Before the frozen, burning sun within the Warp, amidst a terrifying conflagration capable of extinguishing all life, there erupted the searing power of ruinous erosion. This was the very nature of the Emperor's Light, the ultimate bane of daemons.
Within this absolute forbidden zone, Lucius had assumed the guise of a black-robed figure to seek an audience with the Emperor.
"You've come. It seems you intend to pursue something... interesting."
The youth, golden, possessed of a beauty so sublime it defied gender as if plucked from ancient Greek myth, gazed at Lucius with eyes that radiated the brilliance of a thousand suns.
The Emperor was aware that the Skaven had inflicted significant damage upon the Imperium of late. However, He remained indifferent to specific material losses; His concern lay solely with the survival of the human species. The "troubles" the ratmen caused were, to Him, mere trifles.
"Oh~ I am here on serious business," Lucius said, a wide grin splitting his face. "Look at you, whether it is the Imperial Truth or the Webway Project, you have only ever treated the symptoms, never the cure. But now, I offer you a chance."
Lucius leaned in, his voice dropping. "Come, collaborate with me to permanently eliminate a Great Enemy. What say you?"
"Permanently eliminate?" The Emperor tilted His head, a flicker of skepticism crossing His features. "You are a being of the same nature now. Do you not understand the 'Once Proven, Always Proven' essence of the Chaos Gods?"
"Hahaha, that is a secret known to no one in this universe but me," Lucius countered. "The Ruinous Powers are mighty, yes, but they have never been invincible, provided they expose a flaw. Well? Do you agree? I shall let you witness a moment of true miracles."
The Emperor reflected for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I look forward to your miracle. Tell me what is required."
Having secured the word of the Dark King, Lucius moved without pause across the territories of the other powers, delivering the same proposal to the remaining three gods.
"Slay that creature of excess? Hahaha! Good, let me see what manner of exhilarating slaughter this shall be!"
"So many shifts in the tapestry... I feel it... you are stirring a tide of destiny and change. Hehe~ very well. How could the Architect of Fate refuse such a transformation?"
"...You are truly wicked. However, I shall not be the outlier. Consider this a lesson for the Prince."
With surprising ease, Khorne, Tzeentch, and Nurgle all agreed to launch a predatory strike against Slaanesh, provided the Dark Prince was truly vulnerable.
This fell exactly within Lucius's calculations. In the Age of Sigmar, after all, the other three gods had shown no hesitation in aiding the four Elven deities to kick Slaanesh while the Prince was down, leading to Slaanesh's total collapse.
Though the Four may appear to be players at the same table, they are, above all, rivals who would never miss a chance to ruin one another.
"Good... next comes the killing blow. Do not disappoint me, Queen of the Reborn," Lucius muttered, nodding as he secured the promises of the four gods. He turned his gaze toward the far reaches of the Warp, in the direction of the Palace of Slaanesh.
…
Unaware that her actions were being weighed by five Warp powers, Yvraine was being hosted by Asdrubael Vect within the Kabal of the Black Heart in Commorragh.
Both Eldrad and Lelith had grown accustomed to such treatment, comfortably enjoying the decadent hospitality provided by slaves. But Yvraine had not forgotten her purpose; she was actively preparing for the ritual.
"This is what you requested~" A succubus, as beautiful as a porcelain doll, presented Yvraine with an ancient Aeldari device, her smile carrying an inscrutable meaning.
"My thanks. Convey my gratitude to your master, Vect."
"No," the succubus purred. "I should carry that gratitude to my true mistress, Lady Malys, instead."
"What?" Yvraine snapped her head up to look at the blonde, blue-eyed succubus.
"Please understand, my mistress Lady Malys has never harbored disrespect toward Ynnead, the God of the Dead. She merely hopes the Whispering God remembers the contributions of our Kabal of the Poisoned Tongue," the succubus said with a smirk.
"It seems Malys's influence has indeed grown. To think Vect has spies so close to him," Yvraine remarked, nodding.
"Hehe, after all, no mortal wishes to offend a god."
The succubus bowed respectfully and withdrew. However, as the door closed, Yvraine heard a muffled grunt of pain, evidently, Vect's enforcers had already dealt with the spy.
Yvraine shook her head, sighing. She had to accelerate the awakening of the God of Death, slay Slaanesh, and only then could the path of the Aeldari be truly set right.
With the resources of two Commorrite titans, Yvraine quickly gathered the necessary sacrifices and artifacts. The vaults of the Dark City were truly unparalleled; she saw wonders she never imagined still existed in the galaxy.
Soon, Yvraine announced that the awakening of Ynnead would proceed within Lelith's arenas. Following this ritual, Ynnead would be born by carving His way out of Slaanesh's womb, thereby slaying their eternal nemesis.
The news sent shockwaves through Commorragh. Every Drukhari with the means to do so flocked to witness the event. None wished to miss a moment destined to be etched into the annals of history. The Wych Cult of Lelith reaped a fortune in the process.
"Let it begin!"
Yvraine cried out, raising the Cronesword, Kha-vir, the Sword of Sorrows.
Beside her, The Visarch raised his own Cronesword, Asu-var, the Sword of Silent Screams.
Then came the Yncarne, the Avatar of Ynnead, wielding Vilith-zhar, the Sword of Souls.
Prince Yriel held the Spear of Twilight, and the final Cronesword, Pale Wound, was entrusted to Lelith.
The five blades were finally gathered. Nearby, a hundred chosen Aeldari sacrifices were led forward under the heavy glaives of Incubi. These sacrifices had volunteered, viewing the act as a supreme honor. Yvraine promised them eternal rest under the protection of Ynnead.
At that moment, Commorragh shuddered violently. Storms of raw warp energy, lightning, and fire erupted simultaneously!
This was a Dysjunction, the most dreaded catastrophe of the Dark City. But the worst was yet to come. As alarms shrieked, legions of Emperor's Children Astartes and the slick, distorted daemons of Slaanesh began a massive invasion through the breached Webway gates.
Vect's brow furrowed, his first instinct to retreat into the shadows. But he saw Lady Malys looking at him with an expression of pure contempt and mockery. She drew her blade, shouting at the top of her lungs:
"Come, my thralls! The Great Enemy trembles! This is their final terror, after this, the Aeldari rise again!"
"That cursed woman!" Vect snarled under his breath, but he was forced to command the Kabal of the Black Heart to join the fray.
Indeed, this was a true offensive by Slaanesh. Perhaps the Dark Prince had finally realized the threat, or sensed it through the shifting tides of the Warp. This was an all-out assault.
Leading the charge into Commorragh were Shalaxi Helbane and the fallen Phoenician himself, Fulgrim.
"How tedious... I hope they don't bore me," Fulgrim murmured, gracefully flexing his four arms and serpentine coil.
Currently, his only true interest lay in the torment of Roboute Guilliman. Had it not been for Slaanesh's direct command, he wouldn't have bothered with these "tiresome xenos."
"This is the command of the Prince of Pleasure~ hiss... we must stop this ritual!" Shalaxi Helbane gritted out, her teeth bared in anticipation.
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