of warp-fireworks.
"…Ahem."
Perturabo stared.
Long.
Hard.
Then said flatly:
"…Next time it's your birthday, Magnus, I will gift you a shovel of lime."
Magnus coughed.
"…Thank you."
The Purpose
"The Emperor sent you here to study," Perturabo said at last.
Erebus smiled.
"Not quite."
"This visit is for mutual learning."
Perturabo scoffed.
"What could I possibly learn from you? Religion? Superstition? Ignorance?"
Lorgar's fingers twitched.
Erebus spoke calmly.
"…How to love your sons."
Silence.
Heavy.
Perturabo's jaw tightened.
"…I have given everything for them."
"And the Emperor asks for more," Erebus replied softly.
He stepped closer.
"Not obedience."
"Not sacrifice."
"…Compassion."
Perturabo wanted to argue.
Wanted to reject it.
But—
The words wouldn't come.
The Hook
"And," Erebus continued, pressing forward, "after the Great Crusade… the Emperor wishes you to build for Him."
Perturabo's eyes sharpened.
"…Explain."
"A grand structure. On Terra."
A pause.
"With Rogal Dorn."
"Dorn?!"
The word exploded from him.
"No. Absolutely not."
Erebus smiled.
"You will each build your own."
Perturabo paused.
Then—
"…I will build something greater."
"Of course you will," Erebus nodded.
The Final Push
"What else did He say?" Perturabo asked quietly.
Erebus opened his mouth—
"He intends to name a successor—"
Intervention
CRASH.
A golden force struck Erebus—
And sent him flying.
Silence.
Then—
Light.
Blinding.
Absolute.
The Emperor had arrived.
The Emperor Descends
A figure of golden radiance stood within the hall.
Majestic.
Terrible.
Calm.
The air itself bowed.
Every Primarch present—
Knelt.
"Rise," the Emperor said gently.
"This is a family gathering. There is no need for formality."
His Thoughts
Perfect timing.
The Emperor's gaze flicked briefly toward Erebus.
Almost went too far.
Still—
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
With Erebus here—
The burden of the Warp had lessened.
The Great Game was quieter.
The Webway project continued.
And—
Retirement…
Felt possible.
He smiled faintly.
Perturabo Breaks
"Perturabo," the Emperor said warmly, "you have done well."
"Erebus has conveyed my thoughts."
"Do you have any wishes?"
Perturabo trembled.
"My father… I…"
His voice broke.
For the first time—
Tears formed.
"I… have done wrong."
The Emperor's Play
The Emperor turned.
To Dammekos.
"I owe you an apology."
Silence.
"For the suffering my son has caused you."
Dammekos stared.
Stunned.
"If punishment is required," the Emperor continued, "let it fall upon me."
Perturabo froze.
His mind shattered.
This—
Was not the Emperor he knew.
Collapse
"My father!"
Perturabo fell fully to his knees.
"I am at fault!"
"I failed!"
"I—"
The words poured out.
Uncontrolled.
Unrestrained.
Everything he had buried—
Now exposed.
The Offer
The Emperor placed a hand upon his shoulder.
"Rise."
A pause.
"I have prepared chambers on Terra for all my sons."
"They remain unfinished."
He looked directly at Perturabo.
"I would entrust that task… to you."
Perturabo looked up.
Hope.
Fear.
Desperation.
"But," the Emperor added, "you must be kinder."
"To your sons."
"To your brothers."
"And… to your family."
A glance—
Toward Dammekos.
A Final Note
"And be mindful," the Emperor said lightly, "of certain individuals."
His gaze flicked toward Erebus.
"I have high expectations for him."
Erebus, still on the ground, twitched.
"…You absolute bastard…"
The Emperor's Thoughts
The Fourth is stabilizing.
The Emperor observed quietly.
Good.
Very good.
One by one—
They would all fall into place.
And when they did—
He would finally be free.
End of Chapter 48
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