920.M30.
In the fourth layer of the Kingdom of Disorder.
Nareth, enthroned high, swept his gaze over the Likho Fishn as he listened to the report of Ramsey, Chapter Master of the Tenth Chapter.
The "Rose Bishop's" features were carved to resemble Nareth's exactly, but lacked the Primarch's innate noble majesty.
The transcendent banner, now layered with the "ntor of Disorder's" "Majesty," made his black-mist-shrouded form radiate an indescribable, commanding aura.
Feeling this indescribable majesty, Ramsey lowered his head uneasily.
"My Lord, five Honor Guard candidates have submitted applications, forfeiting their eligibility."
"They were all once Faceless. I believe either they, or soone in their squad, driven by genetic instinct, consud the xenos they captured."
After Ramsey finished his briefing, Master of Chaplains Pat spoke.
"My Lord, I believe this warrants attention. Clear boundaries should be set."
"In the past century of warfare, Shadows of Orders have used genetic detection to gain intelligence, but the Faceless's actions fall outside this category."
Nareth nodded. "I allow the consumption of xenos to gain power."
"The Aeldari see humans as monkeys. The Slaugth consu human corpses. The Rangdan and Mitu enslaved countless humans."
"Most xenos bullied humanity during the Long Night. We can treat them as livestock."
"The Emperor granted them this ability. It has value, but there must be clear boundaries." He thought of the Blood Angels who succumbed to the Black Rage, indulging themselves without restraint.
The Blood Knights who embraced the Red Thirst. The Sorrowing blood feast of the Angels Vermillion ...
"Do not raise xenos. Do not allow them to attack humans. Do not repeat the mistakes of the Faceless. Especially Orks, which reproduce via spores, and the Drukhari, who feed on fear."
"Ramsey, the culture you should cultivate is: win victory in battle against xenos."
"After battle, consu their bodies to satisfy appetite, gain power, and throw yourselves into new battles."
"The flesh you and the other 'Rose Bishops' use should co from enemies, not allies or the innocent you protect."
Ramsey knelt before the indescribable "Majesty" and solemnly acknowledged.
"By Your will." He understood the Black Emperor's requirents and knew the boundaries he must strictly adhere to.
He felt his abilities were now limited, but also knew that without limits, the powers the Black Emperor had granted them could spiral out of control.
He recalled, as a "Listener," hearing the whispers of the C'tan shard, the Silent Cry.
He recalled, after becoming a "Rose Bishop," erging from a Rangdan xenos, the looks of fear in the eyes of the Pavoni Cult Thousand Sons.
Even Astartes Librarians specializing in bio-mancy found his flesh-crafting too strange.
Nareth turned to the Master of Chaplains, satisfied. "Pat, you and the Chaplains must provide guidance and be vigilant in review and inspection."
After they acknowledged, with a thought, black mist enveloped them, returning them to reality.
He then extended his spiritual energy, touching Thomas, Chief Librarian on Mancora, and Okafor, also a telepathist.
He saw them riding golden griffins, soaring through the air.
Below, black-robed Librarian aspirants looked up, feeling the griffins' roars.
With a thought, he ford the command for Thomas to end the lesson and leave the aspirants' sight, transmitting it to the orb through a subtle connection.
He also ordered the Jokaero to concoct the Sequence 6 "Scrolls Professor" potion, using Likho Fishn and other materials.
Monts later, he extended his spiritual energy, pulling Thomas into the Kingdom of Disorder.
"My Lord." Thomas bowed.
Nareth nodded. With a thought, the newly concocted "Scrolls Professor" potion floated into Thomas's palm.
Thomas examined the potion, pleased. It resembled a mass of slick, brown fish skin.
Countless mysterious patterns covered the flat skin. Patches of colored light were layered.
Rising flas, like fireworks, blood.
He drank it in one gulp. It felt like swallowing a piece of leather.
He suppressed the urge to retch and swallowed.
The potion slid down his esophagus, then ignited.
WHOOSH!
As the ball of fire fell, countless runes appeared in his ever-open "Eyes of Mystery Prying."
As whispers flooded his mind, the runes rose with cyan flas, arranging themselves neatly into rows and paragraphs.
His head throbbed. He discerned the scrolls ford by the runes.
Frost Scroll.
Paralysis Scroll.
Wind Scroll.
.....
Monts later, the newly promoted "Scrolls Professor" knelt.
"Thank You, my Lord, for Your gift. I will surely use the power You have granted well."
"You have mastered the ability to craft scrolls." As he spoke, with a thought, sheets of leather materialized.
Giant spider's barbed hide. Slippery, large chunks of kraken hide...
The giant spiders unique to Necromunda provided the ingredients for "Pleasure," but not the entire creature.
The main ingredients were the eyes and spinnerets. The supplentary ingredients were fangs and legs.
Though the Fenrisian kraken was not among the unlocked potion recipes, the keratin hooks on its tentacles, its sword-like fangs, its huge eyes and bones, all radiated vibrant spiritual energy, clearly exceeding other parts.
Based on the giant spider, he hypothesized these parts were potion ingredients. The rest were reagents.
He kept the hide of the Iron-Scale Kraken for armor enhancent. Common kraken hide could be used for scrolls.
"You will use these to craft scrolls." He instructed. The "Scrolls Professor's" strategic value was far greater than the "Warlock's." They could now support other Court mbers.
A "Warlock's" spells required visualizing the corresponding symbols in the mind, which many paths found difficult.
But scrolls could be easily used by beyonders of other paths. They only needed to recite the incantation and expend so spiritual energy to activate.
Seeing the mountain of materials around him, Thomas felt surrounded by a treasure hoard. "I will make good use of these materials to craft scrolls."
"Okafor will assist you." With a turn of his hand, a newly concocted "Scrolls Professor" potion appeared.
After sending Thomas and the leather to the altar on Mancora, he extended his spiritual energy and pulled Arkhas Fal from the Nicor into the Kingdom of Disorder.
He looked down at the Legion Master of the 19th Legion and asked.
"Horus has discovered the Keylek world?"
"As my Lord's insight, Lord Horus's exploration fleet reported discovering the Keylek world three standard days ago." Arkhas was not surprised the Black Emperor knew the Luna Wolves' progress.
Such was the Black Emperor's power.
"You will volunteer to hunt the Keylek."
The Keylek were xenos the Luna Wolves would exterminate in 923. They were also the main ingredient for Sequence 5 "Disciplinary Paladin" on the Justiciar Pathway.
....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu
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