After the transport ship left the fleet, it slowed its speed, delving into the drifting grey substance.
Ramsey led a squad of Shadows of Order aboard the transport ship.
With metal cables wrapped around their waists and void tethers secured, he stepped out of the airlock first.
Ramsey floated amidst the drifting grey substance. Siren's Dust collided with his black armor.
The "Secret Suppliant" immediately sensed mysterious voices intermittently sounding in his mind.
"I am... is this..."
"You will liberate me..."
"I shall..."
"Who is speaking?" Ramsey cautiously surveyed his surroundings, finding no one.
He asked over the comms channel: "Do any of you hear voices?"
"Reporting, negative."
"…"
The "Secret Suppliant" pondered. 'Could it be because, as a "Secret Suppliant," my inspiration is exceptionally high?'
As a biomancer, Ramsey precisely controlled his body, moving in the void as if under Terra-like gravity.
He extended a hand. Dust swirled in his palm like a miniature vortex.
The "Secret Suppliant" gazed at the particles in his hand, watching them spin in increasingly complex iterative patterns.
As a biomancer, he wasn't originally adept at uncovering information like diviners from the prophetic disciplines.
But after becoming a "Secret Suppliant," his ability in this area improved significantly.
Inspiration allowed him to unearth more information.
The particles shimmered with bright, fragmented light. Remnants of some ancient metallic entity, long turned to dust in this void.
The "Secret Suppliant" sought meaning within the pattern motifs, listening to echoes of the past woven into the random interactions of the swirling dust.
The words swirling around the "Secret Suppliant's" ears became clearer. He heard phrases like "gods of the material realm."
'Could this voice come from a C'tan?'
Ramsey released an invisible force from both hands, pushing the shimmering particles toward a crystal bottle held by two Shadows of Order.
The crystal bottle's material came from the Crystal Mirage. High-quality crystals were selected to make data crystals and other high-demand items. Medium-quality crystals were crafted by Techmarines into various storage vessels.
Their gene-father cherished various special items, requiring vessels to store them.
Pure crystal was suitable as vessels. Most substances could be preserved well within.
Strands of Siren's Dust flew into the crystal bottle like grains in an hourglass.
Increasing dust coated the armor of other Shadows of Order. Ethereal voices began whispering in their ears.
"Siren's Dust, the most beautiful substance in the universe. They are everything."
As if a seductive force urged them to reach out, to keep the Siren's Dust in their hands.
The Shadows of Order promptly elevated to the third layer of the Thelema mindstate, pushing the temptation aside.
"Report, we hear voices…"
Ramsey was greatly surprised to find others heard completely different voices than his.
After inquiry, he confirmed what the other Shadows of Order said was true.
Coincidentally, five crystal bottles were now filled. He immediately issued the withdrawal order.
Inside the transport ship, Ramsey elevated to the first layer of the Enumeration. The first extraction process of Siren's Dust and the data given by the Arsena flashed through his mind.
He then realized the powers bestowed by their gene-father differed. Others were "Warriors," "Hunters," "Apprentices"…
Only he was a "Secret Suppliant."
'Arsena's data mentioned C'tan shards. If it came from him, he might have embedded two types of information.'
'One is ordinary information, received through direct contact or extensive indirect contact via armor.
'Another type of information he deliberately concealed, or only those with high inspiration like me could hear.'
Ramsey decided extraction would temporarily cease. After offering to the Black Emperor, he would report the encountered situation and decide next steps upon receiving orders.
Building an altar required time. But the Black Emperor ordered him to use the altar within the Librarium.
The "Secret Suppliant" didn't understand why he wasn't to directly deliver the Siren's Dust to the private vault but to perform an offering. However, he would faithfully execute the Black Emperor's command.
'Perhaps the Black Emperor intends for me to master abilities during the ritual.'
After boarding the Shadow's Sovereignty, Ramsey directed Shadows of Order to load the five crystal bottles onto a transport cart. Then, he drove the vehicle alone toward the Librarium.
Chief Librarian Thomas stood before the sealed door of the restricted area within the Librarium.
The Chief Librarian never permitted anyone besides himself to enter this area.
Librarians speculated that extremely dangerous forbidden weapons were sealed within. But now Ramsey guessed an altar likely was constructed inside.
As Ramsey was about to dismount and salute, Thomas waved his hand. He said solemnly:
"Proceed."
"Lord Thomas, thank you for your assistance."
"All for our Lord." Thomas finished, tapping the runes on the black door with his staff.
Light flashed. The door slowly opened with hydraulic sounds.
"All for our Lord." Ramsey started the vehicle, driving into the restricted area.
Upon entering, he found the area divided into two layered spaces.
Thomas followed inside. He explained: "The restricted area has inner and outer layers. The inner layer is the altar."
"The outer layer is the ritual preparation area. Vehicles can only park here."
"Additionally, there are cleansing areas, meditation areas…"
After explaining to Ramsey, he departed.
Ramsey carried a crystal bottle in each hand toward the inner sanctum. Before the door, he set down the bottles, picking up the control staff beside the door.
Following the opening method Thomas taught, the "Secret Suppliant" infused spirituality into the control staff, swiftly tapping eleven runes on the door.
The eleven runes were distributed irregularly on the door: a book shape symbolizing the monarch's iron law, a golden scale…
The door rumbled open. Ramsey picked up two crystal bottles, entering the altar.
After lighting flickering candles, he looked at the altar, eleven meters high, thirty-three meters in diameter.
Around the altar stood metal offering tables of varying heights, square or circular. Ramsey carried the crystal bottles to the nearest two offering tables, placing the offerings upon them.
Then, he made two more trips, placing the other three bottles filled with Siren's Dust on metal offering tables.
On the third trip, his other hand, not holding a bottle, picked up a bundle of ritual candles.
After placing the bottles, the "Secret Suppliant" drew a ritual candle. His palm brushed the wick, using spirituality to create friction.
After repeating three times, the candle ignited, emitting a fresh fragrance. The sealed altar's air immediately freshened.
The "Secret Suppliant" placed thirty-three candles into candle holders around the altar.
He looked at the golden clock hanging on the inner sanctum door. Dunnic numerals appeared, 33:33.
From Thomas, the "Secret Suppliant" learned that once the altar was prepared, the countdown would start. The ritual must begin precisely when the countdown reached zero.
Different rituals had varying processes. For the offering ritual he was to perform, other items were already on the altar. He only needed to place the offerings.
For different rituals, the final step declaring the altar ready was always lighting the ritual candles.
The "Secret Suppliant" left the altar, heading to the cleansing pool.
He removed his Mark II power armor. Adding thirty-three drops of ritual essential oil into the pool, he then lay in the cleansing pool, eleven meters in diameter, three point three meters deep.
The "Secret Suppliant" clasped his hands, index fingers pointing downward inverted, other fingers together, naturally pointing down.
Eleven minutes later, the "Secret Suppliant" emerged from the pool. After drying, he donned a black silk ritual robe.
Then, he proceeded to the meditation chamber, kneeling on an iron meditation mat.
The "Secret Suppliant" clasped his hands, adopting the inverted gesture designed by the Chief Librarian and Primarch's Aide, entering meditation.
Meditation time was eleven minutes. Combined with the earlier cleansing, twenty-two minutes total. The remaining time was for movement and flexible use. Ample time prevented feeling rushed.
As the countdown reached its final two minutes, Ramsey closed the door and stepped onto the altar.
He picked up the ritual knife, reciting in Dunn:
"I sanctify you, O blade of the ritual!"
"I purify you, that you may serve me within the rite!"
"..."
Spirituality surged from the blade's tip. The "Secret Suppliant" felt a dissolving sensation within.
He rose, stepping in a circular path. Invisible power radiated outward.
The "Secret Suppliant" felt spiritual walls indeed erected around him, excluding all impurities.
Simultaneously, the dissolving sensation within grew more pronounced.
Through prior meditation, his body, mind, and soul were already tranquil. Kneeling on the onyx meditation mat, he recited the formal incantation in Dunnic:
"Black Emperor of the Shadows of Order."
"Mysterious Sovereign of the Kingdom of Disorder…"
As he recited the prayer, Ramsey felt an inner boiling.
"I beseech Thy gaze."
"I beseech Thy favor."
"I offer unto Thee these sacrifices…"
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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