Neos Had Not Given Up

Grey Knights' Sanctum

I was a little nervous,

Magnus said.

Or perhaps we should pause for seven minutes. Ahriman, could you go fetch the null Ogryn?

"My father, you know he would greatly reduce the ritual's chance of success. What we need now is activity in the Warp, not stillness."

I know, I know—

Magnus drew out the words.

But—what I mean is—if it fails, he can forcibly halt the ritual at a critical moment. I can't be sure this fusion will succeed, Ahriman. What if the other fragment is a scheme by the Lord of Change?

"My father, both the Underking and the Pale Lord have already examined it. The other lord bears no taint of Chaos, and the Grey Knights have also verified it through secret arts."

What about the Pale Lord?

"My lord... Lord Mortarion's Psychic Power conflicts with yours. His presence would also lower the chance of success."

Magnus looked utterly confused. One moment, he rose and paced around, muttering the incantations he would need next; the next, he abruptly sat back down and flipped through books, his face pale.

What did you think of the other "me," Ahriman?

Magnus asked.

"That is a different facet of your soul,"

Ahriman answered truthfully.

"It will make you more complete, and more powerful."

Magnus began muttering to himself again, rambling on and on.

Give me a little more time to prepare,

Magnus coughed.

Let me meet him once more.

Hades was too efficient. Magnus inwardly denounced that null Ogryn. By the Emperor, less than three standard Terran days had passed from the time he found Hades to the time Hades brought back the other fragment.

And he clearly was not ready yet.

Once the two fragments met, they would immediately begin to fuse, like two powerful magnets. He