"Sanguinius, the power of a cosmic phantom beast is still very strong. The ability to grow giant and manipulate energy is very useful for us Primarchs.
Super-beast modification is more for the Custodes and some Astartes Dreadnoughts—it's not for you," Guilliman said.
"That's right! Super-beast upgrades are best for Astartes and Custodes. We Primarchs should use cosmic phantom beasts," said Lion El'Jonson.
Rhodes shook his head. These guys took it for granted that cosmic phantom beasts were above super-beasts, but that wasn't the case at all!
Super-beasts weren't inferior—sometimes their combat prowess was perfect.
A Custodes modified with super-beast tech could beat a regular person fused with a low-level cosmic phantom beast.
Fusing with a cosmic phantom beast only elevated your body to the super lifeform level, but you still needed to absorb cosmic energy to reach true super-lifeform strength.
Super-beasts, on the other hand, were true monstrous bioweapons. Their combat power surpassed ordinary monsters. Even lesser cosmic monsters were nothing before a super-beast.
Some powerful super-beasts could even fight ultimate lifeforms.
When Elena fused with a cosmic phantom beast, her power was only a bit above an ordinary monster—she'd be trounced by a super-beast.
The Custodes and Dreadnoughts that Rhodes modified seemed weak only because he gave them nothing but size—instead of light beam skills or special abilities, just humanoid upgrades.
This minimized resource consumption. Giving super-beasts more abilities required lots of extra-dimensional energy.
If Rhodes went all out, he could have Yapool make a super-beast rivaling the Lion.
For example, Rhodes's strongest super-beast was Gromm, the Ork super-beast.
His power was only second to Tartarus—even Mefilas might not beat him.
If a Primarch fought him, Rhodes figured even they might not win.
"Sanguinius, you should still pick a cosmic phantom beast!
A phantom beast can grow with you, bond with you, and its order energy helps resist the Warp's chaos.
All you Primarchs come from the Warp, your souls are demi-gods in human history. Fusing with a phantom beast lets you maximize your power," said the Emperor from the Golden Throne.
He no longer needed psychic power to speak. Now that he was just skin and bones, he could finally talk with his own voice.
"All right, Father, brothers. I was just a bit envious of Horus's power. If so, I'll fuse with the power of a cosmic phantom beast," Sanguinius said.
"That's right. I'll pick a suitable one for you," Rhodes said.
Rhodes considered giving Sanguinius the Cosmic Vermilion Bird or the Cosmic Phoenix. Both had immense power, and the Vermilion Bird had the fire of rebirth.
But compared to the Phoenix, the Vermilion Bird's fire was more ferocious—better for attack.
"Master! Actually, you could swap your own Cosmic Baton for the Vermilion Bird and give Baton to Sanguinius," Tartarus suggested.
The volcano monster Baton, after transformation, had some Phoenix power, but its rebirth fire wasn't as strong as the real Phoenix.
The Cosmic Phoenix had absorbed C'tan fragments and devoured massive stellar energy, making it far stronger than before.
Most of the C'tan fragment's power, and most of the energy from huge stars, had been absorbed by a few high-level phantom beasts. Lower-level ones got only a bit.
The master had already picked the Cosmic Buffalo. Besides it, he could still fuse with another cosmic phantom beast—this choice needed care!
The Vermilion Bird was clearly stronger than the volcano monster Baton's form.
"But my ability to grow giant also comes from my cosmic phantom beast! If I separate from Baton, I'll lose that ability immediately," Rhodes said.
"Master, your strength has quietly increased a lot already. I believe you can switch to the Vermilion Bird as your partner. Baton suits Sanguinius better," Tartarus said.
To fuse with a cosmic phantom beast, you should pick the two strongest possible. High-level phantom beasts are rare—ordinary ones can be leveled up, but high-levels are hard to come by!
"Baton's fire of rebirth has another special power: it's especially effective against Tyranids. That's one reason I chose it as my partner," Rhodes said.
After being maxed out, its anti-Tyranid become more powerful.
After phantom transformation, that power increased greatly—combined with Rhodes's psychic powers, it was incredibly strong.
He'd tested it in the Ork-controlled Octarius sector: all Tyranids in a star system were affected.
Unless the Tyranids ceased being bugs, they'd be suppressed by Baton's special call.
"Master! That ability isn't important for you. You don't need to fight on the front lines—that's what others are for.
Give that power to Sanguinius and let the Archangel fight at the front—it's better for everyone!
You could even summon another Baton, transform it, and let Yapool use its body to develop a new super-beast.
All the Tyranids they kill will be converted to your system points. Your own strength is what matters most," Tartarus said.
Rhodes nodded. Tartarus was right—this anti-Tyranid power wasn't unique, and activating it in the middle of a Tyranid swarm was dangerous. The Archangel was far more brutal in battle than himself.
Letting Sanguinius turn giant and attack the Tyranids was much more cost-effective than doing it himself.
"Then we'll do as you say!" Rhodes agreed. When they returned, he'd find a safe time to switch his cosmic phantom beast.
He would replace Baton with the high-level Cosmic Vermillion Bird.
"Rhodes, which cosmic phantom beast will you prepare for Sanguinius?" Guilliman asked.
He'd learned from the Cosmic Tortoise that phantom beasts varied in strength; for example, his Cosmic Tortoise and the Lion's White Tiger—one electric, one earth, both powerful.
"I've decided: it will be one with the fire of rebirth and special anti-Tyranid powers," Rhodes said.
"Anti-Tyranid power? Rhodes, isn't that your own phantom beast?" Guilliman asked.
Rhodes had fought them many times in giant form, so they knew his phantom beast well.
It was powerful, with mighty flames, healing abilities, anti-Tyranid effect, and could fly in space or on planets—a true all-rounder.
"Yes, it's my phantom beast. I plan to give it to Sanguinius and get a new one for myself," Rhodes said.
"You're too generous, Rhodes. Just get me any one—you don't have to give me yours," Sanguinius said.
"Trust me, Baton is perfect for you. Your home, Baal, may have pushed back one Tyranid wave, but they haven't given up—they could return any time.
Baton's powers are crucial for you, and with your personality and fighting style, it suits you.
You can spread your wings anytime, turn giant, and charge into the Tyranids to slaughter them," Rhodes said.
"Hahaha! You really know me."