"Thank you so much, Lord Axis," the Goddess of Life said, her eyes narrowing into a warm, beaming smile.
She had not expected Axis to agree so readily. She had witnessed the entire birth process of the Saibaman moments ago; while its Ki was not as powerful or pure as that within Axis, it was unmistakably the same power.
This was an energy unique in the entire universe, and the Goddess of Life had a distinct feeling that it was of great importance to her. It was connected to life itself and could even significantly increase her own power.
Axis smiled and retrieved the Saibamen seeds from the Warhammer universe out of his dimensional storage device.
"When I first arrived in this world, the first Saibaman I planted lived out its life and had produced new seeds," he explained. "I harvested quite a few of these second-generation seeds. While they do not possess the power of Ki, their physical attributes should be no less than that of your Aeldari people." With a generous gesture, Axis handed over a dozen second-generation Saibamen seeds to the Goddess of Life.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Isha looked at the seeds Axis offered and was left speechless. The life force within these second-generation seeds was far weaker than that of the first, and she could not sense any Ki within them at all.
"Lord Axis, you cannot be serious," Isha said, "I was referring to the first-generation Saibamen seeds, the kind you just used. I need something like that to cultivate a body for myself. These are inferior specimens. Even if a body could be grown from them, it would be unsuitable for me. It could never contain my powerful soul."
"Lady Isha, I assure you, the second-generation seeds will be perfectly suitable," Axis replied, "I will use my Ki to enhance them and can also provide you with some Tree of Might fruits. These fruits are like flawed versions of the Fruit of the Gods. They can elevate the resulting body to a level capable of housing your soul."
Unsuitable? He scoffed internally. That was hardly the case. The second-generation Saibamen simply lacked Ki; they were by no means defective.
In fact, because the original, Phoenix, had been enhanced to the absolute limit of a Saibaman before its death, these seeds would be considered high-grade even in the Dragon Ball universe.
Their only shortcoming was the absence of Ki.
"Lord Axis, I think there has been a misunderstanding," Isha pressed, her expression one of confusion. "I desire your first-generation Saibamen seeds. We are allies now. I will devote all my efforts to cultivating the Fruit of the Gods for you. You must have many of the seeds you just used, so why can't you spare a single one for me?"
"I am merely adhering to the principle of fair trade," Axis' voice had now become flat, "Cegorach and I rescued you from the Garden of Nurgle, and in return, you will cultivate the God-Tree for us. That is one transaction. Providing you with a body to walk in the mortal realm was also part of our agreement, but the specifics of that trade never included Ki."
Isha rolled her eyes.
She had hoped to get the Ki for free, but this man, who appeared so rugged and straightforward, was remarkably shrewd. Her gaze drifted to Cegorach, who was standing aside as if the matter had nothing to do with him. Her look seemed to say, Aren't you going to say something on my behalf?
The Laughing God merely shrugged and shook his head with a look of helplessness.
What did this have to do with him? He had already taken a huge risk to save her, and now she wanted to freeload Ki off this man? It was an absurd notion. He would not have agreed to it either, were he in Axis's shoes.
"Lord Axis," Isha tried, changing her tactic, "I believe the greatest credit for my rescue should go to the Harlequin. Without him, you would have been lost in the Warp. Without him, you could not have entered the Garden, nor could you have opened the sealed gate to free me." She attempted to find a convenient justification, even pulling the uninvolved Cegorach into the argument.
"Allow me to clarify, Isha. You seem to be under a misapprehension," Cegorach interjected. "Without the protection of Axis's Ki, I would have been consumed by the corrupting energies of that Garden. Furthermore, humanity played a decisive role in this. If it were not for the Emperor of Mankind, the four Chaos Gods would not have had their attention diverted, and you would never have escaped so easily. Most importantly, Isha, you must understand our current situation. We are no longer the mighty Aeldari pantheon. You and I are the only two Aeldari gods left alive." His tone was heavy with meaning.
Naïve Isha, Cegorach thought. Do you still believe this is the era when the Aeldari gods ruled the galaxy, when the Phoenix King Asuryan still lived? Do you think we are still that powerful pantheon? No, that time is long past.
It is the age of Man now. Humanity is the true master of the galaxy. The only reason you could safely leave the Warp and settle here in the Webway is because the man standing before you convinced both a Chaos God, Khorne, and myself to permit it. In the future, when Nurgle and Slaanesh inevitably come looking for you, you will need the protection of a powerful being. And right now, the most suitable candidate for that role is Axis.
So, poor Isha, you should put away your little tricks. Your wiles may have been unerringly effective on the male gods who adored you, but Axis is more akin to Khaine, the God of War. He will not indulge you.
This man cares only for mutual benefit. The only way to make him yield is to have him indebted to you through some prior investment. For instance, I gained his cooperation and forged a decent relationship with him by granting him free access to the Webway.
Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Axis's lips. He appreciated intelligent people, and among the Aeldari gods, the Harlequin god was the one who most suited his tastes.
"Now then, Lady Isha," Axis said, growing impatient, "I do not have much time. Can we dispense with the theatrics?" He had to get to the battlefield. The duel between the Emperor and Horus had to be nearing its conclusion.
Isha took a deep breath and laid out her own terms. "Lord Axis, how about we make another trade? I will offer you my understanding of life and the nature of divinity in exchange for your Ki. The God-Tree you want me to plant will require your Ki to flourish. If I possessed Ki as well, it would make the entire process more convenient. Furthermore, you could use my maiden world to grow new Saibamen in the future. I imagine they would be of a higher quality than those grown on other planets."
While escaping the Garden of Nurgle, she had spoken privately with Cegorach and learned some things about Axis, particularly about the Fruit of the Gods. She knew Axis needed a vast amount of life to cultivate the Fruit because he wanted to become a god.
Gathering the power of faith was useless for him, as the belief of all humanity for the next ten millennia would belong solely to the Emperor.
Axis was therefore pursuing an alternative path to godhood using the energy within the Fruit. As an Aeldari goddess, she possessed considerable insight into the powers of divinity that could aid him.
Axis shook his head decisively.
Ki was his alone in the entire Warhammer universe. He would not give it away, no matter the price.
However, Isha's words sparked a thought. The Saibamen were the only beings besides himself who possessed Ki. If something were to seize the body of a Saibaman, could it then acquire its Ki? He considered the Greater Daemons of the Chaos Gods.
They possessed corporeal forms made of Warp energy but could also possess the bodies of mortal creatures. The most obvious example was the Greater Daemon of Slaanesh that had seized Fulgrim's body and occupied it for a considerable time.
But he quickly reasoned that this was only a risk at the very beginning. Once a Saibaman matured, its soul became strengthened and tempered by Ki. It would become a corporeal spirit, just as Phoenix had.
A daemon would be unable to possess such a being. In the future, even the Saibamen he cultivated would have to shed their physical forms in this manner when they reached the end of their lifespans.
This transformation into a corporeal soul was a unique trait of beings enhanced by Ki in the Dragon Ball world.
"Lord Axis, is my offer insufficient?" Isha said, unwilling to give up. The moment she had first witnessed this energy, she knew it was intrinsically linked to her, that it was exceptionally important. "Then name your price. Tell me what you want." Whatever the cost, she felt she had to obtain the right to use this miraculous power.
"Agree to her, Axis." At that moment, a majestic and sacred voice echoed directly in Axis's mind.
He recognised it instantly. It was the Emperor of Mankind, Neoth.
"Father-in-law! What is happening?" Axis was stunned that the Emperor would contact him at such a time. Did this mean the old man was already on the Golden Throne? Was the duel over?
"The Fruit of the Gods you intend to plant will require immense amounts of Life energy to sustain it," the Emperor's voice explained. "Furthermore, Ki can purify the energies of the Warp. Khorne will supply you with his divine chaotic power, but it is extremely dangerous and will require someone to purify it for you constantly. Unless you wish to be tethered to that God-Tree forever, you must give this Goddess of Life Ki." Before the final battle, Axis had shared some of his secrets with the Emperor, including his deal with Khorne. After all, such a thing could not be hidden from the Master of Mankind once he was enthroned.
"Father-in-law, you… are you already on the Golden Throne?" Axis asked.
"Not yet, but soon. Horus has been utterly defeated. The battle against the Four in the Warp has infinitely amplified my psychic might. I sensed you the moment you entered the Webway. Axis, once I am seated upon the Golden Throne, I shall channel a portion of purified Warp energy to assist you in cultivating this Fruit."
The Emperor could already sense that the Fruit Axis was about to grow was important not only to him, but to the Emperor as well. The future he had once seen was a canvas of darkness and despair, but this Fruit offered a sliver of light: the hope that he might one day be able to leave the Golden Throne.
"Wait until I am on the throne before you begin cultivating the Fruit of the Gods," the Emperor advised, "I will provide aid from my position. The power of a single Goddess of Life will not be enough to grow something that can change the predetermined destiny."
"I understand," Axis nodded, agreeing to the Emperor's plan. But he still intended to squeeze some concessions out of the deal.
If what the Emperor said was true, the future care of the tree and the conversion of Warp energy would indeed require a powerful Goddess of Life wielding Ki.
"Axis, leave the matter of creating her body for later," the Emperor commanded, "Return to Holy Terra at once."
Axis silently nodded and severed the psychic link.
He turned back to Isha. "I agree, Goddess of Life. But let us be clear on our terms. You will dedicate yourself completely to helping me cultivate the God-Tree. You will also teach me the application of divine power and life. In return, I will have the permission to use your domain in the future."
"No problem," Isha replied without hesitation. "As long as you agree to teach me this Ki, I will agree to anything."
Axis nodded.
After exchanging a few final words with the two Aeldari deities, he turned and headed back toward Holy Terra. The Webway had now stabilised, and Magnus contacted him, guiding him toward the exit that led to the Golden Throne.
Aboard the Vengeful Spirit, the Emperor was grievously wounded. His Perpetual body had suffered nearly irreversible damage. His giant golden sword, burning with immense psychic power, rose above the unresisting form of Horus.
In his final moment, a flicker of clarity seemed to return to the Warmaster's eyes. A faint, relieved smile touched his lips as he looked up at his father.
But the blazing sword fell without hesitation, decisively ending the Warmaster's life.
It was all over.
...
..
.
ps?