844.M30.
Aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, Primarch's Office.
"My Lord," Arsena Dunn said, holding a data slate. "The 4th and 11th Chapters are the first to break through the Rangdan lines. They have already entered the Segmentum Obscurus region."
"The other six Chapters are expected to enter the Segmentum Obscurus successively within fifteen solar days."
Nareth nodded slightly, satisfied with the Legion's progress.
"To date, four Titan Legions have been surrounded by the xenos and annihilated."
"The Emperor has decided to deploy the Ordo Sinister to respond to the xenos threat."
Hearing that the Emperor had finally deployed the Inquisition, Nareth thought to himself.
'The Emperor has finally recognized the enormous threat of the Rangdan and is playing his trump card.'
"The Dark Angels, Ultramarines, Space Wolves, Emperor's Children, Thousand Sons, and Word Bearers were the first to respond to the reinforcement requests from You and Lord Perturabo, dispatching warriors to support."
Nareth's eyes gleamed. He thought to himself.
'An opportunity for "corrosion" has arrived.'
"Have the commanders of each task force been confirmed?"
"My Lord, only two have been confirmed so far. The commander for the Thousand Sons is Librarian Hathor Maat."
Nareth was not surprised that Magnus had sent Hathor. Hathor had been seconded to his Legion before, serving by his side. He was a bond of friendship between the two Legions, naturally the best choice.
"The commander for the Emperor's Children is Second Company Captain Akurduana."
'Akurduana.'
Hearing this name, Nareth immediately recalled the Gardinaal Campaign.
Akurduana was originally scheduled to be sent by Fulgrim in 869 to serve beside his close brother, Ferrus Manus.
At the end of the Gardinaal Campaign, when the desperate lords used their ring weapon to attack Ferrus, Akurduana stormed the command center and detonated it at the cost of his own life.
'Akurduana is among the ceiling of Astartes combat prowess, matched by only a few. A talented individual, to be sure.'
'Though Sequence 6 "Judge" Howard Fender, "Wind-Blessed" Szczesny, and "Rose Bishop" Ramsey are certainly stronger than him.'
'Among Sequence 7, "Pyromaniac" Sanchez and "Weapon Master" Thierry Viera are not weaker than him either. But if I can "corrode" him, I wouldn't say no to more talent.'
Nareth considered the possibility of "corroding" Akurduana.
'Not impossible. He has considerable loyalty to Ferrus, and willingly sacrificed himself.'
'Akurduana admires the strong... "corroding" him might not be difficult, certainly easier than Balsar Kurthuri.'
'Hmm, I am also his savior, in a sense. Having him swear fealty to me is only fair, right?'
"And the commanders of the other Legion task forces?" Nareth asked.
"The Leader of the Astropaths is still establishing contact with the other Legions. I will report to You immediately upon confirmation."
"Order them to assemble at the Kalium Gate," Nareth instructed.
After the Arsena departed, a murmuring whisper sounded in Nareth's ear.
He left the Dionysian Spear on its rack and went to the Kingdom of Disorder.
Nareth's psychic energy extended, touching the expanding and contracting orb, pulling Howard into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"My Lord, my fleet has arrived at Abyss Port and is preparing to attack."
"Excellent," Nareth said, noticing a trace of sadness on Howard's face. "Is there something else?"
"The Sixth Chapter encountered the Basemekanic in the Lament system. Pasqual was killed in action..."
"Flamini led thirteen Court members, slew countless beasts, destroyed the teleportation jamming device, and in the subsequent battle, cleared the xenos that had intruded on the system."
"He achieved a brilliant victory."
Howard said admiringly. He, too, had encountered the Basemekanic.
These metal-beast-like xenos were powerful warriors. For Flamini to lead thirteen men, without a single loss, aboard a xenos vessel was nothing short of miraculous.
Howard reined in his thoughts and stated the main purpose of his prayer.
"The Sixth Chapter has routed the main Basemekanic force, but suffered considerable losses. Moreover, they currently have no Chapter Master."
"Flamini holds the highest rank within the Chapter and is temporarily acting as commander."
"Convey my order. Flamini is to be the Lord of the Sixth Chapter," Nareth instructed.
He also recalled Howard mentioning the Basemekanic's metallic hide, which possessed powerful defense. It was likely potion material.
Furthermore, he needed to establish real-time intergalactic communication with the Sixth Chapter. Flamini, having been saved by him, was completely loyal.
So he spoke, "Inform him of the ritual procedure. Command him to pray to me."
"The offering is two suits of Basemekanic metallic hide."
"By your will, My Lord." Howard acknowledged the order.
Black mist enveloped Howard's body, returning him to the Judgements Glory.
As the black mist receded, Howard praised the Black Emperor and slowly rose.
He left the altar. After exiting the door, the hyper-psychic cat immediately came to his side.
He left his quarters and went to his office.
Howard entered the office and looked at the waiting Flamini.
"Congratulations. The gene-father has decided that you are to be Chapter Master."
Flamini was pleased at first, then asked, "But I haven't received any orders. Has the Leader of the Astropaths received them?"
"You will know soon enough. That is what I am about to tell you."
Howard walked towards a black scale, placed his hand upon it, and channeled psychic energy into it.
The "Lucky One" watched as the patterns on the floor lit up one by one. Psychic energy spread rapidly, covering the entire office.
The Seer felt his connection to the Warp completely severed.
Experiencing this for the first time, Flamini felt a sense of emptiness.
But the "Lucky One" sensed his beyonder abilities hadn't vanished. His high inspiration still perception his surroundings. The physical enhancements and mental enhancements brought by digesting "Robot" remained.
He stared at the floor pattern. It was a complex design composed of a series of geometric shapes: triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagrams...
Flamini's transhuman mind determined in an instant that there were thirty-three shapes in total.
"This is a rune created by Father. Its function is similar to the Sothmes Sigil created by Lord Magnus: to isolate this place, making it impossible to be observed."
"But unlike the Sothmes Sigil, which only Lord Magnus can use, Court Brothers can also complete this."
"Of course, it requires a sufficiently profound understanding. Currently, only five of us have mastered it: the Primarchs Aide, the Chief Librarian, the Death Lord, and a few others."
The "Lucky One's" eyes shone, fixed intently on the mysterious rune on the floor.
"I believe you will soon begin studying it. But for now, let me tell you something more important."
"The Black Emperor's prayer ritual..."
Three standard hours later, after thanking Howard for his instruction, Flamini carried the two suits of Basemekanic metallic hide into the altar.
To expedite the ritual, Howard had generously allowed him temporary use of his own.
The items on the altar were already arranged, but Flamini still carefully checked them.
After confirming the black iron scale on his left and the cast-iron copy of The Sovereign's Iron Code on his right were correctly positioned, he walked to the candlestick.
Flamini held his palm suspended above the wicks, rubbing gently to ignite the candles with psychic energy.
After lighting eleven candles, some standing, some inverted, he produced the ritual knife.
Calming his excited mood, he chanted in Dunnic:
"..."
In the name of the Black Emperor, you are sanctified!"
Psychic energy surged from the knife's tip. Flamini paced in a circle. An invisible force welled out.
Without needing to activate witch-sight, the "Lucky One" sensed that a wall of psychic energy had indeed formed around them, excluding all unclean things.
Then, Flamini took a deep breath and entered the Thelema meditative state.
After his body, mind, and soul quieted, he knelt on the black onyx cushion and recited the formal liturgy in Dunnic:
"Black Emperor of Shadows of Order..."
On the fifth repetition, Flamini felt wind suddenly blow within the sealed psychic walls. Black mist churned. The mysterious realm slowly opened its gate to him.
The "Lucky One" felt a formless, incomprehensible, irresistible force applied upon him as the black mist enveloped him.
When Flamini came to, he was already in the mysterious realm.
The "Lucky One" felt surrounded by mist. Since awakening as a psyker, he had never felt so limited.
Even after being granted power by the Gene-Father, he had never experienced this.
'Such is the might of the Black Emperor!'
Flamini knelt, devoutly praising the majestic figure deep within the black mist.
"My Lord!"
Nareth nodded slightly. His gaze swept over the stacked metallic hides beside Flamini.
'Based on the psychic luster, they are psychic reagents.'
'Likely Sequence 6 potion materials, but not among those already unlocked on the Blasphemy slate.'
'Hmm, my potion is nearing digestion. Perhaps then I can unlock the remaining half of the formula.'
The "Baron of Corruption's" gaze returned to Flamini. "You have already mastered the power I bestowed upon you."
"Yes, My Lord, just like the previous two times."
"Shortly, I will bestow new power upon you." With a thought, Nareth transmitted the Euclidian runes to Flamini telepathically.
The runes he had comprehended, relying on his own "geometry" abilities, were understood from geometric patterns. Hence, he named them the Euclidian runes.
"Thank You, My Lord, for Your gift. I will surely study them diligently."
Black mist engulfed Flamini, returning him to the Judgements Glory.
Nareth then went to the first layer, ordered the Jokaero to concoct the "Calamity Priest" potion using materials including the calamity mantis, and bestowed it upon Flamini.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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