Horus sprinted with all his might toward the disappearing blue phone box, his heavy footsteps echoing through the hall. His cloak billowed violently like a black flag in the wind.
The TARDIS vanished into the time tunnel, gradually becoming transparent. Its outline rapidly blurred and melted, swallowed by the flowing electrical arcs that wrapped around it like living tentacles and dragged it into another timeline.
"Lord Nameless One, don't leave me behind!!!"
Horus leaped forward and charged toward the disappearing blue phone box. Just as he was about to touch it, a violent torrent of temporal energy erupted from around the TARDIS, as if an invisible giant hand had struck him.
In that instant, Horus felt as though the entire world had stopped. He realized his fingers were frozen in midair, unable to move even a millimeter. He watched the electrical arcs dancing before his eyes, as if mocking his futile efforts. He witnessed the TARDIS gradually blur, become transparent, and finally disappear completely.
The force suddenly exploded with a terrifying sound. Horus's body was sent flying like a cannonball, tracing an arc through the air before slamming heavily into the ground. He rolled about, smashing tables, chairs, and screens, before crashing into the wall with a dull thud.
Horus stood up and looked around the empty hall with a despairing expression.
"No…"
He somehow managed to stand, his voice hoarse and trembling, and staggered to his knees on the empty floor.
Nothing remained. The Nameless One was gone.
"I have to find you."
Horus strode out and addressed the newly formed guard unit and the populace.
"Search for him! Search every corner of Cthonia. We must find the Nameless One."
Under Horus's will, all of Cthonia mobilized in unison over the following days. However, nothing was found. The Nameless One was as if he had never existed in the first place.
All he left behind were the rebuilt cities, clear rivers, lush forests, and endless grasslands.
And the unfulfilled regret in Horus's heart.
...
A few days later, Horus stood at the highest point of the palace, gazing down at the city below. This was the capital of unified Cthonia, built by him and the Nameless One. Under the sunlight, newly constructed buildings stood in rows, streets bustled with people, and markets overflowed with vitality. White smoke rose from factory chimneys, ships came and went in the harbor, and children's laughter echoed throughout the city. People's eyes were filled with excitement and hope, their hearts swelling with anticipation for a better future.
Reconstruction work continued in the suburbs. Magnificent heavy machinery demolished old buildings to make space for better housing. Various machines roared and rumbled, like a symphony on a construction site.
This was the legacy and gift left to him by the Nameless One.
Horus watched all of this, but felt no joy. Those achievements, accomplishments, and glories were far less important to him than the joy of having the Nameless One in an unknown world.
The Nameless One was like an angel from myth and legend, or a god guiding warriors—bringing hope and miracles to the lost. After completing their mission, they would quietly depart from the side of seasoned warriors.
Horus clenched his fists and silently vowed in his heart.
No matter what, I will definitely find you.
"Wherever you go, I will definitely find you. I must get answers. Why did you leave without even saying goodbye?!"
At that moment, several meteors appeared in the sky, trailing burning tails. They streaked across the sky, leaving long white trails.
Horus looked up at the shooting stars and frowned. Shortly afterward, a guard came to report.
"Lord Horus, a group claiming to be envoys from the Human Imperium has arrived for a visit."
Horus raised one eyebrow. The Human Imperium—he had never heard that name before.
"Let them in."
Horus agreed to receive the envoys. Soon, a group of envoys dressed in fine clothing entered the palace hall. Their clothes were embroidered with the double-headed eagle emblem. Their expressions were solemn, and their steps were steady. It was clear they were all professional diplomats.
They walked up to Horus and stopped, giving a slight bow.
"Lord of Cthonia," the lead envoy began in a loud, solemn voice. "I am Zachary Graham, Imperial diplomat. I have come bearing the glory and grand vision of the Master of Mankind."
Horus remained silent, waiting for them to continue.
Zachary continued, "Human civilization has not been lost. There is still a chance to turn the situation around."
"The Master of Mankind has dispatched a grand expedition to bring the stars back under humanity's control. Humanity will rule the galaxy. This is manifest destiny."
The diplomat paused and fixed his gaze on Horus.
"We sincerely welcome you to join the Human Imperium."
Horus's expression did not change. He had almost no interest in it.
Grand expedition? Galactic conquest? Manifest destiny? What does any of this have to do with me?
He just wanted to stay here, build this planet, and wait for the Nameless One to return. However, at that moment, several members of the Mechanicus in red robes with heavily modified bodies who were accompanying the diplomats began whispering among themselves.
Shortly afterward, a member of the Mechanicus whispered in the diplomat's ear. In the next instant, Zachary and the other diplomats' expressions changed drastically. They all wore looks of disbelief.
"My apologies, Lord of Cthonia. Are you aware of your own origins?" Zachary's voice trembled.
Horus frowned. "Why do you ask that?"
"According to the scan by the sages of Mars, you are a son of the Master of Mankind and one of the twenty Primarchs destined to rule the galaxy."
"What are you talking about?" Horus frowned even more deeply.
"It might be best for you to pay your respects to the Master of Mankind," Zachary said cautiously. "Then the secret of your origins will be revealed."
Horus shook his head in a calm and resolute voice.
"I have no interest in any grand expedition."
"He doesn't care about my background. What I must do now is build Cthonia. This is the shared vision of the Nameless One and myself, and I will never disappoint him."
Zachary and the other Imperial diplomats tried every means to persuade him, even claiming that if his identity was confirmed, they could provide an army large enough to conquer the galaxy. However, Horus remained unmoved by these arguments and simply shook his head.
In the end, Zachary and his diplomatic mission had no choice but to withdraw. However, a short while later, the envoys returned. This time, they brought major news.
"The flagship of the Master of Mankind—the Imperial Dream—has arrived in orbit around Cthonia."
Zachary's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement. "Lord of Cthonia, we would be honored if you could visit as soon as possible."
Horus frowned and was about to refuse again. However, at that moment, his gaze fell on one particular person. The man wore heavy golden armor and stood at the very back of the envoy group. The armor radiated dazzling light, with golden aquila wings adorning the shoulder guards and chest plate.
This man was none other than a member of the Emperor's Custodian Guard, dispatched to investigate whether the Lord of Cthonia posed a threat to the Emperor of Mankind. Seeing that the armor the man wore was exactly the same as that of the Nameless One, Horus gasped. His eyes widened, pupils contracting sharply, his tone filled with shock.
He lost his composure, descended from his throne, pushed through the crowd, and stood before the Custodian.
"Are you the Nameless One?"
Horus's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement and anticipation.
The Imperial Guardsman removed his helmet, revealing an unfamiliar face.
"I don't know who the Nameless One is," he said. "But it's clear that the person you're talking about is not me. I am Larr, a member of the Emperor's Custodian Guard."
Horus looked at Larr and heard another man's voice. The voice was completely different from the Nameless One's. Disappointment instantly spread across his face. However, he was not completely disheartened. The Imperial soldiers before him wore the same armor as the Nameless One. This meant that the Nameless One was connected to the Custodian Guard and the Human Imperium. The Nameless One might be hiding within the Imperium—or perhaps he was the Emperor himself.
Thinking this, Horus looked at Zachary and the other Imperial diplomats.
"I've changed my mind. I want to go with you to meet the Emperor."
Zachary and the others were stunned. Just moments ago he had so firmly refused—why the sudden change? However, the goal had been achieved either way. They quickly nodded and escorted Horus aboard the magnificent flagship in orbit—the Imperial Dream.
The moment Horus boarded the battleship, his heart pounded with excitement. The interior of the Imperial Dream was extremely luxurious, and with numerous Imperial personnel coming and going, the ship was constantly filled with vitality. On both sides of the corridors, Custodian Guards stood every few steps. They wore golden armor and held long halberds, standing silently like golden statues. Their armor was the same as the Nameless One's.
As Horus passed them, he stared intently at the guards, trying to find a familiar face. However, he was destined for disappointment. None of them were the Nameless One.
Following Larr, Horus walked down a long corridor, passing through countless doors, until he finally arrived at a massive gate. The gate was ten meters tall, cast in gold, with intricate aquila reliefs carved on its surface.
He stopped and turned toward Horus.
"Passing through this gate, you will meet the Master of Mankind."
Horus nodded and stepped forward. The gate slowly opened, revealing a magnificent hall before him. The dome was extremely high, its peak out of sight. The walls were inlaid with golden reliefs, and the floor was paved with exquisite marble.
At the far end of the hall, by the window, stood a figure. The opponent wore golden armor, and the dazzling golden light enveloping him radiated an unparalleled aura of majesty and awe. No one could ignore such a presence.
This person was none other than the founder of the Human Imperium and the initiator of the Great Crusade—the Emperor.
Horus approached with excitement, but the moment he clearly saw the opponent's appearance and features, his heart sank to the bottom. The Emperor was undoubtedly an unparalleled great man, but he was not the Nameless One.
Horus was struck by an indescribable sense of loss. His face, which had been filled with anticipation and excitement, instantly became expressionless.
Emperor: ...
No, no—this style was carefully researched and selected. It's sure to make a strong impression on a first meeting. Why does he look so disappointed?
To be honest, the Emperor was a little excited. In addition to Alpharius, they had finally found their second child. The reality of the meeting was somewhat different from what he had imagined.
Shouldn't this child kneel on one knee and weep with joy? Why does he look so disappointed? And why is he looking at me with such appraising eyes? Something's wrong. Is there a problem?
My son, my precious sixteenth son—who stole your heart? How can you be so cold to your own father?!
After a period of silence, Horus spoke first.
"Do you know someone called the 'Nameless One'?"
The Emperor was surprised.
Who is the Nameless One? Damn it—he stole your heart, didn't he? I'm so angry and cold-hearted! If he's that capable, he should make his own! What kind of skill is it to steal someone else's son?!
"I don't know him," the Emperor said, shaking his head.
The last ray of hope in Horus's eyes vanished.
Emperor: ...
Good news: I found my son.
Bad news: My son seems to have found a more important father!
Indeed, one shouldn't meet too many wonderful people when young.
After the conversation, the disappointed Horus still swore loyalty to the Emperor.
"The Nameless One might be somewhere in the galaxy. I'll search other places. Maybe I'll find him."
"And if I accomplish something great, the Nameless One might appear again."
"All of this is for the grand vision shared by myself and the Nameless One."
Upon learning of the thoughts Horus harbored, the Emperor's irritation grew even more.
Your elderly father is right beside you, yet you're fighting for someone else. Have you considered my feelings?! I never imagined I would one day become a bull—and a magnificent one at that.
Horus was granted a Legion by the Emperor—the Shadow Moon Wolves. It was one of the most elite Legions in the Imperium, a sharp blade forged by the Emperor himself and the vanguard of the Great Crusade.
Horus brought them back to Cthonia and recruited the bravest and most loyal warriors. Accompanied by the Shadow Moon Wolves, the Primarch began the conquest of the stars, successively conquering planets for the Human Imperium.
However, he did not forget the Nameless One. He passed on the teachings of the Nameless One to every warrior of the Shadow Moon Wolves.
Great power does not necessarily have to be used for plunder and destruction—it can also be used for protection and creation.
Meanwhile, in the 42nd Millennium at the Vigilant Star High Command
A TARDIS-style phone box passed through a tunnel of light and appeared in the lobby. The blue phone box suddenly materialized, sparking and flashing lights, startling the officers on duty.
In the hall, the five Primarchs who had finished fighting were chatting and reminiscing. The news that Corvus Corax had returned had excited everyone. They sat together and talked about the events of the past years. Primarchs were returning one after another, and the Emperor had been healed by the Nameless One. The Human Imperium had already regained the power it possessed during the Great Crusade era, and the day to defeat the Gods and unify the galaxy was near.
The moment the TARDIS phone box appeared, Corvus Corax leaped up and immediately activated his power claws, their bright electrical arcs crackling. The Raven Lord stared intently at the blue phone box, his body tense and ready to attack at any moment.
Ferrus Manus also stood up, clenching his iron fists and watching the uninvited guests who had suddenly appeared with caution.
However, Guilliman, Sanguinius, and Lion El'Jonson showed expressions of surprise.
"The Nameless One!" Guilliman shouted. "He's back!"
He reached out to stop Corvus Corax and Ferrus Manus.
"Don't act impulsively. It's definitely the Nameless One."
Corvus Corax frowned but did not move. When the electrical arcs surrounding the phone box disappeared, the door opened and the Nameless One stepped out. Another person skipped and bounced through the crowd, heading straight for the nearest control panel to check the time.
Datch looked at the console displaying the 42nd Millennium and nodded in satisfaction. The TARDIS phone box was truly wonderful. He couldn't help but open the minimap and noticed that it had also changed. He could adjust the time period to check whether missions existed. Past and future—every point in time was clearly displayed.
Datch saw a certain point in the 30K era. A golden exclamation mark was flashing there, indicating the existence of a story mission.
At that moment, Guilliman and the others gathered around.
"Nameless One!!"
Guilliman's voice was filled with excitement. "Where have you been all this time? Everyone was so worried!"
Sanguinius also stepped forward, his golden eyes filled with joy.
"I'm glad you're back. We need you."
"..."
Datch ignored them and slid back into the TARDIS with a tackle. The ignored Primarchs shrugged. Clearly, they had expected this outcome.
Just as the TARDIS door was about to close, Corvus Corax took a very bold action. He transformed into a black raven and rushed inside. The door closed.
Immediately afterward, under the bewildered gazes of the four Primarchs, the TARDIS phone box became transparent, electrical arcs flew, and flashes of light appeared. Then it vanished.
On the outside it looked like an ordinary phone box, but the inside was astonishingly spacious. The dome was extremely high, its peak out of sight. The four walls were covered in intricate decorations… machinery and flashing lights. In the center was a massive control console equipped with countless buttons, joysticks, and screens.
Transformed into a black raven, Corvus Corax floated in the air and surveyed this strange space. Datch was busy moving about in front of the control panel, rapidly pressing buttons to adjust the flight path. The screen displayed a timeline marked by countless points.
Datch knew that the NPC Corvus Corax had followed him. He had wanted to kick him out, but considering that he would have to bring the 42K back anyway, he thought it would be a waste of time. Fine, I'll go along with it.
Datch pressed the confirmation button. The TARDIS shook violently and began traveling through spacetime. He did not know how much time had passed, but the TARDIS stopped.
[Destination: Arrived at Nuceria]
Didn't Lion destroy all of the traitors' homeworlds? Where on earth did this Nameless One come from?
Stepping out of the TARDIS phone box, Corvus Corax realized that his opponent had arrived on the planet Nuceria from the Great Crusade era 30,000 years ago.
Nuceria was world-famous for its gladiator culture. Here, the greatest entertainment for the nobility was watching slaves fight each other. They rejoiced in bloodshed, took pleasure in death, and filled their empty hearts with human lives.
Stepping outside, Corvus Corax blended into a bustling crowd. They all seemed unaware of the TARDIS, instinctively passing by and ignoring it. Relying on the clues displayed on the minimap, Datch went to search for the key figures of the story. Corvus Corax had no choice but to follow.
They entered a massive arena capable of seating hundreds of thousands of spectators. The stands were packed, and people raised their arms and cheered loudly. Dozens of people in ragged clothes, armed with only crude weapons, were herded into the center of the arena. Opposite them were cages containing greedy, long-horned beasts.
A horn sounded, the cages opened, and the beasts charged out and attacked the slaves. The slaves fought desperately, but they were no match at all. One by one they fell, one by one torn apart. Blood stained the yellow sand, and screams were drowned out by the cheers of the crowd.
Among the slaves torn apart by the beasts, there was one exception. He looked about eleven or twelve years old, but was abnormally tall, muscular, and covered in blood. Holding a crude war axe, he slashed at the beasts while doing everything he could to save the slaves. His movements were rough and frenzied, without technique or methodology—driven purely by anger and killing intent. He split one beast's head in two with his axe, then turned and kicked a second beast away. Despite being covered in wounds, the child roared and fought, making the slaves stand behind him.
Corvus Corax recognized the figure fighting in a bloody battle as the young Angron—a bloodthirsty madman and chosen of Khorne. At this point, he was still just a gladiator slave and had not yet been fitted with the Butcher's Nails.
Corvus Corax stared at the figure fighting a bloody battle, his emotions complex. Who could have imagined that this child, who only thought of protecting slaves and pitied the weak, would one day become a terrifying embodiment of destruction? Wherever they went, corpses piled up like mountains, blood flowed like rivers, and heads stacked up horrifically. World after world was slaughtered and destroyed by them.
A terrifying thought suddenly occurred to Corvus Corax.
If I kill Angron here, can I completely erase his existence?
…
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