Chapter 38: Warp Projection, Psionic Awakening

In the afternoon, Rhodes returned to the previously occupied cave to rest, while Arch-Sister Anna, Captain Draz of the Polar Warriors, and the others remained behind to monitor the movements of Bemular.

"Lord Rhodes! I’ve boiled some hot water for you and prepared some rations," the young Hospitaller said, handing a canteen of tea to Rhodes.

These items were high-grade supplies within the Astra Militarum, typically reserved for officers of the rank of Sergeant or higher. Because of Rhodes’ unique status, a batch had been sent his way. Rhodes nodded and accepted the food and water.

The tea had a faint, delicate fragrance, though Rhodes felt it wasn't even as good as the brick tea he used to buy on the street. However, the military rations had been replaced with a better-tasting variety; it tasted somewhat like beef and was far less repulsive than before. In truth, Rhodes had never dared to ask what kind of meat was actually in those military cans. As long as it was edible, that was enough; he feared that if he asked too many questions, he wouldn't be able to stomach it at all.

"Thank you! After a long day, I am indeed quite hungry."

"I should be the one thanking you, Lord Rhodes. You truly are the Emperor’s chosen. We all saw that gigantic God-Machine. It grew from fifty meters to eighty meters tall, and its entire body shimmered with a golden hue. The Space Marines said it’s a type of metal more exotic and harder than their own ceramite armor!" Elena said, looking at Rhodes.

She never expected that a true chosen of the Emperor would actually appear before her. It was no wonder the man possessed physical capabilities surpassing those of the Astartes without ever undergoing any surgical augmentation. Not only did he possess such a powerful God-Machine, but he could even pilot it single-handedly.

The two chatted aimlessly in the cave, and the young sister began to share her background. She was a girl from an Agri-World who joined the Order at eight. By fifteen, her gentle and nurturing nature had become evident, leading to her selection for the Order Hospitaller. After three years of training, her first step onto a battlefield brought her face-to-face with a Tyranid swarm.

"So, you’ve only just turned eighteen this year?" Rhodes asked, glancing at the Hospitaller.

She was still just a young girl. He hadn’t paid much attention before, but observing her now, it was clear the Hospitaller was indeed very young.

"Yes! This is my first time on the battlefield. I was supposed to spend another three years interning on that Agri-World, providing medical services to the Astra Militarum stationed there," the Hospitaller explained.

In the ensuing conversation, Rhodes learned that the young sister’s greatest wish was to complete her service and, around the age of fifty, return to the Hospitaller training facility to teach new sisters, eventually living out the rest of a normal person's life. In the world of Warhammer, living to see old age past fifty was already a supreme blessing.

By nightfall, Rhodes lay down in the cave, covered himself with a military coat, and drifted into a dream, meeting the god of slumber.

In his hazy state, Rhodes’ spirit seemed to arrive in a dim, misty world. In this space, he slept like an infant. At that moment, his body began to emit a strange light, his consciousness seemingly forming a connection with a certain space, manifesting an unknown power.

Within that misty realm, a terrifying purple monster, having caught the scent of something alluring, spotted Rhodes and lunged toward him with ecstatic delight. Other monsters—red, black, and pink—followed in succession, swarming toward his position.

Suddenly, a giant of immense stature, glowing with brilliant golden light and clad in ornate golden armor, appeared beside Rhodes. The golden-armored giant unleashed a blinding radiance, and every monster that approached Rhodes was instantly incinerated upon contact with the light. The massive giant stood silent guard by Rhodes’ spiritual form, destroying every living thing that dared to draw near. At the same time, the golden light radiating from the giant’s body bathed Rhodes’ spirit, nourishing it like a great, warm sun.

Not until the morning light arrived and Rhodes’ spiritual form departed did the golden-armored giant vanish.

As a ray of sunlight touched his face, Rhodes opened his eyes comfortably and stretched. He had slept soundly, and his entire body felt warm, as if he possessed an inexhaustible supply of strength. At that moment, a golden light flickered in his eyes, and a surge of Warp energy began to coalesce within him. Rhodes realized that a trace of golden electricity was sparking in the palm of his hand.

*What the hell?*

*What is going on? Why can I conjure lightning with my bare hands? And why the hell is it Pikachu-style golden lightning?*

"Mm!" Rhodes’ sudden movement seemed to wake the other person. The young sister stirred beside him and immediately widened her eyes, staring at Rhodes in utter disbelief.

At that moment, Rhodes’ eyes were flashing with golden light, and a ball of golden lightning danced continuously in his hand.

"By the Emperor, this... how is this possible? Your... your eyes, were they not burned out? Lord Rhodes, are... are your eyes alright?" The young sister scrambled to his side, speaking urgently.

Rhodes looked at her, bewildered. The golden glow in his eyes faded, returning to normal pupils, and the lightning in his hand vanished.

"Elena, what’s wrong? Did... did something just happen to me?"

"Lord Rhodes, you... you just used psychic powers! And your eyes... my god! Your eyes were just like those of the Astropaths. But... after being bathed in the Emperor’s light, your eyes should have been destroyed. No mortal’s eyes can withstand the Emperor’s radiance."

Psykers were an important tithe for the Imperium. Once discovered, they were taken away by the Black Ships. They were then sorted: those who could not control their power and lacked the strength of character to be trained were deemed to have no value and became fuel for the Emperor’s table. Those who could control their power were appointed as sanctioned psykers, joining the military or the Astra Telepathica to navigate Imperial ships across the galaxy and transmit vital messages. The most powerful among them would become Librarians for various Chapters or serve the Inquisition. The value of a psyker was immeasurable.

"Are you saying that I just took a nap and woke up as a psyker?" Rhodes asked, surprised.

"Yes, Lord Rhodes. Can... can you see the light of the Astronomican? You should be able to."