Chapter 340: Pre-War Planning, the Fallen Phoenix’s Nightmare!

"What the hell was that? Don't tell me the Emperor himself just stood up?!"

The sudden phenomenon made Eden a little nervous. The immense disturbance had erupted from the golden sun within the Warp.

It was an unprecedented quake.

He temporarily handed over the Baal battle planning meeting to Tako, then dove into the Warp, merging his consciousness with the Little Sun.

To check on the Emperor.

The Emperor was the towering pillar of the Imperium of Man—his safety affected everyone.

Nothing could be allowed to go wrong.

At this moment—

The golden sun in the chaotic void was violently shaking, sending wave after wave of golden energy rippling into the infinite distance.

Like a raging sun.

Seeing this, Eden quickly sent a psychic message: "Old man, what's going on with you?!"

However, in the very next second—

He was swept up by the overwhelming force and dragged into a region of the Warp.

Screams echoed in all directions.

A tall golden figure was roaring with fury as he violently beat down a beautifully adorned, wailing she-daemon.

"Whoa, now that's a show…"

Eden perked up, eagerly watching the scene.

Seemed like the Emperor had caught another Warp creature and was dishing out his trademark brutal beatdown.

No wonder the denizens of the Warp feared the Emperor.

This golden juggernaut was terrifying beyond reason—utterly invincible.

Back in realspace, he had led humanity on the Great Crusade, rolled through the galaxy, and built an empire.

Even in the Warp, he remained one of the most terrifying entities.

As he watched the Emperor's furious onslaught, Eden realized he wouldn't be stopping anytime soon, so he decided to just enjoy the show.

"Devourer?"

The beautifully made-up Fulgrim suddenly noticed Eden's arrival, his voice laced with disbelief and suppressed shame.

For the Imperial Phoenix, this was truly humiliating.

He had always seen the Devourer—his rival for Slaanesh's favor—as a competitor, longing for a chance to defeat him.

The Phoenix of the Imperium firmly believed he was the most perfect and handsome being in the galaxy—no one could compare.

He even looked down on the Devourer, thinking he could never be a true threat.

He believed that once he defeated the Devourer, he could reclaim Slaanesh's attention.

But now—

At the moment of his greatest disgrace—being mercilessly beaten by his own father—the Devourer had arrived.

He had witnessed the one thing Fulgrim never wanted to be seen!

How could he ever raise his head again in front of the Devourer? How could he challenge him to a duel after this?

"No!!!"

Fulgrim let out a pained scream, unable to accept this disgrace.

Dark, cruel thoughts stirred in his heart—

He would lay more vicious traps and use poisoned blades to assassinate the one who had witnessed his shameful secret!

BANG—

Fulgrim took a brutal punch to the face, his features distorted as he crashed to the ground in front of the Savior.

"Hiss…"

"The Fallen Phoenix?"

Eden's eyes widened as he took a sharp breath. "What the hell happened to you? You look like some creepy, androgynous freak—damn, you're hideous."

He had seen illustrations of Fulgrim in forbidden tomes—once noble, dashing, and radiant.

His looks were nearly on par with Eden's own.

But now Fulgrim was grotesquely distorted, caked in heavy makeup, his body covered in disgusting surgical modifications, with disturbing, unmentionable organs fused into his flesh.

"Ignorant fool!"

Fulgrim climbed to his feet, trying to keep his poise, though his eyes gleamed with menace. "This is a higher aesthetic—a more perfect body on another level!"

"Ugh, disgusting!"

Eden grimaced and instantly distanced himself. "Don't go around calling yourself a Primarch anymore. That's just embarrassing…"

The other corrupted Primarchs were hideous, sure, but none were this perverse.

Who could've imagined the once glorious Phoenix of the Imperium now had nipple piercings, navel studs, and a whole array of sadomasochistic paraphernalia—who knew what kind of freaky games he played with Slaanesh?

The thought alone made Eden shiver.

He would have to be extra cautious from now on—if Slaanesh ever tried dragging him into a "threesome" or some group orgy with these freaks—

He'd rather die.

Even if he ever turned traitor, he'd pick Khorne or Nurgle over this.

Now he understood why the Emperor was so furious.

The Emperor was an old-fashioned patriarch, not one for words.

Suddenly seeing his child like this—how could any parent bear it?

He was even angrier now than when he beat up Magnus.

Magnus had betrayed out of arrogance and foolishness, deceived by the Chaos Gods.

Even in his final moments, Magnus had tried to send a warning through the Webway to save his father, leading to the Webway disaster.

But Fulgrim?

His corruption was intentional.

In fact—

The Emperor had held even higher hopes for Fulgrim. His legion had been named the Emperor's Children, honored to wear the Aquila itself upon their armor.

They were once the shining symbol of the Imperium.

And now?

His once-beloved son had become a monstrosity—and was proud of it.

The Emperor was heartbroken. And furious.

"You don't understand me. You're just jealous!"

Fulgrim sneered.

He was like a theater performer, his sharp voice echoing through the air, escalating into exaggerated sobs.

He caressed his face—

Then spread his arms wide, as if in ecstasy:

"Behold! The Emperor's creation has been further perfected by the Prince of Pleasure! I am flawless! I was born a slave—but now I am free!

I have become the consort of a god greater than our father—while he rots as a stinking corpse, a hideous false god!"

At that—

Eden instinctively took a step back.

This guy was beyond saving. Still delusional, and every word was like a grenade thrown at the Emperor's ego.

"Ahem—correction," Eden interjected, "The old man is not a god…"

Even though he called him the God-Emperor, Eden never truly worshipped him. Their interactions were more like elder and junior.

Which was why he could speak so freely—and hadn't been vaporized yet.

"Fulgrim, you dare!"

Behind them, the golden figure's wrath exploded like a volcano, shaking the entire region.

Holy light burned through the surrounding Chaos energy.

Fulgrim screamed, the pain overwhelming, and he snapped out of his performance, panic spreading across his face.

Then—

He saw the look of pity in Eden's eyes.

That was the one expression Fulgrim couldn't stand.

The Fallen Phoenix didn't need anyone's pity.

He lunged, drawing the Blade of Laer, aiming to stab Eden and kill him like Guilliman had fallen to that incurable poison.

But in the next instant—

Fulgrim was yanked backward by immense force, and the blade clattered to the ground.

Then came more agonized howls.

"Sigh… Fulgrim, so unruly. You really need a good lesson—might knock some sense back into him…"

Eden casually kicked the poisoned blade far away, watching the brutal display nearby with interest—fanning the flames while enjoying the view.

Holy fire scorched Fulgrim's body with unbearable agony.

It was the greatest pain he'd ever felt, and even Slaanesh's gifts couldn't convert it.

Normally—

No matter how severe the injury, Fulgrim's body would turn it into some twisted pleasure—fuel for his powers.

But the Emperor's flames brought only raw, unfiltered pain.

Still, Fulgrim didn't beg for mercy.

His pride wouldn't allow him to submit to his former father—a false god.

Even if it killed him!

"False god! I know you despise me—but I have never failed!"

Through the searing agony, the Fallen Phoenix mocked with a voice neither male nor female:

"Your rage is just a mask for your impotence and failure! Your life is worthless! You've become nothing but a stinking skeleton clinging to a crumbling throne.

Your sons have all betrayed you. Your dream, your empire—is on the verge of collapse. Humanity is doomed!"

"You're just a complete and utter failure!"

"Hiss…"

Eden winced at the familial drama unfolding before him. "Should I really be listening to this?"

He kind of wanted to leave.

What if Fulgrim started yelling even more blasphemies?

Still, human nature and drama-loving instincts rooted him to the spot.

"Unfilial son! Unfilial—y-you!"

The Emperor was so furious he was nearly speechless.

Fulgrim, the master of provocation, knew exactly how to hit where it hurt.

Once, the Emperor might've put down this rebellious, corrupted son—just like he had done with two other lost Primarchs.

But even if he did…

It wouldn't undo the words spoken.

And worse—

He couldn't even do it anymore.

Now—

The Emperor was just a golden husk, bound to the Warp's burning sun, grasping only a fragment of Fulgrim's essence.

The real Fulgrim was hidden deep within Slaanesh's palace.

He couldn't even punish his son in a way that might lead to repentance.

At that moment, the Emperor of Mankind suddenly seemed… old.

He was just a skeleton, after all.

"Fulgrim!"

Eden stepped forward and snapped, "What the hell are you barking about?

The Emperor protected humanity! Even now, he's still holding the line! He hasn't failed—the Imperium has lasted ten thousand years! Humanity still lives!"

The Imperium had its flaws—but it preserved humanity.

And those flaws weren't the Emperor's doing.

They were the fault of later leaders who failed to rise to the challenge.

"And you're wrong—humanity will continue. We won't become Chaos slaves…"

Eden's expression turned resolute. "Humanity will rule the galaxy. That's my promise!"

He looked at Fulgrim: "As for you—you're nothing but a traitor who couldn't resist Chaos, who forgot his purpose. You're the real failure…"

"That's just your pathetic fantasy…"

Fulgrim sneered through the pain, raising his voice in an exaggerated speech:

"The facts are clear! Chaos rises while humanity wails. No one can change that. Do you think you can? With your meager power and pitiful holdings?

Do you dare face the masters of Chaos directly?

Not even the false god could manage that. And you think you can?

How utterly laughable!"

Both the Imperium and the forces of Chaos agreed on one point: the Emperor was the greatest warrior and leader in human history.

And yet even he had failed.

Humanity had no chance of surviving this inevitable extinction-level catastrophe. It was just a matter of time.

Fulgrim fixed Eden with an increasingly venomous gaze.

"You're nothing but a fraud, a hypocrite masquerading under a stolen title. Everything about you is a laughable charade.

I know how much you care about your pathetic little territory...

That's why it'll be my next target. I'll use every means necessary, at all costs, to corrupt it—turning your land into a kingdom of pleasure right before your eyes!"

At those words, Eden fell silent.

He didn't care about Fulgrim's doomsaying or the personal attacks.

It was true—his current strength was far from enough to save all of humanity or change its destiny.

But everything takes time. One bite at a time.

As long as he stayed the course, there was hope for humanity's future.

And this hope was already visible—he had changed things, achieved real victories, and saved countless lives.

What he was concerned about, however, was Fulgrim's threat to corrupt his territory.

Due to recent expansions, many of his territories were now exposed to Chaos's gaze, and some of their defenses were still under construction.

A corruption campaign by the Fallen Phoenix would be a serious problem.

Especially since Fulgrim, as a Primarch, could influence the material world far more directly than most.

Worse, his goal wasn't military conquest, but corruption.

Eden didn't even want to imagine the horror of Fulgrim lurking within his territory, planting Slaaneshi filth everywhere.

That would absolutely spread the corruption of Slaanesh like wildfire, poisoning the youth and culture of his realm.

This was going to be a problem.

Sigh...

Eden let out a long sigh.

He had to stop the Fallen Phoenix.

But Fulgrim's mind was too twisted, too deeply corrupted. Reason wouldn't work, nor would simple beatings.

Stopping a Primarch who no longer feared death, who could sneer at the Emperor himself, and who would go to any length to achieve his goals—

That wouldn't be easy.

Looks like Eden would have to do it himself. Fight fire with fire.

"Old man, you've done enough. Let me handle this…"

Eden stepped forward.

"I'll make this rebellious wretch understand regret. I promise he won't be bouncing around anymore."

With each step, his figure grew larger, transforming into the terrifying form of the Devourer clad in dark-gold armor.

Eden was ready to take matters into his own hands—to give Fulgrim a lesson he would never forget.

The Fallen Phoenix in his prime might've been a threat, but now he was just a fragment of his true essence. Nothing to worry about.

Of course—

Eden's body here was also just an avatar. But here, next to the Little Sun, he held the advantage.

Seeing this—

The Emperor held back his fury and stepped aside.

Fulgrim rose, regaining his elegant posture.

"You want to duel me? You actually want to fight someone you can't possibly beat? What a joke…"

Eden stopped opposite him and projected an image of Fulgrim's former self: "Look at what you used to be—and look at what you are now. A clown."

Fulgrim wasn't fazed by the verbal jab and smiled faintly. "You wretched creature…"

"You're jealous of me, because I'm more handsome, and I've earned the favor of... certain beings."

But Eden didn't let him finish. He spoke flatly, "You're just a pitiful, discarded pet desperate to get attention again."

Truthfully—

He knew exactly how to hit where it hurt.

He knew the script, the personalities, the weaknesses.

Even more so—

Eden had planted a sly little daemon in Slaanesh's palace. Due to its unique form and wild antics, it had gotten in very close with the Slaaneshi daemons.

Sometimes it even partied with Fulgrim and Lucius.

From those visits, it picked up a few juicy secrets.

After all, nothing beats brutal honesty—and Eden was merely stating the facts.

"Devourer!"

Fulgrim's face twisted with rage. The Prince of Pleasure had been ignoring him more lately, favoring others instead.

"Poor discarded little thing," Eden shot back immediately.

Fulgrim snapped.

His eyes filled with venom, and he began scanning the ground.

He was searching for his poisoned blade—the Blade of Laer.

Coated with lethal Warp venom, even a graze could travel through the essence and kill the Devourer!

Right now—

Fulgrim was desperate to bring down Eden right in front of the Emperor.

That would be deliciously satisfying.

But—

The blade was gone.

"What are you looking for?"

Eden clenched his fists and grinned coldly.

"Don't tell me you're looking for that little knife? I took care of that already. Now, be a real man and let's have a proper brawl!"

With a surge of power and golden arcs crackling around him, Eden closed the gap and punched.

Fulgrim's pupils shrank—he'd underestimated him!

BOOM!

A brutal punch slammed into Fulgrim's face, launching him into the ground.

Before he could get up, another storm of punches rained down.

WHAM!

"Damn you!"

The Fallen Phoenix vanished from the ground and lunged at Eden, returning punches of his own.

A fierce melee broke out, the air shattering with every blow.

But—

Fulgrim quickly began to lose.

Eden was simply stronger.

And more importantly, Eden's true target wasn't just hurting Fulgrim.

He was ripping apart the grotesque decorations and perverse ornaments Fulgrim took pride in.

He knew—

The Fallen Phoenix was a narcissist of theatrical proportions—obsessed with his image.

Once, when Fulgrim learned that the Eldar possessed a weapon capable of killing the Emperor, he immediately summoned another fallen Primarch—Perturabo, the Lord of Iron.

They were to plot the patricide of the Emperor.

But—

When Perturabo arrived, Fulgrim suddenly felt that such a grand revelation needed a dramatic setting.

Since the sector had no theaters, Fulgrim ordered the Iron Warriors to blast a crater and build one on the spot.

Only after it was finished did he ascend the stage and, with dance and poetry, reveal his plan.

Such was the extent of Fulgrim's vanity and obsession with image.

Eden struck directly at that weakness.

"No—stop! What have you done?!"

Fulgrim scrambled to reclaim his shredded, ornamented black wings.

In this moment—

All his twisted grace vanished.

The destruction made him realize he had lost the image he'd so carefully curated. He looked hideous.

Of course—

To everyone else, Eden had just torn off a bunch of creepy perverse junk.

Then—

Eden unleashed a merciless beatdown on the corrupted Primarch who had poisoned his brothers and caused so many catastrophes.

Fulgrim lay broken beneath his feet.

"Fulgrim, you should regret everything you've done. You owe us an apology—and you will pay the price."

Fulgrim gritted his teeth, eyes seething with hatred.

"All you've done will only bring about my most vicious revenge!"

"No, you're going to regret this…"

Eden smiled, then projected a recording.

A giant hologram appeared above them—Fulgrim's makeup ruined, his ornaments shredded, being pummeled by the Devourer and wailing as he was stomped into the ground.

He knew Fulgrim would care deeply.

"Despicable! Treacherous!" Fulgrim shrieked. "You vile bastard! You should schedule a proper duel with me and fight honorably!"

He struggled, visibly panicked.

Being beaten by the Emperor hadn't broken him—but this?

Being humiliated by the Devourer, his most hated rival, filmed in his ugliest state?

Even if it was just one lapse in judgment—falling into the Emperor's trap—

It had happened.

And worst of all—

The Devourer had recorded it when he looked his absolute worst.

"This video's title is: 'Shocking! Devourer Brutalizes a Pitiful, Disgraced Has-Been.'

Oh, noble Fallen Phoenix—surely you wouldn't want this broadcast across the galaxy and the Warp 24/7?

I plan to edit multiple versions, air it for one full Terran standard year, and then release a new edition every few years.

Let everyone see your wretched, discarded self.

Imagine the scene—I bet they'll love it…"

The Devourer's gentle, composed tone was more venomous than any daemon from the abyss.

Fulgrim froze in terror.

It was the most horrifying thing he'd ever heard.

The Fallen Phoenix trembled and finally asked:

"Perhaps… there's room for… negotiation?"

(End of Chapter)

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