@Tyki@Absolis@Flamelord@SgtEasy@SavatoNova sighed as he completed the healing process. He carefully mended flesh and bone, drawing knowledge of the aliens' physiology from the yakuza themselves. It was an act of untold precision, requiring not only extreme skill but extensive experience. It was a fools' errand to construct the cells required from scratch, and far easier to simply enhance the body's natural regenerative properties. to telekinetically return the blood to the vessels, and allow bone and flesh to regrow. Some more skill was required in the reconstruction of particular organs, as the cells would need guidance on what to create. It was lucky that some of the yakuza possessed excellent knowledge of these creatures' physiology, but even so many of the inhuman species healed by the Emperor would find themselves slightly different from other members of their species, slight mistakes in the reconstruction affecting their physiology. Of course, they would also find that their new limbs and organs had been built for perfection, untainted by the general degradation that affects the bodies of all mortal beings. Illnesses were cured, and genetic defects were erased. No job was left half-assed.
Of course, this was a gargantuan task even for the God Emperor. He slumped slightly, as he placed a hand on his head. The power of the warp lent itself naturally to destruction, the capability to control great quantities of energy in devastating attacks. But healing, so many in particular, was nigh impossible. It was around then that he found himself flicked in the face. He looked up, stunned, as he laid eyes on a being partially composed of crystal, a being with a highly mysterious aura. It seemed to function as a psionic blank, but he could still sense the creature's soul - two souls, even. Although one was clearly more... diluted. The creature further seemed to be carrying around an immense amount of energy within the crystals that formed an armour around him. Clearly this was a being of great power, a presence that had somehow isolated it's mind and thoughts from the warp while retaining the advantages of a soul. Different universes, different rules, Nova mused.
Smiling, the Emperor listened to the figure's short rant. It had been a long time since he had been treated as just another human, and it was refreshing in a way. Despite his efforts, he had been worshipped as a god for most of his life. And yet this enigma of a being happily pointed out his mistakes, clearly uncaring for Nova's powers. "Forgive me. I was afraid that leaving would have left those remaining in more danger than my presence. Even for a short period of time. Besides, I foresaw that none would die." Nova spoke little of his nigh-omniscience. His capability to predict the future was perhaps the greatest of his feats, as well as the most mysterious. Although he had not known of Stephen's nature, he had known that the vulnerable would have been shielded. "However, it seems I have further affairs to deal with. We will speak soon, and then perhaps you may continue."
Turning, Nova was greeted by Banha's approach. The stunned Yakuza leader bowed down in a show of grattitude, declaring his debt. Nova simply smiled, as he gestured for Banha to rise. "You do not owe me a debt. You faced a foe far greater than you were ready to face, and you and your men fought admirably. You brought honour to your people through your actions, and your men brought honour to you." Nova looked over the recovering army. In his world, the universe was dominated by war. Those alien races humanity had interacted with looked down on humanity, or were downright hostile. And yet here he saw many species fighting side by side, each bound to the next by a code of honour and blood. It was a sight that made him ponder, and caused him to reconsider some of his own beliefs. "If I could, I would tell you that you are safe. But that would be a lie. Although this creature lies defeated, there are many threats left on this world. Some greater than that creature ever could be." Nova pondered for a moment the true threat to this world. A Dark God much unlike the ones he had faced, and perhaps too great for even him to defeat in his current form. "If you wish to honour your perceived debt, then join me. Not as my subordinate, but as my ally. There is a darkness gathering on the horizon, and I wish to gather those who would defy it. Those who would risk their lives for the life of another, those who would fight for an ideal."
Nova gave the Yakuza leader a moment to consider the offer. He realized this was not how the yakuza normally operated. However, he also knew that these were good men and women, and that they would be doomed if left alone in this world. If they weren't crushed by the Alliance, one of the other factions would eliminate them. "Regardless of your choice, I leave you with a gift. Although it may not be one you can touch, I hope it serves you well." Nova reached out, and lightly touched Banha's forehead. Energy soared through his mind, images zapping through his thoughts. Knowledge he could never have gained nor remembered through normal means, now implanted in his conscious memory, to be called upon at will. It was the technology of the Imperium of Man. Power Armour, Bolter Weaponry, and the capability to synthesize highly advanced materials such as adamantium and plasteel. The chemical formula for the compounds used in flamers, and the basics of geller field and warp drive technology. The only things omitted were those things too dangerous to be wielded by any other force, such as the mighty Titan war machines and the technology behind the Golden Throne. It would be overwhelming, and no doubt Banha would have trouble comprehending much of it. But he had just been granted the knowledge of a hundred scientists, an encyclopedia of scientific understanding matched by few beings in the universe. Effectively, everything he would need to make the Yakuza a fighting force capable of facing multiversal threats.
Leaving Banha to make a decision, the Emperor decided to handle business with the rest of this little group. The Ethereal appeared to have a flash of anger, something uncharacteristic enough to make Nova smile. He had no intention to aggravate the Dark Outliners, but he was well aware that they would eventually have to face off. Hopefully, he was able to complete the Webway before then. Their threats only enforced the urgency for the completion of a secondary Golden Throne. To this end, he happily handed the Kolons their materials. "Don't worry, they're.... assisting me. They will only need a small piece of crystal, I do hope you wouldn't mind sparing it." Nova prompted Stephen, hoping the mysterious warrior wouldn't mind cooperating with him on this.
"This is far from the easiest path. Were you to choose safety, I could have harboured you safely for all time. You could have sat down and returned home, and refused to fight for what you believe in. Of course, whether this is bravery or foolishness.... only time will tell." Nova chuckled, as he turned to Ruiko. He was well aware of her potential, and of her impulsiveness. She had the potential to be a warrior, but she was just a child yet. With experience would come wisdom, if she lived that long. "I believe that I have a promise to keep. This may sting a little. But I believe compared to your past conflicts, such an obstacle will not deter you." Nova reached forward, and touched her lightly on the forehead. He could feel every molecule of her body, every thought in her mind. The good, the bad, the ugly. He knew her in that moment better than she knew herself, and she was well aware of this. But more importantly, he accepted her. He realized who she truly was, every aspect of her personality, and he accepted it. It was perhaps an experience only a few human beings are able to experience in their lifetimes, the knowledge that their every aspect had been judged, and had passed.
Of course, before she could ponder this, the pain would begin. A stinging, burning sensation in the front of her head. It was like a bad headache, but it was a pain that transcended the physical. A burning sensation, as she felt her very being shift. Nova extended his being into her soul, and shifted it in place. He altered her brain chemistry drastically, unlocking her potential as an Esper. But the changes he made went far deeper than mere genetic alteration, a fundamental change to her existence. Glowing energy flowed over her, as for a moment, she levitated about a foot into the air.
With a loud thump, Ruiko would be returned to the ground. No different, in truth. But she would be well aware of a new presence in her mind, a sensation she had normally gained only after using the Level Upper extensively. Her abilities had been fully unlocked, unleashed to the maximum of their potential. She was an Esper, at Level Four. Whether she was able to properly use her abilities was yet to be seen, as her skills with such levels of power were limited. But the power was there, completely natural. Of course, with it came a piece of knowledge Nova had left behind in her thoughts. The realization that with her newfound power, she had also accepted responsibility. That now she held the lives of many in her hands, and that every action might alter the fate of the world itself. She was now one of the few guardians of this world, and her own reality. And the coming trials would not be easy.
