Book 8 – Chapter 51 – Into the heart of the Empire

“You seem pretty at ease just asking them to take on your speeches for you.” I noted, walking down the decorated hallways into the depth of the imperial fortress.

Ahead the Chaptermaster walked, escorted by imperial crusaders on all sides, with us following behind in the center.

Everyone stopped to bow or salute as we passed. I’d gotten somewhat used to that in the clan, especially while wearing Journey. But seeing it from Imperials was something else. Like culture shock in a way. Imperials and pilgrims were always honored guests in the clans, they wouldn’t be expected to salute to anyone other than perhaps Lord Atius himself, and not due to his Lord status but rather being Deathless.

And speaking of shocks, to say this place looked grand would be a disservice to the word grand. Staircases were built everywhere, the levels all interconnected in hundreds of locations, machinery built to draw out ammunition from deeper down into the guns all across the center.

And hundreds of people moving around all of it like ants in an anthill, everyone having their role and direction to play.

“I was never a skilled orator.” Urs said, blue camera irises in his working eyes scanning up and down the world we walked through. “I would do the same in the past; delegate speechcraft to those who were better suited to the task. It worked well. I see little reason it would not here.”

“Well, it certainly worked out. That speech even made me feel amped up.”

“I am honored to hear that, ser knight.” The Chaptermaster said ahead of us, still focused on making his way forward.

Father grunted behind me, while the other clan knights equally kept a stoic gait forward. The hallways here had some kind of black-blue marble flooring, with cracked of white all over. Sturdy enough to hold our weight, and equally massive enough in size for our party to march through without issue.

I had a feeling vehicles would pass through here.

“How different is the fortress since your days?” I asked Urs, more curious if the imperial church had always been this grand.

“The architecture remains the same, the decorations have increased significantly.” Urs answered, “Is there a particular reason for this, Chaptermaster?”

“Goals.” The Chaptermaster answered without pausing in his direction. “We are a religion. The imperial church glorifies the old empire. The people wish to see grandeur and feel connected to something greater. I consider my Chapter to be far more levelheaded than all the other Chapters and Orders within the church, however I would be remiss to not allow my brothers and sisters their sense of pride in what we do. To see the grandeur here, it inspires those who step foot, and gives us all hope in what humanity could be.”

Urs didn’t say anything, thinking. “An understandable reason. Not to dissimilar from Talen’s argument.”

“Talen’s argument?” I asked, more out of curiosity. We were already making our way directly to the lower vaults according to the Chaptermaster, but it was going to be a walk. Sprinting through here would cause some panic and we’d inevitably crash into things.

“There is not much to tell.” Urs started. “Talen forged the Empire from twelve different city states that were originally called the Alliance. He slowly built up political connections and the material support. All that was needed was something to galvanize the people. He went searching for historical examples of prior human societies. Ancient Rome was the most celebrated and powerful empire in history. It was done in homage at the start, and quickly grew popular among the people of the day. The reasoning is very similar to your current designs, although… this is far more ceremonial in nature now.”

There were urns, candles, gold, and art just about everywhere in the hallways. Even Crusaders knelt down before blades, while others in cloaks would be speaking blessings in latin, waving incense over the weapons.

Others were having scrolls attached to their chestplate with red wax imprints to hold them on. Everyone was preparing for war.

Yeah, I was not going to speak a word about Tsuya being killed. That was going to break a lot of people here.

We reached a massive platform that was waiting specifically for us to climb aboard, where it shuddered to life and began to descend downwards at a slow pace. Level by level passed.

“I do need to brief you on a few items before we begin Chaptermaster.” Urs said.

“By your will.” The man answered back. “This fortress and all who serve under these halls are at your command.”

The discussion was mostly done on private comms since we all had helmets equipped. But Urs took the time to fill the man in on all details, while the Chaptermaster responded on what the fortress could provide.

They had a massive vault of treasures and weapons, some even used by the protofeathers themselves. The sheer amount of ratshit they’d squirreled away here was rather nuts.

And the defensive capabilities of this fortress were equally vast. A shield generator built by mites for what should have been a capital ship. And installed by the center of the fortress, so it could hold off against even To’Sefit’s full arsenal from a distance.

Logistics was also a superpower here. They had access to food, water, ammunition and all that – because there was a hidden treasure deeper down in the fortress: A minor mite forge, which allowed them a lot of options.

And a mite power fountain that was fully functional.

Not to mention three entire Deathless teams, who happened to be resting up and preparing to march out. More could show up anytime at their center pillar heart.

But as we passed into the underground layers that had less and less personnel, Urs got into who we were and what we had to offer.

“I see. I admit, my grand warlock would be a better target to discuss the forbidden fractal with, as he’s quite knowledgeable about the Occult. His division would be quite impressed by this use of it. Our own Imperators required a far more physical approach.”

“What other approach would have worked? If you don’t mind me asking.” I sent back. “Not sure we’re in the era where holding secrets is worth it anymore. Not with the end of the world approaching.”

“Domine mi, do I have your blessing to reveal higher order secrets to your escort?”

Urs blinked. “They are trustworthy. And unless I am mistaken, the process for Imperators has likely not changed since my own time. Armors remain unmodified since.”

“The process has not.”

“Then do explain it if the Winterscar wishes, I do not see any issue with disclosure. Perhaps they will find some use.”

The Chaptermaster nodded, passing through the first vault. Lights and candles dim here. We were close to the inner heart of the fortress now. “We sever their spinal cords and paralyze their body. Becoming an Imperator is a near life-long undertaking. They will never leave their armors for years, possibly decades, and remain completely dependent on power cells always being supplied. Fielding them requires logistics to follow behind, their only drawback besides the high personal cost that comes to the individual.”

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“Three gods that’s brutal.” I said, eyes wide. “Had a feeling it was that, but couldn’t be certain.”

“Brutal, but effective. Imperators are our elites, the most dedicated among our religion, ser knight. This fortress has fifty nine at the ready. Capable of overwhelming even clan knights in a one on one fight, and equally besting almost any named machine roaming. A group of five is almost unbeatable to any foe. Deathless without the right tools will equally be defeated by them. The only foe Imperators cannot defeat would be Feathers.”

I could see the logic. Back before the Winterblossom technique, Imperators would be the only ones with the sheer speed of thought. They’d overwhelm clan knights by speed, same as the new lightning style of combat would on our end.

“There’s no healing them?” I imagine they already know exactly which nerve to cut so that only the muscles were paralyzed, and not the more critical things required to function like breathing.

“We do have the medical means of reattatching the nerves using a mite medical table located within our vaults here. Three fortresses have those tables. However, the operation is costly, as such it is only done once – when the Imperator is ready to retire from old age. Most never do. The few that properly retire are generally ordered to, so that they may serve as an example to other Imperators that a retirement is possible and not a cloak-and-dagger service.”

“They sound about as dedicated as clan knights would be.” I gave it some though. Wrath could heal anyone, this would be like freezing snow outdoors to her. “They might be good candidates for the Winterblossom technique, or to become Feather-hijackers.”

The Chaptermaster nodded slowly. “I admit, the idea of it all is rather… novel. But I understand. And given what you have explained about your… soul-fractal technique, it is clearly the superior option that does not leave the warrior crippled. How long does the procedure take? Would we be able to field it by the end of the hour today?”

“No.” Father said from the back. “It takes training to move the soul into the right position. The clan knights took days of nearly unstopped meditation practicing for it. There is no standard path, all souls are unique.”

“A shame.” The Chaptermaster said. “But not unexpected. Great power does not come easily.”

Technically, I think we might have been able to get some crusaders running just temporarily on this, but I could see it would be a logistical nightmare to completely change combat doctrine at the penultimate last second. Especially right before the fight for humanity itself. Some would take to it more naturally and make it into the fight with that advantage, most wouldn’t, and that time should have been spent preparing in other ways instead.

“Maybe we could get everyone in as Imperators?” I asked. “One of my colleagues has an occult ability to heal anything, including nerve damage. She could heal up everyone after, assuming we survive.”

“The surgical procedure has a healing period. It takes weeks before the Imperator is entombed within their armors for the long oath.” He answered back.

And Wrath couldn’t try and speed up that healing process, because she’d probably accidentally heal the nerves as well. No easy wins that I could think of so far.

“Regardless, our Order has prepared for this day enough. We will serve, others will be recalled through the portal network and travel here in time. We have more than what this fortress contains.” He came to a stop before a massive vault. “And we have arrived. Domine mi, the terminal we use to speak to the goddess lies before here. Through it, you may trigger the Final Edict.”

The door shuddered and began to roll off to the side.

“Before we proceed with what I must do, I must explain the series of events that will happen after.” Urs said. “When I trigger the final edict, it will be relayed across the empire. And the machines will hear of it too. However, I am not merely commanding the empire to pull together and protect the surface. I will equally be revealing the coordinates here and informing all that I am waiting within this fortress.”

The Chaptermaster simply nodded. “As you will it.”

“You do not understand the danger that will come with this proclamation.” Urs insisted.

“The entire machine army will come in an attempt to defeat you before you grow in power.” The chaptermaster said. “I understand. The citadel will be prepared to hold them off for however long you need.”

“Someone stronger will come. Far more powerful than Feathers and the machines. I will be calling Talen here directly.”

I could hear the pin drop. The Chaptermaster himself froze in place. Only the rumbling of the vault opening up could be heard.

“I hold half the power of the emperor.” Urs said. “And Talen holds the other half. In the empire’s final moments, I sent him an order to find me and kill me, to recover the full power. My message was heard by my enemies, and they enacted their plan as quickly as possible, realizing I was prepared to end my life. I did not hear back from Talen confirmation, thus I held off. Believing it was a simple communications failure. It was not. The enemy struck Talen, and rendered him mad. They had prepared this contingency for some time now, but they were likely not perfectly prepared either. Talen remains alive, searching underground. And I believe he is searching for me, in order to end my life as I’d ordered.”

The Chaptermaster gave a very slow nod at that. “I had heard… rumors that the lost emperor was far underground. And our goddess had spoken that we would be searching for an inheritor rather than the old emperor himself. She seemed to believe he could not be restored.”

“She is correct. She did not know I was being held captive at the time. I believe I may heal his soul and restore him. After which, I will terminate my life-functions and restore him to full power.”

“Noble of you, Domine.” The Chaptermaster spoke.

“No. Necessary of me.” Urs answered. “There is no choice. I cannot fight. My powers need to be wielded by another.”

“Then… we hold the fortress against the machine onslaught, until the old emperor arrives, after which you will attempt to restore him.”

“Correct.” The eyes finally turned to meet the chaptermaster’s. “I can see your worries. Do not fear. There is a contingency plan. Talen isn’t lucid enough to properly kill me permanently, he will likely seek to kill me in a more physical manner. Failing to heal him, and dying to him instead would not empower him. And even if I do permanently enter a dissolution phase, the full restored power will not heal his soul either. It is a power multiplier. If his own regeneration abilities are unable to heal him as is, they will not heal him after the transfer of power. Should we fail and I am eliminated, Tenisent Winterscar will follow through in activating the surface terraforming platforms orbiting our world. Those have the power to eliminate Relinquished. Should I fail, you are to follow his commands.”

“As you will it. I will have that order relayed downwards.”

“I never agreed to becoming an emperor.” Father said.

“You do not have a choice.” Urs answered back, voice perfectly calm. As if it was the most obvious item. “You volunteered to act as the vessel that will channel the god’s wrath down. Do you reject this?”

Father shook his head. “I do not. I know my role.”

“As it should be.” Urs said, eyes turning back to the Chaptermaster. “I will remain with Keith Winterscar during this fight. He is the only one capable of making full use of my current skills and powers. Should I ever be separated, your highest priority is to reunite me with him. Is that understood?”

“By your will.” The chaptermaster spoke, giving a short bow. No further questioning, nothing. Just flat obedience and complete faith in the greater plan.

The vault door hissed and finally unsealed the final hatchkey holding it in place. With it, the escorting crusaders opened the doorway inwards to the heart of the fortress.

What we found was a mite terminal at the center of a large atrium, candles lit across all the walls. It was on a pedestal, raised around a small island, with water acting as a small lake around.

A massive golden orb hovering in the air, wires trailing downwards to the center ground, where a single old computer remained behind, stabbed through multiple times by spikes of rock interlayed with gold.

Somehow, despite the macabre site of the terminal, it still seemed to function without issue. The screen on, one blinking white undersign waiting.

There was a religious hush to it all, as if the servants would come here to clean and not a single one ever dared pass the water that surrounded the terminal.

“Bring me to it.” Urs ordered and I complied, walking over the moat while the others followed behind.

The imperials remained behind, as if this water was considered holy and untouchable. The Chaptermaster on the other hand strode in with us.

“Getting the feeling we’re committing some violent faux pas’s here, culture wise.”

“You are.” The Chaptermaster said. “There is a purification ritual demanded first, and any who step through these waters must do so barefoot and without armor. A tunic is given instead. Humbleness is required before speaking to a god.”

“But you are the most level headed Order. Isn’t that right?” I followed.

“We are. Ceremony has its place in the empire. It does not have a place this moment when the situation is most dire. The goddess will forgive the trespass, we all know it. The emperor himself is here already.”

Urs had seen better days, that’s for sure. But I pulled him off my back, and turned him around so he could see the terminal itself.

His eyes flickered blue. The terminal remained as it was, the entry screen still blinking.

The flickering in his eyes stopped.

“We have a situation.” Urs simply said in the hushed quiet. “Relinquished has been here.”