Deep within the Hive cluster of the Main Hive City, inside the Zerg Hive, Zagara stood beside Ellie. The little girl's once peaceful and quiet face had begun to contort into a grimace for reasons unknown. She was mumbling incoherently, like a child trapped in a terrifying nightmare.
On the Cinder Plains, the version of Ellie that had been flickering with golden light in mid-air had completely vanished. In her place hovered a sphere of energy emitting an eerie, unsettling radiance. Looking at this orb, Alexei knew exactly what was happening.
If he failed to stop this now, that grotesque light would likely tear open the sky above Aiel in an instant. Countless Warp Daemons would surge through the rift. After that, whatever happened between them and the Tyranid Swarm would have nothing to do with humanity anymore—every soul on the planet would undoubtedly be devoured by both sides.
"Zagara, have the Infestors infect Ellie, now! Plug her into the Zerg psionic network!" Alexei commanded in his mind as the raging psionic winds drew closer.
He didn't know what would happen if he connected an out-of-control Ellie directly to the network. It was possible that every living mind in the network would be blown to bits the next second. But there were no other choices left; he had to gamble.
In the Hive, Zagara had hurriedly gestured for several Infestors to hatch. As the first Infestor approached Ellie and plunged its parasitic neural-link spike into the back of her neck, her body suddenly twisted in agony. The Infestor's massive body exploded instantly into a mist of blood.
Without a moment's hesitation, the second Infestor took its place. The result was the same. Zagara and the others were at their wits' end; to forcibly integrate Ellie into the network, a Neural Parasite had to enter the girl's body.
However, her own psionic power was now subconsciously repelling anything that tried to invade her. In a moment of desperation, Abathur placed its appendage on Ellie. "Do not be anxious, Master. Here to help you."
Whether it was because of Abathur's soothing presence or simply a stroke of immense luck, the Neural Parasite successfully entered Ellie's body this time. But in the next heartbeat, every consciousness within the Zerg psionic network was struck by a massive blow—a primal terror emanating from the depths of their souls.
Colton, Lutheka, Diana... every consciousness linked to the network froze instantly. Their pupils dilated, and then, under the bewildered gazes of those around them, they slowly collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
Within the entire Zerg psionic network, only two active consciousnesses remained: the master of the network, Alexei, and another entity of unknown origin, saturated with pure malice.
It seemed to be mockingly challenging Alexei, the only one still holding onto his sense of self. On the alloy high wall, Alexei fell to his knees in agony. The chaotic environment around him seemed to gain its own sentience, whispering incessantly into his ears.
He forced himself up, his body trembling as he climbed from the ground. His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at the distorting environment before him. Closing his eyes, he used the last of his strength to roar, "GET OUT!!!"
When Alexei opened his eyes again, he found he was no longer on the alloy wall. He had arrived in a dazzling, multicolored space. The pain had left his body. Here, the only stable substance seemed to be his own... soul?
There was no time or space here, no laws of the physical world, and no constraints of material form. Everything was hyper-active. The emotions, beliefs, and souls of all living beings churned here like a boundless ocean.
"The Immaterium..." Alexei murmured as he looked at his surroundings. His soul seemed to have actively traveled to this incredibly dangerous realm.
"This is bad. In reality, I could remain unaffected by the Warp, but now I've run straight into its backyard," Alexei's expression grew tense. He didn't know if he could maintain his individuality here.
Suddenly, the once-quiet sea of souls began to churn. They had noticed the intruder, Alexei. They were the masters of this space, the collective embodiment of all extreme emotions.
Four gazes filled with pure malice fixed directly upon this tiny ant. An endless tide surged toward Alexei. They hungered for his soul; they began to fight over it.
Endless illusions began to appear before Alexei's eyes. Infinite flames erupted around him, and a boiling river of blood flowed through them, filled with snarling, undulating skulls. His consciousness began to fray. Before him, countless skulls surrounded a high, towering Brass Throne. Upon it sat the embodiment of endless rage, violence, and war. It slowly reached out its hands toward him.
However, just as It was about to touch Alexei, the river of blood vanished, replaced by countless whispers. They suddenly appeared around him—the truths of the universe, the reality behind all things. Countless eyes craving knowledge looked at Alexei, inviting him to join them and explore the infinite unknown together.
Alexei walked forward in a daze, but a burst of laughter stopped him. He saw countless lives flourishing, happily surrounding their Father. Their Father loved every life equally. They invited him to join them, to taste delicious delicacies and enjoy a carefree, eternal life together.
In the next moment, the illusion shattered, and things returned to "normal." Alexei's consciousness looked around in confusion. He was... home. He was back in the warm home he had dreamt of countless times.
It was as if everything he had experienced in that dark universe was a lie. He was still just a student who had just started his break, looking forward to a wonderful holiday.
He stood in his living room. From the kitchen, a rich aroma wafted through the air; his mother's silhouette was busy at the stove. Nearby, his father leaned back on the sofa, looking at him with a cheerful smile, beckoning him over. Suddenly, his bedroom door opened, and out walked the girl he had once loved from afar but never dared to approach. She had a smile in her eyes as she asked Alexei to follow her into the room for a long talk.
Just as Alexei was dizzily moving toward her, a red interface suddenly appeared before his eyes. A giant exclamation mark on it snapped him awake. This wasn't his home. He could never go back.
The next second, the scene tore apart. Several Daemonettes stared at him with deathly intensity. Suddenly, his form was yanked away, and he arrived in a black void. In his stupor, he heard the sound of crying. Alexei turned around—it was Ellie, hiding in a dark corner, weeping helplessly.
Alexei did not hesitate. He immediately stepped forward and grabbed her right hand. Ellie slowly looked up, her face covered in tears. "I'm sorry."
Alexei shook his head. "Let's go. Let's get out of here."
However, how could the Four Gods allow him to leave as he pleased? Ellie's form suddenly began to twist and pull away, a look of terror appearing on her face. She screamed loudly but could not make a sound. Alexei gripped her hand with all his might, but how could he possibly resist the power of the Four?
His consciousness began to sink. The mocking laughter of the Four Gods rang in his ears. They ridiculed his ignorance and weakness, mocking him for being foolish enough to deliver his soul to their doorstep.
But just as everything seemed irreversible, a warm, heavy hand pressed onto his shoulder. The chaotic noise vanished instantly.
Alexei turned his head. It was a middle-aged man of ordinary appearance. He looked at Alexei with a blank expression, then let out a helpless sigh before stepping forward to grab Ellie's left hand.
"Go. I still need you. Go to Terra, and see the true me."
Then, a cold, brilliant light suddenly filled the entire space. Accompanied by the angry, unwilling roars of the Four Gods, Alexei's consciousness began to be pulled away from that realm.