The bodies of all three entities had been created by Axis using Saibamen seeds. The atmosphere felt somewhat strange as they gathered together this time. Aside from Khorne, who knew the truth, the other two had no idea what specific effects cultivating a body from a Saibaman seed would entail.
Moreover, the other two were inhabiting bodies grown from second-generation Saibamen seeds. Unlike Khorne, who had used a first-generation seed, they did not possess the same capacity for Ki as the Goddess of Life.
"It seems our plan was a success. Axis, you have already brought the Goddess of Life out," the Corpse Emperor spoke first, breaking the silence.
It appeared to him that this brat, Axis, had used those miraculous seeds to craft bodies for quite a few Warp deities.
Even a Chaos God from another world had acquired a suitable shell, one capable of housing his true essence. The durability of this divine form was significantly stronger than the Emperor's own original body, and it could utilize the same Ki that Axis commanded. Although it lacked inherent divinity, they were gods by nature; obtaining Ki and using their own will to channel divine power through it would not be a difficult task.
However, Axis had reserved the most perfect and powerful key component for himself. The Corpse Emperor mused that his own status and weight in Axis's heart were evidently lacking.
It couldn't be helped, as he was not the Emperor from their world. Or perhaps, Axis had discovered something about him? Yet, he believed he hadn't revealed any flaws. Sitting upon the Golden Throne all these years, he had merely been allowing the human race to linger on its last breath.
"Hehe. It seems there are quite a few companions here. I never expected to see an old friend," Khorne let out a chilling laugh as he looked toward the avatar of the Corpse Emperor.
The Emperor of this universe was completely finished. However, for a mere mortal to have walked this far until the very end was truly rare and commendable.
But it was a pity. This universe's Emperor had never met a boy like Axis, so there had been only one path for him.
"Aside from myself, isn't there also the Eldar God of the Dead?" the Corpse Emperor remarked.
"Likewse. I did not expect to encounter a Chaos God here either. It appears that in his own universe, Axis has formed an alliance with the Chaos Gods," the Eldar God of the Dead, Ynnead, replied.
The relationship between Axis and the Chaos Gods did not seem to be one of eternal enmity. He had allied with them? He had even bestowed upon one of them a formidable physical body.
It did not matter. Ynnead felt he had now gained the confidence and strength to defeat the Chaos Gods. In the coming battle against Slaanesh, the resolve of the God of the Dead would be fully realized. He absolutely possessed the capacity to defeat the Chaos Gods, perhaps even the power to kill them.
"Enough. I didn't call you here to chat. I'll speak plainly," Axis said, turning his gaze toward the avatar of the Corpse Emperor. "Dark King, I am taking Kratos and leaving. You have no objections, right?"
Now that the Goddess of Life was secured, Axis intended to take Kratos and return to his own world immediately.
"What are you saying, Axis? The Dark King has already been suppressed by me," the Corpse Emperor said, his expression changing.
"Save it. Stop posturing in front of me. I'm not good at schemes and plots, so I generally prefer to be direct," Axis scoffed. "I've discovered your true identity. Furthermore, the Khorne from our universe is standing right here. Do you really think he wouldn't recognize you? And regarding the method you suggested, for me to devour this universe's Khorne, do you think he wouldn't know what the final result would be?"
Upon hearing this, the Corpse Emperor's face darkened. The worst-case scenario in his mind had indeed come to pass; Axis had discovered his true identity. He just didn't know when the discovery had been made.
"I hid it perfectly, Axis. How did you notice something was wrong with me?" the Corpse Emperor, or rather, the Dark King who had completely occupied the Emperor's flesh, asked.
"At the very beginning, I didn't notice. But you were too impatient. When you proposed that I devour this universe's Khorne, I realized something was amiss," Axis explained shamelessly.
"Devouring a Warp God is the most foolish method imaginable. I have known Khorne for a long time, and Khorne's greatest wish is to break free from the limitations of the warp and become a god who can walk freely in both the Warp and Realspace."
The Eldar God of the Dead's expression changed drastically. Ynnead looked at the Corpse Emperor with shock, then glanced at Axis before moving to stand vigilantly by Axis's side.
In a sense, the Dark King was the enemy of all living things in the universe. Whether in the Warp or in Realspace, if the Dark King were to truly be born, he would annihilate everything. The Dark King was a god of extinction.
"Hahaha! Indeed, I was a bit anxious. If I had concealed myself a little longer, perhaps I could have obtained greater benefits," the Dark King admitted.
No wonder Axis had only given him an inferior Saibaman seed, leaving his state imperfect; he had held a card back.
However, even so, after obtaining this suitable body, there was simply too much he could do in Realspace.
Previously, he had to be cautious when acting, but there was no need for that now. His current combat power combined with this suitable avatar was formidable. It was not much inferior to the Emperor of ten thousand years ago; in fact, it was even stronger.
"So, what is your decision, Dark King? Will you be my enemy, or will you call my son over?" Axis asked.
"Hahaha! Actually, I have no intention of being your enemy, Axis. I will hand Kratos over to you," the Dark King replied. "We had an unpleasantness before, and I can apologize to you. I hope we will have opportunities to cooperate in the future. After all, we have no fundamental conflict."
"Haha! You can say that to yourself, but do you think I'll believe it? However, as long as you don't come to my universe to cause trouble, I can't be bothered to care what this universe becomes," Axis stated.
As soon as these words came out, the Eldar God of the Dead standing aside became anxious.
Please, you couldn't just ignore it!
Wasn't there an alliance treaty between them? If Axis patted his butt and left, Ynnead would be left alone to deal with these terrifying entities.
Ynnead had originally thought the Emperor of Mankind was a god of order who could form an alliance, but he never expected that the Emperor was also an Evil God, one even more malevolent than the four Chaos Gods.
It was absurd. No wonder Cegorach, the Laughing God, hid in the Black Library and refused to come out. He must have known long ago that this universe had absolutely no hope. Years ago, during the Horus Heresy, the moment the Emperor sat on the Golden Throne, the hope of this universe had been extinguished.
"Don't be nervous, Death God Ynnead. The covenant between us is still valid. I will still ally with you Eldar. I will even tell you something you might not believe: I might never destroy this universe," the Dark King said with a smile.
This statement stunned not only Ynnead but even Axis.
What was happening? The Dark King, the Chaos God of universal annihilation, was claiming he didn't want to destroy the universe anymore. Who was he trying to fool?
"Please, you don't actually think I'm lying to you, do you? Think about it. If I wanted to, I could be truly born at any moment. All I have to do is control that rotting corpse, stand up from the Golden Throne, stop the suppression, and directly absorb the energy of the Warp," the Dark King reasoned.
"You all know what would happen. The entire universe would be burned away by me. But do you think burning the universe is really interesting? Actually, I feel that although this world is a giant cesspit, it is better than everything returning to nothingness."
"Don't tell me you simply have no desire to destroy the universe?" Axis asked skeptically.
"Is there any meaning in destroying the universe? If I wanted to, I could do it right now, but what is the point of leaving behind a world of void? That would be even worse than the current situation," the Dark King continued.
"I previously wanted to obtain a body that could walk in Realspace, but unfortunately, the avatar I created developed self-awareness. In a sense, he betrayed me. But now that I have finally obtained a body that allows me to roam freely in the material universe, naturally, I want to enjoy life properly!
"You might not believe it, but it is the truth. Through the Emperor's perspective, I saw everything in this universe and witnessed some of the beauty of life. I even gained human emotions and desires.
"If I didn't have these human sentiments, why would I seize the will of my avatar, the Emperor? I could have just let him do my work for me, right? It wouldn't matter who destroyed the universe," the Dark King concluded.
"Your way of thinking is truly bizarre. But don't think I'll trust you just because of a few words," Axis sneered.
Did he take him for a three-year-old child? To invent such a ridiculous reason, that the Dark King had been influenced by the Emperor's humanity and no longer wanted to destroy the universe.
"As you wish. I will notify Kratos now. As for that Living Saint, Celestine, I have already removed all controls over her. You can take her away whenever you like. I'm leaving first."
After the Dark King finished speaking, he shrugged at Axis, then tore open the fabric of the universe and departed directly.
He left behind a dumbfounded Eldar God of the Dead, who turned his gaze toward Axis.
"Lord Axis, regarding the galaxy... I have already collected over a dozen fragments of Khaine, the Bloody-Handed War God," Ynnead said. "At least eighty percent of the War God's fragments are in my possession. There are still some that may be hidden in corners of the universe, but I will set out as soon as possible to find them all. I still hope you can help us save this universe," Ynnead implored earnestly.
He truly did not want to lose a powerful reinforcement like Axis. This was someone who had defeated a Chaos God in a head-on confrontation; he was the only secure thigh left to hug.
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ps?