Warhammer: Lord of the Endless Monster Horde

Rhodes relayed the command to the Cosmic Mantis. He'd hoped to kill and absorb this C'tan, but from its words, something else seemed at play.

The C'tan seemed to see the Cosmic Mantis as kin, sparking a new idea in Rhodes's mind. The C'tan even hinted at a special method to absorb stellar energy.

Even the weakest C'tan was far beyond ordinary life, being able to destroy the Old Ones' race.

"Are you truly my kin? Since I was born, I've never seen another like myself," the Cosmic Mantis said under Rhodes's guidance.

"I've been imprisoned by these slaves for sixty million years. They were once our servants—we helped them conquer their enemies, only for them to betray us," the C'tan Shard responded.

How did this special kin gain intelligence? Normally, a newly born C'tan would act purely on instinct, seeking cosmic energy and devouring stars, not self-aware.

But this one had achieved selfhood without consuming a star, which even surprised the C'tan.

Still, its life state matched a young C'tan, so for now, they could ally against the Necrons.

"Help me deal with these traitors, and I'll tell you more," said the C'tan Shard.

The Cosmic Mantis nodded, swinging its giant scythes and unleashing powerful phantom beast energy, slaughtering Necrons. The Overlord Guard, leaderless, were also massacred by Zettons.

The Necron skeletons could barely resist, falling back under the onslaught from the two behemoths and Zettons.

Isha joined Rhodes's side. Now at peak strength, the cosmic phantom beasts could temporarily leave their host's body, though not for long distances or durations.

"What's your plan, Rhodes? Are you really going to spare this C'tan Shard?" Isha asked.

"I never intended to spare him. I want to extract some information. I can't be sure I'll get all his memories if I kill him—he's just a fragment," Rhodes replied.

"Be careful. According to Eldar records, these C'tan are no better than the Chaos Gods—greedy and treacherous. They love devouring intelligent souls. Don't expect them to keep promises," warned Isha.

"Of course not. I know they're villains. For now, we're just using each other against the Necrons," Rhodes said.

"I'll go close the Warp gate. Most of the Nurgle daemons are dead anyway," Isha said, heading off to seal the portal.

Rhodes released more cosmic monsters—Bemstar, Bemura, and others—into the Necron slaughter.

Bemstar, with its insatiable appetite, devoured the green skeletons with glee.

"Are these giant lifeforms your servants?" the C'tan asked, observing the monsters entering battle. Their energy attacks were a new form of cosmic energy he'd never encountered (or perhaps his main body had, but as a fragment, he didn't remember).

Even the fireballs they spat reached stellar core temperatures—a sign of high-quality lifeforms. Were they bioweapons from some special civilization?

"You could say that, but let's focus on these green skeletons first," replied the Cosmic Mantis, hacking through Necrons.

"I agree. But you'd better come with me to the core of this tomb world—otherwise, these skeletons can't truly die. They'll always come back unless we destroy the tomb world," said the C'tan Shard.

"Then lead the way. Let's destroy this core device," said the Cosmic Mantis.

"Follow me. It's inside the planet," the C'tan Shard replied, leading the Mantis into the planet's core.

Pooling their energy, they blasted the tomb world's core device. The giant green pyramid trembled, electricity crackled across the Necrons, and they collapsed.

After half an hour of combined assault, the tomb world's core was utterly destroyed. The green pyramid fell, and all Necrons were annihilated.

Rhodes gained over two million system coins—Necrons were indeed valuable.

As the tomb world perished, a cosmic signal only Necrons could receive was broadcast—a final cry for help or death song.

"Revenge at last! Now that I'm free, I'll soon have my vengeance," the C'tan Shard exulted.

"Now, my kin, will you tell me how to absorb stellar energy and grow strong like you?" the Cosmic Mantis pressed.

The Necrons are all dead—time to fulfill your promise.

"No problem. But the method is with my main body. If you want it, you'll need to help me gather my other fragments. When I'm whole, I'll help you," the C'tan Shard lied.

"So you're playing me?" the Cosmic Mantis said coldly.

"Not at all. I'm just stating facts. As a fragment, I only know the basics. The ultimate secret of stellar absorption is with my main body," said the C'tan Shard.

Absorbing stellar energy was supposedly an innate power of the C'tan, like eating for mortals. This kin was similar in spirit but not truly the same species, so the C'tan planned to use him to gather fragments.

With both their power, they could conquer minor dynasties and grow stronger—then he could consume his ally too.

"He's tricking you, Rhodes. Absorbing stellar energy is something every C'tan can do from birth, even before gaining self-awareness. They're called star vampires in the Eldar tongue. He never intended to teach you anything," Isha said.

"I guessed as much. I only teamed up to wipe out the Necrons. Their technology is too advanced to let our identities be exposed," Rhodes replied.

Never trust the gods of the Warhammer universe—especially the infamous C'tan, who are nearly as vile as the Chaos Gods.

Without hesitation, Rhodes released more phantom beasts: Cosmic Azure Dragon, Cosmic White Tiger, Cosmic Great Buffalo, Cosmic Fire Phoenix, Cosmic Vermillion Bird, and more. Only the Cosmic Mantis could stand against the giant C'tan alone—so everyone joined in!

Except for the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Great Buffalo, who were over a kilometer tall, the other beasts were only a few hundred meters, seeming small compared to the C'tan.

Still, the three giants put enough pressure on the C'tan Shard.

"If you are a race, then we should unite! Help me gather my fragments, and I'll help you become new C'tan. Together, we'll rule the universe," said the C'tan, oblivious to his danger.

"You're not sincere. Rather than help you, we'd rather eat you," the phantom beasts replied, forming a powerful force field and trapping the C'tan.

Rhodes and Isha added their psychic resonance, sealing off any escape.

Psychic power counters Warp entities, but Warp energy also counters them—explaining how the Necrons captured the C'tan.

A fierce battle erupted in orbit. The C'tan Shard's form expanded, unleashing energy waves against the phantom beasts.

The Cosmic Great Buffalo grew to 1,500 meters tall and over 2,500 meters long, ramming into the C'tan.

The White Tiger bit deep into the C'tan's arm, tearing it off. The Azure Dragon wrapped its tail around the C'tan's legs, snapping one off. The Vermillion Bird and Phoenix dismembered the rest. In moments, the C'tan was in pieces.

"No! Don't—We're kin! We're friends! I can teach you forbidden secrets—help me resurrect and I'll reward you. I'm just a fragment—devouring me will only bring you stronger enemies!"

"You're delicious, my friend! I've never tasted such a treat!"

"Indeed, you smell wonderful. Let me take a bite!"

"Friend, you taste amazing!"

"No!" the C'tan howled as the beasts tore him apart, devouring every last piece.

For other races, C'tan were undying, only able to be shattered and imprisoned for their infinite energy. But pure energy beings like the phantom beasts could actually consume them, gaining immense power.

The feast lasted hours—the C'tan's screams echoing across the galaxy until they finally faded away, utterly devoured.

After consuming the Shard, all the phantom beasts doubled in size. The Great Buffalo soared to 2,000 meters tall and 4,000 meters long; the Azure Dragon surpassed 10,000 meters, becoming a true cosmic giant; the Mantis grew to 1,500 meters, a top-tier beast.

"How do you feel?" Rhodes asked.

"Master! We feel incredible! And we know how to absorb stellar energy now!" the Great Buffalo replied.

PS: Bonus chapter at 100 PS