Invincible Blood Sorceror

Chapter 217: Genesis Knights - 2

After a long moment, the High Priest withdrew his hand.

"You are worthy. Rise, Commander. Follow me to the Genesis Chamber."

Zayne stood on legs that wanted to tremble but didn’t, following the High Priest through corridors that descended deeper into the Cathedral’s foundation. They passed other church officials, all of whom bowed respectfully to High Priest Cain and studied Zayne with expressions mixing respect and something that might have been pity.

They knew what awaited him.

Knew that fewer than half of all Genesis Candidates survived the transformation process. Those who did emerged as the Great Emperor’s most lethal servants.

Those who didn’t... their bodies were cremated, and their names were added to the shrine’s Wall of Martyrs, honored for attempting to serve even if they’d failed.

*

The chamber was circular, easily two hundred feet in diameter, with walls covered in religious iconography. Images of the Great Emperor performing miracles—healing the sick, smiting enemies, and ascending to divine status. Scripture written in the Old Imperial language, with passages describing the proper relationship between god and worshipper, between master and servant, and between perfection and those who aspired to approach it.

But dominating the chamber’s center were the Genesis Pods.

Twelve of them, arranged in a circle, each one large enough to contain an adult human. They were constructed from materials Zayne didn’t recognize, something between metal and organic matter, pulsing faintly as if alive. Tubes and cables connected them to machinery that hummed with power, essence generators, and medical systems that would sustain life during the transformation process.

Eleven of the pods were occupied.

Through their translucent surfaces, Zayne could see figures suspended in fluid that glowed with golden light. Other Genesis Knights are in various stages of transformation, their bodies being broken down and rebuilt according to designs stabilized after countless failures.

The twelfth pod stood open, waiting.

"The Genesis Process," High Priest Cain explained, his voice taking on the cadence of someone delivering a sermon, "is a divine gift granted to the Great Emperor by the universe itself. It transforms loyal servants into living weapons, grants abilities beyond what normal essence cultivation can achieve, and creates warriors capable of facing threats that would destroy conventional forces."

He gestured at the occupied pods.

"Your predecessors have been transforming for weeks or months. Some will emerge soon, ready to serve. Others need more time, their bodies and essences requiring additional refinement. And you will join them, beginning your own journey from mortal to divine instrument."

Zayne approached the empty pod, his reflection visible in its surface. He looked ordinary, just another soldier, distinguished but not exceptional.

When he emerged, if he survived, he would be something else entirely.

"The process is painful," High Priest Cain continued.

"Your body will be suffused with concentrated essence of a type that normal beings cannot tolerate. This essence will invade every cell, every organ, and every system in your body. It will break down weaknesses, amplify strengths, and forge you into something capable of channeling powers that would kill lesser beings."

"How long?" Zayne asked.

"Minimum six weeks. Maximum three months. It depends on your body’s compatibility with the Genesis essence, your will to survive the pain, and the Great Emperor’s favor."

High Priest Cain’s expression became grave.

"Some die within days. Their bodies reject the essence, shut down from the strain, cease to function despite all our medical interventions. Others survive the physical transformation but lose their minds, emerging as powerful but insane shells that must be... retired."

He placed his hand on Zayne’s shoulder.

"But you have been chosen because we believe you will succeed. Your combat record, your devotion, your essence capacity—all of it suggests you possess the qualities needed to become a true Genesis Knight.

Have faith.

Trust in the Great Emperor.

And when you emerge, you will serve him as few mortals ever can."

Zayne took a deep breath and stepped toward the pod.

"I’m ready."

High Priest Cain smiled.

"Of course you are. That’s why you’re here."

*

Zayne entered the pod, the fluid inside warm and viscous, tinged with golden light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. He settled into position, feeling restraints emerge from the pod’s interior to hold him in place, not uncomfortably, but firmly enough that movement would be impossible.

"The fluid contains supplements to sustain your body," High Priest Cain explained from outside the pod.

"Essence amplifiers to prepare your system for the main infusion. And sedatives to ease the initial pain, though they become less effective as the process continues."

Tubes extended from the pod, attaching to Zayne’s body at multiple points: arms, legs, torso, and neck. He felt them pierce his skin, invasive but necessary, beginning to pump fluids into his system that made his veins burn with warmth.

"Final question, Commander," High Priest Cain said.

"Do you commit yourself to this transformation? Once the process begins, it cannot be stopped. You survive, or you die. There is no third option."

"I commit," Zayne said firmly.

"For the Great Emperor. For the Empire. For humanity’s dominion over all realms."

"Then may the Great Emperor’s blessing be upon you," High Priest Cain intoned. He made a gesture, and the pod began to close, the translucent material sealing Zayne inside completely.

The fluid level rose until Zayne was fully submerged. He closed his eyes instinctively, then realized he could still breathe somehow, the fluid providing oxygen directly to his lungs, bypassing normal respiration.

High Priest Cain’s voice came through speakers inside the pod.

"Genesis Process initiating. Core essence infusion beginning in three... two... one..."

Pain exploded through Zayne’s body.

The Genesis essence entered his system through the tubes, flooding into his bloodstream and spreading through his entire body within seconds. It felt like liquid fire, like molten metal being poured into his veins, like every cell was being simultaneously destroyed and rebuilt.

He tried to scream, but the fluid filling his lungs prevented vocalization. His muscles convulsed against the restraints, his body desperately trying to escape what was happening to it. His essence meridians, the pathways that normally carried his cultivated power, were being forcibly expanded, stretched beyond their normal capacity.

Through the pain, through the agony that threatened to shatter his consciousness, Zayne held onto one thought.

For the Great Emperor. I suffer for the Great Emperor.