Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 642 Large-Scale Mass (Fifth Update)

“The situation is extremely complex and unstable,” Caul’s multi-synthesized voice rang out from outside the isolation room, his mechanical appendages pointing to the constantly scrolling data stream as he reported to Chen Xi and Felus. “The absorption process is not a perfect replication, but more like a… brutal plunder and forced splicing. The chaotic nature has extremely strong corrosive and chaotic characteristics. Although it has been restrained by the power of the Emperor’s Mark and has not immediately backfired, the two are currently only maintaining an extremely fragile balance.”

"What will happen when she wakes up?" Felus asked, his silver eyes coldly fixed on the face inside the isolation pod that resembled her brother's through the observation window.

“It’s impossible to predict precisely,” Caul replied. “Model analysis shows several possibilities: she might not be able to withstand the power and disintegrate; she might be dominated by the memories and personality within the Chaos Fragments, becoming a completely new and extremely unstable ‘Foggan’ variant, which would be extremely dangerous; or, with the aid of the Imperial Mark, she might be able to maintain her self-awareness with difficulty, and even control this power to some extent—but this would require unimaginable willpower and would inevitably be accompanied by enormous pain and risk.”

Just then, the female version of Fugen inside the isolation chamber let out a painful groan, her eyelids trembling as if she were struggling to awaken from a deep abyss. The energy readings on the monitor suddenly spiked, emitting a sharp alarm.

She suddenly opened her eyes.

What eyes they were! One eye was clear and sharp, still carrying a trace of the confusion and determination of the beginning of creation; while the other eye shimmered with eerie and ever-changing rainbow colors, imbued with a decadent beauty, a mad desire, and the cynical mockery that belonged to Fugen.

“I…this is…” A voice escaped from her lips, the tone hers, yet sometimes clear and steady, sometimes slipping into that languid and seductive tone, clearly belonging to Fugen, “Ah…what a wondrous experience…pain and pleasure…chaos and order…all converge here…”

She raised one hand, gazing at the energy sparks that danced at her fingertips, sometimes golden, sometimes pinkish-purple, a mixture of pain, confusion, and a strange excitement on her face.

“Kill me…” she suddenly growled in a clear, her own voice, but then her expression changed, and that seductive smile reappeared. “Kill us? What a waste of this one and only… masterpiece, my dear 'sisters'?”

Clearly, she was awake, but her consciousness was in a highly unstable, fragmented state, with two distinct "personalities" or fragments of consciousness fiercely vying for dominance.

Ferrus's expression turned extremely grim. Staring at that face speaking in Fugen's tone filled her with intense disgust and physical discomfort.

“A decision must be made immediately,” Chen Xi’s voice was calm to the point of being cold. “She is a huge source of risk. If she gets out of control, her destructive power could be no less than that of a small-scale chaotic invasion.”

But at the same time, it could also be an unprecedented opportunity, a potential weapon to understand the nature of chaos, and even to use its own methods against it.

The choice is before us: the safest way is to take advantage of her current weakness and use the Emperor's Sword or other extreme means to completely purify her and eliminate any future troubles.

But this means wasting the power of the stolen Chaos Essence and Imperial Mark, and could attract Slaanesh’s deeper attention—after all, this essence once belonged to his favorite.

Another option is to try to control and exploit it.

But this requires a huge investment of resources for research and control, and every day carries the risk of it spiraling out of control. Who will be responsible? Who can guarantee that nothing will go wrong?
"Place her under the highest level of supervision," Felus finally decided, his voice icy. "Great Sage Caul, you will lead the establishment of a special research group, whose members must be absolutely reliable and sign the highest level of confidentiality agreements."

The goal is to find ways to stabilize or isolate the forces within the body, and to assess all potential risks and applications.

Until she is completely stable and under control, all external contact is strictly prohibited, and the isolation level will remain at its highest level.

She paused briefly, then added firmly, "At the same time, prepare contingency plans. If there are signs of things getting out of control and the threat level exceeds the threshold, authorize the immediate execution of the final purification procedure; no further discussion is needed." Chen Xi nodded slightly, agreeing to this cautious and pragmatic plan. Kaul also sent a binary code indicating acceptance.

The female version of Fugen inside the isolation pod—or perhaps some consciousness within her—seemed to hear the discussion outside, emitting a series of incomprehensible sounds mixed with chuckles and groans.

Her fate was temporarily frozen in the deepest isolation chamber of Medusa, becoming a dangerous mystery, a living treasure that could bring disaster or a turning point.

How to deal with her will be the next major challenge facing Chen Xi and Felus.

The female version of Fugen's condition remains unstable, like a subspace bomb that could explode at any moment, with the risk increasing day by day.

Conventional restrictions and research methods can only temporarily limit the problem, but cannot eradicate the deep-seated chaotic pollution and conflict of consciousness. Chen Xi knew that more extreme and unconventional methods had to be adopted.

Using his supreme authority as an Imperial Inquisitor, he bypassed all conventional procedures and issued an emergency summons directly to the Battle Sisters and the State Church in the Medusa system and neighboring star sectors.

The order was worded harshly and vaguely, only mentioning the need to provide support for a special ceremony "concerning the fate of the Empire and purifying a major source of chaotic pollution."

Soon, a team consisting of fanatical and devout battle nuns, experienced state priests, and a large number of auxiliary clergy arrived at Karada Fortress.

They were told that a vital entity, corrupted by an extremely terrible chaos, was imprisoned deep within the fortress and needed to be purified through the most powerful faith and the direct intervention of the Emperor.

Chen Xi chose the Church of Saint Grace, the most magnificent and historically significant church within the Karada Fortress.

The church is famous for its solid black stone foundation, soaring vaults, and a huge, war-torn yet solemn imperial icon.

The female version of Fugen was secretly moved to the church and placed at the foot of a huge imperial icon.

A specially designed binding force field generator surrounded her, serving as both a form of restraint and a strange sacrificial gesture.

She remained in a semi-comatose state, her body twitching intermittently. The pinkish-purple chaotic spiritual light and the power of the golden imperial mark clashed fiercely on her body, emitting a faint but piercing hissing sound.

The battle nuns, armed with flaming swords and bolt guns, established a tight cordon around the church and at the entrances to the passageways. Their faces reflected a mixture of extreme hatred for chaos and unwavering determination to fulfill their sacred duty.

The Catholic priests directed the choir and a large number of believers to flood into the church.

They lit thousands of giant candles and incense, the intense sacred atmosphere almost overpowering the faint, hazy sweetness.

(End of this chapter)