Chapter 443: Chapter 443: First "Head-to-Head Clash," "Burning Rage," and "Ridiculous?" (Bonus Chapter 2)
Before Magnus, an incredibly bizarre being slowly took shape.
Its form defied conventional description, appearing to be a grotesque amalgamation of countless twisted tentacles and various biological components.
Every inch of its "skin" shimmered with a slick, mercury-like sheen, while its edges blurred and extended continuously, as though it was merging with the chaotic domain itself, inseparable from the surrounding environment.
Its "main body" was not fixed but shifted fluidly, like a liquid constantly changing its form.
Dozens, if not hundreds, of cold, unblinking eyes locked onto Magnus. Each time it shifted shape, the surrounding chaotic space rippled, creating waves of malice in every direction.
Magnus, however, showed no surprise or fear. He knew all too well that an entity capable of such overwhelming presence was most likely one of the Chaos Gods lurking in the Warp.
And this strange, sinister figure, exuding an aura of intelligence and treachery, could only belong to Tzeentch.
Especially given his and his brother Horus' previous experiences and betrayals, Magnus had every reason to believe that this was Tzeentch himself.
However, Magnus was not quick to jump to conclusions.
As the Primarch most attuned to the use of psychic power, he understood all too well the deceitful and seductive nature of the Warp.
This figure before him might be nothing more than an avatar painstakingly crafted by Tzeentch—or perhaps a Greater Daemon sent forth as a puppet to test his strength and resolve.
"Oh my, look who's here—"
At this moment, the shapeless figure spoke, its voice thick with nasal tones, addressing Magnus in a mocking manner:
"It's the little fool who thought he was clever, only to trap himself in a cage! Oh, wait, I'm sorry—I forgot. You lot prefer to call yourselves 'wise beyond wisdom'! But tell me, Magnus, who's the fool this time? Oh, right—it's me! How silly of me to think a puppet could ever break free of its strings and develop a will of its own! Hahaha!"
Magnus remained silent, quietly listening to Tzeentch's words.
These remarks dripped with sarcasm and malice, each syllable like a razor-edged dagger mocking his very existence. Yet amidst this verbal onslaught, Magnus detected something strange—an odd sense of chaos even in the entity's insults.
Not only was it attacking him, but it seemed to be ridiculing itself as well.
It was insulting... itself?
Noticing this peculiar detail, Magnus' eyes narrowed slightly as his mind raced to analyze the entity's intentions.
It didn't take him long to realize that Tzeentch's chaotic display was likely an attempt to unsettle his composure.
This illogical, chaotic behavior was typical of Tzeentch's style. Furthermore, the evident frustration in its words revealed that its plans had not gone as intended, and its anger was merely a cover for its failure.
Yet Magnus couldn't deny that the entity's words touched upon certain vulnerabilities buried deep within his heart.
Tzeentch seemed to know his childhood flaws intimately, as though those chapters of his life were laid bare before its eyes.
In his youth, Magnus had not been the steady and resolute person he was today. Back then, he was an impulsive and indecisive contradiction.
When decisiveness was needed, he hesitated. And when caution was called for, he often acted recklessly on a whim, causing significant trouble.
Fortunately, his father had taken timely action.
Through a combination of "physical correction" and rational guidance, Magnus gradually overcame his youthful impetuousness.
Meanwhile, his adoptive mother, Alexia, had helped him in her own gentle way, teaching him to reflect on his inner self and calm his restless emotions.
These lessons had shaped him into the man he was now, rather than the naive and easily angered "child" he had once been.
More importantly, after the fall of the Olympian Chaos Gods, their father had taught Magnus and all his brothers about the nature and tactics of the Chaos Gods in the Warp.
It was precisely because of this knowledge that Magnus could discern the true purpose behind Tzeentch's verbal attacks—an attempt to weaken his willpower.
Unmoved, Magnus responded in a calm, steady voice:
"Your failure surprises me, Tzeentch. Aren't you supposed to be the embodiment of change and cunning? Seems like your vaunted intelligence isn't as reliable as you claim.
Now tell me, what is it you want from me? Or are you simply here to relish in the wails of your own defeat?"
The moment his words fell, the entity's response erupted like a thunderous storm, echoing throughout the chaotic domain:
"Want? WANT?! No, I want nothing—especially not from an arrogant tool like you!"
Tzeentch's voice was deafening, every syllable laced with anger and mockery, shaking the entire chaotic realm with its wrathful roar.
But it wasn't finished.
In a sudden shift of tone, Tzeentch's voice became a twisted mix of mockery and incoherence:
"I only wanted to remind you that your so-called wisdom and strength are nothing but borrowed, Magnus! BORROWED!
Your father gave you that shiny brain of yours, but he never taught you how to use it properly! And what was the result? I almost drove you mad with just a few words. Laughable! Absolutely repulsive!"
Magnus listened without the slightest hint of anger, maintaining his composed demeanor. In fact, he found the entire situation rather ridiculous.
When had he ever been "driven mad"?
Quickly adjusting his thoughts, Magnus reminded himself that Tzeentch's nonsensical behavior was nothing more than a ploy to disrupt his mental state, hoping to create an opening.
Seeing that Magnus remained calm and unaffected—neither smug nor enraged—it was clear that Tzeentch's earlier taunts had failed to provoke him.
Switching tactics, the shapeless entity shifted its tone once more, this time adopting a low, sinister voice dripping with malice and temptation:
"Little one, did you know your brother is planning to take your life and crush your skull with his own hands?
And your 'great father,' that self-proclaimed god-king—where is he?
He sends you to risk your life for this heretical book, yet he offers you no protection.
He calls you his sons, but what are you really? Just pieces on his chessboard, Magnus.
Pieces doomed to slaughter each other. You think you're his child, but you're nothing more than a tool on his game board."
Without pause, Tzeentch's venomous whispers continued, its voice coiling like a serpent and attempting to burrow deep into Magnus' psyche.
However, instead of succumbing to these attempts at sowing discord, Magnus simply shook his head and replied with a calm yet piercing voice:
"And what if I am a pawn?"
Those five words struck like a bolt of lightning, tearing through Tzeentch's intricate web of manipulation, leaving the Chaos God momentarily stunned.
Magnus then pressed on, his tone growing colder and sharper:
"What of it if we slaughter each other? Everything we do is for the survival and future of humanity. And you? You're nothing but a pathetic wretch.
At the end of the day, you're just a failure whose simplest schemes are seen through. In fact, calling you 'pathetic' might even be too generous."
Magnus' words cut like a blade, stripping away Tzeentch's facade of superiority.
The Chaos God visibly writhed in fury, and the chaotic realm around them began to convulse violently. Colors twisted into unnatural spirals, and the sound of countless tormented screams filled the air, mingling with Tzeentch's enraged howls.
"You!!!"
Its voice rose into a shrill cacophony of anger and frustration.
But before it could continue the verbal duel—
A piercing golden light suddenly erupted within the chaotic space, resembling a sacred arrow of psychic energy, radiating an overwhelming purity that obliterated all corruption in its path.
The light carved through the twisted domain, unraveling it at its very seams.
"*****!!!!"
Tzeentch let out an inhuman screech, a sound that Magnus could not fully comprehend, as though it was a language ancient and chaotic beyond reason.
But Magnus knew one thing for certain: Tzeentch was cursing him with bitter hatred, its screams laced with pain, resentment, and fear.
In the next instant, the Chaos God's form disintegrated as the golden light closed in, forcing it to retreat in haste, vanishing without a trace.
The golden light then surged outward, washing over the entire domain and purging it of every last trace of corruption.
The chaotic scene shattered like glass, and with a crisp "crack," the entire chaotic space dissolved into radiant light.
A faint ringing filled Magnus' ears as his consciousness began to "reboot," accompanied by a mild dizziness.
As he regained clarity, he found himself back in reality, the chaotic distortions now gone.
Before him stood Horus, his gaze filled with both concern and relief.
Further back, the Sekhmet warriors had just deactivated their psychic shields, clearly having endured a recent psychic shockwave. Meanwhile, the Geth warriors stood with their weapons raised, their glowing red helmet monitors fixed on Magnus, ready to respond to any threat.
Seeing the light return to Magnus' eyes, though his complexion was pale, Horus finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brother, are you alright?" Horus asked, his tone carrying a hint of exhaustion.
"I'm fine," Magnus
replied with a faint smile. "Just ran into a bigger pest than usual."
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