-M29 671. Imperial Palace. Terra-
It had been a day since they arrived in the Imperium, and Lelei couldn't fathom the scale of luxury within this nation. The food, the knowledge, the wonders—it was all beyond description.
Now, she sat down to breakfast with all of her friends. The flavors of the food danced on her tongue, each bite a revelation of taste and texture.
"It's wonderful. From the outside, it looks like ordinary meat. But when you taste it..." Lelei took another bite, savoring the rich flavors.
Itami nodded in agreement, his ramen disappearing quickly. "This is the best ramen I've ever had."
"I couldn't agree more!" Kuribayashi exclaimed between mouthfuls of her Katsudon.
The Falmartian noble couldn't find the words to express her amazement, her attention completely consumed by the tantalizing aroma and exquisite flavors.
"I... I'm speechless," Pina murmured, savoring every bite of her steak.
Bozes nodded in silent agreement, trying her best to contain her excitement. The fragrance of the food was almost intoxicating, surpassing anything she had ever tasted.
"Ah, Lelei. According to the schedule, you won't be accompanying us, right?" Rory asked the blue-haired mage.
"That's correct," Lelei confirmed. "I'll be going to Prospero."
"Prospero?" Tuka inquired with interest.
"It's a planet in the Forzare System of Segmentum Ultima," Lelei explained.
"Hmm... I wonder why they chose to send you there," Rory mused, stroking her chin.
"They've listed me for a scholarship. So, I assume this planet is home to a prestigious academy. It intrigued me, so I did some research," Lelei replied, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"Did you find anything interesting?" Itami asked, intrigued by her enthusiasm.
"I did," Lelei said with a wide smile.
"Would you care to share with us?" Itami prompted.
"Of course," Lelei nodded. "From the documents in Lord Agral's possession, I learned that Prospero is a planet renowned for its warp science innovations. It's considered a bastion of knowledge within the Imperium."
"A bastion of knowledge in a vast empire like the Imperium. I'd love to see it for myself," Itami remarked.
"As would I, Itami," Lelei replied with equal enthusiasm.
Suddenly, a ringing bell filled the room.
"It's time, honored guests. I hope you're ready for the journey," Alexander's voice echoed in their minds.
"I guess this is goodbye for now," Itami said to the group.
"Not for long," Kuribayashi reassured him.
The rest of the group wore solemn expressions as they prepared to part ways. Before they could say more, they were enveloped in a bright light of teleportation.
Lelei found herself standing in an open space, facing a gigantic plane adorned with master-crafted ornaments. A twin-headed golden Aquila spread its wings, a symbol of majestic glory.
"Lelei Lelena," a voice called out to her. It belonged to a towering figure, almost four meters in height, adorned in deep blue armor and a flowing robe.
"That's me," Lelei replied. "May I know your name, honored lord?"
"I am Ahelax Norius, from the Arcanum Legion of the Adeptus Astartes," the giant answered neutrally, surrounded by a transparent psychic aura.
"Lord Ahelax, may I ask why you're here?" Lelei inquired politely.
"I have been tasked with being your Guard Aide until your return from Prospero," he stated resolutely, his demeanor devoid of any human warmth.
Lelei couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and reverence in the presence of Ahelax Norius. Despite her familiarity with individuals like Captain Raias and Lord Agral, who possessed transhuman capabilities, this towering figure exuded a commanding aura that surpassed them all.
Suppressing her instinct to kneel before him, Lelei sensed a primal fear and submission emanating from within. She understood that Ahelax had deliberately suppressed his aura for her comfort, yet the sheer power he exuded was undeniable.
"Let's not delay any further. Your teacher is eager to meet you," Ahelax informed her, his voice commanding attention.
"Of course!" Lelei replied eagerly, hurrying to board the transport with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
-/-
Lelei found herself in a state of disbelief as she beheld the vastness of space unfolding before her. It was a realm beyond the familiar blue horizon of her world, a place of boundless wonder and untold mysteries.
Before her stood a colossal ship, adorned with intricate art and architecture that spoke of power and glory. The vessel, a Judicator class Light Cruiser, dwarfed anything she had ever seen, stretching eight kilometers in length and bristling with enough firepower to command respect and fear.
"Milord, what ship is that?" Lelei inquired, her gaze fixed on the imposing structure.
"It is a Judicator class Light Cruiser. Eight kilometers in length, possessing enough firepower to protect us. We intended to use a battleship to escort you. But the idea was scrapped due to its conspicuous presence," Ahelax replied as their transport touched down in one of the ship's hangars.
As they disembarked, Lelei was greeted by the voice of Ulius, the Ferrous Mind of the ship. "Welcome aboard, Leilei Lelena. I'm Ulius, Ferrous Mind of this ship," the voice echoed in her mind.
"Glad to meet you, Ulius," Lelei acknowledged with a nod.
"Please enter the Teleportarium," instructed the Man of Iron, guiding her and the Astartes towards their destination. Along the way, they passed crews of humans and golems working together in perfect harmony, a sight that left Lelei marveling at the unity between the two races.
Upon entering the Teleportarium, a flash of blue light enveloped them, transporting them to a vast chamber filled with bustling activity. Humans and golems alike worked diligently at metallic tables, their tasks illuminated by the ethereal glow of the Webway portal.
"As the VIP is already here, let's open the head to the Webway!" the Commander's voice rang out, drawing Lelei's attention to the mysterious portal.
Though unfamiliar with the term, Lelei's curiosity was piqued as she observed the intricate workings of the Webway. Despite the dizzying speed at which they traveled, she remained steadfast, her sense of wonder growing with each passing moment.
"Amazing," she breathed in awe, entranced by the marvels unfolding before her.
The Commander smirked, adjusting his stance as he turned to face the young mage. "Thanks to our graviton devices, we can stand like this."
"My apologies, but I don't understand," Lelei admitted, her brow furrowing in confusion as she gazed at the man.
"It's Imperium's technology that manipulates gravity aboard this ship. Thanks to that, we can't feel the turbulence," the Commander explained, hoping to clarify the concept for the mage.
"Gravity, the force that keeps us tethered to the planet's core, preventing us from floating away into the sky. So, if we harness enough of its power, we can mitigate the side effects of our tremendous speed. An interesting concept," Lelei mused, her attention fully captured by the explanation.
The Commander blinked in surprise at her astute observation, a smirk playing on his lips. "Now I understand it all."
In a matter of moments, they arrived at the Webway Gate, a massive structure resembling a planet in size.
"Coordinate input is complete, sir," reported one of the operators.
"Understood. Proceed with the Webway travel," the Commander commanded.
With a surge of speed, the Light Cruiser vanished from reality, engulfed in an ethereal aura.
Before her eyes, Lelei beheld a dimensional structure that defied comprehension. It was pure energy unfolding into time and space, creating infinite geometries that twisted into impossible angles.
The sheer magnitude of the dimensional space overwhelmed her senses, causing her head to ache.
"My head," Lelei murmured, clutching her temples.
"Your mortal mind can't comprehend it. Please, don't stare at it for too long," the Commander cautioned, his tone laced with concern.
"Okay," Lelei replied, lowering her gaze as she tried to regain her composure.
-/-
M29. 671. Forzare System-
As they emerged from the Webway, returning to the material world, Lelei gathered her courage to gaze ahead.
The sight that greeted her was nothing short of magnificent.
Half a dozen moon-sized fortresses stood vigilantly, surrounded by titanic fleets that dwarfed anything she had seen before. She couldn't help but wonder why she hadn't noticed them during their time on Terra.
"The defenses of Terra and Sol Systems are exceptionally intricate compared to those of the Forzare Systems," the Astartes explained, breaking Lelei from her reverie.
"How..." Lelei whispered in awe.
"I am a psyker. Reading the thoughts of anyone aboard this ship is within my capabilities," the Astartes stated matter-of-factly.
The Commander sighed, while Lelei stared at him in astonishment.
"Remarkable," Lelei murmured, trying to process the revelation. "But what do you mean by Terra's defenses being more complex?"
"The Forzare System enjoys comprehensive protection, both physical and psychic. However, the defenses of the Sol System are on a different scale altogether," Ahelax explained, his voice tinged with reverence.
"It is home to the Anathematic power of the Emperor, boasting the most advanced technology in the entire Imperium and serving as the cradle of human civilization. The protection afforded to it surpasses even my understanding. What you see here is but a fraction of what shields the Sol System," he elaborated, his hand resting on the chin section of his helmet.
"But why does it seem invisible?" Lelei pressed, her thirst for knowledge still unquenched.
"The greatest power often remains unseen and unknown. From your experience with Prometheus Arcology, you should understand what that entails, Lelei Lelena," Ahelax replied firmly.
A solemn silence settled over the bridge as Lelei absorbed his words.
"Look, that's Prospero," the Commander's voice broke the silence, drawing Lelei's gaze.
"It's beautiful," Lelei breathed in awe.
"I agree. As one of the shining beacons of the Imperium, it will always stand out," the Commander remarked, a grin spreading across his face.
Prospero appeared like a white diamond against the backdrop of space, the pinnacle of psychic knowledge and innovation within the Imperium.
A haven for scholars and psykers alike, where the mysteries of the Immaterium could be unraveled and studied alongside Mars, creating wonders previously thought impossible.
Their ship descended into orbit, and Lelei finally beheld the wondrous sight of Prospero. It surpassed her expectations, with buildings and architecture that seemed magical and downright impossible.
The sky was painted in hues of blue as spiral buildings stretched towards the heavens, crafted with a blend of ethereal and material constructs that defied conventional reality.
"Let's make our way to the drop ship," the Astartes said, moving away from Lelei.
"Yes, milord," Lelei nodded respectfully, following the psyker transhuman.
-/-
Using a dropship, they made their way to the largest city in Prospero, Tizca. The city boasted floating orbital plates of fine white crystals and majestic pyramids.
"I wonder how the Imperium can create them," Lelei mused aloud.
"You will see soon enough," Ahelax replied cryptically. "This planet is also home to our legion, Arcanum Legion."
"Legion... Transhuman hierarchy. I want to know more about those things," Lelei admitted, her curiosity overcoming her shyness.
"I understand your confusion. I will explain once we arrive," the Astartes assured her.
The concept of transhuman hierarchy had plagued her mind since she first heard those terms. It suggested that someone must stand above all others. Considering Lord Ahelax's towering stature, he likely occupied a high position in this hierarchy, possibly above even Lord Agral.
The dropship landed smoothly, sending a thrill of excitement through Lelei's spine. This was it, the moment of truth. As they disembarked, a soft breeze caressed Lelei's skin.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of psionic power coursing through her body, enveloping her essence and gently embracing her being. The very air, land, and sky seemed to pulse with life.
"Even on your first visit, you can feel it. You must be a talented psyker," a feminine voice spoke from behind Lelei.
Turning, Lelei found herself facing a pair of individuals clad in regal white robes—a man and a woman. The man, Orias, had blonde hair, while the woman, Saira, had yellowish-red hair. They stood at the same height as the Solar Guardian, indicating their age to be possibly centuries old.
"Greetings, I am Orias Vel Glaxius," the man introduced himself with a warm smile.
"Saira Val Glaxius," the woman added, her tone flat.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Lelei Lelena. I come from Falmart," Lelei introduced herself politely, bowing respectfully.
"We welcome you to Prospero, Miss Lelei," Orias greeted her warmly.
"Enough with the pleasantries. Show Lelei to her quarters, and we shall continue," Ahelax commanded emotionlessly.
"As you wish, Lord Astartes," Orias nodded, regaining his composure. "Please, follow us."
As they traversed the main thoroughfare of Tizca, Lelei observed the bustling crowds of both transhumans and mortals. Most were dressed as mages or scholars.
"These individuals... are they psykers?" Lelei ventured tentatively.
"Yes, they are," Orias confirmed, to her surprise.
"But how? I thought psykers were rare within the Imperium," Lelei expressed her confusion. Despite her limited time in the Imperium, she had spent much of it studying its culture and demographics. Among countless trillions, psykers were considered a rarity among Imperial Citizens, with only one in a million.
"Prospero is home to one of the thousands of Schola Psycana," Orias explained.
"Yes, but this is unprecedented. Prospero has a population of one billion humans, yet I sense tens of thousands of psykers in this place alone," Lelei remarked, tightening her grip on her staff.
"That is one of this planet's mysteries. All will be revealed in time," Orias smiled cryptically.
Lelei raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the psyker's enigmatic words. There was something special about this planet, and it intrigued her.
Her distinctive appearance attracted many curious gazes from the Imperial Citizens. Sensing her difference through their psychic abilities, they couldn't help but stare.
Feeling discomforted, Lelei lowered her head to avoid further attention. Ahelax's psychic aura seemed to snap the mortals and transhumans around them out of their trance.
"Thank you," Lelei whispered gratefully.
"I did what was necessary. Their ignorance irritates me," Ahelax replied dryly.
Their journey continued in silence, with no further strange looks directed at Lelei. The Astartes' aura provided her with the protection she needed.
As they approached the largest arcology in Tizca, Lelei marveled at its size, dwarfing even the tallest mountains she had ever seen. Upon entering, she was greeted by impossible crystal structures and an overwhelming psychic atmosphere.
"Lelei, are you alright?" Orias asked, noting her unease.
"I-I'm fine. Although the presence is overwhelming," Lelei confessed, feeling her palms grow clammy.
"Endure it for a little longer. We're almost at the teleportarium that will take you to your chambers," Orias reassured her.
After a short while, they arrived at the teleportarium—a structure made of esoteric psychic crystals rather than metallic or golden materials.
With a wave of Ahelax's hand, the machinery sprang to life, emanating a soothing psychic energy that calmed Lelei's senses and dispelled her distress.
"Feeling better?" Orias asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, thank you," Lelei nodded gratefully.
Orias smiled before gesturing towards the teleportarium. Lelei followed suit, and in a flash of brilliance, she was transported to her chambers. The psychic energy enveloped her, easing her mental exhaustion.
She found herself in a spacious room, larger than any she had seen before.
"Now, let us begin our schedule," Orias stated, taking his place. "Do you have any questions?"
"I have a question," Lelei began, her tone blunt.
"Go ahead," Orias encouraged.
"Why is there such a large concentration of psykers here?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It is thanks to Prospero's special World Spirit," Orias replied simply.
"World Spirit?" Lelei echoed, intrigued.
At her question, Ahelax stepped forward. "It would be better to show you."
A ripple of psychic power flooded the room, its waves like a serene ocean. The form of madness was carefully shaped in its purest manifestation. Suddenly, they were enveloped in a stream of pure maelstrom, its fury tempered by warmth and gentleness.
"There," Ahelax pointed.
Lelei followed his direction, her eyes widening in shock.
Before her stretched a gigantic presence, its form transcending countless dimensions. It defied the laws of physics, its titanic presence within the maelstrom twisting the sea of psychic power as it pleased.
"It protects one billion souls, cultivating them from simple humans into psychically active beings," Ahelax explained. "Humanity is born with talent within their fragile bodies. Once that talent is awakened, they can become like us, Lelei Lelena. We gather those worthy to ascend, elevating them to their deserved height."
"So... This World Spirit is the main reason there are so many psykers in Prospero," Lelei concluded.
"Indeed. But Prospero does not always appreciate it," Ahelax admitted with a sigh.
"What does that mean, milord?" Lelei asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"The World Spirit is Artificial," he revealed.
"Artificial? So the Imperium created it?" Lelei was speechless. The power to create such a psychic being, beyond even gods in her world, was staggering.
"Yes," Ahelax nodded. "After our war with the Aeldari Dominion, we gained the birthright to rule the cosmos. We combined our wisdom with theirs. Some of the wonders of the Aeldari Dominion were beyond us, yet they were left to rot beneath their arrogance and debauchery. We took them to use them as they were intended."
Slowly, the truth began to dawn on Lelei. It wrapped around her mind, revealing the reality that spoke to all.
"So every Schola Psycana is seeded with a World Spirit. Why does the Imperium want to accelerate our ascension into psyker?" Lelei asked bluntly.
"Because it is our destiny. Humanity's evolution into a psychic race is inevitable. The Emperor decreed that the process must be accelerated with careful and strict cultivation," Ahelax explained in his masterfully crafted diplomatic tone. "Prospero is one of the Tri Magister Oculum, three of the finest Schola Psycana. As such, it serves as the center of the Imperium's warp science."
"One of three?" Lelei's excitement was evident in her tone, despite her stoic expression.
"Indeed. Prospero masters warp science, Levisia masters Atheric, and Orbus masters Soul-Forge," Ahelax confirmed.
"You were sent to Prospero to learn warp science and engage in cultural exchange. Psykers from your world are unique to us. We hope to learn from each other, Lelei," Orias added with a warm smile.
"Of course," Lelei nodded. "Then where do we start?"
