The Hord temple, along with stacks of dried skins, was burned to ash in the flames.
Organic mountains turned to scorched earth. Promethium flows reduced forests to ash.
After the White Scars won their first campaign since their rebirth, they were the first to leave, leaving behind a single fleet with the Janzar as its flagship.
Shadows of Order's fleet departed soon after.
Aboard the Shadow's Sovereignty, Primarch's Office.
As Nareth listened to Arsena Dunn's report, he focused his will.
In the first layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, the Jokaero moved, beginning to concoct the Sequence 6 "Hypnotist" potion for the Visionary Pathway.
After advancing to "Mentor of Disorder," his authority had clearly increased. He felt more and more like the true master of the Kingdom of Disorder.
He no longer needed to physically move. As long as an object was within a certain distance, he could use telekinesis to lift it and then bring it into the Kingdom of Disorder.
He could also directly issue commands to the "linked" Jokaeros without going to the first layer.
"My Lord, during the war against the Nephilim, the Chief Apothecary developed one hundred six different potions. His final results included a permanent silence potion and a two-standard-hour light-loss potion."
"The use of these potions significantly reduced casualties. The four Chapters lost a total of nine hundred forty-three men."
"Though the White Scars' independent nature makes it impossible to determine their casualty numbers, they have fewer achievements, and their casualties likely exceed four thousand."
Nareth nodded, agreeing with his Aide's assessment. This could be inferred from his current "corrosion" target, Hasik Noyan-Khan's brotherhood.
Hasik, the vanguard, was, besides Qin Xa, commander of the Keshig, and Stormseer Targutai Yesugei, the one Jaghatai trusted most.
His brotherhood was the largest among the Chogorians, likely over two thousand. Now it numbered less than a thousand, with only five hundred jetbikes.
"Our casualties were not high, but every fallen Shadow of Order had their limbs shattered by sonic weapons. No complete bodies remained."
"Marlena is supporting the Forge Lord in researching the sonic weapons."
Nareth nodded slightly. The Nephilim were indeed unique in the field of sound. The fallen Shadows of Order left only their beyonder characteristics.
"Techmarines intercepted the Odex line used by the xenos. They compiled an audio dictionary of the Nephilim language."
"I have organized my 'Student of Ratiocination' to begin research on a new encrypted communication language."
His Aide put away his data-slate. Before leaving, he said.
"Chaplain Pat is waiting outside, as you commanded."
"Send him in." The moment Arsena left the Primarch's Office, Nareth's palm turned. A thin wisp of black mist rose. A colorless, transparent potion appeared.
Simultaneously, with a thought, potion materials like the blue Nephilim moved from the storage palace to beside the furnace.
The Jokaero then began concocting the Sequence 6 "Prometheus" potion.
Pat, holding the Truth Stave, walked to the desk and said respectfully.
"Father."
"Drink this." As he spoke, Nareth slid the potion to Pat.
"Thank You for Your gift." Pat took the colorless, transparent potion.
He watched the transparent bubbles, reflecting the light from different angles in different colors.
He drank. It seemed to grow silent around him. Layers of ethereal scales appeared on his skin.
His body flickered between light and dark, as if invisible.
A dozen seconds later, the newly promoted "Hypnotist" coalesced. The ethereal "scales" vanished.
"Pat, you will now serve as the Legion's Master of Chaplains. You are responsible for reviewing the thoughts of Shadows of Order and inspiring them on the battlefield."
As he spoke, the Primarch transmitted the method of praying to the Black Emperor, and information on detecting potential Alpha infiltration, to Pat via psychic link.
"My Lord, I will become Your shield of faith, build the spiritual defense against all heresy."
After Pat left, Nareth went to the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder.
The "Mentor of Disorder" extended his spirituality, touching Tierney's orb. Confirming he was alone, he pulled him into the Kingdom of Disorder.
A red-yellow liquid appeared in his black-mist-shrouded right hand.
"Drink this."
Tierney extended both hands respectfully, receiving the potion. He immediately felt its allure.
"Thank You, my Lord, for Your gift." He eagerly drank. Immediately, he felt an ethereal flame rolling in his throat, as if true fire burned in his stomach.
Nareth scrutinized Tierney. He already knew from the Blasphy Slate the general scope of the "Prometheus's" core beyonder ability, "Steal."
As in his memory, the "Prometheus" could only "steal" beyonder abilities, not psychic or other powers.
'Only the "Black Emperor" path undergoes qualitative change. The other paths have no fundamental change. The effect for Astartes is only slightly stronger than for ordinary people.'
'Thus, the "Prometheus" is rather akward.'
Like the "Polymath" and the "Scribe," the "Prometheus" gained abilities they didn't possess.
But the "Prometheus" could only use the stolen ability for ten minutes, and the target would lose it for a full day.
With all Extraordinaries being his subordinates, the "Prometheus's" role was essentially negative.
He had considered using "Prometheus" in training exercises, having them temporarily "steal" abilities from others to practice responding to attacks.
But he ultimately abandoned the idea. The training value would be limited, and it would undermine his authority.
'At least they can also steal corrosion. Another option besides the Sun Pathway.'
'And "Steal" has also changed qualitatively. It can be done remotely, or dangerous items can be forced onto a target.'
'Though it's the weakest of Sequence 6, it can still be useful in certain situations.'
As he thought, the newly promoted "Prometheus," through meditation, reined in the overflowing power of the potion.
"Thank You, my Lord, for Your gift." As Tierney thanked the Black Emperor, his eyes flickered.
The "Prometheus" had a vague sense that the Black Emperor's body was a treasury of treasures.
He could clearly feel that the golden wings were more valuable than Lord Vulkan's armor. The blurred object at His waist, which he knew was a sword, was more precious than the chain on His little finger.
'Only such treasures are worthy of my Lord.'
As he thought, black mist engulfed him, returning him to reality.
Nareth did not advance Chief Apothecary Mikael to Sequence 5. Though materials like the green Nephilim were gathered, the advancement ritual requirements were not met.
The "Scarlet Scholar" advancement ritual required gathering metals, gems, and the blood of supernatural creatures representing the different phases of the moon.
Currently, he only had the Moonstone of Vostroya's moon, the main ingredient for "Sleepless." It was crescent-shaped.
In the first month of 885, in the third layer of the Kingdom of Disorder, Nareth picked up the Dice of Prophecy.
After waiting an extra month, he could confirm that divining the uniqueness had permanently increased the dice's cooldown by a month.
He reined in his thoughts. Information about Perditus flashed through his mind.
'Perditus is one hundred fourteen light-years from Balaam.'
'At 230°7′ is the Drebellar Beacon.'
'...'
Some worlds in the galaxy could serve as Warp coordinates.
Though not as brilliant or permanent as the Astronomican, they often served as beacons. Drebellar was the closest such beacon to Perditus.
During the Heresy, the Lion used Drebellar as a reference point to find Perditus amidst the Warp storms engulfing the galaxy.
After the known information about Perditus flashed through his mind, he silently intoned.
'Star chart from the Kalium Gate to Perditus.'
'...'
After intoning it eleven times, he tossed the dice.
The triangular pyramid tumbled through the air. The moment it landed in his open palm, a brilliant scene unfolded before him.
Nareth memorized the star chart and encoded it on a data-crystal.
Returning to reality, with a thought, he transmitted all the information about Perditus to John, with whom he had a psychic link.
Nareth didn't know what enemies the Dark Angels, led by the Lion, and Calas Typhon would face. He decided to have the "Calamity Priest" perform a divination.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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