"Arise, my creation! Arise!" Edward crowed in triumph, arms spread wide as his most important project to date rose up from its previous slumped posture, straightening up until it was the picture perfect image of ancient Aeldari first Psychomaton since the Fall of the Empire, and he, Edward (formerly Eldrad) has succeeded in recreating the mighty constructs of wraithbone and aetheric power. It stands tall in his hidden sanctum, slightly taller than a Wraithguard and with a similar build, though the headpiece is completely different, sharing more similarities with that of an Eldar titan.
"Who's the useless old man now, Yvraine?! Not me, certainly! Hahahaha-"
"Edward, are you reading too much of that blasted Frankenstein novel again?"
Edward spun around with speed unnatural to a regular twelve year old boy, mock glaring at Dean as the blonde strode in from another chamber. The other boy still has his armor on besides the crested helmet, the Aspect of the Shining Spear clearly a perfect match for his temperament and "natural gallantry", said many times by Victoria and more recently Taylor.
"Insult one of my favourite novels again, and you may gain the 'honour' of being the first to test your mettle against my Psychomaton, Dean." Edward threatened his friend, a serious look on his face At Dean's sudden look of nervousness it fell away, smiling once again with proud joy. "Though a practice bout can wait a month more. I have yet to do the calibrations and tests to ensure my creation works as well as it should."
"Your magnanimity has no bounds." Dean said in relief, doing a small bow with his right fist on his heart. He righted himself immediately after, walking over to join Edward in gazing up at the Psychomaton. "It is amazing though Edward. The others will no doubt shower you with congratulations."
"Thank you Dean. How are they doing, anyway? How do they find their Aspects?"
Edward replied to him, floating a tablet of wraithbone connected to the psy-machine's diagnostics and internal systems. He fiddled and checked the reports on the screen as Dean described the happenings in the training grounds.
"Brian has done well, his Dire Avenger Exarch armour 'fitting like a glove' he said. He is currently practising with the Power Lance you forged for him before, and thinking up drills for his future subordinates. I feel sorry for them."
"Mmhmm." Brian always took his relationships and responsibilities seriously. Already been planning on gaining custody of his sister, too, from their useless failure of a mother. Anyway, that psycho-circuit does not look right. Marked.
"Vicky liked her Howling Banshee Exarch armour as is, bit still wants-"
"No miniskirts, not sorry."
"-yeah ok, but besides that she's enjoying flipping around the obstacle course and destroying glass with her enhanced screams."
"She never really improved on her singing, didn't she?" Edward looked up to him then, a haunted look in his eyes.
"...Sadly yes, but did you have to weaponize her terrible voice?" Dean asked, getting flashbacks of the terrible times. When Edward and Vicky competed in the karaokes... shudder.
"Dennis keeps popping all over the place ever since his warp jump generator completed calibrating. Warp jumped onto my jetbike once, almost crashing from the sudden extra weight."
"The novelty will wear off, just you wait." Edward reassured him, watching closely the careful movements of the Psychomaton.
"...I hope it happens soon. I saw the twins meditating together in a separate room on my way here. How are they doing?"
"Very well. Their training proceeds apace, their unique shared ability greatly aiding them in their studies." Ever since they first opened themselves up to the warp (under numerous warding protections and his vigilant gaze), they have spontaneously developed the ability to meld their thoughts together. Having literally two talented heads to deal with a problem either one encountered has boosted their training beyond Edward's expectations. It's not an undocumented phenomenon to his people, thankfully, so he spotted the signs and helped them refine their technique. He doesn't want them permanently merging into one, that would be terrible. Three years now since they have started, and they still are at the basics of what Edward planned to teach the pair, still refining their control of telekinesis and the relevant lore pertaining to the warp. And what a strange yet welcome state it is right now. No active chaos gods, the daemons he encountered so far are pathetically weak, and most importantly.
No She-Who-Thirsts! The relief he felt when he discovered that fact... his mood has lifted from the memory.
Standing beside him, the helmet Dean's holding suddenly chimed, notifying an incoming urgent message, prompting him to quickly don it. At the same time Edward's mood suddenly dropped at a premonition.
The two boys looked at each other the same, then ran out to get the others.
"Hey guys! Dennis said he's out to get us some food." Vicky shouted at them from the tallest of several narrow poles. She is currently balancing on one dainty foot, practising some swings and getting used to her armour and gear.
"Vicky, you know Dennis! What do you think would happen if he went out unsupervised, excited as he is getting to jump around?!" Brian shouted back, exasperated at the blonde girl's bouts of airheadedness.
"I predict a gang fight." Eric said.
"I predict a car crash." Erica followed.
Dean was already running for the hangars, Edward quickly following and shouting, "To the Wave Serpent!"