Magnus's thoughts traveled across time and space, returning to the distant past. He was in the libraries of Prospero, a younger version of himself immersed in an ocean of knowledge, ecstatic as he unraveled one cosmic mystery after another and studied countless psychic arts.
That pure desire to seek truth, combined with a sense of mission to contribute his wisdom to humanity's future, formed one of the cornerstones of his power.
It was the purest and most beautiful light within his heart.
Kasha, on the other hand, recalled the companionship of her parents in her youth. She remembered meeting Axis, the joy she felt when she wanted to surprise him with her pregnancy, and the delight of watching her son, Kratos, grow into a man.
Kratos's thoughts were more direct. He recalled the exhilaration of mastering the Super Saiyan 2 Golden Great Ape transformation under the rigorous training of his father, Axis.That success had earned him his father's acknowledgement. He also remembered the approval of his grandfather, the Emperor, and the overwhelming joy of seeing his mother finally awaken. The will to fight for humanity, to burn for his convictions on the battlefield, formed the very core of his being.
As for Axis, what was the most cherished memory for a Saiyan? It was undoubtedly a good fight. He recalled fighting The Emperor, battling the Primarchs, clashing with Khorne, and dueling with Slaanesh. He also remembered the time he spent with the Wolf King in his youth.
At that moment, Sanguinius radiated a sacred, luminous power that guided the thoughts of the four individuals, infinitely magnifying the aspects of their memories. Sanguinius sensed the unique yet equally powerful 'Holy Light' welling up from the depths of their four souls.
A smile graced his lips as he slowly raised his hands. The warm, pure golden light gathered in his palms once more, but this time, it was softer and more restrained, containing the very seeds of holy light. He made a gentle guiding motion, and four fist-sized golden orbs, which seemed to contain the condensed brilliance of stars, drifted softly from his palms toward the chests of Axis, Magnus, Kasha, and Kratos.
The moment the orbs touched their bodies, there was no explosion or impact, but rather a wondrous sense of integration.
A golden radiance shone from within their bodies. Axis could clearly feel the seed of Holy Light from Sanguinius take root in his mind.
A sacred power surged forth from within him. It was different from ki, feeling purer and more luminous, carrying a profoundly positive effect. This power also possessed a potent healing capability, even stronger than his own ki. While his own healing required physical contact, the Holy Light could be administered from a great distance.
The others experienced much the same, as Magnus, Kasha, and Kratos successively gained control over this new energy.
The four of them opened their eyes almost simultaneously, a faint golden gleam shining within them.
"How do you feel?" Sanguinius asked, his voice filled with anticipation and concern.
"Incredible!" Magnus was the first to speak, his voice hoarse with excitement. "My psychic power has never been so stable and clear! It is as if a tarnished jewel has been polished anew!
"Moreover, this Holy Light has a natural repulsion to the filth of the Warp, and that resistance is greatly enhanced."
For Magnus, the Holy Light was an excellent shield against the energies of the Warp, helping him better resist its corruption. The healing and offensive aspects were merely auxiliary benefits to him.
"It is warm and powerful, like the gentlest embrace of a mother, yet it holds the strength of a guardian," Kasha said with sincere admiration, "It perfectly complements certain aspects of my own psychic abilities. Thank you, Sanguinius."
Kasha had grasped the healing and protective qualities of the Holy Light. She could use this power to aid her son and husband.
Since both of them were offensive fighters, she could now provide support, using the light to heal and shield them.
"Power! I can feel power surging through me!" Kratos exclaimed, pumping his fist. "My body feels even stronger, and I can amplify this energy through my transformations."
The golden aura of his power and the Holy Light intertwined and flickered across his skin, creating a truly divine spectacle. He perceived the offensive capabilities of the Holy Light, and he realized his Super Saiyan transformations would further augment its power.
Axis felt the power within him. Like his son, he primarily sensed its offensive and defensive properties. The Holy Light would offer better protection against the corruption of the Warp. This sacred energy would also help him slay the Greater Daemons of Chaos with more efficiency.
"I have only bestowed this power upon you," Sanguinius said. "How you use and master it will be up to you. I trust that you will develop it to its full potential."
"I understand, Sanguinius," Axis replied with a nod.
"There is no need for more thanks. For now, I only wish to return to my sons and share this power with them. You may also send your own men to me, and I will teach them how to wield the Holy Light. If they cannot learn, I will implant a seed within them," Sanguinius declared.
"That can wait for a moment, Sanguinius. Regarding this sacred power, I have a new idea," Axis said.
"What is it, Axis? Speak," Sanguinius prompted with a nod.
"Before the Emperor fell into his slumber, He entrusted me with a mission, even though your memories were sealed. One thing is of the utmost importance: we must gather the power of faith for the Emperor. Therefore, we must establish a religion with the Emperor as its god. As for why, you do not need to ask," Axis stated.
It was time to set the plan for the Ecclesiarchy in motion. This task was even more important than dealing with the Rangda.
In the original timeline, the Ecclesiarchy only began to take shape after all the Primarchs had left the Imperium, whether they were gravely wounded, dead, slumbering, or in seclusion. Some lucky soul, driven by a fanatical worship of the Emperor, the Master of Mankind, would eventually stumble upon the Lectitio Divinitatus written by Lorgar. They would see it as a revelation, a guide from the Emperor himself, and from this, the Ecclesiarchy would slowly be born.
If history followed that course, it would take at least a millennium for the Ecclesiarchy to be formally established. It would not even be officially recognized by the Imperium until the 36th Millennium. But now, with the Primarchs still present, the Ecclesiarchy would never be founded without Axis's intervention.
And so, Axis had to force the matter. While the Emperor sat upon the Golden Throne, the only thing that could help him resist the dark king within himself was the positive emotions of humanity: hope, worship, and prayer. Otherwise, the dark thoughts of the thousand psykers sacrificed daily would be enough to contaminate the Emperor's spirit.
Magnus, standing nearby, instantly understood what Axis intended.
This was indeed a matter of extreme urgency. Establishing a cult dedicated to their father was a task that Lorgar would have been the most suitable for.
"Are you joking? Are you both serious, Axis, Magnus?" Sanguinius asked, his face a mask of shock.
Father despised being called a god. He always stressed the Imperial Truth, that there were no gods in this universe. Of course, they all knew now that this was fundamentally untrue, but the common citizens of the Imperium still believed in the Imperial Truth.
"The minds of the masses can be changed. That is a small matter, Sanguinius. What is crucial is that this religion must be established. The Ecclesiarchy must be founded, with the Emperor at the center of its faith," Axis said.
His original plan had been to include himself in this new faith, using humanity's belief to awaken a divine power of his own. But the Emperor needed that power far more now, otherwise He would never become the God-Emperor of ten thousand years hence. That earlier idea was a dangerous one anyway. Axis had discussed it with the Eldar Goddess of Life and the Laughing God, and they had concluded that such worship could spawn a separate being in the Warp, a human god of war named Axis who was not him at all. They had discarded that path, which had ultimately led to the "God-Fruit" plan.
"I cannot explain the specifics to you, Sanguinius, but Axis is right. Father truly needs the faith of all humanity," Magnus confirmed with a nod.
Seeing Magnus agree, Sanguinius's doubts vanished.
Of the three who knew the full truth, two had now confirmed it. There was no need to even ask Malcador the Sigillite. "I understand, Axis. What do you need me to do?" he asked.
"You will be the one to propose the establishment of this Ecclesiarchy. And you will serve as its pontiff, its leader, to create a suitable religion for the Emperor," Axis said. The Great Angel as the Pope of the Ecclesiarchy. Nothing could be more fitting.
"What? Me, the pontiff?" Sanguinius's expression turned sour. "Do not jest, Axis! That is a job for that damned fool Lorgar." To serve as the head of a state religion, spreading faith and writing scripture, was something Lorgar was far better suited for. If only that idiot had not betrayed them, he would have been the Ecclesiarch.
"What is Lorgar's current status? He has not been executed yet, I assume?" Axis asked.
"Not yet. We threw him in a cell when we reached Holy Terra and have been too busy fighting Horus's rebels."
"Good. Let him write the scripture for the Ecclesiarchy," Axis declared.
"What!?"
...
..
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ps?