We returned with our respective birds and were welcomed by every member of the House.
For possessing a bird was tantamount to possessing the qualifications to become an honorable Knight.
...But bringing back a bird and becoming a fully fledged Knight were separate matters.
To become a fully fledged Knight, one had to undergo the knighting rite. This meant remaining alone within the Throne Mechanicum of the Knight one would pilot for an entire day.
The problem was that, upon sitting in the Throne Mechanicum, one had to receive the neural signals it emitted, endure the memories of one’s ancestors flooding back, and imprint one’s own brain data upon the throne.
If an ordinary person underwent it, their brain would surely burn out... I could not help but worry.
"Here, you may choose your Knights. Perhaps you will feel an unspoken pull. Once you have gone in and selected your machine, tell me."
Tess and I moved first, and Erin tried to follow us.
Seeing that, I stopped her and spoke.
"Can you do it?"
It was, of course, a concern born of her physical condition. As though she understood what I meant, she answered me.
"I can feel a pull. Someone is calling me."
"So this is that unspoken pull..."
Tess watched from beside us and spoke. At Erin’s words, I stepped aside, and she walked straight ahead until she finally stopped before a Knight.
"I will choose this machine."
Soon afterward, Tess selected a machine as well.
"I will choose this one."
Now, I was the only one left.
Tess chose a Knight Paladin. Erin chose a Cerastus Knight-Castigator.
Tess’s choice was one that seemed to embody the very model of chivalry, while Erin had selected a Knight designed for close combat, one that placed honor above all else.
"I... no, I will choose this machine."
My choice was a Knight Crusader. Unlike the Paladin and Castigator, which distinguished themselves at the vanguard, it was a machine meant to support them.
"Very well. Then we shall proceed with the knighting rite at once. Climb aboard."
"I hope we can all see each other alive again."
"Yes. So do I."
"See you tomorrow."
With those words, we each entered our own Throne Mechanicum.
-----
"You have come."
"You have come."
"You have come."
The moment I sat upon the Throne Mechanicum, the voices of my ancestors rang through my mind.
"Noble ancestors, I am Theo Barbab, a Knight of House Barbab."
"There has been a long vacancy. Will you undertake the rite to fill that vacancy?"
"...I will."
"Good. State who you are."
...Who was I?
Who was I? What should I answer? Theo Barbab of House Barbab? Or...
Crackle!!
"Answer."
"Answer."
"Answer."
"Who are you!"
"I am... Yiseol, one who does not pursue honor, but seeks the survival of his comrades; a blood relative of House Barbab, loyal to the Emperor and loyal to House Barbab."
In the end, I spoke not for the me who existed in this world, but for the true self I believed myself to be.
"...Continue."
"I am one who has sworn to protect the House and humanity against the enemies of mankind: the Aeldari, Orks, Tyranids, and Necrons."
"Continue—"
"Is this man truly a member of our House?"
"Has he not already gone mad?"
"There is no doubt that he was chosen. The bird showed us the choice. Therefore..."
"Continue."
"I am one who will join the war to protect mankind against Angron, Magnus, Mortarion, Fulgrim, Lorgar, Perturabo, and Alpharius... no, Omegon."
Fighting for mankind. That was unquestionably something necessary. I...
"How does he possess such knowledge at this age?!"
"I am nearly convinced that this man has fallen to the temptations of Chaos."
"I simply..."
I cut off their discussion midway and continued speaking.
"I was born into this world by the Emperor, and I am one who has sworn to follow His will and stand against the Four Chaos Gods: Khorne, Nurgle, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh!"
With those words, a golden aura began to swirl around me.
"We shall acknowledge you."
"We shall support you."
"We shall aid you."
"All of us shall follow you."
"Until you meet your death."
Theo Yiseol Barbab.
"Fulfill the will of His Imperial Majesty. Fulfill your justice."
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war.Damnn
Where is the gimdark?