On the Future we can Create
The festivities of the Eldar seemed like they would drag on without end, as was only appropriate for a people who in so short a time had graduated from between the extremes of hope and despair. But, the galaxy does not care for anyone's celebrations and within the depths of the Black Library a meeting was being arranged for the most ancient still living within the galaxy.
Ceogorath, taring himself away from his performance of the ballad of renewal, who sat contented upon a throne of coloured paper and wood, the burning shame of failure removed from his form as he had at last succeeded in one of the most critical tasks of his lord.
Besides him, still weakened and convalescing was Isha upon a throne of verdant living vines. Her form was strained, her power still weak compared to her once overwhelming radiance, but behind her eyes lurked a greater strength of self and being than any other. Upon her lap rested the youngest member of their entourage, the Child of Hatred, asleep and dreaming as Isha stroked her hair and smiled down upon her, every brush of her hands cleansing some small part of the plague from her newest, yet somehow least innocent child.
Last of the Eldar present, and carrying on the memories of an ancient king was Ynnead, the Goddess of Death atop her throne of ashes, the spear of her forefather by her side. The new queen of the Gods, so strong, so young and learning still sat with an almost nervous tension and with wide-eyed wonder at the victory they had achieved, when her entire life had been half successes and true defeats.
Standing to the side, at parade rest was a vast Krork, Grand Marshal Gherozane. A titanic figure of gleaming scarred green skin whose uniform shone with the reflected light of medals, each of which bore the scars of their awarding, while his posture was straight enough that not even a micrometre of him was lax. His face was lined, and in these moments was still forced into a veil of sadness, for although the operation had been a victory overall, he had sent his boys away and less than half had returned alive.
And finally, the Ancient One, who sat regally on the floor, the fresh white scars he had taken in holding back the tides of Nurgle stark against the faded lattice that already marked him and his blue scales. Upon his lap rested his spear, whose aura seemed to grow ever stronger in the presence of fellow creations of the Old Ones, as for a brief moment all five of them sat in reverential silence.
Here, they were possibly the oldest living beings in the galaxy. The last children of their ancient forefathers, who had only just started to secure something from the wreckage of the past.
"Well then, what now?" Ceogorath's question for once seemed to be in earnest, at least by the God's own standards, yet even the Ancient One raised an eyebrow at the God of Acting in response, who raised his hands to defend himself, mask a grin.
"I'm serious. I've made plans for what happened if" and at that he seemed to swallow deeply, emotion tugging at its heart, "if this day occurred. But now that its happened it is rather different than I expected."
"That is true." The Grandmarshal spoke, his voice a low comforting grumble that resonated through the warded room. "The actions of the Necrontyr were...unexpected. To say nothing of the success all fronts achieved. No this was a victory beyond our wildest dreams, as sad as that is to say given the price that was paid."
"Tzeench should be our new focus I think, at least while Chaos is reeling." Ynnead pondered placing her head upon her hand in a thinking pose, but Gherozane shook his head in response.
"You're not wrong, but new threats are coming Ma'am. The Dragon and the Destroyer grow every day the Dragon especially. With the Black Imperium reeling" and with that he glanced towards the Ancient One who simply smiled back at him "with the destruction of Cadlanithica, I fear their despot's attention will need to be refocused."
He sighed and continued his posture seeming to beg to sag. "I fear after the damage my task force has taken I will need some support to ensure that I retain recent gains."
Ynnead nodded. "You shall have it my friend, it is my hope that now we can give our aid more freely." She glanced towards Isha, who simply smiled back at her. "I do not believe that rebirth is something that should be handed out freely, but I have many deserving of such an honour." At that, her eyes darkened and she fell silent, murmuring "too many."
"I am familiar with this, all too familiar in fact." Isha's eyes looked towards the past, in remembrance of the great war that had scorched the heavens. "Worry not Ynnead, I remember this dance and struggle. I performed it with our kin who held the title of death before you. At least you are more reasonable than our long lost friend could be."
With that Isha returned to her tending, a soft smile breaking across her face as a pure white flower grew from the Child's hair, blossoming into quiet radiance.
"That being said there are two issues I feel must be addressed, before we tackle the Squiggoth in the room."
Ceogorath looked at all of them one by one. "First what do we do with the Triumphirate? I'll freely admit I never expected to see Zahhak after the first time we scouted the palace of plague but even reduce to three...well they're now powerful assets more so than ever. And their story is one that must be remembered."
Gherozane shrugged. "They approached me and mine with the offer of allowing those under our protection to worship them in exchange for aid. At the time I did not trust them, but these survivors...Unity and Defiance are close to our hearts and Free Will is not too far behind. I would be willing to allow it."
"There have also been mutterings amongst our own people, of adding them to our numbers as at least provisional members" state Ceogorath. "I'm not opposed to the idea on principle, but I'll talk to Vulkan, Corvus and the Tau/Secundus alliance first."
"Second though. Ahriman. His attack on the Black Library and the progress he is making towards his own ascension is...worrisome. To say nothing of how Tzeench's ritual compounds our own fears of his ascension. We have to devote a task force to him, I'll see if Ridcully has anytime too."
As he was about to move on Ynnead spoke "What of the Trust? What of the Foundry? They have exposed themselves to great danger, for us yet you make no mention of them."
The Ancient One, who had up till then remained silent spoke at last. "The World prepares. Nurgle will come, with more force than it ever has, but it will be into the mouth of hell. Never has the World had so much forewarning. Your aid will be appreciated, and not turned away. But, make no mistake Nurgle will bleed. But, for the humans...Abaddon will not forget. It is not in his nature. He will look, demand answers and dispatch his forces. Look, interfere. Watch. If worst comes they will call for aid."
However, he turned to stare down Isha with a stare that seemed to make her freeze. "Fifty-Nine million years ago I did not ask out of respect for your plight. I am patient, but the forces of the cosmos march against us. If you have any gratitude for my part, then I beg you to try and restore my long lost masters."
He fell silent again, but Gherozane spoke afterwards regardless. "He makes a point, what of the 'special' assets? They're pieces on the board now and in more prominence than ever."
Ceogorath shrugged, before speaking. "The Lion wishes only to return and for us to aid the World where we can for now. Given the competence of his kindred, that's hardily a trying request. Ridcully is unclear. He's looked further beyond and marches up the path, at quite the pace, but we'll keep in contact with him. The Ancient One...well" and looked pointedly at the lizard sitting placidly close to him "As for Areatha she's the complex one in the end. She's stepped onto the path herself, and intends to walk it and to aid us although she will return to the foundry to prepare for Nurgle's attack. However, her path brings her into conflict with Tzeench and has made her a potential candidate."
The God sighed before shrugging colourful shoulders once more. "Allowances will, of course, be made for their requests."
"Then finally let us come to Necrons."
The Ancient One's pronunciation seemed to dim the lights of the room, as they all frowned at the actions of both their oldest foe.
"Nobody saw this coming. And its hard to draw anything definitive from this. All the Tomb Worlds almost all the Necrons Szarkehk used were infected with either the Flayer Virus or the Destroyer Virus. He was looking for an opportunity to be rid of them. It was an efficient strategy and one that inflicted more damage with less cost than any other."
The Laughing God fell silent Gherozane nodding, his face contorted in a scowl. "The King's stratagems have never been in doubt, its his intentions that worry me. Is this the start of an attempt to take the galaxy? A sign of peace and truce, a display of power to us? There are too many unknowns."
"I think we should take it as a sign of at least non-aggression," Ynnead spoke quickly as she could see the Grand Marshal was restraining himself from an outburst. "If nothing else his priority are threats such as chaos. Otherwise, he would have attacked one of us whilst we assaulted a ritual. Instead, he attacked Slaanesh's the ritual where he both had the greatest advantage an was linked to my people. I do not know if we can trust him, but I do believe he is trying to tell us something to this effect."
The ancients of the room frowned but at the same time nodded, as Isha simply smiled and nodded at her far younger compatriot.
This was the first time so many ancient being's had met to decide the fate of the galaxy in many millions of years.
It was also the first time any of them even considered that they might actually win.
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@Durin
One final thing
