To mortals, 10 was merely a number. But to Tzeentch and the Warp, it marked the beginning of a new world. As far as Tzeentch knew, only three among the gods had been fortunate enough to possess double-digit sacred numbers.
Tzeentch's was 9+1=10. He needed to actively add that 1 to his 9 through plans in order to achieve it.
Nurgle's was 7+3=10. As the symbol of the universe's eventual extinction, Nurgle himself bore two sacred numbers. To ascend his sacred number, he merely needed to wait; time itself would naturally help him combine 3 and 7.
Three symbolized the origin of life, when all things acted solely on instinct. Only upon growing into 6 could they possess more complex emotional changes and psychological needs.
Likewise, 3 also symbolized what remained after decay. Even forests and grasslands scorched by wildfire would leave ashes behind. Even if the universe was destined for destruction, cold particles had never vanished. This was fundamentally different from 0, which symbolized nothingness.
Finally, there was the God-Emperor. His sacred number was 13. He was now limited by his remaining humanity and his attachment to mankind, unable to ascend into a true god. But if he cast everything aside, the entire universe and the Warp would groan at his birth.
The God-Emperor's sacred number was formed from the union of 10 and 3. It symbolized the opening of a new world while also implying that this new world would be one where only destruction and despair existed.
Beneath the God-Emperor's Throne of Destruction, skulls would eventually be exhausted, wisdom would die, passion would slowly fade, and the foundations of life would decline irreversibly. Only destruction would become true eternity.
Would Nurgle change his form and merge with the God-Emperor, then? Tzeentch lacked both the ability and the