Author Notes:
Yeah, there's no excuse about the delay for this chapter lol
I had to rewrite it a few times, and then health-related issues came up... Good times, all around, I guess?
Anyway, this chap is an acid trip and a half... I can only hope that I will be able to future sequences justice as I dive deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole that is the 40K-verse.
Thanks for reading, and don't forget to enjoy, ya'll~!
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For my fics:
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Coming to a slow halt at a refined wooden door, She gives Herself a look over to make sure that She is presentable. Normally traveling around as a humanoid mass of golden light, She slowly condenses her form into that of Her old body. After a bright flash of blinding light, what is revealed is a towering beauty, draped in the mythical One True Armor. The One True Armor, as its names suggest, is the pinnacle of power armor. It's not only perfectly crafted for protection but also for projecting and enhancing Her already formidable power many times over. Stashes on Her hip is a finely wrought, master-crafted blade. The sword is the symbol of Her rule and is psychically touched with Her power, capable of wielding leaping flames. When it is swung, the burning blade draws pyrotechnic arcs through the air, able to slice through the stoutest of armor and Daemonic horrors with ease. Besides Her sword, Her left gauntlet has a set of retractable Lightning Claws, with each claw positioned just above a finger. The claws are mightily capable of rending anything that stands in Her way, all the while channeling the electrifying fury of Her will. Complimenting her resplendent suit of armor, a billowing cape of red can be seen floating in the energized winds. While the cape is seemingly there for aesthetics only, it's actually woven and enchanted to perfection, ensuring its durability and flexibility even to the point of acting as another layer of armor. Still, She won't deny that the cape is there more for the style than practicality. Pragmatism has its place, but style lasts forever, even in the grimdark future. As a finishing touch to Her facade as the Emperor, a halo of blazing sun is seen hovering above Her flowing hair of obsidian and metallic crown.
Humming, She conjures a massive film of reflective surface, tall and big enough for Her to view Herself. Her glowing yellow eyes twinkle in satisfaction as Her gauntleted hand moves to fix a stray strand of Her hair. Dissipating the conjured mirror with a wave of Her hand, She steps forward to the wooden door that seems barely able to fit someone of Her stature before knocking on it very politely. In a way, the action shows Her impressive control over Her transhuman strength. Without waiting for a reply, She slowly turns the door handle and pushes it open. Finally, She steps inside the mysterious building with a gait that displays Her familiarity with the situation.
Just a moment ago, She floated about in the rolling and chaotic Empyrean. Yet, in the blink of an eye, She finds Herself transported to a realm of peaceful normalcy, a quaint Bar that exudes rustic elegance. There, standing right behind the counter while wiping an alcohol glass is the Bartender herself. Seeing the familiar figure, She can't resist quirking Her lips upward.
"I have returned." She announces simply while stepping closer to one of the stools next to the counter.
Miraculously, the space and the stool seem to expand magically to support the size and weight of Her One True Armor. The seemingly innocuous stool doesn't even make as much as a soft creak when She sits on it. The Bartender, keeping her eyes closed as mysteriously as ever, smiles in greeting.
"Emperor, it has been a while."
The Bartender puts away the wiped glass before reaching for a crystal mug large enough to fit nicely into the palm of the Emperor of Man. Presenting the mug to the Emperor, the Bartender grabs an alcohol bottle from a cabinet behind her before filling the mug with its contents. The Emperor watches with a peaceful smile as the familiar mug is filled with a sparkling crystal clear liquid before being topped off with a perfectly sphered rock. The Bartender says with a soft expression.
"Sapphire's Tears, your favorite." Though the Bartender's eyes remain closed, She can feel the gaze of the Bartender lingering on Her face. "This one's on the house."
Winking in gratefulness, She raises her crystal mug in a silent toast before downing half of the drink. Savoring the beverage with half-lidded eyes, She sighs in wistfulness as the mug is laid down back on the counter. Mulling over the aftertaste and the feelings left behind by the drink, the Emperor can't help but be reminded of the golden times long past. After a while of sitting in the silent company of the Bartender, the Emperor speaks with a sense of familiar marvel.
"Sapphire's Tears..." The Emperor raises her mug, rolling the rock floating in the half-finished drink. "To think even sapphire can cry and its tears being used to mix such a fine beverage."
The Bartender smiles softly with her elbows resting on the counter. "When the beauty of the world is trampled upon, anything can cry.
Opening one of her eyes, the Bartender reveals the swirling mass of purplish gold cosmic energy swirling inside her iris. She levels a meaningful glance at the Emperor. "The Omniverse is a magical place."
Gazing at the absolute beauty that is the sea of stars hidden in the Bartender's eye, the Emperor concurs. "Indeed it is, Viola."
The Bartender, Viola, nods slightly before closing her gaze once more. She then says. "So, how is it going with the Imperium? I trust you haven't pushed Ein into the spotlight before her time?"
The Emperor shakes Her head wryly. "Who do you take me for? I have learned enough lessons to last the rest of my supposedly immortal lifetime. Ein and everything around her will be developed in secrecy with the appropriate amount of tact and patience."
Viola quirks her lips upward in a jesting smile. "You better stick to that plan. Otherwise, when my daughter arrives here, she will laugh you back to the Stone Age."
The Emperor rolls Her eyes. Those in the Imperium will do more than just balk when they see the Emperor actually pout in annoyance.
"Yeah, yeah, I absolutely cannot compare to your daughter who built or will build an eternal reign. Time is freaky around these parts so I don't even know how to describe her career, now that I think about it."
Viola shrugs with an easygoing attitude. "Who knows, really? My dear little Reich Marshal may knock on the Bar tomorrow, or she will come here 40000 years later. I'll say let nature run its course. We will meet, eventually."
The Emperor deadpans while trying to drink from Her mug. "You're speaking as if you're not the Void, the originator of everything."
Viola just smiles. "Where's the fun in abusing my power to get to the end? It's the journey that is important, Emperor."
After taking another hefty gulp from Her mug, the Emperor gently placed the crystal glass back on the counter. "Is that why you decided to toss an outerverse voidcraft at Ein's doorstep?"
Tilting her head of short purple hair in a gesture that can be called cute in the Emperor's eyes, Viola replies.
"The Pegasus, you mean? Believe me when I say that it wasn't really my decision? It's more like the Pegasus' Blink Drive malfunctioned and it jumped directly into the Void. When the Shoggoth Enforcers arrived, they determined the Pegasus to be just another accident and washed their tentacles of it. This led to Nicolae nabbing it in her free time and sending the whole thing as a gift of sorts to Ein. I basically just watched the whole process from start to finish in amusement."
"Wow..." The Emperor says. "I won't look at a gifted horse in the mouth, but you're truly free here, huh? I wished I could be as idle as you."
Viola shrugs. "I delegate, though the same can't really apply to you now, does it?"
The Emperor sighs, pushing the empty mug to Viola for a refill. "Yeah, I am literally holding the universe at the seams, a task that is impossible to be entrusted to anyone else. It's hard enough trying to find a free moment to visit the Bar. I don't want some chucklenuts to ruin everything more than it already is."
Viola chuckles as she pours another serving of Sapphire's Tears for Her. "Chucklenuts, huh? It's been a while since I heard that word."
The Emperor shrugs in Her suit of armor. "What can I say, I am a boomer. I don't even remember how old I am."
The two ladies share a laugh. It's moments like this, being alone with Viola, that the Emperor cherishes the most. A caring and knowledgeable beauty for company, a peaceful atmosphere, and a good drink, what more can She ask for these days? The Emperor savors the experience surely, but She nevertheless paces Herself, not willing to take Viola's hospitality for granted. Many things need the Emperor's attention. A grand play is in progress, and it would be remiss of the Emperor to falter at the first feelings of peace. Although Viola is no doubt kind enough to offer her embrace should the Emperor step away from everything, She will fail Herself and all of humanity if She gives up now.
At the Great Shepherd of Mankind, the Emperor is not allowed to stop, at least not yet.
Pulling Herself from the feeling of duty, the Emperor is just about to say something when both She and Viola notice a subtle change. The glow of the Emperor's halo shines a tad brighter, more warmer. The Emperor's eyes glow more beautifully and the tiredness hidden in her gaze is wiped away magically. A renewed sense of power rises in Her body, causing the Emperor to clench her fists in amazement.
"... Did you mix something in the drink, Viola?"
Viola smiles softly, feeling happy as she witnesses the changes the Emperor is experiencing. "No, Emperor. I think you already know the answer to your question, no? It appears that picking Ein at the Wildcard has been a most beneficial decision."
The Emperor stares at Her palms in silence before she starts chuckling softly. As time goes on, that chuckle grows into a full-blow hearty laughter.
"Although I can't reveal myself fully without risking the entire play, I can actually face slapping all four of them at once now!"
Without further ado, the Emperor stands up from Her stool, unsheathing Her sword and claws. "Put the drink on my tab, Viola, I have some wankers to buttfuck!"
Viola giggles as the Emperor stomps out of her Bar, kicking the door open and shouting across the Immaterium.
"Line up before me you little shits! This golden bitch is here to throw hands!"
Viola finally can't stop herself from shouting a jest after the Emperor. "Language, young lady!"
The Emperor quips back in a jovial tone as the door closes behind her.
"Ok, mom~!"