Nareth watched Lorgar Aurelian, his crozius in hand, his eyes blazing with gold, even more triumphant than the victorious Mortarion and Leman Russ in the amphitheater.
His obsidian eyes narrowed, glancing almost imperceptibly at the box.
A slender, not-quite-tall silhouette.
'The box opposite the Emperor's... so it was Malcador.'
'I proposed the Librarius program before Magnus and the other two, and my Legion has more Librarians, with greater influence, than any other.'
'Malcador would face greater pressure in abolishing the Librarius. So, as in the original timeline, he turned to Lorgar, sending Chaplains to help the Legions train their own.'
Nareth noted the golden ring on Lorgar's right finger, radiating spiritual light.
Through the shimmering colors, he could make out a pattern similar to Mortarion's.
But this one was more resolute, more unashamedly adventurous.
The Ram.
Nareth's lips twitched. Malcador's idea of using Chaplains to scrutinize psykers wasn't wrong. He just never imagined that the fiery Ram, Lorgar, also had a rebellious side.
His adventurous spirit had driven him to build the Perfect City for the Emperor, and would lead him to become the High Priest of Chaos.
'I envy Lorgar. Malcador's divine assistance.'
'I'd like to, like the High Priest of Chaos, openly station my people in every Legion for large-scale corruption.'
'But, compared to opportunity, the more important thing is still to use psychic powers to conceal my beyonder abilities. That's fundamental. You win some, you lose some. Can't have everything.'
Nareth felt a pang of envy. The only time he had conducted a large-scale "corrosion" was during the Second Rangdan War, when, as the Emperor's and War Council's appointed commander, he had "corroded" a few individuals:
Luther, the Dark Angels' deputy commander; Librarian Zahariel; and former Legion Master Urian Vendraig.
Akurduana, one of the eleven Lord Commanders of the Emperor's Children and Captain of the 2nd Company; and Lucius, now Captain of the 13th Company.
Agakhan of the White Scars, and Apothecary Narsin.
Zso Sahaal of the Night Lords.
Gahlan Surlak, Chief Apothecary of the World Eaters.
Gren Vosotho, Chapter Master of the First Chapter of the Ultramarines.
Zardu Layak of the Word Bearers.
For the Raven Guard... hmm, Arkhas Fal, Chapter Master of the Carcharodons; Nerat Kirine, Chapter Master of the Ashen Claws; Chief Librarian Balsar Kurthuri; and Alastor Rushal.
Anacharis Scoria, who would vie for the position of Archmagos Intendant on the Forge World of Xana.
'Only sixteen. Just sixteen... The only consolation is that they are all elites of their Legions.'
Nareth knew that his Legion also had Chaplains, only slightly fewer than Lorgar's, but he was the target of the Librarius restrictions. Malcador wouldn't use his aid.
He also believed that, even if Malcador had a choice, he wouldn't choose him.
In Malcador's eyes, the most capable Primarch was not him or Horus, not Russ or the others he had tutored, not even Guilliman or the Lion, but Lorgar.
Of the nine traitor Primarchs, Lorgar was the one he most wanted to save.
'Indeed, if Lorgar were the Ecclesiarch, it's unimaginable how powerful his gathered faith would be. Such a Emperor and Imperium would be terrifying.' As Nareth consoled himself, Lorgar approached.
"Nareth, I understand how you feel."
He glanced at the golden light from the box. 'My foolish father! Thank you for yet another foolish decision.
'Psychic power is the most effective weapon against the Gods!'
'As Nareth said, who would be foolish enough to discard their weapons? Only you, my dear father. You've forbidden our most powerful weapon before the war.'
Lorgar struggled to suppress a smile, feeling the warmth of Malcador's hand still on his chest.
'Father, thank you for abolishing the Librarius!'
'Malcador, thank you for choosing me to help abolish it. I will not waste the opportunity you've given me. I will bring the Primordial Truth to every Legion. I am so grateful to you!'
He suppressed his mirth, turning back to Nareth.
"Our brother, the Warmaster, has ordered you to proceed immediately to world designation 1-40-20."
Lorgar knew his earlier words in Nareth's favor had raised doubts in Horus's mind about his loyalty.
Sending him to deliver this order was another test.
This time, Lorgar had made his choice. He would no longer consider whether Nareth, having lost the Warmaster's title and being censured, would turn against the False Emperor.
His only target now was Horus.
He had decided to offer the Warmaster to the Gods.
"Three companies of the Blood Angels, led by Khitas Frome made planetfall. Fourteen days later, they sent a single, final message."
"The enemy is far more powerful than we anticipated. Conquering this world will require the full strength of a Legion. We request immediate reinforcement."
"Amidst the crackling static, Frome's final words were a choked rasp: 'This... world... is... murder.'"
Nareth's eyes flickered. 'With the Battle of Gate Forty-two and Corax's break with Horus, it's unlikely he'll use me to make an example again so soon.'
'This seems more like an attempt to mend fences and test my compliance with the Edict of Nikaea. I was planning to find an excuse to go to the Murder World and reinforce anyway. I should thank Horus for the invitation. He truly is brilliantly clever.'
The Murder World's Megarachnids were the primary ingredient for the Demoness pathway's Sequence 5 "Affliction," the only ingredient he still lacked.
"I will lead a force to the Murder World immediately."
"The Warmaster looks forward to seeing you soon."
Lorgar smiled, then strode off.
He was eager to fulfill Malcador's request and send Chaplains to the various Legions.
'A pity Nareth's Legion already has so many Chaplains. Otherwise, I could have found a reason to enlighten the Shadows of Order.'
Nareth walked in the opposite direction, returning to his box. He led Thomas and the others to the Stormbird, returning to the Shadow's Sovereignty.
He summoned Arsena and others to his office.
After taking his seat, he addressed the downcast Thomas.
"Pay no mind to the Emperor's edict. When we fight alone, everything continues as before."
"In joint operations, unless in danger, restrain your use of psychic powers and the abilities I have granted you. But if you are in danger, do not hesitate."
Neither the Emperor nor Malcador would be naive enough to think a simple decree would eliminate the use of psychic powers. That's why the Regent had turned to Lorgar.
Their plan was to gradually phase out the Librarius through control, but the Imperium's fate would change far sooner and more violently than they anticipated.
Thomas's eyes brightened. "By Your will. I will relay your command."
"My Lord, what do you mean?"
"Great change is coming. The Warmaster's summons to the Murder World will be the last time we stand united before the storm."
Arsena's expression changed, then he let out a long breath. He would no longer have to meticulously falsify the Legion's casualties.
As he thought, Nareth gave his orders.
"Assemble the First, Ninth, and Tenth Chapters. Destination: World 1-40-20."
After the others left, Nareth walked to his quarters. Out of sight, he stepped into the Kingdom of Disorder.
Seated upon his throne, he extended his spirituality, touching Hathor Maat's glowing orb.
Ensuring he was alone, and that his Tutelary, Paeoc, was isolated by the Emperor's golden light and not resummoned, Nareth drew him into the fourth layer.
"My Lord." Hathor knelt in the black mist, bowing to the Black Emperor.
Before the Black Emperor could ask, he reported on the Thousand Sons.
"Father, since returning to the Photep, has not followed the False Emperor's orders. He has us buried in our respective cult libraries, continuing our studies."
"He has ordered all Thousand Sons serving with other Legions, like the Thunderbolts with the Iron Warriors, to return to Prospero."
"He then retreated into his labyrinth, and has not told us what he saw in the amphitheater."
Nareth nodded. "He saw the Warmaster's fall."
"Horus..." Hathor's pupils dilated, swallowing his eyes. He couldn't believe the Emperor's most beloved son would betray the Imperium, were it not for the Black Emperor's words.
As he stared, the Black Emperor's voice of "Majesty" echoed in his ears.
"You must emphasize to Magnus the importance of Axandria IV, a major achievement of the Great Crusade, in these dark times."
"Use your authority as Chief Librarian to send as many Thousand Sons as possible to Axandria IV."
Nareth knew Magnus was recalling most of the Thousand Sons to their homeworld, over seventy thousand of them.
'Magnus, since you're unwilling to resist the Wolves' attack, choosing to shield your sons' perceptions so they die unprepared, you might as well send them to me.'
Axandria IV was controlled by Maat, the Chief Librarian. Once Magnus retreated to the Planet of the Sorcerers, most of the Thousand Sons would naturally follow Hathor.
'Without Malcador's divine assistance, I can still swindle.'
He could give orders to other Legions later, but the Burning of Prospero was only three years away, and Magnus had already begun recalling the Thousand Sons. He had to act now.
"By Your will," Hathor said respectfully.
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu