>>532011664
Chaos is destined to win regardless of what the Eldar do to help or hinder the Imperium. Furthermore, even if that wasn't the case, the Imperium at the bare minimum would still prefer Chaos win than side with xenos.

>Slowly, the Aeldari laid down his long-barrelled cannon. He made a sound reminiscent of a herald clearing his throat and held out a hand in a stylised gesture of declaration.

>"If you slay me, Sir Knight," he said, his High Gothic perfectly enunciated,"the fates shall align to bless our mutual foes."

>"Trust not the Eldar," said Artemis, his words thick with hatred.

>"We are the sons of Death, you and I," said the Aeldari. "We bring oblivion, in order to deny Chaos. We cannot afford to thwart one another when the greater enemy stands on the cusp of victory."

>The gilded finger bones lining the edge of the creature's cloak gleamed in the harsh light as crystal statues glowed bright all around. Artemis narrowed his eyes; a similar rainment was worn by the Chaplain of his own Mortification Chapter their sepulchral celebrations. Strangely, he could not sense duplicity in this one.

>"Walk away," said the Harlequin, "and a dire blow shall fall upon the Archenemy." Artemis recoiled at the term as the Aeldari spoke on. "Is your distrust so deep you would rather kill me now than spare the doom of a trillion human souls?" There was disbelief under his tone, and something else. Despair, perhaps.

>"Yes," said Artemis, pulling the trigger to end the creature's life.