Chương 1: Chapter: 1 The GATE

-M29. 671-

Terra, Cradle World of humanity. A place where the Astronomicon burns bright, spreading its light across the galaxy. Shining as the torch of humanity's existence as a species.

Terra itself is a planet of shining blue diamonds. There, the Imperial palace was built upon the transformation of the Federation into the Imperium of Man after they triumphed over the Aeldari Dominion.

In the continent spanned Imperial Palace, there was Sanctum Imperialis. A place where the Golden Throne is located as the heart of Astronomicon.

Behind that Throne was the center of human Webway. After the war, the Imperium connected the entire Webway network to Terra.

There was a massive man in his golden armor on that particular Throne. His mighty presence in the Warp perpetually burned any taint around him.

Connecting to his golden Throne, the man concentrates his power on assembling a very exoteric technology he had acquired in Aeldari's cradle world.

It is an engine that could evolve the Golden Throne even further.

That man was known by countless names through the ages.

He is The Emperor of Mankind, Revelation, Master of Mankind, the Bastard of Humanity, The Lord of Perpetuals, and Anathema.

Many names and titles marked his existence.

Now, he was simply called the Emperor.

When he peered deep into the Warp, he saw the Eye of Terror, born from Aeldari's capital world. Fortunately, it was much different from the alternate universe he had witnessed thousand years ago.

This one is smaller and drastically calmer than the Eye of Terror in that timeline.

Emperor himself cursed that reality more than anything in his immortal life. The future where humanity degraded into such a barbaric culture, losing their might as a species. Plagued by religious dogma and superstition.

The worst part is he was the one who became the god for humanity to worship.

He was not a god. He never was. The Emperor saw the galaxy burn as humanity's fate dwindled on the Ruinous' claws.

Even now, he is in the same position as the God-Emperor. But he made sure that particular future would not happen.

After several hours of psychic manipulation across the device, Emperor witnessed another flicker in reality.

Fate suddenly changed by unknown means.

It disturbs him; furthermore, the place where it will happen is in Terra itself, the outer palace, to be precise.

The Emperor stopped his actions, returning his consciousness to his material body. Disconnecting from the Golden Throne, the Emperor rose from his seat.

Teleporting onto the balcony, the Emperor watched Terra in its full beauty.

The metallic structures of the sky are pure, like glass. It was born from human mastery over the Warp and the material universe. A place that resembled heaven between nature and technology, as nature itself was engineered by countless mechanics to create a perfect balance.

Various titanic orbital plates float in the sky. Countless trillions live on this planet. Thanks to Imperium's technologies, every Imperial Terra citizen could live a utopian life.

"Something distressing you, my Emperor?" A genderless voice came to his mind.

"Fate is changing, Alexander," Emperor replied.

Alexander, or rather AR-103. A Man of Iron was specially created to maintain and oversee the entire Imperial Palace. Born from both psi technology taken from Aeldar and Imperium's knowledge on silicon intelligence. Resulting in Man of Iron that is capable of performing psychic powers and capable directly manipulating the Warp. They called Ferrous Mind, slowly replacing the old generation Men of Iron.

"Fate," The Man of Iron concluding his psychic vision. "I see what you've seen, milord. Indeed, something will happen. And it would be bloody."

The Anathema directed his eyes to the said location. "Alexander, call any citizen in that area to evacuate. And inform all High Lords and Ferrous Minds across Terra to prepare for the worst."

"As you wish, my Lord." Alexander, in just nanoseconds, did what it had ordered. Even commanding thousands of battle automata to create a defense line in that area, even it also informed the Solar Guardian in Terra to reinforce the automata's perimeter.

"To be honest with you, Alexander. That measure is astronomical for the scale of the attack. But, it would be better than sorry." Emperor remarked.

"My pleasure, milord."

"But remember. Don't kill every single one of them. I want prisoners." The Emperor stated coldly as he created a telepathic link to the Ferrous Mind. It was the names and persons Alexander did not need to kill, which the Ferrous Mind complied.

"It will be done, milord."

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-Falmart, Zalvus hills-

The armies for the expedition have already assembled. They have one purpose: To invade and expand the Empire's territory.

"Men! By the will of the gods. We shall claim the land of those barbaric nations behind the Gate. None shall stand in our way as the Empire is the strongest nation ever. Thus, we march!" One of the noble generals shouted.

But, only some were eager to explore the Gate. This person is Colt Formal, Count of Italica. This endeavor could be proven as a suicide mission. Yet, Empire still tasked two expedition forces.

One in here and another on the Alnus hills.

He hated slavery, leading him to buy their independence. It resulted in many of his servants being demi-human. And this is also the reason why he brings less army than his peers.

His mind snapped as the massive Gate opened.

"March!" The general shouted.

They began to enter the tunnel of the Gate. Slowly marching with their foot soldiers and horses. They could see the light from the other side, approaching to seek new land to plunder.

Then, they arrived. What they see is something beyond their wildest imagination.

Colt Formal froze in awe. The city's architecture even put the finest the Sadera have to shame. No, it would be an understatement. The buildings in this world made everything back in Falmart primitive in comparison.

Even from afar, he could see gigantic ships freely roaming across the sky. All of them were bigger than Sadera's Imperial Palace.

"This is our blessing. This city full of wealth will make Empire stands for millennia! Kill anyone in insight, plunder anything you could get. Slaves, gold, anything!" Hearing that made Colt's heart drop into his stomach.

They could not see any human around. Thus, they began to spread across this magnificent world. The armies began to spread to seek any slaves to capture.

While the armies continue to march. He has a very terrible feeling about this. Then, his fear was answered.

As the main army fully exited the Gate. A barrage of lights came to Imperial armies.

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As AR-103 expected, the legionaries from the Gate were primitive. With that vision, he armed the battle automata with a Glarius gen IV Volkite machine gun, Mk. XV plasma cannon, Phospex launcher, and some armed with mounted Mars-pattern Adrathic beamer.

With that weaponry, they did not stand a chance.

Their forces were destroyed in mere seconds, causing a blood bath on the flawless metal of Terra.

Blood and flesh are obliterated by bizarre weaponry from Imperium's automata. The explosion shattered their limbs, killing them instantly. Phospex burned their armor and flesh, screaming in pain.

Few primitive soldiers manage to come close to the automata. But, their bravery only leads to their death. The steel sword shattered upon impact with Ion Shield.

He shrieked, yet the fear was cut short by a Graviton Fist that slammed him, destroying his upper half.

As the Solar Guardians arrived via teleportation, the destruction of primitive forces accelerated ten-fold. Warriors of gene-engineered soldiers, wearing metal armor that envelops their entire body.

"Gods help us!"

"My arms!'

The primitive armies shouted in terror. Alexander recognized the words resembling old Roman culture in ancient Terra. Interestingly, the overall dialect and structure dramatically differed from any archive it owns.

Scanning from each battle automata it had controlled, Alexander sought the VIP among the crowd. Using his psychic network across the Imperial Palace, it could manipulate the said person to submission using his psychic power.

Colt Formal and his men and other important officers were spared in this massacre. The rest will be only a pile of flesh that needs cleaning.

_____________________________________________________________________

"I wonder why such a primitive human dared to attack us?" Muttered one of Solar Guardians.

"It was not the case. That Gate. I must admit that was the interesting one." A voice said from behind him.

"Captain Raias." The Guardian saluted the man.

Captain Raias Seloce stood with his plasma rifle as his body was fully enclosed in a standardized nano suit for Solar Guardian.

"That Gate was similar to our Webway. Yet, our Psyker says it more like a warp gate we used at Federation age." The captain answered, glancing at his surrounding. The Gate itself is made of black marble. After a few scans, Raias discovered there was a tunnel inside it. Peculiarly, it is also made of marble.

"Xenos' technology?" The man asked.

"There was an assumption. But, for now, we must take those conscious men into our custody. Also." He stared at the blood-stained ground. "We need to clear this mess before the field division takes place."

___________________________________________________

-Somewhere in the Imperial Palace-

Colt could feel his limbs. Nothing of him disappeared, which made the man much calmer. Even though the horror still lingers.

He opens his eyes, founding himself sitting on a metallic chair. Colt was sure that he was confined in some sort of interrogation room.

"Colt Formal." He heard his name called from an unknown direction. Then, the metallic wall dissolved, creating a path for a man with a blue robe to come in.

"How did you know my name?" The Saderan asked.

The man did not answer. Instead, he settled on the newly formed chair from the metallic floor. The stranger is staring at him with interest, smiling like he is in control of everything.

"The world you live in, Colt Formal. I must admit it is a beautiful world and why you attacked us?" The man said softly. It was humanly soft and even made Colt's spine crawl in fear.

How this man speaks is flawless, as if the man before him has thousand years of experience and supernatural charisma that demand Colt to answer honestly.

"I... We were ordered by the Emperor to attack any nations behind the Gate. We are constantly indoctrinated that every country we encounter in the new world would be primitive and barbaric." The count of Italica admitted slowly, nearly whispering.

The man only remained, not even angered or insulted. "Very bold and simple-minded policy, I must say. Even though the Emperor did not know how everything would proceed, he insisted on attacking without diplomatic contact. A very reckless Emperor indeed."

Colt stilled his mind. This man casually insulted the most powerful man in the entire Falmart. But, considering this world's might, it makes sense. Though, it did not explain the feeling Colt got from the man.

"Then, even you knew it could be a massacre for your men. Why are you still following him?" He continues with a question.

The noble gulped, sensing some kind of dread. "I have no choice. Italica, my home. It was formerly an independent state until the Emperor demanded my vassalization or annihilation. At that moment, I want to fight. But, something happened."

"Something that made you discard that foolish endeavor. Something that must be very dear to you. A family, perhaps?" The man smiled gently.

Colt nodded. "My daughter was born. At that moment, I have sworn to protect her no matter the cost. My oath to her since she was born."

For a moment, the man did not answer. That only resulted in the room falling into silence. Colt stared deeply into the man's eyes. There is no animosity, only understanding.

"Very well then. I must excuse myself. I will return later." The man went back in the direction he had entered prior.

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"Milord." One of the Solar Guardians kneeled when the man entered the room, followed by all the other people.

"Malcador." The man with the blue robe called.

A man with a robe that hybrid between armor and ritualistic apparel. In his hand, a staff rested. On top of that, staff crafted the finest form of Aquila that became the mighty symbol of the Imperium of Man. This is Malcador The Sigilate, one of the High Lords of Terra, serving as Master of Security Intelligent or Lord of Assasinorum and Imperial Laxius Ordo.

"Yes, my Lord?" The man bowed.

"Did Ollanius already know about this situation?" The Emperor in his mortal form asked.

"Not yet, milord. He is still on the journey on your initial order." The Sigilate answered.

"Then inform about this developing cause. When he finishes his duty, I need him to return to Terra as soon as possible." The Emperor stared at the monitor, watching the Lord of Italica with an intrigued look.

"Permission to ask, milord." The master of assassins speaks fluently.

"Permission granted."

"That Gate. As far as we know, the research team is still gathering their intel. But we are sure that the Gate is connected deep in the Immaterium as a bridge connecting another reality. But, what reality?" As a man who mastered the Warp, Malcador was aware of how powerful the Emperor was and how the Golden Throne operated.

At this question, Emperor smiled. The smile of the Lord of Perpetuals made Malcador shudder. That smile was rare. A longing and nostalgic smile.

"Tell me, Malcador. In this era. An era that we will, as ascended species, have nothing we can't achieve. But, there was still sentiment lingering in our hearts. Seeking for the answer to a long-lost era. Many remnants of ancient humanity lie in the Imperial Vault, yet no one knows how it was created. Imagine that answer will soon be answered." The Emperor said softly, his eyes shining in warmth gold.

All of the Imperials in the room are processing their liege's words. And in short nanoseconds with their augmented brain, they widen their eyes in shock.

"Impossible," Malcador muttered.

"Nothing is impossible, old friend." The Emperor replied.

"Then what will we do next, my Emperor?" Malcador inquired.

The Emperor pondered for a moment that spent only a fraction of a second. His ability to foresight the future is now unmatched. Thus, he looks deeply into the Immaterium as he seeks the answer.

"There would be one answer."

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Colt is waiting for his fate on the chair. The man could only hope upon this mighty nation as he knew the struggle would be futile.

He was thinking about the worst possibilities: burning at stake, mutilating into thousands of forms, and being transformed into a horrible abomination. None of them could make up his mind loosened.

He wants to puke from the sheer adrenaline in his body. Colt only remaining hope is his daughter. Her smile on him to stay awake from the terror he had witnessed prior.

A sound the opening opened snapped Colt from his train of thought.

The same man entered the room.

Unlike their first meeting, the man only stood with a deep stare.

"Colt Formal, Lord of Italica. I want you to answer my question." The man demanded.

"I will answer it with my best."

"Did you pledge eternal loyalty to Emperor Molt Sol Agustus?" The man asked firmly.

Colt considered the answer for a while, then answered with determination. "No. I only submit to him for my daughter's safety."

Colt knew he must not show weakness if he wanted his life spared and to meet his daughter again.

"Good answer. Then I want to ask you again. You've witnessed this world, don't you? What did you see?" Again, the man asked.

"I've witnessed treasure beyond measure. Marvel beyond understanding. This world is a paradise that is somehow managed to build by us, mere mortals." Colt answered with his utmost sincere feeling.

The world he sees before the massacre is something beyond his words to describe. Metallic-glass buildings could grasp the sky, cities that floated on the horizon, and ships made of metal that could fly.

This world is a garden of gods.

"Very well." Then, Colt felt a warm aura enveloping his body. It was gigantic, but it did not feel like crushing his body. This warmth of light is ever-encompassing and benevolent in its own right.

The radiant glory of a perfect being.

Colt raised his head and witnessed the holiest person in his life.

There stands a towering man. He wore golden armor with flawless artistic skill carved into its very construction. A mighty Aquila rested on the back of his head, great talons in his left hand, and a red robe is another regal figure of this man.

A golden halo shines brilliantly on top of his head.

Like the sun, this glorious man created safety and unreachable height.

Somehow he managed to stand from the chair that was binding him. Kneeling before the golden man.

"Are you a god?" Colt asked, trembling.

"No, my child. I am the Emperor of Mankind, ruler of this Imperium of Man. And this world you've stepped into is Terra. The cradle of humanity, the capital world from millions of worlds within my power. All of them is paradise." The Emperor's voice boomed across the room, giving Colt true realization.

This man claimed he was not a god. And this paradise was one among millions.

Colt could only be silent before this Emperor. An Emperor who bears a title like no other. A title that makes him a ruler of every single human being.

"I offer you a lifetime offer, Colt Formal. You want your daughter to be in perpetual happiness. I could give it to you. I offer you to live under my protection. To live in this paradise alongside your daughter." The Emperor benevolently offered.

Colt lost his capability to speak.

But he was sure there was one answer.

Only one answer.

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It is the 29th Millenium. It has been more than five millennia Emperor stepped from the shadow, leading humanity after the dark period after a cataclysmic war between humankind and the Aeldari.

In that dark time, the Emperor lit his works of Astronomicon. Serving a Psycant Scientist at the time, the Emperor create one of the brightest hope for humanity.

With the might of The Golden Throne, The Emperor held the entire human Webway. Thus, the Federation survives. With his wisdom, the Emperor turns the chaotic human civilization into order.

He, alongside the entire human race, Men of Stone and Iron, reforged the Federation, turning it into the Imperium of Man, the bastion of civilization.

Yet, even in this peaceful time. The mighty armies of humanity stay vigilant. A vast fleet of powerful fleets, countless genetically modified Solar Guardians, the eldritch power of Astra Psycant, and uncountable PDF across millions of worlds in the Imperium.

The greatest among them is the twin blades of humanity. Seven Legions of gene-forged humans by Emperor's own gene code as well as The Men of Iron. Together, they are unstoppable weapons for humanity to survive and thrive.

To be a man in such a time. It is one among untold billions. It is a life with the most utopian regime imaginable. Adore the power of science and technology. That is the only thing that will lead humanity into ascension. Hold the promise of progress and understanding as infinite knowledge is waiting to be discovered.

These are tales from that time. Even though there were horrors in the darkness, Imperium held firm as the laughter of innocents was safe within its protection.