Chapter 24: A Talk With The Sigillites

-M29. 671. Terra. Imperial Palace-

Pina could not hide her distress. She must attend the next meeting to be with someone who brings her no pleasant thoughts. Meet the Emperor is something she could not forget.

A perfect being clad in golden armor, how could she not forget that sensation? The pressure is immense, but the sheer kindness radiating from Emperor's very being causes the stress to disappear.

But this person is a significant difference. Since she laid her eyes on this person, only dread sentiments linger in her brain. This person is named Malcador.

She learned more about this person when she had a chance during her short stay in the Imperial Palace.

Malcador the Sigillite, a man who worked under the shadow as she governed the entire Imperium's underground network. A man shrouded in mysteries and countless masks. Apparently, he was also one of the Emperor's closest companions in the High Lord, giving Malcador a significantly broader power range.

Some rumors only added more anxiety to her. Some of which is that Malcador is part of the legendary Golden Order.

The Golden Order is a very secretive order that borders mythical. Many claims had spread across the Imperium, but the most prominent is that this order is Emperor's Inner Circle.

"Is there something bothering you, Princess?" Bozes asked.

"The man we will encounter." Said Pina slowly. "I think he is the most dangerous person in this Palace.'

"How so? I mean, isn't the Emperor the ruling monarch of the Imperium?" The blonde knight inquired in a whisper.

"Indeed, but this person is also a ruler, albeit differently," The red-haired Princess sighed in exasperation. "The ruler of Imperium's underground world. Isn't that new for you?"

"Ruler of the underground world... I understand. It's indeed quite unsettling." The noble knight admitted bitterly.

Speaking of unsettling. Pina wonders about the reason why the Elf also accompanied them. Currently, she is walking behind her, her head hanging low as if she does not want any attention.

It is understandable due to Imperial Ctizien's anger toward her race. Pina still could not find the source of their hatred toward the poor Elf. They call her Aeldar, a race that is surprisingly similar to Elves.

Third Galactic War. It is a massive war that wounds the galaxy and the entire space and time. She did not want to believe it yet. It is so ridiculous that even her brain refuses to believe it outright.

Gods themselves are not capable of performing the same feats. She had studied Falmartian Phanteon since she was a child. They represent humanity's aspects, such as war and culture.

"Now, turn left. I have prepared you with teleportation that directly leads you to Lord Malcador's chamber," Alexander's voice resounded in their heads.

"Thank you, Alexander," Pina responded with a nod.

They turned left like the Ferrous Mind instructed them. A shines of familiar light emitted from a circle device on the ground. Stepping in, they instantly arrive at the utterly massive esoteric gate.

On either side of the gate stood a pair of giant golems.

The golems looked different from the countless golems she had seen in the Imperium. These golems are made from flawless metal and crystals. Pina did not have the correct words to describe the strange aura that emitted from them.

"Golems... Impossible," Tuka muttered while her face turned pale.

"What's wrong, elf?" Bozes asked, glaring at her with narrowed eyes.

"Their... Their magical energy is... Impossible," The blonde elf trembles in fear.

"Hey, are you okay?" Bozes asked once again, drawing closer to the shaken elf.

Before they can get any reply from the elf, the gigantic gate opens. The sound of the metallic structure hissed in their ears, sending an atmosphere of authority and power.

"You may enter, my honorable guests," Malcador's voice echoed from within the room.

Without further ado, they pleaded his invitation. The room itself is utterly massive, enough to accommodate an entire city. The room was filled with countless dioramas, art pieces, and bizarre technologies. Relics are majestically displayed across the room, showing their uncountable value.

They walk and turn according to their instincts. Pina was trying to understand how this phenomenon could happen, and she got the answer when Alexander explained it.

The Ferrous Mind explained that they used their psychic power to guide her, yet it always made her uncomfortable.

Passing through uncountable displays of ancient artifacts, they arrived in front of an ornamental metal door. The door opens, revealing a flourishing garden spanning Pina's sight.

It is unspeakably beautiful, nourished with crystal-like plants and a relaxing fragrance that causes her burden to disappear.

The garden is also supernaturally delightful to the point it reaches her soul. The serenity of this place is paramount, as nothing in her world can be compared with this garden.

At the center of the garden, there is a gazebo. In that gazebo, a robed old man is waiting for them.

"Lady Pina, I have been waiting for your arrival," Said Malcador with a slight smile on his face.

"Lord Malcador,' Pina bowed her body in respect, followed by the rest of the group.

"Please, have a seat." He gestured gently.

They took their seat around the round table.

On the table, various sweets and a ceramic teapot were presented to them. The aroma is tantalizing, seducing them to take one of those sweets to their mouths.

"Please, enjoy yourself." Said Malcador softly.

"Very well," Pina nodded as she reached for one of the sweets to bring it to her mouth. Her eyes bulge wide.

"This... This is amazing!" Bozes exclaimed.

"This is delicious. The rich flavor, the composition, everything is perfectly balanced!" Tuka added with a bright smile.

"Glad you all like it." The psyker smiled.

After swallowing her food, Pina steeled herself for the question she would utter. "Lord Malcador, is there any reason for us to be here?"

"I'm intrigued by the nature of your culture and world, Princess," Malcador replied simply.

"My world and culture? But you have everything in here, Lord Malcador. Why should you bother mine?" The Princess asked, blinking several times.

"Your world holds more value than you ever able to imagine." The ancient psyker answered, staring deep into Pina's eyes.

"Value? What kind of value does my world possess, Lord Malcador?" The Saderan Princess furrowed her brows, wondering about the answer.

"It is something I can't tell you yet, Princess." The robed psyker replied with a smile.

"Why?"

"Something lies hidden in your planet. Something far more ancient than your gods or other sentient beings living in your world." He stated bluntly, causing the Falmartian to be shocked.

"Something far more ancient than gods?" Pina gasped, "That is impossible,"

"I will ask you a question, then." Staring deep into Pina's eyes. "The Gate, do you know anything about it?"

"The Gate." Pina pondered for a while as her head processed her memories to search for any literature she had read regarding the Gate. "The Gate is a mythical construct since the dawn of creation. It was created to fill the world that gods had created with race across the unknown world, to live inside the garden of gods."

"I see. Well, that was interesting indeed." Malcador rubbed his chin in amusement. "But what if I told you that is much, much more different than stories you have ever heard, Princess?"

"What do you mean, Lord Malcador?" The Princess asked, eyes widening slightly due to the surprise.

"There are reasons why we choose to abandon our gods. Besides, this deed was seeded with a very adequate cause. As we expand and our understanding of the universe reaches the unheard zenith, we come to a conclusion that leads us to the ultimate truth." Malcador raises his hand, and in a flash of fire, the iconic staff of Malcador the Sigillites materializes in his hand.

"Truth... May I... Know what truth it is?" Pina asked as her brain forced her body to remain calm.

"You will see soon," Malcador tapped his staff into the floor. A sound of echoing metal spread across the room. The crystal floor vibrates softly. Tuka's skin began to shiver as her magical sense responded to the sheer psychic power currently accumulated around them.

A shimmering blue light enveloped them. Initially, it was a mist of carefully filtered Anathematic power in the Palace. Slowly, the mist transformed into a sea of stars, encompassed by a blue shimmering aurora.

"Amazing," Boes remarked with her eyes scanning her surrounding.

"L-Lord Malcador... What is this?" The Saderan Princess asked, shuddering.

"This psychic image will make me easier to explain it to each one of you." Malcador rose from his seat. He used his psychic power to shape the light around them, siphoning it to an impossible degree.

"Your gods were once mortals. But did you know why they can ascend godhood, Princess, or maybe miss elf?" The ancient man asked, studying his guests.

None of them answers the question. It did not bring any negative sentiments for the ancient man. Instead, he stared at the girls with a knowing look.

"In this universe, mortals can ascend into godhood by our beliefs and worship." He said softly.

"Worship... But I was taught they ascend thanks to their deed when they are mortals. What is the cause of this ascension?" Pina became intrigued by the answer, paying full attention to Malcador's words.

"The place where all kinds of magic originated, the Warp, is the answer to your question. Warp is a place of madness and power, always changing and infinitely expanding. This realm is the place where something impossible turns possible. Your gods using the power of this realm to ascend themselves." While speaking, Malcador used his power and already existing psychic energy around them to give them a glimpse of images of the Warp.

They saw a sea of souls itself. A sea of uncontrollable power and an impossibly paradoxical place. They can feel any kind of emotions surging inside their bodies.

Being an elf, Tuka can feel it even more than the Saderan. She felt her entire soul tossed around by the sheer magnitude of the Warp. Her sense faded slightly, causing her to grow nervous. But she can feel an invisible barrier separating her from the stormy sea of soul.

"This sea... This sea made the gods, ascending them?" Bozes asked under her breath.

"Yes, indeed. But, their worships were not enough to fully ascend them to godhood." Malcador answers her question slowly.

"This much power was not enough? How they managed to gain their ascension?" Pina pressed further as her curiosity beat her fear and traditional self.

"In this universe, there must be a beginning. In that beginning existed one of the first sentient life. We named them Old Ones. They seeded life throughout the universe as they are the most potent psychic race ever, the one who invented your Gate." Malcador dropped the revelation bluntly.

As he speaks, the images and visions change into various god-like figures. They resemble dragons and lizardmen at the same time. But they were unsure how to put a vaster understanding of these god-like beings as their mortal minds could not comprehend their appearance.

"These are Old Ones... They are the creators of gods?" Albeit hesitated, Pina kept pushing the question from her mouth due to her curiosity.

"The more precise answer is they are the creators of the devices that bring your gods to their current power. Unfortunately, we still do not know what that device is, but we are sure it lies deep in your world." Said Malcador fluently, waving his hand to show them the entire world of Falmart. "I must admit, your world is unique. Possessing seven continents and almost identical features to the Old Earth. Which leads the Emperor to believe that your gods came from the ancient time of Terra."

"They came from your world?" Pina asked, eyes widening from shock.

"Your origin is also shared with your gods. All humans from your world came from the same planet but with different realities. It also applies to your race, Tuka Luna Mercau. From our DNA and psychic signature, you originated from the Aeldari race. Albeit altered by the gods to serve their own purpose." He gestured to the lone elf in the room; neither malice nor hatred radiated from his tone.

"Aeldar... I... I want to know about my race and why Imperium hates us so much." Tuka rises from her chair, stepping closer to the ancient psyker. The sheer intensity of the transhuman dread of the Emperor has made her fear of such a powerful being drastically diminish, enabling her to step closer to the ancient psyker.

"Aledar... They are an ancient race created by the Old Ones to wage war with a certain soulless creature. Aledari was supposedly to be the inheritor of the Old Ones. They are gifted with an immense psychic might and knowledge of the Warp. Among them are God-Calling and god-Forging, rituals that can summon a god or even create them. There were stories about the Aledari pantheon and their separation from mortal affairs. Thus, the Aeldari grew desperate to create their replacement, leading to the Third Galactic War." The ancient psyker's voice turned grim and cold.

"A war to prevent the birth of that god, am I right?' Tuka receive a nod from Malcador. "But why? If they were that desperate, then why, you humans, dared to trigger a war to prevent a god's birth?"

In contrast to the Saderan's belief that Malcador would be insulted because of Tuka's disrespect, the ancient psyker only smiled weakly.

"The god they want to create is an abomination to its core. The Prince of Pleasure, as they proclaimed, embodies excess emotions."

With a tap of his staff, the atmosphere began to change and twist. The blue color changed into purple and pink as the stench became denser, pushing the Falmartian to their limit.

"The Goddes of Excess, She Who Thirst, Prince of Pleasure, The Snake. It had many names and forms. When It was born, then catastrophe shall follow." Malcador replied grimly. His eyes narrowed, devoid of any emotions.

A silhouette began to manifest, imposing a gigantic figure with a grotesque appearance. It was a horror beyond any mind to comprehend or understand.

"Who... Impossible. That was not god! How is that possible?!" Pina shouted frantically.

"The Aledar sees It as akin to absolute beauty. Something that horrified even the Emperor." Malcador managed to raise his guest's brows.

"The Emperor of Mankind was horrified by this thing? How is that possible?" The red-haired Princess turned pale. Something had managed to scare the Emperor of Mankind, a being that even a god in his own right.

Is scared by that abomination? That was unthinkable.

"His Majesty afraid not to Its power but to the calamities It will be created. Futures where these abominations claim all, not only the Imperium but also the entire universe, shall be no more." He speaks bluntly, completely ignoring the pressure he emits on the Falmartian.

"Thus, we waged war against them to prevent this creature from being born. M25, we declared our offensive on the Aeldari Dominion four thousand years ago." Other visions filled the room. They were fragmented memories of that time when the Third Galactic War occurred.

Their minds are bombarded by battles that surpass any sane mind to endure.

The stars are drowned in the sea of madness as countless lives are being plundered by abominations. Countless automata battled each other for dominance, utilizing weapons that shatter worlds.

Echoes of machines that can change the fabric of reality with the user's will. It changed the fundamental plane of time and space, twisting them to claim triumph.

Thousands of mechanical worms erupted from the shattered void of space and time, devouring anything in their paths. They changed the entire structure of time and space into data streams, and thus, their owner can create something more unspeakable and powerful to defeat their enemy.

Both nations had come to a stalemate as no one could overpower their enemy, wounding the space-time even further.

In that desperate situation, humanity emerged with weapons to become their salvation and path to ascension.

The vision shows the Emperor, but he does not wear his crown or golden armor. Instead, he wore flawless black armor.

In that room, he took a seat on a Golden Throne. The torch of light had turned live, burning corruption across the Warp, directly facing the purple abomination and Its brothers.

At the same time, new armies were created by the Golden Order. Seven Legions for not only capable of breaking the stalemate and achieving victory but also became the crafter of the path for humanity's ascension. They are provided with the new Men of Iron, Ferrous Mind type. They are Artificial intelligence that has souls inside their metal bones.

With these new armies and armaments, humanity pushed back the darkness.

The Warp continues to rage with the emperor's Anathemathic power and Chaos's corruption. The Warp turbulence creates a madness that had never existed since the War in Heaven.

Inside the Warp, countless realities and universes were breaking apart and erased. Countless others were created with twisted madness inside the maelstrom.

The seven ultimate engines of the Seven Legions break the fabric of Warp and material reality. Their sheer forces give them the power to destroy and create new realities.

The war reaches its highest point when the battle of Lothern, the capital of the Aeldari Dominion. This battle split reality apart, opening a rift into the Warp.

The Warp and countless dimensions that structured the material universe screamed as the gulf dimension that became the separation of the immaterial and material slowly overlapping.

There, the Emperor stood defiantly against the four abominations. His psychic power might be split for the throne and himself to fight the Chaos. He seemingly did not budge, standing tall to face the odds.

(Your kin had plagued this universe. I am here to stop you, parasites} The Emperor plunged his claw into the rift as light washed the reality.

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Malcador watched his guest begin to recover themself from the vision. He had shown them what they needed to know about the Third Galactic War. Although he knew he went too far to show them a glimpse of the true scale of the war. But it must be done, as it will become part of the Imperium sooner or later.

They all had nosebleeds and even Bozes endured more as her ears bled.

"Lord... Lord Malcador... Is that?" Pina asks in between her breath, wiping her blood.

"Yes, that is what happened four thousand years ago. A war that made humanity the most dominant race in the galaxy." Malcador turned his head toward the poor elf, who had to cling to her trembling body. "I hope those visions can answer your question."

"My kin... My race... Why... Why did they create such an abomination?" Her eyes filled with tears, trembling in fear and realization. Tuka stared at the ancient psyker, prostrating herself into the High Lord. "Please... Spare my people. I will do anything but please... Spare my people."

Malcador approached her. His face did not bear any hatred nor sadness, only sympathy. "Please, don't ruin your dignity, o proud creation of the Old One. Your ancestor's sins are indeed unforgivable, but yours were not."

Tuka's eyes widen in shock, slowly raises her head. "What... I-I don't understand."

"The elves of your world are innocents.

But the scars of that war remains in our heart. The entire Imperium's animosity toward your kin is indomitable. No one can change that." Malcador speaks neutrally.

"Then-Then what I must do?!" She screamed in desperation. "I-I don't want to see my people perish! I don't want it... Please... I don't want it."

"No one can change it besides one person." Hope began to rekindle within Tuka's chest. "The Emperor. Only His Majesty can give you a penance. Tuka Luna Mercau, join us so that the Emperor can forgive the sin of your people."

"I... I can repent for my race's sins?" She asks, feeling uncertain.

"You can. As long as you earn His Majesty's forgiveness, your race in Falmart shall live under Imperium's aegis. After you've earned that, none shall hurt you, not even our citizens. Prove yourself worthy of that forgiveness, Tuka Luna Mercau." Malcador stated firmly, washing away doubts in the blond elf's mind.

"I, Tuka Luna Mercau." Tuka kneeled before the High Lord. "I shall pledge my loyalty to Imperium of Man and its people to the redemption of my ancestor. I swear to serve the Emperor of Mankind and his loyal subject. I swear!" Tuka proclaimed without hesitation, adamant about her choice.

"I shall answer your loyalty, Tuka Luna Mercau." Extends his hand. In his palms lies a golden emblem that bears the marks of the twin-headed Aquila. "This is Imperatus Emblem. It will give you direct protection from the High Lords of Terra. Thus, none except the Emperor himself can hurt you."

"I humbly thank you, Lord Malcador." Tuka carefully accepts it, placing it on her chest.

"Now, Princess of Sadera. I am waiting for your answer," Malcador turned his head at the terrified Princess.

"I... I wish the best for my people. I am fully aware that Sadera could not hope to defeat the Imperium. But." Pina clenches her hand, biting her lips as she slowly feels a taste of iron in her mouth. "My father won't listen... My brother would think of this encounter as a part of his sick humor."

"Speaking of honesty, Princess. Imperium can destroy your world and even remake it whenever we want it. But until this day, we didn't. Do you know why?" Malcadors asks the young Princess with a warm smile.

Pina did not answer, choosing to remain silent as her head hung with a pained expression.

"This is not like you are at our mercy, but the Emperor declared that your world is valuable to destroy. Besides that apparent reason, the Emperor did not seek to destroy any of you." The psyker informed the Princess, waving his hand in reassurance.

"May I know why His Majesty chooses not to destroy us? I know that Old One's artifact in my world is a priceless relic. But my people. His Majesty said he does not want bloodshed between Sadera and Imperium, but I can't understand His Majesty's logic. Isn't it much easier to claim an empty world than peacefully integrate their society?" Said Pina grimly.

"Moreover, His Majesty had bestowed me a title... I wonder why His Majesty did that?' Since she had received her title as Primum Praesidium, the weight on her shoulders considerably increased.

"Even if I know the complete answer, I can't give it to you."

"Why? Is that also an order of His Majesty?" The red-haired questioned, eyes staring downward as she tried to avoid any eye contact with the Sigillites.

"No," Malcador replies simply. "This precaution I took on my own. Many responsibilities await you, Princess. Much more you can barely imagine."

"What responsibility, Lord Malcador?" Pina inquired, eyes staring at the ancient psyker in either wonder or anxiety.

"Emperor sees the universe unlike us did, Princess. His plan is beyond ours to understand. But I can assure you that he wants the best from you," Malcador placed his hand on her shoulder. His facial feature did not bear malice nor inhuman neutrality. He smiled with his warm face, warm yet kind like a wise man he was.

Pina's eyes are wide open upon they laid on Malcador's smile. Malcador's ambiance is drastically different from that of the Emperor. The weight of the Emperor's aura is immeasurable to feel, crushing her pride and soul with power and authority. This one is unlike that massive crushing presence. It touched her soul, healing it with a gentle touch.

This was not the sentiment of an inhuman transhuman that brightly flared from the Emperor of Mankind. Instead, it was kind and compassionate, like a father who extended his hand to his daughter.

"I will ask you once again, Princess," Malcador withdraws his hand, positioning it before her with an open palm. "Do you want to answer His Majesty's call? To fulfill the weight on your shoulders and ascend your Empire beyond in the same realm as ours?"

Her dizziness disappears as the pain in her head slowly vanishes. Not only Pina but Bozes also healed.

Pina's mind became clearer now as there was only one answer. Lord Malcador did not want subjugation, only integration with honor.

"I will," Pina stood, accepting Malcador's hand. "I will do anything to make my country prosper."

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AN: I'm back and glad to be back. I am writing this in my free time but do not be worried, because, in the next week, I can work to my fullest.

Also, when this story ends in the first season, I will write another novel, still Warhammer but residing in my version of Warhammer, the Daot Imperium, etc. But with different characters but the same universe.

So... I have two ideas.

1) Warhammer x DxD: A story of the reincarnated Old Ones inside half-devil(Half human, half devil). The story starts a few centuries after the Great War.

2) Familiar with Zero x Warhammer: A story of a high noble psyker in Terra being summoned by Her Royale, Princess of Tristan. The story starts two years before the cannon starts.

I will write both, after all. But I want you to decide which one first.