As Vulkan's voice faded, a Nurgling suddenly emerged beside him.
The Nurgling appeared out of thin air in the void. It had been lurking there all along, only choosing to reveal itself now.
Its body was round and covered in dark green skin studded with warty growths, its belly swollen like a balloon full of air.
Two small, curved horns sprouted from its head. Its large yellow eyes gleamed with cunning innocence, and a mischievous child's grin hung at the corners of its mouth.
It held a branch plucked from Nurgle's Garden, with a few withered leaves and some viscous liquid still clinging to it.
"What!"
Corax's voice carried a note of incredulous shock.
He stared fixedly at the Nurgling as the Crown of Dominion unleashed a powerful oppressive aura of Chaos, trying to subdue the unassuming little creature.
But the Nurgling seemed utterly oblivious to that pressure. It stood cheerfully on Vulkan's shoulder, studying Corax with curious yellow eyes.
Corax could not understand why this Nurgling was immune to his crown's power.
The Crown of Dominion was a divine artifact bestowed jointly by the Chaos Gods. In theory, it could command every creature of the Warp. Whether a Bloodthirster of Khorne or a Lord of Change of Tzeentch, all should have submitted to its power.
Yet this tiny Nurgling was completely unaffected?
"You're far too foolish, Corax." A faint trace of mockery colored Vulkan's voice. His gaze settled on Corax's stunned face, and a meaningful smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
"Foolish, foolish," the Nurgling echoed in a shrill voice, climbing onto Vulkan's shoulder and imitating his tone.
It looked toward the churning Warp, then spoke mockingly, its voice full of childish mischief and teasing.
"You..."
Corax was irritated. His fingers clenched and unclenched at his side