Axis's words struck the hearts of the group like a heavy hammer. What he said seemed undeniably true.
The Tyranids and the Orks shared too many similarities; both were species practically born for war.
The Orks existed purely for combat, while the Tyranids were even more efficient, their very existence was dedicated to plundering biomass and devouring everything in their path.
"Axis, if we follow your logic, the Tyranids certainly fit that possibility," Sanguinius said. "But how do you explain their scorched-earth tactics? Wherever the Tyranids pass, not a blade of grass remains. They completely destroy the ecological environment of an entire planet."
The Primarch reasoned that if this were truly an experimental race designed to wage endless war within the galaxy, they shouldn't strip a planet so thoroughly. Simply wiping out the native life should have been enough.
"It seems you haven't investigated the Tyranids closely enough, or perhaps you haven't read the intelligence reports from the Mechanicus carefully," Axis said with a smile.
Before he had traveled here, official data revealed that while the Tyranids indeed left nothing growing in their wake, it wasn't destruction in the absolute sense.
Although the surface was stripped clean, there was still a possibility for recovery. Belisarius Cawl had carefully studied planets visited by the Tyranids and discovered that by reintroducing organic matter to the soil, these dead worlds could be revitalized.
To boost the morale of humanity, Belisarius Cawl had even proposed this to Primarch Guilliman.
He suggested using their full resources to restore planets invaded by the Tyranids, bringing them back to life for human habitation. Guilliman had agreed to this plan, which proved that these planets were not lost forever.
They simply required artificial intervention, something the Old Ones were far better at than humanity.
"I must say, your imagination is vivid. However, it is undeniable that your logic holds up, and there is a high probability you are correct," Trazyn the Infinite remarked.
"Of course it is. This is the conclusion I reached after careful consideration," Axis replied. "Let me give you a simple example. If the Tyranids require vast amounts of biomass, what is their best option? Is it truly to simply pass by a planet and plunder everything?"
That behavior defied both logic and common sense.
"I understand your meaning now, Axis. I have a rough idea of where you are going with this," Sanguinius said. "If the Tyranids needed to plunder vast amounts of biomass, they shouldn't conduct such destructive harvesting. Instead, they should acquire biomass through farming methods, correct?"
"Just as you said. In ancient times, when humans wanted to obtain food, which is essentially biomass, we had to gather plants in the wild or hunt to get enough nutrition," Axis explained.
"Theoretically, the Tyranids are similar to us. Their current behavior is essentially hunting, only their prey is every living race in the galaxy. But if one wants to obtain biomass more efficiently, the best method is still farming. By breeding life on a planet, that world can produce a steady stream of biomass."
"And it could do so for billions of years," Axis continued. "The Tyranids might devour a planet and then travel a long distance to the next star system, but that consumes immense energy. It would be far better to entrench themselves in a resource-rich region and grow through farming."
The logic was simple. The Tyranids wanted biomass. If they simply needed energy, then stars were actually the more perfect choice. No planet could ever produce more energy than a star.
Solar energy was the most abundant resource available.
Humanity had moved toward agrarian civilization in ancient times, planting crops and raising livestock, because it was vastly more efficient than hunting and gathering.
The Tyranids' current behavior did not fit the profile of a top-tier apex predator civilization in the universe.
The Tyranids had never communicated with any other race; everything known about them was speculation. Humanity assumed they needed to plunder biomass, but was it possible that the Tyranids actually just wanted to wage war?
In several major decisive battles against humanity, the Tyranids had completely ignored inhabited planets along their path, heading straight for the main human forces instead.
Logically speaking, devouring those planets to amass more troops against humanity would have been the most effective strategy.
"The Orks are an uncontrollable army because every Ork has independent thought; they even birthed their own gods. But the Tyranids are different," Axis said. "They are thoroughbred biological weapons. A single Tyranid beast, even the Norn Queens controlling the Hive Ships, possess very little intellect to speak of, and even lack self-awareness.
"From an evolutionary standpoint, this species shouldn't have been able to evolve naturally. They could only have been created artificially. They are a slaughtering race designed for war, even more efficient than the Orks."
"That is terrifying. Your conclusion is truly terrifying," Sanguinius said, his face pale. "If what you say is true, then we are like livestock raised in a slaughterhouse."
The Primarch had never felt such fear before, as if an invisible hand were manipulating everything.
"I can be one hundred percent certain," Axis stated firmly. "One inconsistency can be explained as a coincidence. But two inconsistencies, a dozen inconsistencies, countless inconsistencies... when combined, even if the answer seems absurd, it remains the only truth."
"Based on my calculations, there is a ninety-nine percent probability that your conclusion is true," Trazyn said. "The Old Ones never disappeared. This is all their plan."
"The Old Ones modified many races and civilizations in this galaxy, even indirectly creating many factions. Theoretically, when we expressed hostility toward the Old Ones and attacked them, we should have had no chance."
"Because of the Webway, they could move freely throughout the galaxy. Although our race had mastered Faster-Than-Light technology at the time, our mobility could not compare to theirs," the Necron Overlord admitted.
Truth be told, Trazyn agreed with Axis's view. Although this human had detestably plundered his entire collection, it was undeniable that the conclusion he reached was likely the ultimate truth.
"It seems there are still intelligent people in this universe," Axis laughed.
"Axis, I think we should discuss this matter with Father, and also with my brother Primarchs," Sanguinius suggested.
Axis smiled at the suggestion. He released the Necron Overlord Trazyn, and the three of them made preparations.
After resting for seven days to allow Axis to fully recover his strength, he once again opened the channel across the universe. They traveled to the Holy Terra of the other world to meet the Emperor upon the Golden Throne.
This trip to Holy Terra was not only to discuss the truth of these matters but also to deliver the second Golden Throne.
The return of Sanguinius was met with a fervent welcome from his brother Primarchs. Under Magnus's guidance, the group arrived before the Golden Throne.
Axis first presented the second Golden Throne and explained its true function: it was the original version of the machine the Old Ones used when creating the Webway.
"Very good, Axis. This device is incredibly useful. It will be controlled by Magnus; he can use it to build more Webways belonging to humanity." Clearly, the Emperor placed great importance on this device.
The utility of a second Golden Throne was simply immense.
"Understood, Father. I will control this new Golden Throne, and I will use it to benefit all of mankind," Magnus declared.
"Axis, regarding the Rogal Dorn of the other world, you should hand him over to that world's Emperor. Then, hurry and complete your mission. Come back quickly! The longer you stay in that world, the easier it will be for him to discover you," the Emperor said.
They had no energy to manage the affairs of another universe right now. That matter could only be addressed in the future, once Axis had truly grown into an existence capable of defeating the Dark King.
The urgent priority was to stabilize their own universe and develop it properly.
Thanks to the intelligence provided by Axis, they had mastered all the data regarding Trazyn the Infinite in this world over the past year. Now they were just waiting to launch a raid to retrieve Rogal Dorn.
"I understand, Father-in-law. But before that, I must bring back the Goddess of Life. Actually, aside from delivering the Golden Throne, we have a very important matter to tell you this time," Axis said.
"Oh? What have you discovered? Is it a secret regarding the Dark King?" the Emperor asked.
"No, Father-in-law. I have made a bold hypothesis. It goes like this..."
Axis began to explain his findings to the Emperor, the various anomalies in the galaxy and the obvious signs of intelligent design within the universe.
The technology of humanity, the Aeldari, and even the Necrons all seemed to peak and then decline. The appearance of the Tyranids, leading to the ultimate possibility: this universe was an artificial testing ground, and the race responsible for the experiment was almost certainly the Old Ones.
Hearing this, the Emperor fell into silence, his expression becoming extremely grim. Axis was right; long ago, he had discovered some of these things as well.
However, whenever he wanted to investigate deeper, he was always blocked by something, as if an invisible hand were preventing him from discovering the truth.
"Axis! More than twenty thousand years ago, when humanity was still in its strongest era, I also had suspicions like yours. But every time my investigation began, it would pause or fail due to various reasons, as if an invisible hand were obstructing me," the Emperor revealed.
"Now, based on your analysis, I can almost confirm the existence of such a being. You are right; the four Chaos Gods do not match the scale of power needed for this."
If the truth Axis surmised turned out to be real, it would be terrifying. It would mean the entire galaxy, whether Chaos, the Tyranids, or humanity, were all merely playthings.
"I need to meet with Khorne," Axis said suddenly. "I've known Khorne for a not-insignificant amount of time. My Divine Ki can sense it.
"He is a complete life form, and he is not controlled by anyone. I want to ask him about his own definition of self, specifically the time when he developed true self-awareness."
"I think it would be best if you didn't, Axis," the Emperor cautioned. "If the four Chaos Gods were created by them, then they must be under strict surveillance."
"It is even possible that the Dark King was a program targeted at me, only for you to destroy that program. If you go and ask Khorne about this now, he might give you an answer, but you will also expose yourself to them."
"Heh, Emperor, you overthink it. It is not that I will be exposed to them, but that I have already been exposed," Axis let out a cold laugh.
They had noticed him long ago. Even at this very moment, his conversation with the Emperor was likely being monitored clearly.
The Emperor remained silent.
"Axis! You don't need to be so pessimistic. Maybe this is just your imagination! This kind of thing is too outrageous," Magnus said, looking at Axis with a shocked expression.
"I don't know what their true purpose is, but I am certain the Chaos Gods will give me an answer."
Axis did not hesitate. He directly entered the Webway world.
Then, through the connection in the Warp, he successfully linked to the Brass Throne.
"My friend!! do you have business with me?" Khorne asked.
"Khorne! I have a very important question to ask you. Please, you must answer me," Axis said seriously.
"No problem, my friend. Ask," Khorne replied.
"When did you birth your self-awareness?" Axis asked.
"You are asking me this? After we, the four Chaos Gods, were born, we existed across all timelines. I exist simultaneously in the present, the past, and the future," Khorne rumbled.
"However, I truly birthed self-awareness sixty million years ago, after the War in Heaven ended. It was because of that war and slaughter that I generated a self-will. I was the first of the Chaos Gods to awaken."
"Is that so?" Axis murmured. "In that case, I have a terrifying hypothesis. Would you be interested in hearing it?"