Prelude to Chaos

"Alas... you need to learn to compromise and share. Don't always curl up alone in some lonely corner."

"Your former companions have either died of old age or left you, but I'm still here, aren't I? Right?"

Seeing that the dark corner remained silent for a long while, Malcador rolled up his sleeves, gripped his Aquila staff, and strode menacingly toward the shadowed corner.

[Alas...]

A sigh echoed through the Imperial Palace. The Adeptus Custodes all paused and listened closely to the tension and worry within that sigh. They wished to ease The Emperor's burdens, but upon realizing there was nothing they could do, they could only continue their work in the Webway with guilt and sorrow in their hearts.

The Sisters of Silence working alongside them were deeply dissatisfied. As natural blanks, they naturally could not hear The Emperor's sigh. In their eyes, the Adeptus Custodes were slacking off on the job.

"Work properly!" the commander of the Sisters of Silence conveyed with swift, forceful sign language.

"Come out."

Urged by Malcador, The Emperor reluctantly emerged from the shadows. His brow did not relax even though the Webway was nearly complete.

Malcador knew what The Emperor was worried about. He had Valdor withdraw for the moment, isolated the room with psychic power, and conjured a chessboard.

The two began another game. This time, Malcador spoke first.

"Is it because of the prophecy?"

"Half of my children will betray me..." The Emperor made a move while rubbing his brow. "That bastard Tzeentch has been pacing around the edge of the Webway, constantly reminding me of it."

"We should have prepared long ago. Deliberately marginalize several Primarchs, perhaps even abandon them outright..." Malcador said expressionlessly.

"No... I don't believe in that bullshit prophecy. They are my children. They will