Axis vs. Emperor (Part 2)

The Emperor's immense Psykic Power left both Leman Russ and Axis thoroughly shaken.

Psykers establish a connection with the Warp through their own powerful souls, channeling its energy into the material universe; this is the power of the Warp.

The power of the Warp is the most broken ability in the Warhammer universe. Everything in the material universe must adhere to the laws of physics, yet psychic power alone ignores them—it is the only supernatural force.

The applications of psychic power are vast. A powerful psyker can foresee the future, instantly control the will of every living being on a planet, probe the minds of others, and alter memories.

They can reverse time within a localized area, summon clones to fight, and unleash an endless variety of bizarre and unpredictable supernatural abilities.

Axis gritted his teeth; a Saiyan would not admit defeat so easily.

He erupted with his inner ki once more, this time focusing all his strength into his fist. He launched himself like a cannonball toward Emperor, his fist whistling through the air as if to tear it asunder.

"Hah!" he roared.

Axis threw a punch with nearly every ounce of his strength, striking at the golden-armored man before him.

However, Emperor merely raised a hand, palm facing Axis. A surge of powerful psychic energy erupted instantly, manifesting as an invisible barrier.

Axis's fist stopped less than an inch from Emperor's palm, unable to advance even a fraction further, no matter how hard he struggled.

Emperor remained standing in place, a faint smile on his face: "A decent attack, but it is far from enough."

Axis recoiled sharply, spinning his body in mid-air to deliver a side kick toward Emperor's head, but it too was blocked by an invisible force.

Axis exhausted every trick in his arsenal, attacking from every conceivable angle, yet he could not break through Emperor's defense.

"Your strength is indeed formidable, but before my psychic power, it is still too weak," Emperor said calmly.

Though his tone was indifferent, the look in Emperor's eyes as he watched Axis had changed. What a tenacious fighting spirit, what immense power!

If this were an ordinary seven-year-old child—or even a Primarch—they would have ceased their assault after such a setback. Yet, in this child's eyes, one could see only a craving for battle, as if he were a warrior born.

Axis felt a crushing pressure descending from all sides, as if it intended to grind him into dust.

He clenched his teeth, fighting desperately against the force, but no matter how he struggled, he could not break free from Emperor's psychic restraint.

Is this... the power of Emperor?

Axis was shaken to his core. He knew Emperor was strong, but he had never imagined he would be strong to this degree.

His Saiyan strength, his greatest source of pride, was utterly pathetic before Emperor. But this was exhilarating—this was what made life exciting!

Only by having such an insurmountable mountain before him could a Saiyan feel truly thrilled.

I must, I absolutely must surpass you! One day, I will defeat you!

"Axis, use your ki! Show him the power of ki!" Leman Russ shouted from the sidelines.

"Ah! Hah!" Axis let out a roar, his body erupting in a crimson-white aura.

His Saiyan bloodline broke through its combat barrier once again, and Axis's combat power surged to a new level.

Watching the shockwaves radiating from Axis, Emperor was immensely surprised. What is this? It is not psychic power, yet it is not of the physical universe either.

Interesting. Are there powers in this universe that even I do not know of?

By now, Axis had soared into the sky, arms spread wide as he aimed at Emperor. An invisible white wave of energy gathered in his palms.

"Kikoho!" Axis bellowed, pouring every ounce of his strength into the strike.

A massive beam of white light slammed into Emperor. A golden energy barrier formed around Emperor's body, holding firm against the assault. Axis's strongest energy wave failed to breach Emperor's psychic shield; from start to finish, Emperor had not moved a single centimeter.

A minute later, Axis exhausted all his strength and plummeted from the sky.

Seeing this, Emperor immediately used his psychic power to manifest an invisible hand, catching Axis as he fell and gently lowering him to the ground. He had said he wouldn't let him get hurt, and he meant it.

"Very well, the spar ends here. I have seen the extent of your strength, child." Emperor withdrew his psychic power. Axis felt the pressure vanish instantly and collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

Leman Russ's smile faded as he watched this. He trotted over to Axis and patted his shoulder: "Are you alright, my little wolf pup?"

This kid's combat power had increased even since their spar a few days ago, yet even so, he couldn't defeat this man?

Axis shook his head, forcing a faint smile: "I'm fine, Russ. It's just... he is too strong. Stronger than I could have imagined."

Emperor had used nothing but defensive measures the entire time; he hadn't even been trying!

Leman Russ looked up at Emperor, his gaze complex: "You are indeed far stronger than I am. Even so, I must have a bout with you. Do you need to rest?"

He did not wish to take advantage of anyone. Even though Emperor had appeared effortless in his fight with Axis, he still offered him a chance to recover.

"Not at all. My stamina is still quite full. You may come at me whenever you are ready," Emperor said with a smile.

We have barely begun! If you underestimate the recovery of an Immortal, I shall be quite troubled. I could fight for months without feeling a hint of fatigue.

"Hahaha! Good! Since you say so, I won't hold back!" Leman Russ laughed, his voice echoing like thunder across the frozen wasteland.

"Be careful, Russ. If you really can't win, just concede," Axis warned. Honestly, I'll be watching you get beaten up in a moment.

"Haha, little wolf pup, watch me avenge you."

Leman Russ nodded at Axis, then turned toward Emperor. A flicker of fanatical battle-lust ignited in his eyes. He bared his sharp fangs in a grin, his muscles tensing as he prepared to spring like a wild beast.

Though he had witnessed Axis being easily suppressed by Emperor, the pride and combat instinct in his bones would not allow him to retreat. If I retreat, I am no longer the Wolf of Fenris.

The fierce battle between the two was about to ignite.