"What on earth was he thinking?"
The Emperor's voice drifted softly across the deck. The black-haired man stood proudly at the prow, his steadfast gaze fixed on the sea of stars before him.
Behind him, the Wolf King stood in silence. The entire ship was currently riding the tides of the Warp, where strange and powerful forces manifested physically like countless giant hands, tugging at their vessel and trying to force it into stillness.
But a savage golden light flared from the Emperor, carrying unquestionable power. Like an invisible shield, golden flames covered the ships, ensuring the fleet's smooth advance.
The entire fleet was like a sharp golden sword, cleaving through the flesh of the colossal beast that was the Warp.
Russ was silent for a moment, then let out an inexplicable rumble from his throat, like a snort.
You mean... the other Emperor was still alive?
"Alive, and never withered."
Neos blinked, and the golden light in his eyes was temporarily obscured.
"Alive, and continuing to draw strength."
"Alive, in pain, furious—did he want true destruction?"
Amid the Warp's eerie howls, Neos lowered his head as though resting with his eyes closed. Then he opened calm, tranquil eyes.
"Do you still remember the other me, Russ? Tell me."
?!
Russ's eyes widened in shock. Then the primarch racked his mind for memories of the past—
Yet what confused him was that, despite personally receiving the other Emperor's guidance in his youth, no vivid memories remained. Only some unforgettable emotion still hung over his heart like a shadow.
Forgive me, Allfather.
Russ said quietly, I truly cannot remember—perhaps you could ask Khan.
Neos waved a hand dismissively. He no longer lingered on the subject and quickly turned to the current situation.
"We will soon rendezvous with Horus's forces. Once we