Magnus blinked as his senses had finally returned. His perception struggled to see his environment properly but…. oh, that rank smell hit his nose like a thunder hammer. Magnus cursed as he realized where he was. The underground sewers as all Magnus could think that he'd never climb a shit pipe before to speak to his father before. Magnus fought through the nauseating smell that could strip the paint off a thunder hawk. The oppressive stench of decay assaulted his senses, mingling with the dampness of the air to create an atmosphere of assaulting discomfort. His mind reeled as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings, the dim light casting long shadows that seemed to dance and shift with each passing moment. The echoing sounds of dripping water and scuttling pitter patter of footsteps of unknown vermin only served to deepen his unease.
With a grim determination, Magnus set out to find his way through the labyrinthine passages of the sewers, his steps echoing against the slick stone walls. Each twist and turn seemed to lead him deeper into the bowels of the earth, further from the sanctuary of the surface above. But despite his best efforts, the exit remained elusive, a distant beacon of hope shrouded in darkness. Frustration gnawed at Magnus's resolve as he pressed on, his senses keenly attuned to the subtle nuances of his surroundings.
"There must be a way out of here!" Magnus vowed to himself; his jaw set in determination. "No matter the cost, I will not be confined to this wretched place forever." And with that steadfast resolve burning bright within him, Magnus forged ahead through the depths of the sewers, his heart steeled in determination as he slaughtered numerous mutants and rats. After gods know how much time he spent traversing the sewers, he had finally found a sewer manhole. But of course! It just had to be on the ceiling above him. He surged his will into himself and as he crushed his hand into a fist, the manhole crumpled into itself and exploded into small metallic fragments.
Magnus cackled as he finally found a way out of this accursed sewer. He tensed his leg muscles and jumped several stories high as he crashed through the open hole, landing beside the torn hole. Magnus shrugged at the damage he caused and looked forward. Countless pipes, wires and machine whirring littered the ceiling and walls as he further examined the room. So, he was in the lower boilers? It definitely didn't look so cluttered last time, or perhaps it was abandoned?
No, after being in more light now since leaving the sewer, he could spot out a few old servitors performing tasks on miscellaneous objects. Their lack of interest in him served Magnus well as he would return the favor and leave them alone. The room was certainly covered in dust, grime and the lighting was dark. Last time he was here, if memory served him correctly, the metal gate on the far-right side had stairs opening up to the main floor hallway. He walked towards the metal gate on the right side, cornering a large array of blinking machinery and diodes. As he came close to the gate, the keypad turned on as if the machine spirit detected his presence. He began pressing several buttons on the keypad, in an attempt to see if the old password he knew still worked. He chuckled when the keypad blinked green and watched as the gate opened.
As Magnus emerged at the top of the second-floor stairs, he was met with the imposing sight of numerous Custodians engaged in their rigorous training exercises. Magnus stood tall amidst the grandeur of the Imperial Palace, his presence commanding attention even as he faced a phalanx of stern Custodians, their golden armor gleaming in the dim light of the corridor.
He had seen them play their blood games numerous times in the past and how they acted seemed obvious to himself. Before Magnus could even take a moment to collect himself, the Custodians had already spotted him, their vigilant eyes narrowing in suspicion. With practiced precision, they had already surrounded Magnus with their guardian spears in stances, trained and aimed towards him.
Shield Captain Valdor, the esteemed leader of the Custodian Guard, stepped forward, his gaze piercing as he regarded Magnus with a mixture of hostility and curiosity. "You do not belong here reject! We will banish you back to the warp," he demanded, his voice resonating with authority. As Magnus calmed himself down, he noticed reinforcements quickly arriving behind the Custodians, and they just had to be the Sisters of Silence.
Magnus met Valdor's gaze unwaveringly, his expression serene yet determined. "I come not as an enemy, but as a bearer of his mark," he replied, his voice resonating with an otherworldly depth. He felt slightly nauseous from the blanks so they must be quite powerful to affect him so. He slowly raised his right hand in front of the custodians who prepared to fire at any moment but stopped, when Magnus brandished the golden coin, holding it with his thumb and index finger.
The Custodians bristled at this unexpected change and became ever more irritated, their weapons ready, but Valdor raised a hand, halting their advance. "Explain yourself, Magnus," he commanded, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of curiosity.
Magnus took a step forward, his eyes ablaze with an inner fire. "I stand before you and I have not slaughtered a single soldier. I come before you carrying my father's mark, tell me which part of this has confused you?" he declared. Valdor regarded Magnus with a mixture of annoyance and intrigue, his expression betraying the weight of centuries of duty and honor. "And why should we trust the words of a sorcerer, a being tainted by the very powers we have sworn to oppose?" he questioned, his voice tinged with rage.
Magnus's gaze softened, a glimmer of empathy shining in his eyes. "You know DAMN WELL that it was never my intention, nor desire to fall. But that doesn't matter to chaos obviously. I chose to come here to have a long-awaited talk with my father. I know you custodians, I'm sure he left hints upon such an event within your dreams. I could have refused to do so but here I am. Or are you more interested in ignoring your emperor's request and killing me instead?"
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, the tension palpable as Custodians and blanks regarded each other across the divide. Then, slowly but surely, Valdor nodded, a gesture of reluctant acceptance. "Very well, Magnus," he conceded, his voice carrying the weight of steeled authority. "We shall hear what you have to say. But know this—should you betray our trust, there will be no mercy." And with those words, the custodians uniformly moved their spears into a more relaxed stance and moved aside making space in between them. Magnus moved forward near Valdor, along with the nearby custodians and sisters of Silence as they all went to the golden throne room.
Several hours of walking later through the endless hallways and not a single word spoke amongst the group. Magnus couldn't help but relive his old memories of his old home here. It wasn't for that long, but it was quite eventful. The thought of admitting that made him internally chuckle. One of his best memories was the occasional hide n seek game his brothers invited him to play. That game was pure madness with his brothers which etched a small smile upon his face.
Dorn refused to understand how to play the game and would make forts in sections of the palace. His idea was an impenetrable defense would cause none to be able to see or catch him. Which in hindsight, did work every now and then. Dorn's had several enemies like Corvus who often accomplished in finding cracks to sneak through. Perturabo loved to annoy Dorn and would siege Dorn's makeshift fort just so Dorn could be tagged. Angron loved to just roar and body slam into their forts to tear them down. Jaghatai Khan absolutely loved to sprint through the hallways and whenever he was one of the last few hiders, no one could catch him, so he primarily won. sanguinius was obviously banned from the game considering he could just fly. Poor Vulkan couldn't understand the game, he would always be the first person found. Mainly due to his refusal to hide and ensuring that he must encourage his brothers in their game, regardless of if they are trying to hide or the seeker.
It was fun then; he's learned to admit such things. Reluctantly, he missed such crazy events. It often felt the game was more about how angry we could make Malcador or the Custodians. Even more so that Malcador had a tough time keeping a straight face with us. Ahhh, that reminded him of another silly event which was caused by Russ when he had recently been found. Since Magnus wasn't found for a while for quite some time, he had only heard it as salacious rumors from Guilliman and Ferrus. Well, the story was that Russ was wanting to make something special for their father after beating him in a drinking game. Supposedly he took over the kitchen without informing anyone, kicking out the hired chefs and worked hard on making a large meal of game meat he personally hunted, and a very special batch of malt whiskey that could kick a Titan's ass.
What Russ had failed to remember was the correct instructions on how to actually make it, nor did he plan exactly how much to make. In the end, the kitchen was completely wrecked and poorly made alcohol flooded the kitchen floors, leaking all over into the hallway. Malcador was quick in his attempt to punish Russ but for some reason, Vulkan and Dorn both stood up for Russ, taking and accepting the blame. When our father found this situation out, which Malcador tried to keep hidden, he seemed to find it hilarious and taught Russ a little on how to properly keep a kitchen clean and making alcohol.
After some time engrossed with his nostalgic memories, they finally arrived at the grand decorated and gilded Golden Throne gate. Valdor stepped up ahead and opened the gate doors. Magnus stepped inside the room with Valdor following behind him. The other Custodians and Sisters of Silence were ordered by their Shield Captain to return to their posts. As the gate doors slammed shut behind the two, Magnus scanned the vast room and was shocked at what he saw. Not only did he find the large, but decayed corpse of his father entombed on his throne, his body hooked up to countless tubes and wires.
The only thing making him more ominous was that single red eye lens implanted on his father's skull. Yet that was not the only thing his eye found. His two brothers, Roboute Guilliman and Lion El Johnson were here. Standing in front of the throne conversing with one another, wearing not armor but regal clothing attire. They turned around, supposedly at the obvious loud sound of the gate opening and closing. Several other humans were here who Magnus did not know. One looked like a high-ranking Ecclesiarch and a Sister of Battle? There were two other normal humans who stayed well out of the way of everyone else, but their golden armor fitted them to be some high rank within the Imperium. Magnus kicked himself as he had no gods damned idea what he just stepped in.
The chamber was fraught with tension as Magnus the Red walked closer to his loyalist brothers and stood before the ancient, decaying form of his father, the Emperor of Mankind. Roboute and Lion eyed him with intense rage within in their eyes but chose to stay silent. Magnus gulped as the intensity of this situation was nothing, he was ready for, nor comfortable handling. He'd much rather be alone and reading a good book. The room was silent, and the tension further filled the room like a dense fog.
Yet only for the silence to be cracked open like a bone when Magnus heard an ethereal shriek reverberate through the room. Magnus, with his eyes widened, stared at his fathers corpse as he felt an unimaginable dense psychic presence envelop the throne. He could scarcely look at it without it blinding him as the throne and his fathers corpse glow brightly, the heat enveloped all as if a sun smashed into the planet. This phenomenon occurrence felt as if it lasted far longer than it did, the energy of the intense brightness dimmed, and the heat softened. He looked around and all were stunned, staring solely at the throne. Magnus watched his father's corpse slowly grow in size and body parts moved. Magnus felt through his senses that his fathers body was filling with immense psychic energy, reanimating the body some. The arms peeled off the throne for gods know how long since and as they moved, the cracking of bones and stretching of long since withered muscles. The skull and neck began moving as if his father was trying to stretch his neck. A soft projection emitted from the body of his old self, a habit his father constantly used. Magnus was strong enough to break through and see the true face of his father but chose not to.
Roboute Guilliman and Lion El'Jonson flanked him, their expressions a mixture of skepticism and guarded curiosity. Without warning, a dark purple swirling portal popped into existence near the throne what was spat out was beyond what Magnus could imagine. Leman gods damned Russ fell out of the portal with some force, hitting his head against the ground in the fall. Magnus fought hard to contain his rage, oh how he wished to engulf him in flames and watch him melt into ashes. It would be a mercy considering what methods of torture Magnus has learned over the years. No! YES!...NO! He by some sort of sheer luck was here, and not having others trying to kill him. If there was some, by the tiniest chance that he could make things right. He would be beyond out of his mind to refuse such a thing. He knew he couldn't live with his guilt and regret anymore; it ate into his mind without fear.
He noticed how horrible Russ looked. He wore his war gear of the great crusade, but it was torn, shredded, and broken into useless pieces around him. His hair and beard had grown incredibly long, and he looked like shit, covered in blood and dirt stains. Countless various sized scars all across his exposed body. The only thing that looked like it was in decent shape was his sheathed sword. His left arm was gone, cut nearly down to his elbow and his right ear looked like someone had ripped it halfway off, with obvious bite marks. They all watched as their father moved his hand down and pointed his finger down to the ground where a thin golden mist appeared. It grew in strength and brightness as it began flickering rapidly until it formed into a frame. Magnus could barely believe what he was seeing, how in the warp was sanguinius here?!"
"My sons," the Emperor's voice echoed through the chamber, a somber melody of regret and longing. "It has been far too long since we last spoke." Magnus swallowed hard, his heart heavy with guilt and remorse. "Father," he began, his voice trembling with emotion, "I... I have much to answer for." Guilliman stepped forward, his gaze piercing as he regarded Magnus with a mixture of irritation and disgust. "You betrayed us, Magnus!" he stated bluntly, his voice edged with accusation. "The consequences of your actions have reverberated throughout the Imperium for millennia."
Magnus bowed his head, his crimson eyes burning with shame. "I know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have borne the weight of my mistakes for far too long. But I am ready to face the consequences of my actions, whatever they may be." The Emperor's gaze shifted to Guilliman; his expression inscrutable. "Roboute," he addressed his son, his voice tinged with sorrow, "you too have suffered greatly because of Magnus's folly. But I ask you to find it in your heart to forgive him."
Guilliman hesitated, his jaw clenched with tension. "Forgiveness is not easily given, Father," he replied, his voice laced with bitterness. "But for the sake of the Imperium, I will consider it. But father, has your mind rotten if you're seriously considering Magnus to be forgiven? We all know the destruction he caused upon us all! His blatant disregard for the Nikaea ruling and his insatiable hunger for knowledge of the warp! Horus may have killed you Father but the only reason that was possible was due to Magnus!" Lion El'Jonson stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "And what of the Lion, Father?" he interjected, his voice resonating with authority. "Do you expect us to forget the bloodshed and betrayal that Magnus's actions have wrought?"
Magnus's body riled at their accusations. He stomped his foot down hard enough to steal their attention as he growled,' To hell with your Nikea ruling! It wasn't even a proper ruling! Yes, I hungered for knowledge and to understand more about the world. I experimented and crossed lines in hindsight I shouldn't have. But your paranoic hatred of my psychic powers was the sole reason the Nikea ruling even occurred! Our father punished me with that ruling because it would have led our brothers to question his leadership. While I can understand that, the punishment did not fit the crime!" Russ roared out," EXCUSES! It's always someone else's fault with you Magnus! Things would never have escalated so far if you simply TRUSTED our father and actually obeyed his rules! If he makes a ruling, there's a gods damn reason for it!"
Magnus pinched his nose as he sighed and said," You're wrong Leman! I do not blame others for my own folly! But you must understand why I took certain actions! Our father treated us like tools! He refused to teach us anything about the warp, ESPECIALLY with what dwells inside there! I found evidence that Horus had fallen to Chaos all those millennia ago and I sought to inform our father about such insanity! I was tricked and duped by Zceentch into unknowingly breaking our fathers web way project! I would NEVER willingly do that if I knew what would have happened. Regardless, that doesn't change the fact that it happened, only that my own fall was not of my own desire. When I tried to warn father, he refused to listen to me and declared me a traitor! I left for my home in an attempt to save my sons and face the consequences of my actions. Only to find you Leman, filled with bloodlust on your crusade to kill me and my sons!"
The Emperor's gaze softened, a glimmer of empathy shining in his lifeless eyes. "I do not ask you to forget, my sons," he replied, his voice tinged with regret. "But I ask you to remember that we are all fallible, that even the greatest among us can succumb to temptation and folly." Leman Russ remained silent, his expression unreadable as he regarded Magnus with a mixture of shame and sadness. "I will not stand idly by while a traitor seeks absolution," he growled, his voice a low rumble of thunder.
Magnus met Russ's gaze unflinchingly, his resolve unwavering. "I seek not absolution, Leman," he declared, his voice tinged with defiance. "I seek only the chance to make amends, to stand with my brothers and right the wrongs I have created. Or do you seek for me to rip your other heart out?" Russ growled and quickly began to unsheathe his sword. "ENOUGH!" Cried out the Emperor.
The ethereal voice of the Emperor spoke," Leman Russ, control thyself. Magnus is indeed correct with what he speaks of." Russ looked like he was about to explode in shock and Magnus simply spoke," Wait..what?! I'm right?"
The Emperor said," Yes, my Son. I am glad to see your intellect hasn't degraded since your fall, unlike some of your other brothers. I am not pulling any smoke or mirrors upon any of you. Those mistakes are long past learned. The Nikea ruling was indeed a farce Magnus, It was solely meant to get you to stop experimenting with the warp. I didn't want such a thing to occur and if I chose not to punish you, your other brothers would most likely rebel in greater mass. The leadership of the Imperium at that time could NOT be questioned or its importance lowered. It is something I regret deeply. Magnus, you are not at fault for your hunger for knowledge. That alone is my fault alone when I created you. However, I did not know how to properly get you to understand the risks of the warp at that time. The only method I figured that would work would be with an iron fist. How very wrong I was indeed."
Magnus could only be described as having a brain aneurism with such news. He softly spoke," What do you even mean that it's your fault? I do not understand what that implies. We know you created us with the most advanced gene/warp craft possible." Their father sighed and said," I hoped I would never have to explain such a thing, but I imagine this is required. You, my sons, are not simply genetically evolved humans. I went a great deal of steps further. I ripped shards of my own soul and imparted them within all 20 of the Primarchs. Each shard held certain aspects of me and would give the primarchs an unimaginable boost to their intelligence and talents. I did not stop there however, I brokered deals with neutral warp deities, the very few that have yet survived of course. They were implanted into each primarch further enhancing your souls and providing protection against chaos. Magnus, the one I imparted upon you, it forced upon you an insatiable hunger for knowledge. A deal of the contract brokered. I had figured then that I would be able to reverse or fix such a thing, but I had failed. For that Magnus, I am sorry."
Roboute spoke up and said," Father, are you telling the truth? I am having a very hard time believing any of this nonsense." All heard their father chuckle who quickly spoke," Indeed my Son. For various reasons I created the Primarchs. In honesty, I was quite lonely ruling the Imperium. Malcador was a great friend but even he had his limits for his human body. I also foresaw the Imperium failing without its pillars. Leaders, scientists, generals, soldiers and diplomats, inventors. I wanted people of great stature to help assist me in running the Imperium, so I created the Primarch Project with the greatest knowledge and resources possible. Maybe there was a part of me who wanting better tools of holding the Imperium together, but I also wanted a family, sons who I could be with and support. It had been many millennia since I had the luxury of being a part of a real family. When Chaos broke the protective wards within the laboratory where you all were, they stole ALL of you. Sending you to gods know where. I can't overstate just how much that damned event broke me. It destroyed nearly any chance the Imperium had to properly grow. I rushed the creation of the Imperium greatly as I panicked at the attempt to try to find and rescue you all. The idea of the sheer burden of finding my sons, and if I found them to be tainted beyond hope? I would be forced to kill my own sons, again."
Lion stepped closer beside Magnus and spoke for nearly the first time," A grim tale indeed father but where does that leave us? The few loyalist brothers still alive and Magnus here? There's something you're not telling us, and I want to know what that is. Aside from Roboute and myself being unconscious for Millenia, for the last few Millenia we have been struggling by the skin of our teeth to keep this rotten imperium alive. I'm not even sure if there is anything worth saving at this point. Roboute is working himself to death dealing with and we're constantly at war, fighting everyone at countless fronts. The daily death tolls are utterly insane! We can barely keep this Imperium alive and the constant psyker sacrifices you need to stave death per day is NOT SUSTAINABLE. What in the absolute fuck are we supposed to do?"
The sheer silence within the throne room was palpable. The Primarchs stayed silent in hopes of a response, and everyone else became increasingly nervous about what punishment would be used.
The Emperor after being absorbed in thought for several minutes, spoke up, breaking the thick tension as he said," Your anger is understandable Lion. I know your brothers also feel the same way, but I will try my best to help answer your questions. In full honestly, I do not know. Perhaps I did once. I have spent this entire time on this damnable throne struggling at keeping chaos at bay and keeping Terra alive. The rare moments I have been able to observe the state of humanity only filled me with greater shame. I sparingly gave boons to soldiers to help when I could. Listen my sons and members of the Imperium, I have made a great deal of mistakes in the past that's' driven many of my sons away, pushed them beyond the breaking point and ruined the functionality of the Imperium. Unfortunately, I can't change the past, but I can help the survivors. I have plans of how the Imperium can, not just survive but grow. The difficulty will be immense. For a great deal of time, I thought that xenos were utterly incapable of coexisting with humanity. I was mostly incorrect on this. The Drukari, Orks and Tyranids are beyond conversing and should always be killed on sight. You are correct Lion; we cannot survive fighting on every front. I task you all with making an alliance. The Exodites and Craftworld Eldars can be reasoned with, and you must make an alliance with them. Sure, most of them are xenophobic and they love to act mysterious around us. But they're far more like humans than most understand. The newcomers, the T'au are quite naïve but they do have a good sense of their tenants. An alliance with them must be made. Now the more difficult faction, the Necrons. I know of their genocidal purging goals. At least, that goes for a few Dynasties of theirs. In truth, the Necrons have not the numbers or strength to truly annihilate all other species. Allying with Imotekh the Storm lord would be a good move if one is diplomatic enough. At the end of the day my sons, we must realize who the true enemies are. The ever evolving and consuming Tyranids, Chaos and their Traitorous warbands and the Orks. I know this is sharp turn in plans considering just how xenophobic the Imperium has become."
The Emperor sighed and spoke up again," Still, there's more to say. More of your brothers must be found. Jaghatai Khan got lost somewhere in the Web way and Dorn is still missing. They must be found and brought back." Roboute was amazed and said," Is that all father? I can pick up lunch on the way back when I'm done handling the errands. How in the warp do you even know if they aren't dead? The only thing found upon that damned heretical ship was Dorn's hand! Which is now some creepy fetish his sons worship, that and their chapter masters carve their names upon it!"
Their father laughed and said," Roboute, ten plus millennia and your jokes still haven't improved. Though I understand your sarcasm and anger Roboute. I know Dorn is alive, I can feel his soul within the warp but it's quite faint. Regardless, I can't precisely pinpoint where he is, all I know is that he's possibly somewhere within the Galactic Core. And please find Vulkan too. His terrible habits of vanishing for millennia is rather irritating. For a jolly green giant, he's quite good at erasing his presence. I swear Corvus gave him private lessons. I also wouldn't be surprised if he was hiding within the palace for a long-term game of hide and seek."
Magnus stepped forth and spoke," So why father, why now? Why wait so long until now to say anything? To me or my loyalist brothers?" The Emperor smiled and said," Good question my little tomato, I'm dying." Lion and Roboute both heavily groaned as Russ said," Uh, Yes father, we are surprisingly quite aware of that. That's why you're stuck on the golden throne." Sanguinius sighed and said," Damn it father, do you seriously need to joke about such things?"
The Emperor chuckled and said," Ah, my apologies son. It's been far too long since I last spoke with my sons, and it feels good. In all seriousness, the golden throne is close to malfunctioning. If the throne fails and stops working, not only will I die, but All of Terra will also explode and the Astronomicon will cease functioning. Warp travel will become impossible and quite quickly all of humanity shall perish. Sadly, it's the way the cookie crumbles."
The Emperor smiled and said," The throne MUST be fixed. The good news is that other than saving the entirety of the human race, I can begin working on healing myself. If you can find a way for the astronomicon to be powered without someone on the throne, the possibility of my own revival is quite high." Lion stepped up as he looked over at his brothers and spoke," So is nobody going to frakking ask how sanguinius Is here? Uh, no offense brother. It's just that I'm perplexed on how you're even here." Roboute turned and looked at Lion as he said," C'mon brother, let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, okay? It's a miracle that he's even here after his death."
Sanguinius laughed and said," Apologies my brothers, I completely forgot to explain that tidbit. How should I explain it. Do you want to tell them father or shall I?" The Emperor smirked and said," No son, they should hear it directly from you."
Sanguinius breathed and said," Well, to put it bluntly brothers but I am dead. Horus did accomplish killing me so please don't ask me to revisit that moment in detail. However, he failed at destroying my soul. We primarchs are bound to our fathers soul, since we're technically aspects of him. So, when I was transferred back to our father, when he went to fight Horus. And he casted me away." Their father interrupted and said," I do apologize for that again son. Having my emotions back within my soul, I could not take it upon myself to destroy Horus. It was the only action I could choose."
Sanguinius chuckled and said," And I've explained that I've forgiven you for that before. Sometime after he cast me away, I came back, and I've been accompanying him for some time. We've been playing a great deal of psychic Regicide in our spare time. Where are we on that Father? 2.3 trillion wins me and 13.7 trillion wins you?" Their father laughed and said," You forgot the scores? Pretty sure it was 4.3 trillion wins you and 12.8 trillion wins me." Their father looked at his other sons as he spoke," sanguinius has been seriously helping me stay sane within the warp. That and his day job of being the Sanguinor." Magnus chuckled and said," So that's who's been mysteriously aiding the blood angels every now and then? I heard reports about that from the warp but never found the answer. Good work I must say sanguinius. Now father, I don't understand where I fall into this. Your lost shard invited me here about something, something redemption."
sanguinius smiled and their father spoke, "Hmmm, indeed Magnus. I must say my lost shards do get into trouble every now and then. Back to your point…...are you paying attention Leman? This involves you too." Magnus looked over at Russ who eyelids were semi closed, he did look exhausted. Russ perked up and nodded towards his father who again spoke," Russ, Magnus. This long-term hate boner you two have needs to stop, the hatred is built upon old lies. Russ, you may know some of what I speak but I imagine Magnus will find this knowledge…. enlightening." Magnus, you did destroy the psychic walls I had set in place within the warp for my web way project. Now, I will admit they were hastily constructed, and I didn't reinforce them properly. If a daemon prince or one of the chaos gods chose to break it, I imagine the consequences would be far worse. Regardless of that, it was destroyed, and daemons flooded the palace. The custodians fought a near endless war against them until we got the exposed gateway portal closed. When you arrived within the Palace, I hastily ignored you and blamed you for such destruction. Back then, I refused to listen to your important message. I don't forgive you my son for being a part of the destruction. But I do forgive you for being unknowingly fooled and tricked by Tzeentch. I failed to properly teach my sons about the truth of the warp and chaos."
"However, and mind you, I only learned this only a few millennia ago. Leman Russ was unknowingly tricked by Lorgar and Horus into believing that I decreed Magnus to die. The truth was that I only sent Leman Russ, some Custodians, and the Sisters of Silence to bring you back to Terra. Not for your death. Russ was tricked into believing that order had changed and his attempt at peacefully conversing with planet was sabotaged by Horus. Horus and Lorgar wanted both Magnus and Leman dead. I am quite thankful that failed regardless of the devastation upon Prospero. The two of you are brothers and it breaks my heart to see your anger towards each other. Understand that both of you were tricked and please try to get along, okay?" Magnus's cheeks felt flushed from such words. He felt something swelling within himself but what it was, he had not the experience to understand it. Magnus then spoke," Yes father, I will try. However, I'm still a Daemonic prince and my soul is gone. Isn't it incredibly dangerous for me being here?" Their father laughed shortly and said," Very true Magnus, but not an issue. I have a present for you Magnus."
Magnus looked at his brothers hoping they might know the answer, but they looked just as confused as he was. sanguinius interrupted and said," Father, your habit of answering questions without answering them still need some work." sanguinius coughed and said," What our Father means is that, he has your original soul. All in one piece." Magnus couldn't believe it as he staggered backwards and loudly said," WHAT? HOW?"
Their father said," Listen Magnus, I am aware of your current situation. Your true soul was splintered long ago, and I am more than aware of your goal of hunting them down. Your are Magnus the Crimson King right now, the strongest version of your past self. But that's not who you truly are. I imagine you've been looking for your final shard, right son? It came to be found within my collection not so long ago. However, even if I gave it to you right now, you would still not be whole. You are still missing your original soul that Zceentch stole from you. Are you following me on this Magnus?" Magnus simply nodded and said," But I don't understand, I can't reverse this change and turn human." The Emperor sighed and said," Unfortunately, that is correct. I can give you the shard, but I can't undue your corruption. But I know who can." Russ quickly stepped up and said," That's possible?! Who's even capable of that if not you?" The Emperor quickly spoke," It shames me that I can't help further, but you would have to find Isha." Roboute spoke," Wait, hold on. Isha? THE ISHA? That Aeldari goddess? I thought she was long past dead, consumed by she-who-thirsts?" The Emperor nodded and said," Partially correct son except that she is alive and well. Though, she is not in an ideal place. She has been a lifelong prisoner of Nurgle, within his Gardens. She will need to be rescued, but she has the power to accomplish what I cannot."
Magnus stammered as he said," Well…. if that's the case. I could simply ask Mortarion for permission to enter the gardens. He's a bit of a jackass but it might work." The Emperor shook his head and said," No son. The great four are well aware of your presence here. They would see you as a traitor if you came back and even more so, asking to see Isha would be suicidal. Nurgle guards her extremely well. I doubt even Mortarion could ask such a thing."
Apologies on the cut off folks. The conversation will continue in Chapter 3. Chapter 2 was getting a bit too long. Story really picks up in Chapter 3-4.
Already working on Chapter 3 and 4. This story for the majority, follows the lore. Obviously, I am making some changes but nothing too extreme. More characters and factions will be introduced and fleshed out soon.