| Laboratory |
I began to rack my brain, thinking of every instance of the Emperor speaking in the videos I've watched. What was his demeanor like?
Especially when speaking to the custodes. After spending a couple of seconds thinking about it.
Andrew began to speak in a grim voice, "Rise, this is no failure of yours. Only mine."
Then he turned around leaving his back facing Valdor and the custodes.
He continued, "Leave me and allow none to enter. I must begin to plan the next phase."
Valdor and the custodes rose, and Valdor replied back, "It shall be done, My Liege."
They made their way out the door and closed it behind them.
Andrew sat down on the steel ground once he heard the door close behind him. And he began to pray sincerely in his mind.
"Dear Emperor of Mankind, I truly apologize for my outburst. Please forgive my foolishness and send me back to waffle house."
He knelt there for a long time hoping his prayer would be answered but there was no response.
During that time he started to reflect on his life. He was a 23 year old who recently graduated college with a degree in physical education. He still lived at home with just his parents, he was a only child.
As for why he was working at a waffle house, well that was because it was the only place that had accepted him. Every job he applied to just gave him the usual, sorry but we decided to move on message.
While working in waffle house he saw all kinds of nonsense. Watching his co-worker Sheryl catching chairs mid air. Which is a skill he highly wishes he learned from her.
Watching people crash out over slightly burnt hash browns, or people just being drunk idiots.
Seeing such never ending chaos for the 4 months he worked there. Andrew first felt the anger that anyone who work in anything related to customer service felt. But over time it simmered out as he just stopped caring.
Andrew had developed a laid back personality from the constant times someone has tried his patience. He learned to just go with the flow.
Right now he feels nothing but rage at the injustice of this all. When he said, "I bet I can do better." he meant it as a joke not literally.
"But there's no use in getting angry at a being who can end me as he pleases."
Andrew thought as he rose up from the ground. He would no longer lament his misfortune and decided to just go with it and accept his fate.
He then said out loud.
"What is it that you wish for me to do Neoth?"
'Ringing Bells'
Before Andrew stood a child, a child with a blazing halo behind his head. He was wrapped in simple white clothing that reminded him of ancient Rome.
The child said.
"You have adapted much better than the others and you may address me as Star Child."
I watched in awe at witnessing Star Child in person. I remember his legend as the compassion of the Emperor made manifest. But immediately alarms rang in my head.
"What do you mean by the others?"
Star Child smiled and snapped his fingers.
Around us a bunch of connecting starsーwait no these are timelines. Exactly 39,999 different timelines of different Emperors fighting against chaos in the great game.
Now I was even more confused. How do I know this?
As if sensing my confusion, Star Child said to me, "You are currently assimilating with us, becoming another fragmented soul that forms the Emperor of Mankind."
I felt nothing but fear, is he telling me I will no longer be myself? Assimilation can mean so many different things. Am I a vessel, a symbiosis, or even worse a sacrifice?
"Be not afraid, Andrew."
"NOOOO I will be afraid, this is quite literally the most terrifying moment in my life."
Star Child looked amused as if he was reading my thoughts.
Then it dawned on me that he definitely can read my thoughts.
"Yes I can read your thoughts, and worry not. It is us who will assimilate with you, you will have our memories from each timeline to guide you in your actions. As for experience, you must build that on your own."
"So you mean I am going to have 39,999 timelines stuffed in my head? I don't believe I can handle such an influx of information and remain as myself."
"Consider it a library of knowledge you can access, just ask and you will receive your answer."
I couldn't help but laugh thinking that was basically chat gpt. The Emperor of Mankind was going to be an AI assistant in my head. Just imagine becoming what you hate.
Star Child frowned at me and then I quickly realized that he definitely didn't like the comparison nor the joke.
So I quickly apologized for the thought and blamed it on lingering influence from the four.
Star Child started slowly walking towards me and opened his palm. I looked on in awe at the small glowing orb hovering in his palm.
My senses told me that this orb was much more than just the collective knowledge of the Emperor. Something else was mixed in but before I could ponder more, Star Child commanded.
"Kneel."
And I knelt and looked forward as he then raised his palm and the glowing orb slowly floated into my head.
Star Child spoke in a solemn voice.
"Rise now Andrew, henceforth you will known as Neoth Crucivus Aeternus X͞͞L. You claimed you could do better, with this knowledge and our blessing. Go forth and do so."
Star Child then began to fade away and right before he completely faded away he spoke one more time.
"Beware the other two main parts of me. They will not favor you."
I felt dread when I heard that because I had an immediate guess as to who he was referring to. I quickly asked the collective knowledge of 39,999 failed timelines to confirm my guess.
And to my horror the collective knowledge, which I'll now call Big E. Answered me.
[The God Emperor and the Dark King.]
I groaned in exasperation and couldn't help but wonder, "Can this day get any worse?" as I rose from the ground.
Big E spoke to me again.
[Initiating training protocol as per Star Child's order.]
My eyes widened in shock, what training?
[As said by Star Child, you only have the memories not the experience. Star Child believes you should be given full creative will to develop your own abilities as an Apex Class Psyker.
From this year 792.M30 until the official start of The Great Crusade 798.M30 you will remain in the laboratory learning all that you must.]
All I could do was mutter, "I hate my life" and I sighed in reluctant acceptance.
-To Be Continued...
(A/N: I think I'm learning more at convening emotions and making conversations smother. If you see grammar errors lmk and I'll fix them.
If there is anything that doesn't make sense feel free to ask. I'll answer as long as it doesn't cause a spoiler.
Last thing, if you ever see a new chapter wait like 15mins before reading because I'll probably be making a bunch of minor edits. Once I get to see how it looks for readers.)