Chapter 7: The truth
Hinata felt that something was wrong.
It had been close to six months since Naruto was away on his mission. And a lot has changed.
For one thing, Medical personnel were discovering more about their pregnancy and the amazing process that was happening to their bodies, they discovered that the gestation cycle (or pregnancy cycle) for them had actually been extended by another fifty weeks, meaning the duration was closer to eighty, some researchers had speculated that because of the additional organs that were required by the fetus had to be created to accommodate the smaller body space of the infant, meaning the organs needed to have built more resistance to potential damage.
When she had discovered she was pregnant it was found she was in fact in her second trimester, which was the longest time frame that was going to be expected for her. She had felt the need for more food than normal and started to gather more weight from the child growing inside her.
Yet this was also the time when her emotions were more volatile, as she would be waking up either in a depressive mood or a more self conscious state. But she wished Naruto was by her side and not somewhere else right now.
Call her selfish, but she missed her lover.
A knock on the door made her thoughts drift away from her state of mind, giving a gentle voice that the door was open she saw a familiar face walk into her room, the person's long pink hair a dead giveaway for who is was.
"Sakura"
Sakura Haruno walked into the room where her friend was resting, looking upon the medic one could see the shape of her body was now much larger than normal, as her belly area showed a noticeable bump, much like Hinata's.
"Hey Hinata. Just coming in to do your daily checkup"
Hinata gave a gentle nod as Sakura did a maternal check, ensuring that mother and child were healthy and no complications were happening, after thirty minutes of tests Sakura was satisfied that Hinata and the child were in perfect health.
"All done Hinata. It seems everything is perfectly normal. Your son is growing nicely within you"
"That's good" Hinata muttered, yet tears started to pool upon her eyes as she started to give silent sniffles.
"Hinata" Sakura said as she walked next to her "What's wrong?" she asked with a concerned look upon her face.
Hinata gave a few more tears as she held her belly, she felt that her mind was being more depressed and she had to have an outlet before her emotions became too much
"I... I miss Naruto... I just wish he was here with me..."
Hinata started to cry and Sakura gave a gesture of compassion to her.
"I'm soo happy that we are going to have a family. But I just want to be selfish and have my Naruto come back to me... I want to tell him and I know he would drop everything to come back, but I know that he is needed in the Imperium"
"Hinata... It's ok. It's going to be ok. Naruto will come back and you can tell him, he will be happy beyond anything to know he is going to be a father"
"But what if he doesn't come back? What if something terrible happened to him? What if he?"
"Hinata... Naruto is too stubborn to die. Remember he made a promise to you that he will be by your side"
"Sakura... I'm scared... I want to send a message to him... I want to tell him with all my being this joyful moment... but I'm scared that If I do. Bad things will happen... And I... I"
Sakura pulled Hinata into a hug, as she cried her frustrations into the shoulder of a friend. As the girl poured her tears into Sakura's shoulder she was also thinking about Sasuke and where he would be.
Last she had heard, he and his company was tagging along with Sanguinius, on a mission to a planet called Signus Prime, Apparently on orders of Horus to fight a Xeno race. The details were classified beyond that information. But even Sakura could feel something was happening in the wider galaxy.
She had her friends in the communications department of Elementia say that long range communication messages were becoming harder to transmit, warp storm anomalies were on the rise in the galaxy and that some outpost were becoming almost impossible to relay communications.
It was painting a rather gloom picture that their worlds might become isolated from the wider Imperium, yet she couldn't shake this gut feeling that this was the prelude to something.
Maybe she was just anxious because of her own pregnancy.
She held her belly as she thought about her little Daughter that was growing in her, how she will grow to be strong, just like her father.
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The journey to Terra for the Will of Fire and her fleet was an uneventful journey.
Yet to Naruto, whom looked more unwell by the day it was becoming a waking nightmare. The wound on his body had slowly started to progress away from his chest, now parts of his arm and upper chest started to be consumed in a sickening black shell, the wounds triggering his pain receptors as his body was slowly failing, yet that was nothing to what was happening to his mind.
All month he had unable to achieve any meaningful rest, each bout of sleep was filled with the dreams of blood and death, dreams so real he could taste the blood and flesh upon his tongue as he screamed into the conscious thought.
He could not even call upon the aid of his friend, Kurama had been cut off completely from him, as though something was barring his friend from reaching him, his attempts at reaching him within his mindscape only made his mind fall even deeper into the nightmares, as even meditation became a gateway for the dreams to infect his mind.
As his mind could not rest, he started to see hallucinations echoing through the ship while in warp transit, whispers so quiet he twitched at their uttering, yet unable to tell what was being said. Area's of the ship that were in the dark had countless eyes looking at him with hungry gazes, it had gotten to the point that even looking into the mirror had Naruto looking at a face that looked otherworldly, yet looked at him with those red, slitted eyes from a previous time in his life.
No... I have made my peace with my darkness. I must forgive myself.
Yet.. have I truly forgiven myself?
This is not real... this is an illusion within my mind... you are Naruto Uzumaki, Hokage of Konohagakure No Sato, Son of the Emperor of mankind
And soon to be champion... but for whom?
Naruto started to cough uncontrollably, looking at his hand he could see a black, sludge like bile upon his hand that he grimaced upon, wiping his hand upon a cloth in his room he spotted other cloths that shared the same black stain upon their mark. Whatever that blade carried, it is slowly killing him.
He walked out of his chamber, clad in his armour he stood strong while addressing his astartes personnel, only Fujima and a few of his Meiyo guard knew of his malady, to the others within the ship they only saw the side Naruto wished them to see, more as a peace of mind for the others.
"Lord Naruto"
"Hayashino"
"Thunderhawks are ready for transit upon lions gate spaceport. The Custodians and Malcador have been notified of your arrival, even though the old man had a suspicious tone to his voice"
"And none have been notified of Horus's betrayal?" Naruto asked
"No Naruto. We have left that decision upon your shoulders alone. You are the only one whom can even see your father"
"See that the information doesn't leave those whom know. This is of upmost importance, discretion must be used"
"It shall be done"
Naruto walked towards his thunderhawk, already the pilot had been notified of his landing vectors and all relevant clearance codes and bureaucratic hurdles have been sorted. Now Naruto merely sat upon his seat as he looked outwards to the light of Sol and Terra coming upon his horizon screen.
Today was going to be a long day was Naruto's thoughts as the ship descended from orbit.
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Naruto's thunderhawk was diverted to a small, inconsequential landing pad upon the lower tropophex of the spaceport, this was by design as this landing pad was only known to VIP's and personnel close to the Emperor.
Naruto gave a breath to steady himself as the main hatch of the thunderhawk opened, revealing his escort party that awaited his arrival.
No less than ten custodians stood before the primarch, their size only smaller than his stature yet each warrior was glad in a golden auramite suit or armour, their guardian spears in their hands as they stood at attention in front of the primarch.
Standing before him, his staff closely held in his hands was Malcador the Sigilite, Imperial Regent and right hand of the Emperor, his eyes glowed with a subtle golden glow before fading to a normal brown colour, as his face went from a stern look to a more caring one as he stared upon Naruto.
Malcador had always thought of Naruto as odd, a primarch that showed wisdom beyond his age yet was always humble, willing to lay down his life to the protection of others and never wishing for the draw of power or status. He was someone whom had always believed in his own strength and in others rather than seek other means beyond his own.
"Naruto"
"Old man Malcador"
Malcador had to give a slight chuckle at the informal way he described him, he always found it funny that Naruto's greatest form of respect was to name someone how he would describe them.
"I would have thought the crusade has taken your time to venture towards Terra. Horus allowed you a moment of respite to come here?"
At the mention of Horus Naruto gave a slight flinch. Which did not escape Malcador's gaze, his look changed from a light-hearted look to one of seriousness.
"I...I need to see Father" Naruto said, as he looked upon Malcador.
"unfortunately your father is rather busy with sensitive business. He has delegated myself to all other means of administration. I am rather sorry for the inconvenience"
"Please... Malcador... I need to see him" Naruto asked, his voice pleading with Malcador.
Malcador walked before the young primarch, his staff within his hands as he reached out towards him.
"Naruto... you know as well as I that your father is doing a task of great importance to the Imperium... I am sorry but he specifically request that he is not to be disturbed"
At that moment Malcador had placed his hand upon the shoulder of the Primarch, yet faltered backwards as a backlash of energy seeped from Naruto. Malcador could feel a foreboding presence now echoing off Naruto as his staff blazed to life. The custodians beside them readying their weapons.
Malcador was about to reprimand Naruto when he could see the young primarch taking a knee, coughing upon the ramp of the thunderhawk as black bile was pooling from his mouth. Malcador now changed his look from suspicious to concerned as he watched this happening.
"Naruto... what has happened to you?" Malcador asked, his earlier suspicion now replaced with concern for the young primarch.
"It... it doesn't matter" Naruto said as he continued to hack black bile from his mouth "I must speak with father... please"
"Naruto... you are more in need of medical attention than attendance with your father. Allow us to provide aid for you and we can send you..."
"The great eagle is burning... the flames of betrayal burn it's skin"
Malcador paused. His stance now changed as his staff burst into flames once more.
"That is a serious accusation you are saying Naruto" Malcador said, his tone lowered as he looked beyond his sight.
"It is the truth... please... I must see father about this" Naruto begged as his mouth was covered in black bile and a heavy sweat appeared upon his face.
Malcador looked upon the young primarch, he looked upon his eyes as he peered into his soul with his powers, looking for any deceit.
He found nothing but truth.
He weighted his options with the young primarch, by all means he would normally had just sent them away and taken them through proper channels and such. Yet when he looked upon Naruto he could not shake off this feeling that if he were to do that he would be making a terrible mistake.
It was as though a gut feeling had manifested itself into his stomach, one that refused to be ignored.
Breathing a heavy sigh, Malcador's staff faded once again as he looked upon Naruto, his hand given out into a gesture of mutual respect.
"Then come... prove to me you are truthful in your claim. I will call for your father to see you"
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Very few people would ever set foot inside the Sanctum Imperialis, past the massive eternity gate lied the beating heart of the Imperium, the inner part of the palace was lined with galleries and memento's of humanities achievements. Images and arts from a bygone age in humanity's existence lined the walls of the palace. Every archive and piece of knowledge on display for guest of the Emperor to bask upon, while great archeotech, these being the gifts bestowed to the master of mankind from his vassals and allies ensured the palace portrayed the Imperium in it's moment of eternal glory.
Naruto looked upon these and more as Malcador lead him through many different sets of locks and doors, Naruto tried to keep track of his general location but realized it was a pointless endeavour as Malcador had lead him upon a winding path that made no rhyme or reason. Judging from his general sense of the palace, they had passed the throne of the Imperium and were travelling much more discrete paths to a location he had no information about. Yet that did not hinder his guide as he continued his stride unabated.
After twenty minutes of travel, Malcador opened a simple door which lead to a rather ordinary room. The place looked like a typical scientific room, various instruments and such lined it's walls as machines littered the area in certain places. Various chemicals and containers were lined upon shelves, parts of their contents contained in various test tubes and vials.
And sitting among them, his head placed upon a microscope was the Emperor of mankind.
Unlike other times, the Emperor merely stood in a more informal attire, where his standard look would be his brilliant armour of Auramite and gold, here he was dressed in a more conservative set of armour. It's design was more streamlined as it hugged his skin and provided a more flexible fit. Strategically placed parts of armour were fitted along the area's of more importance as it provided him with a wider range of movement.
Yet the outer shell of this armour was still a modern marvel, something he had crafted an age long past where subtlety was required over brute force. Yet the suit itself also contained barely restraint power and systems that would provide him with the upmost protection if required.
"My Emperor... your son Naruto has arrived. As requested" Malcador said, bowing before his liege.
The Emperor looked away from the microscope and turned his head towards the duo, his eyes rested upon Naruto as he looked upon his son, he could see subtle things upon his person that made him give a slight frown of concern. A minor sheen of sweat upon his son's brow. His stand was more haggard and strained beyond the normal and his right hand reflexively trying to go towards his lower hip area.
"Thank you Malcador. I will take it from here" the Emperor said as he gave a gesture of goodwill to his friend.
"By your leave my Emperor"
Naruto saw Malcador leave the room and only know noticed that even in such a place his father was not alone. Lining the walls themselves golden armoured figures stood like statues, their guardian spears in a resting position as their mask looked upon the duo with uncanny precision.
"Even without my powers, I can see you are troubled Naruto"
"Father... I... "
"Speak your mind son. But do be quick for I am still a rather busy person as of this moment"
A silence filled the room, the only sounds coming from the Emperor as he studied the sample within the microscope. Naruto could feel his father's patience and time was rather focused upon the task before him, yet the burning question in his mind started to boil over, demanding an explanation.
"Why?" Naruto uttered. The Emperor gave a slight pause to the question before continuing his work.
"Why? I am afraid you will need to be more specific than that my son" as the Emperor was fetching a new sample for the microscope.
"Why did you make the deal at Molech?"
At this the sample the Emperor had in his hand dropped to the floor, the shattering of glass echoing in the room as the Emperor was silent.
After a few minutes, he stood up. Now his attention was fully upon Naruto, his eyes showed nothing but Naruto could feel a sense of shock within his father at his uttering of those words.
"Custodians... leave us"
One stepped forth from his position, judging from his colours this was one of his companions
"My lord... your protection is paramount to our duty"
"This is a matter between myself and my son. Leave us"
"As you command my Emperor"
The custodians all marched out of the room, the last sliding closed the door as the Emperor stood before Naruto, his person now only facing towards Naruto.
"How do you know that name?" The Emperor asked Naruto, his voice showing nothing to him.
"I was told... by them" Naruto said as he looked upon his father, no fear in his eyes.
"So the four parasites told you" he said, walking towards one of his seats as his eyes continued to scrutinize his son.
"After I threatened them with force" Naruto replied as he took a seat next to his father.
The two sat in silence, Naruto was anticipating what his father was going to say while the Emperor was thinking in his mind how such a possibility could be allowed to happen.
"So they were telling the truth" Naruto uttered as the Emperor looked at him.
"Whatever the four had told you. It was most likely a lie, a fabrication by a dark power to sway your viewpoint."
Naruto, even though his chakra was in pain could still in some effect feel emotion. Yet that sentence gave him pause for concern when he could tell something was not right with his fathers words.
"...Dad...please stop lying" Naruto said, his tone feeling hurt.
"Naruto... what are you saying?"
"I could feel your emotions Dad, what you just said felt wrong, as though you were lying about it"
"Naruto... do you truly believe that those so called chaos entities were telling the truth about me? That I would stoop to such a level is utterly insane to think"
Naruto stood up, he could feel the same sense of wrong again as he started to cough into his hand.
"Please dad... please stop lying to me...please"
"Naruto, what is wrong with you?" the Emperor stood up, looking at Naruto's hand and seeing the black bile pooling in his hand.
"It doesn't matter... please dad... tell me the truth... please" Naruto pleaded to his father.
The Emperor could only look upon his son, the weight of burdens resting upon his shoulders as he wrestled with the idea of telling anything about his past mistakes. Especially to one such as his son.
He was a man whom kept many secrets of his life away from prying eyes, even some secrets he kept from his closest confidants and friends. Yet standing before his son, for some odd reason filled him with a sense of deep shame, that he could be figured out for the lies he was saying started to make him fearful.
"I... I can't... I promised myself I would never tell of what happened... nobody must ever know"
"Dad... I can see you are scared. That I would hate you for what you had done. I promise I will hear you out. But you have to be truthful with me"
"Please... I just want to know, I want to understand from your view why"
The Emperor took a deep minute within his mind, a conflict that was raging at maybe telling the truth to one of his sons or trying to deflect the situation away from this conflict. Many doubts and fears plagued his mind. Each one making his thoughts a garbled mess.
He felt the age of time feel ever more heavy upon his body, as though it's skin hid away the fatigues and pains of time, he looked upon his memories, weighting this choice among many others.
Yet something within him, an aspect of himself he though was cast out from his mind started to manifest itself once more. He had thought that such things would be only detrimental to his goals yet in this moment they were screaming at him to do the right thing.
His morality had been changed, and the one whom changed him now stood before him, asking simply for the truth of a crime he had never though would be shown the light of day.
It was with a deep sigh he looked at Naruto once more, aged eyes looking with tiredness as he told his truth.
"They were right" The Emperor admitted
"I had journeyed to Molech to seek an audience with them, at the time the fourth had not manifested itself during that time. But in there they had given me a choice"
"Either see the death of my race... or become their champion and herald an age of chaos"
"I was young and brash back then, not truly realizing the choice I had been given. At the time my self preservation and love for my fellow man won out, I had agreed upon their terms as they had given a portion of their power to me. I could feel myself grow exponentially stronger from their so called 'blessings', so in my arrogance I thought I had just saved my home from needless destruction"
"I was wrong... so very wrong. Those powers had me see visions of possible futures. Yet each one of them had ended the same. Humanity would die, forever cursed by the four to be their slaves and dying out in a tide of blood and death"
"And with each one I was to be the herald of our apocalypse. I was the one who would lead mankind into eternal madness"
"I tried to do what I could to prevent this. Yet in trying to prevent disaster, I merely became it's catalyst..."
"My power had leaked into the great networks upon Terra... The power had driven the great governing cores mad... and then..."
"Chaos had achieved it's goal... humanity's very helpers, our AI... our technology... It became our death knell"
"I had unleashed the apocalypse upon mankind...The end of humanity's golden age was made by my stupid mistake. A mistake that made humanity fight a bitter war for survival..."
"The age of strife... the age of humanities downfall... was all because of me..."
The Emperor had tears upon his eyes, as he confessed his crime to one of his sons. The sounds and screams of countless human lives echoed in his mind as memories flooded his body. He had fallen to his knee's during his confession, as he wept for all those whom his hand had dealt a killing blow to humanity.
"I cursed that power... cursed it with utter hatred that it had only brought death to my people, to my home. It had taken everything"
The Emperor had felt a soft embrace... looking up in his moment of weakness revealed Naruto giving his a loving hug of only acceptance. His eyes widened as he pushed more into his son's shoulder, as his tears continued to flow.
"I understand now... you loved your home, your family and friends were everything for you. This would have been so painful for you to remember. I understand now father... and I forgive you"
"Naruto... I am a monster... In my arrogance I had doomed us to chaos... I had become everything I had stood against... I do not deserve any forgiveness for what I had done"
"No father" Naruto said, as he continued to hug his father "You are just human. Like all of us, we make mistakes, we grow from our wrongs and make ourselves better because of it. You do not need to feel the burden of guilt anymore father... I will always be here to help you, no matter what you have done or what mistakes you have made... I will be here, to help you"
Father and son stayed in that position for a minute, as the Emperor could feel the burden of his crime now lessen, he had found solace in knowing that one of his sons had not judged him, but rather was willing to help him, to comfort him.
He could now feel that Naruto was someone whom he could trust.
"Dad...I got to tell you this...before it's too late"
"Naruto?"
"Dad... Horus... Horus is going to"
"Naruto!"
Naruto had fallen upon the floor, his eyes had rolled back into his head as his body had collapsed upon the hard floor. The Emperor was now in panic as his son was not responding to his shaking, placing his fingers upon his pulse he could feel his boys hearts getting weaker.
"Vadrian! Companions! To me! My son needs help!"
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"We need to get his armour off"
This was the scene the Emperor and Malcador was looking at as they looked upon Naruto's lying form. The primarch was showing no outward signs as Custodians rushed to remove his armour. Already half of the locking pins had been disengaged as medical personnel were standing by.
"Almost have it...just one more pin"
The armour released it's final pin as the plates were being removed from Naruto's body, using a pair of specialized cutting tools Naruto's under suit had been cut open to reveal the primarch in his birthday suit. Yet when his torso had been revealed the room was silent at what they were seeing.
"No... Nonononono" The Emperor said as he rushed towards Naruto, Malcador not far behind.
Naruto's chest had drastically changed, his once tanned skin now became an almost black, as though bruised, pulses of purple energy flowed in veins underneath the infected skin as the knife wound had now started to pulse a violent red.
Yet the thing that was most concerning for the Emperor and Malcador was the infesting wound above Naruto's heart, the wound pulsed a violent blue as it's eight pointed ends ended in arrows.
As the symbol pulsed, Naruto gave unconscious groans of pain as the infection continued to invade his body, his limbs started to give light spasms as his face broke into a fever, sweat running down his face.
"This taint... my Emperor" Malcador said, his voice grim "The possession is almost completed. We must consider giving him mercy"
"Malcador... this is my son... my son! I will not kill him if I can help him fight this corruption"
"My Emperor, I have never seen corruption this far gone. Most would have already succumbed to the daemon by now"
"Which is why we still have time... Naruto was still fighting this infection. We must give him a fighting chance to overcome it"
"And if he cannot? My Emperor, a daemon possessing your son will bring devastation upon us all"
"Custodians. Have all personnel evacuate these quarters, I order a containment protocol, priority Sigma"
"As you command my Emperor" as one of his companions rushed out from the room.
"My Emperor please... we are running out of time... Naruto is running out of time"
"I know Malcador" The Emperor said, frustration in his voice as he watched his son suffering in pain "I know what I must do... but I cannot just end his life... I don't want to live with that on my conscious"
At this Naruto gave another groan of pain as the infection progressed even more upon his body, the blackness now crawling among his limbs.
"My Emperor... there is no time... You must finish this" Malcador said, a tone of sadness upon his voice.
Those within the room had never seen their Emperor shed tears before, yet now as he was manifesting his blade could see their lord crying at what he was about to do.
"Forgive me Naruto... I failed you"
As his blade descended upon Naruto's body, his hand reached up for the blade, stopping it dead cold before the Emperor could drive it into his son's hearts.
He tried to struggle but it was no use as Naruto's grip was absolute. His blade was tossed away as the Emperor stood back, his custodians readying their spears as Malcador's staff glowed a fiery gold.
Naruto's body had straightened itself upright, his eyes were still closed yet the sounds of laughter were echoing from his voice, the sound was distorted as though multiple voices overlay each other as the laugher continued to increases in it's tone.
Finally Naruto's face looked upon the Emperor, as his eyes glowed with a blue, otherworldly look.
"Now... I cannot have you destroy my new vessel just yet... Neoth"
The Emperor was now alarmed as this daemon said that name, Malcador gripped his staff as his look became one of grim determination, the Emperor manifested his blade as golden fire burned upon it's surface as his eyes glowed with a golden glow.
"Whoever you are daemon. You do not belong here, release my son at once. Or face my wrath"
The daemon merely gave a haunting laugh, as though it found this entire situation hilarious, yet the line of custodians and the Emperor continued to draw their weapons upon the daemon, caution and focus upon their faces.
"Is that any way to treat an old friend? I am ashamed you do not remember me Neoth. After all we both had such a lasting brotherhood bond once... do you not remember?"
The Emperor was drawn to these words, trying to remember where he had heard these words spoken before. His eyes flashed into recognition, memories of a time long lost had returned to the surface, a time where he was still ignorant of chaos and the true horrors it had contained. A time where he once struck a pact with a devil.
"You... I remember you... You who sold your soul to the four for power, one whom offered the death of millions to appease them. You offered yourself to them, becoming a dark, monstrous form that personified your blackened heart."
"You had damned yourself. Revelled in your damnation and took the darkness as your power... to think you would dare take from me one of my sons"
"Be'lakor"