Chapter: The Emperor's Return to Terra Aeterna
One by one, the ships of the Imperial Navy began to emerge from the massive space-time portal shaped like a Webway, opened in high orbit above Terra Aeterna. The portal shimmered like a cosmic fracture, slicing through the void with energy no science of any world could explain.
From the command window atop the Gorgon-class battlecruiser, Reuel observed the planet that had now become the new seat of power for the Imperium of Man in this universe.
"The Ring of Iron…" he murmured softly, with pride swelling in his voice. That massive ring of metal now nearly encircled Terra Aeterna—a gargantuan orbital megastructure that would serve as both the planet's primary defense line and its interstellar shipyard.
Below it, the Imperial Palace was beginning to take shape, though still in the early stages of construction. Only about ten percent of the massive palace had been completed, but the Lion's Gate—the main entrance to the heart of power—was already functional. Reuel knew full well that building the Imperium's capital wasn't a matter of days or weeks, but a lifelong endeavor.
In the distance, the Saturnine Ring was being assembled by the Tech-Priests of the Mechanicus, aided by the Universal Bulin. Reuel noted how the unique collaboration between the pure tech of the Mechanicus and the absurd capabilities of the Bulin from another dimension had brought about an unimaginable level of construction efficiency. Two forces from vastly different realms, now united in a symphony of technology and eccentricity.
Not far from the Ring of Iron, Reuel spotted several shipgirls—anthropomorphic entities from the world of Azur Lane—undergoing trials as spaceborne assault craft. Their design was different from the Imperial Navy's—sleeker, more flexible, and… extremely stylish. He immediately guessed, "Definitely Akashi's handiwork."
Reuel then ordered Admiral Gerard DuGalle to dock the Gorgon-class battlecruiser at the orbital pier of the Ring of Iron. He intended to descend to the surface through the main path leading to the Imperial Palace.
---
As the ship entered low orbit, the women from the world of Highschool of the Dead looked out through the ship's transparent viewports.
Their breath caught.
What they saw wasn't just a planet… but a masterpiece of civilization.
A massive ring encircled the world like a man-made crown, adorned with orbital cities floating gracefully in space. Dozens of starships passed overhead—as if the stars themselves were moving in a cosmic dance.
In the distance, a colossal dimensional portal stood proudly, shimmering in the void. The Imperial Navy vessels passed through it calmly, as if merely crossing an intercontinental border, though it was, in truth, the boundary between universes.
On the surface of Terra Aeterna, three primary zones formed the capital of the Imperium:
First Circle: The Imperial Palace, a gargantuan golden citadel, tightly guarded by thousands of elite troops and aspiring Custodes who stood like living golden statues.
Second Circle: Civilian residential districts, where communities from various worlds gathered to form a multisystem society.
Third Circle: The military and administrative sector, filled with barracks, command centers, and training facilities for the Imperial Guard and future Space Marines.
This city wasn't just a place to live—it was a colossal fortress designed to withstand threats from outer space… or even the will of the gods.
---
As the Gorgon landed smoothly, the main door slowly opened. Reuel stepped out first. His cloak billowed, his stride was firm. An undeniable aura of power and charisma radiated from him. The women from Highschool of the Dead followed behind, still stunned into silence.
Before them stretched a massive road leading to the Lion's Gate, adorned with towering statues and engravings chronicling the new history of the Imperium of Man.
Without saying much, Reuel summoned another group of women—this time from the world of Resident Evil. They were all called home to Terra Aeterna, to meet the newcomers from the Highschool of the Dead universe.
And so, the great meeting took place. Two groups of women from different worlds, each bearing their own traumas, memories, and hopes, now stood together in the same place.
Their worlds were gone.
Their pasts would not return.
But under one sky… and under the protection of Reuel, Emperor of the Imperium of Man, they now had a future.
One by one, the survivors were placed in districts prepared by the Imperial forces. Their new homes weren't just safe… they were magnificent.
From the tall windows of their rooms, they could see the star traffic, the bustling shipyards, and the majestic capital still growing.
For those who came from worlds of destruction, Terra Aeterna was a miracle—a promise… that perhaps, life could begin again.
---
Reuel and the women from Highschool of the Dead began walking down the main avenues of the Imperial Palace complex. Towering buildings shimmered beneath the artificial sunlight, creating a megastructural landscape so vast and alien it was almost incomprehensible to the human mind.
"Welcome to Terra Aeterna," Reuel said calmly, his voice carrying the deep-seated authority of a man who ruled an empire by sheer will.
He pointed into the distance—toward a colossal wall that snaked across the horizon as far as the eye could see.
"That is the Eternity Wall. The outer perimeter of the Imperial Palace. It encircles the entire royal complex and protects the heart of our government from any external threat."
They continued walking along a road as wide as an aircraft runway, flanked by half-finished statues and titanic foundations still under construction.
"This area will eventually become the Investiary—where statues of the Primarchs will stand tall. In case you don't know who they are—Primarchs are the supreme generals of the Imperium of Man. They are also… my sons."
Saeko suddenly stopped. She turned to Reuel with a confused and curious expression. "Wait… you have kids?"
Reuel gave a small smile, one that hinted at truths far too vast for ordinary understanding.
"Not yet," he answered. "The Primarchs weren't born naturally. They were created through genetic engineering, forged from my own geneseed, then grown within stasis chambers. Right now, they're still scattered across the galaxy. But one day, they will return."
The reaction from the women—Saeko, Saya, Rei, Kiriko, Shizuka, Rika, and Yuriko—was almost uniform. Behind their composed expressions was a subtle sense of relief. The fact that Reuel hadn't had children with another woman brought a quiet reassurance—one they hadn't realized they needed.
The tour continued into a vast green area filled with exotic trees and birdsong that clearly didn't come from Earth.
"This is the Inner Gardens," Reuel explained. "I've cultivated flora and fauna from across the galaxy—and even from other dimensions. Some species are tame, but others… not so much. There will be signs posted for the dangerous ones. You're welcome to come here whenever you want to relax."
They stopped before a tall building crowned with crystalline spires and Gothic-futuristic architecture.
"This place is called the Hall of Leng. It's where I usually work. If you ever need something, just ask a guard to summon me. But remember, never enter without permission."
Eventually, they arrived at a massive hall illuminated by a soft golden glow from plasma panels embedded in the ceiling. Rows of static glass displays lined the corridor, each one housing a priceless item.
"This is the Hall of Victories," Reuel said proudly. "Here we preserve historical artifacts from across the galaxy—symbols of humanity's highest achievements. Look here," he said, pointing to one of the glass cases, "The navigation circuit from the first ship to ever warp through reality. And this—fragments of pottery from tens of thousands of years ago, eight pieces in total, each bearing the fingerprints of long-dead civilizations. Some of the objects here are technological. Others… are cultural."
They moved on toward a small city nestled within the palace complex itself—filled with spindly towers and concentric structures resembling a hive.
"This is the City of Sight, headquarters of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica. This organization trains the Imperium's most powerful psykers—the spiritual eyes and ears of our galaxy."
"This is the Sanctum of a Thousand Eyes," Reuel said as he raised his hand toward a towering megastructural spire bristling with sensor panels, layered observation lenses, and stacked surveillance towers. The structure appeared as a fusion between transhuman technology and gothic megascale architecture.
"The Imperium's intelligence core," he continued. "This place is the eyes and ears of all Terra Aeterna. Not even a whisper escapes their notice."
Their steps carried them deeper into the heart of the Palace, down grand boulevards framed by monolithic pillars and open plazas the size of cities. As they walked, Reuel introduced the central landmarks scattered beyond the Inner Palace.
Though his explanations were brief, each location carried immense weight and significance within the machinery of the Imperium:
Avenue of Eternal Remembrance – the grand procession route for the Imperium's heroes and martyrs.
Dome of the Architects – the control center for the design and construction of megastructures across the Terra sector.
Enlightener's Star – a knowledge spire housing ancient manuscripts and data from before the Age of Strife.
Fortress of the Tribunate – the stronghold of high magistrates tasked with upholding Imperial law.
Nexus Administrata – the administrative heart of the Imperium, connecting billions of worlds through bureaucracy.
Victoris Absolute – the highest court of law under direct authority of the Emperor.
Vigilatum Orbital Battery – Terra Aeterna's orbital and atmospheric defense system.
Crystal Observatory – a xeno-cosmological outpost watching for threats beyond the galaxy and across dimensions.
Forge of Flesh and Steel – the Mechanicus temple where flesh and machine are made one.
The Preceptory – the training ground for Saints and the Schola Progenium.
The Long Room – a galactic archive guarded by the Archivarius.
Central Offices of the Departmento Munitorum – the logistical core of the Imperium's military operations, sustaining millions of troops across the stars.
Though every site was vital to the functioning of Imperial power, Reuel chose not to overwhelm the women with too much information in one day.
Their journey ended at a vast active construction site. Worker drones and servitors floated through the air, while precision plasma cranes hoisted metal pillars the size of warships.
Before them stood an unfinished wall so massive its top seemed to touch the artificial sky above.
"That is the Ultimate Wall. Its official name: Indomitus Bastion," Reuel said with unwavering conviction. "It will be the final shield—the last defense that protects the heart of the Imperium from any threat."
Not far from it, a colossal fortress gate came into view, carved with reliefs depicting the wars of mankind across the ages.
"And that is the Ultimate Gate," Reuel continued. "The main barrier between the Outer and Inner Palace. It lies north of the Lion's Gate, and it only opens with my direct approval."
The women from Highschool of the Dead stood in silence. Their steps slowed as their minds struggled to absorb the scope and grandeur of the power now revealed to them. Slowly, they began to realize that the world they had once known—a world of zombies, chaos, and daily survival—was nothing compared to the might of the Imperium.
They had once thought Reuel was simply a cynical, stubborn man. Now, they walked beside the ruler of mankind. An Emperor.
Without a medivac transport or systemic navigation, they would have been hopelessly lost long ago. But now, they realized they were being guided by the architect of mankind's future.
Reuel paused at the far end of the main corridor, where a monumental gate towered like a symbol of eternity.
Eternity Gate.
In the past, in the ancient lore of Warhammer, this gate led to the Golden Throne—the throne of life and death where the dying Emperor was kept alive by thousands of psykers. But Reuel had no intention of repeating that grim legacy. He refused to become a man dying upon a "golden toilet," like Big E.
This gate no longer led to death.
It now led to the future.
"This is the Eternity Gate," Reuel said, his voice deep and solemn as he stood beneath the towering monument of permanence. "One day, this place will become the Gate of Honor—for me... and for the queen worthy of standing by my side in leading the Imperium of Man. That role... remains unfilled."
Silence fell.
The women exchanged glances. Each of them fought an internal battle—sudden, wordless, and intense.
Reuel hadn't named anyone. But his words had opened a door—a chance greater than any of them had imagined. He was no longer just a hardened survivor in a ruined world. Before them stood the Emperor... who had not yet chosen his Empress.
In the distance, three small figures darted between pillars and gardens: Alice, Airi, and Marina. Though still children, the spark of wonder had already ignited behind their eyes. They didn't yet grasp the nature of their new home—but their curiosity was growing with every step.
And in the center of it all stood Reuel—the still point around which a new world was beginning to take form.
Reuel continued forward, his posture upright and his steps unwavering, leading the group into the main structure at the heart of the Imperial complex.
"Let us proceed. This is the Sanctum Imperialis," he said in a calm yet commanding tone. "The grand hall where the King and Queen shall sit to lead mankind."
The moment they stepped inside, the women fell silent. Their eyes widened, and their lips struggled to form words. The vast chamber before them felt like another world—an impossible fusion of medieval fantasy and post-eternity technology.
Golden domes arched high above them, as tall as mountains, merging seamlessly with crystalline pillars and walls engraved with ancient symbols of mankind. Artificial sunlight streamed through translucent energy panels, casting a warm glow across the vast hall. The black marble floor shimmered with threads of living light that traced every movement of their steps.
Reuel gave them a moment to take in the view before moving on to the next chamber.
"This is the Senatorum Imperialis," he explained, gesturing toward the grand podiums arranged around a circular chamber designed with a theocratic-futuristic architecture. "Here, the twelve highest leaders will sit beside me to shape the future course of the Imperium of Man."
He then pointed to another section of the hall, toward massive thrones that sat empty for now, yet bore the same majestic weight.
"Those seats are reserved for leaders of other worlds who have sworn allegiance to the Imperium. They will sit as equals beside the twelve senators. But so far, none have taken their place."
There was a note of hope in his voice—that one day, interstellar alliances would be forged not through fear, but through shared conviction.
The group moved on, entering a gravity lift that carried them up a towering spire rising beyond the artificial clouds of the central city.
"This is the Tower of Heroes," Reuel said softly, his voice gentler now, almost melancholic. "Each time a hero of the Imperium falls in the line of duty, the sacred bell here is tolled. Once for those who died in silence. Three times for those who gave their lives for others. And seven times... for those who brought eternal victory, even at the cost of their own."
The women looked up at the tower with a mixture of awe, sorrow, and reverence. No one spoke. This place needed no lengthy explanation. It spoke in its silence.
Their path next took them to a more secluded chamber—far from the grand halls and towering spires. A long corridor led them into a room that was plain by comparison, yet radiated a powerful presence, as though time itself slowed within its walls.
Reuel paused at the threshold. He looked inside in silence, then took a long breath. For a moment, something hardened in his gaze—as if he were remembering something only he could truly understand.
In the legacy of Big E, this place would have been a mass grave—a site of brutal conflict during the Horus Heresy, where the last Astartes made their final stand to defend the Imperial Palace.
But this universe was different.
Reuel had not repeated that bloody past. There was no betrayal. No brother turning against brother. No civil war on his doorstep.
"This is the Column of Glory," Reuel said at last, his voice deep and steady, laced with genuine reverence. "The resting place of the armor of the Imperium's fallen heroes. Those who die are remembered not merely as soldiers... but as beacons of courage for all mankind."
Lining the walls of the room stood dark crystalline columns. Within them, the armor of the fallen would be enshrined with the highest honor, inscribed with their names, deeds, and—if spoken—their final words.
Not coffins. Monuments.
The women followed Reuel in silence. Each of them was beginning to grasp the scale of devotion that this Empire upheld—and that the man before them embodied. Reuel was not merely a leader, not merely a creator, not merely an Emperor. He was the guardian of the future... and the heir of a past he refused to repeat.
Their journey continued.
Reuel led his women to the next location—and upon arrival, all he could do was let out a soft sigh.
This place was meant to be a monument of honor, built on Terra as a form of tribute to the bravery of the Imperial Fists during a legendary campaign that was never officially recognized by the Imperium. But in reality, what stood before them was the remnant of the original Fortress-Monastery—the sacred headquarters that, in the old universe, had been destroyed during the bloody conflict of the Horus Heresy.
But not in this universe. Because the Horus Heresy had never happened in this new reality—a world now intertwined with the dark dimension of Resident Evil. So it came as no surprise that the Fortress-Monastery remained intact, untouched, untainted by the betrayal of civil war. And now, the structure had once again been repurposed as the official base of the Imperial Fists.
With a voice full of respect, Reuel introduced the site to the women walking beside him.
"This is the Pillar of Bone—the former Fortress-Monastery. It will once again serve as the primary headquarters of the Imperial Fists."
After all, Reuel didn't yet have the Phalanx—the true flagship of the Imperial Fists—so for now, this would suffice.
He continued, pointing to the large building next to it.
"Over there, the House of Weapons—the storage site for sacred arms and battle armor of the Imperial Palace guards."
Soon after, they arrived at a towering black spire, like a giant nail driven into the heart of the palace.
"And this is the Tower of Hegemon, the main command center for the palace guards. Inside is the Blackstone Prison—a secret facility reserved for high-grade criminals."
But their tour was far from over. Reuel pressed on, guiding them through many other critical locations: the Forbidden Vault, The Shrouds, Bhab Bastion, The Dark Cells, and various other monumental structures that would one day play a vital role in the glory of the Imperium of Man.
From sunrise to the edge of dusk, Reuel never stopped introducing every corner of the Imperial Palace to the women who had now become part of his life and his mission. He wanted to make sure that they didn't merely live there—but became a true part of the heart of the empire he was building.
And finally, after a long tour that stirred their souls and sparked their imaginations, Reuel brought the group to the final stop—the residential complex at the heart of the Imperial Palace.
The place where they would all live...
...with the Emperor they loved.