Chapter 17: Ave Imperator pt 3

-M2. Earth. Japan-

"What do you reckon the Emperor's gonna lay out for us, Itami?" Kurata's eyes remained fixed on the television screen, his query cutting through the hushed atmosphere of the cafeteria, packed with colleagues drawn by the gravity of the moment. "Just my gut feeling, but I reckon the Emperor's gonna spill the beans right here," Itami responded, his words measured.

"And what makes you so sure?" Kurata pressed, seeking reassurance from his superior.

"Intuition, perhaps? But truth be told, we're not alone in this vast expanse. It was a gamble: annihilate any hint of innocence in our fledgling civilization, or risk annihilation in a distant future we'd never prepared for," Itami stated calmly, his gaze never wavering from the screen.

"I understand. But... isn't that playing with fire?" Kurata voiced his skepticism, acutely aware of the potential fallout from such revelations: a world plunged into unprecedented chaos.

"I'm well aware. But," Itami's smile was serene as he turned his attention back to the screen, now solely focused on the Emperor's imposing figure, "I trust His Majesty's foresight."

Then, without warning, an altar materialized in the center of the room.

The radiance of the altar cast an eerie glow across the room, drawing the gaze of the Japanese like moths to flame. Their curiosity piqued, yet tinged with an underlying sense of apprehension, they sensed that something momentous was about to unfold. But as the brilliance intensified, illuminating the hidden truths of the universe, their minds reeled at the sheer horror laid bare before them.

Visions danced across the shimmering surface of the altar, revealing the grim realities lurking beyond the veil of ignorance. Cosmic horrors, incomprehensible and malevolent, stared back at them with eyes that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of their souls. Entities of unfathomable power and ancient malevolence loomed large, their forms twisting and shifting in an unsettling dance of madness.

The Japanese struggled to comprehend the true nature of what they were witnessing, their minds recoiling from the grotesque spectacle unfolding before them. Words failed to capture the depths of the horror laid bare by the luminous altar, leaving them speechless in the face of such unspeakable terror.

"Isn't that... His Majesty, did he just reveal all of that to us on a whim?" Kurata's words hung in the air, punctuated by the weight of disbelief.

Itami stood frozen, his mind grappling with the enormity of the revelation. Despite his familiarity with the universe's horrors, experiencing them firsthand was a stark awakening.

The true horrors of the universe, whether xenos, abominations, or daemons, threatened to unravel the very fabric of their world, casting it into chaos.

Scanning the room, Itami observed his colleagues' expressions, confirming his suspicions. The magnitude of what they had witnessed was too much for mortal minds to bear; sanity waned as terror gripped them tightly.

Weeping and trembling, some struggled to maintain their composure, their resolve crumbling beneath the weight of unfathomable dread.

Itami couldn't help but wonder if the Emperor's touch had bestowed upon him a fortitude beyond measure. His resilience in the face of such horrors spoke volumes of the Emperor's grace.

"Kurata... I believe we must inform the General of our dire need for immediate medical assistance," Itami spoke slowly, his voice laced with urgency as he continued to survey the room. The Emperor's next revelation loomed ominously in his thoughts, his own deductions pointing toward the impending revelation of the Third Galactic War.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's go," Kurata agreed, his resolve firm as they departed for the General's chambers.

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-M2. Japan. Tokyo-

Yuuki's head throbbed with a relentless intensity, as if the horrors she had witnessed threatened to tear her mind asunder. The grotesque scenes etched into her consciousness were beyond the realm of her worst nightmares, leaving her reeling in disbelief.

Glancing back, Yuuki's heart clenched at the sight of Asuka, paralyzed by fear, tears tracing silent paths down her pale cheeks.

"Asuka..." Yuuki's voice was gentle, a fragile lifeline in the midst of the chaos.

"Yuuki... The pain... It's overwhelming," Asuka's words trembled with anguish, her voice choked with emotion. "I can feel... rage and despair, not my own... Why...?"

Asuka's descent into despair threatened to consume her, her fragile resolve crumbling beneath the weight of unfathomable agony.

Reaching out, Yuuki clasped Asuka's trembling hand in a tender squeeze, offering solace in her touch. "I'm here. Please... Look at me."

The soft timbre of Yuuki's voice echoed in Asuka's mind, a soothing balm amidst the turmoil. Slowly, her senses cleared, the fog of despair dissipating like mist in the morning sun.

"Yuuki," Asuka murmured, her voice barely a whisper amid the cacophony of anguish.

With a nod, Yuuki surveyed their surroundings, her heart heavy with the collective pain and terror of those around them. Tears flowed freely, mingling with the echoes of suffering that permeated the air, a silent testament to the horrors they had witnessed.

The Emperor's voice cut through the oppressive silence, commanding the attention of all who stood before him, their eyes fixated on his towering presence.

"What you have witnessed are the relentless horrors that assail mankind from every corner of the galaxy," his words resonated with solemn authority, echoing through the chamber. "Despite our technological prowess and accomplishments, they have found ways to breach our defenses, laying waste to the sanctuaries of humanity."

A somber hush fell over the gathering as the weight of the Emperor's words settled upon them, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked beyond the safety of their borders.

"The galaxy is a realm of chaos and madness, where the sane struggle to survive," the Emperor continued, his voice tinged with grim acknowledgment. "Yet, we refuse to accept this reality. We forge our own paradises amidst the darkness, but to achieve such lofty aspirations, we must confront the darkest horrors that dwell in the shadows."

"Imperium was created from once a brighter civilization that sought to nurture life across the galaxy in its innocent belief. It was called the Sol Federation. Despite our grim distant past in the age of Thousand Empires, humanity managed to forge a realm where the sane thrives and spreads its noble value across the cosmos. However, that bright intention was challenged by the sole superpower of the galaxy: the Aeldari Dominion." When the Emperor states that, the view enters Yuuki's mind like scattered images of a long-lost past. 

In the annals of history, the era of fragmentation saw humanity scattered into disparate nations, where the tendrils of barbarity and cruelty ensnared any society they touched, bending them to the twisted whims of their masters. Amidst the chaos and madness, however, there existed islands of nobility and enlightenment, where the bright embers of civilization continued to burn amidst the encroaching darkness.

Yet, this epoch knew no bounds in human curiosity, leading them down a path fraught with peril and despair. From the depths of their ignorance arose abominations, born from the hands of species unaware of the consequences of their actions. The First War loomed ominously on the horizon, a conflagration where brothers butchered brothers, and kin turned against kin in a relentless pursuit of power and dominance. Greed, the eternal companion of mankind, fueled this war of conquest, leaving in its wake a trail of blood and devastation.

Worlds were rent asunder, and unspeakable horrors unleashed upon the masses with reckless abandon. The horrors of war knew no mercy, sparing neither the innocent nor the guilty in its indiscriminate fury.

It was not until two centuries later that the tide of conflict began to ebb, brought to a halt by the emergence of a certain nation-state wielding an army of hybrid transhumans, clones bred for war and obliteration.

With the dust of war settling, the Federation emerged from the ashes, proclaiming the dawn of a new era and the end of the Age of Thousands of Empires. In this golden age, humanity reached unparalleled heights of technological advancement, delving into realms of knowledge once deemed impossible by past generations.

They forged wonders of unparalleled beauty, shaping realities at their whim and sculpting the cosmos to their liking. Stars lived and died by their command, their mastery over the universe absolute.

Yet, amidst their ascension, they encountered nations that surpassed them in raw power and ancient wisdom. Foremost among them stood the Aeldari Dominion, a superpower whose influence spanned the cosmos, casting a shadow that stretched across the stars themselves.

The Dominion wielded a power that surpassed even the wildest dreams of the Federation. They were gods among mortals, their mastery over space, time, and the very fabric of reality itself a testament to their ancient wisdom and unbridled might.

In their hands, the forces of the cosmos bowed in submission, bending to their will like obedient servants. They sang beings into existence with but a thought, and manipulated the fundamental energies of the Immaterium to reshape reality according to their desires. It was a power that transcended mortal comprehension, standing as a monument to the Eldar's supremacy over the universe.

As Yuuki returned to reality, she found herself enveloped in a silence tinged with awe. Her surroundings seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow, the very air pulsating with the residual echoes of the Dominion's unfathomable power.

In that moment, she realized the vastness of the gulf that separated humanity from their enigmatic overlords, their mastery over the cosmos a reminder of the insignificance of mortal endeavors in the face of such incomprehensible might. And as she stood amidst the silent reverie, Yuuki couldn't help but feel a sense of humility and awe wash over her, a recognition of the boundless depths of the universe and the humble place that mankind occupied within it.

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Dirrel's mind reeled with disbelief, grappling with the staggering revelations that had been laid bare before him and his cabinet. The existence of daemons alone was enough to warrant the deployment of the National Guard to safeguard the security and stability of the United States.

Yet, now they were confronted with the truth of a universe far beyond their comprehension, where civilizations ascended to heights of technological prowess and galactic dominion that bordered on the divine.

"They are gods," Dirrel whispered, the words heavy with incredulity and denial. It was a truth too fantastical to accept, a reality too far removed from the confines of their understanding.

Refusing to yield to the weight of what he had witnessed, Dirrel clung to the belief that it was all a fabrication, a clever ruse crafted to manipulate the minds of Earth's inhabitants.

As the room slowly began to recover from the shock of the revelation, Ross, the Secretary General, found his voice once more, his words measured and cautious.

"Your Majesty... Is that the history of your Imperium?" he inquired, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

The Emperor's response was laced with a sense of nostalgia, a wistful remembrance of a bygone era filled with struggle and sacrifice.

"It was our history, Secretary General," the Emperor replied solemnly. "The arduous journey of mankind before its ascension into the Imperium of Man. A path paved with blood and hardship, if I may say so."

The voice echoed not only in the room but beyond. Dirrel can feel his soul reverberating with the atmosphere that came from the Emperor's words.

President Dirrel's voice cut through the tension in the room, his words carrying a weight of skepticism and doubt that mirrored the sentiments of his fellow leaders.

"I seek validation, Emperor of Mankind," he declared, his tone firm and unwavering. "The vision you have shown us—how can we be certain that it is not a manipulation of our minds?"

The Emperor's response was measured, his demeanor calm and collected in the face of Dirrel's challenge. "And what would you have me do, President Dirrel?"

Dirrel's mind raced as he seized upon an opportunity to assert his authority and safeguard the interests of his nation. "We require verification," he stated slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Identify the technology behind the vision you have presented to us. The Warp, your Anathematic energy, and most likely supernatural powers. We want answer."

He knew that time was of the essence, and he needed to act swiftly to ensure that the interests of the United States were protected. As a mortal, he remained oblivious to the subtle gestures of the Emperor's Honor Guards, but his instincts told him that there was more to this situation than met the eye.

"It was a psychic device, President Dirrel." By that statement alone, Dirrel can feel his entire plan ahead of him slowly emerging.

The geopolitical landscape of Earth was shifting, the delicate balance of power teetering on the brink of upheaval. Japan's subtle allegiance to the Imperium, coupled with the budding collaboration between Russia and China, sent ripples of apprehension through President Dirrel's mind. It was a chessboard of nations, each vying for supremacy in the ever-changing game of dominance.

As he contemplated the shifting tides of power, Dirrel knew that he needed to find a weakness in the Imperium's formidable armor. It was a daunting task, but one he was willing to undertake in the name of securing US dominance in the emerging world order.

"Psychic? As far as we, the people of Earth, are concerned, that is an alien concept," Dirrel stated, his words laced with skepticism as he addressed the enigmatic Emperor.

The Emperor, a towering figure shrouded in ancient wisdom, regarded Dirrel with a knowing gaze. "Psychic power is but one facet of the Warp," he explained, his voice resonating with an otherworldly authority. "My Anathematic power is but one manifestation of the vast tapestry of psychic energy that permeates our reality. The Eldar, masters of the psychic arts, have long understood the intricacies of this power. And mankind, since the dawn of M23, has walked the path of psychic evolution."

As the Emperor's explanation unfolded, Dirrel couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. He was ready to be bombarded by another bizarre vision. But now it the Emperor used the device to show regular hologram.

As the device hummed to life once more, Dirrel and his advisors were greeted by a breathtaking spectacle. The holographic images danced before them, revealing the raw power of the psychic arts in all its glory. They witnessed the awe-inspiring feats of those who wielded this formidable force - bending reality to their will, reshaping the very fabric of existence with but a thought.

The Emperor stood at the forefront, his presence commanding as he guided them through the display of psychic might. "Warp is like a curse and blessing to our people," he intoned, his voice echoing with a sense of ancient wisdom, "we are capable of harnessing the boundless potential of the immaterial realm. Through countless psi arts and technologies, we have ascended to mastery over both the material and immaterial universe. But like what we have witnessed, the Warp is also home to our archenemy, it is the place where they are lurking to prey on our weaknesses."

Dirrel watched in silent awe as the images unfolded before him, each scene a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity. From the earliest struggles of survival to the pinnacle of their current might, the journey had been one of trial and tribulation, of sacrifice and perseverance.

The holographic images flickered and shifted, revealing the progress of humanity's ascent - a tapestry woven with the blood, sweat, and tears of countless generations. Each step forward had come at a cost, each advancement paid for with the lives of the brave and the determined.

The holographic display shifted, its once awe-inspiring images replaced by scenes of unspeakable devastation. Worlds lay in ruin, solar systems shattered, and the remnants of horrific wars that had ravaged entire universe were laid bare before them. The sheer scale of the destruction was beyond comprehension, a grim reminder of the price of unchecked power.

"The Eldar have ascended, as have others before them," the Emperor intoned, his voice laden with a solemn gravity. "And like all who rise too high, they can fall. They sought to create the Fourth Chaos Pantheon, Slaanesh, using their psychic power."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Dirrel felt a chill run down his spine as the implications settled in. The sight of the holographic destruction was haunting, a stark contrast to the earlier display of power and progress. The pieces of a dark puzzle began to fit together, revealing a galaxy teetering on the brink of annihilation.

"That war was unlike any other," the Emperor continued, his tone imbued with grim determination. "It was a conflict where transhuman soldiers were mere foot soldiers in the grand scheme. Planets and stars were reduced to mere playthings. This was the Third Galactic War."

Dirrel listened intently, the weight of the Emperor's words pressing upon him. The Third Galactic War had been a crucible of unimaginable horrors and sacrifices. Humanity, fragmented and in chaos, had been pushed to the brink. The once-utopic nations had crumbled, leaving a void that the Emperor had been compelled to fill.

"In the aftermath of this colossal war," the Emperor's voice echoed with a resonance that penetrated deep into the minds of his listeners, "I took it upon myself to reforge humanity's realm to suit the dark future that awaited. It was a necessity born of the chaos that threatened to consume us."

Dirrel's gaze hardened as he met the Emperor's eyes, a flicker of defiance in his own. "After such a massive war, do you truly believe anyone can challenge your dominance? It seems a drastic measure to transform a Federation-like nation into an empire."

The Emperor's response was solemn, his eyes reflecting the weight of millennia. "There, President, is where you are wrong," he replied, his voice steady and unyielding. "In the grim darkness of the far future, threats are ever-present, and the vigilance of an empire is the shield that guards humanity from the abyss. I have given you the visions, you still didn't comprehend it. Are the United States in this time still corrupted by their own power when I didn't put my eyes on it, I wonder."

As the Emperor's final words echoed through the chamber, a profound realization settled upon every individual present. The implications were staggering, shaking the very foundation of their understanding of the entire Earth's history and foundation.

"Pardon my intrusion," Ross spoke up, his voice trembling slightly as sweat beaded on his forehead. "But does that mean you have witnessed it beforehand?"

The Emperor turned his gaze to Ross, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "I have witnessed thousands of civilizations fall and rise by my will," he replied, his tone laden with an eerie certainty.

A palpable tension filled the room, the weight of the Emperor's words pressing down on everyone present. This was not merely a leader speaking; it was an entity of immense power and experience, one who had shaped the destinies of countless worlds.

"I think it is enough for me to introduce our nation," the Emperor continued, his voice unwavering. "It is time for us to declare our intention. We offer you our wealth and share our technologies in exchange for cultural exchange and free access to your world."

The proposition hung in the air, its gravity sinking in. The offer was tantalizing, a promise of unparalleled advancement and prosperity. Yet, it was also a double-edged sword, fraught with the potential for domination and subjugation.

Dirrel and his advisors exchanged uneasy glances, the enormity of the decision before them becoming all too clear. The Emperor's vision, ambitious and far-reaching, would undoubtedly spark fierce debates. In modern parlance, he will be the one who cooks the meeting.