Through observation of Mikael's aura and questioning, Nareth confirmed that he had fully digested the Beast Tamer potion, then moved into the Kingdom of Disorder.
The auxiliary ingredients for the Vampire potion were the blood of spiritual creatures: 500 milliliters of Fenris ice worm blood, 600 milliliters of giant spirit spider blood…
One by one, the Jokaero's followed instructions, pouring more than a dozen kinds of spiritual creature blood into the cauldron, and finally placing a venomous snake from the Snakebite clan inside.
Nareth watched Mikael tilt back his head and drink the potion. He clearly saw that Mikael's previously chiseled, marble-like face became softer.
His high, sharp nose now had a refined curve.
His lips, once a harsh straight line, now arched slightly, even without a smile.
The changes were subtle, but they gave his face a gentler look.
Compared to helping beasts ascend into Beyonder creatures, Mikael's own advancement was much smoother.
After drinking the Vampire potion, he entered meditation. Three minutes of ship-standard time later, he had stabilized the dissipating power.
The most immediate effect after advancing to Vampire was heightened smell, he could even detect the strange fungal odor outside the tent, on the ground.
Clenching his fist, Mikael felt his body surging with power, yet also lighter.
But along with the strengthening, came discomfort.
The lumen lamp hanging in the tent shed light on him, and he felt an instinctive aversion.
His brows furrowed, the muscles in his neck tightening.
"Put your helmet on," the Primarch said, sharply attuned to Mikael's unease. "From today forward, during councils and such occasions, you needn't remove it."
"Thank you for your understanding, Father."
The Vampire put his helmet on, and once the light was blocked, he felt much better.
"For the coming period, you have three main tasks."
"Soon, you and your men will depart for a death world covered in forests. That place will become the recruitment ground for the Seventh Legion."
"It is a world rich with species. Beyond your duties as Apothecary, you must domesticate creatures and seek potion materials."
The Chief Apothecary accepted his command, his voice now more magnetic than before.
"I will not fail your expectations."
Nareth nodded slightly and went on.
"First, select more followers to join the Royal Court. Training of Apothecaries must be accelerated."
"Second, two of the Joakero's aboard the Throne of Shadow Sovereignty are pregnant. You and the other Apothecaries must prepare potions to ensure they deliver safely."
Mikael acknowledged, and Nareth continued:
"Lastly, cultivate the Wraith Bone Parasite. The Techmarines' research into wraith bones has been slow. Join the project, and explore whether potions can resolve the problem."
After assigning the tasks, Nareth added: "As a Vampire, the most suitable food for you now is the blood of spiritual creatures. The Throne of Shadow Sovereignty stores kraken blood and others. Carry supplies with you, so you don't risk frenzy from hunger."
Mikael hadn't expected his gene-father to concern himself with his diet. Gratefully, he said:
"Your care, Father, I will never forget."
After Mikael left, Nareth lifted the Gyrinx for inspection.
Unlike Mikael, who had visibly changed after advancing to Sequence 7 Vampire, the Gyrinx who had ascended to Sequence 9 Monster showed no outward change.
The only difference was its distracted spirit; its pitch-black eyes had lost focus.
Through psychic link, Nareth sensed the whispers it occasionally heard, and the fleeting visions crossing its sight.
'It truly is more of a "Monster" now. Remaining in this state long-term… its mind won't fare well. I wonder if it can even master Inner Calm anymore. No, I should stop calling it "it." He deserves a name.'
Since the Gyrinx now had wisdom, keeping him nameless would be disrespectful.
Nareth knew that once the Monster advanced to Sequence 8 Robot, it gained terrifying computational ability, and intelligence to match. From now on, he would have to relate to it differently.
'Nostradamus? No, that one specialized in prophetic verses and astrological fate-lines.
The "Wheel of Fortune" pathway, the "Monster"… closer to instinct. John Dee, skilled in angelic communication and mapping time-space destiny threads, fits better.'
With that thought, Nareth lifted the Gyrinx in his left hand and said aloud: "From now on, your name is John."
The Gyrinx murmured, struggling in Vostroyan:
"J…John…"
His voice was coarse, the vocal cords strained from speaking for the first time after ascension.
But as if a switch had been flipped, his Vostroyan grew smoother and more fluent:
"Green… towering beings… your enemy is a mighty Ork…"
Through their psychic link, Nareth saw flashes of what the gyrinx beheld, an Ork encased in armor wreathed in yellow fire.
The vision suddenly shattered. As a Monster, John could only glimpse such images at random, unlike Diviners who could actively foresee.
Only upon reaching Sequence 8 Machine would he gain divination and counter-divination abilities.
'The Ork warlord, Krogh.'
While pondering, Nareth shared the first level of Thelema methods with John, transmitting them in fragments.
Pulses of thought flared in John's mind. Each time his brain was overwhelmed, the pulses paused, then resumed once his discomfort subsided.
When he finished transmitting, Nareth told him in Vostroyan:
"Practice as I taught you. Master Thelema's inner calm. When whispers and visions trouble you, awaken your 'True Will,' and you'll feel much better."
"Yes… Master," John replied.
He took a while to grasp his meaning, but eventually understood.
The Primarch watched as John settled into a relaxed crouch, his eyes deep, entering meditation.
Suddenly, Nareth was struck, he sensed John's perception detaching from flesh, elevated to a higher state, and linked to him by a faint, invisible thread.
He had never before perceived such a thread, but the Monster's overwhelming intuition revealed it.
Among all Sequence 9s, the Monster had the strongest intuition, even greater than the Sleepless of the darkness pathway.
Even the Mystery Pryer with the "Eyes of Mystery Prying" would not see more; only observe the details of spirit-bodies, aetheric bodies, and minds.
Through John's intuition, the Primarch felt faint motes of psychic energy flowing to him via that thread.
'So, that's why Gyrinxs seek psychic bonds, they draw "mental food" from their masters.
Perhaps, it's this invisible tether that makes them ever more like their masters.'
Over the next several days, Nareth visited the Snakebite encampments, hauling potion materials back into the Disorderly Kingdom.
At the same time, he began teaching his Honor Guard the War Mask technique suited for Shadow of Order Astartes.
By dragging Slau Dha into a dream, the Primarch had unearthed the technique from a warrior's soul.
He spent time modifying the Aeldar method, developing a version for his own sons.
The Shadows of Order, with their sharper senses, closer to the Aeldar's perception, were naturally suited.
Sixteen standard days later, two Honor Guard members had begun to master the War Mask.
They were:
Wilshire, finally freed once Arlenis was stabilized.
Pell, the most outstanding of the first wave of Vostroyan recruits, whose performance in void combat had just earned him a place in the Honor Guard.
After sixteen standard days, the Honor Guard and three chapters concluded their brief rest.
Nareth ordered the Fifthchapter to hold the Attack Moon. Meanwhile, he led the Second and Eleventh Chapters in an assault on the Second Planet of the Wheel of Fire.
It was a greenskin industrial base world. Its fall would cripple Ork war-making capacity.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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