Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 687 Ezekiel's Prophecy
Chen Xi slowly shook his head, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "No, Leon El-Jonson, the Primarch of the First Legion, is currently on the outer deck of the fortress, personally purifying the Death Guard's filth with his sword." He turned his head, gesturing with his eyes to the increasingly loud battle roaring faintly from outside, then pointed to his attendant beside him, "As for her identity... I cannot reveal it for now. But I guarantee with my Inquisitor's duty and reputation that she is not your enemy. Her existence is crucial to the Dark Angels and to the Empire."

Azrael frowned; he still lacked sufficient trust in Chen Xi. An outsider inquisitor, accompanied by an unidentified being who might be remarkably similar to the Primarch, was intervening in the Chapter's most core secrets—this in itself was enough to trigger his highest level of vigilance.

However, at that moment, Ezekiel took a small step forward. His deep gaze swept back and forth between Chen Xi and the hooded figure, as if reading some kind of information flow invisible to ordinary people. The expression on his face gradually changed from initial doubt to a sense of realization and... a certain degree of acceptance. He seemed to have glimpsed some fragments of the future through his unique precognitive abilities, or sensed some kind of essential connection that could not be faked.

“The High Master,” Ezekiel turned to Azrael, his voice steady and firm, “I believe the words of Inquisitor Chen Xi. I… see certain signs. His arrival, and this… companion beside him, may be an inevitable consequence of the Emperor’s guidance. We should give him limited trust.”

Azrael glanced at the curator of his most trusted think tank, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He knew Ezekiel's abilities and caution well; he would never have stepped forward to vouch for him at this moment unless he had considerable confidence. This made his suspicions about Chen Xi waver somewhat.

Cypher, uninterested in the discussion about the Lion King's authenticity, focused his attention on the imminent crisis. "Azrael!" he urged, "Closing the rift doesn't necessarily require destroying the engine! Of the three artifacts, destroying any one of them will break the resonance, and the rift will naturally collapse! Give me a squad, and I'll go retrieve the fragments of the 'Ouroboros,' or... destroy it!"

But Tuchucha's engine was clearly unwilling to let its plans be ruined. The mummified corpse's lips moved again, and its hollow voice, carrying an even stronger seductive power, rang out: "Azrael, this is the only chance! Save Caliban, make up for the regrets of ten thousand years! Don't you want to see that forest flourish again? Don't you want to..."

“Enough.” Chen Xi suddenly interrupted the engine’s whisper, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing the mummified corpse that had been acting as a mouthpiece. “I have a question, Engine… or whatever you are. What exactly is stored inside these so-called ‘keys,’ these so-called ‘treasure troves’ that have been guarded for generations?”

This question seemed to touch upon some deepest taboo. The sound of Tuchucha's engine abruptly ceased, the mummified corpse's lips tightened, and even the eerie glow on its surface dimmed instantly, plunging it into a deathly silence. It refused to answer, or rather, dared not answer.

Seeing this, Chen Xi's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, seemingly confirming some guess. He ignored the silent engine and turned to the hooded girl beside him, saying in an almost entrusted tone, "You, take Cypher and bring back the fragments of the 'Ouroboros'." He paused, as if wanting to add some guidance.

“I know where it is, and I know how to retrieve it safely,” Ezekiel suddenly interjected, looking at Chen Xi and the girl with a knowing look in his eyes. “I will go with them.”

Chen Xi nodded, unsurprised by the chief think tank's volunteering. He finally looked at Cypher, his tone becoming serious and earnest: "Cypher, I suggest you stay. The Lion King has returned; he will discern right from wrong. All the 'Fallen Angels' who have not truly betrayed the Empire and still hold loyalty will receive his pardon. This is an opportunity to end this millennium of exile." Cypher's body stiffened slightly; Chen Xi's words clearly touched something deep within him. A complex emotion flickered across his weathered face—a mixture of longing, struggle, and profound helplessness. Finally, he slowly and firmly shook his head, his voice low and hoarse: "...Thank you for your kindness, Inquisitor. But...I still have a mission to complete." His gaze swept over Azrael and Ezekiel, finally settling on a spot in the void, as if gazing upon a heavy oath unseen by anyone.

Hearing Cipher's answer, Chen Xi did not insist. He respected each soldier's choice of their own path and simply nodded slightly to show his understanding.

At that moment, a rapid report, punctuated by the sounds of intense battle, came through the communicator built into Azrael's armor. He listened intently for a moment, the last trace of hesitation on his face finally replaced by shock and a kind of ecstatic relief. From the other end of the communication channel came the frenzied shouts of countless warriors and unmistakable battle reports—the Lion King had truly returned, and was sweeping all before him on the front lines.

When he looked at Chen Xi again, most of the distrust in his eyes had finally dissipated, replaced by a complex scrutiny and a lingering wariness. "Ezekiel, do as you say," Azrael finally commanded, his voice regaining the majesty of the High Master. "Take them to retrieve the 'Ouroboros.' Be careful."

Ezekiel bowed and accepted the order. Cypher glanced one last time at Chen Xi and Azrael, then turned and followed the hooded girl and the Chief Think Tank, who were already silently walking towards the door. The door to the secret chamber slid open and closed again, sending the four of them into the deep passages of the fortress.

Now, only Chen Xi, Azrael, the silent Tuchucha engine, and the mummified corpse connected to it remain in the secret room.

Azrael turned his gaze back to Chen Xi, seemingly trying to find more answers on his face. But this time, Chen Xi ignored the Supreme Master's probing gaze. His entire attention was focused on the ancient and mysterious Tuchucha Engine. He took a step forward, slowly approaching the massive and eerie device, examining with great interest its seemingly living metallic surface, the flowing, eerie runes, and the conduit connecting death and sound, as if admiring a unique creation containing the ultimate secrets of the universe.

There was no fear or awe in his eyes, only pure curiosity and a kind of... focused attempt to unravel the mystery.

(End of this chapter)