Seeking Cooperation

"Yes, I come from another universe. The All Universes are vast and boundless—yours is not the only one. As a traveler, I possess the ability to traverse between different universes."

Raven explained as it tilted its head back and opened its beak.

In an instant, streams of light burst forth from its mouth.

The beams wove together in the air, forming countless images.

Some scenes were clear and bright, playing out like a movie.

Others were tangled and complex, not only splitting into multiple frames but occasionally flickering and rewinding back to the very start.

This was because most universes had one-dimensional timelines, unfolding forward like a film when displayed.

But some universes had multi-dimensional timelines, spawning parallel realities and allowing travel to the past and future.

When shown, they appeared chaotic and disordered.

"The wonders of the All Universes surpass your imagination. If you're willing to cooperate, I can help you reach other universes and gain their power and knowledge."

The Emperor asked, "And what do you get out of it? Surely you won't tell me you covet nothing."

"When you alter the destined fates of those universes, the universes themselves release a unique Origin Power, and I feed on that Origin Power," Raven explained. "It's a mutually beneficial deal—no one loses."

"I don't cooperate with things of unknown origin." The Emperor refused again.

"That's not what you said when you allied with the Four Chaos Gods to steal their secrets and Origin Power."

Raven's words made the Emperor, whose expression had never changed, show a hint of gravity.

"How do you know about that?"

Raven closed its beak, the light ceased, and the many images vanished.

"Everything that has ever happened leaves traces in the universe, and I have the ability to read those traces. When I entered this universe, I began receiving its information."

"You entered the Warp on Morthos Planet, struck a deal with the Four Chaos Gods, and with their help stole their power and knowledge to achieve your goals. You also tricked and cheated them—they're now burning with rage toward you."

The Emperor looked at the Raven before him, narrowing his eyes slightly.

There was no trace of Warp corruption on it, so it shouldn't be a creature of the Warp.

As for its claims of being a traveler and the All Universes, those remained to be verified.

World, standing nearby, looked around warily. His halberd was already activated, a bright arc of energy shrouding its sharp tip.

He was using his helmet's sensory modules and his own keen perception to search for an unseen target.

After the Emperor touched the strange sculpture, it had turned into light and vanished.

Then the Emperor began talking to himself and even drew his sword, as if to attack something.

World was right there but saw nothing.

No matter what methods he used to search, he found nothing.

"What happened? Who is His Majesty speaking to?"

"Who is the enemy? Those Chaos Gods?"

"Where are they? Why can't I see anything?"

World raised his halberd, looking around in confusion.

Watching the Emperor talk to the air, confusion and helplessness welled up in his heart.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

The Emperor snapped out of his thoughts and looked at World.

"I'm fine."

"Then why were you talking to yourself?" World asked with concern. "Should I summon a physician to examine you?"

The Emperor glanced at World, then at the Raven pacing in the air.

"You can't see it?"

"See what?" World looked around but saw nothing.

"He can't see me. Only those who are acknowledged or permitted by the protagonist of fate can see me. It's a protective mechanism for the protagonist of fate, ensuring the transaction isn't known to a third party."

Raven paused for a moment, then added another sentence.

"Of course, you're not in that category—there aren't many in the real universe who can match you—but the mechanism still applies."

The Emperor asked, "Can you let him see?"

"Of course, as long as you're willing."

The Emperor nodded. "Let him see."

A bewildered World saw a raven appear out of thin air before him.

It greeted him amiably.

"Hey, World, esteemed Imperial Custodes Commander, want to head to the dock and grab some fries?"

World didn't hesitate for a single second.

The motion was so fast that only a blur remained.

In an instant, the halberd pointed at the Raven.

Protecting the Emperor was not merely the duty of the Adeptus Custodes—it was the very reason for their existence.

World would never allow any dangerous element to approach the Emperor.

"So harsh. I kindly invited you to grab some fries, and this is how you treat me?"

The Raven wore an exaggerated expression of hurt.

World was unmoved. "Daemon, get out of this world."

"World." The Emperor pushed down World's halberd. "It is not a daemon."

"It is deceiving you," World said. "Your Majesty, the daemons of the Warp are always skilled in deception."

"I can see that it bears no taint of Chaos," the Emperor said.

Seeing the Emperor's firm stance, World finally lowered his weapon.

The Emperor turned back to the Raven. "You say you can help me reach other universes, gain power and knowledge. How can I be sure this is not a trap?"

"I can't give you absolute certainty, but this is the only chance you have to win," the Raven said. "The Primarchs you created to anchor your new warriors have been stolen by the gods, yet you haven't given up. You're still secretly carrying out that plan."

World's eyes widened. This matter was top secret, known to only a handful of people.

Yet the Raven before him spoke of it with ease.

If this being was sent by the Ruinous Powers, then everything they had done had likely not escaped their notice.

"I can tell you plainly: the Primarchs you created are not dead. They are scattered across the lands, undergoing the trials of fate. When you set out to conquer the stars, they will return to your side."

The Emperor stared at the Raven, growing more silent.

This being knew far too much.

"You have envisioned a bright future for humanity, but you are destined to fail. No matter how hard those caught in the river of fate struggle, they cannot change its course."

"Everything you do is marching toward a predetermined destiny. You possess the power of prophecy; you should be able to see many futures, and the vast majority of them are dark and hopeless."

"In the end, you will lose everything—the empire you painstakingly built, the Custodes you personally trained, the friends who have always helped you, and the humanity you have always sought to protect. They will only drift toward a slow death."

"You are exaggerating," World said.

"Am I really exaggerating?" The Raven smiled. "You should ask the sovereign you serve whether he thinks my words are lies. Or do you simply not believe in his great power and foresight?"

The Emperor said nothing.

It was as good as an admission of the Raven's words.

Opposing the gods was far from as simple as it seemed.

If he failed, humanity's fate would be utterly bleak—nothing but war, with no redemption in sight.

World stared at the Raven, gripping his halberd tightly, making no effort to hide his killing intent.

The Raven continued pacing in the air, showing no sign of tension.

He knew that without the Emperor's command, World would not strike.

The Adeptus Custodes never questioned the Emperor, nor did they ever disobey his orders.

World was the perfect embodiment of that iron rule.

"If you are willing, I will send you to the first trial world. When you complete the task, you will return with a reward. I guarantee that the reward will be of great help to your plans."

World looked at the Emperor. From his expression, World could tell he was considering the Raven's words.

"Your Majesty, do not believe its sweet talk. What if this is a trap? If you cannot return, all our plans will come to nothing."

The Raven said, "Even if I were a liar, Terra is already unified. Even if the Emperor leaves, this place will become the new cradle of human civilization."

"You haven't even mastered the complete Webway technology. If something goes wrong, all of humanity will be doomed. A gambler's all-or-nothing bet is worse than giving up—at least that way, things won't get worse."

All of the Emperor's plans were built on the Webway.

Whether it was the unification of Terra, the Primarchs, or the Great Crusade, they were only means, not the end goal.

The Webway—which would allow humanity to travel faster than light without risk and isolate them from the Warp—was the ultimate purpose of the Emperor's entire series of plans.

When the Emperor and World heard the Raven's words, their faces, usually calm and unflappable, changed.

The matter of the Webway was top secret. Only three people in the entire empire knew the full plan.

"Only from outside this universe can you obtain the power and knowledge to change it. If you are willing to cooperate, I can also help you acquire complete Webway technology from another universe."

"I need one day to replenish the energy required to travel between universes. You can think it over, and give me your final answer at this time tomorrow."

With that, the Raven vanished with a poof, dissolving into clouds of white mist.