"But now, none of us can contact her!" a daemon prince said.
"Someone has to lead us in the interim," a greater daemon said.
"Lord Sidonis! We can't return to the Palace of Pleasure anymore. I think you should lead us—you are the strongest among us," Lucius said.
After following Sidonis for a year, Lucius's power had grown greatly, and he respected Sidonis.
Other Chaos Marines nodded, choosing to side with Sidonis. They had no problem following a champion or chosen, but a greater daemon was another matter—greater daemons cared nothing for their lives.
Sidonis looked toward the high-ranking Slaanesh daemons, especially at Shalaxi Helbane, Khorne's rival and one of the strongest greater daemons.
As Sidonis hesitated, Rhodes's voice sounded in his mind.
"Lord Sidonis, I am willing to lead the other greater daemons in accepting your leadership," Shalaxi said, surprising everyone by kneeling and pledging loyalty to Sidonis.
The other greater daemons exchanged glances and nodded—Sidonis's power was far beyond theirs and he possessed the master's power. He might not be the best leader, but he was the most suitable right now. In a way, this was also their master's will!
Sidonis was shocked—when had the greater daemons become so agreeable? He'd thought he'd have to fight them to prove himself, but even together, they couldn't beat him, and they all knew it.
With the greater daemons' support, the remaining daemon princes also submitted to Sidonis.
A few daemon princes, including the strongest Fulgrim, were absent. Fulgrim had vanished after his defeat, seeking something in the material universe to redeem his shame.
"Since you all agree, I'll take up the mantle. From now on, I am the leader of Slaanesh's daemons and Chaos forces.
All Slaanesh-aligned daemons and cultists will gather under me.
By the way, where's Fulgrim?" Sidonis asked.
"Fulgrim has gathered his Noise Marines, his gene-sons. He's apparently looking for a new master," Lucius replied, not exactly friendly toward his former Primarch.
But Fulgrim only took some of the Noise Marines—the rest followed Lucius.
"Send word to all absent Chaos Champions and Lords: all Slaanesh-aligned Chaos warriors, daemon or human, must gather under me," Sidonis ordered.
"Understood, Lord Sidonis! We'll spread your orders immediately. All of the master's worshipers scattered across the universe will receive this message."
A single meeting decided the fate of all Slaanesh daemons. Afterward, Sidonis privately reported to Rhodes in system space.
"Master, that's how it stands. Most Slaanesh daemons, Space Marines, and human cultists are now under me. Only a small number followed Fulgrim."
"I understand. Stay by Abaddon's side and keep gathering Chaos intelligence," Rhodes said.
What a surprise—he'd done nothing, and Slaanesh was sealed! The 'golden man was truly strong, but was Slaanesh really not resisting? Or perhaps Slaanesh didn't want to resist at all, and the seal was a form of protection—she didn't want to be besieged by the other Chaos Gods.
"Master, there's conflict among the Chaos Gods. I'm gathering intel—Chaos may be making big moves soon," Sidonis reported.
"I'll be ready. You just stay in the Chaos city," Rhodes replied.
Maybe he should send a spy to Khorne next, or he'd get no critical intel.
After ending the call with Sidonis, Rhodes continued his journey to Holy Terra. After more than half a year away, he finally arrived.
Rhodes's return was met with a grand reception from the Emperor. All of Holy Terra was decorated to welcome the return of Primarch Rhodes.
The reception was almost at the highest level—the Custodians even served as an honor guard.
Rhodes even went down to the city below the Imperial Palace, parading among the citizens and waving kindly to the crowds.
It had been less than a year since Holy Terra's disaster, but its population had already recovered—now made up entirely of newcomers.
Population was the Empire's least scarce resource.
After some lengthy ceremonies, Rhodes arrived at the palace, led by Guilliman and accompanied by Magnus.
"Where's Elena? Didn't she come to greet me?" Rhodes asked, curious.
By her nature, she should have come running to greet him as soon as she heard he was back.
"Haha! Sister Elena did want to, but she's a bit…inconvenienced right now. Don't worry, we've arranged for her to rest inside the palace," Guilliman smiled.
Magnus just smiled and said nothing.
"What's going on? Are you hiding something? Is Elena unwell? Why is she resting in the palace?" Rhodes asked, puzzled.
"Let's just call it a surprise. Rhodes, look ahead," Guilliman laughed, patting Rhodes on the shoulder and pointing forward.
There stood his little nun, Elena, beaming at him, her belly slightly swollen.
"Rhodes! You're finally back!" Elena cried, rushing into his arms with excitement.
"You…you're pregnant!" Rhodes exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes! I found out a few days after you left—already over ten days along! I wanted to tell you immediately but decided to wait and surprise you when you returned. It's been over seven months now—about two more to go. The tests say it's a healthy boy," Elena beamed.
She was overjoyed when she found out, after so many tries with Rhodes. If nothing had happened by now, she'd have started doubting herself, since they'd taken no precautions.
What a surprise! So which of his children would be the eldest?
Elena was a normal human—though, like him, a super lifeform—her genes were unchanged, and the pregnancy was now seven months along.
"This is wonderful!" Rhodes said, delighted, placing his head against Elena's belly and sensing the unborn child with his psychic power.
This child had a high life level—born a super lifeform. But compared to his other child, born a god, there was still a gap.
Still, this son could be born and grow up normally, even joining him on the Crusade.
"This is the first naturally born child with Primarch-level life, and we're all excited," Guilliman said.
When they heard Elena was pregnant, they were incredulous. Theoretically, Rhodes and Elena could have offspring, but the reality was still a shock.
"This child's birth will be historic! The Empire will have a twenty-third Primarch," Magnus said.
As Elena and Rhodes's son, the child could form his own Astartes legion, boosting the Empire's overall power.
Rhodes nodded—good thing he'd left Lelith on his ship and not brought her to Terra, or this would have been hard to explain!
"Rhodes, father is waiting inside," Guilliman said.
The Emperor cared greatly about this child, too.
PS: So this is now Rhodes as a father arc.