Chapter 187 — Haki Awakening and the Praetor Ceremony
After learning the power known as Haki, Roboute Guilliman did not delay.
The Primarch immediately summoned his sons, the Victrix Guard, to the training ground within the Imperial Palace.
The training ground inside the Imperial Palace was quiet, luxurious, and surprisingly serene. Only twelve figures stood at attention in the polished hall, their blue-and-gold armor reflecting the light from the towering windows. These twelve were the Victrix Guard, Guilliman's personal bodyguards. Elite Ultramarines hand-picked from decades of service, they were skilled beyond most soldiers, their loyalty absolute, and their discipline perfect.
Unlike standard Space Marine squads, the Victrix Guard remained intentionally small, a ceremonial but extremely elite unit whose numbers were limited to only the most trusted warriors.
Cato Sicarius, leader of the Victrix Guard, stood at the front of the group. His expression was calm, almost unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. Every member of the Victrix Guard felt the same tension. They had trained under Guilliman for years, yet today's summons promised something new.
Cato Sicarius, scion of the noble Talassari family of Ultramar, rose swiftly through the ranks of the Ultramarines, serving as Company Champion, Captain of the 2nd Company, and Master of the Watch. A veteran of countless campaigns, including Damnos and the Terran Crusade, he now commands the Victrix Guard, bringing decades of experience, unwavering discipline, and tactical mastery to protect Roboute Guilliman and carry out his will on the battlefield.
Guilliman appeared on the elevated platform, his presence filling the room. Even standing still, he radiated authority and power.
"I am here to gather you all to strengthen you further," Guilliman said. His voice was calm, precise, yet carried weight that demanded attention.
The Victrix Guard remained kneeling, hands resting on their knees. Each of them felt the familiar mix of curiosity and caution. "Strengthen us further?" They silently wondered. What could their Primarch possibly teach them that they did not already know?
Guilliman understood their thoughts. Without a word, he descended the steps, moving toward a set of reinforced strike dummies at the far end of the hall. He raised his fist and struck the target lightly, his hand coated in Armament Haki. The dummy shattered with ease.
The Victrix Guard exchanged glances. That was... normal. Guilliman was a Primarch. Breaking a training dummy was expected. Nothing unusual there. But Guilliman's next actions would change everything.
He reached for a power sword from the nearby weapon stand. The blade gleamed in the light, clearly a relic of immense quality. "Cato," Guilliman said, holding the sword upright. "Come and strike this sword."
Cato rose and took his place. He unsheathed the Talassarian Tempest Blade, an ancestral weapon of deadly sharpness and energy. A single swing, if aimed well, could fell even mighty foes. With all his strength, he swung it at Guilliman's sword.
The swords clashed with a sharp, ringing ding, and to Cato's surprise, Guilliman's sword did not budge. He had expected it to split cleanly, yet it remained intact, the clash sending a faint vibration through the room.
Cato moved to activate the power within his sword, preparing for another strike, but Guilliman shook his head. "Return to your position."
Cato bowed slightly and lowered his blade. Guilliman turned toward all twelve of the Victrix Guard. His voice was calm but filled with quiet authority.
"As you can see," he said, "this sword did not break, even when struck by Cato's blade laid flat. I used a power called Haki."
The Victrix Guard shifted, all eyes fixed on him. Cato lowered his head, listening intently, understanding the significance of Guilliman's words.
Guilliman continued, "This is called Armament Haki. It allows you to manifest your will into reality, hardening your body or weapons. Its strength depends entirely on your willpower. There are also two other forms of Haki besides Armament."
He paused, letting the words sink in. The Victrix Guard understood, this was not just physical strength. This was something that connected mind, spirit, and body, magnifying their abilities far beyond what any armor or weapon could do.
"I learned this from Gaius," Guilliman said. "I have adapted the method to work for all of you. You will train to master Armament Haki and Observation Haki. Conqueror's Haki is too dangerous to teach lightly, it is unpredictable and difficult to awaken."
In the short time since learning it from Gaius, Guilliman had already analyzed the principles and designed a training method suitable for Space Marines.
He touched a data slate, and a holographic projection appeared, showing detailed information about Haki. Cato stepped forward and carefully received it. "Affirmative," he said.
"Do not follow me for now," Guilliman instructed. "Continue your duties after you have mastered both forms of Haki."
The twelve Victrix Guard raised their voices in unison. "We will obey, and we will excel!"
Guilliman nodded. "You will also be provided with special foods to aid your training," referring to the Sea King meat that would be supplied for them.
The Victrix Guard acknowledged the order. Each of them studied the data projections carefully, already imagining how to combine Haki with their existing combat skills. Guilliman left them to their preparations. He still had many responsibilities elsewhere, but the foundation for a new level of strength had been set.
A month passed.
The Victrix Guard had trained diligently, mastering the use of Haki. Their bodies, weapons, and awareness were now enhanced far beyond what even Guilliman's most experienced veterans had imagined.
The Hall of Terra was immense, grand beyond words. White marble floors gleamed beneath towering ceilings, colossal columns of gold and obsidian rising to support stained-glass windows depicting the Emperor, the Primarchs, and great battles of the Imperium. The dais where Guilliman would stand was elevated, giving him full visibility over the assembly.
Representatives from Space Marine chapters, Adeptus Custodes, high-ranking tech-priests, and select Imperial officials were assembled in ceremonial formation. Red carpets and banners displaying Ultramar's insignia and Imperial heraldry lined the hall.
Guilliman, flanked by Cawl, Calgar, and Gaius, entered the hall. Gaius wore only luxurious robes, his body unarmored yet still radiating strength. Even unarmored, his presence drew attention immediately. The Victrix Guard were present, standing tall and disciplined. They had successfully awakened and begun developing their Haki.
Ecclesiarchy priests began prayers and blessings, their voices echoing through the cathedral-like hall. Guilliman stepped forward. His voice did not need to rise; it carried naturally over the crowd.
"The Imperium faces threats beyond comprehension," he said. "Adaptation is no longer optional. Today, we witness the fusion of tradition and innovation, of human will and the mastery of energy known as Haki. Gaius, through his contributions, has provided a path forward for those willing to rise."
All eyes turned to Gaius. He nodded slightly, acknowledging Guilliman's words
Gaius stepped forward. He flexed slightly, lowering his robes to reveal a body covered with old scars, long healed but still visible. His muscular frame was evident, strength clear even without armor.
Before him stood reinforced targets, the kind only fully armored Space Marines could destroy. Observers murmured among themselves, noting the hardness of the targets.
Gaius placed his hands on a target, enveloping it with Haki. With a single punch, the target shattered completely, the sound echoing through the hall. The representatives gasped, eyes wide in solemn awe.
Even the Space Marine representatives stiffened slightly, recognizing the strength required to destroy such a target without armor.
Unarmored, Gaius had destroyed something that only a fully armored Space Marine could normally break. If he had been in his armor, they wouldn't have been impressed, or even shocked, but Gaius wore nothing but a simple robe.
Next, Gaius donned a thick blindfold. Guilliman nodded subtly, and the Sanguinary High Priest, Corbulo, stepped forward. He held Heaven's Teeth, a relic chainsword, ready to strike.
"Corbulo, attack," Guilliman commanded.
The chainsword swung at Gaius, who dodged with precise timing, even when facing the wrong direction. He moved effortlessly, avoiding every strike by a hair's breadth. The hall was silent except for the sound of swinging blades and Gaius' light steps. Marneus Calgar and others watched, stunned by the precision.
Guilliman called, "Stop." Corbulo lowered his chainsword, still in disbelief.
Gaius removed the blindfold. Corbulo blinked. "Captain Gaius… were you really unable to see? That was miraculous."
Gaius nodded calmly. "You will soon be able to learn this as well, Sanguinary High Priest."
Guilliman spoke in a calm, commanding tone. "Gaius. Approach."
Gaius stepped forward and stopped before the throne. Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee before Guilliman, who remained seated above him.
Guilliman raised his hand. "By the authority vested in me as Lord Commander and Primarch of Ultramar, I invest Gaius as Praetor of the 11th Company. His command, wisdom, and mastery shall serve as a beacon for all chapters. The understanding of new martial power shall be preserved for the Imperium's defense."
Scrolls bearing Guilliman's seal were placed before Gaius, documenting his responsibilities, and authority.Marneus Calgar stepped forward, honoring Gaius symbolically and linking the long-standing traditions of the Ultramarines with this new era.
The hall erupted in applause. Respect, awe, and cautious excitement filled the room, but there was also suspicion and disbelief. After all, an Eleventh Company in a chapter was unprecedented.
A new company beyond the Codex structure.
Still, no one objected. The decree had come from the Regent of the Imperium himself.
The ceremony concluded with a grand banquet. Tables were filled with rare foods, fine drinks from across the Imperium, and carefully prepared dishes meant to impress even the most disciplined warriors.
Across the hall, representatives spoke quietly among themselves, discussing with curiosity how this new skill could improve Space Marine training and strengthen Imperial strategy across the Imperium.
The event was not limited to the hall. Gaius opened a broadcast.
Tony Stark's voice carried over the feed. "Whoa, this is quite grand."
Nearby, Naruto Uzumaki hovered in the air, eyes wide. "Woah, so many Astartes! Like Gaius!"
Mindy clapped and cheered excitedly, congratulating Gaius.
Diana Prince and Saeko clapped as well.
Tanya Degurechaff stood silently, momentarily dumbfounded. She had seen impressive military structures before, but the Hall of Terra, the Victrix Guard, and the towering suits of armor still left her in awe. Despite her surprise, she joined the others and clapped respectfully for Gaius.
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