The Empire of the Multiverse

Chapter 48 - The Great Rift

As Vagos provided the coordinates for the Rolos Galaxy and the specific solar system where their Capital Planet was once located—Lower Level Sector 6, Solar System 01—Mordecai's gaze remained fixed on the information. It was a glimpse into the heart of their impending mission, a journey into the unknown horrors that had befallen Vagos's home.

"The entire solar system of our home has become eldritch horrors," Vagos grimly explained, and the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. It was a grim reminder of the cosmic terrors that lurked in the wake of the Dark Stranger's ritual.

Mordecai wasted no time. He issued a command to the Captain of the Endurance, instructing them to prepare for a Honkai Drive. "Course set, all ships prepare for Honkai Drive," echoed the orders as the fleet readied itself for the interstellar leap. In a matter of minutes, eight portals opened, and the fleet vanished, leaving behind the eldritch horrors that had plagued their home.

When they emerged on the other side of the portals, they were met with the grotesque sight of planet-shaped monstrosities, abominations that defied the laws of nature. Mordecai wasted no time in issuing a decisive order. "Target those eight planets. I want them reduced to atoms."

The psychic assaults from the eldritch planets, which had once disturbed their minds, were now rendered ineffective by the full power of the Honkai Pylons. The massive artillery on the fleet charged, unleashing beams of scorching energy akin to the core of a star. Each salvo struck with precision, obliterating the eldritch planets to mere remnants of their former cosmic horror.

Some of these corrupted planets attempted to collide with the Mothership, but the vessel's manipulation of space kept them at bay, creating a protective barrier against the onslaught. The final eldritch planet met its doom, reduced to nothingness.

Mordecai's gaze was drawn to a colossal rift, a cosmic maw that seemed capable of devouring entire stars. It was a chilling sight,

Mordecai's resolve remained unshaken as he addressed the assembled fleet. "Form the fleet. I want anything that emerges from that rift, to be reduced to atoms." His determination was evident as he spoke. While Nyarlathotep might be a being of multiversal proportions, his minions were still beings of flesh and blood, reliant on their increased strength and maddening psychic attacks. These attacks, however, were now rendered ineffective thanks to the Honkai Pylons, a powerful defense against such threats.

He continued, instilling confidence in his troops. "The Imperium has faced countless adversaries over centuries, from alien races to hostile supernatural beings. Look at them now—dead. These creatures are no different. You cannot fear something that can die." His words were a rallying cry to the soldiers of the Imperium, a reminder of their indomitable spirit.

Within minutes, the void outside the Mothership was filled with billions of ships, forming several fleets and armadas. They emerged from the open hatches of the mothership, a formidable force ready to confront the cosmic horrors within the rift.

Mordecai gave a direct command to his armada. "Probing ships, into the breach." Thousands of AI-controlled ships were launched into the rift, their sensors capturing bizarre and surreal images. It was a place where reality itself seemed to warp and shift, making little sense. Yet, they were certain that they had arrived on a planet.

As Mordecai observed the surreal terrain inside the rift, he issued another critical order. "Plant the Reality Anchors. Make sure the rift does not close unless I want it to." Millions of small devices, in reality appendages from the Imaginary Space, were launched from the armada. They latched onto the rift, serving as anchors to keep it open. The Imaginary Space itself played a crucial role in maintaining the rift's stability.

"Launch the satellites. I want to see the entire planet," Mordecai commanded. In response, thousands of miniature satellites were deployed, their sensors scanning the entirety of the planet within the rift.

Thousands of miniature satellites were deployed, providing a panoramic view of the planet that had once been their Capital, Rolos 1.

Vagos, his voice filled with sorrow and regret, identified the grim reality. "This is our Capital Planet," he confirmed. The view showed a nightmarish landscape, with millions of eldritch horrors. What had once been a humanoid race had been grotesquely transformed into abhorrent creatures—walking aberrant corpses bearing various appendages. Some appeared human but had deranged expressions, strange tattoos, and shifting, eldritch symbols etched onto their flesh.

"Look at what we have done," Vagos lamented, tears welling in his eyes. The state of his race and their home planet, twisted and defiled by the influence of Nyarlathotep, was a testament to the dire consequences of their actions.

Mordecai's keen eye spotted an intriguing structure amidst the nightmarish landscape of the corrupted planet. "Zoom in on that location, the one emitting the purple light," he ordered. As the image was magnified, a sinister altar came into focus, surrounded by corrupted humans who appeared to be worshipping it. These unfortunate souls bore eldritch symbols that constantly shifted, and their appearances would shift from normal to horrifying in an instant. Such was the grim fate of the corrupted.

"This should be the anchor linking this dimension to our universe," Mordecai surmised. Without hesitation, he issued a fateful command: "Destroy the planet, Exterminatus."

"Exterminatus on the selected planet has been authorized," announced the Mothership's systems. Massive artillery on the Mothership began to charge, preparing to unleash a cataclysmic event on the tainted world.

Mordecai's plan to unleash Exterminatus on the corrupted planet faced a sudden and unexpected twist. The colossal beam of pure energy, intended to obliterate the tainted world, was intercepted by an open portal and redirected. Alarmed by this turn of events, an officer reported to Mordecai, "Sir, the Exterminatus was redirected. The energy signature from the portals wasn't ours. It came from inside the rift."

Mordecai's steely resolve remained unshaken. "Well then, it seems someone does not want us to do it the easy way," he remarked.

Mordecai wasted no time, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Launch the Honkai Pylons. I need the Heavy Duty ones capable of holding up and canceling powers on a planetary scale," he commanded. The Mothership responded by launching a massive, pillar-like projectile into the rift, embedding it deep into the planet's surface. Almost instantly, the Honkai Pylon came online, its power evident as some of the eldritch horrors surrounding it began to disintegrate.

"Ground Forces, launch and secure a landing zone," Mordecai ordered. Millions of transport ships entered the rift, deploying troops onto the planet's surface through drop pods. The servants of Nyarlathotep swarmed around the Honkai Pylon, sensing a threat. However, the Cosmic Militarum swiftly organized a defensive perimeter around the Pylon.

Walls and defensive structures sprouted from the ground one after another, forming an impenetrable barrier. Within just 15 minutes, a fortified camp and defensive zone had been constructed, a testament to the advanced technology and efficiency of the Imperium.

Amidst the swirling chaos of the corrupted planet, Mordecai and his loyal Death Guard Astartes descended from their transport ship. As they made their way towards the malevolent altar emitting a purple glow, the sound of prayers reverberated through the Mothership and the hearts of the Imperium's forces.

"God-Emperor, sovereign of righteousness, whose might knows no equal, safeguard and lead us, we humbly entreat, shield us from the clutches of our foes, by bestowing upon us dominion over them, unveil the path to triumph, that we may forge it in your Everlasting Name," the prayers echoed, and the eyes of the faithful were touched by a subtle, golden radiance.

Mordecai couldn't help but be reminded that "Father is watching" as they advanced, his resolve bolstered by the prayers of his comrades. Their mission to destroy the altar and banish the eldritch horrors from existence had taken on a profound spiritual dimension, and they moved forward with unwavering determination.

Mordecai wasted no time in commencing the operation. He issued a commanding order, "Launch the Aircraft, and start carpet bombing the corrupted." In response, millions of aircraft took to the skies, their engines roaring with the promise of destruction. The deafening sound of their approach heralded an onslaught of aerial firepower as they began carpet bombing the path leading to the eldritch altar.

Their mission was clear: carpet bomb the corrupted creatures that stood in their way, clearing a path to the ominous altar. With a thunderous roar, the aircraft unleashed a relentless barrage of devastation, turning the corrupted beings into ashes and clearing the path for Mordecai and his forces to advance. The altar that anchored this eldritch nightmare was their target, and they were determined to reach it, no matter the horrors they had to face along the way.

Amidst the apocalyptic landscape, Mordecai's legions marched forward, their formidable leader at the helm. They traversed what appeared to be a desolate wasteland, with decaying remnants of buildings bearing silent witness to the cosmic horrors that had befallen this once-thriving world.

As they advanced, the minions of the Crawling Chaos, Nyarlathotep, emerged from the shadows, crawling forth from the ruins like grotesque aberrations. But they were met with the unyielding might of the Death Guard. The Astartes wielded their flayers, reducing the eldritch abominations to nothing more than blue ash, and the very buildings that harbored them suffered a similar fate.

Amidst the desolation, Mordecai observed the towering altar that had become a beacon of darkness in this forsaken realm. He contemplated the possibility of destroying it from a distance using their formidable artillery, but his attempt was thwarted as the projectile was swallowed by a portal. It was evident that the altar was not easily susceptible to such conventional methods.

Acknowledging this reality, Mordecai steeled himself for the impending battle. He knew that the only way forward was to confront this source of eldritch malevolence directly. As his Death Guard legions advanced toward the accursed altar, they were relentlessly assaulted by the minions of the Crawling Chaos.

Hunting horrors, flying polyps, and other grotesque abominations swarmed toward the Death Guard, driven by an otherworldly frenzy. But the Astartes remained undaunted, wielding their flayers with precision and efficiency. Each creature that dared to challenge their advance met the same fate—reduced to dust or flayed to atoms.

In the midst of the chaos and carnage, Mordecai's resolute mantra echoed: "You need not fear something that can die."

Beneath the towering altar, a nightmarish monstrosity emerged, defying all reason and sanity. This grotesque entity possessed three grotesque legs, and where its face should have been, a writhing, crimson tentacle extended towards the heavens. A gaping maw, unnaturally perverse, adorned its chest, from which emanated an eerie light. Within this unholy radiance, the twisted faces of the tormented souls it had devoured writhed and twisted.

As Mordecai gazed upon this abomination, a realization struck him with divine clarity. This was Nyarlathotep, the Outer God himself. Its grotesque form confirmed its identity, and Mordecai knew that he was face to face with an entity of cosmic terror.

With unwavering resolve, Mordecai issued his command. "Focus fire on that creature in the horizon," he ordered, and the weapons of the Imperial forces roared to life. Artillery shells and aircraft rained down upon Nyarlathotep, but the entity seemed impervious to these physical attacks. The bombs merely left burnt marks, and the flayers could only claim small pieces of its flesh before it regenerated.

It became painfully apparent that ranged attacks could not defeat this eldritch horror. The Death Guard's flayers still managed to wound it, but these injuries were swiftly healed by the creature's unnatural vitality.

Mordecai knew that he had no choice. "Stop the vehicle," he commanded, "focus on its minions. I'll face Nyarlathotep myself." With unwavering determination, he disembarked from the vehicle and began to grow in size, matching the towering horror that stood before him.

The battle raged on with titanic forces clashing in a cosmic struggle. Mordecai swung his mighty death scythe, severing Nyarlathotep's grotesque tentacle-head. But to his astonishment, the tentacle rapidly regenerated within seconds. The eldritch monstrosity retaliated with a flurry of attacks - biting, scratching, and extending tentacles from mysterious portals. These attacks seemed to emerge from nowhere, testing the limits of Mordecai's defenses.

Every time one of Nyarlathotep's tentacles made contact with Mordecai, it decayed and rotted away within moments. However, the Primarch was not unscathed; the attacks inflicted substantial damage, penetrating not only his armor but also affecting him internally. Destructive psychic energy was released upon impact, and Mordecai had to swiftly neutralize it to avoid catastrophic harm.

The clash between Nyarlathotep's eldritch essence and the Honkai energy emanating from Mordecai created a cataclysmic battle of opposing forces. Both possessed the potential to bring about the end of civilizations, but while the Honkai energy had been harnessed for good under the guidance of the God-Emperor, Nyarlathotep represented the chaotic and destructive aspect of the universe.

As Vagos moved swiftly towards the Altar alongside the Death Guard Astartes, he couldn't help but marvel at the technology embodied in his Cosmic Militarum Power Armor. The relentless attacks from the cosmic horrors, while terrifying, were rendered ineffective against the formidable armor. Instead, each strike on the armor seemed to trigger a release of devastating physical energy, a signature feature of the wave force armor he now wore, courtesy of the Imperium's technological prowess.

One of the Death Guard Astartes noticed Vagos hesitating amidst the chaos of the battlefield and offered words of encouragement. "Move, Soldier! You bear the Imperium's proudest technology. Fear nothing!" The Astarte's voice was resolute, and Vagos knew that he had the unwavering support of these elite warriors as they pressed on towards their objective – the ominous Altar that held the key to banishing the eldritch horrors and ending this nightmarish threat to their universe.

As they reached the base of the ominous Altar, Vagos was struck by a horrifying sight – the former president of the Rolos Civilization, Birken, was kneeling before it, deep in worship. Vagos couldn't contain his anger and frustration at what had become of his leader and his people.

"Birken! Do you realize what you've done to our people?" Vagos yelled, his Flayer aimed at the President. The Death Guard Astartes, equally appalled, also pointed their weapons at Birken.

"Birken," the President turned his head towards Vagos, his eyes filled with madness, "This is the path to ascension, through the god-like entity of His greatness, Nyarlathotep!" he declared.

Before Vagos could respond, the Astartes acted swiftly, reducing the mad President to blue dust with their Flayers. The Captain of the Death Guard urged Vagos to stay focused, reminding him of the dire situation. Their Primarch, Mordecai, was locked in a fierce battle against Nyarlathotep himself, and there was no time for further conversation.

"We don't have time for talking, soldier. Our Primarch is fighting for his life out there. Let's MOVE!" the Captain commanded as they ascended the Altar. However, a shadowy entity suddenly flew above them, prompting the Astartes to react instantly, flaying it. The creature, partially materialized and composed of a corrosive substance, with a brilliant trilobed eye, had crashed but now stood before them – a menacing black entity resembling a giant bat.

The Death Guard Astartes unleashed a barrage of firepower upon the menacing bat-like creature, prompting it to take flight. Darkness began to encroach upon the battlefield as the creature soared, but it quickly subsided, thanks in part to the formidable effects of the Honkai Pylons. These pylons had proven their worth in shielding against supernatural forces.

The Haunter in the Dark found itself under a relentless assault from the Seraphim Aeronotica, these jet fighters bombarding it with a combination of explosives and Flayers from multiple angles. In retaliation, the Haunter unleashed tendrils of shadows and dark energy projectiles, targeting the agile jet fighters. However, the advanced technology and supernatural prowess of the Imperium's forces were proving to be a formidable adversary.

For every jet fighter downed by the Haunter, several more took its place. The creature found itself in a dilemma as it faced a relentless onslaught. Hunting Horrors, summoned by the Haunter, descended upon the battlefield, attempting to attack the jet fighters. However, the slow-flying speed of the Haunter made it vulnerable to the advanced technology of the Seraphim Aeronautica.

Thousands of Hunting Horrors fell from the sky, with some crashing into the ranks of the Imperium's forces. These unfortunate horrors were swiftly reduced to atoms by the relentless firepower. Meanwhile, those that landed amidst Nyarlathotep's minions suffered a similar fate, many of them crushed by the impact.

Without the Eldritch horrors' psychic interference and maddening effects, they proved to be nothing more than targets for the Imperium's superior firepower and technology. The battlefield was a chaotic mix of explosions, flayers, and the relentless determination of the Imperium's forces to banish the cosmic horrors from their universe.

The battlefield became a chaotic maelstrom of warfare as the Imperium's forces marched forward. Artillery emplacements sprang up across the planet, ready to deliver devastating firepower against Nyarlathotep's minions. As these eldritch horrors swarmed in droves, they found themselves confronted by the relentless and disciplined forces of the Cosmic Militarum.

Superior firepower, including massive-caliber Flayers, was unleashed upon the battlefield. These potent weapons could target large portions of the Howler, tearing massive chunks of flesh from its form. While the Howler possessed supernatural regeneration abilities, the missing chunks weakened it significantly. The repeated strikes from the Flayers, especially targeting joints and limbs, made its battle against the Primarch even more challenging.

In response, the Howler unleashed a barrage of tentacles from different dimensions, attempting to strike at the Cosmic Militarum. However, Mordecai's mastery over his Death Scythe allowed him to intercept and counter these attacks. His strikes weren't merely physical; they carried the essence of death itself. Each blow inflicted necrosis upon the Howler's flesh, sapping its life force and leaving it in a constant struggle to maintain its existence.

In a fierce clash, the Howler struck Mordecai with a powerful blow, sending him tumbling backward. As he regained his footing, he noticed the Howler performing a dreadful act. It channeled its malevolent power and released millions of Favored ones from its chest cavity. Upon closer inspection, Mordecai realized that among these tormented souls were the missing inspectors of the Imperium.

Determined to save these souls, Mordecai extended his power, reaching out to them and guiding them toward the embrace of his divine authority. The attack from the Howler inadvertently allowed Mordecai to rescue these unfortunate souls, delivering them from the clutches of the abomination. Their spirits were returned to the cycle of reincarnation, finding solace and redemption in the warm light of his Father, the God Emperor.

With the saved souls now secure and at peace, Mordecai turned his attention back to the Howler. He swung his Death Scythe with a resolute determination, cleaving the monstrous entity in half. However, the horror of the eldritch abomination persisted, as now there were two smaller incarnations. Despite his injuries and the odds stacked against him, Mordecai knew that he had accomplished the primary objective of retrieving the inspectors' souls.

Now, with the souls saved and the Favored ones returned to the Imperium's grace, his focus shifted to the final objective: banishing Nyarlathotep and this nightmarish dimension from the universe. With a determined gaze, he faced the two Howlers, resolved to buy time for his Astartes and Vagos on the altar.

The Haunter in the Dark found itself in a relentless aerial battle against the swarming Seraphim Aeronautica. No matter how it maneuvered or unleashed its dark attacks, the fighter jets proved to be agile and capable adversaries. The pilots, aided by advanced AI systems, quickly learned to anticipate the creature's attack patterns, making it increasingly difficult for the Haunter to land a decisive blow.

Its venomous and acidic skin, once a source of dread, became a liability in the face of the Imperium's superior firepower. The fighter jets relentlessly bombarded it, causing severe damage. At times, its massive wings were flayed, sending it plummeting towards the earth below.

The Haunter in the Dark, a once-powerful supernatural entity, found itself in a dire situation. It couldn't inspire terror or sow fear among its foes in this state, as the overwhelming might of the Imperium was proving to be more than its match. The creature struggled against the relentless assault, its power waning with each passing moment.

At the pinnacle of the Altar, a scene of sinister significance unfolded. A Shining Trapezohedron hovered ominously above a ritual circle drawn with the macabre medium of blood. Lifeless cultists lay strewn around the circle, their corpses bearing witness to the dark rites that had transpired.

With a sense of urgency and determination, the Death Guard Astartes swiftly set to work. Miniaturized nuclear bombs, each potent enough to erase an entire continent from existence, were meticulously planted around the altar. Some of these deadly devices were affixed directly to the mysterious Trapezohedron itself. Time was of the essence, and a 15-minute countdown was initiated.

As the minutes ticked away, Mordecai, engaged in a fierce battle against the Howlers, received a transmission from Hades, the 1st Death Guard Lord. "Primarch, Hades here. The nuclear bomb is ready. Please sound the retreat, over."

With a resolute tone, Mordecai responded, "Roger that, Hades. All forces, retreat to the Mothership."

The command echoed through the ranks as a collective retreat was initiated. In a display of unparalleled martial prowess, Mordecai struck the Howlers with devastating force, disabling their limbs with an overwhelming surge of Death Energy. The formidable creatures were left writhing on the surface, unable to pursue.

Within a mere ten minutes, the entire theater of war came to a sudden halt. The army swiftly retreated to their waiting spaceships, leaving a trail of explosions in their wake as they ensured that no equipment or trace would be left behind for Nyarlathotep's relentless minions.

With the last of the Imperium's units safely out of the Great Rift, Mordecai issued a crucial command, "Take away the Reality Anchors." The fleet acted swiftly, retrieving these enigmatic devices. As the anchors were secured, an explosion resonated from within the rift, causing it to implode upon itself and vanish into the unknown. Throughout the fleet, sighs of relief could be heard, a collective exhalation of tension.

Mordecai himself bore the brunt of the battle's damage, his divine regenerative powers and the formidable Divina Combat Skin doing their best to mend his wounds. Yet, the eldritch energy that still coursed through him hindered the healing process. However, he knew that this was merely the last remnants of the energy, a dying gasp, as it was continuously absorbed and nullified by the Honkai energy.

But then, a charismatic voice resounded, sending shivers down the spines of all present on the bridge. "I see, my Avatars were defeated by you. Bravo, Demi-god." The voice seemed to emanate from behind everyone, and as Vagos recognized the source, he exclaimed, "It's him, the Dark Stranger! He bewitched our entire race!"

The enigmatic figure that had ensnared the fate of the Rolos Civilization resembled a tall, swarthy man, reminiscent of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. His presence cast an eerie shadow over the bridge, and all eyes were fixed upon him, awaiting his next move.

Mordecai maintained his calm demeanor, even as Nyarlathotep continued to taunt and threaten. He gestured subtly with his fingers, signaling his staff to slowly leave the bridge. However, his focus remained on the dark stranger before him.

"Why aren't you gone?" Mordecai inquired, his voice unwavering.

Nyarlahotep, in his cryptic manner, responded with a question of his own. "You don't think you can save them, do you?" With a casual wave of his hand, he immobilized everyone on the bridge except the Primarch, holding them by their throats.

Mordecai's grip tightened on his Death Scythe, ready to strike at Nyarlathotep's neck. But the Outer God posed a chilling dilemma. "Can you kill me faster than I can kill them?" he challenged.

Mordecai met the gaze of the enigmatic entity firmly. "They may die, but they will return to the embrace of my father," he declared resolutely.

Nyarlahotep continued to play his mind games. "What if I tell you I can obliterate their souls, all 137 billion people on your Mothership?" he asked, savoring the twisted pleasure of his words. "I just love the sight of righteous people's faces when given the choice to decide their outcome."

He then proposed a grim ultimatum, forcing Mordecai into an agonizing choice. "How about this, kill yourself and save everyone, or kill me and save no one. So, what's it gonna be, Ashbringer?"

In the pivotal moment where Mordecai contemplated the gruesome choice presented by Nyarlathotep as Mordecai had made a decision to sacrifice himself, a sudden interruption occurred. A hand firmly grasped Nyarlathotep's shoulder, causing the sinister entity to freeze.

"An Outer God, a wisp of his will, should not be talking big on someone else's territory, no?" a powerful voice declared. Fafnir, the formidable being, appeared behind Nyarlathotep. His radiance was so intense that it not only shattered Nyarlathotep's control over everyone but also purified the oppressive energy that had clouded the bridge.

Nyarlahotep, now unbound, couldn't help but express his fascination and bewilderment. "Impossible! You're not a God of Justice! You're an ender of worlds! Why are you such a contradiction?" he exclaimed. He could sense the true nature of the Honkai Energy, the entity known as the God of the Honkai, harnessed and transformed into something far greater under Fafnir's mastery.

The scene on the bridge shifted from one of despair and coercion to one of unexpected hope and power. Mordecai, freed from the dreadful choice, stood with determination, ready to confront the enigmatic Nyarlathotep and the radiant presence of Fafnir.

"Why are you opposing your own essence?" Nyarlathotep questioned Fafnir with a hint of curiosity. In response, Fafnir explained, "The Honkai is the Whims of God. It is a manifestation of my own whims, and that means it could also be a force for justice and order, something a being of chaos such as yourself will find hard to understand."

Fafnir's words carried the weight of cosmic authority. He was not just a being of immense power but also the master of the Honkai, capable of harnessing its destructive energy for benevolent purposes.

"That's enough talk. Begone," Fafnir declared, his radiance intensifying. With a single gesture, he obliterated the last traces of Nyarlathotep's influence from his universe.

As Nyarlathotep's presence faded, Fafnir turned his attention to Mordecai, a hint of pride in his gaze. "I'm proud of you, son. However, no son of mine shall be forced to decide such a cruel decision when I'm still here," he said reassuringly.

"Thanks... Dad," Mordecai replied, feeling a profound sense of gratitude and relief. With Fafnir's intervention, the nightmarish ordeal was over, and the universe could begin to heal.

Fafnir's voice held both sternness and mercy as he addressed Vagos. He placed a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder, his godly presence calming the tumultuous emotions.

"You are forgiven, and so is your race," Fafnir began, his words carrying the weight of cosmic judgment. "None of you shall suffer in eternal damnation, for ambition is also part of humanity. However, your race shall be punished for your mistakes. They will be stuck as a Type 0.8 Civilization for a thousand years."

Vagos listened with a mix of relief and acceptance. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that his people had been spared from ultimate destruction, yet their ambitions had come at a great cost.

Fafnir continued, "I hope this is the last time your race does this, as such actions can bring about great calamity. While they suffer the consequences of their actions, you, who have taken strides to help save them, will serve the Imperium for a thousand years. And if you still wish to return to your people after your service, you may."

Moved by the mercy and the opportunity for redemption, Vagos knelt before Fafnir, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. "Thank you... Thank you for your mercy, oh God-Emperor. I am honored to be of service to the Imperium," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

It was a moment of profound understanding and redemption, as the Imperium's justice meted out both punishment and a chance for a brighter future.