As the third Soulstone detonation began, Kaelah realized once again that he had done sothing incredibly stupid.
Driven by the self-perception of a race with such ancient history and noble lineage, he naturally adopted an arrogant attitude toward any non-Aeldari alien. Simultaneously, the existence of Slaanesh filled him with an absolute terror of the "Youngest Goddess's hounds." These two conflicting emotions blended together, ultimately resulting in a twisted, stubborn, and defiant mouth.
Even as he surrendered to the Mon-keigh, rebellious thoughts continued to surface intermittently.
Clearly, the Mon-keigh was not playing along. He demanded total submission to guarantee Kaelah's continued existence.
This realization flowed through Kaelah's soul, making his entire being tremble.
What a disgrace... but... but... he had to do it.
I surrender! I surrender!
Kaelah repeated the plea loudly over the psychic link. For a mont, he felt phantom tears of bitter acidity stream from his eyes, mourning this mont of total indignity.
Stop, please! I will teach you everything I know! Just do not offer to the Youngest Goddess!
The frantic earthquakes and floods paused once more. The Mon-keigh's disorganized, booming voice echoed across the firmant of his inner world.
You sure? When you were fighting last ti, you didn't have this attitude. If you'd been a bit more polite then—if you'd pulled your punches or just let be—I might have treated you like air and let you go.
Instead, Kaelah had not only fought back but had mocked him ruthlessly.
Yes! I am sure! Kaelah wailed across the surface of the ocean, which threatened to erupt into a storm at any mont. He felt utterly helpless; he could sense so of his kin were still conscious within the stones, but they had all, without exception, chosen the path of silence. I made the wrong choice then!
After several seconds of heavy silence—or perhaps longer—he heard the Mon-keigh on the firmant let out a booming laugh.
So even the Aeldari know how to surrender. Fine then. Start teaching . Use your delicate, refined Aeldari techniques to replace my crude "monkey" instincts.
Please project your consciousness down here so we may communicate face-to-face. For reasons we both understand, I can only remain within the Soulstone. If we do not et, I cannot guide you onto the Path of the Seer within this cycle.
Kaelah steadied his nerves, eventually looking up toward the sky with a mix of dread and anticipation for the descent from beyond the world.
Anger at his humiliation continued to gather; the hatred of a warrior eroded the clear-minded tranquility required of a Seer. He did not want to teach his arts to a Mon-keigh—least of all the one who had killed him.
Given his current circumstances, luring the Mon-keigh's consciousness into the Soulstone would provide a perfect opportunity for an ambush.
Still not being honest, I see.
Enkidu stared at the flickering blue Soulstone in his hand. His gaze drifted toward the other two stones on the desk; it wasn't an illusion—as he looked over, their glow dimd by a noticeable degree.
It seed they were quite sensible. Only the one in his hand was being a "prick"?
It made sense. He was a Slaaneshi Astartes, and the pointy-ear was an Aeldari Warlock; they were mortal enemies by nature. He'd already shoved the guy into a stone—why wouldn't the xenos try to set a trap for him?
But of the three pointy-ears he'd caught, only this Warlock had a deep, practical application of psychic power. Furthermore, the Aeldari were personally uplifted by the Old Ones and had been playing with the Warp for millions of years—they were the ultimate "old-tirs." In terms of psychic mastery, humanity couldn't catch up even if they ran at full tilt.
To leave such a treasure trove unmined and insist on fumbling around blindly until he accidentally turned himself into a living warp-gate would be quite brainless.
So, how to make this pointy-ear stop playing gas and teach him properly?
Enkidu pondered for a while, found a pen, and began to trace lines upon the surface of the Soulstone.
!!!!!
Gwah!!! STOP!!!
I said stop imdiately!!!!
Despite being inside the stone, Kaelah could feel it. The pen moving across the surface was drawing none other than the runes of the Youngest Goddess!!!!
To tornt him, the Astartes was even intentionally slowing his pace!
Kaelah realized with soul-shattering horror that the Astartes was done indulging him. He had lost his patience and intended to sacrifice Kaelah to the Thirsty Lady.
This ti, truly desperate to avoid an eternity of horrific tornt, he had to struggle!
The Warlock spiraled from commands to curses, then from curses to offering every concession he could think of—so so shaless even he found them appalling—but he did them anyway, just to save his soul.
That should be enough heat.
Enkidu stopped the pen, looking at the half-finished rune on the stone. He tapped the surface.
Still planning on playing little gas?
No... no more.
The Warlock sobbed from the other side. The terror of being consud had overwheld everything, utterly breaking his will to resist. Enkidu could feel that the Warlock's sharp edges had been ground smooth, replaced by a docility akin to a lamb awaiting slaughter.
The other two Soulstones on the table grew even dimr.
So, do I still need to enter the Soulstone?
Not entirely... just... just project a portion of your will. Kaelah felt like a shaful traitor, but he had no choice. He was the at on the chopping block. You only need to focus your attention on the Soulstone. Imagine you can pass through it into a new world. Fate will guide our eting.
If an accident occurs inside, will it affect my own soul?
Impossible! As long as I harbor no malice, the Soulstone is harmless to anyone!
If anything, the "accident" inside the stone is you! Kaelah thought bitterly. And you've already sold your soul to the Youngest Goddess—what damage to the soul could be deeper than that?!
As the sensation of the runes being traced vanished, Kaelah cautiously drew himself up, focusing his spirit to repair his disheveled appearance caused by the "natural disasters."
The Astartes had wiped away the mark of the Youngest Goddess; he was likely about to project his consciousness in. Kaelah had to display the elegance expected of an Aeldari to earn the human's respect.
Initially, he wanted to clear away the damnable floods that had wrecked his miniature world, but those "waters" were unnaturally heavy; he couldn't make them vanish. He settled for second best: gathering the floating wreckage and using his psychic power to forge them anew.
After a long period of panting effort, Kaelah Saeryn finally fashioned a crude little boat to drift upon the now-placid ocean.
Finally, Kaelah began to dress himself.
His slender form was draped once more in a flowing silk robe, embroidered with mithril thread in the shape of runes that pulsed with the wearer's heartbeat. His grey hair fell over his left shoulder, bound by four lumin-rings that transitioned in color from diamond-white to dove-grey. Several silver rune-chains hung around his neck, fingered by gloves covered in rings and bracelets.
As a prominent shooting star streaked across the internal sky, Kaelah Saeryn cleared his throat, intending to receive his visitor in a state of peak grace.
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