Angron felt a profound sense of lingering fear.
The version of himself in the primary universe could hardly believe that the "him" from another universe would degenerate into such an irrational madman after being implanted with the Butcher's Nails.
Once upon a time, Angron had believed himself capable of absorbing pain and even inspiring others through his resilience. This was one of his core strengths.
However, that other version of himself, almost identical in appearance, had been twisted by the Butcher's Nails into a manifestation of brutality, where all emotions and reasoning were warped into pure, primal violence.
He understood that this transformation was the horrifying result of the Butcher's Nails, but hearing the "past" as described by his father filled his heart with both shock and regret.
At the same time, Fulgrim was experiencing his own internal turmoil.
His face contorted, his eyes widened in disbelief, as if he couldn't comprehend that his counterpart from another universe had become a "masochist," someone who craved endless torment and humiliation.
Fulgrim had never doubted his philosophy of "love and beauty." Even when faced with the ugliest aspects of existence, he could force himself to find some semblance of beauty. But that version of himself, fully corrupted by Chaos, had become a monster who lived solely for pain.
To be honest, learning from their father that they were considered "traitors" in another universe stirred a mix of anger, anguish, and confusion within them.
It also forced them to reflect: had their counterparts in that alternate universe been pushed down this tragic path under some form of coercion?
Deep within the hearts of these Primarchs lay a profound sense of conflict and entanglement. They saw the betrayal they had once chosen, yet also felt the silent pull of inevitability—a tragic symphony of fate that seemed impossible to escape.
The most typical example of this was Angron.
In the Warhammer 40k universe, Angron had originally been leading a group of loyal comrades and brothers in an uprising to overthrow the oppressive slave masters and noble class. Victory was within reach—
But at the most critical moment, the Emperor of Mankind from the Warhammer 40k universe intervened in an irresistible manner, abruptly halting the nearly successful rebellion.
This decision directly led to the failure of Angron's uprising and caused him to lose forever the gladiator comrades who had fought alongside him, as close as family.
Already implanted with the Butcher's Nails, Angron's spirit was utterly destroyed by this, reducing him to a prisoner of despair and pain.
Imagine if the Emperor had instead provided timely assistance, helping Angron overthrow the slave masters. Not only would the entire planet have been liberated, but Angron would have gained a well-trained, battle-hardened army of gladiators.
Most importantly, these gladiators had deep emotional bonds with Angron. They were not just excellent warriors but also the foundation for uniting a Primarch with his legion.
In this scenario, Angron's legion would not have been a cold, bloodthirsty instrument of slaughter but a cohesive fighting force bonded by loyalty and brotherhood.
But reality turned out entirely differently. For the sake of "efficiency," the Emperor chose to strike a deal with the slave masters, bringing the planet under Imperial control while abandoning Angron's comrades.
This decision not only shattered Angron's heart completely but also sowed the seeds of his eventual fall and betrayal.
Standing before the Golden Throne, the gathered Primarchs, based on various clues and observations, could only conclude that the Emperor of the Warhammer 40k universe was a distant, cold, and unfeeling figure. Their disappointment was nearly palpable.
In their eyes, the Emperor seemed to view the Primarchs not as blood-related sons but as tools for expanding his empire and conquering the galaxy.
From Angron's experience to the individual tragedies of other brothers, they saw that the Emperor's actions consistently lacked any semblance of paternal care.
Whether in his decisive decision-making or his indifference to sacrifice, it was evident that the Emperor always prioritized efficiency and self-interest over any emotional connection.
This cold and detached attitude led many Primarchs to develop internal doubts, even questioning deep down—
Was the Emperor truly deserving of the title "father"?
In contrast, their "true" father, Samuel Young, was undoubtedly far better than the Emperor of the Warhammer 40k universe.
Although Samuel Young was not perfect, he never withheld heartfelt care from these Primarchs.
Not only did he strive to give them a happy and fulfilling childhood, but figures like Dr. Alexia Ashford and Queen Tina Losrian also provided them with meticulous "motherly" love.
For example, Horus and Magnus still vividly remembered their father accompanying them to watch family-friendly comedy movies in a theater or shopping in the New Akra City mall like a normal family.
Because of this rare care and support, even though the Primarchs occasionally experienced moments of confusion during their growth, they could always find balance within themselves.
When they learned that, in another universe, half of their brothers had betrayed the Imperium and fallen to Chaos, their initial shock and confusion quickly subsided, replaced by rationality and stability.
Each Primarch understood in their hearts that their vastly different fate was due to Samuel Young showing them what it truly meant to be a "father" through his actions.
"Father."
After a brief silence, it was Guilliman, one of the eldest, who broke the tension.
He raised his head slowly, his blue eyes reflecting both deep thought and a hint of probing curiosity as he directed his gaze at Samuel Young. His voice was low and steady as he asked:
"Since you seem to know so much about the past of that universe and also have us as your Primarch sons, are you perhaps the counterpart of the Emperor from that universe?"
The question caused the air in the hall to freeze once more. All the Primarchs fixed their eyes on Samuel Young, seemingly anticipating an answer that could potentially redefine their understanding.
"…"
Samuel Young hesitated slightly and did not immediately respond to Guilliman's question.
After a brief pause, he slowly spoke, his tone calm but weighted with seriousness:
"Perhaps I am, or perhaps I am not. My knowledge of that universe's events comes from another source, not from personal experience."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the Primarchs as though carefully choosing his words. "But if I truly am the Emperor's counterpart from that universe, then the only thing I wish to do is to correct the mistakes that cannot be undone."
Samuel Young's tone grew firmer as his gaze radiated profound care and responsibility:
"I would never allow you to be isolated, humiliated, or treated with cold indifference as you were in that other universe.
My goal is to ensure that each of you feels supported and has a sense of belonging. I want you to understand that you are not just warriors but beings with flesh, blood, and souls."
As his words settled, the vast hall fell silent again, but the Primarchs' expressions softened, their doubts and unease seemingly soothed by an intangible warmth.
"And after the events of Istvaan III and V, the traitor legions launched their full-scale assault on Holy Terra. During this time…"
Samuel Young continued, his gaze sweeping across the faces of each Primarch in the hall.
His tone remained calm, yet it carried an undercurrent of heavy emotion as he recounted the pivotal events leading to the catastrophic siege on Terra in the Warhammer 40k universe.
He described the desperate retreat of loyalist forces as they lost system after system to the advancing traitors, ultimately losing contact with Holy Terra itself.
During this period of upheaval, Guilliman, Sanguinius, and Lion El'Jonson attempted to preserve humanity's last hope by forming the "Second Imperium."
Hearing this, Guilliman, Sanguinius, and Lion's expressions became visibly complex.
Although Samuel Young's tone carried no overt judgment, nor did he dwell on their emotional responses, the historical recounting still unsettled them.
Guilliman lowered his gaze as if deep in thought. Sanguinius frowned slightly, his eyes flickering with emotion. Lion remained silent, his fists quietly clenched, clearly stirred by some inner feelings.
The establishment of the Second Imperium, while intended to safeguard humanity's survival, also carried the taint of betrayal.
Moving forward, Samuel Young shifted the discussion to the siege of Holy Terra itself.
He recounted in somber detail how Sanguinius returned to Terra with his forces in a last-ditch effort to save the Imperium.
Although the noble Primarch foresaw his own death at Horus's hands during the climactic battle, he still chose to fight, embracing his fate with unwavering resolve.
Samuel Young paused momentarily, his expression growing heavier. "And in the final confrontation, the Emperor himself took to the battlefield to face Horus in a fight to the death.
Though the Emperor ultimately succeeded in killing Horus, the cost was devastating."
The Emperor of the Warhammer 40k universe, in order to temporarily escape the constraints of the Golden Throne, had to sacrifice his closest friend and confidant, the Imperial Regent Malcador the Sigillite.
While this act secured victory, it left the Emperor gravely injured, rendering him almost entirely incapacitated.
In the end, the Emperor was permanently confined to the Golden Throne to sustain the Imperium's spiritual strength and guide its navigators, but at the price of becoming a "living corpse."
As Samuel Young's voice trailed off, the vast hall once again fell into silence.
The Primarchs' expressions were complex, reflecting both shock at the devastating war and deep sympathy and helplessness for the fates of their counterparts in that universe.
What followed was even more heart-wrenching.
The traitorous Primarchs either perished in chaos and slaughter or fell entirely into the abyss of Chaos, becoming pawns and slaves of the Dark Gods.
Meanwhile, the loyalist Primarchs faced equally grim fates—some disappeared mysteriously, while others, like Guilliman, were critically injured and left on the brink of death.
Guilliman, for instance, was placed in stasis by the Ultramarines, a frozen legend trapped in suspended animation.
Ultimately, whether loyal or traitorous, the outcome was the same: the Imperium gradually descended into unending darkness and stagnation, losing its former glory and hope.
Despite the somber nature of these truths, Samuel Young deliberately withheld details about the later stages of the Warhammer 40k universe.
He chose to focus only on the key events, glossing over the deeper catastrophes and decay.
After all, his primary goal was to make his sons aware of their counterparts in that universe and the tragic fates they endured, rather than burdening them with excessive details of its darkness.
More importantly, Samuel Young was acutely aware of the insidious nature of the Chaos Gods, especially their manipulations and corruption during events like the Quinquantra Incident.
For this reason, he intentionally avoided topics that might attract the attention or influence of the Chaos Gods, ensuring his sons remained free from unnecessary threats.
As Samuel Young concluded his words, the hall's atmosphere remained heavy, but each Primarch's gaze reflected deep contemplation.
Clearly, they were deeply affected by the alternate universe's outcomes, yet Samuel Young's careful approach ensured they maintained clarity and vigilance.
"Father," Horus finally spoke after a long silence.
"You've told us all this to prepare us, to shield us from the temptations and manipulations of the Chaos Gods, haven't you?"
Samuel Young nodded slightly, his gaze as deep as the stars, exuding an aura of infinite authority and compassion.
He did not deny it. Instead, in a calm yet resolute tone, he replied: "That's correct, Horus.
But more than that, I wanted to share this with you as a way to let go of something that has weighed heavily on my heart for a long time."
As he spoke, Samuel Young raised his right hand and waved gently, causing all the holographic projections floating in the air to dissolve into streams of light.
The meditation hall returned to its previous stillness, its towering columns and celestial dome radiating solemnity and grandeur.
Samuel Young stepped back to the throne, a massive seat forged of gold and inscribed with ancient runes. In his presence, it seemed even more majestic and unassailable.
Seated on the throne, his gaze swept over the gathered Primarchs, and he continued:
"Now, more than ever, the Chaos Gods and their demonic servants are growing restless. This proves that our Imperium is on the right path.
It is precisely for this reason that they strive so desperately to destroy and corrupt us."
Samuel Young's deep voice resonated through the hall, leaving an indelible impression on each Primarch's soul.
"You must remain vigilant. The moment you detect any signs of Chaos infiltration, act swiftly and decisively to protect the peace of the Imperium."
"Yes, Father!"
The collective response of the Primarchs echoed powerfully, reverberating throughout the grand throne hall.
In their eyes burned a flame of resolute determination—a vow of loyalty to their father and to the Imperium, a faith they would fight and die for.
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