There was no doubt The Emperor of Mankind had heard that roar. There was no reason he could have failed to hear it. He was the most powerful Psionic in the world today—and now that the Mage had become a god, that title did not even need the qualifier "one of" behind it.
Besides, he had been watching the area around the Astral Beacon all along.
So there was no reason he could have failed to hear it. In fact, if he had not heard that roar, which sounded almost like a proclamation, he would have felt uneasy instead. Because fate had not moved forward along the path someone had written for it.
"I don't believe this, Father."
The Wolf King of Fenris stood behind the long table with both fists clenched. His brothers watched his back, while his still-trembling shoulders made certain things all too clear.
"What is it, Russ?"
The Emperor of Mankind answered his son as calmly as he could. He did not let emotion crush his Sanity. Not this time. He could not fail such a sacrifice.
"If—you all passed away," Leman Russ asked slowly, "and I ended everything, then what would I be?"
"You would have ended our suffering."
"And I would become the one who suffered forever?"
"No. Beyond our world, there is a colony that was prepared long ago. Steve Rogers has already gone there. Not only that, there is also a world being slowly conquered, and a brother you have never met."
"Of course, there are also Frank Castle and Klan Samps. If everything goes smoothly, their fates will be bound tightly to yours. Humanity and the Empire will still continue. You will rise again."
Russ laughed. He laughed often, but rarely like this. His brows and eyes were sorrowful and downcast,