After devouring the C'tan Shard, the beasts gained an instinctive ability to absorb stellar energy and various forms of cosmic radiation to strengthen themselves.
"So, you can now evolve into truly terrifying beings?" Rhodes asked.
So effortless—devouring the Shard granted his beasts this power!
"Master, it's an instinct now. After eating the C'tan, we can absorb radiation and stellar energy. But we're still not as strong as mature C'tan, who can consume entire stars. We can only take some of the emitted energy," the Great Buffalo explained.
"Still impressive. Can you pass this power to others like the Cosmic Black Tortoise or the Cosmic Python?" Rhodes inquired.
"Sorry, Master. This ability is instinctive, not teachable. Even the Shard had it—it's like eating for mortals; it can't be taught," replied Cosmic Fire Phoenix Baton.
"But if we catch another C'tan Shard, any beast that eats it will gain the ability," added the Great Buffalo.
This power was crucial for their growth. Previously, the beasts could only strengthen by fusing with their host and training. Now, they had a new, more terrifying evolution path—eventually growing as large as planets.
The entire phantom beast species was elevated by Rhodes.
"There's a red giant here. If you absorb it, how long to finish?" Rhodes asked, pointing to a supergiant star.
After it goes supernova, a white dwarf will remain—better to let his beasts have the energy.
"If we stay here, about 2,000 years to fully consume it," calculated the Great Buffalo.
Ordinary beasts were weaker than C'tan Shards; only true C'tan could fully devour a star. The beasts still had a long way to go.
"That's a bit slow," Rhodes said, disappointed.
"It's not actually slow. Even unawakened C'tan take hundreds or thousands of years to consume a star," Isha said.
Your beasts are now like new C'tan, with infinite potential. She coveted them herself but needed a body to fuse with one.
"Should I let them stay here to absorb the red giant? It'd save system coins on upgrades," Rhodes mused.
He could always recall them remotely if danger arose. His main worry was Necrons investigating and discovering his beasts absorbing a star—surely they'd attack on sight.
And in 2,000 years, Rhodes's own power would be on another level.
"You could use time acceleration technology—speed up time in this star system," Isha suggested.
Strengthening the beasts benefited her as well—especially the order energy from the Cosmic Mantis, which protected her from Chaos for a long time.
"Only the Necrons and the extinct Old Ones have real time tech in the galaxy. Other races just use stasis fields," Rhodes replied.
But psychic power could also warp time! Even Sanguinius, a lesser god, could slow time at Baal. As a goddess, surely Isha could do even better.
"Why are you looking at me?" Isha asked.
"As an Order goddess, you should be able to speed up or slow time, right?" Rhodes asked.
"You dare ask me? But yes, I can—2,000 years can be reduced to a few days," Isha replied.
"Perfect. Let's absorb this red giant right here," Rhodes said.
"What's in it for me? This uses up my lifeforce, and I need to nurture our child. I can't waste my power," Isha protested.
"Come on, helping me helps you," Rhodes said.
"Fine, but let me have one of your phantom beasts possess this body. I also need to help your subordinate create those extra-dimensional crystals," Isha bargained.
"No problem. Pick anyone you like," Rhodes agreed.
The child of gods was theirs together; Rhodes spared no resources. He'd wiped out the Necron dynasty for the sake of this child.
Isha chose the Cosmic Vermillion Bird, a powerful female beast.
"Alright. Let's get started—help absorb the red giant. Rhodes, your psychic power is god-level now; you can help accelerate time. I'll teach you," Isha said.
She took Rhodes's hand and led him to the system's center, wrapping the star in psychic energy.
"Expand your psychic power and resonate with mine. I'll teach you to drive temporal power—it's complex," Isha instructed.
Rhodes nodded and followed her lead, merging his psychic power with hers to envelop the system's core.
The other beasts extended their energy bodies, latching onto the star to absorb its energy.
The Warp gate opened, channeling Warp energy to boost the time acceleration effect.
Rhodes felt the flow of time speed up—the beasts' movements grew blurred with afterimages as they devoured the star.
In four days, 2,000 years passed inside the star; the red giant was gone, leaving only a black dwarf—a planetary mass remnant that shouldn't exist for another twenty billion years.