Deep within the Tenacious, Mortarion stood amid objects recovered from Terasarion, Zexis Period, and a dozen other worlds.
Thick glass jars lined the walls, their viscous preservative oil gleaming, each holding remnants of a destroyed world.
Piles of leather scrolls rose in towers, their covers rotting in the damp.
Three enormous weapons rested within a stasis field, their dark iron blades engraved with xenos script.
Mortarion's moist eyes roamed over these fallen civilizations. During the Great Crusade, Nimrod and Magnus would have discarded these ruined collections, but he had come after them.
He was ravenous, pursuing his studies with feverish zeal, free from all interruptions.
Mortarion strode with his head held high. He had achieved things that would astonish both Nimrod and Magnus, in his own way.
He had brought the devil Lementa back from the ruins of Terasarion and tortured the truth out of him.
The devil had been forced to admit, "Gods above, you learn quickly."
He had destroyed Lementa's mortal shell, yet the devil still lingered in the shadows, goading him and also helping
him broaden his knowledge.
Mortarion closed his eyes and listened to the voices of wisdom coming from the other side of the Veil. They were growing clearer.
Mortarion could hear their words, granting him visions of the past and future, though the truth was interspersed with lies he could discern.
He could now wield incantations with ease. Nimrod, I now know why you were so powerful. I have surpassed you.
Mortarion's eyes snapped open, and he stared blankly at the book on the table.
"No, this isn't me."
He picked up the book and tore it apart with a ripping sound.
"I will never become addicted to filthy, corrupt sorcery."
Mortarion charged toward the jars and kicked out hard.
Bang, bang, bang—
The