Chapter 4: To Eternity and beyond, Part 2


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"We have to get him out!"

Helion struggled as he tried to break apart the wraithbone covering the young primarch, sometime during the fighting Naruto's body started to become covered near instantly by wraithbone that manifested itself like water around his body.

The effect upon the battlefield was instant as all of his shadow clones disappeared, leaving the defenses horribly undermanned, after a few harrowing hours of grinding attrition warfare with the hordes of daemons that managed to breach the gap the talons of the Emperor were desperate to try and free Naruto from whatever had just happened to him.

Helion along with another fellow custodian tried to use their weapons as clubs to smash apart the wraithbone, yet no matter what they did the substance instantly replaced itself upon the primarch faster than they could rip off. They tried to also lift Naruto off the ground yet that was met with failure as the wraithbone merely strengthened itself to the ground, trapping the primarch in position.

"The daemons are gaining ground. What must we do?" Replied the custodian as the sounds of gunfire and screams echoed across the now volatile war zone.

"We cannot leave him here to be devoured by the daemons. If he dies then we are all doomed to death. He is the only one at this point whom can seal the breach"

More custodians flooded the arena, these being the newest reinforcement wave to arrive to the battle zone. Yet Helion could see that the numbers were decreasing due to unknown factors.

"Where is the rest of the shield company? central had sent us one hundred of you to reinforce."

"The tunnels are becoming a battlefield. Two companies have been diverted to the battle yet it seems the daemons are using rituals to strengthen their numbers"

"Dammit all. Is there nowhere safe in these tunnels?"

Just then the sounds of an explosion happened as one of the defensive arrays suffered a catastrophic overhead fracture, causing the firing barrels to explode from the stress. The crews tried desperately to contain the fragments from reaching the explosive ammunition's as tech priests frantically tried to repair the damages.

"How can this get any worse" Helion said.

Rumbling footsteps echoed across the corridor, as the defenders turned their attention to just beyond the void barriers.

The sounds started to pick up in volume as the custodians defending the breach held their positions, even as the hands of countless daemons tried to find purchase upon their armour.

Helios could feel an oppressive feeling just past the barrier, a sudden crash could be felt as the barrier rippled from the force of whatever had just happened.

Those in the back line took positions around where the barrier had rippled as the sound echoed once again, tech priest were in a mad rush to replace the parts that were destroyed as the sounds against the barrier had gotten progressively more aggressive.

"Custodians!" Helios bellowed "Stand your ground against whatever is beyond that wall. You are his guardians. Humanity stands with you this day. You will not yield, only in death does duty end!"

The pounding upon the barrier continued to shake the area as the shield generators groaned and protested against the impacts, until they could not hold back the impact force and fizzled into an inactive state instantly.

Helios held back a look of shock as eight massive winged creatures rushed through the gap in the breach, they wielded mighty axes that spanned the length of multiple custodians as they bellowed out roars of rage induced blood lust.

The first line of custodians, those bearing mighty relic shields that could withstand the might of even a titans guns shattered on impact with these axes, as the custodians behind had no chance as their bodies were split in a bloody display. The second line barely had enough time to try and block the beast before they too suffered horrendous damage to themselves as body parts and blood flew through the area with unbridled force.

"OPEN FIRE!"

The assortment of weapons bellowed out a massive chorus of firepower as three of the beast were brought upon their knees from the firepower, their forms dissipating to ash as the next volley finished them off.

Yet that was merely the beginning of the carnage.

Already, another eight of the massive creatures entered from the breach, as these took flight towards the suspended arrays upon the ceiling, these carried massive flails suspended from chains in one of their arms along with a mighty axe upon the other, with a bellow of rage they hurled their chains , imbedding their massive hammer flails into the fortified bunkers suspended upon the top of the webway while crews tried desperately to unload what they could into the creatures.

Then the horde of lesser daemons flooded the area.

A tide of multiple colors flooded the area as Custodians were forced into brutal close combat death matches. Already they had been surrounded once more as the custodians tried to stand their ground.

Helios engaged one of the massive beast, with a grace that is beyond superhuman he rushed upon the massive axe as it was embedded into the ground, his custodian axe echoed with a mighty crack as his swing aimed for the beast's head.

The daemon provided no resistance as it's body dissipated into ash, yet before he could even begin to assess the scope around him he was beset by another beast, this one was a more slender form yet possessed multiple arms, excluded a musk that dulled his senses enough to become a hindrance.

All the while, the wraithbone covered Naruto sat still behind a line of grim faced defenders.


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"I do not truly understand how such a logistical problem is indeed the consequences of my actions"

Two figures were discussing within the bowels of a command vessel, one figure was of a man while the other was of a female, the male was looking over dozens of logistical reports while the female was looking at the male with eyes of concern, yet the other merely looked at her with an almost indifferent look.

"You wished to ask for my council regarding the stigma and discord you have with the available assets you wish to utilize. This is the issue I have brought to your attention. The logic is staring right at you"

"And while I appreciate your input to the matter. I fail to see why this is such an issue in the first place"

"Because it should be. This is not healthy for your command or for the sustainment of these forces. This is why we cannot have nice things given to us. Because of this very problem"

The male stood from their desk, walking towards the female he could see that even though he stood taller than her transhuman size, she showed no fear nor hesitation at standing her ground. At this he could feel an unknown feeling from his mind, yet crushed it before it could find purchase in his thoughts, such things were becoming ever more harder to ignore with her presence.

"You yourself have admitted to me, in confidence. About the issues you have faced. I can see even with your stone cold face that you are hurting... please, just let me help you" the female pleaded

The male looked away in disgust, his body reacting in another reaction that he found unpleasant yet somehow... soothing.

"I have had to deal with the problems alone. I have dealt with them alone for a long time, and I will continue to deal with the problems my own way"

"But It doesn't have to be that way... You are not alone in this. We are standing together in this, I am wanting to stand with you through this"

"Let me discuss with Naruto. He can give his support and"

"I said... I do not need any assistance. What is it with you Elementians and your willingness to help regardless of other obligations"

The figure moved away from the desk, as they looked upon the void of space from an open slot within their command center. The female took tentative steps behind the man as she placed her hands upon their bare shoulders.

She felt him tense under her touch yet did nothing to remove her hands, as she started to apply a soothing force upon him. She could feel the telltale sign of him relaxing even though outwardly he still projected a look of complete stoicism.

" I know it's hard... What you have had to do... Horus telling us what had happened. Yet I had stood beside you then, and I will stand beside you now"

"You would know nothing..."

"Then make me understand, I want to learn from you. I want to be only with you. Please..."

"You had heard the orders. You are to return to Terra, while I must continue onto the next conflict. What we have, whatever it is you think we have, cannot exist"

The female turned the male around, even against their stoic face she could feel herself getting lost in their eyes. Where others had looked at him with disdain or mistrust she opened her heart and self to him, showing him a side she had never shown anyone else.

"Tell me you do not feel anything to my face. Tell me without anything showing and I will leave you be"

The man closed his eyes, yet his soul betrayed his feelings as his eyes reflected a wanting towards the female. He had never felt such emotions before, it was indeed something that placed a fear in his heart, yet also filled him with a strength that he had never felt before.

The female could see this, so in a bold action pushed herself to give him what he deserved. Her lips pulled into the embrace of the male as he looked on with a look of complete shook and surprise on his usually stern face.

She held herself upon him for however long she could, until her lungs could no longer bare, only then, when she poured her complete love and affection onto the lips and eyes of the male, did she look upon him with a humble smile as her face gave a light blush.

"It is said in Elementia, that the kiss of someone whom loves you is a way for couples to ensure that they will return to each other. No matter what"

As the female tried to shy away the hand of the male held her in a gentle grip unlike any time the male had ever done, his eyes and mind were now in turmoil at what had just happened, yet his hearts were erratically beating in his chest as he held her with a gentle touch.

"Stay... I... I wish for you to stay with me... just for this moment"

At this the female gave a gentle smile.

"I will stay with you for however long you wish... you need only ask"

Yet such a moment would not last for the pair, as duty had called them apart, while history would change them.


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The figure looked upon the single amulet, suspended upon his neck. Inside was a picture of the pair, a memento of what once was a relationship of convenience that turned into something more.

His mind felt fond memories float themselves into his conscious thoughts at wondering how such a scenario had ever happened. Had this been the old him he would of considered these emotions as weak, yet the strength he felt in those happy memories were indeed moments he would treasure.

"My lord. Transmission incoming"

"Place it on the screen"

The Image projected itself upon the screen as the face on non other than Horus himself showed upon the projector.

"I see you have considered my offer" Horus said to the figure.

"With certain conditions to be enforced" The figure said,

"So long as those locations are to be safe from any retaliation. I will consider your offer"

"Then I am glad we are of agreement. If I may ask, why ensure the safety of a people you do not have any relation with? That is unlike you to act in such a way, with your track record and such"

"The reasons are of my own. Or perhaps you wish for me to divulge this little 'rebellion' to others whom would not have such empathy as myself"

"I would indeed wish that such information is not disclosed until the time is right. My curiosity merely got the better of me"

"Then it is settled, for the agreement of my legions alliance. You will leave that world alone"

"Indeed. You have my word... Perturabo"

The transmission ended as Perturabo looked upon the projector with a stoic face, yet his hand gently caressed the amulet with a sense of guilt upon his mind.

I'm sorry... I know what I am doing is going against all that Humanity has ever stood for. But it must be done, I cannot allow humanity to become a pawn to that man's ambition. Forgive me

Engraved beside the image was a sentence that was placed there by his companion, he looked upon the inscription as a single tear dropped from his eye.

My heart of stone.

Once was cold to all.

Yet you brought life upon it

So now you hold

This heart of stone.

And shape it how you want it.


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"Sasuke... I..."

Sasuke looked as Sanguinius continued to bow his head in shame, the duo were within a sanctum upon the planet, one that his sealing crews had established that provided a defensible position against the daemons that flooded the area.

The Captain gave a small sigh as Sanguinius flinched, readying himself to be judged for his flaw.

"How long has this... 'thirst' been going on?"

"It... It has been a part of me. It was easy at first to suppress it. But it sometimes slips out, yet it's not just me... but also my sons contain the same flaw in our blood. My blood... it's a cursed blood"

Sasuke gave a small chuckle, confusing Sanguinius as his eyes looked upon the Uchiha.

"Then in that... we both share a kindred spirit" Sasuke replied.

"Most do not remember that my clan is cursed. Our hatred and arrogance are the bane of my clans existence. Such a vice also nearly lead to the death of my entire clan. Yet it was my brother who spared me from such a fate"

"He told me to hate him, to drive that hatred into an inferno that would swallow everything that was in my way. He died fanning my hatred, yet it was all for nothing. Because in the end my clan were to be traitors to the village we called home"

"Sasuke" Sanguinius said, surprise upon his voice at being told such information.

"Like I said Sanguinius, I should have been dead with the amount of betrayal I have done. It is why in the other companies of the legion I am called 'the last traitor'"

"Yet even with such blood on my hands. Even when my hatred threatened the very world I called home. Naruto never abandoned me. Even as I walked the path of a true monster"

"How did you do it?" Sanguinius asked in a quiet whisper. "How did you overcome being a monster?"

Sasuke walked towards the primarch. His hand resting upon the primarch as he gave a gentle smile.

"I learned to forgive. I realised that the hatred. Even though it is within my blood. Only can control me if I let it. I learned to forgive those whom wronged me, in doing so I came to a revelation. That to fully accept this hatred. I must learn to forgive and accept myself for who I am"

"Sanguinius. This disease, this 'thirst', this rage. Only you can learn to accept it. Yet you must learn to forgive yourself. To accept that this is who you are, and that it's okay"

"I... I don't think I have the strength to do that"

"Then take it one step at a time. Forgive yourself one step at a time, you do not need to be perfect. All it takes is to be willing to start the journey"

The duo were pulled from their moment when one of Sasuke's astartes walked into the room, he gave a short bow as he relayed his message.

"Captain. We have received word from orbit. Extraction teams are en route to get us away from this mess. What are your orders"

"Have the company ready the defences. When the Thunderhawks begin their extraction runs, we will depart with all haste"

"By your will Captain"

Sasuke lifted himself up, giving his hand in support of Sanguinius. The great angel took the supporting hand and raised himself back into a standing position. All the while Sasuke only looked at him with support.

"Do not worry. I will not tell those whom I do not trust your burden. We will find help for you to overcome this"

"Thank you... truly"

The sounds of battle along with the roars of bolter fire echoed across the valley as Blood angels and Shadow foxes stood side by side, a horde of red spanning across the valley swiftly moving through the ground.

Sasuke readied himself, his eyes morphing into the colour of blood as Sanguinius gave him a nod. The two pushed towards the line, as the sounds of battle roared across the planet.


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Darkness

All begins in the dark

It is crushing, all consuming

The dark brought with it nothing but silence

This silence

This maddening silence

Ohh how sickening this silence is upon the beginning

More, something more

There must be more to this

Forces pushed against the dark

Forces pushed onwards to become something more

A spark

A light

And everything changed

It wondered to itself, wondering it's existence. The light pushed beyond, forcing the dark away from it's radiance. Monumental forces collided with each other, seeking to stake their claim upon this new path. From this, cosmic forces clashed and merged into new things, new concepts.

It was beautiful to feel in these moments, from this destruction and creation took their place within existence.

It continued to watch, as new things were created from such cataclysmic events. From this came the first pillars of light, the first stars.

Mighty they were, children of creation. They brought the light of creation to all, from their shadows did others gather within, coming together, clashing with each other. Existing together to create something different, like those that came before it.

These vessels, these planets were hot from their birth. Their pain and tears formed something new, as destruction catered to them. Providing them with a bounty of change.

It brought these planets ways to change, to become different. Where creation gave them life, destruction gave them purpose.

From here the planets themselves grew and changed, from their skin did they mould themselves. Finding joy in changing themselves, finding joy in everything.

It is here that it decided to act.

And so it took it's first steps, and from those actions did life finally take it's first breath.


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Life began it's journey with gusto, it wished to imbue it's first steps with the wonder it had witnessed.

Molding life around the primal forces that it bore witness to, it's first creation was beautiful and fulfilling in it's eyes.

These creatures took their first steps into a new world, yet creation saw to them as distant children, and so blessed them in it's image.

They had learned all that they could from those whom were willing to give. Taking everything in with gusto.

Yet life could see that others were not so keen to give such knowledge away, destruction could see that these beings of life could become something beyond their domains, as though they were merely a mirror that could no longer contain it's purpose.

So it decided to seek refuse elsewhere, from it's power it created another place, a duality of existence that was a reflection of itself. From here destruction continued it's wonders, headless of the concern of the other aspects. In time it had reached a contentment of it's realm. As it decided to rest.

And so destruction was the first to embrace its eternal rest, it's knowledge returning to it's siblings.

Yet the creatures of life grey ever more curious, wondering where destruction had gone they journeyed to find their missing aspect. It was here that they discovered destructions realm, the Aether.

They continued their curiosity, finding the realm fascinating, destruction had left the realm as an open canvas for the children of life to explore and discover, so it came to the surprise of creation that the children of life has learned the ways of destruction, yet the powers of creation were used in opposite of these effects.

Creation was shocked and concerned at what it was witnessing. This display brought a profound sense of wrong within it's being, feeling a deep shame at it's actions. Creation decided that it's power was too dangerous to let such unrestrained discovery to continue.

And so, in shame, creation was the second to embrace their eternal rest. It's knowledge returning to it's last sibling.

Yet life continued to watch over it's children, it felt different emotions as it's children continued to create their own path, even as it watched them continue to use it's siblings powers, life just continued to observe.

Eventually, the children of life grew old.

It could see now that time had weathered it's children, many different lessons and warning were given as they no longer looked at life as a boundless gift, but instead as a burden to shoulder.

And so the children of life used their knowledge to seed more life.

Life itself just continued to observe.

It had learned to temper it's excitement, it's driving passion from witnessing it's children. It realised that youth is a poison that can bring untold suffering if not tempered by knowledge. Yet now it could only watch as it's children carry forth it's own mistakes, sadness filling it from seeing history repeat itself.

Yet Life did not embrace it's eternal rest.

For it realized this was it's own making, so it's watch shall remain so long as it's children remain.

Time immemorial passed before it. Driving the aspect to the brink of insanity. It has watched the untold things it's children had done in it's name. Each leading to either it's own destruction or others to destroy them.

It had watched the realms of it's siblings. Once were beautiful, to be tainted and twisted to a mockery of all that they wished upon.

It had watched it's children and their shadows carve themselves domains over the corpses of it's siblings, watching in horror as it's family had been destroyed by it's children.

It watched, yet could not act.

It just wanted to rest. To be rid of this nightmare in reality. Yet it could not act so long as it's children continued upon this path.

It had once tried to rest, yet the chaos and death that followed made life cry out in pain and revulsion, as it felt itself be ripped apart by it's children as they hungered for it's knowledge.

It has felt fear because of it's children, creations that now only saw it as a tool.

And so, it's eternal vigilance had continued.


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It was so tired.

It just wanted to sleep, to embrace the sanctuary of rest.

Yet the waking nightmare before it made rest impossible. The agony of the realm was now too much for it to seek such sanctuary.

So much death had changed even it's once former home into a mockery of itself.

War had bred death, war had bred sickness, war had bred depravity, war had bred superstition.

It knew that rest was impossible now, so it must suffer for it's youth, it must suffer penance for what it had unleashed upon the once beautiful.

And so it continued it's watch. Yet the weight of it's burden was becoming too heavy to bare.

Yet bare it had to.

It tried to continue to keep itself awake, even as the silence, maddening as it was, threatened to consume it.

Yet in that moment, in its lowest point, it had felt it.

A single spark.

A feeling from a time long past.

It felt itself looking forward, expecting nothing but disappointment.

Yet it saw another before it.

This should not be possible, none of it's children cared for it anymore, only seeing it as a means to an end.

It tried to ignore the spark, yet it came closer, not carrying the normal bouts of ignorance or war that it had come to expect. But instead something it had thought lost long ago.

It had only seen war, even against it's wishes.

It had only seen death, even against it's plea's.

It had only seen suffering, even as it broke inside.

Yet before it, it could feel something different.

It felt peace, peace that it wished so dearly

It felt compassion, mending what was broken

It had felt life, beautiful and pure, just as it remembered.

Then a soft voice, so full of life and wonder, of compassion and kindness, whispered.

You have earned your rest. I will bare this weight for you. Rest life, rest and return to your family.

And so life, after an eternity of suffering, an eternity of penance, was given it's eternal sleep.

And the burden of it's knowledge, rested itself upon the shoulders of it's new champion.

Naruto could feel himself being flooded with untold amounts of knowledge. His soul being engraved with a wellspring of concepts that are as ancient as reality itself.

His chakra swelled to immense proportions as his mind and soul were expanding to accommodate the knowledge he had acquired, yet even with such power coursing in his veins, he still had his sense of self. This power did not influence him, as his soul morphed and molded into something more.

The swirling maelstrom within the realm beyond started to twist and turn, as titanic forces clashed once again, the realm of chaos shuddered and groaned as ancient forces thought long lost erupted into life, the realm of the four cracked and groaned at their edges, the foundations of all of them struggling to contain the apocalyptic forces that clashed within.

All the while the four gods took great concern of what this anomaly meant. Even as they continued to pour their mighty armies into the breach of the anathema, united in a single purpose for the brief moment it was.


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The line barely held.

Where once was the combined might of a shield host of the ten thousand, only seven custodians now remained standing.

Yet they still held the line.

Their auramite had been shattered in various places along their bodies, their once pristine armour now barely held together as their flesh was exposed to the daemonic tide.

Dozens of weapons platforms and defensive arrays were left in ruins, their occupants burning within their metal corpses, yet the sounds of heavy firepower nearby continued their attacks, even as the defenders within were massacred down to nothing. The systems, unmanned. Continued to still fire at any enemy that was within the breach, headless of the cataclysmic system failures plaguing them.

Helios stood strong, his right arm had been sliced clean off during a clash with three greater daemons, his armour was barely functional as blood poured from many lacerations across his body. Yet his strength of will was strong, even as death was gripping him in it's cold grasp.

He shouldered one of the great shields of one of his fallen brethren, those whom still stood with him also held a shield each as they stood shoulder to shoulder around the stills petrified figure of Naruto. They stood in a circular pattern, their shield being used to ensure no daemon would reach their center.

Yet such tactics were merely only delaying the inevitable.

The formation felt a groan as Custodians held to their shielding, even as the weight of countless horrors continued their relentless assault.

Time was not their ally, as already the air surrounding them had been saturated in the stench of daemons, bodies of horrors lay broken before them, yet more were still coming through.

Helios could only look on in sombre as the bodies of his fellow custodians littered the ground with piles of daemonic dust, even as his body screamed in protest as the shield wall started to falter.

"We must hold! Only in death does duty end!" Helios shouted as his other six companions used their strength to hold back the ever encroaching dark.

A pulse of energy clashed upon their backs, Helios was alarmed by such an action that he almost dropped his shield. He could only give a glance behind him as he felt the wraithbone start to crack and split upon the young primarch.

Helios and his other companions had to avert their eyes as a blinding flash of light flooded the area, the shell upon Naruto's body exploded in a display of unchained power as the primarch looked upon the field with eyes of mesmerizing light.

"ᚢᚨᚾᛁᛊᚺ"

The tide of daemons, that which the blood of heroes had been spilt to hold for a moment, simply vanished before them. The silence that ensured was more impactful to the custodians than the entire fight of survival that they had just endured.

One of the custodians merely fell to his knees, looking vacantly at the former field as they were silent in what they had just witnessed, yet what would happen now would shake their souls to the core.

"ᛏᚺᛟᛊᛖ ᚹᚺᛟᛗ ᚺᚨᚢᛖ ᛖᛗᛒᚱᚨᚲᛖᛞ ᛞᛖᚦ. ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ, ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ ᛏᛟ ᚦᛖ ᚲᚨᛚᛚ ᛟᚠ ᛚᛁᚠᛖ, ᚱᛖᛏᚢᚱᚾ ᛏᛟ ᚲᛟᚾᛏᛁᚾᚢᛖ. ᛁᛟᚢᚱ ᛏᛁᛗᛖ ᚺᚨᛊ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚲᛟᛗᛖ ᛁᛖᛏ"

Wisp of pale blue light flooded the area, their forms otherworldly to the custodians, yet a sense of familiarity shone through those lights as they rested upon the bodies of the slain. The bodies of those upon the ground shined with a brilliant light, their forms mending before their eyes before they could hear the gasps of lungs being filled with air. It was in this moment that Helios and the others merely fell to their knees, following the example of their first companion.

"How?... how is this... possible" Helios muttered as he could hear the hearts of his once fallen comrades beat once again, their wounds and mortal blows erased from their bodies as though wiped from existence.

Naruto stood from his position, his blinding light brought a sense of awe from the last companions, he walked towards the seven whom knelled before him, his hand touching their mangled or damaged bodies before giving a whisper.

The flesh re knit itself as what once was, their armour being restored to it's once, pristine condition. Helios could only stare in silence as he watched Naruto walk towards where the tide of daemons had flooded, an illuminating light basking in his presence.

"ᛈᚢᛊᚺ ᛒᚨᚲᚲ ᚦᛖ ᛞᚨᚱᚲ"

The light flared a blinding white, as the tendrils of darkness that flooded the webway shrieked in horror, Naruto continued to push forward, the light never wavering, his every step blossoming life around his feet as he continued to walk forward.

Helios had re grouped those custodians and sisters had returned to the living, a sizeable force of talons followed the lone primarch as his light blazed across the chaotic landscape, with each step the light echoed across the corridor, with each step daemons screamed in agony as their bodies were reduced to ash, with the stronger ones being struck down by the talons, their bodies too damaged to even fight back.

Eventually the host reached the initial breach in the webway, it's edges were scoured in corruption as the full power of the immaterium oozed from the gash like an open wound. Naruto floated above the group as he placed his hands upon the corrupted surface, his eyes glowed a vibrant light as his voice echoed across the vast corridor.

"ᛟᚺᚺ ᛚᛁᚠᛖ ᛏᚱᛖᛖ, ᚦᚨᛏ ᚹᚺᛁᚲᚺ ᚷᚱᛟᚹᛊ ᛁᚾ ᛞᛖᛊᛏᚱᚢᚲᛏᛟᚾ. ᛏᚨᚲᛖ ᛗᛁ ᛈᛟᚹᛖᚱ, ᛊᛟ ᚦᚨᛏ ᛁᛟᚢᚱ ᚹᛟᚢᚾᛞᛊ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᚺᛖᛚ, ᛏᚨᚲᛖ ᛗᛁ ᚠᚢᚱᛁ ᛊᛟ ᚦᚨᛏ ᛖᚢᛁᛚ ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᛒᚢᚱᚾ. ᛏᚨᚲᛖ ᛗᛁ ᛊᛈᛁᚱᛁᛏ ᛊᛟ ᚦᚨᛏ ᛁᛟᚢ ᛗᚨᛁ ᚠᛁᚾᛞ ᛈᛖᚲᛖ"

The warp screamed, it's presence fluctuated across the room in brilliant lights, yet the roof of the webway glowed with a calming blue. Flames of energy leaped across the breach, their presence made the corruption shudder and scream as the fire consumed it in a voracious inferno. The webway groaned and twisted itself as new strands of energy started to ever slowly make their way across the breach, each threat slow and methodical in it's application as the warp started to become more muffled by the minute.

The talon host heard the roars of daemons as the corridors they had just traveled echoed with the sounds of rushing footsteps. Helios readied his guardian spear as his company took a defensive position around Naruto.

"The daemons wish to stop lord Naruto in his work. Let us show them they are not welcome here no longer! Strike true. Ave Humanity!"

"Ave Humanity!"

The echoes of fighting once more flooded the corridors of the webway, as the mighty talon of the Emperor unleashed it's righteous wrath upon the daemon.

All the while Naruto continued to float before the breach, headless of the battle raging below.


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"I don't like this Leman"

Hana looked upon the primarch with a look of concern, her features had aged yet to the wolf king that merely added character to her image.

"Hana. You saw the decree from Horus. Our legion has been contacted to carry out the order"

"Leman... It's just... something is not right about this. I can feel something wrong"

"I know you have reservations about these orders Hana, yet Magnus has been declared a traitor to the Imperium and has conducted forbidden practices. I knew it was just a matter of time before that crow showed his true colors"

Hana could feel Leman had much animosity with his brother, which made Hana's gut feel even more tense as she could feel something was wrong about this scenario.

"At least let me confirm it with the envoys of your father. They would have at least been given notice of this at the bare minimum"

"Bah... Their all just bureaucratic cowards. Your more likely to die of old age before they even give you anything useful"

"Leman..."

The wolf king gave a gentle smile, as he held Hana's cheek.

"Trust me Hana. I know I am doing the right thing. It might look like I have a grudge with my brother but that cannot be further from the truth. If he is indeed innocent then I will just leave it be. But this is my duty as my fathers executioner. To let a traitor go is a crime that I will not commit"

Hana gave a gentle sigh as she looked upon the eyes of Leman, even now she could not argue with him. She rested her hand upon Leman's as she looked into his eyes, a look of conviction upon her face.

"Then promise me. If your brother is indeed innocent. Then we will just leave him be. I don't want you to be hurting because of a mistake"

"Okay then Hana... I promise"

Hana felt more at ease as Leman pulled her into a passionate kiss, yet the foreboding feeling still nestled itself into her core. She could feel that something was horribly wrong.

Yet she could not understand why.


-0-

-0-

-0-


Experiencing the golden throne will always feel unnatural.

The emperor felt his incorporeal soul shine through the chaos of the warp, it's light proving to be an unsightly eyesore to those whom call the chaotic realm their home, yet he had no pity nor mercy to the primordial annihilator, in fact he felt a sense of peace flow into his mind knowing that his light is scouring away the darkness.

He willed his form to pass through the realm, the beaming light of the astronomican pulsing into the darkness, he could feel it's power pulsing like a heartbeat, his heartbeat. Yet the greatest concern as of this moment was the feeling of unrivaled darkness encroaching upon a part of his domain, mankind's domain.

His spirit drifted towards a tear in the realm of chaos, this was the part most concerning to him as this connected directly to one of the tunnels within his project, the concentration of pure chaos within even a challenge for his astronomican to pierce, even though it was incredibly close to the nexus of it's light.

To think the four would be so bold to assault this. I must have indeed made them sweat if they are invested in it's destruction.

He focused his might into reducing the flow of chaos into the breach, giving a mighty cry out as his powers squeezed the entry point as small as he could possibly can.

Compress it. Make it stronger, it must become smaller, every bit helps those inside, I must not relent.

From out here he could feel the souls of those within fighting for their lives, yet among them one presence shined as brightly as his own, his soul a blazing vibrant light of blue that gave him a sense of pride and parental concern.

Naruto... You have to hold on... just a little longer my son.

The Emperor continued to hold back the majority of the tide, yet he was alarmed when the soul of his son shot out from the webway, as it travelled down paths he could not comprehend until it disappeared even from his light.

Naruto?! Where has he gone?

Using his sight he could see his mortal body still sitting within the webway, yet it only felt like a shell of itself, the Emperor could feel the webway consuming him, becoming one with the wraithbone. This set off alarm bells from the Emperor.

My son! Naruto! What is happening?!

Time passed in sporadic actions, as the Emperor could do nothing more than observe as he continued to hold back the tide of horrors. He watched as his custodians were being massacred by the daemons, holding back meters at a time while giving precious time. He watched time and again as the souls of his protectors were being pulled into the warp, the grasping hands of chaos earger to feast upon their untainted souls.

The Emperor's soul cried out in pain, even as he still struggled to hold back a line that was collapsing around him, his dream of protecting humanity was being taken from him, and he could do nothing but rage against the unfairness of it.

The warp suddenly went still, it was as though something had drastically changed, he had felt the trickster used it's power before in a monumental showing of force yet did not understand why. Yet now that he could feel it, the warp was changing, twisting and forming into something different.

Yet the Emperor still had reservations on what indeed was happening.

A pulse of pure power echoed across the warp, the sounds of countless daemons screaming in pain gave him a migraine as the warp continued to change, he braced himself for the backlash being caused yet could feel something drastic is happening.

Then, he felt it.

A power unlike anything he had ever felt started to beeline itself towards his location, his heart felt sombre as his mind conjured the thoughts that chaos has found an ancient weapon, ready to use it against him and destroy mankind in it's infancy.

Yet, as his spirit could feel the presence come closer, it gave him confusion as he could not feel the telltale signs of the primordial annihilator, yet could feel the presence of something new, yet somehow familiar.

He opened his minds eye, peering into the warp, yet he as left silent as tears flowed down from his eyes.

A great expanse of blue and green flowed across the warp, it's form was of a majestic Fox as each of it's steps created a maelstrom of power that flowed with a presence that soothed his weary soul. The darkness recoiled in horror as this creature made it's way into the breach, the presence of daemons disappearing, as though it was anathema to their very existence.

The Emperor could only watch in wonder as the spiritual animal finally took it's place into the vessel of his son, as the warp and webway shined with a pure flood of life energy.

Naruto... my son...how is this possible?

He heard his son speak, a language he could not understand yet the very warp changed in that instant, where he had felt the presence of countless neverborn he felt nothing, as though the warp had corrected itself under his words. He felt the souls of his custodians be pulled from the grasp of the daemons, their cries of being denied their sustenance silenced as their forms faded from reality.

He felt the overwhelming presence of his son walk his way towards the breach, his every step bringing an emotion to him that he thought was lost.

He brought hope.

Now, he could feel his sons energy, the incredible force weaving the breach close as a flood of pure life and hope flooded the scar, healing the mighty webway as the forces of the four tried desperately to stop him from within the webway.

My son has given me a second chance at my dream, I will not allow you scum to destroy it a second time!

The Emperor focused his power, concentrating it into his wrath and hatred for chaos, untold millennia of suffering and pain was being concentrated into this technique as he could feel the presence of the daemon within the webway trying to cut down his second chance.

He will not hesitate this time.

The taint of chaos shall BURN

Helios witnessed the skies above the webway glow with a golden light, his custodians held the line against the daemon as he could feel a heat enter in this space.

Golden flames cast themselves from the ceiling as the fire rushed towards the daemons, each monster burned in the golden fire as their screams echoed across the battlefield, it could not be mistaken as he felt a smile appear from his face.

His master has given them aid.

The battlefield was scoured with the flames, as daemons of all sizes and shapes erupted into a conflagration of holy fire, their screams of pain and agony music to his battle weary ears.

He could feel the presence of Naruto had calmed down as the webway breach had been closed in it's entirety, the realm itself was now changing as life bloomed across the bloodied battlefield, at this change Helios raised his blade.

"The daemons have lost this battle, victory is within our grasp, CHARGE!"

The battle host of the talons rushed across the now blooming battlefield, where resignation had once been the thoughts of the defenders, now only righteous fury had taken it's place.

Those of the daemon whom survived the firestorm were given no mercy as they were cut down by the ten thousand.

The golden host continued it's momentum, knowing with confidence that the Imperium has achieved victory this day.

Within the warp, the forces of chaos seethed with barely restrained hatred for the Anathema. Their plan to destroy humanities chance at escaping their domain had failed. Around the realms of chaos forces ancient and evil were summoned to the drums of war, their allegiances were changed to now serve the purpose of chaos.

This indeed was a massive setback to their plans, yet chaos was anything but persistent.

They would still ride upon their gamble to the young warmaster and his 'liberation' of the Imperium, hoping the damage will be so severe that the Imperium will not be able to use their victory.

Chaos was willing to ensure that the Imperium's Victory was a viciously Pyrrhic one.


ATTENTION IMPERIAL CITIZENS:

Well hello there fellow humans.

This chapter actually came out smoother than I thought. I guess I had a good grasp on what I wanted in this chapter.

It seems that some events have indeed changed from their cannon counterpart. I will advise you lot that what happens now, the train is going off the usual track.

In response to AILONKLAT: Sure I don't mind if you publish it on my behalf, just fair warning I don't have any planned schedule or anything.

I actually love how some ppl got the reference from the last chapter. But in terms of what happens from here. Well I'm definitely keeping my cards close to the chest, still gotta hold on to that winning hand and all.

Anyway, Till next time