Izuku Midoriya Valorian is a respected figure within the Ten-Thousand. But for the two Tribunes and the Captain-General, he is the Custodian with the longest service status within the order.

  Not only did he serve 97 Terran years in the Hetaeron, but he also mastered the tactics and arts of the five chambers of order. He participated in four Blood Games. He single-handedly eradicated numerous dark cults nestled deep within the Sacred Terra. And only the Emperor knows how many Talon Sorties he took part in.

  He is literally a living archive of wisdom, knowledge, discipline, and duty. But that's not so much the point.

  Many know that he is "unique" in the sense of "eccentric" as he still possesses many of the human feelings that are usually lost with the ascension, but the reason why the current and former Captain-General exempt themselves from causing him to get into a bad mood is out of pure and simple reverential fear that a student has towards his teacher.

  Ever since he turned down his first promotion to Captain-General, Izuku has unofficially served as the tter's personal advisor and support, and the reason is precisely his being "more human" than a Custodian should be. Even his natural ability to think outside of the box, a skill that all Custodians know but few can apply effectively.

  The old Custodian is certainly a revered figure, but if there is anything he absolutely cannot tolerate, it is doubting his devotion to the Lord of Mankind.

  ?I apologise, Izuku.? Valoris apologised. ?I know you do it out of respect for the hierarchy, but when you call me by my official title-?

  ?Forgiven and forgotten, Valoris.? Izuku sighed, hinting at a tired smile and letting a shadow of relief shine through his eyes. ?It's partly my fault, too. Now, what can I help you with, young Valoris?? He crossed his arms, his face serious, but his gaze still open to understanding.

  ?The Archmagos Bellissarius Cawl asked for you and... the Emperor summoned you before him.?

  ?......I can understand old Cawl, but the Emperor himself?? serious Izuku asked ?Did you have a dream??

  ?Yes. I dreamed.? the Captain-General admitted sincerely

  ?...I see.? Izuku smiled sadly. ?You were trying to figure out if I still wanted to go home. Will you really miss me so much, young Valoris??

  ?Now that you ask me, not too much.?

  At the statement, Izuku burst out ughing. A genuine ugh, the only one, perhaps, that would be heard within the walls of the Imperial Pace, and of all the Custodian, only he would thus have manifested his appreciation for the sincerity, or rather for the falsehood of others.

  ?If I hadn't returned home, surely sooner or ter I would have ended up serving the Emperor as His "eye".? he said, wiping a tear from his eyes. ?Besides, who tells you I won't be able to return to the Imperial Pace??

  ?It depends on the Emperor's will.?

  ?The Emperor does not have time to worry whether a bodyguard of His will be able to return to His presence or not.? Izuku said, amused ?Give voice to your most honest thoughts, Valoris.?

  ?......It would be comforting to know that you could come back at any time.?

  ?Much better.? Izuku approached, satisfied ?But I won't make promises that I'm not sure I can keep. At least, not until I have the necessary and indisputable elements that allow me to maintain it.?

  Once in front of his Captain-General, Izuku pced a hand on Valoris's shoulder and looked him in the eye, smiling. Valoris sighed deeply, then moved aside to let Izuku pass, who nodded as he advanced.

  ?Let's go... you crazy old man.? Valoris smiled resignedly. ?If this is the right time for you to return to your universe, then I wouldn't mind lingering with your company.?

  ?Very willingly. These old bones need a stick.?

  *****

  Date: 999 M41

  Location: Terra, Imperial Pace, Sanctum Imperialis.

  The doors leading to the Golden Throne opened, creaking. In front of Izuku and Valoris, their heart began to beat faster as the enormous size of the Throne revealed itself in all its complexity and majesty. A sense of fear and reverence enveloped them when, without hesitation, they passed the doors. The golden light, a symbol of the Emperor's constant and watchful presence, enveloped their minds with kindness, yet with such weight that it seemed a promise and a spiritual demand.

  He had been wearing the armour that protected him for two millennia. He tightly clutched his faithful Paragon Spear, a battle companion for centuries. He advanced to the foot of the throne, followed by the Captain-General. They both knelt and bowed their heads.

  The door closed with a loud, dry cng, but nothing happened. They stood there, on their knees, patient, waiting for their lord's will.

  "Izuku... Midoriya... outsider... child... Custodian..."

  Those words were spoken by hundreds of people, but all with the same single male origin. Those words were not "pronounced" by vocal cords, as the Emperor of Mankind has never opened his mouth since ascending the Golden Throne, but communicated through his psychic power, making it seem as if those words came from everywhere and nowhere.

  ?My Lord. I am here as you requested. Your servant is ready to carry out your command.?

  ?A long... time... past...? spoke the Emperor, with a "tone" rich in pride and satisfaction ?Different... child... arrived...?

  ?We are talking about 2,543 years ago, my Emperor.? Izuku replied solemnly ?You welcomed me, offering me a way to realise my dream and make my wish come true.?

  ?2543... years... Dream... desire... still... come true...??

  ?...My Emperor. My duty is to serve and protect You as long as I have breath. The vows I took when I was given the Misericordia, I have no intention of failing.? Izuku spoke sincerely ?But the human part that makes me "unique" among Your Custodians still longs to return home. While my dream... I am a member of the Ten-Thousand, honoured and proud to be part of this host of Heroes.?

  ?Izuku... Midoriya... hero... this... universe... Not... original... universe...? spoke the Emperor in a tone of reminiscence ?My... Custodian... desire... to come true... time... arrived... however... ... ... Remove... helmet... Head... high... Approach...?

  The statement sent a shiver through Izuku and Valoris. Such an order had never been heard. However, neither Izuku nor Valoris would dare to question a direct order from their Emperor.

  Izuku took off his helmet and pced it at his side. He rose and, with firm steps, began to climb the steps leading to the Golden Throne, looking at his Lord. Not much had changed at first, but as he gradually climbed, the weight on his body and mind grew heavier and heavier, to the point that with each step it seemed to him that a new boulder had been added to his body. His mind and spirit could now feel the Emperor's power and presence even more keenly.

  Images of his distant past flowed through his mind. The trauma of the news, the bullying and tears, combined with his mother's pleas for forgiveness, overwhelmed him forcefully. His mind, indoctrinated to grant him eternal loyalty and rebuilt as a fortress, was brutally removed.

  His head throbbed with pain; his superhuman body slumped several times under the pressure, and as he knelt, tears of blood flowed from his eyes. He trembled as the traumas repeated themselves in his mind, increasingly violent and extreme.

  The Emperor was testing him. He was testing his determination, the true intensity of his desire, and the unshakeability of his dream.

  When he reached the st steps

  ?You will never get a Quirk.? Dr Tsubasa spoke in his head

  I don't need it. Izuku answered in his mind, taking another step.

  ?You're just a useless Quirkless!? Bakugou roared ?You will never become a Hero.?

  Millions, billions of smiling, admiring faces came back to Izuku. He saw in his mind these faces: men, women, children and the elderly whose lives he saved in this dark age. I don't have to become one, for them I already am. He took another step forward, determined.

  ?I'm sorry, Izuku.? his mother apologised tearfully ?I'm sorry. *Sob* Forgive me *Sob*?

  You have nothing to apologise for, Mom. He took another step.

  ?You can never have a Quirk.??You will never become a Hero, Quirkless!??It's just my fault you're like this *Sob*??You're useless.??You take up space for nothing, Quirkless!?

  All three voices spoke in unison: the first sounded sour and sharp, the second was full of mockery, the third whispered, in a heavy tone, its uselessness. Many more voices were added: schoolmates ughing at his situation, adults looking at him with disdain, faceless people roaring at him for his uselessness. This chorus of voices judged him, penetrating his every thought.

  ?I-I am I-Izuku Midoriya Valorian V-Vadrian Manastus? he stammered, his voice trembling but gradually more confident ?bearing 1248 more names, earned in my service to the Lord of Mankind. Protector of dozens of worlds, executioner of hundreds of warlords, sughterer of thousands of Xenos, Heretics and Traitors, and saviour of tens of thousands of the Emperor's faithful servants.? His face hardened; his eyes shone with determination. ?None of you has the right or authority to judge what I am.?

  ?????And what are you?!????? hundreds of amused and derisive voices resounded.

  ?I am an Adeptus Custodes. I am a Guard and Advisor to the Emperor. I am a Guardian of the Golden Throne. I am a member of the Ten-Thousand. I am duty and discipline.? he roared with conviction. ?And the only ones who have the right and authority to judge me are my brothers, my sisters, and above all, my Lord, the Emperor of Mankind! So, every one of you, shut up!!!? he roared, taking the st step as he came before the throne.