Chapter 108: His Return

When they sensed Ray's return, his lovers were overjoyed and quickly gathered in Ars Paulina. But, they were surprised to see his current appearance felt inhuman. Very detached like a divine being to a mortal.

His body no longer is made of flesh. The two Universes, Honkaiverse and Remnant verse had fused into him. He carried the universe within himself that became his source of power and he craved for more.

Then a new body is created right in front of them. A body that looks exactly like Ray with his blond hair and resemblance to Tanya. Only that his eyes now look the same as his body on the marble throne as eyes is the window of the soul which remains constant even if his body changed. Like a galaxy contained inside his eyes, Kaleidoscopic space with glowing stars.

He walked down once his body was fully constructed and gave Tanya a hug then said. "I am back now."

Ray felt odd. His memories were wiped out into a clean slate but suddenly foreign memories poured in and filled him in.

He has doubts about the memories. Feeling those might not be true but once he stood before them, the women of the person in the memories, he felt his heart ache and in a trance he hugged Tanya very tightly as if he never wanted to let her go.

"Welcome back… idiot."

Tanya hugged back and buried her face on his chest to hide her tears. She had been waiting for a few years for him to return and he finally did.

"Hey, it's unfair to hog him alone." Charlotte jumped in and hugged Ray from behind. Then Artoria and everyone else follow suit.

It turned into a group hug session for quite a while until Dvalin, with her small body unable to join the group hug, turned into her dragon form to join. She would crush everyone to death if she did.

After they are done hugging, Ray recounts his experience after he left Honkaiverse that day. Tanya was interested to know what he had been up to and incredibly surprised to know Ray went to take over another world, granted none of the denizens could pose a challenge to him.

When Ray got into the part after returning from the Remnant verse, they were shocked again that Ray struck a deal with the Imperium and now the Imperium is somewhere out there in Honkaiverse.

The most shocking part is how he almost died but somehow managed to survive and Transcended after sacrificing the four Chaos Gods.

What worried Tanya and the rest of Ray's lovers is at the end, he disclosed his intention to conquer the world more proactively. Already setting his eyes on a target.

It would be a lie if Tanya said she didn't mind and will follow his wish. Many times both of them spoke about Ray Elliot, the nemesis he eventually had to fight. An all powerful being that power is beyond her own comprehension that Ray never had the confidence to win against.

"I will not back down or change my mind, Tanya. Hate me if you must but I must fight him. There isn't any other choice." Ray confirmed with his [True Omniscient].

Regardless of what he chooses to do, Ray Elliot will hunt him down and try to kill him. He disliked divination abilities like this that show him the future because once he sees the future, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Since escape, surrender or hiding were never an available option. Fighting is the only way to go and what he chooses to do.

"Can't we just hide or leave? Why is there no other choice?" Tanya frowned.

Hearing this, Ray sighed and his eyes turned into a daze. [True Omniscient] showed him the answer already and he honestly has no idea how it is possible.

"No, Tanya. No matter where I ran to, where I hid or did. He will definitely come for me because I am a threat to him."

"But how, master? Isn't he way more powerful than you? How could the master possibly be a threat to him?" Charlotte responded.

"Did I ever tell everyone else about my previous life?" Ray glances at everyone other than Tanya who he already confides the secret to.

Everyone responded with no. So, Ray created a table and chair for everyone to sit as he is about to share his secret. Venti is especially excited to hear the story.

———

"…then I end up in Tanya's world and started my new life as a soldier and mage." Ray ended his little storytelling about his secret past life.

As expected, everyone has a complicated look on their face except Dvalin who didn't really care and only sought more skinship from her master.

"So… we were nothing but a figment of your imagination that was brought into reality by your own creation?" Artoria asked with disbelief and also denial. If what she believed is true then all her history, her people, her suffering was nothing but a fabrication of someone's imagination.

"No. Not at all… It's complicated… It is true that your world, Tanya's world and all other worlds I ventured to is a story that existed in my world but that didn't mean your world was fake." Ray was at the verge of pulling his hair out to explain.

"Rather than debating whether it's real or not. Rather, we focus on the main matter at hand." Ray redirected the derailed topic back and then said. "I have my reason to not look too much into the future with [True Omniscient] but there is a reason why Ray Elliot wanted to kill me and it's a strong enough reason that he will stop at nothing to exterminate me once the time arrives."

"When the time arrived?" Venti asked.

Ray shrugged and replied. "Yes. In the countless future I peer through, he always waited for a set moment before he acted. Before that time arrives, he will never act and leave us alone."

The future that Ray peers through with his [True Omniscient] is the three choices he made at the moment after he obtained [True Omniscient], the point in time where variables had become constant and no new variables can be created after that. The curse aspect of divinations and precognitive abilities or alike. This is the very reason why Zelretch, who possessed the ability to look into other parallel worlds, wouldn't dare to look at the future as once he did, the variable is set in stone. Like the Schrödinger Cat experiment. As long as the result remains unseen, multiple variables can exist but once open, the results are set and unchangeable.

The three choices he made were resist, hide or flee.

In the choice where he resists, Ray embarks on the path of conquest and amassing power for his predestined fight to death with Ray Elliot.

In the choice where he hid, Ray isolated himself and everyone he cared about in the universes within himself as he hid away from Ray Elliot and his forces. This was the most unsuccessful one as the ending was Ray and everyone he hid being killed when his body was torn apart.

In the final choice where he flees is the most successful one of the three. Why stay and fight when he can escape? So, Ray simply escapes from this Omniverse under Ray Elliot's control and drifts in the void seeking for another place to settle down.

"Wait a minute. If fleeing is the most successful option then why didn't you choose to do so?" Tanya interjected and asked out of curiosity.

"Let me ask you this question then. You had seen those eldritch creatures in the void between the gap of the universes and multiverses here. If universes and multiverses are like ponds and lakes. What do you think exists in the greater void outside of the Omniverse which represents a sea that extends endlessly to the horizon?"

There is no need for a verbal answer as everyone understands what Ray was talking about. It exemplified the words 'there is always a bigger fish' very well.

The first to recover from the revelation was Artoria that regained her optimism after discarded her depressive thoughts. She asked. "Then, how much time do we have left?" Ray turns to her with a moment of thoughts before answering. "Not sure as time is never constant in each world. Hard to estimate for sure considering even time can be compressed and dilated to fit convenience. "

After that, the conversation tone down on the serious topic and turn to more casual talks like what he had been up to, how many more women he was going to bring home from his recent conquest, etc.

When they had finished expressing how much they missed him, they reluctantly returned to their routine as Ray's Empire cannot run properly when all key personnel went missing without any notice. Perhaps even in a state of panic. Meanwhile Ray went to visit the Imperium of Man. It's time to reap the benefits.

Ray arrived in the Holy Terra to find the world no longer looked depressing and actually had green on the continents and blue ocean when looking from space. Having numerous raw materials for them to exploit and absence of war allow the Imperium to recover and heal all their wounds.

Ray made a scan on the world using his psychic power and instantly found Roboute Guilliman. He instantly teleported there although it could be seen as rude and breach of privacy to suddenly appear without warning.

———

"... Next."

Roboute Guilliman sat in a grand office with countless servitors, men and women working around him either sorting paperwork, writing, reading, etc.

"*Cough* The Logistics division of the Adeptus Administratum was finally able to quantify the resources that we had been exploiting and discovering. Their report stated that we have more than enough to terraform all planets just like Holy Terra and still have more than enough to supply the logistical need for another war if necessary."

"Basically we had been digging too fast for ourselves to use." Roboute Guilliman reiterated in his own words and wrote a new order into a document before handing it to the servitor. "Deliver this letter to Adeptus Mechanicus." He ordered before the mechanical head flew away to carry out its order.

"May I ask, Lord Regent. Why is there a hurry to construct more Forge Worlds and bolster our military forces when our enemies have been eradicated and are living in a peaceful universe as Lord Regent said half a decade ago."

The representative of the new Council of the High Lords which also is his advisor / assistant / secretary in dealing with bureaucratic task of the Imperium which thankfully become easier thanks to the Teleportation Gate technology that Ray provided and allow one to reach from one end to another end of the Imperium in seconds. He asked the question as he is confused why would they need this much military force for when there is total absence of enemies to be used against.

Roboute Guilliman put down his pen and took a short break from the paperwork before looking at his advisor.

"Those aren't for us but it was a tribute." He said and already predicted the next question which he answered ahead. "Remember that the Imperium of Man wasn't saved by me. Instead it's an individual with higher power which I struck a deal with. Surely you heard about our forces that lost in the Warp but returned to tell a tale about something attacked and waged war against the Chaos Gods."

"In exchange for being saved, provided with a rich and safe environment for Imperium to prosper. We will provide a cut of our gains to him as tithe or tribute, whichever is suitable. And he wants them in the form of war machines, war gear, and soldiers."

Hearing this, the advisor felt suspicious that someone great enough to rip out the galaxy and slap it on another universe have a need for weapons used by the Imperium.

"Speaking of war machines. What is the progress on our Adeptus Mechanicus collaboration with Earth?" Roboute Guilliman asked as he just remembered about the agreement of mutual sharing of technology he did four years ago that somehow slipped his mind due to the gargantuan amount of matters he had to take care of alone because the previous Council of The High Lords that he torn apart and reappointed with loyal people of his choice that unfortunately not yet competent in their task and he had to do the final check on each of their task.

"Hmn…" The advisor looked troubled as he quickly opened his datapad and scrolled through the reports he compiled. "Ah. Here it is." He cheered when he found the report and started reading it out.

"The Adeptus Mechanicus were quite secretive of their doings but they did report each major accomplishment they did. Such as adopting a technology tree from Earth to ours and integrating it with magic."

"The greatest news of all is they finally achieved the method to not only fabricate great war machines that we previously lost. They also successfully and successfully overhaul three god-engines and a dozen warships to simplify the operating system."

"Hmn. Good. This is a major stride for the Imperium." Roboute Guilliman nodded but suddenly felt an incredibly strong psychic force appear.

He quickly turned his body and drew The Emperor's Sword, the symbol of his reign over Imperium which was the very sword once wielded by God Emperor himself.

"Calm down. It's me and I apologize for arriving without notice." Ray tried to calm down the situation when not just Roboute Guilliman but everyone in the grand office space drew out their weapon to protect the sole heir, leader and lynchpin of the Imperium of Man that they cannot afford to lose yet.

Roboute Guilliman quickly lowered his blazing sword and ordered everyone to do so too. Not because he feared Ray might get harmed but the other way around.

"It's nothing. The Imperium of Man owes you that much for the favor you had given." Roboute Guilliman crossed his right arm over his chest and gave Ray a slight bow of respect.

Ray felt a little awkward to accept the admiration because he isn't doing it to help but more of a transaction.

"It's alright. Anyway, I wanted to have a talk with you."

"Me too." Roboute Guilliman started with a complex and tired expression. As if something was weighing on him.

The staff return to their task after identifying Ray isn't having any hostile intention while both men walk out the office and relocate to a better venue for them to discuss. However, the Ultramarines aren't willing to leave their charge unguarded which somewhat frustrates Roboute Guilliman himself as his existence is irreplaceable to the Imperium to allow even the slightest risk. Their duty is to protect his safety and become his meat shield if necessary in time of battle. Though, more likely he will be subjected to assassination than anything else as his action towards the Imperium isn't exactly well received by everyone.

While there are the 'good seedlings' or people he trusted to support his decision. There are also plenty that didn't as first and foremost their majority of the loyalty of the men and women of the Imperium is toward the God Emperor. Main examples are the Custodians, Sister of Battles and the survivors of the Ecclesiarchy after the purge.

According to Roboute Guilliman, during the transfer of the Imperium of Man to Honkaiverse. The God Emperor awoke briefly when the Chaos Gods were battling Ray. He imparted his reign to Roboute Guilliman and inherited the Imperium before dispersing into nothingness but many refuse to accept the fact, mainly the target of the purge which trying their best to cling to their power and caused a literal civil war in and around Holy Terra while the rest outside the Sol system were left confused of the event.

The civil war caused people to divide to those who sided with Roboute Guilliman, those who sided with the High Lords council and those who were in denial which were Ecclesiarchy, Custodian etc. Who faith and purpose built around serving God Emperor himself and now lost their purpose.

The conclusion of the civil war is of course, Roboute Guilliman and his side won because they were prepared. The High Lord Councils were purged of existence while the third party partially survived as their top members were also purged due to Imperial Cult top members being an obstacle to Roboute Guilliman's goal.

"Wait wait. Hold on a second. How did that lead to making me a replacement for God Emperor then?" Ray looks baffled as Roboute Guilliman narrates the story of what happened during the purge and five years after the event.

Roboute Guilliman obviously didn't say that he and most of the people that day thought of Ray as God Emperor himself but from another reality.

*Cough*

"The people needed a spiritual leader at that moment as I had rejected the throne and retained myself simply as Imperial Regent and Lord Commander to rule the Imperium temporarily because I do not intend to replace my father and become the Emperor."

"Coincidentally, your gift to me and by extension, the Imperium, the Teleportation Gate and the current relationship we have with your empire made it happen on its own. The Ecclesiarchy were desperate to reaffirm their faith and many others did too. Then the final nail in the coffin was how the Adeptus Mechanicus and Tech Priest of Mars basically worshiped you as their Omnissiah after their 'pilgrimages' to Earth."

Ray's thoughts halted with a dead brake and turned his head to stare at Roboute Guilliman who towered over him in height.

"Hold on a minute, you telling me those religious nutcase were worshiping me as a replacement for your father !?"

Roboute Guilliman felt odd that Ray looked at him like that and expressed his disbelief. Isn't this what he wanted? He still remembers the deal they made.

"Isn't this what you asked of us? In exchange for living in your dominion and saving the Imperium, you demanded our absolute loyalty." He recited what Ray told him that day.

Ray instantly recalled the memory and slapped his face.

"I don't have time or effort to manage just a few words. What made you think I can manage almost a million worlds out there?" Ray contemplated and thought maybe cloning himself as his consciousness can support many Partitions. He can slap a small portion of his mind into a body to do a specific task. But he still has an aversion to doing it.

It's enough that the character in his story rebelled. What if his clone went for a strike for forcing them to work while the original didn't? It's a possible scenario and reaffirmed by his [True Omniscient].

"Indeed that is an issue as not even my father in his prime can command an Empire that vast while having many more to accomplish. But that isn't for you to worry as I am and will serve as the governmental body to manage the Imperium along with the newly appointed Council until they are competent enough that my presence is unnecessary."

"After all, I still wished to retire back to my home, Ultramar." Roboute Guilliman sighed tiredly as he looked at Ray.

"As the Emperor, there is no need for you to worry as anything you command will be done. Anything you wished for will be fulfilled. Any enemies will be exterminated by the military force of the Imperium. All you need to do is to guide humanity and protect them from greater forces. To be the shining beacon in the dark."

Although Ray was bought by the words. The latter part made him cringe.

"Don't tell me you plan to cripple me and strap me on the Golden Throne to be a glorified light beacon for ships to navigate?" His words made the giant next to him frown for a moment before realizing it was a joke from Ray's grin.

"Of course not. Not that we could if the story of your grand feat were to be true. Fighting four Chaos Gods in the warp and presumably won?"

Ray nodded.

"Indeed I had won the battle and emerged stronger than ever." Ray said as he created two swirling spheres in his palm. "These two are the universe which I had conquered and now part of my essence. The universe is me and part of my power as I had become the existence akin to God which rules both universes."

He stood up and walked to the large glass plane that showed the view of the capital of Holy Terra. He points at the Sun in the sky and turns to Roboute Guilliman before plucking the Sun from the sky into his hand.

Instantly a surge of intense heat spreads over the room and everything around Ray starts to melt and collapse as they get sucked into the Sun's gravity well.

The reason for this display of power is of course to deter them from scheming against him. Even if they are showing willingness to serve him, it is not without personal selfish reasons. For Roboute Guilliman, he expressed his desire to retire and leave the governing of the world behind. But what about the reasons that he didn't state? Half truth isn't a lie after all and hard to detect unless he knew the person very well which Ray didn't.

To Roboute Guilliman's credit, he didn't flinch at all and simply watched while his personal guards panicked.

"Let's say if I accept to become the Emperor. What about those groups that were still loyal to your father?" Ray asked while twirling the sun for a bit before returning it unless he wants irreplaceable damage to the solar system.

"They have no choice but to accept as the authority commanded by the Emperor is absolute. They have their duty etched into their very soul. That isn't something they can disobey. Think of it as sort of failsafe after the betrayal of Horus. You will understand once you sit on the Golden Throne." Roboute Guilliman remained secretive about it which made Ray curious.

In the end Ray caved in and accepted the title Emperor. Not that he needs to deal with the Imperium anyway. He can delegate the task.

They both went to the Imperial Palace guarded by Custodians in golden armor, ceremonial red robe and Guardian Spear which they wielded among other weapons like Sentinel Blade and Storm Shield. Without the need of words, the Custodians part away from their rank and allow them entrance as Roboute Guilliman who wields the Emperor's Sword has the authority to access the Imperial Palace.

Inside, the Custodian looks different with different armor, more weapons. Ignoring them, the group head down underground and soon arrive at the Golden Throne. It's a colossal piece of machine that is connected to a bunch of equally colossal wires and devices. Hundreds of Tech Priests doing their work trying to fix the machine and more Custodians guarding the empty and masterless throne.

"Lord Regent, a pleasure to serve you. What do you require us for today?" A Tech Priest who was almost fully mechanical and an Archmagos rank, asked while bowing deeply.

"Prepare for the coronation ceremony. Your soon-to-be Emperor has arrived."

The noise of machine humming and screeching intensified for a moment before the Archmagos quickly lifted his head and looked at the unassuming human he thought to be yet another mortal beside the Primarch.

For the Tech Priest of Adeptus Mechanicus, they came to acknowledge Ray as the Omnissiah they had been waiting for ever since the feat of him 'commanding' the machines by his will. Then the pilgrimage of a hundred Archmagos and the Fabricator-General of Mars went to Earth to confirm this piece of news which they discovered the Earth is currently in the technological level of the golden age of the Age of Technology of the 15th Millennium to 25th Millennium. Not only that, due to Ray's previous effort of integrating Magecraft with Technology. The Earth unlocked a new technology branch which was named Technomagic.

For this discovery, the pilgrims settled down with permission of Venti who was leading the Empire in Ray's absence at that moment who instantly dumped the job to Welt Yang and Anti Entropy.

The Pilgrims were forced to return back to their galaxy after a year because their prolonged and unplanned absence caused a lot of trouble back at Mars and other Forge Worlds. With them, they bear the news and new knowledge of their Omnissiah back to the Imperium. Few months later, they returned to Earth, established a permanent settlement on the other Mars and are now collaborating with Anti Entropy and Schicksal to develop Technomagic.

Once the Archmagos saw Ray's face, he instantly knelt down to prostrate himself while spewing out binary which caused other fellow Tech Priests to follow his example.

Meanwhile, Ray remained clueless of what they did until Roboute Guilliman stopped them and told them to do what he commanded first. The Tech Priests nodded with great joy and burst out the throne room to do whatever they were told.

"The coronation ceremony will take place in a few hours. After we assembled the important people across the Imperium. Well, such a task was previously impossible to be done in such a short span of time but thanks to the Teleportation Gate. No matter how far a person is, it only takes less than ten minutes to cross the Imperium from one end to another." The Primarch smiled as connectivity is the most important requirement for the Imperium to prosper.

"So, we are supposed to wait?" Ray asked but shrugged because he didn't mind it. Though he will be very bored waiting.

At the meantime, Ray inspected the golden throne under the watchful eyes of the Custodians that stand guard on the giant throne.

Ray noticed the throne had similar property as the Emperor's Sword that Roboute Guilliman wielded. It amplifies psychic energy but the golden throne was obviously even more powerful. Able to magnify his psychic power more than a hundred times when the sword is only able to do it a dozen times.

"Such an absurd artifact." Ray blurted out which was overheard by Roboute Guilliman.

"What did you discovered?" He asked curiously.

"That throne wasn't any normal artifact. I can see the history of it and it was an artifact of divine nature. The Throne of the World. Originally a creation of an ancient god that once ruled the world but later buried in history after the War in Heaven that sent humanity back into the Stone Age. Rediscovered by humans and transformed into this in order to wield its effect but failed which lost again until your father discovered it." Ray points at the throne and gives a brief history of the throne he read from Akasha.

Roboute Guilliman nodded and didn't make any comment as he also gazed at the throne. He knew the throne amplifies psychic power. But he wondered if it had any other functions which he asked Ray.

Ray replied. "It once does. But the essence of the divine relic was lost after humans foolishly broke it apart for its material that amplifies psychic power, not knowing its real power. As its name suggests, it allows the owner to basically enforce his will upon the world. Subjugating all the residents of the world into the owner's will is the main effect among many others. It's also the core of the world's magic power. Its destruction deprived humanity's ability to wield magic and through evolution developed Psychic power that relies not on magic power."

While looking deeper into the history of the Golden Throne, Ray did discover something very interesting. The old ones or Old Deus.

Sixty million years ago, the Imperium's galaxy was very much a fantasy themed universe. Magic is a thing until the destruction of the conceptual device called the Throne of One True God. It was located on Earth or Terra. Its destruction caused magical energy to become extinct. The Old Ones waged war for the dwindling magical energy and eventually died when their war caused the dwindling magical energy to burn out completely.

Then the universe becomes a blank slate once again. Humanity survived because it isn't a race dependent on magical energy anyway. Everything else dies. Even the almighty gods

Humanity however retained the genetic talent for magic but without magical energy are unable to use it. Thus they mutated to use their soul as fuel instead, which created Psychic power. These Pysker went ham in using these powers that eventually they started to find more power. They craved for more souls to fuel their psychic power. Where did they go and find? Hell. Or in another name, Immaterium. The Psyker creates a bridge for Materium and Immaterium.

The thing about psychic power. They were an enforcement of personal reality into, well… reality. Humanity's collective minds were strong and able to influence the Immaterium which was after life. They impose upon their idea of afterlife aka Hell, unconsciously and give birth to Chaos Gods from their unconscious mind.

Ray shared this information with Roboute Guilliman and the Primarch immediately became worried.

"Wouldn't it be possible for history to repeat itself again? Humanity could create another hell in this universe again unconsciously!" The Primarch stated with distress.

"No, it wouldn't. The universe is me and I am the universe. Remember? I command both Materium and Immaterium. The afterlife exists as yet another extension of my domain as I absorbed the Warp and it serves as a place where dead souls gather and where my Undying Legion resides. They cannot replace what is already there."

Roboute Guilliman instantly felt relieved hearing the Chaos Gods cannot reappear.

They waited for another two hours and the coronation ceremony was almost completed. Top leaders of each organization within the Imperium gathered in the Throne room along with three more Primarchs that answered Roboute Guilliman's summon. These three Primarchs were those that were lost in Warp and saved by Ray when he transported the Imperium to Honkaiverse.

The first is Vulkan, Primarch of the Salamander legion. A person with dark skin and red eyes, wearing an impassive expression. The second is the personification of wild and untamed force, Leman Russ, the Primarch of the Space Wolf legion and showing open hostility to Ray that stood beside Roboute Guilliman that had changed to his armor. Lastly, Jaghatai Khan who shared the same sentiment as Leman Russ but hid it well and simply looked at Ray coldly while evaluating him.

(Personality will not match since I know nothing of the Primarchs but I try my best based on my assumption of them.)

"I object to this, brother. What right does this person have to replace our father!" Leman Russ roared in the Throne room with his fang bared out.

"That is not for you to decide as this is our father's will." Roboute Guilliman shut down Leman Russ who he already knew would object due to his unwavering loyalty to their father. The same as Jaghatai Khan but he is still silently observing.

"Our father's will? I hope you have proof rather than speaking nonsense, brother. Or else I will cut you down myself as a traitor to the Imperium." Jaghatai Khan said while his right hand now rested upon the pommel of the sword on his waist.

While Vulkan remained silent, he nodded in agreement with Jaghatai Khan.

The rest of the crowd fell silent as their standing was too low to speak directly to the four sons of the Emperor.

"I am getting there. Father had spoken to me when I was healed from my mortal wound that he supported any of my decisions and once more when our benefactor transported our galaxy into another reality. He resurrected briefly as a soul and imparted his will before he vanished. He told me that when the next Emperor I chose sat on the throne, the message would appear." Roboute Guilliman explained and said Ray is the one he chose to become the Emperor as he had the qualification to be the guider of humanity and it's protector and also Ray bought the Imperium in exchange for peace and prosperity for humanity.

Jaghatai Khan nodded on the qualifications part and couldn't help but accept that Roboute Guilliman indeed had the right to decide as their father had given him the permission to.

"Fine then. Let's see what our father's will is." Jaghatai Khan decided to accept. For now. Just for the sake of seeing the will.

Thus, with no more opposition. Ray climbs up the golden pyramid before arriving at the oversized throne that he has to float up to reach the seat.

As soon as he did, the mechanism started to flare up which surprised Ray as he felt his psychic power leak out and channel by the throne to create the Astronomicon. He could feel his consciousness become connected to a vast ocean of souls. The quadrillions of people across the Imperium of Man. In return, they can also sense the light and warmth of their Emperor but this time stronger than before. Like a sun rising instead of the previous Emperor which was barely felt except for the exceptional people he paid close attention to. Ray's own psychic power was so overwhelming that he didn't need to specifically focus on anyone. Even the common men and women can feel his presence, the newly crowned Emperor.

Now Ray understands why Roboute Guilliman chose him. Or rather, was this planned by the Emperor himself?

The God Emperor left behind a strand of his soul on the Throne and Ray could use his power to temporarily straighten it to appear for a moment but not enough to be resurrected. Thus, Ray uses his power and brings the strand of soul into existence, temporarily bringing back the God Emperor into the throne room.

The God Emperor looked at everyone with a glance and then his sons that he looked a little longer. Everyone was shocked but quickly kneel down to the God Emperor, including the Custodians. Disapproval and disappointment is clear in his eyes but he cannot blame them as he is the cause the Imperium becomes like this. Their obsession with him, thinking him as a god rather than the guide.

Then the God Emperor turned to Ray.

"My time is short. I thank you for saving the Imperium when I couldn't. I knew the promise you made to my son, Roboute Guilliman and as part of the bargain. The Imperium is yours to command. However, I asked you to never forsake them and to shield them from the threat beyond their strength as I am no longer fit to do the task." The soul picked up the golden laurel wreath crown from his head and put it on Ray's head. Of course, it shrinks to fit Ray's head.

The soul then started to distort as it became unstable even if Ray gave it more energy as it was meant to last a few minutes only. Then the God Emperor turned back to the crowd.

"This decision is final and I am sure many will oppose him. This is my last order to humanity and my beloved Imperium. Serve him as you will serve me." God Emperor commanded.

The crowd below, still kneeling, responded with a chorus of roar that echoed the throne room. "Yes, your majesty."

The soul of the God Emperor finally smiled and nodded as he looked at his sons one last time before he dissipated as his soul strand was exhausted.

Now that they have the direct order and confirmation from the God Emperor himself, those that object now no longer have a reason to oppose Ray's coronation as he is now crowned as the new Emperor of Mankind. This news will later spread to each and every corner of the Imperium.

—————

(Fk I'm done writing 40k shit. It's hard and too much googling that I gave up.)

(Also, the 2k words limit will be removed. From here onwards, the word count could be lesser or more. Idk, words limit is very confining sometimes that it's annoying.)