Chapter 14: Brotherhood and Healing
"Magnus, stop this madness!" Francis yelled above the psychic storm. "What I described is merely a potential future I glimpsed in dreams; it hasn't happened yet!"
"Prophecy cannot be changed!" Magnus teetered on the verge of a complete mental breakdown. "I'm destined to become a traitor! I've failed the Emperor!"
The deeper Magnus delved into psychic mysteries, the more absolutely he believed in prophecy's unchangeable nature.
Francis exchanged a desperate glance with Leman Russ as they attempted to reason with him, but Magnus proved as stubborn as a mule.
The devastating psychic storm hurled both Primarchs against the chamber walls with crushing force.
"Sixth Brother, hold your position!" Francis roared, tensing every muscle fibre. "WAAAGH!"
Leman Russ stared in bewilderment.
A green energy field manifested around Francis, and the mighty psychic storm immediately transformed into gentle breezes upon contact.
Francis launched himself at Magnus, tackling his brother to the floor in a wrestling hold.
"You keep denying your Ork nature! Leman Russ, you've betrayed the Imperium!" Magnus yelled in terror and fury as his psychic abilities completely failed him.
"Ork nature, my ass!"
"Psychic powers, my ass!"
"Betrayal, my ass!"
Francis straddled Magnus, delivering repeated punches to his face while tearing the pharaonic headdress from his head.
"Stop... stop... quit hitting me! I believe you!" Magnus covered his swollen face with both hands, his speech growing increasingly slurred.
At this crucial moment, Francis leaned close and whispered in Magnus's ear with a sly grin: "You wouldn't want Father to learn about your deal with certain Chaos entities, would you?"
Immediately, Magnus ceased all resistance and stared at Francis in complete shock.
He had never told anyone about sacrificing his eye to forge a pact with Chaos powers, hoping to ease the Flesh Change plaguing his Legion. Especially not the Emperor, he knew other Legions had faced purging for severe genetic corruption.
"Uh, Russ." Francis climbed off Magnus. "Magnus and I need to talk privately for a moment. Mind giving us some space?"
Hearing this dismissal, Leman Russ was obviously displeased. "What secrets cannot be shared among brothers?"
"Look, I'll be straight with you, but don't get pissed at me later," Francis said with a shrug.
Seeing Leman Russ wasn't moving, Francis reluctantly continued.
"Magnus, listen up. You don't understand what you're actually dealing with in the Warp."
Magnus remained silent.
"In the vision I saw, after you get intel about Horus betraying everyone, you try to contact Dad directly through psychic stuff. Problem is, those Chaos things boost your signal way too much, and you accidentally wreck the Webway project Dad's been working on."
'Boom.'
The moment "Webway" was mentioned, Magnus felt ice-cold dread pierce his consciousness.
As master of extraordinary Warp technologies, Magnus instantly grasped the Emperor's ultimate purpose. Compared to Webway destruction, Horus's rebellion seemed far less catastrophic.
"Francis, why haven't you told Father directly?" Leman Russ struggled to understand.
"How the hell could I do that?" Francis replied, looking frustrated. "I was already in the doghouse with Dad because of... well, let's just say things went badly. Now I'm supposed to pop out of nowhere and tell the almighty Emperor that his golden boy Horus is planning to stab him in the back?"
"You think after dropping that bomb, I'd live to see tomorrow?"
Both brothers fell silent.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Francis cleared his throat. "So yeah, I can only tell you guys this stuff. I wouldn't trust our other brothers with this kind of intel. You two are the only ones I actually trust."
Hearing Francis's declaration, warmth filled their hearts. This was true brotherhood.
"Also, Magnus, you know what they say about playing with fire, right? You've caught the attention of some evil entities. Lucky for you, I spotted their game this time."
Magnus understood the warning but remained puzzled by the specifics.
Leman Russ, who grew drowsy whenever Warp matters arose, understood nothing.
"Look, they're not as powerful as they pretend to be. If they were really that amazing, why couldn't they fix the Flesh Change properly?"
Magnus found this reasoning sound, but thinking of his afflicted sons, his expression turned bitter. "There were no alternatives. Even the most skilled Apothecaries cannot cure the Flesh Change. I truly had no choice."
"Whatever, just stop trusting those things. As for the Flesh Change, I've got that covered." Francis patted his green chest confidently.
Magnus remained silent, instead looking toward Leman Russ.
"Absolutely!" Leman Russ confirmed after a momentary surprise. "Francis's Legion has experienced miraculous healing under his care, truly extraordinary."
"How is such a thing possible?" Magnus was profoundly shocked.
This surpassed even the Emperor's capabilities.
"Pretty straightforward, actually," Francis shrugged. "Sometimes a fresh perspective works better than the same old methods everyone's been using."
Though Leman Russ didn't fully understand the explanation, Magnus accepted it.
"So that's why we came to get you and bring you back to Terra. When problems come up, deal with Dad directly. We'll leave some troops here too, once the Webway thing is done, mission accomplished."
After extensive preparation, Francis finally revealed the true purpose of their visit.
"Excellent! I'll have the Thousand Sons accompany me immediately!" Magnus was tremendously excited. Regardless of circumstances, the Emperor required his service.
"Unfortunately, we can't leave right away." Francis rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"Why not?"
"We kinda rushed to get here and banged up the ship pretty good. Needs some repair time. We just... really wanted to see you again, you know?"
Hearing Francis express such longing, Magnus's eye grew slightly moist.
Not only was his brother alive, but he had grown stronger. Magnus had worried about the Astartes' fate after the Great Crusade's end, fearing they might face purging like the Second and Eleventh Legions. Now his heart felt considerably more at ease.
The three brothers embraced and walked toward the monastery.
"Francis, can you truly save my sons? They suffer terribly."
"Without question, Magnus. However, I warn you, if you submit to Chaos, your psychic understanding will forever remain subservient to those entities. Your future will be forfeit! Do you comprehend?"
"I understand completely, Francis. How long will you remain in Ork form?"
"Honestly... uncertain. Perhaps you two could provide blood samples? Recovery might occur after a few sips."
Uncomfortable silence.
"I jest, brothers."
"Should we inform Terra of Horus's potential rebellion?"
"No rush, we'll address this upon return. Have you forgotten my earlier words? Communicate now, and Father's extermination order would swiftly follow."
"How reckless!"
"When do we eat?"
Their voices faded as the three departed toward the monastery.
The Monastery
Leman Russ pushed open the entrance to find numerous Astartes in various states of undress while others conducted detailed physical examinations.
The three Primarchs paused briefly, taking in the scene with professional interest.
"Ah," Magnus observed clinically, "they're examining the physiological changes."
Several Thousand Sons noticed their gene-father's arrival and straightened to attention, though they remained unclothed for the ongoing examination.
"Lord Primarch," one called out, "we're documenting the complete reversal of Flesh Change mutations in the Soul Drinkers. The physiological restoration is unprecedented."
Francis nodded approvingly while Leman Russ simply shrugged. Astartes conducting medical examinations was hardly unusual.
Both Soul Drinkers and Thousand Sons sent representatives to provide detailed reports.
"So you were examining our brothers' physiology, whose Flesh Change had been completely cured?" Magnus asked with keen interest.
The Thousand Sons representative confirmed: "Correct, gene-father. We've documented complete genetic stability where corruption once existed."
"And for thorough examination, you removed all equipment and clothing?" Francis inquired matter-of-factly.
"Yes," Sarpedon replied, indicating the data-slates recording their findings. "Complete physiological mapping required comprehensive access."
Magnus nodded, standard medical protocol for such examinations.
Francis looked around him 'Am I the only weird one who has a problem with a hundred naked buffed men, in a room, huh?'
Leman Russ glanced around the organised medical assessment with approval. "Efficient work. I'll inspect the battle-barge's repair progress."
Francis 'Hmm, so I'm the weird one, well fuck it, being naked is the last thing one can worry about in 40k. Yeah, no problem here.'
After Russ's departure, the remaining Primarchs began serious work.
"Commencing immediately, I'll treat the Thousand Sons Legion's Flesh Change." Francis rolled up his sleeves. "Those requiring treatment, form orderly lines! We begin now! Sarpedon, prepare yourself, you'll handle the simpler procedures."
"First patient..."
[End of Chapter]
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