Prologue
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"This council shall be called to session for the use of psychic powers and sorcery within the wider Imperium"
The Emperor declared this as he looked upon his sons and other forces within the Imperium whom would have a stake in this decision. A gathering of primarch's had not been seen before yet each had their own concerns and ideas regarding this resource within the Imperium's borders.
Two sides formed from the council, those whom were against the use of such powers and those whom see opportunity and chance. Yet some others were neither for or against this policy for other reasons.
Naruto sat silent, as he listened to the various debates given by either side, on those whom supported psykers the one whom was the greatest advocator was Magnus the Red, as one whom was second only to their father in psychic power it only made sense. Yet on the other side four brothers, these being Rogal, Corvus, Leman Russ and Mortarion were the fiercest advocators on a total ban upon such practices.
To Naruto, watching his brothers devolve into such bigotry was a gut shot to his body, as one whom only wished for people to understand each other these accusations and stereotypes that were being thrown around made him feel a sense of anxiousness.
"If I am guilty of anything it is the simple pursuit of knowledge" Magnus said among the newest accusations given to his practices.
"All I do is for the benefit of the Imperium. We are facing an unprecedented event that is effecting our fellow humans. It is a change that is growing by the day. Indeed such an event is a scary thought and brings with it new dangers and perils, yet this is a chance for us to adapt to a changing of times."
"My pursuit of knowledge comes on the basis that everything I learn is to better humanity. To prepare them for this change so as to not be overwhelmed. Everything I have done I have done for the good of us all. That is the simple truth"
"Liar! You lie straight to our face with such prattle!" Leman Russ said, stopping Magnus from continuing "You do not wish to 'advance' our understanding of this phenomenon. You merely wish to benefit from it. You do not wish to seek knowledge, but damn us to a path that would lead to a ruling class whom has power over the common man"
"Our gifts are merely a consequence of our environment. Ultimately it is up to us to decide how such a path is to be travelled. Yet knowledge is our greatest tool in this scenario. I hope that we can be seen reason to not forsake it" Magnus said, his counter to Leman's rude talk.
"My Emperor" a fellow Librarian from one of the legions stepped forth "I speak with the council of those within my office that we wish to be trained in these aspects of knowledge, to better ourselves and to have better understanding of these powers that we are being subjected to"
"Hail! You do not have a platform to speak upon this council astartes! You will bind your tongue!" the mechanical voice of Kelbor-Hal said as he pointed to the lone astartes.
The situation in the room started to become more hot as talks started to devolve into racial slurs and hurtful bellows, yet Naruto continued to look on as everyone's tempers started to boil over.
A single sound echoed through the room as the Emperor slammed a staff into the floor, the chime echoing through the room as his eyes held barely restraint patients.
"If there is any others who wish to add to this mess... Then I will begin my judgement"
"Father... I wish to speak"
The room was silent as Naruto stood, throughout this entire debate the primarch of the shadow foxes merely sat as he watched others squabble over such topics. Yet now the room was truly silent as others had their eyes on him.
Naruto had taken a deep breath as he focused his thoughts. His hand glowed a brilliant blue as an object appeared within. He held out this object among the crowd as their interest was now peaked at what the young primarch was about to say.
"Do all of you know what this is?" Naruto asked the room.
"It is a book... obviously" Kelbor-Hal said with a condescending undertone.
"It is more than just a book. This is knowledge. Gained by the labours of countless people. Ones whom were killed to ensure this piece of knowledge remained for us to discover"
"Now I will ask this question. Did this book have a choice in it's creation?"
"What is this nonsense... it is a book! Why would it ever have a choice? It is not alive"
"Exactly! This book had no choice wherever it was created or not. Yet it is here all the same. Does the knowledge in this book not have a right to exist? Does it not have the same privileges as other books?"
The crowd was both confused and perplexed at what Naruto was suggesting. Some merely brushed it off as a childish analogy while others looked at Naruto with interest, especially his father whom looked at the book with a questioning look.
"Then let me re word that exact same sentence. Did any humans whom became psykers had a choice wherever they were created or not?"
The silence was deafening in the room, as the analogy was now realised. Some within the pro Psyker corner looked on with awe while others who were against suddenly had a look of interest.
"Psykers are people, born of bloodlines stretching back to humanities past. They were born from love and family. Tested through pain and hardship and judged by their fellow man for being different. Yet through all that time they were alone, struggling to survive into a harsh galaxy. Condemned by others because they did not understand what burden they carried or how they could be helped. All because they had no choice"
"This council, this judgement is a choice. An active choice that we all must agree upon. Father can bring forth his judgement but in the end we all must live with the consequences. I do not like violence. I am someone whom wishes that we all could just try to understand each other. That we as a people can just try to let go of our biases towards those that are different"
"Yet there have been those whom have killed thousands of us" Mortarion said, anger in his voice "They have used their power to inflict nothing but pain and suffering upon us! Do you want us to just 'forget' that?!"
"No! But the actions of the few doesn't mean the many should suffer. We are humanity, we are not perfect. We make mistakes and we bleed and suffer from the consequences of others choices. But we can be better than them by learning from these mistakes. From learning from each other, so that the past would never need to be repeated"
"Naruto" The Emperor said, his anger now calmed as he looked upon his son with a look of understanding "I understand... you only wish for us to come together in sharing this knowledge. To better ourselves. But this is reality, this type of thinking would not work"
"Why wouldn't it dad?" Naruto said, a gasp upon the crowd "Have we ever tried? The hardest step is always the first. But to be better we must be willing to risk braving into the new... we must be willing to risk everything so we can better ourselves"
"That's why... If Magnus and all psykers are going to suffer because of this judgement. Then we Elementians will stand with them in this suffering... together"
The crowd was in uproar, as all legions and forces had used elementians as great boons upon their forces, such a declaration was met with even more hot words. Where before the crowd was nearly in riot, many within were pleading that Naruto revoke such a decision, as his influence among elementia was of such high standing.
Those whom were representing elementia stood beside the primarch, their actions speaking louder than any words that could be spoken, the crowd was in near uproar at such a declaration, yet a single sound echoed in the room as the Master of mankind looked at Naruto with a look of concern.
"Naruto... are you sure you wish to do this?" The Emperor said, his voice cautious
"I stand by my decision. I stand by my family. No matter what" Naruto said, a tone of resolve in his voice.
Minutes past as the Emperor closed his eyes. A look of contemplation on his face as the murmuring of people talked in hushed whispers.
Finally, the Emperor opened his eyes as a golden aura echoed across his body.
"Hear now the words of my ruling.
I am not blind to the needs of the Imperium, but nor am I blind to the realities of the hearts of men. I hear men speak of knowledge and power as though they are abstract concepts to be employed as simply as a sword or gun. They are not. Power is a living force, and the danger with power is obsession. A man who attains a measure of power will find it comes to dominate his life until all he can think of is the acquisition of more. Nearly all men can stand adversity, but few can stand the ultimate test of character, that of wielding power without succumbing to its darker temptations.
Peering into the darkness to gain knowledge of the Warp is fraught with peril, for it is an inconstant place of shifting reality, capricious lies and untruths. The seeker after truth must have a care he is not deceived, for false knowledge is far more dangerous than ignorance. All men wish to possess knowledge, but few are willing to pay the price. Always men will seek to take the short cut, the quick route to power, and it is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that will lure him to evil ways. True knowledge is gained only after the acquisition of wisdom. Without wisdom, a powerful person does not become more powerful, he becomes reckless. His power will turn on him and eventually destroy all he has built.
I have walked paths no man can know and faced the unnameable creatures of the Warp. I understand all too well the secrets and dangers that lurk in its hidden darkness. Such things are not for lesser minds to know; no matter how powerful or knowledgeable they believe themselves to be. The secrets I have shared serve as warnings, not enticements to explore further. Only death and damnation await those who pry too deeply into secrets not meant for mortals.
Yet I see that this knowledge, however fraught with peril. Can be born of consequences to those whom have no choice in the matter, yet it is that knowledge that would prepare those whom are brought into such danger a chance to survive. A chance to grow. A chance to be better. I have allowed my sons to delve into such knowledge, yet caution of it's existence can only be seen by those whom will understand such dangers. True wisdom comes from understanding the dangers of knowledge.
Knowledge without wisdom is a dangerous path for one to travel down. Yet travel we must, for in forsaking that knowledge to ignorance would be more devastating. A cycle that would be self destructive and lead to the death of wisdom and of reason.
Let it be known that no one shall suffer censure, for this conclave is to serve Unity, not discord. The threat of sorcery is a very real threat but it must be tempered by understanding. My astartes are warriors, yet they must also be more. They must be willing to change to accommodate the changing times, they must be willing to risk venturing into the unknown, yet be grounded in knowledge and wisdom acquired in their journey. To this end the Librarius departments of the legions will remain. Yet their purpose will be expanded to include the dangers and perils of knowledge. That each legion be giving to this knowledge so as the darkness of ignorance not cloud the minds of those whom the future will bring into their fold.
All it's warriors and instructors will continue their duties, yet checks and balances will be made to ensure that none will delve too deep into knowledge that will lead to damnation. Such knowledge must be tempered with the wisdom to understand it.
Woe betide he who ignores my warning or breaks faith with me. He shall be my enemy, and I will visit such destruction upon him and all his followers that, until the end of all things, he shall rue the day he turned from my light."
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"You believe... that Horus was the one who planned this?"
Naruto gave a silent nod as his father sat in silence, he had just explained the details of his mission to his father, given by Horus himself. The Emperor was in disbelief that one of his sons was planning such a move against the Imperium. Yet that made him question how and why is his son leading down such a dark path.
"All that happened was no mere coincidence dad. Horus and whoever he is with planned for me to be corrupted on that world, he made it so either I submitted... or I was to die"
The silence of the room echoed loudly to the two occupants, one coming to grips with what he had been told and the other feeling betrayed by one he trusted. The sound of sliding doors opened as Malcador walked into the room, along with an escort of custodians along with Constantine Valdor.
"My Emperor. Master Naruto. I am glad you are recovering from the foulness of that daemon"
"Thanks old man Malc..."
"My Emperor? What is wrong?" Malcador asked as he saw the distressed state his lord was in.
The Emperor stood from his position, as he looked at Malcador with a stern look.
"My old friend... What we feared has come to pass"
"So soon?"
"Wait dad... you knew this would happen?" Naruto asked, a look of surprise upon his face
The Emperor gave a sigh of resolve as he looked upon Naruto. Hiding the truth from him was impossible as he had a grasp of powers he could not hope to deceive.
"Malcador, Valdor and I already knew such events were going to happen. The four had told me in a time past that the lives of my sons were to be forfeited to them... Yet I never thought it would be like this"
"My Emperor... If the great enemy is mobilizing their forces... then we must prepare for the worse"
"I'm afraid it is going to be the worse scenario we have planned Malcador"
"You don't mean"
"Yes...Civil War"
A gasp came from Malcador as Valdor looked with a grim outline. Naruto gave a small groan of pain as he lifted himself from his bed.
"Wait... is there anything we can do to stop it? There must be something we can do Dad?!"
"Naruto... No matter what vision I look upon or what we do... the results stay the same"
"War is inevitable... Chaos will break this Imperium apart"
"Well I don't quit... There must be like a way we can stop this or make it so..."
"Enough Naruto..." The Emperor said, silencing any debate the young primarch was going to say.
"The most we can do at this moment is prepare our defences and wait"
"So we are just going to wait? Our comrades, our families could be dying and all we are going to do is wait?"
"Naruto!" The Emperor said, his tone final yet his face softened when he reached out towards Naruto.
"We now know that they are planning something. That knowledge is more valuable the longer we can convince the enemy that their plans have not been compromised. I know that such tactics are painful, especially for someone like you. But in this moment we must maintain restraint to act"
"In the meantime. I will train you, keeping you ignorant of the immaterium and it's dangers was my mistake. Something I wish to rectify. This will also be an opportunity for you to embark upon a journey of self discovery. A chance for you to shed your fear of your growing powers"
Naruto blushed in embarrassment that he was being treated as a child by his father. Yet recent events made him realize that he had been neglectful in his training, his over-reliance on other people making his skill-set stagnate.
"I understand Dad..."
"My Emperor... the project must be addressed. Our window is growing short due to this information"
"Project?" Naruto asked, his curiosity peaking at the mention by Malcador.
"I guess it was going to be inevitable that you would find out sooner than later. Since I am going to be teaching you how to better protect yourself from the warp..."
"Yet let this be a moment that I will tell you I wished you didn't have your ability of empathy... Honestly such an ability should have been banned when I realise in hindsight"
Naruto had to give a slight chuckle at how petty his father could be. It wasn't his fault that Kurama was soo powerful that nothing could hide from his gaze, which made him by association able to do the same.
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Naruto stared in awe at what he was seeing.
"Wow... this is incredible! What am I seeing right now?"
The structure itself was born of human foundations, golden pillars of machinery stretched towards the ceiling of the room, Naruto could see that the structure merges into the ceiling which is large enough to comfortably fit a warlord titan within it's massive frame. The gate like structure was entangled in a mesh of wires and other esoteric means as a golden membrane stretched across from it's surface. Yet the gate pulsed with a power that Naruto could feel within his very soul.
"If you think it is impressive out here" The Emperor said "Wait till you see the inside"
"This is what you were working on?... This is incredible! Why did you want to hide this from us?"
"Naruto" The Emperor said, his tone serious "The information I am privy too means that such a project, however ambitious; Could be sabotaged by our enemies if any information were to leave the mouths of those whom know of it."
"This is a project that will change the Imperium and the way we travel throughout the galaxy forever. With this gate, we can traverse the stars. Never again needing to endure the dangers of the warp."
"So this is a gateway... for interstellar travel?"
"This is soo much more. This is a gateway to a mirror realm within the warp. A tunnel system made during the creation of the universe itself. This system predates anything humanity has ever created, no other creation will ever some close to this system which has lasted aeons before even the birth of our race. And will continue even after our extinction."
"Wow... so what is the gateway supposed to do anyway?"
"The realm within is called the webway. This was a dimension created by the first race to grace the cosmos's. I have researched all I can about them, yet the information was truly limited. Yet they called themselves the old ones"
"These old ones were old even before we as a species had been birthed. Yet all information I was able to find says they had used this system to seed all manner of life in the universe. I even have some information that suggest that we also were a result of these old ones. Though I am suspicious of that fact"
"Do you believe they had chakra?"
"Now that I can confirm did not happen. For one thing some of the information I had been given suggested they were the first species to utilize the warp. The first psykers so to speak"
"So... if this system is still there... why do we need to make this gate? Wouldn't there be other gates that already go into this realm?"
"That Naruto... is why we need to create this gate. As of this moment, another much older race currently has a true monopoly of the system. They call themselves the Eldari, or eldar in our common tongue"
"Eldar... hey does the name Asuryani mean anything to you?"
"Yes... how do you know that Naruto?"
"Well... it was an asuryani war host that helped me on that planet. They also saved me and my party from death in that hive world. Without them I would have died on that world... or had become something..."
"Naruto..." The Emperor said as he held Naruto in his arms "I am grateful that the children of Asuryan had saved your life. Yet we cannot trust them"
"What?... why not?"
"They have tricked humanity into acts of self destruction. They are arrogant about what they call 'lesser' beings in our galaxy... They would rather trick us into sacrificing a million of us just so a handful of them can survive... They cannot be trusted"
"Dad... I can tell that you have a history with them. And I will respect that you have your opinion of them. But I am willing to give them a chance. They saved my life"
"Yet it could be for anything in return. What if they saved your life just for you to sacrifice something else later down the line? What if they saved you just because you were going to be an unwilling pawn in their plan that results in your death?"
"They are a race that doomed the galaxy. I might have lead humanity down a mistake I had made, yet it was their arrogance that birthed a living horror. Something we are still paying for to this day"
"Dad... I have always said that forgiveness is something that is the hardest action to do. I'm not saying you have to forgive them. But I am willing to try so that I can make the future better for all of us. We are all in this galaxy together... We face the same dangers and the same consequences. The least we can do is come together and learn to understand each other, so that we can become better then what we were"
"Ohh Naruto... To have such optimistic views, I commend you on such thoughts. But I have seen what such things lead to... I just hope that when the time comes you can do what is right"
"Yet back on topic. This gate is our way to opening the realm. If we are able to connect this to the network, we can influence the system. In essence we can upload our race as one that can use this system as well. Yet at the moment progress is... slow"
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Sadly Naruto... This is something only I can actually do, as interacting with the system requires a Psykers energy... yet we should be able to train in this dimension as my wards within will allow us an adequate place to train you in defending yourself from the corruption of the warp"
"Alright then... what are we waiting for?" Naruto started to run towards the gate, as the Emperor looked at him with a look of disbelief. He had to give a slight chuckle that of all his sons to witness the modern marvel he was creating. It would be one that he found most interesting.
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Naruto thought he could not be more surprised by what he saw from the outside.
Yet he was stunned into silence at what he witnessed through the gate. A blue hue sky, not exactly flat yet vibrant with echoes of colour filled his vision, wisp of energy trailed across the skyline as custodians patrolled the massive area before him.
In the distance was the ruins of a once ancient city, it's design distinctively alien compared to the Imperium, yet it was slowly being changed into something more human. The landscape itself was ever expanding, with no end to be in sight, yet a golden shell was present upon all aspects of the sky and ground, meshing together with the colours to create a distinct tone.
Naruto in that moment merely stared, awe and wonder in his eyes at such a marvel of human ingenuity, his eyes drinking in every detail as his father looked at the starstruck primarch with a smug look.
"Impressive... is it not?"
"This is incredible... I have never seen such a thing"
"This has all been possible with the help of these many workers, along with my powers obviously"
A line of servitors moved in sync across the area as Naruto looked on with a disgusted look. This interested the Emperor as he had never seen such a reaction by any of his citizens at such a common sight within his Imperium.
"Naruto? Are you okay my son?"
"Dad... Can you not use those servitors please..."
"Why Naruto? They are assisting with the construction of the main battlements of this area. They are a vital part in ensuring that this area is well equipped for our expansion within this area"
"It's just that" Naruto started. Even now without the use of his empathy he could still hear their souls cry out in pain. It left him with a sickening feeling. "I just... do you not feel their pain? Their souls are crying out, I can feel them in pain and it sickens me... It just reminds me of what I hate about this side of humanity"
"Naruto... These servitors are a necessary evil for the Imperium to function. Without their labour most of what we wish to establish would never be completed. We need their automation"
"Then I will take their positions. My shadow clones can do the same functions... just please dad... I don't want to see such a thing anymore"
The Emperor gave a small thought, yet he gave a small nod in approval at this idea.
"Very well, I have yet to see you create more than five clones at a time, so I am indeed curious at how many you can provide"
Naruto gave a relieved sigh, focusing his chakra within his being he started to feel something different in this realm, yet he could not explain it. That did not matter as he performed his signature hand sign.
"Taju Kage bushi no jutsu!"
The Emperor was not expecting much when Naruto performed this technique, he knew that the Naruto his son incarnated into had made this technique a fearsome ability that made any foe pause in concern, especially during his later years. Yet as the smoke cleared, he couldn't help but wonder how much power his son possessed. As far as the eye could see, was a sea of blonde primarchs, each one in their own armour and equipped with the same gear as his son, he could feel their power had been split evenly among all of these clones, yet they still shined brightly within his sight with pure power.
"Alright then. You heard dad, get to helping anyone that needs help"
"Yosh!"
The sea of Naruto's said as they dashed to all area's of the webway dimension.
"Now that was impressive... Such an amazing jutsu" The Emperor muttered next to the original Naruto.
"That's not the best part. Each one of them transfers their experience and chakra to me when they dispel, meaning any knowledge or advancement in chakra they acquire propagates to all the others"
"That is... That is"
The Emperor changed his mind. Such an ability was not only incredibly useful, but also incredibly bullshit for training ones knowledge and power. The Emperor was now very grateful Naruto was able to overcome the daemon. "If that is the case, create more shadow clones and I shall get into your teachings to protect against chaos and it's corrupting nature"
"Sure thing dad"
Father and son sat within an area in the webway, one eager to learn ways to protect himself from chaos and one whom felt invigorated at teaching one his ways.
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Welcome to my newest story. As you can see this is book 3 of my "Legion of Shadows" Series of books. Have to admit I kinda thought this would have come out a lot later than this. But here we are.
For story writing, i feel flashbacks should be used to add more context to relevant topics that either have happened or will happen. So it makes you wonder why i have a section of the council of Nikea in this story ehh?...
But yea. This story is going to probably have the biggest meat of the series of books in terms of Elementians interaction with events in the Imperium, and also the dreaded "Horus Heresy"
Will Elementians be destroyed with the loyalist? Will major events change from their interventions? Will other primarchs be saved? Who knows?... well obviously i know but I won't tell...
Anyway. Just to reclarrify like my other books I am taking this story at my own pace, so don't expect any deadlines or "Certified chapters" I ain't getting paid for doing this. This is just a passion project.
With that out of the way... Till next time
