A Psyker's reincarnation

When he opened his eyes, he felt as though he had woken up from the most pleasant sleep.

He felt rejuvenated, well-rested and full of energy. His body felt fresh and strong, and he felt happy and joyful.

He immediately turned his attention inwards, trying to perceive any changes that might have occurred.

However, after thoroughly inspecting his body, he could not detect any differences.

Whatever process he underwent was either beyond his current detection capabilities or had a different effect.

Perhaps it was some kind of preparatory procedure, softening his genes and making them more malleable in preparation for the actual modification.

He had no idea and could only guess.

He knew it would take a very long time to regain control of his own destiny.

No matter how challenging the situation, he would persevere and find a way to succeed.

Failure meant death, and its reminder was never far away, as the bed to his right was empty, serving as a constant reminder of the danger he was in.

This was only the first day since they had arrived at the palace, and they had survived the first of many trials that would span decades.

Some had already fallen at the first hurdle.

They did not survive the first procedure. 

The selection process would continue until only the fittest remained. Those who did not survive would not witness its conclusion.

I was determined to see it through to the end. If any of us could survive, it would be me.

I want to live, and I will survive.

So, I did the only thing I knew that could help me — the only thing I could really do — and trained hard.

I focused on growing my powers.

I channelled my psychic energy inwards, trying to strengthen and harden my biomatter as well as increase its flexibility. I did this in the hope that I would survive the gene modification process.

It was known that Custodians were created through genetic alteration.

Some even claimed that the alterations affected the soul itself, not just the genes.

They were each individually crafted using obscure technology that was only available in the secret laboratory of the Imperial palace.

Rumour had it that thousands of people lived in the deepest, most secret and most guarded depths of the Imperial Palace. 

They had been raised and educated for countless generations to learn about the creation of the Custodes. 

They were never to be seen, nor were they ever to leave the rooms to which they were confined.

If this knowledge were to fall into the hands of the enemy of the Imperium, it would mean the end of mankind.

Their enemies were numerous and all sought the destruction of the Empire.

Some even sought the total annihilation of humanity.

Of all of them, he was most afraid of two: the Tyranids and the Necrons.

Of the two, it was the Tyranids that concerned him the most.

Some dismissed it as a rumour, but the idea that the Imperium had fought wars against nothing but the scouting fleets was terrifying.

He believed that if the Imperium were to be destroyed, it would be at the hands of this race, as the other forces were too fragmented to pose a genuine threat.

Of course, he could be wrong and would have to wait until he had a better understanding of the situation in the Imperium.

Above all, he needed to know the year.

He knew it was post-heresy, but he had no idea what millennium, century or year it was.

For now, it would have to wait. After all, he was only two years old, and he guessed it would be a couple of years before he could access a source of information.

His days would be spent following a routine of going back and forth between the laboratory and his dorm room, training and rest.

That's what happened. Days passed. Months went by. Before they knew it, two years had passed since they had come to the palace.

Some changes had occured recently that were worth mentionning.

Firstly, not too long ago, they all had their own rooms.

It had been a plaisant surprise as he had started to feel a bit cramped in the common dormitory. 

The room was spacious but only equiped with a bed. 

It made sense to him, as he understood that those in charge were well aware of the high mortality rate, and that they were not going to provide luxurious accommodation.

However what he had speculated this developement could mean was that they had reach a first milestone and that changes were bound to come in the near future. 

He had already felt it when the frequency of his visists to the labotary gradually became higher in the recent months.

During this week's routine procedure, which was identical to the first one he had experienced, albeit with a few variations, something changed.

When he was, as usual, submerged in the van full of liquid and got injected with whatever it was in his spine, wich induced the habitual pain that would make him loose consciousness every time without fail.

However, this time, after experiencing the familiar pain following the injection, he felt a pleasant sensation wash over him as the pain subsided, as if something had been unlocked within his body. 

It was a feeling of fulfilment, as if his body had been starved until now and was finally being nourished.

When he returned to the dormitory that night, he noticed that the number of children present had greatly diminished.

Although thousands had been chosen that day, it seemed as though half of those who had been there from the beginning had already died.

 the loss of life was horrific.

But that was the dark reality of this universe. Perhaps the only way for humanity to survive was to disregard the value of human life.

With this recent event still fresh in his mind, he felt ready to face the challenges ahead.

It seemed as though they had reached their first turning point.