The equipment hummed incessantly, reverberating through the spacious study.
The holographic image was remarkably clear and lifelike,as if it had been scaled down proportionally. The glow illuminated two noble faces. Though distinct, both faces exuded an equal nobility. They were the creators of the Imperium.
Under the Emperor's leadership, they had restored humanity's glory in a dark galaxy teeming with xenos and evil.
Now, they were discussing how to expand this grand endeavor even further.
"Upon receiving your message, I rushed here immediately," Vulkan said. "Is there something important that necessitated you sending an envoy to summon me?"
As Vulkan replied, he scrutinized the image before the two men.
With his Primarch-level mind, he effortlessly deciphered the marked runes and abstract data flowing within the holographic projection.
He could instantly comprehend those runes and annotated data.
Vulkan had also been enhanced.
As a Primarch, he had the authority to use the most advanced technology to augment himself.
Guilliman had no objection to this. The stronger Vulkan became, the more useful he was to him.
Guilliman shifted his gaze from the shimmering images to Vulkan.
His eyes glowed, like the sun.
Anyone meeting Guilliman's gaze would feel pressure.
He was increasingly resembling a god.
Even a Primarch like Vulkan found it difficult to look directly at him.
He had to exert effort to keep himself from kneeling before his former brother.
"These past few days, I've been discussing our enemies with Corax. In our explorations across multiple universes, we've discovered traces of the Chaos Gods."
Guilliman swiped his hand through the air, and the images floated before him.
Many universe projections showed red outlines, indicating that those universes had been invaded by the Chaos Gods.
"Many universes contain what is called 'order' and 'chaos,' where gods divide into factions and fight each other. This method greatly facilitates their harvesting, even forming cyclical changes to unearth more fruits."
"Of course, neither chaos nor order holds any meaning for the Imperium. They are all our enemies, targets we must destroy."
"The problem is, to completely defeat the Chaos Gods, at this stage, we still need the help of some gods from the order side. Once we defeat the Chaos Gods, we will then launch a reckoning against the remaining gods, finding a way to strip them of their divine status, turning them into mortals. Or even executing them, so they can no longer interfere with the progress of human civilization."
Guilliman stepped forward. "I've strayed a bit. I didn't summon you to discuss this issue."
"But I've gained a lot," Vulkan said. "Your Majesty, your wisdom is always astounding."
"I dare not accept such praise. Do you know the eldar gods?"
Vulkan nodded.
With the help of the eldar and the Watchers, the Imperium had established a complete history from the Age of the Old Ones to the present. The eldar had their own pantheon.
In the records of the war between the Old Ones and the necrons, traces of these gods' activities could be seen.
It was said that they were created by the Old Ones.
One could also say they were another reflection of the Old Ones. The faith in the eldar gods permeated the history of the eldar empire. Their deaths also presaged the fall of the eldar empire.
When Slaanesh awoke, not only did it create the Eye of Terror, but it also destroyed the eldar pantheon.
"Most of the eldar gods died during Slaanesh's initial cry, but a few of them are still alive. The one currently leading the eldar, Cegorach, is a member of the eldar pantheon." Guilliman paused, then clicked in the air, opening an interface.
"To obtain the knowledge left behind by the Old Ones, I once promised Cegorach that I would rescue the eldar goddess of life, who was abducted by the Plague Lord. Now, it's almost time to fulfill that promise."
"But this goddess of life is in the domain of the Plague Lord. To rescue her, we must delve deep into this Chaos God's territory. Even if their existence is merely a reflection in this universe, they possess unimaginable power. To defeat a Chaos God through brute force is unthinkable."
"To fulfill this promise, I can only resort to some unconventional measures. Summoning you was merely to ensure the rescue plan proceeds more smoothly."
"What can I do for you?" Vulkan asked. "I've never tested the full power of the weapons I've forged with my own hands. Just give the order, and I will draw my sword even against the Chaos Gods."
"Vulkan, hearing those words from you puts my mind at ease. With the support of you two, the plan will surely proceed smoothly," Guilliman said. "A force composed of a Legion of the Damned and Returners is already prepared. But they lack a commander daring enough to declare war on the gods. After much thought and searching, I must admit I believe you are the best candidate for this position."
"What about Corax?" Vulkan looked at the Raven Guard Primarch, whose face was as pale as snow and whose hair was jet black.
"We cannot completely break through the Plague God's domain, and the eldar goddess of life is located in the core region of Nurgle's domain. That ancient, moss-covered old house," Corax stepped forward and said. "The probability of rescuing the eldar goddess of life through a frontal assault is infinitely close to zero."
"Our only option is a surprise attack. You will lead the legion in a frontal assault, the more ferocious the better, to draw the daemons' attention, while I will be responsible for stealthily entering and finding the trapped eldar goddess of life."
"Wouldn't that be too dangerous?" Vulkan frowned. "If you don't make it out, it would be too great a blow to us. Sacrificing a brother for a xenos god is not a worthwhile trade."
Corax walked up to Vulkan.
"Don't worry, brother. The Emperor and I have meticulously planned and calculated. Some daemons have provided us with intelligence. Of course, some of this intelligence is certainly false, but it's enough for us to understand the situation in Nurgle's domain. With this understanding, I will infiltrate the core of Nurgle's domain and rescue the eldar goddess of life."
"Furthermore, with so many traitors born among humanity, the daemons in Nurgle's domain will naturally choose to betray for their own desires. Some low-ranking daemons have already been swayed; we've promised them large amounts of xenos flesh and souls in exchange for their assistance at critical moments."
"What a crazy plan," Vulkan said. "We're going to raid a Chaos God's domain and even cooperate with daemons."
"We have no choice, and it's also a test, a tempering," Guilliman said. "We're bound to confront those guys eventually."