The Stormbird left the battlefield behind. A series of beeps sounded.
The communicators of Arkhas Fal, Balsar, and Nerat all activated simultaneously.
They quickly pressed the runes on their left vambraces, swiftly reviewing the combat report on their portable data slates.
After a dozen seconds, they glanced at the Primarch opposite them, then quickly averted their eyes, communicating with each other through glances.
The report was not from their own Nineteenth Legion, but a combat report provided to allied forces by the Eleventh Legion.
From the brief information, they learned that a xenos called an Osseivores had destroyed a Warlord-class Titan and was subsequently slain by a Shadow of Order.
When the three first received this news, they suspected it was a fake combat report.
A single xenos destroying a mighty Titan was already hard to believe. That it was then destroyed by a Shadow of Order defied common sense even more.
Though no Astartes had ever fought a Titan, Arkhas and Nerat did not believe they could contend with one.
Even the firepower of an entire company would pose no threat to an Osseivores capable of destroying a Titan.
There was only one possibility: psychic power.
Balsar felt both their gazes upon him. He shook his head slightly, indicating he could not do it.
'Are Lord Nareth's sons so powerful in psychic ability?'
A golden light flickered in Balsar's eyes, attempting to glean information from beyond the gateway of his mind.
After a few seconds, receiving no answer, he turned his head slightly, looking at the Primarch.
His gaze briefly rested, then quickly shifted away.
Nareth keenly perceived his gaze, capturing Balsar's shock and a latent, subtle yearning for power.
The Stormbird descended slowly. Arkhas and the other two restrainedly followed Lord Nareth down the ramp.
They stared in shock at the Osseivores' corpse. The xenos' body was colossal, truly comparable to a Titan.
The "Baron of Corruption" looked at the Osseivores and, as expected, saw clusters of spirituality shimmering on the corpse.
'The area with the strongest spirituality is the Osseivores' arms. Very special. The energy weapon and the arm seem fused into a single entity.'
'Judging by the spirituality, it should be Sequence 4 potion material, but probably not the main ingredient, more likely supplementary.'
'Supplementary material for Sequence 4 "Ancient Alchemist" of the Mother Pathway?
Nareth thoughtfully drew this conclusion, then examined other parts.
'The luster of other parts is not as solidified. Not potion materials, but can be used as spiritual reagents.'
With this thought, Nareth ordered the corpse, except for the arms, to be divided and handed over to Marlena, Thomas, and Mikael for study, to increase understanding of the Osseivores and explore the uses of the spiritual reagents.
He also sent a message to the newly appointed Chapter Master, Ramsey, summoning him.
Two hours later, a heavy transport landed.
The downdraft from its engines sent the surrounding furnaces shuddering. The landing gear deployed.
Librarians and Apothecaries descended the ramp, carrying away the Osseivores' limbs.
In the Stormbird, Nareth met privately with Ramsey.
After hearing the other's report, he asked,
"Ramsey, how does it feel to command a Chapter?"
"My Lord, compared to being a Librarian, I prefer fighting alongside my battle-brothers," Ramsey rasped, his voice like the grating of a chainblade.
Though using "Silent Ravings" had only lasted seconds, completely draining his energy, using abilities beyond his life's level had still left considerable aftereffects.
Neither his bio-lightning nor the Apothecaries' treatments could restore him.
Nareth nodded slightly. He took a data crystal from his belt.
Ramsey looked at the data crystal in the Black Emperor's hand. It emitted a deep green glow.
As a former Librarian who had risen from Codicier, he knew the brighter the data crystal's glow, the more information it contained, and the higher its value.
This crystal clearly held vast knowledge.
"This data crystal contains the secrets of one of the Aspect paths of the Aeldari warriors."
"The Striking Scorpions. One of their Exarchs summarized their creed: 'Swift assault, leave no trace. This is the creed of the Striking Scorpions.'"
"The Striking Scorpion Aspect Warriors embody the wrath of Khaine, the Bloody-Handed One. They inflict brutal acts upon their enemies without warning."
Ramsey took the data-crystal. Nareth continued.
"The Striking Scorpions are the Aspect Warriors most familiar with close combat. Without exception, they are cold-blooded killers, obsessed with hunting and slaughter."
"But they conceal themselves within mist and shadow until the moment they strike."
"I have adapted the mysteries of the Striking Scorpion path to suit the Shadow Ascetic."
"My Lord, I will not disappoint you." Ramsey carefully stored the data crystal.
The "Baron of Corruption" nodded. Through his Spirit Vision, he saw the "Shadow Ascetic's" aura and spirit body, now seamlessly integrated, a uniform grey-black.
"You are already a true Shadow Ascetic."
"My Lord's insight is correct. Indeed, in the previous battle, I mastered the power You bestowed."
The Primarch's consciousness expanded, confirming that Arkhas and the other two were no longer near the Osseivores' corpse. They stood before the Titan's remains, watching the tech-priests' examination.
"Wait here a moment."
After instructing Ramsey, Nareth left the Dionysian Spear.
Avoiding the Shadows of Order, the Primarch brought the two Osseivores' arms back to the Kingdom of Disorder.
Then, with a thought, he arrived at the first layer.
Nareth ordered the space simian to concoct the Sequence 6 "Rose Bishop" potion using materials like the Bloody Roses obtained from Barbarus.
Moments later, Ramsey accepted the blood-red vial, containing soaked, whitened flesh chunks.
He did not hesitate. Tilting his head back, he drank.
The moment the potion slid down his esophagus, he felt as if his throat were being crushed.
When the potion reached his stomach, he felt as if countless roses were scraping his skin, trying to peel it from his body.
The agony, like being flayed alive, forced muffled groans from him.
Ramsey did not use his bio-lightning to repair his body. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, and entered a meditative state.
His spirit ethereally detached from his flesh. The searing pain subsided.
Ramsey gazed at his physical body. Flesh melted like candle wax. The black armor slumped, collapsing softly.
Even with his training in willpower and psychology, Ramsey felt genuine fear. He did not want to, was unwilling to, become an inhuman monster.
At that moment, a voice sounded in his mind.
'Calm yourself!'
As if struck by bio-lightning, Ramsey regained his composure.
'It is Father's voice. The Black Emperor's reminder.'
Ramsey's fear swiftly dissipated. His attention turned to the influx of information flooding his mind.
Moments later, the "Rose Bishop" regained control of his body.
His lustrous yellow skin was crystalline, like jade. His features grew even more handsome, resembling Nareth.
The "Rose Bishop's" throat no longer stung. His injuries had completely vanished. His breathing was smooth.
As an expert in flesh-crafting, Ramsey combined his beyonder abilities with his bio-lightning, making his physique tread perfection, the image of the Black Emperor.
The Primarch scrutinized the "Rose Bishop" before him, nearly a miniature version of himself. In appearance, apart from size, there was almost no difference.
But upon careful discernment, his eyes were not as deep as his own, nor could he emit a Primarch's aura of authority, though Nareth usually deliberately restrained his.
"Thank You, My Lord, for Your bestowal. I will surely use the power You have granted me well."
The "Rose Bishop's" voice was rich and magnetic, unlike the chainblade-grating sound before.
The moment Ramsey stepped off the Stormbird's ramp, the communication bead in Nareth's ear buzzed.
He activated it. Arsena's voice sounded.
"My Lord, I have obtained the roster of the Legio Cybernetica from Xana's Archmagos Intendant."
"I found the name Anacharis Scoria on the list. He became a Tech-Priest three Terran years ago. Currently, he commands a Legio Cybernetica cohort defending Forge-Temple Eleven."
"I will transmit the coordinates to you immediately."
Nareth's eyes gleamed. He immediately decided to depart to rescue the young Tech-Priest.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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