Humans and Eldar eyed each other with wary suspicion.
In Warhammer, even one's own kin were hardly trustworthy, let alone xenos species.
"Saving the Father of the Ultramarines? Archmagos Cawl, you never told me the cargo you were transporting had this function."
Marshal Amalrich of the Black Templars looked at the precious cargo behind Archmagos Cawl.
The Ultramarine, Cerantes, who had awakened from a long coma only to learn of his gene-father's death, had nearly fainted again from the shock. Now, hearing that his gene-father was about to be saved, his expression shifted from deep grief to great joy, finally settling into a look of sudden enlightenment.
Zeke knew that if he didn't state things clearly, this group of Eldar would definitely start speaking in riddles again.
So, he decided to reveal the answer right from the start.
After Zeke spoke plainly, both sides were somewhat surprised.
"As this human says, you and I share the same goal," Yvraine said.
"You Eldar twist fate," Greyfax retorted, "and always for your own selfish gain."
Greyfax was indeed an Inquisitor; she judged people accurately. The Eldar were saving Guilliman, ultimately, only for themselves.
The first hour of talks passed. The second hour passed. The third hour passed.
When the cold light of the sun vanished from the mountain peak, the Eldar and the humans finally reached a consensus.
Zeke yawned. After listening to three hours of trash talk, he was almost asleep.
Ahead, a web-like gate sat in the center, shining with dazzling light.
Yvraine activated the portal with psychic fire.
"Stay close." She stepped into the Webway first, followed by the Ynnari.
Once the Eldar had all disappeared into the Webway, the humans gripped their weapons and followed.
[Stepped out of the Cadian System. Mod: World Map Unlocked]
Zeke's minimap had been upgraded; now he could focus on it and expand it into a World Map.
The World Map was huge and zoomable, seemingly bottomless. If he had enough time, he could probably display the entire galaxy's map.
Inside the Webway was an intricate maze, half real, half twisted. Without the Eldar to lead the way, traversing it often required paying a terrible price.
But this was no problem for Zeke. The World Map clearly marked where every fork in the road led.
While Archmagos Cawl and Yvraine, the leader of the Ynnari, discussed matters aboard the ship, Zeke found a Farseer. He opened his manual and flipped to the page on the Medusae in front of the Farseer.
"I heard there is a creature called a Medusae in the Eldar Webway?" Zeke asked.
The knowledgeable Farseer recognized the creature at a glance.
"This is a dangerous creature found in the Dark City of Commorragh, home of the Drukhari. Those who gaze upon it are mind-controlled and gradually lose their ability to move."
"You are in luck. There are Drukhari within the Ynnari ranks."
Following the Farseer's direction, Zeke approached the group of Dark Eldar.
The Dark Eldar had a terrible reputation. To replenish their constantly draining souls, they delighted in indulging in the most extreme emotions. Unbearable agony, endless grief, and naked terror—these were their premium sustenance.
However, the Dark Eldar in this Ynnari force had evidently restrained themselves considerably.
"A Medusae? That is a precious thing," a tall Dark Eldar woman said, looking at Zeke.
To the Dark Eldar, a Medusae's brain was an incomparable delicacy. Judging by her tone, she had the Medusae Zeke wanted.
Zeke took out a regular Golden Apple, wondering if he could trade it for the Medusae.
After he explained its use, the Dark Eldar woman threw the Golden Apple back to Zeke with a lack of interest and shook her head.
"Boring."
Zeke swapped for several other good items from his backpack, but unexpectedly, what finally caught the Dark Eldar's eye was a splash potion of Harming.
"This pain... it is very pure, very special."
The Dark Eldar woman swallowed the contents of the potion. After savoring it carefully, a tremor appeared on her face, which then turned into a look of indulgence.
At Zeke's prompt, she then swallowed a Healing Potion, and the pain dissipated.
The Dark Eldar woman looked as if she had discovered a new world. A mouthful of pain potion followed by a mouthful of healing potion—this sensation of pain and relief made her unable to stop.
Subsequently, Zeke traded a few potions for a live Medusae head.
–
After the journey through the Webway, the group arrived at the shrine world of Ultramar, Laphis.
Transferring to an Ultramarines ship, they spent some effort before finally reaching their destination.
Ultramar was engulfed in the flames of war; the power of Chaos had tainted this place as well. However, with the defense of the Ultramarines, the situation was still within a controllable range.
In a spacious circular hall carved with murals, Zeke met Calgar, the current Chapter Master of the Ultramarines and Lord of Macragge.
Beside him were First Captain Agemman and Chief Librarian Tigurius.
Calgar welcomed the arrival of Archmagos Cawl's party but was wary of the strange team composed of Eldar xenos, a Living Saint, and an Inquisitor.
"I have come in accordance with the agreement made with the Lord of Ultramar," Archmagos Cawl said.
An agreement with me? Calgar thought back and was certain he had never made any agreement with the Archmagos before him.
"Not you," Archmagos Cawl shook his head. "To be precise, it was the previous Lord of Ultramar, Roboute Guilliman."
Hearing that name, the Ultramarines aimed their guns at this audacious group.
The Ultramarines were Astartes known for their rationality, but topics related to their gene-father were a bottom line they could not tolerate being touched. Some matters were simply not open for discussion.
"Throw these Eldar xenos and visitors of unknown origin into prison. I can extract their true purpose from their mouths myself." First Captain Agemman took a step forward.
Chief Librarian Tigurius spoke up.
"Three days ago, I experienced a vision in the library. The vision indicated that hope would arrive on Macragge."
Tigurius gazed at Archmagos Cawl. Undoubtedly, the "hope" he spoke of referred to the group before him.
"I am willing to vouch for them," Tigurius continued.
Persuaded by the Chief Librarian, Calgar hesitated again and again before finally agreeing to let this group enter the Temple of Correction, where the Primarch slumbered.
Entering the Temple of Correction, Zeke felt the weight of history.
On the massive walls and the ceiling, magnificent statues depicted the past deeds of the Father of the Ultramarines. The entire hall radiated a solemn and sacred atmosphere.
Seated on the central throne was the Primarch, shrouded in a stasis field. The Emperor's Sword was placed beside him.
His health bar had 10 HP left, and he had a negative status effect: Warp Poison.
Calgar looked up at his gene-father. Behind his endless worship lay a trace of pain.
His gene-father had been silent here for nearly ten thousand years. How much longer would he remain silent?
Calgar turned to Magos Cawl. "Now, can you explain this so-called agreement in detail?"
"I have come here to deliver the Armor of Fate, which can save Lord Guilliman."
--
Next Goal = 700 Powerstones.