Early 36th Millennium, dawn of the Plague of Unbelief
The Deep Reach
Scholomance, Blackstone Fortress and the fabled nest of the Cosmic Serpent
The soft white glow of starlight filled the chamber. The chamber was circular in shape, its outer wall made of a black obsidian-like material, and spread around the perimeter of the chamber were large dark holes, each equidistant from the ones on either side of it and each with edges worn smooth. Up from the walls rose a towering arched ceiling fabricated from the same dark material. An arch which led to an opening that revealed a black star-filled sky above. A sky, which a skilled astrocartographer would have recognized as being filled with the stars of the Abalus Reach, focused upon the system which contained Abalus itself.
Down from the center of the opening twisted a black needle-like spire which had no visible means of support, the Oculus. And at the end of the Oculus was connected a hexagonal object of the same black material, the Psychic Condenser recovered from the Fires of Purgation and returned to its rightful place. Beneath the Condenser, an enormous dish of clear crystal sat on a hexagonal dais. And within the dish sat an enormous smooth spheroid of the same black material.
"Does that really contain Asuryan's power?" asked a voice from over Druthact's shoulder.
"A portion of it," he absently answered without looking, already knowing the question to have been asked by Brynnlee, one of the Warlocks who had journeyed with him to Ceg Y Neidr where they had recovered the Condenser. "When She Who Thirsts slew Asuryan, He dispersed a great portion of his power throughout the galaxy so that She would not consume it," he explained. "Much of it settled within our people, expanding our psychic capabilities and increasing our lifespans, but not all of it," he added. "Much of it was captured here, by the Cosmic Serpent itself, with this ancient device of its own manufacture."
After a moment's pause, Druthact turned around. "And we will release it so that the Phoenix may be reborn," he said as his purple eyes met those of Brynnlee.
"You led us so easily here through that maze of tunnels," the Warlock said. "It was as if you had been here before."
Druthact laughed. "No, I am just gifted with the Sight," he lied, then glanced past the Warlock across the floors of the chamber.
The last time he had stood in the same spot where he then stood, the black floors had been empty. Empty, save for the presence of the Cosmic Servant. Where are you, my Mistress? Druthact asked in his head but no one answered. Instead, he looked at the Aeldari scattered about the black floor. The Aeldari of Rubha Àird Driseig. First, he noted the Council of the Craftworld. Amongst them were the black-haired Farseer Dubheasa with Singing Spear in hand. And beside her stood Oisín, the tall and blonde Farseer who was the brother of Siân Aanwen. I knew he would follow his sister and turn to my side, Druthact said to himself. She is the only one missing who I conferred with in the Dome. I wish she were here. Next, Druthact noted the loyal Warlocks who had journeyed with him to Ceg Y Neidr, dressed in rune armour and Witchblades in hand. And he saw many Aspect Warriors too. There were Howling Banshees and Striking Scorpions, but the most common by far were the Warriors of the Dire Avenger Aspect. And above all stood the Avatar of Khaine. A great Wraithbone construct with a molten lava core in the bodily form of Khaela Mensha Khaine himself. The Avatar was possessed by a portion of the Aeldari war god's psychic essence drawn from the Infinity Circuit of Rubha Àird Driseig. In its hands, the Avatar held Wailing Doom, a long slender psychic blade that glowed red from the heat it emitted.
Druthact felt something, something coming from one of the burrows and turned toward it. A lone Aeldari ran into the chamber and yelled, "They are coming." He tensed for a moment, then called his Singing Spear to hand, not sure which enemy to expect, as the Aspect Warriors and Warlocks prepared for battle.
Out of the tunnel came Aeldari in black and gold, a Masque of Harlequins. Druthact recognized them, for they were the Masque of the Horned Serpent, and they were in full force with a Solitaire. The entire assembly grew silent as they paraded in and began to spread around the outer wall. They said nothing to no one and no one dared say anything to them.
"Welcome," Druthact said, his voice effortlessly carrying across the chamber. "Welcome to the nest of the Horned Serpent," he added for the Masque. "Here, in this very hour, Asuryan will be reborn. Reborn that we no longer have to carry a stone to catch our spirit so as to prevent She Who Thirsts from devouring us upon our deaths."
Druthact turned back to the Oculus and Condenser, then took a deep breath. He felt the Aeldari massed in the chamber, felt their psychic presence, but the chamber still felt empty for it did not contain the presence of his Mistress who had crafted him, the Cosmic Serpent. He placed his hand upon the Oculus and felt its power, felt the power it was focused on over Abalus.
For millennia I have been running, Druthact said to himself as he focused on the eye of that power, a voidship in orbit over Abalus. Running from She Who Thirsts. No more, he told himself. Your servants have scoured the galaxy for me but have failed. His thoughts continued as he, one by one, attached threads of control to the Ritual. I will be the Phoenix Reborn, but in mortal flesh where You can never touch me, and too powerful for your servants to defeat. As he attached the last thread, Druthact screamed in his head, I swear I will be free of You forever!
He carefully took hold of the threads and gently pulled the Ritual to his will…but it did not respond as he had planned. What? Druthact asked himself in shock. The Inquisitor? She is not adept enough to…Realization set in upon Druthact's mind. He carefully examined the Ritual through the Oculus and realized what was happening. The fool, she has enlisted daemons to aid her. No matter, he proclaimed in his head. When the time comes, control will be mine.