Deep within Kayvan Shrike's spirit, a different scene played out. Joe sat in the ethereal world of pure thought, surrounded by shelves filled with Kayvan Shrike's memories. Here, every event of Kayvan's life existed as a book. Whenever Joe opened one, he opened a window into Kayvan's past.
The human brain is a strange thing. Knowledge is never truly lost—it's simply misplaced, hidden in the labyrinth of the mind. In this spiritual realm, Joe had access to it all.
With nothing else to do in this timeless space, Joe spent his days reading. At first, he delved into books about the world and its history, driven by curiosity about this strange new place. He didn't know if he'd ever wake up in Kayvan's body, but if he did, he wanted to understand the world he'd find himself in.
The books were written in beautiful but unfamiliar characters. Strangely, though he couldn't recognize the script, the knowledge flowed into him effortlessly, as if the words spoke directly to his soul. Each page revealed wonders, horrors, and complexities of a universe beyond his imagination. Through Kayvan's memories, Joe explored a new world—and in doing so, began to see his own existence in a different light.
If humanity in Joe's original world was like a toddler just learning to walk, then in this world, humanity had matured into seasoned, middle-aged individuals, full of strength and resilience. In Joe's world, human civilization had barely scratched the surface, boasting only 5,000 years of history. But here, humanity carried the weight of a staggering 40,000 years of existence. Such an overwhelming span of time, brimming with triumphs and tragedies, made Joe marvel at its gravity.
In this world, humanity had once been the dominant force in the universe. During its golden age, humans unlocked the secrets of subspace navigation, enabling them to traverse vast distances at unimaginable speeds. Their colonies stretched across the stars, spreading the mark of humanity throughout the galaxy. Yet this golden age was short-lived. The universe soon revealed its horrors—a catastrophic subspace storm swept across the galaxy, severing the vital pathways of interstellar travel.
The storm shattered the grand human empire in an instant. Isolated colonies, cut off from civilization, began to regress. Some were absorbed into the native cultures of their host planets, while others simply vanished into the void, leaving no trace. The galaxy descended into chaos. Civil wars erupted, rebellions flared, alien invasions threatened their survival, and humanity teetered on the brink of extinction.
Then, everything changed with the arrival of the Emperor. This marked the dawn of a new era, one of unity and resurgence. The Emperor, a figure of unparalleled charisma and power, united Earth under his rule and forged an alliance with the mechanical manipulators of Mars. The subspace storms subsided, and the pathways of interstellar travel reopened. Under the Emperor's guidance, humanity rebuilt its colonies and expanded its reach across the galaxy. The Light of the Stars, a marvel of engineering, illuminated humanity's rise. The Emperor created the Interstellar Legion, a force of extraordinary warriors, and led a two-hundred-year-long crusade to reunite humanity.
It was a time of legends. Forgotten colonies were reclaimed, alien species were subjugated, and humanity's empire rose to heights unseen. The Emperor's victories were celebrated with grand triumphs on millions of planets. Marble and gold castles gleamed under alien suns, and monuments to his achievements towered over the galaxy's most exotic worlds. This was the new golden age, heralded by the Emperor's vision and unyielding will.
At the forefront of this age were the Primarchs—the Emperor's sons, crafted through unparalleled genetic experimentation. They were extraordinary beings, each the epitome of human potential. These Primarchs commanded the Space Marine Legions, elite warriors capable of defeating a hundred enemies each. Thousands of Space Marines marched under the banners of their respective Primarchs, waging war in the Emperor's name.
Among them, Horus stood above the rest. Known as the Glorious One, the Shining Star, and the Emperor's Favorite, he was chosen to lead as the Warmaster. As the Emperor's most trusted son, Horus commanded half of humanity's military might. He was a peerless warrior, a masterful diplomat, and the architect of countless victories. But his name would forever be entwined with rebellion and betrayal.
Joe. deep in thought, couldn't help but question the Emperor's decision. "Why did the Emperor entrust so much power to Warmaster Horus?" he asked. "Even with the utmost respect for the Emperor, wasn't this a mistake? Shouldn't the Emperor have implemented some kind of safeguard for such a massive force?"
Kayvan Shrike, who had seen the glory and despair of those days, sighed. "It's not as simple as it looks, Joe. The Emperor trusted his sons, and Horus was the one he trusted the most. But you need to understand—wars in the Empire are nothing like the wars on Earth. They don't happen on a single planet or even in a single galaxy. They're expeditions, spanning distances measured in light-years. The frontlines are so far from the Empire's core that central control is practically impossible. Decisions on the battlefield can't wait for orders from home. It's like the old days of Earth's cold weapon era when generals on horseback had to make decisions without waiting for messengers to return from the capital."
Kayvan paused, letting Joe absorb the comparison, before continuing. "Now, replace those horses with starships traveling tens of thousands of light-years. That's the reality of interstellar war. Trust in the generals becomes paramount, and Horus was the Emperor's most capable and trusted general."
Joe nodded thoughtfully. "I see. But did Horus's rebellion succeed?"
"Of course not!" Kayvan's voice was firm, his expression resolute. "His Majesty the Emperor is invincible. You doubt this because you haven't seen what I've seen. When you witness the memories of my battles, you'll understand. The Emperor's presence on the battlefield is enough to end any conflict. No force in the universe can stand against him. Not even the so-called gods of the cosmos can resist his might."
Kayvan's gaze grew distant, his voice softer yet filled with pride. "The days when the Emperor led us were unlike anything you can imagine. Victory after victory, glory upon glory, we crushed every alien race in our path. We extinguished every threat before it could take root. Humanity was destined to rule the galaxy. To serve the Emperor wasn't just an honor—it was the greatest privilege any warrior could hope for."
Joe leaned closer, intrigued. "Is there any proof beyond just stories of how powerful the Emperor really was?"
Kayvan smirked, as if the question amused him. "Proof? Joe. the Emperor himself is proof. His strength, his will, his vision—those were the pillars that rebuilt humanity. Once you see for yourself, there won't be any room for doubt."
"Of course, if Horus wins in the end, we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
"Why?"
"Because a normal human body—even mine, with all the surgical modifications—can't last thousands of years without falling apart. If my body hadn't been preserved in the The Sanctum, we'd have been doomed long ago." Kayvan Shrike paused as if to gauge Joe's reaction. Noticing Joe's lingering curiosity, he continued before Joe could ask another question. "As for knowledge about the The Sanctum, you'll have the chance to look into it yourself later. Right now, let's put the books aside and focus on something that actually matters."
"Something that matters?" Joe tilted his head in confusion.