It appeared that in this world, Warmaster Abaddon's Thirteenth Black Crusade had succeeded. The Great Rift, spanning the entire galaxy, had torn open. Humanity was about to usher in the darkest, most desperate age: the Era Indomitus of the 42nd Millennium
To be honest, Axis held a grudging admiration for the Corpse Emperor of this universe ten thousand years later.
He had practically propped up the human race single-handedly. Without that rotting corpse seated upon the Golden Throne, humanity would have long been exterminated by the xenos races teeming within the galaxy, or the forces of Chaos would have wiped the Imperium out completely.
It was truly tragic.
The Emperor of this world had pushed against the current under endless pressure, practically achieving the ultimate limits of endurance.
In contrast, the Golden Pinapple of his own world started similarly, but ever since Axis appeared, that Emperor had slacked off somewhat.
Because Axis was the Emperor's ace in the hole, capable of solving any crisis, he had demonstrated his power more than a century before the Heresy ever began.
Thus, the pressure on his own world's Emperor was nowhere near as immense as it was for this universe's counterpart, nor had he suffered such grievous wounds. For the Emperor of Axis's universe, sitting on the Golden Throne was more like a performance.
According to Sanguinius, three hundred years had passed, yet that Emperor's body remained as pristine as ever, showing no signs of rot or corruption.
With the Pharos system integrated into the Golden Throne, the strain was greatly reduced; he only required the psychic energy of ten thousand psykers daily to be funneled to him, without needing to consume their lives or burn their souls.
Yet this world's Emperor had endured unimaginable pressure, practically thriving within a hopeless dead end.
The Emperor of Axis's world was like a flower in a greenhouse, often dropping the ball and causing trouble for Axis, while this world's Emperor held up the sky with his own strength alone.
The gap between them was significant. Axis wondered if, ten thousand years later, his own Emperor would be as reliable as this one.
Axis felt that sometimes, people did not know their limits unless forced. Being a slacker was unacceptable!
Old Man, you need to put in some effort, he thought. When I get back, I'm going to properly motivate the Emperor.
You deadbeat salted fish, get moving! Become the renowned Anathema upon the Golden Throne—don't just be a piece of trash.
"I am very relieved to see that my bloodline can continue. I did not meet you in this world... or perhaps, did you appear from the future?" asked the Corpse Emperor.
"No, I was discovered during the Great Crusade," Axis explained, giving this world's Emperor a brief summary of his history, "I landed on Leman Russ's planet and was found by you. Russ became a Primarch, while I underwent decades of modification. At first, you lied to me, claiming it was Custodian surgery, but it turned out you used a Primarch modification. You even created an Astartes Legion for me, named the Golden Legion. Its members can utilize a Golden Transformation to double their combat power."
"That is truly a pity. I did not encounter you in this world. Our world is dark, cold, and desperate; I can only prop up the entire human race alone," the Corpse Emperor sighed from atop the Golden Throne.
"Don't worry, perhaps I can help you. You've seen Sanguinius, as well as your daughter, Kasha, and your grandson, Kratos, right? We can do a lot to assist here," Axis said.
Since the threat of the Dark King had been resolved, the Old Man in his world should have regained his senses.
Axis decided he would let that old bastard reflect on why he was such a waste of space. Axis was in no rush to return; he wanted to tour this alternate world and witness the dark, desperate, original version of the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
"I am greatly relieved. In this universe, Kasha is still imprisoned within a cell by my hand; her mind has even collapsed," the Emperor said.
"Oh! Can you release her then? She is my wife, after all. Even though she belongs to another world, I still wish to save her," Axis replied.
The Kasha of this world had been imprisoned for ten thousand years. It was a truly tragic fate. She didn't even appear in historical records, having been completely erased by the Emperor.
"If you request it, it can be done. However, you must come to the Golden Throne yourself. I currently have no way to communicate with the Custodes," the Emperor said.
It seemed that the other son-in-law had a very good relationship with his daughter, so the Emperor decided to do him a favor and release Kasha.
However, since he could not physically interact with the Custodes, Axis would have to handle the matter himself.
"Understood. I'll make time to visit the Golden Throne," Axis said.
"Actually, since you are coming to the Golden Throne, you could also do me a few favors. First, head to the planet Macragge to save my son, the Primarch Roboute Guilliman!
"He has been in stasis for ten thousand years. Archmagos Belisarius Cawl has already completed the Armor of Fate; he lacks only a catalyst for the resurrection," the Emperor explained.
Originally, he had intended to ally with the Eldar and have their god assist in reviving Guilliman.
Now, however, there was a more suitable candidate. With his powerful divine might, this being named Axis could easily purge Slaanesh's chaotic energies.
"That would not be a problem. We will head to Macragge personally," Axis agreed with a nod.
In truth, before transmigrating, Axis had always harbored a twisted sense of humor regarding this topic: he wanted to get the Imperial Regent and the 'Consort' properly together.
In the other world, the Goddess of Life, Isha, had become his daughter, effectively tying the Eldar to humanity's war chariot. Axis intended to replicate this strategy in this universe.
However, for this universe, Axis decided arrange a marriage for his thirteenth brother.
Axis even planned to record their wedding and bring the tape back to show the Guilliman of his own world, and spread it among all the Primarchs.
Guilliman's expression would surely be a sight to behold.
"I appreciate it. By the way, please tell Sanguinius that in this world, his genetic sons are facing an unprecedented disaster. A species known as the Tyranids has invaded the galaxy, and their threat surpasses even that of Chaos.
"They devour everything, leaving nothing but barren wastelands in their wake. I hope your world's Sanguinius can go to support the Baal system. If the Blood Angels see their father descend, their morale will surely soar," the Emperor said.
In this world, the death of Sanguinius was one of the eternal pains in his heart. Currently, the Baal system was about to face the ferocious assault of Hive Fleet Leviathan.
The only thing the Emperor could do was accelerate time in that region so that while over a century passed outside, only seven or eight days would pass there, buying time until Guilliman awoke.
Once the Imperium was partially unified, reinforcements could be sent. But now, if another world's Sanguinius could intervene, it would be ideal.
"That is no problem, leave it to us. However, please inform your Living Saint of my identity. Otherwise, I worry that upon arrival, I might have to beat up all of Guilliman's sons first," Axis noted.
"I understand. I will inform my Living Saint, Celestine. As for your identity... for the time being, please play the role of my Chosen," the Corpse Emperor suggested tactfully.
He was afraid Axis might refuse.
Axis currently held the status equivalent to that of a powerful Warp God. However, the Imperium followed a monotheistic creed where the only recognized god was the Emperor; in the eyes of humanity, even the four Chaos Gods were mere heresies.
If he asked Axis for help and Axis revealed his true identity as a Warp God, the consequences would be unthinkable, even with a Living Saint to vouch for him.
"Actually, aside from being a god, I was always your Primarch in my world. There's no need for such complexity; just say we are Primarchs from another world," Axis argued.
"No, it is not as simple as you think.
"…Ideally, Sanguinius should play the role of his resurrected self, while you and your son, Kratos, can pose as the Second and Eleventh Primarchs," the Emperor insisted.
"My son and I won't be staying here for too long," Axis replied. It looked like the Emperor wanted him to establish an Astartes Legion here.
"Over ten thousand years, humanity has developed quite well. We have developed a technology called the Primaris Astartes. I can have its creator teach this technology unconditionally to you. Furthermore, if you have any needs, simply speak them," the Corpse Emperor offered.
"Well, I do have one request," Axis said. "In my world, the Eldar and I have a good relationship; we are allies. Therefore, I think you should form an alliance with the Eldar in this world too. How about a political marriage?"
"What?!" The Corpse Emperor was in disbelief.
"Helping you is not a problem; for me, it is effortless. As for the Primaris technology... if we wanted to research it in our world, we could figure it out, so for me, it is merely icing on the cake.
"I can pretend to be the Second Primarch, and my son can be the Eleventh, that's fine. But Guilliman! That guy has to marry the High Prophetess of the Eldar God of Death. By the way, just so you know, the Eldar Goddess of Life in my world is my daughter."
Helping was partly to repay a favor and save this miserable Imperium, but mostly it was to mess with Guilliman's head.
Right now, Axis just wanted to cause some chaos.
...
..
.
ps