Emperor Assessment 2.0

The bells of the Clerical College ring, the sound vibrating through the halls as the High Priests - with their hands resting in their robes and their heads bowed - enter the Hall of Judgement.  The Hierarch and the Emperor are already present, with the former upon his raised pulpit in preparation to preside, and the Emperor before him.  The Monarch stands high, His eyes level with the Hierarch in spite of the raised pulpit, or perhaps higher.  It is hard to tell; His form wavers and changes - as if He is now malleable.  One moment He stands as normal, the next He blazes and towers over all, like a newborn star.

The High Priests file in and move to take their seats at the sides of the hall, they appear nervous.  High Priest Hexa hala Azra looks particularly disturbed.

Hierarch - “Your Imperial Majesty, thank you for gracing us with your presence. Understandably, many are concerned and others are curious. For the record, could you please tell the court what transpired in the Shroud?”

Emperor - “Of course.”  His voice is no longer what it was.  Each word echoes, as if spoken by two voices; the man, and something else.  Something infinitely more powerful.  There is a weight to them, as if the air cannot contain the force of His syllables.  “We entered the Shroud in a Chorus, as intended, to probe its secrets and expand my knowledge.  In the course of full entry, I detected a presence calling to me.  At the Hierarch’s behest, I moved towards this presence with the Chorus in tow.  During the journey, many of the High Priests detected a benevolence and power to the unknown entity that they could not quantify, only knowing it meant us no harm.  When we arrived, we found the being known as ‘Val’.  After an exchange, wherein Val explained He was diminished due to an eternal battle with the being known as the the ‘End of the Cycle’, He informed us that His energy would soon be devoured by His enemies if it was not claimed beforehand.  He offered me the burden of His knowledge, power, and immortality in return for my taking upon myself His eternal war against the Five Evils.  I accepted.  I survived.”

Hierarch - “Thank you, Your Highness. I will dispense with the formalities, as they were covered in the previous assessment which any inquisitive members of the public can refer to on the holonet. Now, I ask you, Lord… Will you inform us of what knowledge you learned and to what degree this new power is?”

Emperor - “It would take more generations than your species has existed, Hierarch, to inform you of but a fraction of the knowledge that I possess.  I have lived aeons.  I have seen the birth of galaxies.  In me is the collected understanding of such infinite history that a mere drop of its reality would leave the most robust mind a gibbering mess.”  The Emperor pauses, lifting His right hand.  “I could explain to you the nature of the Five.  Their abilities, their alignments, their births, their fears - my victories against them in the Long War.  I could tell you of Xir, and Qeri, and Moak, and--” He pauses.  His hand lowers.  “--I have learned much, Hierarch.  I am not the same person I was.  I am neither Val nor Hyperion, yet I am both and more the former.  I... Mm.  This is difficult to explain.”

Hierarch - “Your powers, Lord…” The Hierarch pauses, looking over the faces of his High Priests before returning his attention to the Emperor. “May I ask you to… demonstrate them?”

Emperor - “As you wish, my Hierarch.”

The Emperor falls silent, and a rumble begins around the College.  It grows, greater and more powerful each second, rising in volume and capacity.  The very earth appears to be shaking, its foundations gripped in the hand of some unknown power.  The Emperor blazes; He is a star.  He is Light and Power given form.  His radiance eclipses even the brightest of Stars in the sky, and is at once terrifying and reassuring.  He holds us in a grip of such absolute strength that, should He wish to, He could kill us all - like moths swept away by a wildfire.  It ends abruptly.  Calm returns.  He has not moved.

The High Priests have mixed reactions, Hexa hala Azra leans forward and rests his face in his palms, his hands shaking. While Essi hala Pelle is entranced, sitting upright with her hands situated on her knees. Pudrig hala Vakor looks deeply concerned, his arms folded. The Hierarch frowns and raises his hand, signalling for the High Priests to retain composure in the Emperor’s presence.

Hierarch - “Please, brothers, sister. Be calm, this is our Emperor.”

In response, the High Priests abide by the Hierarch’s words, returning to more professional postures.

Hierarch - “Thank you, my High Priests… I apologize, Your Highness… Given this new     knowledge, new power, new… soul or personality, one might say… What do you intend for the future of the Imperium, and for us, your loyal subjects.”

Emperor - “Order, Hierarch.”  The Emperor replies.  “I see a future of Order, Justice, and Peace for the Galaxy.  I envision a reality where the depredations of the Shroud are battled and contained, where Psionics need never again fear the touch of Daemons, where all species live in peace beneath the Aquila.  I see a Great Crusade spanning the uncounted stars of the cosmos, and the end of all suffering and uncertainty.  Order, Hierarch.  Be it a hundred years or a billion; I will pursue Order.”

Hierarch - “A very satisfying answer, My Lord. I will give my High Priests an opportunity to speak before continuing. For simplicity, we will go alphabetically. High Priest Karu hala Hosp, please begin.”

Karu stands and pats down his robe before speaking, in an unusually gracious tone.

Karu - “Praise be, Your Majesty… I would like to begin by thanking you, when I was lost to the madness of the Shroud, your thoughts and willpower contributed to my recovery.”

Emperor - “I was weak, then.  You are welcome nonetheless.”

Karu hala Hosp returns to his normal stoic self and nods at the Emperor respectfully.

Karu - “Your Majesty, are you a god?”

The Emperor remains silent.  Tension is clear in the room as Karu hala Hosp divests of any subtlety.  It is a moment of importance, and all present can sense it.

Emperor - “I am Val in more ways than I was a man.  We are the sum of our collective experiences, Karu hala Hosp.  My mind, my memories, my experiences... I did not simply take Val’s, I merged with Him.  He is me, and I am Him.  We are one person.  Am I a God?”  The Emperor falls silent.  His eyes glow faintly, perpetually; golden suns set beneath His regal brow.  “I know the Covenant believes gods cannot inhabit flesh.  I am what I am, Karu.  I exist.  What definition you wish to offer me, I cannot dictate.  That is for this Council to surmise.”

Karu hala Hosp opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted as Hexa hala Azra wipes tears from his eyes as he stands.

Hexa - “I apologize, my brothers… I must ask that I be relieved from this court for this session, I am unfit to be here as I am not in a calm frame of mind… my god is dead, I am biased and cannot be here.”

The hall remains silent for a moment, all eyes upon Hexa hala Azra.

Hierarch - “This… is most unusual, brother. But I respect your right and understand your pain, you may take your leave.”

Hexa hala Azra bows before the court and slides his hands within the confines of his robes before departing the hall, which remains respectfully silent until he departs.

Or, it would have been.  A lone voice calls out; perhaps the only voice that is capable of halting his egress.

Emperor - “Do not go, Hexa hala Azra.”

Hexa hala Azra, on the cusp of the exit turns to face the Emperor.

Hexa - “Your Majesty?”

The Emperor fixes His gaze on Hexa.  The power there burns unceasingly.

Emperor - “You, more than perhaps any other, are necessary for this process.  You say your God is dead, yet did you not hear the words?  There is no true death for the Divine.  There is a cycle, one that has repeated for countless aeons.  I am not Val in the capacity you believe in Val, Hexa hala Azra.  I will not disrespect you by refuting that.  Neither, however, I am any less Val for my lack of His immutability.  I know all He knew, I understand it, I comprehend it in a way that is... I cannot describe it.  I possess within me a knowledge and insight that I cannot quantify with mere words.  In you, Hexa hala Azra, is a pure representation of all that Val stands for.  Stood for.”  The Emperor pauses, as if reconciling something.  “I am sorry, High Priest.  It is strange to talk about myself - Val - in such a way.  This process is... difficult.  What I am attempting to convey is that your insight, your guidance, your understanding of Val’s teachings and faith...”

The Emperor pauses, examining the High Priests, before turning back to Hexa.  “Regardless of the outcome of this assessment, there will be billions who come to me for succour - and worship.  I can no more halt this than I can halt fate.  I ask you to be there to ensure I do my best by these countless souls, Hexa hala Azra, as you always have.  You once told me it was your most sacred duty to shepherd the lost and afraid.  They will be lost and afraid, Hexa.  You alone can give me the insight to see them made safe and calm once more.”  He pauses, then concludes.  “I am as much Val as I am not Val.  For the memory and continued existence of that being, I ask you: Stay.”

Hexa hala Azra listens intently to every word. Toward the end of the speech he appears shamed, looking down to his feet. A moment of silent passes and the creaking of one of the High Priests resonates through the chamber.

Hexa - “It means a lot to me… what you say, my Emperor… But I feel unfit to be here. I was there, yes, and I heard Val’s words, yes… I was there for the end of his cycle as you say. It wounded me in a way that nothing ever has, no war have I seen that has damaged me so. The result being that I don’t know what to believe anymore… When I spoke of guidance, I was of sound mind to do so, but now I am on the verge of breaking, Lord. I believe I can best serve after some time to meditate. If I remain, I am unsure what would become of me. A shepherd must tend to himself so that he may guide the flock.”

Emperor - “Yet seeking to withdraw when travailed by grief is not a privilege leaders may have, Hexa hala Azra.  You are strong, stronger than this, and stronger than you dare give yourself credit for.  Do not use humility as a guise to avoid facing your woe.  Mourn, Hexa hala Azra, in as much capacity as you must adapt.  Val in the capacity of the omniscient divine is dead, but He remains.  I remain.  I do not claim to be Him, any more than He could ever have been of the flesh - yet I am Him.  I... Forgive me, I tread in circles.  My mind is... I...”  The Emperor pauses, as if searching for the words.  “I will not command you to stay, Hexa hala Azra, but the majority part of me that is Val would not approve of your departure.  Take it as you will, but what remains of your God stands before you in this form - and He wishes your presence.  I wish it.”

Hexa hala Azra nods solemnly, he raises his head and looks to the Emperor.

Hexa - “I doubt it was your intent, Lord, but you wound me. I will stay.”

Hexa hala Azra nodded at the Emperor and then proceeded to return to his place among the High Priests, resting his palms on his lap as he sat.

Hierarch - “Apologies, Your Majesty. Karu hala Hosp… You were saying?”

Karu - “I…” Karu clears his throat, looking to Hexa and then the Emperor. “I lost track of my questions, Lord, I am sorry.”

Karu hala Hosp sits down, looking flustered.

The Hierarch nods understanding the tense situation and the confusion surrounding it.

Hierarch - “High Priest Goros hala Makil, do you have anything you wish to say?”

Goros stands, straightening his robe with his palms.

Goros - “I must say, it has put a strain on all of us, this loss or… change. We all understand your pain, brother Hexa hala Azra.” Goros bows in Hexa’s direction, clearing his throat before he continues. “I have said before that I strongly believe in our traditions, gods cannot be of the flesh… That being said, the Emperor was before and is still an embodiment of order, and that I believe is sorely needed. I question why this assessment is necessary, the Emperor is already Champion of The Gods, anything more than that would breach tradition and upset the pantheonic cults. I respect you, Lord, but why are we here?”

Emperor - “Bring forth a Xith sigil.”  The Emperor’s words cause dead silence.  “Use it on me.”

The court is in stunned silence, broken by the Hierarch’s interjection.

Hierarch - “...Surely this is a test, Lord?”

Emperor - “The purpose of the Xith sigils is to trap and contain the malevolent, false, and dangerous.  Their intention, as creations, is to ensure that psionic entities that inhabit flesh and pose as false deities are not allowed to persist, yes?  That is my understanding.”

The Hierarch said nothing, he waved at a Scribe standing at the entrance to the hall, who stood up straight and rushed out of the chamber. Goros hala Makil sat down in a slump, looking confused and concerned.

Hierarch - “While we wait for the Scribe to return with one, shall we continue, Lord?”

The Emperor is calm.  “Yes.”  His single word breaks the tension, as if many had been awaiting some sort of punishment.  “Please do.”

The Hierarch nodded, a rare nervous look upon his face.

Hierarch - “Yes, Lord… High Priestess Essi hala Pelle, do you have any questions for His Majesty?”

Essi hala Pelle eagerly stands and smiles.

Essi - “Is this not the prophecy made manifest? In our ecclesiastic history, rules have been broken. Monotheism followed by pantheism, alien gods becoming our own, machine spirits… Gods can die, and gods can be of the flesh, that is my belief now. Your Divine Majesty… Do you have a plan for combating the Five?”

Some of the High Priests murmur, looking somewhat insulted. Once more, the Hierarch raises his hand, signalling for silence and calm; and then nods at the Emperor to proceed.

Emperor - “Four are constrained by a power that has them suppressed.  The Fifth, the Greatest, yet roams free.  Combat them, Essi hala Pelle?  I will kill them.”

Essi hala Pelle blushes and nods to the Emperor.

Essi - “Thank you, God-Emperor. That is all.”

The High Priests look annoyed by Essi, the use of improper titles and proclamations disturbing due process. She dismisses the glances of her peers as she sits down, resting her hands on the bench and crossing her legs.

The Hierarch blinks, leaning forward as he places his palms on the pulpit.

Hierarch - “You will refrain from breaking protocol, High Priestess Essi hala Pelle.” He turns his attention back to the Emperor. “Apologies, Your Majesty, you have been witness to a lot of behavior most unbecoming of High Priests this day.”

Emperor - “They have seen a God perish, Hierarch.  I do not begrudge them their tumult.  It would be odd if there were not shaken.”

The Hierarch closes his eyes and nods understandingly.

Hierarch - “Thank you for your understanding, Lord. Hexa hala Azra… do you feel comfortable addressing His Majesty?”

Hexa hala Azra remains seated for a moment, he sighs as he stands.

Hexa - “Apologies… for my previous behavior, Emperor. You said that you intend to kill the Five… If Val could not do so at His best, how do you intend to do so?”

Emperor - “I failed because I allowed myself to be distracted, Hexa.  The End struck me when I was most vulnerable, and it was a blow I could not deflect.  The result was settled at that instant.  It is not that I could not kill them, it is that killing them required a focus I could not exert when they yet roamed free - and once contained, they were safe from me as much as they were unable to assail me.  I focused too much on nurturing my idle pleasures; birthing a cosmos and witnessing its development.  My existence has been cyclical; I will return to full strength in the future, be it a million galactic cycles or a billion.  Time is meaningless.  They will fall, and I will have Order.”

Hexa hala Azra’s demeanour changed in the Emperor’s first sentence, from impartial neutrality to a concerned stance. He remained standing and listened closely to the Emperor’s words. By the end, Hexa hala Azra nodded respectfully to the Emperor before taking his seat in silence.

Hierarch - “Thank you, brother. Do you have anything to add, High Priest Pudrig hala Vakor?”

Pudrig hala Vakor stands gladly, clutching a holopad under his arm. He looks to the Emperor and smiles.

Pudrig - “Majesty, would you be willing to share your infinite wisdom with us psionically?”

Emperor - “You may attempt to enter my mind, High Priest.  I cannot speak as to whether you will find what you expect.”

Pudrig hala Vakor closes his eyes and raises his hands, reaching out to the Emperor as he channels his psionic abilities. The room remains silent as this process ensues, it takes time before anything happens - and then abruptly, Pudrig spasms.  He falls backwards, as if his limbs have failed him, and slams into his chair.  Blood runs from his nose, and he gasps for breath; flesh paling, limbs shaking and trembling as if he cannot control them.  “Too much...”  He whispers.  “Too much... I cannot... The radiance of it... Forgive me, forgive me, I have sinned, forgive me...” His words trail off into muttering.

A Hospitaller rushed from the corner of the hall to tend to Pudrig hala Vakor, pulling out a medieval device from a satchel on his side. He runs the device over Pudrig’s head, emitting a calm light.

Hospitaller - “My duty demands that I remove High Priest Pudrig hala Vakor for treatment.”

The Hospitaller picks up Pudrig with ease and slings the High Priest over his shoulder before turning to leave the hall.

The Emperor remains unmoving, though His expression shifts to one of apologetic pity.

Emperor - “I did warn him.”

The High Priests look to one another, remaining silent in respect of the Hierarch and the court, but a worrying look is upon their faces.

Hierarch - “With all due respect, Your Majesty. If there is a risk that could impede procedure, I would appreciate a more forward warning. Is the Xith Sigil safe to use on you?”

Emperor - “I was not entirely sure of the consequence of Pudrig’s probing, Hierarch.  How could I be?  My new existence is as alien to me as it is to you.  As for the Xith Sigil, I can assure you that it will not result in harm to anyone here - but it must be done.  There will be questions, endless ones, relating to my nature.  The fastest way to dispense with them is by showing here and now, for all present, the Sigil’s reaction to me.  Whether or not it entraps me, I suppose, will be a more sound verdict than anything else could be.”

Hierarch - “I understand, Lord… Thank you. High Priest Phios hala Eace, have you anything to add?”

Phios hala Eace stands and thumps his chest with a clenched fist.

Phios - “With this new power, and wisdom beyond us, there can be no doubt… The Emperor Protects!”

Emperor - “Your faith in me is appreciated, Phios.”

The doors to the hall open once more, a team of Scribes carry a clothed relic - obscured beneath the fabric - they are accompanied by Templars at their sides who are ever vigilant. They pause at the entrance, waiting for clearance. The Hierarch beckons them forward with a gesture of his hand.

Hierarch - “You are sure this is not a test of our loyalty, Your Majesty?”

Emperor - “Proceed, Hierarch.”

Hierarch - “Scribes, you may begin…” Despite his clear concern, the Hierarch nods to the Scribes who come forth, their Templar guards remaining behind as two of the Scribes remove the velvet veil from the Xith Sigil and place it before the Emperor.

Scribe One - “Apologies, Lord, it will surely entrap you soon…”

Scribe Two - “Silence, brother…”

The Emperor stares at the Xith Sigil in silence, His form continues to flicker. It is impossible to truly find a fix on His features; as if His appearance is no longer perceivable to the mortal mind. The High Priests instinctively lean forward in anticipation, the weight of the result, whatever it may be, would be weighty.

Hierarch - “If it takes you, Lord… We would have to consider you a demon, and I pray that is not the case.”

The Emperor remains silent. Still, nothing has happened. The Sigil sits ineffectual and absent any indication of life, its form still passive. After a solid minute, the Sigil rises into the air at last. The assembled draw in a breath instinctively, and it floats towards the Emperor. To the psionic mind, he is a beacon of light. Of power.

Emperor - “Let there be no more doubt.”

The Emperor turns, and a hole appears - a pathway drilled into the Shroud. A beast lopes forth, drawn out by the open pathway, and hungrily staring at the Emperor. This amalgamation of evil made manifest throws itself at the Monarch - and freezes in mid-air. To the psionic eye, He has caught it; holding it in a telekinetic fist of immense power. The Sigil immediately blazes to life as it turns to the beast, and in a heartbeat the demon is consumed, drawn into the Sigil.

Silence dominates the college.

Hierarch - “Praise be, Your Majesty! Although I must say summoning a demon in the Clerical College is most unorthodox… but it certainly proves your point. If it pleases you, My Lord, I would like to discuss this with my High Priests, Pudrig hala Vakor needs to recover and there is much… debating, I imagine.”

Emperor - “As you wish, Hierarch. I will of course respect your traditions in this matter.”

As the College and Emperor prepare to disperse, a sudden intrusion comes to the College.  A Scribe rushes in, accompanied by a Missionary and Omnicoder, at the same time as the Wardens move to speak with the Emperor; His golden eyes unreadable as He listens.

Missionary - "Forgive my intrusion, I... The Omnicoders appear to be in some form of emergency.  Their communications are erupting with SOS calls, and we cannot seem to glean a clear reason from any of them."

Omnicoder - "It is most horrible!  Here-Tech beyond comprehension!  The Spirits are enraged!  A Dark Serpent! It is--"

At this point, the Omnicoder breaks down into rapid, panicked Binary shrieks.

All falls silent, a moment later, when The Emperor speaks.  His voice quietens the entire room.  His presence alone seems to inspire confidence.

Emperor - "I will go to Odyn personally.  My Omnicoders will face whatever crisis they have unleashed, and I will be at their side."

Nothing more is said.  The Emperor departs, the Omnicoder hurrying in His wake.  Quiet murmurs fill the College.

The Assembly begins to disperse.