Zhou Zhezhi and Kenthelion sat on a bench beneath the UEG headquarters in the United States, their eyes fixed on the towering building before them. Zhou Zhezhi spoke softly.
"Is it all true? Have we humans truly become slaves in this galaxy?"
Kenthelion turned slightly, gazing at Zhou. Though the helmet obscured his face, he could clearly sense the doubt behind Zhou Zhezhi's question.
"Yes. You think I'm lying to you, don't you?" Kenthelion replied. "You think I'm trying to spread hatred among your kind, among humanity itself."
Kenthelion's Aetherion power-a spiritual force blending psychic energy and something akin to The Force-allowed him to peer directly into Zhou Zhezhi's heart. He knew exactly what the man was thinking.
(Note: The term "Aetherion" is used here in place of "spiritual power," representing a fusion of psychic abilities and The Force. The name is derived from Greek and Latin roots.)
"I have no reason to lie to you. If I truly intended to conquer you and this planet, you would've already fought back with everything you had."
Surrounding Kenthelion were UEG security guards, along with his own escort clad in crimson uniforms. Flanking him on either side stood two members of the Inquisition.
The rebels had already been shattered by the terror of the Night Lords. Their forces scattered. Yet a few driven mad by defeat attempted the unthinkable-to assassinate the Emperor of the Celestial Imperium.
But what they called a weapon was nothing more than a toy before Kenthelion. The so-called anti-materiel weapons struck his body and shattered against the layered defense disks orbiting him. He remained unmoved. Even a blade to his chest wouldn't pierce him.
Kenthelion watched calmly, almost with curiosity, wondering what desperate measures the rebels might attempt next. But panic? That never crossed his mind.
After all, the crimson-clad guards at his side were anything but merciful.
"Move! Get out of the way! Car bomb!"
A heavy truck suddenly accelerated through the crowd, racing straight toward Kenthelion. Its presence radiated an intense and ominous aura.
"Protect the Emperor!"
The Crimson Guards instantly raised their specialized weapons and formed a protective line in front of Kenthelion. One of the guards prepared to use his spiritual power-akin to the Force-but Kenthelion raised a hand to stop him.
"I'll handle this."
This would be Kenthelion's first time experimenting with Aetherion-the mysterious energy, a fusion of psychic force and spiritual might, inspired by both Warhammer's psykers and Star Wars' Force. He wished to test its true potential.
In Warhammer, a powerful psyker could shatter titans with a mere gesture, collapse entire worlds with a gaze, or drive armies mad with a single whispered word. Such is the destructive potential of one who commands the warp.
And Kenthelion... he stood at the very peak of human potential. The ultimate Aetherion.
He raised his right hand. Energy surged.
"Detonate."
A brilliant golden light burst from his arm. His eyes lit up like miniature suns. The truck rushing toward them was engulfed.
"What the-?!"
Before the driver could even comprehend what was happening, his body-and the vehicle-were reduced to dust in a blinding explosion. A golden storm of particles scattered into the wind.
Everyone around stood frozen, stunned.
"What just happened...?"
Kenthelion calmly lowered his hand and turned to the shocked onlookers.
"It's alright. No need to panic."
He leaned back onto a specially crafted throne-like seat. Even while seated, he stood over three meters tall. His massive frame occupied most of the bench, while Zhou Zhezhi, seated beside him, looked like a child in comparison, tucked awkwardly in a small corner of the seat.
"This rebellion is madness," Kenthelion said, his voice calm and regal. "I wonder if the Ultramarines and the Inquisition have managed to wipe out the rest. Surely they've captured plenty of them alive."
Kenthelion sat silently, reviewing the latest reports. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed something surprising-the rate of rebel surrenders had spiked dramatically.
"As expected of the Ultramarine Regiment," he muttered with satisfaction. "They've made surrender the leading example."
He nodded, clearly pleased. A significant portion of the rebel forces on Wandering Earth had now laid down their arms. However, there were still militant cells occupying key military fortresses, holding out defiantly.
"Send the Inquisition to lead a team. I want a scientist named Tu Hengyu captured, and all his assets seized. Then summon the sages of the Mechanicus. Let them examine the AI and determine whether it can be brought under control."
"Understood."
A Crimson Guard standing beside him bowed and left immediately to deliver the order.
Kenthelion continued, his voice firm.
"Deploy the World Eaters Legion to the remaining rebel base. I want it clean."
"Understood."