The Emperor looked at Axis standing before him and sighed with a sense of helplessness.
Couldn't the blasted boy have arrived a few hours later? Why did he have to rush to the battlefield at this exact moment? The Emperor had expended so much effort, poured so much of his will, all for the sole purpose of protecting him.
"Axis, since you are here, I will not argue," the Emperor began, his voice weary but firm, "The Webway is under attack by a great daemonic host, and it requires your support. You can go in and relieve the Custodes, the Sisters of Silence, and the Imperial Fists warriors inside."
This was the only way he could keep Axis from interfering in his duel with Horus. He now understood this was the Dark King's bottom line. If he dared to defy the will of the Dark King, he would once again fall into a state of hazy confusion, his mind supplanted by his darkness.
The Dark King was warning him, reminding him that he was a pawn who could be replaced at any moment. He had to follow its script, or the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Axis, the Webway needs you," Magnus urged from his place upon the Golden Throne, "Go, and I will aid you with my psychic power." Magnus knew that under no circumstances could Axis be allowed to disrupt the plan of that terrifying entity. If he did, all of humanity would pay the price. His father might even be forced to turn against Axis himself for the sake of the species' survival.
"I understand. I will enter the war in the Webway," Axis said. "But what are your plans?" The stratagem he had devised with Khorne and the Laughing God also required the use of the Webway, so he had no reason to refuse this command.
Hearing his words, both Magnus and the Emperor let out a palpable sigh of relief. If Axis had insisted on taking the Emperor's place to fight Horus, they would have been forced into a terrible decision.
Between all of humanity and one individual, a choice would have had to be made. Fortunately, Axis had chosen to compromise.
"I will personally lead a contingent of the Custodian Guard in a teleport assault to slay Horus. Once he is dead, the Chaos armies will be leaderless," the Emperor declared.
"Who do you intend to take with you?" Axis asked.
"Rogal Dorn, Sanguinius, and Captain-General Valdor," the Emperor replied.
"Sanguinius might not be able to accompany you," Axis countered. "I met him on my way here, and his situation is less than ideal. He has awakened to his true nature in the Warp." He then explained to the Emperor that Sanguinius had been overcome by his vampiric curse.
"That is truly dreadful news," the Emperor replied, his expression somber, "But I have faith in Sanguinius. I believe he can overcome his trials."
"The roster for the assault can be changed," Axis suggested, "I brought Kratos with me. You should take him instead."
"No!" the Emperor said, shaking his head, "Kratos must remain on the main front. Ferrus Manus can accompany me instead." The coming battle would be perilous beyond measure. Horus was now empowered by the Four Chaos Gods and had been further enhanced by the Ki Axis had expended on the warp.
His combat prowess was stronger than ever. The Emperor knew that only he and Axis were certain to defeat him. Anyone else who encountered Horus first would be doomed.
"I have faith in my son," Axis stated firmly. "Kratos has already mastered the Super Saiyan 2 transformation."
Axis knew that Rogal Dorn would survive, but any other Primarch the Emperor took with him was destined to die. The only one who could survive was his own son. Even with the boons of the Four Gods, Horus would not find it easy to kill Kratos, especially with a certain blood god working as an insider.
Other than Sanguinius, who might last a few exchanges against an empowered Horus, most Primarchs would be killed in a matter of moments. If they fell that quickly, Khorne would have no opportunity to intervene. But if someone could hold out for a little while, Khorne could pull some strings and allow the Emperor to reach the battlefield and confront Horus himself.
This time, Axis intended to save all the loyalist Primarchs. The future of the Imperium could not rest on Roboute Guilliman's shoulders alone. Besides, as a Saiyan, he wanted his son to experience a brutal, bloody battle.
It was in their very nature. And he must experience it firsthand.
"You have great confidence in your son," the Emperor noted, "Kratos was the successor I was grooming. My expectations for him even exceeded those I once had for Horus."
"Rest assured, Kratos will not disappoint you," Axis said, "He is my son and your grandson, heir to both my bloodline and yours."
"Hahaha! Very well, Axis!" the Emperor laughed, a rare moment of levity in the oppressive gloom, "Someone, bring Kratos to me at once!" It seemed the boy had learned a great deal after returning to his true father's side. He was his grandson, after all.
A short time later, Kratos, who had been fighting on the front lines, was brought by the Custodes into the Sanctum Imperialis.
At the same time, Kasha and Sanguinor arrived, having managed to suppress Sanguinius's condition, and they returned to the Palace with the unconscious Archangel. Sanguinius's state was deeply unsettling.
His once-golden armor was now stained a bizarre red by some arcane power. His golden hair had turned the color of blood, and his pair of pure white wings were as crimson as freshly spilled gore.
"Father," Kasha said, bowing to the Emperor.
"Hmm. My greatest fear has come to pass," the Emperor sighed, his voice heavy with sorrow as he looked upon his son. "Sanguinius, my proudest Archangel."
He knew better than anyone what had happened to Sanguinius, just as he had always known about the flaw of the Blood Angels. After all, it was he who had created their Legion.
"Malcador, you and Kasha will use your psychic powers to help Sanguinius. I trust he can find his way back to himself," the Emperor commanded.
He had no time to manage anything else. The Dark King was growing impatient, eager to see him broken upon the Golden Throne, to suffer eternal torment in a shattered body.
"Father, do not worry," Kasha said, "Axis and I are here now. We can turn the tide of this battle."
"That's right, Grandfather. We will win this war," Kratos added, his voice filled with youthful resolve.
"You are both correct. Humanity will be victorious," the Emperor affirmed, "Kasha, you and Malcador will remain here in the Palace. Watch over Sanguinius and monitor the Golden Throne. If Magnus falters, you will take his place for a time."
With Kasha's return, Malcador's ultimate sacrifice would not be necessary. Her psychic power was immense, enhanced by the Fruit of the Tree of Might from Axis, making her nearly half as powerful as Magnus and far stronger than Malcador.
"I understand, Father. What is your plan for the assault?" Kasha asked.
"I will take Kratos and Rogal Dorn with me to storm the Vengeful Spirit," the Emperor declared. "I will face the traitor Horus myself and kill him."
Kasha cast a curious glance at her husband. Why would the Emperor choose to take Dorn instead of both Axis and Kratos? With Axis at his side, the Emperor might not even need to fight. Axis alone had the power to destroy Horus.
"Axis has a more important battle to fight," the Emperor explained, "An endless tide of daemons is surging through the Webway. If that portal is breached, the daemonic host will flood onto Holy Terra, and our world will fall in an instant. That war is more critical than the one raging outside. I must entrust it to the strongest and most trustworthy person I know."
Kasha nodded in understanding. Her father's power combined with her son's was more than enough to crush Horus.
"My son," Axis said, stepping forward and clapping a hand on Kratos's shoulder. "Let me see your strength in this fight. If you see Horus, don't hold back. Greet his face with your fists."
"Don't worry, Father," Kratos replied, nodding with determination. "I won't disappoint you, nor will I dishonor your teachings."
Kasha couldn't help but hug them both.
Before the Golden Throne, the Emperor made his final war preparations.
Rogal Dorn soon arrived in the throne room, his expression a grim mask of duty. With the preparations complete, the Emperor, Rogal Dorn, Kratos, and Captain-General Valdor, leading a squad of elite Custodes, boarded a specialized transport and set off towards the Vengeful Spirit.
As he watched the Emperor's vessel depart, Axis let out a quiet sigh.
Neoth, he thought, using the Emperor's ancient name, the man who dedicated his entire life to humanity. Go and fight your last war as a man. I promise you, one day, I will help you rise from that Golden Throne, whole and unbroken.
He turned his attention back to the immense gilded throne.
"Magnus, open the entrance to the Webway. I will relieve the defenders inside," Axis said, taking a deep breath as he moved behind the Golden Throne.
"Be careful, Axis. I will maintain a psychic link with you at all times," Magnus replied, nodding as he focused his will and opened the portal.
Axis stepped through.
The thousand or so remaining Custodes, along with a great number of Sisters of Silence and Imperial Fists Space Marines, were brought out, relieved by his sudden arrival.
Inside the shifting corridors of the ancient alien network, Axis prepared for battle. He transformed directly into the Legendary Super Saiyan.
A flash of blinding green light erupted, and a figure standing three and a half meters tall, rippling with explosive muscle, appeared within the Webway.
His voice boomed through the psychic chaos, a challenge to the daemonic hordes. "You shall sate my wrath, you wretches!"
...
..
.
ps?