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ToastyPigeon

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skein-text-adventures

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You wake up fairly early, but then you didn't really sleep much to begin with. This was more of a brief rest anyway. After a quick check to see if anyone is in the area, you get out of your bloody clothes and change into some new ones. You might not be properly clean, but it's better than you were. You then check your supplies, which aren't much. You've got a few coins, but you aren't excessively worried about that since food and water are more important out here in the wilderness. You've got a little food and water, but it isn't going to last long. The only weapon you have currently is your dagger. Part of you is only just now starting to feel the various negative emotions involving your parents and Annah. You can only imagine the shitstorm they're facing because of your actions. You just hope that they don't suffer the consequences of what you did. Then there's Annah. You feel like you should be feeling a lot sadder about her, maybe even crying a bit, but maybe you got all those emotions out of your system when you killed Klint. Still seems a bit surreal that you killed someone. Not just anyone, but someone you knew since childhood, even if you didn't like him. You definitely don't feel bad about it and while that can be due to several understandable factors, you can't help but wonder if you could do it again under different circumstances. You may have to, especially now, though your mind certainly went to a dark place during that time. Whatever the near future holds, you'll have to deal with it when it happens. Right now you have to make a decision on where you're going to go because you're not exactly hot on the idea of staying out here in the wilderness. Your first thought is to head west to the city-state of Klyton. It's certainly the closest city and it's the direction you ran from Teckleville anyway. The problem is if anyone from Teckleville is still searching for you, that's going to be the first place they look. Still, Klyton is the only place you really have any basic knowledge about thanks to your parents both being originally from there. Your father never really spoke too much about it, just saying that the only thing worthwhile that he got there was your mother and he was glad when they finally moved to Teckleville to be closer to your grandmother at the time. Your mother on the other hand didn't speak so ill of the place, which is surprising since she grew up in a lower class area than your father did. She even said that sometimes she missed the times when she worked at the inn where she met your father in the first place. Of course her knowledge about the city is bound to be a bit out of date. Also, while Klyton has no jurisdiction over Teckleville, it has been known to apprehend wanted criminals from elsewhere trying to hide out there. Not to mention the place in general has a fairly good reputation (And they want to keep it that way) as far as its own security goes. The Delantium Kingdom to the east isn't really high on your choice list. For one thing, you'd have to backtrack around Teckleville to go in that direction. From what you've overheard, the kingdom has been slowly trying to expand again which sounds a lot like more soldier types running around and that's the last thing you need. Still, the kingdom is a big place and they can't possibly be everywhere. Sivak is the closest major city there. The only other nearby bastion of major civilization you can think of that's close is another city state by the name of Holgard. It's to the south and in terms of existence, it's only a little older than you are. It was founded by a noble from the Delantium Kingdom. Originally it was most likely supposed to be some sort of outpost or colony for the DK. But whatever the original intent, the noble soon set himself up as absolute ruler with no ties to the kingdom at all. For whatever reason, the DK hasn't taken any action against him, whether that's because the cost wouldn't be worth it, they've got more important things to deal with or they're simply glad to have him gone is unknown. The third possibility isn't entirely out of the question either, since you've overheard travelling merchants say that Baron Varsakken is a very unlikable man and it's amazing he hasn't suffered any assassination attempts. His children are apparently little better. Still, you've also heard the place is filled with corruption so it would probably be a better place to do your work than Klyton. > Kingdom The Delantium Kingdom is a large piece of territory and whether they're increasing their military endeavors or not, there are still bound to be places where the security is going to be less than adequate. It's a long way to Sivak though, and you're probably going to have to more or less stick to the roads since you only have the vague knowledge that it's east somewhere. You'll probably hit one of the many small villages under Delantium rule first, so you'll be able to learn a little more about the Kingdom in general, as well as hone your skills and hopefully make a little profit at those. You figure by the time you get to Sivak you will have a clearer idea of what your long term plans are. With this goal in mind, you backtrack around Teckleville, maintaining caution the entire time. You stick mainly to wooded areas, hoping that you not only don't run into someone from Teckleville trying to hunt you down, but potentially anything worse. You've never really been big on hanging out in the wilderness after all so you don't know what to expect. When you once again put enough distance between you and Teckleville again, you slowly start exiting the wooded areas (which are starting to thin anyway) and start following the road directly. The road itself is empty for most of the time, though you do pass a couple merchant caravans heading in the opposite direction. You just think how if you were still in Teckleville, you probably would have been stealing from them. Whenever night starts to fall you temporarily get off the road and sleep in the fields behind whatever cover you can find though you never really sleep easily and are constantly waking up at various sounds. Despite being on the road for a few days, you don't know when you've actually crossed into Delantium territory until you see a sign post along side the road that states that fact. Not far from the signpost is a building, probably a roadside inn of some sort. As you make your way towards the inn, you hear the clopping of horses behind you. At first you get concerned that someone from Teckleville is galloping your way, but a quick glance shows it's probably just some other travellers given their relaxed pace. In any case, it's getting dark again and as much as you're getting used to sleeping outside, you'd prefer to sleep on a normal bed for a change. You just hope that you've got enough for a room. You enter the inn, which is fairly empty. An older woman sweeps the floor, while an older man stands behind a bar. You see a couple of people sitting at tables, but none of them really pay much attention to you. You figure that the man behind the bar is the innkeeper so you go up to him to ask how much for a room. The price he gives you is just out of your price range, too bad you can't just "steal a room." "Come on, you can't cut me a break? I'm only a few coppers short." You say. "I cut you a break, and all of a sudden I get a reputation that I just let everyone walk all over me. Before I know it I got every wanderer in the region asking for handouts. No! You pay the price or get the hell outta my establishment!" the innkeeper exclaims. "Ren, you oughta be glad anyone even pays for the misfortune of staying at this shitty establishment!" you hear a voice chuckle. You turn and see three people walking in the place, probably the travellers that you saw earlier. The speaker (and presumably leader of the group) is a man dressed in leather armor with a sword by his side. His two companions are dressed in a similar manner. "Flynt! Been awhile since you've stopped by. You want the usual?" Ren remarks. "You know me so well." The innkeeper calls to the older woman (probably his wife) to go get the special wine from the cellar and then begins exchanging pleasantries with Flynt and his men. He seems to have forgotten about you entirely, though this Flynt seems to be looking over in your direction a bit. Just as you're about to leave, Flynt calls over to you. "Hey son, don't you still want that room?" Flynt asks. "Um...well yeah, but I don't have the money." You answer. "Yeah, money is always an issue these days, but I think I've got a solution to your problem. Just hold on a moment while we get our drinks." Flynt hands over a few gold coins to Ren who takes them and then heads over to a table. He then waves you over to come sit with him and his buddies. You figure it can't hurt to hear what he has to say. "Sooo, where you from son?" Flynt asks. "Why?" you ask. "Hey, Mr. Flynt asked you a question!" one of Flynt's friends snaps. "Easy there! We're just having a conversation, not an interrogation! I apologize for my friend; sometimes our line of work keeps one on edge. It's okay if you don't want to tell us where you're from, a man has a right to his secrets." Flynt says in a cordial tone. The one guy who snapped at you is still giving you a hard look, meanwhile the other one isn't paying too much mind to you at all and is focused on his drink. Flynt of course is still smiling at you from across the table. You aren't quite sure how to play this so you decide to go with your immediate thoughts. "So you said something about solving my money problems?" you ask. "Straight to the point. I can appreciate that. You want to get the how out of the way." Flynt says. "Actually I was thinking more about the why." "Heh, suspicious type aren't you? That's a good quality. Smart. Yes, I may indeed have an ulterior motive...but let me ask you this first. Are you familiar with the shadowy arts?" You look a bit wary at Flynt and his fellows after that question. "Oh don't worry son, we're not soldiers for the Delantium Kingdom or any other law men if that's what you're worried about. I just get a vibe from you, that you might be...shall I say skilled in the less than legal endeavors. I'm usually good at judging people with only a bit of observation...so am I right?" "...if I was...and I'm not saying that I am. What business is it of yours?" you ask. "Well it could be that this is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Especially seeing as you're currently too poor to afford a room in this shithole. Look, here's the deal, we're in a little trouble with the law right now and have to lay low for a while. In fact we're probably going to be leaving soon after we have our drinks. However, I have to make a delivery to a man in Sivak, are you familiar with the city?" "I was heading that way, but I've never been there." "Oh just stay on this road, heed the signs and you really can't miss it." Flynt takes another drink before continuing. "As I said, I have to make a delivery to a man by the name of Crasnov. He runs a pottery shop by the same name. If you could take this package to him when you reach the city, I'd certainly be in your debt." At this point Flynt pulls out a fist sized wrapped bundle and pushes it towards you. He then pulls out twenty gold coins and puts them right next to the bundle. "Now, the only rules are, you don't tamper with it and you definitely don't give it to anyone else except Crasnov. If you accomplish that, you will be rewarded with more money and I guarantee you will have the thanks of some powerful friends. Friends that may call upon you for other lucrative opportunities." "Wait, you're basically paying me to be a courier?" you ask. "If you wish to see it that way. If I were you though, I would see it as a first step to become an important person in certain circles." Twenty gold coins up front just to deliver a package and more reward afterwards seems like a pretty good deal. Plus the making connections bit is what entices you a bit more. "Okay, I'll take the job." You say. "Knew you were a smart and ambitious boy. Good, glad this is settled. Now judging the distance from here to Sivak, and you should get there in about four more days as long as you follow the roads and keep on a normal timetable of walking and resting. Too bad you don't have a horse; otherwise you'd easily cut that time in half. I do urge you NOT to take too much longer than six days though." Flynt says. "What happens if I don't get there in six days?" "Well let's just say many people would be upset with you. If you're concerned with being timely however, you can probably buy a horse with some of that new money, over in Hegglesburg. You should reach that town by tomorrow and they might have a horse you can buy." You nod and thank Flynt while pocketing the coins and grabbing the package. "Well I trust you know just about all you need to. Remember, that package is very important, so guard it carefully. Though I don't expect that you're going to have any problems, Delantium's military definitely makes sure bandits and the like are less of a threat, especially on the roads." Flynt remarks. "Yeah speaking of that, should I be worried about getting stopped by the law?" you ask. "Why? Are YOU a wanted criminal son?" "Um...no I guess not." "Heh. You guess not? Not sure are we? Well let me rephrase...are you a wanted criminal within the Delantium Kingdom?" "No, this is my first time within its borders actually." "Then you're safe son. You aren't going to get randomly hassled. You just look like another young wanderer. Just keep your head down around the law and you should be fine. Was there anything else?" "No, I guess not." "Okay then, my fellows and I are going to finish our drinks and then get back on our way. Unlike you, we don't have the luxury of an unknown reputation. Such is our burden in life. I trust you'll want to get some rest for your journey tomorrow. Perhaps we'll meet again in the future." Flynt wishes you good luck and returns to finishing up his drink. His friends are doing likewise and you take that as your sign to leave the table. You return to Ren and hand him a gold coin for a room to which he just grunts and hands you a key. "Upstairs, last room on the left. Best one in the establishment. You're out of here by morning." He says. You head upstairs and make your way to your room. When you open the door, the room is nothing special. It's not bad, just nothing that would stand out to think this is a good one. Still, if this is the best room, it's a good thing you didn't get one of the lesser ones. You settle in for the night thinking about your task. You didn't expect to get someone approaching you to perform a job, even if it is just a courier one. Still, this seems pretty low risk for decent money so you're not complaining. You go to sleep wondering if things are starting to look up for you. > Next morning "BUST IT DOWN!" a voice shouts followed by the splintering of your door. You're barely awake before you're rushed by several men dressed in chainmail. "DON'T MOVE!" one shouts as several spears are pointed directly at you. "What's going on?!" "Shut up!" one of the men says and pokes you in the chest with his spear hard enough that it superficially breaks the skin. You don't say any more, but between the men holding you at bay with spears and a couple other searching your room, you fear the worst. One of them inevitably grabs the package you put under your bed. He then opens it and while you're having a hard time seeing from your position, he pulls out some of its contents and holds up a vial with blue material inside it. "Is it contraband, sir?" one of them asks. "Yeah, there's twenty vials of Blue Dream in here." A slightly more decorated man remarks. "You think it's the Ebony Claw Syndicate?" "Who else would it be? They're the ones who mostly smuggle and deal this stuff." "But this kid doesn't look like he's Claw. He doesn't even have the tattoo on his arm." "Meh, maybe he has it elsewhere...doesn't matter, what matters is he's going away for a long damn time." A feeling of dread overwhelms you. "Hey wait! Can't we talk about this?!" you say. The man with the package turns to you. "And what would we have to talk about criminal? You've got enough Blue Dream here to get the entire town of Hegglesburg trashed. This seems like a pretty simple situation as far as I'm concerned. You think because you're young, you deserve leniency? Hah! You can try it on the judge when he sentences you, but in any case you're coming with us." You're lifted up roughly from your bed by the men with spears (Who you're assuming are Delantium soldiers at this point) Your arms are put behind your back and iron shackles are placed on your wrists. When you're marched down the stairs and in front of various inn onlookers, you hear Ren complain about them breaking his door, to which the one that was talking to you earlier remarks that Ren's lucky that they aren't taking him in and shutting this whole place down. When you exit the inn, you're shoved into the back of a cart. Another older man with many scares on his face in iron shackles sits in the cart. He gives you a brief look and then returns to looking back at the cart floor. "The prisoner is secure, sergeant." One of the soldiers says. "Okay, let's take this drug dealing trash back to Sivak." The sergeant says, still hanging on to the Blue Dream package. This is the second time this week that you've been accused of a serious crime and once again you didn't even mean to do it! Was this all a set up, while Flynt took off to parts unknown? Flynt DID seem pretty willing to just hand off illegal drugs to you. Then again, why bother setting you up, when he could have just hid them somewhere rather than risk losing the product altogether? Maybe this is all just more bad luck hitting you. In any case, your mind starts racing about what you can do in your current situation. First thing you think about is escape. The cart is going slow enough that you could probably easily jump out and just run. The problem with that plan is there are multiple mounted guards to the front and back of you. They would easily run you down and most likely kill you for attempting to escape. The second thing you can think of is what the sergeant said. Something about the Ebony Claw Syndicate. You can make an educated guess that Flynt and his friends were part of this organization. Maybe if you told them everything that transpired at the inn, they would let you go. Of course you could just resign yourself to your fate for now and look for an opportunity later. > Rat out Flynt You're not taking the fall for some assholes you're not even connected with, you didn't even know about Blue Dream OR the Ebony Claw Syndicate until today! "Hey! I wanna tell your superior something!" you say. "Shut up criminal, or we'll have you WALK the rest of the way tie to back of the cart!" one of the guards remarks. "But this is really important! It's about the Blue Dream! Your sergeant will want to hear this!" "I said SHUT IT!" the same guard says and trots his horse next to the side of the cart and hits you in the head with a small cudgel causing you to fall off your seat and onto the cart floor. The other man in cuffs just watches you as you attempt to get up. "Alright what the hell's going on back here?" the sergeant asks riding his horse back to the cart. "This criminal claims he's got something really important to tell you about the Blue Dream we confiscated." "Oh, still trying to talk his way out of it is he? (Sigh) Fine. Let him get it over with, so we can get on with this in silence." "Thank you, sir! Thank you for allowing me to tell my side!" The sergeant tells his people to stop and then you begin to tell your tale. You mention how Flynt came up to you and how you accepted his offer because you needed the money and thought it was just a simple delivery since he never mentioned what was in the package. As you're telling the story, the sergeant begins to look a little concerned. "This Flynt you mentioned is a known Ebony Claw Syndicate lieutenant and you're saying you aren't affiliated with them? All right son, just stop talking right now and get..." the sergeant says. "What you don't believe me? I would have never carried illegal drugs had I known!" you exclaim. "You're not listening kid, I'm telling you to get..." "Do you need more information? He gave me the name of the person I was supposed to deliver to! Someone named Crasnov that runs a pottery shop in Sivak!" "Shut the fuck up kid and get the hell out of the...SHIT!" Suddenly the other prisoner has lunged at you and you're taken completely off guard. While you couldn't have known that the other prisoner in the cart was an Ebony Claw enforcer, the sergeant certainly did, but by the time he and his people get him off of you, the man has managed to head-butt you in the face, breaking your nose followed by ripping your throat out with just his teeth. As you lie gurgling and bleeding to death you see the enforcer spit part of your flesh back at your face. "Fucking rat." He says before you die.

"BUST IT DOWN!" a voice shouts followed by the splintering of your door. You're barely awake before you're rushed by several men dressed in chainmail. "DON'T MOVE!" one shouts as several spears are pointed directly at you. "What's going on?!" "Shut up!" one of the men says and pokes you in the chest with his spear hard enough that it superficially breaks the skin. You don't say any more, but between the men holding you at bay with spears and a couple other searching your room, you fear the worst. One of them inevitably grabs the package you put under your bed. He then opens it and while you're having a hard time seeing from your position, he pulls out some of its contents and holds up a vial with blue material inside it. "Is it contraband, sir?" one of them asks. "Yeah, there's twenty vials of Blue Dream in here." A slightly more decorated man remarks. "You think it's the Ebony Claw Syndicate?" "Who else would it be? They're the ones who mostly smuggle and deal this stuff." "But this kid doesn't look like he's Claw. He doesn't even have the tattoo on his arm." "Meh, maybe he has it elsewhere...doesn't matter, what matters is he's going away for a long damn time." A feeling of dread overwhelms you. "Hey wait! Can't we talk about this?!" you say. The man with the package turns to you. "And what would we have to talk about criminal? You've got enough Blue Dream here to get the entire town of Hegglesburg trashed. This seems like a pretty simple situation as far as I'm concerned. You think because you're young, you deserve leniency? Hah! You can try it on the judge when he sentences you, but in any case you're coming with us." You're lifted up roughly from your bed by the men with spears (Who you're assuming are Delantium soldiers at this point) Your arms are put behind your back and iron shackles are placed on your wrists. When you're marched down the stairs and in front of various inn onlookers, you hear Ren complain about them breaking his door, to which the one that was talking to you earlier remarks that Ren's lucky that they aren't taking him in and shutting this whole place down. When you exit the inn, you're shoved into the back of a cart. Another older man with many scares on his face in iron shackles sits in the cart. He gives you a brief look and then returns to looking back at the cart floor. "The prisoner is secure, sergeant." One of the soldiers says. "Okay, let's take this drug dealing trash back to Sivak." The sergeant says, still hanging on to the Blue Dream package. This is the second time this week that you've been accused of a serious crime and once again you didn't even mean to do it! Was this all a set up, while Flynt took off to parts unknown? Flynt DID seem pretty willing to just hand off illegal drugs to you. Then again, why bother setting you up, when he could have just hid them somewhere rather than risk losing the product altogether? Maybe this is all just more bad luck hitting you. In any case, your mind starts racing about what you can do in your current situation. First thing you think about is escape. The cart is going slow enough that you could probably easily jump out and just run. The problem with that plan is there are multiple mounted guards to the front and back of you. They would easily run you down and most likely kill you for attempting to escape. The second thing you can think of is what the sergeant said. Something about the Ebony Claw Syndicate. You can make an educated guess that Flynt and his friends were part of this organization. Maybe if you told them everything that transpired at the inn, they would let you go. Of course you could just resign yourself to your fate for now and look for an opportunity later. > You stay silent These soldiers seem to have made up their mind about you and trying to explain things is probably just going to get you a beating. You figure if you're going before a judge, you can always explain things to him and hope he takes mercy, though you aren't optimistic about it. Lacking any other plan, you just sit in silence as the soldiers take you to your appointed destination. It's times like this, you wish your sister was here, she'd be able to help you. In fact you're starting to have a greater appreciation for your parents as well at this point. How many times did you avoid real trouble thanks to your father's influence? As you ponder your life choices you glance at the other man in the cart who doesn't say anything to you. In fact he doesn't even really look at you. Upon a few more glances at him, you notice he has a tattoo of a black claw on his shoulder. You wonder if this man is a member of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. If that is the case you realize it's probably a good thing that you didn't say anything about Flynt. The last thing you need right now is a pissed off gang member wanting to kill you for being a rat. In fact, it makes you wonder if you should say anything to the judge at all. If this Ebony Claw Syndicate is as sinister as they sound, it might be dangerous to go ratting on their people. Of course that doesn't leave you many options. You mostly pass the rest of the time observing the scenery as you travel through Hegglesberg and farmlands. Eventually though the sky darkens and the soldiers prepare to camp for the night. "Alright we'll stop here for tonight and set up camp. Anders and Levin, you two can watch Mr. Scars and the kid and make sure they can't escape." The sergeant says. With a few gruff orders, you and Mr. Scars are both taken to a nearby tree and tied to it securely with a rope while the rest of the soldiers make camp. As you're watching the soldiers go about their jobs (And your guards doing more talking with each other than actually watching you) Mr. Scars finally says something to you. "So, busted with twenty vials of Blue Dream eh?" he asks in a low tone. "How did you know?" you ask. "I heard the sergeant talking with one of his men about it earlier." "Oh. They think I'm some big dealer and part of the Ebony Claw Syndicate too, but I'm not either of those things." "Hm. Didn't think you were Claw, but I thought maybe you might be a prospect....hmmm...let me guess did you run into a man going by the name Flynt?" You aren't sure if you should be talking, so you don't say anything. "Heh, I'll take your silence as a yes. Though I suppose it's a good sign that you're not very forthcoming with that info. Talkers don't last long in this business. Of course maybe you're not telling me because you ripped him off..." "I didn't!" you exclaim which causes the guards to look over at you and then you get quiet again until they look away. "I didn't, he paid me to deliver a package to someone. I didn't even know what was in it, until the guards confiscated it. Hell, I didn't even know about the Ebony Claw Syndicate!" "Yeah, sounds like Flynt. It's an unconventional method of recruitment, but sometimes he likes to randomly test youngsters that he feels could be useful. Dunno why he does things that way, but when you've got drugs and coins to blow, I guess you can afford to take risks like that. I dunno, I'm just in it for the violence myself." You continue to stay silent. "Anyway, you're probably looking at twenty years kid. One for each vial. The kingdom has been really cracking down lately on it. Probably get sent to Dreadcage too. They send all the serious offenders there." Fear wells up inside you upon hearing that news. You try to keep it together, but you're having a hard time and you start exhaling multiple times, closing your eyes and muttering, "oh fuck, oh shit." several times. "Wow, kid. You're not going to last in prison if you take that approach. They see you come in like that and you're gonna be sucking every dick in the joint and worse." "Isn't there something I can do to stop this?" you ask. "Well, you could try to escape I guess, but I'm betting you already figured the soldiers would easily run you down before you got very far. I suppose you could try to beg for mercy when you go before the judge, maybe even use your youth as an excuse. Depending on the judge, that MIGHT get you some time shaved off, but you'll still be doing a lot of it...and I think I don't have to warn you about the dangers of ratting out Flynt and whoever it was you were supposed to deliver to in the first place to try to save your ass." This is just a nightmare. You're almost thinking maybe you should have just risked getting lynched back in Teckleville. At least there you would've had your parents to help you and maybe even Annah, assuming she lived. At worst, you would have at least died at home. "Well...I ain't no rat, so that wasn't ever a possibility anyway." You say in an attempt to at least make Mr. Scars less likely to be suspicious of you. "Bullshit kid, in your situation and first time? You probably thought about it. Don't worry though, everyone usually does at one time or another, just as long as you don't actually do it...well either that or make damn sure the reward is high enough." Mr. Scars chuckles. "Yeah, well I might do better in prison than you think..." you say and then you whisper..."I've killed someone before." Mr. Scars looks at you as if to detect whether you're lying or not. "Hm, maybe you have, or maybe you haven't, but that really doesn't matter. You're going to be locked away with a lot of killers. Most of them a lot tougher and bigger than the likes of you. So just because you killed your girlfriend or mom because she pissed you off doesn't mean you're some hard man." "I didn't kill my..." you start to say before the one of the guards starts actually paying attention to you. "HEY! The two of you stop fucking conspiring over there! In fact the pair of you need to shut the fuck up and just go to sleep because tomorrow you'll both be going before the judge and sentenced for your crimes! Enjoy your last night of freedom criminal scum!" And with that, you and Mr. Scars do no more talking for the rest of the night, though Mr. Scars was done talking and ready to sleep anyway. You on the other hand have a hard time getting to sleep, knowing what awaits you. The next morning, you're put back on the cart and continue your journey to Sivak. You reach your destination by midday. Sivak is larger than anything you've ever seen and some of its buildings are very impressive. It's a very bustling place with people walking around everywhere. You just wish you were free to enjoy it. At this point you wonder if you shouldn't just try to escape now. The streets are very busy and it would be a lot harder for the soldiers to get around on their horses. If you're quick enough you might even lose them in an alleyway or something. Of course that doesn't stop the fact that you're still shackled and ultimately surrounded by more soldiers than ever, but maybe you can figure that dilemma out later. > Escape Maybe this is a foolish decision, but you have to try. The more you think about having to spend twenty years in a prison the more you know you aren't going to be able to handle it. You stand up in the cart at which point several soldiers tell you to sit back down and begin pointing their spears in your direction and closing the gap. Mr. Scars just smiles a bit sensing what you're going to do. You jump from the cart and into a group of passing citizens, which happily prevent you from falling directly into the cobblestones. You quickly get up off the mass of bodies and start running. "STOP! STOP THAT MAN!" one guard shouts. "Somebody grab him!" another remarks. "Don't just stand there, get his ass!" the sergeant exclaims. "Run rabbit! Run!" Mr. Scars laughs. You run through the streets of Sivak, crashing and bumping into people along the way. Surprisingly or maybe not so surprisingly nobody is really trying to stop you on purpose, the average citizens seem to be more concerned with getting the hell out of your way. The soldiers are still trying to chase you on horseback, but it's proving a little more difficult with all the people in the way. The funny thing is they're actually doing MORE damage by trampling over several citizens in their efforts to get to you! Eventually you make so many turns down various twisting narrow streets, the soldiers on horseback can't effectively follow, but the new ones on foot that have been alerted continue the pursuit just fine. You probably would be able to evade your pursuers if not for the fact that your hands are shackled behind you and you don't know your way around the city. That's very apparent, when you find that you've just run around in a circle and surrounded by soldiers. "Surrender now and we might even leave you in good enough condition to stand before the judge!" one of the soldiers says. You can't surrender. Not now. You were meant to be free and if you can't be free then it's no life at all. You attempt to pass the soldiers in front of you and are met by their spears. To their credit, they actually do try to subdue you first by slamming you to the ground, but when you continue to struggle and kick, one of the less patient ones skewers you in the side which is then followed by another spear to your chest. You bleed out like the proverbial stuck pig and wheeze like one as breathing becomes more difficult. It isn't exactly a quick or dignified death, but at least you didn't die in a cell.

[Themes: fantasy, humor, serious] These soldiers seem to have made up their mind about you and trying to explain things is probably just going to get you a beating. You figure if you're going before a judge, you can always explain things to him and hope he takes mercy, though you aren't optimistic about it. Lacking any other plan, you just sit in silence as the soldiers take you to your appointed destination. It's times like this, you wish your sister was here, she'd be able to help you. In fact you're starting to have a greater appreciation for your parents as well at this point. How many times did you avoid real trouble thanks to your father's influence? As you ponder your life choices you glance at the other man in the cart who doesn't say anything to you. In fact he doesn't even really look at you. Upon a few more glances at him, you notice he has a tattoo of a black claw on his shoulder. You wonder if this man is a member of the Ebony Claw Syndicate. If that is the case you realize it's probably a good thing that you didn't say anything about Flynt. The last thing you need right now is a pissed off gang member wanting to kill you for being a rat. In fact, it makes you wonder if you should say anything to the judge at all. If this Ebony Claw Syndicate is as sinister as they sound, it might be dangerous to go ratting on their people. Of course that doesn't leave you many options. You mostly pass the rest of the time observing the scenery as you travel through Hegglesberg and farmlands. Eventually though the sky darkens and the soldiers prepare to camp for the night. "Alright we'll stop here for tonight and set up camp. Anders and Levin, you two can watch Mr. Scars and the kid and make sure they can't escape." The sergeant says. With a few gruff orders, you and Mr. Scars are both taken to a nearby tree and tied to it securely with a rope while the rest of the soldiers make camp. As you're watching the soldiers go about their jobs (And your guards doing more talking with each other than actually watching you) Mr. Scars finally says something to you. "So, busted with twenty vials of Blue Dream eh?" he asks in a low tone. "How did you know?" you ask. "I heard the sergeant talking with one of his men about it earlier." "Oh. They think I'm some big dealer and part of the Ebony Claw Syndicate too, but I'm not either of those things." "Hm. Didn't think you were Claw, but I thought maybe you might be a prospect....hmmm...let me guess did you run into a man going by the name Flynt?" You aren't sure if you should be talking, so you don't say anything. "Heh, I'll take your silence as a yes. Though I suppose it's a good sign that you're not very forthcoming with that info. Talkers don't last long in this business. Of course maybe you're not telling me because you ripped him off..." "I didn't!" you exclaim which causes the guards to look over at you and then you get quiet again until they look away. "I didn't, he paid me to deliver a package to someone. I didn't even know what was in it, until the guards confiscated it. Hell, I didn't even know about the Ebony Claw Syndicate!" "Yeah, sounds like Flynt. It's an unconventional method of recruitment, but sometimes he likes to randomly test youngsters that he feels could be useful. Dunno why he does things that way, but when you've got drugs and coins to blow, I guess you can afford to take risks like that. I dunno, I'm just in it for the violence myself." You continue to stay silent. "Anyway, you're probably looking at twenty years kid. One for each vial. The kingdom has been really cracking down lately on it. Probably get sent to Dreadcage too. They send all the serious offenders there." Fear wells up inside you upon hearing that news. You try to keep it together, but you're having a hard time and you start exhaling multiple times, closing your eyes and muttering, "oh fuck, oh shit." several times. "Wow, kid. You're not going to last in prison if you take that approach. They see you come in like that and you're gonna be sucking every dick in the joint and worse." "Isn't there something I can do to stop this?" you ask. "Well, you could try to escape I guess, but I'm betting you already figured the soldiers would easily run you down before you got very far. I suppose you could try to beg for mercy when you go before the judge, maybe even use your youth as an excuse. Depending on the judge, that MIGHT get you some time shaved off, but you'll still be doing a lot of it...and I think I don't have to warn you about the dangers of ratting out Flynt and whoever it was you were supposed to deliver to in the first place to try to save your ass." This is just a nightmare. You're almost thinking maybe you should have just risked getting lynched back in Teckleville. At least there you would've had your parents to help you and maybe even Annah, assuming she lived. At worst, you would have at least died at home. "Well...I ain't no rat, so that wasn't ever a possibility anyway." You say in an attempt to at least make Mr. Scars less likely to be suspicious of you. "Bullshit kid, in your situation and first time? You probably thought about it. Don't worry though, everyone usually does at one time or another, just as long as you don't actually do it...well either that or make damn sure the reward is high enough." Mr. Scars chuckles. "Yeah, well I might do better in prison than you think..." you say and then you whisper..."I've killed someone before." Mr. Scars looks at you as if to detect whether you're lying or not. "Hm, maybe you have, or maybe you haven't, but that really doesn't matter. You're going to be locked away with a lot of killers. Most of them a lot tougher and bigger than the likes of you. So just because you killed your girlfriend or mom because she pissed you off doesn't mean you're some hard man." "I didn't kill my..." you start to say before the one of the guards starts actually paying attention to you. "HEY! The two of you stop fucking conspiring over there! In fact the pair of you need to shut the fuck up and just go to sleep because tomorrow you'll both be going before the judge and sentenced for your crimes! Enjoy your last night of freedom criminal scum!" And with that, you and Mr. Scars do no more talking for the rest of the night, though Mr. Scars was done talking and ready to sleep anyway. You on the other hand have a hard time getting to sleep, knowing what awaits you. The next morning, you're put back on the cart and continue your journey to Sivak. You reach your destination by midday. Sivak is larger than anything you've ever seen and some of its buildings are very impressive. It's a very bustling place with people walking around everywhere. You just wish you were free to enjoy it. At this point you wonder if you shouldn't just try to escape now. The streets are very busy and it would be a lot harder for the soldiers to get around on their horses. If you're quick enough you might even lose them in an alleyway or something. Of course that doesn't stop the fact that you're still shackled and ultimately surrounded by more soldiers than ever, but maybe you can figure that dilemma out later. > You stay put You don't know this city very well and you'd most likely be caught within five minutes, you'd probably also be beaten for your troubles at best. You aren't quite suicidal enough to try...or perhaps you're just not brave enough. Whatever the case, you stay put and resign yourself to whatever fate the judge has for you. You hang your head down and stare at the floor of the cart, not really wishing to see any more of a city you aren't going to be able to take advantage of. A bit of time passes before you hear Mr. Scars speak to you. "Hey kid." Mr. Scars says. "What?" you ask slowly looking up. "This doesn't have to be the worst day of your life." "Well it certainly isn't the best." "Heh, well okay, but this could be a lot worse. In fact maybe Yag has blessed you with a little luck given your situation." "Luck? I'm on my way to prison!" "Yes, but you had the fortune of meeting me in an uncharacteristically generous mood." You start to listen carefully. "Okay, here's the deal. When you get sentenced to Dreadcage, find a human there by the name of Ponyride...and don't you dare laugh at the name. As silly as it might sound you don't want to know how he acquired it. Just ask any syndicate member where he is and they'll take you to him if you mention my name. It'll be real easy to find one of them since a lot of them are there and you just look for the tattoo." Mr. Scars says and juts out his shoulder. "What will Ponyride do?" "Well, he's gonna want proof you know me first, so tell him the phrase: The Duchess sure had a velvet throat. He'll know what it means." As you take a moment to remember the phrase, Mr. Scars continues. "If you're still blessed by Yag at this point, he'll honor the favor he owes me and give you a bit of protection for a while. Maybe a year at most. Should be more than enough time for you to get settled in and learn the routines without extra hassle. After that, you're going to be on your own. Now I'm no recruiter, but I suggest that since you'll already be getting the benefits of Ebony Claw protection, you might want to get in good with us on a permanent basis, as it will potentially make the rest of your stay slightly less dangerous. I'm sure Ponyride will have something for you to do, but that's on you and your choice." Well this isn't freedom, but at least it's a glimmer of hope. "I...I really don't know what to say...I mean thank you of course, but why are you doing this? What's in it for you?" "Me? Nothing I guess, but I suppose I remember the first time I did some time in a prison. I was younger than you and it was a lesser offense, but it still wasn't a pleasant experience and I know I would've been glad for any help I could have gotten." The cart and entourage of soldiers starts to slow down as you approach a large important looking white building with a lot of steps. "The thing is with my record, I know I'm probably getting sentenced to be executed in a few months. There isn't really anything anyone can do for me, so I might as well call in the last favor I have left for someone that it will help. Use it or lose it as they say." Mr. Scars says. "...but still...this is like a really big thing. I mean you barely know me and this is going to really help me out." You say still in disbelief of your luck. "Yeah, well make the most of it kid. Just out of curiosity though...who did you supposedly kill?" "The guy who stabbed my girlfriend... I had to run away from home after that." "Well shit kid, that's more along the lines of justice as far as I can tell. Not sure if that really makes you a cold blooded killer at all, but I guess it's a good thing you know you can do it, if you have to right?" At this point the cart stops completely and the pair of you are taken out and marched to the white building. When you enter the pair of you are still together for a little while, but eventually the sergeant tells some of his men to take you down a different corridor to Judge Randal. He and the rest take Mr. Scars down another and you part company. When you get to Judge Randal, he sits behind his high desk and looks incredibly tired. You see him sentence various people before he finally gets to you. He hears what you were charged with and just shakes his head. "(Sigh) Do you have anything to say in your defense?" he asks. You take a suggestion from what Mr. Scars said earlier and try to imply you're just a poor dumb kid that did something really stupid. The judge doesn't look impressed. "Uh huh. Listen, I hear that excuse all the time and sometimes its even true, but you were found with twenty vials of Blue Dream my boy. You didn't just stumble upon that, you're obviously working for someone bigger. Probably someone in the Ebony Claw Syndicate. If you're really sorry for what you've done, then you're going to have to give me more than the baby in woods act." You're silent. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Twenty years at Dreadcage. Next." The judge remarks. You are quickly taken away and soon marched back outside, but this time to a large enclosed wagon with several horses at the front. You're shoved inside and shackled to a few other prisoners. All of them are sizing you up and you do your best not to show any fear as the wagon door is closed and you're on your way to Dreadcage. There is little light in the wagon, save for what's coming through the very small windows at the very top of it. Still, you manage to examine a few of the other prisoners and fortune strikes again when you see one with a black claw tattoo sitting across from you. "You Ebony Claw?" you ask the man. "What the fuck's it to you pretty boy?" he answers. "Mr. Scars wants you to take me to see Ponyride when we get to Dreadgate." The man's eyes widen a bit when you mention Mr. Scars, but nods. "Very well." He answers. You don't reach Dreadcage until nightfall, but when you finally reach it and exit the wagon, you can see that it definitely lives up to its name with the massive walls, towers and high fences. You are then marched inside the prison where upon you and the rest are striped, hosed down, checked and given prison apparel. Your new "name" according to the prison is now 97P904. After this experience, you are shown your new cell. You cellmate is surprisingly a Halfling! Though within the first five minutes of meeting him he's quite firm about stating what is his and warns you that he's not going to tolerate any shit from the likes of you. You maintain a respectful attitude and listen to his lecture, until your Claw "liaison" comes to find you. "Hey, Ponyride is ready to see you." He says which causes a bit of confusion from your cellmate who probably didn't expect you to have such connections. You get the impression his attitude towards you will be a lot different when you return. You walk through the prison attempting to ignore the various threats and stares you're getting. You remember that you have to show absolutely no weakness or fear. Several ECS member congregate around Ponyride's cell. Ponyride himself is a muscular average sized man with a shaved head. He has several tattoos that in some way signify his allegiance to his organization. Ponyride gets off his bed and approaches you with the usual hard stare that you're getting used to by everyone that has to prove how tough they are. "So, I hear you know Mr. Scars and he told you to speak with me. If that's true then you'll have something important to tell me. If not...well you're going to get the privilege of learning exactly why they call me Ponyride." This causes a few chuckles from Ponyride's cohorts, but you maintain your composure and simply utter the phrase. "The Duchess sure had a velvet throat." Ponyride smiles and nods. "I came enough to fill a fucking moat. Hah! Glad to see Mr. Scars remembers the good times. Alright, I dunno how he knows you, but if he trusted you enough to give you that phrase, then it's good enough for me. So I'm guessing you want protection right?" "Mr. Scars said a year's worth." "A fucking year huh? Mr. Scars overestimates this favor I owe him. Ah, all right, what the hell, things are pretty peaceful right now I guess I can spare some. The Ebony Claw will make sure you're under our general protection, but remember, you ARE NOT one of us. That means if you severely fuck up or get in the way of our business, all bets are fucking off. Got me, pretty boy?" "Understood." "Good, and remember when a year is up you're on your fucking own. If you want anything from us after that, you gotta pay just like everyone else or join, but we can talk about that later if you so desire. Now leave me, I got important shit to do." You are dismissed and the Claw member who took you to see Ponyride escorts you away and then leaves you to your own devices. Well you've bought yourself a little time, now you have to get started learning everything you can about this place and deciding on how to spend your time here. Because you sure have a lot of it.

Six months later... As you sit counting your ill-gotten loot from the latest traveling merchant in town, your girlfriend is watching you with an exasperated expression. Of course she tends to look like that a lot. "Ugh. This part is soooo boring! I dunno why you didn't steal the jewelry, I liked some of those necklaces." Annah exclaims. "Because you know I prefer hard coin in my possession rather than anything else." You reply trying not to lose count. "So? You're not the only one involved in doing this you know! You couldn't just think about ME for once and steal some pretty items?" "Annah, if you wanted one of those necklaces so bad, you could have just stolen it yourself. You were closer to the merchant and easily had him distracted." "He was gross. Breathing heavy and touching my legs, it was all I could do not to vomit...y'know you could have defended my honor." It's going to be one of those days... "(Sigh) And how exactly was I going to do that while I was breaking into his lockbox in his tent? The whole point is for me not to attract any sort of attention and that's getting more difficult to do what with a lot of the merchants hiring more guards nowadays." Annah rolls her eyes. It's no secret that Annah was certainly drawn to you because she's a little on the wild side and doesn't have the best of reputations herself. While she certainly lets you do things to her that are a lot of fun, she's not the partner in crime that your sister was and she certainly complains a lot more. A LOT more. Annah's got the looks and flirting down, but that's about it. Your sister actually had the talent to get the attention of people even if they weren't some weak willed slob that went nuts over the latest sweet young thing that batted their eyes at them. She could lure them with a tale or a song and keep a whole entourage captivated if need be. You suppose Annah's lack of skill has had the benefit of increasing your own since you've definitely had to be quicker and sneakier. Still, it isn't just her lack of skill and bitching that's the problem since that you can deal with. It's the fact that she's way more maintenance than you thought she'd be and she's been getting worse in that aspect. You know you're probably going to have to give her a little bit more this time around just to keep her appeased. At this point you haven't really been saving much at all and you were planning on moving out of your parents home by now because that situation hasn't gotten any better since your sister left. Lately you've been starting to wonder if you shouldn't just do what your sister did and leave. It's just getting to be too much hassle to steal in this town and it definitely isn't as much fun as it used to be. Where you would go though, you aren't sure. You're going to have to figure it out. In the meantime, you hand over Annah's share. "Okay, here you go...so what do you want to do now?" you ask. "Well since you were unwilling to steal me one of those nice necklaces, I guess I'll have to buy a cheap ass one from that hag that runs Sparkling Treasures." Annah replies. "So, we're going to Jasmine's shop." "Yeah, and she's going to be giving me the evil eye the entire time. Thinking I'm going to steal something." "Well to be fair, you can't blame her. I'll come with you, but as far as I know I'm still banned from the place ever since I stole a bracelet for my sister's birthday. Of course that was before we decided that the town was completely off limits." "Whatever, I don't really want to hear about how you spoiled your other girlfriend right now. It's bad enough that continually criticize me and say I'm not as good as sister." "What the...first of all I'm sick of these rumors about me and her when it wasn't even like that! Second of all, I just said ONCE that our capers might run smoother if you had a better array of talents rather than just relying on your looks." "There you go again putting me down! I don't see you complaining about my talents when you're having your five minutes of fun..." "Now don't even start with that! Look, I don't want to fight! Let's just go get your necklace." "I need more money!" "What?!" "What you gave me isn't enough for the one I want!" "Didn't you just say Jasmine sells cheap quality shit?" "Yeah, but that old bitch charges an arm and leg for it, so I need more money!" You shake your head and reach into your pocket. "(Sigh) Fine. Here, take it! Take it all!" you exclaim and hand over most of your coins to Annah, who takes them without blinking an eye. At this point you're wondering why if she thinks you're such a bad bum to her that why is she with you at all. "Thanks baby!" Annah beams and kisses you. Well that answers your question. As Annah grabs your arm while you walk to Jasmine's shop, you continue to think about leaving here. The only thing is, are you going to do it like your sister did and just leave in the middle of the night, or are you going to actually say goodbye first? You sort of think with as much grief as you give your parents, they might actually like to at least say goodbye to you seeing as they didn't get that chance with your sister. Of course that might be just wishful thinking on your part. "Okay, since you said you're not allowed in, just wait outside and I'll be out soon." Annah says as you get to Sparkling Treasures. "I'll be here." You remark. Annah hasn't been gone long when you encounter more trouble. "Well if it isn't the notorious thief of Teckville. Shouldn't you be skulking around in the shadows stealing from little old ladies?" It's Klint and ever since your sister left, he's been even more of an asshole to you and you're not really sure why. "Klint, seriously what the hell is your problem? I don't understand this continued antagonism towards me. I don't go over to your family's chicken farm and steal the cocks out of your hand." Klint as usual is slow on the uptake and doesn't even get the double meaning insult you just said, but he's mad at you anyway. "Because it's all your fucking fault! I could have gotten with your sister if YOU hadn't been around!" "Oh for fuck's sake, if my sister had ANY attraction to you, she certainly would have showed it. She didn't and now she's GONE, okay? Get the hell over it already..." Klint at this point starts getting closer to you and raising his voice and you begin to take a more defensive stance. "FUCK YOU! It was ALL your fault! How could I have a chance with her when YOU corrupted her! Tell me...did she smell like flowers when you embraced her? Did she taste like honey when you kissed her? Did the very heavens move when you plunged into her?" he asks with a mixture of anger and resentment, but also with a glint of eagerness that you'll tell him. While you knew Klint was always a bit obsessed with your sister, you never quite knew how bad it was until just now. He's totally lost it. "Klint, contrary to what the rumors are, none of that happened you sick fuck. Look, just go home before something bad happens..." you say. "Oh something bad is gonna happen alright sister fucker!" He says and then brandishes a knife partially covered in blood and with a few feathers stuck to it. And of course nobody is around to see all this despite it being broad daylight. Or maybe they're just watching from windows and don't care. You're not exactly popular after all. "Klint, put that knife back and just walk away now." You say stepping back. "Everyone in this town hates you, y'know. Even that whore you hang around with now. She came on to me the other night saying how she wanted a proper fuck as opposed to your pathetic attempts. I didn't fuck her though; I just let her suck my dick. Did she kiss you today? Ha ha ha ha!" You ignore Klint's ramblings and continue to focus on his knife, which is now aiming towards your face, even if you are trying to widen the gap between you two. "Klint, last chance to get that knife out of my face." "Or you'll what?" Well it's a good question, what are you going to do? > You try to disarm Klint While Klint is holding knife, you still doubt he's serious about killing you with it. He's a lot of talk and trying to scare you, time to call his bluff by kicking his ass. You throw a punch at Klint's face, which probably hurts your hand more than it hurts his face. Still, it's enough to cause him to reel back a bit and drop his knife. "Shit...you're paying for that asshole!" he utters as you're still shaking your hand from the pain of punching him. Klint charges at you and you dodge out of the way, but your leg doesn't completely clear the charge and you fall to the ground face first. Fortunately you trip up Klint in the process, who instead of taking advantage, continues to stumble in the direction he was already running in. Unfortunately, he crashes right into Annah who was coming out of the store at the time. "Hey what's...SHIT!" Annah yelps as Klint's body tackles into her. You recover just in time to see Klint hovering near her body. She's lying up against the door of Jasmine's shop looking a little crumpled. You take advantage by elbowing Klint in the back of the head. He staggers and falls to the ground again where you proceed to kick him. "You crushed my girlfriend you fucker!" you shout. You're doing a pretty good job stomping on him, but he isn't out of the fight yet and manages to grab your foot and cause you to fall to the ground as well. Now seizing his opportunity he rolls over and gets on top of your chest and proceeds to punch you in the face though you're doing your best in trying to block the attacks. "Don't worry about your whore getting crushed because I'm gonna crush your fuckin' skull...AGH!" Klint shouts. You can't quite tell at first from your prone position, but you see Annah standing behind Klint and a knife in her hand, which she's using not just once on him, but several times. "Fucking asshole, get off! Get off of him!" she shouts stabbing Klint in the back several times. Eventually Klint falls over and off to the side of you and you slide out from underneath him. While you're still recovering, Annah is about to stab Klint again. "Hold on! Hold on! Stop! Stop!" you exclaim and take the knife away from Annah before she commits murder. "What?! That asshole was kicking your ass!" Annah exclaims. "First, I had it under control, second, you already stabbed him several times, the last thing you need is to outright kill..." "You fuckin' bitch..." Klint utters and somehow manages to sit up and grabs Annah's arm. Without thinking you stab Klint in the neck. Blood trickles from his mouth, his eyes glance over to you and then he falls back to the ground with the knife still in his neck. "Oh shit..." you say. "Look out behind you!" Annah shouts. "YOU MURDERER!" a gruff voice shouts from behind. Still at a heightened state of alert, you stab at whoever it is behind you, and just manage to nick their arm with your own dagger before twisting away. You now see that your fight with Klint has drawn out a lot of the townsfolk. Bastards were probably watching the entire time. The man who tried to pull you away was the Wilfred the pub owner. It's a good thing he's not one of the appointed town watch, but it probably won't be long. "You little bastard! You see that? He tried to kill me too! Someone get the town watch! Someone go get Klint's family too, they need to know what this murderer did to their boy!" Wilfred shouts as he clutches his bleeding arm. Several other townsfolk go running off shouting about your deeds, and a few others look as if they're going to take their chances apprehending you themselves and while Wilfred is a fat out of shape barkeep, you don't know if you'd do as well against the blacksmith who is now approaching you with a hammer in hand. With a lynch mob starting to form, you do the only thing you can and that's run. Which you notice Annah has already done and left you to fend for yourself! After a few moments of running and backtracking, you've managed to make it home and lose most of the ones that were half heartedly trying to nab you, but it won't be long before what passes for real law enforcement around here is beating down your door. You only have a short time to gather what you can and get the hell out of here. Of course as soon as you come in, your mother sees you with blood on your clothes and demands to know what is going on. "By the gods! What have you done!? What have you DONE?!" your mother shouts. "I didn't do anything! Where's dad?!" you ask. "I'm right here....oh shit. Fuck! What the hell did you do now?!" your dad says walking into the room. "I didn't do anything! There was a fight and Klint attacked me and then Annah stabbed him and then I stabbed him and..." "Oh what the fuck, did you kill him?" your father asks. "Yeah, I mean I'm not sure, I suppose, but look I gotta get outta here!" you say and push both of your parents out of the way to go gather a few things from your room. Surprisingly your father doesn't say much more, he just gathers up his emergency physician's bag and mutters to himself. You think you hear him saying how you're a fuck up before he leaves, but that's about it. Your mom on the other hand as you're hastily grabbing a few items, is tearfully going on about how you (And your sister) wasted your potential and she doesn't know where she and your father went wrong. You have little time and it isn't much, but you try to reassure her that it isn't either of their faults. You'd like to calm her down some more, but there are a bunch of people soon banging at the door. "STOP HIDING BEHIND YER MAMA'S SKIRT AND GET OUT HERE MURDERER!" you hear a voice shout. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for everything. I...I gotta go." You say as you leave your mother crying and go to climb out your window. You manage to just get out of your backyard when you hear someone else shout that they see you and you're soon off and running from a mob again. It takes a bit of stealth and hiding on your part (along with distancing yourself from Teckleville) but eventually as the sky goes dark, you're fairly certain nobody from the town is still chasing you, or if they are, they might have made camp for the night. As for you, you're in the middle of a wood, still wearing your bloody clothes (fortunately you managed to grab some spare in your pack though) unsure of where you're going to go exactly. On top of it all you aren't sure what happened to Annah though knowing her she probably blamed you for everything. You're so tired. You can't even process all of it anymore. You have to rest. You find a tree that looks sturdy and high enough, so you climb it and prepare to sleep for the night. You just hope that anyone that might still be looking for you at this late hour doesn't think to look up. As you drift off to sleep, your thoughts go to your sister. "Well sis, whether things are working out for you or not right now, at least your exit wasn't like this." > Next Day You wake up fairly early, but then you didn't really sleep much to begin with. This was more of a brief rest anyway. After a quick check to see if anyone is in the area, you get out of your bloody clothes and change into some new ones. You might not be properly clean, but it's better than you were. You then check your supplies, which aren't much. You've got a few coins, but you aren't excessively worried about that since food and water are more important out here in the wilderness. You've got a little food and water, but it isn't going to last long. The only weapon you have currently is your dagger. As you're checking your supplies, you hear the sound of something approaching you. Dread grips your body, you hide behind the nearest tree and you draw your dagger. You take a quick peek and see that it's Annah stomping through the underbrush with the grace of a clumsy horse. "Shit, fucking thorns. Ouch!" you hear her say and you come out of hiding. "Annah!" you exclaim and walk over to her. "There you are! Y'know, you could have warned me about leaving town, instead of making me trudge through the fucking woods looking for you!" Annah snaps. Ornery as usual. "Wha...how the hell did you even find me anyway?" you ask. "Dunno, I figured you'd hide some place familiar. This is the area where we first did it so I took a chance." Annah says. "It is?" Annah hits you. "Yes! By the gods, I can't believe you fucking forgot! In fact it was YOUR idea to go way the hell out here, I just wanted to do it over behind Derrick's barn where I first gave you a blowjob." "Wait. We were behind Derrick's barn during that?" Annah hits you again "Glad to see all of our intimacy together meant so much to you. Asshole. I dunno why I even came out here to find you! Sorry we can't all be like your perfect sister. Bet you remember where you first fucked her!" At this point you stop Annah from hitting you again and try to maintain some control over this situation. "Alright! Alright! I get it, I'm an insensitive asshole, but you REALLY need to stop with these accusations of sister fucking especially when it isn't even true! Shit, I'm not calling you a whore that sucked Klint's dick!" you say. "WHAT?! I did no such thing!" Annah exclaims. "Well he claimed you did before he attacked me." "Pfft. He wished. Look, I get that the dumb asses in town thought I was a whore, but Klint was repulsive...besides he was always sniffing around your sister while she was still around. Never paid any attention to me." "Well I figured he was just talking shit anyway...(Sigh) anyway this is a mess. I'm glad to see you escaped town though." "Escaped? Nah, I just came out here to find you on my own. Don't worry, I made sure nobody was following me." "Wait, you didn't get in any trouble?" "No. They all saw you kill Klint. I mean I did get asked questions, but I just said you and Klint got into a fight and you accidently killed him in the process. They didn't seem convinced that you killed him by accident though, so yeah they're still pissed at you." You're almost speechless right now. "Are...Are you fucking kidding me?! YOU were the one that stabbed him repeatedly in the back! I actually stopped YOU from killing Klint!" you exclaim. "Yeah, and then you stabbed him in the throat and killed him. Why are you yelling at me?!" Annah remarks. Now you can't even speak. You just rub your hands over your face and pace rapidly. In a strange way, you not even that mad at Annah. Everyone pretty much hated you anyway and Annah's actually just being herself. And that's so tragic that it causes you to laugh. "What's so funny?" Annah asks. "The absurdity of this horrible situation." You answer. "So what's the plan? "Good question. Can't stay out here in the wilderness." "Ohhh! Let's to Klyton!" Annah says excitedly. Well that would be one option you were pondering. It's certainly the closest city and it's the direction you ran from Teckleville anyway. The problem is if anyone from Teckleville is still searching for you, that's going to be the first place they look. Still, Klyton is the only place you really have any basic knowledge about thanks to your parents both being originally from there. Your father never really spoke too much about it, just saying that the only thing worthwhile that he got there was your mother and he was glad when they finally moved to Teckleville to be closer to your grandmother at the time. Your mother on the other hand didn't speak so ill of the place, which is surprising since she grew up in a lower class area than your father did. She even said that sometimes she missed the times when she worked at the inn where she met your father in the first place. Of course her knowledge about the city is bound to be a bit out of date. Also, while Klyton has no jurisdiction over Teckleville, it has been known to apprehend wanted criminals from elsewhere trying to hide out there. Not to mention the place in general has a fairly good reputation (And they want to keep it that way) as far as its own security goes. "Well we could also head to Holgard or the Delantium Kingdom, I think the closest city there is Sivak" you say. "No! I want to go to Klyton! I've never been there!" Annah demands. "But you've never been to the other places either!" "Yeah well, they're too far away, and we could run into bandits and you wouldn't be much help if they tried to gang rape me. I don't want to be out here any longer than I have to be." "Y'know, YOU don't need to be out here at all considering you apparently threw me under the horse and cart and you're not even in any trouble for any of this!" You almost expect Annah to hit you again, but now she does something worse...she doesn't do it often, but... "Oh no..." you say when you see her eyes starting to water. "I knew it! You blame me for everything! You always blame me for everything that goes wrong! All I fucking did was try to help you when Klint was kicking your ass too! (Sob!) You're right, I DON'T have to be out here, but I'm out here because I fucking love you okay? (Sob!) I don't even know why, because you're a fucking ungrateful asshole!" Annah cries and then runs off to a nearby tree to continue sobbing. "(Sigh) Damn it...." You say to yourself. While you're questioning the idea that this is even a good idea, the fact remains is that in Annah's strange way she is here for you right now. In fact, she's possibly the ONLY person on your side right now. So for better or worse you'll put up with her. (For now) "Annah....look, I'm sorry about my tone okay? But you gotta understand I'm trying to deal with all this shit and I can hardly think right now. I mean I didn't even think I was going to see you again. I'm also worried about my parents. I mean yeah I didn't get along with them, but they certainly don't deserve the shitstorm they're probably going through with the rest of the town right now. I mean what about your mom? You don't think she's wondering where you are right now?" you say while rubbing her shoulders "(Sniffle) Have you met my mom? She probably doesn't even know I'm gone yet. Hell, she probably doesn't even know everything that happened yesterday." Annah says turning around and wiping her eyes. "Yeah, I suppose so, she is drunk a lot of the time. But anyway, like I said, I'm trying to process the fact that I'm now wanted for murder. I don't even know how I feel on THAT fact either. The actual murder. I mean I feel like maybe I should feel bad or something." "Bad? Why would you feel bad? Klint was an asshole, I'm certainly not upset over it." "Well...yeah I suppose I'm not either and it was mostly in self-defense and an accident despite what everyone in town says. Still though, makes me wonder if I'm capable of killing again." "I sure hope so, because it's dangerous out here! Is that dagger the only weapon you got?" "Hm? Yeah. Apologies, but I didn't exactly have time to buy a sword on my way out of town." "Oh well, I guess it will have to do. Just hope we don't run into anything bigger than a hungry rat." "It's not the size of the weapon, it's how you use it." "Yes dear, you keep telling yourself that...so are we going to Klyton now?" "Yeah, we're going to Klyton..." Annah makes "Squeee!" sound and then kisses you saying how exciting it will be to finally go to the "Big City." Honestly, you think Annah's enthusiasm to go to Klyton is a little misplaced even if she wasn't travelling with a wanted murderer. At least she isn't bitching anymore though. However, that doesn't last and she inevitably starts complaining when you insist on staying off the road and sticking to the woods to keep out of sight of any potential person from Teckleville that might be tracking you. "Dunno why you think this makes you more hidden. I found you in the woods." Annah remarks. "Yeah, well not everyone has the magical ability to find me like you do, now come on and keep it down!" You answer. "You know there are blood stalkers out here and bandits who..." "Will try to rape you. Yes, I know. You've only mentioned that three or four times already. What is your preoccupation with getting raped?" "You saying that wouldn't happen?" "No...I...agh! Look it's getting dark enough that I can barely see shit in front of me and we probably should just stop for the rest of the night. I'll see if there's a suitable tree to sleep in..." "A tree? I'm not sleeping in a tree! It sounds uncomfortable and I could fall out and break my neck!" "It's safer than you think, you just prop yourself up against the trunk and a large enough branch. It'll actually be safer than sleeping on the ground. Up in a tree we can at least..." "I'm not sleeping in a fucking tree! I'm hungry, and it's getting cold! We should build a fire!" You face palm at your situation. The tree thing you're flexible on, but a fire? That's potentially asking for trouble. Still, if you make a fire, you'll hopefully shut Annah up. > You make a fire Honestly, if anything Annah's loud bitching is going to attract more attention to your position than a fire at this point. "Alright! Alright! Just stop! We'll build a damn fire. I think I got a tinderbox, never used it though since I didn't exactly spend nights out in the wilderness, so you're going to have to bear with me." You gather up a bunch of broken branches, break out your tinderbox and begin fumbling around with the flint "Do you even know what you're doing?" Annah asks. "Not really." "Sheesh, this isn't sex. I figured this would be a simple enough task, even for you." "Fuck, Annah. I told you I wasn't an expert at doing this but feel free to help me if you know how!" You answer throwing the flint down. "So I guess it is sex. (sigh) Move!" Annah remarks and takes over. And of course she does it nearly instantly and you soon have a fire going. You're getting incredibly angry and starting to regret letting her tag along now. You're under enough pressure as it is and you can't deal with her attitude right now. "Hey I said I was also hungry, didn't you bring any food?" Annah remarks. "You want food? You want fucking food? HERE! Take it! Take everything I fucking have!" you shout as you pull out apples from your bag and start throwing them at her. "HEY! STOP! Stop you fucking asshole!" she replies dodging apples. "I oughta do worse than throw fucking apples at you!" "Oh like what? You gonna stab and kill me too?" Annah asks while picking up a nearby apple. "Don't tempt me." "Threats of violence. Nice. I can't believe I recently cried over you." "I can't believe you even meant it. Y'know before all this shit went down, I was actually thinking about breaking up with you in the first place. And guess what, I was right about..." Your words are interrupted by a flying apple. You dodge it and Annah's eyes go a bit wide when she sees you come at her. She doesn't get far when you tackle her to the ground. After a bit of struggling you manage to subdue her, by getting on top of her and holding her wrists down. You're breathing heavy and have a nasty look in your eyes. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that! You know how I get! Please just don't hurt me!" Annah begs and starts to tear up again. Despite your rather aggressive dominance over Annah, you weren't actually planning to do anything except scare her really bad, which you definitely succeeded in doing. Any ideas of battery, torture, murder or (as Annah usually believes), rape weren't in the equation. Unfortunately nobody else saw it that way. And between the fire AND your very loud arguing and fighting with Annah, someone came to investigate. You suddenly feel a crushing blow to the back of your head and you crumple on top of Annah's body. You have a little strength left to push yourself up a bit, but another blow succeeds in knocking you out. When you wake up, you find yourself in a cell, which look very familiar. It should, because you've been in it before. You're at the Teckleville jail. "Well, looks like the Teckleville Terror is finally up and from here on your ass belongs to me until your execution." A familiar voice remarks. It's Sheriff Walford. Just one of your many admirers. You sit up from the floor and rub your head. "(Groan) I knew lighting that fire was a bad idea." You say. "You're just full of them boy and you'll be paying for them soon because your luck has finally run out." Walford says from his desk "Surprised you just didn't tell your men to kill me on sight." "Oh trust me, when they caught you tryin' to rape that girl, they wanted to, but I specifically told them to bring you in alive no matter what the circumstances. Because I personally want to see you hang." "How law abiding of you. (Sigh) I don't suppose it would help if I said Annah's lying about that." "Lyin that you WEREN'T tryin ta rape her? Pfft, already know that son." "Wait, you tellin' me that Annah didn't accuse me of rape?" "No she didn't for some strange reason. She claims you and her were just having an argument, but my boys said it sure as hell didn't look like that to them. Dunno what spell you got that girl under, but it ain't gonna save your ass because you're STILL wanted for the murder of Klint! You were fortunate that his father didn't catch you before my men did though I wouldn't have minded if he had." Wow, that's a bit surprising about Annah. She knows you better than you thought AND she's still trying in her own way to defend you. The sheriff goes on to say that she isn't the only one either. Apparently your father has hired the best freelance advocate he could find in Klyton. While it's a pretty grim conclusion that you're going to be found guilty, your father made so much of a stink that he demanded that you at least get a trial of sorts. It would appear you have more people on your side than you thought A few days pass and Annah tries to see you, but they won't let her in. Your parents won't be denied however and of course your expensive advocate speaks to you as well to get all your information. The day finally comes and you're trotted out before practically the whole town, most of which are already booing and calling for your blood. The town mayor is overseeing this trial and going to make the final decision. While you've never directly done any wrong to him, he doesn't particularly like you so in your mind you might as well be going to the noose already. Still, you don't give up. You don't actually speak in your own trial, your advocate speaks for you and does a WAY better job than you ever could. Annah and your parents both testify on your behalf, and even a few people begrudgingly admit that they saw the entire fight with Klint and say you didn't really mean to kill him. You really wish your sister was around because you imagine that she would be able to charm a few more folks to your side. Of course the other side paints you out to be evil incarnate whenever they can. Klint's parents in particular. Eventually the mayor says he's heard enough and that's when you think here comes the execution sentence. "(Sigh) As long as I've been mayor, this young man has been a blight on this town despite his father and mother being good people. I can't fault them for defending him because above all else he is their son. But another son was killed and that's the main reason we're here today. The rape accusation...well quite frankly the young girl denies that it happened and if she's deluded enough to defend her abusive criminal boyfriend...well I just shake my head in dismay and nothing else. Given her own shady reputation, I'm actually inclined they just enjoy a sick relationship." The mayor continues. "But getting back to the murder. While tragic, I have to weigh all arguments. We all know that Klint himself was no angel. I'm sorry to say that in front of his parents, but it's true. This was a case of the stupid antics of youth getting way out of hand. And as much as I dislike this budding criminal in front of me, I truly don't believe he killed Klint out of malice. At this point several people start booing again until the mayor calls for order. "That's enough! I'm mayor of this damn town and this is my decision which I haven't even got to yet! My verdict is guilty BUT I'm not giving this young man death. It was an accident and despite everything I've said, I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with myself executing a youth who made a very bad mistake. However, he can't stay here. So my final decision is exile as of tomorrow. You come back and you WILL be executed, you understand?" the mayor says. "I understand, sir and I thank you for your fair judgment." You reply and nod. "Take him back to his cell, release him in the morning." The crowd goes nuts at this decision and the Teckleville Watch barely manage to get you back to the jail unscathed. After throwing you back in your cell, Sheriff Walford flips his desk over as his men standby. "Are you secretly a son of Yag or just permanently blessed by him? Because there is no way one person can be so fucking lucky!" he exclaims. "It wasn't luck sheriff, it was justice. Look on the bright side, I won't be here to bother you anymore...which is what I was trying to do in the first place before you dragged me back here." You say. The sheriff is so flustered he can't even be bothered to yell at you anymore. He just says you're going to get yours and soon before leaving. You secretly smirk at things going your way for a change and lay down thinking about what you're going to do with your new exiled life tomorrow. Probably the same thing you were going to do before, except without Annah tagging along. Sure, she helped you out, but you can see that relationship is just doomed to cause more problems than you need. (Like this incident!) Eventually you go to sleep figuring you're going to need your energy for traveling tomorrow. In the middle of the night you suddenly hear your cell door open and you groggily wake up. "Wha...what's going on...is it morning all...ULP!" you utter. "For my son, you murdering bastard!" you hear a deep voice say as a large figure rushes in your cell on top of you and you feel a blade go into your throat.

[Themes: fantasy, fantasy, serious, anti-hero] You wake up fairly early, but then you didn't really sleep much to begin with. This was more of a brief rest anyway. After a quick check to see if anyone is in the area, you get out of your bloody clothes and change into some new ones. You might not be properly clean, but it's better than you were. You then check your supplies, which aren't much. You've got a few coins, but you aren't excessively worried about that since food and water are more important out here in the wilderness. You've got a little food and water, but it isn't going to last long. The only weapon you have currently is your dagger. As you're checking your supplies, you hear the sound of something approaching you. Dread grips your body, you hide behind the nearest tree and you draw your dagger. You take a quick peek and see that it's Annah stomping through the underbrush with the grace of a clumsy horse. "Shit, fucking thorns. Ouch!" you hear her say and you come out of hiding. "Annah!" you exclaim and walk over to her. "There you are! Y'know, you could have warned me about leaving town, instead of making me trudge through the fucking woods looking for you!" Annah snaps. Ornery as usual. "Wha...how the hell did you even find me anyway?" you ask. "Dunno, I figured you'd hide some place familiar. This is the area where we first did it so I took a chance." Annah says. "It is?" Annah hits you. "Yes! By the gods, I can't believe you fucking forgot! In fact it was YOUR idea to go way the hell out here, I just wanted to do it over behind Derrick's barn where I first gave you a blowjob." "Wait. We were behind Derrick's barn during that?" Annah hits you again "Glad to see all of our intimacy together meant so much to you. Asshole. I dunno why I even came out here to find you! Sorry we can't all be like your perfect sister. Bet you remember where you first fucked her!" At this point you stop Annah from hitting you again and try to maintain some control over this situation. "Alright! Alright! I get it, I'm an insensitive asshole, but you REALLY need to stop with these accusations of sister fucking especially when it isn't even true! Shit, I'm not calling you a whore that sucked Klint's dick!" you say. "WHAT?! I did no such thing!" Annah exclaims. "Well he claimed you did before he attacked me." "Pfft. He wished. Look, I get that the dumb asses in town thought I was a whore, but Klint was repulsive...besides he was always sniffing around your sister while she was still around. Never paid any attention to me." "Well I figured he was just talking shit anyway...(Sigh) anyway this is a mess. I'm glad to see you escaped town though." "Escaped? Nah, I just came out here to find you on my own. Don't worry, I made sure nobody was following me." "Wait, you didn't get in any trouble?" "No. They all saw you kill Klint. I mean I did get asked questions, but I just said you and Klint got into a fight and you accidently killed him in the process. They didn't seem convinced that you killed him by accident though, so yeah they're still pissed at you." You're almost speechless right now. "Are...Are you fucking kidding me?! YOU were the one that stabbed him repeatedly in the back! I actually stopped YOU from killing Klint!" you exclaim. "Yeah, and then you stabbed him in the throat and killed him. Why are you yelling at me?!" Annah remarks. Now you can't even speak. You just rub your hands over your face and pace rapidly. In a strange way, you not even that mad at Annah. Everyone pretty much hated you anyway and Annah's actually just being herself. And that's so tragic that it causes you to laugh. "What's so funny?" Annah asks. "The absurdity of this horrible situation." You answer. "So what's the plan? "Good question. Can't stay out here in the wilderness." "Ohhh! Let's to Klyton!" Annah says excitedly. Well that would be one option you were pondering. It's certainly the closest city and it's the direction you ran from Teckleville anyway. The problem is if anyone from Teckleville is still searching for you, that's going to be the first place they look. Still, Klyton is the only place you really have any basic knowledge about thanks to your parents both being originally from there. Your father never really spoke too much about it, just saying that the only thing worthwhile that he got there was your mother and he was glad when they finally moved to Teckleville to be closer to your grandmother at the time. Your mother on the other hand didn't speak so ill of the place, which is surprising since she grew up in a lower class area than your father did. She even said that sometimes she missed the times when she worked at the inn where she met your father in the first place. Of course her knowledge about the city is bound to be a bit out of date. Also, while Klyton has no jurisdiction over Teckleville, it has been known to apprehend wanted criminals from elsewhere trying to hide out there. Not to mention the place in general has a fairly good reputation (And they want to keep it that way) as far as its own security goes. "Well we could also head to Holgard or the Delantium Kingdom, I think the closest city there is Sivak" you say. "No! I want to go to Klyton! I've never been there!" Annah demands. "But you've never been to the other places either!" "Yeah well, they're too far away, and we could run into bandits and you wouldn't be much help if they tried to gang rape me. I don't want to be out here any longer than I have to be." "Y'know, YOU don't need to be out here at all considering you apparently threw me under the horse and cart and you're not even in any trouble for any of this!" You almost expect Annah to hit you again, but now she does something worse...she doesn't do it often, but... "Oh no..." you say when you see her eyes starting to water. "I knew it! You blame me for everything! You always blame me for everything that goes wrong! All I fucking did was try to help you when Klint was kicking your ass too! (Sob!) You're right, I DON'T have to be out here, but I'm out here because I fucking love you okay? (Sob!) I don't even know why, because you're a fucking ungrateful asshole!" Annah cries and then runs off to a nearby tree to continue sobbing. "(Sigh) Damn it...." You say to yourself. While you're questioning the idea that this is even a good idea, the fact remains is that in Annah's strange way she is here for you right now. In fact, she's possibly the ONLY person on your side right now. So for better or worse you'll put up with her. (For now) "Annah....look, I'm sorry about my tone okay? But you gotta understand I'm trying to deal with all this shit and I can hardly think right now. I mean I didn't even think I was going to see you again. I'm also worried about my parents. I mean yeah I didn't get along with them, but they certainly don't deserve the shitstorm they're probably going through with the rest of the town right now. I mean what about your mom? You don't think she's wondering where you are right now?" you say while rubbing her shoulders "(Sniffle) Have you met my mom? She probably doesn't even know I'm gone yet. Hell, she probably doesn't even know everything that happened yesterday." Annah says turning around and wiping her eyes. "Yeah, I suppose so, she is drunk a lot of the time. But anyway, like I said, I'm trying to process the fact that I'm now wanted for murder. I don't even know how I feel on THAT fact either. The actual murder. I mean I feel like maybe I should feel bad or something." "Bad? Why would you feel bad? Klint was an asshole, I'm certainly not upset over it." "Well...yeah I suppose I'm not either and it was mostly in self-defense and an accident despite what everyone in town says. Still though, makes me wonder if I'm capable of killing again." "I sure hope so, because it's dangerous out here! Is that dagger the only weapon you got?" "Hm? Yeah. Apologies, but I didn't exactly have time to buy a sword on my way out of town." "Oh well, I guess it will have to do. Just hope we don't run into anything bigger than a hungry rat." "It's not the size of the weapon, it's how you use it." "Yes dear, you keep telling yourself that...so are we going to Klyton now?" "Yeah, we're going to Klyton..." Annah makes "Squeee!" sound and then kisses you saying how exciting it will be to finally go to the "Big City." Honestly, you think Annah's enthusiasm to go to Klyton is a little misplaced even if she wasn't travelling with a wanted murderer. At least she isn't bitching anymore though. However, that doesn't last and she inevitably starts complaining when you insist on staying off the road and sticking to the woods to keep out of sight of any potential person from Teckleville that might be tracking you. "Dunno why you think this makes you more hidden. I found you in the woods." Annah remarks. "Yeah, well not everyone has the magical ability to find me like you do, now come on and keep it down!" You answer. "You know there are blood stalkers out here and bandits who..." "Will try to rape you. Yes, I know. You've only mentioned that three or four times already. What is your preoccupation with getting raped?" "You saying that wouldn't happen?" "No...I...agh! Look it's getting dark enough that I can barely see shit in front of me and we probably should just stop for the rest of the night. I'll see if there's a suitable tree to sleep in..." "A tree? I'm not sleeping in a tree! It sounds uncomfortable and I could fall out and break my neck!" "It's safer than you think, you just prop yourself up against the trunk and a large enough branch. It'll actually be safer than sleeping on the ground. Up in a tree we can at least..." "I'm not sleeping in a fucking tree! I'm hungry, and it's getting cold! We should build a fire!" You face palm at your situation. The tree thing you're flexible on, but a fire? That's potentially asking for trouble. Still, if you make a fire, you'll hopefully shut Annah up. > No compromise Enough is enough. "Shut the fuck up already and stop being a bitch! Shit!" you yell. "Bitch? You fucking shithead, why don't you..." Annah starts to say before you interrupt "NO! I'm not fucking finished! You're gonna listen for a damn change, and don't think your crying routine is going to work again, because I'm too pissed right now! Look, this is how it's gonna be..." Annah surprisingly (and reluctantly) shuts up. "We'll sleep on the ground, but we're not starting a damn fire! Last thing we need to attract possible attention of Teckleville locals looking for me, or monsters or bandits...you know the ones that apparently just love to rape you in every scenario? If you're cold, well you'll just have to be satisfied with my body heat and cuddle up against me." You say. "You hate cuddling. You always say it feels like you're being confined." Annah replies. "Yeah, well I hate a lot of things right now, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice. Now I didn't address this before, but did you even pack anything useful with you, I notice you're travelling kind of light." "I have some money." "Great. I suppose that will come in useful when we finally get to Klyton. (Sigh) Okay, I brought some food, mostly fruit, and water, so I guess you can have some of that. Don't eat and drink all of it though...and before you even start, NO I'm not implying anything about your damn weight. I just don't know how much further it is to Klyton." "What about you? What are you going to eat?" "Well that's just one more sacrifice I guess. Really I'll be fine. Let's just...let's just try not to fight much more okay? I'm under a lot of stress right now and it's not helping either of us. I know I sound at this moment, but deep down for some fucked up reason I'm actually glad you're here. At least I know you care." Surprisingly you think you might have gotten through to Annah this time, as she quietly nods her head instead of her usual routine of talking back. She then goes to hug you, which you return. The remainder of the night is pretty quiet in fact. You're still half paranoid about someone sneaking up on you both, but you never even hear anything out of the ordinary. Predictably Annah does indeed cuddle up next to you during the night. While she sleeps fairly sound, you remain in a half sleep state and waking up periodically. You'll be glad when you get to Klyton. The next day is fairly mundane until you notice that the woods is beginning to thin out. If you continue walking the way you are going, you're going to be in the open fields. and if you're going to march across the open plains, you might as well just walk on the road since you'll be just as exposed. "Well, looks like no more hiding in the trees." Annah says. "Looks like. If I was by myself, I'd probably just rest up here at the edge of these woods and walk through the night so as to continue the low profile...but since I know you're pretty eager to get the hell out of nature's embrace, we'll continue along." "We travelling through those fields?" "Nah, if we're going to march across the open fields, we might as well just walk on the road since we'll be just as exposed either way. The road will be easier to traverse as well since that grass looks like it gets knee high." You and Annah make your way back towards the road and now you're looking around more than ever. You continue to keep aware of your surroundings by keeping an ear out for various sounds. You still have this idea that you're suddenly going to hear Teckleville watchmen on horses galloping on your position. "Will you please stop acting so nervous? I doubt if anyone from home is even looking for you anymore and if they are, I hardly think they're going to go all the way to Klyton. It wasn't like you killed the blacksmith, it was just Klint." Annah says. "Yeah well you still aren't the one that's potentially going to hang." You say. "So you keep telling me. Look I think you know I'm just as nervous for other reasons being out here, but I'm trying to stay calm because...well you're with me and I know you'll protect me." "I thought you said I wouldn't be much help with my little dagger." "I admit I spoke too harshly. I'm sorry. I know you'd probably kill enough of them giving me a chance to run before they cut you down." You start to laugh. "Hey, what about helping me like you did with Klint?" you chuckle. "Yeah, I guess I could try...we'll see how it goes when the time comes. But until then, you acting all jittery and anxious is making me feel the same way, so I'd like it if you could take it down a bit...shit what are those?" Annah says pointing ahead. You see what Annah is talking about. It's a hanging cage along side the road. You've heard of those before. Klyton apparently uses them when the jails are full and the criminal hasn't done anything bad enough to deserve outright death. So they get put in these cages until they eventually die of starvation, exposure or someone grants the mercy of killing them. Either way they aren't the city's problem anymore. Seems like it would be kinder to kill them immediately. "Well at least we know we're getting pretty close to the city. Besides, if there is anyone inside, they're going to be locked up in the cages. Just stay away from grabbing reach." You say. First couple cages you pass are empty. The next one has a decaying smell as you pass, but nobody is in it. You notice on the other side of the road a couple of the cages have bodies in them, but seeing as they aren't moving, you can only guess you're probably walking by corpses. At least you think you are. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to have any extra water would you?" you suddenly hear one of the slumping figures in the cage say. Before you can even answer, Annah speaks up. "No, and even if we did, we wouldn't waste it on a dead man." Annah snaps. "Okay, it was just a question. Sheesh...that's some girl you got there son. Good luck to ya with that one." The man says in a way that sounds sympathic. You and Annah press on past the cages. Eventually Klyton is in sight and you both quicken your pace, anxious to get to your destination as night has now fallen. When you get to the city gates, you find them to be heavily guarded and you're stopped. "Halt, you two don't look like merchants or anyone else that has a real job. In fact you both look a bit suspicious sneaking about the city at this time of night." One of the guards says. "Sneaking around? But we're going through the main gate!" you say. "You giving me lip boy? I'm asking the questions here! We don't need anymore scum like you in this city!" the guard says and pushes you. You're smart enough not to start a fight with an armored guard, but you're starting to wonder if you're going to even get in the city. "Please sir, we just want to get within the safety of the city. It's night and we don't want to get accosted by monsters or bandits that plague the countryside." Annah says in a pleading voice. "Hmph! Shoulda thought about that before you left wherever it is you came from!" the guard says. "Indeed we wouldn't have risked leaving our small town sir, but...well you see we are in love and our parents didn't approve. We had no choice but to flee and get married elsewhere. Klyton was the closest and safest place." "Disobedient to your parents huh? Now I know you're not fit for this city!" Annah at this point gets closer to the guard as she spins this tale. "I know we just look like delinquent ragamuffins to you, but we're just young and lacking options. We're just simple folks in the scheme of things and we can't help how we appear right now or how we feel about each other. Yes, we don't have much money, but my beloved is skilled in the blacksmithing trade. He's even willing to work as a dung sweeper if he can't get an apprenticeship and I fully intend on trying to get work as a waitress." Annah goes back to your side and holds your hand . "All we want to do is start a new life and family together here. Would you really deny us entry when the only thing we're guilty of is being young and in love?" She says and then kisses you on the cheek. At this point the guard Annah's been speaking to, wipes his eye. He then puts a hand in his pocket. "(sniffle) Here. Take this. Think of it as a wedding gift." He says and hands you a few silvers which you take. "Thank you sir." You say. "It's nothing. Go inside. (Sniffle) I'm not sure which gods you two worship, but there is a church of Joachim the Pure that's open all the time. You can probably get married there right now. It's just two rights and a left from where you go past the city gates. You can also find a cheap inn in the same area. You should have enough." The guard says still trying to keep it together. As you pass the guard, Annah thanks him and says that you'll both say a prayer in Joachim's name for his kindness. When you both get past the city gates and far enough away, you finally say something. "Okay, THAT was some of your best work. Shit, even I was starting to get a little choked up." You say smiling. "Think so? Thanks! If everyone here is as much of a soft sell as that guard, we're going to clean up." "Hopefully. Well we're finally here. Definitely bigger than I thought, we probably can get better bearings of this place tomorrow during the day. So you want to go find that inn the guard mentioned?" "You mean spend the night together? Why how improper! We aren't even married!" Annah laughs. You laugh too as the pair of you go seek a room for the night. Well, you're in a big city now. All you have to do now is figure out how to thrive here. Your mind races with a list of things you have to do. Even with Annah by your side, it's still going to be overwhelming at first, but you still have hope that you'll be able to find the fortune and purpose here that you weren't going to find in Teckleville. > Time passes... Year 17 "Annah, I know how to pick a fucking lock, will you stop bitching? This is for your benefit. Are you even paying attention?" you say. "Yes, I'm fucking paying attention. I'm just getting bored and you're taking too fucking long. If I wanted that experience I'd just suck your dick." Annah replies. "Ha fucking ha. There. Got it." "Finally. Hey you asshole! Why the hell did you slap my hand?" Annah says, hitting you back. "Because if you were paying attention, you'd see there's a blade trap almost well hidden in the roof of the safe. Had I not been here, you'd be giving me hand jobs with your left hand rather than your right in your foreseeable future." "You won't be getting ANY sort of job if you continue to abuse me!" "Continue to...nevermind. Let me just disarm this and we can get the fuck out of here. And pay attention to what I'm doing!" So much for Annah changing when she got to Klyton. You sometimes think you've gotten to her and she'll stop bitching so much, but it's always just temporary. You really miss working with your sister. While Annah has certainly improved some of her skills she's ultimately just too damn impatient and lazy for all this and despite her bitching about being the "distraction" during some of your jobs, she relies on it a lot. You figured showing her the more practical and direct aspects of the job, she'd be more appreciative, but this character flaw of bitching non-stop is making you rethink this too. You get the strong impression that she'd rather not help you at all and just would rather reap the benefits. Which at this point might at least be easier on you since you'd be able to work in peace, though if that was the case, why the hell would you need to give her any of it? You'd be better off alone and keep everything. After swiftly disarming the trap, you grab the valuables inside which consists mainly of gold coins and couple pieces of expensive looking jewelry. Not a bad haul. Annah picked a good home to break into even if you would have liked a little more time to case the place first. Having gotten your loot, the pair of you leave as fast as possible. You both stop temporarily just before you get back to your neighborhood. "Hold on, let's be careful. Don't really feel like stumbling into any Bloody Talons right now, especially with this stash." You say. "I thought they were the Crimson Talons." Annah says. "I dunno, I think that was their old name. Heard something about a change in leadership and apparently the new leader is some sort of psycho. Nearly got into it with a few of them two days ago saying that I better not be working on their turf. Which apparently is practically most of the city according to them." "Well if we moved to a better neighborhood, we wouldn't have to sneak about like this and I don't like living at the Welcome Mat, there are a bunch of whores, drunks, and dregs of the city that live there." "The Welcome Mat is a shitty place I agree, but we're less likely to draw attention there. I mean we're a young couple with no visible means of support. Granted the asshole who runs the place is always bitching about his rent, but given that he's selling booze without a license in his basement and got whores living in his hotel he's not likely to turn us in. I mean there is also the militia to worry about and it feels like they've been increasing their own patrols in response to the Bloody Talons." "Pfft, nobody is going to care what we might be doing as long as we're paying the coin to live wherever we're choosing to live at and dressing the part" "Maybe, but I prefer that we also save a little of our coin because, who knows when we might need it for a bribe or to get the hell out of Klyton one day." "What's the point of stealing shit, if we're not going to have fun with it?! I'm tired of eating low class food and never getting to wear any of the shinies we take. If I wanted that life, I would have stayed in Teckleville." "Look, we'll talk about this later when we're not out in the open potentially..." "Well what do we have here?" A voice exclaims. You and Annah both turn around to see three men bigger than you. Not by much, but certain enough that three of them are more than you'd be able to handle with just a short sword. In fact you recognize them as the ones that you were just telling Annah about. "Hey, I know you! You're that shithead we spoke to earlier this week about not working on our turf. What the fuck are you doing here?" one of them says recognizing you as well. "Not working on your turf obviously. I'm not doing anything except...going off with this whore." You say "WHAT?!" Annah exclaims completely fucking up your excuse. "Hey paid your price, I'm not giving you another coin!" you remark trying to salvage the situation, but Annah is being uncooperative tonight. "I'm not a fucking whore, I had enough of being called that in Teckleville! And I'm not going to pretend to be one, just because you're scared of these three assholes." The two Bloody Talons are more amused than angry, but they haven't lost interest. "Nice try shithead. Now obviously since you tried to fucking lie to us, you HAVE been working on our turf. However, hand over what's in your pack now and you and your stupid bitch MIGHT walk away unscathed." The talkative one says. "Stupid bitch? You're the ones in a dumb ass gang probably giving half of your shit to your boss. I'd say you're the stupid bitches here." Annah replies. Going to be one of those nights... "Don't think I won't beat the shit out of you AFTER I'm done beating the shit out of your boyfriend here, you mouthy bitch." the talkative Talon warns. "Oh I can think of better things to do with her mouth." Another says. "Yeah...you might be right. Maybe we'll be taking something else along with what's in your pack." "You fuckers and your Halfling dicks aren't going to do shit! Now get the fuck out of here, before my boyfriend pulls out his pistol!" You have no firearm of any kind, but unlike Annah, you know when to take advantage of a cue. So you immediately reach into your clothing, which causes the Bloody Talons to immediately run from your position like idiots. Which is when you take the opportunity to grab Annah's hand and run the hell out of there as fast as you can. "HEY HE DOESN'T HAVE A GUN!" you hear one of the geniuses shout, but you and Annah don't look back or stop until you get to the safety of the Welcome Mat and even then you go straight to your room. You lock the door immediately and then you finally speak. "Annah, what the fuck is wrong with you?! We could have been killed!" you exclaim. "I know, that's why I got us out of that situation by bluffing that you had a gun. I'd think you'd be grateful that I'm so quick on my feet." You nearly have no words... "Grateful?! I could have gotten us out of that situation a lot easier if you'd just gone along with the whore story!" you say. "And I said I'm not a fucking whore and I'm not going to pretend to be one either! Besides, they weren't buying that story anyway. My way worked!" Annah replies. "Yeah, and what if they had been a little braver and called the bluff OR shit, one of them had a flintlock of their own?" "Pfft, they're cowardly gutter scum at heart that's why they rove in packs and are part of a bullshit gang and did you see how they were dressed? Fucking rags, no way they could even afford a firearm." You might as well be talking to a brick wall. While you're trying not to get frothing mad and think of a calm way to explain that now thanks to Annah, you definitely will have the Bloody Talons on your asses, Annah has moved on to taking your pack and emptying the contents on the bed and going through them. You notice she's putting aside a lot of the contents next to herself. "What're you doing?" you ask. "I'm taking my share. I figure since I saved our asses tonight, that entitles me to a lot more." "Saved our asses? I repeat, you nearly got us fucking killed! And on top of that, I had to prevent you from getting your hand chopped off because you were trying to grab shit before checking for traps!" "Why don't you want me to have nice things?" "What?" "You don't want me to have nice things! You don't want me to try to improve my self. You want to keep me dressed in rags, looking like shit and generally being miserable." "Annah, okay THAT is not even true. I don't have any control over how you..." "Are you afraid if I start feeling good about myself I'll start looking for someone better?" "Now you're just being melodramatic and ridiculous." "And there you go dismissing my feelings again!" "Annah, if you're so unhappy and dissatisfied with me, then why are you still around? I mean I'm not twisting your arm and holding you here." "So I'm an inconvenience to you? I'm starting to wonder if you really love me at all." You think about your next words and the possible consequences, but then you do it anyway, because you've had it. "I'm starting to wonder too, given all the shit you put me through on a daily basis!" Annah's eyes widen. "Be very careful with your next words to me." Annah warns. "Fuck that, I've tried everything with you and nothing fucking works! You are content on just berating me day in day out! When you aren't bitching about what I'm doing, you're finding new stuff to nag me about! I thought maybe things would be different here between us, but I guess not. So since you can't seem to let go, I'll do all the work as usual..." At this point you start grabbing all the loot on the bed and putting it into a nearby bag. Then you go to where you keep your "savings" and take some of that out and throw that into the bag as well. You then thrust the bag of valuables into Annah's hand. "Wha...what are you doing?" Annah asks. "Giving you what you obviously need. Hope you find someone better." You say and start pushing Annah towards the door who is resisting the whole time. "Hey! Tha...That's it? Just like that and you're just fucking kicking me out?! What about the rest of my clothes and belongings?!" "You got more than enough coin to buy all the nice things you ever wanted, and I know you have just enough skill to get by. It's been fun and I'll always remember the good times. Bye Annah." You say and you shove Annah out the door. You expect Annah to bang on the door or at least yell at you, maybe even cry, but that doesn't happen. You just hear her footsteps walking off. Things between the two of you were always volatile, probably for the best that this ended now. You always thought it would Annah that would eventually leave though; you guess maybe she just needed a little extra shove. Without much else to do and this being a bit of an exhausting event, you go to sleep. When you wake up its midday and feeling refreshed. "Annah, are you...oh right." You say remembering she's not here, which still seems odd. You sort of figured that maybe she'd sneak back in or something. Going to be a little weird without her around you think, but life goes on. After all you didn't expect her to come with you in the first place. You move on to pondering what your plans are today. While you gave most of the stash to Annah, you can easily live on what you have left for a month before you even need to go out again. You figure you'll ponder your long-term goals after getting something to eat. You take some of your coin and exit your room. As you're trying to leave the inn, you bump into Randi, the red headed whore that lives in the building. Better than that drunk Joachim priest Virgil asking for a donation again you suppose. "Hey handsome, what's going on?" she asks a bit flirtatiously. "Nothing, just going to get some food." you reply. "I see. Where's your girlfriend?" "Hell if I know, we're not together any more." "Is that right? Well, you looking for some company then?" "Eh, I wasn't planning on it..." "Oh come on, let me satisfy your other appetites. I'll even give you a discount for your broken heart." Randi says thrusting her chest out and moving in closer to you. You look at Randi who, as far as whores go isn't exactly top tier, though it looks like she's put a little more effort into her job today. Normally you probably wouldn't give Randi a second look, but it's not like you have anything better to do and she's probably going to be cheaper than a girl at an established brothel. > You go with Randi What the hell, moving on is all part of the healing process. "Okay Randi, let's go." You say. You go off with Randi back to her room where you have...an interesting time. Actually interesting is an understatement. While you really only have Annah to compare her to, you soon learn why Randi keeps in steady business despite not necessarily being the best looking of whores. Afterwards you spend some of the day seeking out new burglary opportunities, though since you're a lot lower on coin due to spending some of it on Randi earlier, you engage in a little more pick pocketing. A couple days pass and you have a burning sensation the next time you piss. "Shit." You exclaim and realize that Randi has left you a reminder of your good time with her. You really should have known better you suppose, but you're still angry. And you don't feel any less angry when you bump into her in the hallway. "Hey handsome, you interested in another date with me? I'll even give you another discount, you look like you're still in pain." Randi says. "Pain? Shit yeah I'm in pain. You fucking gave me crotch rot you dumb whore!" "What? Oh I did not. You probably just got the burn. Just go to the apothecary and get yourself the antidote. That's what other people do." "Maybe if you'd warned me ahead of time it wouldn't be fucking necessary!" "I find that when I tell people they change their mind. People are so judgmental about that sort of thing." "I fucking wonder why, get the hell out of my way disease bag!" "Oh fuck you. I didn't hear you complaining a few days ago!" You walk past Randi and make a quick trip to the nearest apothecary. Just your luck, you get there and there's a long line. Probably all there to get cured from the shit they caught from Randi. You wait for a few hours and the line never seems to move which makes sense since there's only one healer and his assistant working. By the time you start to get closer, the assistant decides to tell everyone that they're closing for the day. While this seems to come to no surprise to some of the people, and others grumble a bit, but you're one of the few that begins yelling loudly. "What!? I've been waiting fucking hours!" you exclaim. "Apologies sir, but my master is not taking any more business today, he needs to rest like everyone else." "Well wake him the fuck up! I got a case of dick fire over here and I need the fucking cure!" "Sir. I understand your issues. Look, if you come here first thing in the morning, you can be one of the first to get served." "What the name of the medicine I need?" "Excuse me sir?" "The medicine! What do I need exactly to cure my fucking dick?" The assistant is a little bewildered by your question, but he answers you and even tells you what it looks like when you ask. You then thank him and leave. The shop closes and you go back to the Welcome Mat (and shoving Virgil aside when he predictably asks you for coin as usual). You wait until the middle of the night and then make your way back to the apothecary, which you easily break into. After a bit of searching you find the medicine you're looking for and immediately down the stuff. It's foul, but hopefully it works as intended. Just in case, you grab several more bottles of the stuff. Feeling mildly more relieved of your situation; you exit the shop with the intent of heading back home. And then you feel a fist to the side of your face. This is then followed by a few kicks and then two people picking you up. "So, not working our turf huh? What the hell you doing breaking into a place we're protecting? Where's yer gun at? Oh right, you don't have one" a man says while searching you and taking away your weapons. "Hell, where's his mouthy bitch at? Still would like to shut her up." One of the men holding you up says. You can only see out one eye and its dark, but you know immediately that these are the same Bloody Talons you ran into the night you broke up with Annah. The one who just took away your weapons holds your dagger up in a threatening manner. "You're dead." He says. "Wait, I can...ugh!" you get out before taking a blade to your body repeatedly. Eventually your body hangs limp and the Bloody Talons drop you to the ground. Then with a final killing blow, one of them jams the dagger into the back of your neck and leave your bloody body to be gnawed on by the alley rats until morning.

Year 17 "Annah, I know how to pick a fucking lock, will you stop bitching? This is for your benefit. Are you even paying attention?" you say. "Yes, I'm fucking paying attention. I'm just getting bored and you're taking too fucking long. If I wanted that experience I'd just suck your dick." Annah replies. "Ha fucking ha. There. Got it." "Finally. Hey you asshole! Why the hell did you slap my hand?" Annah says, hitting you back. "Because if you were paying attention, you'd see there's a blade trap almost well hidden in the roof of the safe. Had I not been here, you'd be giving me hand jobs with your left hand rather than your right in your foreseeable future." "You won't be getting ANY sort of job if you continue to abuse me!" "Continue to...nevermind. Let me just disarm this and we can get the fuck out of here. And pay attention to what I'm doing!" So much for Annah changing when she got to Klyton. You sometimes think you've gotten to her and she'll stop bitching so much, but it's always just temporary. You really miss working with your sister. While Annah has certainly improved some of her skills she's ultimately just too damn impatient and lazy for all this and despite her bitching about being the "distraction" during some of your jobs, she relies on it a lot. You figured showing her the more practical and direct aspects of the job, she'd be more appreciative, but this character flaw of bitching non-stop is making you rethink this too. You get the strong impression that she'd rather not help you at all and just would rather reap the benefits. Which at this point might at least be easier on you since you'd be able to work in peace, though if that was the case, why the hell would you need to give her any of it? You'd be better off alone and keep everything. After swiftly disarming the trap, you grab the valuables inside which consists mainly of gold coins and couple pieces of expensive looking jewelry. Not a bad haul. Annah picked a good home to break into even if you would have liked a little more time to case the place first. Having gotten your loot, the pair of you leave as fast as possible. You both stop temporarily just before you get back to your neighborhood. "Hold on, let's be careful. Don't really feel like stumbling into any Bloody Talons right now, especially with this stash." You say. "I thought they were the Crimson Talons." Annah says. "I dunno, I think that was their old name. Heard something about a change in leadership and apparently the new leader is some sort of psycho. Nearly got into it with a few of them two days ago saying that I better not be working on their turf. Which apparently is practically most of the city according to them." "Well if we moved to a better neighborhood, we wouldn't have to sneak about like this and I don't like living at the Welcome Mat, there are a bunch of whores, drunks, and dregs of the city that live there." "The Welcome Mat is a shitty place I agree, but we're less likely to draw attention there. I mean we're a young couple with no visible means of support. Granted the asshole who runs the place is always bitching about his rent, but given that he's selling booze without a license in his basement and got whores living in his hotel he's not likely to turn us in. I mean there is also the militia to worry about and it feels like they've been increasing their own patrols in response to the Bloody Talons." "Pfft, nobody is going to care what we might be doing as long as we're paying the coin to live wherever we're choosing to live at and dressing the part" "Maybe, but I prefer that we also save a little of our coin because, who knows when we might need it for a bribe or to get the hell out of Klyton one day." "What's the point of stealing shit, if we're not going to have fun with it?! I'm tired of eating low class food and never getting to wear any of the shinies we take. If I wanted that life, I would have stayed in Teckleville." "Look, we'll talk about this later when we're not out in the open potentially..." "Well what do we have here?" A voice exclaims. You and Annah both turn around to see three men bigger than you. Not by much, but certain enough that three of them are more than you'd be able to handle with just a short sword. In fact you recognize them as the ones that you were just telling Annah about. "Hey, I know you! You're that shithead we spoke to earlier this week about not working on our turf. What the fuck are you doing here?" one of them says recognizing you as well. "Not working on your turf obviously. I'm not doing anything except...going off with this whore." You say "WHAT?!" Annah exclaims completely fucking up your excuse. "Hey paid your price, I'm not giving you another coin!" you remark trying to salvage the situation, but Annah is being uncooperative tonight. "I'm not a fucking whore, I had enough of being called that in Teckleville! And I'm not going to pretend to be one, just because you're scared of these three assholes." The two Bloody Talons are more amused than angry, but they haven't lost interest. "Nice try shithead. Now obviously since you tried to fucking lie to us, you HAVE been working on our turf. However, hand over what's in your pack now and you and your stupid bitch MIGHT walk away unscathed." The talkative one says. "Stupid bitch? You're the ones in a dumb ass gang probably giving half of your shit to your boss. I'd say you're the stupid bitches here." Annah replies. Going to be one of those nights... "Don't think I won't beat the shit out of you AFTER I'm done beating the shit out of your boyfriend here, you mouthy bitch." the talkative Talon warns. "Oh I can think of better things to do with her mouth." Another says. "Yeah...you might be right. Maybe we'll be taking something else along with what's in your pack." "You fuckers and your Halfling dicks aren't going to do shit! Now get the fuck out of here, before my boyfriend pulls out his pistol!" You have no firearm of any kind, but unlike Annah, you know when to take advantage of a cue. So you immediately reach into your clothing, which causes the Bloody Talons to immediately run from your position like idiots. Which is when you take the opportunity to grab Annah's hand and run the hell out of there as fast as you can. "HEY HE DOESN'T HAVE A GUN!" you hear one of the geniuses shout, but you and Annah don't look back or stop until you get to the safety of the Welcome Mat and even then you go straight to your room. You lock the door immediately and then you finally speak. "Annah, what the fuck is wrong with you?! We could have been killed!" you exclaim. "I know, that's why I got us out of that situation by bluffing that you had a gun. I'd think you'd be grateful that I'm so quick on my feet." You nearly have no words... "Grateful?! I could have gotten us out of that situation a lot easier if you'd just gone along with the whore story!" you say. "And I said I'm not a fucking whore and I'm not going to pretend to be one either! Besides, they weren't buying that story anyway. My way worked!" Annah replies. "Yeah, and what if they had been a little braver and called the bluff OR shit, one of them had a flintlock of their own?" "Pfft, they're cowardly gutter scum at heart that's why they rove in packs and are part of a bullshit gang and did you see how they were dressed? Fucking rags, no way they could even afford a firearm." You might as well be talking to a brick wall. While you're trying not to get frothing mad and think of a calm way to explain that now thanks to Annah, you definitely will have the Bloody Talons on your asses, Annah has moved on to taking your pack and emptying the contents on the bed and going through them. You notice she's putting aside a lot of the contents next to herself. "What're you doing?" you ask. "I'm taking my share. I figure since I saved our asses tonight, that entitles me to a lot more." "Saved our asses? I repeat, you nearly got us fucking killed! And on top of that, I had to prevent you from getting your hand chopped off because you were trying to grab shit before checking for traps!" "Why don't you want me to have nice things?" "What?" "You don't want me to have nice things! You don't want me to try to improve my self. You want to keep me dressed in rags, looking like shit and generally being miserable." "Annah, okay THAT is not even true. I don't have any control over how you..." "Are you afraid if I start feeling good about myself I'll start looking for someone better?" "Now you're just being melodramatic and ridiculous." "And there you go dismissing my feelings again!" "Annah, if you're so unhappy and dissatisfied with me, then why are you still around? I mean I'm not twisting your arm and holding you here." "So I'm an inconvenience to you? I'm starting to wonder if you really love me at all." You think about your next words and the possible consequences, but then you do it anyway, because you've had it. "I'm starting to wonder too, given all the shit you put me through on a daily basis!" Annah's eyes widen. "Be very careful with your next words to me." Annah warns. "Fuck that, I've tried everything with you and nothing fucking works! You are content on just berating me day in day out! When you aren't bitching about what I'm doing, you're finding new stuff to nag me about! I thought maybe things would be different here between us, but I guess not. So since you can't seem to let go, I'll do all the work as usual..." At this point you start grabbing all the loot on the bed and putting it into a nearby bag. Then you go to where you keep your "savings" and take some of that out and throw that into the bag as well. You then thrust the bag of valuables into Annah's hand. "Wha...what are you doing?" Annah asks. "Giving you what you obviously need. Hope you find someone better." You say and start pushing Annah towards the door who is resisting the whole time. "Hey! Tha...That's it? Just like that and you're just fucking kicking me out?! What about the rest of my clothes and belongings?!" "You got more than enough coin to buy all the nice things you ever wanted, and I know you have just enough skill to get by. It's been fun and I'll always remember the good times. Bye Annah." You say and you shove Annah out the door. You expect Annah to bang on the door or at least yell at you, maybe even cry, but that doesn't happen. You just hear her footsteps walking off. Things between the two of you were always volatile, probably for the best that this ended now. You always thought it would Annah that would eventually leave though; you guess maybe she just needed a little extra shove. Without much else to do and this being a bit of an exhausting event, you go to sleep. When you wake up its midday and feeling refreshed. "Annah, are you...oh right." You say remembering she's not here, which still seems odd. You sort of figured that maybe she'd sneak back in or something. Going to be a little weird without her around you think, but life goes on. After all you didn't expect her to come with you in the first place. You move on to pondering what your plans are today. While you gave most of the stash to Annah, you can easily live on what you have left for a month before you even need to go out again. You figure you'll ponder your long-term goals after getting something to eat. You take some of your coin and exit your room. As you're trying to leave the inn, you bump into Randi, the red headed whore that lives in the building. Better than that drunk Joachim priest Virgil asking for a donation again you suppose. "Hey handsome, what's going on?" she asks a bit flirtatiously. "Nothing, just going to get some food." you reply. "I see. Where's your girlfriend?" "Hell if I know, we're not together any more." "Is that right? Well, you looking for some company then?" "Eh, I wasn't planning on it..." "Oh come on, let me satisfy your other appetites. I'll even give you a discount for your broken heart." Randi says thrusting her chest out and moving in closer to you. You look at Randi who, as far as whores go isn't exactly top tier, though it looks like she's put a little more effort into her job today. Normally you probably wouldn't give Randi a second look, but it's not like you have anything better to do and she's probably going to be cheaper than a girl at an established brothel. > You decline her invitation Maybe you're no longer with Annah, but if you're going to start fucking whores, you could still do better than Randi. "No thanks, I'm good." You say. "Hm, I understand. Still holding a candle for her huh? Y'know, anytime I saw you two together she was bitching at you. If you ask me, you seem like you're better off anyway." Randi says. "Well nobody asked you Randi, look just leave me alone, you aren't selling anything I'm interested in." Randi now looks offended. "Oh fuck you asshole. You think you're better than me? Your girlfriend obviously didn't think so since she wised up and left your ass." Randi says. "I broke up with her, you presumptuous whore." You say as she walks away waving a dismissing hand back at you. You leave the Welcome Mat and go get yourself some food and then spend the rest of the day seeking out new burglary opportunities. Normally you would have spent the rest of the day doing the whole distract and con jobs with Annah, but without her around now, you're content on focusing no longer having to directly deal with people. You spend the next few weeks working by yourself and generally getting by. You've manage to nearly build up what you gave to Annah. During this time you're also mainly avoiding the Bloody Talons (along with the Klyton Militia) who are a little more aware of you now thanks to that night Annah mouthed off to them. Fucking Annah... While you've generally been having a fine time without her constant bitching, you'd be lying if you said you didn't still think about her. She was fun in a lot of physical ways, it was just about everything else she did that made her less fun. You're still a little surprised that she hasn't popped up again on your doorstep. You thought maybe she would have by now. The fact that she hasn't does give you a little concern that maybe the Bloody Talons got a hold of her (or some similar fate) but if something bad has befallen her, there's not much you can do about it and it's certainly not your fault. Then again you did throw her out... "Bah, stop thinking about her. You're better off. She probably went back home a lot richer than I am right now." You mutter to yourself. As you're trying to put the thoughts of your ex out of your mind, you start wondering about the possibility of leaving Klyton yourself after you acquire a little more. Besides the Bloody Talons potentially giving you grief, they've also been terrorizing the city with their actions, which means the Klyton Militia has been cracking down harder on everything. Part of you wonders if maybe you should just move on from this city, but you really loathe the idea of travelling again and you aren't sure where you'd go. Hessla maybe? While you're pondering your possible future you bump into Virgil as you're stepping in the Welcome Mat. "Heeeeey youngster! (hic!) You got any spare....coppers fer the faith?" Virgil asks. The odor of Virgil's rancid breath hits you full force. You immediately cover your nose and mouth. You thought the followers of Joachim were supposed to be into purity and restraint. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Joachim was the god of alcohol and hopeless drunks based on this guy's behavior and actions. "Shit, Virgil. When the hell was the last time you washed? You fucking smell worse than a troll's ass. Granted I've never smelled a troll's ass, but I think it's a safe bet you smell worse than one." You say. "Guess again. Hahahahahahaha! (hic) So can ya spare a copper?" "No and I told you to stop bothering me Virgil! Don't you have a collection box you can pilfer booze money from?" you shout. "Yeah...but no...but I got some (hic) news..." "Yeah, I already know about Joachim's blessed light. You tried to tell me about it the first time I came here and you nearly threw up on me in the process." "I did? Geez, sorry son...but this is different! (hic) Some...somebody..." "Somebody what?" "Somebody was lookin' fer ya." Well that peaked your interest. "Oh?" you answer. "Yeah...(hic) Yeah, this big guy. I mean not like ogre big, but just human big ya know? Old guy too. (hic) I mean not as old as that asshole who own this place, but probably around my age." Virgil says. "Well that's still fucking old then, aren't you like seventy?" "Fuck you. I'll have you know I'm in my forties...I think...yeah..." "Okay, so big guy in his forties was looking for me. What did he want?" Of course NOW Virgil decides to be uncooperative. "No! No! Fuck you, I'm not tellin' you shit now. (hic) Who...who...what do you think I am some kinda asshole fer you to abuse? Callin' me seventy fuckin' years old. I oughta kick yer ass in the name of Joachim! Yer lucky I'm a man of faith...(hic)" At this point Virgil mumbles and stumbles away still mumbling and swearing. You suppose you could always ask him again later when he's feeling less feisty. He will have likely forgotten all about your so-called insult later, of course he probably will have forgotten about the guy looking for you too. As you head back to your room, you ponder who he could have been talking about. Your dad? Dad's not a big guy though and you honestly doubt if he would bother to come look for you. Might have been one of those Bloody Talon assholes, though honestly you're a bit surprised that they haven't shown up here before. Other than those possibilities, you're drawing a blank of who might be looking for you. It's a little concerning though. You'll just remain alert and keep an eye out this guy looking for you. Remain on your guard too, since you still don't know if this man means you harm or not. Hopefully Virgil can tell you something later. For now though you decide to get some sleep after your long night of thievery. As your lids get heavier, you think on where you could ply your trade with a little more ease and a lot more loot. The rich areas are well patrolled, the government district is well patrolled, the merchant district is well patrolled and has Bloody Talons running about, and the poor areas are definitely Bloody Talon territory and the folks don't have shit. It suddenly occurs to you that you've never really tried the university district of the city. Might be worth a look, after all it should be filled with stupid rich kids not aware of their surroundings and the Talons don't seem to go running around there, so there might be less heat overall. You wake up midday. After getting yourself ready for today's endeavors, you knock on Virgil's door, but there is no answer. He's either still asleep or he's out collecting donations for Joachim. Probably the latter considering you didn't contribute to his booze fund. You leave the Welcome Mat Inn, though a little more cautiously than usual. Nobody seems to be approaching or giving you suspicious looks though. Still, wishing to keep a low profile, you stick to the back streets as much as possible and eventually when you get to the better part of town, you catch a coach for your remaining trip to the university. By the time you arrive, the day is beginning to end, but you soon find that the university is still fairly active. After a few hours of just scouting and walking around, it's much like you figured. A lot of scholarly types with their noses in books and rich kids that do a lot of partying. The dorms have security, but oddly not as much as one might think. You find that despite being dressed in your lower class clothing, nobody is really giving you a second glance. It might be due to your youth though; you probably just look like a struggling student. Wasn't like your dad was exactly rich when he attended this place either. It occurs to you how strange it is to be at the university at all. You never thought you'd ever "attend" your dad's old place of higher learning. You're sure at one time he had hopes you would, but it probably wasn't under these circumstances. As you're having these inner reflections, you see a group of people hanging around laughing and generally having their attention focused on a little black and white curly haired dog, which is enjoying the attention. What gains your attention however is you recognize one of these people. It's Annah! Her hair is fixed up and she's dressed like she's the daughter of some rich nobleman. Looks like she put all that loot you gave her and indeed bought herself something nice and apparently she's bought a dog as well. You never knew she wanted one of those. Annah hasn't seen you, but that's probably because she's busy picking everyone's pockets while they're all distracted and laughing. Or rather she's trying to, the problem is the dog moves around enough that people are constantly changing the direction of where they're looking. You shake your head and move towards the group. "Excuse me, I'm new here and I'm looking for the medical school." You say. Annah's eyes instantly go wide and then they narrow with a "Get the fuck out of here." look. Meanwhile her little dog has also seen you and unlike with everyone else, it has decided to growl and give a little bark before running behind someone's leg. "Oh, sure it's just past those buildings over there." Someone answers. "Over there? I just came from over there and I didn't see it." You reply. "No, over to the west. There's a big statue. You can't miss it." "The big statue with the sword? I was over that way too and still didn't see it." "No, that's on the east side, I'm talking about the west side. There's a statue of a physician wearing a plague mask." "Can't say I've seen that. Where did you say it was again?" "The west side! The west!" "Okay, calm down! I was just asking where the medical school is and you're giving me directions to a statue." "I'm not give....argh." "Here let me try..." a girl says stepping in to explain. You manage to keep up this idiot charade for quite awhile completely exasperating the entire group to the point where several of them are calling you a retard and don't know how the hell you're even breathing, let alone getting in this university. Meanwhile Annah realizes what you're doing and manages to easily pick everyone's pockets while they're focused on you. She then takes off with her dog. "Oh wait, I'm supposed to go to the school of magic, not medicine. Duh. Apologies." You say trying not to laugh while everyone calls you names. As you walk away you decide to call it a night. While you didn't really engage in any lucrative opportunities yourself, you're sort of glad to learn that Annah is alive and well. You suppose you do miss her a bit. In any case, you decide that the university district might be the place to start plying your trade since the militia patrols are infrequent and the Bloody Talon assholes aren't around here. Of course that might mean bumping into Annah again so that's definitely a potential drawback, but it's still a big place and she doesn't have some claim on it. You'll try to stay out of her way though if you happen to see her. Over the next few days you start making your routine visits to the university. You find it particularly easy to just go into the dorms and start pilfering things. These students have more money than a sense of security it seems. And the actual university security must be everyone that tried out for the Klyton militia and failed miserably. After a week of looting the male dorms you decide to change it up and move on to the female dorms. You'll have to be more stealthy considering you can't just wander about as freely in there, but you've been doing this long enough now that you're confident that you shouldn't have too many problems. Fortunately there are always a lot of parties going on and this weekend there is a big one that everyone is supposed to be excited to go to, so you figure that's the best time to strike. After some stealthy moves you get in and begin rummaging through empty rooms. You're doing fairly well until you get to your fifth room and as you're going through one of the drawers you suddenly hear a little growl. "I KNEW you were fucking stalking me! Get out! Get the fuck out of my room!" Annah suddenly shouts and hits you in the head with a shoe. You have no idea where she was hiding, you thought you were pretty observant and careful. "Ow! Your room?" you say and begin blocking her attacks. "Yes! This is my fucking room! Checkers attack!" Annah commands and you feel her fluffy hound viciously bite you on the ankle. "Fuck! Little shit!" you say and kick the beast off of you causing it to yelp and hide behind Annah though still growling. "You fucking asshole! You kicked my dog!" "You told it to attack me! And how the hell is this your room, since when are you in college?" "What's it to you? What? You didn't think I could make it on my own did you?" "Well..." "You didn't! I knew it! You've never supported me! Well as you can see I'm doing just fine without you, better in fact!" "Oh sure, that's why I had to help you last week distracting those idiots you were trying to pick pocket." "I was doing just fine with that! So why the fuck are you here anyway? You trying to get back with me? Because if you are, that ship has sailed a long time ago the moment you threw me out! Now stop stalking me and get out before I call security!" > You try to explain yourself As usual Annah's overreacting and you just need to calm her down. "Annah, if you could just calm down a fucking second, I'm not fucking stalking you! I happen to..." you start to say before she interrupts. "HELP THERE'S A RAPIST IN MY ROOM! HELP! HELP!" Annah screams. "Annah! Are you fucking kidding me?!" Annah doesn't stop screaming though and then her dog starts barking again. This causes you to try to shut her up by grabbing her, but this just makes things worse as she begins to struggle and hit you while continuing to scream. Then on top of that, her dog bites your leg again. Realizing that she's in no mood to listen to reason and is just determined to get you out of here, you release her and shake her mutt off your leg and turn to leave. Before you get out the door though she throws something at you which hits you in the head pretty hard. "Fuck." You utter and stumble out the door. "I hope I cracked your fucking skull RAPIST!" Annah continues to shout. You stagger as fast as you can out of the dorm, but thanks to the blow to your head, you're feeling pretty dizzy. Annah's shouting also drew the attention of the few others that were currently in the dorm. The fact that she screamed rape doesn't help as now every other woman in the place is screaming too. You don't get far from the dorm when security shows up. Any other time security isn't a problem around here, but when several women are screaming rapist they come heavy. A gunshot is heard as you're trying to flee causing you to instinctively duck, though due to your dizziness, you end up tripping and falling. You manage to get back up and then another gunshot rings out. This one unfortunately hitting you in the back. You fall back down to the ground and don't get up again. If you were still alive, you probably wouldn't have found it surprising that Annah cried over you for weeks apologizing that she got you killed.

Maybe you're no longer with Annah, but if you're going to start fucking whores, you could still do better than Randi. "No thanks, I'm good." You say. "Hm, I understand. Still holding a candle for her huh? Y'know, anytime I saw you two together she was bitching at you. If you ask me, you seem like you're better off anyway." Randi says. "Well nobody asked you Randi, look just leave me alone, you aren't selling anything I'm interested in." Randi now looks offended. "Oh fuck you asshole. You think you're better than me? Your girlfriend obviously didn't think so since she wised up and left your ass." Randi says. "I broke up with her, you presumptuous whore." You say as she walks away waving a dismissing hand back at you. You leave the Welcome Mat and go get yourself some food and then spend the rest of the day seeking out new burglary opportunities. Normally you would have spent the rest of the day doing the whole distract and con jobs with Annah, but without her around now, you're content on focusing no longer having to directly deal with people. You spend the next few weeks working by yourself and generally getting by. You've manage to nearly build up what you gave to Annah. During this time you're also mainly avoiding the Bloody Talons (along with the Klyton Militia) who are a little more aware of you now thanks to that night Annah mouthed off to them. Fucking Annah... While you've generally been having a fine time without her constant bitching, you'd be lying if you said you didn't still think about her. She was fun in a lot of physical ways, it was just about everything else she did that made her less fun. You're still a little surprised that she hasn't popped up again on your doorstep. You thought maybe she would have by now. The fact that she hasn't does give you a little concern that maybe the Bloody Talons got a hold of her (or some similar fate) but if something bad has befallen her, there's not much you can do about it and it's certainly not your fault. Then again you did throw her out... "Bah, stop thinking about her. You're better off. She probably went back home a lot richer than I am right now." You mutter to yourself. As you're trying to put the thoughts of your ex out of your mind, you start wondering about the possibility of leaving Klyton yourself after you acquire a little more. Besides the Bloody Talons potentially giving you grief, they've also been terrorizing the city with their actions, which means the Klyton Militia has been cracking down harder on everything. Part of you wonders if maybe you should just move on from this city, but you really loathe the idea of travelling again and you aren't sure where you'd go. Hessla maybe? While you're pondering your possible future you bump into Virgil as you're stepping in the Welcome Mat. "Heeeeey youngster! (hic!) You got any spare....coppers fer the faith?" Virgil asks. The odor of Virgil's rancid breath hits you full force. You immediately cover your nose and mouth. You thought the followers of Joachim were supposed to be into purity and restraint. If you didn't know any better, you'd think Joachim was the god of alcohol and hopeless drunks based on this guy's behavior and actions. "Shit, Virgil. When the hell was the last time you washed? You fucking smell worse than a troll's ass. Granted I've never smelled a troll's ass, but I think it's a safe bet you smell worse than one." You say. "Guess again. Hahahahahahaha! (hic) So can ya spare a copper?" "No and I told you to stop bothering me Virgil! Don't you have a collection box you can pilfer booze money from?" you shout. "Yeah...but no...but I got some (hic) news..." "Yeah, I already know about Joachim's blessed light. You tried to tell me about it the first time I came here and you nearly threw up on me in the process." "I did? Geez, sorry son...but this is different! (hic) Some...somebody..." "Somebody what?" "Somebody was lookin' fer ya." Well that peaked your interest. "Oh?" you answer. "Yeah...(hic) Yeah, this big guy. I mean not like ogre big, but just human big ya know? Old guy too. (hic) I mean not as old as that asshole who own this place, but probably around my age." Virgil says. "Well that's still fucking old then, aren't you like seventy?" "Fuck you. I'll have you know I'm in my forties...I think...yeah..." "Okay, so big guy in his forties was looking for me. What did he want?" Of course NOW Virgil decides to be uncooperative. "No! No! Fuck you, I'm not tellin' you shit now. (hic) Who...who...what do you think I am some kinda asshole fer you to abuse? Callin' me seventy fuckin' years old. I oughta kick yer ass in the name of Joachim! Yer lucky I'm a man of faith...(hic)" At this point Virgil mumbles and stumbles away still mumbling and swearing. You suppose you could always ask him again later when he's feeling less feisty. He will have likely forgotten all about your so-called insult later, of course he probably will have forgotten about the guy looking for you too. As you head back to your room, you ponder who he could have been talking about. Your dad? Dad's not a big guy though and you honestly doubt if he would bother to come look for you. Might have been one of those Bloody Talon assholes, though honestly you're a bit surprised that they haven't shown up here before. Other than those possibilities, you're drawing a blank of who might be looking for you. It's a little concerning though. You'll just remain alert and keep an eye out this guy looking for you. Remain on your guard too, since you still don't know if this man means you harm or not. Hopefully Virgil can tell you something later. For now though you decide to get some sleep after your long night of thievery. As your lids get heavier, you think on where you could ply your trade with a little more ease and a lot more loot. The rich areas are well patrolled, the government district is well patrolled, the merchant district is well patrolled and has Bloody Talons running about, and the poor areas are definitely Bloody Talon territory and the folks don't have shit. It suddenly occurs to you that you've never really tried the university district of the city. Might be worth a look, after all it should be filled with stupid rich kids not aware of their surroundings and the Talons don't seem to go running around there, so there might be less heat overall. You wake up midday. After getting yourself ready for today's endeavors, you knock on Virgil's door, but there is no answer. He's either still asleep or he's out collecting donations for Joachim. Probably the latter considering you didn't contribute to his booze fund. You leave the Welcome Mat Inn, though a little more cautiously than usual. Nobody seems to be approaching or giving you suspicious looks though. Still, wishing to keep a low profile, you stick to the back streets as much as possible and eventually when you get to the better part of town, you catch a coach for your remaining trip to the university. By the time you arrive, the day is beginning to end, but you soon find that the university is still fairly active. After a few hours of just scouting and walking around, it's much like you figured. A lot of scholarly types with their noses in books and rich kids that do a lot of partying. The dorms have security, but oddly not as much as one might think. You find that despite being dressed in your lower class clothing, nobody is really giving you a second glance. It might be due to your youth though; you probably just look like a struggling student. Wasn't like your dad was exactly rich when he attended this place either. It occurs to you how strange it is to be at the university at all. You never thought you'd ever "attend" your dad's old place of higher learning. You're sure at one time he had hopes you would, but it probably wasn't under these circumstances. As you're having these inner reflections, you see a group of people hanging around laughing and generally having their attention focused on a little black and white curly haired dog, which is enjoying the attention. What gains your attention however is you recognize one of these people. It's Annah! Her hair is fixed up and she's dressed like she's the daughter of some rich nobleman. Looks like she put all that loot you gave her and indeed bought herself something nice and apparently she's bought a dog as well. You never knew she wanted one of those. Annah hasn't seen you, but that's probably because she's busy picking everyone's pockets while they're all distracted and laughing. Or rather she's trying to, the problem is the dog moves around enough that people are constantly changing the direction of where they're looking. You shake your head and move towards the group. "Excuse me, I'm new here and I'm looking for the medical school." You say. Annah's eyes instantly go wide and then they narrow with a "Get the fuck out of here." look. Meanwhile her little dog has also seen you and unlike with everyone else, it has decided to growl and give a little bark before running behind someone's leg. "Oh, sure it's just past those buildings over there." Someone answers. "Over there? I just came from over there and I didn't see it." You reply. "No, over to the west. There's a big statue. You can't miss it." "The big statue with the sword? I was over that way too and still didn't see it." "No, that's on the east side, I'm talking about the west side. There's a statue of a physician wearing a plague mask." "Can't say I've seen that. Where did you say it was again?" "The west side! The west!" "Okay, calm down! I was just asking where the medical school is and you're giving me directions to a statue." "I'm not give....argh." "Here let me try..." a girl says stepping in to explain. You manage to keep up this idiot charade for quite awhile completely exasperating the entire group to the point where several of them are calling you a retard and don't know how the hell you're even breathing, let alone getting in this university. Meanwhile Annah realizes what you're doing and manages to easily pick everyone's pockets while they're focused on you. She then takes off with her dog. "Oh wait, I'm supposed to go to the school of magic, not medicine. Duh. Apologies." You say trying not to laugh while everyone calls you names. As you walk away you decide to call it a night. While you didn't really engage in any lucrative opportunities yourself, you're sort of glad to learn that Annah is alive and well. You suppose you do miss her a bit. In any case, you decide that the university district might be the place to start plying your trade since the militia patrols are infrequent and the Bloody Talon assholes aren't around here. Of course that might mean bumping into Annah again so that's definitely a potential drawback, but it's still a big place and she doesn't have some claim on it. You'll try to stay out of her way though if you happen to see her. Over the next few days you start making your routine visits to the university. You find it particularly easy to just go into the dorms and start pilfering things. These students have more money than a sense of security it seems. And the actual university security must be everyone that tried out for the Klyton militia and failed miserably. After a week of looting the male dorms you decide to change it up and move on to the female dorms. You'll have to be more stealthy considering you can't just wander about as freely in there, but you've been doing this long enough now that you're confident that you shouldn't have too many problems. Fortunately there are always a lot of parties going on and this weekend there is a big one that everyone is supposed to be excited to go to, so you figure that's the best time to strike. After some stealthy moves you get in and begin rummaging through empty rooms. You're doing fairly well until you get to your fifth room and as you're going through one of the drawers you suddenly hear a little growl. "I KNEW you were fucking stalking me! Get out! Get the fuck out of my room!" Annah suddenly shouts and hits you in the head with a shoe. You have no idea where she was hiding, you thought you were pretty observant and careful. "Ow! Your room?" you say and begin blocking her attacks. "Yes! This is my fucking room! Checkers attack!" Annah commands and you feel her fluffy hound viciously bite you on the ankle. "Fuck! Little shit!" you say and kick the beast off of you causing it to yelp and hide behind Annah though still growling. "You fucking asshole! You kicked my dog!" "You told it to attack me! And how the hell is this your room, since when are you in college?" "What's it to you? What? You didn't think I could make it on my own did you?" "Well..." "You didn't! I knew it! You've never supported me! Well as you can see I'm doing just fine without you, better in fact!" "Oh sure, that's why I had to help you last week distracting those idiots you were trying to pick pocket." "I was doing just fine with that! So why the fuck are you here anyway? You trying to get back with me? Because if you are, that ship has sailed a long time ago the moment you threw me out! Now stop stalking me and get out before I call security!" > You just leave When Annah is like this, she's just going to keep on, and since she's obviously managed to fool people into thinking that she's a registered student here, you're at a disadvantage if she starts causing trouble. Best to just leave. You hold up your hands and bow your head. "Alright, alright, you win. I'll go. You won't see me anymore. Didn't mean to intrude and I'm glad you're doing well for yourself and not laying dead somewhere. I really mean that." You say and back off. Annah just sniffs at you with a scowl while petting Checkers in her arms. You leave the dorm with haste as well as the campus. Then its trip back to "home sweet home." You save your coin and walk back tonight, part of that walk involves thinking about Annah. You sort of figured you'd bump into her again, maybe on some level you might have even wanted to, but you didn't expect it to be like that. You're guessing she's been lying about being in college, but it has to be more than that if she's actually living in one of the dorms. You remember your dad saying he lived in one for a while and how it was a big hassle to get a room in one. You can only think that she stole someone's identity and maybe some forgery was involved. You suppose she could have paid someone to forge something or maybe they just don't bother checking the records very close anymore. In any case, she's apparently got a sweet set up for however long it lasts. Sort of wish you'd thought of something like that. You guess you under-estimated her resourcefulness. "Why the hell wasn't she suggesting this shit when we were together, instead of bitching all the time? Things might have...ugh, fuck it." You mutter. You get home to the Welcome Mat and bump into Trobart, the crusty owner of the place. He gives you a dirty look like he gives you all the time. "Hey you thieving asshole, I hope you stole enough to make rent this month because I'm raising it." He suddenly says. "What? Why?" you respond. "Because fuck you that's why. You're not special, it's going up for everyone. Speaking of not being special, I'm not your fucking personal secretary, so if you got lowlifes looking for you again, don't expect me to pass along another message!" "Message? What message?" "Some big guy probably in his forties or fifties, with a bushy beard, shaved head and weathered face came in and started asking everyone about you like he was the fucking Klyton Militia, put everyone on fucking edge." "Was he armed or something?" "No he wasn't fucking armed, at least not openly, but he was big and asking questions. Pretty sure you know that the folks here don't want that shit and I especially don't want it! I swear if you bring trouble here, I'm throwing your ass out!" "Yeah yeah got it." You say trying not to be excessively dismissive. "In any case, the fucker said he was carrying an important message for you from your family and that it's very urgent that you meet him at the Raggedy Man Inn." "That's it?" "Yeah that's fucking it." "Okay, thanks." Trobart shakes his head at you and moves on while you head back to your room. Along the way, you bump into Virgil who you haven't seen in a long time and were looking for, but now that Trobart's given you the info... "Heeeeey you..." Virgil starts to say. "Lost your chance Virgil, get out of my way." You say and shove him aside causing him to fall. You shut your door, ignoring Virgil's cursing and pondering this new information you've been given. Well this just keeps getting weirder. All you know about the Raggedy Man Inn is that it's in a worse part of Klyton than even you stay at. If this guy is some sort of courier, surely he already knows where to find you, especially if this is an urgent message from your family. And you can't begin to know what that might be if true. And why the hell wouldn't he just leave the message here? Unless it's something he has to deliver personally. Part of you wants to just head to the Raggedy Man Inn to confront this person once and for all, but all of this sounds so damn suspicious that you can't imagine going there would do you any good other than getting caught in a trap. Bloody Talons, pissed off ex, and some mysterious asshole looking for you, maybe its just time to leave Klyton completely. You really hate having to travel again though. Maybe you just need to find a better place to live. You'll think more on this tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and you go back to the university to ply your trade without any incident this time. You don't see Annah thankfully, but you've been keeping away from the female dorms and any popular gathering spots since that seems to be how she's working the place. You've actually taken an interest in sneaking into the medical school and stealing various drugs lying around. While it's not exactly an area you've been into before, you're fairly certain there's a market in selling typically unavailable drugs (and more reliable). You keep up your usual caution and after about a week, nobody is trying to tell you that some guy is looking for you anymore. You end up wondering if it was some message from your family after all. You've also made a nice profit from your dabbling in the drug trade. You even managed to perhaps get the Bloody Talons off your back since you sold to a lone Talon who seemed agreeable to the idea that maybe he could convince others to leave you alone if you managed to get more of the stuff. (You still aren't allowed to work on their turf though) With things going well you continue with your life a little more relaxed. And while you're coming back from the university one night... No sooner have you opened the door, when a hand strongly grips your hand and yanks you inside. You feel a foot trip you and you go plunging face first into the floor and hear the door being shut behind you. "Now hol..." you start to say before you feel a boot kicking you in the side of the head. "Stop talking, I don't want to hear your voice. This has to happen." You hear a voice say. You manage to roll over and see a muscular older man with a beard standing over you with a very large knife. This is the man that was looking for you. "Who..." you start to say again before the man descends on top of your body and punches you in the face with his free hand. "I said shut up! I thought about this. I thought about the pros and cons for a long time. The right and wrong. And ultimately it all comes back to justice." The man says. You never put it together based on the vague descriptions by other people before, but you know who this man is. He's Klint's father. "You took away my son and not only did you escape, but I see you merely plying your criminal ways here too. I could have easily told the Klyton militia about you, but no, I want to perform this justice myself. Not just for my son you murdered, but for ALL those you've hurt!" he shouts. "Checkers attack!" you hear and this is followed by growling. "AGH! Shit! Get off!" Klint's father shouts as Annah's dog has once again proven to be a vicious ankle biter. You have no idea when or why Annah was following you, but you're glad she did. (And a testament to her stealth skills again, because you never even knew she was) Taking advantage of the distraction, you grab Klint's father's wrist and wrestle the knife from his grip. The man is strong for his age, but between you, Checkers and even Annah hitting him in the head with a blackjack, you manage to disarm him and slide out from underneath. "Fucking bitch!" KF shouts, getting in an upright position, kicking Checkers off of his leg and slapping Annah at the same time. "I remember you too, you fucking whore. You can join your...Urk!" KF says before you interrupt him by stabbing him in the back. He clumsily punches at you by flailing his arms backwards and even hits you in the face, but you don't stop, you pull out the dagger and stab him again. And again, and again, and again, until he's lost his strength to even stand anymore. And then with all your strength you sink the blade in the back of his damned neck severing his spinal column from the rest of his head and through the front so part of the tip is coming out. "Stop! He's dead!" Annah says. "Shit...yeah...(pant) the fuck you come from?" you gasp. "I followed you obviously, but let's talk about that later, we need to get the fuck outta here!" "Fuck, right. Hold on." You immediately go grab your savings stash and shove it in your pack, while Annah has already picked up her dog and took off. "Hey cut out the noise! What the fuck are you degenerates doing over....oh what the fuck?!" Trobart says as he stands in the hallway just outside your door as you trying to exit the room. "Fuck. Look, here." You say and hand him a shitload of coins and even a few gems you had. "This ain't fucking enough! You've murdered this asshole right in my damn hotel! This is fucking serious! I run a clean place here." "Fine, here." You say dropping a few more coins in his overfilled hands which fall to the floor. "No, this is too fucking far! You're gonna..." "I don't have time for this..." You suddenly slam Trobart up against the wall which surprises the hell out of him. "Look here, you old fuck! This asshole just tried to kill me and it was self defense! But even if you don't believe that then believe this, if I can do THAT to this fucker, I can do WORSE to your ass. You tell the fucking militia and I will fucking burn this shithole to the damn ground and everyone in it after ram my fist up your ass and tear out your damn spine!" you threaten. "Alright! Alright! Shit! I know how to keep quiet you crazy fuck!" Trobart exclaims. "Good, keep the coin." You take your leave as quickly as possible. No sign of Annah, but then she always was good at making herself scarce whenever the shit really went down. You get a few blocks away and sure enough, you hear her. "Hey! Over here!" you hear Annah say from an alleyway. You stop and go over to her. "You all right?" she asks while holding Checkers who curls up as close as she can to Annah when she sees you. "Yeah, I'm fine. Probably won't need to worry about the law this time either. Well hopefully anyway." "Glad to hear it." "Hm, so why the hell were you following me? And before you even start, YES I am thankful you did, otherwise Klint's father probably would have killed me...shit I just realized I've killed that entire bloodline now and nearly under the same circumstances. Fucking hell..." "I was following you because I wanted to talk to you since I'm well aware that you've still been thieving at the university. Though I appreciate that you were staying out of my way." "What, have you been following me on the campus as well? Didn't you just accuse me of stalking you the last time we met?" "You were in my room! What the hell was I supposed to think? Look, I just want to know, were you serious when you said you were glad to see I was doing well without you?" "Well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little envious that you've managed to have it a lot easier than me so quickly, but yes, I'd rather see you doing well than as I said before laying dead somewhere. I mean...yeah I guess I was an asshole that night I threw you out, but fuck you can't deny that you didn't play some part in compelling me to it." Annah surprisingly nods her head a bit. "Maybe...but you didn't have to be so mean. I cried over you for days." Annah says. "I find that hard to believe." You retort. "Well it's true you asshole! You were my first love, I had fun with you! And I thought you felt the same! I figured the best way to get over you was to just do it, but you still lingered in my mind every once in awhile. THEN you suddenly show up at the university and stir all my shit up again! I go some nights feeling sick thinking about what went so wrong that caused us to break up." Annah says getting emotional. Well now you really do feel like an asshole. You actually figured if Annah did have any strong feelings for you, she had gotten over them fairly quickly. "Sorry Annah." You say not really knowing how to follow up. "Look..." Annah says trying to maintain her composure. "I'm not saying we should get back together, because I dunno I guess you're right, maybe we're just not good like that. But we got history and I can't ignore that. I don't know anyone else in this city. Or at least nobody I really connect with. I still need ONE person that I really know in this city. Someone I can count on. So maybe... we can still work together from time to time?" You nod. "Of course. If there's ever some big job or even small job that you want to pull off and need extra help with, I'll be around." "Okay. Well, I should get back. What are you going to do?" "I dunno, find a new place to live I guess. Maybe move some place more upscale, hey how exactly DID you pull off living in a dorm anyway? I mean I have so many question about that situation." "Yes, well maybe another time. Anyway you take care, okay?" "I will." Annah turns and walks off. You watch her and follow her a bit until you see her catch a carriage. It's been a weird night. Your encounter with Annah aside, you still haven't fully processed the fact that you had to kill Klint's father tonight. You aren't quite sure how you feel about that, except better him than you. And that you really need to invest in a flintlock. You're done with this wrestling around on the floor with a knife shit. > Time passes... Year 21 "You're raising the rent here?!" you say. "Hey, cost of living. Or more specially Klyton raising property taxes to put it into security of the city. Your Bloody Talon pals have really been raising hell lately." Hank replies. "The Talons are far from being my pals. I don't even do business with those crazy fuckers anymore. Haven't ever since they pulled that shit last year where killed a bunch of the militia. Associating with psycho assholes on any level like that is a sure way of getting targeted." "Well be that as it may, the new rent price remains. Hey, you should be lucky; I'm letting you stay here. I don't generally have people making their homes here. Clientele tends to be travelling merchants and such staying for awhile, which I know damn well you're stealing from. Another risk I'm taking." "I'm also getting you proper pain killers for cheap and you don't have to roll the dice getting whatever the shit the apothecary thinks is going to work on any given day." "Another reason you're getting to stay here." "Bah, you let that dumb poet stay here for fucking free and as far as I can tell all she does is drive away your customers with her horrible poetry that she does on stage." "Yeah well unless you're somehow suddenly transforming into a young girl that's willing to suck my dick on a regular basis, you don't get to stay for free." You think for a moment. "Say Hank, what would you say if I told you I could find some actual talent to grace that stage of yours that might drum up more business?" "Well, I'd say that would certainly go a long way in decreasing your rent. The problem with that plan is I'm going to have to pay for actual talent unless you know of some idiots that are going to w

ork for free or practically for free." "Oh I'm sure I could probably find some." "Well I'll be waiting then." Great, now all you have to do is go find some starving artist types. Time to take a trip to the university, specifically to the school of arts. Personally you've always tended to stay away from that area due to the unbearable pretentiousness and the fact that the fuckers never much coin to their name. Must be nice not having to do shit all day and having your expensive "education" being paid for you. You never really thought about it before, but shit, your dad worked fucking hard to achieve his goals. Makes you almost feel guilty about the fact that you pursued a life of crime, but at least you've got a little of his "work ethic" right? Also makes you appreciate some of the songs your sister made up in her spare time. Granted you never were much into some of the songs she wrote, but even when she was sixteen she was writing shit a lot better (and certainly playing a lot better) than some of these so called bards around here. Hopefully she's doing well, wherever she is. Knowing how Hank has a predilection for young girls, you attempt talk up some of those first. Unfortunately you aren't having much success for whatever reason. Normally something like this would crush your ego, but since you doing this more to alleviate your financial costs rather than getting laid, you're just more annoyed than anything else. Moving on to guys, you don't have much success there either. It would appear nobody is interested in slumming and are perfectly content on plying their trade at the artsy locations around the campus. You question how ANY of these fuckers know anything about "life experience" if they aren't even traveling out of their comfort zones. "Bunch of fucking poseurs. And of course none of them got two gold coins to their name." You mutter as you go through the pittance you managed to steal. As you're taking a break from your failed talent search, you run into a more familiar face. "What the hell are you doing on this part of campus? These fuckers don't have any coin and if you're trying to sell them drugs, you're doomed to fail since most of them all smoke that shitty version of Green Lotus that they grow themselves. Barely even gets you high." Annah remarks. "No kidding. That's all I've smelled since I've been here. Hate it. I wouldn't even be here if I wasn't trying to find cheap talent for the inn I'm currently living at. What're you doing here? And where's that little hell hound of yours?" you say. "I got a roommate that take classes over here and she needed me to help her move her big ass painting. Looks like she just vomited paint all over a white board, but I guess that's what gets you an A around here. As for Checkers, she's safely asleep at my place. So talent search huh? What's that all about?" "Just trying to lower my rent a bit. Hey, you got any more artsy friends that are into poetry and singing and shit like that?" "Eh, not really. Even Jenny, the one I just helped I'm only good with because she helped with a couple jobs last year." You tilt your head. "Been doing jobs without me?" you ask. "Sometimes, I don't need a master lock pick or safe cracker all the time. Sometimes honeyed words will do." "Didn't think you needed any help in that department." "I don't usually, but let's just say Jenny's willing to go that extra step sometimes to gain access to the inaccessible. Under certain circumstances, you'd probably like her." "Hm, I'll bet. Well I guess I'll see you around." "What so soon? We haven't seen each other for awhile. Come, I'll help you. What are you looking for exactly? " Annah asks. You explain the situation in greater detail and Annah says that she (or Jenny at least) can probably find what you're looking for. "Now, we can probably convince some of these girls into slumming, but the problem is, they aren't going to want to stick around. Especially if you're trying practically pimp them out to some gross old inn owner. So this means that doesn't really solve your issues. What you need is someone that's going to come back and is willing to work for practically nothing. Would a band suffice, because I got one in mind and they'll probably just perform for free drinks." Annah says. "Sure, what's the catch?" you ask. "Well they're a group of elves for one thing and I think you know how unruly those fuckers can get. It's mainly why this band doesn't play many places outside the few locations around the campus that are prepared for their brand of wild shit since most tavern and inn owners don't want to deal with them. Now the plus side is they're going to draw a crowd, believe me. I've seen it multiple times." "You think they'll go for it?" "Sure, they're elves. They are probably eager to play at a whole new location for a change. Plus Jenny will probably fuck all of them if that doesn't convince them." "Wow. Okay then. Oh, they aren't too destructive are they?" "Eh, not in the traditional sense no. I mean any damage they do cause is mostly confined to on stage and going to be minor compared to the crowd they bring in. However, they do have some rather interesting theatrics on stage. It's part of why people like to watch them." "Sounds reasonable I guess. What are they called anyway?" "Nature's Revenge." "Hm, how elven. Alright when's the soonest you can get all this done?" "Probably in a couple days. You're at the Laughing Devil right? We'll just show up on the weekend. Tell your inn owner to be prepared for a large crowd. Larger than that place has ever seen." "Sounds good. Well guess that's it then. Glad I ran into you. Been awhile since we've worked together on something." "I suppose it has." "So...you still in those dorms?" "Oh, nah. Couldn't keep up that ruse forever and still be officially enrolled here without arousing suspicion. I just live with Jenny now in this small home her parents pretty much paid for." Once again, Annah has a much better set up than you do. Not that you really care...okay maybe you're curious, but you have to ask... "Um, so you and this Jenny..." Annah rolls her eyes. "Ew. No. And you wish." Annah says. "Okay, okay, I had to ask. I still don't know how you originally pulled off this whole college student thing, which you still won't tell me." You say. "Another time perhaps. So what about you? You still living your usual frugal existence? I'm guessing so if you're concerned about your living arrangements." "The Laughing Devil isn't that cheap, and far from being the shithole the Welcome Mat was so it's not that frugal." "I'm also guessing you've probably got a small fortune hidden away like one of those dragon stories of old." "You always did know me." "Now that's one thing I never understood about you, why do you bother saving? You're an excellent thief. I mean I'd never deny that. You could be living so much better than you are." "Well I guess we can't all be blessed with the charisma you have." "You could probably work on that, but that's beside the point. I'm just saying you could be doing better. Sometimes I think you're content on being a near do well." Now you roll your eyes. "Right. This coming from the woman who is sponging off some other woman who is sponging off her parents. Look, you got your way of doing things, I got mine. I once again thank you for your help, but we're not fucking so I don't have to listen to this...whatever this is." You say. You start to walk away. "Well what if we were fucking?" You turn around. "What?" "I know you heard me. And I KNOW damn well you still think about it. I've know the stories about you requesting that those little brothel whores to try to look like me when you're at those places." "I did that like maybe few times years ago after we first broke up! Fuck, I mean I didn't...shit...how do you even know about that?" "Face it, you never got over me." "Hmm, considering that you have more of a habit of spying and stalking me, I'd say that could be said more about you." At this point Annah walks up closer to you. She's actually looking pretty good right now. The make up isn't too much, but it's definitely enough to make her look more seductive than she might normally. She smells nice too. Some sort of flowery perfume you guess. Living in luxury has its perks. "I've never denied it. Doesn't matter how many other guys I've been with since you, I've always said you were the first and will probably be my only true love." Annah says running her index finger down the side of your face. "I see...wait...how many guys have you been with?" you ask. "Hah...you jealous? See? Why don't you just admit that you fucked up, and breaking up with me was the worst mistake you ever made? Think about all time we've spent apart in this city yet still working great together as a team stealing from rich asshole's houses that I've cased. It's always been me and you versus everyone else. So much of that time while fruitful, could have been a lot more fun if we had been still intimate. I miss the fun we had. Don't you miss the fun?" Annah now practically has her legs wrapped around you. Fortunately you're still in the school of arts area so nobody is really paying much attention since public outdoor fucking isn't that uncommon around here, what with everyone being a free spirit and all. While you might just be thinking with your dick right now, you'd still rather have a bit of privacy. "Okay, Annah you got my attention, but if we're gonna do this, we need more privacy." You say. "Of course, let's go back to your place." Annah replies. "My place? That's a little far. Can't we just go to yours? Your roommate is in class right now." "Eh, I'd rather not. Without going into too much detail, I tried to have company over once when she wasn't around and she pitched a bitch about it. And given what I've got in store for you, it's going to be real obvious I've had someone over. Hell, we might not even be done by the time she gets back." You smile a little at that remark. "Is that right? Well maybe we can spare the extra time to go back to my place. We're taking a carriage though." You say. "Good, we can start on the way there then." Annah says. So after quickly catching a carriage and getting inside in, Annah is true to her word and wastes no time in getting started. By the gods you have missed her mouth... When you reach the Laughing Devil, you almost just want to fuck her in the carriage rather than pulling your pants up and going to your room. However you manage to do it anyway and are practically running with one hand holding up your pants and the other grabbing Annah's hand who is keeping up with your pace and going on about how she's going to do all those things that you had those whores do, but do it way better. You still don't know how she knew about some of that stuff, but you're eager to see her prove herself. You manage to get to your room and you've got your dick in her before you even get to the bed. In any case, once again Annah isn't fucking around (so to speak) and proves just what you've been missing all these years. You seriously don't remember it being this good before. Not that it was ever really bad with her, but this is something else. She's either learned something in the time you've been apart or she's been holding back all this time. It's so good in fact that you actually feel genuinely drained and get sleepy soon after you climax. "By the gods...I love you..." you utter and then drift off. > Later... You wake up and find that it's now nighttime. You groggily look around and don't see Annah. You call out to her, but there is no answer. You sit up and after stretching a bit, you suddenly have a horrible realization. "Oh shit. Shit! Shit! No, no, no, no. Fuck!" you say as you immediately go to the loose floorboard under the dresser where you keep your hidden savings. You continue to curse yourself for being so stupid and not realizing something was up from the start. And then you find that your savings are still there. Even the blade trap you have set hasn't been disturbed. You then breathe sigh a relief as you put everything back. While Annah didn't rip you off, you guess that she just didn't want to stick around. You figure that she had to get back to the university to get prepare things on her end. Or at least you thought she did until she comes walking back in the room. "Oh you're finally up sleepyhead. Given how long you slept, guessing you haven't had that sort of loving in a long time. Not surprised." Annah says. "You're still here." You reply. "Of course I am. Did you not want me to be?" "No! I do. I'm just surprised." "Why? What, did you think I was going to do, rob you blind while you were asleep and leave?" "Heh, no..." "Pfft, liar. You DID think that. I bet you checked all your hiding spots in this room after you woke up." Your silence confirms her accusations. "It's okay, I probably would have done the same. I came on so strong I guess it would be natural for you to have some suspicion." Annah says. "Actually, at the time I wasn't thinking at all except the obvious. In fact the only worry I had was that you might be fucking with me and were going to just leave me at the university with a massive hard on." You reply. "Nah, I'd never do that to you." "So where did you go?" "Oh I just came back from speaking to your inn owner Hank. Told him that all about the cheap talent that's going to grace his inn this weekend. He seemed receptive to the idea. Kept staring at my tits the whole time, I'm assuming if I hadn't mentioned that I was your girlfriend, he would have tried to touch me as well. Ugh, he's gross. But in any case everything's set on this side, I just have to speak with Nature's Revenge and a few others and this place will be party central." "You didn't need to speak to Hank, I would 've done that, but thanks for saving me the trouble. You've certainly been more than helpful today." "Well...I suppose I do have an ulterior motive of sorts." "...oh well I guess you're telling me to my face at least. Alright out with it." Annah sits next to you on the bed and holds one of your hands. This must be serious. "I need your help on a job." She says. "...that's it? I thought you were going to ask for something unreasonable. Wait, are we trying to rob a bank or city hall or something?" "No, nothing like that. Just need you to crack open Jenny's safe." Now you're totally confused. Annah smiles and explains before you can ask the obvious. "I've tried several times to get into the thing while she wasn't around, but no luck. I'm just not skilled at it like you are. I need an expert." Annah says. "Well that answers one obvious question, but why other one would be why? I mean not that I particularly care I suppose, but I was under the impression you were somewhat friends with this girl." "Eh, we have common interests in some regards. She's a typical rich kid doing illegal shit every now and then for kicks, but lately she's been sort of a bitch to live with. Which brings me to my other reason of why I'm doing this. I'm leaving the city so I figured I wouldn't leave empty handed." "Wait, you're leaving the city?! Why? Where are you going to go? Did you intend on telling me?" Annah goes on to tell you that she's getting bored of Klyton and wants to see more of the world. She says that when she first came to Klyton she initially wanted to live here for the rest of her life, believing it to have everything she'd ever want. She then says its funny that masquerading as a university student caused her to learn more about the world and how she wants to see more of it. So that's why she's leaving. As for telling you, she said she went back and forth on whether or not if she should since even though you weren't together any more, she got the impression that you might be inclined to talk her out of leaving. Running into you when she did and your reaction to her advances sort of solved that personal dilemma though. "I want you to come with me." She says. "Annah..." you start to say. "I know, I know, you're not a traveller and you hate it, but you'll be with me. That should certainly take some of the sting out. And I know...I know in the past how I was always nagging you. I think you'll find that I've changed a lot since then." "Well that is true." "I mean I want us to start completely over together and part of that would be leaving this city and going some place else." "Where would we go?" "I dunno, anywhere. Hessla for starters? The point is I want you to come with me. I mean...I just don't see it as a bad idea given how we obviously feel towards each other." Well Annah always does get right to the point on how she really feels about you. Maybe she's right, maybe you could use a change of scenery. You've certainly saved more than enough to move and live comfortably elsewhere. (You assume Hessla is probably cheaper, if that's your first destination) "Okay, Annah. I'll come with you, but that sort of makes this getting elven musicians and shit here sort of pointless." "Not really. I mean I still need some time to get ready for the trip and I imagine even with your meager belongings you might not want to just suddenly jump on a carriage. Also, this weekend is still going to be the best time to go rob Jenny's safe since she's going to be home the rest of the week. I can also convince her to come with me here to enjoy the show. So while I'm here with her, you can go clean out her safe and take a few other items as well." "So what exactly did this Jenny do to you?" "As I said, she's been a fucking bitch and even if I wasn't leaving the city, I'd probably be moving out soon anyway. Trust me, she's got this coming." "Hey, I'm not judging. So of course I'll need some more information on the lay out of this place." Annah goes into great detail about her place of residence and everything you'll find in it. She mentions the safe itself is under the bed, but points out that Jenny has a few nice pieces of jewelry in another more accessible box on her dresser. When you ask if she knows what's actually in the safe, Annah says as far as she knows there are some valuable family heirlooms in there and probably a few gems and coins as well. "Jenny might come from money, but she's a bit of a hording cheapskate, somewhat like you in that regard. As I said, under different circumstances, you'd probably get along with her." Annah say with a chuckle. Annah then tells you that when you're done robbing the place; meet her back at the Laughing Devil and you can go from there. In the meantime, Annah says she better get back to the university to get the rest of this plan in motion. You spend the rest of the week more or less taking it easy and mentally preparing yourself for taking another trip. You didn't envision yourself leaving Klyton like this, but you're starting to look forward to the idea. Maybe your dick's not so dumb. Annah comes to meet you the day before with a few bags (and Checkers who is still the furry little demon dog that growls at you when she sees you) stating that Nature's Revenge will be coming tomorrow night along with a few other amateur bard types, but definitely better than the chick spouting shitty poetry on a regular basis. She says word is already spreading around the university and there should be a large crowd. "So it's a all set. As you might have noticed I've brought some bags with me, I figured you won't mind me staying here tonight. It'll save time." Annah remarks. "Of course not, but what about Jenny?" you ask. "Oh I already told her about the big gathering tomorrow. I told her I'd meet her here and as far as she knows I'm just staying at my boyfriend's place tonight, which isn't a lie. Oh shit. I forgot my key to the house to give you." "Hardly a problem. I can pick the lock." "You're so talented. I'll be so glad when we're out of this city. I'm bored of it already. Come on, make me less bored." Annah says and begins caressing and kissing on you. You see no reason to decline this request and spend more quality time with Annah for the rest of day (and night). You wake up the next day a little later than usual and find Annah going through her bags. You also hear the sound of music and mild revelry in the distance. "Shit, is that the band? Am I late? Fuck I gotta get going!" you say. "Relax, Nature's Revenge isn't even here yet, that's just some opening act and it only just started. If you were late, I would have woke you up." Annah says. "Yeah...still I should get going." "Jenny's not even here yet either. You've got time." Annah says and stops what she's doing, goes over to the bad and grabs your cock. "Again? But...shouldn't I really get going?" you say. "As I said, you've got time. You can skip the foreplay." Annah says and before you can reply, she's kissing and getting on top you. Well no point in arguing with her when she's like this... After spending even more quality time with Annah (which took longer than you meant to) you're putting on your pants, grabbing your pack with tools, steeping over Checkers (who has been sleeping most of the time she's been here) and rushing out the door. "Be careful, I love you!" Annah beams while lying naked on the bed. "Yeah...and you stay exactly like that when I return." You reply and close the door. You run past the crowds in the Laughing Devil which are cheering some bard on stage and go outside where you run into three tattooed androgynous looking elves with wild colored hair carrying instruments and exiting a nearby carriage. You're guessing that this is Nature's Revenge. Not really giving a shit about them, you just push past and get in the easily accessible carriage and tell the driver to take you to the university. Eventually as you get close to the destination you get out since Annah's old home is off campus, not actually on it. When you finally get there, it's indeed a nice home, but not overly fancy. You've probably passed it a few times not really giving it a second look. After a quick perusal of the outside surroundings, you're guessing the Jenny has already left so you quickly get to work on picking the lock, which is easy for you of course. You get inside and immediately head to the location of the safe since you want to be in and out of here as soon as possible. Pushing the bed slightly, you uncover the safe and get to work. It's actually not too complex, but you're not surprised Annah couldn't get it open. She never was adept at it, hence why she's gotten you in the first place. You crack the safe and indeed find quite a bit of coin in the safe. You find a couple of small objects that may or may not be valuable though. Seems like Annah thought there was more in there than there actually was, still, it's not a bust by any means. As you finish dumping the contents into your pack, you're about to check the rest of the house, and that's when you suddenly hear the front door open! What the fuck!? Did she actually come home already? You didn't even remember to bring your weapons with you since you were in such a hurry, not that you wanted to turn this into a murder in the first place. You figure you got two options at this point, either hide or try to escape out a window. > You Hide You quickly scramble from your prone position and look for a hiding spot. Your hope is you can somehow sneak past Jenny and run out the front door. You run into the other bedroom, which you presume, used to be Annah's and hide in the closet. First thing you notice is that Annah is leaving a shitload of clothes behind, but then again it would be impossible to pack everything. The second thing you notice is stout wooden hangers one of which you grab as a weapon just in case. Meanwhile, you hear giggling and footsteps of what sounds like two people rather than just one, and the lower sounding voice of the second voice sounds male. You stand in the closet listening to Jenny and whoever the guy is and hear them get closer, though eventually their voices trail off in a different direction and given what they're laughing and talking about, it sounds like they're heading towards Jenny's bedroom, which is a relief to you. When you hear the throes of ecstasy, that's when you make your move and quickly nip out of Annah's room, past Jenny's room and soon out the front door, with nobody the wiser. You put a lot of distance between yourself and Jenny's house and eventually you manage to catch a carriage and go back to the Laughing Devil. When you arrive, the place is the busiest you've ever seen. The merriment is even spilling outside a bit. So much so that you notice Klyton Watchmen milling about nearby which makes you a bit nervous. You head inside as fast as you can, fighting through the crowds. You see Nature's Revenge up on stage performing some sort of minor magical act along with one of them playing music. Its very colorful and interesting, but right now you just want to find Annah and get the hell out of here. You manage to make it to your room, as just as you do, Annah grabs your ass, scaring the hell out of you. "Hey handsome, you get lucky yet?" Annah remarks holding a drink in her other hand. "What the fuck! You startled me! And after...nevermind let's talk inside and do it quickly." You remark and start guiding Annah inside. "Alright, alright, I see you want to get to celebrating again." Annah hands you the drink she's holding when you get inside. "What's this for?" you ask. "To celebrate, I mean you were successful right?" Annah asks. "Yeah, but..." "Well have a drink then. I mean I know you don't do it a lot, but I think the start of our new lives is call for it. I'd drink with you, but I think I might have had my limit. Any more and I'll be dancing naked through the streets! Hey remember that time I nearly did that in Teckleville before you stopped me?" "Yeah, but..." Annah at this point shoves the drink in your hand and takes your pack out of your other hand. She opens it up and smiles. "Heh, I knew you'd be able to do it." She says and then kisses you on the lips. "Hey Annah I..." you start to say before being interrupted again. "Wait, I know how YOU really want to celebrate..." Annah begins taking off her clothes and getting on the bed. "Annah, I'm trying to tell you, I really think we should get out of here right now. There's Klyton Militia about outside and it's a little disconcerting that your friend Jenny came home while I was in the middle of robbing the place." "What? I didn't even see her leave. In fact I thought she was still out there." "Well no, she apparently came home with some guy and I had to sneak out." "Nobody saw you right?" "No." "Then there's nothing to worry about, come on lover, I got my own lock that I want your pick in." At this point Annah turns around on all fours and turns her head to the side to give you that "What're you waiting for, start fucking!" look. Without thinking about it anymore, you down the drink in your hand, toss it aside and start to unbuckle your pants. You manage to get a few minutes into it and you start to feel woozy. At first you just think that you're just getting too much of a good thing too fast, but then your vision starts to get blurry. "The fuck...shit..." you say and slide out of Annah and fall backwards on the floor narrowly missing Checkers who barks at you, being annoyed that your nearly fell on her. As your body goes numb and your vision now starts to darken, you genuinely think you're dying. You see Annah stand over you and then everything goes black. Later You wake up with a really bad headache. In fact most of your body aches, but you don't feel very weak and manage to sit up. Sunlight is coming through the window, so it must be daytime and your eyes are certainly feeling it. You manage to stand up and through the squinting, you notice a piece of paper on the nightstand. You notice there's writing on it and after rubbing your eyes a bit; you read it even though you have somewhat of an idea of what's happened. Asshole, If you're reading this then I've already left the city and you're awake. I wasn't sure if I drugged the drink too much, but I took a chance. I'm just glad you decided to drink at all. I wasn't confident I'd necessarily be able to knock you out by hitting you in the head. If you haven't checked already, you'll find that I've emptied your s

avings and taken everything you stole from that house you robbed yesterday. I could have ripped you off that first night we spent together, since I found the hiding spot while you were sleeping, but then I wouldn't have been able to use you one more time would I? I suppose you're wondering if I planned all this out, well no not initially. I really was getting ready to move on with my life and leave the city, but running into just presented an opportunity I couldn't pass up. Sweet revenge. Revenge that I kept toying with for years and finally had the guts to go through with. Honestly, I'm a little surprised that you fell so easily to my charms as well as my lies. I mean there never was a Jenny. That was just some woman's house I broke into recently and could never get the safe open. I guess you had more feelings for me than I thought, or maybe I'm just that good. But I hope it's the first because that means you might be having strong feelings of betrayal right now. I never forgot that night you threw me out. I never forgave it either. And fuck your lame ass apology you tried to give earlier about it. Hopefully this will give you some sort of taste of what I felt that night and if not, well at least I got your loot. And after all this, you're still my first love and probably my only because I can't trust anyone ever again. This is what you've done to me. Annah Don't bother going to Hessla to try to track me down, I didn't go there. You sit down on the bed and lie back trying to process all this. You got fucked in more ways than one and the worst part, you don't have anyone to blame but yourself. Your dick was dumb after all. You feel like you should be angrier about this and you are pissed to some extent. Maybe even a little hurt, but small part of you can't help but admire the fact that Annah pulled your strings so flawlessly. She must have been seething for years and still managed to keep it from you since you really thought she was over it. Some damn fine restraint on her part. Not much you can do about it anyway at this point. You suppose you could go to Hessla anyway since she might have been lying about not going there, but it'll be long walk since you don't even have money for a carriage there, of course that can be corrected pretty quickly. But what are you really going to do, if you do find her? Kill her? You're not going to do that even with as mad as you are, you know damn well you wouldn't be able to. You've never even hit her (except slapping her ass during sex) the whole time you were together and she was bitching at you constantly and arguably that was worse than what she just did to you since it was ongoing. Maybe she deserved her revenge, maybe you've just got a soft spot for her, or maybe you just can't be bothered. Whatever the case, you won't be chasing her down. As for what you're going to do, you guess you need to build up your coin all over again. She didn't take your tools or weapons, so that's a plus. The whole reason why you were leaving Klyton was to start this new life with Annah. Now that that's off the table, you might as well stay a little longer. Who knows though, maybe you will leave one day. You get dressed and gather your tools of the trade and exit your room ready to get to work. As you're doing so, you run into Hank who is telling his various employees to clean up the mess in the main room with the stage. He sees you and walks over. "Well I have to say, you came through. Got those elven bitches to agree to perform here once a month. With as many people that were here last night I made more money than I have in a month. Consider your rent lowered." Hank remarks. "Oh. Thanks. Told you I'd do it." You reply. "Hm. Where's that girlfriend of yours?" "Ah, she took off. Just wasn't working out y'know? She bitched a lot." "Oh. Yeah I guess I can understand that. Who needs that buzzing in your ear right? Still, she was sweeeet. I bet you had fun with her while it lasted." "Indeed." "Not as fine as those elven bitches though. Fuck, one of them had lips that could make a man cry and that one was fucking wild let me tell you." You give Hank an odd look. "What elven bitches are we talking about exactly?" you ask. "Nature's Revenge! The lead singer. She was a fucking beauty. I mean I know elves tend to be pretty, but fuck. I wasted no time in putting the moves on her after their set and she was already giving me head. Fucking hell it was great!" Hank remarks. "Uhh, Hank, all of them were guys." "What? Nah, you're fucking with me." "Hank, I'm really not. I'm serious. I mean I know it's hard to tell sometime with elves, but they were definitely guys. All of them." Hank's former happy expression drops and he sits down in a nearby chair with a hand over his mouth. "Hank? You, okay?" you ask. "I...but...she couldn't... I mean I would have known... by the gods..." "What?" "I...I fucked the elf in the ass." Hank whispers, with his eyes darting around making sure nobody else is listening. You nearly have to stop yourself from laughing. "How the hell did you not know, if you got that far?" you ask. "I dunno! I mean I just...I was drunk okay! She or he or whatever wanted to get fucked in the ass and I wasn't thinking with anything except my dick at that point. Oh shit, I feel sick..." Hank says. "Yep...thinking with your dick. Gets you into trouble every time. Though I gotta say, hasn't gotten me in quite the same trouble." "You can't tell anyone!" "Okay, okay, I'm not gonna say shit. However, I think I'd like my room to be free." "What?!" "You heard me." "Fuck you. Just fuck you." "Sorry, I'm not a free spirited elf." "Shhhh! Keep your voice down!" "So free room then?" "Yeah yeah sure! Just don't say anything!" "Sure thing, but how are you going to keep your elf from talking?" "Fuck. I'm gonna have...shit, I need to talk to her, I mean him, I mean...damnit!" "I'll leave you to it." As you leave Hank with his dilemma, you think to yourself, things could always be worse. > Time passes... Year 23 "Here you go, but Hank you really need to start going easy on this shit. It's getting a little harder to get. It's almost as if the Klyton medical school is starting to realize their Numb supply is getting stolen." You say giving Hank his fix. "Can't you just go steal from the hospital?" Hank asks. "Well yes I could and I have, but they got their shit a lot more secure. Probably better than some jewelry stores. I start making that place a regular target and the price is going to go up." "Up? You're already getting free fucking room and board!" "And you're still fucking that elf that you don't want anyone to know about." "You know, I've been thinking more about that and I'm starting to think that T'ra'ni is right and I shouldn't be ashamed of who I am. I mean why should I? It's no big deal." "Hm, well that fine that you're discovering shit about yourself. Personally I don't give a shit, but I've gotten very comfortable here and I'm saying I don't want to pay any fucking rent and if you try to make me, you aren't going to have to worry about if I'm going to blab about your sexual habits, you just won't be getting any more Numb. I got other customers and there are always other places I can find to live." Hank looks a little surprised by your hardened approach on this. You're not sure why, it's not like you two are good buddies or something. You're his fucking dealer and he's hooked on the shit you can easily get for him. "You're a fucking asshole." Hank replies. "Yeah well, be that as it may, this place isn't doing all that bad since I arrived. I don't see you starving and besides androgynous elves, you're swimming in college pussy and getting your drugs. So I say things are going to stay as they are for now." You say. Hank wants to say more, but he just gives you a dirty look and walks off. With that bullshit out of the way, you head to your free room. Before you even get there, you see a woman lingering in front of the door. She doesn't look like one of the college crowd that comes here now, or a merchant or possibly a wannabe bard. She's dressed in pragmatic clothing more suited to one skilled of the ways of a rogue. In some ways she looks a little like an older version of Annah. In other words, a woman of quality. "Ah, there you are. I was waiting for you and didn't want to just surprise you by waiting inside your room. You know, you really should get better locks on the door. I'd think someone like you would know better." The woman remarks. "It's not usually a problem. Besides, I learned a long time ago that it often doesn't matter how good the lock, if someone wants in, they're getting in." you reply. "True. I guess you would know. Anyway, I'm Zalmora." "Hm. Is that supposed to mean something?" "No, though I know you've sold shit to the Bloody Talons in the past, surprised you haven't heard any of them talking about me in passing. Or more likely bitching about me." "I don't really have long conversations with Talon assholes. I generally just want them to buy their shit and go murder an old lady or whatever it is they do nowadays. In fact, are they still even around? Last I heard a shitload of them got killed two months ago in a big Klyton militia raid. Including their leader Jake." "Yeah, the Bloody Talons are indeed no more. Oh sure there's a couple of them still lingering about trying to keep what's left of the rabble, but I anticipate that even that will be gone by the end of the year thanks to the militia." "Well, that's what they get for being so high profile and generally being a bunch of unsubtle idiots. Wait, were you in the Talons?" "I was. And it's all true, they were a bunch of unsubtle idiots. Wasn't always like that of course when we were the Crimson Talons, but well shit happens. Perhaps that's how I managed to stay undetected since I was probably one of the few that was still a professional. Kind of like you in that way right?" "I guess. So why'd you stay?" "Love I guess? I mean Jake was a bloodthirsty asshole that was a terrible leader, but I think he cared about me as much as he understood it anyway. And he had a certain charm, at times." "Sounds like a true love story. Anyway, what did you want? Are you here to buy or something?" "Actually I was wondering if you'd be interested in doing a job with me. I'm well aware of your skills and I think it would go a lot easier with your assistance." "I'm sure it would, but I don't partner with anyone." "You don't? I thought you had a girl you routinely partnered with all the time. Wasn't she your girlfriend or...oh wait...bad break up?" You don't reply. "Okay, I see. Yeah I suppose that might put a crimp in your trust level which is probably low enough seeing our line of work and all." Zalmora remarks. "Not to mention I don't even know you." You add. "Well does that matter? I'd argue that familiarity is one of the more minor factors in whether you can trust someone or not. I mean there were a few times in the Talons where apparent friends backstabbed each other." "I suppose that's a valid point. However, it's still a factor never the less. I mean just speaking on a professional level, I know I'm good, but I don't know how good YOU are. I just know you were in the Bloody Talons and given what I knew of most of them doesn't speak highly." Zalmora chuckles a bit. "Something funny?" you ask. "Yeah. Never thought MY skills would ever be called into question. That's good though, means you really are a professional and serious about your work. Look, I'm going to go ahead and tell you what the job is. Kenzer's Gems and Jewels." Zalmora says. "Kenzer's huh? I just got done telling someone that the Klyton hospital has better security then most jewelry stores and of course now you're telling me you're hitting the one exception. Place might as well be a bank. In fact a bank might be easier. Still, you got my attention so you might as well come inside and tell me of this mad plan." You open the door and you both enter where after mentioning something about your room, she goes into detail about the plan. The plan is actually surprisingly simple. It's just a basic break in with more attention on the security and locks. She says that she's actually been casing the place on and off for a year and even acquired special dwarven thieving tools to help in her task. Her main concern is possible magic protection which seems like a given and partially asked for your help since she knows your area is the university which also houses the college of magic and was wondering if perhaps you had any access to or perhaps even acquired anything that might bypass such things. You explain that you've always sort of stayed away from the college of magic despite lurking around there a couple times out of curiosity. You say you've toyed with the idea pilfering from there before since it never seemed like the place was any better protected than most of the other parts of the university, but you were always a bit paranoid that you'd pick up something that might just give you a fate worse than death. Zalmora nods at your words. "I see. Well would you have any problems with me poking about the place?" Zalmora asks. "What the college of magic? No. I mean you don't need my permission." You say. "Yes, I know I don't, however I know its in your territory so to speak, I don't really want to cause any potential problems." "Heh, well gotta say, I'm not used to this sort of professional courtesy from anyone before, let alone anyone from the Talons who were often telling ME to get the fuck off their territory whether I was working there or not. In any case, you'll get no issues from me. Though I'd be careful fucking around in there." "Risks of the trade. I imagine you'd know something of that." "True, though I think I make more coin selling the various hospital drugs I steal. If I actually knew how to make the shit, I'd probably just do that instead because its far less work especially since there's practically no competition. Unless you count the various Green Lotus dealers and they certainly don't count." "Yeah the Talons were once in the drug trade. Not sure why we stopped really. I think the new leader at the time Tom wanted to step away from it since it drew too much heat. Then again Yellow Devil causing addicts to melt would certainly that. Sort of figured when Jake took charge we might get back into it, but still a bit too organized for him I think. Honestly I think he would have just preferred leading a gang that ambushed travellers on the roads." "Hm. Well he certainly might have lasted longer. You act like a mad dog, you'll eventually get put down like one." "Indeed. However, I'd say staying put and getting too comfortable like a fat lazy cat is likely to get one eventually grabbed by the scruff, put in a bag and thrown in a river." "Okay, I feel like that was directed at me." "More of a warning. Not sure if you realize it or not but security has increased a lot in the city. Granted a lot of that might be the fault of the Bloody Talons making such a mess of things, but the reasons don't matter. What matters is, things are getting harder for people like us." "Didn't you just say that's the risks of the trade?" "Yeah, but there's also anticipating getting out of the way of trouble you can't handle. Not saying that time is now, but it's coming soon. And this nice comfortable set up you have might all come crashing down even if you're careful. After all, with the Talons out of the way, attention is going to focus on the next biggest criminals in the city and I'd say you'd fit the bill." "Duly noted. Well if you're done with your warnings, I have things to do." Zalmora looks at you and starts to leave, but you can already tell she's not done talking. Story of your life. "So you're not interested in partnering up?" Zalmora asks. "Why are you so interested in partnering up with me? I mean I get some of the reasons that you've explained, but this is still pretty damn sudden. I mean there's still a trust issue here." "Well because as you pointed out robbing Kenzer's isn't going to be an easy job and it would probably be better to have an extra pair of eyes and hands around. And...maybe this is going to sound odd from someone you don't know, but you're obviously a talented thief and maybe I just like a little social interaction from time to time from another one in our business." "So...what then? You miss your Talon buddies? I can't help with that. They were a bunch of idiots and I was never in this to make friends. Unless you're saying you're missing your boyfriend. If that's the case, well...as you've gathered I'm not exactly trusting on that front either however I'm not going to say no to a tumble I suppose." Zalmora sighs at you. "Fine, you're an asshole like everyone else in this trade then. Thanks for what information you did provide and apologies for wasting your time." Zalmora at this point turns to leave for real this time and there's a part of you that wants to stop her, even though you think it might be more trouble than its worth. > You let Zalmora go No, you went down that road before. Not going down it again especially not with someone you know practically nothing about. And you certainly aren't going to take the risk of robbing Kenzer's. There are easier targets, no need to take unnecessary chances. You just hope she doesn't fuck things up for you when she goes poking around the magic college. You return to your usual routine. A couple days later a big explosion is heard from another part of the city. You don't know what it is until much later. Turns out that it was Kenzer's jewelry store. You eventually get the story of a failed attempt at robbing the store in the night and apparently the one involved died in the explosion. Burned body parts were found amongst the destruction. You can only guess that was Zalmora. Hell of a way to go, but given you didn't think it was a great idea anyway, you're glad you decided not to go with her. Once again you return to your usual routine. Year 24 "Hank. Hank. HANK!" you shout. "Huh, wha?" Hank sputters while waking up and drooling on himself. 'Here. I got your latest supply of Gray." Hank fumbles to get the bag a couple times, but eventually he does. He then says something about you know where his safe is and just take the money from there, before he shoves the pills in his mouth. You thought he was bad on Numb, but ever since you had to start stealing a poor substitute used mainly on people with the plague, he's gotten a lot worse. He even offered to blow you for a fix once. It was pretty pathetic. The Laughing Devil is barely functioning like it used to anymore. Long gone are the wild parties filled with college types. Now it's starting to become a hang out for the dregs of the city. Granted half of the people are your customers, so you're probably a big part of the problem. The bigger problem is it's not exactly all that great to live at anymore. At one time you were just living here for free because the owner was dependent on you. Now, it's pretty much acting as a front for your activities since Hank has really fallen behind in running it proper. Not to mention you're starting to get paranoid that the whole place might get raided one day. Klyton is just becoming more of a problem to operate in everyday. You start to think that maybe its time to leave. Of course, you do have a pretty good set up here. If you took more of a hand in cleaning it up a bit, you might be able to continue to go unnoticed. It would be like owning your own inn without having to actually run it. > You fix up the inn You've worked too hard and grown too accustomed to your life style here and you're not about to be scared off. You just need to make some severe changes. The irony that you're actually going to work hard to keep an inn open isn't lost on you. First things first, you need to get rid of Hank. The guy is too far gone now to run this place properly and even if you could get him clean, you wouldn't exactly have a hold over him anymore. In fact, he'd probably start trying to reassert himself again. Which means you need someone new to run the place, or at least do all the actual "inn" shit. The problem is Hank hasn't been able to keep many steady employees ever since his severe downslide. In fact the ONLY person that's still hanging around with him is Amanda, the awful poet that he was sticking his dick in on a regular basis when you first got here. You're not quite sure why she still hangs around. She doesn't do poetry anymore and you're fairly certain she's not still fucking him either. She's not even a junkie. As near as you can figure, she's just living here for free and helping out with keeping the inn running so it doesn't get shut down and she's living on the streets. You don't think you've ever talked too much to Amanda before, but today that's going to change. You wait until Amanda is seemingly not busy and then approach her as she's taking a break. "Another hard day of work, am I right?" you say sitting down at the same table. "Huh? Yeah." She answers. "Sucks how much you have to do around here and you're practically doing it all yourself." "Life's tough all over." "True, but Hank could at least help you out more than he has. I mean it's his fucking inn and the guy is just letting the place go to shit. I remember when this place was really popular." "Would have been better had that not ever happened. Just made things worse, sort of like you." "Pardon?" "You've been living here for years now and you have never said two fucking words to me before. Now all of a sudden you're speaking to me? What the hell do you want?" "The fuck's with the hostility?" "You fucking ruined my life that's why! YOU were the one that invited all those other poets and musicians to perform here, which showed me, how I don't even have as much talent as a bunch of fucking college kids. Then on top of everything else you turned Hank into a brain dead zombie and made this place into a damn drug den. So now because I have no other fucking skills whatsoever, I'm stuck here trying to prop up Hank because he's practically all I fucking got at this point and making sure this place stays afloat, that is if the militia doesn't raid the place one day soon." Well you sort of weren't expecting that rant. In fact you expected Amanda to be a meek girl with esteem issues, but seems like there's more that meets the eye. No matter, you can still work with this. "Well, consider this my way of making amends for troubling you because I've come up with a plan that might benefit the both of us." "What're you talking about?" You explain you want to clean this place up since she's right to be worried about the place getting raided by the militia. You also tell her that she doesn't need to prop Hank up either since she could easily just run the inn herself seeing as she's practically doing that now. "So wait, are you suggesting that I kill Hank? I don't think I could do that even if I never had the highest opinion of him to begin with." Amanda says. "No, you don't kill him right away. YOU marry him, THEN you kill him. That way you'll get the inn without any hassle." You say. "Fucking hell, that's pretty fucking cold. I mean shit, I just don't have that in me I don't think." "If you had it in you to blow that sleezy fucker on a regular basis, along with continuing to work a thankless job just for a roof over your head, pretty sure murder shouldn't be an issue. Besides, just look at the guy. You'd be doing him a favor at this point." "Oh fuck you, you're a fucking thief and drug dealer. You're in no position to judge me! And I'm not a murderer." "Okay fine I'll do the fucking deed. Figured I might have to anyway. Hell I'll even make it painless. I'll just give him something lethal and tell him it'll make him feel better. Boom. Mission accomplished. Then you can just continue running the place with free reign. Does that make it easier for you?" You remark. "I suppose, but I still don't see how this makes things better for the inn. I mean it's still a drug den." "Yeah, I'm going to take steps to help you clean up the place in that regard. I've sort of realized that I started to get lazy and began shitting where I eat. I need to keep my business separate from this place. I'll try to also get the college crowd back in this place." "Ugh. Hate those pretentious fuckers." "Yeah well rich kids with coin to waste like to drink so it's worth it." "So what's all in this for you again?" "I don't like moving and I like living here for free too so I feel that helping you achieve ownership of this place should cover my rent for a lifetime." "Well I suppose that's reasonable. So, I need to get married huh? Never thought it would be under these circumstances. I'm just wondering what priest is going to be willing to do it though. I mean most of those Joachimite fuckers are so puritanical that they might refuse based on Hank being so zonked. And I doubt if Hank will be up to walking to city hall. We might have to dry him out and if we do that, he might not necessarily be in the frame of mind to marry me." "Nah, I actually know of a priest who's perfect for this. So do we have a deal?" "That's it? There's nothing else involved is there? I mean you're not going to ask for sexual favors are you?" "No, hadn't planned on it." "Okay. Deal. But I don't want to know about what you're going to do to Hank exactly and I want his body taken care of because that's not something I want any part of." "Fine. As I said, I'll take care of that. Right then; guess I'm off to get the priest and sort all that shit out. The sooner we get this rolling the better." With the first part of your plan in mind, you head to the Welcome Mat where you hope Virgil is still living. When you arrive, you see the place is still the same shithole it's always been, though it probably isn't much worse than the Laughing Devil at this point. Thankfully Trobart isn't around to give you any shit. You go to Virgil's room and knock. When you get no answer, you just pick the lock and open the door. You find him predictably passed out. "Virgil! Virgil! Get up you old drunk! Got work for you and probably some free booze on top of it." You exclaim. "Huh? Wha?" Virgil sputters. "Hm, funny how that bit of information woke you up immediately. Seriously, get up I need you for a wedding." "Wazzat? Weddin'?" "Yeah a wedding." "K...wait you gettin' married to dat girl you run around wit?" "Oh no, I'm not getting married at all, this is for someone else." "Oh good. Dat girl was a bitch." "Hah, yes. Yes she was." "So who you marryin?" "I told you, I'm not getting married, I need you to marry two other people. Now enough with the questions and let's go!" "Alright! Alright! Fuck. Dere better be a sizable donat...(hic!) donation fer Joachim." "Yeah, yeah, there will be, now come on." You help Virgil up off the floor and begin to help him out his room. No sooner have you started doing this when you hear a bunch of noise followed by shouting. "IN THE NAME OF THE KLYTON MILITIA THIS PLACE HAS BEEN MARKED AS UNLAWFUL IN THE EYES OF THE LAW!" you hear a voice exclaim. You can't believe this. This is exactly what you were working to avoid at the Laughing Devil and you get caught up in a raid upon your return here! You immediately drop Virgil and try to run out the back way of the Welcome Mat, but the militia already has that covered as well when several of them bust in the back door. You turn to run back the other way, and thanks to a few of the militia being overly enthusiastic about their job, you get a poleaxe to your back and then trampled on by several heavy boots when you fall to the floor. This results in severe head trauma which doesn't kill you immediately, but you do go unconscious. A coma in fact. If someone was a kind soul that was checking, your life might have been still saved by a healing potion or even medical attention. However the militia just assumes you're just one of the many law breaking casualties and they toss your unconscious body on the cart with the rest of the dead after they've taken the living into custody. You aren't unconscious for too much longer however and at some point during the journey to the mass grave they dump you in, your life slips away altogether, sparing you from being buried alive.

[Themes: fantasy, serious] No, you went down that road before. Not going down it again especially not with someone you know practically nothing about. And you certainly aren't going to take the risk of robbing Kenzer's. There are easier targets, no need to take unnecessary chances. You just hope she doesn't fuck things up for you when she goes poking around the magic college. You return to your usual routine. A couple days later a big explosion is heard from another part of the city. You don't know what it is until much later. Turns out that it was Kenzer's jewelry store. You eventually get the story of a failed attempt at robbing the store in the night and apparently the one involved died in the explosion. Burned body parts were found amongst the destruction. You can only guess that was Zalmora. Hell of a way to go, but given you didn't think it was a great idea anyway, you're glad you decided not to go with her. Once again you return to your usual routine. Year 24 "Hank. Hank. HANK!" you shout. "Huh, wha?" Hank sputters while waking up and drooling on himself. 'Here. I got your latest supply of Gray." Hank fumbles to get the bag a couple times, but eventually he does. He then says something about you know where his safe is and just take the money from there, before he shoves the pills in his mouth. You thought he was bad on Numb, but ever since you had to start stealing a poor substitute used mainly on people with the plague, he's gotten a lot worse. He even offered to blow you for a fix once. It was pretty pathetic. The Laughing Devil is barely functioning like it used to anymore. Long gone are the wild parties filled with college types. Now it's starting to become a hang out for the dregs of the city. Granted half of the people are your customers, so you're probably a big part of the problem. The bigger problem is it's not exactly all that great to live at anymore. At one time you were just living here for free because the owner was dependent on you. Now, it's pretty much acting as a front for your activities since Hank has really fallen behind in running it proper. Not to mention you're starting to get paranoid that the whole place might get raided one day. Klyton is just becoming more of a problem to operate in everyday. You start to think that maybe its time to leave. Of course, you do have a pretty good set up here. If you took more of a hand in cleaning it up a bit, you might be able to continue to go unnoticed. It would be like owning your own inn without having to actually run it. > You get out now Yeah, you're not taking any chances. You need to get the hell out now. Where to go though is the issue. Lacking any other ideas, you suppose you'll head to Hessla and take it from there. One of the problems with being thrifty thief/drug dealer is you've got more coin than you can easily carry. Granted you've got it hidden in what you believe is a good location, you won't be able to easily check on it, even if you come back here to transport more of it later. That's going to have to be a concern for later though. You can always steal more coin. You've had to start over again before, you can do it again if need be. You pack up all your important shit, along with some of your savings and immediately make your way to the carriage station. There is a lot of militia milling about when you get there, but fortunately other than a few suspicious glances, you don't even get harassed. You board a carriage believing that you have no doubt made the right decision. Two other passengers board the carriage. A young couple who mostly ignore you since they're really into each other. From what you can gather based on their conversation in between the kissing they're running away together due to their parents not approving. You nearly laugh thinking back at how Annah fooled that guard when you first got to Klyton with a bullshit story like that. You were probably about the same age as the couple when that happened. You still miss her in some ways. The carriage ride starts off uneventful and you even feel comfortable enough to get some sleep since you don't particularly want to watch the couple slop all over one another. Your sleep is suddenly awakened by a lot of screaming and yelling, a gunshot and then the carriage smashing into something and flipping on its side. You and the couple go tumbling all over the carriage. You survive, though a bit banged up. The couple are still alive too, though the man looks to be very dazed with a big gash on his head and his woman is crying over him. You soon hear several voices shouting in excitement and getting louder. Doesn't take long before the carriage door (which is now above you due to how the carriage flipped) opens up and you've got someone with a crossbow pointing at you. "Hey lads, we got some survivors! An' one of dem is a lovely lookin' young thing! If nothing else, we're gonna have some fun tonight! Hey you! Don't fuckin' move or I'll put a bolt in yer 'ed!" a bandit says before warning you directly. Soon several of his fellows come and get you and the couple. They grab you first since they rightly seem to believe you're the biggest threat. You exit the carriage and see some dead horses with bolts in them which no doubt contributed to the carriage crashing. The driver and the extra protector are nowhere to be seen, though you assume were killed before or after the crash. The bandits take away all your weapons and your pack. When one of them opens it up, they're thrilled with what they see. "Fuck, between this and that girl. We hit the mother lode today!" one of them says. "Is that right Lou? Let me see what you got that's so great and why you fucking felt the need to attack without me." A voice suddenly says. You see a female elf wearing next to nothing save for a few tattoos approach. "Had to Flameflower, opportunity arose and we needed to seize it. And it paid off! Look!" Flameflower grabs the pack from Lou and looks inside with a nod. "Okay. Glad you guys didn't wait until I was done taking a shit then since this seems to have worked out. Hmm, this one's pretty, almost familiar looking." Flameflower says giving you a look before being distracted by screams of the girl being pulled out of the carriage by some of the other bandits. "Haylon! Will you shut that bitch up?! Put a gag in her mouth or shove your cock in it. I can't hear myself think!" Flame shouts. "Apologies Flame. Um, what should we do with this one?" Haylon says pointing to the young man who they're holding up since he's barely conscious. "Shit, two young pretties today. Guess Yag's really rolling well for me for a change. Hm, he looks like he's almost on his way out. Guess we better do him quick unless we want to add necrophilia to our agenda. Fuck it, might still do that, day's early. Anyway, let's get his pants off and I'll start sucking. Hey have his bitch watch, she might learn something so she can satisfy the rest of you boys." This is some fucked up shit and while you aren't exactly sure what these fuckers are going to do to you, you are not going to just wait around to find out. With as much force as you can muster, you punch Lou in the side of the face while his attention is divided and take off running. This is soon followed by shouts calling for you to be stopped. Several bolts whizz by you and for a moment you think you're going to get away and then you feel a sensation in your head. You immediately see a moment in your youth when you were with your sister, playing and laughing in Teckleville. Such a happy time. This vision then blinks away and you fall to the ground twitching a bit as your brain begins shutting down along with the rest of your body due to the bolt buried in your skull.

Year 23 "Here you go, but Hank you really need to start going easy on this shit. It's getting a little harder to get. It's almost as if the Klyton medical school is starting to realize their Numb supply is getting stolen." You say giving Hank his fix. "Can't you just go steal from the hospital?" Hank asks. "Well yes I could and I have, but they got their shit a lot more secure. Probably better than some jewelry stores. I start making that place a regular target and the price is going to go up." "Up? You're already getting free fucking room and board!" "And you're still fucking that elf that you don't want anyone to know about." "You know, I've been thinking more about that and I'm starting to think that T'ra'ni is right and I shouldn't be ashamed of who I am. I mean why should I? It's no big deal." "Hm, well that fine that you're discovering shit about yourself. Personally I don't give a shit, but I've gotten very comfortable here and I'm saying I don't want to pay any fucking rent and if you try to make me, you aren't going to have to worry about if I'm going to blab about your sexual habits, you just won't be getting any more Numb. I got other customers and there are always other places I can find to live." Hank looks a little surprised by your hardened approach on this. You're not sure why, it's not like you two are good buddies or something. You're his fucking dealer and he's hooked on the shit you can easily get for him. "You're a fucking asshole." Hank replies. "Yeah well, be that as it may, this place isn't doing all that bad since I arrived. I don't see you starving and besides androgynous elves, you're swimming in college pussy and getting your drugs. So I say things are going to stay as they are for now." You say. Hank wants to say more, but he just gives you a dirty look and walks off. With that bullshit out of the way, you head to your free room. Before you even get there, you see a woman lingering in front of the door. She doesn't look like one of the college crowd that comes here now, or a merchant or possibly a wannabe bard. She's dressed in pragmatic clothing more suited to one skilled of the ways of a rogue. In some ways she looks a little like an older version of Annah. In other words, a woman of quality. "Ah, there you are. I was waiting for you and didn't want to just surprise you by waiting inside your room. You know, you really should get better locks on the door. I'd think someone like you would know better." The woman remarks. "It's not usually a problem. Besides, I learned a long time ago that it often doesn't matter how good the lock, if someone wants in, they're getting in." you reply. "True. I guess you would know. Anyway, I'm Zalmora." "Hm. Is that supposed to mean something?" "No, though I know you've sold shit to the Bloody Talons in the past, surprised you haven't heard any of them talking about me in passing. Or more likely bitching about me." "I don't really have long conversations with Talon assholes. I generally just want them to buy their shit and go murder an old lady or whatever it is they do nowadays. In fact, are they still even around? Last I heard a shitload of them got killed two months ago in a big Klyton militia raid. Including their leader Jake." "Yeah, the Bloody Talons are indeed no more. Oh sure there's a couple of them still lingering about trying to keep what's left of the rabble, but I anticipate that even that will be gone by the end of the year thanks to the militia." "Well, that's what they get for being so high profile and generally being a bunch of unsubtle idiots. Wait, were you in the Talons?" "I was. And it's all true, they were a bunch of unsubtle idiots. Wasn't always like that of course when we were the Crimson Talons, but well shit happens. Perhaps that's how I managed to stay undetected since I was probably one of the few that was still a professional. Kind of like you in that way right?" "I guess. So why'd you stay?" "Love I guess? I mean Jake was a bloodthirsty asshole that was a terrible leader, but I think he cared about me as much as he understood it anyway. And he had a certain charm, at times." "Sounds like a true love story. Anyway, what did you want? Are you here to buy or something?" "Actually I was wondering if you'd be interested in doing a job with me. I'm well aware of your skills and I think it would go a lot easier with your assistance." "I'm sure it would, but I don't partner with anyone." "You don't? I thought you had a girl you routinely partnered with all the time. Wasn't she your girlfriend or...oh wait...bad break up?" You don't reply. "Okay, I see. Yeah I suppose that might put a crimp in your trust level which is probably low enough seeing our line of work and all." Zalmora remarks. "Not to mention I don't even know you." You add. "Well does that matter? I'd argue that familiarity is one of the more minor factors in whether you can trust someone or not. I mean there were a few times in the Talons where apparent friends backstabbed each other." "I suppose that's a valid point. However, it's still a factor never the less. I mean just speaking on a professional level, I know I'm good, but I don't know how good YOU are. I just know you were in the Bloody Talons and given what I knew of most of them doesn't speak highly." Zalmora chuckles a bit. "Something funny?" you ask. "Yeah. Never thought MY skills would ever be called into question. That's good though, means you really are a professional and serious about your work. Look, I'm going to go ahead and tell you what the job is. Kenzer's Gems and Jewels." Zalmora says. "Kenzer's huh? I just got done telling someone that the Klyton hospital has better security then most jewelry stores and of course now you're telling me you're hitting the one exception. Place might as well be a bank. In fact a bank might be easier. Still, you got my attention so you might as well come inside and tell me of this mad plan." You open the door and you both enter where after mentioning something about your room, she goes into detail about the plan. The plan is actually surprisingly simple. It's just a basic break in with more attention on the security and locks. She says that she's actually been casing the place on and off for a year and even acquired special dwarven thieving tools to help in her task. Her main concern is possible magic protection which seems like a given and partially asked for your help since she knows your area is the university which also houses the college of magic and was wondering if perhaps you had any access to or perhaps even acquired anything that might bypass such things. You explain that you've always sort of stayed away from the college of magic despite lurking around there a couple times out of curiosity. You say you've toyed with the idea pilfering from there before since it never seemed like the place was any better protected than most of the other parts of the university, but you were always a bit paranoid that you'd pick up something that might just give you a fate worse than death. Zalmora nods at your words. "I see. Well would you have any problems with me poking about the place?" Zalmora asks. "What the college of magic? No. I mean you don't need my permission." You say. "Yes, I know I don't, however I know its in your territory so to speak, I don't really want to cause any potential problems." "Heh, well gotta say, I'm not used to this sort of professional courtesy from anyone before, let alone anyone from the Talons who were often telling ME to get the fuck off their territory whether I was working there or not. In any case, you'll get no issues from me. Though I'd be careful fucking around in there." "Risks of the trade. I imagine you'd know something of that." "True, though I think I make more coin selling the various hospital drugs I steal. If I actually knew how to make the shit, I'd probably just do that instead because its far less work especially since there's practically no competition. Unless you count the various Green Lotus dealers and they certainly don't count." "Yeah the Talons were once in the drug trade. Not sure why we stopped really. I think the new leader at the time Tom wanted to step away from it since it drew too much heat. Then again Yellow Devil causing addicts to melt would certainly that. Sort of figured when Jake took charge we might get back into it, but still a bit too organized for him I think. Honestly I think he would have just preferred leading a gang that ambushed travellers on the roads." "Hm. Well he certainly might have lasted longer. You act like a mad dog, you'll eventually get put down like one." "Indeed. However, I'd say staying put and getting too comfortable like a fat lazy cat is likely to get one eventually grabbed by the scruff, put in a bag and thrown in a river." "Okay, I feel like that was directed at me." "More of a warning. Not sure if you realize it or not but security has increased a lot in the city. Granted a lot of that might be the fault of the Bloody Talons making such a mess of things, but the reasons don't matter. What matters is, things are getting harder for people like us." "Didn't you just say that's the risks of the trade?" "Yeah, but there's also anticipating getting out of the way of trouble you can't handle. Not saying that time is now, but it's coming soon. And this nice comfortable set up you have might all come crashing down even if you're careful. After all, with the Talons out of the way, attention is going to focus on the next biggest criminals in the city and I'd say you'd fit the bill." "Duly noted. Well if you're done with your warnings, I have things to do." Zalmora looks at you and starts to leave, but you can already tell she's not done talking. Story of your life. "So you're not interested in partnering up?" Zalmora asks. "Why are you so interested in partnering up with me? I mean I get some of the reasons that you've explained, but this is still pretty damn sudden. I mean there's still a trust issue here." "Well because as you pointed out robbing Kenzer's isn't going to be an easy job and it would probably be better to have an extra pair of eyes and hands around. And...maybe this is going to sound odd from someone you don't know, but you're obviously a talented thief and maybe I just like a little social interaction from time to time from another one in our business." "So...what then? You miss your Talon buddies? I can't help with that. They were a bunch of idiots and I was never in this to make friends. Unless you're saying you're missing your boyfriend. If that's the case, well...as you've gathered I'm not exactly trusting on that front either however I'm not going to say no to a tumble I suppose." Zalmora sighs at you. "Fine, you're an asshole like everyone else in this trade then. Thanks for what information you did provide and apologies for wasting your time." Zalmora at this point turns to leave for real this time and there's a part of you that wants to stop her, even though you think it might be more trouble than its worth. > You stop Zalmora You must be getting bored (or lonely) because this is probably a bad idea. "Alright, alright, stop. I'll help." You say. "Hey don't feel the need to pity me, I don't need or want it." Zalmora responds. "I'm not, I'm just thinking that I know the college of magic layout better than you and if you're going to hit that place first then it would probably be best if I came with you. Last thing I need is you getting caught and then security around the university starts getting tighter as well." "Heh, okay." Zalmora smirks a bit at your response as if she doesn't quite buy your excuse to help. Though to be fair, your reasoning isn't totally a lie. You go into detail about the layout of the place and what she can probably expect. You tell her that unlike most places its actually better to go there during the day since the wizard types seem to be more active at night. You mention that the while the security isn't tight, there's probably a reason for that which is there doesn't seem to be much just lying around waiting to get snatched. The few times you did lurk about there, all you mostly found within easy reach were a lot of unlabeled potions and spell ingredients. "I guess it not being secure isn't entirely true since the upper floors seem magically locked so I never got up there. Also there is the basement level, but uh, I got a few feet down there, heard weird noises and got the hell out of there and never went back. Not going to risk going down there again either. Anyway, when did you want to do this?" "I can meet you here in a couple days. Any particular time?" "I guess sometime in the morning. It's a little early for me, but probably best to get started early." "Okay. Well I'm glad this wasn't a wasted trip and I look forward to working with you...what changed your mind?" "Hell if I know. I'm probably being an idiot and thinking with dick again." Zalmora chuckles. "So basically like most guys then. Still, I appreciate the honesty. Alright I'll see you." Zalmora takes her leave and you take steps to move most of your savings to another hiding spot. In couple days true to her word Zalmora comes to your door. "Hey, I'm here. Not sure why you wanted me here so early, but I'm guessing you wanted to go over things for tonight." Zalmora says. "Tonight? I wanted you here early so we can go early since there's less activity then." You say. "Less activity? Kenzer's would be open right now." "Kenzer's? I'm talking about the magic college." "The magic college? Oh! Fuck, well this is embarrassing that there was miscommunication on our first potential job together. I meant going to Kenzer's today. I already went to the college of magic." "What? But I thought you wanted me to go with you." "Well I got the impression you didn't really want to go and as I said I thought you were talking about Kenzer's place. Anyway, I got some stuff. Check it out." Zalmora takes a small pack off her back and goes over to a table and dumps out some of the contents. A few of them are potion bottles, a couple are some sort of odd glowing stones and some sort of silver tube with a hole at the top. "Well that's great, but do you actually know what any of this shit is?" you ask. "Actually I do! These potions make you invisible!" "You're shitting me." "No! I drank one and that's exactly what happened!" "You drank...fuck. Well you're braver than me, I'll give you that." "Well maybe not as much as you think. These actually were sort of labeled. Maybe not directly on the bottle, but in a little book nearby where I guess some wizard was making notes on what they were making. Anyway, they don't last long though and you feel sort of dizzy, even a bit nauseous after becoming visible again. Well at least I did." "Okay, still might come in handy. What about these stones?" "These apparently are some sort of magic explosive. I guess you throw them really hard at something and it explodes. Um, the notebook didn't exactly say how powerful though." "And you had those rolling around in your pack. Great. Okay, so what about the whistle?" "Oh this? Just some silver whistle I found lying around and looked valuable. Here you go. Consider it your cut for your information." Zalmora says tossing you the whistle. "Uh okay. Thanks I guess." You say catching it. "I suppose I didn't find anything like a magical lockpick, but hopefully Kenzer don't have any magic locks like I'm anticipating." "Well if worse comes to worst, I guess we could blow up something with those stones and drink the potions as we get away with the loot." "I like the way you think. So...I guess we got a bunch of time. Any suggestions on how to spend it?" "Well, I got up way earlier than I normally do, so if it's all the same to you, I'm going back to sleep. You can see your way out." "Really? Didn't expect that to be your suggestion." "What, you thought I was going to suggest sex? I already did that once before and you weren't interested." "You give up so easily?" "No, I just figure if it is going to happen, my chances will increase after a successful job...either that or you'll double cross me and leave me for dead. It's a risk either way, but it is what it is." With those words, you put your whistle on the end table next to your bed and lay down. Zalmora looks at the door for a moment and then over at you. "Hey you wouldn't mind if I slept here would you?" Zalmora asks. "What? Wait. You mean actual sleep right?" you respond. "Yes. I just don't feel like going all the way back home, I got all my equipment for tonight's job and it's not like I got anything else going on today. Might as well get some rest." "...fuck it. Okay, but where are you expecting to sleep? I'm not giving up the bed in my own place." "You don't need to, I'll just share it. I trust you'll be a gentleman. Move over." Without another word, Zalmora is plopping herself on your bed and nudging you over. You swear, you can't tell what's going on with this woman. She's being very forward, but holding back at the same time. It's not quite teasing though. Maybe all of this is some sort of weird way of showing she can be trusted? If so, you're not convinced. "If you're planning on robbing me while I sleep, you'll find I'm a light sleeper and that silver whistle you gave me is probably the most valuable thing in the room now anyway." You say. "Wasn't planning on it. I'm guessing that ex of yours did something like that?" Zalmora says. "Not talking about it...what're you doing?" "I'm going to sleep, why?" "Because you're all up on me. I mean it's weird enough that you want to share a bed, now you got your arm and leg on me. A few more moves and we might as well be fucking. I mean if that's what you want to do, you can just tell me since I'm not sleepy enough to not oblige that request." "I just...look, I was just used to sleeping next to a warm body on a semi-regular basis and I miss it. Even if said warm body was an asshole most of the time. So no, I'm not looking for sex, I just want that feeling of closeness I guess. Yeah I know it's weird, but as you said, it is what it is. So if this is just too much of a cock tease for you I guess I'll go home and come back later." "No. no, it's fine. I guess I get it...but you have to be into me on at least a physical level. I mean surely you wouldn't be doing this with some bum on the street?" "Alright, you're right about that one. Just try to keep the groping to a minimum for now." And with those words, Zalmora closes her eyes and after staring at her a moment, you do likewise. It's nothing something you normally do, but it is sort of nice. Makes you miss when you and Annah used to do this on a regular basis. Later you awaken to find that night has fallen and hear the sounds of merriment in the distance. Sounds like another lively night on stage. "I was just about to wake you." Zalmora says, going through her pack by candlelight. "How long you been awake?" you ask. "I dunno, the bards and people cheering woke me up a couple hours ago I guess. I thought you said you were a light sleeper." "I usually am. Maybe your body being against mine was just so comforting it lulled me into a deep sleep." You half joke. "Hm, glad you enjoyed it. Given your general view on things, maybe you needed just as much as I did. Anyway, you ready to go do this?" "Yep, let's get going." You and Zalmora take your leave and head to Kenzer's Gems and Jewels. An hour later... As you're puking up your guts from the after affects of the invisibility potion, Zalmora is anxiously looking around, hoping none of the Klyton Watch are patrolling the sewers. "Hurry up, I'd rather we put more distance between us and the shop!" Zalmora says. "Ugh...don't you mean smoking crater? That shop is in ruins and I'm amazed I even survived the blast. Pretty sure I got broken glass in my body and I know I've got burns because I can still feel the fucking heat from my blackened clothes." You say trying to regain your composure from your vomiting. "Apologies, but really didn't know that was going to happen. I mean the first stone didn't do anything except make a small pop." "You could have waited a bit, I was sure I had that lock open. Fuck, whatever. It's done now. Anyway you alright?" "Oh. Yeah, I managed to take cover and just got some scraps rather than getting blown out one of the windows." "Did we get anything?" "Uh, unfortunately I think in all the confusion the bag of gems I had split and everything fell out. I only managed to save a few and not even the more valuable ones. Do you have anything?" "Yeah a lot of pain. Agh. Fuck, I'm going home." "Hold on, let's go back to my place. You go into the Laughing Devil looking like that and someone might put two and two together when they hear about what happened. You know how easily people talk. I mean yeah it's a slim chance, but why risk it?" "Fine whatever. Just want to get to some place to rest. Just lead the way." You and Zalmora walk through the filthy sewers to her place in relative silence. The pair of you are both keeping an eye out just in case, but you're fairly certain that despite everything, you go out of there before anyone really saw you, let alone the Watch. Of course who knows what else lurks down here in this place. "I gotta say, you're taking all of this better than I thought you would." Zalmora says. "I'm a little too drained to bitch about how badly it all went. Besides, I didn't really lose anything I suppose. Which is more than I can say the last time I worked with a partner. I mean I'm still alive and in one piece." You respond. "Heh. If I was working with Jake he would have been yelling and screaming the whole time at me and saying it was all my fault." "Well at least he would have had some basis in fact for bitching. If I had been working with Annah and she had been the one to throw that explosive stone, she would have STILL blamed me for everything and bitched for the next three days." "Yikes. I take it Annah was your ex?" "Yeah, though to be honest we weren't really together in that way for awhile. We had just been working on jobs on and off until...ah I don't know why I'm talking about this, it's not important." "No, go on. I'd like to hear. Certainly beats just listening to the sounds of the sewers." "What the hell..." You go into a little more detail about Annah and what she was like. It's sort of odd, you've never really talked about her to someone else before. Zalmora just listens for the most part, but eventually asking why you were with her. Your answer is one you've gone over in your own head several times before. The only answer you can come up with is "It's complicated." "No it isn't. You loved her. Not saying it was the type of love you read about in badly written romance stories with knights saving virginal damsels, but you put up with her and still kept contact with her despite you throwing her out. Which seemed like more of a rash move on your part that you probably regretted later since it sounds like you were even willing to give it all another chance. First loves are hard to shake. I should know." "Oh was that the situation with Jake?" "Hah, no. Jake was...something else, but my first love was when I was younger and well let's just say it could have ended better." "Yeah well I'm definitely over her now." "Are you? I really couldn't help but notice how you described her physical appearance you kept referring to ME sometimes in comparison. Such as hair, eyes, mouth..." "What? Wait. No! I just...uh bad at describing people and couldn't think of a better way to do it. I mean she doesn't look like you at all! You're older! ... Oh fuck... Shit. I don't mean it like that. I mean you're..." "Calm down I know what the hell you mean. Please, it takes more than that to offend me. What you're basically saying is I look like a...more mature version of your ex." "Uh, yeah I guess so. And definitely nowhere near as bitchy." "Well you haven't gotten on my bad side yet." "I can't imagine it'll be any worse than the relative pleasant side of you considering that side nearly blew me up." Zalmora laughs at your comment and the pair of you continue to speak all the way back to her home. It actually lightens both of your moods. Zal's home is humble, but it's definitely a welcome place to rest after this failed night. You spend a couple days there recovering at Zal's insistence since the job was her idea to begin with and she feels partially responsible. You have to admit, you really feel like this is all a set up for something worse because you haven't had someone this pleasant with you for quite awhile. But there is no other shoe dropping so far. In fact Zalmora makes a comment about supposing that you won't be working together again given that this first job was a big failure. "No. We can try this again. No shortage of other places to blow up after all." You respond. "Ah, well that's true. And we haven't fucked yet." Zalmora says. "There is that I suppose." Zalmora looks at you. "Well?" Zal says. "Well what?" you say. "You want to get that out of the way?" "What, now?" "You still need time to heal?" "No, I think can manage." "Well let's get to it then." "You...sure about this?" "If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't be suggesting it." "As long as you're sure...agh fuck...shit my fucking side...uh you think you can be on top?" "Pfft, like you were going to have a choice." This looks like the beginning of a brand new partnership... > Time passes... Year 25 "Think it's time to leave Klyton." Zalmora remarks. "You think so?" you respond. "With the increase in Klyton militia activity in the city? Yeah. Unless you're thinking about a career change." "Are you thinking about one?" "Eh, there are times when I think about what else I could be doing with my life, but pretty sure settling down and having a whole mess o' babies isn't high on the list. Well certainly not the babies part at least." "Definitely not. Kids always grow up to disappoint...well that's probably what my parents think anyway. In any case, I see no reason to change things up." "Heh, well you're still young. You might change your mind." "Doubt it. I mean I can't see myself really doing anything else other than what I'm more or less doing right now." "So you think when you're in your seventies you're going to be sneaking about in houses and buildings?" "Assuming I live that long, I would hope that I will have acquired enough to live on for the remainder of my life by then." "Ah yes, your thrifty ways. A very atypical trait for someone in our line of work barring a few dwarven thieves I've known in the past." "Well I'm just aware that times may not always be plentiful, so better to have something to fall back on." "That's very pragmatic. You sure you don't have any dwarven blood?" "Heh. Nah. I mean when I was still working with my sister, I was doing this mostly due to it being fun. Never really spent much of what I stole, hell I even misplaced a bauble from time to time because it just wasn't important enough that I cared. I mean I could just steal from another travelling merchant right? Then when I was with Annah, I couldn't even keep most of what I stole without her spending it almost immediately." "So you've said." "Yeah, well I think my short time in an actual relationship with her caused me to always hang on to whatever I managed to keep and in time it just became a habit." "Not a bad habit to have. Most don't think about the future." "So what's bringing this all on anyway?" Zalmora exhales and stretches a bit before answering. Zal goes into how when she was much younger she originally was doing this out of survival and the fun came later when she realized how good she was at it. For awhile it was a mixing with business with pleasure sort of thing. However lately she's been starting to dwell on the future mainly because she's starting to realize the little aches and pains in her body she feels when running from the militia or her reflexes slowing down as she narrowly avoids a trap she's disarmed. You tell her she's hardly ready for the grave, which she of course knows that, but each year it becomes something she thinks about more and more. She again mentions that she's not interested in settling down with dreams of a family or even "retiring" from this life anytime soon, but she would like to have an end game as it were. "I suppose one of the few benefits of being in a gang was there was a mild sense of community. At least there was when it was the Crimson Talons. More people were around to assist and you could take a break for a while. I suppose at one point I even figured I'd become one of those old members that just sent you young folks on assignments and reap the benefits." Zal says. "So...you saying you want to start a new gang?" you ask. "Hell no. If anything I should have left the Crimson Talons when it became the Bloody Talons, but you know, I was an idiot who thought I was in love or whatever it was. In any case, I'm done with the whole gang part of my life. What I'm doing now is fine, but I know at some point I'm not going to want to do this anymore." "Well, that's why we save." "And that's at least a plan, though I guess...I dunno...I suppose it might be nice to have steady income without having to risk our lives for it." "That sounds like having a real job." "Well I know neither of us want to do that, but maybe we should consider something that isn't like a real job, but still mostly legal if we want to stay in Klyton because shit is just getting harder here. Hence why I suggested we might need to get the hell out of the city." "Well any suggestions on where to go? Hessla? Holgard? Delantium?" "Eh, none of those choices are all that great. The Delantium Kingdom and Holgard both have an Ebony Claw Syndicate presence and as I said before dealing with gang shit is the last thing I want to be doing in my life now. I suppose the best of the lot would be Hessla. It's close, The Syndicate doesn't have any real presence there and the law there is non-existent. At least in the traditional sense. The governor of Hessla still keeps a tight reign on things so it isn't chaos there, so random murders, muggings and burglaries are frowned upon, but say opening up a slave market would be fine provided the governor is getting his cut." "I don't think I'm into selling slaves." "Well obviously I wasn't suggesting that, but you do sell drugs. You could do that in Hessla without worrying about the legal ramifications." "Okay, but I'm not making them. I can't sell the medical shit I steal from Klyton's hospitals if I don't have easy access to it." "Well maybe you could branch out. I mean Hessla is a pirate haven, lots of stuff coming in and out of that place. You probably could fence items. People always seeking out things or looking to sell." "That sounds like running a pawn shop which sounds like a job..." "Don't think of it as running a pawn shop, think of it as...running a black market." "Hah. Well that does make it sound more appealing. Okay, but surely Hessla already has several such established places there." "Well its called competition. Obviously I didn't say it would be easy, but it's an option worth thinking about. And you wouldn't be doing this alone, I'd be helping you of course." Zalmora puts one of her hands on yours and squeezes slightly as if to reassure you of her words. Zal isn't one for a lot of affection, but during your relationship with her you know her feelings are genuine. No unnecessary drama either. She comes off a bit "guiding" at times, like she's doing right now. Still, it's better than bitching. You're not quite sure about this idea that's she got though. Still seems a bit too close to having a proper job though she's probably right about Klyton getting a bit of a hassle to function in nowadays. You need time to think about it. Zal said she wasn't rushing into this anyway and who knows; you or her might come up with a different idea in the meantime. A few weeks pass and you get news about the militia raiding the Laughing Devil. You're sort of surprised it took them so long because even before you stopped living there it had started to get a reputation for hosting "indecent acts without a license" and becoming a Green Lotus den. Just as well that you started living with Zalmora otherwise you might have gotten swept up in said raid. Still, Zal was concerned before and she's really alarmed now, so much so that she's urging you both to leave immediately with just what you can carry. "But I got a shitload of savings stashed...somewhere. I can't easily just leave with it right now!" you remark. "Do you feel it's safe? Do you think anyone is going to find it?" Zal asks not even taking offense that you've still kept the location secret from her. "Well nobody's found it yet so I think it's fine." "Good, you can come back and get it later then. We need to move now. You sold shit to more than a few of those assholes at the Laughing Devil, the owner in particular. How long before one of them drops your name and the militia tracks you here?" "Alright, alright, fuck it. I've lost it all before, I can make it all back again if it comes to that. Let's get packed." You and Zal start packing as much as you can as quick as you can and make your way to the carriage station. You ask Zal if she feels some sort of way about having to abandon her house, but she just replies that it's not like she's leaving a mansion and was more or less just a place that she could keep her stuff and a roof over her head. She then mumbles something about thanking her uncle that left it to her and tells you to quicken your pace. You get within sight of the carriage station and then you see several patrols of militia walking about the area. A few of them are even walking in your direction. Your instinct is to keep cool and just walk by them as if nothing is wrong since if you run or even turn around at this point it's going to arouse suspicion. However Zal is already whispering another suggestion. "Let's run now. I know the closest manhole and we'll lose them in the sewers." > You walk by the militia You suddenly start running and they're definitely going to know something is up. Better to just play it cool. "It'll be fine, we just need to keep calm." You say continuing to walk towards the station. "I'm telling you right now, we need to run." Zal remarks. "We'll be fine, just stop talking." Your visible minor disagreement with Zal has already caused enough suspicious however by the militia approaching who were looking for an excuse anyway. "You two halt!" one of them remarks. And as soon as that's said, Zalmora has taken off running. "Zal! Shit. Fuck..." you sputter as you realize you now have no choice but to follow suit. Of course this split second of confusion combined with how close you let them get in the first place is unfortunately just enough for the militia to catch you. Naturally, they slam you to the ground and begin disarming you. Nearly literally since they break one of your arms in the process. Next step is taking away your backpack and once they see what's inside, if there was the slimmest chance that they might still let you go, it's gone. You actually expect them to just kill you right then and there, but they end up dragging you to the Klyton jail where they lock you up. You spend about a week inside still suffering from a broken arm. You keep holding out for the false hope that maybe Zal is going to pull off some daring rescue, but that doesn't happen. She's gone and while there's a part of you that is very angry about it, you're more mad at yourself for not running when she suggested it in the first place. You probably could pick the lock even with a broken arm, but you wouldn't get far. The only upside is you've got a cell all by yourself while its decided on if they're going to do anything worse to you. A month passes and finally a Captain Branik, head of the militia tells you that you're going to be executed. "What?! I can't even defend myself? You didn't even arrest me committing a crime!" you exclaim. "What's to defend? When we caught you, you had a shitload of coin and other valuables. You obviously have no visible means of support and you were trying to leave the city. Doesn't take a scholar to put everything together. Shit, we even got reason to believe you were involved in blowing up Kenzer's jewelry store and found a silver whistle that someone in the wizard's college reported stolen years ago. You've obviously been very busy and good at keeping a low profile. Well Yag's dice have finally rolled snake eyes for you and you're finally going to pay the price." Branik says. "Look even if I was guilty of whatever you think I'm guilty of, can't you just exile me? I mean I was leaving anyway. I won't come back!" "Exile? We rarely do that anymore. That doesn't teach anyone shit and it's going to just let a criminal free to attack caravans on the road. Yeah, not risking that. Shit, I wouldn't even risk putting you in one of those hanging cages we got. You'd probably pick the lock and get away with all your experience. No, the best thing we need to do with you is make an example. You'll be hanged tomorrow." And that's it. No defense, no escape, no anything. You sit down and feel sick. It's weird, you've been in other situations where death could have found you, but something about waiting for it in a cell makes it feel worse. Probably because you have time to think about it. You can't think about though, you'll just make yourself more upset. Instead you try to think about your family oddly enough. You think back to the happier times you had in Teckleville and you think about how you wish you never had to leave. You don't get much sleep and when they wake you up to get you, you're very tired. But not without some fight left. The guards come in to get you and you immediately try to fight with one good arm. Naturally you don't do very well, though you were really hoping that they'd at least kill you right there, but instead they just beat the shit out of you and break your other arm before dragging you to the gallows before an enthusiastic crowd wanting to see their entertainment. Your body is in so much pain from the broken bones and beatings that when you feel the noose slip over your neck you're just glad this will be over soon. Some militia asshole goes on about justice for a moment until you manage enough strength to tell him to shut the fuck up and just get on with it. The hooded executioner soon grants your wish and pulls the lever. Your neck snaps almost instantly as you go through the trap door.

[Themes: fantasy, serious] Year 25 "Think it's time to leave Klyton." Zalmora remarks. "You think so?" you respond. "With the increase in Klyton militia activity in the city? Yeah. Unless you're thinking about a career change." "Are you thinking about one?" "Eh, there are times when I think about what else I could be doing with my life, but pretty sure settling down and having a whole mess o' babies isn't high on the list. Well certainly not the babies part at least." "Definitely not. Kids always grow up to disappoint...well that's probably what my parents think anyway. In any case, I see no reason to change things up." "Heh, well you're still young. You might change your mind." "Doubt it. I mean I can't see myself really doing anything else other than what I'm more or less doing right now." "So you think when you're in your seventies you're going to be sneaking about in houses and buildings?" "Assuming I live that long, I would hope that I will have acquired enough to live on for the remainder of my life by then." "Ah yes, your thrifty ways. A very atypical trait for someone in our line of work barring a few dwarven thieves I've known in the past." "Well I'm just aware that times may not always be plentiful, so better to have something to fall back on." "That's very pragmatic. You sure you don't have any dwarven blood?" "Heh. Nah. I mean when I was still working with my sister, I was doing this mostly due to it being fun. Never really spent much of what I stole, hell I even misplaced a bauble from time to time because it just wasn't important enough that I cared. I mean I could just steal from another travelling merchant right? Then when I was with Annah, I couldn't even keep most of what I stole without her spending it almost immediately." "So you've said." "Yeah, well I think my short time in an actual relationship with her caused me to always hang on to whatever I managed to keep and in time it just became a habit." "Not a bad habit to have. Most don't think about the future." "So what's bringing this all on anyway?" Zalmora exhales and stretches a bit before answering. Zal goes into how when she was much younger she originally was doing this out of survival and the fun came later when she realized how good she was at it. For awhile it was a mixing with business with pleasure sort of thing. However lately she's been starting to dwell on the future mainly because she's starting to realize the little aches and pains in her body she feels when running from the militia or her reflexes slowing down as she narrowly avoids a trap she's disarmed. You tell her she's hardly ready for the grave, which she of course knows that, but each year it becomes something she thinks about more and more. She again mentions that she's not interested in settling down with dreams of a family or even "retiring" from this life anytime soon, but she would like to have an end game as it were. "I suppose one of the few benefits of being in a gang was there was a mild sense of community. At least there was when it was the Crimson Talons. More people were around to assist and you could take a break for a while. I suppose at one point I even figured I'd become one of those old members that just sent you young folks on assignments and reap the benefits." Zal says. "So...you saying you want to start a new gang?" you ask. "Hell no. If anything I should have left the Crimson Talons when it became the Bloody Talons, but you know, I was an idiot who thought I was in love or whatever it was. In any case, I'm done with the whole gang part of my life. What I'm doing now is fine, but I know at some point I'm not going to want to do this anymore." "Well, that's why we save." "And that's at least a plan, though I guess...I dunno...I suppose it might be nice to have steady income without having to risk our lives for it." "That sounds like having a real job." "Well I know neither of us want to do that, but maybe we should consider something that isn't like a real job, but still mostly legal if we want to stay in Klyton because shit is just getting harder here. Hence why I suggested we might need to get the hell out of the city." "Well any suggestions on where to go? Hessla? Holgard? Delantium?" "Eh, none of those choices are all that great. The Delantium Kingdom and Holgard both have an Ebony Claw Syndicate presence and as I said before dealing with gang shit is the last thing I want to be doing in my life now. I suppose the best of the lot would be Hessla. It's close, The Syndicate doesn't have any real presence there and the law there is non-existent. At least in the traditional sense. The governor of Hessla still keeps a tight reign on things so it isn't chaos there, so random murders, muggings and burglaries are frowned upon, but say opening up a slave market would be fine provided the governor is getting his cut." "I don't think I'm into selling slaves." "Well obviously I wasn't suggesting that, but you do sell drugs. You could do that in Hessla without worrying about the legal ramifications." "Okay, but I'm not making them. I can't sell the medical shit I steal from Klyton's hospitals if I don't have easy access to it." "Well maybe you could branch out. I mean Hessla is a pirate haven, lots of stuff coming in and out of that place. You probably could fence items. People always seeking out things or looking to sell." "That sounds like running a pawn shop which sounds like a job..." "Don't think of it as running a pawn shop, think of it as...running a black market." "Hah. Well that does make it sound more appealing. Okay, but surely Hessla already has several such established places there." "Well its called competition. Obviously I didn't say it would be easy, but it's an option worth thinking about. And you wouldn't be doing this alone, I'd be helping you of course." Zalmora puts one of her hands on yours and squeezes slightly as if to reassure you of her words. Zal isn't one for a lot of affection, but during your relationship with her you know her feelings are genuine. No unnecessary drama either. She comes off a bit "guiding" at times, like she's doing right now. Still, it's better than bitching. You're not quite sure about this idea that's she got though. Still seems a bit too close to having a proper job though she's probably right about Klyton getting a bit of a hassle to function in nowadays. You need time to think about it. Zal said she wasn't rushing into this anyway and who knows; you or her might come up with a different idea in the meantime. A few weeks pass and you get news about the militia raiding the Laughing Devil. You're sort of surprised it took them so long because even before you stopped living there it had started to get a reputation for hosting "indecent acts without a license" and becoming a Green Lotus den. Just as well that you started living with Zalmora otherwise you might have gotten swept up in said raid. Still, Zal was concerned before and she's really alarmed now, so much so that she's urging you both to leave immediately with just what you can carry. "But I got a shitload of savings stashed...somewhere. I can't easily just leave with it right now!" you remark. "Do you feel it's safe? Do you think anyone is going to find it?" Zal asks not even taking offense that you've still kept the location secret from her. "Well nobody's found it yet so I think it's fine." "Good, you can come back and get it later then. We need to move now. You sold shit to more than a few of those assholes at the Laughing Devil, the owner in particular. How long before one of them drops your name and the militia tracks you here?" "Alright, alright, fuck it. I've lost it all before, I can make it all back again if it comes to that. Let's get packed." You and Zal start packing as much as you can as quick as you can and make your way to the carriage station. You ask Zal if she feels some sort of way about having to abandon her house, but she just replies that it's not like she's leaving a mansion and was more or less just a place that she could keep her stuff and a roof over her head. She then mumbles something about thanking her uncle that left it to her and tells you to quicken your pace. You get within sight of the carriage station and then you see several patrols of militia walking about the area. A few of them are even walking in your direction. Your instinct is to keep cool and just walk by them as if nothing is wrong since if you run or even turn around at this point it's going to arouse suspicion. However Zal is already whispering another suggestion. "Let's run now. I know the closest manhole and we'll lose them in the sewers." > You run to the sewers With as many militia fuckers that are around the station, it might be best to run while you can. You give a look at Zal and nod, then the pair of you turn around and start walking away fast. One of the militia shouts at you both to stop which then leads to you both running; this is then followed by them chasing you. Running with a full pack on your back is never a fun thing, but its not like you haven't done it a few times before. Desperately prying a manhole cover off while trying to escape the law is even less fun. The worst of course is stomping about in the sewers. You didn't like it the first time you did it. Fortunately Zal is still more familiar with them than the militia is and after lying low in some unknown corner of these marvels of sanitation eventually you lose them altogether. "We're not getting out of this city the conventional way." Zalmora remarks. "Scaling the wall is going to be a little tough. Probably would still be easier to sneak out one of the gates." You say. "It'll be even easier to sneak out of the city using these sewers. There's an old passage the Talons used to use to get in and out of the city sometimes. I just hope it hasn't been completely blocked off since the militia took them out." "Surprised the Talons didn't use it to escape." "A few of them might have for all I know, but when the militia stormed the hideout, some of them came through that route to make sure nobody escaped that way. I'm just glad I happened to be pissed at Jake at the time and wasn't around when any of it happened." "I didn't know that." "Yeah well it's not something I like to dwell on too much. The whole last time we spent time together being angry with him and all. It's in the past anyway and right now getting through the present is more important. Come on." Eventually you get to the tunnel that Zal was speaking about and it has indeed been blocked off, however it hasn't been blocked in a manner that would be impossible to get through as only a set of iron bars along with a few iron gates with locks on them have been installed. You and Zal get to work on opening them and eventually you pop them all and soon you're making your way out to the great outdoors and more importantly those awful sewers. "Fucking hell, never thought I'd be so glad to see the countryside again. I don't know how the hell you dealt with those sewers on regular basis." You remark. "You get used to it. You get used to a lot of things...anyway I guess we're walking to Hessla now." Zalmora says. "That'll be fun. How long will that take?" you say. "A few days I imagine. Uh, you got food and water?" "I got some water. I don't think I have any food. Not exactly a hunter either." "Well I guess we'll just eat when we get there." You and Zal begin to walk west towards your destination. As you put more and more distance between you and Klyton, you have a myriad of thoughts running through your mind though some of those are surprisingly about your family. You briefly wonder how they're all doing. You imagine your mom and dad lives are a lot easier without you around anymore. As for your sister, you hope she's doing a lot better than you are right now. You weren't sure about "starting over" before, but it looks like you'll be doing it whether you want to or not. New town, new possible "profession", you're not exactly looking forward to all of it. The only good factor in all this is Zalmora who has been by your side pretty solidly since you partnered up with her. You certainly have a great deal of feelings for her as well, and yet... You still don't fully trust her. You don't know why... well you do know why; it's what happened with Annah. Zal has never given you any reason to not trust her, but then Annah didn't give you any reason either for years. As you struggle with this minor conundrum, you suddenly call out to Zal. "Yes?" Zal replies. "I...I'm sorry I didn't tell you about where I keep my secret stash." You say. "Oh. I wasn't fussed about it." "No, I mean it's not right. You've been there for me since we started our relationship and I'm still mistrustful of you when I shouldn't be. I mean shit, I haven't even told you I love you." "Do you?" "Well...yeah. Of course I do." "That didn't sound sure." "I do!" "It's fine. I mean I haven't said it to you either." "Yeah, but I know you do." "Oh. You KNOW that. How?" "Well...because...you know! I mean you show it all the time. Just all the stuff you do." "There are lots of people that will standby you for various reasons, even the right ones. Doesn't prove anything. I would think your own past experience would confirm that." "Yeah well...I can't worry about every detail. Sometimes you have to roll the dice and hope Yag lets you roll a seven." "So throwing caution to the wind and leaving it to the gods huh?" "Seems like it." Zal at this point gives you a kiss and mentions how glad she is that she met you. "So about my secret stash..." you start to say. "Oh you don't need to tell me. I already know where it's at." Zal says. "What?!" "That's why I said I wasn't fussed. I already knew its location." "And you're just now telling me?" "If I'd told you before, you would've freaked out like you're doing now, thinking I was going to rob you and then you'd have to go find a new spot and it would have put unnecessary work on you, especially since where you did hide it was a very good spot anyway and not likely to be found. Well not unless you're me. Besides, even if you had moved it, I would have just found out again." You don't answer this revelation from Zal. It's a bit concerning, well a lot concerning really. On one hand it shows that when it comes to your significant others you're really shit at hiding anything from them. On the other it shows Zal's been keeping secrets as well, though maybe that isn't too surprising. "Oh come on, don't look like that. I told you just now didn't I? Besides, if I wanted to rob you I would have done it sooner." Zal says. "I've heard that one before. So what did you do? Follow me?" You respond. "Yep. I wanted to have my own back up plan in case you turned out to be an asshole like Jake or worse. Wasn't putting myself through that again." "I see." "But you weren't. Or at least not one to me. So it all worked out and we're still together." Part of you considers that you should really rethink your relationship with Zalmora, but after a moment... "Fuck it. Not going to stress about this. It's not like it's going to be easy for anyone to get to now at this point. Just hope its safe in the time when we can go back and get it." You say. "Should be. We'll come back in a month or so with a small wagon and go through the sewers and pick it up. That building you hid it near has been abandoned for as long as I've been alive in Klyton. Nobody ever seems to bother with it. The city has never had any plans to turn it into something else, nobody else has ever bought it, hell even bums don't even squat in it. It's almost like its cursed. Any particular reason why you picked it?" Zal says. "Eh, my family used to own the place. Ran it as an inn. My dad even worked there while he was trying to complete college." "Really? Well that's...wait...what the hell is that?" You hear the same noise and both you and Zalmora turn your attention towards the wooded area to the left and draw your flintlocks. Several scruffy looking individuals jump down from the trees with weapons in hand. The one who seems to be the leader is an elven woman with face paint and a wild hairstyle and steps forward with a crossbow in her hands. While you're about ready to fire, Zalmora actually stops you. "Flameflower. Didn't know you survived the last raid on the Bloody Talons' hideout." Zalmora says. "Yeah, well my sister didn't." Flameflower retorts focusing her attention solely at Zal and moving slowly forward towards her. You keep your own firearm focused on Flameflower, though the rest of her people are also stepping forward and it's looking grim. "Sorry to hear that. Sunshine was always friendly towards me." "She wanted her face in your vertical smile. Where were you during that raid?" "I was on a job." "Yeah, a job. Always seemed a little convenient that YOU weren't around when the shit went down." "So what are you saying Flame? You saying I ratted on the Talons?" "I dunno. You always acted like you were too good for the gang most of the time." "I was putting in more work for the gang than most were. I was also in it before you even joined. So don't act like I wasn't a true Talon or whatever you're implying. And I certainly wasn't a fucking rat." "Oh you were putting in work all right. You were fucking Jake. Never did understand what he saw in you. I had far more in common with him." "What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants." "Yeah and it obviously got him killed." "No, being an overly violent reckless idiot is what got him killed." Flame is now very close to you and Zal. In fact probably idiotically so. You'd easily blow her face off at this range, even Zal would probably get off a shot before Flame unleashed her crossbow. Flame would have been more dangerous if she'd stayed further back and just ambushed you from the trees. Flameflower turns her attention briefly towards you. "So who's this one trying to look dangerous? Jake's replacement?" Flame asks. "Something like that. He does look dangerous doesn't he?" Zal remarks. "Pfft. He looks like he should be working in a brothel servicing aging women that are trying to desperately hang on to their youth. But then again, I guess that's what he's sort of already doing." "Yeah well we can't all have elven blood in our veins to help to assist in halting the aging process halfbreed. You want to talk about desperately hanging on to youth, look in a mirror, since last I remember you're about a decade older than me and you're still hanging out with people that could be your children. Look at you, running around half naked in the trees like some fucking savage. Is this what you've been doing since the Talons were put out of business?" "What can I say? I finally decided to embrace my elven heritage completely and live wild and free." "Well it definitely is you." "It is me, isn't it? So, what are you and your pretty manservant doing outside Klyton?" "It's a long story." "Well did you want to go back to our camp and tell me all about it? Could certainly do with some new anecdotes other than the ones these assholes talk about over and over." "Sure. We could probably do with a rest after recent events." "Zal?" you say. "Don't worry. We're not in any danger, well not in any more danger than we were in Klyton anyway." Zalmora says. "Yeah, lighten up pretty boy. We're not killing you. Might still kill Zal if she pisses me off enough, but you...yeah I'd definitely have plans for you..." Flameflower at this point makes an obscene gesture with her fingers and tongue. You aren't quite sure how to react to being harassed like this. Zal just shakes her head and rolls her eyes at Flame's advances towards you. "Flame is a lot of talk. Just stay close to me, I'll protect you." Zalmora says with a smirk. Despite her earlier threats and hostile demeanor, Flameflower is relatively cordial towards Zalmora for the remainder of the night at her camp. She explains to Zal that after she escaped she decided to take up the life of a bandit and along the way she's managed to acquire a new gang though they don't really have any official name. She also says that while they operate around Klyton, they often move around a bit in case the militia starts sniffing around. Zal reveals a bit about your own situation with the militia and the situation within Klyton. Flameflower just nods and says it sounds like she's better off out here. She even offers Zal to join her gang. "Nah, sort of done with the whole gang thing Flame, but thanks anyway." Zal remarks. "Bah, still think you're too good for the rest. Whatever. So, what about you pretty boy? You apparently like older women and I can tell you I got way more experience than Zal here. Make you feel things you didn't even know you had senses for." Flameflower says with the same predatory gaze she's had the whole time. "Um, no I'm good." You reply. "Your loss. You know...you look familiar. Like someone I briefly knew when I was a lot younger. I used to work at an inn with my sister as a waitress for a while. Mom thought it would instill some sense of responsibility in us. (Snort) Mom was an idiot." "How odd. I was just telling Zal here about how my family used to own an inn in Klyton." Flameflower suddenly slaps her leg and points at you. "That's it! There was a guy and his mother that used to run a place called the Traveler's Inn. You look like him. He married some other waitress that worked there. Sort of a quiet girl. Always thought she was a bit prissy. I think her name was...Elsa?" "Eliza. That's my mom." You say. "Yeah, I can see that. Though you look more like your father. Hrm. Small world it seems." "Indeed." "Well if neither of you are interested in joining, you two are still welcome to rest here until morning. Consider it my rare courtesy towards an old gang acquaintance who my dead dear sister had a minor crush on and the eye candy who I'd have my legs wrapped around if this situation was a bit different right now." "Hm, well we appreciate it Flame." Zalmora responds. "Anyway, you guys want any dwarven ale? We got several barrels of the shit and nobody here likes it. Not even sure why we took it really. I think one of these idiots said it might be valuable, but hell if I know where to unload it. I mean we're fucking bandits, we aren't exactly in the business of trading much of what we take." You and Zal look at each other. "Y'know Flame, we're thinking about starting up a new business in Hessla, If you hang on to that ale for just a bit longer, I think we might be able to get you something in exchange for it." Zal says. This new business isn't exactly going to be the type of work you're used to, but maybe this new phase won't be too bad. You suppose you'll soon find out though. > Time passes... Year 27 "You sure you're going to be fine going to see Flameflower and her gang of reprobates by yourself?" you ask Zalmora. "I'll be more than fine. Flame's been overjoyed to have someone that can get various supplies for her on a regular basis, so she's probably been friendlier with me than she was in the Talons. We've also been doing well with our dealings with her. I think she's actually starting to get organized. She's got that permanent hideout now and actually came up with a name." Zalmora remarks. "Oh? What is it?" "The Flame Blades, though I think it's a work in progress. Anyway, I'll probably be gone a few days. According to the badly written note she sent, she's managed to snag a lot of shit and as usual she's just piled it all up in corner since she doesn't have any immediate use for it. Hopefully some of it is actually valuable, but she hasn't disappointed yet." "Okay. Be careful." "Of course I will, but if you're really worried about me, you could go in my place. I'm sure Flameflower would be happy to see you. You might even get us a discount if you were willing to go that extra step." "Ha ha. Pretty sure if that happened, Flame would just keep me as her sex captive and you'd leave me with her as revenge for fucking around on you in the first place." "Oh, only for a year, then I'd trade some elven wine for you or something." "Glad to see I'm in such high demand. Anyway, I'll hold things down here." "Good, oh and try not to get into another argument with Lorenzo from Little Lorenzo's while I'm gone." "That fucking Halfling has been an asshole since we opened up shop here. Keeps blaming his financial problems on us and I'm not putting up with him going trying to bad mouth us to potential customers." "And he's been completely ineffective in that endeavor. Why? Because he's a fucking Halfling and unless it's food, nobody fucking pays attention to shit they got to say. If anything, when you went over and started breaking his windows you drew more attention to his shop...as well as the Governor's Headsmen. Let's try to avoid that again." "Alright. I'll try to keep that in mind." Zalmora kisses you goodbye and takes her leave and you're left to your own devices. So far your time in Hessla has been okay. Though you're still getting used to the idea of having a job despite what Zal says. Sure you're dealing in a lot of stolen goods and you've done that before on a smaller scale, but you still have been missing the whole hands on approach to how you used to do things. Then again life has been a lot easier and could be a lot worse. As the day passes you get the usual routine. Selling a few used muskets here, taking in a few exotic vases there, coin given and coin received. The usual. As you're taking stock of some of the items you have in the store, you briefly look when you hear the door open. You see a woman dressed in traveller's clothing with an eye patch over her left eye walking in with a bag over her shoulder and a little dog by her feet. "Hey, no anim...wait a minute...Annah?" you say. "Um...yeah...it's me." She replies a bit meekly. Part of you can't believe that you're seeing her again, another part of you sort isn't surprised. By the same token, part of you wants to go over and strangle her, while a small part of you wants to go over and hug her. She walks further into the store with a minor limp. Her dog, which you presume, is still Checkers, follows closely and is still about the same size the last time you saw the infernal furry beast. While you're feeling a lot of emotions right now, one of the reasons why you aren't acting on any of the negative ones is the condition she's in. Eye patch, limp, if she had a hook, she could pass for one of the pirates in Hessla as this point. When she gets closer, you notice scars around her neck. Like either someone unsuccessfully tried to slit her throat or tried to hang her. "Annah...what the fuck happened?" you ask. "I...I fucked up." Annah responds. "Well obviously." "Can I sit down a moment?" "Sure go ahead. I was getting ready to close down for the day anyway." Annah finds a chair and sits down putting her bag on the floor. When she does, its almost as if some of her burdens have been lifted, if only for a moment. Checkers curls up next to one of her feet. As you're locking up, you're just having a hard time believing it's actually her. "Well I guess I wouldn't blame you for laughing at me right now." Annah responds. "Laugh? Annah, this is fucking tragic seeing you like this. I mean...fuck sure I was pretty angry with that stunt you pulled, the last time I saw you. Even briefly thought about chasing you down, but even I certainly wouldn't have done this to you. Shit, I didn't even wish this on you." You say. "Heh...I guess I always knew that despite everything you'd still have some feelings for me. I suppose that's why I came to find you. You know I tried Klyton first. Had a hell of a time finding out you had moved here. Not surprised you finally moved given how strict things have gotten in Klyton. However, I am surprised to find you running a store of sorts." "Yeah well, things change." "Indeed. I'm guessing the woman I heard you were with was one of the reasons for that change. Don't worry; I'm not here to mess that up. Actually I'm glad you found someone because it's certainly hard being by yourself. Wish I'd realized that sooner. Is she here?" "No. If she were, we might not be having this long of a conversation. Which brings me to the point of this visit. Now I still don't know what happened to you, but obviously, you sought me out so I could help you in some way. So what is it?" "It's a long story." "Yeah well Zalmora isn't going to be back for awhile, so start talking." Annah tells you that soon after your "parting of ways" she went to the Delantium Kingdom. She says that she lived pretty well there, but it all started to fall apart when she got involved with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. "By the gods, why the hell would you do that for?" you utter. "I thought I was smart enough to handle them. Of course if I was really smart I would have left Delantium as soon as one of them approached me with their propositions." Annah answers. Annah goes on about how she dug a deeper and deeper hole for herself with the Syndicate until finally they began to lose patience with her and before she could disappear, they caught her and it wasn't good. She tells you that in the scheme of things she got off light since the others directly involved in the plan weren't so lucky. She was just considered loosely connected so managed to keep her life. However, she says you're not seeing the scars she has on her back where they also whipped her. It was by the luck of Yag that one of the Syndicate members was such an animal lover that he didn't kill Checkers as part of the "lesson." After the debt was paid in blood and what little coin she had, she left the Delantium Kingdom. "And then you came to find me?" you ask. "Well I actually thought about going home to Teckleville, but despite everything I wasn't completely ready to admit defeat and live some boring life. In fact, that's part of the reason I'm here." Annah at this point takes her bag and gives you it. You look at her and you slowly open it. "By the gods..." You utter. You put your hand inside the bag and pull out a fist full of vials filled with Blue Dream. The entire bag is full of them. There must be a small fortune here. "This is a lot of fucking Blue Dream, Annah. You realize how much fucking Blue Dream you got here?" "Not exactly, no. Do you know?" "No, I don't, but it's a fucking lot." "Can you give me a fair price? I understand you need to make a profit." "Annah, I'm not a fucking Blue Dream lord! I mean sure I sold some medical shit back in Klyton, but this is a whole different situation." "How so?" "First off, I'm sure you realize that Ebony Claw Syndicate has domination on this product. They're very fucking protective of it. I mean if you're caught selling this shit and you're not ECS, they will take it out on your ass." "Well isn't Hessla free of ECS influence?" "Yeah, but that doesn't mean they don't still come here. I start selling this shit in Hessla and I'll have a Syndicate hit squad on me before the Governor's Headsmen can do shit about it. Which brings me to the second point. The Governor of Hessla has a shaky relationship with the Syndicate. If anything causes that tenuous peace to start going south, he's going to take steps to correct it. And if that means turning over the troublemaker to the Syndicate, then that's what's going to happen." "No way to do it quietly?" "Annah, I could be as careful as possible and some idiot would blab. All it takes is one damn junkie. The only other option is to sell it all in one sale to minimize the risk, but I have no knowledge of anyone that needs that much Blue Dream and has the coin to buy it. Annah, this is REALLY dangerous to even have this in your possession. You have to know that." "I know I only got one fucking eye, a leg that has a permanent limp and deep scars on my back now thanks to the damn Syndicate. I might not be able to do anything to them, but I'm getting something out of them. They don't know anyway. As I said, they thought the Blue Dream was lost by one of the other poor sons of bitches they killed." "And you just happened to have it hidden somewhere the whole time of course." "I had a back up plan. I always do." You rub your eyes and shake your head. Annah looks at you with her one good eye and realizes that she may have assumed too much. "Alright. I can see you can't help me. It's okay. I get it. You got a nice life and don't want to fuck that up. Thanks for at least hearing me out for old times sake." Annah says. Annah goes to take the bag, and that's when you stop her. "Hang on. Didn't say I couldn't help you. Though I'm wondering why I should...(sigh) fuck it. I'm hoping I'm doing this because I'm greedy, because if it's because I still having feelings for you, I truly am an idiot. I got an idea of how I can unload this. Letting you know right now however, I'm taking full advantage and bending you over good on this deal." You say. "You going to kiss me and tell me I'm still pretty at least?" Annah replies. "Of course. No reason I can't still be a gentleman." You tell Annah to wait and you head to the back of the store where your living quarters are and then go to your personal safe where you take out the remainder of what savings you have left. It's still not as much as what the Blue Dream is worth, but as you already told her, Annah's going to have to be satisfied with the deal. You come back and find Annah petting Checkers in her lap. You then hand her a new bag of loot, which Annah looks in. "It's the best I can do Annah." You say. "This will do. I can take this and easily make more with it, if need be. Learned a few gambling tricks while in Delantium. Um, this isn't going to fuck up things with your new girl is it?" Annah asks. "Zalmora? Eh, I think I'll be able to talk my way out of it though. Hope so at least." "Maybe you shouldn't tell her then." "Hah. She'd figure out I was hiding something and I'd just get into more trouble. If I've learned anything, I'm shit at deception when it comes to those I happen to be intimate with." "Well give me the Blue Dream back, I don't want to cause you unnecessary trouble. I did enough of that when we were together." "Don't worry about it. I used all my savings rather than the store's anyway. So while she'll probably call me an idiot and ask if I fucked you or not, that's probably where it will end, then we'll figure out who we can sell the Blue Dream to and get rich. "Wait, this is ALL your savings?" "Yep. You've got it all again. Just think, you didn't even have to steal it this time." "Y'know, I'm really sorry about that. I wish..." "Forget it Annah. It was a long time ago and I got over it." Annah puts Checkers down and slowly stands up. She briefly smiles and moves towards you. "I...wish things had been different." Annah says getting a bit of a quiver in her voice. "Things are what they are. No point in dwelling on them now." Annah looks down and nods. She sniffles and rubs her eye. "Just, take care of yourself okay? And for fuck's sake don't have anymore dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate." "I won't and I won't forget this either." Annah suddenly moves in quick and gives you a kiss you on the lips. "You're still my first and only love. You always will be." Annah says and then turns around to exit the shop. She limps as quickly as she can with Checkers faithfully following her. And she's gone again. It's still a little unreal to you and you even get a little emotional after your encounter with Annah. After composing yourself, you focus on what she left you with, namely a shitload of Blue Dream. Despite what you told Annah, you're not really sure how you're going to get rid of it with ease. Zal will probably have some ideas, though you're dreading the conversation you're going to have to have with her. Fortunately you've got a few days to prepare yourself. A few days pass and Zal still isn't back yet. When two more days pass after that, you stop worrying about your conversation with Zal and just start to worry in general. Your worries are soon answered when a little boy suddenly comes running in your shop that day with a note saying someone on the edge of Hessla gave him this message to give to you. Pretty boy, Bring ALL your shit now or the bitch dies. Sincerely, Flameflower Your heart sinks and you feel sick. At first you wonder why Flame is doing this since your "business relationship" with her and her gang was always positive. Then again, does it matter what the reasons are? She's a fucking violent criminal and the risk was always there. The important thing is she's holding Zal hostage and you have to do something about it. > You comply with the note You're not some hardened bandit. In fact, you've probably gotten a little out of shape due to your less strenuous life. You are not going to be able to just go in Flame's camp and take everyone out like some warrior priest of Karn. You'd just get yourself and Zal killed at best if you tried to save her. Granted that could happen anyway, but you're hoping that if you grovel enough, it'll appeal to Flame's ego enough that she'll be amused enough to let you both go. It's not going to be fun, but if it's what is going to get the job done then so be it. You go to the store safe and empty it all out. You hope it's enough since it's been a slower month this month. You also wish you hadn't given away your own savings to Annah since you probably could have used it assuming you get out of this. You guess you really will be selling Blue Dream for a while. It then occurs to you that maybe you can use it as extra bargaining. You decide to take a couple vials in the hopes that you can convince Flameflower, you can get her a lot more of the stuff if she doesn't kill you or Zal. You're nervous as all hell, but you compose yourself trying to keep focused on saving Zal. Once your get yourself in that state of mind, you leave. From past conversations with Zalmora, you remember the general location of Flame's hideout. Takes about a day, but eventually you find it thanks to Flame's people being fairly loud while wandering around the area. You figure you'll speed this up by surrendering to Flame's men as they'll take you straight to her, so you call out to the ones you see and begin putting up your hands stating that Flameflower is expecting you. Three bandits come at you, with one pointing a crossbow at you. First thing they do is search you for weapons and take the bag of loot off of you. When one with a full beard looks inside, his eyes bug out. "Fucking nice." He says. "Never seen anyone shit all stupid as you walking around with this small fortune without even a weapon. You must have goblin shit for brains." A younger looking bandit adds. "As I said, Flameflower is expecting me and that small fortune you're holding is hers." You say. "Sounds about right, that's way more than that bitch would ever share with us." The biggest one says. "Y'know this is the first I'm hearing of this. Who are you?" the bearded one holding the loot asks. You explain who you are and the situation, and while they vaguely know about Flameflower having ongoing dealings with people in Hessla, it seems like these three have only just been informed of her recent plan as apparently they haven't been back to the camp for awhile and been trying to find easy picking on the road with no success. "Well, guess we better take this asshole back to Flame." The young bandit says. "What for?" the bearded one asks. "He just said she's expecting him, that's why dipshit." The tall one says. "Yeah, I know that you lanky horse fucker, I'm just saying it's not like she knows he's coming right this minute. There's nobody around. We could just kill this fucker and take this for ourselves. I mean shit, we've just spent days out here and for what? Fucking foot rot and nearly getting our asses shot by all too well equipped caravans, because she didn't see fit to send more people with us." "I dunno. What if this gets back to Flame? She'll fucking have our balls for breakfast." "Who says we need to even stick around? I mean there's enough here for the three of us to live okay for awhile. At least enough to not have to fumble around in this fucking wilderness for an existence." "Y'know what, you're right. FUCK Flameflower. That bitch gave me fucking crotch rot on three separate occasions. I'm surprised I even got a dick left. Let's take this shit and head to Hessla." The young one finally says in an outburst. This has gone horribly wrong. You need to get out of here now. While the bandits are still talking about their plans you immediately turn to run. "Shit!" the youngest one says and immediately gives chase. At one time you probably could have outran him, but again you've been a little out of shape since your quieter time with Zalmora and he eventually tackles you to the ground. The pair of you struggle for awhile, but despite being out of practice, you still prove to be stronger and manage to overpower the young bandit, killing him with his own dagger. And then you feel a bolt go into your back causing you to collapse on top of the bandit you just killed. You struggle to crawl away, but the tall bandit who just shot you takes his time and manages to reload and finish you off with another bolt to your head.

[Themes: fantasy, serious, humor, fantasy] Year 27 "You sure you're going to be fine going to see Flameflower and her gang of reprobates by yourself?" you ask Zalmora. "I'll be more than fine. Flame's been overjoyed to have someone that can get various supplies for her on a regular basis, so she's probably been friendlier with me than she was in the Talons. We've also been doing well with our dealings with her. I think she's actually starting to get organized. She's got that permanent hideout now and actually came up with a name." Zalmora remarks. "Oh? What is it?" "The Flame Blades, though I think it's a work in progress. Anyway, I'll probably be gone a few days. According to the badly written note she sent, she's managed to snag a lot of shit and as usual she's just piled it all up in corner since she doesn't have any immediate use for it. Hopefully some of it is actually valuable, but she hasn't disappointed yet." "Okay. Be careful." "Of course I will, but if you're really worried about me, you could go in my place. I'm sure Flameflower would be happy to see you. You might even get us a discount if you were willing to go that extra step." "Ha ha. Pretty sure if that happened, Flame would just keep me as her sex captive and you'd leave me with her as revenge for fucking around on you in the first place." "Oh, only for a year, then I'd trade some elven wine for you or something." "Glad to see I'm in such high demand. Anyway, I'll hold things down here." "Good, oh and try not to get into another argument with Lorenzo from Little Lorenzo's while I'm gone." "That fucking Halfling has been an asshole since we opened up shop here. Keeps blaming his financial problems on us and I'm not putting up with him going trying to bad mouth us to potential customers." "And he's been completely ineffective in that endeavor. Why? Because he's a fucking Halfling and unless it's food, nobody fucking pays attention to shit they got to say. If anything, when you went over and started breaking his windows you drew more attention to his shop...as well as the Governor's Headsmen. Let's try to avoid that again." "Alright. I'll try to keep that in mind." Zalmora kisses you goodbye and takes her leave and you're left to your own devices. So far your time in Hessla has been okay. Though you're still getting used to the idea of having a job despite what Zal says. Sure you're dealing in a lot of stolen goods and you've done that before on a smaller scale, but you still have been missing the whole hands on approach to how you used to do things. Then again life has been a lot easier and could be a lot worse. As the day passes you get the usual routine. Selling a few used muskets here, taking in a few exotic vases there, coin given and coin received. The usual. As you're taking stock of some of the items you have in the store, you briefly look when you hear the door open. You see a woman dressed in traveller's clothing with an eye patch over her left eye walking in with a bag over her shoulder and a little dog by her feet. "Hey, no anim...wait a minute...Annah?" you say. "Um...yeah...it's me." She replies a bit meekly. Part of you can't believe that you're seeing her again, another part of you sort isn't surprised. By the same token, part of you wants to go over and strangle her, while a small part of you wants to go over and hug her. She walks further into the store with a minor limp. Her dog, which you presume, is still Checkers, follows closely and is still about the same size the last time you saw the infernal furry beast. While you're feeling a lot of emotions right now, one of the reasons why you aren't acting on any of the negative ones is the condition she's in. Eye patch, limp, if she had a hook, she could pass for one of the pirates in Hessla as this point. When she gets closer, you notice scars around her neck. Like either someone unsuccessfully tried to slit her throat or tried to hang her. "Annah...what the fuck happened?" you ask. "I...I fucked up." Annah responds. "Well obviously." "Can I sit down a moment?" "Sure go ahead. I was getting ready to close down for the day anyway." Annah finds a chair and sits down putting her bag on the floor. When she does, its almost as if some of her burdens have been lifted, if only for a moment. Checkers curls up next to one of her feet. As you're locking up, you're just having a hard time believing it's actually her. "Well I guess I wouldn't blame you for laughing at me right now." Annah responds. "Laugh? Annah, this is fucking tragic seeing you like this. I mean...fuck sure I was pretty angry with that stunt you pulled, the last time I saw you. Even briefly thought about chasing you down, but even I certainly wouldn't have done this to you. Shit, I didn't even wish this on you." You say. "Heh...I guess I always knew that despite everything you'd still have some feelings for me. I suppose that's why I came to find you. You know I tried Klyton first. Had a hell of a time finding out you had moved here. Not surprised you finally moved given how strict things have gotten in Klyton. However, I am surprised to find you running a store of sorts." "Yeah well, things change." "Indeed. I'm guessing the woman I heard you were with was one of the reasons for that change. Don't worry; I'm not here to mess that up. Actually I'm glad you found someone because it's certainly hard being by yourself. Wish I'd realized that sooner. Is she here?" "No. If she were, we might not be having this long of a conversation. Which brings me to the point of this visit. Now I still don't know what happened to you, but obviously, you sought me out so I could help you in some way. So what is it?" "It's a long story." "Yeah well Zalmora isn't going to be back for awhile, so start talking." Annah tells you that soon after your "parting of ways" she went to the Delantium Kingdom. She says that she lived pretty well there, but it all started to fall apart when she got involved with the Ebony Claw Syndicate. "By the gods, why the hell would you do that for?" you utter. "I thought I was smart enough to handle them. Of course if I was really smart I would have left Delantium as soon as one of them approached me with their propositions." Annah answers. Annah goes on about how she dug a deeper and deeper hole for herself with the Syndicate until finally they began to lose patience with her and before she could disappear, they caught her and it wasn't good. She tells you that in the scheme of things she got off light since the others directly involved in the plan weren't so lucky. She was just considered loosely connected so managed to keep her life. However, she says you're not seeing the scars she has on her back where they also whipped her. It was by the luck of Yag that one of the Syndicate members was such an animal lover that he didn't kill Checkers as part of the "lesson." After the debt was paid in blood and what little coin she had, she left the Delantium Kingdom. "And then you came to find me?" you ask. "Well I actually thought about going home to Teckleville, but despite everything I wasn't completely ready to admit defeat and live some boring life. In fact, that's part of the reason I'm here." Annah at this point takes her bag and gives you it. You look at her and you slowly open it. "By the gods..." You utter. You put your hand inside the bag and pull out a fist full of vials filled with Blue Dream. The entire bag is full of them. There must be a small fortune here. "This is a lot of fucking Blue Dream, Annah. You realize how much fucking Blue Dream you got here?" "Not exactly, no. Do you know?" "No, I don't, but it's a fucking lot." "Can you give me a fair price? I understand you need to make a profit." "Annah, I'm not a fucking Blue Dream lord! I mean sure I sold some medical shit back in Klyton, but this is a whole different situation." "How so?" "First off, I'm sure you realize that Ebony Claw Syndicate has domination on this product. They're very fucking protective of it. I mean if you're caught selling this shit and you're not ECS, they will take it out on your ass." "Well isn't Hessla free of ECS influence?" "Yeah, but that doesn't mean they don't still come here. I start selling this shit in Hessla and I'll have a Syndicate hit squad on me before the Governor's Headsmen can do shit about it. Which brings me to the second point. The Governor of Hessla has a shaky relationship with the Syndicate. If anything causes that tenuous peace to start going south, he's going to take steps to correct it. And if that means turning over the troublemaker to the Syndicate, then that's what's going to happen." "No way to do it quietly?" "Annah, I could be as careful as possible and some idiot would blab. All it takes is one damn junkie. The only other option is to sell it all in one sale to minimize the risk, but I have no knowledge of anyone that needs that much Blue Dream and has the coin to buy it. Annah, this is REALLY dangerous to even have this in your possession. You have to know that." "I know I only got one fucking eye, a leg that has a permanent limp and deep scars on my back now thanks to the damn Syndicate. I might not be able to do anything to them, but I'm getting something out of them. They don't know anyway. As I said, they thought the Blue Dream was lost by one of the other poor sons of bitches they killed." "And you just happened to have it hidden somewhere the whole time of course." "I had a back up plan. I always do." You rub your eyes and shake your head. Annah looks at you with her one good eye and realizes that she may have assumed too much. "Alright. I can see you can't help me. It's okay. I get it. You got a nice life and don't want to fuck that up. Thanks for at least hearing me out for old times sake." Annah says. Annah goes to take the bag, and that's when you stop her. "Hang on. Didn't say I couldn't help you. Though I'm wondering why I should...(sigh) fuck it. I'm hoping I'm doing this because I'm greedy, because if it's because I still having feelings for you, I truly am an idiot. I got an idea of how I can unload this. Letting you know right now however, I'm taking full advantage and bending you over good on this deal." You say. "You going to kiss me and tell me I'm still pretty at least?" Annah replies. "Of course. No reason I can't still be a gentleman." You tell Annah to wait and you head to the back of the store where your living quarters are and then go to your personal safe where you take out the remainder of what savings you have left. It's still not as much as what the Blue Dream is worth, but as you already told her, Annah's going to have to be satisfied with the deal. You come back and find Annah petting Checkers in her lap. You then hand her a new bag of loot, which Annah looks in. "It's the best I can do Annah." You say. "This will do. I can take this and easily make more with it, if need be. Learned a few gambling tricks while in Delantium. Um, this isn't going to fuck up things with your new girl is it?" Annah asks. "Zalmora? Eh, I think I'll be able to talk my way out of it though. Hope so at least." "Maybe you shouldn't tell her then." "Hah. She'd figure out I was hiding something and I'd just get into more trouble. If I've learned anything, I'm shit at deception when it comes to those I happen to be intimate with." "Well give me the Blue Dream back, I don't want to cause you unnecessary trouble. I did enough of that when we were together." "Don't worry about it. I used all my savings rather than the store's anyway. So while she'll probably call me an idiot and ask if I fucked you or not, that's probably where it will end, then we'll figure out who we can sell the Blue Dream to and get rich. "Wait, this is ALL your savings?" "Yep. You've got it all again. Just think, you didn't even have to steal it this time." "Y'know, I'm really sorry about that. I wish..." "Forget it Annah. It was a long time ago and I got over it." Annah puts Checkers down and slowly stands up. She briefly smiles and moves towards you. "I...wish things had been different." Annah says getting a bit of a quiver in her voice. "Things are what they are. No point in dwelling on them now." Annah looks down and nods. She sniffles and rubs her eye. "Just, take care of yourself okay? And for fuck's sake don't have anymore dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate." "I won't and I won't forget this either." Annah suddenly moves in quick and gives you a kiss you on the lips. "You're still my first and only love. You always will be." Annah says and then turns around to exit the shop. She limps as quickly as she can with Checkers faithfully following her. And she's gone again. It's still a little unreal to you and you even get a little emotional after your encounter with Annah. After composing yourself, you focus on what she left you with, namely a shitload of Blue Dream. Despite what you told Annah, you're not really sure how you're going to get rid of it with ease. Zal will probably have some ideas, though you're dreading the conversation you're going to have to have with her. Fortunately you've got a few days to prepare yourself. A few days pass and Zal still isn't back yet. When two more days pass after that, you stop worrying about your conversation with Zal and just start to worry in general. Your worries are soon answered when a little boy suddenly comes running in your shop that day with a note saying someone on the edge of Hessla gave him this message to give to you. Pretty boy, Bring ALL your shit now or the bitch dies. Sincerely, Flameflower Your heart sinks and you feel sick. At first you wonder why Flame is doing this since your "business relationship" with her and her gang was always positive. Then again, does it matter what the reasons are? She's a fucking violent criminal and the risk was always there. The important thing is she's holding Zal hostage and you have to do something about it. > You try to save Zalmora You briefly think about emptying out the store's till and taking all that coin along with the Blue Dream to Flame, but is that really going to work? If Flame has already suddenly taken Zal hostage, chances are she'll just keep everything you bring and kill the pair of you. It's an impossible situation and the more you dwell on it, the angrier you get. You're going there all right, but you're not going there to negotiate. You going there armed for combat. You've never been one to seek out a fight; indeed you've usually always tried to avoid such things, be it from the law or other criminals. But you have killed before, and you know you can do it again. And right now there has never been a better reason. You don't know if you're going to survive this, as you're not some hardened bandit like they are. Indeed, you've probably gotten a little out of shape due to your less strenuous life. However, some skills you never unlearn. You're a rogue and you'll take them one by one silently if need be or die trying. While your intention is going to try to be silent as possible, one can never be too sure, so you grab various small firearms you have in the shop and check and recheck them. You then grab a small hand crossbow and several bolts. As prepared as you're going to be, you head out. From past conversations with Zalmora, you remember the general location of Flame's hideout. Takes about a day, but eventually you find it thanks to Flame's people being fairly loud while wandering around the area. You see two of them and mentally prepare yourself for the first casualties you're about to inflict in this task. You sneak up and slit one of the bandit's throats. He makes just enough noise for him to alert his fellow, which you shoot in the chest with your crossbow. Fortunately you're close enough you can't really miss. Two down, and who knows how many more to go. As Zal said, Flame's been getting organized so she's probably got more people than when you first met her. You picked a hell of a time to attack a bandit camp. You kill three more, one nearly escaping to warn his fellows. He still made enough noise for someone to possibly hear so who knows how much time you actually have. The funny thing is how easy this actually is, you thought you'd have a harder time of it, but so far these bandits have been putting up a pitiful showing. Maybe these bandits are so used to attacking defenseless travellers that most of them don't really have much skill in actual combat. By the time you get to the camp however, they know something is going on as you see a few running back and forth and shouting. You manage to kill one more in secret before several of them finally spot you. With no more element of surprise, you shoot two more and severely wound another before Flameflower comes out from her tent and demands that her people capture you alive. You try to backtrack so you aren't encircled, but it's too late, you've been successfully outflanked. You feel a bolt go into your leg and then another into your arm. You drop to the ground in pain. You see one of Flame's people coming and you weakly throw a dagger at him before you feel a blow to the back of your head. As you lose consciousness, you hear Flameflower's voice. "Fucking hell, pretty boy got some fight in him! You know how I like me a badass, this is gonna be fun!" Everything goes black. When you wake up, you find yourself stripped naked, standing stretched out with your arms and legs tied to two poles. Flameflower sits nearby throwing pebbles at your face. Two bigger bandits stand near the tent entrance. "Finally up. Shit, been waiting for what feels like forever." Flame says. "Where the hell is Zal?" you utter. "I'd be more concerned about yourself right now. Especially after what you pulled. Shit, you really made a mess of things pretty boy. What did you think you were going to do? Come in and kill all of us and save the girl like in one of those badly written fairy tales?" "Something like that." "Well that took a lot of balls I'll give you that. Shit, wish someone felt that way about me. I know none of these assholes would try to save me if I was being held hostage. Fucking romantic and shit y'know? Zal always did know how to pick 'em I guess." Flameflower stands up and walks over to you. She begins caressing your upper body a bit and then moves her hand lower to just grope you. "Mmm yeah. Now, I know you are probably feeling a wide range of emotions right now. The chief one probably being hate and anger, which I understand, but that shit isn't gonna do you any good except get you killed slowly and painfully." "Where the fuck is Zal?!" "THAT BITCH IS FUCKING DEAD! She was fucking dead before I even sent the note! I had my boys beat and rape her before they dumped her in the woods to let the fucking animals eat her dead violated ass. Thought about keeping her body around to taunt you with, but honestly, even I couldn't stand the sight of her. She was all nasty and gross looking. Cum and blood all over her fucking face, flies started crawling on her. I mean I nearly threw up myself y'know?" You feel a southern "squeeze" on your tender bits, but that pain doesn't even match the pain you feel from hearing this news. "You gonna cry over that dead cunt? Let me tell you something about Zalmora. That fucking bitch was a damn rat traitor. I have no doubt in my mind that she's the reason that the Klyton militia found our old hideout. You know how I know? Because in her last moments she even offered to trade YOU to me in exchange for her miserable life. So much for true love." "That didn't happen." "Oh? And you know this because you were here? You a fucking wizard or something? You don't know shit pretty boy. Nobody EVER really knows anybody. Especially when shit goes down. I mean you think Zal thought I was going to kill her? Of course she didn't. She thought in her arrogance that our profitable business arrangement was enough. That I was just some dumb ass that was easily appeased and granted, I was for a while. Shit, despite thinking she was a stuck up cunt, I didn't even really hate her, just was business." "Business?" "Yes. I decided on a better arrangement that didn't involve you two. But none of this shit matters now. What matters now is pleasure AND how much you want to live. Normally I'd just kill you and this would be over with, but I want that dick. Tired of fucking these smelly ugly fuckers. Want some of what Zal had for a change. A nice face to look at as I'm riding that cock. Now I'm going to get that, whether YOU want to or not, but the more willing you are, the greater you improve your chances." "Better just kill me then because I doubt if I'm going to be up for that." "Hah, you think I can't get you hard? Shit, I got several ways I could get you hard. I slide that dick down my velvet throat a few times and you'd be harder than a rock golem. I could have one of my boys here fuck you in the ass a bit. Saw that happen to a couple guys a few times, doesn't always seem to work, but still fun to watch though. However, I got a better idea because I want you to last and I want to enjoy this for as long as possible. Lou, get that shit you use on your dick." "Um, the wart ointment?" Lou asks. "No, goblin shit for brains, I'm talking about the stuff that gives you more stamina than the usual two pumps you do." "Oh! Okay boss." "In the meantime, I think I'll get a taste of things to come..." As you stand tied helpless while Flameflower has a sword fight with you in her mouth, all you can think about is how the hell you're going to get out of this, along with how many diseases you dick is probably getting right now. When Lou returns with a small bottle Flame tell him and the other goon to force your mouth open and turn your head up as she pours the contents down your throat. Tastes horrible, whatever it is, but you soon feel the effects. "Well now. Looks like you really like me after all! Lou, Haylon, untie pretty boy here and get some help holding him down outside, I want an audience for this!" After punching you in the gut to take the wind out of you, Lou and Haylon cut your ropes and drag you outside where some of the bandits start whooping it up. After a couple more punches to you face several of the bandits hold your arms and legs. "Hey! Not the face boys! Like I said, I want him to have a clear look at these magnificent tits bouncing in front of him!" Flameflower says as she exits her tent completely naked. Flameflower poses a bit to the cheers of her bandit buddies and then looks down at you as you remain helpless "Yeah, I know I'm beautiful. Now brace yourself pretty boy, because you may feel a burning sensation..." Flameflower lowers herself on you and you're convinced you just shoved your dick in a vat of lava. Flameflower's name has taken on a whole new meaning. You might indeed be as hard as a rock golem, but you sure aren't enjoying this experience. You still don't know if you're surviving this, but even if you do, your dick might not. This whole situation is just horrible as Flameflower laughs and people cheer her on and you're utterly powerless to stop any of it. While it feels like forever, it's only been an hour and you finally release into her, though it feels more like a stream of fire. "Aww! I was just enjoying that and I'm not done yet!" Flameflower gets in close and whispers in your ear. "I know what you can do." Flameflower says and licks your face before getting off of you. "Get him on his knees lads, pretty boy here is gonna finish me off like a real gentleman. I want all of you uncouth louts to take notes!" You are forced up and then slammed down to your knees by Flame's biggest goons. At this point you feel like you want to die, but somewhere within you, you still feel that spark of survival. Flameflower stands in front of you and you're literally eye level to her nasty infested diseased hole. You nearly want to retch from the smell. Flameflower grabs a knife from one of her people, which she runs gently across the side of your cheek. "Now, I want you to do mommy right. I want you to make me come hard and multiple times. You understand? Because if you don't, what you're experiencing now, can be ten times worse and much longer." Flameflower begins pushing your head closer to her snatch and you're still trying to figure out a way to survive this. "Wait, so if I do this...will you let me live?" you ask. Flameflower starts laughing and then looks at you while roughly grabbing the back of your head to look at her. "I'm probably still going to kill you. However, IF you show some enthusiasm, then MAYBE I'll keep you around as my lick bitch." Flameflower holds the knife close to your head as she uses her other hand to push your head into her. As your face gets so close that you can now see the crabs, you close your eyes, mentally praying to ALL the gods that you'll be able to do this without puking or passing out from the smell (and/or taste). Your tongue nervously starts to exit your mouth... And suddenly an explosion deafens you and causes you to tip over and you aren't the only one. You look up in time to see the crowd around you disperse. Another explosion occurs and this one is close enough that a few bandits get caught in it. Someone invested in some firebombs. Meanwhile Flameflower is standing around barking orders at everyone and then her attention turns back to you. "I don't know what asshole is attacking us, but YOU are not getting away. Lou, Haylon, get him!" You quickly start scrambling away only to have Lou grab your arm. Just as Haylon is about to back him up, a shot is heard and Haylon's head partially explodes like a ripe melon. More shots are fired causing Flameflower to run for cover as bodies start dropping. You punch Lou in the face causing him to let go of you and then grab a dagger from one of his sheaths and stab him in the neck with it. You look around and that's when you see who it is that's been attacking. Annah limps slowly around the camp, welding some sort of fancy repeating pistol. You didn't even know she had one of those. She's not missing a shot either, even with only one good eye. Once again this woman is just full of surprises. "I got this, go get that naked bitch!" Annah shouts. Last time you saw Flameflower, she ran back into her tent, probably to get a better weapon, however there are still some bandits that haven't given up the fight and while Annah's a good shot, she's still going to have to reload. > You help Annah Ignoring Annah's commands, you immediately grab a crossbow off of one of the dead bodies nearby and a short sword. Annah fires off one more round and then has to reload just like you figured she round. A couple of the bandits try to rush her, but you fire your own crossbow at them. You miss, but it's enough to cause one to desperately try to get out of the way and stop his advance. The other bandit trying to attack Annah you cross swords with. You do okay, but you're still hurting from getting hit with a bolt in your arm and leg earlier (along with everything else) not to mention you're without any protection. Eventually the other bandit you shot at, regains his composure and moves in to attack you, however at this point Annah has already reloaded and before either bandit can gain the advantage on you, she's shot both of them. You turn around just in time to see Flameflower come out of her tent with two pistols and you immediately shove Annah out of the way and try to duck in the process, but then you feel another burning sensation. This one however is on the left side of your head followed by the ringing pain of where an ear once was and a bloody hole now all that remains. "SHIT!" you shout and fall to the ground holding the left side of your head. You fully expect another shot to either kill you or Annah as you're both prone and Flame was holding two pistols. "CHECKERS KILL!" you hear Annah shout despite the ringing. This is followed by the sounds of growling, shouting and then several shots being fired from nearby. By the time you get up, you see Checkers happily trotting over to Annah who stands nearby and looking over at Flameflower's body. Annah limps over towards Flameflower and just as you're about to tell her to be careful, she fires again at Flame's hand, which apparently was going for the pistol she dropped after being attacked by Checkers. "Argh! Shit! Fuck!" Flame manages to gurgle as she loses a couple fingers. You and Annah now both approach Flame who is a bloody mess at this point. Still, she's managing to hang on to continue to look defiantly at you. "(Cough) Fuck...who's this bitch with the great aim? Nother girlfriend?" Flame asks. "Something like that." Annah remarks. "(Gurgle) well ain't you a (cough) fuckin lady killer, pretty boy..." You pick up the pistol that Flame was trying to grab. You then kneel down and ram the pistol in her mouth, breaking out some of her teeth in the process. "Hold on baby, I'm gonna shoot my load, get that velvet throat of yours ready..." you say. "Mmugh guh ack..." Flame chokes and weakly tries to struggle against you. You pull the trigger and blow most of her head apart. Blood splatters everywhere, along with brains and skull. "Was it good for you?" As you slowly stand up, you feel a bit numb. Annah touches your shoulder, but you ignore it. You just feel like you're in another place. You aren't even aware if all the bandits are

dead, you just walk into Flame's tent and when inside, you sit down and just think about everything that transpired. Meanwhile Annah looks around to see if there are any more enemies and fortunately it looks like you both killed them all. The pair of you ironically just made the roads a lot safer from thievery and murder. By the time Annah comes back to check on you, you've managed to gather yourself enough that you've got your clothes back on. You're still sort of sitting and staring into nothing though. "You um...all...nevermind that's a stupid question. Of course you're not alright." Annah says. "I'm not. But I will be eventually. I just...got a lot on my mind right now." "I'm really sorry I couldn't get here sooner. Fucking bum leg..." "It's okay Annah. Better that you came late, rather than not at all. I'm guessing you were spying on me again?" "Well, after our exchange in your shop a few days ago, I was still in Hessla pondering whether or not to try to win you back or at least give you back your savings and take the Blue Dream off your hands so you didn't have the hassle. When I saw you leave the shop and then heading towards out of town looking like you had a grim purpose, I knew something must be wrong, so I followed. Hell of a time keeping up. Thankfully Checkers is an excellent tracker. Again, my apologies." "And again, it's a good thing you did. Fuck..." You begin to feel the weight of what happened to you and you put your head in your hands desperately trying not to cry, but you can't help it. Seeing that you're distressed, Annah goes over to try to comfort you, but you stop her. "Don't. Annah. Just don't. I'm probably fucking crawling with disease and you don't need to be around that. Not to mention that my mind is in a very dark place right now." "Okay. I understand and I get it. I just want you to know though; I went through something similar so I'm here, okay? I'm going to leave you alone and I'll just be outside looking around again. I'm not going anywhere." You nod and Annah leaves. While what Flameflower did to you was certainly traumatic enough, what you're really upset about is Zalmora. She's dead, and you don't even know where the body is, not that you'd probably want to see it after what Flameflower described. Though the worst of it is, was Flameflower telling the truth or just fucking with your head? Not about what they did before killing her, though that's terrible enough, but did Zal really offer to trade you to Flameflower in a desperate attempt to survive? You have a hard time believing that and yet Flame was right about one thing, nobody ever truly knows anybody. Who knows what the hell happened. Maybe the agony was just so great for Zal that she did something so desperate and unthinkable to survive. You nearly did and would have if Annah hadn't showed up when she did. In the end, does it really matter if she did? She's dead and you'll never really know the truth. You're fairly certain that it was bullshit, but even it wasn't...well you guess you can live with the idea that you understand. You never experienced any betrayal by Zalmora, so you'll remember her as your relationship was with her. A pleasant one with many happy memories. Because that's all you got of her now. You slowly gather the rest of your belongings and briefly go through Flameflower's tent. You're not really in the mood to loot, but it's a habit and it's not like you're going to come back here ever again. You don't find much of actual value except a bit of coin, however what you find more interesting is a few more notes laying on a table. Out of curiosity you read some of them and put one in your pocket before exiting the tent. Outside, you find Annah sitting on the ground with an overstuffed bag and petting Checkers. They both look in your direction and Checkers even trots over to you as if to greet you. Hard to believe the little furball is friendly with you, though she probably has contributed to saving your life on more than one occasion. "You ready?" Annah asks. "Yeah." You answer giving Checkers a quick pet. "Okay, my apologies if the trip to Hessla takes awhile due to my leg." "It's fine, but I was going to Klyton." "Klyton? Why?" "Because I got a fire down below, I'd like something that's sure to cure it and Klyton has better medical facilities. I'm not worried about the store right now." "Ah. Yeah I get it. Well I understand if you need to go on ahead. I can meet you in Klyton if you want." "Yeah...I don't think I'm going to be good company Annah. Not for a long while. I got a shitload of baggage I need to work out and go through. Last thing I want to do is drive you away because I'm in a dark mood." "Isn't that what you're doing now?" "No. You know why? Because despite every shitty thing that's happened, I have learned one thing, we always find each other somehow. Maybe we'll part ways now, but I know we're going to see each other again. I dunno, maybe that's how our relationship works best. You have saved my life multiple times now. I doubt if I'm ever going to be able to repay that debt no matter how much you take from my savings. I look at you and I really wish I'd been there to help you with the Syndicate." "It's okay. You would have just gotten us both killed." Annah starts to smile and then you chuckle a bit. "Probably right." You say. "So this is goodbye again." Annah replies. "Just for a little while. Maybe next time...maybe next time we'll get it right." Annah goes to hug you, and despite you reminding her of your carrying of three hundred sexual diseases, she hugs you anyway. She then says she's going to head back to Hessla since it's closer and less of a strain on her legs. She then says she'll probably book passage on a ship to Holgard, since she hasn't been there yet. The two of you then part ways. You make your way to Klyton trying hard to ignore your pain. You really hope you can get something before your dick falls off. When you finally get to Klyton, you nonchalantly nod at the guards and ask where the closest and cheapest medical facilities in the city as you just got robbed and barely escaped with your life. Given how you look and the serious tone of your voice, the guard has no reason to disbelieve your story and tells you how to get to the nearest apothecary and says they really need to do more to start keeping the nearby roads safe from bandits. You enter Klyton and from there you immediately know where to go. You head to Klyton hospital and while you might not have done this in awhile, you never really forget. Fortunately the medicine for curing dick rot is a lot easier to acquire than Numb and the rest of the shit you used to sell, so security isn't as strong. You grab a couple bottles of the strongest stuff you can find and make haste out of the hospital. You down one bottle of the medicine which tastes terrible, but hopefully it works. In the meantime you pay for a cheap inn and try to get some rest, which you fail at since you have nightmares the whole time. A couple days pass and your dick starts to feel better, though still not a hundred percent. The rest of your body still aches as well, but your mind is still dealing with the shit that happened. You weep over Zal a bit despite already having come to grips with it. Your mind always goes back to anger and hate though. You half wish Flameflower was alive so you could kill her slower this time. You "support" your stay at the cheap inn, the old way. Klyton may have tightened their security, but people remain oblivious idiots that don't watch their coin purses. If anything, they seem to be less observant. Must be due to feeling safer. After about two weeks, your body is more or less healed and your dick is no longer burning like a blacksmith's furnace. Your mind still isn't quite right, but then was it ever? Still, you're in a better frame of mind of what you're going to do. You catch a carriage and head back to Hessla. When you arrive and get back to the shop, you're actually surprised it hasn't been looted or burned down or something. Then again hasn't been the end of the month for the Governor to take a cut yet. You look around and see everything still in place. When you go to your safe though, you get a bit of a surprise. You find all your savings inside. The Blue Dream bag is gone. You guess Annah broke in the store (along with cracking the safe! Another thing she must have learned) and returned everything. You just hope Annah doesn't get into any trouble trying to sell that Blue Dream, but then again if she does, she'll probably get out of it. You look around the shop remembering the good times you had here with Zal, then load your savings into your pack and take the silver whistle Zalmora first gave you and leave the shop for good. You book passage on a ship, which is leaving for Jicol. You've always heard about opportunities there and you've never been there before. Might as well try some place new. Before you leave however you make one more visit. You enter Little Lorenzo's shop. Lorenzo's shop as usual is empty. Even without you as direct competition, he's not doing any better. The halfling's eyes widen when he sees you. Obviously he thought you weren't coming back. You draw your pistol. "Wait! We can..." You fire and hit the Halfling in the head. His body slumps over with unspectacular thud. "Next time, don't put shit in writing." You throw the crumpled correspondence between Lorenzo and Flameflower near his body before walking back out. > Time passes... Year 30 None of your dealings with gangs has ever been positive which is why its odd that you inadvertently became looked up to one. Granted it's made up of a bunch of snot nosed teenagers, but they've been trying to emulate you for years since they were snot nosed kids. The Black Hooks have been unofficially looking to you for guidance ever since you easily caught a couple of them trying to pick your pocket a couple years ago and scolded them for their sloppy technique. Some of them seem to have potential, others just seem like they're just in it to cause trouble and be rebellious. Their "leader" Marco talks a big game and even seems to resent the fact that so many in his gang speak positively of you, but in the scheme of things, he seems like he wants to be like you on some level. Still, as teenagers are want to do, they don't always listen very well. You certainly didn't. "Marco, I know you and your little friends are really proud about your recent string of break ins, but you lot still have a lot to learn about stealth. I've told you the story about the Bloody Talons haven't I?" you remark. "Yes! A million times!" Marco says exasperatedly. "And you'll hear it a million more until you fuckers get it right or you're going to end up just like the Bloody Talons! More importantly, you're making shit unnecessarily more difficult for the rest of us trying to make a living out here. The more reckless you are, the more the Jicol Watch starts actually cracking down on everyone. We don't need that shit. We got it good here thanks to Jicol tending to worry more about pirates than us land based criminals." "I think I'd rather be a pirate." "Pfft, no you wouldn't. You like the IDEA of being a pirate because you hear all about their glorious tales of raping and pillaging whenever they dock here. Trust me, I've dealt with enough pirates for them to tell me some of their stories to know that that life isn't all that glamorous. Most of the time it's a lot of waiting around on a ship fighting off scurvy and other crew members trying to do harm to your fucking asshole by shoving a dick it in. You want to get fucked in the ass?" "Um, no?" "You didn't sound so sure about that. Because if that's what you want, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of pirate captains that would like a cabin boy like you." "No! Fuck no." "Alright then. In any case, stop immediately breaking windows when you're struggling with a lock. Locks are like women and sometimes you gotta take a little time with them before they open up and give you the goods. It's a pain in the ass, but most of the time it's worth it and you'll feel a better sense of accomplishment. Understand?" "Yeah, I suppose so." "So what are you trying to sell this time?" After doing a little bartering and taking advantage of Marco's lack of knowledge of the value of his stolen goods, you bid him and his buddies goodbye and remind him to remember what you said. As you make your way back to your humble home, halfway there you get the sense that you're being followed and watched. It isn't he Black Hook either. "Alright, you lot might as well come out, unless you intend on shooting me from the shadows that you're hiding in." A single older man steps out from said shadows. "Nope, just me." He says. "Who are you?" you ask. "Oh I go by the same name I have for years now. Sneaks. Though apparently not sneaky enough seeing as you sensed me. Such is the failing of once superior skills with getting old." "You won't be getting too much older if you keeping following me around, now what do you want?" "No need for hostility friend, though I suppose it would have been better to just approach you directly. Honestly, I've known about you for a year or so now, but seeing as I do my own fencing like most others like myself around here, never really needed to speak with you before." "Oh? So do you have something then?" "Oh no. It's not that. It's more of a concern that...well let's just say the underworld community has." "Underworld community? First I'm hearing of an organized gang here." "That's because there isn't one and we're all hoping it stays that way. Nothing good comes from monolithic organizations. I should know I had to directly fight the Ebony Claw Syndicate back in Holgard and ultimately lost." "Well you'll get no argument from me. I've never been part of a gang and never had any positive experiences with them." "Interesting. Then one wonders why you're actively encouraging and acting as a mentor of sorts to one." You nearly chuckle at what Sneaks is getting at. "The Black Hooks? I mean yeah I guess they're a gang, but they're hardly the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're mostly a bunch of dumb teenagers." You say. "Well I'm sure the Syndicate started as a bunch of dumb teenagers too, until someone molded and lead them to be a powerful organization." Sneaks replies. "I am NOT the leader of the Black Hooks nor do I have any desire to be. That dubious honor belongs to their mildly more intelligent member, Marco. I can't help it if some of them look to me for tips and shit. If anything, my guidance as you call it, is making things better for the rest of us. I just told them to knock it off with their smash and grab routines and other shit that brings the heat down on everyone." "Yes, I can see that would be a good thing, however I don't think you're looking at the greater picture. You are correct in that they're mostly dumb teenagers and their actions draw more attention. However, I also imagine that they wouldn't last very long. Sooner, rather than later, the Jicol Watch would wipe out most of them and things would be harder for the rest of us for awhile, but eventually the status quo would return since Jicol has always been more concerned with a potential pirate attack rather than anything else." "Your point?" "My point is, YOU are teaching them to be better criminals. Basically, more of them are going to survive and even thrive because of you. Not only does this mean more competition for all of us, it also means the Black Hooks are likely to survive as a gang. This organization is going to eventually realize that they outnumber the independent competition and take steps to eliminate said competition, or force them to join. Since some of us aren't likely to go quietly, some of the independents are going to form their OWN gang for protection and before you know it, there's a war going on. As I said, I've read that tale before and it didn't end well." "So you're telling me who I can or can't associate with?" "Look, I'm not saying to not continue to do whatever business you have with them. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that. Anyway I said my piece. Do what you want obviously. I'm just suggesting that helping them as much as you have been, might not be in any of our best interests in the long run." "Duly noted." With those words, Sneaks nods and takes his leave. You have to admit, he does have somewhat of a point, but on the other hand some of it sounded like a threat with that last bit. You continue on your way home and then you see a figure near it. The figure isn't even hiding. They're just casually sitting on your front step. Seems you're popular today. As you approach a little cautiously, the notice the figure is female and a little furry animal pop out from around her then... "Annah?" you call out. "I was wondering when you'd get home. I would have let myself in, but who knows what traps you've rigged and I'm not quite as nimble anymore. Besides, wouldn't be polite right?" Annah replies. "Glad to see you've at last respected my boundaries. Not just for me, but for yourself. That door doesn't even lead inside, come on, I'll take you the real way." "Oh, a secret way in. Nice, but aren't you concerned about me knowing?" "Not at this point. Besides, I don't keep anything of actual value in here anyway." "Of course you don't." After leading Annah in the real way to your home (with Checkers slowly following behind), she asks you how you've been and what you've been up to. You give a brief answer that you've been doing better since the last time you saw her (physically and mentally) and how it's mostly been back to the standard burglary for you along with some fencing for the Black Hooks. "Black Hooks huh? They Jicol's version of the Talons?" Annah asks. "They wish. It's mostly a bunch of teenagers being wild. Though I've been mildly trying to direct them away from what led to the Talons' demise in Klyton." You say. "That's rather altruistic of you." "It's more like covering my own ass in the long run so Jicol doesn't turn into another Klyton. However, someone recently told me that I should just let these kids twist in the wind and get themselves killed by the law since it gets rid of a potential greater threat in the future, like the Black Hooks actually becoming competent and powerful united force." "I can see a logic in both approaches actually. So what were you planning to do?" "Nothing. I'm going to continue to go about my life and if anyone gets in my face about what I'm doing, I'll deal with it then." "Sounds like you. Sooo...the Black Hooks the only gang in the city?" "If you can call them that. Yeah. Everyone else is more or less independent though I'm sure a few work together at times. Nobody really has any turf though as far as places being off limits to others. Not even the Black Hooks are like that, though they do have a location where they all hang out that they probably consider their own." "Would you say there is a strong disregard for authority here in the underworld community?" "Isn't there always?" "Well yes, but I meant it sounds like other than the Black Hooks, nobody is really organized and probably would resist against such a thing." "Annah, this is an odd line of questioning you're going for...out with it." Annah looks down a bit, before looking at you again. You have to say, you still aren't used to that eye patch she has. "Promise you won't get mad?" Annah asks. "Well that doesn't sound good. (Sigh) Fine. I promise I'll TRY not to get mad." You reply. "Okay. Well, since we last saw each other, I've been in Holgard and I've sort of had dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate." "Oh for..." "No, no, it's okay. I'm actually on good terms with them now. Well at least the chapter in Holgard. Apparently the head there Rook. Isn't too pleased with some of the leadership decisions in the Delantium Kingdom and he's been making a few moves of his own. To cut a long story short, I've been working with the Syndicate." "You joined the fucking Syndicate?!" "No! I'm more like a hired gun. Literally, most of the time. I...uh...accept a lot of contracts on people." "...Wow. Okay then. Still, I would have thought the Syndicate would have had people like that on their payroll." "Eh, that's sort of the problem with the Holgard chapter. It doesn't get much support from the top. It's almost seen as more of a money-making outpost. Enough to keep a presence in, but not important enough to put extra manpower into. This might not be a problem if Holgard didn't suffer shit like civil rebellions and religious faction fights every five years or so. As a result the Syndicate chapter in Holgard has had to make more use of independents than they would like. Though they tend to REALLY want you to join. I've gotten the sales pitch several times. Fortunately I'm good enough at what I do that I've been able to decline and still remain unaligned." "Seems like a dangerous game you're playing Annah. I mean this is the same organization that...well did THAT to you." "Same organization, but different people and different circumstances. Besides, I'm not trying to rip them off this time. I'm legitimately doing work for them, which is why I'm here actually." Annah goes into an explanation that the head of the Syndicate chapter in Holgard, Rook is looking to expand his own power base here on Jicol. Since Annah has done such good work for him in the past he's sent her here to scout the place rather than sending his own people. She says that her main job is to make a note of all the major players in the city. She says that when she learned you were living here, she figured she could save some of the legwork by directly speaking to you about it. "So...what then? Is the Syndicate just going to take this entire city over?" you ask. "Well that's the plan, unless it turns out to be too much trouble, but based on even what little you've told me and what little I've seen, this place seems pretty ripe for a Syndicate takeover. Or at least Rook's takeover." Annah says briefly petting Checkers who is asleep by her feet. "There's nothing I can do to stop this?" "Well no, not really. The Syndicate is really looking to branch out here. Nothing that can be done about that unless you're going to try to unite everyone against them, but it would be pretty stupid to try that. The Syndicate pretty much always gets what they want. I should know." "It still surprises me that you'd be working for them, given what happened. You never did tell me exactly." "Okay. I get what you mean. But shit happened and I wound up in bed with the Syndicate again. Fortunately it's been in my favor this time. It's sort of an amusing tale, maybe I'll tell you about it when I'm not currently so busy." Annah replies. "Still never told me about how you managed to get a room in the Klyton university dorms either." "Heh. Well I'll tell you that story too. I want to tell you everything. I mean...shit...I still miss you, y'know? When I found out you lived here I was looking forward to seeing you again. Last time we parted company you said we'd meet again as we seem to be destined to always do." "Yeah I remember. Just thought it might be under less complicated circumstances this time." "I don't think that's how our relationship goes." "Obviously not." Annah takes a deep breath and continues. "The Syndicate is coming, but it probably won't be immediately. In the meantime, I can speak positively about you when I get back to Holgard and you could probably become an associate much like I am. I could even relocate here while we prepare this place and we could work on tasks together like in the old days. Lots of coin to be made and we both know how much you like that." Annah says. While you wouldn't mind such a thing under normal circumstances, you really aren't keen on Annah's Syndicate involvement. > You fully help Annah Annah's ultimately always done what she's wanted to do so trying to talk her out of this is probably pointless. However, you know you want Annah back in your life since you've missed her, so you'll help her completely in her task. That's from the emotional standpoint. From a pragmatic standpoint, it sounds like the Syndicate is coming whether Annah works for them or not. As dangerous as it might be to get involved with the Syndicate, you do see the benefit potential and with Annah around at least you won't necessarily have to change your life around too much or possibly relocate again. You give Annah a rundown on every underworld contact you have of relative importance, along with the strength and numbers of the Black Hooks. You then also give Annah an approximate guess on the strength of the Jicol Watch and how effective they are. "Would you say they're susceptible to working with the Syndicate? The Holgard Watch has never been too much of a problem in that regard." Annah says. "Well, the Jicol Watch isn't adverse to a bribe here and there, but the Mayor of Jicol tends to pay them well enough for them to not to make a habit of it." You say. "Mayor of Jicol? Anything like the Governor of Hessla?" "He's ten times more reclusive. Apparently most haven't seen him in decades. About the only descriptions that exist are that the Mayor is male and human, but who knows? In any case, while this place is no stranger to corruption, it still adheres to law and order fairly strongly. Not Klyton level, but that's probably due to more emphasis on their fleet rather than land force which is thankfully smaller." "I see. Anything else?" "Not really. So...you going to go assassinate them all now?" "Heh. Well, based on everything you've told me, doesn't seem like I need to bother. I suppose I could anyway. You said you spoke to someone called Sneaks that used to belong to the Thieves Guild in Holgard recently? I bet Rook would want to someone like that taken care of. Maybe the leader of the Black Hooks as well just to keep that group from getting too organized." You think for a moment. "Well, how about something to make your job a lot easier. I'll invite most of the more well known rogues to a gathering and get them all in one location. I'll say it's something that's going to affect everyone and that it's really important. Shouldn't be too hard, Sneaks already came to me saying a lot of the independents are bitching about the Black Hooks so they'll probably be willing to speak especially if I'm seemingly alone." You say. "Well that would simplify things. Um, don't you do business with most of them? Isn't this going to affect that?" "Probably for the better since they're more competition than anything else. I don't give a shit about any of them. Especially if they're already complaining about how I interact with the Black Hooks. Speaking of which let's leave Marco and the rest out of this. The Black Hooks can ultimately be incorporated into the Syndicate, I can help in that regard." "Hm. Well if you say you can do it, then that sounds fine to me. You know them better than I do. It certainly would go a long way to have a force here that's already asset to the Syndicate." "Okay, I guess I'll start setting all this up tomorrow." "Very well. So um, you don't mind me staying here while we take care of all this do you?" "Of course not. I only got the one bed though." "Well good, you know how I always like you to cuddle with me after sex anyway." "Hm, I was going to build up a bit more to it, but glad to see you're on board with that." "Pfft, its probably the main reason I came to speak with you in the first place. Well that and to see if we still had a chance together. I know these circumstances aren't the most ideal, but when have things ever been normal for us? There's so much time that we've missed together. I just really want to make it work this time." "So do I." Annah immediately goes to kiss you. "Then let's get started." She says and continues to kiss you while trying to strip off her clothing. You proceed to rekindle the old flames. Next day... "Hey, wake up. I know I'd love for you to sleep next to me naked all day, but sadly we've got some business to take care of." Annah says while nudging you awake, meanwhile you feel something wet on your hand, which is hanging over the side of the bed causing you to pull it away. "Ah! Something...oh it's Checkers. She was licking my hand." You say. "She likes you, though it's probably hard for you to believe." "Well the furry beast has assisted in saving my life a few times, so not that hard I suppose. Okay, well I'm up. Guess I'll get started on that thing. Thinking I'll hold the meeting just outside Jicol. There's a small clearing that's been used sometimes for such things." You proceed to get dressed and then give Annah a kiss before you leave. You seek out every rogue you know that could potentially be trouble in the future and explain that Sneaks recently spoke to you and after sleeping on it a bit you decided that everyone is right and the Black Hooks have to go, but you can't do it alone and you want to have a meeting to coordinate an attack. Surprisingly everyone you speak to is receptive to this idea and agrees to come to this meeting. Granted you have a fairly "honest" reputation and nobody really likes the Black Hooks, but you thought you were going to have a few suspicious folks hesitate. Even Sneaks is glad to hear you listened to him. "Somehow I knew you were a man of reason." Sneaks s

ays. "Yeah, well apologies for being stand offish yesterday, I just...well I have an aversion to advice sometimes." You remark. "Hm, well it's a common trait in our line of work. Think nothing of it. Still, do you think we need to completely wipe out the Black Hooks?" "Well yeah, I mean isn't this what you wanted yesterday?" "I said I would like to see them gone, though not necessarily killed. I mean I thought about some of the stuff you said as well yesterday and you were right that they're just a bunch of dumb teenagers in the scheme of things. No way to just scare them or even perhaps just kill the leader?" "No half measures on this I'm afraid. The Black Hooks have enough confidence now that it isn't completely tied up in just Marco. Besides, you know how gangs work. You kill the leader, and another one just pops up and could even be worse. No, as ruthless as this may be, it's going to be necessary." "True. Oh well. Better them than us in the future. Okay, I'll be there at the meeting tonight. The quicker we get this grim business over with, the better." Having done your part, you return home where you find Annah looking around. "Oh there you are, you talk to everyone you needed to?" Annah remarks. "Yeah, can't believe I convinced everyone." You answer. "Well you can be charming without trying sometimes." "Weird, always thought my sister was the one who had that trait." "Oh she did, however it probably seemed like she was better at it since she naturally has a more outgoing personality. Plus she had the advantage that most, if not all your marks tended to be old horny guys that liked pretty young girls." "Hm, guess I never thought about it that way before. Anyway, are you prepared? There's probably more of them coming than I thought." "How many?" "Counting Sneaks. Nine total." "Shit, I'll probably kill six of them before they realize what's going on. You'll be assisting right?" "Of course." "Yeah, we got this then. Well we got a lot of time to spare, let's go spend it in bed again." "And you say I'm the charming one." After another round of intimacy, Annah asks you for directions to this clearing so she can get there ahead of time before anyone else. You give her the directions and then you also tell to be careful since its not like the jungles are exactly free of unfriendly wildlife. You then prepare your own firearms. You might not have the fancy ones Annah has or have her skill, but you're bringing enough pistols to hopefully kill someone before they can kill you or escape. You then make your way to the clearing. When you get there, you find that everyone is there already. Several of them are clearly armed with firearms of their own, with muskets and blunderbusses being openly held. Apparently there was some caution. "See? Told you he was going to come alone." One of them says. "Yeah, that's why you came here an hour in advance just to make sure there weren't any Black Hooks hiding out to ambush us." Another adds. "Hm, I see trust is in short supply around here." You remark. "You can't be that surprised. Hell you're betraying your Black Hook buddies. I mean what are the rest of us supposed to think?" a third remarks with a chuckle. "Okay gentlemen, I think all of our minds are a bit more at ease now. I apologize to our friend who organized this meeting, but I think under the circumstances, he should understand our caution." Sneaks remarks. "Of course I do, I mean I certainly didn't come without weapons. For all I knew you lot were going to murder me out here." You say. "Still could." One rogue says, stepping forward a bit. "True. But now I know which one to aim for first before I go." You say. "Hah, he's gotcha there." Another laughs. "But anyway, I didn't call you all here for a pissing contest. I called you all here because there's an important matter that needs taking care of and contrary to popular belief I'm not buddies with the Black Hooks." "So you said to me earlier today, so what's this plan of yours to wipe them out and how can we help?" Sneaks ask. You walk around a bit to get into a better location that you'll be able to take cover quickly before answering. You aren't sure where Annah is, but if you know her as well as you know you do, she's not far away and probably already in position. "Well you didn't let me finish Sneaks. I'm not betraying the Black Hooks either and you all can help me by not putting up a fight." You say and draw one of your pistols. "Shit!" Sneaks shouts and tries to get out of the clearing. Before anyone can get off a shot, Annah has opened fire and killed six of them. just like she said she would. You get one that tries to run at you with a dagger. The one with the blunderbuss fires wildly into the direction where he thinks the other shots are coming from and then you shoot him in the back. You look around and find that Sneaks is gone. You assume he's heading back to the city though you're just guessing though since it's fairly dark. You're also concerned about Annah, since that one with the blunderbuss did fire into the jungle and it's possible he hit her. "Annah! Annah! Where are you? Are you alright?" you shout, then you hear a gunshot in the near distance, followed by a yelp. You run towards the noise and find Sneaks lying in the grass clutching his chest, that has a bloody hole in it. Annah stands nearby calmly reloading her pistol. "There you are. See, told you no problem. Wish this old asshole hadn't ran though, hate having to run nowadays. Well it's more of a quick limp, but I can get around fast if I really need to." Annah says. "Thank the gods, you're alive." You say. Meanwhile Sneaks utters a few curses at you in between his dying breaths. "Well, I can't argue with all that Sneaks, but think of it this way. At least it wasn't the Black Hooks or even some insignificant dick that killed you. The Syndicate finally caught up with you." You say which then causes a brief look of surprise in Sneaks' eyes before you use your last flintlock to shoot him in the head. "So that was that Sneaks guy you told me about huh? Guess I'll mention to Rook that a long escaped enemy has been dealt with though I'm sure the Syndicate has so many enemies on their shit list, this one won't matter too much. Still, I'm sure it'll be looked upon as favorably." Annah says. "So what's the plan now?" you ask. "Well, I return to Holgard with all the information you provided along with what we did tonight. Then I'll try to get back here as soon as possible and we can take it from there." "Are you so sure Rook will send you back here?" "Pretty sure he'll want me here to assist in getting the Syndicate set up here. In any case I'm still an independent assassin, not official Ebony Claw Syndicate so if he's got ideas to have me do something else, I don't have any obligation to do it and I'll be coming back here anyway." "Hm, well I guess you know this guy better than I do. Just be careful. I still don't really like this situation with the Syndicate, but you can count on my support whatever you decide to do." "And that's why I'm returning no matter what." Annah kisses you and the pair of you return to Jicol and then home. Annah wants to get back to you as soon as possible so she leaves for Holgard on a ship the next day. She says she'd like to leave Checkers with you since she's getting old and doesn't really like to travel as much anymore. You agree, though partially because at least the beast is sort of still like having part of Annah around. The whole time, you can't help but think back to Zalmora and how she left you believing she'd be back after accomplishing her task. And you've got even longer to worry about something happening this time. There's nothing for it however, except get back to work, which you begin to immerse yourself in. You start off by playing a more active role in the Black Hooks "guidance." You explain to Marco that things are going to start changing around Jicol eventually and they'll need to be better than they are now. Granted you're always telling them that, but you really emphasize the point. You suggest that they start getting into the protection racket. You also expand your own endeavors to lending coin and using the Black Hooks as the occasional enforcers for those that don't pay up. Funny that Sneaks and the rest were worried about what the Black Hooks were going to become and your possible role in it and it turned out they were right all along. However the concerns of the dead don't matter now, and with nobody really in the way to stop you from organizing a moldable bunch of teenagers, you effectively become Jicol's new crime boss. Other independents either stay out of your way, seek to curry favor or just leave. Months pass and as they do, your concern for Annah grows and you start to get a little more ruthless in your actions. You know you're partially preparing the Black Hooks to be incorporated by the Syndicate as part of Annah's plan, but if she doesn't return, you swear you're going to take the lot of them with you on a ship to Holgard to extract vengeance on the Syndicate. Then one day you get a knock on your door. Checkers, who has normally been on the quiet side since Annah left you with her, starts getting very excited. You answer the door cautiously and... "Surprise! You miss me?" Annah says. Normally you'd be overjoyed to see her given how much worry you've had, but Annah has yet another new physical change. A great big belly. You stare in disbelief. "Oh, don't worry. This is definitely your work." Annah says rubbing her belly. "It better damn well be." You answer. After sorting practical things out, you two surprisingly decide to get married since it seems like the thing to do now. It's not a big affair, but it's respectful. Marco is your best man for the lack of anyone else around; he's overly honored by the position and hopes your first child is a masculine one. As strange as this whirlwind is, your thoughts return to the rest of your family. You can't help but wonder what they'd think of all this. You doubt if you'll ever get a response back, but you write a letter to your mother and father a week after the wedding and explain without too much detail that you've gotten married to Annah and are having a family of your own. You tell them you hope that they are doing well and if they ever see your sister to tell her that you hope she is well also. > Time passes... Year 32 "So yeah, they're going to start rebuilding that old Fel temple in the jungle and turning it into a headquarters soon." Marco tells you. "So Annah told me." You answer. "All the Black Hooks might soon be incorporated into the Syndicate proper as well, rather than just as associates. I don't think we would have been considered as quickly without you and your wife's input." "Good. You guys certainly deserve it, after all the hard work you've put in." "Um yeah, so are you going to join the Syndicate too?" "Me? I dunno. Been pretty preoccupied what with the family and all." "Yeah, yeah I know, but um...well its just if you don't become a full member, I'll probably have more authority than you in certain matters. I mean I don't think it'll come to this, but they could even have me take over this major operation here." You smile a bit. "Is that right? Who said this?" you ask. "Nathan, the Syndicate leader here." Marco says. "Of course he did." "I mean I wouldn't want to do it of course, but I mean order are orders. I mean you know how I really respect everything you've done and shit." "Don't worry about it Marco, because I'm not. You do what you gotta do and worry about your own future." "Um, okay boss." Marco leaves your shop and shake your head at Marco's almost apologetic warning. The boy would probably hesitate if he actually ever had to go against you. Long enough for you to get the advantage anyway, but you doubt if it would ever come to that. The Syndicate has mostly been happy with what you've been doing, though they do bring up the fact that you really should become a full member. You think Annah already would have, if not for you dragging your feet on the issue. You aren't sure why you are since you're practically ECS at this point. You suppose there's just a part of you that doesn't want to have that final binding agreement since if you do; it really would be for life. You suppose the choice might have been easier had you not just had one baby, but twins with Annah. That really complicated everything. (Especially when after they were born, the resemblance to you was unmistakable, so there was no getting out of it) Annah at first seemed fine to take a step back from her "job" to be a mother, and she still doesn't mind it, but over time she's been getting antsy. You think it started soon after Checkers died of old age last year. She's been going on about wanting to get back into things. In fact when you return home, you find Annah waiting up for you in the front room. This can't be good. "We need to talk. And I mean talk without raising our voices because I just got Emma and Evan to sleep." Annah says. "Okay..." you respond. "I need to get back to work." "Well I said you could help me at my shop, bring the kids along and keep them in the back and..." "No. Maybe you're content to sit around and letting your Black Hook kids do your legwork, but I want to be more active than that. Shit, you used to be more active too once." "Well its not like with the Syndicate around I can just go breaking into homes anymore, not that I need to. Besides, as you said, I got the Black Hooks doing shit for me." "Yeah that's another thing. I know a lot of them look up to you like some weird surrogate father figure, but those teenagers are not your children and as loyal as you believe them to be, the Syndicate's influence is only going to grow and eventually they might not be as reliable as you think they are. Besides, YOU now have real children you need to think about." "So what are you getting at exactly Annah?" "We need to make some really big fucking changes in our lives or we're going to be fucked over by the Syndicate." "I might remind you that being all hooked up with the Syndicate was your idea in the first place." "Yeah, because I see it as an opportunity for both of us. Especially now." "An opportunity to be indebted to a powerful merciless organization that will punish you severely if you fuck up? I mean I'm really not seeing it as a beneficial thing." Annah rubs her temples with some exasperation before continuing. "You're REALLY not seeing the benefits we have if we fully commit." Annah says. "Then why don't you explain it to me slowly because I know you've tried before and I still just don't get it." You reply. "Rook said this whole operation could be ours." "Oh yes, your buddy in Holgard. That's why he sent that Nathan guy to oversee things." "He only sent Nathan because neither one of us are proper ECS members! Of course he's still going to give preferential treatment to an actual member no matter how much he might like us." "He might like you, but I'm guessing that stopped when you showed up last time pregnant. And as for me he doesn't know me so I doubt if he gives a shit." "Okay first off, pretty sure Rook likes men. He's got some friend called Bolt he's really close with. I dunno. In any case as I said before, I did many assassin jobs for him in the past successfully so I've always had his respect. When I told him just in passing about Sneaks, the guy nearly broke into song and dance. I mean he REALLY hated that guy apparently. His only complaint is that he didn't get to kill Sneaks himself. I mean just based on THAT deed alone he was ready to hand operations of Jicol over to me. But I've explained that before." "Sorry, but I just don't have as much trust in this Rook as you do okay? I mean I hardly believe he's going to just hand Jicol over to us...or rather you for nothing." "Well of course not for nothing, obviously money would have to be kicked up to him, but shit we're already doing that now to Nathan. I mean if we're going to be in this position, we might as well have a whole island to run." "Yeah well I don't think Nathan's going to just step aside." "Well that's why we kill him and take over." You give a brief chuckle in disbelief. "So wait, not only are you suggesting that we join the Syndicate fully, but that we also kill one of its leaders? How the hell does that work?" "Very easily. Its not like Rook particularly likes Nathan. He only sent him because I never fully committed. Ultimately Rook isn't going to care if Nathan dies via an accident. If we get rid of him and those most loyal to him, then boom. We got control of this entire island and all we have to do is send coin back to Rook every once in awhile." "You do realize that it's not going to be just be a simple matter of shooting Nathan right? The guy is all wrapped up in that Fel shadow magic shit. And I still don't see how we can just get away with killing him. I mean I know the Syndicate is ruthless and people get executed for fucking up all the time, but if murdering your immediate superior was so commonly accepted the organization wouldn't last very long." "And you're right, but again Nathan really isn't favored and we've got the benefit of being far enough away that we can sort of operate differently around here." "Oh right, all of this is supposed to be Rook's private money making operation so he can gain more power and influence with the Syndicate to shake up the organization or something. Still not keen on being part of that big scheme either. Add the whole increase in Fel worship and it all just seems pretty risky." "Our whole lives have been risky. I mean every time you broke into a home and stole something you were taking a risk. Every day you spend being a criminal is risky. We don't live nice safe lifestyle in case you hadn't noticed." "Yeah, I get that, but there's still a fucking limit." Annah reaches out to you. You know she's really trying to convince you now. "You say that if we commit that we're running a high risk. You might be right. However, I'd propose that if we don't, we'll run an even higher risk. I mean maybe I've never really said this before, but you've got more potential than you ever give yourself credit for. I mean look what you did with the Black Hooks. If it wasn't for the Syndicate you'd be kingpin of Jicol. Hell, you were for a while. I know you partly did everything because this was my idea, but there's a part of you that still had the desire." "Maybe..." "However, I get that you've always had concerns about all this. And I know we've gone back and forth about this a few time before. So, I think if you're not willing to make that next step, then we need to do something that I believe you've probably thought about many times." "Which is?" "We relocate. I don't know where though, I assume you've had some thoughts on that matter." "Well you're not wrong about relocating. Though unfortunately I don't have a good idea of where. Preferably a place without any Syndicate influence, though Hessla and Klyton are sort of out of the question in that regard for other reasons. Maybe some place farther north, I'm just not as familiar with many of the settlements that way though. I know they tend to be smaller. Probably more dwarves." "Hm. Not exactly ideal." "I know. That's one of the reasons why I haven't really mentioned it to you. I mean I don't really want to have to start all over again either. I've done it about three times already. And right now, even with the Syndicate looming over us, this has probably been the best set up I've had. I just can't ignore that threat though, even if I do see the logic and benefits in your plan." You and Annah are silent for a moment and then she speaks again. "Well, I just want you to know, whatever you decide, I'll follow your lead. I was serious when I said that I want us to work this time. So if that means if we stay here or go north, or if I get back to what I want to do or I have to continue playing full time mom, then that's what I'll do." Annah says. That's quite the sacrifice for Annah who has traditionally always done her own thing. Granted she's changed a lot since being a teenager, but still sort of a switch considering she started this conversation with the desire of wanting to be more active in the business both of you have chosen. > You join the Syndicate Maybe Annah's right. Maybe you need to just take a risk here. This is the life you've chosen and it's always been full of risk. High stakes mean high reward and Annah seems confident that you can pull this off. "Okay Annah, we'll join the Syndicate. I still have my concerns about this idea, but I believe in you and that's good enough." You say. Annah smiles and hugs you. "This is going to work, and we'll be set, you'll see." Annah says. "So what do we do exactly?" you ask. "We'll have to go down to the Syndicate headquarters, that ruined Fel temple they're currently cleaning up. And from there I assume Nathan will walk us through the formalities of the oath, then a tattoo and then that'll be it." "Really? We don't get beat up or something first?" "This isn't the Bloody Talons. I mean the Syndicate does ask for people to prove themselves first, but given I've always had the favor of Rook and everything we've done for the Syndicate, I'd say we've more than proven ourselves." "Hm, maybe you have, but not sure if that's extended to me. Besides, I don't think Nathan's never been the friendliest so I wouldn't be surprised if he wants some sort of extra proving not just for me, but you as well." "Even if he does, it can't be too outlandish. And if it is, well I suppose we could just kill him first and explain it to Rook afterwards." "Yeah, I'm still concerned about that part of the plan as well. Aren't those Fel users supposed to be really quick due to their magic?" "They can be, but Nathan's probably not highly skilled in it. Not to say we shouldn't still get the drop on him, but it's not impossible for us to kill him." "So when are we doing that?" "When we get the opportunity. The sooner the better. Preferably after we're officially in the Syndicate, but like I said, if shit happens, then it happens." "Well shit's definitely going to happen one way or another." You and Annah make plans to meet with Nathan soon, though the first concern is who is going to look after Emma and Evan while you're both away for this. The only options you can come up with are the Black Hooks have a few mothers that work as nannies. You wind up with the least objectionable and competent one and hire her. Annah mentions she wished she'd known about this before, as she wouldn't have had to play stay at home mom quite as much. The next thing happens is Annah goes to see Nathan by herself figuring that she'll be able to best approach this. You're a little nervous about her heading to the temple by herself, but she soon returns stating that Nathan was surprisingly very open to the idea. "What seriously? I thought he didn't care for either of us." You say. "If he didn't, he's either hiding it pretty well now or gotten over it. Said that he even recently received a message from Rook asking if he managed to convince us to properly join yet. He said he's glad we're joining since it makes dealing with us a lot easier since he hates dealing with associates and he can now send a message back to Rook to get him off his back about it." "Hm, I dunno. Marco mentioned that Nathan's been talking shit about us, or me at least." "Well I'm not saying we place complete trust in the guy, just that he's not giving extra grief about us joining. Said we can come to the temple tomorrow to get everything sorted out. After that, then we can move on to the next step." "I don't think we should go to the temple together." "What?" "I don't think we should go to the temple to together. For all we know Nathan might be planning to kill us too. If we go there together then it's going to be really easy for him. I'll go tomorrow by myself." "If what you're saying is true, then I'd stand a better chance against him by myself." "Maybe so, but I'm not taking that risk with you...I mean I know you're different, but I let Zalmora go off by herself once and she never came back. At least this way, I'll just get killed and you can escape if I don't return." "If you don't return, I hope you realize I wouldn't run, I'd be trying to avenge you immediately." "Well then you'll at least have the advantage of being free to do so then." Annah says she understands the logic in your plan, though asks you again if this is what you want to do. You reply that it is and the next day, you head out of Jicol and to the Fel temple where Nathan is waiting for you. When you arrive, you're met by Syndicate members, who obviously don't care too much for you and pat you down for weapons before allowing you to go see Nathan who is surprised only to see you. "Where's Annah?" Nathan asks. "Unfortunately maternal issues called. She said she apologizes and that she'd be in tomorrow." You reply which obviously causes a look of annoyance on Nathan's face. "Fucking hell, SHE'S the one that saw me about this shit and now she blows me off? I'm doing you both a fucking favor here!" "We understand that and again you have our apologies." "Apologies doesn't make up for my fucking time! She better damn well realize that whether she shit out kids or not is irrelevant to Syndicate business! I mean this isn't just an insult to the Syndicate, it's an insult to fucking Fel! We're in HIS HOUSE!" "Well I can make the appropriate sacrifices to him, if..." "Appropriate sacrifices, pfft. You're no believer, whatever you offered would mean shit to him!" This is more of the Nathan you expected and you start to wonder if you're going to get out of this alive. However Nathan instead throws up his hands. "Fine, whatever. Your wife is Rook's favorite assassin and really wants her in the organization. Far be it from me to piss him off, so tell her to come in tomorrow. In any case, let's get you sorted out now." Nathan goes through a surprisingly brief oath that you're supposed to repeat. He mentions that usually the oath is a bit longer, but since you're partially being accepted due to Annah and that you're seen more as a mid level Syndicate supervisor of grunts with no signs of being dedicated to Fel, Nathan feels the basic oath is enough. With the oath finished Nathan calls for one of his people to give you a Syndicate tattoo. Since you don't particularly want it to show in public, you get it on your back, which ends up taking much longer than the oath did. (And a lot more painful) After getting the tattoo, Nathan apathetically mentions you're now in the Syndicate and dismisses you with some comment about how you need to get the Black Hooks more organized since a lot of them aren't going to make it into becoming full members in their current state. You return back home at night. "Glad to see you're finally back. I was starting to have my own concerns that you were right after all." Annah replies. "Well he wasn't pleased that you weren't there. Went on about his time being wasted, though he acted about how I expected him to which actually put me a little more at ease after I realized he wasn't going to kill me right then and there. Fortunately he seems to be more concerned with Rook's approval of you, so he seemed more resigned than anything else." You say. "Connection in high places helps." "Anyway, the tattoo took the longest time, and he'll be expecting you tomorrow. I imagine your oath might be a little longer than mine though." You show your tattoo to Annah, who says she'll probably get hers on her arm seeing as her back is all scarred up and a tat probably wouldn't look as good. The next day, Annah goes to the temple and you take Evan and Emma with you to your shop. It's a chore looking after them and focusing on business, but after one of the Black Hook's nanny mothers shows up, things are a little easier. You continue with your work as normal for most of the day. When night falls you don't think too much about it since you figure the process is taking longer for Annah. You finish up your duties and lock up thinking you'll be glad when you get rid of Nathan so you won't have to be concerned with him anymore. When you get home, you expect to be met by a nanny telling you she's just put the twins to bed or apologizing for failing in the task. Or even better you'd find that Annah has returned. Instead, as soon as you enter your own home, you feel burning lead slamming into you, causing you to fall to the floor clutching your chest. "What the fuck are you doing?! Nathan wanted him alive you asshole!" a voice shouts. "Oh shit, I heard the door open and I got nervous!" another voice says. "Fuck. Well hopefully the two brats are good enough to torture his wife with. Unger is already on his way to the temple with them. Come on let's get the fuck out of here and leave this fucker to die." You grasp at one the Syndicate member's legs as they run out the door, but a swift kick soon gets them free. In these last moments you can only assume that Nathan planned a double cross all along. Probably just altered his plans when the pair of you didn't show up together yesterday. You wheeze and cough blood while cursing yourself for taking this foolish risk and can only hope that Annah gets out of this herself because your role in this world is done.

[Themes: fantasy, fantasy, humor] Year 32 "So yeah, they're going to start rebuilding that old Fel temple in the jungle and turning it into a headquarters soon." Marco tells you. "So Annah told me." You answer. "All the Black Hooks might soon be incorporated into the Syndicate proper as well, rather than just as associates. I don't think we would have been considered as quickly without you and your wife's input." "Good. You guys certainly deserve it, after all the hard work you've put in." "Um yeah, so are you going to join the Syndicate too?" "Me? I dunno. Been pretty preoccupied what with the family and all." "Yeah, yeah I know, but um...well its just if you don't become a full member, I'll probably have more authority than you in certain matters. I mean I don't think it'll come to this, but they could even have me take over this major operation here." You smile a bit. "Is that right? Who said this?" you ask. "Nathan, the Syndicate leader here." Marco says. "Of course he did." "I mean I wouldn't want to do it of course, but I mean order are orders. I mean you know how I really respect everything you've done and shit." "Don't worry about it Marco, because I'm not. You do what you gotta do and worry about your own future." "Um, okay boss." Marco leaves your shop and shake your head at Marco's almost apologetic warning. The boy would probably hesitate if he actually ever had to go against you. Long enough for you to get the advantage anyway, but you doubt if it would ever come to that. The Syndicate has mostly been happy with what you've been doing, though they do bring up the fact that you really should become a full member. You think Annah already would have, if not for you dragging your feet on the issue. You aren't sure why you are since you're practically ECS at this point. You suppose there's just a part of you that doesn't want to have that final binding agreement since if you do; it really would be for life. You suppose the choice might have been easier had you not just had one baby, but twins with Annah. That really complicated everything. (Especially when after they were born, the resemblance to you was unmistakable, so there was no getting out of it) Annah at first seemed fine to take a step back from her "job" to be a mother, and she still doesn't mind it, but over time she's been getting antsy. You think it started soon after Checkers died of old age last year. She's been going on about wanting to get back into things. In fact when you return home, you find Annah waiting up for you in the front room. This can't be good. "We need to talk. And I mean talk without raising our voices because I just got Emma and Evan to sleep." Annah says. "Okay..." you respond. "I need to get back to work." "Well I said you could help me at my shop, bring the kids along and keep them in the back and..." "No. Maybe you're content to sit around and letting your Black Hook kids do your legwork, but I want to be more active than that. Shit, you used to be more active too once." "Well its not like with the Syndicate around I can just go breaking into homes anymore, not that I need to. Besides, as you said, I got the Black Hooks doing shit for me." "Yeah that's another thing. I know a lot of them look up to you like some weird surrogate father figure, but those teenagers are not your children and as loyal as you believe them to be, the Syndicate's influence is only going to grow and eventually they might not be as reliable as you think they are. Besides, YOU now have real children you need to think about." "So what are you getting at exactly Annah?" "We need to make some really big fucking changes in our lives or we're going to be fucked over by the Syndicate." "I might remind you that being all hooked up with the Syndicate was your idea in the first place." "Yeah, because I see it as an opportunity for both of us. Especially now." "An opportunity to be indebted to a powerful merciless organization that will punish you severely if you fuck up? I mean I'm really not seeing it as a beneficial thing." Annah rubs her temples with some exasperation before continuing. "You're REALLY not seeing the benefits we have if we fully commit." Annah says. "Then why don't you explain it to me slowly because I know you've tried before and I still just don't get it." You reply. "Rook said this whole operation could be ours." "Oh yes, your buddy in Holgard. That's why he sent that Nathan guy to oversee things." "He only sent Nathan because neither one of us are proper ECS members! Of course he's still going to give preferential treatment to an actual member no matter how much he might like us." "He might like you, but I'm guessing that stopped when you showed up last time pregnant. And as for me he doesn't know me so I doubt if he gives a shit." "Okay first off, pretty sure Rook likes men. He's got some friend called Bolt he's really close with. I dunno. In any case as I said before, I did many assassin jobs for him in the past successfully so I've always had his respect. When I told him just in passing about Sneaks, the guy nearly broke into song and dance. I mean he REALLY hated that guy apparently. His only complaint is that he didn't get to kill Sneaks himself. I mean just based on THAT deed alone he was ready to hand operations of Jicol over to me. But I've explained that before." "Sorry, but I just don't have as much trust in this Rook as you do okay? I mean I hardly believe he's going to just hand Jicol over to us...or rather you for nothing." "Well of course not for nothing, obviously money would have to be kicked up to him, but shit we're already doing that now to Nathan. I mean if we're going to be in this position, we might as well have a whole island to run." "Yeah well I don't think Nathan's going to just step aside." "Well that's why we kill him and take over." You give a brief chuckle in disbelief. "So wait, not only are you suggesting that we join the Syndicate fully, but that we also kill one of its leaders? How the hell does that work?" "Very easily. Its not like Rook particularly likes Nathan. He only sent him because I never fully committed. Ultimately Rook isn't going to care if Nathan dies via an accident. If we get rid of him and those most loyal to him, then boom. We got control of this entire island and all we have to do is send coin back to Rook every once in awhile." "You do realize that it's not going to be just be a simple matter of shooting Nathan right? The guy is all wrapped up in that Fel shadow magic shit. And I still don't see how we can just get away with killing him. I mean I know the Syndicate is ruthless and people get executed for fucking up all the time, but if murdering your immediate superior was so commonly accepted the organization wouldn't last very long." "And you're right, but again Nathan really isn't favored and we've got the benefit of being far enough away that we can sort of operate differently around here." "Oh right, all of this is supposed to be Rook's private money making operation so he can gain more power and influence with the Syndicate to shake up the organization or something. Still not keen on being part of that big scheme either. Add the whole increase in Fel worship and it all just seems pretty risky." "Our whole lives have been risky. I mean every time you broke into a home and stole something you were taking a risk. Every day you spend being a criminal is risky. We don't live nice safe lifestyle in case you hadn't noticed." "Yeah, I get that, but there's still a fucking limit." Annah reaches out to you. You know she's really trying to convince you now. "You say that if we commit that we're running a high risk. You might be right. However, I'd propose that if we don't, we'll run an even higher risk. I mean maybe I've never really said this before, but you've got more potential than you ever give yourself credit for. I mean look what you did with the Black Hooks. If it wasn't for the Syndicate you'd be kingpin of Jicol. Hell, you were for a while. I know you partly did everything because this was my idea, but there's a part of you that still had the desire." "Maybe..." "However, I get that you've always had concerns about all this. And I know we've gone back and forth about this a few time before. So, I think if you're not willing to make that next step, then we need to do something that I believe you've probably thought about many times." "Which is?" "We relocate. I don't know where though, I assume you've had some thoughts on that matter." "Well you're not wrong about relocating. Though unfortunately I don't have a good idea of where. Preferably a place without any Syndicate influence, though Hessla and Klyton are sort of out of the question in that regard for other reasons. Maybe some place farther north, I'm just not as familiar with many of the settlements that way though. I know they tend to be smaller. Probably more dwarves." "Hm. Not exactly ideal." "I know. That's one of the reasons why I haven't really mentioned it to you. I mean I don't really want to have to start all over again either. I've done it about three times already. And right now, even with the Syndicate looming over us, this has probably been the best set up I've had. I just can't ignore that threat though, even if I do see the logic and benefits in your plan." You and Annah are silent for a moment and then she speaks again. "Well, I just want you to know, whatever you decide, I'll follow your lead. I was serious when I said that I want us to work this time. So if that means if we stay here or go north, or if I get back to what I want to do or I have to continue playing full time mom, then that's what I'll do." Annah says. That's quite the sacrifice for Annah who has traditionally always done her own thing. Granted she's changed a lot since being a teenager, but still sort of a switch considering she started this conversation with the desire of wanting to be more active in the business both of you have chosen. > You Relocate It's not ideal, but maybe it's been a long time coming. You need to get out of here before you're unable to. "We've got coin saved up. Not as much as I'd like, but enough for us to be comfortable for a while. I've heard of a port town far to the north on the mainland called Yiktolv that's supposed to be experiencing a growth boom. Lots of opportunities and such, but apparently very much still a frontier type environment meaning there shouldn't be much law crawling all over the place. Fairly certain two enterprising people like us could find something to do in such an environment." You say. "Okay, I guess we better make the preparations then. I'm sure we'll be fine. Well, it's late and we probably should both get some sleep." Annah says, You both head to bed, though you don't sleep much for several reasons. There's so much shit you need to get done. You spend the next month fencing as much as you can and selling off items that have been in your possession for awhile now at a slightly lower rate. You also start giving Marco a bit more responsibility with the whole debt-collecting thing. At one time you just gave him orders on what you needed, but you start allowing him to see the actual books and lists. Marco's smart enough to know something must be up if you're doing this. You give him a short explanation, which of course he's not exactly overjoyed to hear you leaving, but he's grateful that you're passing your business on to him. "Remember, I'm handing this to you. Try not to let that asshole Nathan reassign you or some shit. You've got a crew. I mean maybe you're all going to be Syndicate one day, but I assume you had your closest ties with your fellow Black Hooks, so it isn't like you don't have any back up." You say. "I understand and thanks." Marco replies. After about two months, you and Annah are pretty much set and you have already made arrangements to board a ship mostly carrying fabric to Yiktolv. Normally such a cargo ship wouldn't take any old passengers, but enough coin talks. You really only want to take such a ship mainly because its potentially less of a target for pirates. After all you've got a trunk full of valuables, along with your family. As concerned as you were in beginning about all this, you're starting to feel more hopeful about this new beginning. Even Annah is sort of looking on the bright side of this endeavor. The day you're scheduled to leave, you, Annah and the twins make your way to the ship with a cart carrying your belonging, but you can't help have a feeling of unease. The ship's crew takes your things and you board the ship with no problems, but you're still feeling anxious. You just sense something wrong. And then it happens. Just as the ship is about to leave, a bunch of shouting for it to stop along with threats occurs and then you glance over the side and see Nathan, along with several of his Syndicate men begin making their way up the gang plank. Behind them are Marco and several Black Hooks. He looks a little cowed. Nathan just gives a intimidating glance at the captain of the ship who slinks away to his cabin while the rest of his crew also find a way of making themselves scarce. Annah shields Emma and Evan and tells them to get behind her. Annah's good, but you're not sure with Nathan's shadow magic powers. And while Marco is here with some of his people, you can't really be sure he'd help if it really comes down to it. Pressure by a powerful organization can be effective. "You planning on leaving before saying goodbye Annah?" Nathan addresses her as if you're not even around. "Didn't know we needed to." You remark. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you wore the pants in the relationship." "What?" "Oh come on, while you may have run your petty crime ring of snot nosed teens before we arrived, everyone knows that Annah's the real threat here. Shit, I remember how Rook used to love telling stories about her in Holgard. If he wasn't a pillow biter I would have sworn he was in love with her. Of course that was before she decided to become a brood sow." "Nathan, you call my wife a brood sow again, you're going to see just how dangerous I AM." "Ohh! You hear that? The sound of a wounded ego. What do you think of your mentor Marco? You think he could take me?" Marco doesn't answer and just looks down. Causing Nathan to get annoyed and walk over to him. "Hey! I'm talking to you boy! Answer the fucking question!" Nathan says smacking Marco upside the head. "Um, no sir." Marco answers meekly. "You see that? Not even your star pupil thinks that highly of you, but as fun as all this is, let's get to why I'm here. Coin. Coin that belongs to the Syndicate." "What're you talking about Nathan? I left instructions and lists with Marco about who owes coin. Not to mention I put aside this month's cut for the Syndicate and left it at the shop. Shit, I even left a little extra since I figured it would be a gesture of good will." "Yeah? Well that's thoughtful. Wasn't that thoughtful lads? The problem is, your good will don't mean shit. Now you're not Syndicate and obviously you're too much of a pussy to join so honestly I don't give a shit if you leave. Saves me the hassle of having to kill you later since I never thought much of you anyway. In fact the only reason why I'm being THIS generous is despite Annah being a...mother now, I know she's still deadly with those pistols. I imagine right now, she could take out several of us if this turns unpleasant." Nathan then turns to walk back towards your direction. "However, as good as she is, she's not faster than me and more importantly she's not fast enough to save YOU. So to prevent this from turning unpleasant, all I'm requesting is you hand over ALL your coin. I know you've probably got a chest full of it. Call it your exit tax. Do that, and you can be on your way to wherever the fuck you're scurrying off to." You are feeling an anger right now that you nearly can't contain. You almost aren't thinking straight. You look at Nathan's smug face and you just want to shoot it. You know the reputation of shadow magic and how effective it is. Even Annah has told you some of the things she's witnessed. You're about to pull your pistol and he looks so eager for you to try. Still, he can't be THAT fast can he? Even if you missed, sure Annah would be able to... You feel a hand on your shoulder, and you turn to look at Annah who just shakes her head a bit. "We'll be fine." She says. And those words seem to calm you enough to drop your hands to your side. "Take your tax. It's in a black trunk below us." You say. "Smart move listening to your woman. She knows all too well the penalties of trying to fuck over the Syndicate. That's how she got that lovely eye patch isn't it? Marco, go make yourself useful and go get the fucking trunk." Nathan says snapping his fingers at him. Marco and the other Black Hooks head to the lower decks without another word. Meanwhile you go over to be closer with Annah and your children. Nathan of course takes this opportunity to continue to mock you both, presumably to still try to goad you into fight. Soon, Nathan begins to get more irritated by the fact that Marco hasn't returned yet. "Fucking hell, what is taking so damn long? Go see what those fucking idiots are doing." Nathan says to his men who head down below. Next thing you know, the sounds of shouting followed by fighting can be heard. You can't believe it. "What the fuck..." Nathan says and moves towards the stairway leading to below decks. And that distraction is all the time Annah needs. Without a word, she pushes you to the side, pulls her pistol and unloads it into Nathan. Three of the shots turn his head into a bloody mess before his lifeless body hits the deck. "Quick, go help your minions, they might need it." Annah says and starts reloading. This wasn't part of the plan, but you have to take advantage where you can. You go down below where you find the Black Hooks fighting it out with the Syndicate. Fortunately for the Hooks, they had the advantage of ambushing them, but it's still a good thing you're there to help. After it's all said and done, you've killed them all, though not without casualties. Marco himself is wounded, but alive. "You alright?" you ask. "Yeah...ah...fuck." Marco replies. "Hm. You realize you just dug a deep hole and jumped waist deep in shit right?" "I know, but I just couldn't stand by and let him horse fuck you like that." "Appreciated. I knew who you'd side with if it came down to it." "Is that asshole dead?" "Yeah, Annah filled him full of holes as soon as the fighting down here occurred. Turned his attention away just for a few seconds and that was it." "Good. But what happens now? Are you still leaving?" "Good question." You motion for the remaining Black Hooks to help Marco and you head back to the upper decks where you find Annah trying to calm down a very worried captain. (Though oddly, your two children just stand by unaffected by the situation other than maybe curiosity) "Relax captain, the Syndicate isn't going to take it out on you. This will all be taken care of. Just head back in your cabin and when you come back out in a few hours, everything will be fixed and you can be on your way." Annah says which the captain doesn't necessarily believe, but he's scared enough to be hopeful, so he does exactly what Annah says. You approach Annah as she's then asking if Emma and Evan are okay. "They seem disturbingly calm about all this, obviously going to grow up to be unfeeling killers like their mother." Annah remarks to you. "I sure hope so. I know I'll feel safer." You respond. "Speaking of safety, How exactly are we proceeding with all this? I mean what just happened is what you wanted to avoid." "Yeah, I know, but shit happens. Guess we're staying now." "What? You mean you want to stay and not head to Yiktolv?" "What's the fucking point now? I mean we just carried out your plan, we might as well risk it now. If we go running off, I doubt even Rook would look kindly upon killing his representative here without at least replacing him. Not like Marco would be up for that task and the last thing I want to wake up one night in Yiktolv with Syndicate assassins surrounding me. If we get ahead of this, and Rook likes you as much as you and even Nathan said he does, well maybe we'll be okay." "Oh, I think I can spin all this in a message to Rook. We might need to kick a little extra coin up to him this coming tribute though, just on the safe side." "Well I figured, but we're sure as shit not paying all of it. Marco and his lot can contribute half that considering he got us into this in the first fucking place. I'd have them pay all of it, but I know those fuckers are still poor for the most part." You and Annah look at one another. "Well we tried to walk away didn't we?" Annah asks. "Yeah. But things probably would have been the same in Yiktolv. I mean I suppose this way we don't need to start all over after all. Wasn't looking forward to that, let me tell you." You say. "Maybe it sounds strange, but I feel more positive about our future than I did." "Yeah, that sounds strange since we could very well be in more danger, but that's why I love you. Anyway come on and let's throw this asshole overboard. We're probably going to have to take care of any other Syndicate members that were loyal to him soon. They'll probably all be at the temple." After a few month's time of "clean up" and coercion, things are settled on Jicol. When news finally reached Rook, he didn't mind Nathan's death and was glad to have Annah on board as his new representative on Jicol running things there. (You've always been seen as just part of the package even if you're actually handling more of the business side of things) You officially become Ebony Claw Syndicate. You're supposed to get the tattoo, but you never do since you have the luxury of running things in Jicol and things are a little more lax there as far as "gang formalities" go. While in the scheme of things, you might just be one cog in a larger organization; your simple days as common rogue are definitely over. In any case it doesn't seem so bad, and besides the fact that you have to split more time with Annah looking after your children, things run more or less smoothly and you're doing fairly well. In fact you wonder why the hell you didn't just go with Annah's plan in the first place. > Epilogue Epilogue 11: Crime Family Year 36 "So is Rook visiting again this year?" you ask Annah. "I mean it's always possible he'll do a surprise visit, but I doubt it. I think after the last two times, he's satisfied with how smoothly everything is run here. He hasn't even sent any more people from Holgard here and is fine with us recruiting locals. I think he's got more problems keeping Holgard together so he needs his people more than we do." Annah replies. "Anymore about his plans to defy ECS leadership in Delantium?" "Eh, not really other than a lot of bitching. Honestly, I think he's sort of put that on hold indefinitely. In the scheme of things he knows he can't possibly go up against them and if he makes waves he's actually going to fuck up his relatively good position which isn't really watched as closely or even interfered with." "Well that's good to hear I guess. No need to be wondering if we'll be dragged into a Syndicate civil war anytime soon. Especially when we finally got the mayor of Jicol to finally resign himself to us being a presence here." "Certainly have made a big impact here in our short time." "Yeah, I suppose you were right. The risks were worth it and have paid off." You give a quick kiss to Annah when suddenly Emma and Evan come running into the room. "Mom, Dad, do mermaids come near the island?" Evan asks. "Never been any reports of any son. Pretty sure if there were, there wouldn't be as many ships coming here and there would be an active panic of trying to get rid of them. Why?" you reply. "We heard some pirates talking about them a few days ago at the market with nanny, and they sounded scary. Like they control your mind to jump in the water and you drown!" "I'm not scared! Mermaids only do that to boys!" Emma remarks. "Don't be so sure you'd be safe. I've heard rare tales of mermen luring girls to their doom as well. However, you two shouldn't worry about fish people. There are far more dangers of a more mundane nature to be concerned about in the water. You're likely to run afoul of pirates or even slavers on the open seas than anything else. Which is why you should always be as prepared as possible for any danger. Even on this island where you no doubt feel safe, there are many dangers lurking about." Annah says. Evan and Emma look a little worried by that remark. "Your mother's right. There is danger all over and you have to be prepared as best as you can be rather than just being afraid all the time. But in any case isn't it time for your lessons?" you say just as their nanny comes running in, looking out of breath. "Apologies to both of you! Your children managed to sneak away and I had only looked away for a moment!" she exclaims. "Sounds about right. No harm done though, they found their way here. I imagine they don't want to do their lessons hence why they snuck off." Annah says. "I don't wanna do lessons! I wanna learn more on how to make traps and pick locks like you guys!" Evan says. "Glad to see you're excited about learning something, however as much as regular school work is boring, you still need it. You don't want to steal a bunch of coin and not know how to add it all up right? Emma, you want to know how to read a contract for a job right? Well that's where the boring but necessary learning comes into play. Don't worry, your mother and I will teach you all the other fun stuff as well." You remark. This reassurance seems to work on them and they resign themselves to going off with the nanny to do their lessons. The nanny once again apologizes and takes her leave. "She's a nice woman, have no idea what her name is though." You say. "Ida I think?" Annah says. "Sounds good to me." Suddenly Marco comes walking in. "Boss, there's a lady out here that wants to see you. Even called for you by name. She says she come about the bard position, but as far as I know we didn't have one of those." Marco says. "Bard position? We didn't...wait a minute. What does she look like?" Marco goes into a physical description of the woman, her demeanor, her clothing, everything. You instantly smile while Annah just nods. "Yeah send her in right away." You say. "Okay boss." Marco says and leaves. "Well looks like your other half finally tracked you down. Try not to shove your tongue down her throat with me in the room." Annah says. "Are you serious? After all these years you still believe that horrible rumor?" "Relax, I'm just fucking with you...though you did get pretty defensive. Heh heh." You ignore Annah's taunts and soon your guest arrives. Time has passed, but the face is one you could never forget. "Sis! It's damn good to see you after twenty years!" you say and immediately go to her and give her a hug. "It's good to see you too. Hey don't squeeze too tight, I got my mandolin on my back and it's pretty unique." Your sister says. "Well you look good anyway, not sure about your clothing though, a little too colorful for my tastes, but then you always were the flashy one." "And I see even with your obvious status you're still dressing like you just got out of bed." "One of the perks of being in charge. You can dress anyway you want. I'm sure you know Annah." "Of course. I remember Annah. Always knew you liked my brother, didn't think you'd be crazy enough to marry him though." "How did you even find us anyway?" "In the letter you sent to mom and dad you mentioned living here, so I just assumed this location." "So you've seen them?" "Yep, they showed me your letter when I was visiting not too long ago. Mom kept it." "Good old mom, never quite giving up on me." "Though also based on the letter, you said you two were having a baby. So where is my niece or nephew?" "That letter is a bit out of date when I sent it. We had twins and they're currently doing their lessons." "Really? Twins? Well I hope you've have better luck raising them than mom and dad had raising us." As you and your sister chuckle a bit at that last remark, Annah smiles and begins to take her leave. "Hey where are you going?" you ask. "Well we do have business to take care of and you're obviously going to be busy for awhile entertaining your sister here. So I'm going to go take care of it. Again, relax, play catch up, I know the two of you want to spend lots of time together. I'll see you later, have fun." Annah says and leaves. After a few moments. Your sister speaks. "Um, is it just me or did Annah seem to imply that..." "Yes. She doesn't really believe it, but for some reason she finds it oddly amusing. Trust me, I heard worse from her when we were teenagers." You remark. "Hm, well whatever. In any case what's going on with that eye patch? Annah looks very different from when I last remembered her. She actually looks very dangerous." "Oh she's definitely dangerous. Crack shot with firearms. Officially she's running this place for the Ebony Claw Syndicate. I'm just sort of part of the package deal. In any case, I wanna hear more about you, let's sit and talk." You and your sister head to a more comfortable room where you both can relax while addressing each other's questions. Your sister goes first and briefly goes into some of the places she's been. She says she actually went to Klyton when she first left home, but didn't stay long due to her not finding it very interesting. Seems as if you two just missed each other when you arrived there. She mentions that when she recently visited your parents, besides being glad to see her, they also told her what happened with you a few months after she left. What's fascinating to you though is apparently you were cleared of murder months after you left! Apparently a few people surprisingly said they saw what really happened and you didn't kill Klint on purpose and were even acting in self defense. "So wait, am I still wanted there?" You say. "Well...a lot of time has passed and that sheriff who hated you is long dead now. Klint's father also isn't there anymore, so I think you're in the clear legally, but I wouldn't exactly say you're wanted if you know what I mean." Your sister says. "What about mom and dad?" "They're fine. I suppose this would be a good time to tell you, we got a new brother." "WHAT?! They had another child?! When?!" You exclaim. "I guess shortly after we both left. I think he's about twenty or around that age. He's okay, a bit on the straight-laced side. Guess mom and dad finally got the well behaved child they always wanted." "I guess so...sheesh...well I guess it's just as well. Not like they're going to ever see me again." "Well while I can tell you're not still not exactly following a law abiding lifestyle, I'm sure Mom would probably still want to see you. Not sure about Dad, but I doubt he'd throw you out on your ear right away, especially if you brought grandchildren with you." "Yeah, I just don't think it's a good idea, but maybe if you ever visit them again, could you tell them that I'm doing okay?" "Of course." "Thanks sis. And again, I've really missed you. Wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again either. I mean I know I wasn't...we both weren't Joachim saints, but I think you can see I moved on to some rather hardcore shit. Compared to the simple pickpocketing and thievery I was doing before." "Well I don't deny, your new status is a bit intimidating on a certain level. The Syndicate connection especially, but you're my brother and no matter what, I'll be by your side." Your sister says touching your hand. You and your sister look at each other in silence for a moment, knowing that some bonds never die. "Hey, you should have told me you were going to join the Syndicate though, I might have been able to help! I've had my own associations with them. A fairly high level leader back in the Delantium Kingdom in fact." Your sister says. "Really? How did that happen?" you ask. "Saved his life once and naturally he sort of developed a bit of a crush on me. Had to decline his proposals, but he was nothing but a gentleman." "Hm, well I'll definitely want to be hearing more about that tale." "And I want to hear more about you and how you wound up in this position in the first place! Give me all the details because I trust that this will definitely be a very interesting story!" "Well, you might be surprised how dull day to day life can still be for a crime lord. Still, I'm sure there will be more than a few bits that will interest you. Some of which happened before I became one. I warn you though, it's a long story." You say. "Best ones usually are." Your sister responds. You begin your tale...

[Themes: fantasy, anti-hero, serious] Year 30 None of your dealings with gangs has ever been positive which is why its odd that you inadvertently became looked up to one. Granted it's made up of a bunch of snot nosed teenagers, but they've been trying to emulate you for years since they were snot nosed kids. The Black Hooks have been unofficially looking to you for guidance ever since you easily caught a couple of them trying to pick your pocket a couple years ago and scolded them for their sloppy technique. Some of them seem to have potential, others just seem like they're just in it to cause trouble and be rebellious. Their "leader" Marco talks a big game and even seems to resent the fact that so many in his gang speak positively of you, but in the scheme of things, he seems like he wants to be like you on some level. Still, as teenagers are want to do, they don't always listen very well. You certainly didn't. "Marco, I know you and your little friends are really proud about your recent string of break ins, but you lot still have a lot to learn about stealth. I've told you the story about the Bloody Talons haven't I?" you remark. "Yes! A million times!" Marco says exasperatedly. "And you'll hear it a million more until you fuckers get it right or you're going to end up just like the Bloody Talons! More importantly, you're making shit unnecessarily more difficult for the rest of us trying to make a living out here. The more reckless you are, the more the Jicol Watch starts actually cracking down on everyone. We don't need that shit. We got it good here thanks to Jicol tending to worry more about pirates than us land based criminals." "I think I'd rather be a pirate." "Pfft, no you wouldn't. You like the IDEA of being a pirate because you hear all about their glorious tales of raping and pillaging whenever they dock here. Trust me, I've dealt with enough pirates for them to tell me some of their stories to know that that life isn't all that glamorous. Most of the time it's a lot of waiting around on a ship fighting off scurvy and other crew members trying to do harm to your fucking asshole by shoving a dick it in. You want to get fucked in the ass?" "Um, no?" "You didn't sound so sure about that. Because if that's what you want, I'm pretty sure there are a lot of pirate captains that would like a cabin boy like you." "No! Fuck no." "Alright then. In any case, stop immediately breaking windows when you're struggling with a lock. Locks are like women and sometimes you gotta take a little time with them before they open up and give you the goods. It's a pain in the ass, but most of the time it's worth it and you'll feel a better sense of accomplishment. Understand?" "Yeah, I suppose so." "So what are you trying to sell this time?" After doing a little bartering and taking advantage of Marco's lack of knowledge of the value of his stolen goods, you bid him and his buddies goodbye and remind him to remember what you said. As you make your way back to your humble home, halfway there you get the sense that you're being followed and watched. It isn't he Black Hook either. "Alright, you lot might as well come out, unless you intend on shooting me from the shadows that you're hiding in." A single older man steps out from said shadows. "Nope, just me." He says. "Who are you?" you ask. "Oh I go by the same name I have for years now. Sneaks. Though apparently not sneaky enough seeing as you sensed me. Such is the failing of once superior skills with getting old." "You won't be getting too much older if you keeping following me around, now what do you want?" "No need for hostility friend, though I suppose it would have been better to just approach you directly. Honestly, I've known about you for a year or so now, but seeing as I do my own fencing like most others like myself around here, never really needed to speak with you before." "Oh? So do you have something then?" "Oh no. It's not that. It's more of a concern that...well let's just say the underworld community has." "Underworld community? First I'm hearing of an organized gang here." "That's because there isn't one and we're all hoping it stays that way. Nothing good comes from monolithic organizations. I should know I had to directly fight the Ebony Claw Syndicate back in Holgard and ultimately lost." "Well you'll get no argument from me. I've never been part of a gang and never had any positive experiences with them." "Interesting. Then one wonders why you're actively encouraging and acting as a mentor of sorts to one." You nearly chuckle at what Sneaks is getting at. "The Black Hooks? I mean yeah I guess they're a gang, but they're hardly the Ebony Claw Syndicate. They're mostly a bunch of dumb teenagers." You say. "Well I'm sure the Syndicate started as a bunch of dumb teenagers too, until someone molded and lead them to be a powerful organization." Sneaks replies. "I am NOT the leader of the Black Hooks nor do I have any desire to be. That dubious honor belongs to their mildly more intelligent member, Marco. I can't help it if some of them look to me for tips and shit. If anything, my guidance as you call it, is making things better for the rest of us. I just told them to knock it off with their smash and grab routines and other shit that brings the heat down on everyone." "Yes, I can see that would be a good thing, however I don't think you're looking at the greater picture. You are correct in that they're mostly dumb teenagers and their actions draw more attention. However, I also imagine that they wouldn't last very long. Sooner, rather than later, the Jicol Watch would wipe out most of them and things would be harder for the rest of us for awhile, but eventually the status quo would return since Jicol has always been more concerned with a potential pirate attack rather than anything else." "Your point?" "My point is, YOU are teaching them to be better criminals. Basically, more of them are going to survive and even thrive because of you. Not only does this mean more competition for all of us, it also means the Black Hooks are likely to survive as a gang. This organization is going to eventually realize that they outnumber the independent competition and take steps to eliminate said competition, or force them to join. Since some of us aren't likely to go quietly, some of the independents are going to form their OWN gang for protection and before you know it, there's a war going on. As I said, I've read that tale before and it didn't end well." "So you're telling me who I can or can't associate with?" "Look, I'm not saying to not continue to do whatever business you have with them. I wouldn't dream of doing something like that. Anyway I said my piece. Do what you want obviously. I'm just suggesting that helping them as much as you have been, might not be in any of our best interests in the long run." "Duly noted." With those words, Sneaks nods and takes his leave. You have to admit, he does have somewhat of a point, but on the other hand some of it sounded like a threat with that last bit. You continue on your way home and then you see a figure near it. The figure isn't even hiding. They're just casually sitting on your front step. Seems you're popular today. As you approach a little cautiously, the notice the figure is female and a little furry animal pop out from around her then... "Annah?" you call out. "I was wondering when you'd get home. I would have let myself in, but who knows what traps you've rigged and I'm not quite as nimble anymore. Besides, wouldn't be polite right?" Annah replies. "Glad to see you've at last respected my boundaries. Not just for me, but for yourself. That door doesn't even lead inside, come on, I'll take you the real way." "Oh, a secret way in. Nice, but aren't you concerned about me knowing?" "Not at this point. Besides, I don't keep anything of actual value in here anyway." "Of course you don't." After leading Annah in the real way to your home (with Checkers slowly following behind), she asks you how you've been and what you've been up to. You give a brief answer that you've been doing better since the last time you saw her (physically and mentally) and how it's mostly been back to the standard burglary for you along with some fencing for the Black Hooks. "Black Hooks huh? They Jicol's version of the Talons?" Annah asks. "They wish. It's mostly a bunch of teenagers being wild. Though I've been mildly trying to direct them away from what led to the Talons' demise in Klyton." You say. "That's rather altruistic of you." "It's more like covering my own ass in the long run so Jicol doesn't turn into another Klyton. However, someone recently told me that I should just let these kids twist in the wind and get themselves killed by the law since it gets rid of a potential greater threat in the future, like the Black Hooks actually becoming competent and powerful united force." "I can see a logic in both approaches actually. So what were you planning to do?" "Nothing. I'm going to continue to go about my life and if anyone gets in my face about what I'm doing, I'll deal with it then." "Sounds like you. Sooo...the Black Hooks the only gang in the city?" "If you can call them that. Yeah. Everyone else is more or less independent though I'm sure a few work together at times. Nobody really has any turf though as far as places being off limits to others. Not even the Black Hooks are like that, though they do have a location where they all hang out that they probably consider their own." "Would you say there is a strong disregard for authority here in the underworld community?" "Isn't there always?" "Well yes, but I meant it sounds like other than the Black Hooks, nobody is really organized and probably would resist against such a thing." "Annah, this is an odd line of questioning you're going for...out with it." Annah looks down a bit, before looking at you again. You have to say, you still aren't used to that eye patch she has. "Promise you won't get mad?" Annah asks. "Well that doesn't sound good. (Sigh) Fine. I promise I'll TRY not to get mad." You reply. "Okay. Well, since we last saw each other, I've been in Holgard and I've sort of had dealings with the Ebony Claw Syndicate." "Oh for..." "No, no, it's okay. I'm actually on good terms with them now. Well at least the chapter in Holgard. Apparently the head there Rook. Isn't too pleased with some of the leadership decisions in the Delantium Kingdom and he's been making a few moves of his own. To cut a long story short, I've been working with the Syndicate." "You joined the fucking Syndicate?!" "No! I'm more like a hired gun. Literally, most of the time. I...uh...accept a lot of contracts on people." "...Wow. Okay then. Still, I would have thought the Syndicate would have had people like that on their payroll." "Eh, that's sort of the problem with the Holgard chapter. It doesn't get much support from the top. It's almost seen as more of a money-making outpost. Enough to keep a presence in, but not important enough to put extra manpower into. This might not be a problem if Holgard didn't suffer shit like civil rebellions and religious faction fights every five years or so. As a result the Syndicate chapter in Holgard has had to make more use of independents than they would like. Though they tend to REALLY want you to join. I've gotten the sales pitch several times. Fortunately I'm good enough at what I do that I've been able to decline and still remain unaligned." "Seems like a dangerous game you're playing Annah. I mean this is the same organization that...well did THAT to you." "Same organization, but different people and different circumstances. Besides, I'm not trying to rip them off this time. I'm legitimately doing work for them, which is why I'm here actually." Annah goes into an explanation that the head of the Syndicate chapter in Holgard, Rook is looking to expand his own power base here on Jicol. Since Annah has done such good work for him in the past he's sent her here to scout the place rather than sending his own people. She says that her main job is to make a note of all the major players in the city. She says that when she learned you were living here, she figured she could save some of the legwork by directly speaking to you about it. "So...what then? Is the Syndicate just going to take this entire city over?" you ask. "Well that's the plan, unless it turns out to be too much trouble, but based on even what little you've told me and what little I've seen, this place seems pretty ripe for a Syndicate takeover. Or at least Rook's takeover." Annah says briefly petting Checkers who is asleep by her feet. "There's nothing I can do to stop this?" "Well no, not really. The Syndicate is really looking to branch out here. Nothing that can be done about that unless you're going to try to unite everyone against them, but it would be pretty stupid to try that. The Syndicate pretty much always gets what they want. I should know." "It still surprises me that you'd be working for them, given what happened. You never did tell me exactly." "Okay. I get what you mean. But shit happened and I wound up in bed with the Syndicate again. Fortunately it's been in my favor this time. It's sort of an amusing tale, maybe I'll tell you about it when I'm not currently so busy." Annah replies. "Still never told me about how you managed to get a room in the Klyton university dorms either." "Heh. Well I'll tell you that story too. I want to tell you everything. I mean...shit...I still miss you, y'know? When I found out you lived here I was looking forward to seeing you again. Last time we parted company you said we'd meet again as we seem to be destined to always do." "Yeah I remember. Just thought it might be under less complicated circumstances this time." "I don't think that's how our relationship goes." "Obviously not." Annah takes a deep breath and continues. "The Syndicate is coming, but it probably won't be immediately. In the meantime, I can speak positively about you when I get back to Holgard and you could probably become an associate much like I am. I could even relocate here while we prepare this place and we could work on tasks together like in the old days. Lots of coin to be made and we both know how much you like that." Annah says. While you wouldn't mind such a thing under normal circumstances, you really aren't keen on Annah's Syndicate involvement. > You talk Annah out of this Annah might think she has a handle on things and maybe she does, but you need to try to talk her out of getting in too deep with the Syndicate again. But you also think that maybe starting with a lecture might not be the way to go about it, so you start with helping her a little. You give a rundown on every underworld contact you have of relative importance, along with the strength and numbers of the Black Hooks. You then also give Annah an approximate guess on the strength of the Jicol Watch and how effective they are. "Would you say they're susceptible to working with the Syndicate? The Holgard Watch has never been too much of a problem in that regard." Annah says. "Well, the Jicol Watch isn't adverse to a bribe here and there, but the Mayor of Jicol tends to pay them well enough for them to not to make a habit of it." You say. "Mayor of Jicol? Anything like the Governor of Hessla?" "He's ten times more reclusive. Apparently most haven't seen him in decades. About the only descriptions that exist are that the Mayor is male and human, but who knows? In any case, while this place is no stranger to corruption, it still adheres to law and order fairly strongly. Not Klyton level, but that's probably due to more emphasis on their fleet rather than land force which is thankfully smaller." "I see. Anything else?" "Not really. So...you going to go assassinate them all now?" "Heh. Well, based on everything you've told me, doesn't seem like I need to bother. I suppose I could anyway. You said you spoke to someone called Sneaks that used to belong to the Thieves Guild in Holgard recently? I bet Rook would want to someone like that taken care of. Maybe the leader of the Black Hooks as well just to keep that group from getting too organized." You just sort of stare at Annah for a moment and exhale a bit while briefly rubbing your hand over your chin. This doesn't go unnoticed. "What? Is there some other potential obstacle you haven't mentioned?" Annah asks. "No. I saw you in action three years ago remember? I have no doubt you've only gotten more dangerous since then and are more than a match for anyone here." You answer. "But?" "But, you told me to think about working with you on this Syndicate business and I truly do not see a good ending for us that way if we stick with them and the longer we do it, the harder it's going to be to get out. I personally don't want to associate with them. The Black Hooks are about the most I'm going to tolerate for reasons I've mentioned. You say you aren't formally connected with the Syndicate and that's good, because I think after you do this last job for them, you REALLY need to break ALL ties with them. Things might be going good now, but they might not always be." "You could say that about anything." "Yeah I could, but I'm talking about this. Look, you say this Rook fellow isn't happy with the rest of the Syndicate leadership and he's trying to build a power base here. This sounds like it's the prelude to a big internal power struggle, which is likely to escalate very quickly. Now I don't pretend to know as much about the Syndicate as you do, but from what I gather, any threat to the leadership is going to be met with an extreme use of force to ALL involved. Best thing to do when that happens is to be as far away from the conflict as possible." Your words about a potential violent power struggle have weight and she looks as if she didn't really think about that before. "Hm. You might have a point about that. I'm going to have to think on that." Annah says. "Annah, I'd rather you not think and just do what I tell you." You answer. "Well apologies, but that's not the kind of woman I am. Pretty sure you know that." "Yeah, don't I know it..." you say and then start chuckling. "What's so funny?" "I was just thinking about how many times back in Teckleville I used to go out my mind telling you to do something and you'd just blatantly ignore me." "Teckleville...seems like a lifetime ago." "Yeah, it's weird though sometimes I still think about the place and my family. Wonder how my mom and dad are doing. Probably living a safe and boring life. Drama free life too without me around. I guess if we'd stayed our lives would've eventually been safe and boring too." "I dunno, you almost got killed there." "Yeah. Can't go home again anyway." "Is...that what you want?" "Eh. I mean when was running a semi-legitimate business, I thought it was a little dull at times, but there was sort of a relief that I wasn't looking over my shoulder every five minutes. But of course after that all was over, I obviously went back to my old ways." "Any particular reason why you did?" "No. Just habit I guess. Plus, wasn't like I had a reason to really go legit anymore." "So it took the love of honest woman to make you settle down?" "Wouldn't call Zalmora an honest woman, she was an ex-Talon. Just had more sense than the rest. I dunno, I liked her and she liked me and I thought you were gone for good so I suppose I just latched on to her." "So you didn't love her?" "Yeah. I mean fuck, I dunno. I assume I must have on some level. What's with all the questions?!" "Okay, relax. Just asking. I'm not mad or anything. I mean it's not like I didn't meet someone during my eventful stay in the Delantium Kingdom." "Oh? You never mentioned that during our last meeting." "Well I was still sorting it out then not to mention all that other shit with you went down. Wasn't really a good time for the story." "Let me guess. It involved the Ebony Claw Syndicate." "Yeah he was definitely a Syndicate member. Met him by chance, but had years of fun with him. Had so much fun that he got the fool notion to want to run away with me with a bunch of the Syndicate's coin. Sure you know how that one turned out." You nod and don't say anything while she continues. "Funny thing is, I thought for a brief moment that I'd put you behind. I'd gotten over you. I mean I THOUGHT what I had for him was love. But it wasn't." "Oh? What was it then?" "Distraction. I mean what we were doing was wild and exciting. Defying the law, ripping off the Syndicate, I probably loved all that more than him. Didn't really realize that until I was being fucking tortured and I gave him up so easily." "What?" "Oh sure, I held out a bit, but honestly most of the shit the Syndicate did to me was AFTER I gave up his secret hiding spot. I imagine they would have done much worse or killed me had I not given him up so easily. You know they killed him right in front of me, after they tortured the both of us. Even when they told him how I gave him up, he wasn't mad he just kept pleading for them not to kill me." "Well...I guess you did what you had to." "Damn right I did. And I don't feel any remorse about it. I mean at first I was upset, but I think that was mostly from the physical torture and fear that I was also going to die that night. As for him? All I could think is how foolish he was for falling for me in the first place." "That's some cold shit...but again I get it." "After I was let go, I dwelled on all of it for very long time. I wondered if I was evil or crazy, even wondered if I was possessed by a demon. However when I found you again in that store in Hessla, all those old feelings I felt for you, they came back and I was right. You would always be my one and only." Annah puts her hands in her face and you can tell she's starting to get emotional. "I...I guess I just wanted to know if you really loved another even briefly and the reasons. As I said, I don't care, but the fact that you were able to move on and I wasn't, the fact that you don't kill unless you have to, while I've done it without hesitation says a lot about me. (sniffle) Namely...I'm fucked up. I don't know if I got that way over time, or it was always there." "Well I wouldn't call myself a beacon of role model behavior Annah. I mean I haven't been tortured by the ECS or had the same experiences you've had. All that plays a part and take a toll. There's still A LOT we don't know about each other and missing gaps, despite the fact that we seem to be drawn to each other. Maybe if we talked more..." Annah immediately goes to kiss you. "I don't want to talk anymore. I just want to feel you inside me again. I want you to love me again." She says and continues to kiss you while trying to strip off her clothing. You proceed to help her achieve her desires. It's been a long time since you've been intimate with her like this. Even as forward as she was with the initiation of this, she suddenly becomes unsure when your hands embrace her and run across her back. She even attempts to pull away a little, but you reassure her that it's okay and that you don't care. You aren't sure why, but you also feel the need to mention that you cleared up that shit you caught from Flameflower (whatever the hell it was). Oddly, you don't think it would even matter to Annah right now, but she gives a brief smile at your insistence of being Later... You wake up to Annah laying next to you dressed again and just staring at you. "I know, I know. Watching you sleep is probably creepy." Annah remarks. "Considering I once woke up after you drugged me and robbed me blind, this is a lot more preferable. What the hell..." you reply when you feel a wetness on your hand that's hanging over the bed. You look over briefly and realize its Checkers licking your hand. You sit up and move your hand away. "Hm, uncharacteristically friendly of Checkers to be licking my hand rather than biting my ankle." You say. "She likes you, you know." Annah says. "Well the furry beast has participated in saving my life a few times, so I guess she's alright. Has she grown at all? She looks about the same size when I first saw her." "Not much. Just grown older I suppose." "Happens to the best of us." "I don't really like to think about how her years are probably coming to an end soon though. Weird, I know considering what I've been doing the last few years." "Well seems like she's had a good life under your care. Whatever else you may be thinking about yourself Annah, you've got a nurturing side to you." You give Checkers a pet and get up to get dressed. Annah continues to go from watching you and staring at nothing in particular. By the time you're half dressed, she suddenly gets up. "Hey, so I gotta go now. Best that I get this information back to the Syndicate and all." Annah says. "You're leaving? Already?" you ask. "Yeah, no point in sticking around. If the Syndicate wants anyone wiped out, they can do it themselves." "Ah. So you're taking my advice and this is going to be your last job with them?" "Yeah. I thought about it and you're right. I need to do something else with my life. This...path with or without the Syndicate that I'm on really isn't the healthiest. I don't sleep much, I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, well you know how it is." "Yeah I know how it can get. And I imagine for you it's worse. So what are you going to do?" "I dunno, guess I'll have to figure that out. In any case, you might want to start thinking about relocating yourself. Not immediately, but y'know." "I could just come with you right now. I mean its not like I'm tied to this place." "As much as I'd like that, I think I need to work some things out. Last thing I want to do is destroy what little we still have left due to some stupid argument we're going to inevitably get into." "Annah, I don't really get this. I mean it's obvious you want to get back together and I'm open to it, so I don't see the need for you to just go wandering off again. We're obviously both different than we were thirteen years ago. Whatever personal demons and shit we got to deal with, we can deal with them together." "Remember how you weren't ready the last time we met up? It wasn't your fault or my fault, just bad timing?" "Yeah, but..." "Well, this is yet another case of that. I got shit going on in my head that I don't even want to heap on you. Your life as it is right now, is calm. I know you. You like to keep things simple. That's probably why you nearly went legit with Zal. It was easier and more convenient at the time since that's the way life seemed to be heading. When it was gone, you fell back into the old ways, because again it was easy and familiar. While I know I'm familiar, I'm definitely NOT easy to be with. I don't know what the future for me holds. Everything is always a whirlwind of thrills and not always in a good way. You don't want to deal with that and I don't want you to have to deal with it. At least not until I believe I've got my shit together enough that it's not going to fuck up your feelings for me." "Annah, unless you shot me in the dick or something, whatever you got going on right now isn't likely to change how I feel, but fine. I won't bother arguing with you even though I really want to. Obviously you feel strongly about this, so once again I'll see you when I see you and hopefully whenever that is, you won't be affiliated with these Syndicate assholes again." Annah touches your face and smiles a bit. "I'll be careful." She says and kisses you goodbye before calling Checkers to follow her. And once again Annah's gone. One of these days the pair of you are going to get your timing right. In the meantime, you at least got some knowledge about what changes are about to come to Jicol even if not immediately. You figure you'll stick around for now and see how things go. Maybe you can even prepare for the coming storm. > Time passes... Year 32 "So yeah, they're going to start rebuilding that old Fel temple in the jungle and turning it into a headquarters soon." Marco tells you. "Hm, looks like the Syndicate is moving quicker everyday." You answer. "Yeah, but its good. I mean I know you told us all to watch our asses, but so far the Syndicate members that we've had dealings with have all been pretty reasonable guys. Even said that the Black Hooks could be fully incorporated as full members in a year or so. We've been doing a lot better in general." "Well glad to hear it. Maybe I was wrong." "It's okay. I guess you were just looking out for us like you always have. Y'know, you should join too! You're really skilled and the Syndicate is looking for members like that!" "So I've heard. A couple of them have approached me a few times, but I'm just not interested." "Yeah, but if you joined you wouldn't need to pay protection and you'd be able to do whatever you wanted!" "Pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do WHATEVER I wanted. It's not like the old days where you can just break and enter into anywhere. Thanks, but I'm good with what I'm doing now. Anyway, what's the Syndicate tax this month? Did it go up to help rebuild the temple?" "No, it's the same, but you know you don't need to worry about it. I got you covered, but I just don't know how long I'm gonna be able to. Sooner or later the Syndicate might get one of their guys to start doing the collecting. That's why I'm trying to become a real member soon!" "Thanks as usual Marco, but don't worry yourself too much about it. I'll be fine." "Okay...see you later then. And thanks for unloading that other stuff for me." "No problem. Later Marco." Marco leaves your "shop" and you just shake your head and smile at what a few little words of encouragement and support can do to mold a young mind. Marco probably sees you as the dad he wished he had. You imagine some of the other Black Hooks d too. Which of course is handy since its paid off as far as you not really having to kick anything up to the Syndicate whose presence has becoming more noticeable in last few months. Might be time to leave soon. You don't know where you'll go though. While you're pondering this, the door opens and someone comes in. "Son, you and I need to have a long talk." You can't believe it. He's older (But to you he was always old and unfun) but you'd never mistake his face or his voice. "Dad?" you ask. "Of course its me!" he responds. "Wh...what the hell are you doing here?" "Trust me, it's not something I wanted to do, but after a long talk with your mother, its what we both decided in the hopes that you've still got it in you to do the right thing. Call us hopeless optimists." "You came all the way here to give me a lecture after nearly twenty years? How the hell did you even find me?!" "Annah told us. Well told us where your last where abouts were anyway. She said you'd probably still be here since you've always had a tendency to stay put unless you absolutely have to move, which sounds about right." "Wait, you've spoke to Annah?! When?" "Nearly on a daily basis, for the past couple years. Pretty much ever since she come back to Teckleville and had the babies." "Congratulations, you've got twins you've never seen." You are getting flooded with so much information right now that you can't even process it all. "That's...impossible. Last time I saw Annah was two years ago." "Yeah well that timeline matches up since that's how old they are. Look, I delivered them myself, not to mention they look like you and your sister. You're definitely the father, despite Annah trying not to admit it. That didn't last long though, since I'm pretty sure that's why she came back to Teckleville in the first place. She knew your mother and I wouldn't NOT help her." 'I...don't believe it. I mean...and I hate even asking this, are you REALLY sure? I mean maybe this..." "Is what? A scam to get money from us? Boy, I wasn't born yesterday. I told you, the two little buggers look like you and your sister. The genetics are impossible to ignore. I mean the hair is darker and there's a difference in eye color, but there's no mistake. Shit, I even hired a wizard from Klyton to double check. They're definitely your work." "Fuck..." "Yeah, well that's what got you into this mess. Anyway, this brings me to why I'm here. YOU need to come back and take responsibility. I understand you're off having fun being a criminal, but even Annah gave that up after having children. They need a father and your mother and I need a fucking a break. Our days of running about catching two twin terrors are supposed to be over." "Wait, why are you just now coming to get me then?" "Oh, I wanted to get you a lot sooner. However Annah always claimed that she didn't know where you were. Having raised two of the best liars, I knew she wasn't telling the truth, but I always assumed you pissed her off and she didn't want you involved. However, thanks to your mother's monthly interrogating via niceness, Annah finally broke down a few months ago and as it turned out Annah just didn't want you to put your own life on hold for this. She said she'd put you through enough trouble in the past. Ain't that sweet?" "Sounds like her." "Also sounds fucking retarded. Why the hell should you get to continue to live without care and responsibility? Your mother of course thought you should come back too, but she was worried about me going to get you. Thought we should hire bounty hunters to find you, but I figured I'd make more of an impression and you're probably already adept at avoiding capture anyway. So here I am." "Yes, so here you are. You might have been better off going with mom's idea though. At least you would have had a better chance of getting me back to Teckleville. Speaking of which, how the hell can I go back anyway? Aren't I wanted for murder there?" "Oh. Yeah, no. That actually got settled shortly after you ran off with Annah. Some of the witnesses to the fight admitted Klint started it and you killing him was more of an accident and even self defense." "You're shitting me." "Nope. Surprised me too. Not that you weren't a murderer, since I figured Klint started it because he was an asshole like his father, but that people actually came around and spoke up in your favor. Anyway, the charges were dropped which pissed off Klint's dad who left the village swearing revenge and that was about the end of it." "So you're saying I'm completely free and clear?" "Yep. Have been for years now. The old sheriff is dead now anyway, so it's not even like you have worry about him either. In fact Annah, works as a deputy of the town now, so you've got a lot of breathing room as far as your shady past is concerned." "Annah's a...what the...well I guess she found something new to do like she said she would." "Yep. And it's time you do as well." Your dad sees the apprehensive and non-committal look on your face and sighs. "And of course you're going to be stubborn about this..." he remarks. "Dad, I appreciate the update and all this news about Annah, but this is a lot to fucking take in! I mean I don't know what she's told you, but our relationship isn't exactly the most stable. I mean its not like she came here herself and TOLD me about her being pregnant. Shit, she didn't even tell you and Mom where I was until recently like you said. I might not have even been here anymore. Obviously she thinks we're better off apart." "Bullshit, if she really thought that, she wouldn't have come back home at all. She knew your mother and I would help her. Gods know her own lush of a mother isn't going to help. Look, I'm not some relationship expert, but obviously you two have enough chemistry between each other that you got yourselves into this mess." "Maybe, but kids didn't really play a part in any of it." "Yeah well shit happens. You think your mother and I planned for twins? Also didn't plan on you two being criminals. Still don't know why the hell you two turned out the way you did considering you had everything." "Here we go, another lecture...I'm not a fucking teenager anymore dad." "Damn right you aren't, which is why its time you stopped fucking acting like one and take some responsibility for a fucking change! What the hell do you have going on that's oh so fucking important right now? From what I can tell this dump you're living in, you aren't exactly living some carefree life of a swashbuckler like in those badly written novels. What, you spend all the coin you steal on wine and whores?" "I'll have you know I live frugally and save very carefully." "Well great. Good for you. Glad to hear you're a thrifty thief. Actually explains a lot. Now, if you've got so much coin saved up, you've got enough to support your children." "Is this what it's ultimately about? Fine, I'll go empty out my safe and you can take it all to give to Annah and the kids." Your father suddenly gives you a minor tap upside your head. It's unexpected and you almost feel like you're ten years old again. "What the fuck?!" you utter. "This isn't about money, this is about responsibility and YOU needing to fucking take some! Your children need their father, you've already missed some of it, you really want to miss it all?" your father says. "Why don't you do it? Obviously you think I'm a no good vagabond, so I would make a terrible father." "Maybe you would, but I don't think so. Surprised to hear me say that?" "A little." "Well I'm not saying it to boost your ego, I'm saying it because I believe based on what Annah's told me about you and the boy I used to know. There is a streak of responsibility in you. I mean even as a thief you're obviously preparing for the future by saving your ill-gotten loot. I remember how you always stuck by your sister and tried to take the blame for some of the more serious shenanigans you two got up to. It looks like you're running some sort of shop here and Annah's said you've run a shop in the past with some other woman that you apparently had a stable relationship with. You've got it in you to be a contributing member of society." "I don't know about that." "Well you won't know unless you try and you might as well try with a family. As far as you and Annah are concerned, well I don't know if you two are going to be a proper husband and wife. I mean it'll be good if you can, and I'm inclined to believe you two are still in love. However, if that doesn't work out, you should at least still be there for your children." "You don't think I'll just be a bad influence?" "Oh, I don't doubt that you won't to some degree, however I also don't think you're going to want to put up with the headache of raising two little criminals. I know Annah certainly won't and I can't say I'd want to be on her bad side. What the hell happened to her anyway? I swear she can shoot the wings off a fly." "Long story, though I don't know all of it since she's never told me the whole story about her adventures during our times away from each other either." "Well maybe that's something you can finally catch up on and bond over. Besides, y'know, your kids of course." "Maybe." Your father puts a hand on your shoulder. "Look, this has been an exciting adventure for me and all, but I really want to get back home before your mother starts hiring a search party. I need to know if you're coming with me or not. It's a simple answer that doesn't require much overthinking. If you are, let's get going now. If you aren't, then I won't bother you again with this." > You go with your father It's a strange position that you never thought you'd ever be in, but you're in it and even stranger, you're ready to embrace it. One thing your father said that convinced you the most was the question of "What are you doing that's so important?" Nothing. You are not doing anything of major importance. If anything, you're probably living just as boring of a life in Jicol as you would in Teckleville. You haven't actually done any real thieving since the Syndicate started making more of a presence here, you do more middle man merchant shit than anything else. You could leave and start over elsewhere which is what you thinking about doing anyway. But if you're going to do that, you might as well have a better purpose than just doing the same thing again. Besides, you've done fairly well in this profession all things considered. You might as well "retire" ahead of the game before something REALLY bad happens to you. This might as well be your out as it were. Not to mention, Annah's saved your life several times over. The least you could do to repay her is to help out with your spawn. That's going to be weird though. You suppose you'll just have to muddle through that, hopefully better than your own parents did. "Okay dad, I'll come with you, but need to get some things first and make some arrangements." You say. "By the gods, you actually listened to me for once. I'm not going to question it, but glad to see I finally got through." Your father says in partial disbelief and relief. To ensure a safe trip home with your savings, you hire a few mercenaries to escort you to Klyton. From there you figure you shouldn't have much problem. You also leave your "shop" and home to Marco and his group, though you don't tell him that immediately, you write a message and hand it to a courier to give it to Marco in a few days. Just a simple note not explaining where you went, just that you had to leave and that they can do whatever they want with the property. Finally you board a ship heading to Hessla with your father (and your small retinue). While you're on board, your father has one more surprise for you that you have plenty of time to talk about along the way. "Oh by the way son, I guess I might as well tell you, you've got a younger brother now." Your father says. "WHAT?! How?!" "Pretty sure you're familiar with the process." "Ha ha. I'm talking about you and mom. I mean you guys are old!" "Fuck you, we're weren't THAT old when you and your sister took off. True, we sort of thought that part of our lives was over, but soon after you were gone, I guess nature decided to give us another chance to get it right. And we did. Adam has never been a problem child." "Hm, well congratulations I guess. Another new family member for me to meet I suppose." "Speaking of family, you know anything about your sister? Any contact with her at all?" "No. I do wonder what she's been up to though. Always hope she's okay." "She is as far as I know. Your mother and I get occasion messages from her. Not many and the last one I think was a few years ago but she said she was doing fine. Having her own adventures no doubt." "Oh. Well I'm glad to hear that. Hope that's still the case. I miss her." "Your mother and I do as well. Despite her criminal ways, she was always creative. Just wish she put more into that instead of...well unlawful behavior. Still, I guess she has been doing that from some of the stuff she's written to us." The rest of the trip is mainly you catching up with your father. It's odd, but neither of you really argues once. You even laugh and joke a few times. You don't tell him everything that happened though. Some things you just would rather leave buried. At least for now. Your father never really presses you for too much information anyway. He probably doesn't want to know some of what you were involved in. Although there is one question... "Just wondering, I mentioned Klint's father left Teckleville muttering about revenge. My guess is he went to go look for you. You never ran into him did you?" "Nope. Can't say I ever did." "I only ask since you mentioned you ran to Klyton, and my guess is that's where he first went to look for you. I asked Annah once and she said she never bumped into him either. Still, seems strange he never came back here." "Dad, if he did, you know Klyton's a huge city. I mean it wasn't like I was making myself well known there either. If he did go there, he must have given up and went elsewhere. Not exactly like safe travels are a sure thing, hence why I hired mercs for part of our trip." Your father looks at you a moment. You already know he's trying to see if you're lying. "Okay. Just thought I'd ask." You aren't sure if your father believes you or he just doesn't care and was merely curious. Either way, he doesn't press the issue. You eventually reach Hessla, then Klyton and from Klyton you start the last stretch of your trip in the carriage ride to Teckleville. That's when you begin to get nervous. You didn't think that would happen, but you begin to get so nervous that its visibly noticeable to your father. "Not having second thoughts I hope." Your father says. "No, not at this point. Too late to turn back now. Fuck..." you say. "Son, you'll be fine. You'll soon realize this isn't the end of the world." "Yeah, I guess." "Think of it this way. What's the worst thing that has ever happened to you? Don't tell me if you don't want. Just think about it. Now with that in mind, do you have ANY thought that reuniting with Annah and seeing your children for the first time is going to be remotely worse than that?" You think for a moment, wincing a bit about your encounter with Flameflower. "No. Definitely can't be anywhere near as bad." You say. "Well, see? There you go then." You father says and then pats you on the shoulder a couple times. Which is easy for dad to say considering he doesn't really know the extent of just how bad that event was. In any case, you manage to calm yourself down and just try to rest before you get to your destination. Eventually you reach Teckleville during the night. Your father wakes you up. "Get up, we're here. I'll help the driver get your things off the carriage, in the meantime you go knock on the door and make your presence known." Your dad says. "Wha? Wait, where exactly are we?" you ask half asleep. "Teckleville, ya idjit. We're near Annah's home. Still early in the night so you probably aren't going to be waking her up." "Shit. I'm really here. Okay, well guess nothing to it, but to do it." "You'll be fine." You get out of the carriage and your dad once again points to the house where Annah lives. Fairly small, but then, probably doesn't need too much room and this is the best she could do. You have no idea why you're still so nervous. You've bumped into Annah several times in the past after long stretches of being separated. Why is this different? Oh right. The other thing that's different is you're seeking her out, or rather your dad dragged you to her. In most other instances, she's always been the one to go to you. She didn't even tell you about being pregnant. She could have at least got a message to you or something if she really thought it was important for you to know. Apparently she didn't. You know what your father said her reasoning was, but maybe she really just wanted to make a clean break. Start fresh. Maybe you being here isn't what she would want at all. For all you know she's going to tell you to get right back on that carriage and go away. You march up to the door and before you can even knock, the door opens. "Annah. I..." you start to say before she immediately hugs and kisses you. Well so much for her telling you to go away. Apparently the love is still there. "Your mother told me your father went to get you. When I heard the carriage outside I just hoped it was you!" Annah exclaims with some emotional tears in her eyes. "Annah, why didn't you just tell me?" you ask. "I don't know! It was stupid, but I just thought...I dunno a part of me just didn't think you needed to be saddled with all this. But I'm so glad you're here now! You're back right? You're not going anywhere right?" "As far as I know I'm not going anywhere Annah." "Oh I'm so glad. We'll finally be a proper family." As you embrace Annah's tight hold on you and those words of being a "proper family" you feel a small part of your old life slipping away. Not really in a bad way, but you really know now for certain that things are never going to be the same. You're going to have to find something legitimate to do. You doubt even fencing stolen goods is going to be something you can engage in around here. You'll think of something though. Your father and driver drop your trunk of stuff near you. "Well I can see you two got a lot to talk about. I'll leave you to it. Your mother will probably be by to see you tomorrow so expect to see her." Your dad says as the driver walks away back to the carriage. "Um, okay dad. And thanks." You say. "Hm. Told you, it would be fine." Soon, the carriage is gone and so is your father, leaving you and Annah alone. Well not totally alone. "So hey let me help you get that trunk in and you can finally meet your son and daughter." Annah says. "Don't worry I'll get the trunk." You say and take one side of the hefty trunk and drag it just inside the house. "I've actually told them about you a few times." "Oh? Hopefully just the good stuff, because I'm sure their grandfather will be more than willing to tell them the bad." "Come on, I'll take you to them." As the front door closes and Annah takes your hand, you realize your life as a rogue is over. > Epilogue Epilogue 12: No Place Like Home Year 36 "Emma, Evan, come over here and pay attention to what I'm doing because this might just come in handy one day." You say beckoning your children over. The pair of them come over to watch you work and listen to you talk as you put together a new lock. They probably don't understand everything, but that's fine. Just as long as they're absorbing something. They'll learn in time. Of course it isn't the most stimulating thing to watch, so they soon get bored. "When are you going to put another trap together?" Evan asks. "Heh, prefer watching me do that huh? Probably next week, I'll get a bunch of requests for some. Jackalope season is coming or at least they should start popping up a lot." You say. "Can you build a trap to catch one so we can keep it!?" Emma asks. "Emma, I told you before, Jackalopes do NOT make good pets. I don't care how cute you think they look. Maybe when you're older, you'll get a dog. And that's a big maybe." "Mom said she had a dog once. I don't remember it though." Evan remarks. "Well you probably were too young to remember. I wasn't around at the time, but she said Checkers departed this world about a year after she came here. In fact she's buried right where that bush with the flowers on it is growing in the backyard." You reply. "Was Checkers fluffy?" Emma asks. "I do recall her being on the fluffier side, yes. She was also little, but surprisingly a bit of a fighter for her size. I'm sure your mother could tell you more about her if you ask." Suddenly Evan asks you a question you weren't really expecting. "Dad, how come you weren't around before?" Evan asks. "Well, I would have been, but I didn't know about you guys. When I found out, I obviously came here to be here for you and your sister." You answer. "But how come you didn't know?" "Well, that's a long story and one that you'll probably learn later when you get older. However I will say this, you and your sister don't have to worry about me not being around again. You and your mother are my life and I'll always be here for you okay?" This comment seems to get nods from the pair of them. "I also want you know that while I know it might seem boring around here and there may even come a day when you want to leave for whatever reason, you've still always got a home here." You say. "When me and Evan get older we're going to be explorers and fight monsters!" Emma beams. "Oh really? The pair of you have decided this?" "Yeah! We'll build big traps and catch them!" Evan adds. "Well good thing I'm here to teach you how to make such traps then." "Yeah! I'll set up the traps and Emma will shoot them when they get caught!" "Sounds like you two have got plans to work together. Heh, reminds me of how me and my sister used to work as a team when we were your age." "What did you do?" You chuckle a bit and nearly want to go on about all the shenanigans you and your sister got into, but since you don't really want them repeating said shenanigans, you leave it vague. Their grandfather will no doubt tell them one day anyway. "Oh, we just had a lot of fun making up games and such. I guess you might even say our teamwork ultimately resulted in how I know so much about locks and traps today." "Understatement of the century." You look towards your shop door and see a familiar face. It's been years. Decades. But you'd never forget no matter how much time has passed, in fact you're so overcome with emotion, you forget to rein in your language. "By the fucking gods! Is it really you I see there before me?" you ask. "Yep, it's your sister from the same mister! Well don't just stand there, give me a hug!" Your sister responds. You almost push Evan and Emma out of the way to embrace her. You can't believe she's really here. Meanwhile your children are wondering who this woman is. "It's good to see you after what twenty years?" You say. "Too damn long bro. Too damn long. Hey don't squeeze too tight, I got my mandolin on my back and it's pretty unique." Your sister says. "Well you look good anyway, not sure about your clothing though, a little too colorful for my tastes, but then you always were the flashy one." "Oh ho! Well at least I can still fit into my clothing from twenty years ago! What the hell have you been eating?" Your sister remarks poking your belly a bit. "Alright, alright, I haven't gotten that fat. When did you get here?" "Last night actually. Didn't know you were here, mom filled me in a little on some things. So let me guess these two little darlings are my niece and nephew I assume?" You motion Emma and Evan to come over to meet their aunt for the first time. Since they have heard of her before they ask a few simple questions about herself which she happily answers. At this point the pair of them are probably wondering if they have any other family members that are going to suddenly drop into their lives. Suddenly the door opens and Annah comes in. Your sister is very surprised to see her. She knew you two were married since your mom told her, but Annah's appearance is probably a shocker. "Hey Annah, look who dropped in." you say. "Yeah I heard, ran into your mother during patrol and she mentioned your sister was back in town. Hey, been awhile." Annah replies. "Yeah, I'll say. How are you Annah?" your sister says. "I'm fine. I just finished my rounds for today and heading home. Figured I'd take Emma and Evan with me, it's getting time to eat and they're probably bored here anyway." Emma and Evan both nod in agreement and go to Annah right away. "I'm guessing you two are going to play catch up here for awhile, so I'll leave you to it. See you at home. Say goodbye to your aunt, children." Emma and Evan both say goodbye to your sister and the three of them leave. Since Annah's right that you'll be talking with your sister awhile, you close up the shop. "Gotta say Annah looks very different from when I last remembered her. Shit, she actually looks a little dangerous." "Oh she's definitely dangerous. Crack shot with firearms. She'll probably be sheriff around here eventually." "How the hell did that happen? I mean I heard you two ran away from here not long after I left and I get that events can change a person, but what the hell did you two get up to? In fact didn't you kill that asshole Klint?" "Yeah, that's why I left, though I really wasn't intending to at the time, despite him trying to kill me. Annah actually just followed me; she wasn't in any trouble over the incident. Of course if I'd waited a few months, I could have returned a lot sooner apparently since my name got cleared." "Would you have returned?" "Probably not. I was living my life in Klyton at the time, such as it was. Still, would have been nice have known it was an option." "Were you in Klyton the whole time?" "Oh no. I eventually moved to Hessla for awhile and even Jicol before I came back three years ago." "Wow, okay. So you haven't been back here that long. Wait, so was Annah with you the whole time? Mom told me you two are married now." "Heh, no. Annah and I had an interesting extended courtship shall I say. Wasn't always positive, but it worked out in the end obviously." "Well that's good. Always knew she liked you even back then. Very surprised that you got married though, even more surprised you're living this sort of ordinary life that dad always wanted us to live." "Surprises me too at times. I don't miss the old ways as much as I thought I would. I think I've had enough wild experiences to last me the rest of my life. A lot of it was fun, but some of it, yeah...not so much." "Yeah, I hear you there. There's definitely sometimes when I would have preferred to be in a nice cozy home." "So are you staying here too?" "Well maybe for awhile, but I think I'm just a wanderer by nature and eventually I'll move on. Still, I sometimes miss having you around to assist like the old days." "Hey, maybe you could convince Adam to go with you when you leave. I'm assuming you met him seeing as he's still living at home, but is looking to move out soon." "Oh yeah! Our new younger brother! Shit, that one was a big surprise too! Yeah I spoke to him yesterday. Sort of quiet, but seemed nice enough. Don't think he'd be a replacement for you though. Guessing he was the non-problem child." "Yeah, apparently he might as well be a saint of Joachim. Though I guess mom and dad deserved a break after us. "Hah, you're probably right. So are you happy then?" "I am sis. I really am. It's probably a lot less exciting, but I'm okay with that and I'm happy with my family." "Good. Glad to hear it. However, I don't want to hear about the boring stuff. I want to hear about the adventures you had before you settled down and became a family man." You chuckle. "Well it's a long story." You say. "Best ones usually are." Your sister replies. You begin your tale...

[Themes: fantasy, humor, serious] Year 32 "So yeah, they're going to start rebuilding that old Fel temple in the jungle and turning it into a headquarters soon." Marco tells you. "Hm, looks like the Syndicate is moving quicker everyday." You answer. "Yeah, but its good. I mean I know you told us all to watch our asses, but so far the Syndicate members that we've had dealings with have all been pretty reasonable guys. Even said that the Black Hooks could be fully incorporated as full members in a year or so. We've been doing a lot better in general." "Well glad to hear it. Maybe I was wrong." "It's okay. I guess you were just looking out for us like you always have. Y'know, you should join too! You're really skilled and the Syndicate is looking for members like that!" "So I've heard. A couple of them have approached me a few times, but I'm just not interested." "Yeah, but if you joined you wouldn't need to pay protection and you'd be able to do whatever you wanted!" "Pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do WHATEVER I wanted. It's not like the old days where you can just break and enter into anywhere. Thanks, but I'm good with what I'm doing now. Anyway, what's the Syndicate tax this month? Did it go up to help rebuild the temple?" "No, it's the same, but you know you don't need to worry about it. I got you covered, but I just don't know how long I'm gonna be able to. Sooner or later the Syndicate might get one of their guys to start doing the collecting. That's why I'm trying to become a real member soon!" "Thanks as usual Marco, but don't worry yourself too much about it. I'll be fine." "Okay...see you later then. And thanks for unloading that other stuff for me." "No problem. Later Marco." Marco leaves your "shop" and you just shake your head and smile at what a few little words of encouragement and support can do to mold a young mind. Marco probably sees you as the dad he wished he had. You imagine some of the other Black Hooks d too. Which of course is handy since its paid off as far as you not really having to kick anything up to the Syndicate whose presence has becoming more noticeable in last few months. Might be time to leave soon. You don't know where you'll go though. While you're pondering this, the door opens and someone comes in. "Son, you and I need to have a long talk." You can't believe it. He's older (But to you he was always old and unfun) but you'd never mistake his face or his voice. "Dad?" you ask. "Of course its me!" he responds. "Wh...what the hell are you doing here?" "Trust me, it's not something I wanted to do, but after a long talk with your mother, its what we both decided in the hopes that you've still got it in you to do the right thing. Call us hopeless optimists." "You came all the way here to give me a lecture after nearly twenty years? How the hell did you even find me?!" "Annah told us. Well told us where your last where abouts were anyway. She said you'd probably still be here since you've always had a tendency to stay put unless you absolutely have to move, which sounds about right." "Wait, you've spoke to Annah?! When?" "Nearly on a daily basis, for the past couple years. Pretty much ever since she come back to Teckleville and had the babies." "Congratulations, you've got twins you've never seen." You are getting flooded with so much information right now that you can't even process it all. "That's...impossible. Last time I saw Annah was two years ago." "Yeah well that timeline matches up since that's how old they are. Look, I delivered them myself, not to mention they look like you and your sister. You're definitely the father, despite Annah trying not to admit it. That didn't last long though, since I'm pretty sure that's why she came back to Teckleville in the first place. She knew your mother and I wouldn't NOT help her." 'I...don't believe it. I mean...and I hate even asking this, are you REALLY sure? I mean maybe this..." "Is what? A scam to get money from us? Boy, I wasn't born yesterday. I told you, the two little buggers look like you and your sister. The genetics are impossible to ignore. I mean the hair is darker and there's a difference in eye color, but there's no mistake. Shit, I even hired a wizard from Klyton to double check. They're definitely your work." "Fuck..." "Yeah, well that's what got you into this mess. Anyway, this brings me to why I'm here. YOU need to come back and take responsibility. I understand you're off having fun being a criminal, but even Annah gave that up after having children. They need a father and your mother and I need a fucking a break. Our days of running about catching two twin terrors are supposed to be over." "Wait, why are you just now coming to get me then?" "Oh, I wanted to get you a lot sooner. However Annah always claimed that she didn't know where you were. Having raised two of the best liars, I knew she wasn't telling the truth, but I always assumed you pissed her off and she didn't want you involved. However, thanks to your mother's monthly interrogating via niceness, Annah finally broke down a few months ago and as it turned out Annah just didn't want you to put your own life on hold for this. She said she'd put you through enough trouble in the past. Ain't that sweet?" "Sounds like her." "Also sounds fucking retarded. Why the hell should you get to continue to live without care and responsibility? Your mother of course thought you should come back too, but she was worried about me going to get you. Thought we should hire bounty hunters to find you, but I figured I'd make more of an impression and you're probably already adept at avoiding capture anyway. So here I am." "Yes, so here you are. You might have been better off going with mom's idea though. At least you would have had a better chance of getting me back to Teckleville. Speaking of which, how the hell can I go back anyway? Aren't I wanted for murder there?" "Oh. Yeah, no. That actually got settled shortly after you ran off with Annah. Some of the witnesses to the fight admitted Klint started it and you killing him was more of an accident and even self defense." "You're shitting me." "Nope. Surprised me too. Not that you weren't a murderer, since I figured Klint started it because he was an asshole like his father, but that people actually came around and spoke up in your favor. Anyway, the charges were dropped which pissed off Klint's dad who left the village swearing revenge and that was about the end of it." "So you're saying I'm completely free and clear?" "Yep. Have been for years now. The old sheriff is dead now anyway, so it's not even like you have worry about him either. In fact Annah, works as a deputy of the town now, so you've got a lot of breathing room as far as your shady past is concerned." "Annah's a...what the...well I guess she found something new to do like she said she would." "Yep. And it's time you do as well." Your dad sees the apprehensive and non-committal look on your face and sighs. "And of course you're going to be stubborn about this..." he remarks. "Dad, I appreciate the update and all this news about Annah, but this is a lot to fucking take in! I mean I don't know what she's told you, but our relationship isn't exactly the most stable. I mean its not like she came here herself and TOLD me about her being pregnant. Shit, she didn't even tell you and Mom where I was until recently like you said. I might not have even been here anymore. Obviously she thinks we're better off apart." "Bullshit, if she really thought that, she wouldn't have come back home at all. She knew your mother and I would help her. Gods know her own lush of a mother isn't going to help. Look, I'm not some relationship expert, but obviously you two have enough chemistry between each other that you got yourselves into this mess." "Maybe, but kids didn't really play a part in any of it." "Yeah well shit happens. You think your mother and I planned for twins? Also didn't plan on you two being criminals. Still don't know why the hell you two turned out the way you did considering you had everything." "Here we go, another lecture...I'm not a fucking teenager anymore dad." "Damn right you aren't, which is why its time you stopped fucking acting like one and take some responsibility for a fucking change! What the hell do you have going on that's oh so fucking important right now? From what I can tell this dump you're living in, you aren't exactly living some carefree life of a swashbuckler like in those badly written novels. What, you spend all the coin you steal on wine and whores?" "I'll have you know I live frugally and save very carefully." "Well great. Good for you. Glad to hear you're a thrifty thief. Actually explains a lot. Now, if you've got so much coin saved up, you've got enough to support your children." "Is this what it's ultimately about? Fine, I'll go empty out my safe and you can take it all to give to Annah and the kids." Your father suddenly gives you a minor tap upside your head. It's unexpected and you almost feel like you're ten years old again. "What the fuck?!" you utter. "This isn't about money, this is about responsibility and YOU needing to fucking take some! Your children need their father, you've already missed some of it, you really want to miss it all?" your father says. "Why don't you do it? Obviously you think I'm a no good vagabond, so I would make a terrible father." "Maybe you would, but I don't think so. Surprised to hear me say that?" "A little." "Well I'm not saying it to boost your ego, I'm saying it because I believe based on what Annah's told me about you and the boy I used to know. There is a streak of responsibility in you. I mean even as a thief you're obviously preparing for the future by saving your ill-gotten loot. I remember how you always stuck by your sister and tried to take the blame for some of the more serious shenanigans you two got up to. It looks like you're running some sort of shop here and Annah's said you've run a shop in the past with some other woman that you apparently had a stable relationship with. You've got it in you to be a contributing member of society." "I don't know about that." "Well you won't know unless you try and you might as well try with a family. As far as you and Annah are concerned, well I don't know if you two are going to be a proper husband and wife. I mean it'll be good if you can, and I'm inclined to believe you two are still in love. However, if that doesn't work out, you should at least still be there for your children." "You don't think I'll just be a bad influence?" "Oh, I don't doubt that you won't to some degree, however I also don't think you're going to want to put up with the headache of raising two little criminals. I know Annah certainly won't and I can't say I'd want to be on her bad side. What the hell happened to her anyway? I swear she can shoot the wings off a fly." "Long story, though I don't know all of it since she's never told me the whole story about her adventures during our times away from each other either." "Well maybe that's something you can finally catch up on and bond over. Besides, y'know, your kids of course." "Maybe." Your father puts a hand on your shoulder. "Look, this has been an exciting adventure for me and all, but I really want to get back home before your mother starts hiring a search party. I need to know if you're coming with me or not. It's a simple answer that doesn't require much overthinking. If you are, let's get going now. If you aren't, then I won't bother you again with this." > You refuse the call While there is a part of you that feels sort of shitty about this, you don't feel like you have some obligation to go back to Teckleville. Annah obviously didn't want you involved otherwise she would have told you (or even your family) a lot sooner than she did. In fact this makes you sort of reconsider your relationship with Annah in the first place. Sure, you two have love for one another, but it's always been the same and you two never stay together for whatever reason. If you go back, why should this time be any different? Might even be worse with children involved, you really don't think you'd make that great of a father. You'd feel trapped for one thing. Maybe you'd feel different if it was just you and Annah settling down and living somewhere other than Teckleville together. You nearly did it before with Zalmora. Hell, you don't necessarily need anyone. You've been doing okay on your own and you're just not feeling this scenario so it's probably for the best that you stay away and just move on entirely. Still, you do feel somewhat of an obligation. Even if Annah didn't ask for your help directly you'll try to provide it anyway, assuming your father is willing to take it for you. "Dad, hang on just a second." You say and go to the back of your shop and open up the safe (and disarm the traps) You then haul out some of the coin to put in a bag and a smaller amount in a nearby backpack with your basic tools. You come back with your father still waiting and shove the bag in his hand. You're making this quick because arguing with him is a pointless endeavor. "What's this?" your dad asks. "That's everything I have in the shop. Now, I got more at home, but I doubt you're going to wait around to accept it and honestly carrying more might require hiring mercenaries to help protect it on your way back to..." You get a headshake and a sigh before you can finish. Apparently your dad already knows what you're going to say. "Y'know, I can't say I'm entirely surprised by this, but I sort of hoped I'd be wrong. Unfuckingbelievable. Y'know what, you're right, I'm not gonna stick around and you can keep this shit as well. You've made your decision to not return, well good because I don't want to see you ever again." Your father says and throws the bag of coin on the floor before walking out. You stand there for a moment pondering your decision. You almost rush out the door to go apologize and say you're returning, but then you decide your first decision is your true feelings. You're not done living your own life, with responsibility only to yourself. Seeing as you were going to leave here soon anyway, you gather up the coin that your father left and make your way to book passage on a ship. You're just going to leave it all behind and not look back. You have no idea where you'll be heading, but your life as a rogue will continue with no further interference from your past.

[Themes: fantasy] You briefly think about emptying out the store's till and taking all that coin along with the Blue Dream to Flame, but is that really going to work? If Flame has already suddenly taken Zal hostage, chances are she'll just keep everything you bring and kill the pair of you. It's an impossible situation and the more you dwell on it, the angrier you get. You're going there all right, but you're not going there to negotiate. You going there armed for combat. You've never been one to seek out a fight; indeed you've usually always tried to avoid such things, be it from the law or other criminals. But you have killed before, and you know you can do it again. And right now there has never been a better reason. You don't know if you're going to survive this, as you're not some hardened bandit like they are. Indeed, you've probably gotten a little out of shape due to your less strenuous life. However, some skills you never unlearn. You're a rogue and you'll take them one by one silently if need be or die trying. While your intention is going to try to be silent as possible, one can never be too sure, so you grab various small firearms you have in the shop and check and recheck them. You then grab a small hand crossbow and several bolts. As prepared as you're going to be, you head out. From past conversations with Zalmora, you remember the general location of Flame's hideout. Takes about a day, but eventually you find it thanks to Flame's people being fairly loud while wandering around the area. You see two of them and mentally prepare yourself for the first casualties you're about to inflict in this task. You sneak up and slit one of the bandit's throats. He makes just enough noise for him to alert his fellow, which you shoot in the chest with your crossbow. Fortunately you're close enough you can't really miss. Two down, and who knows how many more to go. As Zal said, Flame's been getting organized so she's probably got more people than when you first met her. You picked a hell of a time to attack a bandit camp. You kill three more, one nearly escaping to warn his fellows. He still made enough noise for someone to possibly hear so who knows how much time you actually have. The funny thing is how easy this actually is, you thought you'd have a harder time of it, but so far these bandits have been putting up a pitiful showing. Maybe these bandits are so used to attacking defenseless travellers that most of them don't really have much skill in actual combat. By the time you get to the camp however, they know something is going on as you see a few running back and forth and shouting. You manage to kill one more in secret before several of them finally spot you. With no more element of surprise, you shoot two more and severely wound another before Flameflower comes out from her tent and demands that her people capture you alive. You try to backtrack so you aren't encircled, but it's too late, you've been successfully outflanked. You feel a bolt go into your leg and then another into your arm. You drop to the ground in pain. You see one of Flame's people coming and you weakly throw a dagger at him before you feel a blow to the back of your head. As you lose consciousness, you hear Flameflower's voice. "Fucking hell, pretty boy got some fight in him! You know how I like me a badass, this is gonna be fun!" Everything goes black. When you wake up, you find yourself stripped naked, standing stretched out with your arms and legs tied to two poles. Flameflower sits nearby throwing pebbles at your face. Two bigger bandits stand near the tent entrance. "Finally up. Shit, been waiting for what feels like forever." Flame says. "Where the hell is Zal?" you utter. "I'd be more concerned about yourself right now. Especially after what you pulled. Shit, you really made a mess of things pretty boy. What did you think you were going to do? Come in and kill all of us and save the girl like in one of those badly written fairy tales?" "Something like that." "Well that took a lot of balls I'll give you that. Shit, wish someone felt that way about me. I know none of these assholes would try to save me if I was being held hostage. Fucking romantic and shit y'know? Zal always did know how to pick 'em I guess." Flameflower stands up and walks over to you. She begins caressing your upper body a bit and then moves her hand lower to just grope you. "Mmm yeah. Now, I know you are probably feeling a wide range of emotions right now. The chief one probably being hate and anger, which I understand, but that shit isn't gonna do you any good except get you killed slowly and painfully." "Where the fuck is Zal?!" "THAT BITCH IS FUCKING DEAD! She was fucking dead before I even sent the note! I had my boys beat and rape her before they dumped her in the woods to let the fucking animals eat her dead violated ass. Thought about keeping her body around to taunt you with, but honestly, even I couldn't stand the sight of her. She was all nasty and gross looking. Cum and blood all over her fucking face, flies started crawling on her. I mean I nearly threw up myself y'know?" You feel a southern "squeeze" on your tender bits, but that pain doesn't even match the pain you feel from hearing this news. "You gonna cry over that dead cunt? Let me tell you something about Zalmora. That fucking bitch was a damn rat traitor. I have no doubt in my mind that she's the reason that the Klyton militia found our old hideout. You know how I know? Because in her last moments she even offered to trade YOU to me in exchange for her miserable life. So much for true love." "That didn't happen." "Oh? And you know this because you were here? You a fucking wizard or something? You don't know shit pretty boy. Nobody EVER really knows anybody. Especially when shit goes down. I mean you think Zal thought I was going to kill her? Of course she didn't. She thought in her arrogance that our profitable business arrangement was enough. That I was just some dumb ass that was easily appeased and granted, I was for a while. Shit, despite thinking she was a stuck up cunt, I didn't even really hate her, just was business." "Business?" "Yes. I decided on a better arrangement that didn't involve you two. But none of this shit matters now. What matters now is pleasure AND how much you want to live. Normally I'd just kill you and this would be over with, but I want that dick. Tired of fucking these smelly ugly fuckers. Want some of what Zal had for a change. A nice face to look at as I'm riding that cock. Now I'm going to get that, whether YOU want to or not, but the more willing you are, the greater you improve your chances." "Better just kill me then because I doubt if I'm going to be up for that." "Hah, you think I can't get you hard? Shit, I got several ways I could get you hard. I slide that dick down my velvet throat a few times and you'd be harder than a rock golem. I could have one of my boys here fuck you in the ass a bit. Saw that happen to a couple guys a few times, doesn't always seem to work, but still fun to watch though. However, I got a better idea because I want you to last and I want to enjoy this for as long as possible. Lou, get that shit you use on your dick." "Um, the wart ointment?" Lou asks. "No, goblin shit for brains, I'm talking about the stuff that gives you more stamina than the usual two pumps you do." "Oh! Okay boss." "In the meantime, I think I'll get a taste of things to come..." As you stand tied helpless while Flameflower has a sword fight with you in her mouth, all you can think about is how the hell you're going to get out of this, along with how many diseases you dick is probably getting right now. When Lou returns with a small bottle Flame tell him and the other goon to force your mouth open and turn your head up as she pours the contents down your throat. Tastes horrible, whatever it is, but you soon feel the effects. "Well now. Looks like you really like me after all! Lou, Haylon, untie pretty boy here and get some help holding him down outside, I want an audience for this!" After punching you in the gut to take the wind out of you, Lou and Haylon cut your ropes and drag you outside where some of the bandits start whooping it up. After a couple more punches to you face several of the bandits hold your arms and legs. "Hey! Not the face boys! Like I said, I want him to have a clear look at these magnificent tits bouncing in front of him!" Flameflower says as she exits her tent completely naked. Flameflower poses a bit to the cheers of her bandit buddies and then looks down at you as you remain helpless "Yeah, I know I'm beautiful. Now brace yourself pretty boy, because you may feel a burning sensation..." Flameflower lowers herself on you and you're convinced you just shoved your dick in a vat of lava. Flameflower's name has taken on a whole new meaning. You might indeed be as hard as a rock golem, but you sure aren't enjoying this experience. You still don't know if you're surviving this, but even if you do, your dick might not. This whole situation is just horrible as Flameflower laughs and people cheer her on and you're utterly powerless to stop any of it. While it feels like forever, it's only been an hour and you finally release into her, though it feels more like a stream of fire. "Aww! I was just enjoying that and I'm not done yet!" Flameflower gets in close and whispers in your ear. "I know what you can do." Flameflower says and licks your face before getting off of you. "Get him on his knees lads, pretty boy here is gonna finish me off like a real gentleman. I want all of you uncouth louts to take notes!" You are forced up and then slammed down to your knees by Flame's biggest goons. At this point you feel like you want to die, but somewhere within you, you still feel that spark of survival. Flameflower stands in front of you and you're literally eye level to her nasty infested diseased hole. You nearly want to retch from the smell. Flameflower grabs a knife from one of her people, which she runs gently across the side of your cheek. "Now, I want you to do mommy right. I want you to make me come hard and multiple times. You understand? Because if you don't, what you're experiencing now, can be ten times worse and much longer." Flameflower begins pushing your head closer to her snatch and you're still trying to figure out a way to survive this. "Wait, so if I do this...will you let me live?" you ask. Flameflower starts laughing and then looks at you while roughly grabbing the back of your head to look at her. "I'm probably still going to kill you. However, IF you show some enthusiasm, then MAYBE I'll keep you around as my lick bitch." Flameflower holds the knife close to your head as she uses her other hand to push your head into her. As your face gets so close that you can now see the crabs, you close your eyes, mentally praying to ALL the gods that you'll be able to do this without puking or passing out from the smell (and/or taste). Your tongue nervously starts to exit your mouth... And suddenly an explosion deafens you and causes you to tip over and you aren't the only one. You look up in time to see the crowd around you disperse. Another explosion occurs and this one is close enough that a few bandits get caught in it. Someone invested in some firebombs. Meanwhile Flameflower is standing around barking orders at everyone and then her attention turns back to you. "I don't know what asshole is attacking us, but YOU are not getting away. Lou, Haylon, get him!" You quickly start scrambling away only to have Lou grab your arm. Just as Haylon is about to back him up, a shot is heard and Haylon's head partially explodes like a ripe melon. More shots are fired causing Flameflower to run for cover as bodies start dropping. You punch Lou in the face causing him to let go of you and then grab a dagger from one of his sheaths and stab him in the neck with it. You look around and that's when you see who it is that's been attacking. Annah limps slowly around the camp, welding some sort of fancy repeating pistol. You didn't even know she had one of those. She's not missing a shot either, even with only one good eye. Once again this woman is just full of surprises. "I got this, go get that naked bitch!" Annah shouts. Last time you saw Flameflower, she ran back into her tent, probably to get a better weapon, however there are still some bandits that haven't given up the fight and while Annah's a good shot, she's still going to have to reload. > You run after Flameflower If Annah says she's got it, then you have no reason to doubt her since she seems fully capable. You grab one of the crossbows off the dead body nearby and head to the tent that Flameflower ducked into. As soon as you enter, you get there just in time to see Flameflower grabbing a pistol off her table. You fire just as she spins around to fire. You hit her in the stomach causing her to crumple to her knees, however she manages to hit you in the face. You fall back as your nose explodes and your vision turns completely red. Somehow you're still alive, though you're an incredible amount of pain and can hardly breathe as blood is filling up the hole where your nose once was. You choke up more blood trying to breathe through your mouth in between crying out in agony. Meanwhile, Flameflower isn't dead yet and manages to crawl over to you to finish you off by stabbing you repeatedly with her dagger. It's a mercy at that point.

[Themes: fantasy, serious] You wake up and find that it's now nighttime. You groggily look around and don't see Annah. You call out to her, but there is no answer. You sit up and after stretching a bit, you suddenly have a horrible realization. "Oh shit. Shit! Shit! No, no, no, no. Fuck!" you say as you immediately go to the loose floorboard under the dresser where you keep your hidden savings. You continue to curse yourself for being so stupid and not realizing something was up from the start. And then you find that your savings are still there. Even the blade trap you have set hasn't been disturbed. You then breathe sigh a relief as you put everything back. While Annah didn't rip you off, you guess that she just didn't want to stick around. You figure that she had to get back to the university to get prepare things on her end. Or at least you thought she did until she comes walking back in the room. "Oh you're finally up sleepyhead. Given how long you slept, guessing you haven't had that sort of loving in a long time. Not surprised." Annah says. "You're still here." You reply. "Of course I am. Did you not want me to be?" "No! I do. I'm just surprised." "Why? What, did you think I was going to do, rob you blind while you were asleep and leave?" "Heh, no..." "Pfft, liar. You DID think that. I bet you checked all your hiding spots in this room after you woke up." Your silence confirms her accusations. "It's okay, I probably would have done the same. I came on so strong I guess it would be natural for you to have some suspicion." Annah says. "Actually, at the time I wasn't thinking at all except the obvious. In fact the only worry I had was that you might be fucking with me and were going to just leave me at the university with a massive hard on." You reply. "Nah, I'd never do that to you." "So where did you go?" "Oh I just came back from speaking to your inn owner Hank. Told him that all about the cheap talent that's going to grace his inn this weekend. He seemed receptive to the idea. Kept staring at my tits the whole time, I'm assuming if I hadn't mentioned that I was your girlfriend, he would have tried to touch me as well. Ugh, he's gross. But in any case everything's set on this side, I just have to speak with Nature's Revenge and a few others and this place will be party central." "You didn't need to speak to Hank, I would 've done that, but thanks for saving me the trouble. You've certainly been more than helpful today." "Well...I suppose I do have an ulterior motive of sorts." "...oh well I guess you're telling me to my face at least. Alright out with it." Annah sits next to you on the bed and holds one of your hands. This must be serious. "I need your help on a job." She says. "...that's it? I thought you were going to ask for something unreasonable. Wait, are we trying to rob a bank or city hall or something?" "No, nothing like that. Just need you to crack open Jenny's safe." Now you're totally confused. Annah smiles and explains before you can ask the obvious. "I've tried several times to get into the thing while she wasn't around, but no luck. I'm just not skilled at it like you are. I need an expert." Annah says. "Well that answers one obvious question, but why other one would be why? I mean not that I particularly care I suppose, but I was under the impression you were somewhat friends with this girl." "Eh, we have common interests in some regards. She's a typical rich kid doing illegal shit every now and then for kicks, but lately she's been sort of a bitch to live with. Which brings me to my other reason of why I'm doing this. I'm leaving the city so I figured I wouldn't leave empty handed." "Wait, you're leaving the city?! Why? Where are you going to go? Did you intend on telling me?" Annah goes on to tell you that she's getting bored of Klyton and wants to see more of the world. She says that when she first came to Klyton she initially wanted to live here for the rest of her life, believing it to have everything she'd ever want. She then says its funny that masquerading as a university student caused her to learn more about the world and how she wants to see more of it. So that's why she's leaving. As for telling you, she said she went back and forth on whether or not if she should since even though you weren't together any more, she got the impression that you might be inclined to talk her out of leaving. Running into you when she did and your reaction to her advances sort of solved that personal dilemma though. "I want you to come with me." She says. "Annah..." you start to say. "I know, I know, you're not a traveller and you hate it, but you'll be with me. That should certainly take some of the sting out. And I know...I know in the past how I was always nagging you. I think you'll find that I've changed a lot since then." "Well that is true." "I mean I want us to start completely over together and part of that would be leaving this city and going some place else." "Where would we go?" "I dunno, anywhere. Hessla for starters? The point is I want you to come with me. I mean...I just don't see it as a bad idea given how we obviously feel towards each other." Well Annah always does get right to the point on how she really feels about you. Maybe she's right, maybe you could use a change of scenery. You've certainly saved more than enough to move and live comfortably elsewhere. (You assume Hessla is probably cheaper, if that's your first destination) "Okay, Annah. I'll come with you, but that sort of makes this getting elven musicians and shit here sort of pointless." "Not really. I mean I still need some time to get ready for the trip and I imagine even with your meager belongings you might not want to just suddenly jump on a carriage. Also, this weekend is still going to be the best time to go rob Jenny's safe since she's going to be home the rest of the week. I can also convince her to come with me here to enjoy the show. So while I'm here with her, you can go clean out her safe and take a few other items as well." "So what exactly did this Jenny do to you?" "As I said, she's been a fucking bitch and even if I wasn't leaving the city, I'd probably be moving out soon anyway. Trust me, she's got this coming." "Hey, I'm not judging. So of course I'll need some more information on the lay out of this place." Annah goes into great detail about her place of residence and everything you'll find in it. She mentions the safe itself is under the bed, but points out that Jenny has a few nice pieces of jewelry in another more accessible box on her dresser. When you ask if she knows what's actually in the safe, Annah says as far as she knows there are some valuable family heirlooms in there and probably a few gems and coins as well. "Jenny might come from money, but she's a bit of a hording cheapskate, somewhat like you in that regard. As I said, under different circumstances, you'd probably get along with her." Annah say with a chuckle. Annah then tells you that when you're done robbing the place; meet her back at the Laughing Devil and you can go from there. In the meantime, Annah says she better get back to the university to get the rest of this plan in motion. You spend the rest of the week more or less taking it easy and mentally preparing yourself for taking another trip. You didn't envision yourself leaving Klyton like this, but you're starting to look forward to the idea. Maybe your dick's not so dumb. Annah comes to meet you the day before with a few bags (and Checkers who is still the furry little demon dog that growls at you when she sees you) stating that Nature's Revenge will be coming tomorrow night along with a few other amateur bard types, but definitely better than the chick spouting shitty poetry on a regular basis. She says word is already spreading around the university and there should be a large crowd. "So it's a all set. As you might have noticed I've brought some bags with me, I figured you won't mind me staying here tonight. It'll save time." Annah remarks. "Of course not, but what about Jenny?" you ask. "Oh I already told her about the big gathering tomorrow. I told her I'd meet her here and as far as she knows I'm just staying at my boyfriend's place tonight, which isn't a lie. Oh shit. I forgot my key to the house to give you." "Hardly a problem. I can pick the lock." "You're so talented. I'll be so glad when we're out of this city. I'm bored of it already. Come on, make me less bored." Annah says and begins caressing and kissing on you. You see no reason to decline this request and spend more quality time with Annah for the rest of day (and night). You wake up the next day a little later than usual and find Annah going through her bags. You also hear the sound of music and mild revelry in the distance. "Shit, is that the band? Am I late? Fuck I gotta get going!" you say. "Relax, Nature's Revenge isn't even here yet, that's just some opening act and it only just started. If you were late, I would have woke you up." Annah says. "Yeah...still I should get going." "Jenny's not even here yet either. You've got time." Annah says and stops what she's doing, goes over to the bad and grabs your cock. "Again? But...shouldn't I really get going?" you say. "As I said, you've got time. You can skip the foreplay." Annah says and before you can reply, she's kissing and getting on top you. Well no point in arguing with her when she's like this... After spending even more quality time with Annah (which took longer than you meant to) you're putting on your pants, grabbing your pack with tools, steeping over Checkers (who has been sleeping most of the time she's been here) and rushing out the door. "Be careful, I love you!" Annah beams while lying naked on the bed. "Yeah...and you stay exactly like that when I return." You reply and close the door. You run past the crowds in the Laughing Devil which are cheering some bard on stage and go outside where you run into three tattooed androgynous looking elves with wild colored hair carrying instruments and exiting a nearby carriage. You're guessing that this is Nature's Revenge. Not really giving a shit about them, you just push past and get in the easily accessible carriage and tell the driver to take you to the university. Eventually as you get close to the destination you get out since Annah's old home is off campus, not actually on it. When you finally get there, it's indeed a nice home, but not overly fancy. You've probably passed it a few times not really giving it a second look. After a quick perusal of the outside surroundings, you're guessing the Jenny has already left so you quickly get to work on picking the lock, which is easy for you of course. You get inside and immediately head to the location of the safe since you want to be in and out of here as soon as possible. Pushing the bed slightly, you uncover the safe and get to work. It's actually not too complex, but you're not surprised Annah couldn't get it open. She never was adept at it, hence why she's gotten you in the first place. You crack the safe and indeed find quite a bit of coin in the safe. You find a couple of small objects that may or may not be valuable though. Seems like Annah thought there was more in there than there actually was, still, it's not a bust by any means. As you finish dumping the contents into your pack, you're about to check the rest of the house, and that's when you suddenly hear the front door open! What the fuck!? Did she actually come home already? You didn't even remember to bring your weapons with you since you were in such a hurry, not that you wanted to turn this into a murder in the first place. You figure you got two options at this point, either hide or try to escape out a window. > Escape You need to get the hell out of here. The longer you stay the more chance you're going to get caught. You immediately go for the window in the room and your hopes of a speedy escape are dashed when you find out the damn thing has been painted shut. Doesn't help that the window is slightly higher than you'd like, making even trying to pull it upward a chore. With the voices (and giggling) coming closer, you get desperate and pick up a nearby metal knick-knack of some sort and use it to break the window. You know you'll be heard, but you're hoping you'll be quick enough to get out. You smash the window and try to break the remaining side pieces so you don't get cut up too badly, but by this time your actions have already drawn the attention of Jenny and apparently her very large gentleman caller. "HEY!" he shouts which causes you to hurl the metal object at his head before you make a small leap to climb out the window. You make it half way through before Jenny's boyfriend grabs your legs. He must be on the wrestling team or something because you cannot escape his grip and he easily yanks you back. While this might have originally only resulted in you most likely getting your ass kicked, followed by the law taking you in, however you experience something a little different. The window still had jagged glass bits around the edges and when Jenny's boyfriend pulled you, you naturally got scraped on most of those. Wouldn't have been so bad due to your protective clothing, but then you caught a sharp piece against your unprotected neck while getting pulled and unfortunately sliced open an artery. Even Jenny's boyfriend is shocked when you're choking on your own blood when you hit the floor and die soon afterwards.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark, villain protagonist, serious, fantasy, dystopia, war] Year 0 "Is this the one?" "Yeah I guess." "What do you mean you guess? It either is or it isn't." "I dunno I lost the list." "You what? That's just great. You realize how much we're going to get our asses chewed out because of your fuck up? I'm sick of paying for your mistakes." "Will you calm down? How the hell are they gonna know anyway? You seen one ugly little baldy, you've seen 'em all. All babies look the same." "Not the elven ones." "Enough with your elf fetish. These babies are all under the care of the Empire anyway, they're here for the taking. "Yeah, the key word being the Empire. You know we need the proper paper work, which you just fucking lost!" "So what, I can forge it. You really worry too much, there's so much red tape they ain't gonna know the difference and what does it matter? The Empire's getting a body for their purposes anyway." "Yeah, but you know how they like the best." "How the fuck can they really tell at this age? They do all the real testing later. Look he's got all his limbs, and he doesn't display any signs of impurity. I'd say he's a prime candidate for whatever they have in store for this poor little bastard." "Yeah I guess...damn. I can't imagine what it's like being brought up like that." "Me either, this program has only been going on a few years, but I've already heard some fucked up stories about it...y'know its things like this that sometimes make me question the logic of our glorious leaders." "Shhhh! Are you mad? Don't talk like that! It's not our place to question anything, we're just supposed to do our jobs! Besides, the logic is quite obvious. If they train people from birth they'll have superior combat skills and utter loyalty to the Empire." "That's my point though. Is it really necessary? The Empire already produces so much propaganda that it does the job pretty well in producing loyal citizens and if that doesn't work it also instills so much fear in most that even if someone wanted to start a rebellion; it's highly unlikely they would." "Don't be so sure, it has happened in the past." "The past? When? Like four hundred years ago when the Empire was still in its own infancy? Pfft. Wouldn't happen anymore and as for having elite combat troops, again what's the point? We've already got camps to train elite groups like the Shadow Guard who are not to be fucked with and we have more than enough resources to create an army of golems that would be just as loyal and kick the shit out of our enemies." "Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore! Our superiors have their reasons, as does the Emperor! Let us just take this baby and be done with this task!" The two clerks left the infirmary with you that day where upon you were accepted as a suitable candidate and put into The Eternal Program. You don't remember too much during the time of your very young years, except that you are mostly confined to a room where all your basic needs are met. On a daily basis, a couple bigger people come in to check on you. They have you perform various physical tasks as well as spending time to teach you things like basic reading and writing. Sometimes they ask you various questions and write down your responses while other times they come in and stab you with painful needles with fluid in them. (You don't like those times) You don't really understand it all, except that you know that the Emperor is always watching you. He is everywhere even if you don't see him. He is keeping an eye on your actions and you must always obey his will, lest you be punished. You know this to be true because you have this repeatedly told to you. Eventually your relative isolation would come to an end. > Year 5 You are sitting in a gray room at a desk with several other children your age. All of you glance at each other a lot and it is obvious that there is much curiosity, but nobody speaks. This is very unusual for you, up until now, you have only had minimal contact with others. Most of them are male like you, but a few of them are female. Soon the silence comes to an end when a dark skinned woman walks into the room. She has long hair and sharp features. One thing you notice is that despite her long hair covering her ears you can still see that the tips of them are pointed. She must be elven, but in the pictures you've seen in books, you've never seen one with dark skin before. "Hello children, and congratulations on maintaining dignified silence during your time by yourselves. It's nice to see that your previous human minders aren't totally incompetent. Still, if you were Svelk children you would've been much better trained by now. Ah, but it is not my place to dwell on the limitations of the lesser born. I am merely here to oversee your training into proper Eternals so that you may serve the Emperor to your fullest capabilities. Now before we begin, I suggest you all ask questions now, because this will probably be the only time I will be in the mood for your ignorance." For a moment nobody speaks, but when the elven lady insists, one brave soul raises their hand. "Yes, you." "Are you an elf?" "Yes, I am. While the ignorant would use the vulgar term dark elf to describe me, my kind are more properly known as the Svelk. In fact WE are the purest of the elven race. All others you may have the misfortune of meeting are merely diluted members of our bloodline. They are truly pitiful creatures really only fit for extermination. Remember this." "Yes, you." "What is your name?" "My name is unimportant, but you and the rest will always address me as Mistress. Failure to do so will earn my wrath, and more importantly the wrath of the Emperor. Remember this." "Yes, you." "What will you teach us?" A second passes after the question, when a small bolt of light from the Svelk's finger tips and hits the child in the chest asking the question. He falls backwards out of his chair and on to the floor. The rest of you jump in your own chairs and look back at him. He is breathing very erratically. "I will teach you to OBEY my commands when I give them!" Mistress shouts, she then warns the rest of you. "Don't you dare touch him, let alone help him! (Sigh) And here I thought you lot had been trained better! It occurs to me that I will have to be extra strict in my discipline. As to the question about what I will teach you... I will teach you to be warriors. I will teach you to be wizards if you display the talent. I will teach you to shed yourselves of weakness. I will teach you to serve the Emperor without question and kill without mercy and you will always obey for you will find strength in obedience. You will find joy in order. You will find love in murder. You shall be instruments of terror and genocide if he so wishes it. You will be Eternals...or you will die. Remember this." After Mistress' speech, the child she struck down eventually struggles back up and gets back in his seat, clutching his chest and still wheezing. "I trust you have learned your lesson?" "Y...yes...Mistress..." he gasps. "Good, now one more question before we begin...you there. What is your question? Speak up!" Mistress demands while pointing at you, though you have not raised your hand. You don't wish to disagree with Mistress, so you stumble and try to think up a question. "Uh...er...I was just wondering when will you teach us to fight Mistress?" Mistress raises an eyebrow and gives a smirk as she approaches you. "Fight? And what makes you think that YOU are even ready to learn yet? Do you have even the slightest knowledge of combat tactics?" "No, Mis..." before you can even complete the sentence Mistress knocks you out of your chair with a quick jab with her hand, the pain from your face spreads to your chest when Mistress steps on it with her boot. She digs it into you and presses all her weight on it, while the rest of your class looks on. "Damn right, no you don't. You weren't even alert enough to anticipate my attack. You let me get in close and now look at you, you're completely at my mercy. I am in a position to do whatever I like with you, while you are only in a position to beg or die. So what will it be worm? Are you going to beg for your miserable life, or should I save the Empire's time and money by killing you now?" > Beg The pain is great and you want it to be over with as quickly as possible so you cry out and scream for mercy to Mistress. To this, she merely laughs cruelly and continues to step on your chest. "Ha ha ha ha! If this was a real fight do you think an enemy would should you mercy? You truly are pathetic, how did the Empire ever decide that YOU would be a worthy candidate to be an Eternal? Begging for your wretched life as if it was important. It isn't. Your life is nothing! ALL of your lives are nothing! Your lives will never be anything more than warm bodies to serve the Emperor! The question is, will you even be able to live up to that honored status? The answer is no, if you do not learn mercy is for the weak. Remember this." At this point Mistress finally takes her foot off of you and much like your other classmate hit by her magic bolt, you slowly get up and back in your seat, clutching your chest. You sniffle and try to keep yourself from crying, but the tears are still there. A glare from Mistress causes you to quickly wipe your eyes and try to compose yourself the best you can. Time passes by under the harsh guidance of Mistress. She teaches you all that she promised she would and then some. Your lessons are not only that of a combat nature, but of an academic one as well. You wouldn't be aware of it, but you and your classmates are probably much better educated than other children your age. As for you, Mistress never lets you forget of how you begged for your life in front of everyone. While it is true that she sadistically taunts everyone at one time or another, it doesn't make your emotional and psychological scars go away. This shame you experience causes you to become more insecure and you constantly feel the need to prove to everyone that you aren't weak. When you are called upon to spar with your fellow classmates, you always fight aggressively. For the most part you usually win, and you typically break a few bones of some of your fellow classmates. The lessons of being humiliated by Mistress have not been forgotten. You can't ever let yourself be put in a vulnerable position again and you must be brutal, it's the only way you'll be able to please the Emperor. Your personality doesn't go unnoticed by your instructor and watchers, they make note of it and decide how you should be handled in the next step of your training. Year 12 You are in a room with a few of your fellow classmates standing in a row. Most of your class has been separated for reasons unknown to you. All you know right now is there is a scarred orc in worn battle armor arguing with a well dressed man who is human. They are speaking about you, but not actually speaking TO you... "What? I thought the whole point of this program was to create an elite fighting group like the Shadow Guard, why are you splitting them up and intending to put some of them in regular military units?" the orc questions. "Things have changed since the program's inception. Besides, if the latest military reports are any indication I'd say you could use a better quality of recruits, or at least I hope that's the problem and it isn't due to a lack of proper training." the man dressed in black formal wear calmly retorts. "Hey! I train every grunt I get to be the best killer they can be! I've conquered more territory for the Empire than anyone! My record speaks for itself and I could do a hell of a lot more if you put me on the front lines again, so don't try to tell me I'm not doing my fucking job!" "Be that as it may, I'd say you still could benefit by having a few Eternals in your ranks, if nothing else than to be a good example." "Good example? HAH! We haven't even seen one of these so-called Eternals in action yet! It's all been just speculation, and a waste of time and money if you ask me! The Empire should be providing better equipment and more of it, for soldiers on the Rask Frontier, it's a fucking meat grinder out there and we're constantly having to put down rebellions by the natives." "Well nobody ASKED you, captain and your problems are not mine to deal with. This is the Emperor's project and he has his reasons. If I were you I'd watch your tone. Victories or not, you are a servant of the Emperor and you will obey orders or you will be replaced." The orc captain steps back from the well dressed man then he takes a deep breath, before speaking. "You are lucky that I do serve the Emperor, for that is the only thing keeping me from ripping out your throat, human...very well I shall take these so called Eternal whelps, but let it be known that I shall be testing them to the limit and then some. If they fail, they shall die like anyone else unable to keep up." "As you wish commander, I leave it in your capable hands. You will keep me apprised of their progress on a weekly basis. Good day." The well dressed man says and leaves the room, leaving you all alone with the orc commander. You've never seen a real orc in person before, but he looks every bit as intimidating from what you've read about them, even if he is much more articulate than you expected. He walks up and down the row sizing you all up before speaking. "I am Captain Gruz, and I will be in charge of the rest of your training until the Emperor deems otherwise. I imagine that your former instructor was that dark elven bitch, so I trust you all know by now that failure and weakness have no place here. Correct?" "Yes Captain!" you all shout in unison. "Heh, well glad to see her skills in teaching discipline are still as effective as ever. Good. Now let's see how good your combat skills are..." At this point you and your fellow classmates instinctively start to pair up to spar with each other, but Gruz stops you. "What are you lot doing? I didn't tell you to get out of formation!" "But captain, you said to prove our combat skills." One boy speaks up. "I...oh wait I see. She had you fighting each other. Typical dark elven training. Create mistrust and loathing even when there is no need for it. (Sigh) I can see I'm going to have to undo some of the shit she instilled in you if I'm going to mold you into the proper killing tools." Time goes by and Captain Gruz begins to train you in various forms of combat, though it's different. He teaches you and your classmates to fight as a team. This usually involves various large beasts similar to what you have already fought or even small groups of goblinoids. It takes awhile for you to adapt, but after seeing the first couple of casualties, you and the rest manage to pull together to defeat your enemies. Academically speaking, you are not taught much. Captain Gruz figures that Mistress taught you enough math and literacy to get by in life. Besides not much need for all that fancy learnin' stuff when you're going to be chopping people's heads off on the battlefield. Captain Gruz is just as uncompromising as Mistress in his training, but he seems less gleeful about it. His verbal abuse is more direct and to the point rather than gloating about your failures. He still reminds you all regularly about how it is your sworn duty to serve the Emperor, but you hardly need him to tell you that, to believe otherwise is unthinkable. As for you, you find yourself given a role of leadership. Captain Gruz noted your tendency to be one of the first to charge into battle. He however also has some advice for you. "I respect your desire for battle, but if you do not control your insecurities you will one day find yourself needlessly unprepared. I suspect that dark elven bitch did something humiliating to you that has resulted in your behavior. Effective in some ways I suppose, but if you truly want to be a leader of men and command respect, you need to master your emotions as you would your weapons. You must do away with insecurities and be fully confident in your abilities. You must walk into battle already KNOWING that you will win, not charging in with a chip on your shoulder with some misguided desire to prove yourself. That's a quick way to get yourself killed. Contrary to popular belief, your goal is NOT to die for the Emperor. Your goal is to survive and make the other dumb bastards die so that you may continue to serve the Emperor. Think on this when you lead your fellows into your next training assignment." The captain's words carry much weight with you and in the years during your training you manage to purge most of your doubts about yourself as well as becoming an accomplished warrior. Your instructor and watchers once again note your growth and skills, and as usual they make decisions on how you will best serve the Emperor. > Year 16 You are called into Captain Gruz's office, when you arrive you see the well dress man that you saw four years ago standing with him... and debating with him again. "I'm telling you Mr. Mol, I think they should work in the same unit. They've trained together and they've worked together so well at this point that splitting them up would be folly. Hell, these people have known each other since birth! You know that better than anyone!" Gruz says. "Yes, captain I'm well aware of the situation, and normally I might agree if their were more of them, but I think their expertise would better serve if we deployed them separately in problem areas of the Empire." Mr. Mol replies. "You don't break up a well oiled machine! I guarantee having them all in the same unit will be a better idea. I mean we still haven't sent them into a real battle yet! Wouldn't it be better to see if they can get the job done first before placing them in charge of others?" "And what a perfect opportunity to lose them all, if something unexpected should happen." "Oh for...look that could've happened here! And if you're so worried about them all getting killed in battle then what was the fucking point then? Besides, if they do prove to be useless in battle, better we find that out sooner rather than later when they're in charge of others and getting them killed as well!" Mr. Mol thinks for a moment and then replies. "Hmmm, very well you do have a point captain. We'll try it your way at first and go from there. Have them deployed in the Nalin province. Your services here have been useful as ever. Good day." Mr. Mol, steps out and commander Gruz addresses you. "Well you heard all that, you and your fellow Eternal babies are being sent to the Nalin province. It's not the Rask Frontier, but it's a suitable first challenge for you guys. We've been trying to settle the conquest of that place for a few years now, and technically it is part of the Empire, but we're still having problems with the Kobold population there. Little bastards are determined to resist and have been conducting a fairly effective guerilla war since we arrived. Though I blame that more on the incompetence of the commander in that region. If I was stationed there, this shit would've been taken care of a long time ago...but I'm not, so unfortunately you will have to report to Captain Pollo." Captain Gruz approaches you closer before continuing. "Now I'm putting you in charge of your unit for reasons I'm sure you're aware of. While I'm confident I've made the right choice, the burden will ultimately be on you to prove to be an effective leader. Remember, you're not just a normal soldier, you're supposed to be an Eternal. An instrument of destruction ordered by the Emperor himself. Failure is never an option for you. Even now there are rumors about your kind, and when you finally show yourselves you will be met by fear, awe, hatred and even distain. Prove yourselves and you will live up to the name that your were given. Anyway, the caravan picking you up will arrive tomorrow. Good luck and dismissed." With this you leave and tell the rest of your people about where you're going and the general nature of what to expect. They all seem pretty excited to prove themselves, and to be honest so are you. At last you will get the chance to prove yourself and can only imagine that the Emperor will be pleased by what he will see. The next day, you and your unit are picked up and the ride there is uneventful, but your unit spends a little time talking about things they see on the way. This is the first time all of you have probably been away from the training center you've spent all your lives in. Curiosity about some of the surroundings is natural, but it isn't just the casual talk that's different. Your comrades are different. They are less reserved than they once were. Captain Gruz might've been a strict instructor, but in addition to encouraging teamwork he was also prone to encourage you guys to have a few hours of free time. This loosening of the reigns a bit, allowed a certain amount of familiarity with each other that wasn't just on a professional level anymore. Even you have felt yourself changing personality wise. Still you are all Eternals, and you are loyal to the Emperor. You will never forget that your duty comes first. Eventually you all arrive at Fort Glory in the Nalin province where you are stared at by several soldiers who whisper among themselves. None of you pay it any mind though, you simply report to Captain Pollo. He doesn't look anything like Captain Gruz. He's human for one thing and wears lighter armor which is impeccably clean. When he sees you, he almost looks bored, like you were interrupting him, but you when you came in he was reclined in his chair and not doing anything of importance. "So...you are the Eternals I've heard so much about. Humph. I don't see anything special except that pretty one over there. Oh no, not you dear. That blonde muscular one in the back. Yes, delicious." Captain Pollo says pointing to one of your men and not even getting out of his chair. "Captain Pollo, we are here for our assignments so that we may serve the Emperor." You say. "(Sigh) I suppose you are this unit's leader?" " Yes, captain. I am currently their leader and holding the rank of sergeant due to my excellence in my training exercises." "Sergeant? YOU? Why you're a mere boy! All of you are just children! I ask them for more men and they send me children! The only thing you all would be good for is cleaning the fort! In fact that's what you can go do right now, starting with the toilets!" This is exactly what Captain Gruz said would happen. This is your first test. "Captain, we have been trained in several forms of combat and fully ready to fight. Send us into battle and we will prove ourselves. We are here to perform our duty for the Emperor and all that entails." "All that entails eh? Okay, you want a fight? A few miles east of here, you'll find a town called Dalt. Its filled with ignorant peasants that constantly whine to us that there are a nest of kobolds lurking in the hills near them. We're stretched out as it is and can't spare anymore troops to waste on towns that are of no military importance in the grand scheme of things. Go there and take care of their problem, then maybe we'll have more to talk about." You nod and all of you leave, but before you are able to Pollo calls you back. "Oh one more thing sergeant. Order one of your men to stay here with me. I think you know by now which one I mean." At this point you're in genuine shock. You may be young, and even a little detached from normal 'society" but you know exactly what Captain Pollo is implying. You can honestly feel more than surprised by this though. "Captain, I will need all of my team to have the best chance to succeed in this mission." You say. "Oh? Well sorry, but you'll have to make do like everyone else here does. Or you could clean the fort like I first ordered you to do, which you chose to ignore." It's a no win situation, though you try to figure out a loophole that takes the responsibility off of you. "Captain, you are of a higher rank than me, surely you could just order him yourself." "Ha ha, nice try. No. You want to be a leader of men? You need to make this decision yourself. Tis quite easy I would think. Sacrifice one for the good of the rest. If anything I'd say he's the lucky one. He gets to stay here enjoying the pleasures of the flesh, and won't have to be mucking about with kobolds and dealing with idiotic peasants." > You leave him behind Unfortunately Pollo is right, the only decision that makes sense is to leave Gerald behind. Still, you aren't fond of the idea though not necessarily for the moral reasons that most would be. This is an unproductive use of your team's talents and pointless in the scheme of things. You can't believe the Empire would allow such a petty man to be in charge of the safety of a province and why isn't the Emperor aware of such inefficiency? "Very well." "I knew you'd see things my way. Have fun playing with the kobolds. You're dismissed." You leave Pollo's office where your team is still waiting for you. "Gerald, I regret that you will not be coming with us on this mission. The Captain wants you to stay with him." You say. "What?! But I'm ready to fight!" he protests. "There will be other missions, I promise you. We will prove ourselves so well on this one, that they will have no choice but to send us out on a regular basis. However, your orders are clear in this matter, you are to remain here with Captain Pollo." "B...yes sir." Just before Gerald goes into the captain's office, you whisper into his ear. "Accidents happen." He's a little puzzled by this comment, but you and the rest of your team proceed to your assignment and nobody says anything more about it. When you finally get to the town, it's a sorry sight. A lot of the buildings are damaged and the streets are filled with debris. There are a few people attempting to clean up the place, but it's clear that they're all very demoralized. 'Oh, I see the Empire has finally decided to help us; well you're too late! The kobolds raided this town last night and as you can see completely trashed the place!" says a disheveled man. "The Empire has many places it has to protect citizen. It is regrettable that your town was attacked, but we are here now to eliminate the problem." "You're here now? Where the fuck were you last night when my wife was killed by those ugly little bastards?" the man says getting in your face. "Calm yourself citizen, this will not help your situation." "My situation? I just said my wife is fucking DEAD! I don't give a shit about my situation anymore you fucking Empire dickhead! Fuck you and your fucking Emperor!" It is at this point the man unwisely pushes your chest with his hand and you instantly grab it and break his whole arm. He predictably crumples in excruciating pain, screaming as the bone juts out of the skin and blood runs out of his body into the mud. All the other towns people who have seen this back off or hide, as they are rightfully worried about what you're going to do next. "Now listen up citizens of Dalt! I understand that you've all been through a lot, but that is not a reason to give in to insolence! You are all Empire subjects and you will show proper respect or what's left of this town will suffer in such a manner that you'll think what the kobolds did was a birthday party." The man whose arm you broke begins to scream more obscenities at you in between his regular howls of pain. You look at Kane and nod. Kane finishes the man off by quickly decapitating him. You take his head and throw it before one of the crowd of peasants who look on in horror. "Remember this." You say. You remain in the town of Dalt for the night and get rooms from an overly cooperative innkeeper. He also tells you a little information about the kobolds such what direction they came from, what sort of equipment they were using and how many there were during the attack. Before getting some rest you spend a little of the time discussing strategy with your team. You all don't show it too much, but you are all a little excited about tomorrow. The next day you set off towards the wooded hills, it doesn't take long before you see a kobold patrol wandering around. They look exactly like how you've seen them in books, sort of like scaly goblins, but from what you've heard, a lot more cunning. Your team attempts to be stealthy, but perhaps it's due to the excitement of this first "real" battle. Edgar isn't as silent as he should be and clumsily steps on a few twigs alerting the patrols. The kobold patrol sees all of you, yell excitedly in their language and run away. Edgar is about to chase them, but you knock him to the ground. "What the hell?" he says wondering why you stopped him. "Trap, Edgar. Look." You say and point to a tripwire that would've triggered a spiked log that he almost stepped on. "Oh." He says. "You were trained better than that Edgar and we went over this last night! This area is probably going to be filled with traps. Now come on, we don't have the luxury of a surprise attack any more." The remainder of this attack is a tedious exercise in cautiousness broken up by quick battles. The kobolds really have set up traps everywhere and take full advantage of your team's slow movement to launch periodic ambushes themselves. Fortunately they are very poor warriors even in large numbers and you easily dispatch them. All your fighting eventually leads to a cave, which you sort of figured it would. You warn your team that this place is probably going to be a maze and heavily trapped as well. "Should we split up so we can cover more ground?" Brenda asks. "No, we're going to be neck deep in them when we go into that cave. They may be poor warriors, but even enough of them could overwhelm one or two of us. If we stick together we'll be fine. Besides, we're going to be here awhile anyway." There "awhile" isn't an exaggeration. You spend the remainder of the day and night killing kobolds. Your team seems to enjoy it, but you eventually start to get bored of the monotony. You don't even bat an eye when you come across what seems to be a breeding chamber and you exterminate all the female kobolds and their young. Eventually you reach a large cave clearing where you meet the leader. "Sssss! Defilersss! Murderersss!" a slightly larger kobold hisses at you from some sort of primitive throne and then orders his guards to attack. It's rather pathetic, as they fare no better than the rest. A few quick sword and axe blows and this kobold chieftain is alone. While the rest of your team is eager to kill him like the rest, you have a slightly better idea for him. You engage him in singles combat, which is over pretty quickly. You then subdue him with some rope you have in your pack. "Why are we taking him as prisoner? We're Eternals! We don't take prisoners!" Edgar shouts. "Yeah, we also aren't supposed to miss obviously placed traps either, so there's a first time for everything. Besides I've got a good idea for this one." You drag the kobold leader back to town who curses you the whole time in a mixture of his language and yours. When you arrive it is now dawn and the townspeople are surprised to see you back, let alone with a kobold in tow. You tie the kobold leader to a tree near the center of the town and address everyone. "Citizens of Dalt! The kobold nest has been completely destroyed. This...thing was the leader of this particular nest and most likely orchestrated the raid; do with him as you will. There of course are other kobold nests in this province, but the Eternals will be taking care of this long overdue problem. All the Empire needs in this matter is your continued obedience and loyalty." After giving this speech you and your team take your leave and hear the screams of the kobold leader as the villagers torture and rip him apart. When you arrive back at Fort Glory, other soldiers are surprised to see all of you back alive. It was assumed that at best, half of you would be dead. There is a possible thought of whether you actually succeeded and didn't just come back in failure, but given that Kane took it upon himself to take "trophies" his gruesome necklace of kobold ears makes it pretty clear that the job was done. When you report however, it seems the fort has undergone a change in leadership "I'm Lieutenant Anu and now in charge of Fort Glory until further notice. First things first, did you accomplish your mission? "Mission accomplished, we killed them all lieutenant. All of their warriors, all of their women, all of their babies, pets, their leader, all of them." "Well always helps to be sure. Which brings me to the next point. Your man Gerald is currently in the stockade. In fact he may be facing execution." "Might I inquire why, sir?" "I'd say you'd probably know as much about it as I do, but if I had to guess? Captain pervert put the moves on him and your man took exception to it and killed him. He claims it was an accident, but there's no way the captain twisted his own head ALL THE WAY AROUND just by tripping and falling over." "If Gerald says it was an accident, then I believe him sir." "Okay look, I'm not going to sit here and say that the captain wasn't complete scum. I should know I had to serve along side him for the past five years. I saw how he'd have teenage boys brought to his office. Now I know you guys are these Eternals that we've all heard about, but dammit man, we can't just have murders within the ranks, we have to respect some sort of order here!" "We're all about respecting order sir...I suppose if it is absolutely necessary to execute Gerald, then that will be regrettable. I would however say that Gerald's actions actually contributed to more order here and will better for the Empire in general." "How so?" "The removal of captain Pollo, has allowed you to move up in rank and judging by your feelings on this matter you are a person who respects military decorum. I have no doubt, the fort will be run more efficiently now." Lieutenant Anu chuckles a bit. "I'd almost think you were trying to butter me up to save your guy, but I already know you genuinely believe what you're saying and you're right anyway. (Sigh) Well...I suppose accidents do happen. Nobody here is going to miss Pollo, so I'll have Gerald released and write up a report." "Sir, can I make a request?" "Don't you think you're pushing your luck?" "Not my intention sir, but I was going to ask if there's anything my group could do here that's a little more challenging than killing kobolds?" "Hmm, yes I imagine you would feel that way...well on the furthest southern edge of the province there have been bands of nomadic raiders and there have been rumors of them organizing under some sort of shaman. Dunno if it's true or not. Of course we could also transfer you someplace where the battle is a little more suited to your violence level." > Request transfer You don't see much point in staying in this place anymore, you would most likely serve the Empire better elsewhere. Captain Anu grants the request, though he mentions he knows that a Mr. Mol is taking interest in your progress here, so it'll have to go through him first. A couple days pass and it is all straightened out. Mr. Mol approves, but he goes with his original plan of separating you all. Brenda and Gerald remain in the Nalin province, Roldan and Warrick go to the Felkan border. You, Kane and Edgar all wind up at the Rask frontier, specifically Fort Defiance. The split is a little odd for all of you, considering you've all been together so long. You say your goodbyes to Brenda and Gerald first when the caravan comes for you. Next you say your goodbyes to Warrick and Roldan when they make their stop. The remainder of the trip is in relative silence, though sometimes Edgar remarks about how he can't wait to display his true combat skills against better challenges. Eventually you arrive at the Rask frontier and make your stop at Fort Defiance. You haven't gotten off the caravan five minutes when a man wearing battle armor approaches you. "Hey are you the Eternals?" "Yes we are." "I'm Captain Ian, I've heard about you and while you don't look like much, we'll take anyone at this point. Though I would've preferred more battle mages or even orcs at this point. Captain Ian begins to give you a run down on the entire area. He mentions that the mortality rate here is high so morale isn't the best. He goes on to mention that Shadow Guard detachments have been assigned here to help out, but between the ogres and the giants there's only so much that even they can do. He mentions since you three have already worked together he's just going to leave you together, but will be assigning you to a new unit where you will have others to command as well. With the caravan leaving, the three of you head to your new unit. When you see them, quite a few of them are predictably much older than you, but surprisingly you see that half of them are around your age. "So, you're those Eternals huh?" one the older soldiers says almost dismissively. "Yes? Did you need something corporal?" you say sensing the hostility. "Nothing, sergeant. I just wondered if you were." He says backing down from confrontation. The three of you settle in as you begin your assignment at Fort Defiance. Year 18 "Kane watch out!" you shout as the wind whips around you and the snowfall nearly blinds your vision. You can just make out the figure, which you know to be Kane roll out of the way of a club strike from an ogre attempting to attack him from behind. You look around and see the bloody dead bodies of several members of your team and the ogres that ambushed you. You knew that patrolling the Kragen Pass during a blizzard was a stupid idea, but Captain Ian insisted that you had to go and do it. It's no wonder progress hasn't been made up here with the captain making inept decisions at every turn. He's not like Captain Pollo, but he's not much better. You are starting to seriously wonder about how the Empire keeps allowing such incompetence to pass through. You run as fast as you can in the snow to help Kane battle the last two ogres. You cleave at the legs of one of the large monsters causing him to fall into the snow then finish him off with another strike through his head. Kane dispatches his own ogre opponent and the battle is finally over. "Looks like we're the only two left again." Kane says. "Yeah, I'm getting used to that scenario. Come on, let's head back. This blizzard isn't letting up and we've done all we can here." You and Kane leave behind the bodies and make your way through the blizzard in silence. It's times like this you half expect Edgar to start going on about how well he did in battle, of course he hasn't done that ever since you lost him in that battle against some giants last year. You never exactly approved of his reckless ways and it's ultimately what got him killed, but you still miss him sometimes. You are almost at the end of the pass when a large rumbling is heard. You look overhead and even in this blizzard you can see the large figures looming on the cliffs and it's what you originally were concerned about when you had to patrol this path. "GIANTS! RUN!" you yell and the pair of you attempt to make it out of the pass. Large boulders crash down along side the cliffs with an equally large amount of ice and snow. Kane runs faster and makes it ahead of you, but this only results in you seeing him crushed completely by a falling boulder. You are engulfed in snow and swept up and buried in the stuff. You're disorientated, tired, freezing and slowly suffocating, but with determination, you manage to dig yourself out. Unfortunately several giants face you when you do dig yourself out. You're out numbered and trapped in the pass. You know that this is most likely going to be your last battle. You draw your sword and walk towards the giants. It will be a good death, but your only regret is that you will not survive to serve the Empire for longer than you would've liked.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, grimdark, serious, dystopia] Unfortunately Pollo is right, the only decision that makes sense is to leave Gerald behind. Still, you aren't fond of the idea though not necessarily for the moral reasons that most would be. This is an unproductive use of your team's talents and pointless in the scheme of things. You can't believe the Empire would allow such a petty man to be in charge of the safety of a province and why isn't the Emperor aware of such inefficiency? "Very well." "I knew you'd see things my way. Have fun playing with the kobolds. You're dismissed." You leave Pollo's office where your team is still waiting for you. "Gerald, I regret that you will not be coming with us on this mission. The Captain wants you to stay with him." You say. "What?! But I'm ready to fight!" he protests. "There will be other missions, I promise you. We will prove ourselves so well on this one, that they will have no choice but to send us out on a regular basis. However, your orders are clear in this matter, you are to remain here with Captain Pollo." "B...yes sir." Just before Gerald goes into the captain's office, you whisper into his ear. "Accidents happen." He's a little puzzled by this comment, but you and the rest of your team proceed to your assignment and nobody says anything more about it. When you finally get to the town, it's a sorry sight. A lot of the buildings are damaged and the streets are filled with debris. There are a few people attempting to clean up the place, but it's clear that they're all very demoralized. 'Oh, I see the Empire has finally decided to help us; well you're too late! The kobolds raided this town last night and as you can see completely trashed the place!" says a disheveled man. "The Empire has many places it has to protect citizen. It is regrettable that your town was attacked, but we are here now to eliminate the problem." "You're here now? Where the fuck were you last night when my wife was killed by those ugly little bastards?" the man says getting in your face. "Calm yourself citizen, this will not help your situation." "My situation? I just said my wife is fucking DEAD! I don't give a shit about my situation anymore you fucking Empire dickhead! Fuck you and your fucking Emperor!" It is at this point the man unwisely pushes your chest with his hand and you instantly grab it and break his whole arm. He predictably crumples in excruciating pain, screaming as the bone juts out of the skin and blood runs out of his body into the mud. All the other towns people who have seen this back off or hide, as they are rightfully worried about what you're going to do next. "Now listen up citizens of Dalt! I understand that you've all been through a lot, but that is not a reason to give in to insolence! You are all Empire subjects and you will show proper respect or what's left of this town will suffer in such a manner that you'll think what the kobolds did was a birthday party." The man whose arm you broke begins to scream more obscenities at you in between his regular howls of pain. You look at Kane and nod. Kane finishes the man off by quickly decapitating him. You take his head and throw it before one of the crowd of peasants who look on in horror. "Remember this." You say. You remain in the town of Dalt for the night and get rooms from an overly cooperative innkeeper. He also tells you a little information about the kobolds such what direction they came from, what sort of equipment they were using and how many there were during the attack. Before getting some rest you spend a little of the time discussing strategy with your team. You all don't show it too much, but you are all a little excited about tomorrow. The next day you set off towards the wooded hills, it doesn't take long before you see a kobold patrol wandering around. They look exactly like how you've seen them in books, sort of like scaly goblins, but from what you've heard, a lot more cunning. Your team attempts to be stealthy, but perhaps it's due to the excitement of this first "real" battle. Edgar isn't as silent as he should be and clumsily steps on a few twigs alerting the patrols. The kobold patrol sees all of you, yell excitedly in their language and run away. Edgar is about to chase them, but you knock him to the ground. "What the hell?" he says wondering why you stopped him. "Trap, Edgar. Look." You say and point to a tripwire that would've triggered a spiked log that he almost stepped on. "Oh." He says. "You were trained better than that Edgar and we went over this last night! This area is probably going to be filled with traps. Now come on, we don't have the luxury of a surprise attack any more." The remainder of this attack is a tedious exercise in cautiousness broken up by quick battles. The kobolds really have set up traps everywhere and take full advantage of your team's slow movement to launch periodic ambushes themselves. Fortunately they are very poor warriors even in large numbers and you easily dispatch them. All your fighting eventually leads to a cave, which you sort of figured it would. You warn your team that this place is probably going to be a maze and heavily trapped as well. "Should we split up so we can cover more ground?" Brenda asks. "No, we're going to be neck deep in them when we go into that cave. They may be poor warriors, but even enough of them could overwhelm one or two of us. If we stick together we'll be fine. Besides, we're going to be here awhile anyway." There "awhile" isn't an exaggeration. You spend the remainder of the day and night killing kobolds. Your team seems to enjoy it, but you eventually start to get bored of the monotony. You don't even bat an eye when you come across what seems to be a breeding chamber and you exterminate all the female kobolds and their young. Eventually you reach a large cave clearing where you meet the leader. "Sssss! Defilersss! Murderersss!" a slightly larger kobold hisses at you from some sort of primitive throne and then orders his guards to attack. It's rather pathetic, as they fare no better than the rest. A few quick sword and axe blows and this kobold chieftain is alone. While the rest of your team is eager to kill him like the rest, you have a slightly better idea for him. You engage him in singles combat, which is over pretty quickly. You then subdue him with some rope you have in your pack. "Why are we taking him as prisoner? We're Eternals! We don't take prisoners!" Edgar shouts. "Yeah, we also aren't supposed to miss obviously placed traps either, so there's a first time for everything. Besides I've got a good idea for this one." You drag the kobold leader back to town who curses you the whole time in a mixture of his language and yours. When you arrive it is now dawn and the townspeople are surprised to see you back, let alone with a kobold in tow. You tie the kobold leader to a tree near the center of the town and address everyone. "Citizens of Dalt! The kobold nest has been completely destroyed. This...thing was the leader of this particular nest and most likely orchestrated the raid; do with him as you will. There of course are other kobold nests in this province, but the Eternals will be taking care of this long overdue problem. All the Empire needs in this matter is your continued obedience and loyalty." After giving this speech you and your team take your leave and hear the screams of the kobold leader as the villagers torture and rip him apart. When you arrive back at Fort Glory, other soldiers are surprised to see all of you back alive. It was assumed that at best, half of you would be dead. There is a possible thought of whether you actually succeeded and didn't just come back in failure, but given that Kane took it upon himself to take "trophies" his gruesome necklace of kobold ears makes it pretty clear that the job was done. When you report however, it seems the fort has undergone a change in leadership "I'm Lieutenant Anu and now in charge of Fort Glory until further notice. First things first, did you accomplish your mission? "Mission accomplished, we killed them all lieutenant. All of their warriors, all of their women, all of their babies, pets, their leader, all of them." "Well always helps to be sure. Which brings me to the next point. Your man Gerald is currently in the stockade. In fact he may be facing execution." "Might I inquire why, sir?" "I'd say you'd probably know as much about it as I do, but if I had to guess? Captain pervert put the moves on him and your man took exception to it and killed him. He claims it was an accident, but there's no way the captain twisted his own head ALL THE WAY AROUND just by tripping and falling over." "If Gerald says it was an accident, then I believe him sir." "Okay look, I'm not going to sit here and say that the captain wasn't complete scum. I should know I had to serve along side him for the past five years. I saw how he'd have teenage boys brought to his office. Now I know you guys are these Eternals that we've all heard about, but dammit man, we can't just have murders within the ranks, we have to respect some sort of order here!" "We're all about respecting order sir...I suppose if it is absolutely necessary to execute Gerald, then that will be regrettable. I would however say that Gerald's actions actually contributed to more order here and will better for the Empire in general." "How so?" "The removal of captain Pollo, has allowed you to move up in rank and judging by your feelings on this matter you are a person who respects military decorum. I have no doubt, the fort will be run more efficiently now." Lieutenant Anu chuckles a bit. "I'd almost think you were trying to butter me up to save your guy, but I already know you genuinely believe what you're saying and you're right anyway. (Sigh) Well...I suppose accidents do happen. Nobody here is going to miss Pollo, so I'll have Gerald released and write up a report." "Sir, can I make a request?" "Don't you think you're pushing your luck?" "Not my intention sir, but I was going to ask if there's anything my group could do here that's a little more challenging than killing kobolds?" "Hmm, yes I imagine you would feel that way...well on the furthest southern edge of the province there have been bands of nomadic raiders and there have been rumors of them organizing under some sort of shaman. Dunno if it's true or not. Of course we could also transfer you someplace where the battle is a little more suited to your violence level." > You face the raiders You decide that it might be wise to maintain a presence here, after all there is still work to be done and you're confident that things will be better at the fort now. Lieutenant Anu nods and says you can set out in a couple days to the town of Jekka. He mentions that the nomads have never been a problem like the kobold are, but lately they have been reaching that level. He also says they aren't native to Nalin, but rather the desert land south of it. You spend the next couple of days at the fort are spent honing your weapon skills and telling your team to do likewise. Gerald joins you after being released from the stockade. He looks a little embarrassed and you reprimand him for his lack of finesse, but welcome him back. Eventually you set off for the southern Nalin border. The journey isn't as uneventful as the first mission and you encounter a few kobolds attacking travelers along the roads. You easily dispatch them of course. The town of Jekka is in much better shape than Dalt, but its obvious the people here have been suffering from attacks. "Empire soldiers? Here? I thought you lot were chasing down kobolds to waste time with the likes of us." A man says to you. He looks to be some sort of town sheriff. "All Empire towns are under our protection citizen. We have heard this one is suffering heavy raids from the desert nomads." " Well, we've been doing okay so far, but a few of the other border villages have gotten it pretty bad. One of them was totally destroyed. Those lizard riders have never been this bad or numerous before. The weird thing is, they just destroy and kill, they don't actually do any proper raiding or looting, not that it really matters. but for the past few months." "We heard rumors of a shaman uniting them." "Yeah that's the rumor, but really nobody knows what's going on with them. They make quick attacks and then run back to their accursed desert. So when are more Empire soldiers coming?" "They aren't." "What?! We've been holding out for months with no hope in sight and now that you give us a little bit, you take it away again?" "Citizen, I advise you to calm yourself." You warn, wondering if you're going to have to make another point like you did in Dalt. You don't since thought since the sheriff has more sense. "Alright, alright, but I'm telling you there are a lot of those lizard riders! I hope you're more than just regular Empire soldiers. You guys Shadow Guard or something?" "We're Eternals." You set up your staging point in Jekka. The desert raiders will probably attack this town again as usual, so you might as well take advantage of the fact. The waiting is tedious, but eventually after few days it pays off. Several of the raiders appear in the distance and make no hesitation in their attack. The raiders are trying to rely on intimidation, because they sure aren't relying on strategy and only attack the town from one direction. The lizard creatures that the raiders ride might be intimidating to the average citizen, but you've fought bigger creatures during training. They're rather clumsy beasts actually and when you and your team begin to use your own hit and run tactics, they start to collide into each other causing problems for the raiders. As for the raiders themselves, they prove to be barely better fighters than the kobolds after dismounting several of them. Underneath the desert protection gear they wear, they don't appear to be human or any other race you're familiar with, but they bleed just like all them and that's the important thing. As many battles often go, this one is over quicker than it felt. The remaining raiders run off and you order your people to mount up and chase them down which is fairly easy to do. Jekka suffered some damage and a few dead, but overall the townspeople couldn't be happier with the outcome and most shower you with praise. However, you get the impression that you're going to be facing more of these raiders in the near future and you're right. A couple days pass and another raid on the town of Jekka occurs in the same exact manner, then again a few days after that. A week passes and there are no more raids, but that doesn't mean they've stopped. You already know they've been attacking several settlements, so you tell Warrick and Roldan to scout out the closest ones to see what their situation is while you try to build some proper defenses for Jekka. A week passes and you learn more about your foes from a villager who survived the destruction of his home. The desert raiders (or the Usksha as you've come to find out their proper name) have indeed been united under one banner by a shaman of some sort. The villager says he saw this being with his own eyes and was spared for the sole purpose to warn all that the Usksha will no longer tolerate a foreign presence encroaching on their desert. This shaman said he has been chosen personally by their god Usk to destroy all those that do and that the town of Jekka will not be able to resist the inevitable destiny that it will fall. "So, he's coming here then? Good, saves us the trouble of hunting him down." You reply. "Combined with this information and based on what Warrick and I have scouted out, it sounds like there will be even more of them. Possibly a full blown army. We might need reinforcements from Fort Glory." Roldan says. "Reinforcements? Hah! We've beaten them several times with ease!" "Would they even get here in time? We don't exactly know when the attack will come." Brenda asks. "They might or they might not, still we should try. Find out who the best runner is in this town and have them travel to Fort Glory with this news. We can continue to prepare in the meantime." You say. The next morning several Uskshas appear in the distance like the other times you fought them. Then more show up, then even more. The town sheriff completely panics and says he's never seen this many before. This of course causes most of the other townies to panic as well. You slap him and tell him if he and anyone else aren't going to be helpful then they need to stay out of the way and find someplace to hide. They come at you screaming and yelling in their barbarian language and suddenly a huge worm thing comes out of the ground in the center of town. "Ha ha! At last a real fight!" Edgar yells and runs at it immediately as it destroys the nearby tavern. You order Kane to come with you to help Edgar while the rest try to delay the rest of the usksha. You just hope the barricades hold up long enough for them to greatly whittle the numbers down. You, Edgar and Kane approach the great worm, which bashes its great body into the side of another building, killing many townspeople hiding inside. "YOU! You think you can destroy me? I am an avatar of Usk! How can you destroy a god when you are, but a mere child of a corrupt empire?" you suddenly hear in your mind. It takes a split moment, but you realize that this beast is the shaman. He has used magic of some kind to transform himself into this thing. It doesn't matter how much favor he has from his god though, he isn't one and will die like the rest. Using his daggers like climbing gear, Kane jumps as high as he can and sink them into the shaman, while you and Edgar attempt to chop at his body like it was a tree. The shaman roars and attempts to smash you with his body, but you pull Edgar out of the way and Kane jumps off before being crushed. The shaman burrows back into the hole he came from and a few moments later he breaks through in another area of the town and begins destroying the barricades. You reach the shaman just in time for him to sink back into his hole again, while usksha pour in through the broken wall. "Shit!" Edgar shouts in exasperation. "Plug up that opening with their dead bodies!" you shout as you chop off the head of one their lizards before doing the same to the fallen rider. Holding the back the tide of usksha isn't exactly what you want to be doing though, you want to take down that shaman, do that and this battle is over. When you hear him break through the ground again elsewhere in town, you tell Kane and Edgar to hold the line here, while you go see if you can get him. You see him near the center of town again trying to finish destroying the buildings there. You chop down a few usksha near him and resume attempting to bring him down. He uses his crushing attack like last time, but this time you anticipate and not only dodge, but you manage to run your sword into his eye when his head is at your level. He bellows in pain and attempts to escape again, but you won't let go of your sword and pull it towards you as he pulls backwards. You fall to the ground as the sword finishes slicing through the shaman's flesh leaving a gapping wound where his eye and part of his "face" would be. You then see the worm collapse to the ground and begin to glow. Some of the others nearby, human and usksha alike stop fighting to stand and watch in wonder. The shaman transforms back into his natural form, his head and body displaying heavy wounds. "No...can't...you...why...we hate you...you aren't...wanted...your empire will die...we will reclaim what is oursss..." are the scattered words you hear in your head as you approach the shaman's broken body. "Stop talking." You say and run your sword through his other eye. It is at this point you hear the howls of several usksha as their mental link with their leader has been severed. You, your team and even a few vengeful townspeople butcher the remaining usksha that don't get away while attempting to retreat. Jekka is half in ruins and many are dead, but the battle has been won. The following day a detachment of troops arrive from Fort Glory. They look at the carnage and the platoon leader reports to you. "I'm Corporal Delan and I'm here to help you with...shit, what the hell happened here?" "Victory, corporal. Victory." You say. "So...the threat is gone?" "I wouldn't say it's gone, but it won't be rearing its head for a long time." "I say we should march into that desert and wipe them out permanently, then we'd never have to worry about them ever again!" Edgar says. "Well, if you decide to do that, we'll help. I know you've been busy down here so I don't know if you've heard, but we've made great strides in eliminating the kobolds, so Captian Anu told us to help you with this problem as much as we can. > March into the desert The usksha are broken and on the run, the opportunity to eliminate them as a future threat is certainly there, along with extending the Empire's influence south of the Nalin province. Your recent victories have filled you with confidence and you agree you should mount an attack on the usksha. "You can't be serious! Look I know you guys are Eternals, and I won't deny that you're the best warriors I've ever seen, but even you won't be able to conquer the usksha in their desert! They've lived there for centuries, even before the Empire existed! They know it like nobody else, you'll be outnumbered and fighting the elements themselves!" the Jekka sheriff exclaims. Somehow he survived the battle by hiding no doubt. Perhaps he is content on being a coward all his life, but you were meant for much more! You are an Eternal and the Emperor himself will reward you himself when you make the first steps in civilizing the desert. You slap him again and tell him that you'll need as much water as everyone can carry. After a period of rest, you, your team and Delan's men set off for the desert. You figure the best way to approach this is to follow the usksha's tracks. This works out well at first as the lizard mounts are heavy footed creatures that leave deep prints, so you come across several small bands of fleeing usksha. When you begin to leave the Nalin province and enter the desert, the prints get harder to track. You follow tracks for two days before you find more usksha. Still, you aren't finding any large settlements. By day four and Delan's men are starting to complain. He tries to maintain order, but it's obvious they can't take the heat of the day and cold of the night. Your own team is fairing better, but even a couple of them are starting to make comments. On the seventh night, you're ambushed by several usksha who spring up from the sands itself; they manage to kill several of Delan's men before you dispatch them. "Sergeant, I think we need to get the hell out of this desert. There's nothing here, but sand and death!" "Then leave weakling! We're more than able to carry out this mission ourselves! We don't need anybody! We're Eternals!" Edgar shouts. "I don't doubt our abilities sir, but I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't a waste of time. We've defeated the usksha and chased them deep into their own land. Maybe we've made our point." Roldan says. "I'm finding myself agreeing sir, we could better serve the Empire elsewhere." Gerald adds. "Duly noted. We're sticking with the original plan and as for you Delan, you're under my command too, so you aren't going anywhere either, now I advise you to find your guts and keep what men you have left in line, before I take away what little authority you still have left." Corporal Delan obeys and silently slinks back to his men. Your own people obey as well, but you know that the voices of dissent are already there. Still, you're convinced that you'll find something of importance out here along with wiping out usksha. On day ten, a strange reptilian creature attacks you. The first instinct is to defend yourself of course, but when it turns Warrick and Gerald to stone instantly, even you find yourself worried. "Don't look at it! It's got some sort of magic attack!" you shout and put your shield to cover yourself. Delan and his couple remaining men don't even stick around they turn and run completely. Edgar closes his eyes and swings wildly at the beast, but only manages to get himself mauled by the creature's sharp teeth and claws. The distraction is enough for Brenda to shoot several arrows in the beast while its back is to her. The beast gives a final bellow and dies. You survey the damage and it's pretty bad. You've lost two men, and looking at Edgar on the ground it'll soon be three. He can't even form any words, he just looks up at the sky gurgling and spitting up blood and trying to clutch at an arm which is no longer there. "I told you! I told you we should've gone back!" Roldan screams. "Silence! I'm in charge here and you won't speak to me like that again!" you say. "Somebody needs to tell you something, because..." You lose your patience from a combination of the disrespect, the loss, the failure, the heat, all of it. You punch Roldan causing him to fall to the ground. He looks up in disbelief at first, but then begins to laugh. "Ha ha...ha ha ha ha ha! We...ha ha ha! Found more usksha!" he laughs and points. You all turn to see a sizable group of mounted usksha in the distance. They don't move in either, instead they shoot at you with their bows. Brenda catches an arrow to her leg before you can sound a retreat. You and Kane run, but Roldan just sits there still laughing, the next time you turn your head to look back, he's no longer sitting up. Brenda tries to keep up, but the arrow in her leg slows her down and eventually she catches two more arrows in her back, killing her much in the same way she killed that strange beast. Eventually you and Kane get away, but in all the excitement you don't know where you are and you don't even have the tracks you were following to go back to. Under better and less stressful conditions you might get your bearings again, but you never do. Your next few days involve wandering the desert being continually worn down by usksha ambushes and the sun. You leave Kane's dehydrated body and continue alone, but not for long as you eventually also succumb to the heat. As you lay dying your thoughts of glory are gone and though dehydrated, you manage to shed a single tear for your failure to serve the Emperor.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, dystopia, villain protagonist] You decide that it might be wise to maintain a presence here, after all there is still work to be done and you're confident that things will be better at the fort now. Lieutenant Anu nods and says you can set out in a couple days to the town of Jekka. He mentions that the nomads have never been a problem like the kobold are, but lately they have been reaching that level. He also says they aren't native to Nalin, but rather the desert land south of it. You spend the next couple of days at the fort are spent honing your weapon skills and telling your team to do likewise. Gerald joins you after being released from the stockade. He looks a little embarrassed and you reprimand him for his lack of finesse, but welcome him back. Eventually you set off for the southern Nalin border. The journey isn't as uneventful as the first mission and you encounter a few kobolds attacking travelers along the roads. You easily dispatch them of course. The town of Jekka is in much better shape than Dalt, but its obvious the people here have been suffering from attacks. "Empire soldiers? Here? I thought you lot were chasing down kobolds to waste time with the likes of us." A man says to you. He looks to be some sort of town sheriff. "All Empire towns are under our protection citizen. We have heard this one is suffering heavy raids from the desert nomads." " Well, we've been doing okay so far, but a few of the other border villages have gotten it pretty bad. One of them was totally destroyed. Those lizard riders have never been this bad or numerous before. The weird thing is, they just destroy and kill, they don't actually do any proper raiding or looting, not that it really matters. but for the past few months." "We heard rumors of a shaman uniting them." "Yeah that's the rumor, but really nobody knows what's going on with them. They make quick attacks and then run back to their accursed desert. So when are more Empire soldiers coming?" "They aren't." "What?! We've been holding out for months with no hope in sight and now that you give us a little bit, you take it away again?" "Citizen, I advise you to calm yourself." You warn, wondering if you're going to have to make another point like you did in Dalt. You don't since thought since the sheriff has more sense. "Alright, alright, but I'm telling you there are a lot of those lizard riders! I hope you're more than just regular Empire soldiers. You guys Shadow Guard or something?" "We're Eternals." You set up your staging point in Jekka. The desert raiders will probably attack this town again as usual, so you might as well take advantage of the fact. The waiting is tedious, but eventually after few days it pays off. Several of the raiders appear in the distance and make no hesitation in their attack. The raiders are trying to rely on intimidation, because they sure aren't relying on strategy and only attack the town from one direction. The lizard creatures that the raiders ride might be intimidating to the average citizen, but you've fought bigger creatures during training. They're rather clumsy beasts actually and when you and your team begin to use your own hit and run tactics, they start to collide into each other causing problems for the raiders. As for the raiders themselves, they prove to be barely better fighters than the kobolds after dismounting several of them. Underneath the desert protection gear they wear, they don't appear to be human or any other race you're familiar with, but they bleed just like all them and that's the important thing. As many battles often go, this one is over quicker than it felt. The remaining raiders run off and you order your people to mount up and chase them down which is fairly easy to do. Jekka suffered some damage and a few dead, but overall the townspeople couldn't be happier with the outcome and most shower you with praise. However, you get the impression that you're going to be facing more of these raiders in the near future and you're right. A couple days pass and another raid on the town of Jekka occurs in the same exact manner, then again a few days after that. A week passes and there are no more raids, but that doesn't mean they've stopped. You already know they've been attacking several settlements, so you tell Warrick and Roldan to scout out the closest ones to see what their situation is while you try to build some proper defenses for Jekka. A week passes and you learn more about your foes from a villager who survived the destruction of his home. The desert raiders (or the Usksha as you've come to find out their proper name) have indeed been united under one banner by a shaman of some sort. The villager says he saw this being with his own eyes and was spared for the sole purpose to warn all that the Usksha will no longer tolerate a foreign presence encroaching on their desert. This shaman said he has been chosen personally by their god Usk to destroy all those that do and that the town of Jekka will not be able to resist the inevitable destiny that it will fall. "So, he's coming here then? Good, saves us the trouble of hunting him down." You reply. "Combined with this information and based on what Warrick and I have scouted out, it sounds like there will be even more of them. Possibly a full blown army. We might need reinforcements from Fort Glory." Roldan says. "Reinforcements? Hah! We've beaten them several times with ease!" "Would they even get here in time? We don't exactly know when the attack will come." Brenda asks. "They might or they might not, still we should try. Find out who the best runner is in this town and have them travel to Fort Glory with this news. We can continue to prepare in the meantime." You say. The next morning several Uskshas appear in the distance like the other times you fought them. Then more show up, then even more. The town sheriff completely panics and says he's never seen this many before. This of course causes most of the other townies to panic as well. You slap him and tell him if he and anyone else aren't going to be helpful then they need to stay out of the way and find someplace to hide. They come at you screaming and yelling in their barbarian language and suddenly a huge worm thing comes out of the ground in the center of town. "Ha ha! At last a real fight!" Edgar yells and runs at it immediately as it destroys the nearby tavern. You order Kane to come with you to help Edgar while the rest try to delay the rest of the usksha. You just hope the barricades hold up long enough for them to greatly whittle the numbers down. You, Edgar and Kane approach the great worm, which bashes its great body into the side of another building, killing many townspeople hiding inside. "YOU! You think you can destroy me? I am an avatar of Usk! How can you destroy a god when you are, but a mere child of a corrupt empire?" you suddenly hear in your mind. It takes a split moment, but you realize that this beast is the shaman. He has used magic of some kind to transform himself into this thing. It doesn't matter how much favor he has from his god though, he isn't one and will die like the rest. Using his daggers like climbing gear, Kane jumps as high as he can and sink them into the shaman, while you and Edgar attempt to chop at his body like it was a tree. The shaman roars and attempts to smash you with his body, but you pull Edgar out of the way and Kane jumps off before being crushed. The shaman burrows back into the hole he came from and a few moments later he breaks through in another area of the town and begins destroying the barricades. You reach the shaman just in time for him to sink back into his hole again, while usksha pour in through the broken wall. "Shit!" Edgar shouts in exasperation. "Plug up that opening with their dead bodies!" you shout as you chop off the head of one their lizards before doing the same to the fallen rider. Holding the back the tide of usksha isn't exactly what you want to be doing though, you want to take down that shaman, do that and this battle is over. When you hear him break through the ground again elsewhere in town, you tell Kane and Edgar to hold the line here, while you go see if you can get him. You see him near the center of town again trying to finish destroying the buildings there. You chop down a few usksha near him and resume attempting to bring him down. He uses his crushing attack like last time, but this time you anticipate and not only dodge, but you manage to run your sword into his eye when his head is at your level. He bellows in pain and attempts to escape again, but you won't let go of your sword and pull it towards you as he pulls backwards. You fall to the ground as the sword finishes slicing through the shaman's flesh leaving a gapping wound where his eye and part of his "face" would be. You then see the worm collapse to the ground and begin to glow. Some of the others nearby, human and usksha alike stop fighting to stand and watch in wonder. The shaman transforms back into his natural form, his head and body displaying heavy wounds. "No...can't...you...why...we hate you...you aren't...wanted...your empire will die...we will reclaim what is oursss..." are the scattered words you hear in your head as you approach the shaman's broken body. "Stop talking." You say and run your sword through his other eye. It is at this point you hear the howls of several usksha as their mental link with their leader has been severed. You, your team and even a few vengeful townspeople butcher the remaining usksha that don't get away while attempting to retreat. Jekka is half in ruins and many are dead, but the battle has been won. The following day a detachment of troops arrive from Fort Glory. They look at the carnage and the platoon leader reports to you. "I'm Corporal Delan and I'm here to help you with...shit, what the hell happened here?" "Victory, corporal. Victory." You say. "So...the threat is gone?" "I wouldn't say it's gone, but it won't be rearing its head for a long time." "I say we should march into that desert and wipe them out permanently, then we'd never have to worry about them ever again!" Edgar says. "Well, if you decide to do that, we'll help. I know you've been busy down here so I don't know if you've heard, but we've made great strides in eliminating the kobolds, so Captian Anu told us to help you with this problem as much as we can. > You leave it alone Marching into the desert without a grand plan other than simple slaughter isn't much of a plan. The usksha are nomads anyway, you'd never be able to catch all of them in their home turf. "No, I believe we've taken care of the major problem, but I think you should stay here and oversee the safety of this town now. We'll head back to Fort Glory and report the situation." You tell Delan. As you pack up and start to leave, Edgar begins to complain. "What are we doing? We should be trying to hunt down the rest of the usksha!" "Our mission here is done, the usksha have been defeated. If we get ordered to mount an expedition into the desert then we shall do so." "Bah! Anu is probably going to assign us to fight kobolds again! We should be taking the initiative!" "It seems every time you take the initiative, I end up having to help you in some way. I'd recommend that you worry less about fighting and more about your combat techniques." At this point Edgar gets noticeably mad, but says nothing and walks off. You're starting to get slightly concerned about him. You'd rather not have to teach him a lesson like you did when you were still training under Mistress. When you arrive at Fort Glory and report to Captain Anu he's pleased with what you've accomplished and is impressed. He says he'd like to keep you here to finish up wiping out the kobold infestation, but he's received word from the top that your team is to be transferred elsewhere. "Where are we going sir?" "The Rask frontier and I don't mind saying I don't envy you." "I've heard of the place before. What is the situation there?" "Bad, worse and downright horrible. As far as I know the Empire has been trying to establish order there for decades and not making any progress." "Captain, I certainly hope you don't make it a habit of saying disparaging things about the Empire." A man says walking into the room. It's Mr. Mol. "Uh no sir. Sorry sir." Captain Anu says sheepishly. Mr. Mol overlooks his comments and speaks to you directly. "Ignore the captain's words, everyone exaggerates the situation at the Rask frontier. While the area is having some problems, the fact remains if it really was so bad there, we would've pulled out a long time ago. Anyway, congratulations on your latest mission. Couldn't help overhearing your report in the next room, quite impressive. Which makes me believe it was a good idea to transfer you now." "The Eternals are ready to serve the Emperor wherever he may need us sir." You say. "And the Emperor will always appreciate your service. He has been watching you, you know. He always is. That is why he believes you would be most effective apart from each other." "Sir?" "You are Eternals, m'boy. You were bred to lead as well as fight. You've already proven yourself to be able to do both, but your fellow Eternals will never reach their fullest potential if they live under your shadow. All of you will be separated and given your own commands in territories the Emperor needs you the most. I have no doubt you all will be successful and honor the Emperor with your future victories." "W..we will sir, but you said territories. Are we not all being sent to the Rask frontier?" "Oh I think the captain misunderstood. A few of you are being sent there, but some of you are staying here, and others are yet being sent elsewhere. Here, here's your orders, you can inform the rest of your team, I'm sure they'll be excited to hear this news too, oh and consider yourself promoted to lieutenant. The rest of your team members will probably be promoted to sergeant rank when they officially get their assignments. I think that's about it. A caravan will be here to transfer some of you to your new assignments in a few days. Good day." As Mr. Mol goes walking out the office, you feel a little strange. Your team has been together so long, it feels weird to know that you're going to be split apart. "Sorry for the wrong information, I thought all of you would be sent to the Rask frontier. Well I guess I'm glad to know some of your are staying, heh...are you okay?" Captain Anu asks. "Huh? Oh yes. I'm okay captain. If you'll excuse me I have to inform my team of their new assignments." "Certainly. Dismissed." You inform your team of the news and there is a mixture of feelings. There is some excitement of gaining their own commands, but are still a little apprehensive about splitting up. Well all of them except Edgar who seems to be solely overjoyed that he's getting his own command. "Okay, Roldan and Brenda, you're staying here." "Damn, I was hoping I'd at least get to go some place different." Brenda says. "Make no mistake, this area still needs order established. I believe you and Roldan will do a fine job in continuing the reputation of excellence that we have built here." You continue with the list. "Gerald and Warrick, you're being assigned along the Felkan border. Apparently the non-aggression treaty the Empire had with the Felkan Kingdom has expired and tensions have been high. War with them may even break out." "Interesting. Well if war does break out, we'll be the first one to show the Felkans the error of defying the Emperor's mercy." Warrick says. "Yeah, yeah! Let's get on with it, where am I going?" Edgar interrupts. You glare at Edgar and then continue. "You, Kane and I are all being sent to the Rask frontier." "As it should be. My skills were going to waste here." "Edgar, I'm going to say this while I'm still your superior. I certainly hope you realize that this isn't a game and you'll prove yourself to be a competent leader." "Hey, I'm just as much of a leader as you are! The difference is I take risks and that will be a trait that will necessary in a place like the Rask frontier! I will rise up in the ranks and bring honor to the name Eternal and glory to the Emperor!" "You mean glory to yourself because you feel like you have something to prove." You say. "And you don't? You're a hypocrite anyway! Always were ever since we trained under Mistress! I still recall you begging for your life to her as she crushed you under her boot. From that day on you were always trying to prove yourself and beating the bloody pulp out everyone." "And as I recall you were on that end several times Edgar. Is that why you're still trying to prove yourself?" "You wanna try that now?" Edgar says getting in your face and at this point all of your fellow Eternals intervene to break up a potential fight. "Hey come on you guys! We can't be seen fighting each other like this! We're Eternals, we put all that stuff behind us back in training. We're professionals and supposed to be setting the example for the Empire!" Roldan says. Edgar brushes himself and backs off. "Tell you what Roldan. You set the example for the Empire. All of you set the example. In the meantime, I'll be scoring victories and actually serving the Emperor by conquering land in his name." And with these last words, he takes his leave all of you. The last few days together are a little awkward with what transpired between you and Edgar. Still you say your goodbyes to Roldan and Brenda when the caravan comes. A few days after that, you then say your goodbyes to Warrick and Gerald. You, Edgar and Kane sit in silence for the remainder of the trip. Eventually you arrive at the Rask frontier and make your stop at Fort Destiny. You haven't gotten off the caravan five minutes when a woman wearing battle armor approaches you. "Hey are you the Eternals?" "Yes we are." "I'm Captain Krozer, I've heard a lot about you and wanted to meet you personally. Welcome to hell." Captain Krozer begins to give you a run down on the entire area. She mentions that the mortality rate here is high so morale isn't the best, but she hopes that you and the other Eternals assigned here can rally some sort hope here again. Captain Krozer also goes on to tell you that there's been a slight change of plans in your assignments. She says that you're still staying here, but that Kane and Edgar are going to Fort Defiance, which is further north. Probably for the best considering what transpired between you and Edgar. Kane nods a dignified goodbye to you, and gets back on the caravan; Edgar of course isn't as pleasant and gives you a hostile glare before leaving. With the caravan leaving, you head to your new unit. When you see them, quite a few of them are predictably much older than you, but surprisingly you see that half of them are around your age. "So, you're one those Eternals huh?" one the older soldiers says almost dismissively. You're in no mood to warn anyone this time, so you go straight to the point and throw him to the floor with his arm painfully twisted behind his back. "Correct, and you'll address me as sir or lieutenant if you want to keep this arm, because it'll be very hard to continue doing your duty for the Emperor with just a stump. Understand?" "Argh. Y..yes sir!" And so begins your assignment in the Rask frontier. > Year 20 "Watch it the last ones are coming from the left side!" you shout, pointing at the barbarian wolfmen breaking through the barricade. Two of your number go down before the might of the wolfmen. As always you find yourself having to do things yourself. Not that you're adverse to placing yourself in the thick of battle, but sometimes you get a little tired of having to micromanage. One of the wolfmen goes down by your blade with ease, the other three however are shot full of bolts, though you were very nearly in the crossfire. "DAMMIT, watch where you're shooting!" You shout at the dark elven mercenaries. "Oh stop being so dramatic, we've been shooting with these crossbows longer than you've even been alive I'd wager." One of them replies, followed by a few snickers. You shake your head at the fact that you have to routinely work with them, let alone having to put up with their kind. Then again you've had to put up with a lot around here for the past four years. "Are we done fighting these dogs now? When are we going to get back to killing more sveld? That's a lot more fun." One of the mercenaries says. "You aren't getting paid to have fun svelk! You're getting paid to do your job. If you really want to go murder your tree loving cousins so bad, we're not stopping you." You say. "Whatever monkey, our job here is done, we're heading back. Let us know when you need our help again." The mercenary says and they leave. You survey the damage to the logging camp and it's going to be awhile before this place is up and running to it's full capabilities again. Still, today is a victory and despite everything, you've managed to eliminate more enemies even if it does seem like they are everywhere in this harsh cold land. Unfortunately nowadays the Rask frontier isn't the only place where the Empire has been having problems. Open war broke out with the Felkan Kingdom a couple years ago. Sometimes you wonder how things are going with Warrick and Gerald, but you've never heard anything about them, or from them. In fact you rarely hear news from anywhere unless it directly concerns you defending mining towns, logging town, or outposts from barbarians or the forest elves. It's never pretty here, but you can only imagine what they deal with up at Fort Defiance where they routinely face ogres and sometimes even giants. You have heard that Edgar has made quite a name for himself with some of his actions. In a way you're glad, because he's living up to the title of an Eternal and doing honor by serving with distinction...still, knowing him he's doing it all to try to "beat" you. As for you, you've made quite a name for yourself as well. You have improved the mortality rate of the soldiers here a little (most notably the ones serving under you), but you've also managed to successfully defend several towns with low citizen casualties too. The greatest accomplishments of yours are the complete destruction of several hostile barbarian tribes. The Black Wolves, the Enclave of the Bear, the Blood Boars, and other minor shape changing tribes have all been exterminated thanks to your relentless nature. Indeed, you've become so infamous that the barbarian tribes in this land have come to call you the "The Bane of Rask." This recent battle was a last desperate regroup attack by one of the tribes, the "Silver Fangs" after you wiped out all their women and children in an attack on their camp. Grim business to be sure, but it wasn't first time and it certainly won't be the last. These tribes must learn that they cannot stand against the might of the Empire or the Emperor. If they can only learn that with their extinction then so be it. You report your victory to Captain Krozer. "Excellent as always lieutenant. I know time after time I can count on you. Which leads me to the next major task. From what I can tell we've managed to eliminate the major threats in this particular area of the Rask frontier, but we have two left. The forest elves and the Wendigo tribe are the two in question and I'm wondering which one we should focus our attention on first." "Well I can tell you that the Wendigo tribe will be a challenge. They're the biggest, toughest and meanest of all the barbarian shape shifters. So far we haven't had a large battle with them yet, but with our extermination of the other tribes, the time is getting closer. As for the elves, it will be more tedious than anything as they use a lot of guerilla tactics and such. We've still never found any sort of home, base or camp of theirs, but I suppose those dark elven mercs will be more than willing to help us with eliminating them. I'm sure their leader, Edolith will most likely demand a high price as usual though." You say. "(Sigh) Yeah, I'm sure she will. Things are never easy here. Fuck it; we're pushing forward on both groups right now and putting an end to it once and for all. The question is, would you prefer to lead a company against the Wendigo tribe or go on a seek and destroy mission on the forest elves." > You attack the Wendigo tribe "While I have every desire to see both of these blights erased from the Empire's lands, I believe my abilities would be best served in leading the attack against the Wendigo tribe, captain." You say. "I had a feeling you'd be more drawn to that idea, and you are probably the best person for it, seeing how many victories you have against the barbarians tribes here. Very well, I shall send another officer to lead the mission against the elves and I hope those mercenaries lower their price in exchange for a chance to kill their tree loving kin. In fact I may go along on that mission." Captain Krozer replies. "You are captain?" "Yes, someone needs to keep an eye on those shifty bastards. Besides I find that I've been getting stuck behind the desk too much lately. It'll be good to be back out in the field. Don't want to become like one of those fat self-important generals that do nothing except point to maps and make equally fat musings on tactics. A true leader should lead from the front, I'm sure you agree." "It is preferable yes...but I do understand the need to keep those with keen military minds safe from major war zones. Such people have their place as all do in their service of the Emperor." "Why lieutenant, are you complimenting me on my intelligence? It's not like you to flirt." Captain Krozer asks in a tone slightly friendlier than usual, it catches you a little off guard. "I...no! I mean yes, you are very intelligent, but..." "Relax lieutenant, just having a little fun, didn't mean to put you on the spot. Anyway, we'll pick this up later, you better get prepared for your mission, and good luck." You do exactly that, get prepared. You know this will not be an easy battle. You fought a member of the wendigos by yourself before and it was one of your greatest fights. Fighting an entire tribe of them even with an entire company behind you will not make it easier. Most of the men while capable soldiers, they are still just recruits in some ways when facing the shear might and savagery of these barbarians, let alone a tribe like the wendigos. At this point you wish you had a few battle wizards or even orcs in your ranks, but most of those have been assigned either at Fort Defiance or on the frontlines of the Felkan War. You march through the ice and snow towards wendingo territory, along the way you come across a small village completely decimated. Looks like it was a fairly new one made up of some determined settlers. Still, no amount of determination could have possibly made it a good idea to start building a new settlement that was so close to wendigo territory without Empire protection. Houses have been burned, and the gory bodies of the dead are everywhere and in pieces. Some of the bodies have even been partially eaten. Not surprising, considering the wendigo tribe will cannibalize their own people if necessary. A couple of the newer recruits throw up at the grisly sight. The march eventually leads you a wooded hill area where they make their home. It's there where you have your first major encounter with the wendigos. Their aren't a lot of them, but they're completely vicious and without fear. They think nothing of attacking you despite being outnumbered and bellow their terrible howl. A howl so dreadful it can affect the mind and causes a few of your men to lose their courage completely. "It's all in your head! The Emperor's Will protects us! Find your nerve or die!" you shout and clash with the nearest wendigo. It's just the first of many such battles. The only good thing is the wendigos are pretty easy to find and make no attempts to hide from you, meaning you don't really need to make a big effort at hunting them down. The bad thing of course is little by little your company is worn down by their attacks along with the land already being harsh and food being scarce. It's not just that though, this land of theirs, it's making you feel weird, to say nothing of your men. The howls of the wendingos seem to be on the very winds here. It's constantly there sapping your mind and making yourself feel strange thoughts. "Lieutenant, I'm starting to feel really hungry. A lot of the men are." Your second says to you. "We just stopped to eat." "I know, but I dunno I'm still hungry." "Well we're not stopping again. We need to keep moving the quicker we do this, the quicker we can go back home and have a proper meal." "Yes, a proper meal with meat. Lots of meat. Heh heh." Your second says and walks away. By the fifth day, you finally come across a large wendigo encampment and it is there where you see some sort of leader. You knew they had to have one, these types always do. He's predictably the largest of his kind and covered in pure white fur. When your company arrives, the wendigos make their howl, but more disturbingly some of your men make a rival howl of their own and charge into battle even before you give the command. The battle is a slaughter on both sides. You struggle against the wendigo leader striking several blows that would kill a normal man, but of course then you're not fighting a man. He swipes you across the chest destroying your breast plate and lands another blow to your head which probably would've killed you had you not been wearing a helmet. It is enough to knock you down however. "Your combat skill is impressive, Bane of Rask. It will be an honor to add it my own when I devour your heart." You suddenly hear in your head as you struggle to get up. You've heard this sort of talk before. Namely when you were fighting against the usksha shaman. You shake off the wendingo leader's mental attempts to throw you off guard and narrowly avoid his foot stomping on your head. You grab your sword nearby and with all your might, you swing it at the very foot that just tried to crush your head and chop it clean off. The wendigo leader howls again, but this is one of pain as he tumbles to the ground. You waste no time and shove the blade down the beast's gullet. While this would be enough to kill most, the leader manages punch you aside with all his thrashing and then tries to stand up on one foot with a sword still stuck through his mouth and coming out the other side of his head. It would be a darkly comical sight under different circumstances watching this beast hop around trying to pull a sword out of his head, but you're in no mood to laugh. You charge into him as hard as you can to knock him down and grab the sword yanking it back and forth until you succeed in sawing off the top part of his head. To their credit, the remaining wendigos continue to fight and die with their leader. The battle is won and even you take a moment to rest. This rest is to be short lived. "Bane of Rask, you've just won a fierce battle wouldn't it be nice to celebrate by filling your belly with meat? There is a lot in the pot over there." "...what?" you say to yourself and hold your head in your hands. "The pot over there. Lots of tasty meat that this tribe was going to eat before you so rudely interrupted them. No sense in letting it go to waste." "...no I just killed you." "Did you? Of course if you wish you could just pick a body on the ground and start eating. Why not? You deserve it." You know what's going on here. The wendigos aren't truly flesh and blood creatures! They're some sort of spirits or something otherworldly. No wonder you've felt strange the entire time you've been here. You get up and call your men to leave immediately, only to see some of them have already fully succumbed to the wendigo curse. Eating the bodies laying on the ground and beginning to look less than human and more feral. > You Run The longer you stay here, the more likely all of you are going to get possessed. This entire land is cursed and you need to get out of here. You and the rest of your unprocessed troops begin to back off while still keeping an eye on the new wendigos. Their preoccupation with fresh bodies is limited however and they soon begin to turn towards you. They howl that dreadful noise again and begin to transform. It is at this point some of your men run as fast as then can, others begin to hold their heads telling a voice to shut up. "Bane of Rask, join us or die here today!" you hear the voice hiss. Several wendigos run after the men who fled, while the others stay to attack you. For whatever reason, they're not fighting with as much reckless abandon anymore, it's almost as if they've absorbed the fighting skills of your soldiers. Despite this, you manage to pull out a victory, but you're exhausted and wounded. You see some of your other men already beginning to transform having been possessed by the wendigos and you spare no time in killing them before they can transform as well. "Your skills for killing are misused, if you just embraced the primal instinct, you would be able to use your skills to the fullest extent and without the shackles of any higher authority." "SHUT UP!" you shout. Between the constant assaults to your mind and your wounds, you struggle to make your way out of wendigo territory. It doesn't help that you're also still being periodically attacked by the wendigos that presumably finished off the rest of your men who ran away. You run your sword through the face of a wendigo and ignore his claws ripping through your own armor and your flesh. You're tired, but a rage is growing within you due to these constant assaults. You grab the already mortally wounded wendigo and as hard as you can you summon all your strength to break its neck. It falls to the snow in a heavy heap and you do as well. "Do it...nobody is around...feed to sustain your strength..." you hear. You sink your teeth into the body of the wendigo and begin to feed...or rather the carcass of its former host as the wendigo itself has left its body and managed to weave itself into your mind. Your barrier against it finally shattered, your mind is truly not your own anymore. While you are "alive" you are merely a puppet now. You spend the remainder of your days seeking out fresh flesh, until ultimately your mind is completely absorbed and under control of the wendigo.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, villain protagonist] "While I have every desire to see both of these blights erased from the Empire's lands, I believe my abilities would be best served in leading the attack against the Wendigo tribe, captain." You say. "I had a feeling you'd be more drawn to that idea, and you are probably the best person for it, seeing how many victories you have against the barbarians tribes here. Very well, I shall send another officer to lead the mission against the elves and I hope those mercenaries lower their price in exchange for a chance to kill their tree loving kin. In fact I may go along on that mission." Captain Krozer replies. "You are captain?" "Yes, someone needs to keep an eye on those shifty bastards. Besides I find that I've been getting stuck behind the desk too much lately. It'll be good to be back out in the field. Don't want to become like one of those fat self-important generals that do nothing except point to maps and make equally fat musings on tactics. A true leader should lead from the front, I'm sure you agree." "It is preferable yes...but I do understand the need to keep those with keen military minds safe from major war zones. Such people have their place as all do in their service of the Emperor." "Why lieutenant, are you complimenting me on my intelligence? It's not like you to flirt." Captain Krozer asks in a tone slightly friendlier than usual, it catches you a little off guard. "I...no! I mean yes, you are very intelligent, but..." "Relax lieutenant, just having a little fun, didn't mean to put you on the spot. Anyway, we'll pick this up later, you better get prepared for your mission, and good luck." You do exactly that, get prepared. You know this will not be an easy battle. You fought a member of the wendigos by yourself before and it was one of your greatest fights. Fighting an entire tribe of them even with an entire company behind you will not make it easier. Most of the men while capable soldiers, they are still just recruits in some ways when facing the shear might and savagery of these barbarians, let alone a tribe like the wendigos. At this point you wish you had a few battle wizards or even orcs in your ranks, but most of those have been assigned either at Fort Defiance or on the frontlines of the Felkan War. You march through the ice and snow towards wendingo territory, along the way you come across a small village completely decimated. Looks like it was a fairly new one made up of some determined settlers. Still, no amount of determination could have possibly made it a good idea to start building a new settlement that was so close to wendigo territory without Empire protection. Houses have been burned, and the gory bodies of the dead are everywhere and in pieces. Some of the bodies have even been partially eaten. Not surprising, considering the wendigo tribe will cannibalize their own people if necessary. A couple of the newer recruits throw up at the grisly sight. The march eventually leads you a wooded hill area where they make their home. It's there where you have your first major encounter with the wendigos. Their aren't a lot of them, but they're completely vicious and without fear. They think nothing of attacking you despite being outnumbered and bellow their terrible howl. A howl so dreadful it can affect the mind and causes a few of your men to lose their courage completely. "It's all in your head! The Emperor's Will protects us! Find your nerve or die!" you shout and clash with the nearest wendigo. It's just the first of many such battles. The only good thing is the wendigos are pretty easy to find and make no attempts to hide from you, meaning you don't really need to make a big effort at hunting them down. The bad thing of course is little by little your company is worn down by their attacks along with the land already being harsh and food being scarce. It's not just that though, this land of theirs, it's making you feel weird, to say nothing of your men. The howls of the wendingos seem to be on the very winds here. It's constantly there sapping your mind and making yourself feel strange thoughts. "Lieutenant, I'm starting to feel really hungry. A lot of the men are." Your second says to you. "We just stopped to eat." "I know, but I dunno I'm still hungry." "Well we're not stopping again. We need to keep moving the quicker we do this, the quicker we can go back home and have a proper meal." "Yes, a proper meal with meat. Lots of meat. Heh heh." Your second says and walks away. By the fifth day, you finally come across a large wendigo encampment and it is there where you see some sort of leader. You knew they had to have one, these types always do. He's predictably the largest of his kind and covered in pure white fur. When your company arrives, the wendigos make their howl, but more disturbingly some of your men make a rival howl of their own and charge into battle even before you give the command. The battle is a slaughter on both sides. You struggle against the wendigo leader striking several blows that would kill a normal man, but of course then you're not fighting a man. He swipes you across the chest destroying your breast plate and lands another blow to your head which probably would've killed you had you not been wearing a helmet. It is enough to knock you down however. "Your combat skill is impressive, Bane of Rask. It will be an honor to add it my own when I devour your heart." You suddenly hear in your head as you struggle to get up. You've heard this sort of talk before. Namely when you were fighting against the usksha shaman. You shake off the wendingo leader's mental attempts to throw you off guard and narrowly avoid his foot stomping on your head. You grab your sword nearby and with all your might, you swing it at the very foot that just tried to crush your head and chop it clean off. The wendigo leader howls again, but this is one of pain as he tumbles to the ground. You waste no time and shove the blade down the beast's gullet. While this would be enough to kill most, the leader manages punch you aside with all his thrashing and then tries to stand up on one foot with a sword still stuck through his mouth and coming out the other side of his head. It would be a darkly comical sight under different circumstances watching this beast hop around trying to pull a sword out of his head, but you're in no mood to laugh. You charge into him as hard as you can to knock him down and grab the sword yanking it back and forth until you succeed in sawing off the top part of his head. To their credit, the remaining wendigos continue to fight and die with their leader. The battle is won and even you take a moment to rest. This rest is to be short lived. "Bane of Rask, you've just won a fierce battle wouldn't it be nice to celebrate by filling your belly with meat? There is a lot in the pot over there." "...what?" you say to yourself and hold your head in your hands. "The pot over there. Lots of tasty meat that this tribe was going to eat before you so rudely interrupted them. No sense in letting it go to waste." "...no I just killed you." "Did you? Of course if you wish you could just pick a body on the ground and start eating. Why not? You deserve it." You know what's going on here. The wendigos aren't truly flesh and blood creatures! They're some sort of spirits or something otherworldly. No wonder you've felt strange the entire time you've been here. You get up and call your men to leave immediately, only to see some of them have already fully succumbed to the wendigo curse. Eating the bodies laying on the ground and beginning to look less than human and more feral. > You Fight As grim as it might be and as tired as you are, you can't just let the spirits infect your men. For one thing it isn't any way for a soldier to go down. For another they'll just become the "new tribe" you just cleared out. Maybe this land is cursed, but you'll not let it be infested with hosts for the spirits that dwell here. You draw your sword and several of your men who haven't been affected do likewise. Those that have been infected finally stop their gruesome feast and look at you. "So hungry, must have more flesh, must be fresh, must be YOU!" your second in command screams ghoulishly and attacks you. Another battle takes place, though not as long or nearly as hard as the first, but you and what's left of your company make a full retreat as fast as possible when it's over. It isn't a smooth retreat though. The thoughts of hunger are filling your minds constantly and being tired just makes it easier for the spirits to infect your men. Several more times you have to put down members of your own company who have turned. It isn't until you leave those accursed wooded hills that you start to feel more like yourself, but even then the journey back isn't easy. The cold, the hunger, and the overall mental and physical exhaustion takes its toll on your last remaining men. By the time you reach the nearest friendly settlement you have six left. "Heh, just like the old days, you silently chuckle to yourself, briefly thinking of your six Eternal fellows. You don't think you've ever been pushed to the limit like this before. Truly it is only by the Emperor's strength that you managed to make it through. You only hope you have not shamed him too much with your failure. Eventually you arrive at Fort Destiny and report to Captain Krozer, who is celebrating with several others in the fort. You don't know what's causing this unorthodox behavior, but you're certainly surprised by it. "Captain, I have my mission report." "Hey! You're back Bane of Rask! Isn't that what they call you around here? Ha ha! I'm glad you're back, I figured your mission would be as successful as mine! Have a drink!" "Uh maybe later captain, but I...did you say there was a victory?" "Well we wouldn't be sitting here getting drunk if there wasn't now would we? The campaign against the forest elves was completely successful. I have to give those svelk credit, they can sniff out their kin better than anyone. Was hardly even a fight, when we eventually did find their major home as it was filled mostly with non-combatant women and children. We'd killed most of the warriors trying to get there. Still, always grim business dealing with the enemy civvies. We managed to enslave most of the children at least without killing them, though if the svelk had it their way they would've raped and killed everyone. Uncivilized vicious bastards." The general says taking another drink. "You enslaved them?" you ask being slightly confused by the idea. "Well sure...what you think I'd just kill them? I know that's the way you do things lieutenant, and probably with those shape shifting barbarians its for the best, but let's just say I'm a little more merciful than you. Hope it doesn't ruin your perception of me." "Uh... not at all. I'm sure you are right captain. The elven children can be indoctrinated to become productive citizens of the Empire. They will learn that our way of life is superior and the correct way." "Ha ha, that's why I like you lieutenant. You don't know any better. Hey let's take this conversation back to my office, it's a little loud here." You say okay and begin to follow her, but she grabs your hand in an effort to lead you. You aren't sure of how to react, so you just let her. When you get there she sits on her desk and smiles at you. "Relax, lieutenant. I know you're an Eternal, but you're always so serious." "It's just I really need to report my mission to you captain." "Oh very well, I know it's important to you." She says taking another drink. You tell her exactly what happened and she listens intently to your story. "Well lieutenant, looks like you managed to pull out a victory against all odds once again. I figured you would." She says. "Victory? I don't feel like it was a victory, captain. I lost most of the company." You reply. "Normally I might agree, but from what you told me, it's amazing you survived at all, let alone bring anyone back alive. Evil spirits, cursed lands, having to kill your own men turning into insane beasts...not something I'd want to face and I've seen my fair share of battles. Besides it sounds like the spirits can't leave that area and you eliminated a majority of their hosts, as well as depriving them of more by doing what was necessary with our transformed soldiers. We'll probably always have the odd wendigo running around due to idiotic adventurers exploring places where they shouldn't, but the danger has been curtailed greatly thanks to you." "The Emperor's will guided me and his vigor gave me the endurance to succeed." "Perhaps, but you really should've had a battle mage with you. I have no idea why central command has not sent us any despite my requests, things can't be that bad with the Felkans! Sometimes I wonder what the hell they're doing down there. Oh well at least I had you right?" she says and gets off her desk. "Of course, I'll be here for as long I am needed here general." "Good." She says and puts her arms around you and kisses you on the lips. You're taken completely off guard and are completely out of your element. You're reminded of Captain Pollo's advances on Gerald, but this is different since you feel a little something for Krozer even though you've tried to not think about it. As the time you've spent here has gone by, your thoughts of Captain Krozer have sometimes been more than a little "friendly", but you've tried to suppress them. You don't know how to react except you sort of back away. "Is something wrong lieutenant?" the general asks "I...uh...I don't....should we be doing this?" "Oh the ranks? Forget about it. I just want sex, it's not like I'm planning on falling in love. Unless you really feel uncomfortable about protocol, I'd respect it of course, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed." "Well, no, I mean... I've been having these feelings of lust for you too captain." You say untactfully. "Ha ha! Well that's good to know I guess." The captain laughs. "So what's the problem then?" "...I just...I've never..." "Never...ohhhhh! Really? Though I guess it makes sense. You were trained to kill from birth; going from battlefield to battlefield quoting Empire doctrine (sigh)" the captain touches your face. "Sometimes I wonder if we go too far. Well don't worry about it; we'll have time to catch you up. And like I keep telling you, just relax... and call me Alison." You and the cap...Alison have an interesting time. It certainly isn't anything you've experienced before, but its possibly the most pleasurable thing you've ever experienced. You understand a little more to as why other soldiers hold it in such high regard. You know not to let it affect your duty and after a few days of down time, you are ready to serve the Emperor again. Everyone is, Captain Krozer is going to do it elsewhere though, namely the Arat province on the Felkan border. She calls you in to tell you that someone by the name of Mr. Mol has been impressed with your abilities and thinks you are able to handle the Rask frontier without any supervision. As of now you are in charge of Fort Destiny and been promoted to captain. You don't know what to say. "Congratulations on your new command, though I will say I don't envy it! After being here for six years myself, I'll be glad to be sent to the Arat province. Those Felkans can't possibly be any worse than the shit we've faced here." "It was an honor to serve with you captain." You say respectfully. "Oh come on, you don't need to put up a tough front with me, I know you'll miss me and cry in your pillows at night." She says with a smirk. "I...won't! I mean I'll miss you, but..." "Keep working on developing that sense of humor, but it's nice to know I'll be missed." She says and kisses you on the cheek "Good bye and remember to take a rest from all the killing sometimes and enjoy what you can okay?" With those last words, Alison walks out of her office...or rather your office. And so begins your command of Fort Destiny. > Year 25 "Another protest? What the hell is going on now?" you say. "I don't know the exact details, just that the miners are protesting their work conditions in the town of Keplavisk." Lieutenant Verant replies. "I'm getting sick of these protests, the Empire provides everything for these ungrateful wretches and they complain? They ought to be lucky we haven't sent slaves to do their job! Alright send a detachment there and if they don't break it up, kill a couple to make a point and remind them that it could be much worse." "Yes sir." You sit stuck at your desk wondering when something worthwhile is going to happen. When you were first assigned to this job, the frontier was still dangerous. Even with the elimination of the wendigos and the elven home, there were still minor hostile barbarian tribes running around and sometimes even tribes of ogres or the odd giant who had wandered down from further north. Eventually you eliminated all of those threats to a degree that they were no longer a factor. Then boredom set in as the area became peaceful. For a moment you tried to take Alison's advice she once gave you, but the problem is, the peace lasted too long, at least for you. Lately though the boredom has become annoyance. There has been a shift in the average Empire citizen's attitude, namely one of insolence. many have started to complain about their jobs, their food, their freedom, everything. At first you questioned if it wasn't some sort of supernatural influence as that could at least be a rational explanation of this mass madness. When the first open protests started, you handled them in an efficient manner and they stopped for a while, but only for a while. It's as if the citizens want you to kill them. And apparently the problem isn't just here. If anything this sort of open disobedience has been rearing its ugly head in other parts of the Empire a lot more than it has here and a lot sooner. Don't these people understand that the Empire protects them and gives them everything? If it were not for Emperor's wisdom to expand, they wouldn't even have their homes, jobs in whatever province they hail from, never mind the constant vigilance to protect them against monsters that would rip them apart. Sometimes you wish you had been transferred to the Arat province. At least there's a war going on there. You can only imagine that Warrick and Gerald don't have to put up with this nonsense. Assuming they are still alive, as you have heard nothing about them and despite your new ranking, you can't seem to get any information on them either. No word about about Roldan or Brenda either, but you do know that the Nalin province is known to be one of the most orderly places in the Empire now. You would even settle for being transferred to Fort Defiance at this point, they at least have to still have to stem the tide of beasts and monsters from the north. You've also wondered about Kane and Edgar. They're the only two you do have some updated information on, but while you've all been in this territory for years you haven't seen them since the day you separated company. Oh you've heard a few stories about Edgar killing giants single handedly, but that's about it. In fact you're surprised that neither one of them has earned command of Fort Defiance like you have with Fort Destiny. Sometimes it's funny how thinking about something causes it to happen. You get a message from Fort Defiance and it's from Kane! He states that he's just taken command of Fort Defiance and would like to speak with you in person about some possible joint military operations. You naturally leave for Fort Defiance immediately. A certain excitement and even happiness dwells within you, it'll be good to see a fellow Eternal again, even if Edgar is probably going to still be combative with you. Who knows though? Maybe he's changed, it's been years after all. Your trip to Fort Defiance is uneventful and when you arrive at the fort it's as large as you've heard, but then it would have to be to fend off giants. You are greeted by several heavily armored orc troops and what looks to be a battle mage. (You still never managed to get either assigned to your fort) "Welcome to Fort Defiance captain! I am to take you to General Kane. He is most eager to see you! Come this way!" the battle mage says and as you are escorted through a series of dimly lit corridors one thought goes through your mind: "General?" When you arrive at Kane's office he looks a little different with his head completely shaved, but other than that he hasn't changed. He also has another man in his office dressed in dark leather armor, with a cloak. You've heard of their reputation, but this is the first time you've seen a member of the Shadow Guard. You knew a few were stationed up here though. Kane stands up and greets you. "Well if it isn't the Bane of Rask! Ha ha ha! How are you my brother?" Kane says in a jovial manner. "I'm fine...brother?" you reply being a little confused by Kane's demeanor and him calling you brother. "Yes! Of course! We are brothers! We grew up together, we trained together, and we fought together, and we are Eternals! Would that not constitute a brotherly bond?" he says. "Heh, I suppose it would. Never thought about it before I guess." You reply with a smile. "Hey I'd like you to meet another brother of ours, this is Cyrus. Remember him? He was in our class, but he got transferred to the Shadow Guard when they first separated us." "Cyrus...oh yes, I do remember him. I have sometimes wondered what happened to some of during that first separation. I guess the rest went to the Shadow Guard then?" "Yes, but only a few of us survived Shadow Guard training. Very few." "Sounds like us, a few of our class didn't make it through our training either." "No, it was nothing like what you went through. Trust me." Cyrus says coldly. Kane quickly intervenes. "Don't mind Cyrus, he's a little on the serious side, sort of like you eh?" "As I recall I don't remember you being so talkative or jolly either." You say. "Hey what can I tell you, I've changed as the years went by! I've learned to take more joy in life and not worry so much about duty or about the Empire!" This last comment is cause for concern. "Not worry about the Empire? What kind of talk is that for an Eternal? And I have a few questions, how did you get promoted to general? I mean why would they need a general up here, this fort has been doing fine without one, the Rask frontier is as quiet as ever and there's a war going on with the Felkan Kingdom. In fact, where is Edgar? I've heard so much about his deeds that I would've figured that he might get promoted to command here and certainly not to general." At this point Kane and Cyrus look at each other and Kane looks back at you with a less cheery disposition. "Very well. It was only a matter of time before I was going to have to bring this up to you anyway. I've made myself general and as of recently this fort is no longer under Empire authority." "You what?!" "I saw the light, with the help of Cyrus here I suppose. The Empire is crumbling, I give it a decade at best and we need to make sure we have a good position when the shit goes down. Don't you see? That's why I called you here. You've got the plebs further south of the Rask frontier under control and if we combined forces, nobody could stop us! You're in shock for a moment. Nothing could have prepared you for something like this. "...Kane, you can't believe that I would go along with something like this!" "But why not? Surely you have heard the reports of the mass civil unrest going on in the Empire, why even in your own area you have had to put civvies in their place." "Yes, and that just means we have to work harder to preserve the Empire, not abandon it in its time of need!" "Bah! Why bother? It had its time in the sun and now its time for something new to take its place. What better than us? We're Eternals after all. Just think we could even unite with some of our other siblings in this dying Empire to make ourselves even stronger!" You hold your head in your hands at Kane's words of secession and treason. This is not the same man you knew, and he is certainly not your "brother." You never thought the day would come when you'd have to kill a fellow Eternal. > You accept his offer It takes everything in you to not attack, but you're hoping you can bide your time to gain a better advantage. You're never really lied before though, so you take deep breath before speaking. "Kane... I think you're right. Maybe I've always known on some level, but it just took someone close to me to point it out. I will join your cause... my brother." Kane smiles and is certainly overjoyed at your response, but Cyrus looks less than enthusiastic, in fact he's looking past you. "That's great! I knew you'd join us! I told you Cyrus!" Kane says looking at Cyrus, but Cyrus is still looking past you, he makes a nod. "Cyrus...wait no!" Kane shouts "He's lying Kane! Kill him!" You attempt to get up and attack the battle mage behind, but unfortunately he's already anticipated that and stepped far enough way for you to not get to him in time before he's already cast a lightning bolt straight in your face. If it had been your body, perhaps you would've survived, but a straight blast to your face fries not only your eyes so badly that they melt, but your brain as well. You drop down dead before you can hear Kane's argument that you could've been "turned" to the cause.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious] Year 25 "Another protest? What the hell is going on now?" you say. "I don't know the exact details, just that the miners are protesting their work conditions in the town of Keplavisk." Lieutenant Verant replies. "I'm getting sick of these protests, the Empire provides everything for these ungrateful wretches and they complain? They ought to be lucky we haven't sent slaves to do their job! Alright send a detachment there and if they don't break it up, kill a couple to make a point and remind them that it could be much worse." "Yes sir." You sit stuck at your desk wondering when something worthwhile is going to happen. When you were first assigned to this job, the frontier was still dangerous. Even with the elimination of the wendigos and the elven home, there were still minor hostile barbarian tribes running around and sometimes even tribes of ogres or the odd giant who had wandered down from further north. Eventually you eliminated all of those threats to a degree that they were no longer a factor. Then boredom set in as the area became peaceful. For a moment you tried to take Alison's advice she once gave you, but the problem is, the peace lasted too long, at least for you. Lately though the boredom has become annoyance. There has been a shift in the average Empire citizen's attitude, namely one of insolence. many have started to complain about their jobs, their food, their freedom, everything. At first you questioned if it wasn't some sort of supernatural influence as that could at least be a rational explanation of this mass madness. When the first open protests started, you handled them in an efficient manner and they stopped for a while, but only for a while. It's as if the citizens want you to kill them. And apparently the problem isn't just here. If anything this sort of open disobedience has been rearing its ugly head in other parts of the Empire a lot more than it has here and a lot sooner. Don't these people understand that the Empire protects them and gives them everything? If it were not for Emperor's wisdom to expand, they wouldn't even have their homes, jobs in whatever province they hail from, never mind the constant vigilance to protect them against monsters that would rip them apart. Sometimes you wish you had been transferred to the Arat province. At least there's a war going on there. You can only imagine that Warrick and Gerald don't have to put up with this nonsense. Assuming they are still alive, as you have heard nothing about them and despite your new ranking, you can't seem to get any information on them either. No word about about Roldan or Brenda either, but you do know that the Nalin province is known to be one of the most orderly places in the Empire now. You would even settle for being transferred to Fort Defiance at this point, they at least have to still have to stem the tide of beasts and monsters from the north. You've also wondered about Kane and Edgar. They're the only two you do have some updated information on, but while you've all been in this territory for years you haven't seen them since the day you separated company. Oh you've heard a few stories about Edgar killing giants single handedly, but that's about it. In fact you're surprised that neither one of them has earned command of Fort Defiance like you have with Fort Destiny. Sometimes it's funny how thinking about something causes it to happen. You get a message from Fort Defiance and it's from Kane! He states that he's just taken command of Fort Defiance and would like to speak with you in person about some possible joint military operations. You naturally leave for Fort Defiance immediately. A certain excitement and even happiness dwells within you, it'll be good to see a fellow Eternal again, even if Edgar is probably going to still be combative with you. Who knows though? Maybe he's changed, it's been years after all. Your trip to Fort Defiance is uneventful and when you arrive at the fort it's as large as you've heard, but then it would have to be to fend off giants. You are greeted by several heavily armored orc troops and what looks to be a battle mage. (You still never managed to get either assigned to your fort) "Welcome to Fort Defiance captain! I am to take you to General Kane. He is most eager to see you! Come this way!" the battle mage says and as you are escorted through a series of dimly lit corridors one thought goes through your mind: "General?" When you arrive at Kane's office he looks a little different with his head completely shaved, but other than that he hasn't changed. He also has another man in his office dressed in dark leather armor, with a cloak. You've heard of their reputation, but this is the first time you've seen a member of the Shadow Guard. You knew a few were stationed up here though. Kane stands up and greets you. "Well if it isn't the Bane of Rask! Ha ha ha! How are you my brother?" Kane says in a jovial manner. "I'm fine...brother?" you reply being a little confused by Kane's demeanor and him calling you brother. "Yes! Of course! We are brothers! We grew up together, we trained together, and we fought together, and we are Eternals! Would that not constitute a brotherly bond?" he says. "Heh, I suppose it would. Never thought about it before I guess." You reply with a smile. "Hey I'd like you to meet another brother of ours, this is Cyrus. Remember him? He was in our class, but he got transferred to the Shadow Guard when they first separated us." "Cyrus...oh yes, I do remember him. I have sometimes wondered what happened to some of during that first separation. I guess the rest went to the Shadow Guard then?" "Yes, but only a few of us survived Shadow Guard training. Very few." "Sounds like us, a few of our class didn't make it through our training either." "No, it was nothing like what you went through. Trust me." Cyrus says coldly. Kane quickly intervenes. "Don't mind Cyrus, he's a little on the serious side, sort of like you eh?" "As I recall I don't remember you being so talkative or jolly either." You say. "Hey what can I tell you, I've changed as the years went by! I've learned to take more joy in life and not worry so much about duty or about the Empire!" This last comment is cause for concern. "Not worry about the Empire? What kind of talk is that for an Eternal? And I have a few questions, how did you get promoted to general? I mean why would they need a general up here, this fort has been doing fine without one, the Rask frontier is as quiet as ever and there's a war going on with the Felkan Kingdom. In fact, where is Edgar? I've heard so much about his deeds that I would've figured that he might get promoted to command here and certainly not to general." At this point Kane and Cyrus look at each other and Kane looks back at you with a less cheery disposition. "Very well. It was only a matter of time before I was going to have to bring this up to you anyway. I've made myself general and as of recently this fort is no longer under Empire authority." "You what?!" "I saw the light, with the help of Cyrus here I suppose. The Empire is crumbling, I give it a decade at best and we need to make sure we have a good position when the shit goes down. Don't you see? That's why I called you here. You've got the plebs further south of the Rask frontier under control and if we combined forces, nobody could stop us! You're in shock for a moment. Nothing could have prepared you for something like this. "...Kane, you can't believe that I would go along with something like this!" "But why not? Surely you have heard the reports of the mass civil unrest going on in the Empire, why even in your own area you have had to put civvies in their place." "Yes, and that just means we have to work harder to preserve the Empire, not abandon it in its time of need!" "Bah! Why bother? It had its time in the sun and now its time for something new to take its place. What better than us? We're Eternals after all. Just think we could even unite with some of our other siblings in this dying Empire to make ourselves even stronger!" You hold your head in your hands at Kane's words of secession and treason. This is not the same man you knew, and he is certainly not your "brother." You never thought the day would come when you'd have to kill a fellow Eternal. > You decline his offer The idea is so repugnant to you that you can't even bring yourself to even lie about joining him. It probably wouldn't work anyway; you've never been a good liar. You breathe deeply before speaking again. "Kane, I am NOT going to help you. Now you do what you must, and I shall do what I must." "Told you this was a waste of time, let us be done with this." Cyrus says and points a small crossbow on his wrist and fires it at you, though Kane knocks his hand away causing the bolt to just hit your shoulder. You fall back in your chair and grab the battle mage who was still standing by. He falls to floor on top of you and you break his neck. You feel a little dizzy though; whatever was in that dart is putting you to sleep fast. You hear Kane and Cyrus arguing as large orcs stomp into the office and begin kicking you as you fall unconscious. When you wake up, you hear an unexpected familiar voice, though the most unexpected thing is that you woke up at all. "Hey, get up. Good thing that weak ass poison doesn't work on us very well." Edgar says helping you up. "Edgar? What's happened here?" You ask looking around and finding yourself stripped of most of your clothing and in a cell. "I knew he wouldn't be able to convince you. I told Kane that, but he kept going on about how you'd understand, just like how in time I would come to understand. He said that siblings may have their fights, but in the end they always make up." "Is that how come he hasn't killed us?" "I guess so, though I don't think Cyrus would have such sentimental feelings and would have us killed if he had more say in the matter." "Well, Cyrus at least seems to be thinking like an Eternal in that respect. Kane has apparently gone completely mad though...how the hell did this happen?!" "You got time for a story?" Edgar asks rhetorically before explaining from the beginning. Edgar says that when he and Kane first arrived they were met with a little hostility from everyone else and while their prowess in battle earned them respect, they still were never really "accepted" by anyone. Edgar says he didn't care of course and was content with the respect that he had earned and getting accolades for slaying giants and such. Kane wasn't handling the isolation as well and was becoming increasingly more withdrawn. He did his job, but he behaved in a manner that even the orc soldiers found a little unnerving. Nobody wanted to even eat with him, got to a point where the captain of the fort had to send him out primarily on scouting missions by himself. Edgar believes that Kane must've really taken the split of the team harder than any of you could've known. He suspects that might've first lead to his quirk of referring to other Eternals as siblings. He would often mention to Edgar sometimes about how much he missed spending time with you all and couldn't wait for the day when you all would be together again. "(Sigh) All he needed was for me to interact with him on a regular basis, but I was too busy concerned with my own glory. Time in this cell has really given me time to reflect on a lot of bad choices I've made in the present and the past." "What's done is done now, but where does Cyrus come in?" you ask. Edgar explains that Cyrus was transferred here four years ago as part of a replacement Shadow Guard detachment to help with the latest giant incursion. He knows Kane was sent on a mission with the Shadow Guard during that time and that's probably where they started to talk more to each other. Normally Shadow Guards don't interact with anyone other than other Shadow Guards, but Kane hung around him to such a degree that Cyrus eventually began to talk with Kane on his own accord. "I don't think Cyrus' Shadow Guard buddies approved of it too much, but he was their leader so they didn't say much." Edgar says. "So how did they control over the whole fort?" Edgar explains again that Cyrus and Kane must've cooked up this plan in secret for years, as in time various changes began to occur. The only initial thing that Edgar began to notice was the increase in orc troops being sent here. Granted there was always some stationed here, but now they were starting to out number the human soldiers, and he thought they were mostly going to the front lines on the Felkan border. However, this area was still very dangerous, so ultimately more orc troops here didn't raise any immediate alarms. The next thing he noticed was that there were less and less attacks by giants and ogres, but Edgar chalked that up to him killing so many of them that naturally they would probably have less members to spare now. Not to mention with all the orcs here now, the giants were having a tougher time of it. The third thing he noticed was Kane becoming less introverted and more aggressive towards the orcs. He witnessed several fights that Kane himself started with various orc leaders. He won with ease of course and it appeared as if he was just being combative out of boredom, but in retrospect there was very real purpose. To establish no doubt to as who is the "real leader." Captain Ian wasn't fond of this sort of behavior in any way though and reprimanded Kane several times, but it was obvious he didn't care. "It was at this point I finally started to talk to Kane on a serious level, just to figure out what was going on with him. All he said to me, was you'll see in another year brother, with a great big grin on his face. Of course when that year came I found out everything. His private orc army. his alliance with the neighboring giant and ogre tribes, his plans to unite this land completely under him and take on the Empire itself. As you can see I didn't agree with his plans. I know I have my faults, but disloyalty isn't one of them." "He's allied with ogres and giants? So wait, how long has Kane taken control of this place?" You ask. "We were still getting reports from here from Captain Ian up until last month." "Hah! Captain Ian's been dead for more than a few months now! Kane's just been going through the motions of sending reports and messengers, probably to make sure you or nobody else sent anyone to investigate before he was ready to openly defy the Empire." "By the Emperor I can't believe I was so close and never suspected anything wrong going on up here, let alone treason!" you say. "If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one. Besides like I said, I was here and I should've been the one to do something before anyone. Instead I got myself captured. Tried to bust out a few times, I figured I'd either escape or die trying. There's just too many of those tough orc bastards though. Even when I managed to get a weapon the blasted battle mage would cast some sort of spell and I'd go completely weak and groggy. Then I'd end up back here again. Heh, Kane's so crazy now that he still believes that I'll eventually side with him." "Did you say battle mage? As in one?" "Yeah, used to have two and they probably would've liked to get more stationed here before unleashing their plan, but they had to make due with the ones that cooperated. I killed one of them before my first capture." "Well they don't have any now, because I killed the other one before I got sent here." Edgar tries to contain his enthusiasm. "That's great! I mean with you by my side and none of that magic shit to complicate things, you've given us a much improved chance to escape for good!" Never thought you'd hear Edgar to be so happy to fight along side you, and normally you might even be a little happy too, but right now you're concerned with escape. The longer you're gone, the more likely Lieutenant Verant will send someone up here to investigate. They'll be killed of course and then Kane will undoubtedly push a full attack on to Fort Destiny ad you don't have the highest hopes that they'd survive an attack by a combined army of orcs, ogres and giants without being prepared at least. You waste no time coming up with a plan. Simplest ones often work the best, Edgar tells you that it'll be feeding time soon and that you should remain "unconscious" and he'll do the rest. You get into position and eventually hear the footsteps of your orc jailer. "Here's yer food, Ed!" one of them says carrying a bowl. "Hey! Why'd you dump a dead body into this cell with me?" Edgar says. "Wha? He ain't dead he's just knocked out! I should know I was one of guys that kicked him in da head! Har har har har!" "Well he died in his sleep then from your kick to his head. I recognize him as an Eternal and Kane's gonna be pissed that you killed him!" "He ain't dead! He sleep!" "I'm telling you he's dead! Don't believe me, you better check yourself." "Oh no, I know you Ed. You gonna try bash my skull in as soon as I open door. If he really dead, then I just say you killed him." "And you really think Kane's gonna believe that? He knows Eternal don't kill each other, that's why he's keeping me alive even though I escape!" The orc pauses for a moment and decides he can't take the chance. "Bah, alright, I'll check, but I'm tellin' you he's just still unconscious! That shadow guy hit 'im with one of doze bolts of his. But YOU are gonna do something first." The orc tells Edgar to turn his back and get close to the cell bars, at which point the orc shackles him so her is unable to attack him. Thank the Emperor that most orcs are still not the brightest lanterns. The orc approaches you and that's when you spring into action. You struggle with the orc jailer until you manage to grab his dagger and repeatedly stab him in the throat with it to the point where you nearly decapitate him. After kicking the dead orc in the face you grab his keys and release Edgar. "Okay I know of a route we can try to escape through, nearly made it the last time, but again the mage showed up. That won't be a problem this time and they probably won't think I'll try it again." Edgar says. The obvious thing to do is to concentrate on escaping the fort, though another part of you wants to go back to find Kane and Cyrus to kill them. > Escape As much as you'd like to kill both Kane and Cyrus, you're outnumbered and you can't even be sure if you'd catch them together again in this big fort. Better to escape and come back later better prepared to punish them. Still you're going to need some sort of gear to survive the cold outside of the fort. "We can't just escape half naked like this. We're going to need some sort of clothing or better yet armor and weapons." You say "Yeah, there is a small supply room on the way. It isn't the main one, but it shouldn't have any guards by it either. We have to make our way to the kitchen area first, should be relatively empty right now." It takes some sneaking around, but Edgar's knowledge of the layout gets you there with relative ease. When you do get to the room you find some old battered armor and dull weapons. It will have to do. Edgar mentions that there is a garbage dump chute in the kitchen which leads underground, from there, there's a long tunnel which eventually leads to a dead end with a hidden hatch. He says he's knows it leads into a forest area, but not much more than that since the battle mage zapped him and he was dragged back by that time. You and Edgar sneak into the kitchen, but it isn't completely empty. The cook and a couple of his assistants are there, you and Edgar make quick work of them before they notice you, though Edgar is a little sloppier than you and the assistant that he cuts down knocks over a bunch of pots as he body hits the floor. The clatter is quite loud and you waste no time in looking for the garbage chute. It's foul and disgusting, but there's no other option. You jump in and slide down quite easy due to the slimy remains of food greasing the chute. When you reach the bottom a giant pile of garbage cushions you. The smell is almost overpowering, but you have no time to worry about awful smells as you are attacked by larger than normal vermin feasting through the pile. Your boots squish through the disgusting muck as you swing your weapon to drive away or kill the aggressive rats. Edgar comes crashing down from the chute and helps you. "Ugh, forgot how bad this place smelled." Edgar says kicking a rat. "Guess you forgot about the giant rats as well?" "No, but I figured it wouldn't be that big of a surprise for you." You and Edgar manage to fight your way down the small mountain of trash and make your way down the tunnel until you eventually get to a built in ladder leading up to a hatch. "Is this it? It seems like a terrible idea to have this at the fort. Anyone could sneak down here and infiltrate." You mention. "Nah, it's pretty well hidden from the outside, in fact it can only open from the inside. Not like any ogre is bright enough to notice it and a giant certainly couldn't get down here. Plus it locks shut when you get outside. I think it was originally supposed to be an escape tunnel in the first place, but it looks like it got turned into a garbage pit instead. Come on." Edgar opens up the hatch and holds it open for you as you make your way to the cold outside world. You look around and it is just as Edgar said, a forest area with no major distinguishing markers. You see that the sun is setting and use that as a guide for which general direction you need to go. You figure it'll probably take a few days to get back to Fort Destiny, but you should be able to make it. You and Edgar walk a good half hour before you realize something is wrong. "Shhh. You hear that?" you ask. "Can't be ogres, they would've attacked us by now." "It probably isn't...find cover!" you exclaim. Several bolts whiz past you as you duck down rolling around in the snow and run in a zig zag fashion getting behind several trees so as to not get hit. Edgar isn't as quick as you and he is hit by two of the bolts. Not enough to kill him, but if they have that same toxin that you experienced on them he's not going to stay conscious for long. The Shadow Guard assailants finally show themselves and jump out of the trees. Edgar is feeling the effects of the toxin, but he struggles to stay awake to defend himself. You find yourself fighting three of the shadows that circle around you. One of them attacks and you grab his arm breaking it in one quick move, when another attacks you, you shove his broken arm friend into his blade. They both fall to the ground. The third one lands a couple of hits on your back; cutting through the poor armor you're wearing. You deliver a hefty back kick to his gut and follow up with a spinning swipe with your sword. Your sword's edge is dull and not sharp enough to cleanly decapitate the shadow, instead it makes a large cruel gash in his neck which spurts blood like a small fountain. The result is still effective and he collapses into the snow. Your other adversary has gotten up off the ground and throws a dagger at you, which you just narrowly avoid. He tries to fight you fairly, but it's clear he is no match for you and you easily dispatch him. You then finish off the shadow with the broken arm and wound in his belly. Edgar is still fighting the two shadows attacking him. Under normal circumstances, he'd probably easily dispatch them, but the toxin is having its effect and from the front and back their short swords stab him. He falls to the ground when the shadow behind him cuts at his tendons. You strike your blade into the skull of one of the shadows when he only crumples to his knees, you slam the dull blade on his head again splitting it open and revealing the gooey brains within. The last shadow tries to run away, and climb to a nearby tree in the hopes of escaping you, but you manage to jump up and grab hi dangling legs and pull him crashing to the ground. After a small scuffle you wrap your forearms around his neck and break it. You walk over to Edgar who is still struggling to stay awake, but he's fighting more than just the toxin now, his wounds are quite severe. You kneel down beside him, it seems odd for you given your past history, but you feel a sense of sadness. "He...hey...did you get him?" "Yeah, Edgar, I got him." "That's... good. I'm sorr.." "It's in the past Edgar. Don't worry about it." You tell him, as you know what he's going to apologize for. He then quietly loses consciousness and stops breathing altogether. After a few moments of silence, you carry on to Fort Destiny without Edgar. You think about all the things you plan to do to Kane and Cyrus if you manage to get your hands on them the entire time you're traveling back to Fort Destiny. Eventually you get to a town where you ride the rest of the way to Fort Destiny. Lieutenant Verant is relieved to see you. He says was just about to send someone up to Fort Defiance to see what happened to you. You'd really like to raise your entire force from the fort and march upon Fort Defiance immediately, but you question if you'd be able to take it. Other than the defenses being on full alert now, Kane may have already rallied his ogre and giant allies. It might be best if you report this back to the generals at home. Surely they'll spare you some reinforcements for something like this, not to mention they'll need to be warned anyway due to the Shadow Guard revolt that's already been in planning for quite some time. Still, it could be awhile for you to wait, not to mention they may not send you any at all. All which would be wasted time you could've spent attacking Kane so he doesn't get too dug in. > You wait for reinforcements With all the extra allies Kane has, you can't possibly take the fort without heavy losses and with all the problems you've been having with peasants you're still going to need enough troops to keep them in line afterwards. You need at least another army up here. You tell Verant to send a message to the generals back home about the situation and if they can provide reinforcements then to do so right away. In the meantime you're going to build up the defenses on the fort and the towns in the surrounding area. A week or so passes before you get any sort of reply. You are given orders to hold the area, but that's about it. With this new revelation of the Shadow Guard treachery and dissention within the orc ranks the generals are busily attempting to weed out any more within the home territories as well as having to redistribute regular soldiers where Shadow Guard were keeping the peasants in line. The war with the Felkans is also still going on, so any immediate reinforcements would go to that area first anyway. In short, you're on your own as usual and reports are already coming in about ogre attacks on the outer villages. It'll only be a matter of time before those are giants or Kane's entire army of orcs. You curse your situation and prepare yourself for a long ongoing war. Year 26 "Shoot the bastards!" you shout at the catapult crews. They unleash another volley of rocks on the attacking giants. Several of the rocks hit their targets, but it's not like you're not taking a barrage of large boulders either, in fact the orcs have taken to lobbing large balls of dung over the walls and it's already been starting to cause sickness among your troops. Especially after days of ongoing attack, a dwindling food supply and no relief in sight. The months of battling Kane's traitor brigade has all lead up to this, completely surrounded by them. You did your best to hold them back, but ultimately Kane could replace his losses faster thanks to the brutality of his own troops. After ogres destroyed several of the smaller villages completely along with the mere threat of giants it wasn't long that some of the peasant communities were willing to accept Kane's "rule" more readily than the Empire's, which they were already disgruntled with due to the lack of proper protection among other things. The Shadow Guard didn't help matters as most of them that had been rooted out in the home territories fled up to the Rask under Cyrus' leadership, along with some of the orcs that had heard about the rebellion. Any towns that hadn't immediately fell under the sway of the direct fear from Kane's army fell to the subversive and terror tactics of the Shadow Guard. "Get those orcs on the north side! They're climbing up the fucking walls!" you shout. Boiling oil is thrown over the side of the wall, scalding the orcs on ladders. Some of them fall, others are tougher and maintain their grip. You shove the ladder back, making sure to get the ones that the oil failed to. You look around and see that the orcs have begun to break through the front door. You then have that familiar sense that you've had so many other times over the past few months. You duck down and roll while swinging your sword in front of you. You hit something and uncloak a Shadow Guard that has managed to infiltrate the fort. He isn't the only one though. Several more appear nearby to kill the remaining men you have defending the walls. You continue to fight valiantly, cutting down many of the Shadow Guard that have managed to get inside the fort. A boulder crashes into the side of the wall destroying it and causing you to fall off the walkway and to the ground within the fort. You get back up as quickly as you can to see orcs pouring into the front gates and the remainder of your men slaughtered. Griping your sword one last time your only regret is not taking the opportunity to kill Kane and Cyrus a year ago when you were captured at Fort Defiance. Indeed you played everything a bit too cautiously. None of it matters now though, the only thing you can do is go out like a true warrior. If not victory, then you can take comfort in that at least. "For the Empire!" you shout and charge into the horde.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war, serious, dystopia, grimdark, villain protagonist] As much as you'd like to kill both Kane and Cyrus, you're outnumbered and you can't even be sure if you'd catch them together again in this big fort. Better to escape and come back later better prepared to punish them. Still you're going to need some sort of gear to survive the cold outside of the fort. "We can't just escape half naked like this. We're going to need some sort of clothing or better yet armor and weapons." You say "Yeah, there is a small supply room on the way. It isn't the main one, but it shouldn't have any guards by it either. We have to make our way to the kitchen area first, should be relatively empty right now." It takes some sneaking around, but Edgar's knowledge of the layout gets you there with relative ease. When you do get to the room you find some old battered armor and dull weapons. It will have to do. Edgar mentions that there is a garbage dump chute in the kitchen which leads underground, from there, there's a long tunnel which eventually leads to a dead end with a hidden hatch. He says he's knows it leads into a forest area, but not much more than that since the battle mage zapped him and he was dragged back by that time. You and Edgar sneak into the kitchen, but it isn't completely empty. The cook and a couple of his assistants are there, you and Edgar make quick work of them before they notice you, though Edgar is a little sloppier than you and the assistant that he cuts down knocks over a bunch of pots as he body hits the floor. The clatter is quite loud and you waste no time in looking for the garbage chute. It's foul and disgusting, but there's no other option. You jump in and slide down quite easy due to the slimy remains of food greasing the chute. When you reach the bottom a giant pile of garbage cushions you. The smell is almost overpowering, but you have no time to worry about awful smells as you are attacked by larger than normal vermin feasting through the pile. Your boots squish through the disgusting muck as you swing your weapon to drive away or kill the aggressive rats. Edgar comes crashing down from the chute and helps you. "Ugh, forgot how bad this place smelled." Edgar says kicking a rat. "Guess you forgot about the giant rats as well?" "No, but I figured it wouldn't be that big of a surprise for you." You and Edgar manage to fight your way down the small mountain of trash and make your way down the tunnel until you eventually get to a built in ladder leading up to a hatch. "Is this it? It seems like a terrible idea to have this at the fort. Anyone could sneak down here and infiltrate." You mention. "Nah, it's pretty well hidden from the outside, in fact it can only open from the inside. Not like any ogre is bright enough to notice it and a giant certainly couldn't get down here. Plus it locks shut when you get outside. I think it was originally supposed to be an escape tunnel in the first place, but it looks like it got turned into a garbage pit instead. Come on." Edgar opens up the hatch and holds it open for you as you make your way to the cold outside world. You look around and it is just as Edgar said, a forest area with no major distinguishing markers. You see that the sun is setting and use that as a guide for which general direction you need to go. You figure it'll probably take a few days to get back to Fort Destiny, but you should be able to make it. You and Edgar walk a good half hour before you realize something is wrong. "Shhh. You hear that?" you ask. "Can't be ogres, they would've attacked us by now." "It probably isn't...find cover!" you exclaim. Several bolts whiz past you as you duck down rolling around in the snow and run in a zig zag fashion getting behind several trees so as to not get hit. Edgar isn't as quick as you and he is hit by two of the bolts. Not enough to kill him, but if they have that same toxin that you experienced on them he's not going to stay conscious for long. The Shadow Guard assailants finally show themselves and jump out of the trees. Edgar is feeling the effects of the toxin, but he struggles to stay awake to defend himself. You find yourself fighting three of the shadows that circle around you. One of them attacks and you grab his arm breaking it in one quick move, when another attacks you, you shove his broken arm friend into his blade. They both fall to the ground. The third one lands a couple of hits on your back; cutting through the poor armor you're wearing. You deliver a hefty back kick to his gut and follow up with a spinning swipe with your sword. Your sword's edge is dull and not sharp enough to cleanly decapitate the shadow, instead it makes a large cruel gash in his neck which spurts blood like a small fountain. The result is still effective and he collapses into the snow. Your other adversary has gotten up off the ground and throws a dagger at you, which you just narrowly avoid. He tries to fight you fairly, but it's clear he is no match for you and you easily dispatch him. You then finish off the shadow with the broken arm and wound in his belly. Edgar is still fighting the two shadows attacking him. Under normal circumstances, he'd probably easily dispatch them, but the toxin is having its effect and from the front and back their short swords stab him. He falls to the ground when the shadow behind him cuts at his tendons. You strike your blade into the skull of one of the shadows when he only crumples to his knees, you slam the dull blade on his head again splitting it open and revealing the gooey brains within. The last shadow tries to run away, and climb to a nearby tree in the hopes of escaping you, but you manage to jump up and grab hi dangling legs and pull him crashing to the ground. After a small scuffle you wrap your forearms around his neck and break it. You walk over to Edgar who is still struggling to stay awake, but he's fighting more than just the toxin now, his wounds are quite severe. You kneel down beside him, it seems odd for you given your past history, but you feel a sense of sadness. "He...hey...did you get him?" "Yeah, Edgar, I got him." "That's... good. I'm sorr.." "It's in the past Edgar. Don't worry about it." You tell him, as you know what he's going to apologize for. He then quietly loses consciousness and stops breathing altogether. After a few moments of silence, you carry on to Fort Destiny without Edgar. You think about all the things you plan to do to Kane and Cyrus if you manage to get your hands on them the entire time you're traveling back to Fort Destiny. Eventually you get to a town where you ride the rest of the way to Fort Destiny. Lieutenant Verant is relieved to see you. He says was just about to send someone up to Fort Defiance to see what happened to you. You'd really like to raise your entire force from the fort and march upon Fort Defiance immediately, but you question if you'd be able to take it. Other than the defenses being on full alert now, Kane may have already rallied his ogre and giant allies. It might be best if you report this back to the generals at home. Surely they'll spare you some reinforcements for something like this, not to mention they'll need to be warned anyway due to the Shadow Guard revolt that's already been in planning for quite some time. Still, it could be awhile for you to wait, not to mention they may not send you any at all. All which would be wasted time you could've spent attacking Kane so he doesn't get too dug in. > You march upon the fort now You can't wait. You may serve the Empire and be against Kane's traitorous ways, but there is an unfortunate element in truth in what he says. If you need to get anything done around here, you'll have to do it yourself, not rely on the Empire. You tell Verant to send a message to the generals back home about the situation and if they can provide reinforcements then to do so right away, but in any case you're attacking Fort Defiance immediately. You muster up all your forces, troops, siege weapons, everything that could help you and leaving only a skeleton crew back to guard Fort Destiny. When you begin your march, you try to remain confident that you can take the fort. As soon as you start to enter the long stretches of snowy wilderness that precede Fort Defiance, tribes of ogres attack you. Kane's already prepared. Within a mile of Fort Defiance and you can see large looming figures in the distance almost as big as the fort itself. You have to remind your troops to find their courage and that no overgrown abomination is going to best any soldier of the Empire. On the first day of the siege your catapults hurl their boulders at the fort and your ballistae fire at the giants. It's an impressive volley, which damages the walls and critically wounds some of their giant allies, but the counter attack is just as brutal to your side. Multiple boulders comes crashing down on your men hurled by the giants. Fort Defiance's own ballistae aim for your siege weapons, destroying several of them. By the third day, you pull your sword out of the last giant after stabbing him several times in the neck and jump several feet to the ground just before his falling body and crush you. Your men are still attempting to break down the doors of the fort which is heavily reinforced. Attempting to scale its walls results in them being scalded to death by boiling oil. The orcs have even resorted to catapulting their dung at you; it's only going to be a matter of time before disease starts to take effect on your men. You would've tried the same thing, but orcs are notoriously resistant to such biological warfare. By the fourth day, your troops are dwindling and you're still no closer to capturing the fort. Ogre tribes harass your people from the outside and you lead your best men to the hidden hatch you escaped from. Upon finding it again, you destroy the hatch door and descend. When you and your men arrive at the garbage pile though, you're in for a minor surprise, as a troop of orcs are waiting for you. Apparently somebody figured you might try to get in this way. The battle with the orcs isn't a pleasant one. Along with the smell, there is also the disgusting ichor that's ankle deep as you fight the orcs. Through the filth and trash though you manage to maintain your composure and dispatch the orcs with the help of your men. After the fighting is over, your next plan is to climb up the chute and do damage from within. It takes a little exertion due to the chute being incredibly greasy, but eventually you manage to apply pressure to the sides of the chute and start climbing up it slowly. Your men do likewise. You're about midway through this slimy tube when all of a sudden the top part opens up and your heart sinks when an orcish face appears. "Hah, boss waz right. Time to burn now!" he says and throws at torch at you. Normally this wouldn't do much damage by itself, but with the combination of grease, oil and other flammable muck you've been rolling around it, you light up like a tinderbox along with the entire grease covered chute. You lose your grip and slide back down crashing into your men and setting them on fire as well. When you hit the pile of garbage below, you're completely engulfed by the flames and the garbage pile goes up like an inferno. The screams of your men burning alive and your own skin crackling are the last sounds you hear.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist] The idea is so repugnant to you that you can't even bring yourself to even lie about joining him. It probably wouldn't work anyway; you've never been a good liar. You breathe deeply before speaking again. "Kane, I am NOT going to help you. Now you do what you must, and I shall do what I must." "Told you this was a waste of time, let us be done with this." Cyrus says and points a small crossbow on his wrist and fires it at you, though Kane knocks his hand away causing the bolt to just hit your shoulder. You fall back in your chair and grab the battle mage who was still standing by. He falls to floor on top of you and you break his neck. You feel a little dizzy though; whatever was in that dart is putting you to sleep fast. You hear Kane and Cyrus arguing as large orcs stomp into the office and begin kicking you as you fall unconscious. When you wake up, you hear an unexpected familiar voice, though the most unexpected thing is that you woke up at all. "Hey, get up. Good thing that weak ass poison doesn't work on us very well." Edgar says helping you up. "Edgar? What's happened here?" You ask looking around and finding yourself stripped of most of your clothing and in a cell. "I knew he wouldn't be able to convince you. I told Kane that, but he kept going on about how you'd understand, just like how in time I would come to understand. He said that siblings may have their fights, but in the end they always make up." "Is that how come he hasn't killed us?" "I guess so, though I don't think Cyrus would have such sentimental feelings and would have us killed if he had more say in the matter." "Well, Cyrus at least seems to be thinking like an Eternal in that respect. Kane has apparently gone completely mad though...how the hell did this happen?!" "You got time for a story?" Edgar asks rhetorically before explaining from the beginning. Edgar says that when he and Kane first arrived they were met with a little hostility from everyone else and while their prowess in battle earned them respect, they still were never really "accepted" by anyone. Edgar says he didn't care of course and was content with the respect that he had earned and getting accolades for slaying giants and such. Kane wasn't handling the isolation as well and was becoming increasingly more withdrawn. He did his job, but he behaved in a manner that even the orc soldiers found a little unnerving. Nobody wanted to even eat with him, got to a point where the captain of the fort had to send him out primarily on scouting missions by himself. Edgar believes that Kane must've really taken the split of the team harder than any of you could've known. He suspects that might've first lead to his quirk of referring to other Eternals as siblings. He would often mention to Edgar sometimes about how much he missed spending time with you all and couldn't wait for the day when you all would be together again. "(Sigh) All he needed was for me to interact with him on a regular basis, but I was too busy concerned with my own glory. Time in this cell has really given me time to reflect on a lot of bad choices I've made in the present and the past." "What's done is done now, but where does Cyrus come in?" you ask. Edgar explains that Cyrus was transferred here four years ago as part of a replacement Shadow Guard detachment to help with the latest giant incursion. He knows Kane was sent on a mission with the Shadow Guard during that time and that's probably where they started to talk more to each other. Normally Shadow Guards don't interact with anyone other than other Shadow Guards, but Kane hung around him to such a degree that Cyrus eventually began to talk with Kane on his own accord. "I don't think Cyrus' Shadow Guard buddies approved of it too much, but he was their leader so they didn't say much." Edgar says. "So how did they control over the whole fort?" Edgar explains again that Cyrus and Kane must've cooked up this plan in secret for years, as in time various changes began to occur. The only initial thing that Edgar began to notice was the increase in orc troops being sent here. Granted there was always some stationed here, but now they were starting to out number the human soldiers, and he thought they were mostly going to the front lines on the Felkan border. However, this area was still very dangerous, so ultimately more orc troops here didn't raise any immediate alarms. The next thing he noticed was that there were less and less attacks by giants and ogres, but Edgar chalked that up to him killing so many of them that naturally they would probably have less members to spare now. Not to mention with all the orcs here now, the giants were having a tougher time of it. The third thing he noticed was Kane becoming less introverted and more aggressive towards the orcs. He witnessed several fights that Kane himself started with various orc leaders. He won with ease of course and it appeared as if he was just being combative out of boredom, but in retrospect there was very real purpose. To establish no doubt to as who is the "real leader." Captain Ian wasn't fond of this sort of behavior in any way though and reprimanded Kane several times, but it was obvious he didn't care. "It was at this point I finally started to talk to Kane on a serious level, just to figure out what was going on with him. All he said to me, was you'll see in another year brother, with a great big grin on his face. Of course when that year came I found out everything. His private orc army. his alliance with the neighboring giant and ogre tribes, his plans to unite this land completely under him and take on the Empire itself. As you can see I didn't agree with his plans. I know I have my faults, but disloyalty isn't one of them." "He's allied with ogres and giants? So wait, how long has Kane taken control of this place?" You ask. "We were still getting reports from here from Captain Ian up until last month." "Hah! Captain Ian's been dead for more than a few months now! Kane's just been going through the motions of sending reports and messengers, probably to make sure you or nobody else sent anyone to investigate before he was ready to openly defy the Empire." "By the Emperor I can't believe I was so close and never suspected anything wrong going on up here, let alone treason!" you say. "If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one. Besides like I said, I was here and I should've been the one to do something before anyone. Instead I got myself captured. Tried to bust out a few times, I figured I'd either escape or die trying. There's just too many of those tough orc bastards though. Even when I managed to get a weapon the blasted battle mage would cast some sort of spell and I'd go completely weak and groggy. Then I'd end up back here again. Heh, Kane's so crazy now that he still believes that I'll eventually side with him." "Did you say battle mage? As in one?" "Yeah, used to have two and they probably would've liked to get more stationed here before unleashing their plan, but they had to make due with the ones that cooperated. I killed one of them before my first capture." "Well they don't have any now, because I killed the other one before I got sent here." Edgar tries to contain his enthusiasm. "That's great! I mean with you by my side and none of that magic shit to complicate things, you've given us a much improved chance to escape for good!" Never thought you'd hear Edgar to be so happy to fight along side you, and normally you might even be a little happy too, but right now you're concerned with escape. The longer you're gone, the more likely Lieutenant Verant will send someone up here to investigate. They'll be killed of course and then Kane will undoubtedly push a full attack on to Fort Destiny ad you don't have the highest hopes that they'd survive an attack by a combined army of orcs, ogres and giants without being prepared at least. You waste no time coming up with a plan. Simplest ones often work the best, Edgar tells you that it'll be feeding time soon and that you should remain "unconscious" and he'll do the rest. You get into position and eventually hear the footsteps of your orc jailer. "Here's yer food, Ed!" one of them says carrying a bowl. "Hey! Why'd you dump a dead body into this cell with me?" Edgar says. "Wha? He ain't dead he's just knocked out! I should know I was one of guys that kicked him in da head! Har har har har!" "Well he died in his sleep then from your kick to his head. I recognize him as an Eternal and Kane's gonna be pissed that you killed him!" "He ain't dead! He sleep!" "I'm telling you he's dead! Don't believe me, you better check yourself." "Oh no, I know you Ed. You gonna try bash my skull in as soon as I open door. If he really dead, then I just say you killed him." "And you really think Kane's gonna believe that? He knows Eternal don't kill each other, that's why he's keeping me alive even though I escape!" The orc pauses for a moment and decides he can't take the chance. "Bah, alright, I'll check, but I'm tellin' you he's just still unconscious! That shadow guy hit 'im with one of doze bolts of his. But YOU are gonna do something first." The orc tells Edgar to turn his back and get close to the cell bars, at which point the orc shackles him so her is unable to attack him. Thank the Emperor that most orcs are still not the brightest lanterns. The orc approaches you and that's when you spring into action. You struggle with the orc jailer until you manage to grab his dagger and repeatedly stab him in the throat with it to the point where you nearly decapitate him. After kicking the dead orc in the face you grab his keys and release Edgar. "Okay I know of a route we can try to escape through, nearly made it the last time, but again the mage showed up. That won't be a problem this time and they probably won't think I'll try it again." Edgar says. The obvious thing to do is to concentrate on escaping the fort, though another part of you wants to go back to find Kane and Cyrus to kill them. > Fine Kane and Cyrus "We can't leave yet, we have to take care of Kane and Cyrus." You say. "What? You don't think it wouldn't be a better idea to escape and then come back with an army or something?" Edgar replies "It would be preferable yes, but by that time they'll be entrenched and possibly already on the move with their own army of giants, ogres and orcs. That's less likely to happen without Kane or Cyrus here." "You don't think someone else will take their place?" "I KNOW someone else will take their place, but by getting rid of Kane and Cyrus that shaky allied army that they've built up will fall apart. It will then be far easier to handle seeing as it won't commanded by Eternals." "Well, that's true...okay let's do it." Edgar suggests getting some basic armor with helmets to disguise and protect yourselves in and mentions the supply room in the human section of the fort should have some. It takes some sneaking around, but Edgar's knowledge of the layout gets you there with relative ease. When you do get to the room you have to kill a couple human guards, and get dressed in some armor without raising an alarm. At least not an obvious one. "I told the others that you wouldn't try to escape. Glad to see I was right." A man's voice says from somewhere. You and Edgar both grab weapons and look around putting your backs to each other. "Knew it was too easy." Edgar says. "It still can be." The voice remarks. "Who are you? Show yourself!" you demand. "And have you possibly kill me? Oh no, I know the skill and ruthlessness of the Eternals all too well having served with Cyrus for years, not to mention seeing Edgar in action. And your own reputation speaks on its own, Bane of Rask. There is no need for animosity however, I am willing to help you." "It's a Shadow Guard, he's using his blasted magic tricks to stay invisible to us." Edgar whispers. "If you're here to help, why have you allowed this to treason to happen in the first place?" you ask still keeping your guard up. "Oh various reasons, but let's just say the major reason is that Cyrus is a very convincing fellow. He probably doesn't seem like it to you, but he has a certain charm about him. It's how he's managed to convince Kane to go along with all this I imagine." "So this was all Cyrus' idea." You say still scanning the room. "Eh, it's a little more complicated than that I think, even I'm not privy to all the details. I only know as much as I do because Cyrus is a little more talkative after sex..." "Okay, I didn't need to hear about that!" Edgar exclaims. "Look we could stand around and talk all day until the guards realize something is wrong, or you can accept the help of me and the rest of the Shadow Guard. We have come to realize for a while now that this plan is not in our best interest and will only lead to our destruction." The voice says, "You do realize that you have already participated in treason and this attempt at switching sides because you know you'll lose anyway, will not save you?" you say undiplomatically. "Ha ha! Yes, I would expect no less from the Empire and especially not from an Eternal such as yourself. You Eternals, you think in such absolutes and that's why you'll be the death of us all...not YOU of course, but for the rest of us. (Sigh) I think the Shadow Guard should've broken away from the Empire years ago before you lot popped up. Anyway it hardly matters now, I'm still offering my help..." Before the man can complete his sentence you have managed to locate his whereabouts in the room and grab him. His invisibility disappears to reveal a mundane looking man in a gray cloak. As you hold your sword to him, Edgar does likewise. "I hate to burst your ego, but this isn't the first time an Eternal has managed to detect me, you took longer though." The gray-cloaked man says. "How can I trust someone who has defied the Emperor and participated in treasonous acts?" you ask, ignoring the Shadow Guard's flippant nature. "You can't. And being a Shadow Guard probably makes me even less trustworthy. The only thing I can say is you'll have to make a leap of faith Eternal. I will confess this though. The Shadow Guard's loyalty to the Empire is starting to be less than absolute. Granted there are still debates about this within our order and not everyone can decide on how we should do it. Personally I felt we should all just leave and not make a big mess about it. Obviously some, like Cyrus feel otherwise. Now I have just relayed perfectly good intelligence on a potential major threat to the Empire. You will be able to warn others after you take care of Kane and Cyrus." > You trust the Shadow Guard You still don't trust the Shadow Guard, but if what he's claiming is even partly true then it is indeed something you need to warn others about. This idea of mass treason by the Shadow Guard is troubling to you as their reputations for loyalty to the Empire are impeccable...but then Eternals were supposed to be without disloyalty either. There will definitely be a reckoning after this immediate problem is taken care of. "Very well, we'll accept your help, if only because there's nothing you can do to stop us anyway." You say releasing the man. "Spoken like an Eternal. Okay while you track down and face Kane, my brother and sister shadows will create chaos with the orc troops. That should give you plenty of time to kill him and escape." "What about Cyrus?" you ask. "He'll probably be with Kane discussing strategies as usual, at least I hope he will be. I don't relish the thought of having to face him myself even with the rest of the shadows behind me. That would be a rather bloody break up and probably not in my favor. But I'm sure you two will have no problems. Let's get to it shall we?" At this point you and Edgar reluctantly leave the Shadow Guard to carry out his part of the plan. "You don't really trust him do you?" Edgar asks. "Of course not, but if there is the chance that he'll help it's a gamble I'm willing to take. We're already severely outnumbered and in hostile territory if he was lying then nothing was really lost. Let's get to Kane's office, that's probably where he'll be." You manage to walk through the halls of the fort without difficulty thanks to the face covering helmets. Everyone just assumes you're just two soldiers going about your routines. When you arrive near the office there are several heavily armored orc guards milling around there. You and Edgar briefly wonder how quickly you can kill them before more come running, but fortune strikes, when another one comes running for a completely different reason. "Ay! Ay! You guyz! The prisoners have escaped and doze shadoze are in on it! They snuck up and attacked us in our own quarters! Come on!" the orc yells. "Wha?! Never did trust dat lot! We can't leave, da boss is in his office!" one of the guard says. "We gotta tell 'im anyway!" another guard adds about to enter the office. "Hey we'll tell the general and you take care of the shadows. You orcs are tougher so you'll be able to handle the situation better than we would. Besides you should go get yourselves some payback for what those bastards have done." You pipe up and say. "Yeah! Da humie iz right! Okay, you tell da boss and we'll take care of doze shadoze!" one of them says and they all going running off without realizing a thing. "You know I've been serving along side these orcs for years and it still baffles me how Captain Gruz was so articulate and intelligent when compared to the rest of his kind." Edgar remarks. "Wonder about it later, we've got more important matters." You say opening the door, and stepping into Kane's office. Kane steps out of his private quarters wondering what's going on. "What the hell is going on out there, I heard all this...you're not my bodyguards!" "An Eternal shouldn't need them, but then you're no Eternal, you're a traitor!" you shout. Kane draws his weapon and the fight commences. Kane always was one of the more skilled fighters when he served under you, but it's obvious that he's improved even more when he manages to disarm Edgar within moments and knocks him into the wall. "Why are you doing this brothers!? I'm trying to help us! We could join forces! We could all be a family again! It's not too late!" Kane pleads while defending himself. "It is too late for you! You've been a fool to believe Cyrus' lies, where is he?" you yell narrowly missing Kane. Kane ignores your questions and fights back with less reluctance. Edgar attempts to help you again, but Kane once more proves to be the better fighter, smashing him in the face and stabbing him in the leg. Edgar falls to the floor. "Cyrus was right, I wasted my time with you! And you never were the great warrior you thought you were!" Kane says almost landing a killing blow on Edgar, but you manage to save him by deflecting the sword blow. Kane attempts to counter attack but fails and you land a blow across his chest and then another across his face, blinding him in one eye. He drops his weapon and staggers back holding his hand on the gaping bloody wound. "(Pant) Why...you...I can't..." he wheezes and tries to escape past you, but you stop him completely by running him through. You wrench the sword upward to slice further into his internal organs. Blood spills out from the wound and onto the floor and your feet. He looks at you with his remaining good eye. Surprisingly, he smiles. "I...forgive you...broth..." he gasps and dies. It's strange; you feel satisfaction for killing a traitor to the Emperor, yet a small part of you feels something else. Sadness perhaps? You turn and see Edgar recovering from his wounds. "Thanks. Saving me again, must feel like old times." Edgar says. "Old times didn't involve me killing one of us, speaking of which we need to go find Cyrus." You and Edgar leave Kane's office and hear the sounds of chaos filling the halls. A human soldier turns the corner and you nearly decapitate him before he shouts at you to stop. He doesn't recognize you since you still have the helmets on. "Hey hold on! I'm human! Man, looks like you guys must've fought some of those orc fuckers as well. Have you seen General Kane? He's supposed to be keeping these idiots under control and they've completely lost it!" "General Kane's dead. The orcs killed him." You say. "He's fuckin' dead? Great, he and Cyrus got us into this mess and he's dead and the other one is missing!" "Where is Cyrus?" you ask. "I don't know, but what I do know is all those Shadow Guard assholes caused all this strife by attacking the orcs in the first place! Then they just took off! At this point I don't know why I ever listened to this idiotic scheme of breaking away from the Empire! If we get out of this alive, we'll be lucky if the Empire doesn't hang us all for treason!" "You needn't worry about that, I'll take care of that right now." You say and strike down traitor before he can act. You curse the fact that Cyrus and the rest of his shadows got away, but there's no way to track them now, so you and Edgar decide to make your escape from the fort. Your escape is fairly easy. When you and Edgar arrive back at Fort Destiny where Lieutenant Verant says he was just about to send someone up to Fort Defiance to see what happened to you. Your own command is to raise every soldier from Fort Destiny and march upon Fort Defiance. By the time you arrive, the fort is half in ruins and burning. All the human soldiers have been killed and the surviving orcs have reverted back to their uncivilized nature. It's a bloody battle, but after it's all said and done, every orc is slaughtered for their lack of loyalty. You report the events to your superiors and tell them everything that happened and Edgar backs up the story with his confirmations as well as his own experiences at Fort Defiance. The news is devastating and drastic measures are taken in an attempt to maintain order. The first thing is Fort Defiance is completely abandoned with no plans to rebuild it. The area falls back under the dominion of giants and ogres once again. The small villages that do exist up there are soon destroyed, as they have no protection at all anymore. Fort Destiny takes up the duty of driving away the monstrous tribes that do wander further south now. The lives of the Empire citizens in the Rask frontier are now as hard as they were when you first arrived at the place. Next a full investigation is made on every Shadow Guard member, at least the ones the Empire manages to get a hold of. Many openly resist, while other still just make their escape when they can. After a series of major decisions, the Shadow Guard is purged, even some of the ones who claimed their undying loyalty. Their number, while small to begin with, is reduced to zero and bounties are placed on the few that escaped. Including Cyrus. As for the orcs, their kind is spared from any sort of major investigation, though it might be because most of them are serving on the front lines of Felkan War and enough of them are getting killed there to thin out their ranks. Not to mention they're generally not seen as intelligent to be as much of a major threat and it was only due to the manipulation of Cyrus and Kane that they turned. Still, they are watched and they are never to be stationed in such a way that they outnumber human troops again. Questions still abound to as who allowed such orders to transfer so many to Fort Defiance in the first place. Oddly even though Cyrus and to a lesser extent Kane were the leaders of this attempted secession, no Eternal is investigated. If anything you're rewarded with a medal for your service to the Empire. Edgar isn't though for some reason. You maintain your post at the Rask frontier though Edgar is transferred to the Felkan front. You say your goodbyes to him on a friendlier note this time, which after what happened with Kane, you're glad to do. Your position at Fort Destiny is less monotonous now, but its a thankless one as always. The citizens in the area still complain and protest even though you're protecting them. And despite all their precautions and attempts to crack down on order, the events at Fort Defiance are just the beginning of what the Empire has yet to experience in the years to come. > Year 30 "This place won't be the same without you sir. I don't know how I'll be able to run this place as well as you." Lieutenant Verant says as you finish packing your things. "You'll do fine lieutenant, or should I say captain. You'll probably get an official promotion soon. Just remember, when the citizens protest I've found that flogging one family with children at random keeps the rest in line. Can't really afford to execute them like we did in the old days, too many ogre attacks already doing a good job of that. Well at least you don't need to worry about the giants as much anymore." "You always did know best sir." "Well, I tried to do what I could up here. I don't know why I'm being stationed to Delerg Province. It's one of the more peaceful places of the Empire next to the Nalin province. I would prefer to be here or on the Felkan frontlines where I could do more to serve, but I suppose the Emperor knows best where my skills will be used." "Oh well I've heard the war with the Felkans is coming to an end soon." "Yes, I've heard that as well...and it concerns me the things that I've heard why it's ending. Mass riots in the major cities of the Empire, soldier shortages, even heard about some of those traitorous shadow criminals carrying out terrorist tactics. And because of these problems what do we do with the Felkans? Another non-aggression pact! We should be butchering them and burning down their cities, not making peace with them again. If all of the Emperor's enemies had one neck, I would sever it with one sword swipe." Verant says nothing after your rant. Indeed over the past few years he's heard you rant about the troubles of the Empire a lot more and knows to keep quiet. But if you're making more outbursts than usual, it's only because the Empire has more problems than usual. Lately you've been questioning how "great" the Empire is supposed to be. This is not the place you heard about when you were being trained by Mistress or Captain Gruz. In fact, during your first assignment in the Nalin province you encountered decadent officers and disobedient citizens even then. This questioning of the Empire then makes you question the Emperor which causes you great concern for that it treasonous thinking. But still...how is it he has allowed this to happen to his land? He is supposed to be all wise and all-powerful, but you've not seen much evidence of either. Never mind the fact that you've never seen him at all. It's a rare thought, but there have been even a few times where you wondered what would've happened if you had joined Kane when he asked. You leave Fort Destiny without another word and board the carriage to the Delerg province. A few days later you arrive and Delerg is everything you've heard about, very swampy. The town you're scheduled to arrive in looks like it's sinking into marsh, which might explain why it's even called Sinkhole. While you don't know why you're here, you do know you're supposed to meet with a contact here, though you don't know who that is or where you're supposed to meet. As you take in the sights of this dismal town, the villagers look like they can barely contain their fear of you. You aren't sure if it's because they've heard of your reputation, or if it's due to their natural suspicious nature. The swamp folk have always been known to be that way. They were one of the few people that didn't resist Empire dominion at all when they first came to this land, but despite this submissiveness the swamp folk still maintained their wary ways. "Well if isn't the Bane of Rask! It's been a long time!" a voice calls out to you. You turn around and see not one, but two familiar faces. "Roldan? Gerald?" you say seeing how much older they've gotten. It makes you realize just how much time has passed. "Of course it's us!" Roldan says. "Yeah, we didn't know you'd be the contact." Gerald adds. "Contact? I'm not anyone's contact. I'm supposed to meet someone here, you guys aren't it?" you say. "Erm, no. In fact when Gerald arrived I thought he was the contact and vice versa. Well this is odd. I wonder who we're supposed to be meeting?" You reply that you don't know and then begin to feel slightly uneasy. With all your past experiences, you start to feel like this might be a trap, then another carriage comes into the town. When the passenger steps out, it's an old, but still tough looking orc in battle armor. It's Captain Gruz! He sees all three of you milling about in the open and shuffles over to you. "What in blazes are you lot doing out in the open like this? Any potential assassin could strike you down! I thought I taught you better than that! Come on let's get into the tavern, we can talk there." He scolds and then heads towards the tavern, you, Gerald and Roldan follow. The tavern is dark and nearly empty. The patrons inside see you four sit at a table and then move as far away as possible. "You thirsty? I sure am. Four ales!" Captain Gruz says. "I'm not thirsty captain." You say. "They're not for you, they're for me! You guys order your own drinks! Anyway I imagine you're all wondering what this small reunion is all about. Well let's just say the Empire finally saw fit to take me off the sidelines and place me in charge of something worthwhile for a change. I'll get right to the point and tell you, the Shadow Guard is here, or at least what's left of them. For awhile we thought that they might be working with the Felkans, but they're just taking advantage of the war." This news causes you to sit forward and then look around. "Oh don't worry, they're not right HERE, lad. They're in this province though; and you might be interested that Cyrus is the one leading this miserable little band of shadows. I imagine you and he got some unfinished business. In fact that's why you're here, since you've had a lot of experience in dealing with this situation before. As for you two, your own records are excellent and you're Eternals. The only ones that are going to be skilled enough to handle this situation I think are Eternals." "How come Edgar isn't here? He also had experience with the Shadow Guard and was with me during the Fort Defiance incident." "Eh, Edgar's skills are best served on the Felkan frontlines right now. I know the war might be coming to an end, but there's still quite a bit of fighting going on. Besides best not to have all you guys in one place." "That's a different perception than I remember you having when you were arguing with Mr. Mol fourteen years ago." You say. "Heh, remembered that did you? Well, as I'm sure you know things change, ideas change. You get older and see things differently. Wouldn't you agree?" You pause before answering, which causes Gruz to study you for a moment. "Yes, I suppose so." You reluctantly reply. "Of course you do, lad. You'd be a bleeding idiot if you didn't." Gruz says taking a drink of one of his ales. "So, where are these Shadow Guard fanatics anyway?" Gerald asks. "An old temple deep in the swamps. Used to be their old place of worship back before their Empire days apparently. Looks like Cyrus really bought into that dead religion, though it's also arrogant of him to try to hide right underneath our noses. Hell, who knows? Maybe he knew he'd get discovered eventually and was just itching for a fight. Anyway, we'll have some extra help when we arrive there. Trust me, I've got it set up." The remainder of the time is playing a little catch up with your former team members while Captain Gruz enjoys his ale. It's interesting to see how vastly different their experiences have been. Gerald says his time was initially boring until the war broke out. From then on he and Warrick were constantly paired up to perform commando mission deep into Felkan territory. Dangerous work, but he says they were treated pretty well by everyone and held in high regard among their fellow soldiers. Even the citizens were less troublesome in the Arat province and the local women threw themselves at him and Warrick every night he laughs. Roldan mentions his time was mostly spent cleaning up the rest of the kobolds in the Nalin province, breaking small bandit rings, and ultimately trying to keep the peasants in line. No problems from the usksha again though. When Captain Anu was promoted and sent to the Felkan frontlines, Brenda got promoted to command Fort Glory. The most surprising thing though, he and Brenda apparently married. Wasn't anything fancy and there was paperwork that had to be filled out (A lot of it) but it was completely approved of by the Empire. Your own tales sound remarkably grim when compared to theirs. The strangest thing about all this is how they've all had contact with each other either directly or through messages. Gerald and Roldan even mention how they got letters from Kane years ago before his actions at Fort Defiance. They both confirm how the letters sounded very longing of the "old days" and referring to them as "brother." Warrick and Brenda apparently got similar ones too. You ask Gerald if he met Edgar when he was transferred there. He replies that he did, but said that he was mostly sent to fight Felkan armies directly right along side most of the orcish detachments. "Sheesh. He's gotta love that considering his experiences with orcs at Fort Defiance." You say. "Edgar's an idiot. Always has been. I saw that even when I was training you guys. He's a good warrior, but lacks vision. Surprised he's lasted this long." Captain Gruz suddenly replies. "Well, I agree he's always had a tendency to act without thinking, but after my last dealings with him, I think he's improved a bit. Changed his outlook. You know, got older and sees things differently now." You reply. "Hmm. Maybe, but as far as I'm concerned being a meat shield is about the best thing he's ever been good for, just like all the rest of dumb fuckers on the Felkan frontlines." "Hey, I'm on the Felkan frontlines!" Gerald protests. "Yeah, and you're not marching straight into those Felkan shooty weapons either. You're being a lot more than just a meat shield like the rest of those stupid ass orcs." "Rest of those orcs? Not to point out the obvious, but you're an orc, I mean aren't those your people?" Roldan asks. "Yeah and? Does that make us all relatives or some shit? Fuck my people! I got no patience for any of them anymore..." Captain Gruz begins to get loud and cause a scene. "Okay captain I think you've had enough. I think I saw an inn across the way, let's get some rooms there and make plans to deal with the shadows tomorrow." You suggest. "Grrm, maybe you're right..." Captain Gruz replies and then promptly falls to the floor. Gerald tries to pick him up. "Somebody go get the rooms and the other person help me carry the captain." Gerald says. > You help carry the captain "Go get the rooms Roldan, I'll help Gerald." You say. "Okay." Roldan agrees and leaves. You and Gerald help the Captain Gruz up who is mumbling things the whole time. "Fucking idiots. It was perfect...who I am kidding? It was futile to begin with." "Just settle down sir." Gerald says trying to calm him down. "Or what? You'll kill me too? Hey I'm not tryin' ta put the moves on ya, you got your arm around me!" Gerald gets quiet really fast and even you start looking around. "Oh what? You think I didn't hear about that incident? Ha ha ha! Relax, ya did the right thing, fuckin' degenerate deserved it..." Gruz laughs. You're just about to get to the door and that's when you hear yelling and an explosion coming from the outside followed by screams. The force of it is enough to cause you all to fall back a bit. "Shit!" you blurt out and leave Gerald to tend to the captain. You look around and see a couple of damaged buildings, more than a few dead bodies in pieces. Your heart sinks though when you see Roldan lying on the ground in front of the damaged inn. When you rush over to him, his insides are clearly visible and one of his legs is gone. He struggles to breathe as he looks up at you. You can't do anything for him. "Fuck. Damnit..." you quietly say and kneel down towards his bloody body. "...tell Brenda that I love her." "I will." "That's good...that's good...hey if we're all...all siblings like Kane said...that...that doesn't make Brenda...my sister...does it?" Roldan asks with a small smile. "Heh, I don't think so, and even if it did so what? You found happiness with her." You smile back. "Yeah...you're right. You... usually were." he says and then drifts away. This time you do feel sadness at the loss of one of your own. Especially when you had just gotten to know him again. Gerald dashes over to you and even captain Gruz has sobered up a bit from this incident and is now interrogating the nearest hysterical citizen. "Who the fuck did this?! Answer me woman!" he demands and slaps her a few times, but she just pathetically cries and begs him to stop. "Captain! Stop it! It's obvious she doesn't know anything!" Gerald shouts. "Maybe not, but someone here does." You say. "Alright, listen up! I am an Eternal and the man laying dead next to me was also an Eternal! My wrath for his death shall be the likes you've never known and you don't want to know. One of you saw something, so someone better start talking or else this little town you call home is going to get a whole lot bloodier." Nobody says anything for a while and there's just dead silence, but eventually a little girl comes out from behind a barrel and speaks up. "I saw something Mr. Eternal." "Good, glad to see this town isn't completely infested with cowards. You're coming with me." You say and take the girl to a room at the inn and proceed to question her. The girl is still a little nervous at first, but soon opens up quite a bit. She mentions that she was walking home from the general store and she saw Roldan leaving the tavern. He was almost to the inn when she saw these two figures shimming like they were almost invisible. She then says what happened next was very quick. The figures ran up to Roldan and then these two men appeared in gray cloaks. They both stabbed him several times before he could defend himself. Despite his wounds, he managed to stab one through the neck and grabbed the other when he tried to escape. She said at this point she had been hiding behind the barrel, but saw that the man in gray produced a gas sphere plant from his cloak and he yelled something she couldn't understand. A blackish field started to emanate from the man, Roldan then fell to the ground and then the large explosion occurred killing several people that didn't have the sense that the little girl did to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. "So much for the shadows not being here." Gerald remarks. "Shit, I fucked up. I should've known that they might've realized that we we're coming." Captain Gruz says. "Doesn't matter anyway. It's obvious they're prepared for a last stand sort of fight, if they're willing to blow themselves up. No sense in depriving them of that, though I'm hoping they don't start favoring blowing themselves up. It's going to make fighting them more dangerous than it should be." You say. "Mmm, I know what you mean. Serving on the Felkan frontlines I had to experience several of their own explosive type weapons first hand, but from what I've heard those gas plant spheres aren't common and grow rarely even in this area. Even then, they aren't explosive on their own. The shadow probably used some sort of magic to make it explode like that. Is that right little girl?" Gerald asks to confirm, to which she nods. "Alright enough talk, we all need to get some rest before wiping the bastards out tomorrow." Captain Gruz says and lies down on his bed. At this point you send the little girl away and tell her she's served the Empire well and leave with Gerald. "Do you really think Gruz should be coming with us tomorrow? I mean with his leg and his age and all." Gerald asks. "If he wants to go on one last mission then I'm not going to deprive him of that. Don't worry, he'll keep up. I get the impression this is sort of personal to him." "Personal to him? I imagine it's personal to you a lot more." "True, but I'm trying to not let it." Of course that's pretty hard to do when you have to put Roldan in a casket and sent back to Brenda. Gerald writes the letter to her. You can only imagine what her reaction is going to be about this news. This makes you wonder about the whole scenario that they were in love and got married. You know you briefly spoke to Roldan about this back at the tavern, but a lot of it still baffles you. How did it first come about? What was it like? Who initiated it? Was the attraction always there, even back when you were all in training? Could something like that ever happen to you? You think about the time you were with Captain Krozer and that's the closest equivalent you have, but you know that wasn't anything like love. You did respect her though and you're pretty sure the feeling was mutual. Perhaps that's how it started, but Brenda and Roldan were just in contact with each long enough to develop it further. Eventually you dismiss all these meaningless thoughts and rest up to prepare for your mission tomorrow. The next morning, you Gerald and Gruz set off on your journey. The trip through the swamps isn't an easy one; it actually makes you long for the days of stomping through ice and snow. The whole time you're traveling you're constantly alert and feel like at anytime you could be attacked, which turns out to be true with the oversized insects and other minor hostile swamp animals dwelling here, but they aren't the enemies you're expecting. "So how many Empire troops are we going to have as back up?" Gerald asks Gruz during the trip. "Empire? I'm lucky I managed to get them to accept my request to go on this mission! They didn't send me anyone, not that they'd be much help anyway. Most Empire soldiers would stick out like a sore thumb and get themselves killed before they even reached the place. No, I'm relying on the ones that found these ruins to begin with. Dark elven mercs. If anyone can hide out better than the shadows, it'll be them." Gruz replies. Dark elves. You hated having to work with them back in your early years on the Rask frontier, but you can't deny their effectiveness. "Shh! Do you hear that?" you ask. "Probably another Sul Monkey. Those things are all over the place. Just glad it's not mating season for them, otherwise we might be in big trouble. Hey, aren't you humans related to them in some way?" Gruz asks. Gerald is about to reply, and then you hear a whizzing sound followed by a "thunk" sound. You then see Gerald with a large crossbow bolt directly in the center of his head. A single trickle of blood comes from the wound and drips off his nose. "I...been hit..." Gerald says and his eyes roll back as he falls into the soft mushy ground. "Shit!" Gruz shouts and ducks down into the mud. > You duck down into the mud as well You instinctively duck down into the mud like Gruz did; regrettably the hidden assassin anticipated that and begins shooting downward. You and Gruz both receive several bolts to the back. Gruz manages too shake off these annoyances partly because he's wearing heavy armor and the other because as an orc his skin is pretty tough to begin with, especially with his experience. While you're certainly wearing protective gear as well and an Eternal to boot, the bolts sink into your flesh a lot easier and deeper. The pain is great, but you manage to get back up in an effort to find better cover. Gruz spots the shadow assassin and engages him unfortunately two more shadows jump down from the trees to finish you off. Under normal circumstances you'd easily be able to handle the pair of them even with bolts in your back, but in typical shadow fashion, the bolts were dipped in some sort of poison, not strong enough to kill you, but enough to make you sleepy. And it's this drowsiness that is your downfall. You swing at the two shadows a few times before they manage to land their own attacks on you. A quick slash to your neck releases an arterial spray and you're dead before you even hit the ground.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war] "Go get the rooms Roldan, I'll help Gerald." You say. "Okay." Roldan agrees and leaves. You and Gerald help the Captain Gruz up who is mumbling things the whole time. "Fucking idiots. It was perfect...who I am kidding? It was futile to begin with." "Just settle down sir." Gerald says trying to calm him down. "Or what? You'll kill me too? Hey I'm not tryin' ta put the moves on ya, you got your arm around me!" Gerald gets quiet really fast and even you start looking around. "Oh what? You think I didn't hear about that incident? Ha ha ha! Relax, ya did the right thing, fuckin' degenerate deserved it..." Gruz laughs. You're just about to get to the door and that's when you hear yelling and an explosion coming from the outside followed by screams. The force of it is enough to cause you all to fall back a bit. "Shit!" you blurt out and leave Gerald to tend to the captain. You look around and see a couple of damaged buildings, more than a few dead bodies in pieces. Your heart sinks though when you see Roldan lying on the ground in front of the damaged inn. When you rush over to him, his insides are clearly visible and one of his legs is gone. He struggles to breathe as he looks up at you. You can't do anything for him. "Fuck. Damnit..." you quietly say and kneel down towards his bloody body. "...tell Brenda that I love her." "I will." "That's good...that's good...hey if we're all...all siblings like Kane said...that...that doesn't make Brenda...my sister...does it?" Roldan asks with a small smile. "Heh, I don't think so, and even if it did so what? You found happiness with her." You smile back. "Yeah...you're right. You... usually were." he says and then drifts away. This time you do feel sadness at the loss of one of your own. Especially when you had just gotten to know him again. Gerald dashes over to you and even captain Gruz has sobered up a bit from this incident and is now interrogating the nearest hysterical citizen. "Who the fuck did this?! Answer me woman!" he demands and slaps her a few times, but she just pathetically cries and begs him to stop. "Captain! Stop it! It's obvious she doesn't know anything!" Gerald shouts. "Maybe not, but someone here does." You say. "Alright, listen up! I am an Eternal and the man laying dead next to me was also an Eternal! My wrath for his death shall be the likes you've never known and you don't want to know. One of you saw something, so someone better start talking or else this little town you call home is going to get a whole lot bloodier." Nobody says anything for a while and there's just dead silence, but eventually a little girl comes out from behind a barrel and speaks up. "I saw something Mr. Eternal." "Good, glad to see this town isn't completely infested with cowards. You're coming with me." You say and take the girl to a room at the inn and proceed to question her. The girl is still a little nervous at first, but soon opens up quite a bit. She mentions that she was walking home from the general store and she saw Roldan leaving the tavern. He was almost to the inn when she saw these two figures shimming like they were almost invisible. She then says what happened next was very quick. The figures ran up to Roldan and then these two men appeared in gray cloaks. They both stabbed him several times before he could defend himself. Despite his wounds, he managed to stab one through the neck and grabbed the other when he tried to escape. She said at this point she had been hiding behind the barrel, but saw that the man in gray produced a gas sphere plant from his cloak and he yelled something she couldn't understand. A blackish field started to emanate from the man, Roldan then fell to the ground and then the large explosion occurred killing several people that didn't have the sense that the little girl did to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. "So much for the shadows not being here." Gerald remarks. "Shit, I fucked up. I should've known that they might've realized that we we're coming." Captain Gruz says. "Doesn't matter anyway. It's obvious they're prepared for a last stand sort of fight, if they're willing to blow themselves up. No sense in depriving them of that, though I'm hoping they don't start favoring blowing themselves up. It's going to make fighting them more dangerous than it should be." You say. "Mmm, I know what you mean. Serving on the Felkan frontlines I had to experience several of their own explosive type weapons first hand, but from what I've heard those gas plant spheres aren't common and grow rarely even in this area. Even then, they aren't explosive on their own. The shadow probably used some sort of magic to make it explode like that. Is that right little girl?" Gerald asks to confirm, to which she nods. "Alright enough talk, we all need to get some rest before wiping the bastards out tomorrow." Captain Gruz says and lies down on his bed. At this point you send the little girl away and tell her she's served the Empire well and leave with Gerald. "Do you really think Gruz should be coming with us tomorrow? I mean with his leg and his age and all." Gerald asks. "If he wants to go on one last mission then I'm not going to deprive him of that. Don't worry, he'll keep up. I get the impression this is sort of personal to him." "Personal to him? I imagine it's personal to you a lot more." "True, but I'm trying to not let it." Of course that's pretty hard to do when you have to put Roldan in a casket and sent back to Brenda. Gerald writes the letter to her. You can only imagine what her reaction is going to be about this news. This makes you wonder about the whole scenario that they were in love and got married. You know you briefly spoke to Roldan about this back at the tavern, but a lot of it still baffles you. How did it first come about? What was it like? Who initiated it? Was the attraction always there, even back when you were all in training? Could something like that ever happen to you? You think about the time you were with Captain Krozer and that's the closest equivalent you have, but you know that wasn't anything like love. You did respect her though and you're pretty sure the feeling was mutual. Perhaps that's how it started, but Brenda and Roldan were just in contact with each long enough to develop it further. Eventually you dismiss all these meaningless thoughts and rest up to prepare for your mission tomorrow. The next morning, you Gerald and Gruz set off on your journey. The trip through the swamps isn't an easy one; it actually makes you long for the days of stomping through ice and snow. The whole time you're traveling you're constantly alert and feel like at anytime you could be attacked, which turns out to be true with the oversized insects and other minor hostile swamp animals dwelling here, but they aren't the enemies you're expecting. "So how many Empire troops are we going to have as back up?" Gerald asks Gruz during the trip. "Empire? I'm lucky I managed to get them to accept my request to go on this mission! They didn't send me anyone, not that they'd be much help anyway. Most Empire soldiers would stick out like a sore thumb and get themselves killed before they even reached the place. No, I'm relying on the ones that found these ruins to begin with. Dark elven mercs. If anyone can hide out better than the shadows, it'll be them." Gruz replies. Dark elves. You hated having to work with them back in your early years on the Rask frontier, but you can't deny their effectiveness. "Shh! Do you hear that?" you ask. "Probably another Sul Monkey. Those things are all over the place. Just glad it's not mating season for them, otherwise we might be in big trouble. Hey, aren't you humans related to them in some way?" Gruz asks. Gerald is about to reply, and then you hear a whizzing sound followed by a "thunk" sound. You then see Gerald with a large crossbow bolt directly in the center of his head. A single trickle of blood comes from the wound and drips off his nose. "I...been hit..." Gerald says and his eyes roll back as he falls into the soft mushy ground. "Shit!" Gruz shouts and ducks down into the mud. > You hide behind a tree From the trajectory of the bolt, the assassin is in front and probably was trying to hit you instead of Gerald. You immediately run for the nearest tree as several more bolts whiz past you. When you reach the tree two Shadow Guards jump down from it and attempt to stab you. You kick one in the groin as hard as you can, while deflecting the blow of the other with your sword. You dodge another attack by falling to the ground and chopping the shadow at one of his legs, nearly hacking it off. When he falls in agony you finish him off with your sword. The one staggering around with damaged man part, finally recovers, but attempts to disappear again. You throw your dagger at him as he begins to turn invisible, impaling him in the stomach. Meanwhile it appears that Captain Gruz is taking care of the one who was shooting bolts at you. "Bastard!" he says with his boot on the shadow and chopping the shadow's head in two with his axe. Blood and brains splatter everywhere. You move around and scan the area cautiously and try to see if there's any more shadows lurking about, but if there were they would've either attack you by now or run off. When you're confident that none are left you walk over to Gerald who is dead already. "FUCK!" you shout while kicking a nearby piece of clumped up mud. You don't feel sadness this time so much as you feel frustration. All those years he was performing commando raids in Felkan territory and he gets killed like this? Not even in close combat! Somehow it doesn't seem right. Just like how Roldan died. You search Gerald's body and find the letter he was planning on sending Brenda about Roldan, it seems you will have to do it now. Perhaps even alter it. Captain Gruz walks over to you, he has a few bolts in him, but he doesn't seem particularly bothered by them. "Feh, I've had way worse than this." He says as he pulls them out. "Y'know we're on our own now." "What do you mean?" you ask. "I'm saying these bolts, they ain't Shadow Guard, these are dark elven quality. That fucker over there with his head cleaved in two had one of those fancy repeating dark elven crossbows too. And while I know dark elves to be treacherous bitches that'll switch sides to whoever's paying the most, they would NEVER allow anyone to use their equipment. My guess is those mercs that were going to meet us are all dead, well either that or they ran off." "Good, I want to kill the rest of these shadows anyway." You say and proceed on to the ruins. Your next step of your journey confirms Gruz's theory. You and he see signs of battle on your way to the ruins. Several of the bodies are dark elven, but an equal amount are Shadow Guard. "Looks like they were ambushed. Heh, pretty hard to do with dark elves. Still, it also looks like the dark elves gave the shadows a hell of a fight. Looks like those are the ruins up ahead. I'm guessing there probably aren't too many left, this should be over pretty quick." You and Gruz dispense with caution and boldly march into the ruins. You both look around as the crumbling statues of old forgotten gods loom over you. Eventually you find who you're looking for in the remains of a temple that's covered in vines and partially sinking into the swamp A single Shadow Guard stands over the bodies of several others of his kind. Near the bodies are empty flasks. "I'll be with you soon my brothers and sisters. And especially you Draven." Cyrus says looking at the bodies and ignoring you completely. "Aw, how sweet. Glad you decided not to pussy out like the rest of your buddies by poisoning yourself and are at least are willing to face your death like a man." Gruz replies. "Yes, well it still remains to be seen Gruz. Though speaking of being a man, I'm impressed that you actually showed up here. I thought that you would've continued to hide and try to keep your involvement of these events a secret as you have for all these years." This statement from Cyrus causes you to pause and look at Gruz. He looks guilty of something for a moment and then gives a toothy smile. "I wasn't hiding Cyrus. I was waiting. Waiting until the day when I could finally track you down. It wasn't my fuck up that got us into this mess. We could've been strong enough together to make a break from the Empire if you hadn't decided to backstab us at Fort Destiny to save your own skin. Hah! See how well that turned out. Look at you now." Even as jaded as you have become about the Empire, you are somewhat surprised about Captain Gruz...but in retrospect, somebody had to have some sort of input on having all those orcs transferred to Fort Defiance. Despite this revelation you're too numb to excessively care. All you know is over the past few days you've seen two of your fellow Eternals die ignobly while doing their duty for the Empire. Something these traitors have obviously disregarded a long time ago. "Well, what's it gonna be lad? You killin' me or the shadow first?" Gruz asks. "I think I'll stick with the original plan. We'll kill the shadow together, then you and me are going to settle up." You say calmly. "That's the spirit boy!" Gruz laughs and steps towards Cyrus. Cyrus makes no more small talk or last minute threats. He focuses purely on combat. You expect him to use his Shadow Guard tricks like poison or invisibility, but he doesn't. He easily dodges Gruz's powerful yet clumsy attacks and lands a few well placed strikes on him, but Gruz shrugs them off like you've seen him do the whole time you've been fighting along side him. You can only imagine what an unstoppable juggernaut he must've been back in his younger days. As for you, you match Cyrus in sword skill. Whatever he learned from the Shadow Guard won't help him in a face-to-face battle with you. All it takes is for you to take advantage of his divided concentration and you land a mortal blow, slicing his side clean open. Cyrus falls and deflects your attempt to split his head open, but he drops his sword from the force of your blow in the process. Weaponless, tired and bleeding out from a deep hole in his side, Cyrus accepts defeat. "Do it. Eternal slave of the Empire." He says coldly and then you fulfill his request by decapitating him. You quickly turn to face Gruz, who already has his axe ready. "Alright Eternal, let's finish this." You and Gruz clash weapons. As you battle, you're reminded of the times when you were still a child and how he taught you to fight. How he told you to keep a calm head in battle. How he told you to serve the Empire. How he had confidence in your skills. How he saw you as a leader. How he told you not to die for the Emperor...but to make the other dumb bastard die so that you could continue serving the Emperor How he told you that failure wasn't an option. Gruz finally succumbs to his multiple wounds and falls to one knee leaning on his axe in an effort not to completely collapse. "Damn...shit...." Gruz gasps as he breathes heavily and feels his strength completely leaving him. "Why?" you ask him. "Why? Heh heh." Chuckles a bit while at the same time coughing up some blood. "After all you've experienced in your service of the Empire, you have to ask me why? My people had already been tamed and conquered decades ago and I bought into the same bullshit you did when I was a little green snot that didn't know any better. I worked my way up the ranks and did pretty good for myself, but for what? To be a lap dog that begged for a treat every time I did something right and get slapped down because I was rising too much above my so called station? I was still holding on to an idea that was long gone or never existed to begin with. It wasn't until shortly after your training was complete that I started to seriously change my mind. The Felkan war and the conspiracy that the Shadow Guard came up with just made it easier... I think I'm gonna just lay down for a while." Gruz says as he loses his last battle with staying conscious. You step towards him with your sword ready to strike, but instead you just watch him slowly drift off and hear his last words. "I lived a lot longer than I should have. This is a good death for an orc. I've seen your new replacements Eternal. They're monsters. They'll finish off what's left of this decaying husk of an Empire, not save it. Good riddance. Heh, don't worry though; you'll probably survive the coming shit storm. You'll outlive everyone." He says and then finally dies. With the way things have been going lately, Gruz may be correct. It doesn't necessarily make you feel any better though. > Year 35 Another rebellion put down. You wipe your sword of blood and shake your head as you look around at the chaos. This is the Quala province, the very heartland of the Empire. You shouldn't have to be trying to maintain order here only a few miles away from the capital itself. "Ha ha ha! Come on bitch, give it up! I'm an Eternal, you oughta be flattered that I'm even wasting my time on your normal ass!" private Felding says as he attempts to rape a nearby girl. You briskly walk over to Felding and pull him off her. You know damn well that the rest of his kind are probably doing stuff like this all over the place, but this one is in your direct sight and under your command. "What the hell, captain? If you wanted first dibs you could've just said so! Ah look, now she's getting away!" "We're here to maintain order private, not create more chaos." "Oh yeah? Coulda fooled me by destroying the entire town like this." "Regrettable, but during battle only victory matters." "Exactly! We won! So now it's time to have our fun with these disobedient peasants. Y'know instill fear in them so they won't do it again." "You're not instilling fear though, you're just satisfying your own desires." "Hey, who says we aren't supposed to have fun while doing it?" It's like talking to a brick wall. You've had these "New Eternals" under your command for a few months now and they are some of the most undisciplined troops you've ever had. You can try to encourage them, you can try to reason with them, you can punish them, and none of it has a real effect. The only constant is that they know of your reputation and know that you're also an Eternal, which makes them just fearful of you enough that they don't attempt to directly challenge your authority like they have with so many of their other commanders. If it were up to you, you would've had them all killed for treason as soon as they murdered their first CO, but for whatever reason the Empire wants them active. You're guessing because the Empire's desperate. So they were ultimately transferred to you and unfortunately you're not allowed to kill them either...well unless they try to kill you first. You swear this must be what it's like to be a svelk. They are like children, malicious hateful little children. It's not even their suspect loyalty that baffles you; it's their complete lack of discipline. Even Kane and Cyrus who opposed you had discipline. Hell, Edgar who was arguably the most emotional and hotheaded of the group was a hundred times more disciplined than any of these new "Eternals." You remember back to your own training and there were a few of your fellows that didn't learn proper discipline either. They never made it past Mistress and the few that did, didn't survive Gruz. Whoever was in charge of their training did a horrible job and should've been executed for incompetence along with the rest of these vicious monsters. That old orc was right, they will destroy what's left of the Empire, but you doubt if they'll survive long after its downfall. You think back to all the real Eternals. You, Edgar and Brenda are the only ones left, as Warrick killed in the final days of the Felkan War. At least you assume that's what happened, his body was never found and you know he would've rather died than let himself be captured to rot in a P.O.W. Camp. Either way it's truly a loss you never ever got to talk with him again. From what you know Edgar is still stationed in the Arat province, probably trying to keep his own "eternals" in line to keep the peace there. As for poor Brenda you know she has her command in the Nalin province and probably still quietly grieving for Roldan. After all you've been through, it's come to this and you're wondering what the hell you're still fighting for. The Emperor? You haven't cared about that unknown ruler for years. For all you know he's some feeble minded inbred idiot figure head that his advisors keep locked away while they bumble around ruling things probably about as well as he would. The Empire? Perhaps at one time, but as it has lost territory, respect and apparently all resemblance of sanity over the years you've lost all faith that it can ever regain any sort of glory it might have had, if it ever had it to begin with. You've tried your best to stem back the tide of chaos, but you're only one man even if you are an Eternal. While you ponder your potential future, private Felding interrupts you. "Hey, cap? You're in a bit of a daze there. So if you're done I'm going to go now." "Hold on, I have one more thing to tell you." "(Sigh) What?" Felding says with an exasperated tone. "You're not a fucking Eternal. None of you little shits are." You say and run Felding through and pull up on the sword unleashing his blood and guts onto the ground. Felding makes a high pitched scream and slumps on top of his entrails after you remove the sword. "Shit! The cap just killed Felding!" another so called eternal shouts while he and his buddy have just come back from looting some farmer's home. The pair of them look like they want to run, but you make it easy on them. "Go ahead and run or stay. I don't care anymore. I'm leaving. I will tell you this though, if the Empire sends any of you unruly scum after me, know that I shall take great pleasure in not just killing you, but in drawing it out for as long as possible. Remember this." And with that last warning, you leave your service to the Empire. The question now is, where will you go? What will you do? This all feels so wrong when you think about it. You've killed so many for abandoning, opposing, or attempting to betray the Empire and here you are doing the same thing. Was it all for nothing? Was it worth it? You don't know. You always believed at the time you were right and that you were doing the right thing. Maybe you were, maybe you weren't. You just know that you can't serve something you don't believe in anymore. Especially when everyone else around you doesn't either. Speaking of not knowing, you don't know how to do anything except kill people. While you're certain that you'd be able to hire your skills out somewhere, the idea of being a mercenary is a little distasteful for you. You'd rather not push the svelk comparison that far. You could swear loyalty to another government you suppose. Perhaps the Felkan Kingdom? You're not sure they'd want you, what with all their high tech weapons and your own government once fighting against them. The only other alternative for you is to carve out your own territory and rule it as your own. While it's true you do have leadership qualities, you know nothing of actually running a government. You honestly wouldn't know where to begin. > You become a mercenary You have no desire to serve another government that's likely to be just as corrupt and useless as the one you served. You don't really feel like carving out your own territory either, what could you gain, the petty power thrill of being another tyrant with delusions of grandeur? You've seen that story play out several times and it hasn't gotten the people who pursued it anywhere. Maybe the svelk had it right. Ultimately serve nobody, but yourself. After all you've pretty much had to do that most of the time since the Empire rarely ever saw fit to help you out in any meaningful manner. The question is where can you find work as a mercenary without needing to work for any sort of government. You then remember, Rask. The Rask territory completely broke off from the Empire and declared itself independent years ago. No attempt has been made to retake it either, as far as you know Fort Destiny was just completely abandoned. The towns there have banded together as a loose alliance for protection and trade, but nothing more than that. Despite this, they still have need for warriors and such to defend against the many monsters that lurk in the wilderness. Sounds like a perfect place for you to earn a living and you're already are quite familiar with the area. You find a nearby horse and set off for the north. Along the way you see the landscape of the Empire, which at one time was orderly and even idyllic is now burning and in tatters. Despite the chaos you don't need to do any battle, not even when passing groups of angry peasants who are taking every opportunity to get revenge on their oppressive government and its agents in all forms. You can only assume your reputation is enough to scare them off or they don't even recognize you. If it's the latter then it only confirms your belief that you weren't making that much of a difference in the Empire anyway. When you eventually make it to the Rask borders the cold chill and snow are almost welcoming to you. As bad as it was here at times, this harsh place is probably the closest you can call home now, you only hope you can still make one here without too much problem. A few miles in and you see Fort Destiny in the distance, it looks about the same. You wonder what it's being used for now, but you see several young men standing around outside, they look like guards. You approach and are stopped. "Halt, this is Kenneth's Rest. If you're here to trade then you may enter, but don't cause any trouble or you'll find yourself in more than you bargained for!" a young guard says. He's wearing a patchwork Empire uniform, all of them are. You wonder if these were young recruits that just stayed when the Empire abandoned the place. If so then there are probably others as well, in fact the name Kenneth sounds familiar, but you can't place it. In any case you could do with a small break so you decide to stop here, you also figure this would be as good a place as any to start looking for work. You tell the young man that you are not here to cause trouble, but to look for work. The young guard tells you that you might want to look for Kenneth as he usually needs various jobs done. He says he's usually found at the inn that being where he keeps his office. You enter the fort and see that it has changed quite a bit with various traders selling and buying with each other in the courtyard. It still seems to have most of its defensive siege weapons, though they look like they're in disrepair. You notice there are still guards patrolling the top walkways, though significantly less than when this place was still a military installation. It is at this time an older guard patrolling in the crowds sees you. "Hey! I know you! It's the Bane of Rask!" he shouts. With this call, everyone else now turns to you. Some of the other older guards with long memories begin to realize it's you as well and move in to advance with their halberds. The younger guards who never served under you do likewise, but from their own hesitation its apparent that stories about you have been told. One of the guards whispers to another who runs off. You take all this in stride; you figure that they believe you're here to punish them all for desertion or treason. Amusing, since at one time that would've been true, but you're actually here for the same reason. "Alright you just get off that horse slowly. We don't want any trouble, we're just trying to make a new life for ourselves." "I understand that, but if I have to get off my horse for any reason, I promise you it won't be in your best interest that I do so. I'm not here to cause trouble anyway. I just want to talk to Kenneth, I heard he's the one who has several jobs that need done." "Sounds like a trick to me." One of the younger guards says. "I assure you as any of the men that have served under me here can attest to, I do not trick. How about I just wait here for Kenneth and the rest of you go about your business... or continue to hold your weapons pointed at my direction if you believe it will make you any safer. That's fine too." You wait a few minutes still on your horse, hoping you don't need to turn this place into a bloodbath, and then Kenneth finally appears. That's when you suddenly remember the name. "Lieutenant Verant! I knew the name Kenneth sounded familiar. Just forgot it was your first name, never having called you by it on a regular basis and all." You remark. Kenneth looks like he's about to collapse from fear. "Oh shit. Now look sir, we can explain all this. I mean...we thought...uh..." You hold up your hand for him to stop before he has a heart attack. "Verant...Kenneth. There is nothing you can say that could possibly prevent you and everyone here executed for treason to the Empire. Fortunately for you, I am no longer in the service of the Empire." "You...you're not?" "No. I am shall we say a free agent and looking for a way to put my combat skills to use." "I...don't know what to say." "How about saying that you have some work for me?" And so your career as a mercenary begins... > Year 45 "Bastard!" you say landing a killing blow on the last auravrax. You do a double check of the cave just to make sure you've got all the beasts. It's times like this you're reminded of your kobold hunting days. Of course auravraxes are a lot furrier and stupider. Doesn't make them any less dangerous though considering they're basically balls of hair with lots of teeth and a vicious streak a mile wide. You wonder how it was you never encountered them before when you were posted up here. You can only assume that the larger creatures like ogres and wendigos kept them in check. Thanks to your depletion of such creatures other predators managed to gain better dominance. Nature is wonderful at balancing things out that way. After making a check you pile up the bodies and start skinning. You figure between the payment for this job and the sale you'll make on the pelts you'll have enough money for at least of week's worth of wine, women and song. "Nah, to hell with the song. More women." You chuckle to yourself. Thoughts about such "common" pleasures would've never entered your head decades ago. Makes you realize how much you're changed since then, but it's a good change you think. For the first time, you've actually been enjoying life rather than just going through the motions of it like a golem. Life is so much simpler and easier when you don't have anyone to answer to; especially when that "someone" doesn't even know what the fuck they're doing half of the time. Life of course still has its bad moments, but compared to your time serving the Empire, it's like a non-stop party. The Empire, now just another government resigned to the trash heap of history. All of its years of power and whatever glory it claimed it had completely gone. And of course much like Mother Nature, the smaller predators get to take their chance in the sun now that the big one is extinct. One of those smaller predators being one your old fellow Eternals, Edgar. You don't know all the details, but from the rumors you've heard he's declared himself a general and is calling the territory in his control, The Eternal Dominion. He apparently managed to get some of those chaotic eternal wannabes in some semblance of order to help him as well. When you first heard about this you could only shake your head in disappointment. Not even so much for what he's doing, but more with how he's doing it. It's almost like he's going down the same path that Kane did, but with even less planning and followers that are probably more duplicitous than Shadow Guards. You'd think that he would've learned something from that mess. Still, it's his life and you have yours. You stop reminiscing about the past and concentrate on skinning the auravraxes. When you're finished you cook up one of them to eat and then get some sleep. The next day you set off to Keplavisk with your furs. When you get to Keplavisk, the usual people acknowledge you. Some are friendly, some aren't, and others with longer memories hate your guts for your action when you were trying to maintain order here a long time ago. Just one of the things you have to put up with, after all you still have your reputation of being... "Bane of Rask! Bane of Rask! Hey wait up!" Ulivik yells. "(Sigh) Boy, I told you to stop calling me by that ridiculous name. In fact I told you to stop following me period!" "Sorry, Mr. Bane. Hey are those auravrax furs? Did you kill all of them? I bet you just went in and totally destroyed them without fear!" Ulivik says while making sword whooshing sounds. You roll your eyes at the teenager's over enthusiasm and resign yourself to him following you while you head to the town hall. For whatever reason he sees you as some sort of brave "hero" though you wish he wouldn't. You can't get too mad at him though, not his fault he's a dark elf brought up by humans. There's got to be a lot of confusion going on there. You mostly ignore Ulivik's incessant questioning until you get to the town hall where upon his guard run him off with racial slurs and threats. You enter the building and see the mayor. Mayor Stundle is sitting his fat ass at his desk doing nothing of any importance as usual. "Ah Mr. Bane, I can see by the numerous pelts you're carrying that you've taken care of the problem, I knew you would. That's why you're the best merc in the Confederation. Your payment is on the desk there." "Good, and my name isn't Bane you know. I keep telling people that." "Indeed it may not be, but that's what everyone knows you as. Can't fight fame or maybe in your case infamy. Heh heh." "Yeah, anyway I showed you the proof, I've got some furs to sell." "Got a special job for you if you want." "Maybe later, I'm going to enjoy myself." "Okay, but I can't promise you it'll be available when you get back." As you leave Mayor Stundle's office, Flog is just entering with several ogre scalps. He displays his obvious dislike of you as usual. As thorough as you were when you destroyed Fort Defiance, Flog survived because he did the smart thing of running away and hiding as soon as he saw your army approaching. "Outta da way Bane, Flog has to see fat mayor!" "He's all yours." You remark not really wanting to deal with his attitude today, of course in typical orc fashion, Flog feels the need to press the issue. He sees the auravrax furs and makes his move. "Gruh. You kill little furry things. Flog kill big ogres! More proof that Flog better merc than you!" "Sure Flog, whatever." You say dismissively which of course annoys Flog even more. "Flog gonna kill you one day Bane!" he shouts as you walk away. "Sure Flog, whenever you're ready." You say almost yawning. Another time and place you would've killed him for speaking to you in such a manner, but over the years you've mellowed with age. Besides he's been threatening to kill you for the last eight years. The first few times you took him seriously. Now it's just boring. If he really ever wants to try he knows where to find you, not like you're hiding. After selling your furs you make you take your money to the closest tavern where you proceed to make good on your claim of relaxing. After a couple days of carousing you're lying in bed with a couple of serving wenches and you decide that you should probably get back to work. No point in waiting around until all your coin is gone, you've had your fun now its time to get back to what you're really good at, killing stuff. You tell the girls in your room to leave and get prepared to go find some more work. You've barely stepped out of the inn and Ulivik has already found you and nearly gets himself stabbed for sneaking up on you. "Hey Mr. Bane, it's just me!" he says with a worried tone. "Boy, didn't I tell you to never sneak up on me like that? I could've killed you and I doubt if anyone would've blamed me for it!" you shout "Sorry, Mr. Bane. Hey are you going on another mission?" "What do you think?" "I think you are! But Mayor Stundle already gave out all of the jobs, you'll probably have to go to another town." "And how do you know this?" "Because I tried to sign up, but I got thrown out of the town hall and called names." "Sounds about right, but how did you get in there in the first place?" "I snuck in. I think I'm getting really good at it!" "Hmm, sounds like your svelk heritage is finally paying off." You say. "Svelk?" Ulivik asks as if you've spoken a made up word. "Svelk, you know it's the proper name for you dark elves, you mean you've never heard the term?" "No, I've been called a dark elf before, but I mostly get called a lot of other names." "Well life's tough kid, now you go run along..." "Hey why don't I come with you on your next mission!?" And there it is. You knew the day was coming where he'd start asking you to bring him with you. "Yeah, no. I work alone." "Aw come on! I need the experience! I try to sign up for even the easy jobs and I get thrown out! I've even tried going door to door asking if there are any monsters they need killing and they usually just say, yeah the one standing front of me! Then they slam the door in my face! It's not fair!" "Why do you want to be a merc anyway? I mean I know you've got a family that takes care of you. They must, if they were willing to take on the ostracizing that would come in raising a dark elf baby." "They do and I know they love me, but working as a hide tanner is boring! I want to be a mercenary and live a life of adventure! I mean I've heard stories of how my race is composed of nothing but mercenaries! Just think, a long proud line of brave ancestors that lived a glorious life of excitement! I should be as noble as them!" You almost laugh when hearing how Ulivik has spoken of his race. He truly is out of touch as there is absolutely nothing glorious, proud or noble about them. Even brave is debatable most of the time. "Ulivik, if you really want to be a merc, why not just go to Kenneth's Rest? He doesn't give a shit who he hires. Hell, he hires dark elves on a regular basis." "I would, but uh, I'm not allowed to leave the town...but I know if you were with me, my parents would let me go! So can I please come with you?!" This scenario is just so bizarre; you hardly believe that it's happening, a dark elf practically begging you to teach him to be a mercenary. The crazy thing about all this is you're actually considering it. You must finally be suffering from some of the blows you've taken to the head in the past. It's the only explanation. > You take Ulivik with you You decide to humor the boy and agree. Chances are, he's not going to get permission from his parents anyway and when that happens he'll be less likely to bother you again. If he does get permission, well it's not that far to Kenneth's Rest and you were going there anyway. Plus you'll have given him the chance he wants and again he'll be less likely to bother you. "Alright Ulivik, you go ask your parents, but I'm taking you to Kenneth's Rest and no further. And when we get there, you're on your own, don't think that you're going to be tagging along with me anywhere else." "Okay! That's great! I'll be right be back...uh could you come with me, so they know I'm telling the truth?" "Oh fer...fine." You follow Ulivik back to his parent's store which smells heavily of leather. The pair of them are working on some sort of the hide when you both walk in. "Mom! Dad! Mr. Bane said he'd take me to Kenneth's Rest and teach me to be a mercenary! So can I go now?" "Hey wait I never said I'd teach..." you start to say before Ulivik's dad interjects his own comments. "Oh is that right? And how do you know that? How do you know he won't just rob and kill you along some lonely road?" "Or worse!" his mother says. "Hey wait a minute now..." "But this isn't fair! You said if I could find somebody to teach me, that you'd allow me to go!" Ulivik whines. "Yeah, well we didn't think you'd actually be successful, let alone get a cold hearted killer like Bane here to agree. Which makes me wonder why he did..." "Trust me, at this point I'm wondering the same thing." You reply. "Ulivik, why can't you just be interested in the family business? It's a more honorable profession than being a mercenary. It's honest work." "Yeah and the workin' man is a sucker! Look at where we live!" "Hey! We get by just fine, and this business has put food in your belly, clothes on your back and a roof over your head! So don't you dare bad mouth this proud family tradition!" "Yeah, well I'm not really your son anyway! And you're not my real parents! I hate this place and every here hates me!" Ulivik screams and leaves slamming the door. You're left in an awkward situation with his parents. "Okay, so I guess that settles that, I'll just be going now..." you say. "No, you get back here you sonofabitch." Ulivik's dad says. "Excuse me?" "I called you a sonofabitch, now if you want to kill me for that you can do it after hearing what I've got to say first." "Heh, okay. It's been a weird sort of day today anyway, I'll play." You say with a smile. "Yeah, well I ain't playing.

Look, I know all about you, and you probably don't know me at all but I remember your ruthless reputation when you were still in service of the Empire. There was a family that lived down the block from me and my wife. We we're friends and they even had a couple of children. Children that we would sometimes love to entertain because we couldn't have any of our own. But this family wasn't happy with the Empire's rules so they along with several others protested..." You stop the tanner right there. "Yeah, yeah, I know what you're going to say, I had them all killed for treason and had their heads put on pikes. Well I was trying to maintain order and I did what I had to do to get the job done. I'm sure this story pales in comparison to others have screamed at me in the past and you don't even need to make your point about hating me, because I'm used to it anyway. Besides you don't want your son going to Kenneth's Rest and I'm certainly not going to drag him along. If anything I'd wish he'd stop looking up to me as some sort of hero and following me around. I was hoping by doing this for him I'd finally be rid of him. So if you don't mind, I'll be going now and I'll also be disappointing you again, by not killing you before I leave." You turn to leave and that's when you get another unusual request. "If you take him to Kenneth's Rest, will you also look after him?" Ulivik's mother asks. "What?!" "If you want money to do so, we can pay. Just can you look after him for a while at least?" "Okay...now I'm confused. I thought not only did you not want him to go, but that I was also a ruthless bastard that would probably rob and kill him along a lonely road?" "Yeah, we don't want him to go, and yeah you are a ruthless bastard...but I also know you actually do have some sort of code of honor. You might've left the Empire behind, but the regimented way of thinking you have is still there. You wouldn't bother killing my boy unless you felt he was a direct danger to you, and I think we both know that isn't the case." Ulivik's dad says. "Well that's the truth." "The other thing is...we're not going to be able to stop him. He's been getting more and more restless about this, and he's going to want to pursue this career path whether we want him to or not. At this point he's just going to run away from home and who knows what trouble he'll get into. (sigh) Maybe it's just his nature, bein' a dark elf and all, but for good or ill, me and my wife have taken on the responsibility of raising him. And part of that is making sure he has the survival skills that he'll need to make it in this world. We can't teach him that, but you could. Look, like my wife said, we can pay you a good sum just for you teach him the basics, or whatever else is involved, if you need more, I dunno we'll try to figure out something." You're speechless for a moment. Just when you think you've seen the worst in people, something like this happens and surprises you. "I'm not sure what you expect me to do. I mean this job isn't something I can teach like from a book. Most of what he's going to have to learn is going to be from direct experience. I mean I suppose I could teach him some combat skills, but the rest is going to mainly be up to him." "Well do what you can, and take this in the meantime." Uliviki's mother hands you a small bag. When you look inside, it's nothing but gold coins. This has to be some of their savings, possibly all of their savings. They must really trust you, if they've given you this much. "I'll do my best. You have my word as an Eternal." You say and pocket the bag of coins. With those last words you exit the tanner's store intending to find Ulivik. Fortunately you know he isn't far. "Ulivik, I know you're around the corner. Stop sulking, or pouting or whatever teenage angst you're doing and let's go." Ulivik slowly comes out from behind the corner. "You're taking me with you?" "Yeah, I scared your parents into letting you come with me. Now grab whatever gear you want to take and let's go before all the good jobs are taken." Ulivik is completely giddy at this turn of events and runs back into the store to get his stuff. You on the other hand are wondering how the hell you got yourself into this. Then you feel the bag of coins again and remember. On your journey to Kenneth's Rest, you explain to Ulivik some of the things he should know such as haggling for better prices on jobs and the art of intimidation. You also teach him a few combat moves. He's a rookie to be sure, but his agility allows him from getting hurt too badly. When you get to Kenneth's Rest, the place is as busy as always. Ulivik is more than a little distracted by the surroundings, and you have to keep reminding him to stay alert. "Hey stop staring at the harlots and pay attention! Just because fighting isn't supposed to be allowed here, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In fact people around here love to start trouble. Don't stare at anyone in the eye for too long and make sure you don't bump into anybody. You could either get into a fight, or someone might even try to pick your pocket." "Okay. Here isn't the job board that way?" "Job board? Hah. I never use those things. I go straight to the source. Trust me, if you want to get a job that pays well; get to know and make contact with the owners or government officials. Fortunately Kenneth used to work for me at one time, so it was quite easy for me to make contact with him. And when we find him, just keep your mouth shut, and let me do all the talking." Eventually you find Kennth, he's as jumpy as ever whenever you first see him. "Sir! I didn't expect you to be down this way so soon? What can I do for you today?" "Kenneth, will you relax? It's been what, like ten years now? I'm not your superior officer anymore; you don't have to keep calling me sir and getting all nervous and shit." "I know sir, just old habits you know? Who's this with you?" "This here is Ulivik, and he's going to be my apprentice for a while." "Apprentice? Seriously? Never pegged you as the teaching type." "Right, Kenneth, like all those years of training soldiers in this very fort count for nothing at all." "No, that's not what I mean...I just oh I dunno. It's just odd I guess. He's a svelk, how come he's not with his own people?" "That's a long and unusual story, and one I don't have time to go into. Besides we're not here to satisfy your curiosity, we're here for jobs, but seeing as this is Ulivik's first time and all, can we get something maybe a little less...lethal?" "Hmm, usually that sort of stuff is on the boards, but I think I got something. Oh! There's a nest of auravraxes a few miles from here." "Ugh, more of those furry things? I just wiped out a nest of them a week ago!" "Well that's all I got that's on the easy side. I mean I've got some other jobs too, but you said this was more for training your apprentice than anything else." "I can take on a harder task Mr. Bane. I mean I have to learn from experience right?" Ulivik pipes up forgetting that he was supposed to keep his mouth shut. Still, he might have a point. > You take on the easy job Ulivik might think he's ready, but he's definitely not. Killing auravraxes might be easy for you, but they'll be more than enough for him to handle. Anything harder and he may very well be killed in the blink of an eye. Normally this would just be on the job training, but you were sort of paid to look after him for a while at least. "Give us the auravrax nest job." You say. Ulivik looks a little disappointed, but he doesn't speak out of turn again. Kenneth proceeds to tell you exactly where the creatures have been spotted in large quantities and the pair of you are on your way. Along the way, you tell Ulivik how he should approach fighting these things and how not to take them lightly as they can easily take an arm off or any other limb if you aren't careful. He seems to understand the risk. As you get closer to their nest, you begin to encounter the furry fiends. Ulivik slightly freezes up when they spot you and attack. You have to snap him out of it and take up the fighting slack. "Come on kid, move in and attack! This is the moment of truth!" you shout. Fortunately, this motivates him to do just that. Of course after the fight, he's got a very different view of things now. He's out of breath, his heart is racing and he's probably feeling a mix of excitement and fear, or perhaps just fear in his case. "So, is it everything you expected it to be?" you ask. "I...yeah, I mean no. I mean...(pant) that was intense." "Yeah, well it's about to get even more intense, we've still got a whole bunch more to kill." The auravrax nest is another typical hole in the ground filled with them. Standard stuff for you, but its Ulivik's true test. If he can make it through alive and in one piece, he might just have what it takes after all. You let him do most of the fighting, only intervening when it really looks like he's going to get himself eaten or when you're directly attacked. After he thinks he's killed them all, you point out that he should double check the entire dwelling just in case. "What? But we got 'em all! I mean if any were still alive they would've attacked by now." "Not necessarily. A few of the smarter ones will actually find some place to hide and attack when you think you're safe and let your guard down. Trust me, you better double check. It might be boring, but this is part of the job and you will do it if you want to stay alive. And while you're at it bring the bodies of the dead ones back here for skinning. You always need proof and the furs usually fetch a good price. It's a good way to earn extra money. Off your go, and if I hear any more whining from your apprenticeship is at an end and you truly will be on your own." Ulivik certainly doesn't want that, so he obeys what you tell him to do. You can sort of tell his "hero worship" is already starting to wane a bit though, but that's good. It'll keep him grounded and show him that this isn't some glorious profession that he thinks it is. You figure after about a week of this and he'll probably be ready to go back to wanting to take up his dad's business or at least considering it. Eventually after all the double checking, skinning and some sleep you head back to Kenneth's Rest. "I know I asked you this earlier, but it bears repeating. Is it everything you thought it would be?" "Some of it I suppose, I dunno it's weird. Part of me almost wants to go back to take up my dad's business." He says, causing you to smile to yourself at being correct. "Well if you want to get out, the best time to do it is when you're ahead. If you're going to stick with it though, I'm going to warn you, my combat training is only going to get tougher." "Tougher? But you saw me handle myself." "I saw you nearly get your head bitten off several times if I hadn't been there to help. And if you think if I'm being mean, you have no idea what being mean really is. MY first training instructor was a sadistic svelk bitch and out of all the people I've ever met, she still ranks number one." "So is this why you agreed to train me? Some sort of revenge then?" Ulivik asks. "Ha ha ha! Is that what you think? If I was going to hold grudges for something like that, I'd be bringing genocide to the svelk race. No, if anything she helped me survive and that's what I'm trying to do for you, assuming you even want to pursue this path. I'd say you'd better decide what your priorities are between now and by the time we get our payment from Kenneth." Ulivik is silent for the rest of the way, makes for a nice change. Still, you are wondering if he's going to let his steadily decreasing opinion of you change his mind about being a merc. Eventually you get back to Kenneth's Rest which is busy as usual, you also run into another face you haven't seen in a while, though you weren't really missing it in the first place. "Well if it isn't the infamous Bane of Rask, heard you were around." Eldolith remarks with her small group of svelk milling about behind her. "Eldolith, I notice your little band of cutthroats is getting smaller and smaller. Keep this up and you'll soon have no more warm bodies to hide behind and actually have to do the fighting yourself." "And I've heard you acquired yourself a new one. What's wrong, human aging finally catching up with you at last Eternal? Is this him? A svelk? Hmmm he is very young, is he your pleasure boy?" Before you can reply, Ulivik steps up and speaks. "I am a mercenary, like you and the rest of our kind!" This of course causes laughter among Edolith and her men. "You? You're no mercenary, let alone one of our kind following around a human like some harlot in heat. No, what you are is a poor mockery of what a svelk should be. Now be gone, your mere presence offends me." Edolith says and turns her back on you both. Ulivik nearly takes the bait, but you intervene and hold him back from getting himself killed. Eldolith and the rest of her group laugh and head to the inn. "Easy, there. Words nothing more. I'm sure you've heard worse when you were still working as a tanner." "Perhaps, but this is different! I'm a mercenary now, not some weakling tanner!" "To most you're still a snot nosed kid that doesn't know shit and that would be a correct assessment, especially to a svelk. Now I'm sure harsh words from one of your own kind has filled you with a bruised ego, anger and disappointment, but if you try to challenge her, she'd cut you down before you even knew what was happening, as would any of her men." "We could take them together!" "We? No, I might be able to take them. You on the other hand would get in my way and get yourself killed. Besides I am here to train you to become a mercenary, not be your personal avenger. Part of this training is learning when to pick your battles. Now I suggest you ignore her words for now, and let us get our payment from Kenneth. Money tends to cheer most up." Ulivik obeys and follows, then he asks an amusing question. "Is she the svelk bitch you spoke of that trained you?" "Ha ha, no not her. Eldolith pales in comparison. No, she's just another arrogant svelk merc that likes to do a lot of posturing. She's actually really insecure about her leadership position. Always has been, even when she was hired by the Empire decades ago, but those are stories for another time." You and Ulivik soon meet up with Kenneth who gives you your payment. This does cheer up Ulivik a little and soon he's forgotten Eldolith's insults. Predictably he spends most of his coin on some strumpet looking for an easy mark, she still gives him a good time though. The next day, Ulivik's training continues as it does for at least a year after which time you figure he's ready to go out on his own. He's still a little reckless for his own good, but you can sense he really does want to be independent. His hero worship of you is gone and he may even dislike you now, but the respect is still there as it always has been. Part of you feels glad that the "job" is over with, but another part of you feels a sense of loss. As strange as it may seem, you started not minding Ulivik's company. It's been a long time since you've lead anybody into battle or otherwise. Ulivik may have only been one svelk trainee, but it still brought back memories of the "old days". The old days, back when you had more of a purpose. In some ways training Ulivik gave you a higher purpose than just killing for coin again. You also think back to Eldolith's words about human aging. Sure they're meaningless now, but how long can you truly keep up a mercenary life? You are definitely in better shape than most humans your age and barring violence you still probably have several years left, but the future is something you are starting to ponder about. Despite being an Eternal, you ARE still human, and from your own experience, being an Eternal does not make one immortal. Growing "old" is something you never considered, at one time you always figured you'd just die in battle one day. That day may still come, but even you have to admit that the prospect of dying in battle no longer holds the same "appeal" as it once did when you were in the service of the Empire. At one time you also wondered what other skills you had besides killing. Now you see that you haven't given yourself as much credit as you should have. You have decades of combat experience behind you, experience that you could easily pass on to others if they were willing to pay for the knowledge. You begin to entertain the idea that maybe you should open up some sort of combat training school. The more you think about it, the more the idea appeals to you. You're going to have to remain a mercenary for quite awhile still as you attempt to gain the coin to get such a place started, and probably still go on jobs even a little afterwards, but you feel like you have a true purpose again. And so you set off with your new goal in mind... > Year 55 After another hard day of training various citizens of Rask, you lie in your bed thinking about how much has changed over the years. Never did you think that you'd be running a real business, though to be honest if it wasn't for legitimate paranoia on the part of the Rask Alliance, you'd probably be spending all of your time still as a merc, as it stands you're practically responsible for training the closest thing to an army that Rask has, though it's probably more of an organized militia. It'll be the first line of defense if the Eternal Dominion starts to look to this way for expansion. When the ED started re-conquering the old territory of the Empire it was only natural that the towns and villages of Rask started getting worried. They didn't break away from the Empire only to replace it with something similar or worse. It was just their luck (and yours) that you wanted to become a professional combat instructor. Soon people from all over Rask were coming to see you. You hardly ever have to do any sort of mercenary work anymore and the mayor of Keplavisk is overjoyed by the fact that you set up shop in his town. As for the Eternal Dominion threat, you aren't sure what to think. There has been no formal declaration of war or even a diplomatic visit to Rask yet, but that doesn't mean there won't be, Rask has lots of resources after all. Still, the ED has its hands full still trying to keep everyone in line from the top to the bottom while attempting to gain more holdings. Mass orc migration to Rask are becoming common, even the svelk are more welcome in Rask again. Partly due to the possible need for more mercs if war comes to pass and partly due to dark elves being disliked by the ED, which apparently frowns upon mercenaries (and probably the attitudes of the dark elves in general). You have to hand it to "General" Edgar though, you didn't think he'd be able to get those chaotic brats calling themselves "eternals" organized, though it sounds like they're still as sadistic as ever and if the rumors are true, another generation of Eternals are being trained as well. You can't even imagine what they're going to be like. If war is coming like everyone thinks it is, you know immediately that you're probably going to be nominated and begged by the various mayors and council members to be some sort of commander. You aren't sure if you'd accept the position though you probably will mainly because you don't want to be bothered moving anymore and you'll be damned if you'll live under the rule of some half assed Eternals. Part of you wonders what the hell is going through Edgar's mind. He seemed more level headed the last time you saw him, like the incident with Kane forced him to mature, but you guess his aspirations for personal glory were just too great to keep suppressed for long. You also wonder about Brenda, she's the only other old Eternal that was left, and you have no idea if she's even still alive or serving with Edgar. You get your answer and then some in a few days. Another hard day of training various citizens of Rask and you're ready to close up shop and then two figures wearing hoods enter. You have flashbacks to fighting the Shadow Guard and you draw your sword. "Hold on! It's me! Warrick! See?" a familiar voice says and reveals himself from under the hood. The face is much older than you remember and sporting an eye patch, and the hair is now nearly gone. But considering you thought Warrick to be dead, you aren't completely convinced until the second cloaked figure reveals herself and speaks. "I told you wearing these things was a bad idea. He probably thought we were Shadow Guards!" she says. Her face is also much older and the hair is completely gray, but you definitely know this one is Brenda. Between the pair of them it truly makes you realize how much time has passed since you saw them. "And I told you, we need to keep a low profile, this situation is dangerous to the both of us." Warrick says. "Warrick back from the dead and Brenda, I was just recently thinking about what had become of you." "We need to talk to you about Edgar." Warrick says cutting right to the point. "Yeah I thought so...okay let me lock up and we can talk about this in my quarters." The first thing you find out is that Warrick is now working for the Felkan Kingdom. He says it's a long story, but it has its roots in his becoming disillusioned with the Empire much like you did. Warrick also goes on to say that's one of the reasons why he's here. Edgar definitely has plans to attack it in the future and the crown hopes to avoid another long and troublesome war by recruiting allies this time. He mentions real Felkan diplomats will probably be arriving in Rask soon to speak with the leaders of the towns, but he was sent to specifically reach out to you, because whether you knew it or not, your reputation here carries weight. As for Brenda, her position is much more dangerous. She is currently serving the Eternal Dominion, (another long story) but is trying to encourage an underground dissident movement. Not really difficult considering how oppressive Edgar's regime is. It is the hope of the Felkan Kingdom that the ED will wear itself out on keeping down riots and other potential conquests like Rask before it turns its eyes on the Felkan Kingdom. You tell Warrick that he's probably wasted a trip as the paranoid mentality of the Raskians are already preparing for war with the ED and will have no problem allying with the Felkan Kingdom and that you'll no doubt be called upon to command the people you've been training. Warrick seems relived to hear that, and you and he begin to do a little catching up. Brenda participates as well, though the whole time she seems a little preoccupied. Eventually as the night goes on, Warrick says he must be getting back to report to his superiors. Brenda says that she is not ready to leave as she wishes to speak to you about Roldan and his last days with you. Warrick understands, but warns her that she should not be away for too long so as to arouse suspicion. He would hate to have her sacrifices should lead to her death. "Sacrifices...as if he would know about such things. When the Empire needed him the most what did he do? He ran to the fucking enemy. Now his new masters give him commands and the running lapdog thinks he's free, but he's still a slave." She remarks with distain, before continuing. "Edgar may be an egomaniac with delusions of grandeur like he always was, but he at least tried to keep the Empire together, even if it is in a different form now. He believes in something better, even if he's not exactly intelligent enough to carry out that idea. And you, you're worst of them all. You just dropped out altogether and dedicating yourself to nothing, but coin like a fucking svelk. What the hell happened to you? You used be our leader." "I'm not exactly sure what your point is, but if this all pent up anger at me due to Roldan dying I..." "Don't you dare fucking mention him! I heard enough of hollow apologies in that damn letter you wrote to me." "They were Eternals as we all are. Dying in combat is always a possibility for us, I know their deaths weren't the most glorious, but at the time they died doing something they believed in. I can hardly help that the institution that they believed in, crumbled soon afterwards. I tried like hell to maintain my own belief in the Empire despite having it time after time again tested. Eventually I saw the light when I had to command a bunch of those new eternals while attempting to put down mass riots near the capital. Was leaving the right decision? I don't know, but it was for ME. The fact is ALL of our lives were nothing but duty and dedication to a corrupt government that deserved none of it. Kane knew that, Gruz knew that, and as much as I still hate them to this day, the Shadow Guard knew that. When the Empire was in its death throes it affected us all differently. I can't help the fact that you decided to stay loyal and it didn't work out resulting in you eventually having to capitulate to Edgar later on. At least you and Roldan had an experience that none of us will ever have. You have at least that to cherish." Brenda is silent for a moment as she takes in your statement. She looks at a ring on her finger, which is obviously still her wedding ring to Roldan. She smiles and then speaks. "You're right I suppose. You usually were when we all served under you. Even you couldn't have prevented the Empire from falling, the damage was done long before we came into existence. I guess I just never got over Roldan's death and had nobody except you to blame since you were the only one still alive. The funny thing is I didn't start blaming you until I found out you left the Empire. You were always our leader, and it seemed unthinkable that you would leave willingly. You know I think none of us really saw anyone else as their leader except you. It's probably why Kane wanted you to join him, it's no doubt why Warrick insisted on reaching out to you and it's why Edgar sent me..." "Excuse me?" "One of the things you were wrong about and Warrick too. I am not helping him though he still thinks I am. There is no underground resistance, or at least none that matters. Warrick and his Felkan masters think they can undermine the Eternal Dominion, but they are quite wrong. When Edgar first came to me and explained his cause and ideas I realized it was a just and worthy one. I joined in an effort to help with some of the details that Edgar himself is not nearly as skilled at, still he has proven himself to be more charismatic than he once was, at least to the other eternals and that's who is mainly important. He wants to create a nation where we Eternals are in control, as it should've been." "...so why would he want me for, wouldn't he consider me an enemy like Warrick?" "No, not like Warrick. While your abandonment did sadden Edgar, he always figured you had a good reason. He never questioned it. And now that you've told me your views I see he was right. It's really quite odd to see how high of regard he holds you. I guess your time with him during Kane's attempted secession really impacted him." "Brenda, this is a lot to take in, what exactly are you expecting from me then?" "As Warrick said, your reputation carries weight here and you have the ear of several of the mayors here. Perhaps you could explain to them that even with training that resistance will be useless and that the ED will just slaughter everyone. Better that they should surrender now and have a benevolent overseer such as...you running things." "And you really think Raskians are going to go for that idea?" "What does it matter? They are going to be conquered eventually anyway. I merely suggest other options to Edgar's plan, which was to convince you to just come with me where you could take command of a battalion to conquer Rask seeing as you know the place the best." "Heh, sounds like him. So what was the plan if I refuse altogether? Killing me I suppose?" "Didn't come up though I even asked him about it, but as I said Edgar really believes that you'll help us. Perhaps in some way he didn't want to think about the alternative. I'm guessing that you are considering the alternative?" "Don't see why I shouldn't, do you?" "You would have a true purpose again. Serving an idea greater than yourself." "I have a true purpose now. I'm training others to fight against those that would take their lives. The Raskians don't want to be ruled over and quite frankly neither do I, let alone by Edgar." "No! You would be different! You, like myself would be given an equal place in the decision making process! Even the other Eternal don't get that." "Yeah, that's the other thing, I'm loathed to live in a land that considers those new...things, eternals." "They are much different now, true they still have their sadistic streak, but only towards the non-eternals and who cares about them?" "I'm sure the non-eternals do, and while they may very well be inferior, enough of them can topple any government. We saw it happen, and it'll happen to you too if you aren't careful." "So are you saying you won't join us?" You get the impression that if you say no, she's going to attack you and you'll have to defend yourself. Killing Brenda is something you do not want to do, but lying and saying yes is duplicity you'd rather not engage in. > You say no You didn't lie to Kane when he wanted you to join him and you aren't going to lie to Brenda, but you are going to try to reason with her. "Brenda, I didn't join Kane all those years ago, because his path wasn't mine and I'm not joining you and Edgar for the same reasons. However I would hope that we don't end up like me and him did." "What you think I'm going to try to kill you? No, I doubt if I could by myself. I fear I probably haven't kept up my combat skills as honed as you have. To be quite honest, I wasn't sure what I was going to do, if you rejected the offer. I guess I'll give Edgar the bad news, but I know he's not going to take it well and he'll definitely attack this place with his army and I doubt if you'll be spared for old times sake." "Then you're going to have to convince him not to. Look, this place is not going to bend to his will. The paranoia and the idea of freedom is stronger here than it has ever been. If you attack Rask, be prepared to suffer considerable losses as I personally will make sure of it. This is my home now. I'm not leaving and I'm not serving another empire either. Even if you win, you will not easily recover from the losses let alone be able to fight the Felkan Kingdom, in fact they will most likely take advantage of the chaos. Now you've been in contact with Warrick long enough to know that the Felkan Kingdom is counting on you being disorganized and weak from attacking Rask. If you want to play it smart? Attack them instead and don't worry about Rask." "What's stopping Rask from attacking us if they ally with the Felkan Kingdom?" "They won't trust me. The Felkan Kingdom can send all the diplomats they want, but the Raskians are ultimately not going to stick their necks out for them." "And you think Edgar will go for this idea?" "You know what? He'll go for it, because if he TRULY respects me, he'll fucking listen to my advice which has never steered him wrong, not to mention I saved his damn life more than once. I'm telling you to tell him, that he needs to consolidate his forces, get his house in order, maybe retake a few other areas of the old Empire and THEN attack the Felkan Kingdom if he absolutely needs to. Rask is just death zone, it didn't do the Empire any good and they only held on to it for as long as they did because I was here. I say that not as a boast, but as truth. Does Edgar have anyone like me in his army? I doubt it. The hostile inhabitants here didn't call me the Bane of Rask for nothing. A name, which I'm still called, even by those I'm helping. If he sets an army in these lands, I'll make sure they'll start calling me the Bane of Edgar." Brenda smiles a bit again at your last remark. "You always did have a way with words. I missed that sometimes. Okay, well I guess I'll go then, to deliver your message." "Brenda y'know there is another option. You could stay here, or go somewhere else. You don't need to follow Edgar. You're fully capable of doing something else with your life." "Trust me, it's tempting. I even thought about joining Warrick when he first approached me, but it's not for me. Warrick's path to me is one of a traitor, even if I do understand it and your path is one of freedom...something I guess I just can't comprehend. I still need the structure and hierarchy. I dunno, maybe I just need to be with other likeminded Eternals. None of them are Roldan, but I don't feel as lonely." And there it is at last. The real reason why Brenda is following Edgar, you knew it couldn't be because she blindly believed in his cause. You can't imagine what is going on in her head and there will be no talking her out of her choice, but you're glad you won't have to fight her and hopefully her message to Edgar will get through to him as well. You bid farewell to Brenda, probably for the last time. You go to bed that night, but you don't really sleep, you just wonder what events the coming months will hold. Months pass and just as Warrick said, diplomats from the Felkan Kingdom visit Rask. As you thought, they get a lot of promises of an alliance and some trade deals, but that's about it. The general consensus of the Raskians is that they won't be committing any troops unless war comes directly to their doorsteps. Great, now you just hope that Edgar follows your advice... Year 58 Edgar took your advice, or at least you guess he did. He never attacked Rask. Never even sent anyone, he did however send thousands across the Felkan borders a couple years ago. The war is still going on and you hear it's even more brutal than the one with the Empire. Edgar has adapted with the times unlike the Empire and is implementing stolen technology from the Felkans. You can only imagine how Warrick is faring and while it is unfortunate, you stopped being their "leader" decades ago and their motives, goals and dreams are their own concerns not yours. And your only concern lately is getting old. Every day you notice new pains in your joints and muscles. You're slower than you once were and not quite as strong anymore. You wonder how your fellow Eternals feel about getting old, though perhaps due to still being engaged in warfare, maybe they don't dwell on it as much. Brenda and Warrick will probably expect to die in battle, as for Edgar, the fool probably believes he'll live forever. You don't have as many students anymore, as many of the other towns have taken to creating their own combat schools, mostly run by those you taught. Mercenary work is even harder to come by nowadays; thanks to you each town actually has competent militias that can clean out hostiles without much mercenary aid anymore. Indeed they need something to do considering Edgar never attacked Rask. Even the ogre tribes in the far north have settled down. Last you heard, Flog "retired" at one of their primitive villages, a forced wedding to an ogre bride for killing her husband to be. Bet he wishes he'd died with his fellows at Fort Defiance now! Eldolith ended up taking her remaining men to work for the Felkan Kingdom, one of the last mercenary squads to stay in Rask. Ulivik said his goodbyes to his family and you even before the mercenary work dried up. Said he was bored of it and wanted to see more of the world and become an "adventurer." You think his parents were even less pleased to hear that than when he wanted to be a merc, and you've never quite understood the appeal of the wandering life of an adventurer either, but you wished him the best. When he left, he thanked you one more time for taking the time to teach him when nobody else would. You were always glad he got over his resentment of you due to your harsh training. And while it is true you did initially train him for coin and swore an oath to his parents to look after him during that time, it is because of those actions that you discovered a little more about yourself and focused yourself in the direction to open up your combat school. Of course your actions have now changed Rask to an extent that you may have very well put yourself out of a job, but you aren't worried. You still get students from Keplavisk, so you'll probably always have a bit of business. Even if you don't, you've been doing some saving over the years. You can only prepare yourself now, for whatever changes might come in the future. > Year 65 You get a knock on the door to which causes you to wonder who would be bothering you at this time of night. You're more than a little annoyed since you were sleeping. "Go away, I ain't getting up." you say from your chair trying to go back to sleep. "Open the fuck up, you useless old man!" you hear from outside and it's enough to motivate you to answer it and punch out the fool who said it. When you open it however, an unexpected visitor meets you. "Ulivik?" "Yeah, it's me! Well, aren't you going to invite me in?" he laughs. "Yeah sure." You say and the both of you head to your quarters to sit and talk. You still shaking the cobwebs after being awaken from your slumber. "Were you asleep?" "Yeah, what of it?" "Nothing! Just sort of surprised, I mean I know it's night, but its still pretty early." "Eh, it's been kind of a lazy day today, felt like sleeping for most of it." "You didn't teach a class today?" "Class? School's been officially closed for about two years now. I mean I get few people that seek me out looking to increase their skills every once in awhile, but nowadays everyone goes to that new military academy they opened up here." "Oh, I was wondering what that big new building looming near the edge of town was, so they didn't offer you a job there?" "Eh, they did, but I didn't want it. People who I originally trained run it and most of them I didn't even like when I was teaching them, so I'd rather not have to follow whatever silly guidelines they've come up with for that place. Anyway, I sometimes get paid to give speeches on tactics and strategies there. I get by. So where have you been and what brings you back?" Ulivik mentions he mainly returned to when he heard his father had died and that he's probably going to be around for a while to look after his mother. He then excitedly goes on about his various adventures of exploring ruins, caves and finding treasures and lost trinkets. Not enough to get rich, but he's not in it for that. You enjoy hearing about it all, it's not like you really go anywhere or do as much anymore. And as the years go on, you are finding yourself with less and less to do. You sort of thought your school and teaching would occupy your time and that if you got bored of that you could always break it up with a little mercenary work. But both of those options are pretty much closed off to you at this point, at least in Rask. The place is less wild and more peaceful now than it ever was under the Empire. You could move you suppose, but it's not such a bad life maybe you should just settle in and enjoy your elderly years in relative peace... "..and so then I got my head split open and my entrails eaten by the clawbeast and died. Hey! Are you still with me?" Ulivik asks. "Huh? Yeah you got your entrails eaten and died." You answer. "Well glad to see you're still listening." Ulivik laughs. "Sorry, just a little preoccupied. Anyway, go on." Ulivik knows something's up with you, and he's got a pretty good idea what it is. "Hey, have you ever thought about leaving Rask and joining your old buddies in the Eternal Dominion?" he asks. "Wha...oh I don't think that's for me. Besides I only have two there, dunno if one of them is even still alive and I never really was exactly friends with Edgar. Speaking of which did you have much trouble traveling through the ED? I heard they aren't too fond of svelk there ever since most of your people have been hiring themselves out to the Felkans." Well as you once pointed out, we're not really liked anywhere we go, but I never really kept to the populated areas while in the ED so I didn't have too many problems. However, I did find that dropping your name helped me a few times. You're sort of known there." "Huh. Dunno, why I would be, not like I was ever part of the place. Guess Edgar really did look up to me. Unexpected." "Didn't he offer you a job too one time?" "Yeah. Don't think it's still available though. Like I said, my time serving big governments is over with. I wasted more than thirty years of my life doing it. Not going to waste the remaining years I have left even if it's a high position of power. Besides, I'm still not sure that I wouldn't have to kill Edgar if I ever got into an argument with him over something." "Surely it would be more interesting than sleeping all day." "Hah, probably. I dunno, I just feel like Edgar's Eternal Dominion is just mimicking a lot of the old Empire. Sure it's doing well now, but ultimately it's going to fall just like the Empire did, so what's the point?" "Hmm, well you could offer your services to the Felkan Kingdom, I think they could use the help." "Yeah, no. I'm not into lost causes. Did that before too and saw the results. The Felkan Kingdom could've won the war if they didn't fight so defensively. There were many times early in the war where they should've press

ed an attack and took territory. Their fate is probably sealed at this point. Only a matter of time, assuming the ED keeps with it's policy of total conquest, and doesn't fuck it up. Anyway don't get me started on how I nearly got dragged into serving on both sides of that conflict." "Okay, but how about another proposal?" "I'll bite. What is it?" "Well, as you know I'm going to be here awhile looking after my mother, but I need something to do. Rask still has areas of it that are largely unexplored. I sort wondered if you'd like to come with me on an adventure in this very area." "Oh? And where would this place be? Most of the places you're speaking of involve mountains, and as bored as I am, I'm not about to go dragging my ass up a fucking mountain." "Ha ha, nah not the mountains, though it still might involve a little bit of climbing." "Okay, so where?" "The Wendigo Hills." Now there's name that's spoken of in only whispers nowadays in Rask. Everyone knows about it and doesn't speak about it, let alone go near it, from humans to ogres and even the few giants still left. Ever since you wiped them out forty five years ago, there have been little problems from those evil spirits. Years later after you first left Rask you heard the various villages got their holy men together to perform some sort of ritual to make sure none of the spirits managed to ever escape from those cursed hills ever again. Of course every once in a blue moon some unfortunate idiot...usually an adventurer gets himself possessed and no expense is spared in hunting down the creature and destroying it. Now it looks like Ulivik is intent on being that new unfortunate idiot. "Have you lost your fucking mind, because if you haven't, then you will if you go there and that's if you're lucky. I went to that blasted place once, I had a company of soldiers with me and I was in my prime. I barely got out of that place alive and you know what happened to the few soldiers that survived with me? Four of them ultimately committed suicide from their nightmares and the other two got discharged and thrown in the asylum for just going batshit insane. No, I'm not going and if you got any sense, you won't either. That place does shit your mind. The spirits there are pure evil, and they are not to be trifled with." "No, I have a remedy for that! Look at these!" Ulivik says and produces two amulets with a faint blue glow. "Let me guess, these things are magical and they're supposed to protect us from getting possessed." "Correct! Even when I was little, I heard there was supposed to be great treasure in those hills. Nobody has ever had the skill to go in there and claim it, but I want to be the first because I truly feel like I'm ready now. You're the about the one who has traveled the most in those hills and survived. You would be a great help and we can even share whatever we find! Come on, it'll be like old times!" "Old" being the key word here. While you were wondering if you were becoming more complacent in your old age, you aren't sure if going to the Wendigo Hills is something you want to do just to prove "you still got it." > You help Ulivik Ulivik may be an accomplished warrior now, but out of all the tales he's told you about his adventures; he still hasn't faced anything like the wendigos and he's going to get himself killed or worse if he goes into this with just the hope of some magic bauble around his neck. As much as you're loathed to go through this again, you decide to help Ulivik. "Alright I'll go, but as soon as I think we're in a shitload of danger that we can't handle, you better listen to me, because this isn't going to be the fun adventure you think it's going to be. Understand?" "Sure, but I really don't think it's going to be as bad as all that." "No, it'll probably be worse. Now if you don't mind I'm going to get some sleep and get my mind focused on this fool's task." "Fool's task? You're coming with me." "Yeah, which says more about my own foolishness than yours, because you don't know any better. I know we got these magic amulets or whatever, but these... things are going to try to get inside your head and if they succeed, it's all over. If that happens to you, I won't hesitate to put a sword through your head, and I expect you to do the same." "Ha ha you'd kill me so easily?" Ulivik laughs, but you're in no mood. "Hello, I don't believe we've met...by the gods have you remembered nothing of the stories of my past? Of course I'd fucking do it so easily! I've killed innocent men and their entire families just because they disagreed with how the Empire was doing things, hell I even killed one of my Eternal brothers because of it. Wouldn't be anything to kill someone who was turned into a mindless beast even if..." You stop yourself right there. "Even if what?" Ulivik asks. "Even if...he's too stupid to see this is a really bad idea! Anyway, I'm ranting and I'm tired. I'm going to bed, you can let yourself out. And don't say that I don't have to go, because I'm already committed now. I gave you my word as an Eternal." Ulivik knows when you say something like that, you're being serious, so he just nods and tells you he'll be by tomorrow morning before leaving. As for you, you head off to bed with a myriad of thoughts going on in your head. "Can't believe I nearly said he was like a son to me. What the fuck am I thinkin' about? Better get your head in the game old man, because wendigos are going to thrive on that. They live on weakness." You mumble before drifting off to sleep. The next morning you and Ulivik set off for the infamous Wendigo Hills. Along the way, you go on about your own major conflicts with them, even when they were originally just thought to be people infected with lycanthropy like the rest of the old barbarian tribes around Rask. Ulivik listens to you in fascination like he did when he was much younger as you've never spoken of your experience with the wendigos before to him except in passing. It's good to know he's still listening. "So after that battle, no wendigo has ever left those hills?" Ulivik asks. "Eh, we had a couple that still managed to snag bodies and kill a few people before being brought down and exorcised by some of the local hedge wizards we recruited later, but that was mainly due to people idiotically still going into the hills in the first place. Sort of like what we're doing." You say. "But if they're spirits can't they just float about possessing people?" "You'd think so, but for whatever reason they can't leave these the hills in pure spirit form, they need a body. That's why when they're killed they immediately try to hop into a new one or else they get pulled back to the hills. Dunno why, and I don't think anyone's bothered to learn the history either. Everyone's just glad they were deprived of nearly all of their bodies by a certain Eternal decades ago." "Ha ha, but what about animals? Couldn't they just possess animals and leave the hills that way?" "Always wondered that myself, but again if they could I'd imagine they'd still be a major threat. Besides, when I traversed those hills I didn't see a single animal, not one, of course I assumed that they probably ate them all. The wendigo are basically consumption and hunger in its purest form. They aren't big thinkers in the scheme of things and it's fortunate that they never organized past their barbarian tribal hosts." "Sounds like it, but if they are all spirits as you say, then we shouldn't experience any physical combat at all and with these amulets and our steel trap minds we should be fine! We might even find some sort of ancient lore about how the wendigos came to be tied to those hills!" "Well you're as optimistic as ever. I suppose that's good, it'll keep your mind better prepared when the wendigos try to oppressively crush your free will. Y'know, now that I think about it, I think that's what partially saved me. My mind was so dedicated to the Empire back in those days, the wendigos were trying to crush something that wasn't really my own to begin with." "And now?" "Now? I got my impenetrable cynicism to protect me, which I'll definitely put more stock in than this ridiculous magical amulet that'll undoubtedly fail to do anything." "Looks like you're off to a good start with your cynicism." The after a couple days of travel, you eventually make it to the base of the Wendigo Hills. The markings and warning signs line stretch up, down and all the way around as far as you know. No real physical barriers of course, but even those dumb ass ogres that can't read know better than to pass the line. Of course they usually knew better to begin with, which proves that they're smarter in that respect. You take a deep breath and step past the markings and make your way up the forested hills. It's at this point your amulet starts to glow a brighter blue, Ulivik claims "that's how you know that it's working!" Great. Still, you don't hear any sinister whispers yet, but there is still that dead silence you remember. As if nothing living is here. Ulivik, mentions that he found a crude and well worn map of some of the Rask area during his trip through Eternal Dominion lands and wants to explore some ruins that are clearly marked on it. You mention you haven't been here in a long time, but you don't remember ever seeing any, so you can't be as of much help as he might've thought. Ulivik says he doesn't care though, he's just glad to have you along. "That map is probably old Empire. Like really old Empire, and much might've changed since then. It could also be inaccurate to begin with." "Yeah, that's true, but we might as well find out. It's the journey, not necessarily the destination that's important! That's what adventuring is all about." "Funny, I always thought it was the misguided hope of finding lots of loot and the avoidance of a real job." You reply. "That's just a bonus." Ulivik comments and you allow yourself to chuckle. Never thought you'd do that while in this cursed place. After a half hour or so of walking, you start to get an uneasy feeling of being watched. You mention this to Ulivik and he says he's getting that impression too. You ask him if he's hearing anything, but he says he isn't except the snow crunching under foot. Neither are you, maybe the amulets are working, but it's obvious the presence of the wendigos is near. Another hour of travel and you and Ulivik see something you didn't expect. "Do you see that? That's a rabbit! I thought you said nothing was living here?" Ulivik says. "When I came through I didn't see a living creature, so I just assumed there wasn't. I guess there is though." You reply. "Maybe the wendigo aren't here anymore and everyone has been scared of this place for decades for no reason." "I wouldn't go that far. Something is definitely here and just because we're seeing rabbits doesn't mean it's safe. It just means animals must not be suitable hosts for them." "Well...hey that rabbit it's hopping towards us. Hmm, a little larger than average and hopping towards people is rather unusual behavior for a ra..." Before Ulivik can finish, his leg is leaped upon and viciously attacked by the rabbit. After some hollering from the surprise, you grab the little furry beast and break its neck. You toss its lifeless body in the snow while Ulivik examines the bite marks in his pants "Fuck, that thing chewed through my pant leg and broke the skin! You never mentioned killer rabbits on your travel to here." "That's because I didn't encounter any, and I doubt if that was really a rabbit anymore. It would seem that animals CAN be hosts after all, they just need a human one or something similar to leave the hills. Anyway, we should really get out here, there are more coming." "What? So? I'm sure we can handle a few overgrown possessed rabbits." Ulivik says still preoccupied with his very minor wound. "A few, sure, but how about hundreds of them?" you say and draw his attention to literally that number popping up all around you. The glaring red eyes of hundreds of possessed bunnies are upon you and their herbivore buck teeth have now been replaced with the toothy fangs of a carnivore hungry for flesh. And they look like they haven't tasted a bi-ped in a long time... > You fight your way back home You slash out at the nearest rabbits and shout at Ulivik that you need to get the hell out of here. "What?! We can't run from rabbits! We've both fought worse than this!" Ulivik shouts chopping down a few more of them. "First of all they aren't just rabbits, they're rabbits with wendigos in them. Second of all rabbits are notorious for breeding at an alarming rate. Chances are there are even more bunny bodies for the wendigos to take control of even if we manage to kill all of the ones here. Running from rabbits might not exactly be the bravest thing, but constantly being assaulted by a horde while going deeper into enemy territory and trying to find something that might not even be there anymore is just stupid." You say hacking at more of them and shaking off the ones jumping on you. "...agh! Oh all right!" Ulivik shouts and the pair of you manage to cut a path through the rabbit mass and make a break for it." You and Ulivik run chopping up rabbits along the way as the "little" nippers are hopping after you and occasionally leaping on you and get a few bites in. This might all be very comical if your life wasn't in mortal danger. "SHIT!" Ulivik shouts when a group of rabbits catch up and pile on one of his ankles, biting and clawing at it. He falls down face first into the snow and you immediately get rid of the rabbits around Ulivik who is doing likewise. "Get off! Get off!" he shouts killing them. While you're kneeling down trying to help, one of the rabbits jumps on your back and with his teeth takes the amulet chain and leaps off with it. "What the...get that little furry bastard!" you shout when you feel it lifted from around your neck, but it's too late the rabbit has run off with it and the rest of the horde is coming. "Come on we gotta get outta here!" Ulivik says and the pair of you resume your escape. Unfortunately you're starting to hear the whispers again. The multitude of them, though one in particular stands out. "Welcome back Bane of Rask, we've been waiting for you...I'VE been waiting for you." A voice in your head says. "Shit, it's starting, they're getting inside my head!" you say stomping on another rabbit. "Just ignore it like you did last time!" Ulivik exclaims. "Easy for you to say! Argh dammit! My fucking head!" "You've gotten old Bane...you should just give up and let me take over, you'll be able to lifetimes..." the voice says. "Shut up." "Why do you resist, you're too weak now. Just submit and this will all go easier..." Between the spiritual assaults on your mind and Ulivik's chewed up ankle the pair of you aren't exactly running the fastest anymore. You have to stop many times to fight your way through, but it may be true that luck favors the fool and the pair of you have been mighty foolish for doing this in the first place, and eventually you see the end in sight. "There! The markers! If we get past those we'll be fine!" Ulivik speaks too soon however as it is at this point several hundred white rabbits who were blending in with the snow open their eyes and reveal the glowing red pin points of evil within them. They sit between you and the closest escape and a larger gray rabbit comes bounding out of a nearby hole in the ground. It's nearly the size of a bear. You fought a gray wendigo before; you would guess this is the same one. Their leader and the main one that's been taunting you the whole time. "Give up Bane! Your time on this earth is over!" "Become meat then! I'll just use your svelk friend since you seem to care for him so much!" You hadn't heard it yet even with the assault on your head, but all of the rabbits in unison make that awful howling noise that you tried so hard to forget about. Even Ulivik with his magical protection winces at the noise. The battle is then joined as they run at you. You feel bites and slashes of several little claws and teeth breaking your skin. In a way the physical pain helps since its counter acting the mental attack still going on in your head. The wendigo leader clumsily leaps towards you even stepping on his own smaller brethren. You roll away and give him a couple chops to his head, succeeding in lopping off part of his ear. This only serves to anger him further and he does a short rush into you, knocking you down. Other rabbits immediately take advantage of the situation and hop on top you and start to bite. You're busily trying to get them off of you and then the leader smacks you in the head with his oversized claws. You fall into the snow again, this time in a daze. "You call yourself an Eternal...such arrogance of an incredibly short lived race. WE have more right to be known as eternals and I will make you suffer for your hubris!" you hear the voice say and then several long fangs sink into the lower part of your leg as the leader attempts to eat you alive. Now you aren't exactly sure at this point due to the extreme physical pain, but you believe the wendigo leader has most likely bitten straight through your leg and if it hasn't been completely severed yet, it's only hanging on by broken bone and torn skin. You yell out and muster all your remaining strength, sit up and bring your sword down onto the wendigo leader's head. Blood spurts everywhere as you twist it into his skull and your own leg is still chewed on in the death throes of the wendigo's host. Ulivik, who was being overwhelmed by the rest of the rabbits, finally manages to get to you and runs his own sword into the side of the gray wendigo several times causing it to finally release its fangs from your mangled leg. You quickly remove it from the wendigo's mouth and see a good portion of your leg completely destroyed and bleeding profusely. Despite this fact, you're determined that you are NOT going to die today. You didn't get this far just to be eaten by some possessed fucking rabbits. Ulivik helps you up and you hop as fast as you can towards the markers leaving a trail of gore in your wake. When you fall, you crawl as fast as you can instead. Ulivik tries to carry you, but you tell him to just keep the rest of the rabbits off of the pair of you. Exhausted and severely injured you manage to make it past the safety barrier, causing the attack to completely cease and you no longer hear the whispers in your head any longer. The rabbits all stare at you from afar. You're only about ten feet away and you can feel their hatred all the way from here. Ulivik drags you further away from the wendigo area until you tell him to stop. "Hey! Stop it, I'm not a fucking rag doll!" you shout. "I need to do something about this leg and fast, I'm beginning to feel really dizzy over here. Make a fire and quickly!" One quick look and you know there's no way it can be saved. It's only hanging on as it is. You make the decision and chop through the remaining bone and muscle that was still connecting it to the rest of your body. This part doesn't hurt as it's mostly already disconnected from any nerves anyway. The following part of applying your heated sword to stop the bleeding hurts like hell though. Dizzy and weakened from this whole ordeal, you see that you've stopped the bleeding and fall unconscious mumbling "Don't leave my leg here." A couple days later you finally wake up, though you almost weren't expecting to. "Ah, you're up, good. Your new leg is finished; I had the wood carver make one for you after I dragged your body back to town. The people here were shocked to see you laid out in such a manner. They thought you were dead at first." "Ugh, I sort of wish I was...I'm hardly the supreme warrior I once was, if I'm getting my leg chewed off by oversized rabbits. I'm just not quite ashamed enough to kill myself over it, my will to survive is just too strong I guess." "It's my fault anyway, I should've went into that area myself..." "Oh no. Don't start doing that. Blaming yourself for what MIGHT have happened is a losing battle. Trust me, I've had that same battle. I'm an adult I make my own decisions and I chose to go with you, besides if I hadn't have come you would've had all those little killer wendigo bunnies all over your ass instead and knowing you, you would've still insisted on heading to those ruins and gotten yourself killed in the process." "Ha ha, maybe so." "(Sigh) fucking rabbits...you know they must've been cannibalizing themselves in those forms for years. Well the wendigos might not have killed me, but I'm sure my reputation is. Ah fuck it, if I get a few snickers from the locals for losing my leg to a damned rabbit, it's not the worst thing in the world." "Yeah, about that...I sort of lied. I told everyone you saved my life from a ten-foot wendigo that had taken host in an ogre turning it into a complete abomination with rows of teeth and that it was planning to organize a way for the rest of its fellows to leave the barrier." "What?!" "I know you don't like to lie, but I just thought it sounded a lot more impressive. I mean you know the situation was really dangerous and I know the situation was really dangerous, but everyone else would just think...rabbits? And then laugh like you said." "First of all, I'm not actually opposed to lying, I just don't do it when I respect the person enough not to do it to them. Anyway, I guess you were just concerned about my reputation. I won't argue the point and it's done now, besides it's not like anyone's going to confirm it by going up there. Hopefully I just don't get anymore snot nosed kids following me around town begging me to train them because those days are long over." You laugh. You and Ulivik both talk for a few more hours before he eventually leaves to go see his mother. You take the opportunity to inspect your new wooden leg and try it on. It's going to take some time getting used to, but most major changes do and you've survived those. > Year 75 As the years creep up on you and despite missing part of your leg, you still feel don't feel in any ill health. It's mostly just aches and pains from your more physical years catching up with you. After the leg incident though, you took that permanent position at the Keplavisk military academy as a strategy instructor, though nowadays it's looking like it'll become the Rask military academy. Rask is in the process of becoming a "real nation" rather than just a collection of allied towns. You don't really know all the politics of it, but the main guiding force was justified Raskian paranoia again. Ever since the Eternal Dominion's war with the Felkan Kingdom grinded to a halt, the ED has been making overtures to Rask to join them in the veiled form of threats rather than any sort of diplomatic alliance agreements. While starting a war on two fronts is always a bad idea you're guessing Edgar needs the resources that Rask has to make his final push to conquer the Felkans once and for all. You're also guessing he's intent on ignoring your advice of not attacking Rask too, you're just surprised he held out this long. You're not really worried about it if it comes to war. The Raskians may not have the unnaturally bred "eternals" like the ED does, but they're trained well enough to make the cost very high if they are in invaded. You should know, you trained most of them. You hear a knock on your door and you slowly make your way over. "Mail for you Mr. Bane." A delivery girl says to you when you open up the door. You toss a gold coin to her and take your letter. At first you figure it's from Ulivik, no doubt telling you about whatever grand adventure he's on this time. The last time he was here, he was for his mother's funeral. He kept his composure for the most part, but it still wasn't a good time for him. He didn't say it in so many words, but he did say that you were the only family he had left. You didn't follow up, but the pair you said your goodbyes both of you knowing that you had that bond similar to that of a father and son. But this letter isn't from Ulivik, it's mysteriously labeled as from "a friend." Considering you've never really had any, you're baffled to as who it could be. When you open it you see that it's from Edgar, several pages in fact. You sit down to read all of it. The beginning of it hopes that the letter has found you as he wants you to take in all of what he has to tell you. He begins by stating that he's dying. He mentions his health is deteriorating by the day and he doesn't know how much longer he has left. His "successors" are likely to start a war with Rask soon after his death, it's only due to their respect that they don't. The same way his respect for you caused him not to. The majority of the letter explains that he wants you to understand why he did what he did and how he wished that you had joined him. He says the incident with Kane never left him and how if he'd only been there to listen to him and help him more, none of that might've happened. Perhaps even the Empire would've survived. (You doubt that though, it would've just taken longer) When the Empire was in its last days he saw how chaotic the new eternals were and realized they needed guidance and a purpose much like Kane did. He always thought that you'd do it, but you left leaving him as the only person willing to. He says it was very difficult and while they ultimately they fell in line, but without the purpose of conquest they wouldn't stay that way for long. So he began forging a new empire as it were, with the eternals as the leaders as it always should've been. The newer generations of eternals were better disciplined, as he made sure their training went very much the same way yours did. Still, they are much more arrogant that he ever was. They believe it is their destiny to rule the world and he believes that he's set something in motion that even he is no longer in control of. "Ah Edgar, always getting yourself in over your head." You say to yourself. The rest of the letter mentions that you two are the last of the old Eternals. Warrick died in Battle of Yaquan when the ED successfully took the city from the Felkans eleven years ago. He says that while he still considered him a traitor to side with former enemies like that, he took no pleasure in his death and heard he died well. Brenda died four years ago, but she apparently had become increasingly withdrawn years before that, to the point where she no longer even participated in the major decisions concerning the ED. She was found dead by her own hand with a note stating that she wished to be burned and her ashes scattered near Fort Glory like she did with her husband Roldan. This wish was of course granted. Edgar's last portion of the message also states that he has a last request as well, he wants you to come to the Eternal Dominion as he would like to see you again. He knows that you've had your differences and you weren't ever friends, but right now, you're the closest thing he's got. He's already made the arrangements to let you through and will have an escort waiting for you on the Rask/ED borders for the next few days. He also has placed a separate message with his seal on it, so that they may identify you. The message ends there. > You take a trip to the Eternal Dominion If Edgar wants to see you, then why not? If he had anything sinister planned for you like having his escort kill you when you arrive. Besides you're old and you didn't worry about dying in combat when you were twenty, you're not going to start worrying about it now. You pack a few things for your trip and get your horse ready since you know Rask carriages don't travel through ED territory anymore. It's hard getting on damn a horse ever since losing part of your leg, but you're not about to walk the way there! When you reach the border the next day, you see a group of soldiers camped out in the distance beyond it. You see an ED Flag flying so you assume that's the escort Edgar told you about. When you approach several of the soldiers point muskets at you...heh you sometimes forget of how technology has marched on. They immediately ask for identification and you state your name and hand them the message with Edgar's seal on it. The leader, who is a blonde woman with fair features reads through it and greets you. "Greetings sir. My apologies on the initial caution, but we had to be sure. I am Sergeant Kalah, and I am to escort you to Prime Eternal Edgar. I am told he will be most pleased to see you, though I must admit I was also curious about you myself. Many are, as the Prime Eternal has mentioned you several times in high regard." "Heh, yeah I've heard about that before. Never get used to it though. Well let's get on our way then." Sergeant Kalah is very talkative on your trip, and goes on about great the ED is, and how it provides for all. She sounds very much like you did a long time ago. You're a little curious about something so you interrupt her propaganda speak. "Tell me sergeant, you and your men are all on the youngish side, what generation of eternal are you exactly?" "Me sir? I am fourth! We all are, we are newest eternals to serve directly in combat and I'm proud to say that we are so far the first to have natural night vision!" "You can see in the dark eh? That must come in pretty handy. Wish I'd had that back in the day." "Oh yes, the glorious Eternal Dominion was able to fight those treacherous svelk mercenaries that the cowardly Felkans employ on equal footing when we were deployed!" "Hmm, any other natural abilities?" "The fourth generation also regenerates better than the third even though they were the first to have such abilities. Under the right circumstances we can potentially regenerate a lost limb." "Now THAT is something I definitely would've liked to had!" you say knocking on your wooden leg. "Still, with all these advantages I'm sort of surprised you haven't utterly crushed the Felkans yet." "I believe we would, even with our resource shortages. Most of us do! We have the Felkans on the run, I do not understand why we have not pressed forward with our attacks, I long to be in combat again...but it is not my place to question the Prime Eternal's decisions, I'm sure he has a good reason..." Wow, that line sounds familiar. "Well all I can say is, sometimes the political aspects of a nation are more complicated than the wars." You reply Sergeant Kalah doesn't argue, but just says that you may have more wisdom about such things. Kalah and you continue to speak with each other about various subjects and she's courteous the entire time, in fact she's downright friendly. You definitely weren't expecting that and it's sort of a nice change of pace. While traveling through a town, a couple of pathetic peasants are being beaten in the streets by another soldier, though his uniform seems to be a different color even though it has the same markings. "You there! Why are you beating these peasants! What crime have they committed?" she demands. "Ma'am! These peasants were caught stealing food." "Well you shouldn't be beating them just for that...you should be chopping their hands off!" Kalah says, followed by pleas and screams of the peasants. "...yes ma'am...alright get over here you lousy thieving scum, let's make this quick!" the soldier says drawing his sword and striking out at the screaming peasant. However, in his enthusiasm to follow orders he ends up hacking off the peasant's entire arm. More screaming arises from the female peasant who rushes to what is probably are dying husband. Sergeant Kalah rolls her eyes. "I swear never let a human do an Eternal's job...men shoot all three of them." "No wait!" the soldier says before several musket balls hit his body. The two peasants are also killed instantly. The onlookers of this event duck and hide, but the sergeant makes her point known. "Listen up! This town is now on watch! If I hear of anymore thievery or other crimes, I'll be back to burn down this whole town! And for those of you in charge of keeping the law around here, I better see more competence displayed in the future than I saw today or I'll have you drawn and quartered! You are ALL servants of the Eternals! We are your masters, we know better than you and you will OBEY." And there it is, the ruthless arrogance. It would appear than Kalah's friendliness extends only to other Eternals. Can't say you're surprised though. You all move on and eventually you reach the capital and the palace where Edgar resides. Funny how this is the first time you've ever been to the palace after all those years serving the Empire. "This is where we part company, but I must say I hope we meet again in the future, it was an honor to meet you." "And it was a pleasure to meet you too..." you say and then you decide to give her a big fat thrill. "...and if I may say if we have more eternals as pretty and commanding as you, we will no doubt rule for thousands of years to come." "...I...oh...well thank you sir!" she stutters and smiles before riding off. New guards accompany you into the palace and through it. You've never been in here before, so you do a little sight seeing as you walk. Eventually you reach the royal bedroom. An older woman is sitting on a chair outside sobbing. She looks regal. Did Edgar get married? You've never heard of their being any sort of "queen" of the ED you always assumed he was just ruling alone. Another older muscular man with a stern expression is standing nearby pacing. When you arrive, he frowns even more. "Oh so you decided to come after all. A pity." He says. "Well, I certainly can say your military is politer than the royalty around here." "That is probably because they believe all the stories Prime Eternal Edgar says about you. Such is the foolishness of youth." "And who the hell are you exactly?" "Hmm, not surprised a deserter like you doesn't remember me. My name is Rissok and I served under you during the Empire riots. I saw you kill my friend in cold blood. A true eternal who served with honor!" "Oooooh now I remember. You and your other buddy were looting houses while Felding was attempting to rape a woman. Yeah, real honor there." You say and Rissok gets in your face. "Don't mock me! You are only here because the Prime allows it! If it were up to me, I would have you labeled as a traitor and have you killed!" "Well nothing is stopping you. You got the guards here, Edgar's too sick to prevent it and I've only got one leg, so I'd say it's a fair fight." You remark. "Stop it! Stop it please! My Edgar is dying! Can't we have one moment without murder and killing?" the woman sobs. At this point Rissok storms off without another word, the guards stick around and tell you that you may enter at any time. Before you do, you have to ask the woman who she is because you get the impression she isn't an eternal. You just sense it. "My apologies, I didn't know that Edgar was even married. What title do you go by, queen? Emperess?" "(sniff) No, I'm none of those things. I'm just Eva. Sometime Lady Eva if we're being formal, but I am not married to Edgar nor am I common knowledge to a majority of the public, I am merely his companion of sorts. He could not marry me, for concern of marrying a non-eternal might weaken his position of leadership. I understood this from the beginning though and do not blame him for it. Eternals have more wisdom on these matters." You're pretty sure that isn't necessarily true, but you understand Edgar's rationale and Eva seems to genuinely be in love with him. You ask her if she wants to come in with you, but she says she has already said her goodbyes and that he wants to see you alone when you arrive. Having no other questions, you enter the bedroom. When you see Edgar, he's lying in his bed and looking completely unwell. He's pale and his face has a gaunt looking appearance. You can't even believe this is the same man you fought along side at Fort Defiance. "Edgar? " "(wheeze) ah...you came...I knew you would. (cough cough) You're also looking much better than I am...minus a leg I see. How did that happen?" "Long story...but you! How the hell did you get this sick?! Other than physical pains racking my body, I've never been actually sick. I didn't think we could!" "Well...after you've suffered five or six assassination attempts all laced with various poisons, it tends to fuck up your body a lot quicker...anyway there isn't much time left I doubt if I'll make it through the night (cough cough) you've read my letter I take it?" "Yes." "Well then you know that when my death comes, anarchy will ensue." "Don't you have a successor? What about Eva?" "I don't know if you've noticed, but we can't have children. We Eternals seem to be sterile or barren. I've had people try to look into this problem, but they haven't come up with anything yet. It would seem what makes us superior, takes away our ability to reproduce. Maybe it's nature balancing itself out, so that we don't take over the world like so many of our younger eternals seem to want to do." "Hmm, I have to admit, I always wondered why all those strumpets I slept with during my merc days never came back with little bundles demanding support." You reply. "Anyway (cough cough) I've drawn up official forms for the person I think could be a successor..." You already know where Edgar is going with this. "Oh no...don't say that's why you dragged me out here...Edgar they aren't going to listen to me! I haven't even been living in the ED since it's formation!" "That doesn't matter! You're still an Eternal! One of the first and probably the best of us! (wheeze cough) They'll listen more likely than you believe, why do you think I always spoke so highly of you? The younger ones will most likely follow without question, your major opposition will probably be the second generation...but there aren't too many of them left, you could easily purge them all if you had to." Sheesh, you haven't even agreed to anything and Edgar's already suggesting mass purges. It's like you never left the Empire. "Please...I tried to build something here...(cough) I tried to do what you might've done if only you'd taken the reins of power, but I can't go on any longer. The only person who can guide the Eternal Dominion into something worthier is you. I'm asking you not just as former comrade in arms...but as a (cough cough) a fellow Eternal..." Edgar's trying to guilt you into this mess, but it's just not going to work. This plan of his is doomed to fail and you know it. Every high ranking Eternal is probably going to be vying for power and that idiot Rissok will probably the worst of the lot before Edgar's body is even cold. Still, this is his dying request. You could always accept his proposal just to appease him on his deathbed. > You lie and tell him you'll accept the position This is his last request, what could it hurt to reassure him on his deathbed? It's not like he's going to know after he dies. "Okay, Edgar. I'll take it, but I'm still skeptical that I'll do as good a job as you." You say to Edgar who manages to smile. "Thank you, but as I have said, you will find that you will have more support than you think. Now then, let us talk, I wish to know what you've been up to. So many years have passed and my own time is short." You oblige Edgar and try to tell him as much as you can about what you've been doing since you first left the Empire. He seems to enjoy your tales while interjecting a few of his own, but he mostly just listens as the hours pass his life tether to this world begins to slip away. Finally he has stopped listening completely and died. You sit in silence for a moment to say goodbye to your former comrade in arms...no, a brother. You are about to leave and that's when Rissok comes barging in with a couple of guards and Eva. "Is he dead yet?" Rissok asks. "Yes, and show some fucking respect." You say. "Respect? I have been serving the Prime with distinction for years! What have you done, except turn your back on the eternal name! You're no better than that traitor Warrick! Worse, you think to come here to steal the throne, well not on my watch!" At this point Rissok pulls out a flintlock pistol and points it at you. "Steal the throne? Hah! I wouldn't want to run this asylum even if I was begged to, which I was." "I knew it! I knew the Prime wanted to see you for such a reason!" "Yeah, and I said I wasn't interested, so you can just calm the hell down..." "Rissok stop it! Is your lust for power so overwhelming that you can't even contain yourself even in the presence of my dead loved one's body?" Eva shouts tearfully. "Shaddup, ya human harlot!" Rissok says and smacks Eva in the face with the flintlock, dropping her to the floor. You take this opportunity to rush at Rissok, but unfortunately you aren't as fast as you used to be. Rissok manages to step backward just in time to shoot you in the chest. You fall to the ground mortally wounded. "And so ends the first generation. You had your time in the sun, now it is time for the seconds to take over where you failed. Guard, finish this relic off." "Nah, we're not following you either." A guard says and raises his own musket to Rissok and blows his head off. Rissok's body collapses on to the floor next to you, blood, skull and brains leaking all over the place. Staring at Rissok's headless body, you chuckle in between your dying gasps before finally passing from this world.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, villain protagonist] If Edgar wants to see you, then why not? If he had anything sinister planned for you like having his escort kill you when you arrive. Besides you're old and you didn't worry about dying in combat when you were twenty, you're not going to start worrying about it now. You pack a few things for your trip and get your horse ready since you know Rask carriages don't travel through ED territory anymore. It's hard getting on damn a horse ever since losing part of your leg, but you're not about to walk the way there! When you reach the border the next day, you see a group of soldiers camped out in the distance beyond it. You see an ED Flag flying so you assume that's the escort Edgar told you about. When you approach several of the soldiers point muskets at you...heh you sometimes forget of how technology has marched on. They immediately ask for identification and you state your name and hand them the message with Edgar's seal on it. The leader, who is a blonde woman with fair features reads through it and greets you. "Greetings sir. My apologies on the initial caution, but we had to be sure. I am Sergeant Kalah, and I am to escort you to Prime Eternal Edgar. I am told he will be most pleased to see you, though I must admit I was also curious about you myself. Many are, as the Prime Eternal has mentioned you several times in high regard." "Heh, yeah I've heard about that before. Never get used to it though. Well let's get on our way then." Sergeant Kalah is very talkative on your trip, and goes on about great the ED is, and how it provides for all. She sounds very much like you did a long time ago. You're a little curious about something so you interrupt her propaganda speak. "Tell me sergeant, you and your men are all on the youngish side, what generation of eternal are you exactly?" "Me sir? I am fourth! We all are, we are newest eternals to serve directly in combat and I'm proud to say that we are so far the first to have natural night vision!" "You can see in the dark eh? That must come in pretty handy. Wish I'd had that back in the day." "Oh yes, the glorious Eternal Dominion was able to fight those treacherous svelk mercenaries that the cowardly Felkans employ on equal footing when we were deployed!" "Hmm, any other natural abilities?" "The fourth generation also regenerates better than the third even though they were the first to have such abilities. Under the right circumstances we can potentially regenerate a lost limb." "Now THAT is something I definitely would've liked to had!" you say knocking on your wooden leg. "Still, with all these advantages I'm sort of surprised you haven't utterly crushed the Felkans yet." "I believe we would, even with our resource shortages. Most of us do! We have the Felkans on the run, I do not understand why we have not pressed forward with our attacks, I long to be in combat again...but it is not my place to question the Prime Eternal's decisions, I'm sure he has a good reason..." Wow, that line sounds familiar. "Well all I can say is, sometimes the political aspects of a nation are more complicated than the wars." You reply Sergeant Kalah doesn't argue, but just says that you may have more wisdom about such things. Kalah and you continue to speak with each other about various subjects and she's courteous the entire time, in fact she's downright friendly. You definitely weren't expecting that and it's sort of a nice change of pace. While traveling through a town, a couple of pathetic peasants are being beaten in the streets by another soldier, though his uniform seems to be a different color even though it has the same markings. "You there! Why are you beating these peasants! What crime have they committed?" she demands. "Ma'am! These peasants were caught stealing food." "Well you shouldn't be beating them just for that...you should be chopping their hands off!" Kalah says, followed by pleas and screams of the peasants. "...yes ma'am...alright get over here you lousy thieving scum, let's make this quick!" the soldier says drawing his sword and striking out at the screaming peasant. However, in his enthusiasm to follow orders he ends up hacking off the peasant's entire arm. More screaming arises from the female peasant who rushes to what is probably are dying husband. Sergeant Kalah rolls her eyes. "I swear never let a human do an Eternal's job...men shoot all three of them." "No wait!" the soldier says before several musket balls hit his body. The two peasants are also killed instantly. The onlookers of this event duck and hide, but the sergeant makes her point known. "Listen up! This town is now on watch! If I hear of anymore thievery or other crimes, I'll be back to burn down this whole town! And for those of you in charge of keeping the law around here, I better see more competence displayed in the future than I saw today or I'll have you drawn and quartered! You are ALL servants of the Eternals! We are your masters, we know better than you and you will OBEY." And there it is, the ruthless arrogance. It would appear than Kalah's friendliness extends only to other Eternals. Can't say you're surprised though. You all move on and eventually you reach the capital and the palace where Edgar resides. Funny how this is the first time you've ever been to the palace after all those years serving the Empire. "This is where we part company, but I must say I hope we meet again in the future, it was an honor to meet you." "And it was a pleasure to meet you too..." you say and then you decide to give her a big fat thrill. "...and if I may say if we have more eternals as pretty and commanding as you, we will no doubt rule for thousands of years to come." "...I...oh...well thank you sir!" she stutters and smiles before riding off. New guards accompany you into the palace and through it. You've never been in here before, so you do a little sight seeing as you walk. Eventually you reach the royal bedroom. An older woman is sitting on a chair outside sobbing. She looks regal. Did Edgar get married? You've never heard of their being any sort of "queen" of the ED you always assumed he was just ruling alone. Another older muscular man with a stern expression is standing nearby pacing. When you arrive, he frowns even more. "Oh so you decided to come after all. A pity." He says. "Well, I certainly can say your military is politer than the royalty around here." "That is probably because they believe all the stories Prime Eternal Edgar says about you. Such is the foolishness of youth." "And who the hell are you exactly?" "Hmm, not surprised a deserter like you doesn't remember me. My name is Rissok and I served under you during the Empire riots. I saw you kill my friend in cold blood. A true eternal who served with honor!" "Oooooh now I remember. You and your other buddy were looting houses while Felding was attempting to rape a woman. Yeah, real honor there." You say and Rissok gets in your face. "Don't mock me! You are only here because the Prime allows it! If it were up to me, I would have you labeled as a traitor and have you killed!" "Well nothing is stopping you. You got the guards here, Edgar's too sick to prevent it and I've only got one leg, so I'd say it's a fair fight." You remark. "Stop it! Stop it please! My Edgar is dying! Can't we have one moment without murder and killing?" the woman sobs. At this point Rissok storms off without another word, the guards stick around and tell you that you may enter at any time. Before you do, you have to ask the woman who she is because you get the impression she isn't an eternal. You just sense it. "My apologies, I didn't know that Edgar was even married. What title do you go by, queen? Emperess?" "(sniff) No, I'm none of those things. I'm just Eva. Sometime Lady Eva if we're being formal, but I am not married to Edgar nor am I common knowledge to a majority of the public, I am merely his companion of sorts. He could not marry me, for concern of marrying a non-eternal might weaken his position of leadership. I understood this from the beginning though and do not blame him for it. Eternals have more wisdom on these matters." You're pretty sure that isn't necessarily true, but you understand Edgar's rationale and Eva seems to genuinely be in love with him. You ask her if she wants to come in with you, but she says she has already said her goodbyes and that he wants to see you alone when you arrive. Having no other questions, you enter the bedroom. When you see Edgar, he's lying in his bed and looking completely unwell. He's pale and his face has a gaunt looking appearance. You can't even believe this is the same man you fought along side at Fort Defiance. "Edgar? " "(wheeze) ah...you came...I knew you would. (cough cough) You're also looking much better than I am...minus a leg I see. How did that happen?" "Long story...but you! How the hell did you get this sick?! Other than physical pains racking my body, I've never been actually sick. I didn't think we could!" "Well...after you've suffered five or six assassination attempts all laced with various poisons, it tends to fuck up your body a lot quicker...anyway there isn't much time left I doubt if I'll make it through the night (cough cough) you've read my letter I take it?" "Yes." "Well then you know that when my death comes, anarchy will ensue." "Don't you have a successor? What about Eva?" "I don't know if you've noticed, but we can't have children. We Eternals seem to be sterile or barren. I've had people try to look into this problem, but they haven't come up with anything yet. It would seem what makes us superior, takes away our ability to reproduce. Maybe it's nature balancing itself out, so that we don't take over the world like so many of our younger eternals seem to want to do." "Hmm, I have to admit, I always wondered why all those strumpets I slept with during my merc days never came back with little bundles demanding support." You reply. "Anyway (cough cough) I've drawn up official forms for the person I think could be a successor..." You already know where Edgar is going with this. "Oh no...don't say that's why you dragged me out here...Edgar they aren't going to listen to me! I haven't even been living in the ED since it's formation!" "That doesn't matter! You're still an Eternal! One of the first and probably the best of us! (wheeze cough) They'll listen more likely than you believe, why do you think I always spoke so highly of you? The younger ones will most likely follow without question, your major opposition will probably be the second generation...but there aren't too many of them left, you could easily purge them all if you had to." Sheesh, you haven't even agreed to anything and Edgar's already suggesting mass purges. It's like you never left the Empire. "Please...I tried to build something here...(cough) I tried to do what you might've done if only you'd taken the reins of power, but I can't go on any longer. The only person who can guide the Eternal Dominion into something worthier is you. I'm asking you not just as former comrade in arms...but as a (cough cough) a fellow Eternal..." Edgar's trying to guilt you into this mess, but it's just not going to work. This plan of his is doomed to fail and you know it. Every high ranking Eternal is probably going to be vying for power and that idiot Rissok will probably the worst of the lot before Edgar's body is even cold. Still, this is his dying request. You could always accept his proposal just to appease him on his deathbed. > You tell the truth and decline You didn't lie to Kane when he asked you to join him. You didn't lie to Brenda when she asked you to join the Eternal Dominion And you aren't going to lie to Edgar now. It might not be what he wants to hear, but it's what he's going to hear. "Edgar, I'm not accepting this position. First of all it's not realistic despite what you want to believe and I think deep down you know that. Second of all, if I wanted the reins of power as you say, I would've taken them a long time ago. Did I ever think about it? Sure, but I came to the conclusion that it wouldn't lead to anywhere good...and given your condition I'd say I was half right. I say half right, because it is apparent that you did gain a loving wife out it, or whatever she is to you." Edgar is silent while you continue. "And while I don't say my own path was any better, it was ultimately mine and it's one I intend to finish whatever the future may hold for it. Edgar, don't worry about what you accomplished and if it'll last. Just be proud of it now and spend your last moments with your wife. That's who you need to be concerned about." Edgar hacks and coughs up blood and spits it into a nearby bucket and struggles to breathe, but manages to answer you. "Very well...you've made your point. And you're probably right. You usually were. (wheeze) Bring my...my wife in. I do wish to spend the last moments with her...and farewell...my brother." "Farewell Edgar." You say with a nod and leave. You step outside and tell Eva that Edgar wants to spend his remaining time left with her. She seems happy with this idea though of course still upset. She runs in and one of the guards says he will escort you out. On the way out, you run into Rissok in the halls and once again he gets into your face. "Leaving again are we? Just as well you aren't welcome here anyway. In fact I'd suggest you make it quick. As soon as Edgar's breathes his last breath I'm going to make a lot of changes around here." "You're saying you're going to be in charge after Edgar?" "Of course! Others might say they are, but they'll be silenced soon enough, just like all traitors will be. I am the only one qualified to run this nation! "Hm, well...we can't have that." you say and with a quick motion you pull out your dagger and stab Rissok in the neck. Blood spurts out like a fountain when you pull it out and Rissok gurgles clutching his throat attempting to curse you the entire time. You pretty much expected to get your head blown off by the guard standing next to you, but he just stood there and did nothing. "I had a feeling you were going to do that." He says in an almost bored tone. "How old is that dagger anyway? That design was outdated even before I was born. We use a much lighter weight metal now that allows a for a smoother cut." "Still gets the job done. So I'm guessing by me being still alive, you have no objections with his death?" "Feh, you could've killed him in front of the entire army and nobody would've lifted a finger. He was an asshole and I know I wouldn't have followed him even if the entire Eternal Dominion depended on it. Besides, we third generation eternals are more fit to run things than any of the seconds. Just glad you didn't decide to stick around, would've hated to have to kill a legend." "Well if you ever decide to go to war with Rask, you might still get your chance." You say and the pair of you leave Rissok's body behind in the corridor as you exit the palace. A carriage takes you back to the border where a horse is supplied to you to make the rest of journey home. And you are certainly glad to get back. It's certainly been a strange few days for you, but then you're use to strangeness going on in your life. A couple days later you get the news that Edgar has died and that the new leadership of the Eternal Dominion as of now is uncertain. Rask of course is still fully expecting war to come their way, but you suspect that probably other than a few skirmishes, most of the fighting will be within the ED itself, or pushing ahead against the Felkan Kingdom. You also realize that you really are the last one left now. Kane, Roldan, Gerald, Warrick, Brenda and Edgar all gone. The thought saddens you and you're reminded of the phrase Gruz told you as he died. "You'll outlive everyone..." It looks like it's come true at last. Oh sure there still are all the newer eternals around, but you were the first to be the perfect Empire soldiers in the misguided hope that you could save it. A project that failed utterly for its leaders. You think about some of the other Eternals in your class that didn't even make it past training, or the few like Cyrus that were transferred to the Shadow Guard. You also heard there was a group of eternals that came before you, though all of them died in training and never even made it into the field while the Empire was still "perfecting" their plan. You wonder if all of you had made it and kept together as a separate unit, would it have made a difference? Who knows? You wonder if you'll even be remembered as the years go by. Not just years or decades, but centuries. Edgar tried to create something to last and while he'll probably have the best chance out of everyone in your group, ultimately history may just list him as a footnote as some obscure ruler. As for the rest of you, you'll be forgotten. At best, you may have the "honor" being brought up in tall tale by drunkards and bards in taverns, which you can live with, but you'd like the rest of your old friends... no, your old brothers and sister to be remembered. That's when you get the idea. You shall write you memoirs. Maybe nobody will read them or care, but what the hell, you need something to occupy your time in your twilight years. You've got a lot of it after all. Grabbing a quill and some parchment you begin to write. You want to get as much down as you can, but of course a lot of history has passed and you're having a little difficulty of where to start. "Damn, I should've done this a lot sooner...oh yeah...might as well start with her." Mistress was her name, and that was about the only thing I ever knew about her. Oh that and the fact that she was a sadistic svelk bitch that helped trained me and my bothers and sister to be killers. Not just killers though, Eternals. This is our story. > Epilogue Epilogue 2: Eternal Bane Year 101 "Wow, Eternal Bane wasn't even accepted everywhere in Rask and this was the place that liked it the most! So, you're saying they absolutely love my book in this Mortos place?" you ask Ulivik while lying in your bed. "Yes, well at least it seems to be popular with the necromancer rulers there. I dunno, I try not to travel through there anymore; they aren't exactly welcoming to the living. Svelks are about the only ones who can get away with it. Apparently my people have had some sort of blood pact agreement with them for centuries. I imagine something awful was no doubt involved though." Ulivik replies. "A nation run by necromancers. Fascinating. Well I suppose that's one way of keeping it from falling, turn the population into undead and unthinking slaves. Surprised more haven't tried it." "Well it does require very powerful magic and not too many people have that anymore." "Such is the changing of the times. I mean Rask was practically lawless wilderness even during the Empire days, now it's increasingly becoming a totalitarian state. Where the Eternal Dominion stood? Utter anarchy run by petty eternal warlords with no real goals other than destroying each other and all that get in their way. The royals of the Felkan Kingdom all killed in a revolution and replaced with a new ruling class, and that's just the big examples. Shit, people rarely even kill each other up close and personal anymore, they just shoot each other. Yes, I think you've got some interesting times to see ahead of you, Ulivik." "Hey, you'll get to see 'em too." "Ha ha, no I don't think so. Not saying I actually wouldn't like to, but the end is definitely drawing near for me. Despite what today's eternals might like to believe, we're still human and our lifespans don't reflect our names. My body is finally starting fail me, and the best medicine Rask has to offer isn't saving me this time." Ulivik is always silent when you talk about your impending death like that. He knows the day will come soon, but it still isn't easy for him. Though this time he tries to lighten the mood. "Hey, I could get one of those necromancers to raise you from the dead if you want!" "Oh yeah, I'll be having a wonderful time as a mindless zombie hopping around with one leg. Thanks for the offer though." You laugh. You and Ulivik talk for a little while longer and he says he'll be around for the rest of the week as he's restocking for his next adventure. You tell him not to worry, but he mentions he'll check on you once more before leaving Keplavisk. A couple days later, you finally lose the battle you've successfully been fighting for over a century and death at last takes you peacefully in your sleep. The day after you death Ulivik finds you. After his own short immediate morning period, he makes the arrangements to have your body burned as requested. He then takes your ashes to a high hill and scatters them to the winds. "Rask may not have originally been your home, but it became your home. And now you're part of it forever." He says. While never a king or emperor or any other type of major ruler, history does indeed remember you even if it is mostly confined to Rask and the surrounding territory. As you predicted, tall tales abound in taverns in Rask of various things you did or didn't do. These are mostly positive in nature, if over exaggerated or outright untrue. Ulivik would always speak fondly of you whenever he was asked about his own past. You manage to "outlive" even the newer eternals since when the Eternal Dominion collapsed into anarchy it wasn't like the process of creating anymore was implemented. (After all why create more rivals?) The "fifth generation" was the last and they're remembered about as well as generations two through four, meaning not at all other than as warmongering nuisances. And long after they all died out through violence, you are still remembered. Even the original six you served with pop up in stories from time to time. Scholars continue to debate over your book in Rask universities on whether or not you a were ruthless killer, an unfortunate soul brainwashed by an evil government and everything in between. Whether you were any or none of those things is debatable, but one thing is certain, you were and always shall be ETERNAL.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, war] Year 75 As the years creep up on you and despite missing part of your leg, you still feel don't feel in any ill health. It's mostly just aches and pains from your more physical years catching up with you. After the leg incident though, you took that permanent position at the Keplavisk military academy as a strategy instructor, though nowadays it's looking like it'll become the Rask military academy. Rask is in the process of becoming a "real nation" rather than just a collection of allied towns. You don't really know all the politics of it, but the main guiding force was justified Raskian paranoia again. Ever since the Eternal Dominion's war with the Felkan Kingdom grinded to a halt, the ED has been making overtures to Rask to join them in the veiled form of threats rather than any sort of diplomatic alliance agreements. While starting a war on two fronts is always a bad idea you're guessing Edgar needs the resources that Rask has to make his final push to conquer the Felkans once and for all. You're also guessing he's intent on ignoring your advice of not attacking Rask too, you're just surprised he held out this long. You're not really worried about it if it comes to war. The Raskians may not have the unnaturally bred "eternals" like the ED does, but they're trained well enough to make the cost very high if they are in invaded. You should know, you trained most of them. You hear a knock on your door and you slowly make your way over. "Mail for you Mr. Bane." A delivery girl says to you when you open up the door. You toss a gold coin to her and take your letter. At first you figure it's from Ulivik, no doubt telling you about whatever grand adventure he's on this time. The last time he was here, he was for his mother's funeral. He kept his composure for the most part, but it still wasn't a good time for him. He didn't say it in so many words, but he did say that you were the only family he had left. You didn't follow up, but the pair you said your goodbyes both of you knowing that you had that bond similar to that of a father and son. But this letter isn't from Ulivik, it's mysteriously labeled as from "a friend." Considering you've never really had any, you're baffled to as who it could be. When you open it you see that it's from Edgar, several pages in fact. You sit down to read all of it. The beginning of it hopes that the letter has found you as he wants you to take in all of what he has to tell you. He begins by stating that he's dying. He mentions his health is deteriorating by the day and he doesn't know how much longer he has left. His "successors" are likely to start a war with Rask soon after his death, it's only due to their respect that they don't. The same way his respect for you caused him not to. The majority of the letter explains that he wants you to understand why he did what he did and how he wished that you had joined him. He says the incident with Kane never left him and how if he'd only been there to listen to him and help him more, none of that might've happened. Perhaps even the Empire would've survived. (You doubt that though, it would've just taken longer) When the Empire was in its last days he saw how chaotic the new eternals were and realized they needed guidance and a purpose much like Kane did. He always thought that you'd do it, but you left leaving him as the only person willing to. He says it was very difficult and while they ultimately they fell in line, but without the purpose of conquest they wouldn't stay that way for long. So he began forging a new empire as it were, with the eternals as the leaders as it always should've been. The newer generations of eternals were better disciplined, as he made sure their training went very much the same way yours did. Still, they are much more arrogant that he ever was. They believe it is their destiny to rule the world and he believes that he's set something in motion that even he is no longer in control of. "Ah Edgar, always getting yourself in over your head." You say to yourself. The rest of the letter mentions that you two are the last of the old Eternals. Warrick died in Battle of Yaquan when the ED successfully took the city from the Felkans eleven years ago. He says that while he still considered him a traitor to side with former enemies like that, he took no pleasure in his death and heard he died well. Brenda died four years ago, but she apparently had become increasingly withdrawn years before that, to the point where she no longer even participated in the major decisions concerning the ED. She was found dead by her own hand with a note stating that she wished to be burned and her ashes scattered near Fort Glory like she did with her husband Roldan. This wish was of course granted. Edgar's last portion of the message also states that he has a last request as well, he wants you to come to the Eternal Dominion as he would like to see you again. He knows that you've had your differences and you weren't ever friends, but right now, you're the closest thing he's got. He's already made the arrangements to let you through and will have an escort waiting for you on the Rask/ED borders for the next few days. He also has placed a separate message with his seal on it, so that they may identify you. The message ends there. > You write a letter back to Edgar While Edgar may not have any ill will towards you, you just aren't sure about his subjects. You decide it wouldn't be the best idea to go deep into Eternal Dominion territory, but Edgar does deserve a letter back, so you begin to write. When you're finished with the letter, the next day you have a professional letter carrier take care of it with your instructions to where it is suppose to be sent. Hopefully it gets to Edgar. As the days pass into weeks, you receive the news that Edgar has died and that the Raskians are all concerned that war with the ED may come soon. You aren't really concerned about such things, but you do feel a little bad that you didn't visit Edgar now. You hope he got your letter in time, but you guess you'll never know. It feels odd knowing that you're the last eternal left from the "original" group. The rest of your days are spent mostly going about your business. War never comes to Rask as the Eternal Dominion seems to descend into civil war after Edgar's death. There are some changes in Rask society, but you just find yourself with less and less to keep yourself occupied. Still, you do enjoy the visits from Ulivik whenever he has the time. Year 101 During one of Ulivik's visits, you finally lose the battle you've successfully been fighting for over a century and death at last takes you peacefully in your sleep. The day after your death Ulivik finds you. After his own short immediate morning period, he makes the arrangements to have your body burned as requested. He then takes your ashes to a high hill and scatters them to the winds. "Rask may not have originally been your home, but it became your home. And now you're part of it forever." He says as his final words to you. While never remembered on a large scale, tall tales about you pop up in taverns in Rask from time to time of various things you did or didn't do and Ulivik would always speak fondly of you whenever he was asked about his own past.

Ulivik may be an accomplished warrior now, but out of all the tales he's told you about his adventures; he still hasn't faced anything like the wendigos and he's going to get himself killed or worse if he goes into this with just the hope of some magic bauble around his neck. As much as you're loathed to go through this again, you decide to help Ulivik. "Alright I'll go, but as soon as I think we're in a shitload of danger that we can't handle, you better listen to me, because this isn't going to be the fun adventure you think it's going to be. Understand?" "Sure, but I really don't think it's going to be as bad as all that." "No, it'll probably be worse. Now if you don't mind I'm going to get some sleep and get my mind focused on this fool's task." "Fool's task? You're coming with me." "Yeah, which says more about my own foolishness than yours, because you don't know any better. I know we got these magic amulets or whatever, but these... things are going to try to get inside your head and if they succeed, it's all over. If that happens to you, I won't hesitate to put a sword through your head, and I expect you to do the same." "Ha ha you'd kill me so easily?" Ulivik laughs, but you're in no mood. "Hello, I don't believe we've met...by the gods have you remembered nothing of the stories of my past? Of course I'd fucking do it so easily! I've killed innocent men and their entire families just because they disagreed with how the Empire was doing things, hell I even killed one of my Eternal brothers because of it. Wouldn't be anything to kill someone who was turned into a mindless beast even if..." You stop yourself right there. "Even if what?" Ulivik asks. "Even if...he's too stupid to see this is a really bad idea! Anyway, I'm ranting and I'm tired. I'm going to bed, you can let yourself out. And don't say that I don't have to go, because I'm already committed now. I gave you my word as an Eternal." Ulivik knows when you say something like that, you're being serious, so he just nods and tells you he'll be by tomorrow morning before leaving. As for you, you head off to bed with a myriad of thoughts going on in your head. "Can't believe I nearly said he was like a son to me. What the fuck am I thinkin' about? Better get your head in the game old man, because wendigos are going to thrive on that. They live on weakness." You mumble before drifting off to sleep. The next morning you and Ulivik set off for the infamous Wendigo Hills. Along the way, you go on about your own major conflicts with them, even when they were originally just thought to be people infected with lycanthropy like the rest of the old barbarian tribes around Rask. Ulivik listens to you in fascination like he did when he was much younger as you've never spoken of your experience with the wendigos before to him except in passing. It's good to know he's still listening. "So after that battle, no wendigo has ever left those hills?" Ulivik asks. "Eh, we had a couple that still managed to snag bodies and kill a few people before being brought down and exorcised by some of the local hedge wizards we recruited later, but that was mainly due to people idiotically still going into the hills in the first place. Sort of like what we're doing." You say. "But if they're spirits can't they just float about possessing people?" "You'd think so, but for whatever reason they can't leave these the hills in pure spirit form, they need a body. That's why when they're killed they immediately try to hop into a new one or else they get pulled back to the hills. Dunno why, and I don't think anyone's bothered to learn the history either. Everyone's just glad they were deprived of nearly all of their bodies by a certain Eternal decades ago." "Ha ha, but what about animals? Couldn't they just possess animals and leave the hills that way?" "Always wondered that myself, but again if they could I'd imagine they'd still be a major threat. Besides, when I traversed those hills I didn't see a single animal, not one, of course I assumed that they probably ate them all. The wendigo are basically consumption and hunger in its purest form. They aren't big thinkers in the scheme of things and it's fortunate that they never organized past their barbarian tribal hosts." "Sounds like it, but if they are all spirits as you say, then we shouldn't experience any physical combat at all and with these amulets and our steel trap minds we should be fine! We might even find some sort of ancient lore about how the wendigos came to be tied to those hills!" "Well you're as optimistic as ever. I suppose that's good, it'll keep your mind better prepared when the wendigos try to oppressively crush your free will. Y'know, now that I think about it, I think that's what partially saved me. My mind was so dedicated to the Empire back in those days, the wendigos were trying to crush something that wasn't really my own to begin with." "And now?" "Now? I got my impenetrable cynicism to protect me, which I'll definitely put more stock in than this ridiculous magical amulet that'll undoubtedly fail to do anything." "Looks like you're off to a good start with your cynicism." The after a couple days of travel, you eventually make it to the base of the Wendigo Hills. The markings and warning signs line stretch up, down and all the way around as far as you know. No real physical barriers of course, but even those dumb ass ogres that can't read know better than to pass the line. Of course they usually knew better to begin with, which proves that they're smarter in that respect. You take a deep breath and step past the markings and make your way up the forested hills. It's at this point your amulet starts to glow a brighter blue, Ulivik claims "that's how you know that it's working!" Great. Still, you don't hear any sinister whispers yet, but there is still that dead silence you remember. As if nothing living is here. Ulivik, mentions that he found a crude and well worn map of some of the Rask area during his trip through Eternal Dominion lands and wants to explore some ruins that are clearly marked on it. You mention you haven't been here in a long time, but you don't remember ever seeing any, so you can't be as of much help as he might've thought. Ulivik says he doesn't care though, he's just glad to have you along. "That map is probably old Empire. Like really old Empire, and much might've changed since then. It could also be inaccurate to begin with." "Yeah, that's true, but we might as well find out. It's the journey, not necessarily the destination that's important! That's what adventuring is all about." "Funny, I always thought it was the misguided hope of finding lots of loot and the avoidance of a real job." You reply. "That's just a bonus." Ulivik comments and you allow yourself to chuckle. Never thought you'd do that while in this cursed place. After a half hour or so of walking, you start to get an uneasy feeling of being watched. You mention this to Ulivik and he says he's getting that impression too. You ask him if he's hearing anything, but he says he isn't except the snow crunching under foot. Neither are you, maybe the amulets are working, but it's obvious the presence of the wendigos is near. Another hour of travel and you and Ulivik see something you didn't expect. "Do you see that? That's a rabbit! I thought you said nothing was living here?" Ulivik says. "When I came through I didn't see a living creature, so I just assumed there wasn't. I guess there is though." You reply. "Maybe the wendigo aren't here anymore and everyone has been scared of this place for decades for no reason." "I wouldn't go that far. Something is definitely here and just because we're seeing rabbits doesn't mean it's safe. It just means animals must not be suitable hosts for them." "Well...hey that rabbit it's hopping towards us. Hmm, a little larger than average and hopping towards people is rather unusual behavior for a ra..." Before Ulivik can finish, his leg is leaped upon and viciously attacked by the rabbit. After some hollering from the surprise, you grab the little furry beast and break its neck. You toss its lifeless body in the snow while Ulivik examines the bite marks in his pants "Fuck, that thing chewed through my pant leg and broke the skin! You never mentioned killer rabbits on your travel to here." "That's because I didn't encounter any, and I doubt if that was really a rabbit anymore. It would seem that animals CAN be hosts after all, they just need a human one or something similar to leave the hills. Anyway, we should really get out here, there are more coming." "What? So? I'm sure we can handle a few overgrown possessed rabbits." Ulivik says still preoccupied with his very minor wound. "A few, sure, but how about hundreds of them?" you say and draw his attention to literally that number popping up all around you. The glaring red eyes of hundreds of possessed bunnies are upon you and their herbivore buck teeth have now been replaced with the toothy fangs of a carnivore hungry for flesh. And they look like they haven't tasted a bi-ped in a long time... > You fight your way to the ruins You've come this far, no sense in running back home now especially not from rabbits, even if they are possessed by wendigo spirits. "Come on let's get to that ruin of yours, hopefully we'll be less out in the open there!" you shout slashing out at the nearest bunch of bunnies. "It should be nearby, this way!" The pair of you run chopping up rabbits along the way as the "little" nippers are hopping after you and occasionally leaping on you and get a few bites in. This might all be very comical if your life wasn't in mortal danger. After about fifteen minutes of this, you're still practically waist deep in rabbits and no closer to your goal. You're starting to regret your initial decision. "Ulivik, what the fuck man? I though you said it was close by?!" "It is! It is! I just need to look at my map again!" Ulivik says fumbling with his map. "Ulivik we don't have time for all that! We're getting surrounded, and like normal rabbits they seem to have multiplied severely. They're going to wear us down by attrition if this keeps up." "Hold on I, agh!" White rabbits, which were blending into the snow, suddenly pop up and bite at the legs and ankles of you and Ulivik. This causes Ulivik to fall to his hands and knees in the snow as they continue their attack. "Get off! Get off!" he shouts killing them, unfortunately one the rabbits jumps on his back and with his teeth takes the amulet chain and leaps off with it. "Ulivik no! Your amulet! We need to get the fuck outta here now!" "Arrrrgh! My head feels like it's going to explode! Shut up! Shut up!" Ulivik yells. The mental assault has already begun and you tell Ulivik to quickly try to think about other things and drown out the wendigo voices, he's obviously in pain though. In the meantime you're attempting to drag him back the way you came while still fighting off rabbits. More and more of the ferocious furballs leap on to you and Ulivik, and sure enough your own amulet chain is eventually broken off as well. "Welcome back Bane of Rask, we always knew you'd come back." You hear in your head and then a gray rabbit the size of a bear comes bounding out of a hole in the ground. It is at this point, the wendigos make their awful howl in unison. Ulivik screams in pain and you're not feeling so great yourself, but you refuse to be beaten by an overgrown rabbit. You quickly run over to the wendigo leader and hack at its head, putting out one of its eyes. The beast roars and succeeds in smacking you to the ground with its claws. "Foolish mortal! You cannot hope to win this battle! Give up now and let me take over..." You ignore the taunts of the wendigo leader, you ignore the whispers of the wendigos' mental assault, you ignore the countless bites into your flesh from their hosts. You just focus on one thing. Killing that gray sonofabitch. You roll out of the way the leader's attack and shove your sword in his side and then using your dagger you put out his other eye. Blind and still enraged he clumsily tries to lash out against you with his claws again, but once again you dodge and pulling your sword of his side, you shove it into his head this time and twist it back and forth making sure it cuts through skull, brains and everything else. "You haven't won..." you hear in your head while stomping on some nearby rabbits still biting at your ankles. Ulivik is staggering towards you with a trail of his own dead rabbits in his wake. "Ulivik, come on we still need to get outta here, before the leader regroups with a new body!" you say and grab at Ulivik to help pull him towards you. Ulivik stares at you blankly for a moment, and then his demeanor changes to a less friendly one. Your heart sinks knowing what has happened, and you try to let go, but his own grip becomes very tight as his nails dig into your flesh. "I told you, you couldn't win." In Ulivik's body, the wendigo is much quicker than you and manages to knock your sword out of your hand and then knock you to the ground. You scramble for your weapon, but you feel a kick to your head followed by a couple of stomps to it. Bloody and dazed, you lose consciousness before you are made into the wendigo's long awaited meal.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, grimdark, serious] Year 65 You get a knock on the door to which causes you to wonder who would be bothering you at this time of night. You're more than a little annoyed since you were sleeping. "Go away, I ain't getting up." you say from your chair trying to go back to sleep. "Open the fuck up, you useless old man!" you hear from outside and it's enough to motivate you to answer it and punch out the fool who said it. When you open it however, an unexpected visitor meets you. "Ulivik?" "Yeah, it's me! Well, aren't you going to invite me in?" he laughs. "Yeah sure." You say and the both of you head to your quarters to sit and talk. You still shaking the cobwebs after being awaken from your slumber. "Were you asleep?" "Yeah, what of it?" "Nothing! Just sort of surprised, I mean I know it's night, but its still pretty early." "Eh, it's been kind of a lazy day today, felt like sleeping for most of it." "You didn't teach a class today?" "Class? School's been officially closed for about two years now. I mean I get few people that seek me out looking to increase their skills every once in awhile, but nowadays everyone goes to that new military academy they opened up here." "Oh, I was wondering what that big new building looming near the edge of town was, so they didn't offer you a job there?" "Eh, they did, but I didn't want it. People who I originally trained run it and most of them I didn't even like when I was teaching them, so I'd rather not have to follow whatever silly guidelines they've come up with for that place. Anyway, I sometimes get paid to give speeches on tactics and strategies there. I get by. So where have you been and what brings you back?" Ulivik mentions he mainly returned to when he heard his father had died and that he's probably going to be around for a while to look after his mother. He then excitedly goes on about his various adventures of exploring ruins, caves and finding treasures and lost trinkets. Not enough to get rich, but he's not in it for that. You enjoy hearing about it all, it's not like you really go anywhere or do as much anymore. And as the years go on, you are finding yourself with less and less to do. You sort of thought your school and teaching would occupy your time and that if you got bored of that you could always break it up with a little mercenary work. But both of those options are pretty much closed off to you at this point, at least in Rask. The place is less wild and more peaceful now than it ever was under the Empire. You could move you suppose, but it's not such a bad life maybe you should just settle in and enjoy your elderly years in relative peace... "..and so then I got my head split open and my entrails eaten by the clawbeast and died. Hey! Are you still with me?" Ulivik asks. "Huh? Yeah you got your entrails eaten and died." You answer. "Well glad to see you're still listening." Ulivik laughs. "Sorry, just a little preoccupied. Anyway, go on." Ulivik knows something's up with you, and he's got a pretty good idea what it is. "Hey, have you ever thought about leaving Rask and joining your old buddies in the Eternal Dominion?" he asks. "Wha...oh I don't think that's for me. Besides I only have two there, dunno if one of them is even still alive and I never really was exactly friends with Edgar. Speaking of which did you have much trouble traveling through the ED? I heard they aren't too fond of svelk there ever since most of your people have been hiring themselves out to the Felkans." Well as you once pointed out, we're not really liked anywhere we go, but I never really kept to the populated areas while in the ED so I didn't have too many problems. However, I did find that dropping your name helped me a few times. You're sort of known there." "Huh. Dunno, why I would be, not like I was ever part of the place. Guess Edgar really did look up to me. Unexpected." "Didn't he offer you a job too one time?" "Yeah. Don't think it's still available though. Like I said, my time serving big governments is over with. I wasted more than thirty years of my life doing it. Not going to waste the remaining years I have left even if it's a high position of power. Besides, I'm still not sure that I wouldn't have to kill Edgar if I ever got into an argument with him over something." "Surely it would be more interesting than sleeping all day." "Hah, probably. I dunno, I just feel like Edgar's Eternal Dominion is just mimicking a lot of the old Empire. Sure it's doing well now, but ultimately it's going to fall just like the Empire did, so what's the point?" "Hmm, well you could offer your services to the Felkan Kingdom, I think they could use the help." "Yeah, no. I'm not into lost causes. Did that before too and saw the results. The Felkan Kingdom could've won the war if they didn't fight so defensively. There were many times early in the war where they should've pressed an attack and took territory. Their fate is probably sealed at this point. Only a matter of time, assuming the ED keeps with it's policy of total conquest, and doesn't fuck it up. Anyway don't get me started on how I nearly got dragged into serving on both sides of that conflict." "Okay, but how about another proposal?" "I'll bite. What is it?" "Well, as you know I'm going to be here awhile looking after my mother, but I need something to do. Rask still has areas of it that are largely unexplored. I sort wondered if you'd like to come with me on an adventure in this very area." "Oh? And where would this place be? Most of the places you're speaking of involve mountains, and as bored as I am, I'm not about to go dragging my ass up a fucking mountain." "Ha ha, nah not the mountains, though it still might involve a little bit of climbing." "Okay, so where?" "The Wendigo Hills." Now there's name that's spoken of in only whispers nowadays in Rask. Everyone knows about it and doesn't speak about it, let alone go near it, from humans to ogres and even the few giants still left. Ever since you wiped them out forty five years ago, there have been little problems from those evil spirits. Years later after you first left Rask you heard the various villages got their holy men together to perform some sort of ritual to make sure none of the spirits managed to ever escape from those cursed hills ever again. Of course every once in a blue moon some unfortunate idiot...usually an adventurer gets himself possessed and no expense is spared in hunting down the creature and destroying it. Now it looks like Ulivik is intent on being that new unfortunate idiot. "Have you lost your fucking mind, because if you haven't, then you will if you go there and that's if you're lucky. I went to that blasted place once, I had a company of soldiers with me and I was in my prime. I barely got out of that place alive and you know what happened to the few soldiers that survived with me? Four of them ultimately committed suicide from their nightmares and the other two got discharged and thrown in the asylum for just going batshit insane. No, I'm not going and if you got any sense, you won't either. That place does shit your mind. The spirits there are pure evil, and they are not to be trifled with." "No, I have a remedy for that! Look at these!" Ulivik says and produces two amulets with a faint blue glow. "Let me guess, these things are magical and they're supposed to protect us from getting possessed." "Correct! Even when I was little, I heard there was supposed to be great treasure in those hills. Nobody has ever had the skill to go in there and claim it, but I want to be the first because I truly feel like I'm ready now. You're the about the one who has traveled the most in those hills and survived. You would be a great help and we can even share whatever we find! Come on, it'll be like old times!" "Old" being the key word here. While you were wondering if you were becoming more complacent in your old age, you aren't sure if going to the Wendigo Hills is something you want to do just to prove "you still got it." > You stay home Complacent or not, you're really thinking that this is just a bad idea all the way round. "Ulivik, I'm telling you, this isn't a good idea. I'm not about to place your faith in some amulet that may or may not work and you shouldn't either. I know you're an adventurer and all, but some places are just better left alone." "Oh come on! The man I knew wouldn't have backed down from a challenge like this!" "The man you knew was twenty years younger, and I still had a purpose for my wandering. I was a merc, remember? Look, if the fact that I won't go traipsing around in wendigo territory looking for ruins that might not even be there and wearing an amulet hoping it'll protect me disappoints you, well I guess I'm just going to have to disappoint you." Ulivik does indeed look disappointed, but he doesn't argue the point anymore. Instead he just abruptly gathers his belongings and starts to leave. "Ulivik, I really wish you'd heed my advice on this. Think about it, have I ever lead you wrong?" He stops for a moment, and thinks, but continues his exit. "No, maybe you haven't, but just as you have picked your path to become an old man who is content on resting on his laurels now. I still feel the zest for excitement and danger, and I am compelled to do what I must. It's just a shame we couldn't have shared in it together just one more time." Ulivik says and leaves. Once again you are left by yourself to reflect on your life and Ulivik's words. He might have his own point about resting on your "laurels" but what the hell, it's not like you haven't deserved it. You could go back and forth on such things, but honestly you're a little more concerned about Ulivik and what he's potentially going to get himself into. Still, he's an adult and capable of making his own decisions. Days pass and you don't hear anything from Ulivik. True he was a little mad at you, but you're pretty sure he'd come back to see you before he left. You begin to fear the worst. You end up going to his mother's house to see if he's been there or shown up, but she says she hasn't seen him. She's worried as well, though she's understandably more upset about it. Your next move is to go to the militia and make a report, you don't expect anything to be done, but you figure that the "risk" of a possible wendigo possession is more than enough to keep all the towns alert about it. You are nearly tempted to go looking for him in wendigo territory yourself, but you decide that it would only serve in getting you killed as well, and there's no way you'd even be able to track him. Weeks pass into months and there is still no sign of Ulivik. No wendigo attacks either, so you can only assume that he wasn't possessed, just killed and eaten. Many times you go back and forth in your head wondering if you'd just gone with him that maybe he'd still be alive...or maybe there would be two dead instead of one. Can't second-guess your decisions, you learned that a long time ago, but still you feel saddened by Ulivik's passing. He had a lot of potential and in some odd way he almost felt like a son to you. Life goes on though, but it feels a little emptier. Year 73 The rest of your years have been spent mostly going about your life with increasingly less and less for you to do. There are some changes in society, but ultimately you begin to feel the decline of your own will to live. You never thought you'd feel that way, but there it is. You just don't have anything else to keep you motivated anymore. The thrill of living finally disappears from you entirely and you are found dead by your own hand. While you were not sick and still in relatively good health for a man your age, you decided that you would end it before you might not be in such a condition to do so. A note explaining your suicide is left nearby and the town gives you a proper cremation. Some of your old students turn out for it and say a few words, but in time you are soon forgotten and only brought up as the subject of "tall tales" by drunkards in Rask taverns every once in a blue moon.

Year 55 After another hard day of training various citizens of Rask, you lie in your bed thinking about how much has changed over the years. Never did you think that you'd be running a real business, though to be honest if it wasn't for legitimate paranoia on the part of the Rask Alliance, you'd probably be spending all of your time still as a merc, as it stands you're practically responsible for training the closest thing to an army that Rask has, though it's probably more of an organized militia. It'll be the first line of defense if the Eternal Dominion starts to look to this way for expansion. When the ED started re-conquering the old territory of the Empire it was only natural that the towns and villages of Rask started getting worried. They didn't break away from the Empire only to replace it with something similar or worse. It was just their luck (and yours) that you wanted to become a professional combat instructor. Soon people from all over Rask were coming to see you. You hardly ever have to do any sort of mercenary work anymore and the mayor of Keplavisk is overjoyed by the fact that you set up shop in his town. As for the Eternal Dominion threat, you aren't sure what to think. There has been no formal declaration of war or even a diplomatic visit to Rask yet, but that doesn't mean there won't be, Rask has lots of resources after all. Still, the ED has its hands full still trying to keep everyone in line from the top to the bottom while attempting to gain more holdings. Mass orc migration to Rask are becoming common, even the svelk are more welcome in Rask again. Partly due to the possible need for more mercs if war comes to pass and partly due to dark elves being disliked by the ED, which apparently frowns upon mercenaries (and probably the attitudes of the dark elves in general). You have to hand it to "General" Edgar though, you didn't think he'd be able to get those chaotic brats calling themselves "eternals" organized, though it sounds like they're still as sadistic as ever and if the rumors are true, another generation of Eternals are being trained as well. You can't even imagine what they're going to be like. If war is coming like everyone thinks it is, you know immediately that you're probably going to be nominated and begged by the various mayors and council members to be some sort of commander. You aren't sure if you'd accept the position though you probably will mainly because you don't want to be bothered moving anymore and you'll be damned if you'll live under the rule of some half assed Eternals. Part of you wonders what the hell is going through Edgar's mind. He seemed more level headed the last time you saw him, like the incident with Kane forced him to mature, but you guess his aspirations for personal glory were just too great to keep suppressed for long. You also wonder about Brenda, she's the only other old Eternal that was left, and you have no idea if she's even still alive or serving with Edgar. You get your answer and then some in a few days. Another hard day of training various citizens of Rask and you're ready to close up shop and then two figures wearing hoods enter. You have flashbacks to fighting the Shadow Guard and you draw your sword. "Hold on! It's me! Warrick! See?" a familiar voice says and reveals himself from under the hood. The face is much older than you remember and sporting an eye patch, and the hair is now nearly gone. But considering you thought Warrick to be dead, you aren't completely convinced until the second cloaked figure reveals herself and speaks. "I told you wearing these things was a bad idea. He probably thought we were Shadow Guards!" she says. Her face is also much older and the hair is completely gray, but you definitely know this one is Brenda. Between the pair of them it truly makes you realize how much time has passed since you saw them. "And I told you, we need to keep a low profile, this situation is dangerous to the both of us." Warrick says. "Warrick back from the dead and Brenda, I was just recently thinking about what had become of you." "We need to talk to you about Edgar." Warrick says cutting right to the point. "Yeah I thought so...okay let me lock up and we can talk about this in my quarters." The first thing you find out is that Warrick is now working for the Felkan Kingdom. He says it's a long story, but it has its roots in his becoming disillusioned with the Empire much like you did. Warrick also goes on to say that's one of the reasons why he's here. Edgar definitely has plans to attack it in the future and the crown hopes to avoid another long and troublesome war by recruiting allies this time. He mentions real Felkan diplomats will probably be arriving in Rask soon to speak with the leaders of the towns, but he was sent to specifically reach out to you, because whether you knew it or not, your reputation here carries weight. As for Brenda, her position is much more dangerous. She is currently serving the Eternal Dominion, (another long story) but is trying to encourage an underground dissident movement. Not really difficult considering how oppressive Edgar's regime is. It is the hope of the Felkan Kingdom that the ED will wear itself out on keeping down riots and other potential conquests like Rask before it turns its eyes on the Felkan Kingdom. You tell Warrick that he's probably wasted a trip as the paranoid mentality of the Raskians are already preparing for war with the ED and will have no problem allying with the Felkan Kingdom and that you'll no doubt be called upon to command the people you've been training. Warrick seems relived to hear that, and you and he begin to do a little catching up. Brenda participates as well, though the whole time she seems a little preoccupied. Eventually as the night goes on, Warrick says he must be getting back to report to his superiors. Brenda says that she is not ready to leave as she wishes to speak to you about Roldan and his last days with you. Warrick understands, but warns her that she should not be away for too long so as to arouse suspicion. He would hate to have her sacrifices should lead to her death. "Sacrifices...as if he would know about such things. When the Empire needed him the most what did he do? He ran to the fucking enemy. Now his new masters give him commands and the running lapdog thinks he's free, but he's still a slave." She remarks with distain, before continuing. "Edgar may be an egomaniac with delusions of grandeur like he always was, but he at least tried to keep the Empire together, even if it is in a different form now. He believes in something better, even if he's not exactly intelligent enough to carry out that idea. And you, you're worst of them all. You just dropped out altogether and dedicating yourself to nothing, but coin like a fucking svelk. What the hell happened to you? You used be our leader." "I'm not exactly sure what your point is, but if this all pent up anger at me due to Roldan dying I..." "Don't you dare fucking mention him! I heard enough of hollow apologies in that damn letter you wrote to me." "They were Eternals as we all are. Dying in combat is always a possibility for us, I know their deaths weren't the most glorious, but at the time they died doing something they believed in. I can hardly help that the institution that they believed in, crumbled soon afterwards. I tried like hell to maintain my own belief in the Empire despite having it time after time again tested. Eventually I saw the light when I had to command a bunch of those new eternals while attempting to put down mass riots near the capital. Was leaving the right decision? I don't know, but it was for ME. The fact is ALL of our lives were nothing but duty and dedication to a corrupt government that deserved none of it. Kane knew that, Gruz knew that, and as much as I still hate them to this day, the Shadow Guard knew that. When the Empire was in its death throes it affected us all differently. I can't help the fact that you decided to stay loyal and it didn't work out resulting in you eventually having to capitulate to Edgar later on. At least you and Roldan had an experience that none of us will ever have. You have at least that to cherish." Brenda is silent for a moment as she takes in your statement. She looks at a ring on her finger, which is obviously still her wedding ring to Roldan. She smiles and then speaks. "You're right I suppose. You usually were when we all served under you. Even you couldn't have prevented the Empire from falling, the damage was done long before we came into existence. I guess I just never got over Roldan's death and had nobody except you to blame since you were the only one still alive. The funny thing is I didn't start blaming you until I found out you left the Empire. You were always our leader, and it seemed unthinkable that you would leave willingly. You know I think none of us really saw anyone else as their leader except you. It's probably why Kane wanted you to join him, it's no doubt why Warrick insisted on reaching out to you and it's why Edgar sent me..." "Excuse me?" "One of the things you were wrong about and Warrick too. I am not helping him though he still thinks I am. There is no underground resistance, or at least none that matters. Warrick and his Felkan masters think they can undermine the Eternal Dominion, but they are quite wrong. When Edgar first came to me and explained his cause and ideas I realized it was a just and worthy one. I joined in an effort to help with some of the details that Edgar himself is not nearly as skilled at, still he has proven himself to be more charismatic than he once was, at least to the other eternals and that's who is mainly important. He wants to create a nation where we Eternals are in control, as it should've been." "...so why would he want me for, wouldn't he consider me an enemy like Warrick?" "No, not like Warrick. While your abandonment did sadden Edgar, he always figured you had a good reason. He never questioned it. And now that you've told me your views I see he was right. It's really quite odd to see how high of regard he holds you. I guess your time with him during Kane's attempted secession really impacted him." "Brenda, this is a lot to take in, what exactly are you expecting from me then?" "As Warrick said, your reputation carries weight here and you have the ear of several of the mayors here. Perhaps you could explain to them that even with training that resistance will be useless and that the ED will just slaughter everyone. Better that they should surrender now and have a benevolent overseer such as...you running things." "And you really think Raskians are going to go for that idea?" "What does it matter? They are going to be conquered eventually anyway. I merely suggest other options to Edgar's plan, which was to convince you to just come with me where you could take command of a battalion to conquer Rask seeing as you know the place the best." "Heh, sounds like him. So what was the plan if I refuse altogether? Killing me I suppose?" "Didn't come up though I even asked him about it, but as I said Edgar really believes that you'll help us. Perhaps in some way he didn't want to think about the alternative. I'm guessing that you are considering the alternative?" "Don't see why I shouldn't, do you?" "You would have a true purpose again. Serving an idea greater than yourself." "I have a true purpose now. I'm training others to fight against those that would take their lives. The Raskians don't want to be ruled over and quite frankly neither do I, let alone by Edgar." "No! You would be different! You, like myself would be given an equal place in the decision making process! Even the other Eternal don't get that." "Yeah, that's the other thing, I'm loathed to live in a land that considers those new...things, eternals." "They are much different now, true they still have their sadistic streak, but only towards the non-eternals and who cares about them?" "I'm sure the non-eternals do, and while they may very well be inferior, enough of them can topple any government. We saw it happen, and it'll happen to you too if you aren't careful." "So are you saying you won't join us?" You get the impression that if you say no, she's going to attack you and you'll have to defend yourself. Killing Brenda is something you do not want to do, but lying and saying yes is duplicity you'd rather not engage in. > You lie and say yes This is probably going to bite you in the ass later, but you just can't bring yourself to kill Brenda...at least not this day. It may very well come in the future though. "Alright Brenda, I'll help you, but I'm staying here in Rask. Forgive me, if I'm not quite trusting enough to go walking into ED territory just yet." "Well I guess I can understand your caution, but what are you going to do up here to help us?" "I'll do what you said I'll try to convince people that they should submit to the ED, it will most likely still require a lot of bloodshed and it this goal isn't going to be an immediate one. However, I'm confident that I can do this, I have enough supporters to raise an a big enough army to get me started. I know this territory the best so any wannabe freedom fighters hoping to escape into the wilderness to wage a guerilla war won't be a problem either. When I think the time is right, I'll contact the ED to step in to mop up and to reinforce order, but I really think your armies would be better spent on hitting the Felkan Kingdom and hard. If they're putting out feelers for alliances with Rask, then they're probably desperate. You tell Edgar I've personally suggested this, he'll listen. He should, after all I've never given him bad advice before." That last part is very difficult for you to say, knowing that you're blatantly lying. The worst part is Brenda doesn't even question you. She too believes that you're being completely genuine and requires no further "proof" that you're actually going to do what you say other than your word and your impeccable past reputation. She leaves a little happier than when she arrived. You on the other hand are a little sadder. At best The Edgar will follow your advice and the Felkan Kingdom will do enough damage to the Eternal Dominion that they won't be in any condition to attack Rask. It may even collapse. Not exactly great for Edgar or Brenda, but at least you wouldn't need to fight against them. At worst...well you'd rather not have to think about that, but you've always prepared for the worst. The next day you suggest to the mayor of Keplavisk that Rask seriously invest in thinking about building a proper military academy, possibly even a professional army. In the following months several meetings with the heads of the Rask towns occur. You give your opinion on the Eternal Dominion situation, but you leave out the whole meeting with Brenda and Warrick of course. Eventually the politicians agree that more protection might be necessary and steps to ensure it are taken. Since you brought all this to their attention, you are nominated to run the military academy. Year 58 Edgar took your advice...at least initially. He sent thousands across the Felkan borders a couple years ago. The war with the Felkan Kingdom is currently at a stalemate, but you hear it's even more brutal than the one with the Empire. Edgar has adapted with the times unlike the Empire and has implementied stolen technology from the Felkans. You can only imagine how Warrick has fared, but you got your own problems due to your lying, though maybe it was inevitable, who can say? When it became apparent that you weren't actually doing anything to help bring Rask under the Eternal Dominion banner, Edgar correctly came to the conclusion that you lied. Sensing that Rask may even be gearing up for their own invasion, Edgar risks a two front war and strikes out at Rask. While the Eternal Dominion is certainly short of man power due to their war with the Felkan Kingdom, they make up for it with ruthless fanaticism and of course the fact that they're using updated technology as well. Their first major push is at Kenneth's Rest. The old fort stands strong for a day before it is taken. Everyone that wasn't killed during the battle or escaped was executed upon capture. This happens with a couple of the smaller villages before the Raskian army manages to stop the advance. From the butchery that the ED troops have been displaying it's obvious that they aren't taking prisoners. On the Raskian side, patriotism goes up and they have no intention on surrendering if that was even indeed an option. Mercenaries, who were previously beginning to leave due to the lack of jobs for them suddenly become in the market again. They are used mainly for harassment purposes such as destroying supply lines. Flog has turned out to be quite the asset. He sees the Eternal Dominion to be nothing more than the Empire under a new name (And he really hated the Empire) and has managed to unite some of the more "civilized" ogre tribes to help destroy the inheritors of the Empire legacy. Eldolith still runs her small svelk band and charges the highest price as usual for her services. Ulivik even has a small group of humans following him now. They mostly consist of survivors who managed to escape death at the hands of the ED attacks on their homes and in it for revenge not the money, in fact neither is Ulivik anymore. Ever since the invasion he gave up his mercenary life in exchange for that of a patriot fighting for his family and home. You're glad to see he has become a competent warrior. Due to your warning of this threat years before, your position at the academy and all your years of combat experience you are made into a full blown general and practically given extensive powers over all military functions. A very powerful position, in fact it's rather ironic. You didn't ask or even want to "rule" over Rask, but your current arrangement practically makes you a potential dictator. Even more so due to the fact that you're an Eternal, a representation of a past oppressor and a current aggressor towards Rask. While the politicians have given you this role, not all Raskians are happy with this idea, but as long as you're fighting the Eternal Dominion no disgruntled Raskian has tried to assassinate you yet. While you miss being able to personally lead troops into battle, you still try to be as close to the action as you can, by traveling with the army rather than staying in an office somewhere. The war with the ED has already taken quite a toll on Rask, and it doesn't look lik it's going to end anytime soon. The best you can do is dig in and make sure you make the ED pay for every inch they step deeper into Rask territory. > Year 65 As you settle down for the night, you think about how you got in this position. As the war started to drag on, the tactics changed from one of conquest to one of annihilation. The ED began outright destroying any village and town they managed to capture. They sent in suicidal fanatics to blow themselves up or blow up mines and other areas of production. They managed to poison the water supply of one towns, but the worst was their intentional sacrifices in the Wendigo Hills. The ED dragged over a hundred of their own citizens into the Wendigo Hills, which had been off limits to any right thinking being ever since you went into that cursed territory. The wendigos had been confined there for decades with no sentient hosts to possess and allow their escape, but that all changed when presented with the new ones the ED provided. The wendigos of course immediately ran amok with their new bodies and became a problem for everyone. In the meantime the ED attempted one last push on Keplavisk. It was a bloodbath on both sides and the cost was high, but ultimately it never fell, and it was that the last major battle with the ED. Hostilities with the Eternal Dominion aren't over, but they have stopped mostly due to their own internal problems. As powerful as they were, they couldn't keep up a two front war with two foes that had no intention on rolling over. It was only a matter of time before attrition took its toll on the ED and fortunately the arrogance of the younger eternals caused them to finally question Edgar's abilities to lead properly. Wasn't long before they started squabbling amongst themselves. Of course the damage they did to Rask left a permanent mark. You were initially hailed as a hero by most and the rebuilding process begun, but Rask was in terrible condition. Towns and villages that hadn't been completely destroyed were still wrecked to a degree that would take months or even a year to recover. This wouldn't be so bad, if they weren't also under protected due to a shortage of soldiers from the war. Wendigos, bandits, other monsters and even rogue eternals from the ED are such a problem that it makes the rebuilding process even longer and you conclude that spreading the soldiers too thin will ultimately hurt you in the long run. You argue with the remaining politicians that what needs to be done is to cluster and re-group. Keplavisk is still the most intact and has always been the "capital" of Rask of sorts and it's the biggest town to the point that's its practically a city. You say that the remaining Raskian population should move to Keplavisk where the focus can be directed into rebuilding it and protection can be easier. This isn't a popular decision. Some Raskians don't understand why you can't just station more troops at their respective towns, but the fact remains you won't have enough to defend Keplavisk, if you stretch them out any more and quite frankly Keplavisk is the most important city if Rask has any hope of not descending into anarchic wilderness again. Some citizens of Keplavisk don't especially like the idea of "immigrants" moving into their city, but the major accusation is that since the mayor of Keplavisk was killed (along with most of his immediate staff) in the last battle with the ED, you're about the closest thing to a leader. As such, some of the pessimists who claimed you would become a dictator with the powers that were given you at the start of the war are sort of becoming true. So you ultimately play the role that was given you. The first thing you do is call back all soldiers to Keplavisk and urge all other Raskians to do likewise. You say nobody has to come and you won't force anybody, but as of now, you're focusing only on Keplavisk and defense will be solely on the shoulders of the towns themselves. Fortunately as a successful military leader, you're popular with the soldiers, so most of them return. Some originally lived in Keplavisk, some had no home any more, and some sensed a better life so they brought their families with them. With absolutely no more protection anymore, this has the bonus effect of bringing in non-military Raskians to Keplavisk as well though a lot aren't exactly happy about it. The citizens that stubbornly stayed to rebuild their own homes didn't last too long. By the end of the year only a few of the villages far north (that were mostly spared the ravages of war anyway) exist as other beacons of civilization. Kaplavisk on the other hand is transformed from a town half in ruins to a well defended prosperous city state by the end of that same year. No longer is town hall the "center of government", but rather the military academy, which also serves as your new home. Defenses are as best as you can get them, sturdy walls, cannons, implementation of firearms and when you can draft them, people with minor magic powers to upkeep wards to prevent wendigos from sneaking into the city. True there are still the occasional protests about how there is much less "freedom" now, but it never really gets out of hand. Well at least not yet. The major rabble-rouser unfortunately is Ulivik of all people. His years as a "freedom fighter" against the Eternal Dominion have changed a bit of his outlook on life, namely he sees that Rask won the war just only to be conquered by an Eternal anyway. You tried to speak to him personally about this, but he seems firm in his beliefs. He states that when you trained him to be a mercenary even though you were tough, he still respected you. When you fought against the ED he mentions that his original worship of you almost returned as nobody did more to prevent them from taking over than you did. But now that you've allowed people to die without protection just because they wouldn't do what you say and turned his home into a police state he cannot just stand by and do nothing. He says he doesn't want to fight you for a couple reasons, but if it comes down to it, he will. He's put you in a difficult position, which normally wouldn't be very difficult if he were anyone else. You have a slight soft spot for Ulivik, but that soft spot only goes so far. You've got to deal with him some how because if you let him continue he'll gain more followers, despite his svelk origins. Capitulating to him isn't an option either, you start giving in now, you'll have to give in later, maybe not even to him, but others with similar ideas and you can't afford to start loosening up the reins. At least not anytime soon. You need to come up with an idea before you can get some sleep tonight. > Execution It is with a heavy heart and regret that this has to be done, but the only way you're going make this problem go away is by making an example out of him. While it's possible he'll become a martyr, his "cause" is still manageable for your soldiers if a riot breaks out. After he's dead, it's unlikely anyone else will take up the mantle and those that might've been on the fence will fall in line. Besides he's a svelk, who is going to shed many tears over him? Having made this decision you finally get some sleep, though not very restful sleep. The next day you order for Ulivik's arrest along with his main followers. This doesn't go over well. Ulivik refuses to be taken into custody and puts up a fight. A very good fight that involves him escaping completely and several soldiers dead. You order a full manhunt for Ulivik, but he proves quite elusive. In the meantime you execute his followers, but this is when other citizens start expressing a dislike for how you're handling things. The major advantage you have is the military, but as you crack down harder, the soldiers become slightly overworked. Some of them even have their own disagreement with how you're doing things. Before you know it you've got small riots in the streets and Ulivik keeps popping up every now and then just to stir the chaos even more. Before you know it, work places like woodmills and mines have to shut down due to you having to keep more troops inside the city rather on the outside to protect the workers. It's all falling apart. You put down riots, execute more people, but ultimately it all come to a head one late night in your own room. You wake up and grab your weapon to see Ulivik lurking in the shadows. He's obviously snuck in, and most likely killed any guards nearby. Doesn't matter, you'll either kill him or he'll kill you before anyone arrives. "I figured it would come to this." You say and prepare for battle. The two of you clash and you give him a good fight, but his youth, speed and dedication to his cause are an advantage, while you are old, slower and at this point you don't even care anymore. He eventually slashes you across the chest and runs you through. You fall to the floor feeling the life drain from you. "Ugh...shit that really hurts (cough)." You say coughing up blood. "Why didn't you just give the people more freedom?" Ulivik asksin a demanding tone. The strange thing is, in retrospect you don't have a really good answer except... "I...guess the old Eternal ways of (cough) domination and war just got the better of me...heh knew there was a reason why I originally didn't try to become a tyrant all those years ago. It never ends well..." "It didn't have to be this way!" Ulivik now exclaims almost as if he's holding back tears. "Maybe...but now's your chance to make it better. Hope you're prepared for it...I was getting tired of it anyway..." you say and pass from this world.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, dystopia, grimdark] Year 65 As you settle down for the night, you think about how you got in this position. As the war started to drag on, the tactics changed from one of conquest to one of annihilation. The ED began outright destroying any village and town they managed to capture. They sent in suicidal fanatics to blow themselves up or blow up mines and other areas of production. They managed to poison the water supply of one towns, but the worst was their intentional sacrifices in the Wendigo Hills. The ED dragged over a hundred of their own citizens into the Wendigo Hills, which had been off limits to any right thinking being ever since you went into that cursed territory. The wendigos had been confined there for decades with no sentient hosts to possess and allow their escape, but that all changed when presented with the new ones the ED provided. The wendigos of course immediately ran amok with their new bodies and became a problem for everyone. In the meantime the ED attempted one last push on Keplavisk. It was a bloodbath on both sides and the cost was high, but ultimately it never fell, and it was that the last major battle with the ED. Hostilities with the Eternal Dominion aren't over, but they have stopped mostly due to their own internal problems. As powerful as they were, they couldn't keep up a two front war with two foes that had no intention on rolling over. It was only a matter of time before attrition took its toll on the ED and fortunately the arrogance of the younger eternals caused them to finally question Edgar's abilities to lead properly. Wasn't long before they started squabbling amongst themselves. Of course the damage they did to Rask left a permanent mark. You were initially hailed as a hero by most and the rebuilding process begun, but Rask was in terrible condition. Towns and villages that hadn't been completely destroyed were still wrecked to a degree that would take months or even a year to recover. This wouldn't be so bad, if they weren't also under protected due to a shortage of soldiers from the war. Wendigos, bandits, other monsters and even rogue eternals from the ED are such a problem that it makes the rebuilding process even longer and you conclude that spreading the soldiers too thin will ultimately hurt you in the long run. You argue with the remaining politicians that what needs to be done is to cluster and re-group. Keplavisk is still the most intact and has always been the "capital" of Rask of sorts and it's the biggest town to the point that's its practically a city. You say that the remaining Raskian population should move to Keplavisk where the focus can be directed into rebuilding it and protection can be easier. This isn't a popular decision. Some Raskians don't understand why you can't just station more troops at their respective towns, but the fact remains you won't have enough to defend Keplavisk, if you stretch them out any more and quite frankly Keplavisk is the most important city if Rask has any hope of not descending into anarchic wilderness again. Some citizens of Keplavisk don't especially like the idea of "immigrants" moving into their city, but the major accusation is that since the mayor of Keplavisk was killed (along with most of his immediate staff) in the last battle with the ED, you're about the closest thing to a leader. As such, some of the pessimists who claimed you would become a dictator with the powers that were given you at the start of the war are sort of becoming true. So you ultimately play the role that was given you. The first thing you do is call back all soldiers to Keplavisk and urge all other Raskians to do likewise. You say nobody has to come and you won't force anybody, but as of now, you're focusing only on Keplavisk and defense will be solely on the shoulders of the towns themselves. Fortunately as a successful military leader, you're popular with the soldiers, so most of them return. Some originally lived in Keplavisk, some had no home any more, and some sensed a better life so they brought their families with them. With absolutely no more protection anymore, this has the bonus effect of bringing in non-military Raskians to Keplavisk as well though a lot aren't exactly happy about it. The citizens that stubbornly stayed to rebuild their own homes didn't last too long. By the end of the year only a few of the villages far north (that were mostly spared the ravages of war anyway) exist as other beacons of civilization. Kaplavisk on the other hand is transformed from a town half in ruins to a well defended prosperous city state by the end of that same year. No longer is town hall the "center of government", but rather the military academy, which also serves as your new home. Defenses are as best as you can get them, sturdy walls, cannons, implementation of firearms and when you can draft them, people with minor magic powers to upkeep wards to prevent wendigos from sneaking into the city. True there are still the occasional protests about how there is much less "freedom" now, but it never really gets out of hand. Well at least not yet. The major rabble-rouser unfortunately is Ulivik of all people. His years as a "freedom fighter" against the Eternal Dominion have changed a bit of his outlook on life, namely he sees that Rask won the war just only to be conquered by an Eternal anyway. You tried to speak to him personally about this, but he seems firm in his beliefs. He states that when you trained him to be a mercenary even though you were tough, he still respected you. When you fought against the ED he mentions that his original worship of you almost returned as nobody did more to prevent them from taking over than you did. But now that you've allowed people to die without protection just because they wouldn't do what you say and turned his home into a police state he cannot just stand by and do nothing. He says he doesn't want to fight you for a couple reasons, but if it comes down to it, he will. He's put you in a difficult position, which normally wouldn't be very difficult if he were anyone else. You have a slight soft spot for Ulivik, but that soft spot only goes so far. You've got to deal with him some how because if you let him continue he'll gain more followers, despite his svelk origins. Capitulating to him isn't an option either, you start giving in now, you'll have to give in later, maybe not even to him, but others with similar ideas and you can't afford to start loosening up the reins. At least not anytime soon. You need to come up with an idea before you can get some sleep tonight. > Exile You don't think you could bring yourself to kill Ulivik directly or indirectly, besides it's not likely to help anything. He'd most likely become a martyr and you'd never be done fighting future uprisings in his name. You then come up with an idea: Exile. If people are really unhappy here they can get the hell out and they can take their chances making it on their own. It has the potential to cause an exodus, but you doubt if it will. Not many with families will be willing to leave and it's still less harsh than execution. You are giving people a chance to live after all, it's up to them if they can survive in Rask without the benefit of protection or survive long enough for them to leave it entirely. Not killing dissidents, it's a radical idea in it's own right, but you're going to gamble on it. Having made this decision you finally get some sleep, though not exactly restful sleep. The next day when Ulivik is protesting with his little group in front of the academy you and several soldiers march up to him. "Okay Ulivik, this ends today." You say. "And so it begins, I was wondering when you'd finally let loose and start threatening people for speaking out against you. That's what you used to do back in your Empire days isn't it? Well we aren't going quietly to be executed, as I said, if you want a fight, I'm more than willin to give it to you right here and now!" "I'm not executing you Ulivik." "Well we're not going to rot in your jails either." "Will you shut the fuck up? I've heard your complaints outside my window for the past several months, the least you can do is listen to me for a change." "Very well, but this better be good." "Don't presume to tell me what is good, because this isn't a compromise. I'm going to say this once and once only and this is going out to all of you. Any more dissension or acts of stirring up shit for no reason, and you're gone. And what I mean by gone, I mean exile. And not just you, I'm talking ALL your family, all your friends and even your fucking pets. All of you that don't like how things are being run in this city, well you can get the fuck out. Let's see you do better out there. Lots of luck..." Ulivik is a little surprised by your tactic, but it doesn't deter him and he gets in your face. You keep your soldiers back. "You can't just throw people out of the city! These people have a right, we ALL have a right to live here and voice our concerns when the government is failing to provide a suitable quality of life!" Ulivik exclaims. "Failing? What the hell are you talking about? We're protecting everyone from bandits, monsters, eternal dominion hold outs and do I even need to mention the wendigos? Nobody starves, everyone has a job, and all people have to do is follow a few simple fucking rules. I'm not demanding people bring me their virgin daughters! I'm not having people routinely tortured for not believing in some religion! Yeah there have been some sacrifices like food rationing and curfews, but I've been pretty damn fair about everything and YOU of all people should know that!" Ulivik stops for a moment and while it seems like he knows you have a point, he refuses to back down still. Perhaps you taught him too well. "So basically what you're saying is we should just be grateful that you're not Edgar..." And that's the last straw, you lose your temper and proving you can still be quick for your age, you punch Ulivik in face. He staggers back and is disoriented enough for your soldiers to get a firm grip on him. He tries to twist free, but you have four soldiers lift him up grabbing one of his limbs each. "Let me go tyrant! Too cowardly to face me in battle? So much for your eternal bravery!" "Lucky for you, since you weren't even fast enough to dodge my punch, open the gates and throw his ass out. And if the rest of you want to join him, you can pack your shit and go too!" As you and the soldiers escort Ulivik out of the city, the rest of his followers lose their courage. Most of them have families and friends and aren't willing to risk your wrath anymore. Other citizens look on at the spectacle and just stare in silent awe. The only one making any sort of noise is Ulivik who is cursing you and everyone else who isn't helping him. You ignore his curses, and just simmer in anger at the situation. Eventually you reach the gates and with a mighty heave your soldiers throw Ulivik a few feet and face first into the snow. He scrambles to get up and upon turning around; your soldiers draw several muskets on him. "Goodbye, Ulivik, don't come back or else I won't be as merciful next time." You say from the gate. "Merciful? You're throwing me out of my own fucking home you bastard!" "At least I'm not throwing your mother out as well, and at least you're still alive." "Fuck you. I can't believe I used to look up to you." "And I never told you to, you chose to do that! And you chose this path as well. I'm merely doing what I think is best, just like I did then. (sigh) I'm sorry it has to be this way, but you'll survive Ulivik...I know I taught you that...close the gates." As the gates close you see Ulivik just standing by himself looking very alone. It's sort of sad. He started out as a disliked "outsider" due to his race in this town when he was growing up and now he has at last been banished from it for good. Not even one of his so called followers or even a bystander pleaded for him or even joined him by leaving. He did a lot for Rask during the war and he was speaking out for their "rights", but that doesn't seem to account for shit in the scheme of things to people. While it's a fortunate situation, it still doesn't seem right even if he was opposing you. Over the next few months you half expect Ulivik to be attacking soldiers outside the gates of the city and holding some sort of one man vendetta or possibly even gathering a small group of bandits robbing the miners or loggers and such, but that doesn't happen. He's gone, but you're confident he's not dead. You just hope he's moved on to better things. As for you and everyone else life goes on. Year 75 With age catching up on you every day you sometimes wonder if it's even worth getting out of bed anymore. You tire of the tedious act of governing, but you have no real successor to take your place. There are a couple of officers you have in mind, which could do a competent job you suppose, and that's when you make a major decision. You decide to step down from power and hand this mess over to someone else. Since you know whoever you pick is going to have to be a strong leader and nip any potential coups in the bud, you pick the three most charismatic, intelligent and loyal that you can think of and call them into the training area in front of an audience of soldiers. You then announce that the three men will fight to the death and whoever is left standing gets to be in charge. The three officers look a little surprised and the audience is silent, but it doesn't take long for one of the men to try to sneak attack on one of the others. The fight is a good one. As you watch you fight back to the days when you watched your classmates fight each other for Mistress. That was so long ago and as crazy as it seems you've actually been missing those days lately, everything much simpler at least. All of them are gone now. Last you heard of Edgar is that he was assassinated four years ago as the Eternal Dominion continued to fragment into petty fiefdoms ruled by equally petty eternal warlords. You don't know about Warrick or Brenda, but you sometimes like to think they managed to escape the madness and are living satisfying lives. Barring that, you hope they died well in whatever battle that was their last. Eventually one man is left standing. Bruised, bloody and battered, but victorious. It is at this point you stand up and congratulate him and make another announcement to the crowd. "Captain Eddings has proved himself worthy of succeeding me. I trust you will serve this man as well as you have served me all these years. Congratulations Eckers, you've just been promoted to...uh general I guess." "Thank you sir, I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety and prosperity of the city." Eddings remarks with pride. "I'm sure you will, I'm sure you will, why don't you head to the infirmary first though. As for me I'm going back to sleep. You can catch up with me later if you need some explanation on anything, but I left some notes on my desk for you as a general guideline." You say and head back to your room. You know you'll probably still be running things for a while at least and probably be consulted many times, but you still feel as if a weight has been lifted off you. The problem is, you wonder how you'll spend your free time. You'll think of something you suppose. > Epilogue Epilogue 1: Eternal Savior Year 101 The end is near and it's definitely a relief at this point. You're just so tired of everything and thrill of living is completely gone. You probably would've ended it long before now, but you were still practically running the city for the next ten years even after you stepped down from power! After Eddings died in an "accident" his successor still consulted you regularly. These idiots couldn't take a piss without asking you how to do it first, but still it kept you active. By your ninetieth year you felt that life was just dragging on for you. It was at that point you started thinking about possibly ending it, but by that time you figured you might as well see it out to the proper end and that death would come soon. Of course you just kept on living... Everyone who you ever knew that mattered is either gone or dead, and that even includes some of your enemies. Hell, for the last few days you would've given anything just to hear someone like Flog threatening to kill you. Sometimes you hope that Ulivik will show up somehow, but you know that isn't going to happen. All the eternals you ever knew are most likely dead if they weren't already. It makes you think back to Gruz's last words to you. "You'll outlive everyone..." Oh sure there are still all those wannabe eternals around, but with the rate they're still killing each other, you doubt if they'll be remembered. You've already outlived most of them too. Still with the end coming, you try to think of the happier times in your life, like your time in Nalin with all your fellow eternals, or when you had your first "encounter" with your captain at Fort Destiny. Alison. That was her name. It wasn't a perfect life, and you probably could've handled some things better, but it could've been a lot worse given your origins. In your last moments your mind wanders throughout various times in your life. You aren't even aware of your surroundings anymore. "Long live the Empire." You say and lose your final battle. Later that day one of the military nurses comes to check on you, and after calling a few medics in, you're pronounced dead. Your funeral is a lavish military one even though you didn't really want that, but you were always held in very high regard by the military. The ceremony is still a respectful one and the current dictator of the city gives a large speech on all your accomplishments and how you were a savior to many. It's mostly genuine. A statue is built in your honor and you are placed into a fancy tomb as the "first ruler" of Keplavisk and its founder. Not really true of course since there were mayors before you took power, but after so many decades who is going to remember? While your place in local Keplaviskian history is secure, you are also mentioned from time to time in other parts of Rask when civilization begins to get a better foothold again, though you're rarely referred to as the Bane of Rask, but rather the Savior of Rask. Whether you were one or the other or something in between is debatable, but one thing is certain, you were and always shall be ETERNAL.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war, fantasy] You decide to humor the boy and agree. Chances are, he's not going to get permission from his parents anyway and when that happens he'll be less likely to bother you again. If he does get permission, well it's not that far to Kenneth's Rest and you were going there anyway. Plus you'll have given him the chance he wants and again he'll be less likely to bother you. "Alright Ulivik, you go ask your parents, but I'm taking you to Kenneth's Rest and no further. And when we get there, you're on your own, don't think that you're going to be tagging along with me anywhere else." "Okay! That's great! I'll be right be back...uh could you come with me, so they know I'm telling the truth?" "Oh fer...fine." You follow Ulivik back to his parent's store which smells heavily of leather. The pair of them are working on some sort of the hide when you both walk in. "Mom! Dad! Mr. Bane said he'd take me to Kenneth's Rest and teach me to be a mercenary! So can I go now?" "Hey wait I never said I'd teach..." you start to say before Ulivik's dad interjects his own comments. "Oh is that right? And how do you know that? How do you know he won't just rob and kill you along some lonely road?" "Or worse!" his mother says. "Hey wait a minute now..." "But this isn't fair! You said if I could find somebody to teach me, that you'd allow me to go!" Ulivik whines. "Yeah, well we didn't think you'd actually be successful, let alone get a cold hearted killer like Bane here to agree. Which makes me wonder why he did..." "Trust me, at this point I'm wondering the same thing." You reply. "Ulivik, why can't you just be interested in the family business? It's a more honorable profession than being a mercenary. It's honest work." "Yeah and the workin' man is a sucker! Look at where we live!" "Hey! We get by just fine, and this business has put food in your belly, clothes on your back and a roof over your head! So don't you dare bad mouth this proud family tradition!" "Yeah, well I'm not really your son anyway! And you're not my real parents! I hate this place and every here hates me!" Ulivik screams and leaves slamming the door. You're left in an awkward situation with his parents. "Okay, so I guess that settles that, I'll just be going now..." you say. "No, you get back here you sonofabitch." Ulivik's dad says. "Excuse me?" "I called you a sonofabitch, now if you want to kill me for that you can do it after hearing what I've got to say first." "Heh, okay. It's been a weird sort of day today anyway, I'll play." You say with a smile. "Yeah, well I ain't playing. Look, I know all about you, and you probably don't know me at all but I remember your ruthless reputation when you were still in service of the Empire. There was a family that lived down the block from me and my wife. We we're friends and they even had a couple of children. Children that we would sometimes love to entertain because we couldn't have any of our own. But this family wasn't happy with the Empire's rules so they along with several others protested..." You stop the tanner right there. "Yeah, yeah, I know what you're going to say, I had them all killed for treason and had their heads put on pikes. Well I was trying to maintain order and I did what I had to do to get the job done. I'm sure this story pales in comparison to others have screamed at me in the past and you don't even need to make your point about hating me, because I'm used to it anyway. Besides you don't want your son going to Kenneth's Rest and I'm certainly not going to drag him along. If anything I'd wish he'd stop looking up to me as some sort of hero and following me around. I was hoping by doing this for him I'd finally be rid of him. So if you don't mind, I'll be going now and I'll also be disappointing you again, by not killing you before I leave." You turn to leave and that's when you get another unusual request. "If you take him to Kenneth's Rest, will you also look after him?" Ulivik's mother asks. "What?!" "If you want money to do so, we can pay. Just can you look after him for a while at least?" "Okay...now I'm confused. I thought not only did you not want him to go, but that I was also a ruthless bastard that would probably rob and kill him along a lonely road?" "Yeah, we don't want him to go, and yeah you are a ruthless bastard...but I also know you actually do have some sort of code of honor. You might've left the Empire behind, but the regimented way of thinking you have is still there. You wouldn't bother killing my boy unless you felt he was a direct danger to you, and I think we both know that isn't the case." Ulivik's dad says. "Well that's the truth." "The other thing is...we're not going to be able to stop him. He's been getting more and more restless about this, and he's going to want to pursue this career path whether we want him to or not. At this point he's just going to run away from home and who knows what trouble he'll get into. (sigh) Maybe it's just his nature, bein' a dark elf and all, but for good or ill, me and my wife have taken on the responsibility of raising him. And part of that is making sure he has the survival skills that he'll need to make it in this world. We can't teach him that, but you could. Look, like my wife said, we can pay you a good sum just for you teach him the basics, or whatever else is involved, if you need more, I dunno we'll try to figure out something." You're speechless for a moment. Just when you think you've seen the worst in people, something like this happens and surprises you. "I'm not sure what you expect me to do. I mean this job isn't something I can teach like from a book. Most of what he's going to have to learn is going to be from direct experience. I mean I suppose I could teach him some combat skills, but the rest is going to mainly be up to him." "Well do what you can, and take this in the meantime." Uliviki's mother hands you a small bag. When you look inside, it's nothing but gold coins. This has to be some of their savings, possibly all of their savings. They must really trust you, if they've given you this much. "I'll do my best. You have my word as an Eternal." You say and pocket the bag of coins. With those last words you exit the tanner's store intending to find Ulivik. Fortunately you know he isn't far. "Ulivik, I know you're around the corner. Stop sulking, or pouting or whatever teenage angst you're doing and let's go." Ulivik slowly comes out from behind the corner. "You're taking me with you?" "Yeah, I scared your parents into letting you come with me. Now grab whatever gear you want to take and let's go before all the good jobs are taken." Ulivik is completely giddy at this turn of events and runs back into the store to get his stuff. You on the other hand are wondering how the hell you got yourself into this. Then you feel the bag of coins again and remember. On your journey to Kenneth's Rest, you explain to Ulivik some of the things he should know such as haggling for better prices on jobs and the art of intimidation. You also teach him a few combat moves. He's a rookie to be sure, but his agility allows him from getting hurt too badly. When you get to Kenneth's Rest, the place is as busy as always. Ulivik is more than a little distracted by the surroundings, and you have to keep reminding him to stay alert. "Hey stop staring at the harlots and pay attention! Just because fighting isn't supposed to be allowed here, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. In fact people around here love to start trouble. Don't stare at anyone in the eye for too long and make sure you don't bump into anybody. You could either get into a fight, or someone might even try to pick your pocket." "Okay. Here isn't the job board that way?" "Job board? Hah. I never use those things. I go straight to the source. Trust me, if you want to get a job that pays well; get to know and make contact with the owners or government officials. Fortunately Kenneth used to work for me at one time, so it was quite easy for me to make contact with him. And when we find him, just keep your mouth shut, and let me do all the talking." Eventually you find Kennth, he's as jumpy as ever whenever you first see him. "Sir! I didn't expect you to be down this way so soon? What can I do for you today?" "Kenneth, will you relax? It's been what, like ten years now? I'm not your superior officer anymore; you don't have to keep calling me sir and getting all nervous and shit." "I know sir, just old habits you know? Who's this with you?" "This here is Ulivik, and he's going to be my apprentice for a while." "Apprentice? Seriously? Never pegged you as the teaching type." "Right, Kenneth, like all those years of training soldiers in this very fort count for nothing at all." "No, that's not what I mean...I just oh I dunno. It's just odd I guess. He's a svelk, how come he's not with his own people?" "That's a long and unusual story, and one I don't have time to go into. Besides we're not here to satisfy your curiosity, we're here for jobs, but seeing as this is Ulivik's first time and all, can we get something maybe a little less...lethal?" "Hmm, usually that sort of stuff is on the boards, but I think I got something. Oh! There's a nest of auravraxes a few miles from here." "Ugh, more of those furry things? I just wiped out a nest of them a week ago!" "Well that's all I got that's on the easy side. I mean I've got some other jobs too, but you said this was more for training your apprentice than anything else." "I can take on a harder task Mr. Bane. I mean I have to learn from experience right?" Ulivik pipes up forgetting that he was supposed to keep his mouth shut. Still, he might have a point. > You take a harder job Nothing like trial by fire, if Ulivik thinks he can handle it, he'll learn soon enough. "Kenneth just give us whatever job pays the most currently right now." You say. "Oh okay then, that's easy. There's a troll somewhere south of here near the old Empire border. Dunno exactly where he's making his home, I'm guess there's a hole in the ground somewhere though, anyway it's been eating a lot of travelers and merchants on the roads whenever it's feeling a little hungry. It's only just arrived, but it's hurting business and for some reason none of these fucking cowards will go and kill it!" Kenneth shouts so everyone in the bar can hear him. "A troll? Where the hell did he come from? They're rare enough as it is, and even less likely to wander around above ground." You remark. "I have no idea, but it's ruining business. So are you going to take the job?" "Yeah sure, should be interesting." You say. You and Ulivik get up and leave who looks less enthusiastic now. "What's wrong with you?" "Oh uh, nothing. Just didn't expect it would be a troll. You only hear about them in stories." "Yeah, well this ain't no story and they're quite real. I should know I've fought one before when I was serving as a soldier here. Damn thing blended in the darkness of the cave and took out three men before we even knew what was going on. Now it's a common misconception that you can only kill them with fire, but that's probably the best way to kill 'em anyway given how tough their skin is, let alone their regenerative abilities..." At this point Ulivik begins to look pale, an amazing feat for a dark elf. You address the situation before continuing. "Okay and I can tell by your look, you're having second thoughts about all this. If you want to back out, there's still time you know. Do you want to back out?" Ulivik's silence isn't an answer. "Look, you better tell me now because when we're facing nine feet of green and black horror I don't want to be having to pull your fat out of the fire because you're freezing up in terror." "I'm not backing out and I won't freeze up!" he exclaims. "Okay then, come on we need to get a few extra supplies." Ulivik's answer doesn't exactly convince you that he still isn't scared about all this, but sometimes fear can be a good thing. Keeps you on your toes. Besides one would have to be a complete moron to not be a little worried about facing a troll. The only time you faced one, wasn't exactly a picnic and you had the advantage of numbers on your side. Normally you don't waste your money on things like explosives, but you make an exception and buy a couple of firebombs along with some oil flasks, torches and a whetstone to make sure your sword is extra sharp. Along the way to your destination, you tell Ulivik how he should approach fighting the thing and whatever he does to not let it corner him or get the drop on him. If either one happens he's dead. You also tell him that unlike an ogre or a giant, trolls are a lot faster and sneakier than their size would indicate. You travel for about a good portion of the day on your way towards the southern Rask border. You stick to the road since you figure if the troll has been ambushing merchants and travelers, he's got to be stalking the road. When night comes you make a camp along side of it, but there still is no sign of any troll yet. "Hey you said these things don't usually come out from underground?" Ulivik asks. "Well the one I encountered was living in a cave that was being mined, and all the other stories I've heard and you've probably heard is that they're completely subterranean. Whatever the truth is, this one has been lurking above ground and out in the open, so maybe they just don't like sunlight. Probably has a home somewhere nearby, but there aren't any hills or mountains in this part of Rask, just forest. Could be living in there I suppose, but I'm betting he's probably got a hidden entrance in the ground somewhere and he's living right underneath us." This of course causes Ulivik to start looking at the ground around him. "How do we know it'll even show up?" "We don't, but if it's been attacking people like Kenneth says it has, then us lingering around the road will probably draw its attention. Of course there's no point in sitting around and using up all our energy by staying up all night. We'll be taking shifts. You seem to be alert already so you're taking first watch while I get a little rest." When you close your eyes you begin to slowly drift off, though you've always been sort of a light sleeper, so you never really fall into a deep sleep. What wakes you up completely is a sickening cracking sound and heavy breathing. You stand up with your sword in hand and you're just in time to see a large gangly figure with its hands around Ulivik's head which is now completely backwards. He didn't even have a chance. Seeing you, the troll emits a low growl and drops Ulivik's body. The troll lurches and leaps about in a chaotic manner. It tries to circle you in such a way that it'll be behind you, but you don't allow that to happen. Eventually it gets frustrated and attacks you head on. Fighting the troll is harder than the last time you fought one before and not just due to the fact that you had back up. The open space of the outside world is actually more beneficial for the troll's fighting style which is jerky and involves a lot of leaping around. Many times the creature manages to smash you with its hardened fists due to its extended reach alone. Feels like getting hit by fucking battering ram. Your own hits against it don't seem to do anything, except the one time when you actually manage to cleave one of the troll's legs off just below the knee. This doesn't deter its attack though. It merely backs off long enough for it to change its fighting style. It comes at you on all fours (or rather threes in this case). During this time you've taken the opportunity to light up one of the firebombs to throw at the thing, but by the time you light it, it's already upon you and knocked you down. Pinnining you to the ground as best it can, the troll punches you in the face, breaking your nose to a point where it practically explodes into a mess of blood. You gasps for air as it follows up by sinking its teeth deep into your sword arm. The sound of bone cracking is a sure sign that it won't be long before the troll chews it off completely. In the meantime the firebomb you lit fell close by and its fuse is still burning down. Somehow between your eyes covered in blood, the difficulty breathing and the pain wracking your entire body while a troll is eating you alive, you manage to grab the firebomb with your good arm and hold it right near the troll's head. You get a minor satisfaction at the troll's expression when he sees the bomb just before it goes off, blowing the pair of you up.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, villain protagonist, grimdark] Year 45 "Bastard!" you say landing a killing blow on the last auravrax. You do a double check of the cave just to make sure you've got all the beasts. It's times like this you're reminded of your kobold hunting days. Of course auravraxes are a lot furrier and stupider. Doesn't make them any less dangerous though considering they're basically balls of hair with lots of teeth and a vicious streak a mile wide. You wonder how it was you never encountered them before when you were posted up here. You can only assume that the larger creatures like ogres and wendigos kept them in check. Thanks to your depletion of such creatures other predators managed to gain better dominance. Nature is wonderful at balancing things out that way. After making a check you pile up the bodies and start skinning. You figure between the payment for this job and the sale you'll make on the pelts you'll have enough money for at least of week's worth of wine, women and song. "Nah, to hell with the song. More women." You chuckle to yourself. Thoughts about such "common" pleasures would've never entered your head decades ago. Makes you realize how much you're changed since then, but it's a good change you think. For the first time, you've actually been enjoying life rather than just going through the motions of it like a golem. Life is so much simpler and easier when you don't have anyone to answer to; especially when that "someone" doesn't even know what the fuck they're doing half of the time. Life of course still has its bad moments, but compared to your time serving the Empire, it's like a non-stop party. The Empire, now just another government resigned to the trash heap of history. All of its years of power and whatever glory it claimed it had completely gone. And of course much like Mother Nature, the smaller predators get to take their chance in the sun now that the big one is extinct. One of those smaller predators being one your old fellow Eternals, Edgar. You don't know all the details, but from the rumors you've heard he's declared himself a general and is calling the territory in his control, The Eternal Dominion. He apparently managed to get some of those chaotic eternal wannabes in some semblance of order to help him as well. When you first heard about this you could only shake your head in disappointment. Not even so much for what he's doing, but more with how he's doing it. It's almost like he's going down the same path that Kane did, but with even less planning and followers that are probably more duplicitous than Shadow Guards. You'd think that he would've learned something from that mess. Still, it's his life and you have yours. You stop reminiscing about the past and concentrate on skinning the auravraxes. When you're finished you cook up one of them to eat and then get some sleep. The next day you set off to Keplavisk with your furs. When you get to Keplavisk, the usual people acknowledge you. Some are friendly, some aren't, and others with longer memories hate your guts for your action when you were trying to maintain order here a long time ago. Just one of the things you have to put up with, after all you still have your reputation of being... "Bane of Rask! Bane of Rask! Hey wait up!" Ulivik yells. "(Sigh) Boy, I told you to stop calling me by that ridiculous name. In fact I told you to stop following me period!" "Sorry, Mr. Bane. Hey are those auravrax furs? Did you kill all of them? I bet you just went in and totally destroyed them without fear!" Ulivik says while making sword whooshing sounds. You roll your eyes at the teenager's over enthusiasm and resign yourself to him following you while you head to the town hall. For whatever reason he sees you as some sort of brave "hero" though you wish he wouldn't. You can't get too mad at him though, not his fault he's a dark elf brought up by humans. There's got to be a lot of confusion going on there. You mostly ignore Ulivik's incessant questioning until you get to the town hall where upon his guard run him off with racial slurs and threats. You enter the building and see the mayor. Mayor Stundle is sitting his fat ass at his desk doing nothing of any importance as usual. "Ah Mr. Bane, I can see by the numerous pelts you're carrying that you've taken care of the problem, I knew you would. That's why you're the best merc in the Confederation. Your payment is on the desk there." "Good, and my name isn't Bane you know. I keep telling people that." "Indeed it may not be, but that's what everyone knows you as. Can't fight fame or maybe in your case infamy. Heh heh." "Yeah, anyway I showed you the proof, I've got some furs to sell." "Got a special job for you if you want." "Maybe later, I'm going to enjoy myself." "Okay, but I can't promise you it'll be available when you get back." As you leave Mayor Stundle's office, Flog is just entering with several ogre scalps. He displays his obvious dislike of you as usual. As thorough as you were when you destroyed Fort Defiance, Flog survived because he did the smart thing of running away and hiding as soon as he saw your army approaching. "Outta da way Bane, Flog has to see fat mayor!" "He's all yours." You remark not really wanting to deal with his attitude today, of course in typical orc fashion, Flog feels the need to press the issue. He sees the auravrax furs and makes his move. "Gruh. You kill little furry things. Flog kill big ogres! More proof that Flog better merc than you!" "Sure Flog, whatever." You say dismissively which of course annoys Flog even more. "Flog gonna kill you one day Bane!" he shouts as you walk away. "Sure Flog, whenever you're ready." You say almost yawning. Another time and place you would've killed him for speaking to you in such a manner, but over the years you've mellowed with age. Besides he's been threatening to kill you for the last eight years. The first few times you took him seriously. Now it's just boring. If he really ever wants to try he knows where to find you, not like you're hiding. After selling your furs you make you take your money to the closest tavern where you proceed to make good on your claim of relaxing. After a couple days of carousing you're lying in bed with a couple of serving wenches and you decide that you should probably get back to work. No point in waiting around until all your coin is gone, you've had your fun now its time to get back to what you're really good at, killing stuff. You tell the girls in your room to leave and get prepared to go find some more work. You've barely stepped out of the inn and Ulivik has already found you and nearly gets himself stabbed for sneaking up on you. "Hey Mr. Bane, it's just me!" he says with a worried tone. "Boy, didn't I tell you to never sneak up on me like that? I could've killed you and I doubt if anyone would've blamed me for it!" you shout "Sorry, Mr. Bane. Hey are you going on another mission?" "What do you think?" "I think you are! But Mayor Stundle already gave out all of the jobs, you'll probably have to go to another town." "And how do you know this?" "Because I tried to sign up, but I got thrown out of the town hall and called names." "Sounds about right, but how did you get in there in the first place?" "I snuck in. I think I'm getting really good at it!" "Hmm, sounds like your svelk heritage is finally paying off." You say. "Svelk?" Ulivik asks as if you've spoken a made up word. "Svelk, you know it's the proper name for you dark elves, you mean you've never heard the term?" "No, I've been called a dark elf before, but I mostly get called a lot of other names." "Well life's tough kid, now you go run along..." "Hey why don't I come with you on your next mission!?" And there it is. You knew the day was coming where he'd start asking you to bring him with you. "Yeah, no. I work alone." "Aw come on! I need the experience! I try to sign up for even the easy jobs and I get thrown out! I've even tried going door to door asking if there are any monsters they need killing and they usually just say, yeah the one standing front of me! Then they slam the door in my face! It's not fair!" "Why do you want to be a merc anyway? I mean I know you've got a family that takes care of you. They must, if they were willing to take on the ostracizing that would come in raising a dark elf baby." "They do and I know they love me, but working as a hide tanner is boring! I want to be a mercenary and live a life of adventure! I mean I've heard stories of how my race is composed of nothing but mercenaries! Just think, a long proud line of brave ancestors that lived a glorious life of excitement! I should be as noble as them!" You almost laugh when hearing how Ulivik has spoken of his race. He truly is out of touch as there is absolutely nothing glorious, proud or noble about them. Even brave is debatable most of the time. "Ulivik, if you really want to be a merc, why not just go to Kenneth's Rest? He doesn't give a shit who he hires. Hell, he hires dark elves on a regular basis." "I would, but uh, I'm not allowed to leave the town...but I know if you were with me, my parents would let me go! So can I please come with you?!" This scenario is just so bizarre; you hardly believe that it's happening, a dark elf practically begging you to teach him to be a mercenary. The crazy thing about all this is you're actually considering it. You must finally be suffering from some of the blows you've taken to the head in the past. It's the only explanation. > Don't take Ulivik While it's an interesting possibility, you're not training soldiers anymore; you're done with that mess and quite frankly, you doubt if Ulivik would make a good warrior of any kind. "Look kid, I've put up with you for quite some time now, but enough is enough. I told you, go down to Kenneth's Rest and get a job. If you're too much of a sissy to disobey your parents, then you ain't gonna have what it takes to be a merc in the first place. Now leave me the hell alone, or I'm gonna hurt you very very badly and you don't want that." Ulivik tries to beg some more, but after a few menacing glares and threatening steps towards him, he backs off, saddened by your hostility. Having gotten rid of Ulivik, you set off for a different town further north, they're always having problems up there. A few months later when you're back in Keplavisk, you fully expect Ulivik to be bothering you again, but you see no sign of him which is odd since he always seems to know exactly when you come into town. While getting a drink at the tavern you ask the barkeep in passing where he is. "Oh that dark elven boy? Ran off and got himself killed a couple months ago. Damn fool was trying to be a mercenary and I guess some bandits finally taught him that he wasn't. Good riddance I say. Don't need any of their kind around, didn't like 'em when they were doing thug work for the Empire...erm, no offence Mr. Bane..." "Hmm, just gimme my drink." You say. While Ulivik's death doesn't affect you on any emotional level, you are a little surprised to hear about it. You didn't think he actually would have the heart to try to strike out on his own. Oh well, that's how it is in this business though, one moment you're here the next you aren't. Everything is fleeting and you can't worry about tomorrow, you just have to live for today. Life for you continues on as usual. Year 50 You wake up from another night of debauchery and predictably you feel pretty terrible from it. Your head hurts and your body aches all over, of course your body would ache anyway. The years have been taking a toll on how you push yourself physically and the battles you fight. The excessive parties in between really don't help though. You just lay in bed for a while dreading the fact that you'll be running out of coin soon again and have to go to work again. It's an endless cycle, and while the freedom you've enjoyed since leaving the Empire has been nice, the past couple of years you've started feel like something is missing. Namely purpose and direction. The Empire had numerous faults, but in the beginning it did give you such things and part of you misses it. You begin to wonder if you shouldn't go join Edgar in his Eternal Dominion or maybe offer to serve the Felkan Kingdom to give yourself some sort of goal larger than yourself. You quickly dismiss such thoughts though for several reasons, one of the biggest ones being that you now you've had your taste of freedom, you don't really want to be following orders from a large government again. (Let alone Edgar) Of course maybe you just need a change of scenery and just leave this area entirely. There certainly nothing really tying you down except perhaps your own comfort of familiarity. You've spent more than half of your life in Rask, hell it's actually been more of your "home" than the Empire ever was so despite your emotional disconnect with people, you 're a little attached to the area. > You leave Rask You've lived in Rask as an "occupier" and as a "citizen" and neither one have really fulfilled you. You decide that it might very well be time to leave. You have no idea where you're going to go or what you're going to do, but you guess you'll figure it out eventually. You pack up what belongings you can carry and do a little shopping for other necessities before you set off on your journey. When you eventually get to the Rask border, you take a look back, wondering if you'll ever return one day... You don't. You spend your remaining years traveling far from Rask, far from old Empire territory and far from any land you've ever known. While some of it is interesting, you still never feel "content." You mostly support yourself just by living off the land and doing some occasional mercenary work when passing through towns and villages. You never do settle down in one area for long though. You might be an Eternal and your fighting spirit is always willing, but that doesn't stop the ravages of time from taking their toll on your body. Between the constant traveling and the combat, your body is aching all the time. You aren't as fast or as strong as you used to be and you often forget you aren't young anymore, or more likely you have full knowledge of it and are just too stubborn to change. Your unwillingness to settle down and die peacefully in your bed eventually catches up with you during a mercenary job you take in some small town in a far away land. Bandits are raiding the town on a regular basis and you take part in defending it. You do well enough for a man your age, but ultimately you are brought down by several of them who manage to surround and gain the advantage over you. You fall to several sword blows to your body and collapse in a bloody heap in the streets of the town.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, villain protagonist] While it's an interesting possibility, you're not training soldiers anymore; you're done with that mess and quite frankly, you doubt if Ulivik would make a good warrior of any kind. "Look kid, I've put up with you for quite some time now, but enough is enough. I told you, go down to Kenneth's Rest and get a job. If you're too much of a sissy to disobey your parents, then you ain't gonna have what it takes to be a merc in the first place. Now leave me the hell alone, or I'm gonna hurt you very very badly and you don't want that." Ulivik tries to beg some more, but after a few menacing glares and threatening steps towards him, he backs off, saddened by your hostility. Having gotten rid of Ulivik, you set off for a different town further north, they're always having problems up there. A few months later when you're back in Keplavisk, you fully expect Ulivik to be bothering you again, but you see no sign of him which is odd since he always seems to know exactly when you come into town. While getting a drink at the tavern you ask the barkeep in passing where he is. "Oh that dark elven boy? Ran off and got himself killed a couple months ago. Damn fool was trying to be a mercenary and I guess some bandits finally taught him that he wasn't. Good riddance I say. Don't need any of their kind around, didn't like 'em when they were doing thug work for the Empire...erm, no offence Mr. Bane..." "Hmm, just gimme my drink." You say. While Ulivik's death doesn't affect you on any emotional level, you are a little surprised to hear about it. You didn't think he actually would have the heart to try to strike out on his own. Oh well, that's how it is in this business though, one moment you're here the next you aren't. Everything is fleeting and you can't worry about tomorrow, you just have to live for today. Life for you continues on as usual. Year 50 You wake up from another night of debauchery and predictably you feel pretty terrible from it. Your head hurts and your body aches all over, of course your body would ache anyway. The years have been taking a toll on how you push yourself physically and the battles you fight. The excessive parties in between really don't help though. You just lay in bed for a while dreading the fact that you'll be running out of coin soon again and have to go to work again. It's an endless cycle, and while the freedom you've enjoyed since leaving the Empire has been nice, the past couple of years you've started feel like something is missing. Namely purpose and direction. The Empire had numerous faults, but in the beginning it did give you such things and part of you misses it. You begin to wonder if you shouldn't go join Edgar in his Eternal Dominion or maybe offer to serve the Felkan Kingdom to give yourself some sort of goal larger than yourself. You quickly dismiss such thoughts though for several reasons, one of the biggest ones being that you now you've had your taste of freedom, you don't really want to be following orders from a large government again. (Let alone Edgar) Of course maybe you just need a change of scenery and just leave this area entirely. There certainly nothing really tying you down except perhaps your own comfort of familiarity. You've spent more than half of your life in Rask, hell it's actually been more of your "home" than the Empire ever was so despite your emotional disconnect with people, you 're a little attached to the area. > You stick around You may be in a "rut" but you realize you're too old to just start all over again, somewhere else and quite frankly you don't really want to. Rask is your home now, and while life might not be perfect here, it's a lot better than how your life was during the Empire. You just need to push that lingering Empire indoctrination from your mind that you thought was gone. You roll out of bed and get yourself in the frame of mind to go to work again... Year 54 "And that's how I killed the last giant in Rask! Another round!" you exclaim as everyone in the tavern hangs on your every word. Later you continue your tradition of bedding whatever wench that is pretty enough and willing that night. The past four years have been relatively good for you, or at least you've been trying to make the best of them. Since your last self reflection you've funneled your energy in not only your mercenary work, but to be the best one in Rask by deliberately taking on the most dangerous jobs as well as blatantly stealing jobs from other mercs. While this has made you a lot more famous with the average citizens who appreciate your monster and bandit slaying, it's also made you quite unpopular with all the rest of the mercs. Naturally this unpopularity puts a target on your back and while most of the mercs are far too scared to actually to confront you face to face they do eventually build up a coalition to take you out once and for all. One day on your way to take out what you believe to be a bandit hideout, you're traveling into a wooded area and get the impression that something is amiss, like you're walking into an ambush. At first you think it might be the bandits who caught on to you, but you've dealt with too many of those types to know that they're either too stupid to lay an ambush or they're smart enough to have already run away. That's when you draw your sword... "Alright, I know you're all out there! I guess this has been a long time coming, so let's get this shit over. The merc population needs a little thinning out anyway." You shout. Predictably Flog comes out hiding with a motley group of humans and even a couple of ogres he must've intimidated into joining him. "Flog told you he'd kill you one day! Today is da day!" "Took you long enough and you still need a group to help you..." you hear the crunch of a twig behind you and you instinctively duck and roll to your left as several bolts go flying into trees narrowly missing you. "Reload!" you hear a female svelk voice shout while you run for cover behind some rocks. "Hey! This is Flog's kill! Told you not to try to kill him, just prevent his escape!" "Hah! You got Eldolith to help you? You working for orcs now Eldy? My how far you've come from once working for the Empire!" you mock. "You won't be laughing for too much longer Eternal. You've stolen your last job from us!" Eldolith shouts back. While you hide behind the rocks, Flog orders some of the other mercs to go after you, doesn't take any time for you at all to kill several of them. Eldolith orders another volley of bolts from her men, but you use a merc you grabbed as a shield and run deeper in the forest. Flog's ogres run after you and thanks to their great stamina, they manage to catch up to you before long, you stop your running, spin around and with as much force as you can you chop at one of the ogre's legs. He doesn't stop in time and you nearly chop it completely off, unfortunately he crashes into you bellowing in pain the whole time. You crawl out from under the one leg ogre and finish him off, only to have his buddy nearly cave your head in with his club. You shove your dagger upwards into the ogre's balls and his low growls and snarls become high-pitched squeaks as his manhood is now shredded. He falls to his knees and before you can finish him off, the svelks arrive with their blasted repeating crossbows again. A couple take aim immediately while two others attempt to run around behind you. Having little in the way of options you run to the nearest tree for cover and try to get close enough to cut one of them down. You succeed in dodging and reaching the first two, who put up a poor showing of swordsmanship, but the other two that ran around in back of you fire their own volleys and you feel the piercing pain of two bolts going into your left leg and another going into your back. You collapse on top of one of the other dead svelk. The pain is coursing throughout your body, but you're in a vulnerable position, and in order to survive you can only hope you're fast enough to get the drop on them. Playing dead you rely on your hearing to sense how close the svelk are stepping through the snow to check on you. This is harder than in sounds with a severely wounded ogre moaning about his wounds the whole time. You also see two other images running towards you, it's Flog and Eldolith. You can't wait any longer. You grab one of the dead svelk's crossbows and with all your strength you roll on your back (Biting your lip at the pain due to the bolt there) and fire at the surprised svelks moving towards you. You were never an expert on ranged weapons, but you don't miss at your range and the two svelk go down. You then point it at the balless ogre and put him out of his misery with a single bolt to his head. "Shit! He's got one of the crossbows!" Eldolith shouts and pulls out her own with taking cover. Flog on the other hand doesn't seem particularly worried. "No more hiding! Flog put an end to Bane once and for all!" he yells and charged at you with his axe. You shoot your remaining bolts at him, but only succeed in hitting Flog in the arm, which barely stops his stride. You scramble to get up and throw the crossbow at Flog who bats away the oncoming object. Flog swings his axe and catches you with a glancing blow to your chest, ripping your armor and breaking the skin. You stagger backwards trying not to fall again. "Yooze gonna die today Bane! Ha ha ha ha ha!" Flog laughs followed by a sudden yell of pain as he feels several bolts go into his own back. He immediately stops his advance on you and falls to one knee coughing up blood. "Traitorous dark elven bitch!" he shouts. This gives you enough time to stagger away again and grab another one of the dead svelk crossbows and hide again. You aren't feeling so great yourself; you know the svelk bolts probably were dipped in some sort of poison. In fact you're surprised it hasn't incapacitated you yet. You just hope you can get through this quick enough to drag yourself back to the closest town. You look out from behind your cover just in time to see Flog attempting to advance on Eldolith and her firing another volley into his body. She ends up having to step back quite a bit and reload again before finally finishing him off. He falls backwards into the snow looking like a pin cushion. "Bad move Eldy. Should've let Flog wear me down a lot more and then killed him." You shout. "Wear you down? Hah, he would've killed you, in your current condition. No, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." While she pontificates you attempt to shoot at her from behind your cover, but you miss. "Nice try. How are you feeling over there Bane? Not too good I imagine. Had to make sure the poison was really strong, I know how you Eternals got that annoying resistance to the stuff." At this point, you are indeed starting to feel quite unwell. You begin to feel nauseous and you're having a hard time standing up. When you begin retching, you hear Eldolith speak again. "You know Bane, this is near the same area where I helped your old captain kill all those elves. That was a good day too. You're starting to sound pretty bad over there Bane, how about you just give yourself up and let me finish you off? Wouldn't you rather be killed by a worthy foe rather than just succumb to the poison? There's no shame in being beaten by your betters." You're running out of time and you know it. "Alright...you got a point damn you. I'm coming out, here I'll throw out the crossbow just to reassure you!" you shout and throw your crossbow from behind your cover. "Good, good, glad to see you submitting to the inevitable. Now come out slowly." The way you're feeling right now, you doubt if you could come out any other way. You see Eldolith pointing her crossbow at you while stepping out from her own cover and moving closer towards you. She smirks and in typical svelk fashion can't help but gloat. "I must say I am surprised that you decided to surrender, I would've thought your eternal pride would've prevented such a thing. But I guess those days are long gone just like the Empire you once served eh?" "Just get this over with." You say and then fall to your hands and knees in the snow vomiting up blood. "Mmm, perhaps I'll enjoy watching you squirm some more. The once great Bane of Rask finally..." You knew you could count on Eldolith being a typical svelk. While she's taunting you, she doesn't pay attention that your hands are doing something rather simple such as balling up the hardened snow. With all your strength you throw the snowball at her. Being caught off guard she dodges it and shoots wildly at you. You manage to roll out of the way and grab the crossbow you threw away. You unload the entire thing at her and as luck would have it, the bolts land true for the most part. Three of them go into her side and another into her neck. She falls into the snow coughing up blood and holding on to her side. You hear her cursing you with her dying breaths as you attempt to leave the area. While you have won, you know you aren't going to survive too much longer. You manage to crawl a few more meters before the poison finally takes it toll. Your last thoughts are nostalgic ones. You allow yourself to smile at the times you got to enjoy life and your past victories, even this one. Yes this is a good death you think and then you pass on.

Year 35 Another rebellion put down. You wipe your sword of blood and shake your head as you look around at the chaos. This is the Quala province, the very heartland of the Empire. You shouldn't have to be trying to maintain order here only a few miles away from the capital itself. "Ha ha ha! Come on bitch, give it up! I'm an Eternal, you oughta be flattered that I'm even wasting my time on your normal ass!" private Felding says as he attempts to rape a nearby girl. You briskly walk over to Felding and pull him off her. You know damn well that the rest of his kind are probably doing stuff like this all over the place, but this one is in your direct sight and under your command. "What the hell, captain? If you wanted first dibs you could've just said so! Ah look, now she's getting away!" "We're here to maintain order private, not create more chaos." "Oh yeah? Coulda fooled me by destroying the entire town like this." "Regrettable, but during battle only victory matters." "Exactly! We won! So now it's time to have our fun with these disobedient peasants. Y'know instill fear in them so they won't do it again." "You're not instilling fear though, you're just satisfying your own desires." "Hey, who says we aren't supposed to have fun while doing it?" It's like talking to a brick wall. You've had these "New Eternals" under your command for a few months now and they are some of the most undisciplined troops you've ever had. You can try to encourage them, you can try to reason with them, you can punish them, and none of it has a real effect. The only constant is that they know of your reputation and know that you're also an Eternal, which makes them just fearful of you enough that they don't attempt to directly challenge your authority like they have with so many of their other commanders. If it were up to you, you would've had them all killed for treason as soon as they murdered their first CO, but for whatever reason the Empire wants them active. You're guessing because the Empire's desperate. So they were ultimately transferred to you and unfortunately you're not allowed to kill them either...well unless they try to kill you first. You swear this must be what it's like to be a svelk. They are like children, malicious hateful little children. It's not even their suspect loyalty that baffles you; it's their complete lack of discipline. Even Kane and Cyrus who opposed you had discipline. Hell, Edgar who was arguably the most emotional and hotheaded of the group was a hundred times more disciplined than any of these new "Eternals." You remember back to your own training and there were a few of your fellows that didn't learn proper discipline either. They never made it past Mistress and the few that did, didn't survive Gruz. Whoever was in charge of their training did a horrible job and should've been executed for incompetence along with the rest of these vicious monsters. That old orc was right, they will destroy what's left of the Empire, but you doubt if they'll survive long after its downfall. You think back to all the real Eternals. You, Edgar and Brenda are the only ones left, as Warrick killed in the final days of the Felkan War. At least you assume that's what happened, his body was never found and you know he would've rather died than let himself be captured to rot in a P.O.W. Camp. Either way it's truly a loss you never ever got to talk with him again. From what you know Edgar is still stationed in the Arat province, probably trying to keep his own "eternals" in line to keep the peace there. As for poor Brenda you know she has her command in the Nalin province and probably still quietly grieving for Roldan. After all you've been through, it's come to this and you're wondering what the hell you're still fighting for. The Emperor? You haven't cared about that unknown ruler for years. For all you know he's some feeble minded inbred idiot figure head that his advisors keep locked away while they bumble around ruling things probably about as well as he would. The Empire? Perhaps at one time, but as it has lost territory, respect and apparently all resemblance of sanity over the years you've lost all faith that it can ever regain any sort of glory it might have had, if it ever had it to begin with. You've tried your best to stem back the tide of chaos, but you're only one man even if you are an Eternal. While you ponder your potential future, private Felding interrupts you. "Hey, cap? You're in a bit of a daze there. So if you're done I'm going to go now." "Hold on, I have one more thing to tell you." "(Sigh) What?" Felding says with an exasperated tone. "You're not a fucking Eternal. None of you little shits are." You say and run Felding through and pull up on the sword unleashing his blood and guts onto the ground. Felding makes a high pitched scream and slumps on top of his entrails after you remove the sword. "Shit! The cap just killed Felding!" another so called eternal shouts while he and his buddy have just come back from looting some farmer's home. The pair of them look like they want to run, but you make it easy on them. "Go ahead and run or stay. I don't care anymore. I'm leaving. I will tell you this though, if the Empire sends any of you unruly scum after me, know that I shall take great pleasure in not just killing you, but in drawing it out for as long as possible. Remember this." And with that last warning, you leave your service to the Empire. The question now is, where will you go? What will you do? This all feels so wrong when you think about it. You've killed so many for abandoning, opposing, or attempting to betray the Empire and here you are doing the same thing. Was it all for nothing? Was it worth it? You don't know. You always believed at the time you were right and that you were doing the right thing. Maybe you were, maybe you weren't. You just know that you can't serve something you don't believe in anymore. Especially when everyone else around you doesn't either. Speaking of not knowing, you don't know how to do anything except kill people. While you're certain that you'd be able to hire your skills out somewhere, the idea of being a mercenary is a little distasteful for you. You'd rather not push the svelk comparison that far. You could swear loyalty to another government you suppose. Perhaps the Felkan Kingdom? You're not sure they'd want you, what with all their high tech weapons and your own government once fighting against them. The only other alternative for you is to carve out your own territory and rule it as your own. While it's true you do have leadership qualities, you know nothing of actually running a government. You honestly wouldn't know where to begin. > You serve another government You can't bring yourself to be some lawless mercenary like a svelk and you can't fathom even trying to run your own piece of territory. You're no ruler. You're a warrior that currently has no direction or mission. The only chance to find purpose is to pledge yourself to another nation. Again, the only one you know of any note is the Felkan Kingdom. You only know a little about them based on the propaganda the Empire has told you as well as the brief conversation you had with Gerald when you temporarily reunited with him. Technically the Empire is at peace with the Felkan Kingdom, but there are still skirmishes. Though nowdays it's due to rogue Empire soldiers (and peasants too) becoming outright bandits rather than any patriotic reason. The Felkan Kingdom has been trying to keep out Empire refugees as well, which means you'll probably just get turned around, if not outright fired upon. Still with shitty situation you're in, getting shot doesn't even seem like a bad option at this point You find a nearby horse and set off for the west. Along the way you see the landscape of the Empire, which at one time was orderly and even idyllic is now burning and in tatters. Despite the chaos you don't need to do any battle, not even when passing groups of angry peasants who are taking every opportunity to get revenge on their oppressive government and its agents in all forms. You can only assume your reputation is enough to scare them off or they don't even recognize you. If it's the latter then it only confirms your belief that you weren't making that much of a difference in the Empire anyway. When you get to the Arat province you find it in a bit better condition than other territory you've rode through, though when you ride through the town of Bucklesberg the peasants give you hateful glances or just outright run into their homes. You see in the middle of the town square several heads stuck on pikes with their eyes gouged out, some of them of children. In the very center of that is a pole with a sign attached. You read the sign twice you to make sure what you're reading is correct. You almost wish you could say you're surprised, and perhaps that small naive part of you still is, but you're disappointed more than anything else. You of course don't know the whole story, but quite frankly you don't even want to know. All this revelation does is make you want to get out of Empire lands as quick as possible because it seems like it really was ever good for is turning everybody into a wannabe sovereign. You hasten your pace to the Felkan border as you don't wish to have any potential conflict with this new "regime" that seems to be trying to form here. It's a shame, because you did think about trying to find Edgar before going to the border hoping that maybe he'd join you. Now? He'd probably try to convince you to join him. Seen that story play out too, you'd rather not have to go through it again. Edgar obviously has chosen his path to deal with the Empire's inevitable collapse and you must choose yours. Eventually you get to the Felkan border which is predictably well guarded by several men with their fancy musket weapons. From what you've heard they aren't very sporting, but can blow through even a heavily armored orc instantly. Could've used some of those yourself ten years ago. "Alright just stop right there. You come any closer and you'll have a brand new hole in your body." One of them says pointing his weapon at you. "Sheesh Harry, can't you come up with a better threat than that?" "Fuck you Wally, we're turning back refugees every damn day, they can't all be winners." "Uh guys, I don't think this one's a refugee, he's wearing military armor." Another one says which at this point all of them point their weapons at you. You take this in stride you figured they wouldn't exactly be welcoming. "Alright I don't know why the hell an Empire soldier is here, but I suggest you just turn right back around. We're supposed to be at peace now in case you didn't know it, which judging by some of you lot you don't." Harry says. "I no longer serve the Empire, I request to serve your kingdom instead." You say. "Ha ha ha, yeah right. Look even if we were inclined to believe you, we don't need your kind especially since you can't even keep your own shit together. We know you're having a civil war or whatever it is right now. You're lucky our king is such a pussy that he refuses to take advantage of the situation otherwise, we'd fucking own the Arat province right now." Harry replies. "Hell yeah Harry! We should've just marched in and took it when they were begging for peace!" Wally adds The one soldier's words are most interesting. Especially how he speaks about his ruler so freely and without fear. It is apparent that despite their dislike of their ruler, yet they are very dedicated to their nation. It is sort of a comforting thing to see after so many you've encountered over the years weren't. Perhaps you could find a place here, assuming you can get past this first obstacle. "Very well gentlemen the only thing I can tell you that might convince you, is that I am an Eternal, born and bred for combat. I say with no boast that I am the best of my kind and while I am not yet familiar with your weapons, I dare say my combat skill and knowledge would allow me to learn rather quickly. All I ask is that I be allowed to speak with someone with more authority so that I can be given a proper chance." "Eternal? You ain't no Eternal, you're way too old. I've seen those bastards running around on the other side of the border and they're either in their twenties or younger. Dunno why you'd claim to be one of them for anyway, they're not even human, they're fucking soulless monsters. Heard enough horror stories from all the refugees we have to turn away. Some of those stories...pretty heartbreaking stuff..." Harry says getting a little choked about one of the stories he seems to be thinking about. It's at that point one of his buddies pipes up. "Hey, uh maybe he's one of those OTHER Eternals." "Oh an original? I dunno, didn't they not make too many of them?" Wally asks as if any of his buddies know. "How the hell should I know Wally?" "Well you were the fucker that brought it up! All right there's an easy way to do this. Chuck, head back to Fort Soot, and see Captain Warrick, he'll..." "Hold on did you say Captain Warrick?" you ask. "Yeah? And?" "I know him seeing as we practically grew up together. He was believed to be dead, how is it that he's a captain in the Felkan military?" "Hmm, well perhaps you can ask him that yourself, if you really do know him. Okay change of plan, we'll take you to see Captain Warrick, but you better not try anything funny. We'll need you to get off that horse and hand over your weapons. Chuck and Wally, you're with me, the rest of you keep an eye on the border as usual, we'll be back soon." You comply with their demands and have them march you to Fort Soot. The thing you notice immediately are all the trenches built into the land. Left overs from the war you imagine. When you get to Fort Soot it isn't particularly large, though it does seem to be heavily defended with weapons you've heard about before. Cannons they're called, and they are very devastating. You remember Gerald telling you how they could destroy stone golems as if they were made of paper. Makes you wonder why for all it's power that the Empire didn't fund money and time into developing such wonders as it certainly would've helped a lot more than their Eternal project. You quietly chuckle at the irony of that thought briefly thinking what you would've been doing now if there hadn't been such a project. Probably not marching into a Felkan fort that's for sure. When you are brought into Warrick's office it's like a trip to the past. Warrick's changed quite a bit. He's wearing an eyepatch for one thing and he's lost most of his hair, but you'd still recognize him. He also recognizes you though he's still having trouble believing it. "By the gods, is it really you?" "Yes, it's me. By the gods? Not by the Emperor anymore I see." "Nope and never will be again, which brings me to my next question. Why have you come here? I certainly hope it isn't on some fool mission to bring me to justice for being a traitor..." "Ha ha. Maybe at one time, but not anymore either. I guess you could say, I'm also a traitor, though I don't think I am. The Empire betrayed itself a long time ago and I can't serve a place that has not even the slightest concept of honor or loyalty even if it was the one that taught me such ideals." "I must say, I am a little surprised that you of all people would come to that conclusion. You were the most dedicated of all of us. I know that you are telling the truth though, as you were never a liar. So you've left the Empire then and come here to...?" "Pledge myself to the Felkan Kingdom, though it seems I wasn't the only one who had that idea." "Hah, yeah a bit of a long story that. Before we continue I'll have to clear this with a lot of people first, and you're probably going to have to prove yourself several times, but if you're serious about this then you'll most likely be accepted. I've found things work with a little more leniency in the Felkan Kingdom." "All I want is a new chance." And so began your service to the Felkan Kingdom. > Year 40 "I don't understand why the hell we haven't just gone marching into the Arat province and taken it from the Eternal Dominion. We have superior weaponry, and they aren't even that organized. I don't care how skilled they are in combat, they can't stop a bullet." A soldier complains. "So, do you think we'll really be going to war again?" his buddy asks. "Is there any fucking doubt? The Empire might be dead, but that Eternal Dominion or whatever it's called took its place and from what I can gather the ones running that are complete monsters. No small feat considering how the Empire was run...uh no offense sarge." You shake your head as a sign that you could care less how they discuss the Empire, as you're busy keeping on the look out for potential enemies and you tell them to stop talking and do likewise. Felkan soldiers tend to be a little more chatty than you're used to, they also tend to be a little over confident in battle at times due to their reliance on firearms. Their melee skills aren't bad, but they aren't anywhere near those of a say an Empire soldier, let alone an Eternal. You learned how to handle a musket pretty quickly, but much like the same reason you avoided using bows and such, ranged combat just isn't quite your thing. Still, you appreciate their destructive power and having an advantage so you have no problems carrying around a couple of flintlock pistols on your person. Another thing that's different is a government that isn't actually interested in conquest despite its people often expressing such desires. You've never met the king or any of the royals, but from what you've heard the king is more of a scholar rather than a warrior ruler. Some consider this a weakness, but you aren't convinced that it is. The king apparently believes conquest would just drain the coffers of what is currently a healthy economy (despite a recent war) and it's better to put that money to other uses. The Felkans in general are always looking for new ways to advance the quality of life for all through scientific advancement. You don't remember that sort of thing in the Empire where the status quo was law. While magic was reserved for the elite and still not common in the Empire, it's practically non-existent in the Felkan Kingdom, which might explain their tendency towards scientific endeavors. Well that, and the fact that a good number of gnomes live among them who probably produce most of the great inventions in the kingdom. Still, you often hear a lot of criticism about the king; sometimes it makes you wonder if there shouldn't be cause for concern. If this were the Empire you would've been expected to harshly discipline all of those soldiers that insulted the Emperor. Here, there is a lot more freedom in what you can say. Yes, there are so many differences from the Empire and you often feel out of place. Hell you feel strange enough only being a sergeant again. Five years and they still haven't felt that you warrant a promotion to a higher rank, you don't know why they still don't trust you as much as they trust Warrick considering he actually fought against them directly. Of course he actually saved the lives of some important Felkan royals, so that's probably the reason. They don't keep you stationed on the frontlines of the Arat border like they do with Warrick either, for the past several years you've been stationed at a fort at the other end of the kingdom, though the fort is so small it's more like an outpost. Fort Green is located near a small village called Blossomdale and that's basically what you've been defending. It's a rather dull assignment and only broken up by the occasional skirmishes with gnolls, bandits or other denizens living in the untouched forests and the hills. You've tried to make the best of things. You keep your mind mostly focused on your job like you always do. One good thing is that the soldiers that serve under you don't seem to mind your Eternal origins, but you do get the impression they're a little afraid of you. Your superior officer Captain Eckers seems okay with you as well. He's the only one stationed here that's older than you and probably sees you as someone he has a little more in common with, not to mention you bring a little more discipline to the fort and encourage more drilling and combat training. Eventually your shift is over and as usual, nothing happened today. Your replacements take over your post and you make your way back to the fort. The rest of the soldiers head to Blossumdale presumably for a little R&R as they often do. When you get back to the fort, somebody tells you that Captain Eckers wants to see you, so you proceed to his office. "Have a seat sergeant. So was today any different than yesterday? Any hostiles to be dispatched or anything?" "No sir, things were quiet as usual." You answer. "I figured as much. It's been like this for the past eight months. You know it's always been slow around here, but lately...(sigh) I don't know. I suppose we should be glad this place isn't under attack constantly, but the boredom of nothing to do is frustrating." "I know the feeling sir." "Heh, I'll bet. Bred for war and all that...you once had a command at a fort at one time did you not?" "Yes sir I did, in Rask." "Yeah, I've heard about that area. I'll bet you never ran out of fighting up there." "Well sir, we sort of did since I did my best to try to exterminate the most dangerous threats. For a while things got slow then we had a series of uprisings became a problem and I had to be in involved in putting those down so I wasn't quite as bored anymore." "Uprisings. Now that would be an interesting event, though I don't think I'm quite that bored yet. Still, I wonder if one wouldn't do some good. Get those royals off their asses and actually do something for a change." "I'm sure they do what they can...the land is prosperous after all." You say unsure of how to react and still wondering why you were called in here. "Yeah, yeah, I know, but really what good is that going to do when the Eternal Dominion comes beating down our door? I served on the front lines of the war with the Empire from beginning to end, and I saw shit that even I wasn't prepared to see. Even with our technological advantage, sometimes I don't know how we managed to hold the Empire off...I guess you guys really had a lot of internal problems." "Yes, yes we did sir. A lot." "Right, and that's the only reason why we held out. If the Empire had been a united front like it used to be... well me and you probably wouldn't be having this conversation." "Captain, if I may interject for a moment. I have heard citizens and soldiers on more than one occasion suggest that the Felkan Kingdom should become more aggressive. I'm puzzled to as why if things are going well. after all the Empire engaged in continual conquest and I think we know how that turned out." "You have a point about the Empire, but you also should remember the Empire lasted several centuries before collapsing. I don't presume to know exactly all the problems you had, but I can tell you what the problems we have are and why the people are getting sick of it." "And what are those sir?" "Fucking gnomes." "Gnomes? Don't they provide all the wonderful inventions for this Kingdom?" "Yeah, and they also have been using us as protection for decades and the royals are in their fucking pockets. We aren't really ruled by the royals, the damned gnomish inventors and businessmen rule us. They don't want us expanding too much, because then we just might be harder to control. They also don't want us to become too strong militarily because we just might turn it against them. I mean hell, I think you've seen how our soldiers aren't exactly the best fighters and rely on firearms. I shudder to think if we ever had to actually fight without them. It didn't always used to be that way, at least not back in my day. That's why you're a damn breath of fresh air. You're actually a REAL warrior." You just sit and listen as the captain begins getting even angrier during his rant. "You know why I'm stationed here in the ass end of nowhere? Because I spoke my mind on what I thought about gnomes and suggested we needed to stop being pussies and actually start taking more land. I mean take this place for example. If we had just a couple more platoons, and the orders, we could march into those hills nearby and wipe out all those damned gnolls for good. But what do we do instead? Wait around for the fuckers to attack us then sit here with our thumbs up our asses until they rebuild and do it all over again. We're better than that! Or at least we used to be!" at this point Captain Eckers slams his fist on his desk. He's silent with his head looking down for a moment and then looks up to address you. "...forgive me sergeant, I get a little emotional about this stuff sometimes. I really shouldn't. Thank you for your report and listening. I just need someone to speak my mind to sometimes...anyway dismissed." You get up and leave, thinking about what has transpired. It basically sounds like the captain doesn't believe in his government anymore. You know what that's like, but you just aren't sure if it's as bad as he's claiming or he's just a bitter old man that's mad because times changed and he pissed off the wrong people in charge of his career. However as you're reminded he isn't the only person you've heard speaking out, he just happens to be the only one that's gone into more detail than you're used to. You also wonder if he told you all this stuff for a reason, is he hinting for you to do something? And what could you do? You're a lower rank than him and not exactly high on the hierarchy. You're also pretty much an outsider. Stirring up trouble isn't exactly something you should be doing, and you pledged yourself to serve the kingdom and its king, not overthrow it. If you were going to be doing that, you might as well have joined the Eternal Dominion. You aren't sure of what to make of all this gnome business though, if that is even true. You've never paid too much attention to them being in a lot of the positions of power. Part of you though does make you wonder about who you're really serving and if it is really the gnomes like the captain claims, then your whole oath to the kingdom is pretty much a joke. Then again if they really are controlling everything, does it really make a difference? Things seem to still be running well and you personally just don't have any real proof that there is some conspiracy even though it wouldn't surprise you too much if there was one going on. One thing you know though, if others are feeling like the captain does, this isn't going to go away. This is going to get worse; in fact it may already be too late to stop something from occurring. You could very well find yourself serving in another collapsing government again. > You report to the captain You don't know if this is actually going to do any good, but if the captain ever decides to suddenly secede from the Felkan Kingdom, you want someone to know that you weren't part of it from the beginning. The problem there isn't a higher-ranking officer at the fort and you don't really know anybody that you could report this to. You suppose you write a letter to Major Samuels at Fort Smoke. He's in charge of the whole Ibim province, but then you think what if he feels the same way as the captain? If that's the case, then you'd probably become hated not just at your fort, but in other circles as well. You'd possibly even be demoted or worse. You've managed to make a life here with minimal friction, and you'd hate to just throw that all away, but you have to do something. For good or ill your duty is to the kingdom now and you need to defend against all potential threats, external and internal, and from your experience the internal ones are the worst. That's when you come up with the idea that you'll write to Warrick about this. He might not be able to do anything about it considering he's in another province, but he's about the only one you can trust and maybe he knows something and can at least give you advice. You write a letter to Warrick that night and hand it to a professional courier in Blossumdale the next day. Not having anything else to do, you return to your duties. Days pass into weeks and weeks pass into months. Just when you're starting to wonder if your letter got intercepted and someone having sinister plans for you, you get a letter back from Warrick. You're anxious to see his reply and you find a quiet place to open it up and read it private. You're expecting a long letter, but instead you get a short one that's to the point. Things are already in motion to remedy the situation soon and your duty to the kingdom has been noted. Warrick You can only guess that Captain Eckers will soon be gone with wording like that. You didn't expect anything to be done either, just advice. Warrick must have better connections than you thought. Another week passes since you received Warrick's reply and Fort Green is visited by a general with his personal assistants, a couple of royals and a well-dressed gnome. The visit is unexpected by everyone, especially Captain Eckers since he'd know first if anyone was scheduled to visit. Captain Eckers and several others are taken into rooms and questioned separately. The rest of you are ordered to go about your business and to not interfere. Later you are called in as well. You find yourself face to face with one of the generals. General Benson. He's probably about the same age as Eckers, though obviously more successful. "Sergeant, I'm going to make this quick. You are the one who wrote the letter to Captain Warrick are you not?" General Benson asks. "Yes, sir." "And why did you write to Captain Warrick about your concerns? Why not write to Major Samuels? He is the superior officer in charge of this province." "Well, I wasn't sure if I should sir. For all I knew he might've had sympathies with Captain Eckers and if that had been the case, my situation would not have been a good one." "Hold on sergeant, are you telling me Major Samuels is also part of this?" "No, I don't even know the Major sir, I was just being cautious on my part. I wrote to Warrick because...well he's the only person I felt I could absolutely trust." The general is silent for a moment while he looks you up and down. "Tell me, have you had any conflict while being here?" "Conflict with the other soldiers? No sir, can't say that I have, I tend to just do my job and keep to myself as far as social matters are concerned." "What about your relationship with Captain Eckers?" "It's a respectful one sir, I feel no malice towards him nor perceive any towards me." "Yet you felt the need to report him." "Well sir, I thought it was something that might be needed to be brought to the attention of those in a higher position than me. Dissension in the ranks is no good sir. These sorts of things need to be taken care of before they spread. I know from direct experience, sir." "Hmmm, yes I suppose you would..." General Benson continues to study you as if he's trying to read your mind, after a minute of this, he backs off and starts to pack up some papers on a nearby desk. "I think we have everything we need to know. We weren't exactly sure about you for a long time, and quite frankly some of us still aren't. Your lack of trust among your fellow soldiers is concerning, but considering what we've found here, possibly understandable. As of now, I'm promoting you to captain and putting you in charge of Fort Green until further notice. You'll be receiving some new soldiers soon to replace the men that will be leaving here. And hopefully this reward for your dedication to the Kingdom alleviates some of your trust issues." "It will sir. It will. Thanks you sir." "Very good, you're dismissed." You step out of the room feeling a sense of accomplishment. This is truly the first time since you pledged loyalty to the Felkan Kingdom that you feel appreciated. With this new command you actually feel like you're back to where you're supposed to be again, which is something you haven't felt since you were taken off of your command in Rask. Granted Fort Green is no Fort Destiny, but it's better than where you were. As for Captain Eckers, he and several other soldiers are escorted out of the fort as the rest of you stand by and watch. On his way out Eckers glares at you, he doesn't say anything, but you can feel as if his stare is burning a hole in you. He knows someone said something, and he knows that someone was you. It's too bad it had to be this way, but what's done is done and it's time to move on. Over the next few months you begin running the fort a lot more efficiently, the soldiers aren't particularly thrilled about it since they've gotten used to not doing as much under Captain Eckers, which is another good reason why he needed to leave. Instead of whining, he should've been thinking up stuff to keep everyone's mind's occupied. After a few more months of extra training, you pick the soldier who has shown the most promise and pull them aside in your office for a talk. "Let's see... Sergeant Dawn Young...easy name to remember. You're one of the newer transfers here. Says that before you came here, you served on the Kilania Plains. Not exactly familiar with that area, but I hear it's infested with centaurs. Half man half horse or something like that?" "Yes sir, they are little more than wild beast. They get drunk, breed, start fights and from what I can tell that's about it." "Hmm, bet they were a joy to fight. Well from your record it says you successfully lead several attacks on them. I'm guessing they are no longer a problem anymore?" "Well they are less of a problem than they were. I was told to hold back, by my commanding officer at the time. I know if we had pressed against them though we could've wiped them out completely though." She remark with a slightly annoyed tone. Sounds like typical Felkan policy. You have to admit, Eckers did have a point about certain things. While you're not going to support possible rebellion like he did, you are going to change some things. "Okay you sound like the kind of soldier I need. Consider yourself promoted to lieutenant and you're my new second." "...wow...thank you sir!" "Don't go thanking me just yet, you still have live to enjoy it. I want you to take two platoons of soldiers, march over to those hills a few miles away and I want you to wipe out ALL of the gnolls that you see." "All of them sir?" "All of them. Their warriors, their citizens, their women, their children. If there are little baby gnolls sucking on marrowbones in their cribs, I want you to kill them too." Your orders are a little shocking to Dawn. She's probably never heard anyone commanding the murder of infants before let alone the total war doctrine you're following, even if it is against a bunch of barbaric monsters. "Lieutenant, am I going to have to find someone else to do this?" you ask. "...Um no sir. I just...well...the other soldiers sir. I'm not sure if they'll follow such orders." "Oh yes they will. Because it's going to be YOUR job to make sure they follow them. Besides I've noticed guns tend to take away a lot of the emotional impact of killing. Not even like you have to look someone in the eye and take away their life. You can sit back comfortably from a few feet away and pull the trigger. They'll be able to kill baby gnolls a lot easier than you think, and after this first time, it's only going to get easier. I'm sure you'll do fine, I have faith that you're up to this task. I wouldn't have picked you if I didn't. You're dismissed." Looking a little overwhelmed, Dawn nods and leaves your office. Now all you have to concern yourself about is whether your changes get you thrown out of the fort like Captain Eckers. > Year 45 "They'll probably attack at night sir." Dawn says to you. "Yeah, gnolls are predictable that way. Is Blossumdale under control? "Yes sir, we executed most of the rabble rousers, the rest have shut up complaining about food rationing and troops permanently stationed in the town now sir." "Good. Ooooooh I'm gonna hear it for that one." You groan. "I don't see why sir, you were merely keeping order and doing what needed to be done to help protect the kingdom." "Perhaps, but the top brass won't see it that way. There won't be any way to keep this one quiet. News is going to travel eventually, despite the fact that I'm already keeping a lot of stuff out of the reports as it is. Hell, I've been getting blamed for stirring up a so called hornet's nest with the gnolls since this war began." "That's not true sir, if you hadn't sent me into those hills all those years ago, we wouldn't have found out that they'd been planning a mass invasion for quite some time." "That may be the case, but it doesn't change the fact that they need to blame me for whatever reason." "Sir if they're so displeased with you, why have they not just replaced you?" "Good question. I imagine it's because the gnolls are a very real threat and that I am actually doing a good job at holding back the gnolls with what little resources I do have. Everyone is still so worried about the Eternal Dominion possibly invading that they're shoving all the troops along that border. Oh well, I guess I should be grateful they finally sent us some new cannons, though it took three years to get them. Okay lieutenant, that will be all, I suggest you prepare everyone because I get the feeling the gnolls' attack tonight is going to be a big one." Dawn nods and leaves your office. She's a good second; you couldn't have picked a better choice. You're actually proud of how all your soldiers have stepped up over the past few years. All they needed was a little more discipline and something to keep them focused like a relentless army of hyena men eager to rip them apart and feast on their bodies. Despite the fact that the top brass nearly hates you and you're on the eve of what is probably going to be a vicious battle. You feel good, like the best you've felt in years. You have a command, you have soldiers that are utterly dedicated and you have a ruthless enemy to fight. The excitement of battle is near and you can't wait to bask in the violence of it. This is what you were BORN for. As darkness falls, you stand on top of the battlements and see the gnolls arrive right on time. They might be fierce warriors, but their ongoing crap strategy of throwing as many troops at you as possible isn't working for them. You think orcs might've even been smarter than that, well at least Gruz would've been. There are an awful lot of them though this time, it appears that you were right, tonight's battle is going to be a big one. As the horde gets closer, you also see several flying creatures in the distance. Wyverns. The bastards actually managed to tame wyverns. Looks like they're a little brighter than you initially gave them credit for. You tell the cannon crews to fire upon the wyverns as soon as they get in range, all musket men on top of the fort as well. You stare down at the temporary wall you've built around the fort where some of your other troops are guarding and hope it'll hold up well. They'll eventually break it down, but hopefully not before heavy losses. You also hope the fortifications at Blossumdale will hold out. You couldn't spare as many troops there, but you're confident that Dawn will be able to handle the situation if the gnolls split up their attack. The battle starts off with the gnolls attempting a rain of arrows technique, fortunately you prepared for that by having everyone equipped with shields nearby. The Felkans as a general rule don't use them too much anymore due to their reliance on firearms, but your re-emphasis on close combat training made your request for a shipment of shields quite logical. The wyverns then dive in from above while the horde concentrates on below. A couple of your new cannons prove their worth by landing a nice cannon ball into the side of one their heads, even better when it crashes into the gnoll horde. Another cannon ball tears a hole in the wing of another causing it and it's rider to attempt a crash landing in the distance. Out of the remaining three wyverns, one veers away and heads to Blossumdale, while the other two focus on the fort. You order all your men to fire upon one of them which riddles it with gunshot wounds. Not enough to kill it however as lands on the fort and manages crush and bite some of the cannon crews. It's rider fires a bow taking out a musket man next to you, and that's when you make a running leap forward to stab the wyvern right in the neck. Blood gushes out and the beast flails about, causing the rider to fall off and over the fort walls to the ground below. You dodge the beast's attempt at biting you in two and make a long slash cut through one of it's wing so it can't fly away. It tries to smash you with it's tail, but you roll out of the way and finally land a killing blow by jumping on its back and running your sword through the top of it's head. The other wyvern has been faring better against the remaining men on the fort roof, though it's rider lies dead with a gunshot wound to his face. Since the beast is intent on hovering above rather than actually landing you have to make another running jump to grab on to one of its feet. The creature attempts to shake you off, but you manage to hang on long enough to stab upward several times into it's soft underbelly. The creature twists and roars in pain, this time managing to cause you to fall to the fort roof, you are then covered in gouts of wyvern blood and chunks of entrails. You order your remaining men to fire upon it as it desperately tries to fly away. The musket balls do their job and the beast falls to the war zone bellow, unfortunately crashing into one of the temporary walls you put up. Granted the dead beast's bulk is now acting a small block now, but the gnoll horde has a slightly easier access than it did before. You tell your men to start firing upon the horde, which is starting to surround the entire fort, while you rush down to the ground floor to help out the rest of your troops. You also notice that some of the horde is indeed breaking off into a separate group and moving past the fort towards Blossumdale. Ladders go up to scale the walls, and axes attempt to bring them down completely. Some of the gnolls have already gotten in. Won't be long before they completely overrun this first layer of defense. After hacking down several of them, you tell all your men to fall back to the front gates and inside the fort. You have everyone barricade the doors as best you can while telling several soldiers on top to start dropping firebombs on the gnolls from the roof. Several explosions deafen the ears of all involved in this battle, smokes completely envelopes the fort and gnoll body parts are covering the battlefield. After briefly falling back, the gnolls continue their attack and try to scale the fort walls with ladders and break down the front gates with a battering ram. "We're out of firebombs and we're running low on gunpowder sir!" one of your men says. "We've greatly decreased their numbers now, we can take the rest of them hand to hand, hell just start dropping the rest of the cannon balls on their heads when they try to come up!" The gnolls fail at scaling the walls, but their size and strength makes their attempts at breaking down the front gate a lot more successful. Dozens of them come pouring in and you're the first one to charge into battle. You aren't even paying much attention to the rest of your troops at this point, you're goal is to just kill as many as these gnolls as possible. You were covered in blood already, now you've just replaced one coat of blood for another. Eventually after lopping off the heads of several of these hyenas you see one their number arrive standing much larger than the rest. It's the leader. The biggest one is ALWAYS the leader with these types. After making that annoying laughing growl sound that they love to make the gnoll leader sees you and swings his huge morning star into the floor near your feet. When he lifts it up to strike again you attempt to close the gap and you duck just in time for it to miss your head. You bring the gnoll leader down with a chop to his shins. Like a great tree he falls to his knees and you chop his head off like you've done with so many of his other kin. One of the gnolls seeing their leader dead, and already taken considerable losses, the gnoll shouts something in his strange language and they begin to retreat. "We've won!" a soldier shouts. "No, not yet, we've still got gnolls at Blossumdale, not to mention not all of these fuckers are running away yet." While you are pretty certain the battle here is indeed finishing up, you aren't sure what the situation is at Blossumdale. Besides Blossumdale, part of you is specifically concerned about Dawn, you know you really shouldn't be as she's a very capable soldier, but the concern is still there. There is still mopping up to do around the fort, but you really should send reinforcements to Blossumdale, the question is whether or not you should lead them personally. > You lead the reinforcements personally The situation at Blossumdale needs to be looked after directly, the fort will be fine now. Besides saving the town, your concern for Dawn is great and you want to make sure she's okay. After dispatching the remaining gnolls in the fort, you order a platoon to accompany you to Blossumdale while the rest of the soldiers reinforce the fort. You rush as quickly as you can to Blossumdale. Call it bad luck, rash behavior, or the fate of the battle, but unfortunately you never make it. On your way to Blossumdale, gnolls that retreated from the fort are still very much lurking about on the fringes of the area. A group of them notices you, but you're in such a hurry you don't notice them in time. Several arrows fly out from their hiding spot and bring down several of your men. You try to look for somewhere to hide and take cover, but you're completely out in the open. A couple more arrows fly and they hit their mark, and one that flies into your neck is the last one you feel. As you lay dying, you can only hope that Dawn is alive and well, because you aren't due to your lapse in judgment.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, serious, villain protagonist, war] Year 45 "They'll probably attack at night sir." Dawn says to you. "Yeah, gnolls are predictable that way. Is Blossumdale under control? "Yes sir, we executed most of the rabble rousers, the rest have shut up complaining about food rationing and troops permanently stationed in the town now sir." "Good. Ooooooh I'm gonna hear it for that one." You groan. "I don't see why sir, you were merely keeping order and doing what needed to be done to help protect the kingdom." "Perhaps, but the top brass won't see it that way. There won't be any way to keep this one quiet. News is going to travel eventually, despite the fact that I'm already keeping a lot of stuff out of the reports as it is. Hell, I've been getting blamed for stirring up a so called hornet's nest with the gnolls since this war began." "That's not true sir, if you hadn't sent me into those hills all those years ago, we wouldn't have found out that they'd been planning a mass invasion for quite some time." "That may be the case, but it doesn't change the fact that they need to blame me for whatever reason." "Sir if they're so displeased with you, why have they not just replaced you?" "Good question. I imagine it's because the gnolls are a very real threat and that I am actually doing a good job at holding back the gnolls with what little resources I do have. Everyone is still so worried about the Eternal Dominion possibly invading that they're shoving all the troops along that border. Oh well, I guess I should be grateful they finally sent us some new cannons, though it took three years to get them. Okay lieutenant, that will be all, I suggest you prepare everyone because I get the feeling the gnolls' attack tonight is going to be a big one." Dawn nods and leaves your office. She's a good second; you couldn't have picked a better choice. You're actually proud of how all your soldiers have stepped up over the past few years. All they needed was a little more discipline and something to keep them focused like a relentless army of hyena men eager to rip them apart and feast on their bodies. Despite the fact that the top brass nearly hates you and you're on the eve of what is probably going to be a vicious battle. You feel good, like the best you've felt in years. You have a command, you have soldiers that are utterly dedicated and you have a ruthless enemy to fight. The excitement of battle is near and you can't wait to bask in the violence of it. This is what you were BORN for. As darkness falls, you stand on top of the battlements and see the gnolls arrive right on time. They might be fierce warriors, but their ongoing crap strategy of throwing as many troops at you as possible isn't working for them. You think orcs might've even been smarter than that, well at least Gruz would've been. There are an awful lot of them though this time, it appears that you were right, tonight's battle is going to be a big one. As the horde gets closer, you also see several flying creatures in the distance. Wyverns. The bastards actually managed to tame wyverns. Looks like they're a little brighter than you initially gave them credit for. You tell the cannon crews to fire upon the wyverns as soon as they get in range, all musket men on top of the fort as well. You stare down at the temporary wall you've built around the fort where some of your other troops are guarding and hope it'll hold up well. They'll eventually break it down, but hopefully not before heavy losses. You also hope the fortifications at Blossumdale will hold out. You couldn't spare as many troops there, but you're confident that Dawn will be able to handle the situation if the gnolls split up their attack. The battle starts off with the gnolls attempting a rain of arrows technique, fortunately you prepared for that by having everyone equipped with shields nearby. The Felkans as a general rule don't use them too much anymore due to their reliance on firearms, but your re-emphasis on close combat training made your request for a shipment of shields quite logical. The wyverns then dive in from above while the horde concentrates on below. A couple of your new cannons prove their worth by landing a nice cannon ball into the side of one their heads, even better when it crashes into the gnoll horde. Another cannon ball tears a hole in the wing of another causing it and it's rider to attempt a crash landing in the distance. Out of the remaining three wyverns, one veers away and heads to Blossumdale, while the other two focus on the fort. You order all your men to fire upon one of them which riddles it with gunshot wounds. Not enough to kill it however as lands on the fort and manages crush and bite some of the cannon crews. It's rider fires a bow taking out a musket man next to you, and that's when you make a running leap forward to stab the wyvern right in the neck. Blood gushes out and the beast flails about, causing the rider to fall off and over the fort walls to the ground below. You dodge the beast's attempt at biting you in two and make a long slash cut through one of it's wing so it can't fly away. It tries to smash you with it's tail, but you roll out of the way and finally land a killing blow by jumping on its back and running your sword through the top of it's head. The other wyvern has been faring better against the remaining men on the fort roof, though it's rider lies dead with a gunshot wound to his face. Since the beast is intent on hovering above rather than actually landing you have to make another running jump to grab on to one of its feet. The creature attempts to shake you off, but you manage to hang on long enough to stab upward several times into it's soft underbelly. The creature twists and roars in pain, this time managing to cause you to fall to the fort roof, you are then covered in gouts of wyvern blood and chunks of entrails. You order your remaining men to fire upon it as it desperately tries to fly away. The musket balls do their job and the beast falls to the war zone bellow, unfortunately crashing into one of the temporary walls you put up. Granted the dead beast's bulk is now acting a small block now, but the gnoll horde has a slightly easier access than it did before. You tell your men to start firing upon the horde, which is starting to surround the entire fort, while you rush down to the ground floor to help out the rest of your troops. You also notice that some of the horde is indeed breaking off into a separate group and moving past the fort towards Blossumdale. Ladders go up to scale the walls, and axes attempt to bring them down completely. Some of the gnolls have already gotten in. Won't be long before they completely overrun this first layer of defense. After hacking down several of them, you tell all your men to fall back to the front gates and inside the fort. You have everyone barricade the doors as best you can while telling several soldiers on top to start dropping firebombs on the gnolls from the roof. Several explosions deafen the ears of all involved in this battle, smokes completely envelopes the fort and gnoll body parts are covering the battlefield. After briefly falling back, the gnolls continue their attack and try to scale the fort walls with ladders and break down the front gates with a battering ram. "We're out of firebombs and we're running low on gunpowder sir!" one of your men says. "We've greatly decreased their numbers now, we can take the rest of them hand to hand, hell just start dropping the rest of the cannon balls on their heads when they try to come up!" The gnolls fail at scaling the walls, but their size and strength makes their attempts at breaking down the front gate a lot more successful. Dozens of them come pouring in and you're the first one to charge into battle. You aren't even paying much attention to the rest of your troops at this point, you're goal is to just kill as many as these gnolls as possible. You were covered in blood already, now you've just replaced one coat of blood for another. Eventually after lopping off the heads of several of these hyenas you see one their number arrive standing much larger than the rest. It's the leader. The biggest one is ALWAYS the leader with these types. After making that annoying laughing growl sound that they love to make the gnoll leader sees you and swings his huge morning star into the floor near your feet. When he lifts it up to strike again you attempt to close the gap and you duck just in time for it to miss your head. You bring the gnoll leader down with a chop to his shins. Like a great tree he falls to his knees and you chop his head off like you've done with so many of his other kin. One of the gnolls seeing their leader dead, and already taken considerable losses, the gnoll shouts something in his strange language and they begin to retreat. "We've won!" a soldier shouts. "No, not yet, we've still got gnolls at Blossumdale, not to mention not all of these fuckers are running away yet." While you are pretty certain the battle here is indeed finishing up, you aren't sure what the situation is at Blossumdale. Besides Blossumdale, part of you is specifically concerned about Dawn, you know you really shouldn't be as she's a very capable soldier, but the concern is still there. There is still mopping up to do around the fort, but you really should send reinforcements to Blossumdale, the question is whether or not you should lead them personally. > You stay behind and secure the fort You need to stay here and oversee the purging of this fort, and the surrounding area. You can't start running off half assed because you're a little worried about one soldier even if she is one of the best ones you've had under your command. (Not including your fellow Eternals of course) After slaying all the gnolls still in the fort, you regroup your soldiers and tell one of the sergeants to head over the Blossumdale with a couple platoons and help in whatever way they can. You tell the rest of your soldiers to start rebuilding the walls, clear out the dead bodies and to help you do a sweep of the area. Your sweep of the area is a tedious, but vital one. A lot of the gnolls retreated to various areas just enough to be out of sight, but were obviously still attempting to regroup again. Good thing you stayed behind to mop up all these little clusters so they didn't form a big one again. By the time you're satisfied with your results, the sun is coming up and you return to the fort more than a little tired. When you get back, you're happy to see Dawn there. "Sir, Blossumdale still stands sir, the rest of the soldiers are securing it and the area." "Glad to hear it, and glad to see you made it out in one peace. Was the fighting heavy?" "It was, but from the looks of it, the fighting was worse here. The only problem we had is with a wyvern." "Lucky you only had one. We had four of them and I had to kill two of them myself." "That's one more than me then, sir." You smile at her remark and after a brief discussion on what the next course of action will be, you get some rest. Over the next few months the gnoll attacks die down, but they don't stop completely. Most of your activities involve going further into the wilderness and taking out whatever villages or camps they have. In the meantime your superiors are telling you to stop your actions as the war has been won and now you're just using up valuable manpower and resources. You really aren't though; you've been doing just fine with the limited supplies that they see fit to give you. Somehow this situation seems very familiar... While your superiors do a lot of complaining, nothing actually happens to you. It would seem they're bitching at you just for the sake of bitching. The gnolls might not actually be able to invade properly anymore, but if you let them regroup again, they'll try it. Your goal is to purge them all, or at the very least drive them away so they don't try it ever again. Year 50 "This is bullshit sir, executing those protestors was the right thing to do!" "Calm down lieutenant." You say to Dawn. "No sir, this isn't right! They can't punish you just for doing your fucking job!" "Okay lieutenant I said calm down! Now listen, I need you on your best behavior, because they're going to question all of us. I saw this happen to my predecessor. (sigh) Who knows maybe I did go too far, I mean I haven't exactly been following Felkan policies, I've been sort of doing my own thing out here for the past ten years." "Yeah, but your actions are protecting the kingdom! How can that be wrong?" You look at Dawn and see that she's changed quite a bit since she stood here in this office several years ago hesitant to kill baby gnolls. She's practically like an Empire soldier now. Everyone in this fort is and that's what is no doubt getting you into trouble. Still, they shouldn't be blamed for what you just ordered them to do. "Well, maybe I was protecting the kingdom, but I still wasn't following the laws. And I certainly broke enough of them. Just don't worry; I'll do everything in my power to make sure nobody here gets blamed. I mean you were all just following orders." "Thank you sir, but I knew exactly what I was doing and if they put you against the wall in front of a firing squad for treason, then I want to be standing right next to you." "...that's a very...enthusiastic sentiment, but I don't think that will be necessary. I mean maybe this won't even be all that bad, they did at least warn me that they were coming. They didn't even do that with Eckers. Look lieutenant...Dawn, whatever happens don't go doing something foolish like trying to save me or sacrificing yourself or something. Just continue to serve the kingdom and try to follow the laws the best you can, okay?" Dawn is visible upset by all this. She turns her head for a moment while sniffling, then turns back to you and agrees. She then excuses herself to get ready for this investigation. Wasn't really until this moment that you see that you've have a very deep effect on her. You didn't expect to, as you treated her like any one else under your command, well maybe you did compliment her a little bit more, but that's only because she did more. Eventually the investigation group gets arrives. To your surprise it consists of only two people, General Benson, and that gnome you saw before during Captain Ecker's investigation, you certainly hope this turns out a lot better. All your troops stand at attention and you greet the general. After a brief exchange the well dress gnome parts company with the general who approaches you and just shakes his head. "I knew we made a bad decision." He says and motions you to your office. You sit down and the general sits down and he begins his questions right away. "Let's get right to it shall we? You are aware that you're serving the Felkan Kingdom aren't you?" "Yes sir." "Oh? You do? Well then, is there any particular reason why you're treating this area as if you still serving your long dead Empire?" "I'm not sure I follow you sir." "Don't play stupid with me, I've read the reports and followed all your actions for the past ten years! You've trained these soldiers to the point that they're fanatically loyal and dedicated, you started a war with the gnolls and didn't stop hostilities until you completely eliminated their species, during which time you executed several Felkan citizens in Blossumdale and now you've done it again! Tell me, is war, murder and genocide all they taught you in the Empire?" "Basically." "You might not want to be so flip with me, Eternal, your ass is just a step away from the gallows yourself." "Sir, with all due respect if I was such a problem for the past ten years, why not get rid of me before now?" "Ohhh, believe me, if I'd had any say in the matter you would've been." "Sir, everything I've done has been for the good of the Felkan Kingdom. I mean loyal and dedicated soldiers, since when is that a bad thing? Soldiers are supposed to follow orders of their superiors and government. That's sort of their whole purpose." "That's rather ironic coming from you who seems to blatantly ignores orders like not starting wars." "Sir, the gnolls were an ongoing problem even if they weren't planning an invasion. Isn't it better that they're all dead so that Felkan citizens don't have to worry about getting robbed and killed on the roads? Blossomdale probably wouldn't be standing if we hadn't stopped them." "Do you really want to bring up Blossumdale captain?" "Why the hell not? You're bringing everything else up." You say starting to get angry. "Watch your tone, and if you insist...I already know your half assed excuse for executing citizens during the war with the gnolls, but please explain to me why you did it again this time, just so I can try to understand your fucked Eternal logic." "Well it's rather simple, some of the citizens were protesting the new tax that the king imposed. They were in front of the town hall screaming at their mayor as if he was directly to blame. We stepped in to calm them down, they started getting more violent and began throwing rocks. We told them to stop, they didn't, so we opened fire on them. After rounding up the main rabble rousers who didn't get shot the first time, we executed them properly." "And that's it? That's your excuse for gunning down several citizens?" "If they hadn't done , what we told them not to do, they'd still be alive right now, sir." "And there it is again, they didn't do what you told them to do, so they got killed, but when it comes to you, you apparently do whatever the hell you want." "That's not true sir I was trying to stop a potential rebellion, you can ask the mayor and any of my soldiers about the situation and..." "I'm not asking them, I'm asking you! You wantonly executing protestors like that is more likely to cause a damn rebellion not stop one! Or... maybe that's what you really want Eternal? I mean that's what you're doing isn't it? You train the troops to be utterly loyal, not to the Kingdom but to YOU. You're starting wars, you're executing Felkans which is going to cause more harm than good. Maybe this is your way of getting revenge on us? Perhaps you're trying to start your own little Empire with you as the emperor this time?" You can't believe these accusations. Here you've been doing what you can for the Felkan Kingdom by fighting off hostiles and putting down dissidents and you're the one getting accused of treason. You just rub your hands over your face trying hard not to chuckle too much at the dark humor in all this. General Benson just stares at you disapprovingly as he usually does, but remains silent. It is at this point the well-dressed gnome walks in and nods at the general, he lights up some pipeweed and stands in the corner observing. It's at that moment you think back to Captain Ecker's accusations on the gnomes. Maybe he was right after all. Hardly matters at this point, because as far you're concerned everyone in charge here has been an asshole. "Sir, I chopped up a shitload of gnolls and executed dissidents in the service of this fucking kingdom and the whole time I've done it all I've gotten is bitching and general ungratefulness, yet I haven't complained. I didn't even complain when you fuckers never sent me supplies on time to help fight the gnoll invasion. I execute some worthless fucking peasants stirring up shit, and I'm the fucking bad guy some how. Sir, I don't need to re-create the Empire, because as fucked up as the government policies are here, I THOUGHT I WAS STILL SERVING THE FUCKING THING!" you shout. You slump back in your chair still fuming after your outburst, and that's when the gnome speaks up in between puffs of his pipe. "So, Eternal did you want to leave?" he asks. "What?" "I'm asking you, did you want to leave? If you can't find a place here, then perhaps it would be better if you left. In gratitude of all your service to the kingdom, this is a one time offer for you to leave free and clear. There will be no repercussions except that you can never return here." > You Leave You've tried to fit in here, but maybe it just isn't meant to be. The Felkan Kingdom hasn't given you the sense of purpose that you wanted except during the time you were fighting the gnolls and that's only because you created an environment that you felt comfortable in. This place operates in such a way that is at odds with how you do things and this "generous" offer that the gnome has given you is probably the best you're going to get, if you insist on staying. When you tell the gnome you're going to leave, General Benson is obviously pleased, though the gnome doesn't gloat. He simply nods and tells you that perhaps this is for the best. He assures you that nobody will be punished for any of the actions taken place her and that Lieutenant Young will take command of the fort. He also says he hopes you can find somewhere you belong. You pack up your stuff and attempt to make a silent exit, but that's doomed to failure. Most of your soldiers want you to stay and even want to join you, but you tell them all that the Felkan Kingdom needs them and that there duty is here. Dawn is the most upset, but she manages to keep it together As you put Fort Green and the Felkan Kingdom further behind you, you start to wonder what you're going to do now. Thinking back to what the gnome said, "Some place you belong" and you wonder if you do belong in the Eternal Dominion. From what you've heard Edgar's been getting more organized, he's even managed to conquer some of the old territories that the Empire lost. Perhaps he could use your help and maybe you could find your place there. Another part of you wonders if you shouldn't just leave this whole region. Travel to someplace far away and completely different. Maybe you need a brand new start. > You travel to the Eternal Dominion You're an Eternal and while you never cared much for the new generation of Eternals, it's probably the best chance you've got at feeling a sense of greater purpose. Eternal Dominion is in its own way sort of the successor to the Empire, so maybe with a little work, you can get things going to how you like them again. As you make your trek back east, you get the feeling that you're being followed, but when you reach the outskirts of the Eternal Dominion you no longer have that feeling. You travel through the southern portion of the Arat province and stop at a small village where you ask the local innkeeper where the nearest Eternal stronghold is. He tells you there's a new fort several miles away where there are some Eternals stationed, he also mentions that you shouldn't go messing around with them as they don't like anyone who isn't an Eternal to be wandering near there without reason. "Well guess they'll like me then." You say and leave. When you get to the fort you are predictably stopped and given the hard looks. You're not intimidated in the least and explain who you are. They seem a little skeptical at first, obviously they've heard of you, but since they never served directly under you, they aren't sure what you look like. One of them tells you to wait, while one of their fellows goes to ask someone inside. You stand around waiting, while the remaining guards continue to give you dirty looks. Eventually one of them comes back out. "Well? You confirmed who I was?" "Yeah, our captain said he served under you, during the rebellions in Quala. Watch your head." This strange remark causes you to instinctively look up just in time to see someone pointing a musket at you from the top of the fort. Then you hear a loud blast and the top of your head is blown off in an explosion of skull and gray matter. You continue to stand and stare up for a moment and with what's left of your brain you realize the bastard who just shot you was one those new eternals present when you killed private Felding. Your body then collapses in a heap, while the rest of the new eternals congratulate their captain on his shot.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, grimdark] You've tried to fit in here, but maybe it just isn't meant to be. The Felkan Kingdom hasn't given you the sense of purpose that you wanted except during the time you were fighting the gnolls and that's only because you created an environment that you felt comfortable in. This place operates in such a way that is at odds with how you do things and this "generous" offer that the gnome has given you is probably the best you're going to get, if you insist on staying. When you tell the gnome you're going to leave, General Benson is obviously pleased, though the gnome doesn't gloat. He simply nods and tells you that perhaps this is for the best. He assures you that nobody will be punished for any of the actions taken place her and that Lieutenant Young will take command of the fort. He also says he hopes you can find somewhere you belong. You pack up your stuff and attempt to make a silent exit, but that's doomed to failure. Most of your soldiers want you to stay and even want to join you, but you tell them all that the Felkan Kingdom needs them and that there duty is here. Dawn is the most upset, but she manages to keep it together As you put Fort Green and the Felkan Kingdom further behind you, you start to wonder what you're going to do now. Thinking back to what the gnome said, "Some place you belong" and you wonder if you do belong in the Eternal Dominion. From what you've heard Edgar's been getting more organized, he's even managed to conquer some of the old territories that the Empire lost. Perhaps he could use your help and maybe you could find your place there. Another part of you wonders if you shouldn't just leave this whole region. Travel to someplace far away and completely different. Maybe you need a brand new start. > Travel to a distant land You don't feel as if the Eternal Dominion is really the place for you. You couldn't stand the new generation of eternals and you doubt if you'll like the ones coming after them. You aren't even sure if Edgar would be all that friendly to you as it's a pretty fair bet that he knows you went to join the Felkan Kingdom. Who knows how he'd react and with an entire nation under his command the odds wouldn't be in your favor. So that only leaves one choice for you. Leaving these lands completely and finding your place elsewhere. It's a little daunting as you're wading into unknown waters as it were, but after all the things you've faced in your life you're ready for the next challenge. You travel further west putting the Felkan Kingdom far behind you. Over the course of the next three days you live off the land and basically just observe your surroundings. You haven't even been attacked, which you figured you would be by something the further you got from civilization. You have gotten the impression that you're being followed however... The next night you make camp as usual and go to sleep, or at least you pretend to. You "sleep" for a couple hours and then get up in the middle of the night to circle around whoever it is that's following you. Eventually behind a large rock in a small copse of trees you find your stalker. You had a feeling who it might be, but you weren't sure. "I really hope you aren't following me, why I think you're following me." You say to Dawn. She awakens slightly groggy, but still fully aware of her surroundings. "Damn, I thought I was being sneaky." Dawn remarks while slowly getting up. "You might've been had it been anyone other than me, so why are you following me?" "I'm not here to kill you, if that's what you think sir." "I didn't actually, though I sort of wish you were, might make this a whole lot easier." "You...you aren't going to kill me are you?!" Dawn says in alarm. "What? No! What I am going to do is send you back home. I'm sure you've been AWOL long enough." "I'm not going back home sir, I resigned my position shortly after you left." "You what? Dawn, why did you do that? You had a command position!" "I didn't want it sir, I don't want to serve the Felkan Kingdom, I want to be with you." "(Sigh) See this is the reason why I hoped you weren't following me." "Sir, I..." "Stop calling me sir! I'm not your commanding officer anymore! Look...I think I know why you're following me and I don't think it's a good idea." Dawn doesn't immediately comment and the both of you are silent for a moment, as the pair of you knows you're referring to feelings she has for you go beyond simple respect. And while you've been pretty closely guarded about the situation as well, it would be a lie to say you don't feel something for her as well. "Oh... and why is that exactly?" she slowly asks. "Because I don't know where the hell I'm going or know what the hell I'm going to do with myself now. All of what I was taught to believe in, is gone and there is no getting that back. I'm literally lost and I doubt if I'll ever settle down." "Well if I come with you, perhaps you'll be a little less lost with another set of eyes helping you." "Dawn. You have a country. A home. A life. You even have a command if you get back there quick enough. You have something to fight for, do you really want to give that up?" "If I don't have you, then yes. Maybe because of your upbringing, you hold such things in very high regard. Most people don't work that way, you know." "(Sigh) Yes I know, but what I'm saying is coming with me is unlikely to result in us settling down and living out our lives in some sort of wedded bliss with a house and kids." "And who says I want that? I will be happy just as long as I'm by your side. If that means forever wandering, then I'll be right there wandering next to you. My life before I met you, wasn't a great one as you probably know and I only joined the military as an escape from poverty. You believed in me enough to give me my very first command. You taught me that I was capable of more when I sometimes wasn't even sure myself. After all you've done for me it wouldn't be right for me to leave you when you're feeling something similar now." Even you can't help but be touched by that remark and you aren't exactly sure of how to respond. When Dawn approaches closer to you, and the pair of you look into each other's eyes, the response is certain and the pair of you kiss, finally taking those first steps towards your love for each other. The next morning after your passionate embrace, you and Dawn begin your journey together and leave the known region far behind. In the years that follow the pair of you wander, seeing new sights and getting into adventures. Several times you genuinely attempt to find a place where you feel comfortable, but it just never happens. While the pair of you never do settle down, your love continues to last. What ultimately happens to the both of you is lost to time.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war, fantasy, villain protagonist, grimdark] You need to stay here and oversee the purging of this fort, and the surrounding area. You can't start running off half assed because you're a little worried about one soldier even if she is one of the best ones you've had under your command. (Not including your fellow Eternals of course) After slaying all the gnolls still in the fort, you regroup your soldiers and tell one of the sergeants to head over the Blossumdale with a couple platoons and help in whatever way they can. You tell the rest of your soldiers to start rebuilding the walls, clear out the dead bodies and to help you do a sweep of the area. Your sweep of the area is a tedious, but vital one. A lot of the gnolls retreated to various areas just enough to be out of sight, but were obviously still attempting to regroup again. Good thing you stayed behind to mop up all these little clusters so they didn't form a big one again. By the time you're satisfied with your results, the sun is coming up and you return to the fort more than a little tired. When you get back, you're happy to see Dawn there. "Sir, Blossumdale still stands sir, the rest of the soldiers are securing it and the area." "Glad to hear it, and glad to see you made it out in one peace. Was the fighting heavy?" "It was, but from the looks of it, the fighting was worse here. The only problem we had is with a wyvern." "Lucky you only had one. We had four of them and I had to kill two of them myself." "That's one more than me then, sir." You smile at her remark and after a brief discussion on what the next course of action will be, you get some rest. Over the next few months the gnoll attacks die down, but they don't stop completely. Most of your activities involve going further into the wilderness and taking out whatever villages or camps they have. In the meantime your superiors are telling you to stop your actions as the war has been won and now you're just using up valuable manpower and resources. You really aren't though; you've been doing just fine with the limited supplies that they see fit to give you. Somehow this situation seems very familiar... While your superiors do a lot of complaining, nothing actually happens to you. It would seem they're bitching at you just for the sake of bitching. The gnolls might not actually be able to invade properly anymore, but if you let them regroup again, they'll try it. Your goal is to purge them all, or at the very least drive them away so they don't try it ever again. Year 50 "This is bullshit sir, executing those protestors was the right thing to do!" "Calm down lieutenant." You say to Dawn. "No sir, this isn't right! They can't punish you just for doing your fucking job!" "Okay lieutenant I said calm down! Now listen, I need you on your best behavior, because they're going to question all of us. I saw this happen to my predecessor. (sigh) Who knows maybe I did go too far, I mean I haven't exactly been following Felkan policies, I've been sort of doing my own thing out here for the past ten years." "Yeah, but your actions are protecting the kingdom! How can that be wrong?" You look at Dawn and see that she's changed quite a bit since she stood here in this office several years ago hesitant to kill baby gnolls. She's practically like an Empire soldier now. Everyone in this fort is and that's what is no doubt getting you into trouble. Still, they shouldn't be blamed for what you just ordered them to do. "Well, maybe I was protecting the kingdom, but I still wasn't following the laws. And I certainly broke enough of them. Just don't worry; I'll do everything in my power to make sure nobody here gets blamed. I mean you were all just following orders." "Thank you sir, but I knew exactly what I was doing and if they put you against the wall in front of a firing squad for treason, then I want to be standing right next to you." "...that's a very...enthusiastic sentiment, but I don't think that will be necessary. I mean maybe this won't even be all that bad, they did at least warn me that they were coming. They didn't even do that with Eckers. Look lieutenant...Dawn, whatever happens don't go doing something foolish like trying to save me or sacrificing yourself or something. Just continue to serve the kingdom and try to follow the laws the best you can, okay?" Dawn is visible upset by all this. She turns her head for a moment while sniffling, then turns back to you and agrees. She then excuses herself to get ready for this investigation. Wasn't really until this moment that you see that you've have a very deep effect on her. You didn't expect to, as you treated her like any one else under your command, well maybe you did compliment her a little bit more, but that's only because she did more. Eventually the investigation group gets arrives. To your surprise it consists of only two people, General Benson, and that gnome you saw before during Captain Ecker's investigation, you certainly hope this turns out a lot better. All your troops stand at attention and you greet the general. After a brief exchange the well dress gnome parts company with the general who approaches you and just shakes his head. "I knew we made a bad decision." He says and motions you to your office. You sit down and the general sits down and he begins his questions right away. "Let's get right to it shall we? You are aware that you're serving the Felkan Kingdom aren't you?" "Yes sir." "Oh? You do? Well then, is there any particular reason why you're treating this area as if you still serving your long dead Empire?" "I'm not sure I follow you sir." "Don't play stupid with me, I've read the reports and followed all your actions for the past ten years! You've trained these soldiers to the point that they're fanatically loyal and dedicated, you started a war with the gnolls and didn't stop hostilities until you completely eliminated their species, during which time you executed several Felkan citizens in Blossumdale and now you've done it again! Tell me, is war, murder and genocide all they taught you in the Empire?" "Basically." "You might not want to be so flip with me, Eternal, your ass is just a step away from the gallows yourself." "Sir, with all due respect if I was such a problem for the past ten years, why not get rid of me before now?" "Ohhh, believe me, if I'd had any say in the matter you would've been." "Sir, everything I've done has been for the good of the Felkan Kingdom. I mean loyal and dedicated soldiers, since when is that a bad thing? Soldiers are supposed to follow orders of their superiors and government. That's sort of their whole purpose." "That's rather ironic coming from you who seems to blatantly ignores orders like not starting wars." "Sir, the gnolls were an ongoing problem even if they weren't planning an invasion. Isn't it better that they're all dead so that Felkan citizens don't have to worry about getting robbed and killed on the roads? Blossomdale probably wouldn't be standing if we hadn't stopped them." "Do you really want to bring up Blossumdale captain?" "Why the hell not? You're bringing everything else up." You say starting to get angry. "Watch your tone, and if you insist...I already know your half assed excuse for executing citizens during the war with the gnolls, but please explain to me why you did it again this time, just so I can try to understand your fucked Eternal logic." "Well it's rather simple, some of the citizens were protesting the new tax that the king imposed. They were in front of the town hall screaming at their mayor as if he was directly to blame. We stepped in to calm them down, they started getting more violent and began throwing rocks. We told them to stop, they didn't, so we opened fire on them. After rounding up the main rabble rousers who didn't get shot the first time, we executed them properly." "And that's it? That's your excuse for gunning down several citizens?" "If they hadn't done , what we told them not to do, they'd still be alive right now, sir." "And there it is again, they didn't do what you told them to do, so they got killed, but when it comes to you, you apparently do whatever the hell you want." "That's not true sir I was trying to stop a potential rebellion, you can ask the mayor and any of my soldiers about the situation and..." "I'm not asking them, I'm asking you! You wantonly executing protestors like that is more likely to cause a damn rebellion not stop one! Or... maybe that's what you really want Eternal? I mean that's what you're doing isn't it? You train the troops to be utterly loyal, not to the Kingdom but to YOU. You're starting wars, you're executing Felkans which is going to cause more harm than good. Maybe this is your way of getting revenge on us? Perhaps you're trying to start your own little Empire with you as the emperor this time?" You can't believe these accusations. Here you've been doing what you can for the Felkan Kingdom by fighting off hostiles and putting down dissidents and you're the one getting accused of treason. You just rub your hands over your face trying hard not to chuckle too much at the dark humor in all this. General Benson just stares at you disapprovingly as he usually does, but remains silent. It is at this point the well-dressed gnome walks in and nods at the general, he lights up some pipeweed and stands in the corner observing. It's at that moment you think back to Captain Ecker's accusations on the gnomes. Maybe he was right after all. Hardly matters at this point, because as far you're concerned everyone in charge here has been an asshole. "Sir, I chopped up a shitload of gnolls and executed dissidents in the service of this fucking kingdom and the whole time I've done it all I've gotten is bitching and general ungratefulness, yet I haven't complained. I didn't even complain when you fuckers never sent me supplies on time to help fight the gnoll invasion. I execute some worthless fucking peasants stirring up shit, and I'm the fucking bad guy some how. Sir, I don't need to re-create the Empire, because as fucked up as the government policies are here, I THOUGHT I WAS STILL SERVING THE FUCKING THING!" you shout. You slump back in your chair still fuming after your outburst, and that's when the gnome speaks up in between puffs of his pipe. "So, Eternal did you want to leave?" he asks. "What?" "I'm asking you, did you want to leave? If you can't find a place here, then perhaps it would be better if you left. In gratitude of all your service to the kingdom, this is a one time offer for you to leave free and clear. There will be no repercussions except that you can never return here." > You continue to stay As tempting as it might be to leave, you did that once before and it hasn't turned out that great. Besides where would you go now? The only place that you know of that has any resemblance of civilization is the Eternal Dominion, and you're fairly certain you wouldn't be welcomed. Right now you're sort of wishing that you'd stuck around during the last days of the Empire instead of leaving. Perhaps you could've made more of a difference than you thought, or maybe you could've fit in better among the ranks of the Eternal Dominion. The general was probably correct on a few points. You have tried to make this place more "Empire like", but it's all you know. You can only change so much. You wonder how Warrick managed to adapt as well as he did in a much shorter period of time. The only other option is leaving this land far behind and living as a directionless wanderer hoping that you find something. You can't do that either. You've made your choice and you have to stick by it now for good or ill. "I want to stay. I pledged myself to this Kingdom and I meant it. So whatever punishment you feel is necessary, I'll accept, but I just ask that you don't punish anyone under my command. They're good soldiers and only did what they were told to do." The gnome asks the general to step outside and for you to stay put. You do so and wait in your office mostly staring at the various objects in it. Eventually the gnome returns, he pulls up a chair and sits across from you. "First things first, you're not going to be punished for and anything and your actions have been appreciated. Perhaps not by everyone in the kingdom, but in certain circles they are. Personally, I don't think you were intentionally trying to carve out your own piece of land, I truly believe you were doing what was best for the Felkan Kingdom. However, some are still concerned with your Empire past. I know you can't help what you were and in some cases still are, but there is always a slight fear there. Especially you being one those Eternals and all." "Warrick's an Eternal, he directly fought against the Felkan Kingdom and he seems be accepted." You point out. "Warrick, is a special case...(sigh) I probably shouldn't even be telling you this, but considering the cluster fuck this situation is becoming, I'm going to be just as honest as you have with me. Warrick didn't voluntarily join the kingdom, he was made that way." "Made? What do you mean? Mind control? Torture?" you say in shock at this revelation. "I doubt if any torture would cause anyone to switch their allegiances, at least not permanently and we don't engage in any sort of magic mumbo jumbo around here. No, Warrick was a dedicated foe against the Felkan Kingdom. We tried to get him and his partner for a long time, but never could catch them. Things got even worse when his partner was replaced by that Edgar fellow. By the gods, Edgar was a menace on the battlefield...anyway back to Warrick. Warrick as you probably know was mainly engaged in sabotage and similar tactics. Well, his luck just ran out one day ironically towards the last days of the war. Had a small explosive hit the side of his face by one of the many traps set up." "But he lived." "Yes, but he wouldn't have if our medics hadn't been nearby at the time. When he was found he was bleeding from his eye socket and didn't even know where he was or who he was. Soldiers probably would've probably killed him, but like I said, he was luckily found by a couple of gnome medics, they decided to...re-align him instead. Memories are an unpredictable thing, so attempting to practically reconstruct his entire past would've been a fool's errand, instead they just slowly over time convinced him that he had willingly joined the Felkan Kingdom due to his disillusionment of the Empire as he healed up. It worked a lot better than we thought, I can only guess that Warrick may have had some genuine disillusionment with the Empire." "But isn't that still risky? Couldn't he still remember what really happened one day?" "Doubt it, as I'm sure you're aware from talking with him, his memory when discussing anything before his injury is patchy. In any case we also keep an eye on him...you seem to be taking this well, I would've thought you might've been angry and trying to kill me by now." "Maybe at one time I would've been furious, perhaps a small part of me is, but I'm more baffled by the idea that you'd go through the trouble that you as opposed to the more efficient task of killing him." "Ahh yes, well that is one of the failings of my race I believe. A lot of us are non-violent at heart; ironic considering that we also develop some of the most destructive weapons in the known world. Peace through superior firepower I suppose." With the way the gnome is speaking, he's practically telling you how things are really run in the Felkan Kingdom. His very presence is proof of it. "So it's true? The gnomes do really run the kingdom?" you ask. "Heh, I wish that was the case, certainly we have a lot of influence, but nothing is ever certain. There are always complications." "So why are you telling me all this? Aren't you worried that I'll kill you and try to free Warrick from your brainwashing techniques or try to stir up anti-gnome rhetoric like Eckers or others?" "You could certainly try, but I doubt if you'd be very successful. The only thing you might be able to do is easily kill me and start a small rebellion with your company of Empire-like troops. You'd probably do a lot of damage, but you wouldn't topple the kingdom. Besides what I'm telling you, I'm telling you for a reason." The gnome stops smoking completely and leans forward as best he can with as short as he is. "There are changes coming Eternal, necessary changes to keep the Kingdom from falling and quite frankly I believe we NEED someone like you. The conspiracy theory that we gnomes run everything is only half true. The fact is, we're suffering from as much infighting as any other race does. Tell me Eternal, were you aware that a long time ago the gnomes used to live in the Empire as slaves? Hell we were responsible for most of the technological advancements that the Empire even had, like the aqueducts and such. Good thing we never discovered gunpowder during that time, we'd probably still be living under Empire boots." "Yes, I did study Empire history when I was little, it was required. Don't remember anything specific being said about your people though, just that you were slaves." "Heh, figures that they would play down our achievements. Truth is, while we were slaves we had comfortable positions. We were treated well and kept safe. Wasn't until we saw what the Empire did to our Halfling cousins that we made the decision to make a mass exodus. They were slaves too, but not treated as well, so naturally they wanted equal rights like any normal citizen. When they didn't get that, they pushed harder. When the Empire pushed back, it wasn't a pretty." "Yes, the Halfling uprising. I read about that." "Uprising? It was more like a slaughter. We tried to warn them against such actions, but they were too proud even though they had no chance. The Empire as you know wiped them all out. I believe it was the first time we saw the Empire practice genocide on such a scale. We couldn't fight the Empire, but we couldn't stay for fear of our own lives. After all what would've happened if the Empire decided that we were also getting too uppity one day? When we eventually arrived to these lands the Felkans didn't even have a kingdom yet, but when it started looking like they would get organized, we made the decision to ingrain ourselves into helping shape it. We would not become slave again, but living in a powerful nation could protect us if the Empire ever started expanding this way, and given the past few decades I'd say we were right." A fascinating little part of history you have to admit, but you still aren't sure what this all has to do with you. "So, exactly how do I fit in here?" "The Empire might be gone, but you and specifically the Eternal Dominion are its successors. And from what I can tell the ED looks like its every bit as ruthless as the Empire, perhaps even more so. Some of us are starting to believe the Felkan policies on aggression need to be altered. Due to our past with seeing first hand of what happened to the Halflings, our people are generally disgusted by the thought of slavery or total annihilation of any race. Hence all the policies against engaging in wars of conquest and aggression and the more relaxed political views...well at least until you came along." "Well I know why I act the way I do, but there were others who obviously don't agree with the policies long before I showed up." "And that's true too. Mostly humans though, I suppose humans just have a natural tendency towards conquest. That's why my circle believes we need to let go of our past a bit and start changing before the grumblings get worse. Perhaps a little nationalism is what the Felkan Kingdom needs to direct the hatred towards external threats rather than crumbling from within. And as bad as I feel saying this, what you did with the gnolls was very necessary." "Well if it eases your conscience I probably didn't strictly wipe out ALL the gnolls, I'm sure quite a few of them just ran far away." "Doesn't really matter, they're gone and no longer a threat. The fact is we're probably going to need more like you when we eventually go up against the ED, if only because of your experience, let alone your mindset. You're going to be transferred; in fact everyone here is going to be transferred to Fort Soot. You're going to be needed on the frontlines." "Isn't that where Warrick is stationed?" "Yes, but we've got another task for him, his sabotage and stealth skills can be used to help us as opposed to all those years he was working against us. Now there's some other stuff that needs to be done as well, but you really don't need to worry about it. All I need you to do is to prepare everyone along the Arat border for a possible invasion. The ED is getting more organized everyday and we can't afford to be caught off guard. You said you pledged yourself to defend this kingdom...I trust even after all of what you've learned here, that pledge is still true?" "I gave my word and you've revealed much about the real way things work around here. That's probably more than the Empire ever did. The Felkan Kingdom has my loyalty, but I must be allowed to do things my way when it comes to battle and war." "That...will be arranged. As I've said, other things need to be taken care of, but rest assured you will have support, just one thing, could you stop killing protesting peasants? I understand that's a hold over from your Empire training, but that's something you're really going to have to stop doing." "I will. My apologies." "It's alright, just no more of it in the future unless you're specifically given the order to do so. Anyway probably won't be a problem, not many villages along the Arat borders anymore since the last war. Okay, I believe that's it, oh by the way, my name is Klemto Zookwinkle and I'll most likely be in touch in the future." The gnome shakes your hand, straightens his hat and leaves the office, leaving you to take in all of the new information thrust upon you. Oddly the only thing you can immediately think is: "Klemto Zookwinkle? That's silly fucking name!" you laugh. > Year 55 Another clear night and you look out across the Arat border from the fort roof knowing that the ED could invade soon...though you've been waiting for about five years now. If anything you'd wish that they'd hurry up and do it or as you've often suggested to Klemto, that you strike at the ED first. He of course claims he's still trying to sway the royals to do such a thing, most importantly the king. Seems the gnomes are still playing tug of war with their puppet strings. You suggested that a few assassinations would do the trick, but Klemto was a little upset at you for that suggestion. In any case Klemto better hurry up and get this war started, because more anti-gnome groups are starting to pop up and it's getting harder to keep them quiet, especially since they aren't wrong about their accusations. As for you, you're a major now and you're not only in charge of Fort Soot, but the entire Gan province as far as military is concerned. You've been busying yourself with having the soldiers keep to their patrols and training. Instilling the same routines that you did at Fort Green. Your results have been more or less just as successful. Dawn is still your second, though she's a captain now and she's more of a concern to you than any potential war right now. You really should've transferred her to another fort, as she's certainly competent enough to run one and even during the gnoll war you suspected that she had feelings for you that were more than just a professional respect. The problem is, you had feelings for her too and by the time both of you admitted them to each other it unleashed itself in a night of passion. This wasn't like what happened between you and Alison at Fort Destiny though, you didn't separate love and sex from each other and now you're too attached to Dawn to have her transferred. It hasn't been an excessive problem in day-to-day operations, but to you it's a definite weakness on your part. You don't even know how the hell you can even feel love as you've never really experienced it before, but then you remember Brenda and Roldan and they did. They even worked together and married. Perhaps you're over thinking it. Speaking of Brenda, you've finally got information on what she's been up to thanks to Warrick's intelligence gathering missions. She's apparently still in charge of all of the Nalin province and the only other Eternal that has equal rank to Edgar. She joined the Eternal Dominion years ago when Edgar came to her in Nalin, but Warrick has told you that she isn't happy with the situation. Warrick has said that she is willing to give out Edgar's plans and troops movements. So far they've been updating their equipment and consolidating their territory still. She claims that Edgar has his sights on either re-conquering Rask or invading the Felkan Kingdom, but nothing is certain yet. The big thing is Edgar has actually managed to completely unite the new eternals under a doctrine that only they are fit to rule and new generations of eternals are still being trained. You have to say, you're a little impressed by his accomplishments. Edgar a despot, Warrick a brainwashed spy, Brenda a traitorous informant and you in charge of an army that was once an enemy. If someone told you when you were fresh out of Gruz's training school that this is how the four of you would end up, you never would've believed it. "Roldan, Gerald...Kane, I can only imagine what you're thinking as you watch us all from wherever you are." You say out loud, briefly thinking about the good old days when things were simpler. You stop with the nostalgia to return to your room to get some rest, where you find Dawn sleeping. You try not to wake her, but you're doomed to failure. She moves over to cuddle next to you. "Go back to sleep." You tell her. "Hey, if you're here, who's in charge of the fort?" she groggily asks. "Lieutenant Baker." "Him? Ugh, I better go on duty..." "Hey come back to bed. He's capable of handling it, besides, it's not like anything is going on." "I guess so. I just feel more comfortable with you or me in charge." "Yeah, well you've been working too hard anyway. You probably need more rest than anyone, so go back to sleep." "Mmmm, I'm up now, but if you'd like me to stay in bed, we could do something else..." Dawn says rubbing your chest and kissing the side of your face. Yeah, you've been over thinking the possible downsides of this relationship too much lately. You take Dawn up on her offer and have fun living for the moment rather than pondering the past or concerning yourself about future. The next morning you return to your duties as usual. For most of the day it looks like it's going to be another routine one, and that's when you get an unexpected visit from Klemto. When he arrives in your office, he has a slight frown in his face. "I'm suspecting bad news." You say. "Well, it's fifty fifty I suppose. Warrick has just given me news that Edgar is planning on attacking the Rask frontier. Not exactly sure how long it'll take him, before he sets his sights on us again though. There isn't really a government system in place there, it's more of a collection of isolated towns relying on mercs to keep monsters at bay from what I'm told." "Edgar and I were both stationed at Rask for many years. He's got the advantage of knowing the area and everything else, but he also has to know that the place tends towards lawlessness. He might be able to easily conquer towns, but the manpower involved in keeping them under control is a constant drain. Not to brag, but if it hadn't been for me keeping a tight leash on things there, the Empire would've never gotten control of it as well as they did. "Heh, well the ED has several eternals to keep a tight leash on it as you say." "And those eternals aren't me." "Well, you seem to be in proud mood today." "Just stating the facts." "I see, well in any case that brings me to the next bit of news. You may be getting a transfer soon." "Transfer? Why?" "Well the king and several others have always been uncomfortable with you in charge of the armies here on the frontlines as you probably know. It's only due to the threat of the potential invasion and my circle's influence that we managed to keep you in power here." "Are you fucking kidding me? After all their worrying about an invasion for years, you mean they're suddenly not anymore, because Edgar's attacking Rask? That's pretty fucking short sighted." You say. "No, the intention is to still keep up the defenses here and keep the same procedures you set in place of course, but just uh, replace you." "Right, because I could suddenly raise an army and try to overthrow the throne at any given time...fuck. I thought you were supposed to calm those fears!" "I tried! I really did! I mean I think I'm lucky we accomplished what we did! And I tried to fight for you on this too, but it's just too much now and they want you gone. It'll make everyone feel better." "Yes, everyone but me obviously." "Hey you've always claimed to be a soldier dedicated to the kingdom for good or bad. Isn't this one of those times where you stepping down quietly to make everyone feel better would be best for the kingdom, instead of causing a fuse and potentially causing more problems?" "So I accept this, and then what happens? Where am I getting transferred to? Some fort in the middle of nowhere again?" "Well, that's just it, you're kind of going to be transferred to the uh...private sector. Are you familiar the merchant's guild at the capital? Well, you'll be the new head of security there!" Klemto says trying to make it sound impressive. You can't believe this. "Are you telling me I'm not even going to be part of the damn army anymore? I'm just going to be a glorified guard?" "You'll be well paid and get a better place to stay than this dreary fort!" "You know I don't give a shit about all that, I'm a warrior! I want to fight!" "And that's still an option! I mean it's not like you'll be sitting around doing nothing. In fact with the guild could use a little extra protection since the rise in anti-gnomism going on lately." "Trust me, there's some of that going on here too, right now." Klempto seems like he wants to pat your arm reassure you, but decides better of it. "Look, I'm sorry about all this. It sucks I know, but the popular opinion is just not in our favor. That's why we want you at the guild; most of my faction of likeminded fellows are there. We think we could still remedy this later." "You'd think with all your influence and control of the economy you'd be able to do something about this now." "Yes, well it isn't as easy as you think." "Yeah, well it could be." You say. Klempto musters up all his courage and points a finger at you. "And I don't want to hear you talking like that anymore! I know what you're implying and the answer is no! Unlike you humans, we gnomes don't kill one another despite our disagreements! Now I suggest you prepare for your transfer, take care of all your affairs here and a carriage will come and get you in a few days. I suppose you'll want that Dawn girl to take over here, which will be acceptable. I managed to convince the opposition of that." "Gee, thanks for small favors." At this point Klemto just backs away from you and begins to leave, before he does though he speaks once more. "Y'know, you shouldn't really see this as a bad thing. I mean think about how old you are getting. You humans don't have that high of a life span. Shouldn't you want to start slowing down on the war and battle a bit and start concentrating on enjoying your approaching elderly years?" "If you're still trying to convince me you're failing miserably, because that's the biggest load of shit I've ever heard for several reasons that I'm not even going to get into. But I'll address the age thing briefly. Yeah I know I'm not twenty, but I fucking know I'm still a better warrior than any of the soldiers under my command, let alone an average Felkan soldier. And while you keep saying I'm human, I'm not. I'm a fucking Eternal. We're better than a normal human and when the ED invades they're going to SHOW you that they are mainly because they aren't afraid to do whatever it kill their enemies, unlike you lot." Sensing he better leave this time, Klemto quickly runs off out of your office, leaving you to ponder your situation. Just last night you were feeling good in the arms of Dawn, and now you got a bunch of shit shoved at you that you're supposed to just sit and eat it. It's enough for you to attack the Eternal Dominion anyway > You follow orders As much as you don't like it, if even a third of what Klemto said is true, if you went ahead and did your own thing again, you could very well destabilize the kingdom even more, possibly even a civil war. You aren't looking to become like Kane, and if it means you have to step down to preserve the kingdom, then that's what you'll do. It just frustrates you that after all you've done, you still aren't trusted, but perhaps it will always be this way. If anything its perhaps something of a phenomenon that they accepted you in the first place, though if Warrick is anything to go by, it's only to exploit you. Resigned to your orders, you make preparations to pass your command to Dawn. She doesn't like the news any better than you do, in fact she suggests that you should attack the Eternal Dominion anyway, but you explain the repercussions of such actions. "But you did that with the gnolls and that worked out!" "Yeah, and that was a different situation. Don't have the luxury of doing whatever anymore even if I do think it would be in the kingdom's best interest. Listen, you're going to be in charge here, so I don't want you doing anything rash either. No point in you getting into trouble, you understand?" "Yes, but I still don't like this. And I don't think this is a good idea." "Neither do I, but we have our orders." "Well maybe you like your orders, but I still don't. If you're not going to be commander here, then I don't want to serve here anymore either." "What?! You can't just throw away your career like that because of me! Besides without me here, this place is going to need a good leader." "I don't care about all that. I care about you, and if the kingdom isn't seeing fit to give you the respect you deserve then it doesn't deserve me as a leader. Besides if all is so great as they claim then they won't need me there." "I really think you should think this through. Besides what are you going to do, if not this?" "I'm pretty sure with my vast skill set, I'll find something, I'll also probably move to the capital and get married." "Married?" you say not grasping her insinuation immediately, then when she touches your hand, you get it. A lot of upcoming changes has been dumped on you this day, you just hope you can adapt to all of them. Year 58 The Eternal Dominion gains ground every day, yet the people here in the capital act like everything is going well. If you'd attacked like you wanted to, the Felkan Kingdom wouldn't have gotten caught off guard like it did. Warrick and whatever other spies the Felkan Kingdom had on the field were all fed bad intel, and while the soldiers in the Gan province fought well, the commander who was put in charge of the province was an idiot that allowed most of it get overrun. Even if shitty intel, you're damn sure that you would've at least prevented that from happening. Dawn would've too. You regret not ignoring orders and going through with your plan. Dawn isn't as hard on herself, but she does sometimes wonders if she should've stayed on as commander of the Gan armies. But it's too late for any of that now. The pair of you just go about your less exciting lives. She a combat instructor at an academy and you still head of security for the merchant's guild. In the beginning your job was slightly more engaging, with all the anti-gnome stuff going on. You even prevented a nutjob from blowing up the guild once. Nowadays the anti-gnome sentiment has more or less disappeared. It's sort of hard to be angry at the little guys who are continuing to make weapons that blow up an enemy that's bashing the door down. As a result you're mostly attempting to figure out the best guards for the various caravans that get sent out. Sometimes you go out on these as well just to break up the monotony. Predictably they're always supply caravans to the frontlines so you can get the latest and best information on what's going on, because the gods know that they never claim anything bad is going on in the capital. Here, closer to the fighting is where you feel a little more comfortable. You really miss it. While your current married life with Dawn is good, and you have no major worries, you still feel the call of war, but you are unable to participate. It's a very frustrating situation that you never get used to and you never will. It's just not in your nature. One day on one of your supply runs, you travel to a town called Yevdin which is in desperate need of almost everything as it is being held by only a few soldiers. Most of the civilians have evacuated save for a few of the stubborn ones unwilling to run. You respect that. It's of some surprise that you meet Warrick there; he's equally surprised to see you as well. While you wait for the supplies to be unloaded, you go over and speak to him. "What're you doing here?" Warrick asks. "Staving off the boredom of my current assignment, and you?" "Waiting for my impending death." "Well at least your punishment will be over soon...I thought you were a captain. Why are you a sergeant now?" "Got busted down for being wrong on the intelligence reports, all those years ago. I guess I should be lucky I didn't get executed for gross incompetence. I really fucked up on that one." "Oh, I'd say you're in good company as far as that's concerned, so don't be too hard on yourself. Besides even if you'd done your mission right, you might've just gotten drummed out of the military altogether." You say. After a brief discussion with Warrick, you learn that this town is facing an imminent large-scale invasion. Not that the town is really important, but it happens to be in the way of another important target, so it's going to be overrun on the way. These supplies aren't so much as to ensure the soldiers' survival, but rather their survival long enough to make it a costly victory for the Eternal Dominion. Warrick doesn't appear to be concerned though. "So, I never did get the whole story, why'd you get removed?" Warrick asks "Long story, but let's just say I think the ones running things like things the way they are right now." "Surely you're joking. Why would anyone in the Felkan Kingdom want this situation?" You could tell Warrick all about the things you've overheard, things you've suspected and things you've outright seen just by being closer to the gnomes in the merchant's guild. But it wouldn't make any difference. Warrick's been on a string for a long time now and despite his own situation, he seems in a very positive mood. Perhaps ignorance is bliss, or perhaps its because he's still fighting and doing what he always was meant to do. The same thing you were meant to do. "Come on, we've delivered the stuff, let's get the hell outta here!" the gnome merchant shouts to you. "You go on ahead with the rest of the guards. I'm staying here." You say. "What?! Are you crazy? This place is about to be destroyed!" "Yeah I know. Tell my wife I really tried, but that this is what I was meant to do." The gnome doesn't try to talk you out of your plan, he just shakes his head and gets in the carriage ordering the rest of the guards to ride off as quick as possible. Warrick says nothing about your decision either. Even though the pair of you haven't really been in close contact since you both served together in Nalin, he knows why you made your decision. The next few days aren't filled with impending doom, but rather one of contentment. In between keeping a look out, and checking your defenses you and Warrick do a lot of catching up on the past, though the pair of you mostly stick to the happier memories of when you both were in the Empire. The other soldiers listen in on your stories. They don't quite get all of them, but seeing the good spirits of their leader, seems to put them in a slightly better mood as well. And that's good, their last moments should be as unpleasant as possible, there will be plenty of time for that when the Eternal Dominion arrives. Eventually the Eternal Dominion arrives with an impressively large force. The small part of you that believed you'd make this out alive shortly disappears, but this doesn't make you second-guess yourself. You're still comfortable in your decision and this is certainly preferable to what you've been doing for the past three years. "Sir, it's been an honor to serve with you." Warrick suddenly says to you, even giving you the old Empire salute. "The honor is both of ours." You say. "For the Empire, sir." "For the Empire, Warrick." You reply. The first volley of cannon shots strike the front ranks of the Eternal Dominion troops and the battle is joined... "Prime Eternal, the town of Yevdin was taken, but we suffered massive casualties, we need reinforcements before we can take Fort Everlast." A messenger says. "What?! You idiots! You see what we're working with here Brenda? I expect this sort of incompetence from our human soldiers, but that army had a good portion of Eternals in it! Bah! These new ones for all their extra abilities, they still lack that spark that we have!" Edgar cursed. "Why did we suffer so many losses at Yevdin? Do the Felkans have a new weapon?" Brenda asks. "Reports indicate no new weapon, but there were a group of soldiers that seemed to be incredibly determined. Even when the town was taken, a few of them had taken to an underground shelter beneath the town and skirmished with the force for five more days." "We should be so lucky to have Eternals such dedication." Edgar mutters. "Any description of these enemy soldiers?" Brenda asks. The messenger reports that there was nothing out of the ordinary about any of the soldiers and doesn't have a description since he didn't know that it was important. He says he knows the leader had an eye patch which clues Edgar and Brenda that that was Warrick. He also mentions one other that wasn't in a soldier uniform, but was the last to be killed. Edgar and Brenda briefly wonder a bit, and then nod to each other before dismissing the messenger. "It was stupid of the Felkans to remove him from command in the first place, but I guess even they couldn't keep him off the battlefield forever." Brenda says. "No, and that was that spark I was referring to earlier. Just think if the pair of them had stayed here instead? Think of all the things we could've accomplished! Such a waste. Well it's over now and with those two out of the way, I think our plan is going to be a lot easier." "True, but I still wish things had been different." "So do I Brenda, so do I."

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war, fantasy] Year 55 Another clear night and you look out across the Arat border from the fort roof knowing that the ED could invade soon...though you've been waiting for about five years now. If anything you'd wish that they'd hurry up and do it or as you've often suggested to Klemto, that you strike at the ED first. He of course claims he's still trying to sway the royals to do such a thing, most importantly the king. Seems the gnomes are still playing tug of war with their puppet strings. You suggested that a few assassinations would do the trick, but Klemto was a little upset at you for that suggestion. In any case Klemto better hurry up and get this war started, because more anti-gnome groups are starting to pop up and it's getting harder to keep them quiet, especially since they aren't wrong about their accusations. As for you, you're a major now and you're not only in charge of Fort Soot, but the entire Gan province as far as military is concerned. You've been busying yourself with having the soldiers keep to their patrols and training. Instilling the same routines that you did at Fort Green. Your results have been more or less just as successful. Dawn is still your second, though she's a captain now and she's more of a concern to you than any potential war right now. You really should've transferred her to another fort, as she's certainly competent enough to run one and even during the gnoll war you suspected that she had feelings for you that were more than just a professional respect. The problem is, you had feelings for her too and by the time both of you admitted them to each other it unleashed itself in a night of passion. This wasn't like what happened between you and Alison at Fort Destiny though, you didn't separate love and sex from each other and now you're too attached to Dawn to have her transferred. It hasn't been an excessive problem in day-to-day operations, but to you it's a definite weakness on your part. You don't even know how the hell you can even feel love as you've never really experienced it before, but then you remember Brenda and Roldan and they did. They even worked together and married. Perhaps you're over thinking it. Speaking of Brenda, you've finally got information on what she's been up to thanks to Warrick's intelligence gathering missions. She's apparently still in charge of all of the Nalin province and the only other Eternal that has equal rank to Edgar. She joined the Eternal Dominion years ago when Edgar came to her in Nalin, but Warrick has told you that she isn't happy with the situation. Warrick has said that she is willing to give out Edgar's plans and troops movements. So far they've been updating their equipment and consolidating their territory still. She claims that Edgar has his sights on either re-conquering Rask or invading the Felkan Kingdom, but nothing is certain yet. The big thing is Edgar has actually managed to completely unite the new eternals under a doctrine that only they are fit to rule and new generations of eternals are still being trained. You have to say, you're a little impressed by his accomplishments. Edgar a despot, Warrick a brainwashed spy, Brenda a traitorous informant and you in charge of an army that was once an enemy. If someone told you when you were fresh out of Gruz's training school that this is how the four of you would end up, you never would've believed it. "Roldan, Gerald...Kane, I can only imagine what you're thinking as you watch us all from wherever you are." You say out loud, briefly thinking about the good old days when things were simpler. You stop with the nostalgia to return to your room to get some rest, where you find Dawn sleeping. You try not to wake her, but you're doomed to failure. She moves over to cuddle next to you. "Go back to sleep." You tell her. "Hey, if you're here, who's in charge of the fort?" she groggily asks. "Lieutenant Baker." "Him? Ugh, I better go on duty..." "Hey come back to bed. He's capable of handling it, besides, it's not like anything is going on." "I guess so. I just feel more comfortable with you or me in charge." "Yeah, well you've been working too hard anyway. You probably need more rest than anyone, so go back to sleep." "Mmmm, I'm up now, but if you'd like me to stay in bed, we could do something else..." Dawn says rubbing your chest and kissing the side of your face. Yeah, you've been over thinking the possible downsides of this relationship too much lately. You take Dawn up on her offer and have fun living for the moment rather than pondering the past or concerning yourself about future. The next morning you return to your duties as usual. For most of the day it looks like it's going to be another routine one, and that's when you get an unexpected visit from Klemto. When he arrives in your office, he has a slight frown in his face. "I'm suspecting bad news." You say. "Well, it's fifty fifty I suppose. Warrick has just given me news that Edgar is planning on attacking the Rask frontier. Not exactly sure how long it'll take him, before he sets his sights on us again though. There isn't really a government system in place there, it's more of a collection of isolated towns relying on mercs to keep monsters at bay from what I'm told." "Edgar and I were both stationed at Rask for many years. He's got the advantage of knowing the area and everything else, but he also has to know that the place tends towards lawlessness. He might be able to easily conquer towns, but the manpower involved in keeping them under control is a constant drain. Not to brag, but if it hadn't been for me keeping a tight leash on things there, the Empire would've never gotten control of it as well as they did. "Heh, well the ED has several eternals to keep a tight leash on it as you say." "And those eternals aren't me." "Well, you seem to be in proud mood today." "Just stating the facts." "I see, well in any case that brings me to the next bit of news. You may be getting a transfer soon." "Transfer? Why?" "Well the king and several others have always been uncomfortable with you in charge of the armies here on the frontlines as you probably know. It's only due to the threat of the potential invasion and my circle's influence that we managed to keep you in power here." "Are you fucking kidding me? After all their worrying about an invasion for years, you mean they're suddenly not anymore, because Edgar's attacking Rask? That's pretty fucking short sighted." You say. "No, the intention is to still keep up the defenses here and keep the same procedures you set in place of course, but just uh, replace you." "Right, because I could suddenly raise an army and try to overthrow the throne at any given time...fuck. I thought you were supposed to calm those fears!" "I tried! I really did! I mean I think I'm lucky we accomplished what we did! And I tried to fight for you on this too, but it's just too much now and they want you gone. It'll make everyone feel better." "Yes, everyone but me obviously." "Hey you've always claimed to be a soldier dedicated to the kingdom for good or bad. Isn't this one of those times where you stepping down quietly to make everyone feel better would be best for the kingdom, instead of causing a fuse and potentially causing more problems?" "So I accept this, and then what happens? Where am I getting transferred to? Some fort in the middle of nowhere again?" "Well, that's just it, you're kind of going to be transferred to the uh...private sector. Are you familiar the merchant's guild at the capital? Well, you'll be the new head of security there!" Klemto says trying to make it sound impressive. You can't believe this. "Are you telling me I'm not even going to be part of the damn army anymore? I'm just going to be a glorified guard?" "You'll be well paid and get a better place to stay than this dreary fort!" "You know I don't give a shit about all that, I'm a warrior! I want to fight!" "And that's still an option! I mean it's not like you'll be sitting around doing nothing. In fact with the guild could use a little extra protection since the rise in anti-gnomism going on lately." "Trust me, there's some of that going on here too, right now." Klempto seems like he wants to pat your arm reassure you, but decides better of it. "Look, I'm sorry about all this. It sucks I know, but the popular opinion is just not in our favor. That's why we want you at the guild; most of my faction of likeminded fellows are there. We think we could still remedy this later." "You'd think with all your influence and control of the economy you'd be able to do something about this now." "Yes, well it isn't as easy as you think." "Yeah, well it could be." You say. Klempto musters up all his courage and points a finger at you. "And I don't want to hear you talking like that anymore! I know what you're implying and the answer is no! Unlike you humans, we gnomes don't kill one another despite our disagreements! Now I suggest you prepare for your transfer, take care of all your affairs here and a carriage will come and get you in a few days. I suppose you'll want that Dawn girl to take over here, which will be acceptable. I managed to convince the opposition of that." "Gee, thanks for small favors." At this point Klemto just backs away from you and begins to leave, before he does though he speaks once more. "Y'know, you shouldn't really see this as a bad thing. I mean think about how old you are getting. You humans don't have that high of a life span. Shouldn't you want to start slowing down on the war and battle a bit and start concentrating on enjoying your approaching elderly years?" "If you're still trying to convince me you're failing miserably, because that's the biggest load of shit I've ever heard for several reasons that I'm not even going to get into. But I'll address the age thing briefly. Yeah I know I'm not twenty, but I fucking know I'm still a better warrior than any of the soldiers under my command, let alone an average Felkan soldier. And while you keep saying I'm human, I'm not. I'm a fucking Eternal. We're better than a normal human and when the ED invades they're going to SHOW you that they are mainly because they aren't afraid to do whatever it kill their enemies, unlike you lot." Sensing he better leave this time, Klemto quickly runs off out of your office, leaving you to ponder your situation. Just last night you were feeling good in the arms of Dawn, and now you got a bunch of shit shoved at you that you're supposed to just sit and eat it. It's enough for you to attack the Eternal Dominion anyway > You disobey orders You wouldn't have gotten promoted if you hadn't reported Captain Eckers, and you wouldn't have gotten this command if you hadn't took it upon yourself to launch an attack on the gnolls. The fact is, throughout most of your life, you've followed orders, but it's only when you've taken matters into your own hands on important decisions that you've gotten anywhere. Why should this time be any different? For one thing, just because there are reports that the ED aren't planning an invasion any time soon, doesn't mean that's true. Not that you doubt Warrick's skills as a spy, but there's always a possibility that false information is being leaked intentionally and that someone is on to him. Hell, maybe its even Brenda pretending to be on his side, you don't know. The other thing is even if the info is true it's not like they couldn't still invade during or after their invasion of Rask. And it would be better to catch THEM off guard instead of the other way around, because you're pretty sure they aren't expecting the Felkan Kingdom to attack first. You're most likely going to get into a shitload of trouble for all this, but when you get this war started, the ED isn't going to listen to diplomacy, when they get attacked; they're not going to stop. When that happens the kingdom isn't going to have any choice but to help you. Or it could just backfire horribly. It's all a gamble, but one you're willing to risk, because you're damned if you're going to grow old and just become a guard for fat gnome merchants after all you've done and sacrificed. And if you die in battle, then it'll be a death you've been destined for since birth. You find Dawn and tell her that you want orders put out to all the forts in the province. A full offensive across the Arat border and into ED territory is to be launched. "So the ED is invading soon?" Dawn asks. "No, but after we destroy a couple of their forts and towns they will be. Have the message sent out that all forces are to converge on that ED town about twenty miles past the border, Bucklesberg. I'll meet the rest of the battalion commanders there and plan the next attack after the place has been razed to the ground." "Wait, you're going?" "Yes, I'm leading this attack personally. I'm not some helpless old man you know!" "I didn't say...wait, this plan isn't official is it? What did that gnome tell you?" "A bunch of shit as usual. Now I'm going to need you here to keep things orderly on this side of the border. It might get ugly, but I know you can handle it. Just remember, we're doing this for the good of the kingdom, even if its leaders are too stupid to see it." Dawn looks a little concerned and it reminds you of when you first asked her to completely wipe out a gnoll village, but then she proves herself, as you knew she would. "It will be done, my love." She says and leaves to send out the messengers. You order all troops in the fort to ready themselves for battle save for a skeleton crew to protect the fort. When they're completely ready, you ride your horse up and down the line of them and are glad to see the dedication they are displaying. You can see that they have no need for any sort of long-winded motivating speech; they've been anticipating this moment for years, just as you have. "For the kingdom!" you shout which is followed by a loud cheer from your soldiers, then your army begins its march to war. When you get within a mile of Bucklesburg, a scout reports that the town isn't completely undefended. In fact there is a larger than normal group of soldiers there along with Eternals. There may even be a mage there. "Hmm, it might appear that Edgar might've been amassing troops to prepare for an invasion after all, either that or he's just distrustful. Doesn't matter, we're killing everything there anyway." The battle of Bucklesburg is a massacre. The ED puts up as good a fight as they could have, but ultimately they're overrun and outnumbered. The town is completely burned to the ground and the only survivors are the few villagers that had sense to run when you were seen coming in the distance. This is just the first step of the plan. When the rest of your soldiers arrive from the other forts you march again. By day nine, you've taken one the Eternal Dominion's forts. It's very damaged from the fighting, but you figure it will serve as a temporary base of operations while you plan your next attacks. After this battle you've also confirmed from various documents that you've found in the commander's office that Edgar WAS planning to invade the kingdom, meaning you were right to attack. On day sixteen you get a message from Dawn, stating that the entire Gan province has been declared "under hostile control" and that all fort commanders are to relinquish their control to the kingdom immediately. Naturally this hasn't happened, but the rest of the kingdom's soldiers are supposedly being prepared to take back the province by force, however there is a lot of civil unrest going on as well due to some of the public opinion openly agreeing with conquest. She says that it's part of the anti-gnome movement that claims they've been keeping the kingdom weak on purpose. She also says she is doing everything in her power to keep control of the Gan province and sends her love. On day twenty-two you get a visitor to Fort Ruin (as you've renamed it). "Hello Klemto, I hope your journey here wasn't too dangerous, we've been trying to keep the road to the kingdom somewhat safe." You say. "Eternal, we've got a lot to talk about." "Yes, I suspect we do. So here, this'll save time." You say and throw a journal at Klemto who catches it. "What's this?" "It's the ex-captain of this fort journal. Makes mention of all the plans for the invasion on the kingdom, as well as a few amusing sexual desires. Second generation eternals certainly are a twisted bunch even when brought under control." "At least they can be brought under control, which is more than can be said for you." "I don't understand, I'm did this for the kingdom and the proof is right there that I'm right! Don't believe me? I've got more official documents I can give you." "It doesn't matter if you're right! It never fucking mattered! What you were supposed to do is obey orders! You pushed a boundary that's too far this time I can't fix this! Not now!" "I question if you ever could in the first place. I'm sure you only kept me around as long as it served your purpose. Build up the pitiful defenses along the Felkan borders and then just get shuffled off to defend your fat merchants because they're getting death threats from bigots that actually have a point whether they even know it or not. Face it, YOU fuckers helped create the Felkan government and you share part of the problems with it. Me? I'm just serving it. I told you before, I pledged myself to the kingdom, but my only stipulation was that I do things my way and that I not be held back in doing it. You got in my way and I had no choice, but to defy you. You can't give a sword to me, and tell me not to kill the enemy with it. That's what a fucking sword is for." Klemto, rubs a hand over his face and sits down in silence. His face has a slightly gaunt appearance than you last remember it. Every time you've seen him he's always been dressed very nice, but even his expensive clothing is a bit disheveled, even a small tear in his jacket. He takes a deep breath and speaks. "Major, you really don't know what's going on back home do you?" "Dawn sent me a letter recently about a week ago about some of what's going on. I hear the Gan province has been declared hostile and the rest of the kingdom army is planning to retake it." "Yes, and even that is being put on hold, you know why? Because somebody blew up the merchant's guild two days ago! The day before? A duke was executed for conspiracy to kill the fucking king! At this point the Eternal Dominion doesn't need to invade us, the Felkan Kingdom will be in ruins by the time their armies even arrive! You haven't saved the kingdom, you've destroyed it!" he shouts with his eyes beginning to water and nearly hyperventilating the whole time. You have to say, you've never seen him ever this upset. You quickly get some water from a nearby pitcher and pour him a glass. "I don't know what we're going to do...I don't know what we're going to do..." he says in between drinks. "Look calm down Klemto, maybe it isn't as bad as you think." You tell him. "Bad? It's fucking tragic! With the destruction of the merchant's guild, the economy is going to go down the fucking privy hole, the king is an ineffectual idiot that'll probably be successfully assassinated in a couple months, we're suffering from civil revolts, we got a rogue province and on top of everything we're at war with the Eternal Dominion!" Sounds pretty familiar. "Well, maybe it is as bad as you say. The question is what are YOU going to do about it?" you ask. "Do? What can I do? I'm just one gnome! I'm hated in general by most non-gnomes and even most of my own people since they personally blame me, for having a hand in allowing you to be in charge of all the military in Gan. Even most of my friends that agreed with me were all killed in the bombing! I have nobody to help me fix this!" "You're wrong there, you've got me. Look, take all these documents concerning the invasion plans, and do your best in convincing everyone and anyone important that this first strike was very necessary. If you're telling me that the king already is in danger of being assassinated...well maybe it'll be best to let that happen and place someone who is more likely to support the cause. I have to imagine that there's some power hungry royal ready to step up to the task." "Assassinate the king, this is what it's come to? I don't know maybe you're even right, it's just I really hoped it wouldn't come to that. We gnomes have been puppet masters, but we've never engaged in assassination tactics before." "Well, I think you're going to have to forget your previous tactics if you want the kingdom to survive regardless of who is actually on the throne. It's either that or cut your losses and leave like I did with the Empire. I caution you though, if you truly believe in the kingdom and love it like I think you do, you might later regret that decision." Klemto calms down a bit and looks at you to see that you speak from experience with that last remark. And it is true; there is a part of you that misses the Empire for all its faults. You're making the best of things and you even manage to be content most of the time, but there is always something "missing" and you can't get it back. "Okay, Eternal. Okay. Hand me all the documents that you mentioned, and I'll get started on a plan. (Sigh) I just hope you can hold back the full wrath of the Eternal Dominion all by yourself." "Don't you worry about that, I brought this problem on, so I'll be the one to take care of it. Just try to keep the rest of the Felkan army off of my back, even if they aren't going to help." Klemto leaves with the documents and you return to your duties. You can't be sure what's going to become of the kingdom, but one thing is certain, you aren't going to abandon your duty like last time. > Year 58 Your soldiers stand ready at camp as a single enemy approaches you. He shows no fear and has a look of determination and blazing fury in his eyes. He might even be able to cut down everyone in his path just to get to you, but that won't be necessary, as you have ordered everyone to stand down. This is between you and him. He's an Eternal, a true one that you once served with, if either of you are to die today, it should at the hands of the other. No others are worthy. He's stood in opposition to you for a few years now and now that his side has finally lost completely, his side has resorted to acts of desperation to continue a long lost battle. This is just another example of that desperation. The pair of you look at each other and say nothing. It wouldn't do any good anyway, neither of you is going listen. You both believed in the same thing once, but not anymore. In his eyes you ruined all that. The two of you clash swords. You remember when you saw him after a long stretch of distance from each other; you felt a sense of relief. There you were in a hostile environment not exactly knowing what would come next and you saw a friendly face that was more than willing to help out. You land a kick to his stomach and smash his face with the pommel of your sword, destroying several of his teeth. He staggers back mouth filled with blood, but manages to block your next attack. After that last time you saw him you were soon separated again. Oh sure, you heard about him, and he probably heard about your deeds as well, but you haven't actually seen each other until this moment. No matter who wins, it's going to be the last time. You feel the deep cut of the sword sinking into your shoulder. Fighting through the pain, you manage to keep a firm grip of your sword and swing it into his side. You both hear a crack signaling that not only have you opened up a severe wound, but also broken a rib or two. He reels back from you as his side now drips red with gore. He's unsteady and breathing hard, but he's not going to stop. He's got nothing left to lose. If you were in his shoes, you wouldn't stop either. The funny thing about this is you always thought you'd be having this battle with Edgar, not Warrick. A slash at your leg brings you down to one knee, but Warrick isn't able to capitalize on bringing his sword down on your head, since you slash upward into his groin. He screams out, dropping his weapon and you painfully lift yourself up on your one good leg and land your own strike across his head. The sickening sound of skull meeting metal is heard and he falls to the ground with blood and brains leaking out the side. He gurgles a few unintelligible things, but some of it starts to form complete thoughts. "You...? Wha...what are you doing here? I thought...you were still stationed in ...Rask... I...don't rem...gnomes..." After all this time, his memory is starting to come back. Your hit to his head, must've done something. You kneel down beside his bloody body and provide him a better last memory. "I was sent here to help you Warrick. It was a very important mission for the Empire. You got blown up by a trap, but we succeeded Warrick. We won. Remember this." "We...won...yeah...we..." Warrick mumbles and then finally expires. You tell your soldiers to burn his body and not to disturb you for the rest of day, despite the medic insisting that you really should have your wounds seen to. You sit in your tent in silence trying to rationalize killing yet another one of your former comrade in arms. He was trying to kill you. Warrick was on the wrong side of the civil war. A new king had to be installed and new policies had to be implemented. It had to be done, to protect the kingdom. Just like you had to kill Kane to protect the Empire... It was a shitty end to an honorable man, but death by your hand is probably the best thing you could've done for him and at least in his final moments he believed he was elsewhere. You sometime wish you were. The next day, you get your wounds properly patched up and get back to the business of holding off the Eternal Dominion, which hasn't been the same since Edgar was assassinated last year. Apparently the new eternals didn't agree with his leadership since it wasn't producing the results they wanted. They might not have agreed with it, but he was doing better than whoever the idiot that's in charge now is. You wonder what happened to Brenda, you knew she was up there with Edgar in ranking, but since she's not in charge of the ED you can only assume that she was killed along with Edgar. You're the last one left and you think back to Gruz's last words to you. "You'll outlive everyone..." It's finally come true. Year 65 More aches and pains as you slowly get out of bed. With every passing year you feel more of them and it's getting to a point where you can't reasonably get into the thick of battle anymore with sword in hand. Sure you're still a good fighter, but you're slowing down and don't have the strength that you once did. Of course some would say you weren't supposed to be doing that anyway as a leader should stay in the back and give orders from behind the safety of his soldiers. But then you always did cling to your old ways. Still, it's not like you need to anymore, as the Eternal Dominion hasn't been a threat in years. You knew they'd fall apart soon after Edgar died. Their territory or what's left of it basically consists of petty warlords fighting each other more than fighting anyone else, let along the kingdom. Nowadays your job as a general mostly consists of pushing a few bits around on a map. Sometimes you still try to remain active by visiting areas that are experiencing heavy combat. With no real opposition anymore and a stronger king in charge, the Felkan Kingdom is entering a period of aggressive expansion. With the newly acquired Arat province under control right now the king is looking towards Rask due to its resources. Diplomatic feelers were sent to see if the towns up there would join willingly, but no luck. You know from experience how difficult it is to hold, as the land is wild and its people are fiercely independent minded especially since they threw off the shackles of Empire rule and aren't willing to have another large government tell them what to do. While you're certainly the most qualified to carry out an invasion on Rask, you aren't sure if you still have the energy anymore. Granted you wouldn't be personally, but you still remember the headaches of holding the place. Ever since Dawn retired to become an instructor, she's been dropping hints about you retiring as well. Perhaps it's time to follow in your wife's footsteps and join her. > You continue as general You can't retire, at least not yet. Despite your aches, pains, and old age, you still feel the call of war within and the fire of it still hasn't disappeared from you. You wonder if it ever will, but until that time, your place is on the battlefield despite your diminished capacity. Within a few months the decree in passed. Rask is to be invaded, as you knew it would. You know how the powers in charge work. They want results and they want them fast so you're going to try your best to provide just that, you amass a large army and send it forth to conquer. Since you've got access to more powerful weapons this time, perhaps this invasion won't be as difficult as you think if you show an overwhelming display of force. The first strike is against Kenneth's Rest which you once knew as Fort Destiny. The place apparently had been converted into a hang out for mercenaries and a trading spot. Your army faces a lot of dark elven mercenaries that were enjoying their pay at the time, but most of them flee seeing as there isn't any profit in defending a place they don't actually have any loyalty to. When Kenneth's Rest is taken, you ride out to it so you can carry out your orders closer to the action. "So you'll be leaving soon again?" Dawn asks. "You know how it is, if I don't make a personal appearance they're likely to fuck up my orders." "They can't handle it themselves?" "While I'm sure they could, I'm still the most familiar with the area. I think it would be best if I went there myself. Dawn, you shouldn't really worry. I mean I'm not even going to be on the frontlines and there were more times in the past of when I could've been killed." "It's not that, it's just I dunno, when we got married and as we both get older I suppose I just figured we'd settle down a bit more so we could enjoy our remaining time together." "Like a normal married couple?" "Well, yes." "Dawn, I think you know you didn't exactly marry a normal person." "Yes, I know that too. Still, I do wonder when you'll eventually realize that you don't need to prove yourself anymore. I think everyone knows you aren't an armchair general. Ever since the new king took the throne, you've actually had nothing but support. I'm pretty sure your name will go down in history." "It's not about that, I pledged myself to this kingdom and its survival. Part of that is me making sure this invasion of Rask doesn't go badly, because while we're on top now, I'd rather make sure we stay that way and it doesn't become a drain on our kingdom which then has a chain reaction of making things worse." "You didn't abandon your duty." Dawn says to you. "What?" you ask, turning to face her. "You didn't abandon your duty to the Empire. I know that's why you try so hard here and still do. I've always known that the first time you told me of your past. You always speak in such a way about it with a mix of regret and frustration yet always with a sense of pride. You still struggle with that one thing that you consider a failure on your part, when if you think about it...it was the best thing you ever did." You hold Dawn's hand and the pair of you look at each other's wedding rings. She has an argument that can't be debated as far as that is concerned. If you hadn't left the Empire when you did, you doubt if you would've been married. Most likely you probably would've gotten a knife in the back by one of those treacherous new eternals by this point. You hold Dawn tightly and kiss her, before explaining. "You're absolutely right of course. It was the best thing I could've done, but that's not the whole picture. I was raised different than anyone in the Felkan Kingdom, hell I was raised different than most in the Empire. I was brought up not just for war, battle and combat, but also to this ideal. An ideal that wasn't reality unfortunately, but there it was still implanted in my mind regardless. The thing is while that ideal barely existed in the Empire as I knew it, I see the spark of it coming to pass here in the Felkan Kingdom, and it's like I finally belong here and I want to be apart of it's glory as much as I can before I'm too old to be of any more use. Maybe I'm trying to live out the rest of my life as IF the Empire had never fallen. Perhaps that's what I've been doing all along for the past few decades." Dawn nods and understands, but you know she would still prefer you to stay closer to home. "Someday Dawn, someday." You tell her before you leave for Rask. You almost feel like history repeating itself when you enter Kenneth's Rest, though it's a comforting feeling. Using Kenneth's Rest as your base of operations in the Rask province, you decide the next attack should be the largest town in the region, which is Keplavisk. While Rask doesn't strictly have a proper central government, Keplavisk is the closest thing to a capital. Take that out and everything else should be a lot easier. You tell your captain that when he enters the smoldering ruins of the town to relay a message to the survivors. "Tell them that the Bane of Rask has returned." Year 75 You have to admit, that while retirement has it's good and bad points, you think you've finally gotten your "struggle" out of your system now. You initially thought after you retired you would still have that "pull" but you don't. Your successful campaign in Rask was truly a bookend of sorts. Maybe it was a kind of closure for you. Your retirement basically consists of you spending a lot of time with Dawn which is time well spent as you grow old together. You sometimes wonder if Dawn wanted children, though she never specifically addressed it. Nature never took its course in that area. Dawn is about twenty years younger than you, and she was still in her childbearing years when you first got together. You don't think it was a problem with her though, you hold the belief that it probably was with you. Perhaps Eternals weren't meant to reproduce, or maybe you weren't. Still, you know that Roldan and Brenda never had any children that you know of, so you maintain the belief that it's one of the limitations of an Eternal. After all if an Eternal could breed offspring his attention might not be solely on war. Besides your time with Dawn, you sometimes fill your time giving instruction at one of the military academies. You attend the occasional special royal event and recently you just accepted an award for everything you've done for the kingdom. There are also plans on having a statue made of you, but that isn't set in stone (literally) yet. You sometimes walk down the streets of the capital and see how much it's changed in such a short time and continuing to thrive. Soldiers marching down the street keeping order. Citizens going about their business, proud of their nation and not trying to overthrow anything. This is what the Empire should've been like. This is what you were taught to believe in. And it fills you with happiness that it was you that was part of making this come true. > Epilogue Epilogue 3: Eternal Warrior Year 101 Felkan medicine might be the most advanced in the known world, but there's only so much that can be done to hold back the ravages of time. In your last moments on your deathbed, you still struggle as hard as you can to stay awake. "Dawn, are you still here?" you call out. "Yes, my love." "Good, I wanted to make sure I'm not going into battle alone this time." "Battle? You're in bed my dear, remember?" Dawn says, believing that you're losing your sense of awareness, but in fact you're very aware. "No, Dawn. I am in battle. Against an enemy that has stalked me for over a century...it's going to win this time though..." "I...I'm sorry...(sniff) I can't help you this time." She remarks trying not to cry. "It's okay. You've helped enough. I just need you here." You say squeezing her hand. Dawn holds you hand for the remainder on the night, until your final breath is your last. Your funeral is a fairly major event; lots of military types there to pay their respects. The king, most of the royals, and of course Dawn is there. Grand speeches are made about your accomplishments, like about your victories over enemies like gnolls and the Eternal Dominion. About how even though you were not Felkan born, you saw that its kingdom was something to believe in and that you always did what was best for it thus proving that the Felkan way of life is the superior one. Part of it is Felkan propaganda to instill more patriotism, but most of it is genuine respect for you. It doesn't matter, you would've certainly approved. You are buried in a private tomb as per your request rather than in some military cemetery. Fifteen years later Dawn would join you in the after life. Even after your death you continue to be well known throughout the kingdom. Certainly many of your military tactics are still taught in the academies. In fact a brand new one is built and named after you (complete with the statue in front) later on. As years become decades and eventually centuries, the kingdom continues to grow and history is altered, as is often the case. In time your past is only briefly mentioned in passing and that past is often altered severely. You were never part of the "Empire" (In fact there never was an "Empire" as far as the books go) and you were ALWAYS a loyal Felkan citizen. And that it was you who single handedly got rid of the evil gnomes who once enslaved the Felkan people. Regardless of the alterations, your name in history is secured even long after the Kingdom eventually falls much like the Empire did and evolves into something new. Myths and legends are built on names, truths, exaggerations, and outright lies. Yours is no different and as a result you remain as you always were and that is ETERNAL.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, fantasy] Year 58 Your soldiers stand ready at camp as a single enemy approaches you. He shows no fear and has a look of determination and blazing fury in his eyes. He might even be able to cut down everyone in his path just to get to you, but that won't be necessary, as you have ordered everyone to stand down. This is between you and him. He's an Eternal, a true one that you once served with, if either of you are to die today, it should at the hands of the other. No others are worthy. He's stood in opposition to you for a few years now and now that his side has finally lost completely, his side has resorted to acts of desperation to continue a long lost battle. This is just another example of that desperation. The pair of you look at each other and say nothing. It wouldn't do any good anyway, neither of you is going listen. You both believed in the same thing once, but not anymore. In his eyes you ruined all that. The two of you clash swords. You remember when you saw him after a long stretch of distance from each other; you felt a sense of relief. There you were in a hostile environment not exactly knowing what would come next and you saw a friendly face that was more than willing to help out. You land a kick to his stomach and smash his face with the pommel of your sword, destroying several of his teeth. He staggers back mouth filled with blood, but manages to block your next attack. After that last time you saw him you were soon separated again. Oh sure, you heard about him, and he probably heard about your deeds as well, but you haven't actually seen each other until this moment. No matter who wins, it's going to be the last time. You feel the deep cut of the sword sinking into your shoulder. Fighting through the pain, you manage to keep a firm grip of your sword and swing it into his side. You both hear a crack signaling that not only have you opened up a severe wound, but also broken a rib or two. He reels back from you as his side now drips red with gore. He's unsteady and breathing hard, but he's not going to stop. He's got nothing left to lose. If you were in his shoes, you wouldn't stop either. The funny thing about this is you always thought you'd be having this battle with Edgar, not Warrick. A slash at your leg brings you down to one knee, but Warrick isn't able to capitalize on bringing his sword down on your head, since you slash upward into his groin. He screams out, dropping his weapon and you painfully lift yourself up on your one good leg and land your own strike across his head. The sickening sound of skull meeting metal is heard and he falls to the ground with blood and brains leaking out the side. He gurgles a few unintelligible things, but some of it starts to form complete thoughts. "You...? Wha...what are you doing here? I thought...you were still stationed in ...Rask... I...don't rem...gnomes..." After all this time, his memory is starting to come back. Your hit to his head, must've done something. You kneel down beside his bloody body and provide him a better last memory. "I was sent here to help you Warrick. It was a very important mission for the Empire. You got blown up by a trap, but we succeeded Warrick. We won. Remember this." "We...won...yeah...we..." Warrick mumbles and then finally expires. You tell your soldiers to burn his body and not to disturb you for the rest of day, despite the medic insisting that you really should have your wounds seen to. You sit in your tent in silence trying to rationalize killing yet another one of your former comrade in arms. He was trying to kill you. Warrick was on the wrong side of the civil war. A new king had to be installed and new policies had to be implemented. It had to be done, to protect the kingdom. Just like you had to kill Kane to protect the Empire... It was a shitty end to an honorable man, but death by your hand is probably the best thing you could've done for him and at least in his final moments he believed he was elsewhere. You sometime wish you were. The next day, you get your wounds properly patched up and get back to the business of holding off the Eternal Dominion, which hasn't been the same since Edgar was assassinated last year. Apparently the new eternals didn't agree with his leadership since it wasn't producing the results they wanted. They might not have agreed with it, but he was doing better than whoever the idiot that's in charge now is. You wonder what happened to Brenda, you knew she was up there with Edgar in ranking, but since she's not in charge of the ED you can only assume that she was killed along with Edgar. You're the last one left and you think back to Gruz's last words to you. "You'll outlive everyone..." It's finally come true. Year 65 More aches and pains as you slowly get out of bed. With every passing year you feel more of them and it's getting to a point where you can't reasonably get into the thick of battle anymore with sword in hand. Sure you're still a good fighter, but you're slowing down and don't have the strength that you once did. Of course some would say you weren't supposed to be doing that anyway as a leader should stay in the back and give orders from behind the safety of his soldiers. But then you always did cling to your old ways. Still, it's not like you need to anymore, as the Eternal Dominion hasn't been a threat in years. You knew they'd fall apart soon after Edgar died. Their territory or what's left of it basically consists of petty warlords fighting each other more than fighting anyone else, let along the kingdom. Nowadays your job as a general mostly consists of pushing a few bits around on a map. Sometimes you still try to remain active by visiting areas that are experiencing heavy combat. With no real opposition anymore and a stronger king in charge, the Felkan Kingdom is entering a period of aggressive expansion. With the newly acquired Arat province under control right now the king is looking towards Rask due to its resources. Diplomatic feelers were sent to see if the towns up there would join willingly, but no luck. You know from experience how difficult it is to hold, as the land is wild and its people are fiercely independent minded especially since they threw off the shackles of Empire rule and aren't willing to have another large government tell them what to do. While you're certainly the most qualified to carry out an invasion on Rask, you aren't sure if you still have the energy anymore. Granted you wouldn't be personally, but you still remember the headaches of holding the place. Ever since Dawn retired to become an instructor, she's been dropping hints about you retiring as well. Perhaps it's time to follow in your wife's footsteps and join her. > You Retire As much as you might like to go on, you decide that perhaps it is finally time to pass the torch to younger and more energetic men and women than yourself. You also know it would probably make Dawn happier. You've done quite a bit for the Felkan Kingdom and served as well as you could have under the circumstances. You just wish you had time to do more, or at least the youth, if not the time. When you step down, its sort of a surprise to the entire Felkan military, they always figured you'd never willingly step down and probably die in office. Even the new ruling class is a little disappointed to see you leave, you were after all instrumental in their rise to power. A small service celebrating your years of dedication to the Felkan Kingdom is held which you naturally attend and you even give a small speech. It's all very patriotic and keeps the up the morale and optimistic outlook of the kingdom for everyone. Shortly after your retirement, you do indulge in the frivolities of said retirement; this pretty much consists of not doing much of anything or spending time with Dawn. It's fun for a while. When you start to keep up on the news on the Rask invasion, you become increasingly dismayed by what your successor is doing. There are victories at first, but they eventually become costly ones. The Raskians begin organizing enough to make further conquest difficult. Eventually several lower ranking officers begin calling for you to return if only as a consultant or strategic advisor. You actually would gladly volunteer as you definitely want to help the kingdom and you're starting to find your retired life a little boring. Unfortunately the current general doesn't want that, as he wants to take all the credit for the conquest of Rask and if he's able, to surpass your victories. The fool manages to sway the king in his favor by pointing out that they hold most of the territory and are plundering its resources. The king of course is just concerned with the bottom line, so he keeps him on. Of course the biggest problem with this, is it's incredibly short sighted. The Raskians sabotage their mines and fight a guerilla war that makes things even worse. Felkan soldiers die by the thousands over the course of several years and this begins to have a downward spiral. Not a grand one, but it's noticeable that the cracks are starting to show and people are beginning to protest again. You don't agree with how the government is handling things, but you're a patriot to the end and one day you get into an argument with a group of them on the street. Dawn tells you to let it go, but the more they get in your face, the more you won't let it go and eventually you feel that call to violence again... You punch out one of the protestors, which causes more shouting from the rest of the crowd as well as the soldiers attempting to keep order. One the soldiers respectfully attempts to hold you back, but you continue to try to attack the rest of the protestors and screaming at them of how ungrateful they all are. With tensions heating up on all sides, it's only a matter of time before things escalate and somebody fires a shot and it isn't from the soldiers, it's from one of the protestors carrying a concealed pistol. You feel the impact to your chest and fall to the ground as mass chaos erupts all around you. Dawn screams for a medic and attempts to drag you out of the way, but you're already coughing up blood and gasping for breath as the chest wound continues to bleed out your vital fluids. "Dawn...(gasp, gurgle)" is all you can utter before your heart stops beating.

Year 40 "I don't understand why the hell we haven't just gone marching into the Arat province and taken it from the Eternal Dominion. We have superior weaponry, and they aren't even that organized. I don't care how skilled they are in combat, they can't stop a bullet." A soldier complains. "So, do you think we'll really be going to war again?" his buddy asks. "Is there any fucking doubt? The Empire might be dead, but that Eternal Dominion or whatever it's called took its place and from what I can gather the ones running that are complete monsters. No small feat considering how the Empire was run...uh no offense sarge." You shake your head as a sign that you could care less how they discuss the Empire, as you're busy keeping on the look out for potential enemies and you tell them to stop talking and do likewise. Felkan soldiers tend to be a little more chatty than you're used to, they also tend to be a little over confident in battle at times due to their reliance on firearms. Their melee skills aren't bad, but they aren't anywhere near those of a say an Empire soldier, let alone an Eternal. You learned how to handle a musket pretty quickly, but much like the same reason you avoided using bows and such, ranged combat just isn't quite your thing. Still, you appreciate their destructive power and having an advantage so you have no problems carrying around a couple of flintlock pistols on your person. Another thing that's different is a government that isn't actually interested in conquest despite its people often expressing such desires. You've never met the king or any of the royals, but from what you've heard the king is more of a scholar rather than a warrior ruler. Some consider this a weakness, but you aren't convinced that it is. The king apparently believes conquest would just drain the coffers of what is currently a healthy economy (despite a recent war) and it's better to put that money to other uses. The Felkans in general are always looking for new ways to advance the quality of life for all through scientific advancement. You don't remember that sort of thing in the Empire where the status quo was law. While magic was reserved for the elite and still not common in the Empire, it's practically non-existent in the Felkan Kingdom, which might explain their tendency towards scientific endeavors. Well that, and the fact that a good number of gnomes live among them who probably produce most of the great inventions in the kingdom. Still, you often hear a lot of criticism about the king; sometimes it makes you wonder if there shouldn't be cause for concern. If this were the Empire you would've been expected to harshly discipline all of those soldiers that insulted the Emperor. Here, there is a lot more freedom in what you can say. Yes, there are so many differences from the Empire and you often feel out of place. Hell you feel strange enough only being a sergeant again. Five years and they still haven't felt that you warrant a promotion to a higher rank, you don't know why they still don't trust you as much as they trust Warrick considering he actually fought against them directly. Of course he actually saved the lives of some important Felkan royals, so that's probably the reason. They don't keep you stationed on the frontlines of the Arat border like they do with Warrick either, for the past several years you've been stationed at a fort at the other end of the kingdom, though the fort is so small it's more like an outpost. Fort Green is located near a small village called Blossomdale and that's basically what you've been defending. It's a rather dull assignment and only broken up by the occasional skirmishes with gnolls, bandits or other denizens living in the untouched forests and the hills. You've tried to make the best of things. You keep your mind mostly focused on your job like you always do. One good thing is that the soldiers that serve under you don't seem to mind your Eternal origins, but you do get the impression they're a little afraid of you. Your superior officer Captain Eckers seems okay with you as well. He's the only one stationed here that's older than you and probably sees you as someone he has a little more in common with, not to mention you bring a little more discipline to the fort and encourage more drilling and combat training. Eventually your shift is over and as usual, nothing happened today. Your replacements take over your post and you make your way back to the fort. The rest of the soldiers head to Blossumdale presumably for a little R&R as they often do. When you get back to the fort, somebody tells you that Captain Eckers wants to see you, so you proceed to his office. "Have a seat sergeant. So was today any different than yesterday? Any hostiles to be dispatched or anything?" "No sir, things were quiet as usual." You answer. "I figured as much. It's been like this for the past eight months. You know it's always been slow around here, but lately...(sigh) I don't know. I suppose we should be glad this place isn't under attack constantly, but the boredom of nothing to do is frustrating." "I know the feeling sir." "Heh, I'll bet. Bred for war and all that...you once had a command at a fort at one time did you not?" "Yes sir I did, in Rask." "Yeah, I've heard about that area. I'll bet you never ran out of fighting up there." "Well sir, we sort of did since I did my best to try to exterminate the most dangerous threats. For a while things got slow then we had a series of uprisings became a problem and I had to be in involved in putting those down so I wasn't quite as bored anymore." "Uprisings. Now that would be an interesting event, though I don't think I'm quite that bored yet. Still, I wonder if one wouldn't do some good. Get those royals off their asses and actually do something for a change." "I'm sure they do what they can...the land is prosperous after all." You say unsure of how to react and still wondering why you were called in here. "Yeah, yeah, I know, but really what good is that going to do when the Eternal Dominion comes beating down our door? I served on the front lines of the war with the Empire from beginning to end, and I saw shit that even I wasn't prepared to see. Even with our technological advantage, sometimes I don't know how we managed to hold the Empire off...I guess you guys really had a lot of internal problems." "Yes, yes we did sir. A lot." "Right, and that's the only reason why we held out. If the Empire had been a united front like it used to be... well me and you probably wouldn't be having this conversation." "Captain, if I may interject for a moment. I have heard citizens and soldiers on more than one occasion suggest that the Felkan Kingdom should become more aggressive. I'm puzzled to as why if things are going well. after all the Empire engaged in continual conquest and I think we know how that turned out." "You have a point about the Empire, but you also should remember the Empire lasted several centuries before collapsing. I don't presume to know exactly all the problems you had, but I can tell you what the problems we have are and why the people are getting sick of it." "And what are those sir?" "Fucking gnomes." "Gnomes? Don't they provide all the wonderful inventions for this Kingdom?" "Yeah, and they also have been using us as protection for decades and the royals are in their fucking pockets. We aren't really ruled by the royals, the damned gnomish inventors and businessmen rule us. They don't want us expanding too much, because then we just might be harder to control. They also don't want us to become too strong militarily because we just might turn it against them. I mean hell, I think you've seen how our soldiers aren't exactly the best fighters and rely on firearms. I shudder to think if we ever had to actually fight without them. It didn't always used to be that way, at least not back in my day. That's why you're a damn breath of fresh air. You're actually a REAL warrior." You just sit and listen as the captain begins getting even angrier during his rant. "You know why I'm stationed here in the ass end of nowhere? Because I spoke my mind on what I thought about gnomes and suggested we needed to stop being pussies and actually start taking more land. I mean take this place for example. If we had just a couple more platoons, and the orders, we could march into those hills nearby and wipe out all those damned gnolls for good. But what do we do instead? Wait around for the fuckers to attack us then sit here with our thumbs up our asses until they rebuild and do it all over again. We're better than that! Or at least we used to be!" at this point Captain Eckers slams his fist on his desk. He's silent with his head looking down for a moment and then looks up to address you. "...forgive me sergeant, I get a little emotional about this stuff sometimes. I really shouldn't. Thank you for your report and listening. I just need someone to speak my mind to sometimes...anyway dismissed." You get up and leave, thinking about what has transpired. It basically sounds like the captain doesn't believe in his government anymore. You know what that's like, but you just aren't sure if it's as bad as he's claiming or he's just a bitter old man that's mad because times changed and he pissed off the wrong people in charge of his career. However as you're reminded he isn't the only person you've heard speaking out, he just happens to be the only one that's gone into more detail than you're used to. You also wonder if he told you all this stuff for a reason, is he hinting for you to do something? And what could you do? You're a lower rank than him and not exactly high on the hierarchy. You're also pretty much an outsider. Stirring up trouble isn't exactly something you should be doing, and you pledged yourself to serve the kingdom and its king, not overthrow it. If you were going to be doing that, you might as well have joined the Eternal Dominion. You aren't sure of what to make of all this gnome business though, if that is even true. You've never paid too much attention to them being in a lot of the positions of power. Part of you though does make you wonder about who you're really serving and if it is really the gnomes like the captain claims, then your whole oath to the kingdom is pretty much a joke. Then again if they really are controlling everything, does it really make a difference? Things seem to still be running well and you personally just don't have any real proof that there is some conspiracy even though it wouldn't surprise you too much if there was one going on. One thing you know though, if others are feeling like the captain does, this isn't going to go away. This is going to get worse; in fact it may already be too late to stop something from occurring. You could very well find yourself serving in another collapsing government again. > You leave it alone Captain Eckers is probably just venting, you doubt if he's actually going to do anything. Besides the captain is about the only one you can slightly relate to around here and he's always been all right with you so you decide it wouldn't be a good idea to report him. You return to your duties as usual without giving it anymore thought. In the passing months, the captain never spouts off anything else to you so you figure you were right in your assumption that he was just venting. Nothing to major worry about except the increasing boredom of not having much to do at the fort. You haven't seen a gnoll in months now and you don't really like it. They've never disappeared for this long of a stretch and it makes you suspect they could be up to something because you refuse to believe that they've just decided to leave you alone. The next time you see the captain, you tell him that you'd like to take a platoon up into the hills to scout out the area, and while he says he'd like to send you, he has his orders. "But you said yourself, that we could do a lot more good if we just went into the hills and wiped out all the gnolls." You point out. "I know what I said that day, and perhaps I shouldn't have spoken out like that to a subordinate. (sigh) Look, despite my feelings on this situation I know I've damaged my career enough as it is. If I go disobeying orders, I'm just going to get myself in deeper. Besides if the gnolls have been as quiet as they have been perhaps we did kill them all, or at least scared them so much that they won't attack ever again." You of course aren't convinced, but there is little you can do. If the captain is content on sitting on his hands you're going to have to do some hand sitting yourself. It's very frustrating. Year 41 "They're breaking down the doors!" a soldier yells. "Hold 'em dammit! Don't let these hyena bastards step one foot into this fort!" Captain Eckers commands. The captain can order everyone all he wants, but the fact is those gnolls ARE breaking down that door. They have an overwhelming superiority of numbers on their side and even of reinforcements did arrive right now, you're still sure that it wouldn't be enough to save you in time. As you grimly prepare yourself for the onslaught that's about to bust through the doors, you think about how bad of a choice you made seeking to find your place here in this kingdom of cowards and fools. If you'd stayed with the Empire instead of leaving it, you wouldn't be in this situation now. Even if you failed to keep it from collapsing, you would've at least died honorably in its service. But this? There will be no honor in this death. You're going to die, because your superiors and their superiors were either too timid or idiotic to do what was necessary and you're an even bigger idiot for following along into oblivion. No more time for regret now though, the gnolls are breaking through. Already the first soldiers still trying to keep the doors shut are screaming their death cries from the axes cleaving into their flesh and spilling their innards onto the floor. Captain Eckers displays a pitiful showing as a gnoll with a halberd severs his head from his body before he can even attack once. As for you, you make the gnolls earn every inch they step into the fort. The first two that step to you have their heads blown to gooey pieces with your flintlocks, and then you resort to tried and true methods of slaughter. You hack down several of their number before suffering any major wounds. Even then, you continue to fight with the determination of ten men. The bodies of gnolls pile up, the blood is everywhere and you've just suffered an injury that should've rightfully killed you, but you continue to fight. All the anger you feel at this situation is being directed utterly towards the gnolls until it finally burns itself out and your body pushes itself past its limitations of physical exertion. An axe cleaves into your skull, followed by another into your arm, severing it just enough to hang from a bit of tendon. You fall to your knees, then to the floor and that's when you feel another axe to your back destroying your spine. A finally kick by a hefty boot to the face and the gibbering laughing howls of the gnolls is the last thing you hear.

Year 35 Another rebellion put down. You wipe your sword of blood and shake your head as you look around at the chaos. This is the Quala province, the very heartland of the Empire. You shouldn't have to be trying to maintain order here only a few miles away from the capital itself. "Ha ha ha! Come on bitch, give it up! I'm an Eternal, you oughta be flattered that I'm even wasting my time on your normal ass!" private Felding says as he attempts to rape a nearby girl. You briskly walk over to Felding and pull him off her. You know damn well that the rest of his kind are probably doing stuff like this all over the place, but this one is in your direct sight and under your command. "What the hell, captain? If you wanted first dibs you could've just said so! Ah look, now she's getting away!" "We're here to maintain order private, not create more chaos." "Oh yeah? Coulda fooled me by destroying the entire town like this." "Regrettable, but during battle only victory matters." "Exactly! We won! So now it's time to have our fun with these disobedient peasants. Y'know instill fear in them so they won't do it again." "You're not instilling fear though, you're just satisfying your own desires." "Hey, who says we aren't supposed to have fun while doing it?" It's like talking to a brick wall. You've had these "New Eternals" under your command for a few months now and they are some of the most undisciplined troops you've ever had. You can try to encourage them, you can try to reason with them, you can punish them, and none of it has a real effect. The only constant is that they know of your reputation and know that you're also an Eternal, which makes them just fearful of you enough that they don't attempt to directly challenge your authority like they have with so many of their other commanders. If it were up to you, you would've had them all killed for treason as soon as they murdered their first CO, but for whatever reason the Empire wants them active. You're guessing because the Empire's desperate. So they were ultimately transferred to you and unfortunately you're not allowed to kill them either...well unless they try to kill you first. You swear this must be what it's like to be a svelk. They are like children, malicious hateful little children. It's not even their suspect loyalty that baffles you; it's their complete lack of discipline. Even Kane and Cyrus who opposed you had discipline. Hell, Edgar who was arguably the most emotional and hotheaded of the group was a hundred times more disciplined than any of these new "Eternals." You remember back to your own training and there were a few of your fellows that didn't learn proper discipline either. They never made it past Mistress and the few that did, didn't survive Gruz. Whoever was in charge of their training did a horrible job and should've been executed for incompetence along with the rest of these vicious monsters. That old orc was right, they will destroy what's left of the Empire, but you doubt if they'll survive long after its downfall. You think back to all the real Eternals. You, Edgar and Brenda are the only ones left, as Warrick killed in the final days of the Felkan War. At least you assume that's what happened, his body was never found and you know he would've rather died than let himself be captured to rot in a P.O.W. Camp. Either way it's truly a loss you never ever got to talk with him again. From what you know Edgar is still stationed in the Arat province, probably trying to keep his own "eternals" in line to keep the peace there. As for poor Brenda you know she has her command in the Nalin province and probably still quietly grieving for Roldan. After all you've been through, it's come to this and you're wondering what the hell you're still fighting for. The Emperor? You haven't cared about that unknown ruler for years. For all you know he's some feeble minded inbred idiot figure head that his advisors keep locked away while they bumble around ruling things probably about as well as he would. The Empire? Perhaps at one time, but as it has lost territory, respect and apparently all resemblance of sanity over the years you've lost all faith that it can ever regain any sort of glory it might have had, if it ever had it to begin with. You've tried your best to stem back the tide of chaos, but you're only one man even if you are an Eternal. While you ponder your potential future, private Felding interrupts you. "Hey, cap? You're in a bit of a daze there. So if you're done I'm going to go now." "Hold on, I have one more thing to tell you." "(Sigh) What?" Felding says with an exasperated tone. "You're not a fucking Eternal. None of you little shits are." You say and run Felding through and pull up on the sword unleashing his blood and guts onto the ground. Felding makes a high pitched scream and slumps on top of his entrails after you remove the sword. "Shit! The cap just killed Felding!" another so called eternal shouts while he and his buddy have just come back from looting some farmer's home. The pair of them look like they want to run, but you make it easy on them. "Go ahead and run or stay. I don't care anymore. I'm leaving. I will tell you this though, if the Empire sends any of you unruly scum after me, know that I shall take great pleasure in not just killing you, but in drawing it out for as long as possible. Remember this." And with that last warning, you leave your service to the Empire. The question now is, where will you go? What will you do? This all feels so wrong when you think about it. You've killed so many for abandoning, opposing, or attempting to betray the Empire and here you are doing the same thing. Was it all for nothing? Was it worth it? You don't know. You always believed at the time you were right and that you were doing the right thing. Maybe you were, maybe you weren't. You just know that you can't serve something you don't believe in anymore. Especially when everyone else around you doesn't either. Speaking of not knowing, you don't know how to do anything except kill people. While you're certain that you'd be able to hire your skills out somewhere, the idea of being a mercenary is a little distasteful for you. You'd rather not push the svelk comparison that far. You could swear loyalty to another government you suppose. Perhaps the Felkan Kingdom? You're not sure they'd want you, what with all their high tech weapons and your own government once fighting against them. The only other alternative for you is to carve out your own territory and rule it as your own. While it's true you do have leadership qualities, you know nothing of actually running a government. You honestly wouldn't know where to begin. > You rule your own territory You can't bring yourself to be some like the svelk and be mercenary scum who have no other goals than to earn coin. By the same token you're not going to pledge yourself to yet another government that will probably be just as corrupt and decadent as the one you just left. Maybe in a way, Kane was right. He was obviously suffering a mental breakdown as well as being manipulated, but the concept of forming your own nation would be the surest way to 'get it right." You could run things the way they SHOULD be. The question is where to start? You'd need at least an army to conquer anything and right now you don't really have that. You're sure you could probably get those "new eternals" to follow you, but there still isn't enough of them even if you were inclined to subject yourself to the torture of futility. Regular soldiers would probably follow you, but nowadays they're so scattered that you'd literally have to travel all over most of the Empire to collect them, not to mention all the fighting you'd have to do during this state of anarchy. The only place you can think of is the Nalin province. It's virtually the one place still left in the empire that isn't suffering outright revolts, though the citizens are reportedly still severely disgruntled, Brenda is also there in command of Fort Glory. Perhaps she'll see the wisdom of your plan and help you, if that's the case you should be able to pull it off. You find a nearby horse and set off for the south. Along the way you see the landscape of the Empire, which at one time was orderly and even idyllic is now burning and in tatters. Despite the chaos you don't need to do any battle, not even when passing groups of angry peasants who are taking every opportunity to get revenge on their oppressive government and its agents in all forms. You can only assume your reputation is enough to scare them off or they don't even recognize you. If it's the latter then it only confirms your belief that you weren't making that much of a difference in the Empire anyway. When you get to the Nalin province you find it in much better condition than the rest of the places in the Empire that you've ridden through. Fort Glory looks slightly different, namely it looks more heavily fortified and a lot better cared for than when you left this place. When you approach Fort Glory, you are momentarily halted by the guards, but when you tell them who you are and that you need to see Brenda they immediately let you in. Brenda is very surprised to see you. She looks a lot different from the teenage girl you parted company with. Her hair is going gray and she has a very "tired" look about her. As if the whole weight of responsibility is crashing down on her, but she still carries herself with confidence and strength. "When my soldiers told me it was you I couldn't believe it, it's been so long since we've seen one another. Wow you haven't really changed at all." She says almost smiling. "It is good to see you too, Brenda. Still as pretty as ever." You say, unsure of how to respond. "Pretty? Now that's a word I never thought I'd hear you say. Let alone to me. Maybe you have changed more than I thought." "Well I mean I never thought you were ugly, Brenda. I was just trying to reply to your compliment with one of my own." "Ha ha, a complete lack of tact. That's more like the old you. Still it's nice to hear, though I hope for your sake, you're a better sweet talker to the other girls out there." "Brenda, I have to talk to you in private about something it's very important and I don't know how you're going to react." You say by passing her statement. "Oh geez, you're not going to suddenly confess some sort of hidden love for me that you've kept to yourself all these years are you?" "What?! NO! This is something important!" Brenda's a little amused by how you worded your statement especially since she was joking. You just aren't in a "joking mood" though right now and after what you have to tell Brenda you doubt if she will too. "Look, I apologize for my outburst. It's just that this is really important." "Okay, we'll go to my office and speak privately there." When you get to Brenda's office you don't bother beating around the bush and you just tell her everything. Your thoughts, feelings, actions and ultimately your plan and why you came here. Now she really is amazed. You of all people were practically a paragon of duty and loyalty and here you are openly confessing that you've abandoned the Empire. "Okay, wow. Well you've just been full of surprises today." "Will you help me?" "What exactly am I supposed to do? I mean are you seriously asking me to just hand over control of this fort to you while you play pretend emperor?" "No! I mean shit I don't know I haven't thought out all the details yet I guess. It's just (sigh) Look Brenda, I just left ALL I've known. Everything I've ever been taught to believe in is GONE, if it ever existed to begin with. I didn't have many choices on what to do next and this seemed to be the best choice all things considered. I came here because I didn't know where else to go quite frankly. I see now that this was just as foolish an idea leaving the Empire in the first place, I guess..." "No it wasn't." "What wasn't?" "Leaving the Empire. I mean I certainly understand your reasons. I share them. Maybe not in the exact same way, but they are there. Hell I think in these dark times, everyone shares them. I dunno perhaps you just made that extra step that the rest of us here aren't quite willing to make yet." "What do you mean?" you ask. "I mean everyone in this fort and probably the entire province would be for seceding from the Empire at this point. I think the only reason why nobody has done it yet or even rioted is due to way we run things here at Fort Glory. We found it much better by just letting people go about their business if we're not threatening them all the time and actually defending them from real external threats. The only real problem here is the high taxes which the Empire imposes on this region, that of course tends to make people a little grumpy, but not quite enough to riot. They remember what this place used to be like after all." "Not threatening people you say? That's a pretty wild concept. Did you think that one up?" "Nah, the credit goes to Roldan, he was the first to suggest it. He probably would've made a better fort commander too and if he had been promoted instead of me, he might still be here..." "Brenda, okay you can't think like that. If he'd been promoted then you'd probably be dead and..." "I know, I know. I just get a little sad thinking about him not being here sometimes. Okay, anyway let's do it. Let's break away from the Empire. Like you said, shouldn't take much convincing, though I hope you're prepared for a shitstorm from this. We might not much problem from the population, as I said they'll probably be relieved to not have to pay the high taxes any more, but we're going to get Empire armies to come down here eventually." "Possibly, but it's pretty bad Brenda. I'm not sure if they'll be able to really do anything, the government is on the brink of collapse. If anything we might be getting an influx of people wanting to come here to join. You're just lucky they didn't saddle you with those new eternals. If they had, I guarantee this place wouldn't be as nice as it is now." "So I've heard. I suppose I am lucky. This whole province is lucky." Brenda takes a deep breathe before speaking again. "Okay so how exactly are we doing this? I mean what system are we going to have in place?" "Well, given what you've told me about how you've been running things, I've had one new idea. How about YOU run this place and you be the leader?" "ME? But...I don't know anything about running a nation or anything like that!" "Seems to me you've been running this place pretty well for years. You know the people and better yet, they know you. I think if I was in charge...well they'd think they were living under the Empire again. No, I realize now my place isn't to rule, but to fight. It really is what I'm good at. About the only thing." "Now come on, you have great leadership skills!" "Leadership skills for combat perhaps, but not for ruling. I think whatever is it that you had with Roldan made you and him more in touch with human nature and that's a good thing." "Yes...it was a good thing. I just wish he was here. I could certainly use his help right now." Brenda says reminiscing. You pat Brenda on the shoulder in your effort to comfort her; she tells you she's fine though. You and Brenda at that point set your plan in motion to split from the Empire. > Year 45 In all the years you served the Empire, you always felt like you were being held back in some way; lack of supplies, lack of equipment, ungrateful rioting peasants, or incompetent commanding officers. In most cases it was never a failing on your part. For the past few years, you've come to appreciate no longer having any of those limitations. In Nalin everyone more or less works for the greater good of the country. In fact it could be argued that this is more the case here than it ever was in the Empire, at least as far as you saw. Brenda eventually declared the biggest town (Now a city) Dalt to be the capital and moved there to better manage things. You of course are head of the army and remained at Fort Glory. Despite her initial inexperience at running a nation, Brenda has proven to do a fair job at it. Hand picking town mayors and other bureaucratic types to help run things certainly helps. What also helps is Nalin is a much smaller nation than the Empire was. The long arm of the army doesn't need to go far to catch someone doing something against the law. Your intimidating reputation as head of the army obviously keeps people in line as well. Still, it isn't complete fear; they know you'll also keep them safe. When Usksha raiders started gathering around the southern borders again, you made sure to strike at them before they could attack any of the southern towns. You wish you could just go into the Usksha Desert and wipe them all out, but you know you just don't have the resources for such a thing. Still, you did find a temporary solution in the form of an equally old annoyance. The kobold tribes who eventually realized that continuing to fight against you would result in genocide, agreed to relocate to the edges of the southern Nalin border where they would help defend it. This has worked out quite well. The harsh terrain conditions closer to the desert as well as the occasional Usksha raids keep the kobold population down as well as aid as a front line defense without having to waste valuable troops. For the most part everything has been running quite well, perhaps a little too well to the point where you get a little bored, but you don't even mind that now. You're just glad to be part of a nation that isn't crippled by corruption. "This is the last remnant of the true Empire." You sometimes think. Of course a certain person might disagree with that thought, namely Edgar. Edgar hasn't contacted you or Brenda. Brenda wonders if it's because he considers you both traitors for seceding from the Empire, and while that sounds like Edgar, you suspect it's more because he's been very busy. Ever since the Empire fell, Edgar has been busily trying to unite all the new "eternals" under his command and his results are quite surprising. He's not only managed to do it, but he's forged his own nation calling it the Eternal Dominion. He claims it is the successor to the Empire and as general he has vowed to reunite all the old lands by any means. So far he's had varying success, but he's doing well under the circumstances. He's also created a strict hierarchy system where Eternals are considered to be the superior ruling class and everyone else is below them. You aren't exactly sure what to make of this ideology. Assuming he's successful, you know it's only going to be a matter of time before Edgar comes marching an army from the north. Brenda has the same concerns and lately a majority of the military has been stationed on the northern borders. You just aren't sure it'll be enough. Brenda wonders if an alliance would be best, but the only other major power in the region is the Felkan Kingdom, and you're not exactly sure if they would even be in a position to help, let alone willing to help. The enemy of my enemy isn't always your friend. This ties in with the other matter that has come up is expansion. Nalin has had a steadily growing population for quite some time and since the south is hostile desert, the western side of Nalin is covered by an equally imposing mountain range and to the north is old empire lands suffering from destroyed infrastructure and near anarchy, the only logical conclusion is to the east. Slowly over time Brenda has encouraged Nalin citizens to systematically settle the eastern wilderness. The Empire for some reason never colonized this territory. It probably was marked, but just never exploited due to other more pressing matters. In any case, things have gone more or less peacefully as there have been no encounters with any hostile natives and it has proven to be great farming land. While things are peaceful there now, there's no telling what could happen later and due to all the troops on the northern border, the eastern territory has a minimum number of soldiers there. Right now you and Brenda are discussing on how to best to maximize your defenses. "Have you sent envoys to Edgar? Is it possible that he wouldn't be a problem in the future?" you ask Brenda. "I actually have a couple times over the years and none of them ever returned. Which is why I'm convinced he's pissed at us." "Hmm, well guess we better up keep the defenses on the northern borders then. Still, my own reports say he's still nowhere near us. He's been trying to tame the core region of the old Empire as well as maintain order in places he's already conquered. There is the option to take redeploy some of the troops to the east." "But of course that would weaken us in the north." "Well yes, but if you're really worried about the east, then that's all I can suggest other than conscription." "Yeah, thought about that, and I'm not exactly keen on that idea. The people have been happy for quite awhile. We start conscripting like the Empire did, they might not be as happy." Brenda says "They'll be even less happy, if Edgar comes barging down here declaring them all inferior while letting his Eternal troops run amok." "You wouldn't allow that to happen." Brenda says. "Well I certainly would try my best to not let it happen, but let's just say I'm not as certain about things as I once was, there is always the chance things can go horribly wrong." "Yeah, I understand that. (Sigh) Well, I suppose we can restart conscription. It's not going to be popular, but I think if we stress how much of a threat Edgar potentially is, we'll prevent the civil unrest. I'll get my civilian advisors to start spinning the propaganda. I'll leave it up to you how you want to deploy the troops; I think it would be best to put most of the conscripts on the east though, as I think we'll need most of the experienced troops on the northern borders." "I'll certainly consider all the options. I guess I'll get to it then and leave you to your work as well." You say and are about to leave when Brenda calls out to you. "Hey, I know you're very duty bound anyway, but I just want to say, I'm glad you're here to help me." "Well I'm happy to help, but I'm sure you'd do just as well without me here." "Perhaps, but it's sort of comforting to have another Eternal around to talk to. I just feel like we connect a lot better you know?" "Yes, I do agree. We do share a bond that most others will never know." Brenda goes to hug you and you're a little unsure of how to react at first, but you hug her back. Before you leave Brenda asks you one more question. "Do you think Edgar's ideology for his nation is correct? Do you think Eternals are superior to everyone else?" You think about the question for a moment, then answer. "I think Edgar thinks it is correct. In one aspect, I agree with it, I mean look at the pair of us. We're both in the highest positions of power and people seem to be accepting of it. However, from my own experiences with the new Eternals I'm not actually convinced that THEY are superior to the average human except in combat and sadism which I suppose are good enough to instill fear into the masses." "Heh, but isn't that what we do?" "Of course, but we do it because we know it's necessary to maintain order. The new Eternals engage in pointless cruelty because they enjoy it. They're no better than svelks in that regard. They're so eager to move on to next atrocity that they let their emotions cloud their purity of battle. I believe this is a weakness on their part and that is why I do not consider them superior." Brenda smiles a bit at your answer. "The Empire really should've made you a general straight out of training. I'm certain you would've single handedly saved it." "I don't know. Perhaps it was beyond saving by that time. If you'll excuse me..." you say and leave Brenda's office. As you leave the capital building, you think back on how you left the Empire. While you're satisfied with your decision, part of you does wonder IF you could've done anything. Not just at that time, but before then. Is there another decision you could've made that would've prevented the situation you're in now? After a brief run down in your mind of endless possibilities you quickly dismiss such thoughts as a fool's game. You were right, the Empire was beyond any help you could've provided. Nalin is your concern now and you need to make the decisions to how to best protect it starting with deciding where to send the conscripts when Brenda enacts her decree. > You send them to the northern borders As much of a threat Edgar could potentially be, he's not knocking down your door right now and as safe as the east seems to be, it's still mainly uncharted territory. Anything could be lurking over there. Best to have experienced troops there just in case, in fact you're going to have them make scouting expeditions. When Brenda enacts conscription there is a lot of grumbling as was expected, but nothing more. Many of the conscripts are a little nervous about being put on the northern borders after hearing all the scary things about Edgar and his "baby eating" army. You make sure to keep enough vets there to keep them in line until they toughen up a bit more. You also make sure to keep a close eye on the situation. Months pass a life goes on as usual, and you begin to get reports on the eastern wilderness. Most of the scouts say that there is evidence of other denizens living further east. In fact there seems to be a small tribal war going on between four separate groups. Two of those are human barbarian tribes, one them is elven, but much wilder than what you know of them and the last one is a race you're not familiar with called the Slin. They're apparently reptilian in nature though, similar to the kobolds, but much larger and meaner. All of them save for one of the human tribes have been hostile to your scouts. Your scouts report that most attacks were accompanied by slurs and curses against the Empire. Even the Slin have been reported to utter a few recognizable insults in their strange reptilian tongue. You can only guess that all of these folks at one time came in contact with the Empire and it wasn't a good experience. Makes sense they would mistake you for Empire troops as well considering that all your troops are either still wearing the same armor or very similar armor. Some of the really old guard are still wearing the same insignias. Sort of like you do actually. While you're confident that individually these uncivilized savage tribes wouldn't be a match in a straight up fight, there is always the possibility that they could all unite against you which would make things a little more difficult. They've all most likely been living here a long time too, so they'll have the advantage of knowing the land better. Right now the situation is similar to the one you have with Edgar. They're all preoccupied fighting each other and not immediately close to any Nalin settlements. Stirring up a hornet's nest by marching east could bring that tribal alliance that you don't really want. Then again you have been getting sort of bored lately...maybe you DO want it a little. You make the decision and you're wiping out these troublesome tribes before they become a major problem. You're also going to personally lead this campaign of expansion; it's been far too long since you've experienced a real battle again. Brenda is supportive of the idea, though she reminds you that if trouble comes to the northern borders she's going to have to pull everyone back immediately. Since that could happen at any time, you decide you need to handle this as quickly as you can, but at the same time, not sloppy. First thing you do is establish a sizable war camp near the closest Nalin village in the eastern wilderness. You then have your scouts contact the human tribe that wasn't hostile and to tell them that you want to meet their leader to discuss about destroying their enemies. Your scouts return with a crude map and report that the chieftain of the Belkaz Tribe is willing to listen, but that you must come meet him in his own village several miles away towards the southern hills and that if you arrive with more than five men he will consider you hostile and order an attack. "Acceptable. I was going there by myself anyway." You say taking the map. "Sir?" one of your scouts says after looking at the other in surprise. "It's fine. Corporal Bajin isn't it? You did your job. Take a break, and tell the rest that I'll be back soon." "But...don't you think you should take some of us with you? I mean they're barbarians and not exactly trustworthy." Bajin says. "Oh I know that, but if I can't handle a simple mission every once in awhile, well what kind of general am I? Relax, I'll be back." You say and gallop away on your horse towards the village. As you get closer to your destination, you start noticing the usual primitive totems typical of such tribes establishing their territory. Eventually several barbarian types wrapped in furs and other crude cloth stop you. "This is Belkaz territory! You go back or die!" one of them shouts as they all point spears at you. "I have business with your chieftain. My scouts contacted some of your fellows about it not too long ago." After speaking amongst themselves for a moment, one addresses you again. "You must be leader of the Empire men to the west. Other tribes hate you. Scared of you. Very funny because you are not scary. Not even that big. But other tribes cowards, we not. Come with us and do not try anything!" You follow the Belkaz to their village which is a fairly large one. You assume that there are probably others, but that this is just their "capital." You get off your horse and look around and see the usual trappings of a primitive village. This whole situation is starting to remind you of your time in Rask. Though you hope that these particular barbarians aren't shapeshifters or spirits in disguise otherwise this idea of yours is not going to go well. The Belkaz chieftain comes out of his hut. He's certainly a big muscular man. Almost ogre sized. Hell, he may even have ogre blood in him. Heavily tattooed, various tribal piercing. All proof of his manhood and tolerance to pain no doubt. A worn looking axe hangs by his side. Probably has seen a lot of battle. You figure he slaughtered his way to the top like most of his kind do. Whether it was enemies of the tribe or rivals within the tribe, it doesn't matter, he's proven himself to be the best warrior and that's what makes him the leader. The rest fall in line when he give them an order. He stands before you looking down at you. Probably wondering how someone so small could be a leader of anything. "Huh. Empire man. You wanted to discuss a possible alliance?" "No, I wanted to discuss destroying your enemies." You say looking up. "Hrm? Yeah, I said alliance. You need help destroying other tribes." "Yes, I need help, but no I do not need an alliance." "You speak in riddles Empire man." "My apologies. Perhaps this is something you would better understand." You say and draw your sword. The Belkaz immediately goes for his axe, but fails you draw it in time since you land a heavy blow on his forearm nearly chopping it completely off. He bellows in pain and falls back holding on to his dangling bloody limb. Two Belkaz attempt to spear you in the back, but you easily dispatch them with spinning swing to their bellies unleashing their innards all over the ground. You run another Belkaz through as you advance towards the chieftain who has managed to draw his axe and recover from the initial shock of losing a vital limb which still partially dangles by the skin and bleeds profusely. He swings his axe recklessly at your head screaming the whole time. The battle was over long ago for him though as you easily duck such an attack and aim your sword directly at his groin. Literally destroying his manhood, his screams suddenly become much higher pitched as the useless member falls to the ground along with its two friends. Dropping his axe, falling to his knees and attempting to hold himself up with his one good arm, you finish him off with a chop to his head, and then another, and then another until his head splits in two. Already dead at this point, you then stomp on his split skull crushing the brain matter leaking out. The rest of the Belzak tribe at this point is either hiding or staring in awe of how easily you dispatch their leader. You look around and after catching your breath, you speak. "This man did not lead your tribe to victory against your enemies. As such he was also your enemy and needed to die. This will be your fate as well if you do not submit to my army. If you wish to live and see victory over your enemies, then you will join me. If not...well you will join him." You say and point at their dead chieftain with your sword. You get back on your horse unopposed and ride back to your camp where some of your soldiers have been mildly concerned about you. You address the camp and one of your lieutenants in particular. "Everyone get some rest tonight our path to victory begins tomorrow. Lieutenant Harren I'm going to need you to take a platoon and head out to the main Belzak village tomorrow. Be on guard, as usual, but I think you'll find the natives quite agreeable with helping you in any way they can. In fact I dare say after this is all over they'll be some of the most loyal of our newest citizens." > Year 46 It took longer than you expected, but you've at last tracked down the main lair of the Slin. They've stretched this little war out the longest, but this is where it's going to end. Arrows unleashed by Slin bows hit some of your Belzak skimishers, but your own soldiers advance on the cave opening undeterred with their shields held up to protect them. You shake your head when you see the remaining Belzak run away. They've actually been completely useless when fighting the Slin. The only time they seemed to prove useful is when you were wiping out the Fleg tribe. The Fleg were pretty odd as you came to find out that they were decedents of once regular Empire citizens that started believing in some weird cult that took hold in the Nalin province long before you were around. The Empire stomped it out, but obviously the remainder fled here. Surrender and backing down wasn't an option for them. When you got to their last village you found that they all committed ritual suicide. Their cult finally wiped out. You and your men fight your way into the cave entrance, several large Slin come lumbering from various tunnels hissing and charging at you. You like that. You appreciate a foe that gives no quarter and doesn't run even in the face of certain death. It's more than can be said of the wild elves. They were fierce fighters at first, but after you wiped out the Fleg and started making great progress against the Slin, something in them must've changed. It's as if all their courage left them. Their elder came to you and begged you to spare them from genocide. These elves were all former slaves that managed to run away from the Empire long ago. The elder spoke of how he should've known it was folly to run away and that eventually the Empire would eventually find them again even if it took them hundreds of years. You told him that the Empire was no more, but his peoples' attacks on your soldiers was something that couldn't be forgiven. Taking a page from Captain Krozer's handling of elves in Rask, you had all the adults and elderly killed. Any children were taken to become wards of the state. While slavery doesn't exist in Nalin as it did in the Empire, you figure these children can still be indoctrinated to be proper citizens and given a second chance at a better life. Sometimes mercy can be a good thing. Several Slin lie dead at your feet. More of them continue to pour in as you and your remaining men travel further into the cavern. No, there will be no capitulation, or cowardly escape through suicide here. Before you killed the elven elder, he told you that the Slin apparently once lived in the Delerg swamps before being driven out by the Empire. (With the help of the Shadow Guard) Funny how all these people managed to settle in the same area and fight each other rather than unite, but then they all had different reasons and ways of life. The Slin don't even realize that the Empire has fallen, and attempting to explain it to them at this point wouldn't do any good even if you wanted to bother with such a thing. You're close enough to being one of their oppressors in their eyes and your goals of kill or be killed were locked in as soon as you stepped into their territory The final confrontation takes place in what you guess to be brood chamber. Even Slin children are vicious enough to take part in battle. The Slin matriarch isn't as big as the ones you've been fighting, but she has the advantage of some sort of primitive magic. She casts a poisonous cloud causing several of your troops that had followed you, immediately gag, cough and vomit. They eventually succumb to the toxins and choking on their own blood and bleeding from every orifice. The cloud doesn't make you feel too well either, but being an Eternal you're made of stronger stuff and have natural immunities to most poisons. Her brood bite at your legs as you attempt to fight through the haze of the poison cloud. You slaughter all of them and ignore the pain of several teeth cutting through your leggings and into your flesh. The matriarch hisses at you backing away as you advance towards her. She attempts to cast another spell, but you interrupt her by slashing her staff out of her hand. Lacking any other weapons, she resorts to her natural ones that are just as good to kill someone with. She lunges at you and wrestles you to the ground where you lose your sword in the process. Having a hard time seeing and breathing due to the cloud, you begin to feel a lot weaker and you struggle to free your arms from her talons. "Babies! Ssss! You kill my babiessss!" She says attempting to bite your face off. You more your head in such a manner that she only manages to bite your ear off instead. At this time you finally manage to free one of your arms and bring a fist to the side of her head. It isn't enough to knock her off of you, but it's enough to daze her enough so you can free your other arm. With both hands free you take your thumbs and jam them into the red orbs of the matriarch succeeding in pulling one out completely. The matriarch shrieks in pain holding her face and you push her off of you. Blind and crawling on the ground, she attempts to look for her staff. You stand up and easily grab your own weapon and put the matriarch out of her misery with a chop to her leathery neck. Another severs her head completely. You stagger out of the Slin brood chamber coughing up some blood from all the poison you inhaled from the now dissipating cloud. Some of your troops that were still fighting Slin in other parts of the cavern see that you're not feeling your best and go to help you. You don't remember exactly what happened after that. You must've passed out briefly because the next thing you know you're lying outside the cave surrounded by some of your soldiers and a few of the belzaks who must've regained their courage after they ran away. You're still not feeling good, who knows how much of that poison is in your system. "I've seen this before! He needs certain herbs to cure the poison, and I have some, I can mix up an antidote right here!" one of the belzak says. "Shut the fuck up tribal, you oughta be glad we're not executing you right now for desertion on the battle field! In fact let's take care of that right now!" a soldier remarks and you hear a scuffle and protests of wanting to help and begging for life. You struggle to get up, and you manage it just barely. You feel like you're going to collapse again and you aren't sure if you're going to make it to the medic back at the war camp. In the meantime the belzakians are begging you to call off you soldiers. > You call off the execution You're feeling so ill at this point that if these deserters can actually do something to help you, you'll give them a pass. "Release them...let them make their antidote." You gasp. Your soldiers are hesitant, but fulfill your orders and release the belzakians so that they can do their work. The one who spoke up thanks you immediately and starts asking his buddies to help him mix up the antidote. You lie on a bed roll drifting in and out of deliriousness hoping they hurry up with that antidote, eventually one of them approaches you. "This is for you, my merciful general!" You grab the wooden bowl that they've mixed the antidote in and struggle to sit up. After gazing into the green liquid you drink deeply. "Yes, drink, soon all your pain will be no more!" the belzak exclaims You might be ill and your hearing might be off due to missing an ear now, but the tone of the belzak's voice is a little concerning. And you have every right to be concerned unfortunately it's a little too late. Your throat and your entire insides feel like they're on fire. If you were ill before, that "antidote" you just drank made it ten times worse. You struggle to breathe and attempt to grab at the belzak who avoids your feeble attempts, though your other soldiers grab him and his fellows. "YES DIE TYRANT! DIE FOR MAKING MY TRIBE SLAVES!" he screams before one of your soldiers cuts his throat. It's no victory though; your own life ends soon after as the mixture of poisons in your system shut down your body completely.

Year 46 It took longer than you expected, but you've at last tracked down the main lair of the Slin. They've stretched this little war out the longest, but this is where it's going to end. Arrows unleashed by Slin bows hit some of your Belzak skimishers, but your own soldiers advance on the cave opening undeterred with their shields held up to protect them. You shake your head when you see the remaining Belzak run away. They've actually been completely useless when fighting the Slin. The only time they seemed to prove useful is when you were wiping out the Fleg tribe. The Fleg were pretty odd as you came to find out that they were decedents of once regular Empire citizens that started believing in some weird cult that took hold in the Nalin province long before you were around. The Empire stomped it out, but obviously the remainder fled here. Surrender and backing down wasn't an option for them. When you got to their last village you found that they all committed ritual suicide. Their cult finally wiped out. You and your men fight your way into the cave entrance, several large Slin come lumbering from various tunnels hissing and charging at you. You like that. You appreciate a foe that gives no quarter and doesn't run even in the face of certain death. It's more than can be said of the wild elves. They were fierce fighters at first, but after you wiped out the Fleg and started making great progress against the Slin, something in them must've changed. It's as if all their courage left them. Their elder came to you and begged you to spare them from genocide. These elves were all former slaves that managed to run away from the Empire long ago. The elder spoke of how he should've known it was folly to run away and that eventually the Empire would eventually find them again even if it took them hundreds of years. You told him that the Empire was no more, but his peoples' attacks on your soldiers was something that couldn't be forgiven. Taking a page from Captain Krozer's handling of elves in Rask, you had all the adults and elderly killed. Any children were taken to become wards of the state. While slavery doesn't exist in Nalin as it did in the Empire, you figure these children can still be indoctrinated to be proper citizens and given a second chance at a better life. Sometimes mercy can be a good thing. Several Slin lie dead at your feet. More of them continue to pour in as you and your remaining men travel further into the cavern. No, there will be no capitulation, or cowardly escape through suicide here. Before you killed the elven elder, he told you that the Slin apparently once lived in the Delerg swamps before being driven out by the Empire. (With the help of the Shadow Guard) Funny how all these people managed to settle in the same area and fight each other rather than unite, but then they all had different reasons and ways of life. The Slin don't even realize that the Empire has fallen, and attempting to explain it to them at this point wouldn't do any good even if you wanted to bother with such a thing. You're close enough to being one of their oppressors in their eyes and your goals of kill or be killed were locked in as soon as you stepped into their territory The final confrontation takes place in what you guess to be brood chamber. Even Slin children are vicious enough to take part in battle. The Slin matriarch isn't as big as the ones you've been fighting, but she has the advantage of some sort of primitive magic. She casts a poisonous cloud causing several of your troops that had followed you, immediately gag, cough and vomit. They eventually succumb to the toxins and choking on their own blood and bleeding from every orifice. The cloud doesn't make you feel too well either, but being an Eternal you're made of stronger stuff and have natural immunities to most poisons. Her brood bite at your legs as you attempt to fight through the haze of the poison cloud. You slaughter all of them and ignore the pain of several teeth cutting through your leggings and into your flesh. The matriarch hisses at you backing away as you advance towards her. She attempts to cast another spell, but you interrupt her by slashing her staff out of her hand. Lacking any other weapons, she resorts to her natural ones that are just as good to kill someone with. She lunges at you and wrestles you to the ground where you lose your sword in the process. Having a hard time seeing and breathing due to the cloud, you begin to feel a lot weaker and you struggle to free your arms from her talons. "Babies! Ssss! You kill my babiessss!" She says attempting to bite your face off. You more your head in such a manner that she only manages to bite your ear off instead. At this time you finally manage to free one of your arms and bring a fist to the side of her head. It isn't enough to knock her off of you, but it's enough to daze her enough so you can free your other arm. With both hands free you take your thumbs and jam them into the red orbs of the matriarch succeeding in pulling one out completely. The matriarch shrieks in pain holding her face and you push her off of you. Blind and crawling on the ground, she attempts to look for her staff. You stand up and easily grab your own weapon and put the matriarch out of her misery with a chop to her leathery neck. Another severs her head completely. You stagger out of the Slin brood chamber coughing up some blood from all the poison you inhaled from the now dissipating cloud. Some of your troops that were still fighting Slin in other parts of the cavern see that you're not feeling your best and go to help you. You don't remember exactly what happened after that. You must've passed out briefly because the next thing you know you're lying outside the cave surrounded by some of your soldiers and a few of the belzaks who must've regained their courage after they ran away. You're still not feeling good, who knows how much of that poison is in your system. "I've seen this before! He needs certain herbs to cure the poison, and I have some, I can mix up an antidote right here!" one of the belzak says. "Shut the fuck up tribal, you oughta be glad we're not executing you right now for desertion on the battle field! In fact let's take care of that right now!" a soldier remarks and you hear a scuffle and protests of wanting to help and begging for life. You struggle to get up, and you manage it just barely. You feel like you're going to collapse again and you aren't sure if you're going to make it to the medic back at the war camp. In the meantime the belzakians are begging you to call off you soldiers. > You have them killed "Kill these fucking deserters and get me to the medic." You say. The screams of the belzak deserters begging for their lives and death squeals fall on deaf ears...or rather ear as the case may be now. Eventually you manage to make it to the medic who immediately starts administering an antidote to you. You're out of commission and very sick for a couple of days, but after which time you're at least able to stand without feeling ill anymore. Your chewed off ear isn't an excessive problem as you can still hear relatively well, still you do feel a sense of "loss." In any event the expansionist eastern campaign is over. All the tribes have been either wiped out or subdued to the point of submissiveness. Brenda will be relieved to hear it, as you know she was always concerned about having most of the veteran troops there instead of the northern borders. She'll also be pleased that there weren't many losses overall. You're satisfied with the results, though now you're just wondering what you're going to do with yourself again. Year 50 "Our defenses are strong in the north. Have been for years. No need to be concerned about that." You say. "I know, but this is a big thing. I mean after all these years now Edgar wants to speak with us?" Brenda asks. "My reports say he's gotten a lot more organized and isn't dealing with anarchy in his ranks anymore. He even re-conquered the old core lands of the Empire. It could be that he wants to see how strong we really are. His message said he's coming alone without anyone else." "Well, maybe that's a good sign. Maybe he just wants to talk." "Or maybe he wants to kill us both to a great show of strength so Nalin will capitulate with minimum fuss." You point out. "Yeah...there is that tactic. (sigh) Well I guess we all knew this day was coming. Guess I better practice my combat skills., which sadly have probably declined from lack of use. Would you spar with me?" "Of course. Don't worry, I'm sure you're not that out of practice." You remark. You and Brenda go to her personal training room where you and her prepare to spar. Brenda makes a few remarks about this being like the old days when Mistress made you fight each other. Brenda mentions the time when you broke Gerald's arm and Kane's nose when she pit them both against you. "Yeah, I remember that. That was my first match. Mistress had it in for me after I begged for my life. I was always pretty aggressive after that, well at least until Gruz told me I should master my anger better, and I did...anyway let's get on with this." You say not really wanting to think about those days or any of the names mentioned. Brenda isn't quite as skilled as you remember her to be and she has indeed let her talents decline. Then again as you remember she always was more skilled with the bow. Something you never quite got the hang of yourself. You begin to get more in a "drill instructor mode" and shout commands at her to watch her techniques. "Alright, alright, I told you I was out of practice." She shouts back. "Well you shouldn't have let it get this bad in the first place." You say. After this remark, Brenda begins to get a little annoyed, which of course means she makes even more mistakes. "Brenda, come on I know you're better than this! Focus!" "I am!" "Well prove it!" "Well, I'm sorry I'm not the fucking lord of war that you are!" "You don't need to be me, you just need to be an Eternal!" "What the hell for? The Empire is fucking dead and we've just been upkeeping a parody of it for the past fifteen years! I don't even know what I'm doing trying to run this fucking country anymore! I never wanted this! I...I just wanted...to spend the rest of my...(sob) life with Roldan...(sob)" At this point Brenda sits down on the floor and completely breaks down in tears. You can honestly say you weren't expecting this. "Brenda..." "I'm sorry, but I can't be the Eternal you are. I can't even be the Eternal that Edgar is. I lost that edge when I fell in love. I wasn't supposed to and neither was Roldan! If we hadn't been so weak, he'd still be alive and..." "Dammit Brenda, you can't keep blaming yourself for his death! Your relationship and whatever feelings you had for each other had nothing to do with some insane asshole blowing him up. What's bringing this all on? Edgar? I think you're worrying about him more than you need to. I mean for all we know he just wants play catch up and even if he doesn't we're going to be ready for him and his army of half assed Eternals..." Brenda shakes her head and tries to compose herself. "No, it's not Edgar. It's you." "Me? What do you mean? Out with it." "I...I think I've developed the same kind of feelings for you that I did for Roldan." Brenda says. Another surprise for you today, not exactly the best timing with all that's coming up soon. "...Uh...I don't know what to say...I guess...I mean...are you sure?" you ask. "I think I'd know. It's been building up slowly over time. At first I was just happy to have you around, another Eternal to talk to. Sure you weren't Roldan, and you're certainly less fun loving than he could be, but there was that familiar bond. Then when you were so instrumental in helping to keep order in this place, I remembered why we all admired and respected you as a leader so much back in the day. It also began to remind me of how Roldan and I complimented each other in keeping order here during the days of the Empire. You were bringing the memories of those good old days back and making them reality again." "You probably just still miss him and are transferring those feelings." "I thought so too, which is why I didn't do anything before. In fact I was feeling guilty about it, I thought I was dishonoring Roldan's memory. Wasn't until I heard about your close call with death during your campaign in the east that I knew it was more than mere transference. I was so happy that you were still alive, I nearly told you how I felt when you came back. I just didn't think you suffered from such weaknesses and I wanted to remain strong because your respect was more important than my silly attractions." You don't have much experience with any of this, but you need to say or do something make Brenda feel better. "Brenda, you'll always have my respect. As for anything between us, I never thought about it because I figured you'd always be carrying a torch for Roldan. I'm not opposed to the idea however. I mean we do have much in common and contrary to popular belief, I'm not quite the unfeeling golem that most consider me to be. I do have feelings, even if I don't show them a lot and I would've thought you knew that." "I know you do, but you're in control of them or you at least direct them better. I worry that if by some chance something would to occur between us, that you would lose your edge. I don't want you to become weaker or distracted because of me. You're needed as you are now." You're about to reply, and then there's a knock on the door. "Sorry to disturb your training, but I've been told that the leader of the Eternal Dominion has been spotted at the northern border. He's on a horse by himself, and several soldiers are already escorting him to Fort Glory. Did you want to meet him there or did you want us to escort him all the way to the capital?" a voice asks from behind the door. The pair of you didn't expect him this soon, let alone be in the middle of the discussion you're having now. You'd probably both like to wrap this up before having to focus on Edgar, though the question is if you'd have enough time to do it anyway. > You meet Edgar at the fort You and Brenda might have a bit more on your mind now, but this is much more important. "Brenda, I know emotions are running high right now, but I think we need to go meet Edgar. We can talk more about this later." You say. "Yes. Yes, of course. We need to get back to business. I'll be okay. This was silly anyway. Need to focus." Brenda says standing back up and wiping her eyes. You and Brenda ride off to Fort Glory. The ride there is done with minimal talking, but that's sort of to be expected. The thing is you never seriously thought about Brenda in that way until she just brought it up today. Sure you always knew you had that bond from both of you being Eternals and the fact that you've served together for so long. You may have even had the occasional sexual thought about her, but like you said to her, you always figured she would've carried a torch for Roldan. You would've just been a substitute at best. Now you're having scenarios in your head about the two of you being together in a closer way and you really shouldn't be thinking about that at this moment. Maybe she's right in a way maybe if you did have something together it would cause you to lose your edge. It's certainly clouding your judgment right now and you're not even together. When you get to Fort Glory you're told that Edgar is waiting for you in your meeting room. When you ask how he seems, the soldiers say he's been stand offish, but not overly hostile. About what you expected. When you and Brenda reach the meeting room, you ask her if she's ready, and she remarks that she is. The door opens and you both step in and see Edgar sitting in a chair with a big grin on his face. He stands up and addresses the both of you. "Well it's about time! I've missed the both of you! Come here!" he says jovially with his arms out walking towards you. "Uh... yeah, hey Edgar. Good to see you too." Brenda says when he gives her a big hug. Looks like it's going to be a day of surprises... Edgar stops hugging Brenda and then looks at you. You stand a little back from him as you don't want to be hugged, but Edgar doesn't try it. "Oh don't worry, I know you're the serious minded Bane of Rask! Bane of Nalin too now I hear! Heh, but how are you?" "I'm fine Edgar." You say. "Good, good. I just have to say it's really great seeing the both of you again! I mean you two are like my brother and sister! No, you ARE my brother and sister!" The last time you heard this sort of sibling talk before was from Kane and if you weren't wary before, you certainly are now. "Edgar, I'm glad you seem to be in a good mood and all, but I sent envoys to contact you several times in the past and none of them ever returned. We always assumed you had them killed and were angry at us." Brenda says. "You did? When was the last one?" "Mmm, last one was about six years ago I believe. After that, I saw no need to waste lives." "Aw! You should've kept sending them! I don't know if you're aware of just how much anarchy and infighting I've had to put up with! Those envoys probably got killed by the new Eternals and nobody ever told me about it! Hell, they might've even gotten killed by run of the mill bandits, it was pretty lawless back in the early days! Shit, if I had known you guys weren't pissed at ME, I would've made this trek sooner!" "Wait, so you weren't mad at us?" "Mad at you guys? What the hell for?! Oh you mean seceding from the Empire? Well I have to say I was more shocked than angry about that. I mean YOU especially." Edgar says pointing at you. "But in time I heard about what you two were doing down here and I respected what the pair of you were attempting to do." You and Brenda look at each other, wondering what Edgar THINKS you both were trying to do. "Oh? And what was that exactly?" Brenda asks. "You saw that the Empire was a lost cause, but you were trying to uphold a portion of it, though this patch of territory. I've heard about your great success in keeping order and how you've even added more land to your nation. Only an Eternal could do something like that and that's why both of you were successful!" Edgar isn't far off, at least from your perspective. Though he probably has a more idealistic vision of it than the reality, which was this; you didn't know where else to go and over time Nalin was transformed into a "mini Empire" because you didn't know any other way. Brenda's reasons are probably based on simple emotional attachment. "Well, we were doing the best we could under the circumstances, but you forged a whole new nation, so you've been successful too Edgar." Brenda says. "Ah yes, but it wasn't easy! There were many times I almost wanted to give up and come join you two! But I knew I couldn't do that, I had a vision that I had to make work! A nation run by Eternals and I'm proud to say it's all finally coming together and I think it's finally time for us, to reunite like we were meant to!" You and Brenda look at each other again. "Edgar, I don't think it's quite as simple as all that. We're going to have to discuss this, all of it." Brenda remarks and the three of you sit down to do just that. Edgar starts off by saying that while he respects what you've done, he doesn't think that you're going about things the right way and that you're still thinking like "The Empire" and clinging to the old way of doing things. He points out that within his new regime he's pushed for advances in weapon technology like the Felkan Kingdom has and managed to even "acquire" such gunpowder based weapons. He's also managed to get a few mages to help in getting the Eternal process started again. When you bring up your experience with the new Eternals, Edgar reassures you that they don't have the discipline issues at all anymore. He says he's manages to instill the pride of being an Eternal into them and they've shaped up enough to no longer behave like the bloodthirsty children you knew them to be. He also says the next generation of Eternals are almost ready to prove their worth now as well and says he has made sure that their training was stricter and more in line with how you were trained. "Don't you see I'm creating a new nation like the Empire, but how it should've been run! A nation run by us Eternals! Only we are able to efficiently run things. The lessers can either wisely listen to us, or be crushed underfoot." "That sounds very nice Edgar, but what is our place in this new nation?" you ask. "Well, you'd be helping of course! I mean we would be ruling as...uh...a council! Yes! A council of three! The Eternal Council!" "A council huh? Don't you think that might ruin your standing with the new eternals who you've probably conditioned to listen to a single strong leader?" you ask. "And they'll still listen to me, because if they don't they'll get executed!" "So...you'd actually be in charge then." "Well yes. I mean no. I mean...fuck, why are you fighting me on this!? I just want us to all work together again like we should've been doing a long time ago!" Edgar says in an exasperated tone. He's actually getting upset. You're not really being a dick on purpose, but you have a lot of reservations about this plan Edgar has, even if he has genuine good intentions. Brenda has been fairly silent for a while, but she suddenly stands up and says to Edgar that she needs to speak to you outside. He says okay, but is obviously troubled by how this is going. Brenda and you leave and after dismissing the soldiers standing outside, you're standing in an empty corridor. "I think we should join Edgar." Brenda says. "What? Just like that? You'd be giving up control of your own nation. Don't you have some concerns?" "Not really. I think you heard me say not too long ago, that I never wanted it. And you heard him, it sounds like Edgar's done a good job so far and just wants our help." "And I'm not sure if I want to. I know he claims to have those second generation Eternals under control, but I just don't trust them. And now he's saying there's a whole new batch to deal with." "I'm sure we can handle it, that's probably why he wants us to help. Besides, we'd be with others of our kind at least; don't you wish for that sometimes? To not constantly be alone?" "Maybe my experiences are different, but not particularly. Besides, you're not alone. You've got me." There is an uncomfortable silence with that statement. The unresolved issue between the pair of you has reared its ugly head again. "I know, but I still have conflicting feelings about you and if we don't join Edgar he's going to declare war on us. Can we truly have any sort of meaningful relationship then? Would you become less focused with me on the back of your mind? If we join Edgar, the pressure to constantly run things would be off of us. We would have time to explore the potential for a deeper relationship. Look, I know your feelings on the new Eternals, but I don't think it's just that. You're in charge here at least in the military aspect of things, which quite frankly is the only thing that does matter to you. You don't want to give that up and I understand, but I think you need to look at the bigger picture here." > You join Edgar Maybe Brenda's got a point; maybe you need to let go of your control a bit. Edgar has certainly proven to be a more capable leader than when you last knew him, and he seems to genuinely want you and Brenda to have an equal partnership. You're still a little skeptical of that, but you'll see how it goes. There's also your unresolved situation with Brenda. She has feelings for you and you realize you do have them for her. If there is the potential for something deeper here, maybe it would be better if the pressures of potential war with the Eternal Dominion were eliminated. Plus she wants to join, and you feel as if trusting in her judgment would be a positive step in your relationship. "Okay Brenda. I agree. Let's join the Eternal Dominion." You say. Brenda smiles and gives you a hug added with a kiss, which startles you a little. You both very nearly make out in the hallway, but then you remember Edgar is still waiting for you. You and Brenda return to the room where Edgar looks a bit on edge. You decide to let Brenda break the news to him. "Edgar, we've talked it over and we accept your offer." Edgar looks incredibly relieved and leaps out of his seat to shake both of your hands. "Great! That's great! Whew! For a moment I thought you weren't going to go for it, but I should've known you'd see the wisdom in this! This is going to be the best thing for all of us! You'll see!" "You realize, there's going to be a lot of things to sort out Edgar." You say. "Oh yeah! I know we'll hammer out the details and we'll be equals in this. You don't know what this means to me! The rest of our family united again, nothing can stop us! Not even that traitor Warrick!" "Warrick?" you and Brenda ask in unison. "Yeah, he joined the Felkan Kingdom didn't you know? He joined a former enemy of the Empire! I guess you two probably wouldn't know being so far away from it and all. Oh well, doesn't matter we'll take him down like with did with Kane! Eh? Remember that?" Edgar says nudging you. "Yeah I remember Edgar." You reply. Edgar is so happy right now, you think he's almost about to cry. It's definitely not a side you've ever seen of him before. "Ah, well I wish I could stick around longer to celebrate, but I have to return. Got some things to take care of and prepare before the great merging of our territories! But we'll be seeing a lot of each other soon enough!" Edgar leaves in good spirits and biding you both goodbye. As you and Brenda see him ride off, you shake your head in almost disbelief after all that's happened today. "It's been an overly emotionally day for you today I imagine." Brenda says. "You're not joking. I guess I am an emotionless golem compared to the rest of you." "Oh I wouldn't say that. You handled everything very well, for a golem." "Heh. I just hope this is the right decision." "You still think you and Edgar will clash?" "After today, it's not really Edgar that I'm concerned about, there's still all those newer generation of Eternals to deal with. I hope Edgar really does have them under control." "I'm sure everything will be fine. Odd news about Warrick though, thought he was dead." "Yeah, that was just one of the many surprises today." "Well enough about them, I think we've got us to discuss." You and Brenda retire to your quarters at Fort Glory. After an hour or so of talking, you both decide that it's time to take it to the more physical side of things. The night of passion you spend with Brenda is just one of many you hope in the years to come. Year 53 You and Brenda now oversee the Nalin territory as a married couple. The transition hasn't been a completely easy one, there was a lot of outright dissent when the announcement that Nalin was going to be annexed by the Eternal Dominion. Many of the citizens saw you and Brenda as their protectors against the ED, and then you went and joined it, and they had no say in the matter. Multiple rebellions had to be put down, Edgar wanted to send in Eternals to take care of the problem, but you and Brenda disagreed with that idea as it would just reinforce the fears of the less rebellious population. You instead resorted to more traditional means using normal Nalin troops, though your soldiers weren't exactly happy about it as they felt betrayed as well. While things in Nalin eventually settled down, the area feels like it could erupt with another rebellion at any time. You and Brenda haven't really been able to enjoy your newfound relationship with all the problems cropping up, though you do make the time when you can. In the meantime Edgar has suggested that you and Brenda move into the royal palace and live there instead. He's wanted you to do that for some time. He's also been hinting and letting the Eternals go in and reinforce law and order at Nalin once and for all. "We've already joined the Eternal Dominion why not leave and live in the palace? It is the capital after all and we are partial rulers." Brenda asks. "Because there's still problems here and I'd like to fix them before traipsing off to some cushy palace." You reply. "You're just stalling. We've done the best we can to get this place to assimilate, and at this point it really would be for the best to let the Eternals come in and maintain the order now. We've moved beyond this, and we deserve spending some downtime together. Besides, I would've at least thought you'd want to talk with Edgar about his battle plans to invade the Felkan Kingdom. Best way you can do that is to be at the palace." "Because...ah shit. You're right. I am stalling. It's still hard to let go of personally managing this place I suppose. There's also the fact that I still don't like the idea of having to deal with those second gen Eternals on a daily basis." "Oh come on, you've spoken with some of them when we visited the palace before. They all seem pretty respectful." Brenda says. "Yeah, I suppose, I dunno...okay let's move to the palace. I suppose we do deserve the break of living on the edge of dirty peasants possibly storming the gates." Brenda moves closer and hugs you in a loving way and kisses you. Despite all the shit you've had to deal with concerning Nalin, you've never felt happier than you have with Brenda. It is still weird to you that you can even feel this way. You never thought it was possible to feel so comfortable with another person on this sort of level, not even with another Eternal. Brenda has a way about her that manages to make you feel like everything is going to be okay. Safe even. You and Brenda send word to Edgar that you're both making your preparations to move and he sends a letter back stating how pleased he is and will send one of his personal royal carriages to come pick you. You accept, what the hell, why not ride in needless luxury? You both pack what you can and intend on sending for the rest of your things later. The pair of you board the carriage when it arrives and settle in for a long ride. "See, told you the new Eternals respect us, you saw how polite our drivers are." Brenda says. "Well these ones seem to be anyway. But I have been thinking more about it and I'm starting to accept the idea of making this change. I've been thinking of some ideas about Edgar's plans for the Felkan Kingdom invasion." "I figured you'd see a bright side to it." "Yeah, he's going to need my direct help on that plan. I'm just glad I managed to talk him out of invading Rask. That would've been a disaster." You excitedly tell Brenda what you plan to tell Edgar for the Felkan Kingdom invasion, and she listens intently, but also gives her own input on some things. You take some of her ideas into consideration and generally enjoy this time you have. Later the pair of you begin to drift off together, not exactly the easiest thing to do in a carriage, but you've always been a light sleeper any way. Times passes and then suddenly... "SHIT! ATTACK!" you hear one of the Eternal drivers shout followed by the sound of a pistol shot. You instantly wake up and Brenda does likewise. You look out the window on your side and see several people armed with bows firing at the carriage. You then hear a loud crash that sounds like it came from in front of you, then the carriage screeches to a halt. The sounds of dying whinnies of horses soon follow. You grab your own flintlock and fire off a shot from inside the carriage; Brenda meanwhile loads up her bow and fires off arrows from her side. You can hear the two Eternal drivers jumping off and yelling about getting to cover and closing the gap on these attackers. That's exactly what you had in mind; you never did get the hang of these gunpowder weapons. You step out of the carriage and head for the nearest tree to get some cover. You look over at the other two Eternals ducked behind a large rock and motion them to run around the other way to help Brenda, They seem to understand. In the meantime you manage to dodge arrows by ducking tree to tree and when you finally close the gap, you cleave one of your attackers' heads clean off. The rest of them draw their own swords and axes to attack, but in close combat it's no contest. You dispatch all of them with ease. They don't appear to be the unwashed rabble you've been pissing off lately, they're too well armed and armored. You doubt if they're simple bandits either. These are probably mercenaries, but you don't have time to figure out right now who hired them, you turn around to go help Brenda. By the time you get to the half destroyed carriage again, you don't hear anymore sounds of battle. When you see the Brenda's side of the carriage has been opened and some blood stain you begin to worry. Running over to the other side, you see several bodies of the attackers and then a few feet away, you see Brenda lying face down on the ground. Your heart sinks. You run over to her and turn her over and your worst fears are confirmed, her eyes show no signs of life. Your eyes begin to water and a mixture of rage and sorrow causes you to cry out. As you hold her body you don't see any arrow or sword wounds, you do notice two gunshots to her chest though... Upon the realization of who killed your beloved Brenda, you don't even get to face the treacherous dogs. The two Eternal drivers blast you from afar, one shot to your back and one to your head, killing you instantly. Your deaths are blamed on an ambush by some of the disgruntled population of Nalin. To his credit, Edgar doesn't believe the story and has the two Eternals executed for suspicion and incompetence. It's of minor consequence though, the real conspirators of this assassination remain uncaught and you're still dead.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, serious] You and Brenda might have a bit more on your mind now, but this is much more important. "Brenda, I know emotions are running high right now, but I think we need to go meet Edgar. We can talk more about this later." You say. "Yes. Yes, of course. We need to get back to business. I'll be okay. This was silly anyway. Need to focus." Brenda says standing back up and wiping her eyes. You and Brenda ride off to Fort Glory. The ride there is done with minimal talking, but that's sort of to be expected. The thing is you never seriously thought about Brenda in that way until she just brought it up today. Sure you always knew you had that bond from both of you being Eternals and the fact that you've served together for so long. You may have even had the occasional sexual thought about her, but like you said to her, you always figured she would've carried a torch for Roldan. You would've just been a substitute at best. Now you're having scenarios in your head about the two of you being together in a closer way and you really shouldn't be thinking about that at this moment. Maybe she's right in a way maybe if you did have something together it would cause you to lose your edge. It's certainly clouding your judgment right now and you're not even together. When you get to Fort Glory you're told that Edgar is waiting for you in your meeting room. When you ask how he seems, the soldiers say he's been stand offish, but not overly hostile. About what you expected. When you and Brenda reach the meeting room, you ask her if she's ready, and she remarks that she is. The door opens and you both step in and see Edgar sitting in a chair with a big grin on his face. He stands up and addresses the both of you. "Well it's about time! I've missed the both of you! Come here!" he says jovially with his arms out walking towards you. "Uh... yeah, hey Edgar. Good to see you too." Brenda says when he gives her a big hug. Looks like it's going to be a day of surprises... Edgar stops hugging Brenda and then looks at you. You stand a little back from him as you don't want to be hugged, but Edgar doesn't try it. "Oh don't worry, I know you're the serious minded Bane of Rask! Bane of Nalin too now I hear! Heh, but how are you?" "I'm fine Edgar." You say. "Good, good. I just have to say it's really great seeing the both of you again! I mean you two are like my brother and sister! No, you ARE my brother and sister!" The last time you heard this sort of sibling talk before was from Kane and if you weren't wary before, you certainly are now. "Edgar, I'm glad you seem to be in a good mood and all, but I sent envoys to contact you several times in the past and none of them ever returned. We always assumed you had them killed and were angry at us." Brenda says. "You did? When was the last one?" "Mmm, last one was about six years ago I believe. After that, I saw no need to waste lives." "Aw! You should've kept sending them! I don't know if you're aware of just how much anarchy and infighting I've had to put up with! Those envoys probably got killed by the new Eternals and nobody ever told me about it! Hell, they might've even gotten killed by run of the mill bandits, it was pretty lawless back in the early days! Shit, if I had known you guys weren't pissed at ME, I would've made this trek sooner!" "Wait, so you weren't mad at us?" "Mad at you guys? What the hell for?! Oh you mean seceding from the Empire? Well I have to say I was more shocked than angry about that. I mean YOU especially." Edgar says pointing at you. "But in time I heard about what you two were doing down here and I respected what the pair of you were attempting to do." You and Brenda look at each other, wondering what Edgar THINKS you both were trying to do. "Oh? And what was that exactly?" Brenda asks. "You saw that the Empire was a lost cause, but you were trying to uphold a portion of it, though this patch of territory. I've heard about your great success in keeping order and how you've even added more land to your nation. Only an Eternal could do something like that and that's why both of you were successful!" Edgar isn't far off, at least from your perspective. Though he probably has a more idealistic vision of it than the reality, which was this; you didn't know where else to go and over time Nalin was transformed into a "mini Empire" because you didn't know any other way. Brenda's reasons are probably based on simple emotional attachment. "Well, we were doing the best we could under the circumstances, but you forged a whole new nation, so you've been successful too Edgar." Brenda says. "Ah yes, but it wasn't easy! There were many times I almost wanted to give up and come join you two! But I knew I couldn't do that, I had a vision that I had to make work! A nation run by Eternals and I'm proud to say it's all finally coming together and I think it's finally time for us, to reunite like we were meant to!" You and Brenda look at each other again. "Edgar, I don't think it's quite as simple as all that. We're going to have to discuss this, all of it." Brenda remarks and the three of you sit down to do just that. Edgar starts off by saying that while he respects what you've done, he doesn't think that you're going about things the right way and that you're still thinking like "The Empire" and clinging to the old way of doing things. He points out that within his new regime he's pushed for advances in weapon technology like the Felkan Kingdom has and managed to even "acquire" such gunpowder based weapons. He's also managed to get a few mages to help in getting the Eternal process started again. When you bring up your experience with the new Eternals, Edgar reassures you that they don't have the discipline issues at all anymore. He says he's manages to instill the pride of being an Eternal into them and they've shaped up enough to no longer behave like the bloodthirsty children you knew them to be. He also says the next generation of Eternals are almost ready to prove their worth now as well and says he has made sure that their training was stricter and more in line with how you were trained. "Don't you see I'm creating a new nation like the Empire, but how it should've been run! A nation run by us Eternals! Only we are able to efficiently run things. The lessers can either wisely listen to us, or be crushed underfoot." "That sounds very nice Edgar, but what is our place in this new nation?" you ask. "Well, you'd be helping of course! I mean we would be ruling as...uh...a council! Yes! A council of three! The Eternal Council!" "A council huh? Don't you think that might ruin your standing with the new eternals who you've probably conditioned to listen to a single strong leader?" you ask. "And they'll still listen to me, because if they don't they'll get executed!" "So...you'd actually be in charge then." "Well yes. I mean no. I mean...fuck, why are you fighting me on this!? I just want us to all work together again like we should've been doing a long time ago!" Edgar says in an exasperated tone. He's actually getting upset. You're not really being a dick on purpose, but you have a lot of reservations about this plan Edgar has, even if he has genuine good intentions. Brenda has been fairly silent for a while, but she suddenly stands up and says to Edgar that she needs to speak to you outside. He says okay, but is obviously troubled by how this is going. Brenda and you leave and after dismissing the soldiers standing outside, you're standing in an empty corridor. "I think we should join Edgar." Brenda says. "What? Just like that? You'd be giving up control of your own nation. Don't you have some concerns?" "Not really. I think you heard me say not too long ago, that I never wanted it. And you heard him, it sounds like Edgar's done a good job so far and just wants our help." "And I'm not sure if I want to. I know he claims to have those second generation Eternals under control, but I just don't trust them. And now he's saying there's a whole new batch to deal with." "I'm sure we can handle it, that's probably why he wants us to help. Besides, we'd be with others of our kind at least; don't you wish for that sometimes? To not constantly be alone?" "Maybe my experiences are different, but not particularly. Besides, you're not alone. You've got me." There is an uncomfortable silence with that statement. The unresolved issue between the pair of you has reared its ugly head again. "I know, but I still have conflicting feelings about you and if we don't join Edgar he's going to declare war on us. Can we truly have any sort of meaningful relationship then? Would you become less focused with me on the back of your mind? If we join Edgar, the pressure to constantly run things would be off of us. We would have time to explore the potential for a deeper relationship. Look, I know your feelings on the new Eternals, but I don't think it's just that. You're in charge here at least in the military aspect of things, which quite frankly is the only thing that does matter to you. You don't want to give that up and I understand, but I think you need to look at the bigger picture here." > Don't join Edgar Brenda's argument that you don't want to give up a lot of your autonomy is correct in many ways. Perhaps you are a little stuck in the past as well. You still remember having to save Edgar's life on more than one occasion. The idea of him telling you what to do is something that just doesn't sit right with you, even if you have put away your differences with him a long time ago. His council idea, while a valiant attempt is doomed to failure. Ultimately there can only be one real leader and while you don't mind following Brenda, you are not going to follow Edgar. The moment you disagree with him on something major it's going to get ugly again. "Brenda I understand that you're officially in charge of Nalin so ultimately it is your decision, but call it pride or even a hunch, but I feel that joining with Edgar would only lead to bad things occurring. What we control now is stable and with minimal chaos, maybe it isn't the Empire or even the Eternal Dominion, but it is ours. If Edgar declares war on us for not joining, then so be it. At least that tells us where we always stood with him in the first place. And as for us, well if there is anything at all between us, then that relationship won't be effected whether we're at war with Edgar or not, so you shouldn't even let that cloud your judgment on this matter." "And what if I decided that we should join with the Eternal Dominion? Would you leave?" Brenda asks. "Honestly I don't know what I'd do...(sigh) I suppose I'd support your decision even though I didn't agree with it. Where that would leave us as far as a relationship is concerned, well as I said before, if there is anything genuine and meant to be there, then it'll survive it. Wouldn't change my feelings for you." Brenda smiles at your remark. The first you've seen her do so all day. She then approaches and kisses you and you embrace her. You then both remember you've got Edgar waiting for an answer. You and Brenda return to the room where Edgar looks a bit on edge. You decide to let Brenda break the news to him. "Edgar, I'm sorry, but we both feel that Nalin should remain independent of the Eternal Dominion at this time." "But...but you've seen everything I've done! I've done all this for us! Eternals! Don't you see that?!" Edgar says in an aspirated tone. "We...know you did and we appreciate it, but I think our path is different from yours." Brenda says and then looks at you. Edgar notices this and tries a different tactic. "Oh wait. You two are together now? Well that's great! I mean I wasn't aware of it, but that's great! You weren't worried I was going to try anything did you? Ha ha, I've got tons of concubines! I wouldn't dream of coming between you two! Heh, so if that was your only concern, you can join me and..." "No Edgar, it's not that. We're just happy with the way things are, but thank you all the same." Brenda says. And here it comes. Edgar's face changes to red and he begins breathing heavier. "HAPPY? How the fuck can you two be so damn happy living in such mediocrity?! You're fucking Eternals! We're supposed to be ruling the fucking world! You two are no better than that traitor Warrick!" "Warrick?" you and Brenda ask in unison. "Yeah, he joined the Felkan Kingdom didn't you know? He joined a former enemy of the Empire! Of course you two probably haven't been keeping up on events since you've been playing grab ass with each other for the past fifteen years! By the Emperor's dead cock, you didn't wait long for Roldan to be dead did you?" This remark causes Brenda's calm demeanor to shift entirely and she stands up and draws her weapon. "You say one more fucking thing about my dead husband, and I'll send you back to the Eternal Dominion in fucking pieces!" Edgar draws his own weapon, but was a little surprised by her response. It's all you can do to hold Brenda back. "Alright, I think..." you start to say before Edgar cuts you off. "And you! What the fuck happened to you? You were supposed to be the BEST of us! You were the one that was the leader! Now look at you! You're following Brenda because she's spread her legs for you? Where the hell are your balls? You know when we were young I disliked you a lot, but I always respected you. After our escape from Fort Defiance I liked you as well as respected you. Now? I can't say I feel either." "Okay Edgar..." "Out of all of us YOU were the one that was supposed to prevent the Empire from falling! What did you do? You ran away! You know what I did? I stayed until the bitter end picking up the pieces! I saw the fucking capital in flames! I tried so hard to prevent it...I tried...and you didn't help me, (sob) none of you did..." At this point Edgar collapses back in his seat sobbing and going on about how he failed. His motivations for everything he's done are a little clearer now. Even after the verbal abuse he laid down on Brenda, she sees now he probably didn't mean any of it. After all these years, Edgar is still like a teenager trying to prove himself by over compensating. You actually feel sorry for him. You can only imagine the internal torment he's been going through all these years since the Empire fell. Justifications, rationalizations, outright blocking out reality, he's probably done it all. You sit down next to Edgar and pat him on the back. "Edgar. There was nothing any of us could've done. It was a doomed mission to begin with. You did your best and that's all anyone could've done. Even an Eternal." Edgar tries to compose himself while you give your pep talk. "You've accomplished much and you should be proud of your achievements on their own merits, not as compensation for perceived failings. This is your path and your destiny. Brenda and I, we have our own path." "Okay...okay..." Edgar sniffles. Before he leaves he apologizes to Brenda and says he has no intention on invading Nalin, but he still hopes that one day you'll reconsider in joining him "It's possible. Perhaps one day our paths will reunite." You answer. "I hope that day will be soon, goodbye my Eternal brother." Has says extending his hand. "Goodbye Edgar." You reply and shake his hand. After Edgar leaves the fort you sit down and run your hands over your face and taking a deep breath from all the emotional baggage you had to put up with today. "It's been an overly emotionally day for you today I imagine." Brenda says. "You're not joking. I guess I am an emotionless golem compared to the rest of you." "Oh I wouldn't say that. You handled everything very well, for a golem." "Heh. Well anyway that's one less thing to worry about." "You don't think we shouldn't still be concerned about him? I mean I know he said he wouldn't invade, but there's always the possibility of a sneak attack." "Edgar's a lot of things, but he not a backstabber. At least he wouldn't be for us. If he ever does decide to do it, I promise you, it'll be announced in a very dramatic fashion weeks in advance." "Yes, I suppose you're right. Odd news about Warrick though, thought he was dead." "Yeah, that was just one of the many surprises today. But I guess that was his path and how he dealt with the fall. It's all in the past now anyway, I'm not going to judge him." "Well enough about them, I think we've got us to discuss." You and Brenda retire to your quarters at Fort Glory. After an hour or so of talking, you both decide that it's time to take it to the more physical side of things. The night of passion you spend with Brenda is just one of many in the years to come. > Year 55 You and Brenda now rule the nation of Nalin as a married couple. There has been some issue on what your official titles are now. The simplest choices would be emperor and empress or king and queen. Eventually Brenda settled for imperatrix, which would officially make you imperator, though you still go by general for the most part. In any case life has been good. You don't even mind that things have been slow since you conquered all those tribals in the east. You've been taking a slightly more active role in running the nation from an administrative point of view, but sometimes you still long for the day of a good battle. When that day comes you've also tried to keep up on the changing times of changing warfare. While the days of close combat are far from over, if the Eternal Dominion is starting to slowly incorporate firearms into their ranks, then you better do likewise if only to maintain a show of strength. The ED isn't hostile though and you maintain a good trading relationship with them. Edgar still hopes you're going to join him one day, especially since you know he's got designs on going to war with the Felkan Kingdom (You gave him some friendly advice to not bother with invading Rask). He'd probably like you to at least be involved in a joint military operation with him, but you think he's over extending himself and the Felkan Kingdom is no pushover. It's not exactly like you're near the Felkan Kingdom as far as location is concerned either. All you'd be doing is having soldiers die in a war that doesn't even directly benefit your nation. That being said, Nalin hasn't sided with the Felkan Kingdom either in any way. Again, due to your location, you've had minimal contact with them. Brenda thought about allying with them in the past, but that was never seriously considered (Good thing too). Somehow though you imagine you're going to get dragged into this saber rattling between the Eternal Dominion and the Felkan Kingdom. Funny how that feeling turns out to be true. Late one night you and Brenda are awakened from your sleep. Some envoy from the Felkan Kingdom has sudden decided to show up in the middle of the night. Demanding to see the pair of you and claiming it's very urgent. You and Brenda don't get much sleep as it is, so you're inclined to tell your soldiers to just shoot him and go back to bed, but you've got a good idea of who it is. "You really think it's him?" Brenda ask. "You really think it isn't? It was only a matter of time. Ugh, I guess we better get this over with." You shout at the guard behind the door to hold the envoy in the meeting room and keep a close eye on him until you and Brenda get there. After grumbling and getting dress you and Brenda head to the meeting room where you see a familiar face. He's missing an eye, all of his hair and his face has a few more winkles and scars on it now, but you still recognize him. "Warrick, you better have a damn good reason for waking us up in the middle of the night." You say. "...you aren't surprised it's me?" "Not really, I actually thought you'd show up sooner, and how the hell did you manage to join the Felkan Kingdom anyway?" "It's a long story...but well anyway, I'm glad to see you both. I was surprised to hear about your marriage. Didn't think that..." "Warrick, I'm tired as well. It's not easy running a nation and I've been doing it even longer than my husband has, so get to the damn point of the visit or let this wait until tomorrow." Brenda demands rubbing one of her eyes. Warrick looks a little hurt by your remarks, but he gets on with it. "Very well, to business. The Felkan Kingdom wants an alliance with you." "Yeah sort of figured that. Anything else?" you ask. "Erm, no, but..." "Okay then, the answer is no. We can talk more about old times tomorrow, if you want. Good night." Brenda says starting to turn around to go back to bed. "Hey wait! No? Just like that?! You don't even want to consider the benefits?" Warrick asks. "What benefits? If we ally with the Felkan Kingdom, all it's going to do is piss off the Eternal Dominion who we have a good relationship with diplomatically and tradewise. What is the Felkan Kingdom going to offer?" Brenda replies. "How the fact that we're more likely to leave you alone after the war with the Eternal Dominion is over?" "Warrick...Warrick...you should know threats aren't going to sway us." You remark. "What?! NO! I meant, argh look. What I'm saying is if the unfortunate should happen and the Eternal Dominion wins don't you think that they'll try to invade you next?" "I suppose it's possible yes." "Whereas if the Felkan Kingdom wins, we have no intention on even expanding our borders." "Probably true, but that still doesn't help us during the war. A war that is really between you and the ED." "I can't believe I'm trying to convince YOU of all people to go to war. I would've thought you would've jumped at this chance!" Warrick says in a raised tone. "Things change Warrick, and just because I'm not jumping through your hoops doesn't mean I've lost a taste for battle. But I'm thinking on a grander scale now. Going to war with the Eternal Dominion doesn't do us or Nalin any good. It's just going to result in dead soldiers at best. We've found that our continued expansion eastward is much better in building up the country. Maximum gain with minimum losses." You say. Warrick paces a bit and sputters. He obviously thought this was going to go better. "So that's it then huh? You just take Edgar's side over mine. I thought you didn't like him anyway." "Warrick, it's not about taking sides. If you haven't noticed we're not exactly allied with the ED either. We trade with them and are on friendly terms, but that's out of convenience more than anything. Trust me, Edgar's been trying to get us to join for years. I don't know what you're even worried about, the Eternal Dominion is formidable I'm sure, but the Felkan Kingdom survived a war with the Empire. I'm guessing you should be able to handle the ED." "I don't know if we can." He calmly states. There's a moment of silence where you weren't expecting him to say such a thing so blatantly like that. "Look, I didn't want to say anything. The Felkan Kingdom is what I serve now and I serve it to the best of my abilities as I did the Empire. To do anything less would be a failure as an Eternal on my part." "But?" "But I see the weaknesses that we have and I can't ignore them. It's not public knowledge to anyone outside the kingdom, but we're also suffering a large gnoll invasion from the west. It caught us completely by surprise. The Felkan Kingdom is a mighty nation, but right now it's straining its resources just to stay alive. A war with the ED...and we all know it's coming, could break us. The funny thing is I feel like I'm in the Empire all over again. You know during the bad times." "I think they were ALL bad times Warrick. We just made the best of them." Brenda says. "Perhaps. (sigh) I guess I can't convince you ally with us, I mean you've got a good thing going on here and you shouldn't wreck it. I'm glad. Glad that some of us are doing well. But couldn't you at least break off your trade routes? I mean that would at least cause Edgar's attention to be diverted. He might suspect you're up to something and not attack the Felkan Kingdom. At least not right away. It might be enough time for us to put up a better defense." "Yeah and he might also attack us instead." Brenda remarks. "I don't think he will, because then he has to divert his own soldiers and resources and then he'll be worried that we will attack. He can't fight a two front war, even Edgar's smart enough not to risk that. And that's if he dares fighting you in the first place." "That's a big if, there Warrick." You say. You and Brenda tell Warrick you'll both discuss this in a little more detail outside. He says he understands and will await your decision. You and Brenda don't have too much to talk about really, since it's basically coming down to helping out a former comrade in arms and starting a possible war with another one or avoiding the situation entirely. Brenda is for staying neutral; oddly you're actually of two minds of this. > You stay neutral As much as you might like to help Warrick out, you just really aren't in a position to do so on any meaningful level. Breaking your trade routes with the Eternal Dominion is just foolish. You tell Brenda you'll break the news this time. You both enter the room where Warrick awaits your answer. "Sorry Warrick, while we do understand your troubles, we can't help you. What you're asking for is too much and we see no benefit for us or Nalin in general." Warrick's face doesn't drop and he doesn't get any angrier, All in all, he takes your response a lot better than Edgar did. "Very well. I shall tell my superiors that you are not interested in any sort of alliance with us. I hope that one day this may change. I suppose I will also take my leave now, sorry to have bothered the both of you, but it was still good to see you again." He says and leaves immediately. You and Brenda remark on he was probably more disappointed than he let on, but what's done is done and you've all made your choices now. The pair of you go back to bed and try to get some sleep. Year 56 "We've got to do something about this epidemic. If this keeps up we're not going to have a population left to rule over!" Brenda says. "Well so far the problem has hit the eastern territory of Nalin yet. We've scoured the land for healers, medics and a few hedge wizards and they're doing all they can, but this thing is really bad in a few of the towns. I've quarantined all of the major areas where this plague is taking place, but understandably a lot the soldiers aren't exactly keen on their duties there mainly because they don't want to get sick either. The only ones who aren't kicking up much of a fuss about it are soldiers with families in those towns." You reply. "(Sigh) Shit. I've talked to all of the advisors and nobody has a clue where, who and why this thing might've started. You got any ideas?" "Unfortunately the only one I can think of just a hunch, and I'd rather not believe it. I think Warrick, or at least the Felkan Kingdom had something to do with it. For all we know they could've had saboteurs in here for years planning this." "If it was them, I hope Edgar rips them a new asshole now that he's at war with them." "Be that as it may, I'm still hoping that wasn't the case, not because I don't want to believe a former friend could do this to us, but more because it doesn't reflect well on my duties to protect the nation. I mean if the Felkan Kingdom had saboteurs here, how was it that I didn't see it until now?" "You can't start doubting yourself, we need to focus on the problem at hand first." "You're right of course. Well as I see it, if we really want to stop the plague, we need to kill everyone in the quarantined areas, then cleanse everything with fire." "Wait, hold on. There's no other way? Can't we just have more medics and healers transferred to those places?" "I don't see what good that would do. From the reports a lot of these people are practically dead or dying as it is. It doesn't do any good for them to linger and possibly get others sick. Better to just kill them now and save the medics to observe the places that only have a few sick people." "You do realize that something like this is not going to be popular right? I mean are the soldiers even going to be willing to do such a thing?" "Well we try pretty hard to keep up the old ways of Empire indoctrination, I don't think we should have major problems, though I suppose those with families might protest (Sigh) I guess we'll have to take care of them as well." "This isn't sounding like a great idea. Maybe we should just keep the quarantine and let them all slowly die off. We could always say we're looking for a cure, and whether one comes or not, the problem will take care of itself." Brenda suggests. "The problem with that plan is we're diverting soldiers from more important duties and continuing to risk lives that can still be useful to Nalin." You say. You and Brenda weigh the pros and cons of your limited choices. > You kill everyone in the quarantine Ultimately, when in doubt killing everyone has worked for you on several occasions in the past, no reason to change tactic now. Brenda really doesn't think this is such a good idea, but you convince her that if there is going to be problems you might as well get them over with quickly. First thing you do is get every remaining "old guard" officer that's still serving since the days of the Empire and have them put in charge of this operation. You know they won't even question this command coming from you. Then you tell them to go through their personnel rosters to see who is going to be up for this grim task. You personally suggest to include all of those elves you made into orphans years ago. While they may all be good indoctrinated soldiers now, you think they wouldn't hesitate at a chance to kill some humans and would be good candidates for this job. Besides, elves seem to be more resistant to the plague anyway. Three entire towns are put to the sword, gun and torch until there is nothing left, but burned corpses and hollowed out buildings. In keeping with non-humans being seemingly less affected by the plague, you have kobolds remove the bodies and clean out what they can. They're more than happy to do this as they get the chance to loot some stuff for their own impoverished reservation you've set aside for them. This action causes an outcry, which hasn't been seen in a long time. Not even when conscription was implemented were things this bad. As predicted you have to execute several soldiers who took up arms against you during the cleansing. Many Nalin citizens aren't happy with the fact that you've implemented several non-humans in helping with this massacre as well. Indeed some begin calling you their inhuman "Eternal overlords." As far as the plague goes, you did successfully wipe it out from being an ongoing danger. Medics, healers and the like are able to focus their attentions on the places where it's less of a problem and eventually it is gone completely. The repercussions of this action are that you now have a split nation. Eastern Nalin is still prosperous as the plague barely even reached the area. You also still have all of your supporters mainly from there who appreciate the fact that you stopped the plague from spreading. Western Nalin however is a mess and pockets of lawlessness begin to appear. You naturally take steps in trying to curb this problem by being more oppressive... Year 60 "You want to move the capital?" "I don't see why not. It's obvious that eastern Nalin is where the prosperity is, I don't see why us as rulers shouldn't be living there instead." Brenda remarks. "I do. By having the seat of power here, we still maintain control over this area and are displaying a show of dominance. If we go running to the east, it looks like we're effectively abandoning the area and that's going to make the less desirable elements here even more motivated to pursue whatever lawlessness they want. We need to maintain control." "Well what if I don't? Ever since the plague hit, it's been a downward spiral for western Nalin. We've tried and tried to get it back to what it once was, but throwing soldiers at the problem is just a bandage. It didn't help that you had soldiers shaking down people looking for other possible Felkan Kingdom saboteurs." "I had to be sure to make sure something like the plague didn't happen again!" "Look, I know you don't like losing control of anything and we've had arguments about how the plague was handled to begin with, but we are in a spot now that we need to make a serious change in things if we want to avoid getting overthrown by mobs and our heads on pikes in the future." "Oh come on, like that's going to happen." "I said in the future, not immediately. And don't be so sure of yourself, you're not twenty anymore you know." "I know that!" "Do you? Because sometime I wonder. I love you and you're still a great warrior and you're probably still better than most men half your age, but you can't go around thinking you're invincible anymore. There are guns now you know, someone could just assassinate you from a few feet away and not even engage you in combat. The days of the Empire are over, you have to realize that." "I know that too, Brenda." "And that's why you're frustrating to deal with sometimes, because you DO know it, yet sometimes you completely lapse into the mindset of the good old days." "So what the hell are you proposing? That we just relinquish complete control of the western Emp...Nalin? That we run and hide to the east, because it's easier?" "Let me put this into terms you can understand. Eastern Nalin is healthy, thriving even. Western Nalin is very sick and slowly dying. It can't be cured, so what's the best way to deal with it? Cut it off and focus on the more important area that is still of use." Brenda's analogy to your idea of how you handled the plague makes sense even if you don't want to admit it. Brenda's right about a lot of things, you aren't young anymore. You haven't been for a long time and even though you aren't even on the frontlines of any fighting anymore you find yourself getting tired and weary of the constant conflict that Nalin has been suffering from the past few years. You've tried to halt the ravages of time to the best of your abilities, but ultimately even as an Eternal, you're not immune to such things. You begin to wonder if the past few years were more about you wanting to relive your "youth" a bit rather than seeking out possible traitors, saboteurs, and other dissidents. You could insist on staying and Brenda would probably go along grudgingly, but she's also right. You're just going to become even more hated by the citizens in this area and it only takes one dumb ass peasant with a with a gun or even a bomb, to kill you. Maybe at one point you wouldn't have even cared if that had happened, but you've had a long and enjoyable life with Brenda for several years now. A relationship you never even dreamed of before it happened. You see now that want to live as long as possible with her as your older years advance, because ultimately she is the only other one you have in your life and the only other one that is going to understand you. "Okay Brenda. Let's cut off the sick limb." You say. Brenda is happy you see reason and her plan is set in motion. Over the next few months, the Nalin government is relocated to one of the bigger central towns in the eastern territory, Adlen. The town soon swells to become a city with the influx of people. Military is pulled out of the west next. A few soldiers desert and don't follow in this exodus, but you just let it go. If they don't want to be here, then it's better off that they aren't. Most merchants and businesses are the next to follow. After these major transfers, western Nalin is declared no longer under protection and an independent territory. This causes some debate on if eastern Nalin is still "Nalin" since technically it was never part of the territory originally. After some discussion eastern Nalin is renamed the nation Naleen. Most of the eastern citizens have oddly developed an accent in which they've been pronouncing "Nalin" like that anyway for years. As for Nalin, the people that still dwell there are either happy about it or too poor to move. You figure the biggest winners will be the kobolds, at least until the Eternal Dominion sends in forces to take the land, assuming they have the time and manpower. You've heard they're doing well against the Felkan Kingdom, but things could always change. In any event none of it is your concern anymore. Still, you hope that this really is the last time you have to make a big move like this again, you don't know if you want to bother with a third time. > Year 70 It's a calm night and you stand outside on the balcony of your palace and look down at the city of Adlen. Brenda comes out to join you. "It's good when everything is going well isn't it?" Brenda asks. "It's definitely going better for us now. Certainly going better than it is for Prime Eternal Edgar too." "Always thought that was a ridiculous title. I don't understand how he's at a stalemate with the Felkan Kingdom, he was doing so well against them for the longest time." "I figured he's eventually over extend himself, though he's also had a few personal set backs like several assassination attempts for one. From his last letter he doesn't sound like he's doing too well healthwise. He says the last two times he's been stabbed, the assassin's knife was coated with a heavy duty poison. The bolt that went into his back was too. If he wasn't an Eternal he'd probably be dead by now." "Well that's better than Warrick." "Yeah, but from that letter Edgar sent, he said Warrick died at the battle of Yaquan six years ago. Regardless of his loyalties, he died like how an Eternal is supposed to die. Edgar will be lucky if he dies from a successful assassination, because it's sounding like the poison build up in his system might get him first. He's sick and weak. It's a shame really, I remember him being so hale and hearty at one time. If I were him I'd probably give up the ruling nonsense, join his soldiers in the next battle and die in one last blaze of glory." "Is that how you wish to die? You want to go out in one last blaze of glory?" Brenda asks. "Eh, sometimes I still think about it, but not really seriously. I guess I've finally grown past it." You laugh. "Didn't think that would happen actually." "Well, if Naleen starts suffering an unstoppable rebellion I guess I still got a shot at it. I'll meet the unwashed mobs with sword in hand." "Heh, well if that happens I guess I'll join you, because I'm too old to be moving the capital again." You both smile and hold each other side by side still looking out at the city. Yes, life is good when things are running well. Year 75 You, Brenda and your elite guards step into Edgar's palace, and it's every bit as impressive as you thought it would be. Lots of statues, symbols of war, etc. Certainly a lot of bigger than your humble palace, but then Edgar always was one for overcompensation. You all are taken through the palace to see Edgar, along the way you and Brenda continue to take in some of the sights. "Isn't weird that all those years we served the Empire that this the first time we've ever stepped foot into this place?" Brenda says. "Yeah, Edgar must've spent a fortune rebuilding it." "Did he ever actually meet the emperor?" "No he never did. He said he assumed that he either fled or burned up in the fire, by the time he got to the palace. For all we know, maybe there never was an emperor." "Just one of life's mysteries I guess." Eventually you reach the royal bedroom. An older woman is sitting on a chair outside sobbing. She looks regal. You wonder if this is "Eva" that he's referred to a couple times in his letters. She's not exactly his queen since she's human, but you know she is definitely his companion. Another older muscular man with a stern expression is standing nearby pacing. When you arrive, he frowns even more. "Oh so you two decided to come after all. A pity." He says. "And who the hell are you exactly?" you ask. "Hmm, not surprised a deserter like you doesn't remember me. My name is Rissok and I served under you during the Empire riots. I saw you kill my friend in cold blood. A true Eternal who served with honor!" "Oooooh now I remember. You and your other buddy were looting houses while Felding was attempting to rape a woman. Yeah, real honor there." You say. "Don't mock me! You are only here because the Prime allows it! If it were up to me, I would have you labeled as a traitor and have you killed!" At this point your guards take up a defensive stance and Rissok's do likewise. "Well if you're going to make a move, better do it quick." You say. "Stop it! Stop it please! My Edgar is dying! Can't we have one moment without murder and killing?" the woman sobs. At this point Rissok storms off without another word, the guards stick around and tell you that you and Brenda may enter at any time, but your own guards must stay outside. Before you do, Brenda addresses the woman. "We apologize, we did not mean to cause you distress. Are you Lady Eva by any chance?" "(sniff) Yes. Yes I am." "Edgar's spoken highly of you in his letters." Brenda says which causes a slight smile on her face. "I know that he's better than me in everyway being an Eternal, yet he shows such compassion and sweetness by making me, a non-eternal, his only companion. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such an honor, but I will always be grateful for it." Brenda asks her if she wants to come in too, but she says she has already said her goodbyes and that he wants to see you both alone when you arrive. Having no other questions, you both enter the bedroom. When you see Edgar, he's lying in his bed and looking completely unwell. He's pale and his face has a gaunt looking appearance. You can't even believe this is the same man you fought along side at Fort Defiance. "Edgar?" you ask just to make sure. "(wheeze) ah...you both came...I knew you would. (cough cough) There isn't much time...I trust you've read my letter?" "Yes." "Well then you know that when my death comes, anarchy will ensue." "Don't you have a successor?" "I don't know if you've noticed, but I imagine Brenda has and that's we can't have children." You look at Brenda and she nods and mentions she learned that with Roldan when they were together. It's never been a topic you've brought up, but you always had your suspicions. Edgar continues his speech. "We Eternals seem to be sterile or barren. I've had people try to look into this problem, but they haven't come up with anything yet. It would seem what makes us superior, takes away our ability to reproduce. Maybe it's nature balancing itself out, so that we don't take over the world like so many of our younger eternals seem to want to do. Anyway (cough cough) I've drawn up official forms for the only two I think could be proper successors..." You already know where Edgar is going with this. "Oh no...don't say that's why you dragged us out here...Edgar they aren't going to listen to us! We aren't even ED citizens!" "This is rather unrealistic Edgar." Brenda adds. "That doesn't matter! You're still Eternals! (wheeze cough) They'll listen more likely than you believe, why do you think I always spoke so highly of you two? The younger ones will most likely follow without question, your major opposition will probably be the second generation...but there aren't too many of them left, you could easily purge them all if you had to. Please...I tried to build something here...(cough) but I can't go on any longer. The only people who can guide the Eternal Dominion into something worthier are you two. I'm asking not just as a dying man or friend ...but as a (cough cough) a fellow Eternal..." You and Brenda look at each other and you both know your answer. Edgar's trying to guilt you into this mess, but it's just not going to work. This plan of his is doomed to fail and you know it. Every high ranking Eternal is probably going to be vying for power. And you and Brenda have your own nation, your own lives, and you've told Edgar this before, but it's time to tell him one last time. "Edgar, we're not accepting this position. First of all it's not realistic despite what you want to believe and I think deep down you know that. Second of all, these are your final moments Edgar. Don't worry about what you accomplished and if it'll last. Just be proud of it now and spend your last moments with your wife or whatever you consider her. That's who you need to be concerned about." Edgar hacks and coughs up blood and spits it into a nearby bucket and struggles to breathe, but manages to answer you. "Very well...you've made your point. And you're probably right. You usually were. (wheeze) Bring my...my wife in. I do wish to spend the last moments with her...and farewell...my Eternal siblings." "Farewell Edgar." You say with a nod. Brenda says goodbye as well before you both leave. You step outside and tell Eva that Edgar wants to spend his remaining time left with her. She seems happy with this idea though of course still upset. She runs in and you, Brenda and the rest of your group are escorted out and back to the carriage that brought you here. When you finally get back to Naleen, you and Brenda are both glad to be home, though you both talk for quite awhile about this recent event and how it's odd to think that you both are going to be the only original Eternals left soon. A couple days later you get the news that Edgar has died and that the new leadership of the Eternal Dominion as of now is uncertain. Fortunately you don't really have to worry about it. Naleen is strong enough and far enough away that any sort of chaotic attack from the new ruler is very unlikely. You suspect that most of the fighting will be within the ED itself, or pushing ahead against the Felkan Kingdom. In the meantime you wonder about your own legacy and if you'll be remembered on any meaningful level. Brenda isn't really concerned about it; she figures you'll both be in the history books as the first rulers of Naleen if nothing else. That sounds fine, but you wonder if that would necessarily be the case, after all you never met the emperor, you don't even know his name or really anything about him except what you were taught as a child and that was most definitely all propaganda. You know even less about his predecessors. History may very well remember the Empire, but information on its rulers is either going to be sketchy or non-existent in another century. Edgar will probably be forgotten in even less time. You get the idea that a solid written record is in order. "Since when are you a writer?" Brenda asks. "I'm not, but maybe we can work on this together, I mean you are part of this too." "Well that's certainly true. Okay, so how did you want to go about this?" > You create a book painting you in a positive light While you toy with the idea of creating a book telling the complete truth, but decide it would probably be better to just do one as a partial propaganda piece. People have enough excuses to complain about you, no need to add more sticks to the fire. "Sounds like that might be for the best. So are you going to still start from the beginning?" Brenda asks. "Well I'll briefly touch upon some of my time serving the Empire, but I'll mostly deal with when Nalin broke away from it and beyond. Obviously I'll focus on the most memorable parts, not the times where I just sat around reading skirmish reports." "Still going to take a while you realize." "I know it's not going to be in one night, but I feel like a lasting record of us should exist. I mean after we're gone, who's to say that we won't be forgotten soon after? I mean I understand what Edgar was trying to do, but sadly I don't think he's going to be remembered in the scheme of things. I don't think the Eternal Dominion is even going to survive too much longer now that he's dead." "Hmm, you might be right about that. So you don't mind that the book might be excessively biased?" "Brenda, ALL history is biased in favor of its victors. Why should we be any different? Besides, I'm sure people will make up more than enough lies about us to make up for it when we're gone." "Heh, you're probably right about that too. Okay then, let's get started, I want to make sure I'm in a good portion of this history as well." Brenda says with a smile. You and Brenda immediately get to work on your project. You and her take turns doing the writing for the most part, but the pressures of ruling sometimes get in the way, so it takes longer than it probably would have if you both didn't have other responsibilities. Your ambitious project takes more than a few years to complete, but when it is finally finished you definitely feel a sense of accomplishment. It may not be conquering an enemy or territory or anything like that, but if this goes the way you want, you will have achieved much more than simple victory. You will have achieved a kind of immortality. The huge tome immediately copied several times when it is complete. The great thing about being a ruler is you've got underlings that can do this. You make sure to keep the original writing for yourself. The first copies go out to a few Naleen schools, libraries and other places of higher learning where you decree that it is to become required reading. (Another great thing about being in charge!) In time there probably isn't a single citizen that hasn't at least heard of the book, if not read it. There are a few criticisms about the book from intellectual types claiming that it is little more than the usual propaganda, but such people don't voice such opinions for very long or they quickly shut up about them. For the most part though, the book brainwashes the masses enough that you at least never have to worry about any possible uprisings again. Year 101 "Brenda...did you say that our book Eternal Vigilance has reached lands outside Naleen?" you ask. "Yes, I have been told as much, but from what I've heard it isn't popular like it is here. It's been dismissed as little more than the fat musings of tyrants...that would be us." "Ah, I suppose everyone's a critic. Well I guess we at least we'll probably be remembered by our subjects, for however long that lasts." "You shouldn't worry about such things right now, it's not important." "I know Brenda. I suppose it was just a last foolish attempt to keep the Empire alive. I know it sounds odd, but even though the Empire fell long ago, I still felt like it existed in a small form as long as we original Eternals lived. Silly I suppose." "No, it was just something that you believed in. No sillier than any of the gods that people worship." "Hrm. The gods. We never were a religious bunch were we? I wonder after I die if I'll meet any of the gods if they even exist." Brenda gets a bit quiet at that last statement, you don't mean to upset her, but you've got to be realistic at this stage. "Brenda, I love you." You say. "And I love you." She says back and squeezes your hand. For a moment the two of you are just silent for a while. You're were getting tired anyway, but the both of you don't really need to speak to communicate. You know each other better than any two people could. You've been through a lot together and this is will be your final journey with her. As you begin to get sleepy, you surprise Brenda by making a small chuckle. "What's so funny?" she asks. "Captain Gruz...he said I would outlive everyone. I'm glad to have proved him wrong." You say and give Brenda a smile. She manages to smile back through the tears. Life is slipping away now. This your final battle against an opponent who has stalked you for over a century. "For the Empire..." you whisper as your last battle cry and finally succumb to eternal sleep. Your funeral is a big deal. All of Naleen comes out for it, and there is a lot military marching, saluting, and all of that. Various officials give several speeches in your honor about your deeds and accomplishments. Brenda says a few words, but your death has been an emotional drain on her and she saves her strength to get through the day. You're ultimately placed in a fancy tomb with nice statues of you and Brenda in your "warrior prime" just inside the doorway of it. A couple months later Brenda joins you in death and she is placed in the same tomb by your side where upon it is sealed, shutting the pair of you in darkness forever. Your place in history is remembered best in the nation of Naleen, but as time goes on as time always does, you are remembered less fondly. Eventually there comes a day when the latest rulers have your books burned altogether as to establish their own cult of personality. Your book never reached many other far off lands and if it did, it wasn't wide spread to cause any significant impact. The nation of Naleen goes through various changes of government systems as decades pass by and you and Brenda ultimately become just "names" of past rulers and not much more than that. Ultimately when it too ceases to be (Conquered by the great kobold/usksha alliance three hundred years later) you are forgotten altogether. Though the kobolds and usksha still stay far away from the graveyard ruins of your tomb, fearing it to be cursed and believing that disturbance will cause the vengeful spirits of the Eternals to rise up.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, fantasy, dystopia, grimdark] Year 70 It's a calm night and you stand outside on the balcony of your palace and look down at the city of Adlen. Brenda comes out to join you. "It's good when everything is going well isn't it?" Brenda asks. "It's definitely going better for us now. Certainly going better than it is for Prime Eternal Edgar too." "Always thought that was a ridiculous title. I don't understand how he's at a stalemate with the Felkan Kingdom, he was doing so well against them for the longest time." "I figured he's eventually over extend himself, though he's also had a few personal set backs like several assassination attempts for one. From his last letter he doesn't sound like he's doing too well healthwise. He says the last two times he's been stabbed, the assassin's knife was coated with a heavy duty poison. The bolt that went into his back was too. If he wasn't an Eternal he'd probably be dead by now." "Well that's better than Warrick." "Yeah, but from that letter Edgar sent, he said Warrick died at the battle of Yaquan six years ago. Regardless of his loyalties, he died like how an Eternal is supposed to die. Edgar will be lucky if he dies from a successful assassination, because it's sounding like the poison build up in his system might get him first. He's sick and weak. It's a shame really, I remember him being so hale and hearty at one time. If I were him I'd probably give up the ruling nonsense, join his soldiers in the next battle and die in one last blaze of glory." "Is that how you wish to die? You want to go out in one last blaze of glory?" Brenda asks. "Eh, sometimes I still think about it, but not really seriously. I guess I've finally grown past it." You laugh. "Didn't think that would happen actually." "Well, if Naleen starts suffering an unstoppable rebellion I guess I still got a shot at it. I'll meet the unwashed mobs with sword in hand." "Heh, well if that happens I guess I'll join you, because I'm too old to be moving the capital again." You both smile and hold each other side by side still looking out at the city. Yes, life is good when things are running well. Year 75 You, Brenda and your elite guards step into Edgar's palace, and it's every bit as impressive as you thought it would be. Lots of statues, symbols of war, etc. Certainly a lot of bigger than your humble palace, but then Edgar always was one for overcompensation. You all are taken through the palace to see Edgar, along the way you and Brenda continue to take in some of the sights. "Isn't weird that all those years we served the Empire that this the first time we've ever stepped foot into this place?" Brenda says. "Yeah, Edgar must've spent a fortune rebuilding it." "Did he ever actually meet the emperor?" "No he never did. He said he assumed that he either fled or burned up in the fire, by the time he got to the palace. For all we know, maybe there never was an emperor." "Just one of life's mysteries I guess." Eventually you reach the royal bedroom. An older woman is sitting on a chair outside sobbing. She looks regal. You wonder if this is "Eva" that he's referred to a couple times in his letters. She's not exactly his queen since she's human, but you know she is definitely his companion. Another older muscular man with a stern expression is standing nearby pacing. When you arrive, he frowns even more. "Oh so you two decided to come after all. A pity." He says. "And who the hell are you exactly?" you ask. "Hmm, not surprised a deserter like you doesn't remember me. My name is Rissok and I served under you during the Empire riots. I saw you kill my friend in cold blood. A true Eternal who served with honor!" "Oooooh now I remember. You and your other buddy were looting houses while Felding was attempting to rape a woman. Yeah, real honor there." You say. "Don't mock me! You are only here because the Prime allows it! If it were up to me, I would have you labeled as a traitor and have you killed!" At this point your guards take up a defensive stance and Rissok's do likewise. "Well if you're going to make a move, better do it quick." You say. "Stop it! Stop it please! My Edgar is dying! Can't we have one moment without murder and killing?" the woman sobs. At this point Rissok storms off without another word, the guards stick around and tell you that you and Brenda may enter at any time, but your own guards must stay outside. Before you do, Brenda addresses the woman. "We apologize, we did not mean to cause you distress. Are you Lady Eva by any chance?" "(sniff) Yes. Yes I am." "Edgar's spoken highly of you in his letters." Brenda says which causes a slight smile on her face. "I know that he's better than me in everyway being an Eternal, yet he shows such compassion and sweetness by making me, a non-eternal, his only companion. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such an honor, but I will always be grateful for it." Brenda asks her if she wants to come in too, but she says she has already said her goodbyes and that he wants to see you both alone when you arrive. Having no other questions, you both enter the bedroom. When you see Edgar, he's lying in his bed and looking completely unwell. He's pale and his face has a gaunt looking appearance. You can't even believe this is the same man you fought along side at Fort Defiance. "Edgar?" you ask just to make sure. "(wheeze) ah...you both came...I knew you would. (cough cough) There isn't much time...I trust you've read my letter?" "Yes." "Well then you know that when my death comes, anarchy will ensue." "Don't you have a successor?" "I don't know if you've noticed, but I imagine Brenda has and that's we can't have children." You look at Brenda and she nods and mentions she learned that with Roldan when they were together. It's never been a topic you've brought up, but you always had your suspicions. Edgar continues his speech. "We Eternals seem to be sterile or barren. I've had people try to look into this problem, but they haven't come up with anything yet. It would seem what makes us superior, takes away our ability to reproduce. Maybe it's nature balancing itself out, so that we don't take over the world like so many of our younger eternals seem to want to do. Anyway (cough cough) I've drawn up official forms for the only two I think could be proper successors..." You already know where Edgar is going with this. "Oh no...don't say that's why you dragged us out here...Edgar they aren't going to listen to us! We aren't even ED citizens!" "This is rather unrealistic Edgar." Brenda adds. "That doesn't matter! You're still Eternals! (wheeze cough) They'll listen more likely than you believe, why do you think I always spoke so highly of you two? The younger ones will most likely follow without question, your major opposition will probably be the second generation...but there aren't too many of them left, you could easily purge them all if you had to. Please...I tried to build something here...(cough) but I can't go on any longer. The only people who can guide the Eternal Dominion into something worthier are you two. I'm asking not just as a dying man or friend ...but as a (cough cough) a fellow Eternal..." You and Brenda look at each other and you both know your answer. Edgar's trying to guilt you into this mess, but it's just not going to work. This plan of his is doomed to fail and you know it. Every high ranking Eternal is probably going to be vying for power. And you and Brenda have your own nation, your own lives, and you've told Edgar this before, but it's time to tell him one last time. "Edgar, we're not accepting this position. First of all it's not realistic despite what you want to believe and I think deep down you know that. Second of all, these are your final moments Edgar. Don't worry about what you accomplished and if it'll last. Just be proud of it now and spend your last moments with your wife or whatever you consider her. That's who you need to be concerned about." Edgar hacks and coughs up blood and spits it into a nearby bucket and struggles to breathe, but manages to answer you. "Very well...you've made your point. And you're probably right. You usually were. (wheeze) Bring my...my wife in. I do wish to spend the last moments with her...and farewell...my Eternal siblings." "Farewell Edgar." You say with a nod. Brenda says goodbye as well before you both leave. You step outside and tell Eva that Edgar wants to spend his remaining time left with her. She seems happy with this idea though of course still upset. She runs in and you, Brenda and the rest of your group are escorted out and back to the carriage that brought you here. When you finally get back to Naleen, you and Brenda are both glad to be home, though you both talk for quite awhile about this recent event and how it's odd to think that you both are going to be the only original Eternals left soon. A couple days later you get the news that Edgar has died and that the new leadership of the Eternal Dominion as of now is uncertain. Fortunately you don't really have to worry about it. Naleen is strong enough and far enough away that any sort of chaotic attack from the new ruler is very unlikely. You suspect that most of the fighting will be within the ED itself, or pushing ahead against the Felkan Kingdom. In the meantime you wonder about your own legacy and if you'll be remembered on any meaningful level. Brenda isn't really concerned about it; she figures you'll both be in the history books as the first rulers of Naleen if nothing else. That sounds fine, but you wonder if that would necessarily be the case, after all you never met the emperor, you don't even know his name or really anything about him except what you were taught as a child and that was most definitely all propaganda. You know even less about his predecessors. History may very well remember the Empire, but information on its rulers is either going to be sketchy or non-existent in another century. Edgar will probably be forgotten in even less time. You get the idea that a solid written record is in order. "Since when are you a writer?" Brenda asks. "I'm not, but maybe we can work on this together, I mean you are part of this too." "Well that's certainly true. Okay, so how did you want to go about this?" > You tell the whole story While creating a book for all the masses to read and absorb might help solidify a remembrance of you and Brenda, you're thinking on a bigger picture. "Wait, you want to tell your experiences from the past seventy five years?" "Well, just the most memorable ones. Obviously I'm not going to focus on the days where I just sat at a desk reading skirmish reports or what I was eating on a particular day." "Do you realize how long that's going to take?" "I know it's not going to be in one night. I want to tell the whole story or at least as much as I can." "That's pretty ambitious. I figured you were just going to start from Nalin's independence from the Empire at most." "See that's just it, I, WE didn't just suddenly appear when we took official control of Nalin and later Naleen. We've got a lot of history behind us. We're Eternals and we're the last of our kind. There should be some sort of lasting record of us." "Last of our kind? There's a whole nation of them if you remember." Brenda reminds you. "Yes and that's exactly my point. Do you think it's going to last? Do you think any of new generations are going to be stable enough to think beyond their own petty power? I'd wager that they don't even continue the method to create anymore of them, now that Edgar's dead. He was the only one who was trying to leave a lasting legacy beyond himself. The rest of them? They're going to wonder why they're creating potential rivals and no longer bother." "You might be right about that. So, you weren't interested in creating this in a more positive light for people to remember you?" "Ha ha, I'm pretty sure such a task is impossible. No matter how much propaganda I churned out for the masses, I'm certain it wouldn't make the citizens start believing I'm a nice person. Even the military doesn't think such a thing. This isn't going to be about making me look good. I'll let history decide that, but this written account will at least provide a solid guide from which they can judge." "But won't it still be biased?" "Probably, but given that I want to include everything, I'm still not portraying myself as some benevolent ruler with a pleasant background. Now you said you would help, did you still wish to? I mean I want to include everything, but I guess I can leave out anything that portrays you in a negative way." "My love, I was right along side you on your less popular decisions, in fact I made a lot of them myself. I'm not innocent and I would imagine the average citizen wouldn't consider me a nice person either. Well, maybe nicer than you, but you're a hard act to follow." Brenda says with a smile. You and Brenda immediately get to work on your project. You and her take turns doing the writing for the most part, but the pressures of ruling sometimes get in the way, so it takes longer than it probably would have if you both didn't have other responsibilities. Your ambitious project takes more than a few years to complete, but when it is finally finished you definitely feel a sense of accomplishment. It may not be conquering an enemy or territory or anything like that, but if this goes the way you want, you will have achieved much more than simple victory. You will have achieved a kind of immortality. The huge tome immediately copied several times when it is complete. The great thing about being a ruler is you've got underlings that can do this. You make sure to keep the original writing for yourself. The first copies go out to a few Naleen schools, libraries and other places of higher learning where you decree that it is to become required reading. (Another great thing about being in charge!) In time there probably isn't a single citizen that hasn't at least heard of the book, if not read it. There is a slight backlash to "telling all" however. Some students, professors, intellectuals and other academics take the opportunity to use examples from the book to prove what tyrants you are and Brenda are and how if Naleen is ever going to achieve its maximum potential then relics of tyranny need to be gotten rid of. An increase in protests about silly "freedoms" and "rights" pop up a little more. An annoying side effect to be sure, but a predictable one. Executing them all would only prove their point of course, but you really don't disagree with them in the first place. You and Brenda ARE relics of tyranny. In fact you stated as much in the book. You were created by a government obsessed with control and molded into Eternals to enforce that control. You can't help what you are and you're not going to apologize for any of your actions. In any case, if it wasn't this, you would've gotten protests about something, it's been a while. Besides you have more than your share of intellectual defenders as well your loyal military, so you're not worried about revolutions anytime soon. > Epilogue Epilogue: Eternal Couple Year 101 "Mortos? Where the hell is that?" you ask Brenda from your bed. "Apparently very far away. A nation of necromancers from what I've heard." Brenda says. "Well that's certainly one way of keeping the population in line. Make them all undead slaves. Wonder why the Empire never thought of that. So wait apparently Eternal Vigilance is popular there?" "Sounds like it. And when I say popular, I mean very well liked, as opposed to causing heated debates in the Naleen classrooms about whether or not you're a strong leader who does what is necessary or a complete ruthless bastard who needs to be overthrown." "I can't be both?" you say jokingly. "They say the same thing about me as well, still we've got to be doing something right. The Eternal Dominion collapsed into warring fiefdoms, the Felkan Kingdom suffered a revolution and executed their royals, I even heard the few beacons of civilization in Rask have been slowly getting snuffed out." "Yeah, the only place that seems to be doing okay now is old Nalin and that's run by fucking kobolds now. Oh well at least they're friendly with us." "Afraid of us probably. Their predecessors have told their children so many stories about the big bad Eternals for decades that they didn't even need to read a book about us, assuming they even can." "Well there is that." You say and then have a coughing fit. Brenda asks if you need anything, but in-between coughs you say you'd fine. Eventually you stop and feel like another part of your strength has left you forever. "Ugh, shit. If the critics still want to overthrow me then they better hurry up, because nature is going to beat them to the punch." Brenda gets a bit quiet at that last statement, you don't mean to upset her, but you've got to be realistic at this stage. "Brenda, I love you." You say. "And I love you." She says back and squeezes your hand. For a moment the two of you are just silent for a while. You're were getting tired anyway, but the both of you don't really need to speak to communicate. You know each other better than any two people could. You've been through a lot together and this is will be your final journey with her. As you begin to get sleepy, you surprise Brenda by making a small chuckle. "What's so funny?" she asks. "Captain Gruz...he said I would outlive everyone. I'm glad to have proved him wrong." You say and give Brenda a smile. She manages to smile back through the tears. Life is slipping away now. This your final battle against an opponent who has stalked you for over a century. "For the Empire..." you whisper as your last battle cry and finally succumb to eternal sleep. Your funeral is a big deal. All of Naleen comes out for it, and there is a lot military marching, saluting, and all of that. Various officials give several speeches in your honor about your deeds and accomplishments. Brenda says a few words, but your death has been an emotional drain on her and she saves her strength to get through the day. You're ultimately placed in a fancy tomb with nice statues of you and Brenda in your "warrior prime" just inside the doorway of it. A couple months later Brenda joins you in death and she is placed in the same tomb by your side where upon it is sealed, shutting the pair of you in darkness forever. Your place in history is remembered best in the nation of Naleen. Not always fondly, but as always you're consistently still held in high regard by military types if only due to your combat skills and tactics. In a way you do indeed outlive the "new eternals." Long after the last of them have nearly killed each other or died in petty wars, you, Brenda and even the others of the first generation Eternals are still talked about the most and remembered through your book. The nation of Naleen goes through various changes of government systems as decades pass by. When it's more autocratic, you and Brenda are usually looked up as an example of how to run things. When the government is less autocratic you and Brenda are used as examples of the "bad old days." Ultimately when it too ceases to be (Conquered by the great kobold/usksha alliance three hundred years later) you still have a presence on history as your writings have long found their way into far off lands where scholars and academics still debate over them. The kobolds and usksha on the other hand stay far away from the graveyard ruins of your tomb, fearing it to be cursed and believing that disturbance will cause the vengeful spirits of the Eternals to rise up. Whatever history decides to paint your character at any given point in time is constantly in flux, but one thing is certain, you were and always shall be ETERNAL.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, dystopia, fantasy, grimdark] As much as you might like to help Warrick out, you just really aren't in a position to do so on any meaningful level. Breaking your trade routes with the Eternal Dominion is just foolish. You tell Brenda you'll break the news this time. You both enter the room where Warrick awaits your answer. "Sorry Warrick, while we do understand your troubles, we can't help you. What you're asking for is too much and we see no benefit for us or Nalin in general." Warrick's face doesn't drop and he doesn't get any angrier, All in all, he takes your response a lot better than Edgar did. "Very well. I shall tell my superiors that you are not interested in any sort of alliance with us. I hope that one day this may change. I suppose I will also take my leave now, sorry to have bothered the both of you, but it was still good to see you again." He says and leaves immediately. You and Brenda remark on he was probably more disappointed than he let on, but what's done is done and you've all made your choices now. The pair of you go back to bed and try to get some sleep. Year 56 "We've got to do something about this epidemic. If this keeps up we're not going to have a population left to rule over!" Brenda says. "Well so far the problem has hit the eastern territory of Nalin yet. We've scoured the land for healers, medics and a few hedge wizards and they're doing all they can, but this thing is really bad in a few of the towns. I've quarantined all of the major areas where this plague is taking place, but understandably a lot the soldiers aren't exactly keen on their duties there mainly because they don't want to get sick either. The only ones who aren't kicking up much of a fuss about it are soldiers with families in those towns." You reply. "(Sigh) Shit. I've talked to all of the advisors and nobody has a clue where, who and why this thing might've started. You got any ideas?" "Unfortunately the only one I can think of just a hunch, and I'd rather not believe it. I think Warrick, or at least the Felkan Kingdom had something to do with it. For all we know they could've had saboteurs in here for years planning this." "If it was them, I hope Edgar rips them a new asshole now that he's at war with them." "Be that as it may, I'm still hoping that wasn't the case, not because I don't want to believe a former friend could do this to us, but more because it doesn't reflect well on my duties to protect the nation. I mean if the Felkan Kingdom had saboteurs here, how was it that I didn't see it until now?" "You can't start doubting yourself, we need to focus on the problem at hand first." "You're right of course. Well as I see it, if we really want to stop the plague, we need to kill everyone in the quarantined areas, then cleanse everything with fire." "Wait, hold on. There's no other way? Can't we just have more medics and healers transferred to those places?" "I don't see what good that would do. From the reports a lot of these people are practically dead or dying as it is. It doesn't do any good for them to linger and possibly get others sick. Better to just kill them now and save the medics to observe the places that only have a few sick people." "You do realize that something like this is not going to be popular right? I mean are the soldiers even going to be willing to do such a thing?" "Well we try pretty hard to keep up the old ways of Empire indoctrination, I don't think we should have major problems, though I suppose those with families might protest (Sigh) I guess we'll have to take care of them as well." "This isn't sounding like a great idea. Maybe we should just keep the quarantine and let them all slowly die off. We could always say we're looking for a cure, and whether one comes or not, the problem will take care of itself." Brenda suggests. "The problem with that plan is we're diverting soldiers from more important duties and continuing to risk lives that can still be useful to Nalin." You say. You and Brenda weigh the pros and cons of your limited choices. > You let the healers find a cure Killing everyone might have its benefits, but perhaps a less bloodthirsty approach would be for the best right now. You and Brenda decide to keep the quarantine up and just encourage the medics to work harder on a cure. The next few months are relatively calm, there's a lot of grumbling, but nothing serious yet. No cure has been found yet and while the less affected areas seem to be stabilized, the ones in the quarantine aren't getting any worse either. This is somewhat of a problem, part of the hope is that they would ultimately just all die off if a cure isn't found. As it stands, the ones that have managed to survive the plague are now just carriers which makes them a lot more dangerous. A few healers try their hand at various cures, but nothing works, if anything you just lose more physicians as they too become infected and have to stay inside. The situation gets worse when you have escapees and the soldiers stationed outside the quarantine area start to show symptoms of the plague and have to be shoved in as well. Eventually you station all those elves you made orphans (now proper Nalin soldiers) all those years ago around the quarantined area, as non-humans seem to be more resistant. You even "deputize" kobolds as soldiers as well as they're virtually immune. This isn't a popular decision, but purging the infected areas would be even less so. You hold out hope that a cure will be found soon. Year 60 You sit quietly contemplating everything that has transpired for the past four years. When the plague had managed to re-establish itself throughout Nalin, and worse in eastern Nalin and it became apparent that no one was close to a cure, you went through with your original plan of cleansing the infected areas. There were still protests against you carrying out such a grim plan, but such dissent was silenced. However it was a bit too late at that point. Several towns in eastern Nalin claimed you and Brenda were unfit as rulers for letting this happen and threatened to secede. Resistance probably would've been crushed with ease, but with a shortage of troops due to the plague, general dislike of your rule and others just taking advantage of the coming chaos, it wasn't as easy as it could've been. Opposition was crushed, but ultimately large sections of Nalin had either been ravaged by the plague or civil war. Nalin wasn't so much of a nation anymore than it was a collection of towns in a war torn land. Eventually the strain of holding so much land with the troop shortage you now suffered was too much and territory had to be abandoned anyway. After some restructuring, the nation of Nalin was much smaller than it was when the Empire ruled over it. It was a small poor miserable country, with equally poor miserable citizens. Edgar has offered to absorb Nalin into the Eternal Dominion and give you a place at his side, but you're still too prideful to except such an offer, even if you know he means well. "Brooding again, dear?" Brenda says tapping you on the shoulder. "Just temporarily lost in thought." You answer. "You figure out how to re-conquer all our lost territory yet?" "Not quite, but I'm working on it." "Well I wouldn't worry about it. I think we had a good run, we should just look at other options." "Brenda are you seriously reconsidering joining the Eternal Dominion, because..." "No, but there are other options." "You mean just focusing on building up what we have left?" "Well that's certainly one possibility, but quite frankly I'm not interested in that either. This whole ruling business...it's not fun anymore. I question if it ever was at least for me anyway. You sort of made it tolerable, but I think I'm done." You get a little worried by this statement. "You're not talking about suicide are you?" "What? No! Sheesh, I'm not ready for the grave, but it is something that is much closer than it was in the past. I mean is fighting over this little piece of shitty land and running it really what I want to be doing in my twilight years? Not really, life's short enough as it is. I've come to that conclusion and that's why I'm leaving all of this behind. I'm guessing you might feel a little different about it though." "You're damn right I feel different about it! We can't just run away from this! We've got to re-establish our rule! I know it'll take a while, but it can be done!" Brenda smiles and touches your face. "For what purpose? I hate to tell you this, but you're not young anymore either." "I...I know that!" "Do you? Because sometime I wonder. I love you and you're still a great warrior and you're probably still better than most men half your age, but you can't go around thinking you're invincible anymore. There are guns now you know, someone could just assassinate you from a few feet away and not even engage you in combat. The days of the Empire are over, you have to realize that." "I know that too, Brenda." "And that's why you're frustrating to deal with sometimes, because you DO know it, yet sometimes you completely lapse into the mindset of the good old days. Look, you know I love you, and I know you love me, but I can't do this mini empire shit anymore." "So what's your solution then?" "Well, I was thinking we just leave." "And go where?" "I dunno, someplace else. Further east I guess, someplace far away from this entire region though. I mean there's probably a great big world out there, and we've just been stuck in a small portion of it." "Hmm, so you're suggesting we just live like vagabonds and wanderers with no set home?" "Well maybe for a time, but who knows maybe we'll eventually find some place to settle down." "Wait a minute you're going on about how we're not young anymore, yet you're advocating wandering the wilderness like some young snot nosed adventurers. Sounds like you're talking out both sides of your mouth..." "Okay fine, you don't have to come with me, you can sit here and play brooding overlord until somebody either assassinates you or the unwashed masses storm the palace." Brenda says turning away and walking. "Hold on! Wait! (sigh) Look, I know what you're saying and you've got a point. It's just really hard for me to give all this up. I'd feel like I would be abandoning my post and I did that once already with the Empire. And while it was the best decision I ever made, it still stays with me like a black spot, and I'm sure you know that. Abandoning Nalin is like history repeating itself all over again." "Remember what you told Edgar when he visited? There was nothing any of us could've done. It was a doomed mission to begin with. You did your best and that's all anyone could've done. Even an Eternal." You give a slight smile and nod. "Okay, Brenda. Let's get out of here." You and Brenda pack some equipment and take your leave of your rulership of Nalin. You don't even bother assigning a successor or anything like that, you decide whoever wants it bad enough can hold it if they have the desire. You and Brenda head east and stick to the wilderness when traveling through old Nalin territory, eventually you pass through it and you're exploring new land. Living off the land is quite easy for you and the freedom is a nice change of pace. After a few months, you don't miss Nalin at all, and are just glad to be spending more quality time with Brenda. In the years that follow the pair of you wander, seeing new sights and getting into a few skirmishes a long the way. Eventually the pair of you do settle down close to a small village in a far away land where you live out the remainder of your lives in complete obscurity and peace.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark, dystopia, villain protagonist, fantasy] Year 55 You and Brenda now rule the nation of Nalin as a married couple. There has been some issue on what your official titles are now. The simplest choices would be emperor and empress or king and queen. Eventually Brenda settled for imperatrix, which would officially make you imperator, though you still go by general for the most part. In any case life has been good. You don't even mind that things have been slow since you conquered all those tribals in the east. You've been taking a slightly more active role in running the nation from an administrative point of view, but sometimes you still long for the day of a good battle. When that day comes you've also tried to keep up on the changing times of changing warfare. While the days of close combat are far from over, if the Eternal Dominion is starting to slowly incorporate firearms into their ranks, then you better do likewise if only to maintain a show of strength. The ED isn't hostile though and you maintain a good trading relationship with them. Edgar still hopes you're going to join him one day, especially since you know he's got designs on going to war with the Felkan Kingdom (You gave him some friendly advice to not bother with invading Rask). He'd probably like you to at least be involved in a joint military operation with him, but you think he's over extending himself and the Felkan Kingdom is no pushover. It's not exactly like you're near the Felkan Kingdom as far as location is concerned either. All you'd be doing is having soldiers die in a war that doesn't even directly benefit your nation. That being said, Nalin hasn't sided with the Felkan Kingdom either in any way. Again, due to your location, you've had minimal contact with them. Brenda thought about allying with them in the past, but that was never seriously considered (Good thing too). Somehow though you imagine you're going to get dragged into this saber rattling between the Eternal Dominion and the Felkan Kingdom. Funny how that feeling turns out to be true. Late one night you and Brenda are awakened from your sleep. Some envoy from the Felkan Kingdom has sudden decided to show up in the middle of the night. Demanding to see the pair of you and claiming it's very urgent. You and Brenda don't get much sleep as it is, so you're inclined to tell your soldiers to just shoot him and go back to bed, but you've got a good idea of who it is. "You really think it's him?" Brenda ask. "You really think it isn't? It was only a matter of time. Ugh, I guess we better get this over with." You shout at the guard behind the door to hold the envoy in the meeting room and keep a close eye on him until you and Brenda get there. After grumbling and getting dress you and Brenda head to the meeting room where you see a familiar face. He's missing an eye, all of his hair and his face has a few more winkles and scars on it now, but you still recognize him. "Warrick, you better have a damn good reason for waking us up in the middle of the night." You say. "...you aren't surprised it's me?" "Not really, I actually thought you'd show up sooner, and how the hell did you manage to join the Felkan Kingdom anyway?" "It's a long story...but well anyway, I'm glad to see you both. I was surprised to hear about your marriage. Didn't think that..." "Warrick, I'm tired as well. It's not easy running a nation and I've been doing it even longer than my husband has, so get to the damn point of the visit or let this wait until tomorrow." Brenda demands rubbing one of her eyes. Warrick looks a little hurt by your remarks, but he gets on with it. "Very well, to business. The Felkan Kingdom wants an alliance with you." "Yeah sort of figured that. Anything else?" you ask. "Erm, no, but..." "Okay then, the answer is no. We can talk more about old times tomorrow, if you want. Good night." Brenda says starting to turn around to go back to bed. "Hey wait! No? Just like that?! You don't even want to consider the benefits?" Warrick asks. "What benefits? If we ally with the Felkan Kingdom, all it's going to do is piss off the Eternal Dominion who we have a good relationship with diplomatically and tradewise. What is the Felkan Kingdom going to offer?" Brenda replies. "How the fact that we're more likely to leave you alone after the war with the Eternal Dominion is over?" "Warrick...Warrick...you should know threats aren't going to sway us." You remark. "What?! NO! I meant, argh look. What I'm saying is if the unfortunate should happen and the Eternal Dominion wins don't you think that they'll try to invade you next?" "I suppose it's possible yes." "Whereas if the Felkan Kingdom wins, we have no intention on even expanding our borders." "Probably true, but that still doesn't help us during the war. A war that is really between you and the ED." "I can't believe I'm trying to convince YOU of all people to go to war. I would've thought you would've jumped at this chance!" Warrick says in a raised tone. "Things change Warrick, and just because I'm not jumping through your hoops doesn't mean I've lost a taste for battle. But I'm thinking on a grander scale now. Going to war with the Eternal Dominion doesn't do us or Nalin any good. It's just going to result in dead soldiers at best. We've found that our continued expansion eastward is much better in building up the country. Maximum gain with minimum losses." You say. Warrick paces a bit and sputters. He obviously thought this was going to go better. "So that's it then huh? You just take Edgar's side over mine. I thought you didn't like him anyway." "Warrick, it's not about taking sides. If you haven't noticed we're not exactly allied with the ED either. We trade with them and are on friendly terms, but that's out of convenience more than anything. Trust me, Edgar's been trying to get us to join for years. I don't know what you're even worried about, the Eternal Dominion is formidable I'm sure, but the Felkan Kingdom survived a war with the Empire. I'm guessing you should be able to handle the ED." "I don't know if we can." He calmly states. There's a moment of silence where you weren't expecting him to say such a thing so blatantly like that. "Look, I didn't want to say anything. The Felkan Kingdom is what I serve now and I serve it to the best of my abilities as I did the Empire. To do anything less would be a failure as an Eternal on my part." "But?" "But I see the weaknesses that we have and I can't ignore them. It's not public knowledge to anyone outside the kingdom, but we're also suffering a large gnoll invasion from the west. It caught us completely by surprise. The Felkan Kingdom is a mighty nation, but right now it's straining its resources just to stay alive. A war with the ED...and we all know it's coming, could break us. The funny thing is I feel like I'm in the Empire all over again. You know during the bad times." "I think they were ALL bad times Warrick. We just made the best of them." Brenda says. "Perhaps. (sigh) I guess I can't convince you ally with us, I mean you've got a good thing going on here and you shouldn't wreck it. I'm glad. Glad that some of us are doing well. But couldn't you at least break off your trade routes? I mean that would at least cause Edgar's attention to be diverted. He might suspect you're up to something and not attack the Felkan Kingdom. At least not right away. It might be enough time for us to put up a better defense." "Yeah and he might also attack us instead." Brenda remarks. "I don't think he will, because then he has to divert his own soldiers and resources and then he'll be worried that we will attack. He can't fight a two front war, even Edgar's smart enough not to risk that. And that's if he dares fighting you in the first place." "That's a big if, there Warrick." You say. You and Brenda tell Warrick you'll both discuss this in a little more detail outside. He says he understands and will await your decision. You and Brenda don't have too much to talk about really, since it's basically coming down to helping out a former comrade in arms and starting a possible war with another one or avoiding the situation entirely. Brenda is for staying neutral; oddly you're actually of two minds of this. > Convince Brenda to help Warrick Maybe it isn't the most tactically sound decision, but he's still an Eternal and you feel like you should give him a fighting chance. It takes some convincing, but Brenda eventually agrees with you, but she still thinks this isn't one of your better ideas. You both go back inside to tell Warrick the news. "Okay, Warrick after talking it over, we'll help you indirectly by breaking trade with the Eternal Dominion." Warrick's face doesn't show a great degree of happiness, but one more of relief.. "Thank you. Thank you both, my friends. This might not seem like much, but it still helps. I'll never forget what you've done here." "Yeah, yeah, you better go before I change my mind." Brenda says. Warrick, not wishing to wear out his welcome he bids you both goodbye and takes his leave. Brenda remarks again that she sees no good coming of this, but what's done is done and you've all made your choices now. The pair of you go back to bed and try to get some sleep. Year 56 "Great that's all we need a war with the Eternal Dominion while we have a fucking epidemic going on right now!" Brenda shouts throwing a paperweight against the wall in frustration. When the trade routes were broken with the Eternal Dominion, Edgar did not take it well, and while it was always a risk, you didn't think he'd actually wage a two front war over it. He immediately suspected you both were in league with each other and declared war on you both. You would probably fare better against the ED, but a terrible plague has hit Nalin pretty hard around the same time. Nobody knows exactly where it came from or how it spread, but the common thought is that the Eternal Dominion has something to do with it. You on the other hand entertain another idea, one that you'd rather not believe and that's Warrick had something to do with it. Destabilize your country and weaken it to a point where the Eternal Dominion can destroy it completely while they also waste their own manpower at the same time. Possibly even spread the plague to their own lands too. It's a good plan. If that really is the case, you question your judgment and beginning to wonder if you're even fit to command anything anymore. You know Brenda has been a little distant towards you lately, however to her credit she has not blamed you for the current situation. Though she wouldn't since she'd only blame herself as well for agreeing to break trade with the ED to begin with. In any case, right now is not really the time to second guess or lament possible past mistakes, a serious situation rears it's ugly head right now and it must be take care of. "Well, the plague hasn't hit eastern Nalin yet and we've drafted every healer, medic and hedge wizard we can find to help cure this blight. We've managed to quarantine the towns and cities that have been hit the hardest. The problem with that though is we've had to redistribute soldiers to those places where we could desperately use them on the northern borders." You explain. "Yes, I'm aware of the situation, what's your solution?" Brenda demands. "Kill everyone in the quarantine and cleanse it with fire. No more people, no more plague and we can focus on the war." Brenda chuckles. "Figures you'd suggest something like that." "Well I'm coming up with the most efficient plan, waiting around for the docs to come up with a cure isn't really time we can afford." You say. "And massacring entire settlements isn't going to endear us to anyone. You know what? To hell with it, I'm leaving this up to you, I'm sick of running this fucking country anyway..." Brenda says and walks out the room. You aren't exactly sure of what to make of that response, but you go through with your cleansing plan since you can't afford to wait around for some cure that may never come. Killing everyone has worked for you on several occasions in the past, no reason to change tactic now. First thing you do is get every remaining "old guard" officer that's still serving since the days of the Empire and have them put in charge of this operation. You know they won't even question this command coming from you. Then you tell them to go through their personnel rosters to see who is going to be up for this grim task. You personally suggest including all of those elves you made into orphans years ago. While they may all be good indoctrinated soldiers now, you think they wouldn't hesitate at a chance to kill some humans and would be good candidates for this job. Besides, elves seem to be more resistant to the plague anyway. Three entire towns are put to the sword, gun and torch until there is nothing left, but burned corpses and hollowed out buildings. In keeping with non-humans being seemingly less affected by the plague, you have kobolds remove the bodies and clean out what they can. They're more than happy to do this as they get the chance to loot some stuff for their own impoverished reservation you've set aside for them. This action causes a great outcry and you even have to execute several soldiers who took up arms against you during the cleansing. Many Nalin citizens aren't happy with the fact that you've implemented several non-humans in helping with this massacre as well. Indeed some begin calling you their inhuman "Eternal overlords" and wonder if they aren't already under the rule of the Eternal Dominion. As far as the plague goes, you did successfully wipe it out from being an ongoing danger. Medics, healers and the like are able to focus their attentions on the places where it's less of a problem and eventually it is gone completely. As for everything else, western Nalin, is in horrible condition and soldiers from eastern Nalin have to be brought in to reinforce the northern borders which have now changed hands a bit as the ED army has pushed you back. Eastern Nalin is in good shape as it was spared the plague and isn't in any immediate danger from the fighting, but there are rumors of the population aren't happy. With the plague gone though, you dig in ready to focus on the Eternal Dominion invasion. > Year 60 "Fort Glory has fallen sir." A disheveled messenger tells you while you look over a map of Nalin in your tent. "Doesn't matter, it was no longer a priority anymore." You say not looking up. "So you're still going through with the plan involving the kobold sappers?" "Yes. I figure it'll take a few days for those eternals get settled in their new conquest and then that fort crumbles right underneath them. A shame, I used to like that fort, but this is war." "Sir, I don't mean to question your orders, but how can you trust those little scaley bastards? They're little more than animals." "That may be, but they're animals that are more scared of me than anything else, and that's all that's important. Speaking of which how do things fare in eastern Nalin?" "All major settlements are under martial law, lots of structures destroyed, several dissidents executed and there are reports of rebels in the wilderness, but most of it is still under our control." "Good enough for now I suppose. Tell Captain Yasil, that I want her to mount an attack on Camp Conquest in a tomorrow. We're going to make our major offensive soon and I want her to weaken that camp as much as possible." "...you mean that large eternal camp in northern Nalin? The main one? That's suicide! Her company is only at half strength from the last mission you sent her on!" the messenger exclaims. "Her sacrifice will be remembered. That will be all." You say still not looking up. The messenger sounds like he would like to say something else, but realizes he better not and just leaves. Smart move on his part. You would've killed him. You have little patience for hesitation nowadays, especially since you've got nothing left to lose. You rub your eyes and stop looking at the map of Nalin and sit down to take a short break. You're tired, but you don't remember the last time you had a good night's sleep. You look over at a portrait you had made of Brenda a long time ago before this war ever broke out. An image of her in happier times. You often speak to the portrait, during times like this and tonight is no different. "You were right, shouldn't have broken that trade agreement with the ED (Sigh) just wish I would've been the one that paid for that mistake instead of you. Though I suppose I paid for it, when some suicidal asshole shot you in the head two years ago." You focus more attention on the portrait "Maybe you're better off...I mean you were getting increasingly unhappy. Heh, who knows maybe you would've just left altogether. You were right about ruling not being any fun too, I've been trying to do your job and mine, but I find myself just not caring about much lately. I'm half ready to just get up and leave it all behind, but I still feel the need to control and regain what has been lost. Maybe it's that old Empire syndrome popping up again. I dunno. Recently I've just been focusing on the war. It's about the only slight pleasure I get anymore. Sometimes I wade into battles, bones creaking, joints aching and five times slower and weaker than I once was, yet do it anyway. I guess I'm hoping to at least die a warrior's death, but somehow I still manage to survive. The war's not over yet though, so maybe there's still time right?" You pick up the portrait and look directly into Brenda's face. "I don't know if you still loved me near the end of everything, but I still loved you. Still do. Maybe I'll be with you soon." You say. You put down the portrait and lie down on your bed. You won't get a good night's sleep, but you don't need it. You just need a quick recharge before you go back to the business of war. The next couple of day pass and you're ready for your final push. You have no idea if you'll actually succeed in driving out the Eternal Dominion, but you're ready to put an end to this one way or another. You lead the battalions to the north. When you arrive to the frontlines, you receive a report that Fort Glory completely collapsed and killed a couple of companies of eternals that were planning their next move from there. Kobolds took advantage of the chaos and finished off the wounded. Captain Yasil's mission was also somewhat successful, you see the smoke in the distance from the main ED camp. The smell of gunpowder from the cannons lingers in the air; hundreds of trenches are filled with the living and the dead on both sides. You heard that this is how the battlefield looked when the Empire fought the Felkan Kingdom, seems like this is going to be standard for war, until something else changes in the way people kill others. You remember when things were much simpler though. The funny thing is that the Felkan Kingdom is despite being accustomed to this sort of fighting and more technologically advanced, they're apparently having a much worse time holding off the Eternal Dominion than you have, though you imagine that they're getting more of the brunt of the combat. You are approached by several of your officers; they say their respective companies are ready to advance, if you give the word. You nod and tell them the attack will commence. You watch as thousands of your soldiers run forward to kill and die for you. If there has always been one consistency with you, is you ability is muster up a shitload of people to do that, even when you're not popular. And you're REALLY not popular with the average Nalin citizen right now. But ungratefulness is something you're used to. You experience the same thing in Rask, after you destroyed all the barbarian tribes. Peasants complain and know nothing of real sacrifice. Not like you do. The battle is going strong and a cannon ball from the other side even crashes a few feet away from you. One of your majors advises that you should step further back from the battle so you stay out of harm's way. But maybe you don't want to; in fact maybe you want to just end it all right now. > You walk into the battle You look out at the battlefield from your horse and get off of it. This is it. The time is right. The major is screaming at you to take cover and asking you what do you think you're doing walking forward into the battlefield like you're doing, but you ignore him. No sooner have you taken number of steps forward and large explosion occurs behind you causing you to fall forward. You push yourself up and look behind to see a small crater where the major and your horse once stood. Your head hurts and seems to be bleeding, but you shake off the cobwebs and crawl into the nearest trench. The stench of death fills your nose immediately. You see several dead soldiers with various fatal wounds. A few living ones are looking for their next opportunity to crawl forward to the next trench. They see you and are quite surprised. "Gen..general?" one of them says. "What are you lot waiting for? There's a great big war out there just dying to be won!" "Uh, well the enemy cannons are..." "No excuses! Come on, follow me! I'll lead you to fucking victory!" you shout excitedly and crawl out of the trench. The soldiers are a little reluctant to follow you at first, but they do so anyway. Explosions and gunfire are all around you as you crawl forward. The danger you've put yourself in right now is giving you a rush. You make your way to the next trench where you encounter even more of your soldiers who are in close combat with the enemy eternals. You help out with your own superior swordsmanship. "That's how you do it!" you shout as you run your sword through the neck of an enemy. "Eternals my fucking ass! Back in my day, a single eternal could've killed the lot of you! And that Eternal would've been me!" you tell your men who are a little unnerved by your remarks. "But fortunately I'm helping!" you shout with a slight giggle and motion them to follow you forward. You crawl from trench to trench through mud, blood, guts, bodies, and all around nastiness and you love every moment of it. The soldiers you've "picked up" along the way believe you've gone completely mad, but they continue to follow since you're actually making progress and your combat abilities still surpass their own. You don't even know how many eternals and "regular" soldiers you've killed so far, but you aren't keeping track. All that you do know is that you still haven't reached your goal. Along with completely disregarding your safety, you start to become a little delusional as well, you end up shouting at your men that they need to watch out for possible wendigos in the area confusing the hell out of them. "Why isn't there snow? There's usually snow in Rask." You mumble to yourself. You see the enemy camp in sight and there is already some fighting going on there, but by the Emperor, you are NOT going to miss this fight! "For the Empire!" you shout, which at this point your soldier aren't even surprised by whatever you yell about now. They're too busy thanking their gods that you managed to lead them to the enemy camp with no losses. Camp Conquest is in chaos. There is fighting everywhere and you jump right in the middle of it. You proceed with your bloodthirsty adrenaline crusade. You suffer several wounds that probably would've stopped a normal man your age in their tracks and even you're starting to feel the effects. Fortunately you've still got your small personal troop behind you to take up the slack. "Look general there's the commander's tent!" one of them shouts. It would appear your enthusiasm has finally rubbed off. With sword cuts across your face, a bleeding gash on your left arm, your armor half destroyed and a bullet in one of your legs, you continue forward. You're starting to feel a little wobbly though. "These Eternals will pay for their betrayal of the Emperor!" you mutter. The enemy commander with some of his own staff stands around several dead bodies and upon seeing you he pats his mace in his hand waiting for you to arrive. As you get closer, there's something somewhat familiar about him. Like you knew him, but he's older now. He bashes the face in of one of your soldiers before clashing with you. He starts to babble about how he's wanted revenge on you for killing his friend twenty-five years ago. He kicks you to the ground and tries to crush your skull, but you roll out of the way. Your head is really starting to hurt, and you're feeling a little dizzy. Images of the past and present begin to mix together and you have a moment of clarity of where you are, and it isn't Rask and you aren't serving the Empire. The bleeding from the back of your head was actually caused by shrapnel from the explosive cannon ball that nearly killed you at the beginning of the battlefield. You've been suffering from a mild brain injury the entire time, hence your delusions. This fool that's trying to kill you now is one of those eternals that was under your command when you left the Empire and killed private Felding in the process. You dodge another mace swing as you try to regain your wits. You're stating to feel your strength really ebb. This is what reality feels like and it sucks, you were enjoying yourself up until this point. You don't know if you're actually going to survive this, but you'll be damned if you're going to give this asshole the satisfaction of getting his revenge. You hack at his foot causing him to fall to one knee. You then strike out against one of his soldiers trying to sneak attack you. Before the commander to get back up, you hack his arm off at the shoulder. Blood spews from the stump and he screams in agony. He stops screaming when you kick his teeth in and sever his head from his body. You look around and see that your soldiers are winning the day. You know that the Eternal Dominion presence is still in Nalin, but it has now been greatly reduced with this victory. The war isn't over yet, but maybe it is for you. You stagger to the asshole's tent you just killed and lie down on his bedroll. You head hurts something fierce and you're starting to feel like you're about to pass out. One of your soldiers says he'll go find a medic or healer, but really you don't care anymore. You're going to die here and that's okay. You've had your last win and really even if you did survive to see final victory; you'd rather not go through the drudgery of ruling alone anymore. You're too old and too tired and now that Brenda's gone, you just don't have the motivation anymore. "Brenda, I'm coming to join you." You say and close your eyes. You never wake up.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war, dystopia, grimdark, fantasy] Year 60 "Fort Glory has fallen sir." A disheveled messenger tells you while you look over a map of Nalin in your tent. "Doesn't matter, it was no longer a priority anymore." You say not looking up. "So you're still going through with the plan involving the kobold sappers?" "Yes. I figure it'll take a few days for those eternals get settled in their new conquest and then that fort crumbles right underneath them. A shame, I used to like that fort, but this is war." "Sir, I don't mean to question your orders, but how can you trust those little scaley bastards? They're little more than animals." "That may be, but they're animals that are more scared of me than anything else, and that's all that's important. Speaking of which how do things fare in eastern Nalin?" "All major settlements are under martial law, lots of structures destroyed, several dissidents executed and there are reports of rebels in the wilderness, but most of it is still under our control." "Good enough for now I suppose. Tell Captain Yasil, that I want her to mount an attack on Camp Conquest in a tomorrow. We're going to make our major offensive soon and I want her to weaken that camp as much as possible." "...you mean that large eternal camp in northern Nalin? The main one? That's suicide! Her company is only at half strength from the last mission you sent her on!" the messenger exclaims. "Her sacrifice will be remembered. That will be all." You say still not looking up. The messenger sounds like he would like to say something else, but realizes he better not and just leaves. Smart move on his part. You would've killed him. You have little patience for hesitation nowadays, especially since you've got nothing left to lose. You rub your eyes and stop looking at the map of Nalin and sit down to take a short break. You're tired, but you don't remember the last time you had a good night's sleep. You look over at a portrait you had made of Brenda a long time ago before this war ever broke out. An image of her in happier times. You often speak to the portrait, during times like this and tonight is no different. "You were right, shouldn't have broken that trade agreement with the ED (Sigh) just wish I would've been the one that paid for that mistake instead of you. Though I suppose I paid for it, when some suicidal asshole shot you in the head two years ago." You focus more attention on the portrait "Maybe you're better off...I mean you were getting increasingly unhappy. Heh, who knows maybe you would've just left altogether. You were right about ruling not being any fun too, I've been trying to do your job and mine, but I find myself just not caring about much lately. I'm half ready to just get up and leave it all behind, but I still feel the need to control and regain what has been lost. Maybe it's that old Empire syndrome popping up again. I dunno. Recently I've just been focusing on the war. It's about the only slight pleasure I get anymore. Sometimes I wade into battles, bones creaking, joints aching and five times slower and weaker than I once was, yet do it anyway. I guess I'm hoping to at least die a warrior's death, but somehow I still manage to survive. The war's not over yet though, so maybe there's still time right?" You pick up the portrait and look directly into Brenda's face. "I don't know if you still loved me near the end of everything, but I still loved you. Still do. Maybe I'll be with you soon." You say. You put down the portrait and lie down on your bed. You won't get a good night's sleep, but you don't need it. You just need a quick recharge before you go back to the business of war. The next couple of day pass and you're ready for your final push. You have no idea if you'll actually succeed in driving out the Eternal Dominion, but you're ready to put an end to this one way or another. You lead the battalions to the north. When you arrive to the frontlines, you receive a report that Fort Glory completely collapsed and killed a couple of companies of eternals that were planning their next move from there. Kobolds took advantage of the chaos and finished off the wounded. Captain Yasil's mission was also somewhat successful, you see the smoke in the distance from the main ED camp. The smell of gunpowder from the cannons lingers in the air; hundreds of trenches are filled with the living and the dead on both sides. You heard that this is how the battlefield looked when the Empire fought the Felkan Kingdom, seems like this is going to be standard for war, until something else changes in the way people kill others. You remember when things were much simpler though. The funny thing is that the Felkan Kingdom is despite being accustomed to this sort of fighting and more technologically advanced, they're apparently having a much worse time holding off the Eternal Dominion than you have, though you imagine that they're getting more of the brunt of the combat. You are approached by several of your officers; they say their respective companies are ready to advance, if you give the word. You nod and tell them the attack will commence. You watch as thousands of your soldiers run forward to kill and die for you. If there has always been one consistency with you, is you ability is muster up a shitload of people to do that, even when you're not popular. And you're REALLY not popular with the average Nalin citizen right now. But ungratefulness is something you're used to. You experience the same thing in Rask, after you destroyed all the barbarian tribes. Peasants complain and know nothing of real sacrifice. Not like you do. The battle is going strong and a cannon ball from the other side even crashes a few feet away from you. One of your majors advises that you should step further back from the battle so you stay out of harm's way. But maybe you don't want to; in fact maybe you want to just end it all right now. > You stay where you are You tell you subordinate to fuck off and state that you're not going to run away and cower in some tent. You're going to observe and give assistance when necessary like a general should. He pleads with you once more, but you merely tell him that if he doesn't get out of your face you're going to kill him yourself. No sooner have you said that, a nearby explosion knocks you off your horse, which ends up falling on top of you as well. You feel a sharp numbness in your right leg, which is under the horse. You look over at the major who was speaking to you and half of his face has been blown off. You can't hear a thing as the explosion has made you completely deaf though your hearing wasn't the greatest with only one ear and all. Using all your strength you pull yourself out from underneath your horse, which is quite dead. A couple of your other officers see you and come to help pull you out and you see that your leg is broken to the point where the bone is coming through the skin. One of your lieutenants goes to stop the bleeding and she's obviously yelling at others to get help, but you still can't hear a thing. You can make out her saying something to you, probably that she's going to put the bone back in place. You just nod quickly and shout at her to do it. She does and it's one of the most excruciating things you've felt in a long time and you've had more than your share of wounds. It's only through your own will power that you don't scream out. While the lieutenant wraps up your leg with a splint, two others come with a stretcher. You don't want to be helped up, but you are any way. "Standing up" straight you decline being put on the stretcher and insist that you'll hop to the nearest horse if you have to. The female lieutenant says something to you while she continues to help prop you up, but you're still deaf and can't hear anything she's saying. You can only guess it's something about doing it for your own good. You aren't going to be told what to do and you push her away, only to fall down. You curse and yell at your weakness and begin to crawl away. You can only assume the rest of your staff is yelling at you back, but you can't see their faces, your eyes are staring at dirt right now. You crawl for a moment and that's when you start to hear something again. "Gen........mu....now! C... on!" You feel several hands turn you around and your staff is intent on forcibly putting you on the stretcher. You don't bother struggling because that's when through your damaged hearing that you hear a distinct whistling sound. "Brenda, I..." You say before the explosive cannon ball wipes you all out.

"Kill these fucking deserters and get me to the medic." You say. The screams of the belzak deserters begging for their lives and death squeals fall on deaf ears...or rather ear as the case may be now. Eventually you manage to make it to the medic who immediately starts administering an antidote to you. You're out of commission and very sick for a couple of days, but after which time you're at least able to stand without feeling ill anymore. Your chewed off ear isn't an excessive problem as you can still hear relatively well, still you do feel a sense of "loss." In any event the expansionist eastern campaign is over. All the tribes have been either wiped out or subdued to the point of submissiveness. Brenda will be relieved to hear it, as you know she was always concerned about having most of the veteran troops there instead of the northern borders. She'll also be pleased that there weren't many losses overall. You're satisfied with the results, though now you're just wondering what you're going to do with yourself again. Year 50 "Our defenses are strong in the north. Have been for years. No need to be concerned about that." You say. "I know, but this is a big thing. I mean after all these years now Edgar wants to speak with us?" Brenda asks. "My reports say he's gotten a lot more organized and isn't dealing with anarchy in his ranks anymore. He even re-conquered the old core lands of the Empire. It could be that he wants to see how strong we really are. His message said he's coming alone without anyone else." "Well, maybe that's a good sign. Maybe he just wants to talk." "Or maybe he wants to kill us both to a great show of strength so Nalin will capitulate with minimum fuss." You point out. "Yeah...there is that tactic. (sigh) Well I guess we all knew this day was coming. Guess I better practice my combat skills., which sadly have probably declined from lack of use. Would you spar with me?" "Of course. Don't worry, I'm sure you're not that out of practice." You remark. You and Brenda go to her personal training room where you and her prepare to spar. Brenda makes a few remarks about this being like the old days when Mistress made you fight each other. Brenda mentions the time when you broke Gerald's arm and Kane's nose when she pit them both against you. "Yeah, I remember that. That was my first match. Mistress had it in for me after I begged for my life. I was always pretty aggressive after that, well at least until Gruz told me I should master my anger better, and I did...anyway let's get on with this." You say not really wanting to think about those days or any of the names mentioned. Brenda isn't quite as skilled as you remember her to be and she has indeed let her talents decline. Then again as you remember she always was more skilled with the bow. Something you never quite got the hang of yourself. You begin to get more in a "drill instructor mode" and shout commands at her to watch her techniques. "Alright, alright, I told you I was out of practice." She shouts back. "Well you shouldn't have let it get this bad in the first place." You say. After this remark, Brenda begins to get a little annoyed, which of course means she makes even more mistakes. "Brenda, come on I know you're better than this! Focus!" "I am!" "Well prove it!" "Well, I'm sorry I'm not the fucking lord of war that you are!" "You don't need to be me, you just need to be an Eternal!" "What the hell for? The Empire is fucking dead and we've just been upkeeping a parody of it for the past fifteen years! I don't even know what I'm doing trying to run this fucking country anymore! I never wanted this! I...I just wanted...to spend the rest of my...(sob) life with Roldan...(sob)" At this point Brenda sits down on the floor and completely breaks down in tears. You can honestly say you weren't expecting this. "Brenda..." "I'm sorry, but I can't be the Eternal you are. I can't even be the Eternal that Edgar is. I lost that edge when I fell in love. I wasn't supposed to and neither was Roldan! If we hadn't been so weak, he'd still be alive and..." "Dammit Brenda, you can't keep blaming yourself for his death! Your relationship and whatever feelings you had for each other had nothing to do with some insane asshole blowing him up. What's bringing this all on? Edgar? I think you're worrying about him more than you need to. I mean for all we know he just wants play catch up and even if he doesn't we're going to be ready for him and his army of half assed Eternals..." Brenda shakes her head and tries to compose herself. "No, it's not Edgar. It's you." "Me? What do you mean? Out with it." "I...I think I've developed the same kind of feelings for you that I did for Roldan." Brenda says. Another surprise for you today, not exactly the best timing with all that's coming up soon. "...Uh...I don't know what to say...I guess...I mean...are you sure?" you ask. "I think I'd know. It's been building up slowly over time. At first I was just happy to have you around, another Eternal to talk to. Sure you weren't Roldan, and you're certainly less fun loving than he could be, but there was that familiar bond. Then when you were so instrumental in helping to keep order in this place, I remembered why we all admired and respected you as a leader so much back in the day. It also began to remind me of how Roldan and I complimented each other in keeping order here during the days of the Empire. You were bringing the memories of those good old days back and making them reality again." "You probably just still miss him and are transferring those feelings." "I thought so too, which is why I didn't do anything before. In fact I was feeling guilty about it, I thought I was dishonoring Roldan's memory. Wasn't until I heard about your close call with death during your campaign in the east that I knew it was more than mere transference. I was so happy that you were still alive, I nearly told you how I felt when you came back. I just didn't think you suffered from such weaknesses and I wanted to remain strong because your respect was more important than my silly attractions." You don't have much experience with any of this, but you need to say or do something make Brenda feel better. "Brenda, you'll always have my respect. As for anything between us, I never thought about it because I figured you'd always be carrying a torch for Roldan. I'm not opposed to the idea however. I mean we do have much in common and contrary to popular belief, I'm not quite the unfeeling golem that most consider me to be. I do have feelings, even if I don't show them a lot and I would've thought you knew that." "I know you do, but you're in control of them or you at least direct them better. I worry that if by some chance something would to occur between us, that you would lose your edge. I don't want you to become weaker or distracted because of me. You're needed as you are now." You're about to reply, and then there's a knock on the door. "Sorry to disturb your training, but I've been told that the leader of the Eternal Dominion has been spotted at the northern border. He's on a horse by himself, and several soldiers are already escorting him to Fort Glory. Did you want to meet him there or did you want us to escort him all the way to the capital?" a voice asks from behind the door. The pair of you didn't expect him this soon, let alone be in the middle of the discussion you're having now. You'd probably both like to wrap this up before having to focus on Edgar, though the question is if you'd have enough time to do it anyway. > You let the soldiers escort Edgar to the capital Edgar can wait, you need to wrap this up now, or at least get some sort of temporary closure on this situation. "Bring Edgar here, it won't hurt him to ride a little longer!" you yell before turning your attention back to Brenda. "Okay, we've got a little more time and that's all I need. Stop worrying about me, I'm not going to suddenly turn into some love sick idiot that can't think things through if we have a deeper relationship! My question is, do you want one with me? Do you genuinely feel that strongly for me?" "Yes, I do." Brenda says. "Then we shouldn't avoid how we feel." You reply and kiss Brenda. Brenda kisses you back and the pair of you give in to your physical desires. You're both at it so long you lose track of time and you're interrupted again with another knock at the door. "Erm, I hate to disturb you again, but I've just received word that general Edgar was attacked on the road by fanatics opposing our talks with the Eternal Dominion. We don't even know what's happened to him and soldiers are..." "WHAT?!" you shout. "Fuck, hold on!" In exasperation you get dressed as fast as you can and Brenda does likewise. You're cursing the entire time, Brenda says nothing, but you can imagine that she's already starting to blame herself for this. You question the advisor on what he's heard and he mentions that Edgar and his escort were ambushed near the village of Helas. Apparently nobody even saw it coming, the guards that were assigned to escort had several crossbow bolts in their bodies. Edgar must've put up a fight since there were some of the assassins found dead at the scene, though no sign of him. There was a blood trail, but it disappeared after a half of mile or so. So far none of the villagers from Helas have been incredibly helpful, which pretty much indicates that most of them must've known about it. Brenda orders a complete search of the area, while you press forward to interrogating the entire village of Helas. You don't have too much success and just find out how much the inhabitants really don't like the idea Nalin becoming friendly with the Eternal Dominion. They assume if that happens then you'll start lording it over them like the Eternals do in the Dominion (as opposed to the "nice" way you do it now) After executing half of the village, you proceed with the search, but you still can't find any trace of Edgar. You suspect that he's covering his tracks and making his way back home. You can't allow that to happen, because if he does, he's going to declare war on you probably believing this to be a set up, and while that may happen anyway, you'd at least like to try to convince him that it wasn't. Or failing that, depriving the Eternal Dominion of their leader... You order double the amount of troops along the northern borders; you're going to need them there regardless of what happens. Brenda and you have a long argument about how your feelings lead to this situation. Brenda of course says that it just proves her right and that you need to put an end to the relationship. You get to the point where you're too frustrated with her to argue anymore and perhaps in some small way she has a point so you ultimately agree and say it's business from here on out. A couple months pass and still no word on Edgar either. You aren't exactly ready to declare him dead, but if he was still alive and managed to make it back to the Eternal Dominion, it really seems like he would've declared war on you by now. As it stands you haven't heard a word from them. They haven't even sent any threatening messengers asking about their leader (you assume he told them he was going to visit you). You chalk it up to whatever selfish power grab they probably got going on. Still there's always the possibility they could attack even with disorganized leadership. However it isn't really Edgar or the ED that you're worried about, things are obviously strained with Brenda. Brenda and you barely even meet in person anymore and you mainly stay at Fort Glory. She's been delegating a lot of responsibility to her staff and become increasingly withdrawn. You attempt to reach out to her, but she doesn't respond positively and just requests that you leave her alone. From what her advisors tell you, she spends most of her time staring and talking to a portrait of Roldan a lot and constantly re-reading love letters he wrote to her. Mostly apologizing for straying from him and being responsible for his death. You step in to take up the slack of rulership, and there aren't too many objections though things in Nalin haven't exactly been the most calm as far as civil obedience goes lately. Year 51 "...and so I'm sorry. I'm sorry that my weakness diminished your strength. Even though we didn't go through with a closer relationship, I know you were continuing to worry about me. I couldn't let you be distracted with lesser concerns. I saw that happen with Roldan, and I wouldn't let it happen to you too. I think this will be for the best. I feel like I've just been walking through a parody of life ever since Roldan died and I think you know that I was growing weary of rulership anyway. Assuming Edgar is indeed dead, I guess this will make you the last of the original Eternals. I guess what you once told me what Captain Gruz's last words were are true. You outlived everyone. Thank you for your company and making the last fifteen years much more bearable, I wish you well in whatever your future plans are, but I'm going to be with my beloved Roldan now. May you always remain the paragon of the Empire that you are. Love Brenda You knew it was only a matter of time and you suspected it was coming, but perhaps this is the only way it could've been. Apparently she hadn't been happy for a long time, still, you wish that things could've been different. Maybe you didn't exactly have a relationship with Brenda like Roldan did, but you did have one of sorts for the past fifteen years and now you definitely feel a great sense of loss because she's gone. However, life goes on. After shedding a few tears in private and composing yourself, you fold the letter and put it with the rest of your personal belongings. You then make arrangements for her funeral, which is a small one. You have her body burned outside Fort Glory since you know that she had Roldan's body burned outside the fort as well. It only seems fitting. You officially take over as sole ruler of Nalin unsure of what the future may hold. > Year 56 "Sir, you want us to completely wipe out all settlements with the plague?" Colonel Gemma asks. "That's what I said isn't it? I've already assigned all the medics, healers and hedge wizards in the land to focus on the less affected areas. As for those places really bad off kill all the people, cleanse the area with fire, no more problem." "But, you're going to have mass riots! The people will protest, even soldiers! I mean some of their families are in the quarantined areas!" "Well I guess you better have those soldiers executed then if you think they'll be a problem. In fact I'm surprised to hear you balk from these orders, I remember you when you were a young soldier wiping out Belzak women and children without hesitation." "I...I'm not sir, I'm just concerned about the repercussions of potentially losing more of our army." "You let me worry about the repercussions! Look here's what you do, gather up all the old guard such as yourself to carry out this plan. In fact get those elves I made into orphans during the tribal wars. I'm guessing they should be good and obedient soldiers by now, but they probably won't hesitate to murder some defenseless humans. The plague doesn't seem to be affecting non-humans as much anyway, so they're probably more resistant. In fact gather some of those kobolds too; they can clear out the bodies. Those little bastards seem to be immune altogether. That's all for now." Gemma nods and takes her leave. You have more concerns today, but you're delegating them to the advisors as usual. If it isn't a problem that can be solved by force, you're not very interested in it. Brenda was right; ruling is a pain in the ass. When she was alive, you still had the "fun" part to focus on, now you have to do it all. This latest plague is probably the most exciting thing that's happened in years. Still can't figure out how and where it originated from though. A passing thought was it might be saboteurs from the Eternal Dominion, but they've been fighting amongst themselves ever since Edgar died. Never did find his body. You still wonder exactly what it was he wanted to discuss with you and Brenda. An alliance perhaps? A threat to submit? You'll never know. The nation of Nalin has become a lot more totalitarian under your rule. You've actually made it even more "Empire like" than it already was mostly because it's what you know, but also because it makes you at least feel like things are how they "should be". Lately though even that hasn't helped your mindset. You've become increasingly bored with just plain ruling, and after this plague nonsense is taken care of, you're thinking of doing something to shake things up a bit. The obvious idea is to expand again, specifically aggressive expansion into Eternal Dominion territory. It's been too long since you've experienced a good fight. The other idea you've had is one you probably wouldn't have considered again, but at this point any change would be welcome. You've thought about just leaving. Leaving everything behind and the region entirely. > Expand You left the Empire behind because you no longer believed in it. Nalin has become a kind of substitute for it though and ever since Brenda died, you've tried to make it even more like the Empire. This may be the closest you're going to get back to the "good old days" and with age ever creeping up on you, you need to make the best of things and not wallow in indecision or hesitation. You're the last of the real Eternals and you're going to act as such. Nalin WILL become the new Empire. After a few months of putting out some of the backlash of how you handled the plague, you make your plans for expansion. You also fully intend overseeing it personally. The first round of conquests go well. The disorganized Eternals and their slaves don't give you too much trouble; indeed some of the population welcomes your intervention. Most of the new generations of Eternals have been so excessively cruel that their subjects are willing to accept any other tyrant as an improvement, even if it's another Eternal. Eventually you do hit a brick wall of sorts, the remaining Eternals realize they need to unite against you. The Eternal Dominion is more advanced technology wise (having stolen ideas and equipment from the Felkan Kingdom), though through your initial conquests, you've made steps to try to close the gap in the availability of gunpower-based weapons for your own soldiers. Still, even with the current stand off with the Eternal Dominion, you victories restore some of the appreciation of your citizens in Nalin who are probably just glad your violence is focused on others for a change. The balance of power has been shifted enough for the Felkan Kingdom to take greater notice of you too, especially since now your territory borders some of their own. They send one of their own to speak to you, while you're currently at a conquered ED Fort making plans for your next attack. To your surprise one of their own, is also one of your own too, or as least was at one time. "Warrick?" you ask. He's obviously older, has a missing eye and no hair, but you still recognize him despite your near disbelief. "Yes, it's me...see you're missing a few body parts as well." He says causing you to touch where your ear used to be. Sometimes you even forget that it's missing. "Well you know how it is...but I thought you were dead! I mean I'd heard...how is it that you're working for the Felkan Kingdom now?" "That's a long story, but let's just say I found my own path, like I see you found yours. Which is sort of why I'm here." Warrick mentions to you that the Felkan Kingdom has been expecting an attack from the Eternal Dominion for more than a decade, even after the disappearance of their leader Edgar. However, now that the ED seems to be no longer a potential threat they're worried about Nalin invading, perhaps even more so since you seem to be a more organized potential threat. "Well, you can tell your king or whoever, that I'm not interested in the Felkan Kingdom. The Nalin Empire isn't in a position to attack such a powerful nation at this time." "At this time...that implies that you might later." "Heh, well you might be right, just as I might believe that you're planning on attack us." "True, and while you probably will rightfully remain suspicious, the Felkan Kingdom has no interest in conquest. Especially not right now. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but we're still dealing with a massive gnoll invasion that hit our land years ago. Fighting another war isn't something we want right now." "Hmm, you're right, you shouldn't be giving vital intelligence away like that. This new information gives me an advantage. Knowing that you aren't as powerful as I once thought, I may very well attack you now." "Well I suppose you'll do what you have to then, but if you're still the leader I know you to be, you won't. You don't want to fight a war on two fronts either." Warrick says in an unconcerned tone. "Ha ha! And you would be correct! But enough about power struggles, let's talk for a moment just as Eternals." Warrick's tale of how he came to be in the service of the Felkan Kingdom is a little sketchy. He mentions that during the last days of the Empire he was still under orders to perform his usual sabotaging missions. He says that he managed to integrate himself in their favor by rescuing some of the royal family who were apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time. Children actually. He says he doesn't remember all of it exactly though except there was a big explosion and the next thing he knew when he woke up is that he was missing an eye and was given a job. Already knowing how the Empire was beginning to crumble he accepted. You proceed to tell Warrick about your time since the Empire fell. He listens intently as you go on about the various thoughts you've gone through since that time. You mention Edgar to him, which interests him greatly. He says the Felkan government assumed that he was killed by one of his own men in a power struggle. He asks if you ever found his body or any evidence of his death. You tell him you never did, for all you know he still got killed by one of his own men, assuming he had managed to get back to the Eternal Dominion. You also mention Brenda. Warrick displays a bit of sadness when he hears the whole story, and you sort of relive some of that sadness as well. It hasn't been that long since she died after all. "So, we're really the last two left then?" Warrick says. "Looks that way, though to be honest I thought you'd been dead for years. Glad to see you're still around." "Even if we may be enemies one day?" "We're Eternals. The originals. We'll always have a bond that nobody else will and if we should end up on opposite ends of the battlefield it still doesn't change that. Assuming that day ever comes and we're both still in fighting condition, seek me out as I shall seek you out and we'll settle things in the only way they can be." Warrick nods at your proposal and is silent for a moment as if deep in thought. He then eventually gets up and tells you he has to leave. He mentions that he'll tell his superiors that the Nalin Empire has no hostile intentions towards the Felkan Kingdom at this time. The pair of you shake hands and part company, possibly knowing if you ever do see each other again, it won't be on friendly terms. Still, there is a small bit of you that was happy to see an old comrade again. You return to the business of waging war on the pathetic remains of the Eternal Dominion. Year 65 "Sir, you are incredibly lucky that the sword didn't hit any vital organs and just pierced the top layer of muscle." Lieutenant Davis says as he applies a mixture of some salve to the wound. "Agh! Yeah, lucky me. Just patch me up, I want to finish off these wannabes once and for all." You say wincing at the burning sensation of the ointment working to seal the wound. "General, victory is assured, is it really necessary for you personally be involved in the combat? Your military expertise is better served as the mind. Colonel Gemma says she's got a handle on things." "Yeah, well if she's got such a handle on things, why did I have to save her ass at the Battle of Julk Pass? And what's this shit about my military expertise is better served with my mind? You're lucky I don't have you executed for saying shit like that! I was killing werebeasts, orcs and other shit you ain't even heard about before you were even a twinkle in your parent's eyes! I'm still every bit of a warrior as I... ah shit! My fucking head!" you suddenly shout and lie back down on the table. A couple of other medical types apply something cold to your head saying that you need to rest. The plate they put in your head from the bullet wound needs to be "adjusted." You grudgingly comply and close your eyes. You hate this weakness. Old age, the only enemy you can't outmaneuver, regardless of how hard you try. Death isn't something you've ever been afraid of, indeed part of you never expected to even live this long. But death by old age? Natural causes? That's something you never even seriously considered before, even if it was in the back of your mind. If you continue your insistence on believing you're still in your twenties, you're going to die on the battlefield. You know that, and you're okay with that idea, but part of you wonders if it's just foolish to throw your life away over being stubborn when you could still live and do more with you life. The Nalin Empire is thriving and you've almost conquered the Eternal Dominion which means you effectively restored most of the old Empire. A feat Edgar was probably trying to accomplish no doubt, but much like him, if you died suddenly, who knows how long it would last before it crumbled. If you want to leave any sort of real legacy, you would most likely have to step back now and begin to make preparations for a line of succession and you'd need a lot of time to do that to sort out all the details. This would mean you'd no longer be able to take such a personal approach to war again. Your days as a warrior would effectively be over and you'd be back to the drudgery of bureaucratic rulership again. You have to take a long look at yourself and decide now, if that's what your fate is going to be. > You continue to lead by example You spend the rest of the day in your personal tent still recovering from your last battle thinking about your situation. Your head still hurts from where part of your skull was replaced with a crude metal plate and your body aches all over as it has been for years. You're nearly deaf in your one working ear. You've got scars all over your face and body. You even have a couple of missing fingertips now. Yet for good or ill, you're going to at least see this war through to its end. You have to be hands on when it comes to battle. You were raised to be a warrior, a killer, and an instrument of war. There have been times you've had stray thoughts on a different life, but ultimately it's always come back to war. You weren't meant to be an old man who dies on his throne either through natural causes or assassination, and you definitely weren't meant to find a love and live happily ever after. You are an Eternal and you were meant to die in battle. Whatever happens afterwards is of minor importance. The next morning you muster up all your strength and stand. You're a little wobbly, but you manage it and step outside. Several of your staff urges you to rest, but you ignore their concerns. You plan your attack on the "Eternal City" with your top staff. It was once the capital of the Empire, now it's the last stand of the Eternal Dominion. At this point there really isn't too much strategy involved. You just plan on blowing up the walls and storming the place with as many soldiers as possible. You remark that when the walls are down, you'll be leading the first assault. "General! You can't be serious! I understand you want to be involved in the battle, but this is going too far! You know very well the battalion that goes in first is going to suffer the most losses." Colonel Gemma exclaims. "It won't if I'm leading it." You say. "However, when I fall, you're next in line. I trust you know what to do. ALL of you know what you're supposed to do." This remark causes a dead silence among your staff. You didn't even say IF you fall, you said WHEN you fall. You realize this and collect your thoughts in what you believe to be your last speech to all of them. "(Sigh) Look, I'm tired. I'm old. I got more scars than all of you put together. I'm missing portions of my body. I'm in constant pain and I got a fucking plate in my head. I appreciate all the service you've given in the past few years and in some cases decades. Your concern for my life is noted, but I know it's time. I've lived a satisfying life. I won't say good, because I've been through enough shit to know that isn't true, but I can say it had its good moments. And I fully intend on making my last moments on earth satisfying as well by leading all of you to victory before it's all over. So! You all have your orders, and if I'm wrong about my impending death...well I'll see you all in the palace when this is over and you all can taunt me for being an overly dramatic old man. One taunt per person of course." This last remark lightens the mood enough for a couple of them to smile. One even manages to give a small chuckle. You figure even if you don't believe it, you should try to keep morale up. The attack on the city commences. It won't really take long to bring the walls down. Never thought the day would come where you'd actually be attacking this place. It's funny, in all the years you served the Empire, you never once set foot into it's capital, let alone the Emperor's palace. You sometimes wonder what exactly happened to the Emperor when the Empire fell. Was he killed? Did he escape? Was there really ever an Emperor at all? It's all irrelevant now you suppose. After a couple days of bombardment by catapults and cannons you at last breach the walls enough that the opening cannot be repaired quick enough. That's when you make your move. "ATTACK!" you shout while galloping forward with your horse, which is shaking you enough to make every bone in your body ache. You've never really liked riding horses, but if you want to be the first one in the city, you need the speed, because running just isn't something you do much anymore. You get closer and closer to the city nearly getting blown to pieces in the process by the cannon fire. How you aren't shot off your horse by a stray bullet is short of amazing. It's just as well you're nearly deaf, you doubt if you could stand the noise of the explosions if you weren't. You reach the wall breach and it is there your horse rears up from the wall of pikes held by the enemy. This temporarily saves its life, but a few shots are fired and the beast makes one last neigh before collapsing. You are also hit in the leg by one of these shots, but you fortunately manage to avoid having the horse land on you when you're thrown from it. Sensing that you're an easy target some the enemy soldiers break their formation and attempt to attack you while you're down, but you're far from being out of this fight. Ignoring the pain, you stand up and meet your attackers head on, easily slaying them. You then proceed to fight your way through the breach just before the rest of your soldiers reach it to help you. The bodies of the dead surround you and the streets are quite literally running red with blood. The mixture of gunpowder and death fills your lungs when you breathe deeply and it smells a hell of a lot better than that poison cloud that Slin witch inflicted on you years ago. Limping around on one good leg, you help out the rest of your soldiers who are a little faster than you now in engaging the enemy. You tell them all to take the palace, a lot of them shout back at you, but you can only really read their lips due to the noise and your bad hearing. The Eternal Dominion's last stand has them pulling out all the stops for this battle, at one point you find yourself facing a large group of orc troops in heavy armor and a single battle mage desperately trying to defend the gates of the palace. It's been a while since you've faced either of these enemies, but you're not going to run at this late stage. Your soldiers engage the orcs and you try to focus on the battle mage who is chanting something, a couple of shots are fired at him, but whatever magic barrier he has up blocks them. When you reach him, his eyes turn completely red and a ring of flame suddenly emanates from him burning you and several others nearby. You fall to the palace steps trying to put the flames out and after managing to do so you realize you're now blind in one eye and the other eye sees a statue outside the palace beginning to move. "Fuck, he's bringing it to life." You say to yourself. Your body then feels a heavy mace blow to your left arm shattering several bones in it. It's quite possible that you would die right there if not for a fellow soldier killing the orc that attacked you. Somebody helps you up and you're feeling nearly delirious at this point. Someone shouts about you bleeding from the head, but you can't really hear them, you're still focused on the mattle mage, who has nearly brought the statue to life. Fighting through the pain as usual, you rush at the mage, even knocking an orc down in the process. The barrier doesn't stop non-projectiles and you easily tackle him. He tries to cast a spell, but is unable to when you shove your armored fist into his mouth. As he chokes on his own blood and teeth, you pull part of his tongue out and then smash his skull open on the palace steps painting them with his brains. Whatever magic that was about to power the statue dies with him and it stops moving. You stand back up with great effort, one of your soldiers shouts something about getting into the palace and you just nod and limp your way inside. Victory is at hand. You step inside the palace and even in the midst of this carnage it is certainly impressive. You can only imagine what it looked like at the height of the Empire's might. Several of your soldiers engage the last remaining hold outs, but you just wander about looking at the palace. You feel sort of odd, like almost delirious, but you try to ignore it. It has been a tiring day after all. You see the skirmishing going on in the hallways and rooms, but you're looking for something in particular, the throne room. You eventually find it, and surprisingly it's empty. A couple of vases and banner have been knocked to the floor, but other than that, it's in relatively good condition. You gaze upon the single impressive platinum throne at the back and approach it. You feel a sudden sense of accomplishment and pride in your deeds. You're also still feeling woozy and you collapse to one knee, but some how it seems appropriate. "I see. The Emperor...he was still watching...he was always watching...I've passed the test." You says to yourself staring at the floor. You then look up at the empty throne. "I have restored the Empire. I have restored its glory. I will take my place with you soon." You say and then pass out, never to wake up.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, grimdark, dystopia] You left the Empire behind because you no longer believed in it. Nalin has become a kind of substitute for it though and ever since Brenda died, you've tried to make it even more like the Empire. This may be the closest you're going to get back to the "good old days" and with age ever creeping up on you, you need to make the best of things and not wallow in indecision or hesitation. You're the last of the real Eternals and you're going to act as such. Nalin WILL become the new Empire. After a few months of putting out some of the backlash of how you handled the plague, you make your plans for expansion. You also fully intend overseeing it personally. The first round of conquests go well. The disorganized Eternals and their slaves don't give you too much trouble; indeed some of the population welcomes your intervention. Most of the new generations of Eternals have been so excessively cruel that their subjects are willing to accept any other tyrant as an improvement, even if it's another Eternal. Eventually you do hit a brick wall of sorts, the remaining Eternals realize they need to unite against you. The Eternal Dominion is more advanced technology wise (having stolen ideas and equipment from the Felkan Kingdom), though through your initial conquests, you've made steps to try to close the gap in the availability of gunpower-based weapons for your own soldiers. Still, even with the current stand off with the Eternal Dominion, you victories restore some of the appreciation of your citizens in Nalin who are probably just glad your violence is focused on others for a change. The balance of power has been shifted enough for the Felkan Kingdom to take greater notice of you too, especially since now your territory borders some of their own. They send one of their own to speak to you, while you're currently at a conquered ED Fort making plans for your next attack. To your surprise one of their own, is also one of your own too, or as least was at one time. "Warrick?" you ask. He's obviously older, has a missing eye and no hair, but you still recognize him despite your near disbelief. "Yes, it's me...see you're missing a few body parts as well." He says causing you to touch where your ear used to be. Sometimes you even forget that it's missing. "Well you know how it is...but I thought you were dead! I mean I'd heard...how is it that you're working for the Felkan Kingdom now?" "That's a long story, but let's just say I found my own path, like I see you found yours. Which is sort of why I'm here." Warrick mentions to you that the Felkan Kingdom has been expecting an attack from the Eternal Dominion for more than a decade, even after the disappearance of their leader Edgar. However, now that the ED seems to be no longer a potential threat they're worried about Nalin invading, perhaps even more so since you seem to be a more organized potential threat. "Well, you can tell your king or whoever, that I'm not interested in the Felkan Kingdom. The Nalin Empire isn't in a position to attack such a powerful nation at this time." "At this time...that implies that you might later." "Heh, well you might be right, just as I might believe that you're planning on attack us." "True, and while you probably will rightfully remain suspicious, the Felkan Kingdom has no interest in conquest. Especially not right now. I probably shouldn't tell you this, but we're still dealing with a massive gnoll invasion that hit our land years ago. Fighting another war isn't something we want right now." "Hmm, you're right, you shouldn't be giving vital intelligence away like that. This new information gives me an advantage. Knowing that you aren't as powerful as I once thought, I may very well attack you now." "Well I suppose you'll do what you have to then, but if you're still the leader I know you to be, you won't. You don't want to fight a war on two fronts either." Warrick says in an unconcerned tone. "Ha ha! And you would be correct! But enough about power struggles, let's talk for a moment just as Eternals." Warrick's tale of how he came to be in the service of the Felkan Kingdom is a little sketchy. He mentions that during the last days of the Empire he was still under orders to perform his usual sabotaging missions. He says that he managed to integrate himself in their favor by rescuing some of the royal family who were apparently in the wrong place at the wrong time. Children actually. He says he doesn't remember all of it exactly though except there was a big explosion and the next thing he knew when he woke up is that he was missing an eye and was given a job. Already knowing how the Empire was beginning to crumble he accepted. You proceed to tell Warrick about your time since the Empire fell. He listens intently as you go on about the various thoughts you've gone through since that time. You mention Edgar to him, which interests him greatly. He says the Felkan government assumed that he was killed by one of his own men in a power struggle. He asks if you ever found his body or any evidence of his death. You tell him you never did, for all you know he still got killed by one of his own men, assuming he had managed to get back to the Eternal Dominion. You also mention Brenda. Warrick displays a bit of sadness when he hears the whole story, and you sort of relive some of that sadness as well. It hasn't been that long since she died after all. "So, we're really the last two left then?" Warrick says. "Looks that way, though to be honest I thought you'd been dead for years. Glad to see you're still around." "Even if we may be enemies one day?" "We're Eternals. The originals. We'll always have a bond that nobody else will and if we should end up on opposite ends of the battlefield it still doesn't change that. Assuming that day ever comes and we're both still in fighting condition, seek me out as I shall seek you out and we'll settle things in the only way they can be." Warrick nods at your proposal and is silent for a moment as if deep in thought. He then eventually gets up and tells you he has to leave. He mentions that he'll tell his superiors that the Nalin Empire has no hostile intentions towards the Felkan Kingdom at this time. The pair of you shake hands and part company, possibly knowing if you ever do see each other again, it won't be on friendly terms. Still, there is a small bit of you that was happy to see an old comrade again. You return to the business of waging war on the pathetic remains of the Eternal Dominion. Year 65 "Sir, you are incredibly lucky that the sword didn't hit any vital organs and just pierced the top layer of muscle." Lieutenant Davis says as he applies a mixture of some salve to the wound. "Agh! Yeah, lucky me. Just patch me up, I want to finish off these wannabes once and for all." You say wincing at the burning sensation of the ointment working to seal the wound. "General, victory is assured, is it really necessary for you personally be involved in the combat? Your military expertise is better served as the mind. Colonel Gemma says she's got a handle on things." "Yeah, well if she's got such a handle on things, why did I have to save her ass at the Battle of Julk Pass? And what's this shit about my military expertise is better served with my mind? You're lucky I don't have you executed for saying shit like that! I was killing werebeasts, orcs and other shit you ain't even heard about before you were even a twinkle in your parent's eyes! I'm still every bit of a warrior as I... ah shit! My fucking head!" you suddenly shout and lie back down on the table. A couple of other medical types apply something cold to your head saying that you need to rest. The plate they put in your head from the bullet wound needs to be "adjusted." You grudgingly comply and close your eyes. You hate this weakness. Old age, the only enemy you can't outmaneuver, regardless of how hard you try. Death isn't something you've ever been afraid of, indeed part of you never expected to even live this long. But death by old age? Natural causes? That's something you never even seriously considered before, even if it was in the back of your mind. If you continue your insistence on believing you're still in your twenties, you're going to die on the battlefield. You know that, and you're okay with that idea, but part of you wonders if it's just foolish to throw your life away over being stubborn when you could still live and do more with you life. The Nalin Empire is thriving and you've almost conquered the Eternal Dominion which means you effectively restored most of the old Empire. A feat Edgar was probably trying to accomplish no doubt, but much like him, if you died suddenly, who knows how long it would last before it crumbled. If you want to leave any sort of real legacy, you would most likely have to step back now and begin to make preparations for a line of succession and you'd need a lot of time to do that to sort out all the details. This would mean you'd no longer be able to take such a personal approach to war again. Your days as a warrior would effectively be over and you'd be back to the drudgery of bureaucratic rulership again. You have to take a long look at yourself and decide now, if that's what your fate is going to be. > You retire your sword Your head still hurts from where part of your skull was replaced with a crude metal plate and your body aches all over as it has been for years. You're nearly deaf in your one working ear. You've got scars all over your face and body. You even have a couple of missing fingertips now. Even if you did go into battle again, you probably wouldn't even make it to the city. You've finally realized that your days of battle are over, or at least over on any meaningful level. It's a sobering thought and not one you're happy with, but if you're going to truly re-establish the Empire or have a reasonable successor nation, then you're going to have to step back from the battlefield. The next day you call in your top staff and tell them that you will indeed pull yourself out of the final push on to the "Eternal City", they all of course agree with your decision and state they are glad to hear you've made it. You tell them all what you want done still as far as the attack is concerned and you also say you aren't going to be running off the battlefield just yet, as you still want to oversee things from a distance at least. There really isn't too much strategy in the scheme of things. You plan on breaching the wall with cannons and catapults and then your soldiers will kill everything hostile within. Simple enough. You watch from outside your tent when the attack commences, hours pass and everything is going as planned and then your head begins to hurt once again. Cursing, you go back inside to lie down for a while. After a few minutes you begin to feel better, but now you're tired. If your hearing was better you probably wouldn't be able to fall asleep, but as it is, the faint sounds of the cannons and battle aren't enough to keep you awake. You figure a small nap won't hurt, so you allow yourself to drift off. You begin to have a dream where you are back in Mistress' classroom. Everything is the same except you're the only one there and you're five years old again. Mistress then walks into the room with a sneer on her face. "You disappoint me, but then I should've expected such weakness from one that begs for his life when faced with the possibility of death!" Mistress says to you. "I..." is all you get out before she kicks you in the chest and steps on you. You look up and see her cruelly smiling at you. "Silence! Did you learn nothing from me? You lack discipline! You always did! You're weak and soft! That's why your Empire fell! You think you can restore it? It's gone! Just like most of your fellow Eternals and you'll be next, if you don't beg. Now do it! Beg!" "No...I..." you gasp. "What?! You dare disobey me?" Mistress shouts and ceases stepping on you for a moment to pick you up and slap you across the face. You slap her back and she throws you into a bunch of chairs. "Impudent whelp! You will learn to obey!" she yells and moves towards you. You scramble back and stand up. She approaches closer and you pick up a chair and attempt to hit her with it, but she grabs it and yanks it from your hands. "Nice try Eternal, but it's too late for fighting back." You try to get out of the way, but you feel hard wooden chair smashing into your body which is already bruised and sore from being thrown. You collapse on the floor and feel something wet dripping from your head. It's blood. You are picked up and turned around by Mistress; she spits in your face and lifts you in the air. You can barely focus on her face as you're feeling very dizzy. "Is this the best you can do? You couldn't even land one hit on me and you're trying to restore the Empire? You need to just let it die. Its time came and went just like yours did. Yet instead of letting go and dying with dignity you're choosing to live as a parody of yourself ruling a parody of the Empire. Pathetic!" Mistress says and throws you, though you don't hit a wall like you expect to, you just continue to fly backwards in the air and then someone catches you. "Oof! What the hell son, I'm not carrying you, you fight your own battles!" you hear Captain Gruz say and then he drops you to the floor. When you stand back up you're a little bigger. You're twelve and in Gruz's training room. "Now listen, I know we had our differences, but don't you listen to that svelk bitch, she's just projecting her own failures onto you. I say go for it. I mean I think you know you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So what if you're an old broken down warhorse now? You can still restore the Empire. The hard part is over! It's just the boring part that you have to take care of, and if you start on it now, you might even take care of all of it before you die! But remember you have to work with others, for it to succeed! Now go on, and for the Emperor's sake, let go of the fucking past, it doesn't need to be perfect! Nothing ever is!" At this point Captain Gruz points to a door and you comply and grab the handle and pull the door towards you... "Sir! Sir! It's just me!" Colonel Gemma shouts. You open your eyes and see her blurry image and your hand strongly grabbing her wrist. She probably was trying to wake you up and you instinctively reacted. Seeing that you're not in danger you let her go. "What the hell's going on?" you say sitting up and rubbing your head. "I just wanted to inform you that we won. The city is uh...ours." "Hmm, what's that hesitation in your voice?" "No hesitation, just well..." "Colonel, my head still hurts so I'm in no mood for your sputtering, now out with it!" "The city is ours and the enemy has been defeated, but I'm afraid that the city has been totally destroyed." "Destroyed? What the fuck happened?" 'There were some complications...sir...I..." You don't let her finish; you get off you bed, push her aside and are blinded by the light when you open the tent. When you fell asleep it was mid-day, now the sun is coming up! Were you asleep the whole damn day? You look in the distance and see the Eternal City with heavy smoke rising from it. In fact there is a weird purple cloud hovering over part of it as well. You can't even see any of the large towers anymore and it looks like the palace was trashed as well, if the destroyed domes and spires are any indication. So much for making this the new capital or even stepping foot into a place that you never even got to visit when you were serving the Empire. "Why the hell didn't someone wake me?!" you shout. Several officers nearby are silent. Gemma once again attempts to explain that someone did, but you were in a deep sleep and thought you'd only be angry if you thought they couldn't handle things. You look at her and the rest of your staff. Here they are scared of your next reaction and there are several of them and one of you. Some are in very fit condition and all of them are armed with firearms as well as close combat weapons. If they were all of the mind to overthrow you by putting several bullets in your body they could easily do it, and quite frankly you wouldn't even blame them either. Yet somehow their mixture of fear and respect for you prevents them from doing so. This is what you have to work with and this is as good as it gets. It could be a lot worse. "(Sigh) Alright. You all did well and I'm proud of all of you. There's going to be some changes in command structure, but we can get to that later. I want a carriage sent here to take me back to the capital, but before that I guess a small victory celebration is in order." "General, you don't want the Eternal City?" someone asks. "Well it would've been nice, but no. In fact just leave it; I don't even want it rebuilt. It's a relic of a past that's long dead. The Nalin Empire doesn't need it." You go back in your tent to lay down while hearing the faint sounds of cheering of your staff and surviving soldiers outside. You drift off again and hope you have better dreams this time around. > Year 75 Another day of aches and pains, getting old sucks. After a couple of years of finally putting down the rest of the new Eternal hold outs, you've been spending most of your time restructuring the Nalin Empire's command structure, economy, security and all the rest that goes with it. You haven't done a bad job considering you were bred for war, not administration, then again you've been doing it in limited capacity for years, you just decided to totally focus on it for once and the results are excellent. While you still have the reputation for ruthlessness, you've managed to temper that a bit in last few years even with all the changes you've made. Most rulers would probably have to worry about coups or assassination attempts, but those haven't been a problem due to the high amount of respect you've earned from the military. General Cynthia Gemma is officially your second in command, so if anything happens to you, she takes over. Though sometimes you wonder if you'll outlive her given your knack of surviving. Warrick who was the only other Eternal left besides you died last year. Before he did, he sent a letter informing you that his final hours were upon him. He didn't exactly say what was wrong, just that he felt the combination of his age and old wounds catching up to him. It wasn't a long letter, just mostly him saying how he was glad he never had to fight you as he still respected you as a leader. The respect was mutual. Indeed it was one of the factors to as why you never attacked the Felkan Kingdom. You mourned his passing as you morn the passing of all your fellow Eternals. Most of them deserved better ends. All of them actually. And now here you are the last of not just your old comrades, but of your kind. The last words that Gruz once told you, have at last come true...you outlived everyone. Whether you were tougher, smarter, or luckier than the rest you don't know. Maybe it was something by design when the Empire altered you. Maybe it was just common sense and the simple will to live. Though lately you've been wondering about "living." You don't have too many thrills left anymore and the constant pain you're in, doesn't make things any easier. You didn't quite understand all of Brenda's choice to end her life at the time, but as you've reflected on it again and again over the years you get it now and you're starting to wonder if it's time to join your fellows. Besides all you victories in battle, you've practically rebuilt the Empire. At least you have as best you could've done, all things considered and that's no easy achievement. You have done enough for anyone to feel proud of doing and if you died now, there would be no shame. Still, part of you wonders if you've lived this long what else could you accomplish if you went on a little longer? Granted you could mess up your already strong reputation, but you could also go on to other great things. > You end your life If you were younger perhaps you'd go on to try to conquer the world, but that's a task for other more energetic leaders than yourself. You've had your battles and won your victories, now it's time for your hard earned rest. However you fully intend on going out the same way you lived and you call Gemma and all your closest staff to assemble in the throne room. You dress in your old Empire gear and ignore the constant pain as you slowly walk to meet them there. When you arrive, they're all at attention and respectful as usual. You look them all over and sit down on your throne to rest before you go through with what you have planned. "My loyal staff and soldiers, the time has come for me to realize that I may no longer be in fit condition to properly lead you all anymore. I believe I have done a good job all these years, but a good leader also knows when his or her time is possibly at an end." Your staff and some of the guards look a little surprised by your remark. They would probably verbally disagree with you, but they've grown accustomed to know when to speak and now is not the time. "I'm not just getting old, I'm a shell of my former self, I have been for quite some time. However there was still work that needed to be done, so I persevered through the pain and the stress to achieve my goal. And that has been accomplished, the Nalin Empire is now a worthy successor to the old Empire." You take a long pause and stand up again. The ache of this action alone makes you glad you won't have to go through it anymore soon. You slowly step towards your staff and address them. "I may no longer be fit to lead...but then again maybe I am. There is still battle lust that rages in these old bones. I will not just step down and live out some sort of feeble existence where I am only trotted out during celebrations or when advice is needed. I won't be some ancient relic to be handled with sympathy or awe. No, if my reign is truly meant to end today then it shall be by combat. General Gemma draw your weapon." You say and draw your sword. "Sir, I..." "I SAID DRAW YOUR WEAPON OR I'LL KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND!" you demand. General Gemma draws her weapon and steps forward. You stand back and position yourself into your fighting stance. "Alright now the rest of you listen, if the good general here kills me, you follow her. If not, then you still follow me. It's pretty easy. And as for you, defend yourself!" you shout and attack. Your swords clash and the battle commences. At first Cynthia seems to only be on the defense, as if she's unwilling to harm you, let alone kill you. You can see it in her eyes that this isn't a battle she wants to fight, not so much due to fear, but due to respect. Part of you understands her reluctance and you appreciate it, so you figure you need to push her a bit. "What's the matter? Can't beat an old man? Then again you're no spring chicken yourself, perhaps I should've chosen a younger successor." It's not the cruelest thing you've ever said, but it does the job. Cynthia begins to go on the offensive. Pain wracks your body with every sword swing, but even with your battered body and slower reflexes you're still proving to be a match for Cynthia. She's not an unskilled warrior, she wouldn't be in her position if she was, but even with a few more taunts you're getting the impression she's still holding back...either that or you're still that good. Perhaps it's a combination of both, because Cynthia leaves herself wide open for a killing blow that you could easily take advantage of. You don't think she even did it intentionally; she's just so upset at having to fight you that her head is not completely in the fight. Of course that's never really ever been a problem for you even during the worst of conditions, and there were some bad ones. You realize that you'll probably win this fight and you weren't really expecting to. You nearly laugh at the absurdity that you may very well have to kill half your staff before one of them is able to take your position through combat, and that'll only be because you'd be so tired by that point. If you were even ten years younger you could probably kill them all. But that isn't your goal today. You goal was to go out in one last battle and if that means you're going to have to "help" events along then so be it. You don't take advantage of the opening, but you do leave one for Cynthia. One that she can't ignore, though there is a split second of hesitation... Then you feel the sharp blade rip past your flesh and into your upper chest. A couple of ribs break from the force and your heart is sliced open as it passes by it and out the other side of your back. You stop to look down and see the blade slowly being withdrawn from your body and covered in your blood. It won't be long now and you feel death already beginning to take you. You see Cynthia convey a troubled expression on her face and look away as your body falls to the floor. Everyone else looks on in stunned silence. Coughing up blood and bleeding out all over the floor, the last thing you hear even with your near deafness is a quiet "I'm sorry." and feel the touch of a hand. Then you feel nothing else ever again. Your funeral is a large event, with lots of military honors and grand speeches about your accomplishments. You are placed in a fancy tomb with an impressive statue nearby. It's a fitting funeral. The memory of you exists for quite some time, but as time does with all things, eventually it wears away. Successor after successor become less capable of holding together what you have built. Nothing lasts forever. Civil wars, invasions, in fighting and countless other factors play apart in the eventual complete dissolution of the Nalin Empire as an entity three hundred years later and a new dark age begins once again. Still, every once in awhile various savage tribes stumble upon your weathered broken statues when scavenging through the various ruins that dot the landscape. They don't know your name, they don't know what you did, they know nothing of what you accomplished or where you came from. Yet the dominating stance and the determined look on the face still convey the idea that a great warrior once called these lands his own. It is hardly surprising that eventually one of these savages found inspiration in these statues to forge her own empire. Such is the cycle of things.

Year 75 Another day of aches and pains, getting old sucks. After a couple of years of finally putting down the rest of the new Eternal hold outs, you've been spending most of your time restructuring the Nalin Empire's command structure, economy, security and all the rest that goes with it. You haven't done a bad job considering you were bred for war, not administration, then again you've been doing it in limited capacity for years, you just decided to totally focus on it for once and the results are excellent. While you still have the reputation for ruthlessness, you've managed to temper that a bit in last few years even with all the changes you've made. Most rulers would probably have to worry about coups or assassination attempts, but those haven't been a problem due to the high amount of respect you've earned from the military. General Cynthia Gemma is officially your second in command, so if anything happens to you, she takes over. Though sometimes you wonder if you'll outlive her given your knack of surviving. Warrick who was the only other Eternal left besides you died last year. Before he did, he sent a letter informing you that his final hours were upon him. He didn't exactly say what was wrong, just that he felt the combination of his age and old wounds catching up to him. It wasn't a long letter, just mostly him saying how he was glad he never had to fight you as he still respected you as a leader. The respect was mutual. Indeed it was one of the factors to as why you never attacked the Felkan Kingdom. You mourned his passing as you morn the passing of all your fellow Eternals. Most of them deserved better ends. All of them actually. And now here you are the last of not just your old comrades, but of your kind. The last words that Gruz once told you, have at last come true...you outlived everyone. Whether you were tougher, smarter, or luckier than the rest you don't know. Maybe it was something by design when the Empire altered you. Maybe it was just common sense and the simple will to live. Though lately you've been wondering about "living." You don't have too many thrills left anymore and the constant pain you're in, doesn't make things any easier. You didn't quite understand all of Brenda's choice to end her life at the time, but as you've reflected on it again and again over the years you get it now and you're starting to wonder if it's time to join your fellows. Besides all you victories in battle, you've practically rebuilt the Empire. At least you have as best you could've done, all things considered and that's no easy achievement. You have done enough for anyone to feel proud of doing and if you died now, there would be no shame. Still, part of you wonders if you've lived this long what else could you accomplish if you went on a little longer? Granted you could mess up your already strong reputation, but you could also go on to other great things. > You continue to live No, there are still battles to be won even if they aren't of the physical nature anymore. One of these battles is how to prevent all of what you've built from collapsing soon after you die. You don't believe it'll fall into complete anarchy immediately of course and you're sure that your first few successors will probably do a good enough job since you've set it up in such a manner, but entropy and decline seem to be factors as certain as death. You wonder if this would be easier if you had been able to have children. You know that you can't just by experience and your own past discussions with Brenda when she spoke of Roldan. No Eternals could have children. You never did know why and just chalked it up to it being something in the process of your creation. Maybe nature balancing itself? In any case you do come up with something. You think back to the old Empire and the emperor. You never did get to meet him...or her...or it! You once wondered if there even was an emperor. You assume there had to have been at one time, probably several, but something changed. Something changed to make people believe that the emperor wasn't just a mortal anymore, but an immortal of sorts. It's this sort of thinking that held the old Empire for a very long time. It occurs to you that you need to start this very same mindset now. Most of the citizens as of right now hold a certain respect for you and the military is in near awe. You need to keep that going even after you're dead. The population needs to believe that you're still alive, watching and protecting them forever. You're not really looking for immortality for yourself so much as you're looking for immortality for what you've struggled to rebuild. Even creating a strong cult of personality so that you still have "followers" long after your death won't solve the problem. Basically, you can't die and you mean you literally can't die. Of course this is impossible, so you have to do the next best thing. Fake your life. Create the same lie that the Empire did. Granted you don't know if they did, but you're going to have to attempt it the best way you can. It's a gamble and it might not even work, but you figure it's worth a shot and you won't really know if it fails or not since you'll be too dead to care. You call General Gemma into your chambers. She arrives promptly as usual though she seems a confused as you never call anyone into your private chambers. "Ah good, you're here. We've got some important things to talk about." You begin to explain your plan to Cynthia. It's a lot for her to take in, but she certainly understands it, she also provides some input that you didn't immediately think about. In time a few more of your closest staff are informed of this plan and sworn to absolute secrecy then the plan is set into motion. You begin to make less public appearances and have little contact with anyone else except your staff, and begin to have propaganda spread about how you seem to be undergoing a transformation. You confine yourself to your private chambers most of the time and never leave the palace at all. It's like a prison, but this is what you need to do in order to carry out this grand plan. You keep yourself busy by thinking up more ideas for your grand plan and making notes as you go. You think about having all your palace guards replaced by some sort of golem, but then that would require having mages around all the time and you'd rather not deal with that factor. So you do something else, you implement your own elite warrior program. The Silent Ones, utterly loyal soldiers conditioned from birth to serve the Nalin Empire and you no matter what. Their tongues are also removed so that they cannot speak any lies or speak out of turn. Year 88 The Silent Ones have replaced all other normal palace guards and nobody else other than a select few are able to enter the palace at all and only Cynthia is able to directly have contact with you. The palace becomes a very quiet place which you enjoy as you can now wander more around your own home without bumping into anyone other than your new guards. The Silent Ones may be young still, but you don't doubt their loyalty or their skill. When you look them in the eyes, you can see the near worship they've been trained to have. Reminds you of the old days when you used to feel the same way about your leader, though at least they've gotten to see you and know you're real, you felt you owed them that much for their indoctrination. Cynthia is supposed to meet with you today as she normally does. You figure it'll be about the usual stuff She meets you in your private chambers as usual. "Hello Cynthia, I hope you are well today." You say. "I'm fine sir, and you?" "The usual aches and pain, though ever since I threw everyone out of the palace, I've actually felt better than I have in years. Things sort of feel more relaxed when you don't have a host of advisors constantly chattering in your ear all the time wanting to get your attention about something." "Yes, it would be a blessing I suppose. You sure you don't want a medic or anything to keep track of your health?" "What for? I'm going to live forever remember? Start bringing doctors in here and all there needs to be is one bystander to see it and start spreading lies about me possibly being dead or dying." "Well there are a few rumors about you already..." "Ah yes, but just that there are strange goings on at this palace, changes and such. That coupled with the ongoing propaganda about me, the commoners and the average soldiers don't really know what to think. It's important that they believe that they don't just have a series of tyrants watching them, they need an immortal sentinel." "Why not just create a religion and tie it into the state?" "Oh no, not doing that. I've already seen some of that in action with my countless battles with barbarian tribes. In Rask, several of them were all practically worshipping the same faceless deities and continued to fight each other due to small disagreements in how it was interpreted. They would've done better to put aside their petty differences in doctrine and unite under it against us instead. Religion can unite people, but it can also divide them worse than anything else, it's why I outlawed organized religions and cults a long time ago. It's a silly concept anyway. The idea of beings with so much power over us, yet do nothing." "But who says they don't? Maybe they work through us or something..." Your eyebrows rise a bit. "Why Cynthia, I didn't take you for a believer in the gods." "I...I don't know. I mean, even though there is less magic in the world nowadays, it still exists. There are so many fantastic things in this world that I just don't think it's out of the realm of impossibility to have gods." "Hmm, well I'm not convinced. I think holy men of all kinds just perpetuate this lie to serve their own ends." At one time Cynthia might've been a little too scared to approach you about this, but given how close you've been over the years, perhaps she has gotten a little more familiar. "But, isn't that similar to the lie we're trying to perpetuate?" she says. You look at her with a completely serious expression, one of annoyance actually. She looks slightly worried now, and then you smile. "You're probably right, but in our case we're doing it for the greater good!" you laugh. As your laugher can be heard throughout the quiet halls of the palace, somehow it brings a little joy to the Silent Ones. Your happiness brings them happiness. > Epilogue Epilogue 4: Eternal Patriot Year 101 "So you understand and made the preparations?" "Yes, but I don't think they'll be necessary. You're just tired." "Cynthia, I know we've grown a bit close over the years...maybe a little more than just subordinate and master at times, but you need to focus and be strong. We all knew this day would one day come." "...yes...yes of course. The Silent Ones will be ready as you instructed and I have already picked out a couple of possible choices in who will take over as second when the...um time comes." "Hmm, well you need to narrow it down (cough cough) don't over complicate things just go with your instincts and pick your best candidate. That's what I did and I think it worked out well." Cynthia smiles a bit, but it's quickly replaced with a sad expression and her quickly looking away. This is going to be hard on her, you might not have realized just how much until now. Then you never were an expert in these matters, you still remember your inexperience when Alison wanted to have sex with you, then again when Brenda admitted her feelings for you. You've never been one to linger on past mistakes, but occasionally you have thought that perhaps returning her feelings was a factor that lead to her suicide. Your "relationship" with Cynthia has been a bit of a strange one, but again due to a combination of factors, it did evolve to something a little more, even if it was never spoken of. You aren't sure if you exactly ever felt "love" for her, but you do have fondness for her. Cynthia on the other hand, you're pretty sure adores you and you aren't exactly sure why, since you've been a fairly harsh taskmaster in the past. Loyalty you understand, but with her it's always been a little more and only increased as the years went on. You almost want to ask her why, but in this case maybe it's better to just let this be another mystery you die with. After all why question it? You've never been great with this sort of stuff, but you figure you'll make one last attempt at it before you die. Not for you, but her sake. You grab Cynthia's hand as tightly as you can and look into her eyes. "Cynthia...know that I...loved you in my own way." Normally a statement like that would probably be considered insulting to most, but it's honest and she knows what you meant and it means a lot more to her than you'll probably ever understand...or maybe you do understand, hence why you said it in the first place. You spend the remainder of your time in silence, wondering if your plan will work. Part of you almost hopes there is some sort of afterlife from where you can watch event unfold here in the realm of the living. A little more time passes and you begin to feel death approach. The final enemy is here and after more than a century of stalking you, it will finally win this battle. "Long live the Empire..." you whisper before finally taking your last breath. Cynthia checks to make sure you're really dead, she then cries quietly over your body. She gives you a kiss one last time before preparing herself for what needs to be done next and exits your private chambers. She calls all the Silent Ones to attention in the royal chamber. "The Emperor has made his transformation as he has so many times before and will do so many times in the future. Remember this and remember that he is always watching. Always. For this day forward he shall speak through me, my orders are only his will. To follow me, is to obey him. You will find the former shell he was using before in his chambers, please dispose of it in the incinerator, it is of no more use to him. Afterwards, please continue to your normal duties until further notice." And on that day, your plan is at last set into motion. Cynthia takes over your role and lives out the remainder of her days as "Emperor" with only her second as contact. It plays out differently, but the result is eventually the same, when she dies, her second takes over and then it happens again and again... Your plan is a success. In time the average Nalin citizen genuinely believes that their emperor is an undying ruler that embodies the very essence of the Nalin Empire itself. Nobody ever knows the truth and even if they do suspect something it's not enough to cause a fuss over. As for the truth it's only ever a handful of people that know it and they're so high up and possibly next in line to become emperor that they are not going to ruin a good thing. And the Silent Ones can't say anything even if they wanted to, which they don't since they believe the lie more than anyone and consider it to be an honor to just be in the same vicinity of their beloved emperor. The funny thing is, while you aren't necessarily remembered in the traditional sense, everything you laid down and the foundations of this system can be attributed to you. And as you were the first Emperor of Nalin, officially you never "died". You get the blame, you get the praise, you get whatever the people decide to feel about you due to whatever the current policies are. Because in the end it doesn't matter who takes up the mantle of emperor, the fact remains it's always still you. Even for the ones that do know the truth, they have to acknowledge you every day they spend as emperor, for without you, there would be no emperor at all. With this system in place, the Nalin Empire stays unified and strong, outlasting even the original old Empire, but as with all things, everything eventually ends, and in time you are forgotten and finally "die"...until one day. Long after the palace of the once great Nalin Empire has crumbled into decay, a group of adventurers explore its ruins. After an easy battle of dispatching kobold squatters, the adventurers find a safe buried under piles of rubble. How it was not found or looted before is a mystery, but perhaps it is destiny. After the party rogue is disappointed to find no valuables inside, one of the adventurers who fancies himself a bard takes the large book found within. He recognizes the old language and begins to read it hoping to get a new story out of it. What he learns instead is so much more. It is your own personal journal. The one you kept during your original implementation of your plan. Your thoughts, your motivations, almost everything about your life is in it. Realizing what he has, the bard quickly writes down his own epic songs about your exploits. They are somewhat popular and it doesn't take long before a genuine history scholar hears about these ballads and begins to wonder how the bard came across such knowledge of the Nalin Empire since records of it are very scarce. After an amicable bargain, the bard sells the book to the scholar, since he already has enough songs and tales of his own from it and the money being offered is just too good to pass up. The scholar takes it and studies it properly along with his colleagues where long at last they have many questions answered about not only the Nalin Empire, but the one you previously served as well (Of which historical records are nearly non-existent) With these events, you and your name have officially been "resurrected" in several discussions in various places of higher learning as well as various fairly tales, legends and the like in places both near and far. A book is even written about you called "Eternal Power." Whether you were trying to or not, you achieved immortality and will remain ETERNAL.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, fantasy, villain protagonist, grimdark, war] Year 56 "Sir, you want us to completely wipe out all settlements with the plague?" Colonel Gemma asks. "That's what I said isn't it? I've already assigned all the medics, healers and hedge wizards in the land to focus on the less affected areas. As for those places really bad off kill all the people, cleanse the area with fire, no more problem." "But, you're going to have mass riots! The people will protest, even soldiers! I mean some of their families are in the quarantined areas!" "Well I guess you better have those soldiers executed then if you think they'll be a problem. In fact I'm surprised to hear you balk from these orders, I remember you when you were a young soldier wiping out Belzak women and children without hesitation." "I...I'm not sir, I'm just concerned about the repercussions of potentially losing more of our army." "You let me worry about the repercussions! Look here's what you do, gather up all the old guard such as yourself to carry out this plan. In fact get those elves I made into orphans during the tribal wars. I'm guessing they should be good and obedient soldiers by now, but they probably won't hesitate to murder some defenseless humans. The plague doesn't seem to be affecting non-humans as much anyway, so they're probably more resistant. In fact gather some of those kobolds too; they can clear out the bodies. Those little bastards seem to be immune altogether. That's all for now." Gemma nods and takes her leave. You have more concerns today, but you're delegating them to the advisors as usual. If it isn't a problem that can be solved by force, you're not very interested in it. Brenda was right; ruling is a pain in the ass. When she was alive, you still had the "fun" part to focus on, now you have to do it all. This latest plague is probably the most exciting thing that's happened in years. Still can't figure out how and where it originated from though. A passing thought was it might be saboteurs from the Eternal Dominion, but they've been fighting amongst themselves ever since Edgar died. Never did find his body. You still wonder exactly what it was he wanted to discuss with you and Brenda. An alliance perhaps? A threat to submit? You'll never know. The nation of Nalin has become a lot more totalitarian under your rule. You've actually made it even more "Empire like" than it already was mostly because it's what you know, but also because it makes you at least feel like things are how they "should be". Lately though even that hasn't helped your mindset. You've become increasingly bored with just plain ruling, and after this plague nonsense is taken care of, you're thinking of doing something to shake things up a bit. The obvious idea is to expand again, specifically aggressive expansion into Eternal Dominion territory. It's been too long since you've experienced a good fight. The other idea you've had is one you probably wouldn't have considered again, but at this point any change would be welcome. You've thought about just leaving. Leaving everything behind and the region entirely. > You Leave You thought you left the Empire because it no longer felt like the government you swore to serve. Now that you're actually in charge and made things more like how they should be, you still feel dissatisfied. Maybe you've just got too much "warrior" in you to deal with the minute details of rulership, maybe you just miss Brenda; maybe it's a combination of several things. The point remains that you're burned out on civilization in general and maybe you just need to be by yourself for a while. Granted you've always been a bit by yourself even among your fellow Eternals, but you're thinking you need to be really alone. By yourself and maybe finding your own way elsewhere. So you pack up some of your belongings and leave. You don't bother even telling anyone, you just go and head east. You keep to the wilderness and eventually when you step beyond the borders of eastern Nalin, you at last feel like a great weight has been lifted off your shoulders. After a few months, you don't miss Nalin at all. In the years that follow you wander, seeing new sights and getting into a few skirmishes a long the way. Sometimes you genuinely attempt to find a place where you feel comfortable, but it just never happens and you continue your wandering. While you continue to feel the ravages of old age always creeping up on you, you stubbornly refuse to submit to them. Ever the warrior, you eventually meet your end in battle with a group of opportunistic svelk bandits.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, grimdark, fantasy] Year 45 In all the years you served the Empire, you always felt like you were being held back in some way; lack of supplies, lack of equipment, ungrateful rioting peasants, or incompetent commanding officers. In most cases it was never a failing on your part. For the past few years, you've come to appreciate no longer having any of those limitations. In Nalin everyone more or less works for the greater good of the country. In fact it could be argued that this is more the case here than it ever was in the Empire, at least as far as you saw. Brenda eventually declared the biggest town (Now a city) Dalt to be the capital and moved there to better manage things. You of course are head of the army and remained at Fort Glory. Despite her initial inexperience at running a nation, Brenda has proven to do a fair job at it. Hand picking town mayors and other bureaucratic types to help run things certainly helps. What also helps is Nalin is a much smaller nation than the Empire was. The long arm of the army doesn't need to go far to catch someone doing something against the law. Your intimidating reputation as head of the army obviously keeps people in line as well. Still, it isn't complete fear; they know you'll also keep them safe. When Usksha raiders started gathering around the southern borders again, you made sure to strike at them before they could attack any of the southern towns. You wish you could just go into the Usksha Desert and wipe them all out, but you know you just don't have the resources for such a thing. Still, you did find a temporary solution in the form of an equally old annoyance. The kobold tribes who eventually realized that continuing to fight against you would result in genocide, agreed to relocate to the edges of the southern Nalin border where they would help defend it. This has worked out quite well. The harsh terrain conditions closer to the desert as well as the occasional Usksha raids keep the kobold population down as well as aid as a front line defense without having to waste valuable troops. For the most part everything has been running quite well, perhaps a little too well to the point where you get a little bored, but you don't even mind that now. You're just glad to be part of a nation that isn't crippled by corruption. "This is the last remnant of the true Empire." You sometimes think. Of course a certain person might disagree with that thought, namely Edgar. Edgar hasn't contacted you or Brenda. Brenda wonders if it's because he considers you both traitors for seceding from the Empire, and while that sounds like Edgar, you suspect it's more because he's been very busy. Ever since the Empire fell, Edgar has been busily trying to unite all the new "eternals" under his command and his results are quite surprising. He's not only managed to do it, but he's forged his own nation calling it the Eternal Dominion. He claims it is the successor to the Empire and as general he has vowed to reunite all the old lands by any means. So far he's had varying success, but he's doing well under the circumstances. He's also created a strict hierarchy system where Eternals are considered to be the superior ruling class and everyone else is below them. You aren't exactly sure what to make of this ideology. Assuming he's successful, you know it's only going to be a matter of time before Edgar comes marching an army from the north. Brenda has the same concerns and lately a majority of the military has been stationed on the northern borders. You just aren't sure it'll be enough. Brenda wonders if an alliance would be best, but the only other major power in the region is the Felkan Kingdom, and you're not exactly sure if they would even be in a position to help, let alone willing to help. The enemy of my enemy isn't always your friend. This ties in with the other matter that has come up is expansion. Nalin has had a steadily growing population for quite some time and since the south is hostile desert, the western side of Nalin is covered by an equally imposing mountain range and to the north is old empire lands suffering from destroyed infrastructure and near anarchy, the only logical conclusion is to the east. Slowly over time Brenda has encouraged Nalin citizens to systematically settle the eastern wilderness. The Empire for some reason never colonized this territory. It probably was marked, but just never exploited due to other more pressing matters. In any case, things have gone more or less peacefully as there have been no encounters with any hostile natives and it has proven to be great farming land. While things are peaceful there now, there's no telling what could happen later and due to all the troops on the northern border, the eastern territory has a minimum number of soldiers there. Right now you and Brenda are discussing on how to best to maximize your defenses. "Have you sent envoys to Edgar? Is it possible that he wouldn't be a problem in the future?" you ask Brenda. "I actually have a couple times over the years and none of them ever returned. Which is why I'm convinced he's pissed at us." "Hmm, well guess we better up keep the defenses on the northern borders then. Still, my own reports say he's still nowhere near us. He's been trying to tame the core region of the old Empire as well as maintain order in places he's already conquered. There is the option to take redeploy some of the troops to the east." "But of course that would weaken us in the north." "Well yes, but if you're really worried about the east, then that's all I can suggest other than conscription." "Yeah, thought about that, and I'm not exactly keen on that idea. The people have been happy for quite awhile. We start conscripting like the Empire did, they might not be as happy." Brenda says "They'll be even less happy, if Edgar comes barging down here declaring them all inferior while letting his Eternal troops run amok." "You wouldn't allow that to happen." Brenda says. "Well I certainly would try my best to not let it happen, but let's just say I'm not as certain about things as I once was, there is always the chance things can go horribly wrong." "Yeah, I understand that. (Sigh) Well, I suppose we can restart conscription. It's not going to be popular, but I think if we stress how much of a threat Edgar potentially is, we'll prevent the civil unrest. I'll get my civilian advisors to start spinning the propaganda. I'll leave it up to you how you want to deploy the troops; I think it would be best to put most of the conscripts on the east though, as I think we'll need most of the experienced troops on the northern borders." "I'll certainly consider all the options. I guess I'll get to it then and leave you to your work as well." You say and are about to leave when Brenda calls out to you. "Hey, I know you're very duty bound anyway, but I just want to say, I'm glad you're here to help me." "Well I'm happy to help, but I'm sure you'd do just as well without me here." "Perhaps, but it's sort of comforting to have another Eternal around to talk to. I just feel like we connect a lot better you know?" "Yes, I do agree. We do share a bond that most others will never know." Brenda goes to hug you and you're a little unsure of how to react at first, but you hug her back. Before you leave Brenda asks you one more question. "Do you think Edgar's ideology for his nation is correct? Do you think Eternals are superior to everyone else?" You think about the question for a moment, then answer. "I think Edgar thinks it is correct. In one aspect, I agree with it, I mean look at the pair of us. We're both in the highest positions of power and people seem to be accepting of it. However, from my own experiences with the new Eternals I'm not actually convinced that THEY are superior to the average human except in combat and sadism which I suppose are good enough to instill fear into the masses." "Heh, but isn't that what we do?" "Of course, but we do it because we know it's necessary to maintain order. The new Eternals engage in pointless cruelty because they enjoy it. They're no better than svelks in that regard. They're so eager to move on to next atrocity that they let their emotions cloud their purity of battle. I believe this is a weakness on their part and that is why I do not consider them superior." Brenda smiles a bit at your answer. "The Empire really should've made you a general straight out of training. I'm certain you would've single handedly saved it." "I don't know. Perhaps it was beyond saving by that time. If you'll excuse me..." you say and leave Brenda's office. As you leave the capital building, you think back on how you left the Empire. While you're satisfied with your decision, part of you does wonder IF you could've done anything. Not just at that time, but before then. Is there another decision you could've made that would've prevented the situation you're in now? After a brief run down in your mind of endless possibilities you quickly dismiss such thoughts as a fool's game. You were right, the Empire was beyond any help you could've provided. Nalin is your concern now and you need to make the decisions to how to best protect it starting with deciding where to send the conscripts when Brenda enacts her decree. > You send them to the east If the Eternal Dominion ever does decide to attack, it'll be better if your best soldiers are already assigned to the northern borders rather than having to scramble to pull them back from the east. You also figure the conscripts can put in their time exploring the eastern wilderness along with defending the few settlements you currently have there right now. When Brenda enacts conscription there is a lot of grumbling as was expected, but nothing more. Many of the conscripts are just glad you aren't assigning them to the northern borders after hearing all the scary things about Edgar and his "baby eating" army. They won't just be there without any supervision either, as you'll still have a few veteran officers overseeing the situation. Months pass a life goes on as usual, and you begin to get reports on the eastern wilderness. Most of the scouts say that there is evidence of other denizens living further east. In fact there seems to be a small tribal war going on between four separate groups. Two of those are human barbarian tribes, one them is elven, but much wilder than what you know of them and the last one is a race you're not familiar with called the Slin. They're apparently reptilian in nature though, similar to the kobolds, but much larger and meaner. All of them save for one of the human tribes have been hostile to your scouts. Your scouts report that most attacks were accompanied by slurs and curses against the Empire. Even the Slin have been reported to utter a few recognizable insults in their strange reptilian tongue. You can only guess that all of these folks at one time came in contact with the Empire and it wasn't a good experience. Makes sense they would mistake you for Empire troops as well considering that all your troops are either still wearing the same armor or very similar armor. Some of the veteran officers are even still wearing the same insignias. Sort of like you do actually. You're very disappointed by the reports you've been getting on the various skirmishes your soldiers have had. Most of them involve heavy losses or in some cases outright defeats! Most of the conscripts apparently just aren't cut out to handle these savages, they're still too green and they also lack the desire to fight in the first place. The problem is worse than just losing soldiers though. Most of these were young males and females, sons and daughter taken from their homes that didn't want to be soldiers in the first place. Predictably there is peasant backlash from this. Not willing to risk any more soldiers, you immediately order a halt to the scouting and make the decision that you're going to have to go oversee things personally. Normally you wouldn't mind this since you were getting bored lately, but you don't like the circumstances to why you have to do it. Brenda certainly hopes you can fix things, because while keeping the peasants in line through force is a time-honored tradition, it isn't really helping things right now. You can't afford to have a full-scale revolt over this. What you'd like to do is wipe out every single one of those tribes as soon as possible before they can unite against you, but you know you can't really do that without either toughening up the conscripts or taking your vets off the northern borders and since that really isn't an option, you're going to have to toughen up the recruits. The first thing you do is gather all your officers assigned there and reprimand them, stating if they were doing their job properly, you wouldn't have to come here and do it for them. You might've even had some of them executed for incompetence, but you really can't afford to lose anyone right now. Second of all you have a new camp built near one the eastern Nalin villages. This is where all the soldiers are going to be housed and training until further notice. Soldier rotations to be stationed at the few eastern settlements will be implemented. But most importantly a whole new training schedule is going to be put into action. You need to get these folks to start thinking the right way. It is your hope that in a couple of months, they start shaping up into the solider you need them to be. The first few weeks go pretty horrible. Your rigorous and harsh training causes some of the conscripts to go from low morale to suicidal. After three deaths, one of your officers claims you're pushing them too hard and you're going to have to ease up. "Captain Talger isn't it?" you ask. "Yes sir." "You did serve under the Empire didn't you?" "Yes sir, for many years until we...uh seceded." "You remember what the punishment was for questioning a superior's decisions?" "...yes...yes I do sir." He says in a very worried tone. After a moment of silence, you tell him to follow you outside to the training grounds. You and Captain Talger walk to the middle of the grounds where several people are training, if they aren't you tell one of your other officers to call everyone to the grounds immediately. When everyone arrives, you address the crowd. "It has come to my attention that I may be training you lot too hard. This has been told to me, by Captain Talger here and he may have a point." Talger looks slightly surprised to hear you say that, he also relaxes a little. "I understand that many of you do not want to be here. I also understand that many of you are not naturally killers. Few are. Most of you would just like to go back home and live nice little safe lives. And contrary to popular belief, I actually can understand that as well." You walk over to a nearby weapon rack and examine a few swords, taking one of fairly good quality. You begin to speak again. "However, that's not going to happen." You say and throw the sword to the ground near Captain Talger's feet. "Captain pick up the sword." "Sir?" "I SAID PICK UP THE SWORD!" you shout. Talger immediately picks up the sword. You see him tremble a little, but manages to keep it together. The crowd looks on anxious to see what will happen next. "Good, now attack me." You say and draw your own blade. Talger nearly speaks, but stops himself. He realizes he doesn't really have any options in this. He closes his eyes for a brief moment presumably to calm himself and then approaches you. He attacks you with some skill and nearly manages to hit you, but ultimately you are the superior warrior and you stop holding back. You manage to smash his face with the pommel of your own sword. His nose nearly explodes into a mass of blood, but before he falls, you grab his sword arm and break it, causing him to drop his weapon and cry out before tumbling to the ground. You kick the sword away and address the crowd again. "You see this? This man knew he was facing potential death and he did not run away. He faced it like a soldier and tried to do his best. He showed true dedication. You all should be so brave. That's all I'm asking, it is not such a difficult lesson to learn." You look down at Captain Talger who is trying hard not to scream out in any more pain and is having a hard time breath due to his bloody nose. "However, this man also spoke out against me...Captain Talger are you ready for your sentence?" "...(wheeze)...argh....(wheeze)...I...acce...(wheeze) accept..." "Your life will serve as a lesson to the rest, you will have an honorable burial." You quietly say and bring your sword down on his chest killing him instantly. The crowd remains silent as you draw out your sword from Talger's body. "Learn from this man's bravery and dedication...but also learn from his mistakes. DO NOT FUCK WITH ME! You all WILL become proper soldiers and you WILL serve Nalin with nothing less than your best! If you do not, none of you will leave here alive. For anyone thinking about suicide I suggest you just come down here now and let me kill you so I'm not wasting my time training you fucking grub worms! Oh and in case you all want to get cute and unite by walking down here together as a group, I suggest that you don't if you value your lives, because I have no problem killing every last one of you by myself if I have to! I've destroyed entire villages of werewolves including their young, it'll take me even less time to lay waste to you pathetic shitheads." You continue your rant. "Let me make this clear you maggots, we have enemies to the east of us, that won't fucking hesitate to rip your guts out and eat them. Do you really think if you all just go back home they're going to leave you alone? No, they're going to eventually advance westward and invade all those nice little peaceful homes you all so desperately want to go back to. You want a nice safe home, well you're going to need to earn your keep and fight for it. You either die in here or die out there; it's your choice. The big difference is out there you have a chance against those fucking savages. In here with me? You've got none. So I suggest you all start getting your shit together now, I don't want to repeat this lesson again." You take you leave and head back to your office, leaving everyone to ponder your words. A few days later there is an improvement in performance. Still a few suicides here and even some training deaths, but its just the weak being culled from the heard as usual. > Year 48 "We can't take anymore forces off the northern borders you know that!" Brenda says. "I know that better than anyone, but we're making progress against those barbarians in the east. I just need a company..." "And I said no! Look I know you're mainly in charge of all the military stuff here, but you remember that I'm the one that's in charge of the entire country! In fact I was running this area quite fine until you came along and started gradually changing things! Now I got a war in the east, peasant uprisings, a potential aggressor up north and a troop shortage that can't possibly deal with all these problems! I'm beginning to wonder if you didn't create all this chaos just to relive your Empire days again..." "Hey! I'm done nothing but try to protect this nation and build it up! And I think my success in the east has proven that!" "Look, I know you've done your part, and I hate to sound like an old Empire bureaucrat, but we can't spare anymore soldiers for the eastern provinces. Can't you make due with what you have?" "Believe me, I would if could. Molding the conscripts into proper soldiers took longer than expected and even after I was successful, a small portion of them died in the process. Then I had hoped to get the one tribe that wasn't initially hostile to us to ally with us as a useful diversion, but due to our initial losses against the other three tribes, the savages assumed we were too weak to make an alliance with and began attacking us too. I still think we would've been okay though if they had all stayed fragmented. After we wiped out the Belkaz Tribe for their poor judgment, the other three tribes formed a truce and united under one banner. It's made fighting them a lot more difficult especially since they know every inch of the land better and they outnumber us. The only good thing is they haven't really launched any effective counter attacks on our settlements so far, but they have been getting better at it." Brenda rubs a hand over her face before speaking again. "You can't just build up the defenses on the villages and maintain a solid defense?" "Well that's sort of where we're at right now, and that's the problem. The elves are no problem; the other tribe of humans isn't either. It's those Slin that are causing the most grief. They can replace their losses a lot quicker, or at least they must mature much quicker. In fact I've noticed a disturbing tactic by them, if they can call it that. Namely whenever there is a group attack by the three tribes, the Slin will deliberately hold back and the first to retreat when the battle starts to swing the wrong way. I see larger groups of them all the time yet they're taking the least amount of losses from their side. At this point, I'm even wondering if there is an "alliance" so much as the Slin eventually enslaved the two remaining tribes and is using them to weaken us, while they continue to breed more lizards. If that is the case, we could be overrun even if we adopt siege mentality." "So what is it that you want to do exactly?" "We know where the Slin home is at. I want to launch a full assault on it. I figure if we at least take them out, the other two tribes will be easy, they may even surrender, not that it'll do them any good..." "Right and I imagine that you want to lead this attack personally." "Of course." "Uh huh, and don't you think it's very dangerous to go rushing into the heart of enemy territory outnumbered and undermanned like you are?" "Well I wouldn't do it without the soldiers." "Right, and that's why you aren't doing it at all. Look, even I gave you the men you require, you'd have to promise me that you wouldn't let a single one get killed, and you and I both know that's not going to happen. The other thing is, I can't really afford to potentially lose you either." "Brenda, have you so little faith in me? I've been in more dangerous situations than this! One time in Rask I..." "Yes, yes, I know all your deeds and they're all very impressive, but you're not in your twenties anymore and we don't have the soldiers! I'm sorry, but we're dealing with multiple problems right now and I need every capable commander possible even the stubborn ones like yourself. Now that's it, and I don't want to hear anymore about this!" Brenda's remark dismissing your accomplishments and implying that you're no longer in your prime is incredibly insulting and you lose your composure. It doesn't help that you're already frustrated with how the eastern campaign has been playing out. You grab one side of her desk and flip it over. This noise causes two guards rush in, but they're a little unsure of how to react given that it's you. Brenda leaps back and puts her hand on her weapon, instinctively you put your own hand on your weapon as well. "Have you lost your mind?!" she says. "No, my mind is quite clear, it's you who has lost their mind if you think I'm going to just let you forget all the shit I've done, and let you just dismiss it like that! How soon you forget that I used to lead you into battle against kobolds and uskshas. I've been risking my life for years, what the hell have you been doing except stagnating here behind a desk much like this entire area would've been until I came along. I gave you a fucking purpose when the Empire fell!" You soon find that Brenda is every bit as mad at you as you are with her. "Yeah? Well maybe I didn't fucking want it in the first place! You...you know what? If you want to take control, you go right ahead, because I'm done with it! Done! I'm leaving this shit behind." Brenda walks past you, without fear and out the door. Her guards try to address her, but she pulls away and continues to walk, leaving you in her messy office. You're still angry, so you don't really believe she's serious, however you ARE going to take those soldiers like you planned. A couple days pass and you're about to make your way back to the east when you receive word that Brenda has completely disappeared. She can't be found at all. You can't believe that she would really abandon all this just because of an argument and part of you is a little concerned. You wonder if you should set aside your mission for a moment to find her. However, if she really is gone, then you'll be head of Nalin by default, while this is somewhat appealing to you, it also means you have to deal with all the stuff that Brenda usually took care of, namely all the unfun stuff that doesn't involve killing and battle. > You go look for Brenda You and her have been through too much to let this end like this, you don't like it, but you decide to put off your mission. You tell the company commander to proceed to the destination and just help with the defenses until you return. You then inform Brenda's advisors to take care of things while you personally search for her. They tell you that soldiers are already looking for her, but you say they aren't doing a good enough job. You follow some leads based on previous reports, and while nobody else seems to be able to find Brenda, you're a little more skilled in finding a fellow Eternal. Your tracking eventually leads further south into the kobold reservations. For some reason nobody thought to question these scaly bastards who turn out to be pretty helpful, though it's probably because they're very scared of you. They tell you they saw the "Eternal lady in charge of everything" walking by herself heading even further south towards the Usksha Desert. They think she's going there to kill all the uskshas by herself, now they think you're going to help her and seem pretty optimistic that the pair of you will eliminate the usksha forever. Brenda may be an Eternal, you still never pegged her as the sort to deliberately kill herself through battle. This can't all be because of an argument. You quickly make your way to the last known direction that the kobolds saw her heading in. After a day of non-stop riding, you see her standing at the edge of the Usksha Desert. It's obvious she hear you, but she continues to look out across the endless sand. "I thought you'd be on your way to wage war on those barbarians in the east by now." She says as you get off your horse. "Brenda, this is silly and not like you. Come on back to where you belong." You demand. Brenda laughs at this statement. "You think you can order me around like a common soldier? Fuck you! You aren't my commanding officer and haven't been in years. I'm my own person and I'll do whatever the hell I want!" "And what do you want?" "What I want? I want my husband back and that's impossible." "So...you blame me for his death? Is that it?" Brenda shakes her head in exasperation. "No, no, no! This isn't even about you! This is about me! It wasn't until our argument, that I finally realized I've just been living a parody of life. The Empire is gone, my husband is gone. What the hell is my purpose for living anymore? I've just been running Nalin all these years, because quite frankly I don't know what the hell to do with myself. You think I really care about any of that? No. That's why I can leave it all behind, just like that." "Brenda, something must've kept you going, if you only just recently came to this conclusion." "Yeah, and that something were delusions. When you first came back, it was a nice. I knew we hadn't seen each other in years, and I knew you were the same rigid emotionless golem you've been since we were young, but you were like a solid anchor in what was a sea of uncertainty during those dark days of the Empire's fall. I had nobody else I could relate to, but we still had a bond of sorts. So I latched on to you and decided to go along with your ideas and it was comforting...for a while. Then as the years went by, I started to get bored, then dissatisfied. When the little war in the east began and problems began to crop up and headache after headache started, I seriously started questioning what I'm doing." "Okay...so you're bored by the administrative duties..." "I wish it was just that, but I don't think you still understand. Let me see if I can explain it better." Brenda approaches you and sits down on the ground. You do likewise, but you're still alert about possible wandering usksha raiders who could ride by. Brenda comments on this. "See, look at you. Here we are just talking and you're probably expecting to do battle with some wandering uskshas. That's what gets you going. I know the fall of the Empire had to be pretty hard for you, seeing a system which you believed in fall apart and dissolve before your eyes. Even though you eventually knew it was all built on lies, a piece of you was still gone forever. However, I don't think it was your true love. It might've been your first, but not your true love. Battle, war, killing. That is your passion. That's your true love. As strange as that may be to some, I understand it." Brenda's somehow words ring true with you. You still aren't quite sure on all this love stuff, but you're listening. "The Empire was my first love as well. It probably was for all of us Eternals, but Roldan was my true love. I'm not getting him back, and I don't even have the Empire to fall back on. I don't know, perhaps by falling in love with Roldan, it weakened me as an Eternal and I should be stronger. I'm convinced it weakened Roldan." "We've been making progress in making Nalin similar to the Empire. It could even be better or greater if we work at it." You say, unsure of how to react to her Roldan comments. "Yes, I know that's what you've been trying to do and for a while that's what I thought might help me as well, but it's not. Also, like I said, you at least can keep yourself happy for your love of battle. Nalin won't replace the Empire, and even if it could, it won't make any difference. It would be if I tried to replace Roldan with another...it won't make me happier." The way Brenda looks at you with that last statement implying that maybe she feels something for you. "Brenda, are you developing feelings for me?" you ask and she just smiles. "As I've always said, I've always liked your directness. Let's just say I might've, but I came to my senses. And that isn't an insult towards you; it's just not meant to be for me. Okay, I think I've wasted enough time." She says and stands up. She begins to walk towards the desert. "Hey wait!" you call out. "Goodbye, I'm sure you'll make an excellent emperor for Nalin, or whatever you decide to call yourself." You grab Brenda's shoulder. "So this is it? You going to just commit suicide by walking into the desert?" "I assume the uskshas will overwhelm me before the heat gets me, and why are you trying to stop me. I would've thought you of all people would've approved of dying in battle." "I would, but it just doesn't make sense here! I mean you still have purpose! You're still fully capable and healthy enough to accomplish many things!" "Perhaps, but the thrill of living is gone and I'm not waiting any longer to see if it comes back. Now I'm heading into that desert and you can't stop me, well you could, but that would no doubt have the same result I'm looking for." You let Brenda go and stand in silence for a moment. You think about your own goals and your own past briefly. Brenda is right about several things concerning your personality and your motivations, but she doesn't know everything. You run up next to her as she makes her first steps into the desert. "What're you doing?" she asks. "I'm joining you. I figure you could use the help." "...I don't believe you. I'm trying to end my life with dignity and on my own terms and you're going to get in the way of that?" "Who said I was stopping you? I'm just traveling with you, I don't have some magical ability to stop the usksha from attacking. And who said I was doing this all for you? My true love is battle remember? Fighting an endless amount of usksha in a hostile environment? Sounds like a challenge worthy of a warrior of my stature." "But...you can't just throw away your life like this!" "Who said I was? I fully intend on making it to the other end of the desert long after you've died." You remark. Brenda begins to get annoyed. "What?! Look I know I'm out of practice, but I'm not going to die that quickly! I'm still a fucking Eternal you know!" "Yes, I do know and that's why I'm coming with you. You made a lot of good points about me, but one you forgot is that I'm not quite the emotionless golem you make me out to be. My time with you has reminded me of that bond I used to have with all of you before we all got separated. We're Eternals, and I'm not going to leave you. Now if that means we die together in this desert, then so be it. BUT I want to propose something." "Oh? What's that?" "If we do manage to get to the other side of this desert, you need to abandon your death wish." Brenda chuckles a bit. "Okay, I guess that's fair. Hell, if we make it through I might just have to re-evaluate my fleeting feelings for you." You don't answer her on that comment; you just keep an eye out for potential danger. The heat isn't a problem right now since it's getting dark, which is at least one good thing. As you continue to walk Brenda begins to speak again. "So what makes you think there IS another side to this desert? Not like it's ever been explored before. For all you know it's just endless desert" Brenda asks. "Oh I dunno. I just have a hunch. It has to end somewhere. Besides I'm curious now. I once briefly considered leading troops into here before, when we were first assigned to deal with the usksha." "Really? What stopped you?" "The fact that Edgar was screaming in my ear about it meant it was bound to be a bad idea. Common sense mostly. Strange that I had more of it back then, than I do right now." "There's still time for you to turn back." "What and run Nalin by myself? Not for me. I'd likely end up executing the entire nation. I wasn't meant to rule...shh hear that?" "Yeah, sounds like those lizards that the usksha like to ride. They'll be here soon. Just like old times eh?" "Like I never left." "I...I'm glad you're here with me." Brenda says looking at you. You look at her and nod. "Me too Brenda. Me too." The pair of you soon engage the usksha in battle, just one of many during your time in the desert. Many believe you both died in the desert eventually succumbing to the heat and your wounds. The kobolds still tell an interesting story of how you both died, but then became vengeful spirits that continue to stalk the usksha to this day. A few believe you managed to make it through and made a new life with each other in a far away land. What ultimately happened to you and Brenda is unknown and lost to time.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, war, fantasy] Year 48 "We can't take anymore forces off the northern borders you know that!" Brenda says. "I know that better than anyone, but we're making progress against those barbarians in the east. I just need a company..." "And I said no! Look I know you're mainly in charge of all the military stuff here, but you remember that I'm the one that's in charge of the entire country! In fact I was running this area quite fine until you came along and started gradually changing things! Now I got a war in the east, peasant uprisings, a potential aggressor up north and a troop shortage that can't possibly deal with all these problems! I'm beginning to wonder if you didn't create all this chaos just to relive your Empire days again..." "Hey! I'm done nothing but try to protect this nation and build it up! And I think my success in the east has proven that!" "Look, I know you've done your part, and I hate to sound like an old Empire bureaucrat, but we can't spare anymore soldiers for the eastern provinces. Can't you make due with what you have?" "Believe me, I would if could. Molding the conscripts into proper soldiers took longer than expected and even after I was successful, a small portion of them died in the process. Then I had hoped to get the one tribe that wasn't initially hostile to us to ally with us as a useful diversion, but due to our initial losses against the other three tribes, the savages assumed we were too weak to make an alliance with and began attacking us too. I still think we would've been okay though if they had all stayed fragmented. After we wiped out the Belkaz Tribe for their poor judgment, the other three tribes formed a truce and united under one banner. It's made fighting them a lot more difficult especially since they know every inch of the land better and they outnumber us. The only good thing is they haven't really launched any effective counter attacks on our settlements so far, but they have been getting better at it." Brenda rubs a hand over her face before speaking again. "You can't just build up the defenses on the villages and maintain a solid defense?" "Well that's sort of where we're at right now, and that's the problem. The elves are no problem; the other tribe of humans isn't either. It's those Slin that are causing the most grief. They can replace their losses a lot quicker, or at least they must mature much quicker. In fact I've noticed a disturbing tactic by them, if they can call it that. Namely whenever there is a group attack by the three tribes, the Slin will deliberately hold back and the first to retreat when the battle starts to swing the wrong way. I see larger groups of them all the time yet they're taking the least amount of losses from their side. At this point, I'm even wondering if there is an "alliance" so much as the Slin eventually enslaved the two remaining tribes and is using them to weaken us, while they continue to breed more lizards. If that is the case, we could be overrun even if we adopt siege mentality." "So what is it that you want to do exactly?" "We know where the Slin home is at. I want to launch a full assault on it. I figure if we at least take them out, the other two tribes will be easy, they may even surrender, not that it'll do them any good..." "Right and I imagine that you want to lead this attack personally." "Of course." "Uh huh, and don't you think it's very dangerous to go rushing into the heart of enemy territory outnumbered and undermanned like you are?" "Well I wouldn't do it without the soldiers." "Right, and that's why you aren't doing it at all. Look, even I gave you the men you require, you'd have to promise me that you wouldn't let a single one get killed, and you and I both know that's not going to happen. The other thing is, I can't really afford to potentially lose you either." "Brenda, have you so little faith in me? I've been in more dangerous situations than this! One time in Rask I..." "Yes, yes, I know all your deeds and they're all very impressive, but you're not in your twenties anymore and we don't have the soldiers! I'm sorry, but we're dealing with multiple problems right now and I need every capable commander possible even the stubborn ones like yourself. Now that's it, and I don't want to hear anymore about this!" Brenda's remark dismissing your accomplishments and implying that you're no longer in your prime is incredibly insulting and you lose your composure. It doesn't help that you're already frustrated with how the eastern campaign has been playing out. You grab one side of her desk and flip it over. This noise causes two guards rush in, but they're a little unsure of how to react given that it's you. Brenda leaps back and puts her hand on her weapon, instinctively you put your own hand on your weapon as well. "Have you lost your mind?!" she says. "No, my mind is quite clear, it's you who has lost their mind if you think I'm going to just let you forget all the shit I've done, and let you just dismiss it like that! How soon you forget that I used to lead you into battle against kobolds and uskshas. I've been risking my life for years, what the hell have you been doing except stagnating here behind a desk much like this entire area would've been until I came along. I gave you a fucking purpose when the Empire fell!" You soon find that Brenda is every bit as mad at you as you are with her. "Yeah? Well maybe I didn't fucking want it in the first place! You...you know what? If you want to take control, you go right ahead, because I'm done with it! Done! I'm leaving this shit behind." Brenda walks past you, without fear and out the door. Her guards try to address her, but she pulls away and continues to walk, leaving you in her messy office. You're still angry, so you don't really believe she's serious, however you ARE going to take those soldiers like you planned. A couple days pass and you're about to make your way back to the east when you receive word that Brenda has completely disappeared. She can't be found at all. You can't believe that she would really abandon all this just because of an argument and part of you is a little concerned. You wonder if you should set aside your mission for a moment to find her. However, if she really is gone, then you'll be head of Nalin by default, while this is somewhat appealing to you, it also means you have to deal with all the stuff that Brenda usually took care of, namely all the unfun stuff that doesn't involve killing and battle. > You continue with your mission If Brenda wants to abandon her duty, you're more than willing to take up the slack. Wouldn't be the first time anyway. You don't know if she's just sulking or really not returning, but either way you're pretty disappointed in her right now. You always thought she was stronger than that, you guess that's what love does to someone. Makes them weak. It's probably why Roldan wasn't alert to stop that Shadow Guard that killed him. You can't dwell on such things now; you've got more important matters to deal with. You tell Brenda's advisors that as of now you're taking over rulership of Nalin and that you want them to take care of things while you destroy the eastern barbarians. They tell you that there are several matters that really require your attention, but you say eliminating the threat in the east is your primary concern first. You head east with your company of veteran troops and meet up with the rest of your forces at Camp Steadfast. You explain your plan of attack and how it is to be carried out. Granted there isn't much to it other than marching straight into the heart of Slin territory and wiping them all out, but you try to give a motivational speech, to improve their morale and mindset because it isn't going to be easy. At the crack of dawn, you begin your march. Doesn't take long before you face opposition. You defeat them with ease for the most part. When you begin to enter the woods though that's when things get tougher. The elves and the degenerate human tribe known as the Fleg begin to attack you from the trees. Or more accurately, the elves stay in the trees and the Fleg throw themselves at you like the suicidal idiots they are. A few of your men catch arrows, and some of them are killed by the various traps the elves have set, but eventually the Fleg are all killed and the elves have either fled or run off as well. You take a moment to rest and regroup. Your company is still strong, but you aren't at the numbers you'd like to face the Slin. You curse yourself for not spreading them out a little more, part of you is still a little pre-occupied with Brenda leaving. "Damn it, get your head in the battle." You mutter to yourself. After taking a very short break, you continue towards where you know the Slin make their home. It's a slightly swampy area. Not as bad as the time you spent in the Delerg Province, but it still isn't the best of fighting conditions for you and your soldiers. You start meeting large groups of Slin hissing and lumbering at you from all sides. Your soldiers put up a good struggle as usual and you fight through what seems to be the endless horde, but you suffer many losses before you even make it their cave lair. One of your men begs you to turn back as he does not believe you have the numbers to take on the rest of the Slin. After all who knows how many are in there. You don't listen though. You're furious by their desire to leave everything, and it doesn't help that you're still angry about Brenda doing the same thing. "We're nearly there and you dare suggest retreat on the verge of victory? I've faced worse odds and more dangerous enemies by myself! You've all been slacking off on the northern borders too long and getting weak! That ends today, I'm in charge of this company, I'm in charge of this army, I'm even in charge of the whole fucking nation of Nalin! Now we're going to finish this and we're going to win! There's going to be a lot of changes after this is over, now come on!" You and your men fight your way into the cave entrance, several large Slin come lumbering from various tunnels hissing and charging at you. There's so many that you sometimes have to resort to punching the beasts because there isn't even any room to swing your sword. The Slin aren't weaklings though and are creatures of great strength, you and your remaining soldiers are beaten severely. You continue to struggle, but several of your bones are broken, your flesh is ripped and torn and you've got a few chunks bitten out of you. As more Slin run towards your position, you look around and see you're the last of your company left. You don't understand what went wrong. You've been in worse situations, you've survived worse conditions, how is it that you're losing and on the verge of death? In your last moments you see your loss as not your failure, but those around you for not being as strong as you. It hardly matters in the end as the Slin still put your skull as a trophy along side the rest of the "weaklings" they killed.

Year 30 "This place won't be the same without you sir. I don't know how I'll be able to run this place as well as you." Lieutenant Verant says as you finish packing your things. "You'll do fine lieutenant, or should I say captain. You'll probably get an official promotion soon. Just remember, when the citizens protest I've found that flogging one family with children at random keeps the rest in line. Can't really afford to execute them like we did in the old days, too many ogre attacks already doing a good job of that. Well at least you don't need to worry about the giants as much anymore." "You always did know best sir." "Well, I tried to do what I could up here. I don't know why I'm being stationed to Delerg Province. It's one of the more peaceful places of the Empire next to the Nalin province. I would prefer to be here or on the Felkan frontlines where I could do more to serve, but I suppose the Emperor knows best where my skills will be used." "Oh well I've heard the war with the Felkans is coming to an end soon." "Yes, I've heard that as well...and it concerns me the things that I've heard why it's ending. Mass riots in the major cities of the Empire, soldier shortages, even heard about some of those traitorous shadow criminals carrying out terrorist tactics. And because of these problems what do we do with the Felkans? Another non-aggression pact! We should be butchering them and burning down their cities, not making peace with them again. If all of the Emperor's enemies had one neck, I would sever it with one sword swipe." Verant says nothing after your rant. Indeed over the past few years he's heard you rant about the troubles of the Empire a lot more and knows to keep quiet. But if you're making more outbursts than usual, it's only because the Empire has more problems than usual. Lately you've been questioning how "great" the Empire is supposed to be. This is not the place you heard about when you were being trained by Mistress or Captain Gruz. In fact, during your first assignment in the Nalin province you encountered decadent officers and disobedient citizens even then. This questioning of the Empire then makes you question the Emperor which causes you great concern for that it treasonous thinking. But still...how is it he has allowed this to happen to his land? He is supposed to be all wise and all-powerful, but you've not seen much evidence of either. Never mind the fact that you've never seen him at all. It's a rare thought, but there have been even a few times where you wondered what would've happened if you had joined Kane when he asked. You leave Fort Destiny without another word and board the carriage to the Delerg province. A few days later you arrive and Delerg is everything you've heard about, very swampy. The town you're scheduled to arrive in looks like it's sinking into marsh, which might explain why it's even called Sinkhole. While you don't know why you're here, you do know you're supposed to meet with a contact here, though you don't know who that is or where you're supposed to meet. As you take in the sights of this dismal town, the villagers look like they can barely contain their fear of you. You aren't sure if it's because they've heard of your reputation, or if it's due to their natural suspicious nature. The swamp folk have always been known to be that way. They were one of the few people that didn't resist Empire dominion at all when they first came to this land, but despite this submissiveness the swamp folk still maintained their wary ways. "Well if isn't the Bane of Rask! It's been a long time!" a voice calls out to you. You turn around and see not one, but two familiar faces. "Roldan? Gerald?" you say seeing how much older they've gotten. It makes you realize just how much time has passed. "Of course it's us!" Roldan says. "Yeah, we didn't know you'd be the contact." Gerald adds. "Contact? I'm not anyone's contact. I'm supposed to meet someone here, you guys aren't it?" you say. "Erm, no. In fact when Gerald arrived I thought he was the contact and vice versa. Well this is odd. I wonder who we're supposed to be meeting?" You reply that you don't know and then begin to feel slightly uneasy. With all your past experiences, you start to feel like this might be a trap, then another carriage comes into the town. When the passenger steps out, it's an old, but still tough looking orc in battle armor. It's Captain Gruz! He sees all three of you milling about in the open and shuffles over to you. "What in blazes are you lot doing out in the open like this? Any potential assassin could strike you down! I thought I taught you better than that! Come on let's get into the tavern, we can talk there." He scolds and then heads towards the tavern, you, Gerald and Roldan follow. The tavern is dark and nearly empty. The patrons inside see you four sit at a table and then move as far away as possible. "You thirsty? I sure am. Four ales!" Captain Gruz says. "I'm not thirsty captain." You say. "They're not for you, they're for me! You guys order your own drinks! Anyway I imagine you're all wondering what this small reunion is all about. Well let's just say the Empire finally saw fit to take me off the sidelines and place me in charge of something worthwhile for a change. I'll get right to the point and tell you, the Shadow Guard is here, or at least what's left of them. For awhile we thought that they might be working with the Felkans, but they're just taking advantage of the war." This news causes you to sit forward and then look around. "Oh don't worry, they're not right HERE, lad. They're in this province though; and you might be interested that Cyrus is the one leading this miserable little band of shadows. I imagine you and he got some unfinished business. In fact that's why you're here, since you've had a lot of experience in dealing with this situation before. As for you two, your own records are excellent and you're Eternals. The only ones that are going to be skilled enough to handle this situation I think are Eternals." "How come Edgar isn't here? He also had experience with the Shadow Guard and was with me during the Fort Defiance incident." "Eh, Edgar's skills are best served on the Felkan frontlines right now. I know the war might be coming to an end, but there's still quite a bit of fighting going on. Besides best not to have all you guys in one place." "That's a different perception than I remember you having when you were arguing with Mr. Mol fourteen years ago." You say. "Heh, remembered that did you? Well, as I'm sure you know things change, ideas change. You get older and see things differently. Wouldn't you agree?" You pause before answering, which causes Gruz to study you for a moment. "Yes, I suppose so." You reluctantly reply. "Of course you do, lad. You'd be a bleeding idiot if you didn't." Gruz says taking a drink of one of his ales. "So, where are these Shadow Guard fanatics anyway?" Gerald asks. "An old temple deep in the swamps. Used to be their old place of worship back before their Empire days apparently. Looks like Cyrus really bought into that dead religion, though it's also arrogant of him to try to hide right underneath our noses. Hell, who knows? Maybe he knew he'd get discovered eventually and was just itching for a fight. Anyway, we'll have some extra help when we arrive there. Trust me, I've got it set up." The remainder of the time is playing a little catch up with your former team members while Captain Gruz enjoys his ale. It's interesting to see how vastly different their experiences have been. Gerald says his time was initially boring until the war broke out. From then on he and Warrick were constantly paired up to perform commando mission deep into Felkan territory. Dangerous work, but he says they were treated pretty well by everyone and held in high regard among their fellow soldiers. Even the citizens were less troublesome in the Arat province and the local women threw themselves at him and Warrick every night he laughs. Roldan mentions his time was mostly spent cleaning up the rest of the kobolds in the Nalin province, breaking small bandit rings, and ultimately trying to keep the peasants in line. No problems from the usksha again though. When Captain Anu was promoted and sent to the Felkan frontlines, Brenda got promoted to command Fort Glory. The most surprising thing though, he and Brenda apparently married. Wasn't anything fancy and there was paperwork that had to be filled out (A lot of it) but it was completely approved of by the Empire. Your own tales sound remarkably grim when compared to theirs. The strangest thing about all this is how they've all had contact with each other either directly or through messages. Gerald and Roldan even mention how they got letters from Kane years ago before his actions at Fort Defiance. They both confirm how the letters sounded very longing of the "old days" and referring to them as "brother." Warrick and Brenda apparently got similar ones too. You ask Gerald if he met Edgar when he was transferred there. He replies that he did, but said that he was mostly sent to fight Felkan armies directly right along side most of the orcish detachments. "Sheesh. He's gotta love that considering his experiences with orcs at Fort Defiance." You say. "Edgar's an idiot. Always has been. I saw that even when I was training you guys. He's a good warrior, but lacks vision. Surprised he's lasted this long." Captain Gruz suddenly replies. "Well, I agree he's always had a tendency to act without thinking, but after my last dealings with him, I think he's improved a bit. Changed his outlook. You know, got older and sees things differently now." You reply. "Hmm. Maybe, but as far as I'm concerned being a meat shield is about the best thing he's ever been good for, just like all the rest of dumb fuckers on the Felkan frontlines." "Hey, I'm on the Felkan frontlines!" Gerald protests. "Yeah, and you're not marching straight into those Felkan shooty weapons either. You're being a lot more than just a meat shield like the rest of those stupid ass orcs." "Rest of those orcs? Not to point out the obvious, but you're an orc, I mean aren't those your people?" Roldan asks. "Yeah and? Does that make us all relatives or some shit? Fuck my people! I got no patience for any of them anymore..." Captain Gruz begins to get loud and cause a scene. "Okay captain I think you've had enough. I think I saw an inn across the way, let's get some rooms there and make plans to deal with the shadows tomorrow." You suggest. "Grrm, maybe you're right..." Captain Gruz replies and then promptly falls to the floor. Gerald tries to pick him up. "Somebody go get the rooms and the other person help me carry the captain." Gerald says. > You go get the rooms "I'll get the rooms, you help Gerald." You say. "Okay." Roldan agrees and proceeds to lift up Gruz on the other side. You exit the tavern and make your way to the inn, which is across the road. You're half way across when you sense something isn't right. You notice a little girl across the road staring at something and that's when you realize there are shadows about. The first one attempts to stab you in the back, but you spin and dodge, then stab him through the stomach. The second one aborts his own attack and attempts to escape. You however grab him with your free hand. It is at this point, he pulls out some sort of odd round plant and screams something you don't understand and a black aura suddenly emanates from him. "Shit!" you shout and run him through in the hopes of killing him before he can complete whatever spell he's casting. He drops the plant on the ground, but smiles at you. "It's already done Eternal!" he laughs and then you are both engulfed in an explosion and blown several feet from where you were, though only part of you. What remains of your body is scattered in pieces along the road of Sinkhole. You actually manage to live a few more seconds to see the images of what you presume to be Roldan and Gerald running out of the tavern, then everything goes dark.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, villain protagonist] "We can't leave yet, we have to take care of Kane and Cyrus." You say. "What? You don't think it wouldn't be a better idea to escape and then come back with an army or something?" Edgar replies "It would be preferable yes, but by that time they'll be entrenched and possibly already on the move with their own army of giants, ogres and orcs. That's less likely to happen without Kane or Cyrus here." "You don't think someone else will take their place?" "I KNOW someone else will take their place, but by getting rid of Kane and Cyrus that shaky allied army that they've built up will fall apart. It will then be far easier to handle seeing as it won't commanded by Eternals." "Well, that's true...okay let's do it." Edgar suggests getting some basic armor with helmets to disguise and protect yourselves in and mentions the supply room in the human section of the fort should have some. It takes some sneaking around, but Edgar's knowledge of the layout gets you there with relative ease. When you do get to the room you have to kill a couple human guards, and get dressed in some armor without raising an alarm. At least not an obvious one. "I told the others that you wouldn't try to escape. Glad to see I was right." A man's voice says from somewhere. You and Edgar both grab weapons and look around putting your backs to each other. "Knew it was too easy." Edgar says. "It still can be." The voice remarks. "Who are you? Show yourself!" you demand. "And have you possibly kill me? Oh no, I know the skill and ruthlessness of the Eternals all too well having served with Cyrus for years, not to mention seeing Edgar in action. And your own reputation speaks on its own, Bane of Rask. There is no need for animosity however, I am willing to help you." "It's a Shadow Guard, he's using his blasted magic tricks to stay invisible to us." Edgar whispers. "If you're here to help, why have you allowed this to treason to happen in the first place?" you ask still keeping your guard up. "Oh various reasons, but let's just say the major reason is that Cyrus is a very convincing fellow. He probably doesn't seem like it to you, but he has a certain charm about him. It's how he's managed to convince Kane to go along with all this I imagine." "So this was all Cyrus' idea." You say still scanning the room. "Eh, it's a little more complicated than that I think, even I'm not privy to all the details. I only know as much as I do because Cyrus is a little more talkative after sex..." "Okay, I didn't need to hear about that!" Edgar exclaims. "Look we could stand around and talk all day until the guards realize something is wrong, or you can accept the help of me and the rest of the Shadow Guard. We have come to realize for a while now that this plan is not in our best interest and will only lead to our destruction." The voice says, "You do realize that you have already participated in treason and this attempt at switching sides because you know you'll lose anyway, will not save you?" you say undiplomatically. "Ha ha! Yes, I would expect no less from the Empire and especially not from an Eternal such as yourself. You Eternals, you think in such absolutes and that's why you'll be the death of us all...not YOU of course, but for the rest of us. (Sigh) I think the Shadow Guard should've broken away from the Empire years ago before you lot popped up. Anyway it hardly matters now, I'm still offering my help..." Before the man can complete his sentence you have managed to locate his whereabouts in the room and grab him. His invisibility disappears to reveal a mundane looking man in a gray cloak. As you hold your sword to him, Edgar does likewise. "I hate to burst your ego, but this isn't the first time an Eternal has managed to detect me, you took longer though." The gray-cloaked man says. "How can I trust someone who has defied the Emperor and participated in treasonous acts?" you ask, ignoring the Shadow Guard's flippant nature. "You can't. And being a Shadow Guard probably makes me even less trustworthy. The only thing I can say is you'll have to make a leap of faith Eternal. I will confess this though. The Shadow Guard's loyalty to the Empire is starting to be less than absolute. Granted there are still debates about this within our order and not everyone can decide on how we should do it. Personally I felt we should all just leave and not make a big mess about it. Obviously some, like Cyrus feel otherwise. Now I have just relayed perfectly good intelligence on a potential major threat to the Empire. You will be able to warn others after you take care of Kane and Cyrus." > You kill him There is no way you're going to trust a Shadow Guard even if he has given you good information. He's still a traitor that would betray you at the nearest opportunity he deserves no less than death. Without another word you run him through and muffle any yelps he might've made during his death. "Good idea, no way we could've trusted him." Edgar says. "Come on, we should head to Kane's office, that's probably where he's at, hopefully Cyrus is there as well." You manage to walk through the halls of the fort without difficulty thanks to the face covering helmets. Everyone just assumes you're just two soldiers going about your routines. When you arrive near the office there are several heavily armored orc guards milling around there. You and Edgar briefly wonder how quickly you can kill them before more come running, but unfortunately, when another one comes running your potential plans of distraction them are gone. "Ay! Ay! You guyz! The prisoners have escaped! Come on!" the orc yells. "Wha?! Well we can't leave, da boss is in his office! Go get dem shadoze ta help!" one of the guard says. "Hey we'll tell the general and you take care of the prisoners. You orcs are tougher so you'll be able to handle the situation better than we would." You pipe up and say. "Hmm, you might be right about us bein' stronger, but even weaklings like you should be able to handle two unarmed prisoners. We gots orders, we stay here wit da boss." "To hell with this." Edgar suddenly says and attacks one of the orcs. You do battle with the orcs, though it isn't an easy fight, they're obviously Kane's bodyguards for a reason. You haven't even defeated all of them yet, when Kane comes out of his office. "What's going...assassins!" Kane shouts, not immediately realizing it's you and Edgar with your helmets on. You attempt to engage Kane, but one of the last orc guards knocks you into the wall and attempts to get you in a bear hug. You manage to get free, and after landing a couple of good strikes, the orc collapses to one knee where upon you finish him off. You turn around in time to see Kane taking advantage of Edgar's own fight with the last orc guard. Kane runs his sword through Edgar's side. Edgar pauses his attack from the blow which allows the orc guard to follow up with a good strike with his mace. A sickening crunch of Edgar's skull along with the clang of metal accompanies his helmet being knocked off of him. Edgar crumples to the floor and doesn't move. "Edgar?" Kane says to himself. You waste no time more time and attack. You dodge the last orc guard's clumsy attack with his mace while blocking Kane's own as well. "Why are you fighting me?! We should be on the same side brother!" he exclaims desperately, realizing who you are. The orc guard winds up another swing, and you aim low taking out his legs, when he falls to the floor, you kick Kane away from you so you can finish off the last guard. After killing the orc, Kane attempts to attack you but fails and you land a blow across his chest and then another across his face, blinding him in one eye. He drops his weapon and staggers back holding his hand on the gaping bloody wound. "(Pant) Why...you...I can't..." he wheezes and tries to escape past you, but you stop him completely by running him through. You wrench the sword upward to slice further into his internal organs. Blood spills out from the wound and onto the floor and your feet. He looks at you with his remaining good eye. Surprisingly, he smiles. "I...forgive you...broth..." he gasps and dies. You don't have time to check on Edgar or anything else when you feel several bolts go into your back. You collapse to the floor and feel that same toxin you felt when Cyrus shot you, except this time you feel a whole lot sicker, due to getting a heavier dose. "I have to say this probably worked out a whole lot better this way. With Kane out of the way, perhaps we can use these orcs to our more direct advantage after all." You hear Cyrus remark as several Shadow Guards circle around you. "Don't expect to wake up from this one." Is the last thing you hear before another bolt goes into your skull.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, war] Year 20 "Watch it the last ones are coming from the left side!" you shout, pointing at the barbarian wolfmen breaking through the barricade. Two of your number go down before the might of the wolfmen. As always you find yourself having to do things yourself. Not that you're adverse to placing yourself in the thick of battle, but sometimes you get a little tired of having to micromanage. One of the wolfmen goes down by your blade with ease, the other three however are shot full of bolts, though you were very nearly in the crossfire. "DAMMIT, watch where you're shooting!" You shout at the dark elven mercenaries. "Oh stop being so dramatic, we've been shooting with these crossbows longer than you've even been alive I'd wager." One of them replies, followed by a few snickers. You shake your head at the fact that you have to routinely work with them, let alone having to put up with their kind. Then again you've had to put up with a lot around here for the past four years. "Are we done fighting these dogs now? When are we going to get back to killing more sveld? That's a lot more fun." One of the mercenaries says. "You aren't getting paid to have fun svelk! You're getting paid to do your job. If you really want to go murder your tree loving cousins so bad, we're not stopping you." You say. "Whatever monkey, our job here is done, we're heading back. Let us know when you need our help again." The mercenary says and they leave. You survey the damage to the logging camp and it's going to be awhile before this place is up and running to it's full capabilities again. Still, today is a victory and despite everything, you've managed to eliminate more enemies even if it does seem like they are everywhere in this harsh cold land. Unfortunately nowadays the Rask frontier isn't the only place where the Empire has been having problems. Open war broke out with the Felkan Kingdom a couple years ago. Sometimes you wonder how things are going with Warrick and Gerald, but you've never heard anything about them, or from them. In fact you rarely hear news from anywhere unless it directly concerns you defending mining towns, logging town, or outposts from barbarians or the forest elves. It's never pretty here, but you can only imagine what they deal with up at Fort Defiance where they routinely face ogres and sometimes even giants. You have heard that Edgar has made quite a name for himself with some of his actions. In a way you're glad, because he's living up to the title of an Eternal and doing honor by serving with distinction...still, knowing him he's doing it all to try to "beat" you. As for you, you've made quite a name for yourself as well. You have improved the mortality rate of the soldiers here a little (most notably the ones serving under you), but you've also managed to successfully defend several towns with low citizen casualties too. The greatest accomplishments of yours are the complete destruction of several hostile barbarian tribes. The Black Wolves, the Enclave of the Bear, the Blood Boars, and other minor shape changing tribes have all been exterminated thanks to your relentless nature. Indeed, you've become so infamous that the barbarian tribes in this land have come to call you the "The Bane of Rask." This recent battle was a last desperate regroup attack by one of the tribes, the "Silver Fangs" after you wiped out all their women and children in an attack on their camp. Grim business to be sure, but it wasn't first time and it certainly won't be the last. These tribes must learn that they cannot stand against the might of the Empire or the Emperor. If they can only learn that with their extinction then so be it. You report your victory to Captain Krozer. "Excellent as always lieutenant. I know time after time I can count on you. Which leads me to the next major task. From what I can tell we've managed to eliminate the major threats in this particular area of the Rask frontier, but we have two left. The forest elves and the Wendigo tribe are the two in question and I'm wondering which one we should focus our attention on first." "Well I can tell you that the Wendigo tribe will be a challenge. They're the biggest, toughest and meanest of all the barbarian shape shifters. So far we haven't had a large battle with them yet, but with our extermination of the other tribes, the time is getting closer. As for the elves, it will be more tedious than anything as they use a lot of guerilla tactics and such. We've still never found any sort of home, base or camp of theirs, but I suppose those dark elven mercs will be more than willing to help us with eliminating them. I'm sure their leader, Edolith will most likely demand a high price as usual though." You say. "(Sigh) Yeah, I'm sure she will. Things are never easy here. Fuck it; we're pushing forward on both groups right now and putting an end to it once and for all. The question is, would you prefer to lead a company against the Wendigo tribe or go on a seek and destroy mission on the forest elves." > You seek out the elves "I've had to work around those svelk for a while now. If they're going to help us attack the elves, it might be a good idea for me to go on that one so I can keep an eye on them, captain." You say. "Yes, you do have a reputation even among those shifty bastards, though they'd never admit it. Okay, sounds good. I shall send another officer to lead the mission against the Wendigo tribe. I may even just go along on that mission." Captain Krozer replies. "You are captain?" "Yes, I find that I've been getting stuck behind the desk too much lately. It'll be good to be back out in the field. Don't want to become like one of those fat self-important generals that do nothing except point to maps and make equally fat musings on tactics. A true leader should lead from the front, I'm sure you agree." "It is preferable yes...but I do understand the need to keep those with keen military minds safe from major war zones. Such people have their place as all do in their service of the Emperor." "Why lieutenant, are you complimenting me on my intelligence? It's not like you to flirt." Captain Krozer asks in a tone slightly friendlier than usual, it catches you a little off guard. "I...no! I mean yes, you are very intelligent, but..." "Relax lieutenant, just having a little fun, didn't mean to put you on the spot. Anyway, we'll pick this up later, you better get prepared for your mission, and good luck." You do exactly that. You know that this is going to be a tedious mission. The elves rarely ever fight in straight up combat. It's typically a series of ambushes and hit and run tactics with some traps thrown in for good measure. Attempting to locate their hideout is going to be equally as tedious. While the dark elves will certainly be helpful, you wish you had a few battle wizards, but most of those have been assigned either at Fort Defiance or on the frontlines of the Felkan War. The first thing you do is talk with the leader of the dark elven mercenaries about how would be the best way to track down the elves. Eldolith normally is outwardly disdainful of humans, but she manages to just barely contain that distain in your case. She's typical of her kind, arrogant and acts like she's doing you a favor just by being in your presence. Reminds you of the days when Mistress trained you. "Ah the Bane of Rask, if it isn't my favorite mon...human. What do I owe this dubious pleasure?" she asks while polishing one of her leather boots. "We want to find the elven home and destroy them for good." "Finally ready to destroy those sveld eh? About fucking time. The whole time we've been playing around with your semi-evolved barbaric kin, I've had a few of my men out scouting this entire forsaken frontier. We got a lead a few months ago and we're pretty sure it's good." "Wait. Hold on. You've known where they've been hiding and you didn't report it to us?" "As I recall your superior isn't paying us for reconnaissance. We're just here to fight. Besides, it's still not necessarily a one hundred percent sure thing." "If you're so opposed to doing jobs that you aren't being paid for, why'd you do this secret scouting mission anyway?" "We're also not just here for YOU, human. We have our own agenda. The only reason why we have not followed up on this lead, is because we've been busy helping you monkeys, not to mention we all felt it would also be best if we had more warm bodies to distract our hated kind with. Congratulations." Eldolith sneers. In typical dark elf fashion she's attempting to provoke you to get angry for her amusement and to put on a show for her men. Won't work though. "Wise decision Eldolith. No way you could've handled them yourselves." "We could have, but as I stated we were busy helping YOU." "If you say so. Anyway I'll expect to your group to be ready in a couple hours." You say and leave, but your own dismissive behavior annoys Eldolith so much that she boldly grabs your arm. This is all the excuse you needed. "Don't you turn your back on...ack!" Eldolith is interrupted when you quickly turn around grab her arm, spin her around and twist it behind her back. You other arm is wrapped tightly around her neck. Her men grab their crossbows and point them at you, but it's a futile gesture, she's in front of you, they'd be more likely to hit her than you. "Put your bows down you fools!" she struggles to yell. "I advise you all to heed your leader's orders. Even if you did manage to kill me, not one of you would make it out of this fort alive. I might remind you that you initiated this by putting your hands on me in the first place, surely I had the right to defend myself correct?" "(Sigh) Yes, it would've been foolish to react in any other way I suppose. The mistake was mine. Ugh, I'm going to have the stench of human on me for days. Release me!" No please or begging of course, just more orders. Still, you've made your point. You let her go by shoving her down on the floor. As you leave you can hear her verbally abusing her own men. She's going to have problems maintaining her leadership position now after looking so weak. You're going to have to be careful as well, lest you "accidentally" get a bolt in the back during the heat of battle, but then again you're always alert while dark elves are around. Eventually you set off on your mission. For a while it's a simple uneventful march through ice and snow. Eldolith mentions that the Alabaster Pines are where they think the elves are making their home, but not in the traditional sense. There is evidence that they are actually making their home underground. "Can you believe it? Members of our kind actually living like those disgusting rock eaters? It shames me to even think that these sveld were actually even related to us at one time." Edolith says. When you reach the Alabaster Pines, you remind your company to keep alert for traps and potential ambushes. You also tell them to keep alert of your so called "allies" as well. It doesn't take long before you're attacked. The elves predictably engage in their guerilla tactics. These attacks might've taken a greater toll, but with the help of the dark elves, the long range attacks that they favor are less effective. The deeper you go into the forest, the more desperate the attacks become. They begin to attack you directly in hand to hand combat and to the death. They scream curses and obscenities in your language and their own calling you all murderers and evil. The dark elves of course are enjoying all this. You and your company on the other hand aren't. Not due to any sort of sympathy they are the enemy after all, but this is just another mission to you. Funny that you should have a more "detached" attitude than the mercenaries themselves. Soon you enter a part of the forest where the trees are so tall that they completely block out the sky. There isn't even that much snow ground. Almost a "warm" feeling encompasses the place. "One of my scouts said they made it this far before and that's where he found evidence that these sveld had an entrance to an underground lair. Should be near an odd blue rock. Let's look around." Edolith says to you. "Where's that scout of yours, shouldn't he be able to show us directly?" you ask. "The useless bastard is lying dead with two sveld arrows in him a mile back. Now come on, we'll be able to find this place better if all us look." "I'm not sure. Something about this seems too easy. Why don't you look, and we'll stay alert to make sure this isn't an ambush." "If the sveld were going to ambush us, they would've done it by now or haven't you noticed how desperate their attacks have gotten? They probably already know we're coming and building up defenses as we speak. The longer we take, the tougher it's going to be to root them out." > You help in the search Edolith's right, the elves would've attacked already. You order your men to help in the search. It doesn't take long to find what you're looking for. "Lieutenant! I found a blue rock and it looks like there's a hidden door in the ground." One of your men yells. "Your monkeys are as subtle as ever with their howling." Edolith says. You ignore her and make your way to the location along with the rest of your company. You look down the hole and see a long ladder descend into the darkness. This will probably be the most dangerous part as the elves could pick you off as you attempt to climb down. Elves can see in the dark, while you and your men are going to have to rely on torches. You're about to go down, when several of your men volunteer first, claiming that they'd rather you not be placed in potential uncertain danger as your combat skills will be necessary for the final battle to come. You reluctantly agree and allow it. "Ah blind loyalty, such a wonderful thing is it not?" Edolith says. "I could only wish my own men would volunteer their lives so selflessly rather than me having to threaten them. Of course if I didn't threaten them every now and then, they'd forget their place and try to stab me in the back." While Edolith's speech on dark elf culture is fascinating, you are in no mood to hear anymore of her musings, so you descend down the ladder next. As it turns out there wasn't anything to worry about, your men that have proceeded before you are safely waiting for you at the bottom. They say they haven't even noticed any traps, though it's pretty dark down here. You call up and say you want the svelk to start coming down since their own night vision will come in handy. When enough of them have descended down the ladder, you begin to proceed ahead. You travel down a long corridor of dirt with a couple of the dark elves leading the way. You arrive at what is a larger open area with minor lighting and that's when you hear more shouting followed by higher pitched screams. One of the dark elves yells at everyone to either get out of the way or duck. A bright ball of flame then appears. You just barely manage to scramble out of the mouth of the corridor and into the dirt before the fireball engulfs a good portion of it. Most of the people who were near the front end of it are incinerated instantly while the ones towards the back you can only hope that the blast didn't travel that far. You and a the few dark elves that got out of the way engage what looks to be an older elf mumbling something in his language. He's obviously a wizard. The dark elves attempt to take him down with their repeating crossbows, but he has some sort of magic shield up. The dark elves keep firing as he picks them off with well placed lightning bolts, you take cover behind some sort of house structure. You can hear whimpering inside and also hear the rest of your men and dark elves who didn't get caught in the fire blast rush into the area. "Don't just stand out in the open catching lightning bolts! Take cover and keep firing!" you hear Edolith shout. You peer out from behind your cover and see your men valiantly attempt to rush the wizard, but only succeeding in dying to his lightning spell which conducts and spreads very well due to their metal armor. The dark elves can't break through his barrier either, the only option will be to get in close enough to chop his head off or get him to drop his shield, but how to do that without getting fried is another matter. Still hearing the whimpering from inside the house structure, you quickly run inside to investigate. Inside you see a female elf with a younger one cowering in the corner of their home. They say something in their language, which you can only guess is pleas for you not to kill them. You also see a crib with a baby in it and you quickly get a plan. You grab the baby and push aside the mother's feeble attempts to stop you. Carrying the crying baby under your arm you run out of the house. You see the wizard still blasting bolts at the dark elves and you make a beeline towards him. He notices you and as he begins to cast his spell you throw the baby at him as hard as you can. The shock of having a baby thrown at him catches him severely off guard and he stops casting. He also drops his shield to catch the baby. "FIRE!" you hear Eldolith shout and the dark elves comply. Bolts sinks into the wizard's head dropping him. Another bolt ceases the baby's cries. Several more bolts enter your body. You crash to the ground severely wounded. You attempt to crawl away, but you're coughing up blood and already breathing hard. Edolith runs over to you and kicks the sword out of your hand when you weakly attempt to defend yourself. "Baby throwing...I gotta admit that was a good one. A worthy tactic of even a svelk. It's almost a shame I had to kill you. You weren't bad for a monkey, but I got a reputation to maintain among my own men. Just business, nothing personal. Well okay, maybe it is a little personal." You grab at her leg while she gloats, your grip is strong enough that she has to hack your arm off before she can get her foot away. You lose consciousness just before Edolith announces the gleeful massacre of the remaining elven women and children.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, grimdark] "I've had to work around those svelk for a while now. If they're going to help us attack the elves, it might be a good idea for me to go on that one so I can keep an eye on them, captain." You say. "Yes, you do have a reputation even among those shifty bastards, though they'd never admit it. Okay, sounds good. I shall send another officer to lead the mission against the Wendigo tribe. I may even just go along on that mission." Captain Krozer replies. "You are captain?" "Yes, I find that I've been getting stuck behind the desk too much lately. It'll be good to be back out in the field. Don't want to become like one of those fat self-important generals that do nothing except point to maps and make equally fat musings on tactics. A true leader should lead from the front, I'm sure you agree." "It is preferable yes...but I do understand the need to keep those with keen military minds safe from major war zones. Such people have their place as all do in their service of the Emperor." "Why lieutenant, are you complimenting me on my intelligence? It's not like you to flirt." Captain Krozer asks in a tone slightly friendlier than usual, it catches you a little off guard. "I...no! I mean yes, you are very intelligent, but..." "Relax lieutenant, just having a little fun, didn't mean to put you on the spot. Anyway, we'll pick this up later, you better get prepared for your mission, and good luck." You do exactly that. You know that this is going to be a tedious mission. The elves rarely ever fight in straight up combat. It's typically a series of ambushes and hit and run tactics with some traps thrown in for good measure. Attempting to locate their hideout is going to be equally as tedious. While the dark elves will certainly be helpful, you wish you had a few battle wizards, but most of those have been assigned either at Fort Defiance or on the frontlines of the Felkan War. The first thing you do is talk with the leader of the dark elven mercenaries about how would be the best way to track down the elves. Eldolith normally is outwardly disdainful of humans, but she manages to just barely contain that distain in your case. She's typical of her kind, arrogant and acts like she's doing you a favor just by being in your presence. Reminds you of the days when Mistress trained you. "Ah the Bane of Rask, if it isn't my favorite mon...human. What do I owe this dubious pleasure?" she asks while polishing one of her leather boots. "We want to find the elven home and destroy them for good." "Finally ready to destroy those sveld eh? About fucking time. The whole time we've been playing around with your semi-evolved barbaric kin, I've had a few of my men out scouting this entire forsaken frontier. We got a lead a few months ago and we're pretty sure it's good." "Wait. Hold on. You've known where they've been hiding and you didn't report it to us?" "As I recall your superior isn't paying us for reconnaissance. We're just here to fight. Besides, it's still not necessarily a one hundred percent sure thing." "If you're so opposed to doing jobs that you aren't being paid for, why'd you do this secret scouting mission anyway?" "We're also not just here for YOU, human. We have our own agenda. The only reason why we have not followed up on this lead, is because we've been busy helping you monkeys, not to mention we all felt it would also be best if we had more warm bodies to distract our hated kind with. Congratulations." Eldolith sneers. In typical dark elf fashion she's attempting to provoke you to get angry for her amusement and to put on a show for her men. Won't work though. "Wise decision Eldolith. No way you could've handled them yourselves." "We could have, but as I stated we were busy helping YOU." "If you say so. Anyway I'll expect to your group to be ready in a couple hours." You say and leave, but your own dismissive behavior annoys Eldolith so much that she boldly grabs your arm. This is all the excuse you needed. "Don't you turn your back on...ack!" Eldolith is interrupted when you quickly turn around grab her arm, spin her around and twist it behind her back. You other arm is wrapped tightly around her neck. Her men grab their crossbows and point them at you, but it's a futile gesture, she's in front of you, they'd be more likely to hit her than you. "Put your bows down you fools!" she struggles to yell. "I advise you all to heed your leader's orders. Even if you did manage to kill me, not one of you would make it out of this fort alive. I might remind you that you initiated this by putting your hands on me in the first place, surely I had the right to defend myself correct?" "(Sigh) Yes, it would've been foolish to react in any other way I suppose. The mistake was mine. Ugh, I'm going to have the stench of human on me for days. Release me!" No please or begging of course, just more orders. Still, you've made your point. You let her go by shoving her down on the floor. As you leave you can hear her verbally abusing her own men. She's going to have problems maintaining her leadership position now after looking so weak. You're going to have to be careful as well, lest you "accidentally" get a bolt in the back during the heat of battle, but then again you're always alert while dark elves are around. Eventually you set off on your mission. For a while it's a simple uneventful march through ice and snow. Eldolith mentions that the Alabaster Pines are where they think the elves are making their home, but not in the traditional sense. There is evidence that they are actually making their home underground. "Can you believe it? Members of our kind actually living like those disgusting rock eaters? It shames me to even think that these sveld were actually even related to us at one time." Edolith says. When you reach the Alabaster Pines, you remind your company to keep alert for traps and potential ambushes. You also tell them to keep alert of your so called "allies" as well. It doesn't take long before you're attacked. The elves predictably engage in their guerilla tactics. These attacks might've taken a greater toll, but with the help of the dark elves, the long range attacks that they favor are less effective. The deeper you go into the forest, the more desperate the attacks become. They begin to attack you directly in hand to hand combat and to the death. They scream curses and obscenities in your language and their own calling you all murderers and evil. The dark elves of course are enjoying all this. You and your company on the other hand aren't. Not due to any sort of sympathy they are the enemy after all, but this is just another mission to you. Funny that you should have a more "detached" attitude than the mercenaries themselves. Soon you enter a part of the forest where the trees are so tall that they completely block out the sky. There isn't even that much snow ground. Almost a "warm" feeling encompasses the place. "One of my scouts said they made it this far before and that's where he found evidence that these sveld had an entrance to an underground lair. Should be near an odd blue rock. Let's look around." Edolith says to you. "Where's that scout of yours, shouldn't he be able to show us directly?" you ask. "The useless bastard is lying dead with two sveld arrows in him a mile back. Now come on, we'll be able to find this place better if all us look." "I'm not sure. Something about this seems too easy. Why don't you look, and we'll stay alert to make sure this isn't an ambush." "If the sveld were going to ambush us, they would've done it by now or haven't you noticed how desperate their attacks have gotten? They probably already know we're coming and building up defenses as we speak. The longer we take, the tougher it's going to be to root them out." > You stay vigilant This still feels off to you, no your company isn't going to scatter themselves looking for odd colored rocks, the dark elves first found this place they can do the leg work. Edolith of course is annoyed that you aren't going to help and for a moment she almost says if you're not going to participate in the search then they aren't either. However it's quite clear her desire to put more of her kin to the sword is a lot stronger than defying you, she throws up her hands, mumbles something about you being scared monkeys and orders all of her men to start searching the area. You tell your own men to set themselves up in a defensive perimeter, so just in case this is still an ambush, you're at least no going to get caught off guard and have a weak point open. About an hour passes and one of the dark elves finds the rock with a hidden door in the ground nearby. "Well we found it, some of my more enthusiastic men have taken it upon themselves to head down there already. Just as well considering you monkeys can't see in the dark." Edolith says to you. You have your own men light up torches and follow the dark elves down the ladder and into the darkness. As it turns out there wasn't anything to worry about. There was no trap waiting to pick anyone off the ladder, just like there wasn't any ambush. When you finally get down into the elven hideout, many of the dark elves and some of your own men have already gone on ahead. Edolith has opted to stay near the back, closer to where you are. A few moment after traveling down the dark dirt corridor, you hear a bunch of yelling up front, followed by high pitched squeals further up ahead and then something spoke in the elven that sounds like a command. Then a bright light appears far in front of you. "SHIELDS AND DUCK DOWN!" you yell, realizing this is a fireball. There's no place to run because you're stuck in the corridor, you duck down behind the large shields that the men in front have and hope for the best. You feel the heat of the flame that incinerates the unfortunate souls caught in front, and you're even burned a little, but you were lucky that the blast didn't extend too far back. Having survived the blast, you and the survivors run over the burned bodies and out of the corridor into the large open dimly lit area beyond as soon as you can before another fireball comes at you. It is then you see an older elf mumbling something in his language. Obviously a wizard of some sort. The dark elves that survived are attempting to shoot bolts at him, but he has a magic shield up. He strikes a couple of them down with well placed lightning bolts. "Don't just stand out in the open catching lightning bolts! Take cover and keep firing!" you hear Edolith shout. You tell your own men to take cover as well. With all their metal armor they'd end up being mass fried by the lightning. As for you, you find cover behind a house structure where you hear whimpering inside. You peer out from behind your cover and see your men pinned down behind cover, but safe. The dark elves can't break through his barrier, the only option will be to get in close enough to chop his head off or get him to drop his shield, but how to do that without getting fried is another matter. Still hearing the whimpering from inside the house structure, you quickly run inside to investigate. Inside you see a female elf with a younger one cowering in the corner of their home. They say something in their language, which you can only guess is pleas for you not to kill them. You also see a crib with a baby in it and you quickly get a plan. You grab the baby and push aside the mother's feeble attempts to stop you. Carrying the crying baby under your arm you run out of the house. You see the wizard still blasting bolts at the dark elves and you make a beeline towards him. He notices you and as he begins to cast his spell you throw the baby at him as hard as you can. The shock of having a baby thrown at him catches him severely off guard and he stops casting. He also drops his shield to catch the baby. "FIRE!" you hear Eldolith shout and the dark elves comply. Bolts sinks into the wizard's head dropping him. Another bolt ceases the baby's cries. "WATCH OUT CAPTAIN!" you hear one of your men shout and you instinctively attempt to get back into cover. Several bolts just miss you, but your still catch one to the leg before scrambling behind another rock. The sounds of battle between your men and the dark elves fills your ears as you try to pull the bolt out. You just get the bolt out of your leg, when Edolith attempts to cleave your head in. You roll out of the way and pick up your sword, though you're having a little trouble standing. "I have to admit, baby throwing was a tactic worthy of a svelk. Too bad I have to kill you, you were okay for a monkey. But I got a reputation to maintain among my men." "So do I." you answer and clash weapons with Edolith. She's quicker and lands a few good hits, but her mistake is getting in close enough for you to grab her long flowing hair. She attempts to pull free, but you yank hard and grab her wrist. You then break it causing her to drop her weapon. She holds back yelling out in pain and knees you as hard as she can in the groin and jamming her sharp fingernails straight into your eye. This doesn't cause you to release your grip. With the pain slowly creeping up from your nuts and into your stomach and bloody ocular jelly leaking out your socket you take both of your arms and wrap them around Edolith's waist and squeeze tightly in an attempt to break her back. You then smash her in the face several times with your head, breaking her nose completely and even knocking out a few teeth. The pair of you crash to the ground and you finish her off by viciously biting out her throat. The copper taste of her blood fills the taste buds of your tongue and you spit a thick glob of it on her face as she gurgles and dies. After it's all said and done, you stagger to your feet victorious over your opponent. One of your men comes up to you. "Sir! Are you alright?" "No. But I'll heal." "Okay...well all the treacherous dark elves are dead and it looks like all the regular elves are too. There are only women and children left hiding in their homes and none of them are fighters." "Are they still elves?" you ask. "Well yes." "Then kill 'em all. I'm sick of the whole fucking race at this point." You say and stagger off. After the grim business of extermination the elves, you and the remainder of your company set off back to Fort Destiny. A day later when you finally arrive at the fort you notice it's a lot more empty from when you left it. In fact Captain Krozer isn't even here. Lieutenant Verant seems to be in charge though he's almost subservient when you address him. "By the Emperor! Lieutenant I think you need to see a medic, you've got a limp, your skin is burned and cut up and your eye is missing!" he says when seeing your wounds. "Where's Captain Krozer? I wish to report our total victory on the elves as well as the treachery of the dark ones that we'll no longer have to pay." "Captain Krozer? She went with most of the men to do battle with the wendigo tribe. Their territory is quite a ways, but I imagine she'll be back soon. Congratulations on your victory, but go see the medic right away!" You nod and allow yourself to finally relax at the medic's office. You've been running on adrenaline for quite some time and now that your safe, you at last feel like you can rest a little. Most of your wounds aren't particularly bad, except for the eye, which can't be repaired. The medic just does his best to remove the permanently damaged orb, clean the socket and give you a patch. "You'll be able to fight good enough with one eye. You just have to move your head a lot more." He says. You rest for a couple days, which are still pretty quiet around the fort. You and everyone else are expecting Captain Krozer to show up, but the worst is starting to creep into everyone's mind. "We need to send a search team." You say. "We can't afford to! Between the men you lost fighting the elves, and the entire missing company that Krozer lead, we need all of them here in the area!" Verant says. "Oh come on Verant! We can't spare at least ten? I'll lead the search!" "(Sigh) Look I didn't really want this responsibility. I figured she'd come back and I could go back to filing out reports!" "Well if we don't find her or if she's dead, then you're going to be in this job a lot longer than you thought." "I know...I know...hey why don't you take over?" "What?" "Sure! You're a leader of men and a big tough Eternal! You'd do a better job than me." "Well of course I would, but doesn't this have to be official, like assigned from a higher commanding officer?" "You said it yourself, Krozer may already be dead, if that's the case then who's really going to know? Besides I'm in charge I can hand over the reigns of power if I feel I am no longer fit to command." "Okay, but what if she's not dead? When she comes walking in, she's going to wonder what the hell's going on, and both of us are going to get in trouble and I am not getting in trouble over nonsense." "I shouldn't think we'd get in that much trouble. I mean you know Captain Krozer, she's fairly easy going as far as commanding officers go. She's probably yell at me more than anything, but not likely to put us on report or anything serious." > You take command Verant is right about one thing, you'll probably get more accomplish if you're in charge. You agree and take command, of course your first order of business is to have Verant catch you up on what exactly has been going. He explains that in addition to Captain Krozer's disappearance, there have been a few patrols not reporting in either, when you ask what has he done about this, he says nothing, in fact that's why he didn't want to send you out for fear of losing you too. "So your approach to everything has been to just adopt a siege mentality and not let any of the soldiers out while someone is obviously picking us off? By the Emperor I should have you killed right now for extreme incompetence, but quite frankly I'm going to need you for all the bureaucratic stuff that I'm not exactly familiar with." You breathe deeply to contain some of the anger you're feeling with Verant's cowardice before continuing. "Okay I want double men on all the patrols, I want them to question every townsperson within the area about what they might know. I also want you to send word to the generals back home about the situation, maybe we can get some reinforcements up here. In fact send a well armed group up to Fort Defiance too, maybe they can spare some help too." "Very well sir, and Captain Krozer?" Verant asks. "Well with this new information that you gave me with missing patrols, we probably should hold off on the search. If anything she's probably dead and the wendigos are most likely behind the missing patrols too. This seems a little sneaky for them though, who knows maybe we've got another threat that we don't know about." Your first orders as head of Fort Destiny are carried out. It takes days of waiting, but eventually you get some results, though not all good. Your patrols aren't attacked, but the townsfolk are very upset with how things have been going for them. They've been victims of kidnappings as well as the occasional outright murder. The main problem is nobody has been caught doing any of it. People are either just turning up missing, or pieces of their bodies are being found have eaten and mauled. Again, this part points to the wendigos, but this is still very odd behavior for them if it is them. They have never been known for their stealth tactics, and have always been the most outright brutal of all the barbarian tribes. You can only wonder if its due to them being the "last" major ones in the area that they've changed. Regardless, you don't really have enough troops to go marching into wendigo territory now. Which bring you to your second problem. Word from headquarter approves of you taking command and even officially promotes you to captain. Another letter from Mr. Mol even states that he's impressed with your progress and says you no longer need any sort of supervision. Unfortunately that's all the help you get. The top brass claims that they can't afford to send you anyone as most are needed on the Felkan border. As for the team you sent to Fort Defiance, it disappeared. You can only assume they were killed, this also makes you wonder if Fort Defiance is alright. You can't think of a time any communication has really gone on between the two forts since you've been here. In any event you've got your own concerns for now and you're going to have to figure out what to do with your limited resources... Year 23 "Get the bastards on the north side! They're climbing up the fucking walls!" you shout. Boiling oil is thrown over the side of the wall, scalding the wendigos as they fall to the ground several feet below. You look around and see a nearby soldier laughing uncontrollably. "Its heh heh heh heh heh all so clear! We should stop fighting. We need to EMBRACE THE BEAST!" he snarls and runs at you. You decapitate him and throw his body over the battlements below. "Why do you resist us Eternal? Your skills would be most welcome to our..." "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" you shout at the disembodied voice. The years of battling the wendigos has all lead up to this. Surrounded by an army of them. You did your best to try to curb their growth, but ultimately they replenished their numbers with greater ease than you did. Even when you did manage to get reinforcements it still was never enough. The wendigos as you would come to learn aren't truly flesh and blood creatures. They are spirits that possess the minds of others. You demanded battle wizards, but none were sent. You demanded golems, but none were sent. You did get a company of orcs, but this was more of a detriment as their minds were even more susceptible to wendigo influence. You chop off the hand of another wendigo that attempts to make it over the wall. You look around and see that they've already broken through the front door. How the wendigos suddenly became so sneaky is still somewhat of a mystery and it hardly matters at this point, but if you had to guess; When captain Krozer attacked them all those years ago, they must've possessed her, learned from her and adapted her tactics. They realized that if they did not they would've been destroyed without any more hosts. So they watched, they waited; they picked off victims and possessed converts one by one. And even with you opposing them at every turn town after town fell. Those peasants that weren't killed or turned, fled to the southern parts of the Empire. Even some of your soldiers deserted. The wendigos deprived themselves of food for far too long though and over the past few months it has finally unleashed itself into this orgy of violence. An all out attack on the fort, which really is the only bastion of civilization left in the Rask frontier. You see what few men you have left get slaughtered below before struggling against two more wendigos of your own. You shove your sword through a wendigo's heart while trying to ignore the pain of it sinking its teeth into your flesh. Despite swiveling your head around as much as you can to see all your opponents, you feel a heavy blow to your back and claws ripping through your armor. You're then thrown from the walkway and to the ground. You try to get back up as quick as you can and then foot to the face prevents you from doing so. Your weapon is ripped from your hand and another foot comes down on top of your head cracking your skull. The internal bleeding in your brain causes a delirious effect for one moment and then you pass out forever before the wendigos feat upon your body.

This still feels off to you, no your company isn't going to scatter themselves looking for odd colored rocks, the dark elves first found this place they can do the leg work. Edolith of course is annoyed that you aren't going to help and for a moment she almost says if you're not going to participate in the search then they aren't either. However it's quite clear her desire to put more of her kin to the sword is a lot stronger than defying you, she throws up her hands, mumbles something about you being scared monkeys and orders all of her men to start searching the area. You tell your own men to set themselves up in a defensive perimeter, so just in case this is still an ambush, you're at least no going to get caught off guard and have a weak point open. About an hour passes and one of the dark elves finds the rock with a hidden door in the ground nearby. "Well we found it, some of my more enthusiastic men have taken it upon themselves to head down there already. Just as well considering you monkeys can't see in the dark." Edolith says to you. You have your own men light up torches and follow the dark elves down the ladder and into the darkness. As it turns out there wasn't anything to worry about. There was no trap waiting to pick anyone off the ladder, just like there wasn't any ambush. When you finally get down into the elven hideout, many of the dark elves and some of your own men have already gone on ahead. Edolith has opted to stay near the back, closer to where you are. A few moment after traveling down the dark dirt corridor, you hear a bunch of yelling up front, followed by high pitched squeals further up ahead and then something spoke in the elven that sounds like a command. Then a bright light appears far in front of you. "SHIELDS AND DUCK DOWN!" you yell, realizing this is a fireball. There's no place to run because you're stuck in the corridor, you duck down behind the large shields that the men in front have and hope for the best. You feel the heat of the flame that incinerates the unfortunate souls caught in front, and you're even burned a little, but you were lucky that the blast didn't extend too far back. Having survived the blast, you and the survivors run over the burned bodies and out of the corridor into the large open dimly lit area beyond as soon as you can before another fireball comes at you. It is then you see an older elf mumbling something in his language. Obviously a wizard of some sort. The dark elves that survived are attempting to shoot bolts at him, but he has a magic shield up. He strikes a couple of them down with well placed lightning bolts. "Don't just stand out in the open catching lightning bolts! Take cover and keep firing!" you hear Edolith shout. You tell your own men to take cover as well. With all their metal armor they'd end up being mass fried by the lightning. As for you, you find cover behind a house structure where you hear whimpering inside. You peer out from behind your cover and see your men pinned down behind cover, but safe. The dark elves can't break through his barrier, the only option will be to get in close enough to chop his head off or get him to drop his shield, but how to do that without getting fried is another matter. Still hearing the whimpering from inside the house structure, you quickly run inside to investigate. Inside you see a female elf with a younger one cowering in the corner of their home. They say something in their language, which you can only guess is pleas for you not to kill them. You also see a crib with a baby in it and you quickly get a plan. You grab the baby and push aside the mother's feeble attempts to stop you. Carrying the crying baby under your arm you run out of the house. You see the wizard still blasting bolts at the dark elves and you make a beeline towards him. He notices you and as he begins to cast his spell you throw the baby at him as hard as you can. The shock of having a baby thrown at him catches him severely off guard and he stops casting. He also drops his shield to catch the baby. "FIRE!" you hear Eldolith shout and the dark elves comply. Bolts sinks into the wizard's head dropping him. Another bolt ceases the baby's cries. "WATCH OUT CAPTAIN!" you hear one of your men shout and you instinctively attempt to get back into cover. Several bolts just miss you, but your still catch one to the leg before scrambling behind another rock. The sounds of battle between your men and the dark elves fills your ears as you try to pull the bolt out. You just get the bolt out of your leg, when Edolith attempts to cleave your head in. You roll out of the way and pick up your sword, though you're having a little trouble standing. "I have to admit, baby throwing was a tactic worthy of a svelk. Too bad I have to kill you, you were okay for a monkey. But I got a reputation to maintain among my men." "So do I." you answer and clash weapons with Edolith. She's quicker and lands a few good hits, but her mistake is getting in close enough for you to grab her long flowing hair. She attempts to pull free, but you yank hard and grab her wrist. You then break it causing her to drop her weapon. She holds back yelling out in pain and knees you as hard as she can in the groin and jamming her sharp fingernails straight into your eye. This doesn't cause you to release your grip. With the pain slowly creeping up from your nuts and into your stomach and bloody ocular jelly leaking out your socket you take both of your arms and wrap them around Edolith's waist and squeeze tightly in an attempt to break her back. You then smash her in the face several times with your head, breaking her nose completely and even knocking out a few teeth. The pair of you crash to the ground and you finish her off by viciously biting out her throat. The copper taste of her blood fills the taste buds of your tongue and you spit a thick glob of it on her face as she gurgles and dies. After it's all said and done, you stagger to your feet victorious over your opponent. One of your men comes up to you. "Sir! Are you alright?" "No. But I'll heal." "Okay...well all the treacherous dark elves are dead and it looks like all the regular elves are too. There are only women and children left hiding in their homes and none of them are fighters." "Are they still elves?" you ask. "Well yes." "Then kill 'em all. I'm sick of the whole fucking race at this point." You say and stagger off. After the grim business of extermination the elves, you and the remainder of your company set off back to Fort Destiny. A day later when you finally arrive at the fort you notice it's a lot more empty from when you left it. In fact Captain Krozer isn't even here. Lieutenant Verant seems to be in charge though he's almost subservient when you address him. "By the Emperor! Lieutenant I think you need to see a medic, you've got a limp, your skin is burned and cut up and your eye is missing!" he says when seeing your wounds. "Where's Captain Krozer? I wish to report our total victory on the elves as well as the treachery of the dark ones that we'll no longer have to pay." "Captain Krozer? She went with most of the men to do battle with the wendigo tribe. Their territory is quite a ways, but I imagine she'll be back soon. Congratulations on your victory, but go see the medic right away!" You nod and allow yourself to finally relax at the medic's office. You've been running on adrenaline for quite some time and now that your safe, you at last feel like you can rest a little. Most of your wounds aren't particularly bad, except for the eye, which can't be repaired. The medic just does his best to remove the permanently damaged orb, clean the socket and give you a patch. "You'll be able to fight good enough with one eye. You just have to move your head a lot more." He says. You rest for a couple days, which are still pretty quiet around the fort. You and everyone else are expecting Captain Krozer to show up, but the worst is starting to creep into everyone's mind. "We need to send a search team." You say. "We can't afford to! Between the men you lost fighting the elves, and the entire missing company that Krozer lead, we need all of them here in the area!" Verant says. "Oh come on Verant! We can't spare at least ten? I'll lead the search!" "(Sigh) Look I didn't really want this responsibility. I figured she'd come back and I could go back to filing out reports!" "Well if we don't find her or if she's dead, then you're going to be in this job a lot longer than you thought." "I know...I know...hey why don't you take over?" "What?" "Sure! You're a leader of men and a big tough Eternal! You'd do a better job than me." "Well of course I would, but doesn't this have to be official, like assigned from a higher commanding officer?" "You said it yourself, Krozer may already be dead, if that's the case then who's really going to know? Besides I'm in charge I can hand over the reigns of power if I feel I am no longer fit to command." "Okay, but what if she's not dead? When she comes walking in, she's going to wonder what the hell's going on, and both of us are going to get in trouble and I am not getting in trouble over nonsense." "I shouldn't think we'd get in that much trouble. I mean you know Captain Krozer, she's fairly easy going as far as commanding officers go. She's probably yell at me more than anything, but not likely to put us on report or anything serious." > You seek out Captain Krozer first "I would still like to seek out the captain first. If I can't find her after my search, then I will take command." "But, what if YOU go missing then?" "Well I guess you'll still be in power then won't you? But you feel it would improve my chances of coming back then perhaps you better authorize some soldiers to come with me." "Oh very well! But be careful!" You shake your head at Verant's meek style of leadership and gather your men for a search mission. You have no idea why such a man would go into the military if he didn't want the authority over others, let alone how he got as high as he did in the first place. When you gather your men, you set off on your journey to find out if Captain Krozer is dead or alive. As you make your way to Wendigo territory, you travel through a few towns you get a lot of pleas and complaints from the peasants. Apparently they've been suffering from attacks, but not in the traditional raiding sense. People have been going missing, or sometimes there have been pieces of bodies found, but no outright raids. You of course ask where are all the normal patrols that guard the area and the peasants either tell you that they've all disappeared or they stopped showing up days ago. More of Verant's lack attention. The fool should've been investigating these incidents a long time ago, as soon as soldiers stopped reporting in. After this is over with, and assuming Captain Krozer is indeed dead, you definitely will be taking command and most likely have Verant executed for extreme incompetence. It's obvious the Wendigo tribe must have something to do with this, but this doesn't really seem like their style based on their reputation and your own brief combat with them in the past. They are the most brutal and vicious of the barbarian tribes, they out of any of them wouldn't rely on covert tactics like this, something must've have severely changed. You continue your journey and just before you get to the territory of the Wendigos you pass through another town. This one looks like it was a fairly new one made up of some determined settlers. It also looks like it was attack recently which is amazing since there are actually survivors. Some of the townsfolk fixing a building see you, wave you over and you approach them "Citizens, why have you built a town here? Nevermind the fact that the Empire has not authorized such a settlement, but this is dangerously close to Wendigo territory. It would be for your own safety to leave this place." You say. "Oh yes, we know, we suffered an attack by them about a week ago, but we won't be scared off! Really they aren't nearly as bad as their reputation claims." The carpenter says while looking around at his fellows as they nod. Something is very strange about all this. The peasants all have a peculiar smirk like they're hiding something. "Hey, wait aren't you Roger from Keplavisk? Your wife mentioned her husband going missing and you match his description." One of your men suddenly pipes up. "Huh, uh no. My name isn't Roger and I've never been there. Never married either. You must have me mixed up with him. I just got one of those faces y'know. Hey why don't you guys rest at our inn? I mean you probably will want to, before you fight the big bad Wendigos in their home territory and all." The carpenter "Who said that's what we were going to do?" you ask. "Well I assumed you were...if you aren't well I suppose that's fine too! But you'll probably still want to rest in our inn." "You're acting very strange citizen..." It's at this point you draw your weapon, the rest of your men do likewise. The townsfolk don't look too bothered, but they do back up smiling the whole time which reveals that their teeth are decidedly less human looking. "Good, prefer it this way anyway. Fuck all this sneaking around!" one of them remarks and in complete unison they howl an unpleasant noise and begin to transform. You manage to chop down a few of them before they complete their change, it doesn't make things any easier though. Despite their great strength, you and your men are winning the skirmish and that's when more of that awful howling penetrates your ears. Many more Wendigos come running into the town, completely cutting you off from any sort of retreat. You continue to fight as your own men begin to fall under the onslaught of the Wendigos eventually you are the last one left and severely outnumbered. You attempt to ignore the pain of their claws digging into your flesh and their powerful blows knocking you around like a ragdoll, you do your best, but your weapons is ripped from you along with your hand that was welding it. Desperate, you bite the current Wendigo, holding you in his grip, though you find that his bite is much more damaging than your own when part of your shoulder is chewed off. You feel a snap and the bone in your other arm is broken through the skin. The wendigo throws you up against the wall of one of the damaged houses and you fall to the snow bleeding profusely from several wounds. You struggle to stand, but you just don't have the strength left. You expect the killing blow to come soon, but you hear one more of those awful howls before it's over. Captain Krozer stands over you, though you know it can't be her. "Y..you are not th...the captain..." you say. "You would be correct Eternal, however she did mention before her mind was absorbed that you would stop us. Good thing her mind was so full of strategies and tactics for me to impliment. I think it really was time for us to update our way of life anyway. Can't stagnate and remain in barbaric bodies forever. I would have you just us...but in your current state, well I just don't think you would be as effective anymore. A shame, your body would've provided as an excellent host. Oh well I still should be able to enjoy the succulent life blood from your heart." The last thing you see is the inhuman face of whatever it is inhabiting Krozer's body as it reaches into your chest to pull out your still beating heart.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark] Year 16 You are called into Captain Gruz's office, when you arrive you see the well dress man that you saw four years ago standing with him... and debating with him again. "I'm telling you Mr. Mol, I think they should work in the same unit. They've trained together and they've worked together so well at this point that splitting them up would be folly. Hell, these people have known each other since birth! You know that better than anyone!" Gruz says. "Yes, captain I'm well aware of the situation, and normally I might agree if their were more of them, but I think their expertise would better serve if we deployed them separately in problem areas of the Empire." Mr. Mol replies. "You don't break up a well oiled machine! I guarantee having them all in the same unit will be a better idea. I mean we still haven't sent them into a real battle yet! Wouldn't it be better to see if they can get the job done first before placing them in charge of others?" "And what a perfect opportunity to lose them all, if something unexpected should happen." "Oh for...look that could've happened here! And if you're so worried about them all getting killed in battle then what was the fucking point then? Besides, if they do prove to be useless in battle, better we find that out sooner rather than later when they're in charge of others and getting them killed as well!" Mr. Mol thinks for a moment and then replies. "Hmmm, very well you do have a point captain. We'll try it your way at first and go from there. Have them deployed in the Nalin province. Your services here have been useful as ever. Good day." Mr. Mol, steps out and commander Gruz addresses you. "Well you heard all that, you and your fellow Eternal babies are being sent to the Nalin province. It's not the Rask Frontier, but it's a suitable first challenge for you guys. We've been trying to settle the conquest of that place for a few years now, and technically it is part of the Empire, but we're still having problems with the Kobold population there. Little bastards are determined to resist and have been conducting a fairly effective guerilla war since we arrived. Though I blame that more on the incompetence of the commander in that region. If I was stationed there, this shit would've been taken care of a long time ago...but I'm not, so unfortunately you will have to report to Captain Pollo." Captain Gruz approaches you closer before continuing. "Now I'm putting you in charge of your unit for reasons I'm sure you're aware of. While I'm confident I've made the right choice, the burden will ultimately be on you to prove to be an effective leader. Remember, you're not just a normal soldier, you're supposed to be an Eternal. An instrument of destruction ordered by the Emperor himself. Failure is never an option for you. Even now there are rumors about your kind, and when you finally show yourselves you will be met by fear, awe, hatred and even distain. Prove yourselves and you will live up to the name that your were given. Anyway, the caravan picking you up will arrive tomorrow. Good luck and dismissed." With this you leave and tell the rest of your people about where you're going and the general nature of what to expect. They all seem pretty excited to prove themselves, and to be honest so are you. At last you will get the chance to prove yourself and can only imagine that the Emperor will be pleased by what he will see. The next day, you and your unit are picked up and the ride there is uneventful, but your unit spends a little time talking about things they see on the way. This is the first time all of you have probably been away from the training center you've spent all your lives in. Curiosity about some of the surroundings is natural, but it isn't just the casual talk that's different. Your comrades are different. They are less reserved than they once were. Captain Gruz might've been a strict instructor, but in addition to encouraging teamwork he was also prone to encourage you guys to have a few hours of free time. This loosening of the reigns a bit, allowed a certain amount of familiarity with each other that wasn't just on a professional level anymore. Even you have felt yourself changing personality wise. Still you are all Eternals, and you are loyal to the Emperor. You will never forget that your duty comes first. Eventually you all arrive at Fort Glory in the Nalin province where you are stared at by several soldiers who whisper among themselves. None of you pay it any mind though, you simply report to Captain Pollo. He doesn't look anything like Captain Gruz. He's human for one thing and wears lighter armor which is impeccably clean. When he sees you, he almost looks bored, like you were interrupting him, but you when you came in he was reclined in his chair and not doing anything of importance. "So...you are the Eternals I've heard so much about. Humph. I don't see anything special except that pretty one over there. Oh no, not you dear. That blonde muscular one in the back. Yes, delicious." Captain Pollo says pointing to one of your men and not even getting out of his chair. "Captain Pollo, we are here for our assignments so that we may serve the Emperor." You say. "(Sigh) I suppose you are this unit's leader?" " Yes, captain. I am currently their leader and holding the rank of sergeant due to my excellence in my training exercises." "Sergeant? YOU? Why you're a mere boy! All of you are just children! I ask them for more men and they send me children! The only thing you all would be good for is cleaning the fort! In fact that's what you can go do right now, starting with the toilets!" This is exactly what Captain Gruz said would happen. This is your first test. "Captain, we have been trained in several forms of combat and fully ready to fight. Send us into battle and we will prove ourselves. We are here to perform our duty for the Emperor and all that entails." "All that entails eh? Okay, you want a fight? A few miles east of here, you'll find a town called Dalt. Its filled with ignorant peasants that constantly whine to us that there are a nest of kobolds lurking in the hills near them. We're stretched out as it is and can't spare anymore troops to waste on towns that are of no military importance in the grand scheme of things. Go there and take care of their problem, then maybe we'll have more to talk about." You nod and all of you leave, but before you are able to Pollo calls you back. "Oh one more thing sergeant. Order one of your men to stay here with me. I think you know by now which one I mean." At this point you're in genuine shock. You may be young, and even a little detached from normal 'society" but you know exactly what Captain Pollo is implying. You can honestly feel more than surprised by this though. "Captain, I will need all of my team to have the best chance to succeed in this mission." You say. "Oh? Well sorry, but you'll have to make do like everyone else here does. Or you could clean the fort like I first ordered you to do, which you chose to ignore." It's a no win situation, though you try to figure out a loophole that takes the responsibility off of you. "Captain, you are of a higher rank than me, surely you could just order him yourself." "Ha ha, nice try. No. You want to be a leader of men? You need to make this decision yourself. Tis quite easy I would think. Sacrifice one for the good of the rest. If anything I'd say he's the lucky one. He gets to stay here enjoying the pleasures of the flesh, and won't have to be mucking about with kobolds and dealing with idiotic peasants." > You refuse to leave him behind Despite your desire to go on an official mission, you feel that it would be worse to leave one of your team members behind, especially what would lie in store for him. "I will not leave a member of my team behind. We need to be together to produce the best results, captain." "I see. Well, we'll see how true that is when you're all cleaning out the toilets. You're on clean up detail until further notice. That will be all." Pollo says in a perturbed tone. You leave Captain Pollo's office with the bad news to your team. "WHAT?! I was ready for a fight!" Edgar yells. "What happened in there?" Roldan asks. "Yeah, we were going on a proper mission and not we aren't!" Gerald adds completely oblivious that he wasn't going anywhere to begin with. "Look, there will be other times, let's not dwell on it, we've got toilets to clean..." The rest of your team follows your lead and grumble a bit, but Edgar is doing the most of it. By the end of the day you've cleaned up a lot of the fort, but really, this isn't what you want to be doing. The next day, Captain Pollo feels that you've done such a good job that he says that your talents would be wasted in battle. He feels that other more experienced soldiers can now be freed up from such trivial duties that your team is performing. You're kept at the fort doing all sorts of menial labor. Day pass into months and the mocking never stops from the other soldiers in the fort who call you the "mop kids". This angers all of you, but of course once again Edgar is the one that nearly comes to blows with other soldiers. You have to stop him several times. Eventually his anger is directed towards you. "Fuck! This shit is all your fault anyway! What the hell did you do to piss off Captain Pollo all those months ago?" "Nevermind Edgar! And you're out of line, I am your leader!" "Hah! Some great job you got us fearless leader! We're making the Empire safe from filthy shitholes and dirty floors!" Edgar says getting in your face. Before the others can break it up, you grab Edgar and slam him up against the wall. "You wanna know what I did? I refused to leave Gerald behind to get fucked by that sick dipshit captain!" you shout in his face. "What?" Edgar says. "He...he wanted to fuck me?!" Gerald says in disbelief "Well it was pretty obvious when we first met him, Gerald." Brenda remarks. "Surprised he didn't just order you to leave him, or more logically order Gerald himself." Roldan adds. You let go of Edgar. "I dunno, I think he's playing some sort of game. Maybe it's a test even. Like if I'm willing to leave a man behind or not." You answer. "Well I sure wish you had sergeant, because that would've been the smart thing to do! So what if Gerald would've had to please the captain? It's not like it would've been a big deal. The greater good of the team and the Empire would've been better served with the rest of us chopping up some kobolds, not mopping floors and cleaning!" Edgar says unsympathetically. "HEY!" Gerald replies. "Right, Edgar, I'll remember your speech the next time some sicko wants me to leave you behind instead." "Look all I'm saying, is you gotta make tough decisions like that if you want to be a real leader! Just think if we were on a mission and you had to leave Gerald or any of us behind to die, to complete it? You would've probably froze up and got us all killed. I'm not sure if I believe in you as our leader if you can't make simple choices..." Between the monotonous cleaning, the mocking, Edgar's bitching and your own doubt about your leadership abilities, you can't take it anymore. You punch Edgar in the face mid-sentence and knock him to the floor, he's dazed for a moment, but doesn't hesitate to attack you right back. The pair of you are going at it which draws the attention of several passing soldiers, who take the time to mock you. This is a mistake on their part as you and Edgar are in a heightened state of anger causing you both to attack them instead. This then escalates into others aiding them, which in turn causes your team to aid you as well. The brawl is chaotic and counter productive, but for a brief moment you actually feel "alive" again. You imagine most of your fellow Eternals do too after all this is the first "battle" they've had in months. Unfortunately Kane feels so alive, he forgets that he's fighting fellow Empire soldiers and ends up killing three of them. The brawl ends with the opposing soldiers running and the rest of you standing around looking at Kane who doesn't know why you aren't celebrating your victory. When this is brought to the attention of Captain Pollo he's furious and has you all put in the stockade and mentions that a trial will be held tomorrow to decide what to do with you. He already doesn't like you, so you're guessing it's just going to be for show and then he'll do whatever he likes anyway. "Look, Kane is the one who killed them, he should be the one to take the fall!" Edgar points out. "For the greater good of the team huh, Edgar?" Warrick replies. "Damn right! Look you know I'm right! If we try to fight this, the captain is just going to punish all of us!" "He's going to punish us all anyway Edgar!" "And you're probably right, but Kane here is the only one who'll get the noose. I mean no offense Kane, but come on even you know I'm right on this!" As much as you'd like to punch out Edgar again, that's what lead to this in the first place. Actually if you had just left behind Gerald, this could've all been avoided. Maybe Edgar's right, the good of the many outweighing the needs of the few. You were taught that before in training, you don't know why you questioning it now. Still, it doesn't feel right just throwing Kane to the wolves, just like it didn't feel right leaving Gerald behind. > You defend Kane You're a team and you were trained together as one. You feel that you should do everything you can to protect one of your own, especially in this sort of situation. Besides, Captain Pollo is most likely going to punish you all anyway. You might well stand for what you believe in. Edgar naturally disagrees with you again, but grudgingly goes along with it since he doesn't want to be on the receiving end of another one of your beatings. Everyone else agrees more readily. Kane while appreciative seems to be oddly detached from the situation, almost as if he doesn't care. The next day all of you are marched into the cafeteria, which is serving as a makeshift court room. Many of the other soldiers are calling for your blood, but some of them are just sitting quietly. Captain Pollo asks both sides what exactly happened, and despite the other side making themselves look more sympathetic, fact remains Kane DID kill three of them. There really isn't any way to defend against it. You attempt to direct blame to the other soldiers and claim it was an accident, but nothing works. Captain Pollo decides that all of you are at fault and says you're all going to be executed for treason. It is at that point to make one last plea. "Captain! I beg you not to carry out this sentence! At least not on my team! I was the leader. I was the one who should've kept a better handle on them. This incident is my fault. If you have to execute someone, execute me, but not for treason, for incompetence in the service of the Empire. I may have failed to serve the Emperor, but the rest of my team may still make up for this terrible mistake that is mainly my fault." It's an impassioned plea. Even the soldiers that were cheering for your sentence are silent. Captain Pollo thinks for a moment and readdresses you. "Very well. I suppose you have a point. However Kane still killed three men, his crime can't go unpunished. He will still be executed for murder and treason. The rest of your team members will be freed, but I'm having them all separated and transferred to other places. I can't take the chance of having another incident like this happening again. Maybe the Rask frontier would be a better place for them since they want to fight so much. Execution will take place tomorrow morning. Court adjourned." Before you're taken away, you address the rest of your team one last time. "Learn from my mistakes. Be a better Eternal than I was and live up to the name. Serve the Emperor well." You and Kane are taken to separate cells. You spend the rest of the night thinking about why you felt the way you did. It doesn't make sense based on your training. Mistress beat duty and obedience into you, yet you rejected Captain Pollo's initial request. Gruz certainly thought you were leadership material. He was obviously was wrong. A lot of questions go through your mind, but ultimately you realize it's futile. You're to be executed at morning and it'll hardly matter what reason you had for any of your actions. You eventually fall asleep. The next morning, you and Kane are taken from your cells and marched to the gallows. The pair of you say nothing the entire time until the hangman puts the noose around your neck and you are asked if you have any last words. Kane continues to remain silent. You are slightly more verbal. "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!" you shout before the lever is pulled and your neck snaps like a twig.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious] Despite your desire to go on an official mission, you feel that it would be worse to leave one of your team members behind, especially what would lie in store for him. "I will not leave a member of my team behind. We need to be together to produce the best results, captain." "I see. Well, we'll see how true that is when you're all cleaning out the toilets. You're on clean up detail until further notice. That will be all." Pollo says in a perturbed tone. You leave Captain Pollo's office with the bad news to your team. "WHAT?! I was ready for a fight!" Edgar yells. "What happened in there?" Roldan asks. "Yeah, we were going on a proper mission and not we aren't!" Gerald adds completely oblivious that he wasn't going anywhere to begin with. "Look, there will be other times, let's not dwell on it, we've got toilets to clean..." The rest of your team follows your lead and grumble a bit, but Edgar is doing the most of it. By the end of the day you've cleaned up a lot of the fort, but really, this isn't what you want to be doing. The next day, Captain Pollo feels that you've done such a good job that he says that your talents would be wasted in battle. He feels that other more experienced soldiers can now be freed up from such trivial duties that your team is performing. You're kept at the fort doing all sorts of menial labor. Day pass into months and the mocking never stops from the other soldiers in the fort who call you the "mop kids". This angers all of you, but of course once again Edgar is the one that nearly comes to blows with other soldiers. You have to stop him several times. Eventually his anger is directed towards you. "Fuck! This shit is all your fault anyway! What the hell did you do to piss off Captain Pollo all those months ago?" "Nevermind Edgar! And you're out of line, I am your leader!" "Hah! Some great job you got us fearless leader! We're making the Empire safe from filthy shitholes and dirty floors!" Edgar says getting in your face. Before the others can break it up, you grab Edgar and slam him up against the wall. "You wanna know what I did? I refused to leave Gerald behind to get fucked by that sick dipshit captain!" you shout in his face. "What?" Edgar says. "He...he wanted to fuck me?!" Gerald says in disbelief "Well it was pretty obvious when we first met him, Gerald." Brenda remarks. "Surprised he didn't just order you to leave him, or more logically order Gerald himself." Roldan adds. You let go of Edgar. "I dunno, I think he's playing some sort of game. Maybe it's a test even. Like if I'm willing to leave a man behind or not." You answer. "Well I sure wish you had sergeant, because that would've been the smart thing to do! So what if Gerald would've had to please the captain? It's not like it would've been a big deal. The greater good of the team and the Empire would've been better served with the rest of us chopping up some kobolds, not mopping floors and cleaning!" Edgar says unsympathetically. "HEY!" Gerald replies. "Right, Edgar, I'll remember your speech the next time some sicko wants me to leave you behind instead." "Look all I'm saying, is you gotta make tough decisions like that if you want to be a real leader! Just think if we were on a mission and you had to leave Gerald or any of us behind to die, to complete it? You would've probably froze up and got us all killed. I'm not sure if I believe in you as our leader if you can't make simple choices..." Between the monotonous cleaning, the mocking, Edgar's bitching and your own doubt about your leadership abilities, you can't take it anymore. You punch Edgar in the face mid-sentence and knock him to the floor, he's dazed for a moment, but doesn't hesitate to attack you right back. The pair of you are going at it which draws the attention of several passing soldiers, who take the time to mock you. This is a mistake on their part as you and Edgar are in a heightened state of anger causing you both to attack them instead. This then escalates into others aiding them, which in turn causes your team to aid you as well. The brawl is chaotic and counter productive, but for a brief moment you actually feel "alive" again. You imagine most of your fellow Eternals do too after all this is the first "battle" they've had in months. Unfortunately Kane feels so alive, he forgets that he's fighting fellow Empire soldiers and ends up killing three of them. The brawl ends with the opposing soldiers running and the rest of you standing around looking at Kane who doesn't know why you aren't celebrating your victory. When this is brought to the attention of Captain Pollo he's furious and has you all put in the stockade and mentions that a trial will be held tomorrow to decide what to do with you. He already doesn't like you, so you're guessing it's just going to be for show and then he'll do whatever he likes anyway. "Look, Kane is the one who killed them, he should be the one to take the fall!" Edgar points out. "For the greater good of the team huh, Edgar?" Warrick replies. "Damn right! Look you know I'm right! If we try to fight this, the captain is just going to punish all of us!" "He's going to punish us all anyway Edgar!" "And you're probably right, but Kane here is the only one who'll get the noose. I mean no offense Kane, but come on even you know I'm right on this!" As much as you'd like to punch out Edgar again, that's what lead to this in the first place. Actually if you had just left behind Gerald, this could've all been avoided. Maybe Edgar's right, the good of the many outweighing the needs of the few. You were taught that before in training, you don't know why you questioning it now. Still, it doesn't feel right just throwing Kane to the wolves, just like it didn't feel right leaving Gerald behind. > You place all the blame on Kane You already made one mistake by place one man's welfare above the good of the team. You can't afford to do it this time when all your lives may very be at stake. Edgar is of course happy you came to this conclusion, the rest of your team isn't as happy. A couple even argue with you a bit, though it isn't over so much that you're not standing up for him, so much as you aren't consistent. Kane on the other hand seems oddly okay with your decision. He says if it's for the good of the team then so be it. It's almost as if he doesn't care. The next day all of you are marched into the cafeteria, which is serving as a makeshift court room. Many of the other soldiers are calling for your blood, but some of them are just sitting quietly. Captain Pollo asks both sides what exactly happened, and despite the other side making themselves look more sympathetic than they are, you do nothing to protect Kane in any way. You say that it was all his fault and you had no control over his actions. Kane accepts full responsibility and doesn't even try to defend himself. While this keeps you and the rest of your team from facing the gallows, it doesn't keep you out of complete trouble. Since you were the leader of the team, you are stripped of your rank and busted back down to private. Captain Pollo says that all of you are to be transferred as well since he doesn't want something like this happening again. Kane is scheduled to hang in the morning. When court is dismissed all of you return to your room. Edgar goes on about how lucky you all were, but nobody is in the mood to hear it. Eventually he says he'll be glad to get transferred from everyone anyway since you're all holding him back, he then leaves to report to his cleaning duties. The next morning when Kane is executed none of you attend to watch it, indeed you're all wonder where you're going to be transferred, which is supposed to be in a couple days. As it turns out you didn't need to wonder at all. Mr. Mol finds out about what happened and isn't pleased about how it was handled. He allows the transfer of most of your team, since he believed you all would be better off separate to begin with, but you're left at Fort Glory since he also believes that you utterly failed to show any leadership qualities. As such you're not fit to be located anywhere important. Captain Pollo, who never liked you to begin with is even more perturbed that he couldn't get rid of all of you (At least not the one he found attractive) keeps you on clean up detail and other menial jobs. You're a private now, so it's not even like you can use your rank as an excuse of how your skills are being wasted. The only thing that keeps you going is the delusion that maybe your service is still benefiting the Empire in some small way, even if you aren't actively fighting for it. At least it does for a while. Year 17 "But captain, you've got kobolds running all over the countryside, there are those desert nomads destroying entire towns in the southern part of Nalin, you're starting to get bandit reports...at least let me go on patrol!" you say to Pollo. "Everything is under control private, the last thing I need is your help! And why aren't you attending your duties?" "Captain, if I may say, we do need every man we can get out there. Most of the ones we got are reluctant to even leave the fort at this point. Surely you must see that someone who wants to fight is a benefit, not a hindrance." Lieutenant Anu interjects. "And when I want your opinion lieutenant I'll ask for it! I gave you a chance to fight before and you didn't take it, when you had the chance." "Oh fer...captain I'd think you'd want anyone going out there to fight if only so you won't have to do it." "What are you implying lieutenant?" "I'm implying you're a fucking incompetent asshole who worries more about procuring young boys from nearby towns rather than the safety of this province! And I for one can't stand by and watch it any longer! As of right now I'm invoking the right to take command; you have proven a complete fuck up since I've been stationed here. Private, I'm giving you permission to get on a horse and out to the town of Yalef. They're in the middle of a siege from the usksha there. Hopefully you can get there and do something." Captain Pollo protests and he argues back and forth with his second in command, but when the guards enter the room, they are obviously on Anu's side. Not wishing to get involved in this anymore than you are, you take the opportunity to follow Anu's orders. Part of you is very excited about this, at last you feel like a weight has been lifted off your chest and you're finally free to serve the Empire in a more substantial way. Your journey to Yalef isn't an uneventful one. You're actually attacked several times by kobolds. One of these ambushes succeeds in killing your horse. You dispatch the kobolds, but even with all your training you find that not being in any sort of combat for a year has made you slightly rusty. You carry on to the town of Yalef, fighting and resting when you must. By the time you get within sight of the town, half of it is in ruins and multiple horsemen surround the place. These must be the usksha or the desert horsemen you've heard about. Some of them see you and immediately attack. You do well against them all things considered that you're outnumbered, fighting alone, tired and slightly wounded with your many skirmishes with the kobolds. The problems come when the usksha change up tactics and begin firing arrows at you instead. You're caught by a couple of the arrows before you can get cover. As you hide behind a rock, trying to figure out how you're going to actually get to the town, you feel a sharp pain in your body. This is followed by several more and you slump into the rock, struggling to breathe. You notices several more arrows in you, but these are smaller and you from you've seen all the usksha were in front of your near the town. Then sounds of inhuman high pitched giggling fill your ears. It's another kobold ambush! The little fuckers must've been hiding in the mud and dirt nearby waiting for their own time to strike. You see several approach you, while others go off to engage the usksha, but you know your role in this is over. Your eyes close and are just glad your last moments were fighting for the Empire.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, serious] Year 5 You are sitting in a gray room at a desk with several other children your age. All of you glance at each other a lot and it is obvious that there is much curiosity, but nobody speaks. This is very unusual for you, up until now, you have only had minimal contact with others. Most of them are male like you, but a few of them are female. Soon the silence comes to an end when a dark skinned woman walks into the room. She has long hair and sharp features. One thing you notice is that despite her long hair covering her ears you can still see that the tips of them are pointed. She must be elven, but in the pictures you've seen in books, you've never seen one with dark skin before. "Hello children, and congratulations on maintaining dignified silence during your time by yourselves. It's nice to see that your previous human minders aren't totally incompetent. Still, if you were Svelk children you would've been much better trained by now. Ah, but it is not my place to dwell on the limitations of the lesser born. I am merely here to oversee your training into proper Eternals so that you may serve the Emperor to your fullest capabilities. Now before we begin, I suggest you all ask questions now, because this will probably be the only time I will be in the mood for your ignorance." For a moment nobody speaks, but when the elven lady insists, one brave soul raises their hand. "Yes, you." "Are you an elf?" "Yes, I am. While the ignorant would use the vulgar term dark elf to describe me, my kind are more properly known as the Svelk. In fact WE are the purest of the elven race. All others you may have the misfortune of meeting are merely diluted members of our bloodline. They are truly pitiful creatures really only fit for extermination. Remember this." "Yes, you." "What is your name?" "My name is unimportant, but you and the rest will always address me as Mistress. Failure to do so will earn my wrath, and more importantly the wrath of the Emperor. Remember this." "Yes, you." "What will you teach us?" A second passes after the question, when a small bolt of light from the Svelk's finger tips and hits the child in the chest asking the question. He falls backwards out of his chair and on to the floor. The rest of you jump in your own chairs and look back at him. He is breathing very erratically. "I will teach you to OBEY my commands when I give them!" Mistress shouts, she then warns the rest of you. "Don't you dare touch him, let alone help him! (Sigh) And here I thought you lot had been trained better! It occurs to me that I will have to be extra strict in my discipline. As to the question about what I will teach you... I will teach you to be warriors. I will teach you to be wizards if you display the talent. I will teach you to shed yourselves of weakness. I will teach you to serve the Emperor without question and kill without mercy and you will always obey for you will find strength in obedience. You will find joy in order. You will find love in murder. You shall be instruments of terror and genocide if he so wishes it. You will be Eternals...or you will die. Remember this." After Mistress' speech, the child she struck down eventually struggles back up and gets back in his seat, clutching his chest and still wheezing. "I trust you have learned your lesson?" "Y...yes...Mistress..." he gasps. "Good, now one more question before we begin...you there. What is your question? Speak up!" Mistress demands while pointing at you, though you have not raised your hand. You don't wish to disagree with Mistress, so you stumble and try to think up a question. "Uh...er...I was just wondering when will you teach us to fight Mistress?" Mistress raises an eyebrow and gives a smirk as she approaches you. "Fight? And what makes you think that YOU are even ready to learn yet? Do you have even the slightest knowledge of combat tactics?" "No, Mis..." before you can even complete the sentence Mistress knocks you out of your chair with a quick jab with her hand, the pain from your face spreads to your chest when Mistress steps on it with her boot. She digs it into you and presses all her weight on it, while the rest of your class looks on. "Damn right, no you don't. You weren't even alert enough to anticipate my attack. You let me get in close and now look at you, you're completely at my mercy. I am in a position to do whatever I like with you, while you are only in a position to beg or die. So what will it be worm? Are you going to beg for your miserable life, or should I save the Empire's time and money by killing you now?" > You Die The pain is great and you want it to be over with as quickly as possible, but you know to beg for mercy would be shameful, so you gasp say you'd rather die than beg. This response surprises her to a point that she actually takes her boot off your chest giving you relief. "Truly, little one? You accept death so quickly? Have you no instinct for survival, or are you merely a fool? Still, your refusal to beg at least shows promise. It also shows that you know your place and that your life is ultimately not your own. It is nothing. ALL of your lives are nothing! Your lives will never be anything more than warm bodies to serve the Emperor! Remember this." At this point much like your other classmate hit by her magic bolt, you slowly get up and back in your seat, clutching your chest. It hurts, but you compose yourself the best you can. Time passes by under the harsh guidance of Mistress. She teaches you all that she promised she would and then some. Your lessons are not only that of a combat nature, but of an academic one as well. You wouldn't be aware of it, but you and your classmates are probably much better educated than other children your age. As for you, Mistress doesn't treat you any worse or better than any of the other children, but your first experience with her did have an effect on your behavior. You take her lesson that your life ultimately not being important to heart and you become more and more withdrawn. So withdrawn in fact that you almost become invisible to your fellow classmates and even Mistress sometimes forgets that you're there at all. If it was not for group projects and sparring lessons you probably would be forgotten. You obey commands and do your training and that is all. Why bother worrying about anything else when your life is not your own? You must follow orders even if it means your death, it's the only way you'll be able to please the Emperor. Despite your low key nature, your personality doesn't completely go unnoticed by your instructor and watchers, they make note of it and decide how you should be handled in the next step of your training. Year 12 You are in a room with a few of your fellow classmates standing in a row. Most of your class has been separated for reasons unknown to you. All you know right now is there is a man in a dark robe speaking with a well dressed man. They are speaking about you, but not actually speaking TO you... "Far be it from me to question orders, but I thought the whole point of this program was to create a separate elite fighting unit. Why are they now being split up and more importantly why are some being placed with us?" "Things have changed since the program's inception. Besides I would've thought the Shadow Guard would've appreciated such an honor of receiving such worthy candidates." the man dressed in black formal wear calmly retorts. "That remains to be seen. I'm sure you're fully aware of our strict guidelines on who is accepted. There are tests and rituals to go through." "So, put 'em through whatever it is you do. Look, I'd say you could benefit by having a few Eternals in your ranks, if nothing else than to keep you from getting lax." "Lax? Our group has been the eyes and ears of the Empire for centuries, and our vigilance is beyond reproach. We haven't even seen one of these so-called Eternals can do. It's all been just speculation, and if I may be so bold, a misguided appropriation of time and funds. The Empire should be providing the regular military better equipment and more of it, so that we don't have to be sent in to help them on the frontlines when we could be doing better things with our time such as keeping the Empire safe from subversives and other internal parasites." "Your concerns are irrelevant. This is the Emperor's project and he has his reasons. If I were you I'd watch your tone. For someone who doesn't question orders, one wonders if you have to be reminded that you are a servant of the Emperor and you will obey or you will be replaced." The robed individual steps towards the well dressed man before speaking. "Fortunately for you, I do serve the Emperor, for that is the only thing keeping me from ripping out your throat. Never question my loyalty again...very well I shall take these so called Eternals, but if they fail to live up to Shadow Guard standard, then they shall die like anyone else." "As you wish brother, I leave it in your capable hands. You will keep me apprised of their progress on a weekly basis. Good day." The well dressed man says and leaves the room, leaving you all alone with the robed man. You've never seen a Shadow Guard before, but while he doesn't look quite as menacing from what you've heard about them you know that he is a force to be reckoned with by reputation alone. He walks up and down the row sizing you all up before speaking. "I am Brother Gray, and I will be in charge of the rest of your training until the Emperor deems otherwise. I imagine that your former instructor was that svelk woman, so I trust you all know by now that failure and weakness have no place here. Correct?" "Yes Brother!" you all shout in unison. "Hmm, well glad to see her skills in teaching discipline are still as effective as ever. Good. Now let's see how good your combat skills are..." At this point you and your fellow classmates instinctively start to pair up to spar with each other, but Gray stops you and immediately knows what's going on. "Oh no, you won't be fighting each other. The svelk's cultivation of mistrust and loathing in all of you has its place, but not for our purposes. As a Shadow Guard you will learn that the reliance on such emotions to be a hindrance, as all emotions are. I can see I will have to undo some of the foolishness she has instilled in you all." Time goes by and Brother Gray begins to train you in various forms of combat. It's actually similar to some of the stuff Mistress was starting to teach you as he goes on about unconventional warfare such as poisoning water supplies and assassinations. However he also teaches you and your classmates to work better as a team. One test involves fighting a strange beast called a Thought Lurker. It is one of the most grueling battles you've ever had and it doesn't require weapons at all. It takes place all in your mind and it utterly destroys a few of your classmates. It is only when you and your classmates concentrate together as one you are ultimately successful in defeating it. Academically speaking, you are still given a well-rounded education. A strong mind and knowledge wins more battles than any blade did as Brother Gray says. Brother Gray is just as uncompromising as Mistress in his training, but he is not gleeful about it at all. His verbal abuse is a cold disappointment rather than gloating about your failures. He still reminds you all regularly about how it is your sworn duty to serve the Emperor, but you hardly need him to tell you that, to believe otherwise is unthinkable. As for you, you find yourself fitting in better here. It might be due to the conditioning that emotions are a hindrance and the emphasis on duty since you already had a slightly stoic personality coming in. There is a calming peace of knowing exactly what you need to be placing importance on. Despite your nature of blending into the background, you have not gone unnoticed by Brother Gray who approaches you to give you direct advice one day. "You are a little different from your fellows. I have noticed that you adapted much better to training than they did. You may even survive the ritual when the time comes, however I will give you a little advice. I can see that you do not believe your life is truly important. You believe that you feel it is merely your duty to serve and if you die in the process, then you will die. I imagine this might be the result of something that the Svelk woman did to you...in any event, this approach will not do. There is no weakness in maintaining a survival instinct while serving. Yes, you will be called upon to perform dangerous duties or even suicidal ones in the service of the Emperor, but you should always try to survive even if the odds are against you. The Shadow Guard has been doing it for centuries. Remember, the longer you survive, the longer you can continue serving the and there is no greater honor. Think on this on your next training assignment." Brother Gray's words carry much weight with you and in the years during your training you begin to discard your overly fatalistic approach to life well as becoming an accomplished warrior. Your instructor and watchers once again note your growth and skills, and as usual they make decisions on how you will best serve the Emperor. > Year 16 You and four of your fellow Eternals stand once again before Brother Gray this time though he is joined by another one of his fellow shadows. This man is almost indistinguishable from Brother Gray, similar robe, head covering hood, the only thing really different about him is that he's slightly taller. "Eternals, you have survived this far when some of your fellows have not. This means you show promise in joining our order, but it does not yet mean you belong. There is one more test that you have to pass through, before that can happen. I shall let Master Ebon explain more." With this, Master Ebon steps forward and begins to speak, it is at that moment you notice that something is slightly off about him. Like part of him is becoming translucent momentarily. "Eternals, I have heard much about you and how skilled you all are. So far I am not impressed. You have been given gifts and advantages from birth yet only a few of you actually made it this far. However, given Brother Gray's sterling assessment of all of you that do remain, perhaps I just need to see it for myself. In any event, all of you shall be undergoing the Ritual of the Shadow. It is in this important ceremony that you will gain abilities such as this..." Master Ebon, suddenly disappears completely and before you know it, he is behind all of you, forcing you all to turn around. "This is just a simple ability, compared to others you will gain in time, assuming you survive the ritual. I should also mention this ritual will also open your eyes to the truth and bind you...all of us in a way you have never even pondered before. I am not sure if you Eternals have bonded despite growing up together, but you even if you have, that bond will not compare to that of the shadows. Our order has existed for a very long time and will continue to do so long after other systems haven fallen to the dung heap of history." Master Ebon at this point turns around and begins to chant in some strange language. After about five minutes of this, a shimmering portal opens up, though it sort of fades in and out of existence. "And now Eternals, the ritual begins. You two, enter the portal together." Ebon says pointing at Cyrus and Brian. The pair of them nod and walk into the portal. After a few moments have passed, Ebon speaks again. "You two, enter the portal together." He says and Talia and David enter the portal leaving you by yourself. A longer stretch of time passes and even you begin to feel a little anxious despite your best efforts." Master Ebon naturally notices this. "Since you have been spoken about in such high regard from Brother Gray, I have decided that you do not need to take this test, you are already skilled enough. In fact I believe that you probably do not belong in our order, and you would best serve the Emperor as a soldier. I will inform Mr. Mol of this and he will probably have you transferred to an appropriate post of your skill." "Master Ebon, I'm not afraid to go through the ceremony! I want to do this!" you protest. "Hmm, didn't expect you to protest. I was told that you have a habit of not questioning orders almost to a suicidal degree, though due to your skill, you manage to survive, so I know you are not afraid. However, while loyalty and obedience are certainly important traits to have, I believe that your particular mindset really would serve the Empire's military instead. The military is a very simple place. Your superiors tell you to kill and you kill. They tell you to die, and you die. The Shadow Guard is a less...absolute branch that requires questioning and deeper thought at times. Contrary to popular belief we do not just snatch people off the streets because someone criticizes the Empire. Such a policy would undoubtedly depopulate countless cities and towns. No, we only seek out those that truly desire the fall of the Empire and sometimes that requires investigations." "So you are telling me I am not intelligent enough to be a Shadow Guard." "I didn't say that. Again from what I've heard, you have exceptional intelligence. No, what I'm saying is your mindset is different. Now I know Brother Gray said he spoke to you about maintaining a survival instinct, but mere survival isn't enough." "I know this. I survive so that I may serve the Emperor longer." Master Ebon at this point raises his hands and drops them. "And that's exactly why you would better serve in the military. There is no shame in this, not everyone is meant to be a Shadow Guard, not even an Eternal. I will make the preparations to have you transferred." Master Ebon turns from you to speak to Brother Gray and you're left speechless. You're also left with a lot of conflicting feelings. You feel disappointed, angry and confused all at the same time. Part of you is content on accepting Ebon's assessment. He may even be right. He's talking about questioning and complex thought and you don't exactly know what he means by all that. What else could there be other than serving the Empire? Another part of you feels defiant. You want to prove that he is wrong, you want to jump into the portal before he can do anything about it. Maybe he's expecting you to do that though. Maybe this is a test? But why would there be a test that encourages disobedience? In any event, if you're going to make your move, you need to do it now. > You stay where you are You might not agree, but you aren't going to disobey orders. Besides, maybe the military would be better for you. To be quite honest you thought you were going to be serving in it anyway. You are taken back to your room by Brother Gray who says he will be sorry to lose one so talented, but if Master Ebon feels you are not right for the order, then you should not be here. He says that Mr. Mol will be informed at once of the situation and he will give you your new assignment from there. You aren't too sure what to think about everything, but you're confident that you will be placed somewhere fitting to your skills. Hopefully soon, so you can start serving the Emperor properly. A couple days pass and it is all straightened out. Mr. Mol seems slightly disappointed that you're being transferred out, but mentions that he knows where to put you. He has you transferred to the Rask frontier, specifically a place called Fort Defiance. It's a long carriage ride to a cold snowy land, but eventually you make it there. You haven't gotten off the caravan five minutes when a man wearing battle armor approaches you. "Hey are you one of those Eternals?" "Yes I am." "I'm Captain Ian, I've heard about you and while you don't look like much, we'll take anyone at this point. Though I would've preferred more battle mages or even orcs at this point. Captain Ian begins to give you a run down on the entire area. He mentions that the mortality rate here is high so morale isn't the best. He goes on to mention that Shadow Guard detachments have been assigned here to help out, but between the ogres and the giants there's only so much that even they can do. He mentions the new unit you are to be assigned to and to report to it as soon as possible. With the caravan leaving, you head to your new unit. When you see them, quite a few of them are predictably much older than you, but surprisingly you see that half of them are around your age. Your superior gruffly introduces himself as sergeant Baily and that he expects you to pull your weight and then some, because there is no room for slackers here. You of course say you have no intention of slacking, and are thrilled to be here to serve the Empire. Your enthusiasm is met with dismissal from Baily and a couple of snickers from other soldiers, but nobody else really says anything. You are told to find a bed and make it your own. You settle in as you begin your assignment at Fort Defiance. Year 17 Knee deep in snow with minimal visibility due to a blizzard and chilled to the bone. This situation would be unpleasant even without ogres trying to cave in your skull at the moment. You dodge the ogre's swing and cleave one of his legs causing him to fall into the snow, then you finish him off. You look around and see the bloody dead bodies of several members of the squad and of the ogres that ambushed you. "Damn it! I knew this was going to fucking happen! He does this every fucking year! He sends a bunch of unlucky bastards to patrol this pass during the worst winter month and they get torn up every time. To hell with this, we've been out here long enough, we're getting outta here!" Sergeant Baily shouts to you and the remainder of the squad. You have to admit you didn't see the logic in sending a group to patrol Kragen Pass either, but then you've noticed that Captain Ian isn't the greatest mind for tactics or strategy. Your whole time here hasn't been what you expected, but then you're just glad that you're doing something meaningful to serve the Emperor. Your squad leaves the bodies behind and makes its way through the blizzard in silence. You briefly think about how this time last year, you were a potential candidate as a Shadow Guard, funny how things change so quickly. You've seen some of the Shadow Guard that have been stationed here, but you've never spoken to any of them, they tend to keep to themselves, like they're hiding secrets nobody else is supposed to know about. In any case, you appreciate their combat training, its certainly helped you survive in this harsh environment. During this momentary retreat into your own thoughts, a large rumbling is heard. You look overhead and even in this blizzard you can see the large figures looming on the cliffs. Given that you can actually make out the figures in this snow, you know that these aren't more ogres. "GIANTS! RUN!" Sergeant Baily shouts to you and the remainder of the squad. You all attempt to run as fast as you can out of the pass. Large boulders crash down along side the cliffs with an equally large amount of ice and snow. You see two of your number crushed by the boulders thrown by the giants. You and Sergeant Baily make it a little further, only to be engulfed in snow and buried in the stuff. You're disorientated, tired, freezing and slowly suffocating, but with determination, you manage to dig yourself out. You look around to find Baily, but apparently he was killed immediately or didn't have the strength to dig himself out. It's too bad, because you could've used his help when you see several giants now advancing on your position, though perhaps it wouldn't have mattered. You know that this is most likely going to be your last battle. You draw your sword and walk towards the giants. It will be a good death, but your only regret is that you will not survive to serve the Empire for longer than you would've liked.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark] Year 16 You and four of your fellow Eternals stand once again before Brother Gray this time though he is joined by another one of his fellow shadows. This man is almost indistinguishable from Brother Gray, similar robe, head covering hood, the only thing really different about him is that he's slightly taller. "Eternals, you have survived this far when some of your fellows have not. This means you show promise in joining our order, but it does not yet mean you belong. There is one more test that you have to pass through, before that can happen. I shall let Master Ebon explain more." With this, Master Ebon steps forward and begins to speak, it is at that moment you notice that something is slightly off about him. Like part of him is becoming translucent momentarily. "Eternals, I have heard much about you and how skilled you all are. So far I am not impressed. You have been given gifts and advantages from birth yet only a few of you actually made it this far. However, given Brother Gray's sterling assessment of all of you that do remain, perhaps I just need to see it for myself. In any event, all of you shall be undergoing the Ritual of the Shadow. It is in this important ceremony that you will gain abilities such as this..." Master Ebon, suddenly disappears completely and before you know it, he is behind all of you, forcing you all to turn around. "This is just a simple ability, compared to others you will gain in time, assuming you survive the ritual. I should also mention this ritual will also open your eyes to the truth and bind you...all of us in a way you have never even pondered before. I am not sure if you Eternals have bonded despite growing up together, but you even if you have, that bond will not compare to that of the shadows. Our order has existed for a very long time and will continue to do so long after other systems haven fallen to the dung heap of history." Master Ebon at this point turns around and begins to chant in some strange language. After about five minutes of this, a shimmering portal opens up, though it sort of fades in and out of existence. "And now Eternals, the ritual begins. You two, enter the portal together." Ebon says pointing at Cyrus and Brian. The pair of them nod and walk into the portal. After a few moments have passed, Ebon speaks again. "You two, enter the portal together." He says and Talia and David enter the portal leaving you by yourself. A longer stretch of time passes and even you begin to feel a little anxious despite your best efforts." Master Ebon naturally notices this. "Since you have been spoken about in such high regard from Brother Gray, I have decided that you do not need to take this test, you are already skilled enough. In fact I believe that you probably do not belong in our order, and you would best serve the Emperor as a soldier. I will inform Mr. Mol of this and he will probably have you transferred to an appropriate post of your skill." "Master Ebon, I'm not afraid to go through the ceremony! I want to do this!" you protest. "Hmm, didn't expect you to protest. I was told that you have a habit of not questioning orders almost to a suicidal degree, though due to your skill, you manage to survive, so I know you are not afraid. However, while loyalty and obedience are certainly important traits to have, I believe that your particular mindset really would serve the Empire's military instead. The military is a very simple place. Your superiors tell you to kill and you kill. They tell you to die, and you die. The Shadow Guard is a less...absolute branch that requires questioning and deeper thought at times. Contrary to popular belief we do not just snatch people off the streets because someone criticizes the Empire. Such a policy would undoubtedly depopulate countless cities and towns. No, we only seek out those that truly desire the fall of the Empire and sometimes that requires investigations." "So you are telling me I am not intelligent enough to be a Shadow Guard." "I didn't say that. Again from what I've heard, you have exceptional intelligence. No, what I'm saying is your mindset is different. Now I know Brother Gray said he spoke to you about maintaining a survival instinct, but mere survival isn't enough." "I know this. I survive so that I may serve the Emperor longer." Master Ebon at this point raises his hands and drops them. "And that's exactly why you would better serve in the military. There is no shame in this, not everyone is meant to be a Shadow Guard, not even an Eternal. I will make the preparations to have you transferred." Master Ebon turns from you to speak to Brother Gray and you're left speechless. You're also left with a lot of conflicting feelings. You feel disappointed, angry and confused all at the same time. Part of you is content on accepting Ebon's assessment. He may even be right. He's talking about questioning and complex thought and you don't exactly know what he means by all that. What else could there be other than serving the Empire? Another part of you feels defiant. You want to prove that he is wrong, you want to jump into the portal before he can do anything about it. Maybe he's expecting you to do that though. Maybe this is a test? But why would there be a test that encourages disobedience? In any event, if you're going to make your move, you need to do it now. > You run into the portal Test or not, you're not going to stand here and accept the judgment that Master Ebon has passed on you. You're more than strong enough to pass through the ceremony, you know you are and to prove it, you immediately make a run for the portal. "Master Ebon, the Eternal is running towards the portal!" you hear Brother Gray shout just as you make a leap into the shimmering portal. If Ebon said anything you didn't hear it, in fact as soon as you pass through the portal you don't hear anything. You also don't see anything or even feel anything. It's like you've stepped into a place that has sucked out all your senses. You even attempt to speak out loud, but nothing comes out, of course you wouldn't really know since you can't hear anything. You don't believe you're standing on anything and feels like you're "floating" in some sort of void. As for your mental state of mind, your feelings have become muted. You still have them, but they aren't as strong as they once were. Even before when you suppressed your feelings yourself, you never managed it to this degree. Everything has become deadened. All of this is so strange and you briefly wonder if you've made a mistake, but then you hear a voice, but it's inside your head. It isn't some sort of subconscious either. It's a very real external force speaking to you in your mind. The voice is a whisper, but loud at the same time, almost overpowering. "You were not given permission to be here. Why have you disobeyed your superior?" the voice asks. "I...I wanted to prove I was worthy." You answer. It is a strange sensation to speak with just your brain. "I see...so do you think you are worthy?" "Yes." "Your confidence is admirable. Yet, you do not even where you are, let alone WHO you are." "I am an Eternal." "Are you? Tell me, how can one be an Eternal, when one has not even experienced life outside what your superiors have told you? How can one be eternal when one is a mere baby in terms of existence? How can one be eternal when you are before a being that has existed longer than you mortals first came up with the idea of your primitive methods of measuring time? No, you are not eternal. You are confused." The voice is absolutely oppressive. Any feelings that were dead before are replaced with an extreme feeling of hopelessness and as the voice stated confusion. Within that moment you start to question everything you were taught. Not the skills, but the ideology. Still, you try to maintain your mind, by asking questions. "Are...are you the god of the Shadow Guards?" "That designation I suppose is accurate in a sense, but one should not get stuck with just one description, lest it confine you. I am many things as are you, even if you do not realize it yet, despite what your superior believes. Not to say he is wrong, just that he does not have the...insight I possess. Now your fellows that entered before you did are limited in their thought processes. Some have already failed due to their lack of complex thought. Tell me, are you loyal to your Emperor and your Empire?" "...of course!" you say, though due to your experience in this place, you feel a lot less certain of that, for the first time. This whole event is troubling to you. You almost feel suicidal for not answering with absolute certainty. "One cannot serve two masters, or at least not for long. The ones your Empire has designated the Shadow Guard are my loyal servants. They are loyal to ME, first. You cannot be a true member of this order if you place your Emperor above me. My followers have survived by hiding in plain sight and making themselves indispensable to the Empire. They have done this for centuries, but there will be a reckoning some day soon and the question is, who's side are you going to be on?" You cannot answer. The concept of not placing the Emperor about all is so abhorrent to you that you can't even comprehend it. Yet here you are being asked this question by a god no less. He's even suggested a reckoning of some sort that indicates the Shadow Guard will betray the Empire in the future! How can you argue with such a being though? If you disagree it is likely to destroy you, but in this place you almost can't help but to swear subservience to this god. You feel so helpless that it's almost like the choice Mistress gave you except even worse. > You swear to serve the god to survive You want to live so much that nothing else matters to you, and no matter how much it sickens you utter "I...I will serve you..." with great effort. "Yes, you will serve, but do you mean it? I don't think so. You're lying to survive this encounter. This is interesting. I was correct in that you are not as rigid as your fellows. If you are willing to risk lying to me in an attempt to save your life, then you are possibly willing to do ANYTHING to save your own life...that means there is still hope for you. I'd advise you though, do not wait too long to pick a side, otherwise you may find that even your will to survive won't be enough to save you. The feeling of oppression leaves you, and it's instead replaced by a surge of pain jolting through your body. You'd probably cry out if you could, instead you suffer in silence. "You will be given the powers I bestow to all my worshippers. Whether you will use them to further the cause or not, is another matter, but one that shall be interesting to see unfold. I have a feeling we shall speak again Eternal." And with those last words, you blackout and lose consciousness. When you wake up, you find yourself back in the room where you first stepped into the portal. Master Ebon, Brother Gray, Cyrus and Talia all stand around you. "He's awake." Brother Gray remarks. "Hmm, it truly is the work of Dendrin that he survived the process. Dendrin must've seen something in him that I did not. I will have to ask for forgiveness of my lack of vision tonight in my prayers. You two, help your brother up, he has proven worthy to be called a shadow and passed Dendrin's judgement." As Cyrus and Talia help you up, you're feeling a little groggy and you ask who Dendrin is. Everyone goes silent as if you've said the wrong thing. "Who is Dendrin? Are you jesting? Dendrin is our god! Surely his name appeared in your mind when he spoke to you during the ceremony." Talia exclaims. "Huh...oh...right...I dunno I feel so drained and woozy right now." You sputter, so as to cover up your less than typical experience with Dendrin. "Hmm, well that does happen. Some new members take days to fully recover after being in the presence of his power." Master Ebon remarks. "In any case, I welcome the three of you to the fold and you are now truly as brothers and sister to us. Our bond is stronger than any can hope to imagine and with Dendrin's guidance there is nothing we can't accomplish. You three shall report to Fortress Gloom, from there you will receive your future assignments and even additional training on your new powers. I shall take my leave now as I have other more important duties to perform. Brother Gray I trust you can take it from here." Master Ebon leaves, and Brother Gray does indeed take over. He mentions that the four of you will be heading by carriage to Fortress Gloom, which is located in Quala, the home province of the Empire. Fortress Gloom is apparently the sole head quarters of all the Shadow Guard. On the carriage ride there Brother Gray speaks more on Gloom. "Personally we'd prefer it if we were located in the Delerg province, but since most of our assignments are in Quala, the Empire desires that we stay close by, still our home at least borders on Delerg so it isn't all bad and things will be set right one day. "What is so special about Delerg?" you ask and once again you've said something that causes disapproving silence followed by scolding. "Sheesh, you really are out of it aren't you? Delerg is the original home of the Shadows! You should know this when Dendrin open your mind to our history!" Cyrus shouts. Once again you apologize and claim you're having problems with gaps in your memory and continued disorientation. Brother Gray is a little more understanding and says that you'll soon recover and remember everything and that in the mean time you can refresh your memory with the books at Fortress Gloom. You thank him and decide to stay quiet until you can get a better understanding of your situation. It is apparent that you did not pass through the ceremony like everyone else did. Cyrus and Talia seem like they're dedicated converts now. Brian and David are no where to be seen and nobody has mentioned them. You can assume that Dendrin destroyed them for some reason. Presumably because they refused to serve, but still that doesn't explain why you were spared. Dendrin obviously knew you were just paying him lip service to save your own life, and he passed you anyway. Is there something else in store for you? You don't know and you can't do much about it right now. You just hope you can make it through this. Eventually the carriage stops at the edge of a forest area. "Okay we have to walk the rest of the way; it's not too far though." Gray remarks and all of you get out and the carriage driver quickly makes his way out of the area. Gray leads the way through the dark forest. The trees have so much foliage that they're blocking out most of the sunlight. Several times you could swear something is watching you in the trees, but nothing attacks. Gray, Cyrus and Talia, aren't on edge as you are, but then they wouldn't have cause to be. Eventually you all an area with a large rock formation in the forest. Gray mumbles a few words and then another portal opens up in one of the large rocks. He tells you all to follow and you do. After a long flight of stairs downward, you finally reach Gloom proper. It certainly lives up to its name as you travel the corridors the entire place is barely lit, the place is also very quiet. Gray goes on to explain that the place used to be a former Derro stronghold, but they abandoned it for unknown reasons long before the Shadow Guard started to use it. After a small tour of a small portion of the fortress, Brother Gray tells you all that you will all share the same room with some of the other newer members for now, though he says that the room itself might currently be empty as they are probably on their duties right now. He also goes on to say that he wants you to test out your shadow powers in the training are tomorrow before you go on assignments, so you should try to rest in the meantime. You, Cyrus and Talia retire to your room and sure enough it is indeed empty of any other members right now. You all grab a bed that doesn't look like it has been taken yet. Cyrus begins to speak. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to test some of my powers now. I figure I should get a head start on the practice." He says and then attempts to make himself invisible. He flickers for a moment, but then fails completely causing himself to collapse on the bed. "Wow, maybe I shouldn't have tried something so hard at first." He says breathing hard. Talia does something a little different; she begins to run from one end of the room to the other. For a brief moment she is a barely visible blur, but she too is winded from the effort. "I think we should wait until we have proper instruction first. You two are going to hurt yourselves." You say. "Proper instruction? All the knowledge is right here! Dendrin saw to that!" Cyrus says pointing to his head. "All we need to do is practice." "Leave him be brother, he's still recovering from his experience being in the presence of Dendrin." "Yeah, I guess. What an eye opener that experience was though! Seriously, all that stuff we learned was really enlightening. Don't you agree sister?" "Oh yes. Just think, all those lies they told us just to try to keep us loyal to the so called Emperor. Murderous tyrant is all he really is and his day will come." Talia says. You can't believe what you're hearing. It's unreal to hear two Eternals you've practically grown up with to speak such...treason! You don't know what they heard when they went through the ceremony, but it's very apparent they have been corrupted. As much as you've been trying to keep your feelings on everything secret, you almost feel like you must speak or do something about it. > You confront Cyrus and Talia Cyrus and Talia are still Eternals and you have to believe that despite whatever divine indoctrination has taken place that they still have some sort of loyalty to the Emperor and not the Shadow Guard and certainly not Dendrin. In any case, you're going to try to get through to them and you don't know how to do that except just by being direct. "Do you two really think Dendrin is more powerful than the Emperor?" you ask. "Of course! How could he not be? Why would you even ask such a thing?" Cyrus says. "Dendrin showed us...all of us that the Emperor and the Empire is a lie and corrupt! He is the only true path! You were in his presence! How can you doubt him?" Talia adds. "I might ask you two how you can you suddenly revere Dendrin and turn your back on all of what has been taught us? Dendrin...whatever he is obviously is going to show us, or tell us whatever he wants for his own purposes, that doesn't make it true! We're Eternals first remember? We swore to serve the Empire, it's why we were born!" "Stop it! Just stop! You're speaking heresy and foolishness! I think your mind was too weak to withstand the greatness of Dendrin and has been damaged!" Talia says. "On the contrary I would ask how is it that I have maintained MY ability to question the Shadow Guard agenda? Why is it that Dendrin did not just destroy me if I wasn't worthy? Perhaps I'm the strong one. I managed to hold on to my beliefs against a god while you two quickly abandoned them completely. Now you've got two options, you can either leave this place with me and we shall report this treasonous organization to the Empire and I swear I will not mention your own doubts in the Emperor." "The only reporting you should be doing is to either Brother Gray or Master Ebon about your sickness and hope they know how to treat it! I'm warning you, continue to speak the way you have been or..." "Or else what Cyrus? You'll kill me?" you ask and shake your head. "Do what you must then, but see now that I will not be able to get through to you. Now what about you Talia? Are you completely..." Before you can complete the sentence, Cyrus attacks you. You narrowly miss a blade to your chest and throw Cyrus face first into a nearby bed. You then follow up with a stomp to his spine though you fail to break it and instead he just grunts in pain. You pull out your own sword and then that's when Cyrus starts using his new shadow powers. He rolls out of the way and turns invisible. You begin swinging at his closest location, but he slips by and stabs you in the foot. You wince at this pain and kick forward with your other foot. I lands somewhere into Cyrus, because he makes another sound. At this point he's flickering in and out and also breathing heavy. His inexperience at the shadow magic has reared its ugly head again to your advantage. Unfortunately you were so focused on fighting Cyrus that you completely forgot about Talia, she however hasn't forgotten about you. You feel two daggers go excruciatingly into your back and puncture your vital organs. You yell out in pain and collapse on to the floor. "(Wheeze) Thank you my sister. (Pant) Only a shadow for a little while and we've already managed to kill an enemy of Dendrin! I'm sure someone heard our fighting, but I'm going to go find Brother Gray, you stay here and watch his body, though I imagine he won't give you anymore trouble." Cyrus says and leaves. You aren't dead yet, but you soon will be. Talia, stands far enough away from you so you can't do anything sudden to her in your last moments. "Why did you have to say anything? Why didn't you just submit to the will of Dendrin? You made me kill you!" Talia says with a tone of regret in her voice. "No I didn't...I did my duty. You chose to abandon yours..." "I didn't! I..." Talia's voice quivers a bit, like she's genuinely upset about having to kill you. You didn't expect that, maybe it will cause her to question her priorities now. Perhaps your actions here have accomplish something after all and the seed of chaos has been planted to destroy the Shadow Guard from the inside before they can carry out whatever plans to betray the Empire. You comfort yourself with these thoughts as you pass from this world.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark, fantasy, dystopia, war] You want to live so much that nothing else matters to you, and no matter how much it sickens you utter "I...I will serve you..." with great effort. "Yes, you will serve, but do you mean it? I don't think so. You're lying to survive this encounter. This is interesting. I was correct in that you are not as rigid as your fellows. If you are willing to risk lying to me in an attempt to save your life, then you are possibly willing to do ANYTHING to save your own life...that means there is still hope for you. I'd advise you though, do not wait too long to pick a side, otherwise you may find that even your will to survive won't be enough to save you. The feeling of oppression leaves you, and it's instead replaced by a surge of pain jolting through your body. You'd probably cry out if you could, instead you suffer in silence. "You will be given the powers I bestow to all my worshippers. Whether you will use them to further the cause or not, is another matter, but one that shall be interesting to see unfold. I have a feeling we shall speak again Eternal." And with those last words, you blackout and lose consciousness. When you wake up, you find yourself back in the room where you first stepped into the portal. Master Ebon, Brother Gray, Cyrus and Talia all stand around you. "He's awake." Brother Gray remarks. "Hmm, it truly is the work of Dendrin that he survived the process. Dendrin must've seen something in him that I did not. I will have to ask for forgiveness of my lack of vision tonight in my prayers. You two, help your brother up, he has proven worthy to be called a shadow and passed Dendrin's judgement." As Cyrus and Talia help you up, you're feeling a little groggy and you ask who Dendrin is. Everyone goes silent as if you've said the wrong thing. "Who is Dendrin? Are you jesting? Dendrin is our god! Surely his name appeared in your mind when he spoke to you during the ceremony." Talia exclaims. "Huh...oh...right...I dunno I feel so drained and woozy right now." You sputter, so as to cover up your less than typical experience with Dendrin. "Hmm, well that does happen. Some new members take days to fully recover after being in the presence of his power." Master Ebon remarks. "In any case, I welcome the three of you to the fold and you are now truly as brothers and sister to us. Our bond is stronger than any can hope to imagine and with Dendrin's guidance there is nothing we can't accomplish. You three shall report to Fortress Gloom, from there you will receive your future assignments and even additional training on your new powers. I shall take my leave now as I have other more important duties to perform. Brother Gray I trust you can take it from here." Master Ebon leaves, and Brother Gray does indeed take over. He mentions that the four of you will be heading by carriage to Fortress Gloom, which is located in Quala, the home province of the Empire. Fortress Gloom is apparently the sole head quarters of all the Shadow Guard. On the carriage ride there Brother Gray speaks more on Gloom. "Personally we'd prefer it if we were located in the Delerg province, but since most of our assignments are in Quala, the Empire desires that we stay close by, still our home at least borders on Delerg so it isn't all bad and things will be set right one day. "What is so special about Delerg?" you ask and once again you've said something that causes disapproving silence followed by scolding. "Sheesh, you really are out of it aren't you? Delerg is the original home of the Shadows! You should know this when Dendrin open your mind to our history!" Cyrus shouts. Once again you apologize and claim you're having problems with gaps in your memory and continued disorientation. Brother Gray is a little more understanding and says that you'll soon recover and remember everything and that in the mean time you can refresh your memory with the books at Fortress Gloom. You thank him and decide to stay quiet until you can get a better understanding of your situation. It is apparent that you did not pass through the ceremony like everyone else did. Cyrus and Talia seem like they're dedicated converts now. Brian and David are no where to be seen and nobody has mentioned them. You can assume that Dendrin destroyed them for some reason. Presumably because they refused to serve, but still that doesn't explain why you were spared. Dendrin obviously knew you were just paying him lip service to save your own life, and he passed you anyway. Is there something else in store for you? You don't know and you can't do much about it right now. You just hope you can make it through this. Eventually the carriage stops at the edge of a forest area. "Okay we have to walk the rest of the way; it's not too far though." Gray remarks and all of you get out and the carriage driver quickly makes his way out of the area. Gray leads the way through the dark forest. The trees have so much foliage that they're blocking out most of the sunlight. Several times you could swear something is watching you in the trees, but nothing attacks. Gray, Cyrus and Talia, aren't on edge as you are, but then they wouldn't have cause to be. Eventually you all an area with a large rock formation in the forest. Gray mumbles a few words and then another portal opens up in one of the large rocks. He tells you all to follow and you do. After a long flight of stairs downward, you finally reach Gloom proper. It certainly lives up to its name as you travel the corridors the entire place is barely lit, the place is also very quiet. Gray goes on to explain that the place used to be a former Derro stronghold, but they abandoned it for unknown reasons long before the Shadow Guard started to use it. After a small tour of a small portion of the fortress, Brother Gray tells you all that you will all share the same room with some of the other newer members for now, though he says that the room itself might currently be empty as they are probably on their duties right now. He also goes on to say that he wants you to test out your shadow powers in the training are tomorrow before you go on assignments, so you should try to rest in the meantime. You, Cyrus and Talia retire to your room and sure enough it is indeed empty of any other members right now. You all grab a bed that doesn't look like it has been taken yet. Cyrus begins to speak. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to test some of my powers now. I figure I should get a head start on the practice." He says and then attempts to make himself invisible. He flickers for a moment, but then fails completely causing himself to collapse on the bed. "Wow, maybe I shouldn't have tried something so hard at first." He says breathing hard. Talia does something a little different; she begins to run from one end of the room to the other. For a brief moment she is a barely visible blur, but she too is winded from the effort. "I think we should wait until we have proper instruction first. You two are going to hurt yourselves." You say. "Proper instruction? All the knowledge is right here! Dendrin saw to that!" Cyrus says pointing to his head. "All we need to do is practice." "Leave him be brother, he's still recovering from his experience being in the presence of Dendrin." "Yeah, I guess. What an eye opener that experience was though! Seriously, all that stuff we learned was really enlightening. Don't you agree sister?" "Oh yes. Just think, all those lies they told us just to try to keep us loyal to the so called Emperor. Murderous tyrant is all he really is and his day will come." Talia says. You can't believe what you're hearing. It's unreal to hear two Eternals you've practically grown up with to speak such...treason! You don't know what they heard when they went through the ceremony, but it's very apparent they have been corrupted. As much as you've been trying to keep your feelings on everything secret, you almost feel like you must speak or do something about it. > You remain silent As much as you want to, speaking about your own thoughts on this situation would be folly. Cyrus and Talia have obviously been brainwashed and you're deep in a fortress that contains traitors that would undoubtedly overwhelm you even if did try to escape. No, your time will be better spent waiting until you are at least able to get out of the fortress and report to someone of importance in the Empire. It's about the only thing you can do. In the meantime you're going to have to do your best to fit in and learn. Instead of engaging in the practicing of your shadow powers (Which you're still too worried about using to be honest) you take one of the books in a nearby shelf and begin reading about the laws and scripture of the Shadow Guard seeing as you didn't experience the immediate knowledge of all this stuff during your encounter with Dendrin. You fall asleep reading, but you don't exactly have a restful sleep. The next morning you are awakened and the three of you are taken to the training room as discussed the day before. Talia and Cyrus seem to master their new powers relatively quickly; you on the other hand have some problems. Your trainer, Brother Shade doesn't understand why you are, but is somewhat frustrated that he has to spend more time with you. He never threatens you with any sort of physical punishment though, which is a relief. After a few weeks Talia and Cyrus have been sent on various assignments, meanwhile you're still confined to the fortress due to your sub-par shadow magic (Though not your fighting skills) Brother Shade insists that you stay another few months before being sent on any mission. This gives you more cause for some anxiousness since you really want to leave in order to tell someone about this place. Instead you continue to try to learn as much as you can through reading. You don't mix too much with the other Shadow Guards and mostly keep to yourself. You just don't feel any connection with any of them even after studying more of the history and beliefs. You just look at them and see traitors to the Empire. The eeriest thing is how the Shadow Guard occasionally makes passing treasonous remarks and will mention how the Empire will fall soon, like it's a foregone conclusion. Even Cyrus and Talia, are sort of distant now. The only time they really speak is to taunt you about your magic training. You have to wonder if they is a little revenge going on there as you were always a better close combat fighter than either of them. They of course are fitting in very well with the rest. Cyrus especially seems close to another Shadow Guard by the name of Draven. You try to remain positive though that you'll eventually get the chance to leave this place. While to most people in your situation feeling fear and nervousness would be pretty natural, but for you it is definitely something that isn't natural and you don't like it at all. Eventually that day comes and you are summoned to Brother Gray's office. "Okay, I believe you're ready. I don't understand why it took you so long though, you showed such promise during our initial training exercises." "I suppose I'm just not magically inclined Brother Gray." "Perhaps, but the power and knowledge that Dendrin infused into you, should've circumvented any of that...no matter I've been told by Brother Shade that your skill is good enough now. Still, I'm also trouble by the reports that you've been distant to your fellow Shadows. This is your family now, you shouldn't be stand offish to them, you need to embrace them as your brothers and sisters because that's what they are." "I'm sorry Brother Gray, I guess I've just felt self-conscious about my lack of magic skills. Everyone else picked it up so easy compared to me and I didn't feel like I belonged." "Hmm, well I suppose you probably received some taunts, but family members do that too. You shouldn't have taken it too personal, and I think if you would've asked, one of them would've helped you. Surely Brother Cyrus or Sister Talia would've helped given that you have the most in common with them." "Maybe...I dunno. They fit in better." "(Sigh) This won't do at all. Here I am thinking that you were ready, but apparently you have some deeper issues. I swear you are the first to have such a problem. I mean you know that we are all on the same side here right? You know that we will stick together no matter what correct? We all have a duty to Dendrin and we are going to see to it that his glory be restored and that means teamwork, community and family." "...yes I suppose you're right." "Well I'm not right about everything. I think you need to be involved in some more socializing around here, before we send you out." "What? But I'm ready! I want to leave!" you say with a loud tone. "And I don't think that's a good idea. You obviously don't feel welcomed by your fellow Shadows, and that's not a good mindset to have out in the field if you don't trust your own family." "But..." "No buts! I know you're probably anxious to start serving Dendrin in a meaningful way, but I still think you need to stay a little longer. There will be no more debate about this. Dendrin demands that his worshippers trust one another, for it is our unity that will ensure our struggle will succeed. I think you'll need to stay in here for the remainder of the year, then I think you should be ready. You are dismissed, brother." The remainder of the year, your heart sinks into further hopelessness. You don't know if you can stand this place much longer, let alone have to make "friends" with the people here. Yet you must if you want to survive. And that's what you did when you met Dendrin isn't it? You did what you had to, to survive. You leave Brother Gray's office. "By the Emperor, give me the strength to exist in this lair of traitors that seek to do you harm. May I be strong enough to survive and warn you in time." You quietly say to yourself. As you head back to your room to attempt to make friends. You wonder why Dendrin let you live when he knew you would seek to destroy his followers. Is it some sort of sick game that a being like him finds amusing? It must be, because it's the only rational explanation at this point. > Year 18 "And so I said to the blacksmith, well if you're intending on killing the Emperor, you better damn well have a better plan than those group of thugs you've been supplying with weapons in the sewers. At least supply them to some thugs who the Emperor wouldn't be able to smell six miles away!" you say, and this is followed by a few laughs from some of your fellow shadows. "Hah, good one brother! Tell me, what did you do to the blacksmith?" Brother Murk asks. "Oh we relocated him to our safehouse in Derlerg along with his buddies, reported that we eliminated him as a dissident...you know the usual. I must say, their surprise that we aren't going to kill them is always amusing though." You reply. "Yes, given our reputation, I imagine it is. Still, it's all for a good cause eh, brother?" "Yes brother, it certainly is." You say to Murk with a nod and take another drink of black tea. "Well I have to say I'm very glad you've finally managed to settle in brother, I have to admit, for awhile I was getting a little worried about you. You just didn't seem like yourself after our ceremony initiation." Talia says. "Yeah, well I guess I was just a late bloomer or something." "Don't worry about it brother, it's all in the past. What matters now is that we're all on the same page now." Murk replies. On the same page...the problem is you really aren't on the same page. You haven't been since you got here. The other problem? You're starting to feel like you might be getting there though. During the time you were forced to socialize you just swallowed your fear and self-doubt and proceeded like it was any mission. And you were successful. Perhaps a little too successful. Once you actually got sent out on a mission, you were paired up with Brother Murk. A fellow you had become semi-friendly with during your months of socializing. Your original plan was as soon as you left Gloom, you were going to run to the nearest Empire fort and make your report. Though for this plan to succeed in any meaningful way you would've had to kill Murk and despite your better judgment, you couldn't bring yourself to do it. You later cursed yourself for this temporary weakness and the next time you were sent out, you vowed to yourself that you'd do it again, the problem was you had only become friendlier with Murk within that time. You failed again. By the time they rotated your partnership and you were paired you with someone else, you still couldn't do it, because now you actually started to feel like the Shadow Guard really was like a family to you. And you liked that feeling. In fact it was the best you've felt in a long time. Yet, now you are in a difficult position. You are still loyal to the Empire and the Emperor first, but you haven't been able to find the fortitude to expose the Shadow Guard for what they are. You attempt to rationalize it in your mind, by claiming the longer you stay the more you learn about their exact plans, and while that's certainly true, it really isn't the TRUTH. The real truth is you're starting to believe in the Shadow Guard's cause slightly. You don't know if it's because you've spent so much time here that you've developed some sort of emotional attachment or some odd sort of subtle indoctrination. Is this what Dendrin really had in store for you? Did he know you could be turned even without his intervention? Before you had that experience everything was so certain, your feelings weren't a constant source of ups and downs. Even under Mistress, you don't remember ever feeling this. It was either success or death. It was very simple and you preferred it. Now you don't know what the hell you're doing. Are you a traitor? Are you still loyal? Are you both? Are you neither? You excuse yourself from the rest of your brothers and sister and say you have to get some rest, though in reality you have to take a long look at your priorities. Once again you spend a few more months going through your usual routines and quietly suffering in silence. That comes to a halt when Murk comes into the barracks one day... "Hey, where are brother Cyrus and sister Talia?" he immediately asks you. "Uh, sister Talia I think is in the library and brother Cyrus is probably with brother Draven somewhere." You reply. "Oh, well I'll go get Talia, someone else can look for Cyrus, but you need to report to Master Ebon right away." "What's this all about?" "I don't know, just that he wants you, Talia and Cyrus to see him. Something about someone from the Empire wanting to meet with all three of you. Sounds important." You get up and walk to Master Ebon's office which remains closed, so you wait. A few moments later, Talia joins you. "Hello, brother. Isn't master Ebon here?" "If he is, he isn't answering his door, so I've been waiting outside." "Do you know what this is about?" "Dunno, just that someone from the Empire wants to see us." Talia nods and remains silent. Soon Cyrus joins you and asks a similar question, to which you answer in a similar manner. He grunts at you and stands as far from you as possible, though he says something polite to Talia. Same old Cyrus. No sooner has Cyrus got there, when Ebon's door opens. You hear a voice that tells you to come in. You didn't even think he was inside, but you guess he was really waiting to see you all together. When you all enter, he tell Cyrus to close the door and gets right to the point. "You three have been summoned by Mr. Mol. Apparently he wants to ask you a few questions and is insisting on doing it somewhere in the capital I believe. In any case, he claims he wants to check on your progress as an Eternal, but I suspect he's fishing for information about us." "You don't think he suspects anything do you?" Talia asks. "I do not believe he knows anything about our true goals, if he or anyone did, I have no doubt we would've been moved upon by now. No, I think this is just another Empire ploy to try to get more inside intel on our organization, which for the reasons I just mentioned they cannot know about." "I won't say a word to this running dog of the Empire! My eyes have been open a long time and my loyalty is and will always be to Dendrin." Cyrus says. Master Ebon nods. "Yes, I know it will be. I have no doubt, but I still would like you all to just be on your guard when answering questions none the less. It probably won't come to this, but kill yourselves if you have to. It won't be ideal, since it'll arouse suspicion, but it'll still give us time to go ahead with our plan anyway, even if it would be a few years early. Anyway, the three of you are to make your way to the town of Lenet and from there you'll take an Empire carriage to the capital. Return immediately if you are able. May Dendrin and the shadows hide your true intentions." With those last words, Ebon sends you away and the three of you set off on your journey. You begin to feel nervous as soon as you leave Gloom, you weren't expecting this happening, but deep down you did know that something like it was going to happen eventually. You remain mostly quiet during the journey as you try to get in a certain frame of mind of what you're going to do or say. Cyrus is mostly silent as well, though you're guessing that's because he's so firmly entrenched in his belief in Dendrin, that he knows what he's going to say and do. Talia is the only talkative one and that's mainly questions about what you both think Mr. Mol will ask you. You know she's dedicated herself to Dendrin, but you sense that perhaps she's a little nervous too, though you don't know if it's due to her new loyalty to Dendrin or because she's been harboring secret loyalty to the Empire like you have. You decide to imagine it's the latter, mainly because you want to make yourself feel better. Eventually the carriage from Lenet reaches Qale, the Empire's capital and several soldiers immediately step forward to say they are here to escort you to Mr. Mol. The three of you are taken from the opulence of one of the main streets and quickly through a system of back alleys until you eventually reach a non-descript building. You enter and there you see Mr. Mol. It's the well dressed man you saw speaking to Brother Gray six years ago. He's also wearing the same formal black suit he was back then. "Ah, the Shadow Eternals. I've so wanted to catch up with your progress, but my attention was on your less subtle peers for a while. I think we've sorted them out though, so now it's time to sort you out as well. Just a formality really, we just want to see if you're achieving your full potential in the Shadow Guard. After all you're Eternals first, and we wouldn't want your talents to not be used to their fullest potential in the service of the Emperor, right?" Cyrus and Talia say nothing, but you feel obligated to acknowledge that question if only to not look suspicious. "Correct. All that we are, we owe to the Emperor's will." you say. "Glad to hear it! Now then we're just going to be asking you some questions, these soldiers will take you to a place to wait. Off you go." At this point the three of are marched out of the room and down a long hallway. The cold broken stone walls and desolation of this place almost makes Gloom look cheery by comparison. Eventually you reach a door on your left and Cyrus is told to wait inside the room. He enters without a word, but gives you and Talia a look like "Say nothing!" A few moments later you reach another door on the left, this time Talia is told to wait inside. She hesitates for a moment, but enters. She gives you a look as well, though this one is more of concern. Finally you reach the last door on the left and you are told to enter and wait. You do so without looking at anyone. The door shuts behind you and the ominous sound of a lock is heard. There isn't much you can do, so you sit down at one of the chairs in the middle of the room and wait. And wait...and wait...and wait...and wait... You don't know how much time has passed, but you get up and move about several times before sitting down again. You don't quite panic as much as you think you would, but being alone with your thoughts is definitely not the best thing for you. Right now you're already thinking they've managed to break Talia into talking and probably killed Cyrus. Maybe if you cooperate right now, there will be leniency? Why shouldn't you cooperate? The Shadow Guard ARE traitors after all, and this is just the kick in the ass you needed to remind you of that. But then there's the other part of you that feels loyal to the shadows and how you shouldn't betray them. You go back and forth what you're going to do several times, and then you hear the lock on the door. Mr. Mol enters... > You tell him everything You're going to tell him everything. Yes, it is true that you've bonded a bit with the Shadow Guard and you can even understand their motivations, but Mr. Mol is right. You're an Eternal first and your duty is ultimately to the Emperor. If you suffer any punishment due to not coming forward sooner then so be it. Mr. Mol sits down in the other chair in the room and before he can even say anything you get straight to the point. "The Shadow Guard is planning to betray the Empire. They have been for years. Centuries even. They've just been biding their time for the right moment to strike, and that moment is supposed to be soon." Mr. Mol sits back and exhales deeply. "Well, I guess that saves me a little time. I certainly thank you for that, your fellow Eternals were disappointing in that regard." "Are...are they dead?" "Dead? Oh no. They're very much alive. Knew they were hiding something, but I assumed it was just typical Shadow Guard bullshit about their god and rituals. Possibly even manipulating things to benefit their order, but that's certainly to be expected. (Sigh) We really should've been doing something about them a long time ago, and to a certain extent that's why you Eternals were created. I'm glad at least one of you managed to avoid brainwashing...which brings me to another question. Why didn't you come forward with this information before?" "I...I have no excuse...I felt very influenced sir. After I went through the shadow ceremony and their god spoke to me...I..." "Hold on, you actually spoke to Dendrin?" Mr. Mol stop you. "Yes, you know the god's name?" "Of course I do, it isn't as much of a secret as the shadows like to pretend. It just isn't spoken out loud in public because that's part of the original agreement. Certainly don't need a bunch of religious fanatics gaining any more power by speaking highly of their god to the masses. Even if said fanatics are loyal to the Emperor, which apparently has never been the case if what you're saying is true. Now start at the beginning and ALL of what you've learned." You start from the moment you ran into the portal and continue about your experiences from there. Mr. Mol makes several notes and tells you to explain in greater detail on certain things. As you tell him all the shadow secrets you know, you feel a great weight lifted off of you, but you still feel very anxious since you don't know what's going to happen to you afterwards. "Okay...this is great information. Makes a lot of sense now any past attempts to infiltrate the Shadow Guard have never worked when their own god is indoctrinating them completely in their ceremony. Well except you of course. Guess nobody's perfect, not even a god. Still, we shouldn't have been so complacent either, but with this information I think we can get this under control within time." "So what's next?" you ask. "Next? Well you and your fellows go back to Gloom like nothing has happened. I'll be in touch with you in the future to give you further instructions." "You're not going to destroy them now?" "Heh, well we certainly could with this information alone, but from what you've told me, the dissention is more than just the Shadow Guard at this point. They've got safehouses of dissidents in various locations...this is a big job and ideally, we want to neutralize the majority of this threat in one swoop. If we moved now all it would do is tear the Empire in half sooner rather than later. This isn't going to be pretty even if our counter plan goes right, but the best thing is we do know that we need to focus internally now. Plans to invade the Felkan Kingdom again will have to wait unfortunately." "So, I'm not to be punished?" "Punished? What for? Oh you mean because you felt influenced? Well, that is concerning, however considering you just told me everything after constantly being bombarded with shadow propaganda not to mention Dendrin's own words I'd say your willpower is strong enough to resist anything. In fact I need to make a note of that too, it'll help to know for future Eternals." "Future Eternals?" "Oh yes, the project is still going on. In fact we'll need more of your type to fill in the gap that will be left by the Shadow Guard when they're gone. Those that know the value of loyalty and duty to the Empire like you of course. We'll try to prevent mistakes like Talia and Cyrus this time. Like I said nobody's perfect, but we can still strive towards it." Mr. Mol then sits forward, puts a hand on your shoulder and stares into your eyes. "The Empire needs you more than ever to defend it from its enemies and you're in the perfect position to do so. Is your duty clear?" "Yes, I live to serve the Empire and the Emperor. They will always come first, before everything else." You confidently reply. "Good. Good. I'm glad to hear it and I certainly hope now you feel better and less alone knowing that you have the entire might of the Empire su

pporting you." "I do. Thank you." "Now then, I want you to go back with your fellows and carry on as normal. As I stated I will be contacting you in the future and your official mission now is to gather as much information of the Shadow Guard as possible. I know you've given me a lot already, but there's always more that can be acquired." This new sense of encouragement, purpose and direction coupled with telling Mr. Mol everything makes you feel a lot better about your choice. So much so, that you even volunteer to go beyond what he asks. "Did you want me to assassinate anyone?" "Heh, I like your enthusiasm, but it might be best for you to concentrate info gathering first. Though I suppose if you can somehow arrange a group of shadows to face with an accident without getting caught, I'm not opposed to it. Simple sabotage is good too, as long as they don't get the impression that anyone is on to them." You understand, and you are lead out of the room and back into the main room where you see Cyrus and Talia waiting with the soldiers. "Okay I believe we are done here. I am pleased to find that all of you are obviously living up to your potential. I was a little concerned only because a couple of your non-shadow Eternals already have proven to lack the discipline we thought they had. One was executed for killing his superior officer and another one died by breaking a solid fighting formation during a battle. I'm glad to see all of you are much better in that regard and I can only chalk that up to the Shadow Guard's superior training techniques. Perhaps more Eternals in the future will join as it is obvious you all have tremendous willpower and great loyalty to the Empire." Mr. Mol says glancing over at you with that last line. And with that, the three of you are lead back to the carriage, which takes you back to Lenet, and from there you walk back to Gloom. You're all more talkative at this point, Talia and Cyrus go on about the questions with each other and you. Of course you lie and state you were asked similar ones. "So do you think he suspected anything?" Talia asks. "Doubt it. The Empire fool didn't even ask anything remotely important. It is obvious Dendrin's shadow covers his eyes from the truth. So much so that it required minimum effort on our part to even lie to him. I mostly just omitted truth." Cyrus mocks. "Omissions of the truth are usually better than outright lies anyway. Less of a chance to get caught up in a web." Talia comments. "Yeah, I didn't even need to lie at all." You say which causes you to laugh inside your head given the double meaning of that remark. After the three of you report to Master Ebon, he seems pleased with how things turned out, but states that he's pushing to enact the plan sooner for concern that the Empire may still suspect something. He then says to expect things to get hectic soon, but with Dendrin's guidance you all will surely prevail and the Empire will collapse. You retire to your bed to get some rest as it's been a long stressful day. You're finally glad to have settled your crisis of loyalty though. With these comforting thoughts you drift off to sleep... As you sleep you begin to dream. You dream that you're in the same void like space when you walked into that portal two years ago. You feel nothing and you sense nothing for a long time then you hear the voice, that oppressive voice that invades your mind completely. "So Eternal, you have chosen to betray me." "You said yourself that I was only saying I'd serve to save myself in your presence. Why are you so surprised?" "I am not, I'm merely observing your motivations which were equally unsurprising. I'm fascinated that one such as you would have the willpower and strength to defy a god, yet still be narrow minded enough to trust in a mortal government. You may as well be a golem." "The Empire hasn't threatened me with death, unlike you have." The whispery voice suddenly lets out a hearty laugh to loud in your mind that it's painful. "And you believe that? The Empire has done nothing BUT try to kill you from birth! Wasn't until you arrived to train under the shadows that your risk for death was lowered! Even when you met me, I never directly threatened you with death, I gave you a choice for which you should be grateful!" "Deity, if I offend your omnipotence so much, then why not kill me now? You obviously have the power to invade my dreams and if I'm a threat, you should do what needs to be done." "Eternal, Eternal, you are no more of a threat to me than your beloved Empire is. And your insolence does not offend me, it is your ignorance that offends me. If you believe this path is one of survival you are sadly mistaken." "And joining a hopeless cause like your cult of fanatics is?" "Eternal, you will see. Eventually you will see. You ask me to kill you now and though I could, I wouldn't because it will be interesting to see you running about trying your best to undermine my loyal followers. However, the major question is, will you survive in the process? The odds are against you Eternal. Severely against you." "I will prevail." "Perhaps, but at what cost?" With those last words, you wake up. You try to go back to sleep, but it isn't easy. Just like actively spying on the shadows isn't going to be easy, especially since Dendrin himself knows what you're doing. You just can't figure out why he is insisting on tormenting you like this, what can he possibly get out of this other than sadistic pleasure? You can even comprehend that aspect, but what you don't get is why he wouldn't immediately get rid of you in order to help his own followers. Is this an elaborate trick or does he just not give a shit about his worshippers? You don't know. The best you can do is what you can achieve in the mortal realm and leave the motivations of any gods out of the picture. > Year 20 "So you say, Brother Cyrus and Brother Draven are going to be assigned to Rask soon?" you ask. "That's what I've heard from Brother Gray. Them and a few others. Next year at the latest." Murk says "What's the reason, from what I've heard it doesn't seem like the Empire has a good grip on Rask anyway." "Well that's sort of the point! By weakening the areas where the power isn't as strong it causes the Empire to divert resources from other places and making those much easier to bring down as well. We're going to need it too, Master Ebon was sure the Empire would've started another war with the Felkan Kingdom by now, but as it stands they're practically friends with them, well as much as the Empire can be. Oh well there's still time I suppose." "We don't have that much time, we should push things along in our favor with some international incidents." Brother Shade says. "In fact, I'm going to mention that to Master Ebon next time I see him." "You don't think that he hasn't already thought of such a plan?" Talia asks. "Perhaps, but let's just say I've been here a little longer than the rest of you, and while I know Master Ebon is just waiting for the right time to strike, he's been playing the waiting game a little longer than I think is necessary. In fact I think he's been playing it so long that maybe his vision has become clouded from certain opportunities." This statement from Brother Shade gets a lot of looks, but nobody says anything. The shock is too great. Even you are surprised as this is the first time you believe you've heard something close to an open criticism about Master Ebon or the leadership structure in general And that's something you can definitely use. Soon after his statement Brother Shade leaves to attend his duties. "Brother Shade should watch how he talks about Master Ebon. Ebon speaks directly to Dendrin on a daily basis and knows best on how to proceed." Murk remarks. "Then why did you not speak up, instead of just sitting there?" Sister Bianca asks. "Uh...well..." "Always trying to impress the ladies, eh Murk?" you chuckle and take your leave as well to go seek out Brother Shade, he hasn't gone far and you catch up with him in the hallway. Fortunately nobody else is around. When you get his attention he's not exactly cordial. "Oh it's you, what do you want, I have duties to attend to brother." "Nothing excessively important brother, I just wanted to say you aren't alone." "Aren't alone in what?" Shade asks. "You aren't alone in how you feel. I think we should strike against the Empire now as well. All this waiting around isn't helping our cause." "Well I suggest if you want to help our cause, you keep your feelings to yourself brother and focus on your responsibilities...and your magic skills." "But brother, you said..." "Nevermind what I said! I spoke in haste to a bunch of snot nosed shadows that barely know what it truly means to serve Dendrin. Now leave me be!" Shade at this point pushes you aside and walks off. Well that didn't go like you hoped; still, you can report this to Mr. Mol who you have to meet in a few days anyway. When you meet Mr. Mol at the usual spot, you tell him everything you know as usual. "So, planning to destabilize Rask, eh? Well I'll see what we can do about that...tell me have you heard any plots involving orcs?" Mr. Mol asks. "Mmm, I don't believe I have. I would've told you." "Okay then, maybe it's not related, but some of our orcish troops have been getting restless lately, mostly those stationed in Rask too. If we had proceeded with our invasion of the Felkan Kingdom like we wanted, we could've thinned out their ranks a little. As much as we need them in the far northern reaches of Rask right now, I fear that having them all in a large group is asking for trouble. I guess we'll transfer some to Nalin, I hear they're having problems with the usksha nomads and kobolds down there. Speaking of the Felkan Kingdom tell me about this plot to start a war with them." "There isn't one, so much as there have been suggestions to do so by a Brother Shade." "Ohhh, dissention in the order. I like it. So is this guy losing his faith or something?" "I do not believe its that more so that he feels Master Ebon is being too cautious. He wants to strike now and he knows that Ebon's plan hinged on the Empire being distracted with the Felkan Kingdom, so he suggested starting one ourselves in passing, though when I approached him about how I agreed that we were being too cautious, he told me to not speak of it again and to leave him alone." "We can still possibly use this. The fact that he mentioned it says that he's thinking about it, even if he himself isn't totally committed to the idea. Try to speak to him some more on the subject of starting a war with the Felkan Kingdom." "But if he does want to go through with the plan, won't starting a war with the Felkan Kingdom be exactly what they want?" "Well, it's a gamble to be sure, but quite frankly we were going to invade the Felkan Kingdom again anyway, but...ha ha I got it." Mr. Mol says with a big grin on his face. "Okay forget what I told you about speaking with Shade, I've just gotten a better idea. I'm going to have to discuss this with a few others and the order is going to have to come from the Emperor himself, but I'm pretty sure he'll agree to this." "What the plan?" "I think we should send several Shadow Guard into Felkan territory to assassinate their king and other high ranking officials. We should even demand the best. This will occupy some of the shadows and hopefully this puts the Felkans in a state of chaos as well. While this operation is taking place, I doubt the remaining shadows will act just yet with several of their best fellows gone. In the meantime, we can start wiping out those safe houses and dissident hideouts you've been giving us the locations to over the years. This will no doubt alert what remains of the shadows that we're on to them at this point, but it won't matter. Thanks to you, we also know the exact location of Gloom and let's just say we've got some allies that can help us with that underground fortress." "That sounds like a good plan." "Thanks, just thought of it, but like I said, I need to speak with a few others first. As usual I'll be in touch, but all you need to do for now is go about your usual duties within the Shadow Guard. You've done excellent work as usual." Mr. Mol shakes your hand as you part ways and you feel a great sense of pride in your accomplishments. You also feel better that this charade may all come to an end soon and you'll be free of masquerading as a shadow. When you get back to Gloom, Brother Shade suddenly surprises you on your way back to your bunk. "Hey you, where have you been?" he demands to know. You're so taken by surprise; all you do is stumble over your words. "Uh...well..." "Uh huh. Probably slacking with some cheap tart as usual. I know you sneak off sometimes to the nearby villages. I know you're young and full of hormones, but you know very well that making yourself unclean with non-shadows is frowned upon." "I...I'm sorry, Brother Shade." You say. "Well you can ask for Dendrin's forgiveness in your prayers later, right now I want to discuss something with you. Come with me." You follow Brother Shade through the winding halls of Gloom until you eventually reach a small empty storage room. After doing a quick perusal, closing the door and casting a cloak of shadows spell, he speaks to you again. "Okay, it's safe to speak. You and me are going to start a war with the Felkan Kingdom." "What...you spoke to Master Ebon, about this?" "Yes, and the old fool is too set in his ways just as I thought he would be. Says it's too risky. Bullshit. What better time than now?" "Well I suppose, but...uh...just us?" you say in an attempt to stall. "As far as I know you're the only one who feels we need to do something now and I can't wait around and investigate if others feel like you do. Besides we can easily do this. I know your shadow magic is weak, but your fighting skills are excellent." You didn't expect this. "Okay, so just us...sure. Dendrin shrouds us in protective darkness right? We can easily assassinate the Felkan king..." "Hold on there brother. Now we're just starting a war, not destabilizing the government. Well, not their government anyway. Heading deep into Felkan territory to kill their leader isn't necessary and will just serve to waste time. No, we just need to go in, make a statement and get out. Maybe take out a large portion of one of their outposts and leave a maimed survivor to tell the tale." Sounds like Brother Shade has already planned this out. The problem is his plan doesn't exactly fit your own. Mr. Mol wants to assassinate the Felkan King and possibly some other high ranking types. It'll also bide a little time for him to get things in place. Brother Shade's plan probably won't throw the Felkan Kingdom into chaos, but will serve to anger them and that might distract the Empire too much if the Felkans are focused. Who could've thought starting a war would be so precise? In any event, you agree to Shade's plan and he says the pair of you will head to the village of Venji in the Arat province near the Felkan border. From there, you'll cross the Felkan border and infiltrate the nearest Felkan outpost to carry out the plan. When you ask about the others, Shade dismisses the consequences of his fellow shadows. He says when things have been set in motion they will have no choice but to accept the reality. He then mumbles about there possibly being some more changes before leaving. Of course you don't want to carry out that plan, so you're going to have to kill Brother Shade on the way. Not exactly an easy task, so you might try reporting him to Master Ebon or Brother Gray instead and try to have him taken care of using the shadow's own code of conduct. > You kill Brother Shade His plan is going to mess everything up and reporting him probably will just result in him getting scolded and he'll sneak off later anyway. You need to kill him. It's part of your overall goal anyway. The next few days you spend mostly in the training room, trying to get yourself ready for what will probably be a grueling battle. Quite frankly if you do it right, you won't have to fight him at all as you're going to try to catch him completely with his guard down, but if that doesn't work, you're going to have a struggle on your hands and you need to be prepared. Brother Shade helped directly train your magic skills, so as usual you're hoping your combat skills will be the deciding factor, but your major advantage will be the element of surprise. You make sure your blade is extra sharp and your arm crossbow is in good working condition. You fully expect Dendrin to harass you in your dreams, but that doesn't happen. When the day finally arrives you and Brother Shade take your leave of Gloom and head to Venji. Brother Shade and yourself travel under the cloak most of the time, though up keeping such magic is tiring business, so you rest a few times on your way. During your time together, you find out more about Brother Shade's thoughts. He goes on about how Master Ebon is not fit to speak for Dendrin anymore. Shade believes the old man isn't even in contact with Dendrin anymore as Shade knows that Dendrin would not want to wait any longer for the shadows to live under Empire rule. Shade knows that Dendrin would want action to be taken right now and that only those that prove themselves to be proactive in these times will be rewarded when the dust finally settles. You can't speak for Ebon, but from what you can tell, Shade doesn't really know shit what Dendrin really wants. You don't either, but then you aren't one of his blind sheep that follows his orders. Still, it's somewhat fascinating to see one of the shadows not fall completely in step with the rest. If Mr. Mol hadn't suggested his idea, you probably would've gone through with Shade's mission and try to sew a little more dissension on both sides to flame the fans of a shadow civil war. As it stands though, he needs to die, but you're still trying to build yourself up to do it. You have no idea why either, you've had the opportunity a few times and you're far enough away from civilization since you've been sticking to the back roads. Eventually the humble village of Venji is in sight, and you're going to have to kill Shade soon. You think you're going to pass the village, but Shade starts heading towards it. "We're not actually entering it are we? So far we've managed to stay out of sight." "And we'll continue to do so, I can maintain the cloak, but if you're feeling weak you stay here. I'll be back soon anyway." "But why are you going into the village?" "Because there's bound to be a couple of Empire soldiers stationed there. We're going to need a couple of disguises." "You're going to kill Empire soldiers?" "Yes, and why is that a problem?" It's not. Actually it's a perfect excuse for you. "No, I just didn't know the entire plan. I guess I'll wait here I am feeling a little drained from the magic and I wouldn't want to jeopardize the mission." You answer. Brother Shade grunts and turns his back to you, and just before he cloaks again, you raise your arm and fire your crossbow at him. Your aim is true and the bolt lands directly into the back of his skull. He's dead even before he falls face first into the ground . It's done and it was so quick. He didn't suspect anything or even see it coming. Now you've got to get rid of the body and think up a story. Nobody saw you leaving together, you made sure of that, but you've both been gone awhile. You figure you'll think of something on your way back to Gloom. You strip Shade of his robe, weapons, then you cut off his head and dig a small hole to toss it into along with his robe and weapons. You figure nobody is going to recognize him now and that's not even counting the wolves or other wandering animals that will probably find the body to feast on first. When you finally get back, you get several people asking you where you've been. "Where in Dendrin's name have you been? You just left without reporting to Brother Gray for assignment!" Brother Murk exclaims. "I was doing my usual patrols in the Quala province. I didn't think I was being switched from them any time soon, so I just left. Was it a problem?" "Well sort of, Brother Shade is missing as well, you weren't with him were you?" "No, I wasn't, I haven't seen him since I left Gloom a couple days ago either." "Okay, well you're going to need to explain that to Master Ebon, he believes Brother Shade went and did something rash." "Oh? Like what?" "Like defying Master Ebon and the will of Dendrin. Anyway, you better hurry to Master Ebon's office." You do as Murk suggests. You just hope you can convince him as easily. You enter Master Ebon's office and see him, Brother Gray AND Cyrus. You can guess what the first two are doing here, but you don't know why Cyrus would. He's giving you a dirty look from underneath his hood as usual. "At last, we can get to the bottom of this." Brother Gray remarks. "I certainly hope so, because there are some serious allegations going on and conspiracy in the air." Master Ebon says while looking at you. "I'm telling you I saw the pair of them together several times and the day they both left, he made sure to leave several minutes after Brother Shade." Cyrus remarks. And there it is. Cyrus is on to you, well maybe not entirely, but apparently he was skulking around spying on you when you thought nobody was looking. And here you were thinking he was on assignment or with his boyfriend most of the time. "So what if I left several minutes after Brother Shade? What does that prove? Am I supposed to wait hours? A day? What would be enough time for you? And what's this all about anyway? What did Brother Shade do?" "Oh like you don't know." "Brother Cyrus, quiet!" Master Ebon says before continuing. "And to answer your question, I'm sure you're aware of Brother Shade's recent behavior and his desire to move things along as far as our plan goes. He approached me not too long ago, about starting a war with the Felkan Kingdom, I told him no and he got very angry. Then he disappears for a few days when I specifically told him to stay here and concentrate on his prayers to Dendrin. We believe he's gone and tried to do this himself. You being gone without reporting to Brother Gray wouldn't normally be held to such scrutiny, but Cyrus here has said he's seen you speaking with Brother Shade several times before his disappearance." "So I shouldn't have spoken to him? I can't be the only one that spoke to him before he disappeared." "Yes, but you are the only one that left without reporting to Brother Gray first, not to mention up until then I've been told that you and he never interacted much. All of this seems very suspicious and it grieves me something like this is being brought to me, especially when so much is at stake right now." You're trying to remain as calm as possible, but the pressure is on. Cyrus looks on with a faint smug expression like he's anxious to see you get into trouble. You need to come up with an explanation and you aren't sure if outright lying is going to help you. Maybe you should tell them the truth...up to a point of course. > You stick with your lies If you tell them you killed Brother Shade because of what he was planning to do, the first thing Master Ebon is going to ask is why you didn't report it to him sooner and you're libel to get yourself into more trouble. The best thing to do is just lie; after all it's what you've been doing the whole time you've been here. "I tell you honestly and under the ever watchful gaze of Dendrin, that I was on my usual patrol in the Quala province...but..." "But what?" Master Ebon asks. "Well, I'm embarrassed as I have strayed from Dendrin's lessons in restraint." "What're you talking about? Speak!" "I...uh was with a woman. A couple of them in fact..." This explanation isn't one any of them expected. "In fact that's why Brother Shade was speaking to me so much, he said he knew about my dealings with women of uh...low moral fiber and told me to stop it at once. I did and I tired, but when he left I assumed he was going on his own usual assignment in the Delerg province and wouldn't know if I left to go meet with my...uh favorites..." At this point Master Ebon puts his hands over his face. Brother Gray gives you a stern look, and Cyrus starts shaking his head. "No, I don't believe that. He's lying!" he says. "Brother Cyrus I told you to be silent! I won't tell you again!" Master Ebon snaps. "I'm not lying! In fact I assumed that's partly why I was being called in here, I figured Brother Shade somehow found out I'd been whoremongering again and told all of you." "Well you didn't need Brother Shade to tell on you, because you've done a fine job of it yourself!" Brother Gray remarks. "I'm very disappointed in you." Master Ebon stands up at this point. "Okay, enough. Obviously the only thing you're guilty of is not keeping your dick in your robes. We've got more important things to worry about though. Brother Shade is still missing and possibly going to ruin our plans because of his own foolish impulsiveness. I want all available shadows to go searching for him and for Dendrin's sake keep this dead silent! We don't need the Empire suspecting anything." "Understood, I'll inform them now." Brother Gray says and leaves. Master Ebon then stares at Cyrus. "Well? What're you still doing here? Go find Brother Shade!" "But what about him? I know he's lying and hiding something! My instincts tell me I'm right!" "And I suggest you stop listening to your instincts and start listening to Dendrin's orders. Now I know you thought you were protecting the order, but I would remind you that falsely accusing a brother is considered forbidden. Next time you get the urge to do so, I'd advise you to have better proof or else it'll be YOU who is in here facing the judgement of Dendrin. Dismissed." Cyrus is obviously angry at this verdict, but merely nods and leaves. You're about to as well, but Master Ebon calls you back. "Oh no, you stay. I'm not done with you just yet. There are still a few questionable things about your story and the only reason why I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt is because I hardly believe Brother Shade would've asked you of all people to help him. His open criticism of your shadow magic abilities displayed exactly how he felt about you, which wasn't very fondly. I believe he would've asked Sister Dusk if he would've asked anyone to help him considering that was his lover. She's already been cleared though. And speaking of lovers, I'd warn you to cease your whoremongering RIGHT NOW. If I find out you've relapsed, you'll be undergoing the long abandoned ritual of the sexless shadow. I'll let your imagination fill in the details." You give a minor wince and nod. "Understood, Master Ebon. I shall pray for Dendrin's forgiveness and strength to guide me." "Very well, now go help your siblings search for Brother Shade." You leave Master Ebon's office and you don't get far when Cyrus suddenly appears next to you. "You think you're really clever don't you?" he sneers. "Shouldn't you be helping in the search for Brother Shade instead of spying on me?" you reply. "The search for Brother Shade...hah...that's a laugh. I think we both know what happened to him." "Well if you know then maybe you should tell Master Ebon, because I sure don't know." "Yes, play your little game. But I know you...we're Eternals and we grew up together long enough for me to know you're hiding something. I've noticed you leaving and disappearing during your off hours, this incident with Brother Shade isn't the only thing you've been hiding. Something is going on." "Cyrus, why the hell are you stalking me? Things not going well with Draven or something? Well I'm not interested, in case you haven't been paying attention, my preference is female whores, not boys." "Cute, but I'm going to find out what you're up to, and when I do Dendrin himself will see who you truly are." Cyrus says and then walks briskly past you. "Oh I think Dendrin already knows better than any of you who I truly am, which is why all of you are fucking idiots for following a god that doesn't give a shit." You mutter quietly. > Time passes... Year 21 "So do you think you'll be going on the assassination mission?" Talia asks. "I dunno, I think I'm still under watch for my past indiscretions." You reply. "Oh come on, even Master Ebon can't believe you're going to find some Felkan trollop to lay with while on your way to kill the king!" Murk laughs. You give a small chuckle and go back to poisoning your bolts. When Mr. Mol explained to you that the plan was going through, you wondered if you were going to be one the assassins. Mr. Mol said he was leaving it up to the Shadow Guard to pick "their best" as requesting you, might give you away especially given the mess you told him that followed with Shade. Mr. Mol congratulated you on how you handled that and as far as that event is concerned to the Shadow Guard, it's still a mystery. His body was never found and it's known he didn't start a war with the Felkan Kingdom. The general consensus is he just left never to return due to his disagreement with Master Ebon. Brother Murk remarked on the irony that if he'd only waited a little longer, he could've been one of those sent to kill the Felkan King now. In any event you know the plan on both sides. As soon as the assassination mission is underway the Empire is going to start purging the shadow safehouses and all known dissidents before moving on to Gloom. From what you know, orc troops are going to be used liberally in this. Mr. Mol said it will thin out the ranks and put their restlessness more at ease. He also mentioned that he's going to be sending in some of your former classmates as well. Your mission will differ dep

ending on where the Shadow Guard send you. If you're going on the assassination, then you'll carry that out, but it will also be you job to eliminate all the rest of the shadows with you. If you're left at home, then it'll be your job to start sabotaging Gloom and taking out any shadow that gets in your way in the process. Mr. Mol mentions that some allies that owe the Empire a favor will be taking down the brunt of Gloom. Master Ebon has decided to make the move when the Felkan War is in full swing. Fortunately their plan to destabilize Rask was abandoned as all shadows were "suddenly" transferred out of there by decree of the Emperor. The Shadow Guard's plan won't even get off the ground if all goes well, at best, there will be a few major battles and then the hunting of escapees. Everything should go well for the Empire. The only perpetual pain is Cyrus. He's only gotten more hostile since the Shade incident and even more so when he found out he wasn't being sent to Rask. He claimed it was your fault and the pair of you had to be separated. He didn't make any more accusations further than that, but he knows something is going on. You're guessing he'll probably be one of those on assassination mission. If he's not around and you're left behind, it'll make your job a whole lot easier without the possibility of him spying on you. Then again if you're both on the mission, it'll give you an excellent chance to kill him, because at this point you want to as much as he probably wants to kill you and that idea certainly appeals to you. Later that day you pay a visit to Brother Gray. "Can I help you brother?" he says looking up from his desk. "Brother Gray, I know you're still disappointed with my indiscretions, but I would like to prove myself that I am dedicated to Dendrin's laws and commandments and I feel the best way to do that is to be on the assassination mission. I've even been practicing my shadow magic and while it isn't as strong as say Sister Talia's, I'm confident that it will be sufficient for the mission." "Hmmm, well you were being considered, but you were still on the fence as it were. As for me being disappointed, you shouldn't have been concerned with that, so much as you should've been concerned with offending Dendrin. However, if it puts you at ease, I ceased being disappointed a while ago. I've noticed that you've been more focused lately, so I know you're trying to atone for your actions. It's mainly why I was considering you for the mission. As for your skills, I'm still baffled to as why your magic abilities aren't as strong as they should be, but I suppose your combat abilities make up for it and I think you'd be more than suitable for the mission in that regard, but I'm a little more concerned with sending you on any mission with Brother Cyrus since he is being considered as well. I'd rather not risk jeopardizing the mission, so I need to leave one of you here." It's apparent that whether you stay here or go on the mission that you probably won't be dealing with Cyrus, which is a little disappointing and a minor reason to as why you wanted to go on the assassination mission in the first place. "I understand brother and I accept your judgment." You say humbly. "Well I don't have the final say, that honor belongs to Master Ebon and he ultimately answers to Dendrin as do we all. He will determine if you're worthy or not, but I'll see what I can do for you. So is that all brother?" "Yes. I shall take my leave and return to my duties." You leave Brother Gray's office, shaking your head at it all. Not about the mission, but more about the fact that Brother Gray still believes very much in you. In fact other than Cyrus and perhaps Draven you still can't believe how you're so accepted here, it never seems real to you. You can't be exactly sure, but you think Talia has been examining you as a potential mate. Especially after all that business of you sleeping with countless whores became public knowledge. You can only guess she figures you've got a lot of experience, well that and the only other Eternal around is gay. Even Master Ebon hasn't doled out any harsher punishment on to you more than what he did during your false confession. If you were in his shoes, you would've had yourself executed for the slightest possibility that you were involved in Brother Shade's disappearance. Strange that the shadows' treacherous nature would be so blind to someone so close to bringing them down. Their deity Dendrin hasn't spoken to you in any dreams lately, or for quite awhile actually. Perhaps he got tired of taunting you or whatever game he's playing. Though perhaps he's lulling you into a false sense of security. You still always expect him to visit you any time you sleep. Of course maybe that's part of his way of fucking with you as well. In any case, you return to your room and engage in your routine fake behavior of friendship. You'll be so glad when this will be over, it sickens you when you actually start feeling like you're actually friends with these traitors rather than crushing them under foot in the Emperor's name. A couple days pass and you get called to Master Ebon's office and when you get there, you also see Talia, Murk, Bianca and Dusk. He mentions that you've been chosen to go on the mission. He wasn't sure at first, but after Brother Gray's recommendation on your behalf and after consulting Dendrin for a sign, he says that you were chosen instead of Cyrus. He goes on to say he hopes that the pair of you straighten your feelings out soon, because there is going to be a great need for solidarity more than ever after this mission. Master Ebon also goes on to explain that Sister Dusk will be in charge of this mission and that you all will defer to her experience. Ebon brings up a bit of a change in the mission too, a change you're not too pleased to hear. "We're not assassinating the Felkan king. Dendrin showed me that our cause would be best served by deliberate incompetence." "What?" you ask out loud, feeling a very real sense of having heard this plan before a year ago. "Killing the king would only throw the Felkans into disarray. We want them to be focused when they declare war on the Empire. Instead I want you to infiltrate the palace, kill a few guards and then get out as if it was a failed assassination attempt. This will definitely alert the Felkans to start beating their war drums and it hinders the Empire's own plans. You all will be assumed dead by the Empire for obvious reasons, but in reality you will just return to us and will have to stay out of sight... which shouldn't be too hard given our nature. When you do return, we shall put the final part of our plan in motion when the Felkans retaliate." Maybe he's not visiting you in your dreams anymore, but he's definitely still fucking with you. Now you've got two things to take care of personally. You have to kill the shadow squad AND the king. Master Ebon tells you that the mission will be underway in the next few days and dismisses the lot of you. "Hey you got in after all!" Murk says after you leave the office. "I'm glad, you certainly deserve it." Talia adds with a smile. When you return to your barracks, a death glare comes from Cyrus and Draven doesn't look too happy with you either. The pair of them immediately leave the room. You can only imagine that he's super pissed because you've been chosen to go on the mission rather than him. You wouldn't be surprised if he tried to kill you in your sleep tonight. Not that you're going to get any sleep, since you're going to be up all night trying to figure out how you're going to pull off your additional assignment. The day soon arrives and everyone gathers in the assembly hall to see you off. Master Ebon makes a small speech. "Brothers and sisters of the shadow, today is truly the beginning of the end for the Empire. These five have been chosen by Dendrin to carry out his plan. May their mission be a success and may all of them get back safely so that they may help the rest of us continue the fight at home. And if they should fall, know that they fall for a worthy cause and will pass from this world to serve in Dendrin's shadow realm forever and there is no greater honor." "Death to the Empire! For Dendrin!" Master Ebon shouts and everyone else follows suit, then the five of you leave. The first part of the trip to the Arat province is fairly laid back and the usual friendly banter goes on during this time, though Sister Dusk is consistently telling the rest of you to knock it off as your minds should be more focused on this mission. You've never really had too much interaction with Dusk before, but it is apparent to as why she was Shade's lover. She seems very much like him in some ways. Yes, this mission is starting to feel all too familiar. In between the party banter, you've been coming up with various potential plans. One plan involves continuing the mission and during the infiltration of the palace you'll try to kill them or get them killed by the guards. This allows you to get inside the palace with their help and you're still in a good position to try to kill the king, of course this also means you're going to have to be quick if you want to kill everyone without anyone getting away. The other plan would be to try to convince Dusk to split up the group and meet up at the Felkan palace. This would allow you to pick off a few of them before you get to the palace and perhaps make it more manageable. The problem is you're going to have to come up with a good excuse, not to mention you'll be a few bodies short in case you do run into trouble with the Felkan soldiers. Never mind the fact you're going to have to convince Dusk of this in the first place. > You continue with the original plan Too complicated and too much can go wrong. It'll probably be better to just play it by ear. You're fairly confident that so much will be going on that you'll be able to pull it off. The next part of the journey is your first big step. Crossing into Felkan territory. This is actually very easy. The outposts aren't nearly as well guarded as they should be and combined with sticking to the wilderness and using magic to cloak yourself and its incredibly simple. The five of you camp out in a secluded wood where Sister Dusk addresses the situation. "Okay, now this is focus time. The Felkan capital Dessle, is still a long way to go, but I think we can get there by tomorrow night. It's just as well since night is when we work best. Now remember we're just breaking in, killing some guards and getting out. Don't actually kill the king, assuming we run into him. Good thing we don't have to, it's not like we exactly have a map of the palace to go hunting him down." "Can't we just take out one of those outposts we passed by? I mean it would still start a war." Murk jokes, but Dusk isn't amused. "Brother, I suggest you stop joking about such things, you know the reason why, we're doing things the way we're doing them, but more importantly Dendrin wants it done this way!" Now get some rest, we're going to need to be at full strength tomorrow." Murk shuts up and mentally chalks up yet another way he embarrassed himself in from of Bianca. You also make mental notes, namely on who you should kill first. You wonder if you should take out the strongest or weakest first. You could probably easily dispatch Murk and Bianca without too much trouble. You aren't aware of Dusk's full abilities, but you know she is at least accomplished as Shade was. Talia, however is an Eternal and you know how strong she is. "You thinking about how you're going to handle things if everything goes wrong?" Talia suddenly asks. "Huh? Oh. Yeah I guess you could say that." "Figured. You're always deep in thought, I've noticed you've been doing that a lot lately, especially at night in your bed." "Hm, glad to see Cyrus isn't the only one spying on me." You answer. "I wasn't really spying, so much as I was studying you, besides I think you noticed that I was." "Yes, I did notice." "Of course you did, because you're always alert. You're always aware. And I think you know of my desire." Talia sits next to you very closely. While you were certainly aware of her interest, you didn't expect it right now! You react immediately to her advances. "Talia, stop for a moment. Do you really think this is a good idea right now?" "What better time than now?" You've heard that line before though the situation is completely different than the one a year ago. This state of affairs is a little weird even for you, considering you were thinking about killing her not a few moments ago. "Talia, I really don't think we have time for this. We need to get some rest, we've got a very important mission tomorrow." You reply. "Well it won't take that long will it?" "Won't take long?" "Well I mean I know you've been with all those trollops, and your goal there probably wasn't to make them feel good, but rather yourself. And I imagine you wanted to do that as quickly as possible. I don't need to be pleasured...I mean perhaps I will express some interest in it during the act and maybe we can try for fun if the mission goes well, but right now I just want your essence." "My essence? Wait a minute; you just want me to impregnate you?" "Well I want you to try. I suppose I should've come to you sooner with this, but I do see you as a potential mate. Even though we are all siblings and equals in the eyes of Dendrin, quite frankly WE..." Talia grabs your hand and puts it to her heart and then your own. "...are Eternals. We still have a bond that the others don't and you're the only one I believe is worthy for me. Our child will be an Eternal and a Shadow like us and we will raise him or her to follow Dendrin as we do. Now I believe you will come out of this mission alive and we will probably talk about our future together in greater detail later, but like you I also prepare in case something should go wrong. If you should fall in battle, then I want to at least have a part of you to live on through me." This was definitely not something you anticipated. All these years of managing to distance yourself emotionally from all of these traitors and it's been cracked within a few moments. Or maybe you still had the feelings and you never got rid of them, only buried them deeply. Doesn't matter, you're still left with the same problem, pangs of conscience. Weakness. Though perhaps it's due to Talia being a fellow Eternal that has caused it. She obviously hasn't abandoned all of her superiority complex. And she's right; you do still have a bond. You just wish she was on the right side, because you don't have time to convince her. You hope Dendrin's having a good laugh at all this, because this is the best twist yet. Bastard. You could decline her advances, no you SHOULD decline her advances, but for whatever reason you accept them. Maybe it's your weakness of will, maybe it's your hormones or maybe it's just your own twisted way of granting a dead woman her last request, even if she's unaware of it. The pair of you leave the camp far enough away, cast a spell for privacy and embrace. At least neither of you will die not knowing the pleasures of the flesh. You have to admit, you were always a bit curious. How funny that your reputation as a whoremonger couldn't have been any further from the truth. After it's over you both return and go to your bedrolls without speaking another word. You notice Sister Dusk sleeping against a tree and open one eye as if to let you know what you were up to, but she doesn't do anything else. Perhaps she understands the need for hasty copulation, having lost her own mate only a year ago. The next day, you set off. Murk tries to speak to you and makes a few comments about noticing that Talia was eyeing you a lot yesterday, but you tell him to leave it alone and focus on the mission. Dusk tells him the same thing when she sees him jabbering on as usual. As for Talia, she hasn't spoken to you, though perhaps her mind is focused on the mission like it should be. Where your mind should be actually. You try to get back your focus and are finding it difficult. What are you supposed to do now? Throw everything away just for a one night with a woman? Even if she is an Eternal and you could reconcile yourself with being a traitor, you don't fit in with the shadows and you never will. You've done too much to go back and the shadows are doomed at this point anyway. No, the Emperor and the Empire need you, and that's who your life is dedicated to, nobody else. You spend the remainder of the journey cloaked and sticking to the less populated parts of the Felkan kingdom, though you eventually reach the capital and sneak over the walls of the city. Fortunately night is falling by that time. While you're still struggling with your own dilemmas you do take the time to notice how much different the Felkan society is. A lot less soldiers first of all, though their soldiers all carry gunpowder based weapons in addition to their normal weapons. In fact their whole society is slightly more technologically advanced than the Empire, but that won't mean anything compared to the sheer might of the Empire when they bring their full force to bear down on the Felkans. You hope that you'll perhaps be part of that after crushing the shadows. Eventually the five of you are just outside the palace walls of where you presume the king is located. It is here where Dusk addresses the group again. "You all know the plan, get in, cause some havoc, don't kill the king and get the hell out. Still, I think we'll do a better job with the last part if we're not all bunched up as a group. I want some of us to go to the other side of the palace and start from that side, the soldiers and guards will be less likely to gang up on all of us that way. I'd say about thirty to forty five minutes should do it and afterwards, we'll meet up at that wood where we made camp yesterday, then we'll continue the rest of the journey back to Gloom from there. Now I just need someone to volunteer to come with me and the rest of you can scale the palace wall here." Well it looks like your original plan of trying to split up the group is going to come true after all, the question is do you want to take care of Dusk first or whoever decides to be on the second team? > Volunteer to go with Dusk This is a perfect time to get Dusk alone, so you immediately volunteer. "I'll go, unless you'd prefer someone else." You say. "No, you'll do. Come on, we're going around to the other side, as for the rest of you, wait about five minutes before scaling that wall, afterwards, I leave you to use your best judgment on how to handle things. May Dendrin's shadow keep you safe." You and Dusk leave the group and hurry as fast as possible to the other side of the palace. When you arrive you both cast your spider walk spell to scale the wall. The pair of you find yourself on the edge of some sort of palace garden. Farther away, a couple soldiers stand guard on a stone patio area near an entrance to the palace proper where some steps lead up to. "Well that was certainly convenient. We can use all this shrubbery to hide in, give our magic a rest for a moment." Dusk says. "Great, I was getting drained anyway." You remark. "Oh I don't know brother, I think you've held up better than most give you credit for. I think after all this is over, I owe you a big apology." "What for? Until this mission, we've never interacted for good or bad." "Well let's just say someone told me to never trust you because you were responsible for Brother Shade's disappearance." "(Sigh) Cyrus." You say. "Yes, but I think your actions on this mission so far have disproved him...especially your meeting with Sister Talia yesterday. I believe if you really had any ill intent, you wouldn't have submitted to her plan to be impregnated." "Oh?" "Yes, Sister Talia has spoken to me about her plan to have you as a mate before, though I didn't think she'd act on it during the mission. Obviously you have some connection to her as well, I guess it's an Eternal thing. Anyway, let's get on with the mission." Sister Dusk slowly crawls through the bushes in the garden, steadily getting in range where she can take out the guards. Her back is to you and you slowly draw your blade. "You know these bushes are also good to hide bodies in so no wandering guards suddenly come across them." You say and suddenly grab Dusk roughly with one hand over her mouth and then slashing her throat deeply with your knife. Dusk attempts to flail about, but you keep her from doing too much of it, but putting all your weight on top of her body and slamming her face into the ground. The gurgling death sounds she makes are muffled by the soil, which is now being watered by her blood. Eventually she stops moving, but apparently it was enough to move the bushes enough that one of the guards noticed something odd. You see the both of them through the cover of the undergrowth approaching your position. You wait until they're close enough then stand up and throw your knife into the eye of one of them, and then before the other can lift his firearm, you fire your own bolt from your armbow. It strikes him in the chest and he falls down dead instantly. The one who got hit in the eye is still on the ground, groaning, but you quickly silence his moaning with a sword to his neck. You drag both of their bodies into the bushes to keep Dusk's body company. Now you just have to figure out where the hell the king is in this big place. Hopefully you'll bump into a servant or maybe even a royal family member who you can scare into giving you information, so you're not wandering around while more Felkan soldiers pour into the place. You systematically search nearly twenty rooms, which probably doesn't take you very long, but it feels like forever given how precious time is. You still can't believe you haven't run into any more soldiers yet, the Felkans seem to have a false sense of security with their superior weaponry and in general. About ten minutes pass of searching and while you're in a spare bedroom you hear noise and shouting. Something about there being assassins in the palace and to get the king to safety. Talia and the others must be doing their work, and now you've got even less time to do your job. You curse and cloak yourself in a dark corner of the room fully expecting a guard to step in, but instead you finally have a bit of luck. "Come on inside here, lock the door and got through the secret passage in here." A well-dressed young man says. "Are you sure? Shouldn't we be with the guards?" a young female in a fancy dress says, locking the door. "Nah, we'll be fine. These passages go all over the palace, even outside the city. The gnome builders did a good job of making sure this place had escape routes everywhere. Besides, you're with me and I'll protect you." The young man says patting a flintlock pistol by his side. He pushes the bed and feels around the floor until you see him open up some sort of hatch. He starts to climb down and that's when you make your move. The young man looks up just in time to see you materialize behind his girlfriend and slit her throat. He doesn't even get a chance scream out, when you use your unnatural speed to kick him in the face. He loses his grip on the ladder and falls. You follow him down by jumping down the hatch, landing on top of him hard feet first. A crack is heard and you're pretty sure you've broken one or two of his ribs. Despite the pain he must be in, he still tries to grab his pistol, but you easily take it from him and continue to kneel on top of his chest. He's too busy trying to catch his breath to be able to scream now. "Don't cry out and you might get out of this alive. You look like you might be important...you a royal or a noble or something?" He painfully nods and wheezes. "Okay, good then you probably know where the king is. Tell me or the pain you're feeling right now will become ten times worse." These royals must not have any sort of disciplined upbringing or even have the concept of honor at all, because the only thing the prevents him from telling you immediately is the extreme pain he's suffering. You're actually surprised he told you at all, you figured it would be a long shot. You also ask him where the exit to outside the city is from this passage and he tells you that as well. After you've gotten all you feel you need, you finish him off with a dagger to his throat. You run down the twisting dark passageway trying to look for the door that leads to the king's room, and eventually you find it. You search and listen to the door first, just in case the young royal wasn't as soft as he seemed and actually lied to you. You do hear some talking, but you can't quite make out what is being said. Having little other options you unlock the door and enter. You exit through a big painting and find yourself in a very luxurious room with very fancy furniture. Two figures, a man and a woman, in regal clothing stare at you in a mixture of terror and disbelief. Four more figures are dressed in standard guard gear. "GUARDS! ASSASSIN!" the male figure shouts at which point all his guards lift up their firearms and point them at you. You speed up again and duck as the musket balls fly in slow motion above your head. You return fire on your own with your armbow. The bolt flies true and it strikes the male figure in the head. You're going to take a guess that you just killed the king. You quickly run out of the entryway, before you even see his body hit the floor. A scream is heard from what is probably the queen as you run down the passage. The sound of guards chasing you soon follows. You feel like you're going to pass out just by running and stopping to fight them isn't an option, there's going to just be more of them and they'll easily overwhelm you in the state of exhaustion you're in. You're going to have to use your magic again, but that's part of the reason why you're feeling so drained. You've probably tapped into that blasted shadow magic more than you ever have for the past few days. While speeding yourself up seems like the logical thing to do, it drains you a lot more than merely cloaking yourself, which is aided by the natural darkness around you. You nip just out of sight and cloak yourself and continue on your way. You hear a couple guards shouting orders for some of them to go one way and they'll go the other. You can hear three of them heading in your direction, though they obviously can't see you and believe that you've ran so far ahead of them. You step into one of the passages entryways and hide, hoping they won't think to examine it. Fortunately after one of them briefly glances at the entryway and sees nothing has been disturbed, they all pass you by. You could try to pick them off now, or you could go through the entryway and hope it leads somewhere secluded so you can rest a bit more. > You dispatch the guards You can't afford to linger, you need to get out of here, if not only to escape but also to catch up with the other shadows so you can kill them before they reach Gloom. You head in the direction where the young royal you killed told you where an exit existed, or at least you hope it does. Along the way you see some of the guards up ahead still searching for you. Their backs are towards you, so it's a simple matter of picking them off even in your exhausted state. A bolt hits one in the head for an instant kill, by the time the second one turns around to see his partner slump to the floor you've already run up and dispatched him with a dagger to his throat. The third one shouts for help and attempts to fire his weapon at you. You feel the hot burn of lead graze the side of your leg before tackling him and shoving your sword through his chest. You quickly examine your wound which isn't life threatening, but it's enough to cause you to limp a bit. You can hear more guards heading your way, so you continue to press onward, hoping you'll get to the exit soon. Unfortunately you never make it. You're so tired from all your magic use that you're having trouble even staying awake, combined with the fact that you just used up your remaining energy dispatching those soldiers and your limp, you aren't going very far. You pass out before the soldiers even capture you. When you come to you find yourself in chains and in a cell. The regal woman you saw when you killed the king stands before you with several soldiers and a dagger in her hand. "Good, I wanted you to be awake for this. Soldiers, open his mouth. We'll start with his tongue first, I don't feel like hearing whatever lies or final attempts at taunts while I show this Empire scum the true meaning of pain." You attempt to struggle, you even bite part of a finger off, but it's about the last damage you ever do to anybody. Some of your teeth are knocked or pulled out and then your tongue soon follows. The woman...the queen as you come to learn is quite upset with you killing her husband, but even more upset that the young royal you killed was apparently her son. She mentions how bloodshed for its own sake or revenge is mostly frowned upon in the kingdom, but in your case she's making an exception. The queen puts you through a long list of agonizing tortures; she never does get the satisfaction of hearing you scream though. She begins to get angrier, which would cause you to laugh if you weren't suffering in silence. The suffering you feel isn't from the torture though, it's from the fact that you only half completed your mission. You can only hope that your deeds will be enough for the Empire to bring down the shadows and the Felkan Kingdom. It will have to be. Eventually, the queen tires of torturing you and orders her men to put an end to your misery by slitting your throat.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark] This is a perfect time to get Dusk alone, so you immediately volunteer. "I'll go, unless you'd prefer someone else." You say. "No, you'll do. Come on, we're going around to the other side, as for the rest of you, wait about five minutes before scaling that wall, afterwards, I leave you to use your best judgment on how to handle things. May Dendrin's shadow keep you safe." You and Dusk leave the group and hurry as fast as possible to the other side of the palace. When you arrive you both cast your spider walk spell to scale the wall. The pair of you find yourself on the edge of some sort of palace garden. Farther away, a couple soldiers stand guard on a stone patio area near an entrance to the palace proper where some steps lead up to. "Well that was certainly convenient. We can use all this shrubbery to hide in, give our magic a rest for a moment." Dusk says. "Great, I was getting drained anyway." You remark. "Oh I don't know brother, I think you've held up better than most give you credit for. I think after all this is over, I owe you a big apology." "What for? Until this mission, we've never interacted for good or bad." "Well let's just say someone told me to never trust you because you were responsible for Brother Shade's disappearance." "(Sigh) Cyrus." You say. "Yes, but I think your actions on this mission so far have disproved him...especially your meeting with Sister Talia yesterday. I believe if you really had any ill intent, you wouldn't have submitted to her plan to be impregnated." "Oh?" "Yes, Sister Talia has spoken to me about her plan to have you as a mate before, though I didn't think she'd act on it during the mission. Obviously you have some connection to her as well, I guess it's an Eternal thing. Anyway, let's get on with the mission." Sister Dusk slowly crawls through the bushes in the garden, steadily getting in range where she can take out the guards. Her back is to you and you slowly draw your blade. "You know these bushes are also good to hide bodies in so no wandering guards suddenly come across them." You say and suddenly grab Dusk roughly with one hand over her mouth and then slashing her throat deeply with your knife. Dusk attempts to flail about, but you keep her from doing too much of it, but putting all your weight on top of her body and slamming her face into the ground. The gurgling death sounds she makes are muffled by the soil, which is now being watered by her blood. Eventually she stops moving, but apparently it was enough to move the bushes enough that one of the guards noticed something odd. You see the both of them through the cover of the undergrowth approaching your position. You wait until they're close enough then stand up and throw your knife into the eye of one of them, and then before the other can lift his firearm, you fire your own bolt from your armbow. It strikes him in the chest and he falls down dead instantly. The one who got hit in the eye is still on the ground, groaning, but you quickly silence his moaning with a sword to his neck. You drag both of their bodies into the bushes to keep Dusk's body company. Now you just have to figure out where the hell the king is in this big place. Hopefully you'll bump into a servant or maybe even a royal family member who you can scare into giving you information, so you're not wandering around while more Felkan soldiers pour into the place. You systematically search nearly twenty rooms, which probably doesn't take you very long, but it feels like forever given how precious time is. You still can't believe you haven't run into any more soldiers yet, the Felkans seem to have a false sense of security with their superior weaponry and in general. About ten minutes pass of searching and while you're in a spare bedroom you hear noise and shouting. Something about there being assassins in the palace and to get the king to safety. Talia and the others must be doing their work, and now you've got even less time to do your job. You curse and cloak yourself in a dark corner of the room fully expecting a guard to step in, but instead you finally have a bit of luck. "Come on inside here, lock the door and got through the secret passage in here." A well-dressed young man says. "Are you sure? Shouldn't we be with the guards?" a young female in a fancy dress says, locking the door. "Nah, we'll be fine. These passages go all over the palace, even outside the city. The gnome builders did a good job of making sure this place had escape routes everywhere. Besides, you're with me and I'll protect you." The young man says patting a flintlock pistol by his side. He pushes the bed and feels around the floor until you see him open up some sort of hatch. He starts to climb down and that's when you make your move. The young man looks up just in time to see you materialize behind his girlfriend and slit her throat. He doesn't even get a chance scream out, when you use your unnatural speed to kick him in the face. He loses his grip on the ladder and falls. You follow him down by jumping down the hatch, landing on top of him hard feet first. A crack is heard and you're pretty sure you've broken one or two of his ribs. Despite the pain he must be in, he still tries to grab his pistol, but you easily take it from him and continue to kneel on top of his chest. He's too busy trying to catch his breath to be able to scream now. "Don't cry out and you might get out of this alive. You look like you might be important...you a royal or a noble or something?" He painfully nods and wheezes. "Okay, good then you probably know where the king is. Tell me or the pain you're feeling right now will become ten times worse." These royals must not have any sort of disciplined upbringing or even have the concept of honor at all, because the only thing the prevents him from telling you immediately is the extreme pain he's suffering. You're actually surprised he told you at all, you figured it would be a long shot. You also ask him where the exit to outside the city is from this passage and he tells you that as well. After you've gotten all you feel you need, you finish him off with a dagger to his throat. You run down the twisting dark passageway trying to look for the door that leads to the king's room, and eventually you find it. You search and listen to the door first, just in case the young royal wasn't as soft as he seemed and actually lied to you. You do hear some talking, but you can't quite make out what is being said. Having little other options you unlock the door and enter. You exit through a big painting and find yourself in a very luxurious room with very fancy furniture. Two figures, a man and a woman, in regal clothing stare at you in a mixture of terror and disbelief. Four more figures are dressed in standard guard gear. "GUARDS! ASSASSIN!" the male figure shouts at which point all his guards lift up their firearms and point them at you. You speed up again and duck as the musket balls fly in slow motion above your head. You return fire on your own with your armbow. The bolt flies true and it strikes the male figure in the head. You're going to take a guess that you just killed the king. You quickly run out of the entryway, before you even see his body hit the floor. A scream is heard from what is probably the queen as you run down the passage. The sound of guards chasing you soon follows. You feel like you're going to pass out just by running and stopping to fight them isn't an option, there's going to just be more of them and they'll easily overwhelm you in the state of exhaustion you're in. You're going to have to use your magic again, but that's part of the reason why you're feeling so drained. You've probably tapped into that blasted shadow magic more than you ever have for the past few days. While speeding yourself up seems like the logical thing to do, it drains you a lot more than merely cloaking yourself, which is aided by the natural darkness around you. You nip just out of sight and cloak yourself and continue on your way. You hear a couple guards shouting orders for some of them to go one way and they'll go the other. You can hear three of them heading in your direction, though they obviously can't see you and believe that you've ran so far ahead of them. You step into one of the passages entryways and hide, hoping they won't think to examine it. Fortunately after one of them briefly glances at the entryway and sees nothing has been disturbed, they all pass you by. You could try to pick them off now, or you could go through the entryway and hope it leads somewhere secluded so you can rest a bit more. > You go through the door As much as you'd like to get the hell out of here, you're in no condition to fight. You're practically on the verge of falling unconscious. You take a risk and open up the door. You step inside and find yourself in some sort man sized wooden structure, almost like a box. Upon further inspection the top of it opens up and it basically is a box, though its really just an elaborate structure to blend in with the other wooden boxes in the storage room you appear to be in. The storage room proper also consists of a lot of barrels and other assorted junk. It's not very big and the junk just makes it cluttered, though there is a single door that leads out. You have no intention of doing that though; you just need to rest a bit. You close up the passage entrance behind you and sit down in one of the corners of the "box" you're in. Yes, you just need to rest a moment, and then you'll be fine... You find yourself in total darkness without your senses again. "That last bit seems to have put you out. Just think how much easier this would've been if you had served me. Your magic wouldn't cause you to feel so drained and it would be a lot stronger as well. Of course if you were following me, you wouldn't be engaging in this elaborate duplicity." Dendrin says "Duplicity? Your worshippers are dedicated to duplicity! You accuse me of such things, when you are doing nothing but reveling in such behavior! I am merely serving the Empire as I was always meant to. You on the other hand are supposed to be a god to your followers yet you do nothing to warn them." you reply. "My reasons for how I treat my followers are my own and you are not worthy to know them." "Worthy...like the rest of your worshippers that blindly follow you into destruction?" "No...but are you really so much different? You follow the Emperor blindly and he is just a man, at least the shadows are wise enough to revere a superior being. You believe you are superior to the shadows, but you are not. You do not see the flaws and that is why you've earned no explanation. Not because you aren't a true shadow, but because of your own lack of vision. You will eventually see though, if not now then later. Of course by then it will be much too late. I'm sure we will speak again, no matter how much you deny me and crusade against the shadows, we will forever be linked...for as long as you're alive anyway." You suddenly wake up. After a moment of grogginess, you suddenly remember where you are. The Felkan palace! How long have you been asleep? You have no idea, but you've really dodged an arrow if nobody found you sleeping right in the heart of the enemy territory! You quickly open up the passage door again and it would appear that the coast is clear. Remembering what the young royal you killed earlier said you make your way to the exit that leads outside. Once again you expect there to be soldiers placed at the exit, but there are none. The Felkans must think you escaped already, either that or they're very poor at security, either one doesn't surprise you at this point. It's about noon, and you've undoubtedly kept your "fellow" shadows waiting, if they are still waiting at all. They probably think you were killed along with Dusk. You have no idea if they know anything about the assassination, but you're guessing they probably left before you completed your task. In any event, you've still got the job of killing them three and you don't know if you're going to get the chance now. Lacking a better idea, you head to the meeting point and hope that they're still there. You finally get there just as it starts to get late in the day. No Felkan patrols in the area, but you still cautiously enter the woods. You aren't completely out of luck as you see Murk pacing back and forth, looking around nervously. "Murk, where are the others?" you say, causing him to jump and nearly point his armbow at you. "Brother! You're alive! Thank Dendrin!" he says with a bit of joy, though he look visibly upset. "It wasn't easy, but where are the others?" "Talia went on ahead and assumed you and Dusk were dead. Bianca...she...(sniffle) didn't make it." He quickly wipes his eyes when he tells you. "Oh." "I don't understand, everything was going well and were already on our way to escaping, then all of a sudden there were Felkan soldiers everywhere! Bianca got shot in the back, by one of those infernal Felkan weapons! (sniffle) I know she didn't see me as a potential mate, but I always hoped one day that...(sob)...sorry brother...I know there are more important things right now." "It's understandable brother, but how long ago did Talia leave?" "She left not long after we arrived here which was this morning. She's probably already in Empire territory by now. I stayed just to make sure we hadn't lost any more people. I had to hope. I'm glad to see you alive, but I hesitate to ask... Dusk isn't with you. Did she fall as well?" "Yes." "(Sigh) Another loss. Well as grim as this has been, I suppose we should get used to it in the coming months when we finally strike against the Empire properly. There are going to be a lot of our brothers and sisters that will probably fall in the cause of Dendrin." "Well you're right and wrong about that Murk." You say, approaching him. "What do you mean?" "You're right that a lot of shadows will fall in the cause of Dendrin...you're wrong about thinking that I'd really consider any of you traitors to be my siblings!" you say and quickly grab him towards you and stab him in the stomach. The look of shock overwhelms him. "Wh...why broth...er...wh..." he sputters before you finish him off with a snap of his neck. You look down at Murk's dead body and you feel nothing for him. You remember the times you nearly killed him before, but hesitated. Perhaps this is a good sign that you're finally getting all these lingering feelings out of your system. Well three out of four were taken out, still not good enough though and you doubt if you'll get to Talia in time for her to make her report to Master Ebon or Brother Gray. Still you have to try, so you make your journey right away and leave the body of Murk behind. You push your magic to the limit to speed your yourself up, you just hope Talia isn't doing the same; it's going to be hard enough to track her. You're going to take a wild guess that she'll probably use the same route you took to get to the Felkan border, at least you hope so. Night falls and you've made good time by getting into Empire territory as quickly as you have, but you're getting incredibly exhausted. Even if you do get to Talia, you aren't even sure you'll have the energy to take her. You continue to press on though. "I will NOT be stopped by Dendrin's petty favor of magic. My mind WILL overcome and I WILL use the gifts he gave me against him!" You mutter to yourself. Night eventually passes into day again and you manage get just outside the town of Lenet which is the closest town to Gloom. You still haven't seen Talia, and can only hope she hasn't made it to Gloom yet. In the meantime you feel horrible at this point and on the verge of passing out. You decide to head over to a small river that you know nearby and hope that some water will perk you up or at least prevent you from falling unconscious again. You retch and cough the whole time you drag yourself to the river. Finally you collapse nearly face first into the damned river. You look at your reflection which is just inches away from your face and you nearly see a stranger looking back. "What the..." you say to yourself. Your reflection doesn't display the age that you know yourself to be, but rather that of an older you. You put your hands to your face and can feel the wrinkle lines. You hadn't been noticing before, but you look at your hands and see how weathered they look. This overuse of shadow magic has taken its toll on your body. You may have even shortened your life span, you have no idea. "Brother! What are you doing over there by the river? Are you sick?" you hear a familiar voice ask. You turn around and see Talia. You must've somehow unknowingly passed her in your rush to reach her, since she is coming from the same direction you were. When she sees you, her surprise nearly matches that of Murk when you killed him. "You're...alive! But...what happened to you? Your face! Some of your hair is white! What manner of magic did this?" she asks out of concern and begins to approach you. You look at Talia one last time as a fellow Eternal that once held the ideals of the Empire. There is so much you could say to her, but there really wouldn't be any point. Better to just get this over before you get overcome with feeling again. You forgot to reload your armbow, but fortunately you still have the flintlock that you took from the young royal. You hope it's reliable, because you don't have the energy to fight her. Without another word, you pull out the flintlock and shoot it straight at Talia's head. She falls instantly when she's hit. You slowly stagger up and walk over to her and see that a good portion of the top left side of her head has been blown off. The deadness in her eyes is apparent, as are the brains leaking out. Mission accomplished. You stumble into the town of Lenet and make arrangements for a carriage to take you to the capital. From there you hope you can contact Mr. Mol. For now though you're going to sleep the whole way there and hope you don't get some annoying visit from Dendrin, because as of now you've finally freed yourself of the shadows. As far as your concerned the only time you want to be in their presence again is to face them in battle as a proper enemy and you are looking forward to that in the near future. > Year 25 "Good work on destroying another shadow cell, the sooner we get them all, the sooner we can focus all our attention on the Felkan Kingdom." "I agree sir, especially since I would like to be involved in the conquest of the Felkans." "Heh, well I'm sure something will be found for you. I assume you'll report to someone else after this is over though." Mr. Mol says. This bit of casual news surprises you a little; you can't help but to question it. "Sir, where are you going?" "Me? Nowhere, but if you're referring to reporting to someone else, what I mean is if you are transferred to serve in the Felkan war, I probably won't be your superior anymore. You'd be a military matter as opposed to the unique situation you are now. Quite frankly if it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't be in charge of anyone. Even the new Eternal Project is in the hands of another now, has been for years." This seems like information that shouldn't be freely shared with a subordinate, but once again Mr. Mol says it so casually its like he doesn't care. He also notices that you're wondering if you should inquire further, but he stops you. "Don't worry about it. I spoke of things you needn't have known or have to concern yourself with. Let's focus on the task at hand." "Very well sir." You and Mr. Mol get back to the business of eliminating the remaining shadow cells. In some ways it is hard to believe that this is almost over. By your estimate there are probably only about thirty shadows left at best, most of them were killed three years ago during the destruction of Fortress Gloom. You wish you could've been involved in that, but for whatever reason, the Empire's allies took care of it by themselves. You never met or even saw these allies, but you heard that it was the Derro. You do know that Master Ebon and Brother Gray died in this assault, meaning someone else took control of the remaining shadows, and you know that had to be Cyrus. Cyrus and the surviving shadows managed to incite the pathetic remains of dissidents the Empire hadn't silenced yet, but nothing excessive thanks to the destruction of all those safe houses in advance. The only major cause of concern was very the minor orc revolt at a fort in Rask that was separate from shadow influence. It was lucky that Mr. Mol separated most of them with transfers and prevented the shadows from establishing any sort of presence there otherwise it might've been much worse. In any event this whole thing probably would've been over by now if the Empire's attention weren't also focused on the war with the Felkan Kingdom. Fortunately that's going well too due to their own internal strife going on with the crown. "From what I can tell, they've pulled out of all the other provinces and mainly retreated to Delerg. Somewhat predictable, but I suppose it's the best place for them to hide out right now. I've tried to get more soldiers posted there to help, but again the Felkan war takes priority. I wish I could've even got one of your former classmates to help, but well, I've mentioned the problem with that." "No matter, I'll handle it with what help I've got." "I know you can, but I've hired some extra hands anyway. I've got a dark elf mercenary attachment in Delerg I know they're supposed to be helping with the barbarian tribes in Rask, but I'm paying for this out of my own pocket and they'll go where the money goes. Besides I think this group is sick of the snow anyway." "If you think they'll help, then they'll be put to good use." You remark. "Their leader is called Tyren. Met him once and he's a typical svelk, arrogant and condescending. His mercenary band is currently at the town Sinkhole. You'll be meeting them there. Now I know you've worked with Empire soldiers and that's worked out okay, but working with the svelk will be different...though I imagine that won't be a problem for you. Just never turn your back on them and be on your guard." "I will as always, but now I must ask, will they be more of a liability than help." You ask. "No, I wouldn't have bothered if I thought that. It's just... well they're svelk and all that goes with it. A lot of bullshit posturing by them that's all. You'll be fine, anyway I suppose you'll want to get some rest before your trip to Delerg tomorrow. Carriage will pick you up tomorrow. That will be all." The next day you take the carriage to the Delerg province. It doesn't take long, but it does give you time to yourself, which you use to briefly reflect on the past few years and your possible future, among other things. When you get to Sinkhole it looks exactly like how the name describes it, half of the town in the swamp and the rest of looking like it's about to collapse. Still, you're not here to sight see, you're here to hopefully put down the remainder of the shadows for good. Since you're anxious to get this over with, you immediately head to the tavern where you're guessing the svelk are hanging out. You anxious to get this over with too, granted you've only had a single experience with one of their kind, but that was enough even without Mr. Mol's previous warnings. You enter the tavern, which isn't much better than the outside of it. The dark elven presence is unmistakable since they're the only ones in the place since they're the only ones in the place save for the poor bartender and the couple of waitresses. You'd guess that the svelk intimidated the usual patrons. You wonder why there aren't any Empire soldiers taking care of this, but again you remember, there aren't many stationed here and they're all probably at an outpost or a fort in the area. They see you and three of them approach. "Who let the monkey in? I thought their kind were content swinging in the trees in the jungles and swamps outside." One of them says "You must have some sort of balls walking into this place monkey. We thought we did a good job of scaring the rest away, except the bartender and his lovely wait staff of course." another says. "Lovely? If you like slumming I guess, but I suppose you males really will rut with anything won't you? Monkey, I suggest you leave, before my comrade's macho boasting is put into action." A female svelk remarks. You don't have time for this, and these mercenary svelk scum only respect one thing anyway. You don't like using it anymore, but you feel an impression must be made and you tap into your shadow magic. In lightning speed you punch the female svelk in the nose and stab the bragging male svelk in the leg and trip him face first into the floor. The third svelk raises his crossbow, but you use your own armbow to shoot a bolt right through his hand. The three svelk all lie on the ground nursing their wounds, meanwhile the rest of them haven't even moved to help their fellows, though a dark elf with long black hair speaks from the table he's sitting at. "So, I'm guessing you're our Empire contact. That traitor shadow we've heard so much about. I suppose your skills are impressive enough...for a monkey." "And you must be Tyren and don't address me as monkey again, let alone as a traitor shadow. I did not betray the shadows, they betrayed the Empire! I am an Eternal and loyal only to the Empire and the Emperor!" "Pity, you were more interesting as a traitor. Loyalty is overrated. Now...Eternal, if you're done beating up my people, I have information where the shadows have been hiding out at." "You already know where they are?" "Of course. We scoured most of this forsaken swampland as soon as that Mol guy hired us. Quite frankly it wasn't hard to find them, they're at some old temple dedicated to their god I think. Surprised the Empire with all it's resources couldn't do it, but then what do you expect from a government run by monkeys? Anyway, we've been waiting on you, Mol said that you'd want to take care of this personally. We're just here for back up, so when you want to take them out, let us know, until then let us get back to our drinks." "Wait, so what have the shadows been doing all this time?" "Hell if I know Eternal. They haven't been stirring up trouble if that's what you think though. As far as I can tell they've been doing their best to try to lay low, because they haven't left that ruined temple of theirs in weeks. I mean I suppose it's possible that some of them have been sneaking out to go elsewhere, but we've checked up on them a few times and the majority of them are still at the temple." "And you don't think that they don't know that you've been spying on them?" you ask. "Hardly. Perhaps you humans clumsily stomp around when spying, but we svelk have been doing it for centuries! Even some religious fanatics with shadow magic aren't going to detect us. Oh sure they probably know we're in the area, but that's about it. Trust me; we're still going to catch them by surprise when we slip into their sad little temple." Not exactly the kind of thing to fill you with confidence that the svelk are on top of things like their leader claims. Still, if the shadows haven't been causing any problems like Tyren claims, then striking against them now before they can do any sort of regrouping might be the way to go. > You invade the temple now Even if the svelk weren't as thorough as they claim, whatever defenses the shadows have or don't have aren't going to be enough to stop you anyway, so you decide to get this done with once and for all. "Alright Tyren get your people together, we're going right now." "Don't presume to order me about human. Just because you took down a few of my weaker subordinates does not put you in charge here." "No, the fact that I am on important Empire business and you're just hired hands DOES put me in charge. If you would prefer a more physical demonstration of my authority however, I can certainly oblige." Tyren gives you a look that he like to put you up to your threat, but common sense causes him to back down. Instead he forces a fake smile. "Sheesh, you Eternals are so damn serious about everything. Glad the Empire never cooked up more of your type. We'll be ready to go in a few minutes, large bar tab to settle up with you understand. Wouldn't want our sterling reputation be tarnished by not paying our debts." You shake your head and wait outside. Naturally the dark elves take a little longer than a few minutes, but eventually they emerge from the tavern and all of you are on your way. The journey deeper into the swamp is fairly uneventful. Despite the unfriendly nature of the terrain, there aren't any dangerous denizens in these swamps. The only creatures of any note are the Sul monkeys, which the dark elves continually make jokes about how humans are related to them. Tyren still gives you a glare every once in awhile, but that's to be expected given that you threatened his authority in front of his people. He probably had to reassert it after you left the bar to wait for them. Eventually you start getting closer to the temple and you wonder if you should cloak yourself, but there really isn't any point considering you're traveling with all these dark elves. Actually you're a little surprised you haven't sensed or detected any shadows skulking around. You'd think they'd at least want to patrol the outer perimeter of their temple. Between that and what Tyren told you, this behavior of the shadows has been very strange, unless they believe they can hide for another couple hundred centuries to get revenge. If that is the case, they've gone completely delusional. "We're here." Tyren says when you arrive within the sight of the temple. "This is very strange. I would've thought they would've had a patrol or even a look out standing outside the temple. Even if they were cloaked I would've sensed something." You reply. "Told you they haven't been seen leaving the temple that much, so how did you want to handle this?" You're a little amazed that Tyren openly asked for your advice. You tell him that when you get inside the temple to just be a little cautious as the shadows could be hiding anywhere insider it and maybe they set up traps inside. Tyren nods and relays a couple of orders in his native language to the rest of his people. All of you quickly move towards the temple entrance and suddenly you get that sense of something not being right, you at first figure it's the shadows about to decloak for a surprise attack. The reality is a lot worse. The shadows cloaked something, but not themselves. They cloaked some sort of explosive which more than a few dark elves bump into when approaching the temple. They go off immediately and cause a spectacular chain reaction. The only thing that saves you, is the fact that you speed yourself up just quick enough to avoid the majority of the blast. Even then the explosion still catches you and you're thrown into a tree at high impact several feet away. You're hurt bad enough that you've broken a few bones and you struggle to stand up. You fully expect a shadow to come leaping out from somewhere or Cyrus himself to appear, but that doesn't happen. In fact when you stagger back to the temple area, you see that it's practically collapsed on itself (along with the charred remains of a lot of dark elves). You have no idea if the shadows planned to destroy their own temple, but if there were any inside, it would be unlikely that they survived. Still, you can't take that chance, and you begin to limp over to the devastated temple. You hear a noise and swing around to defend yourself, but see that it's Tyren and a couple of his people. One of them looks in pretty bad shape, and Tyren himself looks a little worse for wear. "(Cough cough) Shit...certainly didn't expect that.' He says. "Well maybe if you'd done your job correctly your little band of mercs wouldn't be in pieces right now. Come on, we have to make sure all the shadows are dead. For all we know they aren't even here and this was just a set up." You reply and turn to head towards the temple. Maybe if you'd been thinking more clearly and weren't still a little scattered from the explosion, you wouldn't have turned your back on Tyren. However, you did and he took full advantage. You feel the piercing pain of the first bolt going into your back, followed by three more. You collapse to the muddy ground attempting to crawl away. You even try to use your shadow magic, but as fate would have it, it doesn't work. It would appear Dendrin's "favor" has been finally taken away. You're left with the question to as why now of all times and there are several answers that pop into your head, but the only one that comforts you is that perhaps he finally lost all power due to losing all his followers. You'll never know of course, just like you'll never know if the svelk will be punished for killing you when the next bolt goes into your skull.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist] Year 25 "Good work on destroying another shadow cell, the sooner we get them all, the sooner we can focus all our attention on the Felkan Kingdom." "I agree sir, especially since I would like to be involved in the conquest of the Felkans." "Heh, well I'm sure something will be found for you. I assume you'll report to someone else after this is over though." Mr. Mol says. This bit of casual news surprises you a little; you can't help but to question it. "Sir, where are you going?" "Me? Nowhere, but if you're referring to reporting to someone else, what I mean is if you are transferred to serve in the Felkan war, I probably won't be your superior anymore. You'd be a military matter as opposed to the unique situation you are now. Quite frankly if it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't be in charge of anyone. Even the new Eternal Project is in the hands of another now, has been for years." This seems like information that shouldn't be freely shared with a subordinate, but once again Mr. Mol says it so casually its like he doesn't care. He also notices that you're wondering if you should inquire further, but he stops you. "Don't worry about it. I spoke of things you needn't have known or have to concern yourself with. Let's focus on the task at hand." "Very well sir." You and Mr. Mol get back to the business of eliminating the remaining shadow cells. In some ways it is hard to believe that this is almost over. By your estimate there are probably only about thirty shadows left at best, most of them were killed three years ago during the destruction of Fortress Gloom. You wish you could've been involved in that, but for whatever reason, the Empire's allies took care of it by themselves. You never met or even saw these allies, but you heard that it was the Derro. You do know that Master Ebon and Brother Gray died in this assault, meaning someone else took control of the remaining shadows, and you know that had to be Cyrus. Cyrus and the surviving shadows managed to incite the pathetic remains of dissidents the Empire hadn't silenced yet, but nothing excessive thanks to the destruction of all those safe houses in advance. The only major cause of concern was very the minor orc revolt at a fort in Rask that was separate from shadow influence. It was lucky that Mr. Mol separated most of them with transfers and prevented the shadows from establishing any sort of presence there otherwise it might've been much worse. In any event this whole thing probably would've been over by now if the Empire's attention weren't also focused on the war with the Felkan Kingdom. Fortunately that's going well too due to their own internal strife going on with the crown. "From what I can tell, they've pulled out of all the other provinces and mainly retreated to Delerg. Somewhat predictable, but I suppose it's the best place for them to hide out right now. I've tried to get more soldiers posted there to help, but again the Felkan war takes priority. I wish I could've even got one of your former classmates to help, but well, I've mentioned the problem with that." "No matter, I'll handle it with what help I've got." "I know you can, but I've hired some extra hands anyway. I've got a dark elf mercenary attachment in Delerg I know they're supposed to be helping with the barbarian tribes in Rask, but I'm paying for this out of my own pocket and they'll go where the money goes. Besides I think this group is sick of the snow anyway." "If you think they'll help, then they'll be put to good use." You remark. "Their leader is called Tyren. Met him once and he's a typical svelk, arrogant and condescending. His mercenary band is currently at the town Sinkhole. You'll be meeting them there. Now I know you've worked with Empire soldiers and that's worked out okay, but working with the svelk will be different...though I imagine that won't be a problem for you. Just never turn your back on them and be on your guard." "I will as always, but now I must ask, will they be more of a liability than help." You ask. "No, I wouldn't have bothered if I thought that. It's just... well they're svelk and all that goes with it. A lot of bullshit posturing by them that's all. You'll be fine, anyway I suppose you'll want to get some rest before your trip to Delerg tomorrow. Carriage will pick you up tomorrow. That will be all." The next day you take the carriage to the Delerg province. It doesn't take long, but it does give you time to yourself, which you use to briefly reflect on the past few years and your possible future, among other things. When you get to Sinkhole it looks exactly like how the name describes it, half of the town in the swamp and the rest of looking like it's about to collapse. Still, you're not here to sight see, you're here to hopefully put down the remainder of the shadows for good. Since you're anxious to get this over with, you immediately head to the tavern where you're guessing the svelk are hanging out. You anxious to get this over with too, granted you've only had a single experience with one of their kind, but that was enough even without Mr. Mol's previous warnings. You enter the tavern, which isn't much better than the outside of it. The dark elven presence is unmistakable since they're the only ones in the place since they're the only ones in the place save for the poor bartender and the couple of waitresses. You'd guess that the svelk intimidated the usual patrons. You wonder why there aren't any Empire soldiers taking care of this, but again you remember, there aren't many stationed here and they're all probably at an outpost or a fort in the area. They see you and three of them approach. "Who let the monkey in? I thought their kind were content swinging in the trees in the jungles and swamps outside." One of them says "You must have some sort of balls walking into this place monkey. We thought we did a good job of scaring the rest away, except the bartender and his lovely wait staff of course." another says. "Lovely? If you like slumming I guess, but I suppose you males really will rut with anything won't you? Monkey, I suggest you leave, before my comrade's macho boasting is put into action." A female svelk remarks. You don't have time for this, and these mercenary svelk scum only respect one thing anyway. You don't like using it anymore, but you feel an impression must be made and you tap into your shadow magic. In lightning speed you punch the female svelk in the nose and stab the bragging male svelk in the leg and trip him face first into the floor. The third svelk raises his crossbow, but you use your own armbow to shoot a bolt right through his hand. The three svelk all lie on the ground nursing their wounds, meanwhile the rest of them haven't even moved to help their fellows, though a dark elf with long black hair speaks from the table he's sitting at. "So, I'm guessing you're our Empire contact. That traitor shadow we've heard so much about. I suppose your skills are impressive enough...for a monkey." "And you must be Tyren and don't address me as monkey again, let alone as a traitor shadow. I did not betray the shadows, they betrayed the Empire! I am an Eternal and loyal only to the Empire and the Emperor!" "Pity, you were more interesting as a traitor. Loyalty is overrated. Now...Eternal, if you're done beating up my people, I have information where the shadows have been hiding out at." "You already know where they are?" "Of course. We scoured most of this forsaken swampland as soon as that Mol guy hired us. Quite frankly it wasn't hard to find them, they're at some old temple dedicated to their god I think. Surprised the Empire with all it's resources couldn't do it, but then what do you expect from a government run by monkeys? Anyway, we've been waiting on you, Mol said that you'd want to take care of this personally. We're just here for back up, so when you want to take them out, let us know, until then let us get back to our drinks." "Wait, so what have the shadows been doing all this time?" "Hell if I know Eternal. They haven't been stirring up trouble if that's what you think though. As far as I can tell they've been doing their best to try to lay low, because they haven't left that ruined temple of theirs in weeks. I mean I suppose it's possible that some of them have been sneaking out to go elsewhere, but we've checked up on them a few times and the majority of them are still at the temple." "And you don't think that they don't know that you've been spying on them?" you ask. "Hardly. Perhaps you humans clumsily stomp around when spying, but we svelk have been doing it for centuries! Even some religious fanatics with shadow magic aren't going to detect us. Oh sure they probably know we're in the area, but that's about it. Trust me; we're still going to catch them by surprise when we slip into their sad little temple." Not exactly the kind of thing to fill you with confidence that the svelk are on top of things like their leader claims. Still, if the shadows haven't been causing any problems like Tyren claims, then striking against them now before they can do any sort of regrouping might be the way to go. > You do some scouting of your own As much as you'd like to get this over with and put an end to Cyrus once and for all, you aren't putting your faith in svelk recon. You'll some of your own spying and if you even need them, you'll enlist their help. When you ask Tyren where the temple is so you can do your own spying, he says that you're just wasting your time and likely to just give your element of surprise away if you linger and insist on this foolishness. He doesn't really care though since he's getting paid either way, so he gives you the information. "You know where to find me, when you're done fooling around." Tyren says as you head towards the door. You look back and scan the three svelk sitting in a corner still bandaging their wounds. "From what I can tell, your people can't handle it when I'm just fooling around. I question if they could handle it when faced with folks who won't be." You reply and leave. You immediately make your way deeper into the swamps towards the shadow temple. Despite the unfriendly nature of the terrain, there aren't any dangerous denizens in these swamps. The only creatures of any note are the Sul monkeys and they seem to be content going about their normal routines. While you were in the Shadow Guard, you heard a few tales that a reptilian race called the Slin used to live here until the shadows removed them all at the request of the Empire. Eventually you start getting closer to the temple and decide to cloak yourself. Again, you hate to use the magic anymore, but as long as you don't over do it, you'll be fine. Actually you're a little surprised you haven't sensed or detected any shadows skulking around. You'd think they'd at least want to patrol the outer perimeter of their temple. Between that and what Tyren told you, this behavior of the shadows has been very strange, unless they believe they can hide for another couple hundred centuries to get revenge. If that is the case, they've gone completely delusional. You then finally see them, just outside the temple. You hide behind a nearby rock and spy on what they're doing. You see them placing spherical plants in various places outside the temple. You've seen the plant several times in the swamp; they give off a faint harmless gas nothing more, but it looks like the shadows are doing something to change that. You see them infusing the plants with magic causing them to give a pulsating green glow. The shadows back away cautiously every time they do this. Then they cloak the plant. You're guessing that bumping into or lingering too close to the plants causes something very bad to happen now. You watch them do this for about an hour before they go back into the temple. Another couple hours pass, and none of them have exited from it again. It would appear they have retired for the day and you're left pondering what to do next. Going back and getting Tyren's help would probably be the intelligent thing to do, but you really don't know how they're going to get past the plants. Even if they toss rocks at them to cause them to go off, you have no idea what the result is going to be. For all you know, the shadows might have an escape route to go through as soon as the plants do whatever it is they're going to do. By yourself, you could probably speed your way past the plants without anything happening. You decide you'll do this alone. You've practically been taking down the shadows since the beginning by yourself; you might as well finish it by yourself. If you fall in battle, then you fall, but either way, you're making sure Cyrus dies today. You take a deep breath, mumble those infernal incantations and prepare yourself to speed past the plants, you're just glad you saw exactly where the shadows placed them. As you're running by them, you half expect them to still do something. They don't though and you reach the entryway. The whole place is silent as you'd expect, but this seems different. It's like you can't even detect anyone here. Not to mention you'd expect to run into some shadows at least guarding near the entrance. Makes you question what the hell they're doing in here. After moving deeper into the temple you soon find out. You see Cyrus standing over the bodies of several shadows. Near the bodies are empty flasks. "I'll be with you soon my brothers and sisters. And especially you Draven." Cyrus says looking at the bodies and ignoring you completely. "After all your talk of freedom and all your supposed dedication against the so called tyranny of the Empire, this is what it comes to Cyrus? Ritual suicide? I expected at least more of a fight during the last stand of the shadows." You call out. Cyrus finally pays attention to you and his eyes display a distant coldness rather than outright hatred. "You never did understand us or the will of Dendrin, Empire puppet. You never will." Cyrus says. "Oh I think I understood all too well, considering Dendrin spoke to me on several occasions. The difference is, I was strong enough to resist his lies. You call me a puppet, then what are you? A discarded toy by an uncaring god who has lead you to ruin? How fitting that your death is to be in one of his half forgotten temples. In another hundred years the shadows will be forgotten completely." "It doesn't matter. We carried out Dendrin's faith as best we could...we can only hope that he will take mercy on us for our failure as we pass from this world to the next." You shake your head at Cyrus' words. You can hardly believe he's speaking such rot and believing it. It's actually making you angry to hear it. "You actually believe that shit? When you die here today, and you WILL die here. It will just be your corpse rotting until it finally disappears completely to time. Dendrin cares NOTHING for you or any of the shadows! He never did! If he did, he would've done a better job at helping you! He knew I was working against the shadows from the very beginning and yet he didn't see fit to expose me! Did he come to any of you in a dream or a vision or anything? No, because ultimately he didn't give a fuck and probably only saw the shadows as his personal playthings. Shit, the only person in that order that had any resemblance of sense was you of all people. YOU knew I was working against the shadows before anyone else suspected and nobody even listened to you! They told you that you were overacting and did nothing until it was too late. So why the hell would you still stay loyal to an order that is so short sighted?" Cyrus kneels down by the body of Dravin and touches his face. Cyrus looks up at you again, this time with a faint trace of emotion this time. It seems you might've misjudged his true motivations. "Perhaps all of what you say it true, but Dendrin did lead me to Dravin and for that alone earns my loyalty even if everything else was a lie. I pity you. Duty is all that is in your heart and it's apparently all you'll ever know." He says. 'Pity yourself. You're even more weak willed than I thought if you did this for something as silly as love." "I have no regrets, but I don't owe you anymore explanations. You're not here for that, you're here to mindlessly carry out your duty. Well come on then and finish it!" Cyrus shouts and draws his sword. The battle between the pair of you is finally joined. There is no magic use or shadow tricks. It's just one Eternal fighting another in straight up combat. Cyrus' mistake. He would've done well to use magic as it could've put him on equal footing, perhaps even gave him the advantage, but perhaps he didn't want it. Maybe this is his form of suicide. Eventually you land a mortal blow, slicing his side clean open. Cyrus falls and deflects your attempt to split his head open, but he drops his sword from the force of your blow in the process. Weaponless, tired and bleeding out from a deep hole in his side, Cyrus accepts defeat. "Do it. Eternal slave of the Empire." He says coldly and then you fulfill his request by decapitating him. It's finished. At last it's finally finished. You begin to smile. "It's finished Dendrin! You see this? In your own home! All of your followers, all of your sheep, fucking dead! Never again will you threaten the Empire! It has survived your treachery and you will be forgotten like you should've been centuries ago!" you shout, followed by your laughter. Some very loud explosions outside in turn follow your laughter. Someone or something has stumbled on to those plants. The temple, which was already in ruins, begins to crumble from the force of the explosions. You narrowly avoid getting hit by a large piece of ceiling, but the rest of it will be collapsing soon. Your first instinct is to speed yourself up to get out of the temple, but you find that your magic isn't working. You quickly run to the entrance and find that it's already blocked by debris. The temple is still collapsing and you're either going to have to find another way out of act quickly to remove the rubble blocking the entrance. > You find another way out If you stand here trying to move rubble you'll probably get crushed, surely there has to be another opening somewhere considering this place was falling apart before the explosions. You run back to the main room where all the shadows lay dead and you try to scan a possible opening you can get through while dodging pieces of concrete nearly hitting you. You think you've spotted an exit and run to it, but your luck finally gives out as fast as the ceiling. You feel a crushing blow to the back of your head. Not enough to knock you out immediately, but enough to do it eventually. You stagger back and forth as blood pours from the top of your head. "Damn it...can't die...here..." you say and fall to the floor unconscious as the temple continues to collapse around you. Once again you're in a place where your senses are completely dead. "No, Eternal you will not die here today, but you would've done better to do so I believe." "Still speaking cryptically Dendrin? Face the truth, the Empire beat you. I beat you. Your followers are all gone and there is nobody left to spread your lies." "I wouldn't say that. I've still got you." "No you don't, you've NEVER had me." "Perhaps not your mind, but as I said, we will forever be connected, whether you like it or not." "I don't think so, I tried using your magic and it didn't even work! My link to you is so distant now that it will soon be severed!" "Is that what you think? Is it not more likely that I stopped you from being able to tap into the realm of shadow for your magic anymore? If anything you should be thanking me, since you obviously didn't have the willpower to stop doing it yourself, despite all your bravado that you wanted nothing to do with the shadows." You ignore Dendrin's mocking; you won't let him attempt to turn his ultimate defeat into some sort of "victory." "I used your so called gifts against you Dendrin! I've won your little game and you have no more toys to play with. I will continue to live my life serving the Empire and you will have to find another way to amuse yourself." "Well Eternal, you may be right on both accounts, but that doesn't mean those two aren't intertwined...but don't worry Eternal, I don't intend on visiting to bother you again. I doubt if anything I could say would change your mind about anything. Though I do wonder how you can justify your continued existence." "What are you babbling about?" "You said the shadows were a threat to the Empire. You obviously felt this stronger than anyone considering that for the past four years you've been ruthlessly seeking them out. You even charged into this temple by yourself without any back up." "Does this have a point?" "You're the last shadow, Eternal. How can your beloved Empire survive as long as you do? How do you know that one day something within you doesn't suddenly turn you against it?" "I AM NOT A SHADOW!" you manage to shout verbally in this ocean of sensory deprivation. The sound is so loud it becomes deafening, then painful and then you wake up. You look around you and find yourself still in the temple, or what remains of it. As it stands now there are plenty of exits since there a gaping holes in the walls. You rub your aching head and make your way out of the temple. On your way out you see several body parts strewn about the front of the temple. Upon further inspection they're dark elven. You don't see Tyren's body (or head), but then he might've been blown up beyond recognition. You can only guess Tyren and his people came to the temple when they thought you'd been killed. Seems a little odd though considering they were pretty much content on swilling ale until you were going to give them the order to invade the temple. In any case you'll relay all this information to Mr. Mol when you return to report to him. For now you're in for a long walk back to Sinkhole. A few days later you get in contact with Mr. Mol who immediately sends a carriage to come pick you up. According to reports, you were assumed dead, apparently some of the dark elves that didn't get blown up by the gas plants reported you dead without bothering to check. When you arrive in the capital a large group of soldiers escort you to Mr. Mol. Like more than the average amount, it makes you wonder what's been going on while you've been gone. Maybe the Felkans made their own assassination attempt? When you arrive before Mr. Mol, he's flanked by several more soldiers. In fact these ones are orcs. Mr. Mol sees you and looks down rubbing his fingers through his hair in a nervous manner. What is going on here? "I thought you'd died. Guess I should've known better than to trust those lazy svelk mercs. Guess I won't be hiring them out of pocket ever again. Heh. So the shadows...are they all dead?" "Yes, though sadly most of them committed some sort of suicide by the time I got there. I did however slay Cyrus myself. So it's over." "Good. Good." Mr. Mol says with a deep exhale. "Mr. Mol, what's with all the soldiers? Was the capital attacked while I was away? Is there some sort of need for all this extra protection?" "No, the capital wasn't attacked, but there is a need for extra protection...against you." At this point Mr. Mol stands as far as he can from you and the heavily armed orc soldier step forward to block any potential advance you'd make on him. The soldiers behind you suddenly grab your arms to restrain you. You're taken by surprise and natural instinct takes over and you react violently. A small scuffle ensues and Mr. Mol is shouting the whole time for them not to kill you, but only to restrain you. It's doomed to failure, as you're still more than a match for the soldiers and you kill two of them, before Mr. Mol tells them all to back off and calls more guards to come in. You're left in a corner confused and angry with your sword drawn. "WHY?! What is this?!" you demand. "It's a precaution. The shadows are dead and they need to stay that way! You're the last of their kind." "I'm not a fucking shadow!" "It's not my call. This is a decree from an office higher than mine, probably from the Emperor himself. I did all I could, but it has to be this way." You can't believe this. You can't believe what you're hearing. "But I've proven my loyalty! I've proven that I serve the Emperor and the Empire!" you shout. Mr. Mol once again puts his hand over his face and breathes deeply before speaking. "I know, but how do we know it'll stay that way? You told me Dendrin was playing head games with you on several occasions. How do we know your indoctrination won't kick in at a later time? Maybe he's always had power over you, maybe this is all just another part of his plan." "NO! I beat him! My willpower and duty to the Emperor was stronger!" "...look...I believe you. I always have. But as I said, this is out of my hands. Honestly you were treading in dangerous waters as soon as you confessed the plans of the shadows and you were running on borrowed time when they transferred me out of the Eternal Project. It was only due to your over zealous dedication in hunting the shadows and my intervention that your existence was continued. When the extermination of the shadows was complete, you were to follow. I had hoped those svelk would've done the job, but I guess there were unforeseen complications. Just as well, I should've been brave enough to do it face to face anyway. You deserved that much. I apologize." You ignore Mr. Mol's attempt at justification. This all doesn't seem real to you, you think that maybe this is some sort of mind fuck by Dendrin, but unfortunately it isn't and you know it. You just can't believe that you were lied to the whole time and about to be discarded as a tool that has no more use. Is this what you fought so hard to preserve? Is this your reward for all your hard work? Your whole life has involved nothing but lies, duplicity and treachery and you tried your best to persevere through all of it. You find yourself nearly laughing despite the anger you're feeling right now. Dendrin's last words to you, was how can you justify your existence due to being a shadow. You wonder if he knew the Empire would feel that way, even if you didn't. Chances are, he did. Maybe that's what he meant by your continued service to the Empire and his amusement being intertwined. The situation now isn't good. Even if you did manage to fight your way out of here, where would you go? You'd be a wanted criminal of the Empire and that's the only thing you've ever dedicated yourself to. Even though it wants to kill you right now, you can't bring yourself to fight against it. You worked too hard to preserve it. And that's when you remember a lesson you learned a long time ago in Mistress' class. An important lesson that is going to get you through this: Submit and obey the Empire. You are nothing compared to the Emperor's glory and you will die if necessary to preserve his reign. You put your sword down slowly and address Mr. Mol. "You should not be apologizing sir. I should be the one to apologize as I have killed two men who were only doing their duty and I have also tried to prevent you from doing yours as well. If the Empire believes I am a potential danger then I must die. I will not see it destroyed after I have spent my life trying to defend it from internal threats, even if that threat could be me. We all may have to give our lives in the service of the Empire and today I will give mine." Your speech is followed by several soldiers restraining you, though it's hardly necessary. Mr. Mol approaches you with a display of regret on his face. "Maybe it won't be widely acknowledged, but your service was important and as long as the Empire lives, you will also live. (Sigh) You deserved better though." And with those words, Mr. Mol makes a nodding gesture and you feel several blades go into your body repeatedly. You don't even feel the pain; you just put your mind in another place to numb yourself. One of those shadow tricks you learned. You guess perhaps it is better that you die if you're still using such things. Maybe Dendrin was playing a sick waiting game with you. Well it won't work and Cyrus was wrong too. You do know something of love. You love the Empire and the Emperor and that's why you'll willingly die for them. "Long live...the Em...pire..." you say and then expire.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark, war, serious] As much as you'd like to get this over with and put an end to Cyrus once and for all, you aren't putting your faith in svelk recon. You'll some of your own spying and if you even need them, you'll enlist their help. When you ask Tyren where the temple is so you can do your own spying, he says that you're just wasting your time and likely to just give your element of surprise away if you linger and insist on this foolishness. He doesn't really care though since he's getting paid either way, so he gives you the information. "You know where to find me, when you're done fooling around." Tyren says as you head towards the door. You look back and scan the three svelk sitting in a corner still bandaging their wounds. "From what I can tell, your people can't handle it when I'm just fooling around. I question if they could handle it when faced with folks who won't be." You reply and leave. You immediately make your way deeper into the swamps towards the shadow temple. Despite the unfriendly nature of the terrain, there aren't any dangerous denizens in these swamps. The only creatures of any note are the Sul monkeys and they seem to be content going about their normal routines. While you were in the Shadow Guard, you heard a few tales that a reptilian race called the Slin used to live here until the shadows removed them all at the request of the Empire. Eventually you start getting closer to the temple and decide to cloak yourself. Again, you hate to use the magic anymore, but as long as you don't over do it, you'll be fine. Actually you're a little surprised you haven't sensed or detected any shadows skulking around. You'd think they'd at least want to patrol the outer perimeter of their temple. Between that and what Tyren told you, this behavior of the shadows has been very strange, unless they believe they can hide for another couple hundred centuries to get revenge. If that is the case, they've gone completely delusional. You then finally see them, just outside the temple. You hide behind a nearby rock and spy on what they're doing. You see them placing spherical plants in various places outside the temple. You've seen the plant several times in the swamp; they give off a faint harmless gas nothing more, but it looks like the shadows are doing something to change that. You see them infusing the plants with magic causing them to give a pulsating green glow. The shadows back away cautiously every time they do this. Then they cloak the plant. You're guessing that bumping into or lingering too close to the plants causes something very bad to happen now. You watch them do this for about an hour before they go back into the temple. Another couple hours pass, and none of them have exited from it again. It would appear they have retired for the day and you're left pondering what to do next. Going back and getting Tyren's help would probably be the intelligent thing to do, but you really don't know how they're going to get past the plants. Even if they toss rocks at them to cause them to go off, you have no idea what the result is going to be. For all you know, the shadows might have an escape route to go through as soon as the plants do whatever it is they're going to do. By yourself, you could probably speed your way past the plants without anything happening. You decide you'll do this alone. You've practically been taking down the shadows since the beginning by yourself; you might as well finish it by yourself. If you fall in battle, then you fall, but either way, you're making sure Cyrus dies today. You take a deep breath, mumble those infernal incantations and prepare yourself to speed past the plants, you're just glad you saw exactly where the shadows placed them. As you're running by them, you half expect them to still do something. They don't though and you reach the entryway. The whole place is silent as you'd expect, but this seems different. It's like you can't even detect anyone here. Not to mention you'd expect to run into some shadows at least guarding near the entrance. Makes you question what the hell they're doing in here. After moving deeper into the temple you soon find out. You see Cyrus standing over the bodies of several shadows. Near the bodies are empty flasks. "I'll be with you soon my brothers and sisters. And especially you Draven." Cyrus says looking at the bodies and ignoring you completely. "After all your talk of freedom and all your supposed dedication against the so called tyranny of the Empire, this is what it comes to Cyrus? Ritual suicide? I expected at least more of a fight during the last stand of the shadows." You call out. Cyrus finally pays attention to you and his eyes display a distant coldness rather than outright hatred. "You never did understand us or the will of Dendrin, Empire puppet. You never will." Cyrus says. "Oh I think I understood all too well, considering Dendrin spoke to me on several occasions. The difference is, I was strong enough to resist his lies. You call me a puppet, then what are you? A discarded toy by an uncaring god who has lead you to ruin? How fitting that your death is to be in one of his half forgotten temples. In another hundred years the shadows will be forgotten completely." "It doesn't matter. We carried out Dendrin's faith as best we could...we can only hope that he will take mercy on us for our failure as we pass from this world to the next." You shake your head at Cyrus' words. You can hardly believe he's speaking such rot and believing it. It's actually making you angry to hear it. "You actually believe that shit? When you die here today, and you WILL die here. It will just be your corpse rotting until it finally disappears completely to time. Dendrin cares NOTHING for you or any of the shadows! He never did! If he did, he would've done a better job at helping you! He knew I was working against the shadows from the very beginning and yet he didn't see fit to expose me! Did he come to any of you in a dream or a vision or anything? No, because ultimately he didn't give a fuck and probably only saw the shadows as his personal playthings. Shit, the only person in that order that had any resemblance of sense was you of all people. YOU knew I was working against the shadows before anyone else suspected and nobody even listened to you! They told you that you were overacting and did nothing until it was too late. So why the hell would you still stay loyal to an order that is so short sighted?" Cyrus kneels down by the body of Dravin and touches his face. Cyrus looks up at you again, this time with a faint trace of emotion this time. It seems you might've misjudged his true motivations. "Perhaps all of what you say it true, but Dendrin did lead me to Dravin and for that alone earns my loyalty even if everything else was a lie. I pity you. Duty is all that is in your heart and it's apparently all you'll ever know." He says. 'Pity yourself. You're even more weak willed than I thought if you did this for something as silly as love." "I have no regrets, but I don't owe you anymore explanations. You're not here for that, you're here to mindlessly carry out your duty. Well come on then and finish it!" Cyrus shouts and draws his sword. The battle between the pair of you is finally joined. There is no magic use or shadow tricks. It's just one Eternal fighting another in straight up combat. Cyrus' mistake. He would've done well to use magic as it could've put him on equal footing, perhaps even gave him the advantage, but perhaps he didn't want it. Maybe this is his form of suicide. Eventually you land a mortal blow, slicing his side clean open. Cyrus falls and deflects your attempt to split his head open, but he drops his sword from the force of your blow in the process. Weaponless, tired and bleeding out from a deep hole in his side, Cyrus accepts defeat. "Do it. Eternal slave of the Empire." He says coldly and then you fulfill his request by decapitating him. It's finished. At last it's finally finished. You begin to smile. "It's finished Dendrin! You see this? In your own home! All of your followers, all of your sheep, fucking dead! Never again will you threaten the Empire! It has survived your treachery and you will be forgotten like you should've been centuries ago!" you shout, followed by your laughter. Some very loud explosions outside in turn follow your laughter. Someone or something has stumbled on to those plants. The temple, which was already in ruins, begins to crumble from the force of the explosions. You narrowly avoid getting hit by a large piece of ceiling, but the rest of it will be collapsing soon. Your first instinct is to speed yourself up to get out of the temple, but you find that your magic isn't working. You quickly run to the entrance and find that it's already blocked by debris. The temple is still collapsing and you're either going to have to find another way out of act quickly to remove the rubble blocking the entrance. > You move the rubble There's no time to go searching for another exit, the whole place is probably going to collapse. You start moving rocks as fast as you can as the roof continues to tumble down. Unfortunately you're not quick enough and while your attention is divided, you don't evade the rest of the ceiling that crashes on your head. Buried under several pounds debris you begin to lose consciousness. "No...can't die...not in this accursed place." are your last words.

Too complicated and too much can go wrong. It'll probably be better to just play it by ear. You're fairly confident that so much will be going on that you'll be able to pull it off. The next part of the journey is your first big step. Crossing into Felkan territory. This is actually very easy. The outposts aren't nearly as well guarded as they should be and combined with sticking to the wilderness and using magic to cloak yourself and its incredibly simple. The five of you camp out in a secluded wood where Sister Dusk addresses the situation. "Okay, now this is focus time. The Felkan capital Dessle, is still a long way to go, but I think we can get there by tomorrow night. It's just as well since night is when we work best. Now remember we're just breaking in, killing some guards and getting out. Don't actually kill the king, assuming we run into him. Good thing we don't have to, it's not like we exactly have a map of the palace to go hunting him down." "Can't we just take out one of those outposts we passed by? I mean it would still start a war." Murk jokes, but Dusk isn't amused. "Brother, I suggest you stop joking about such things, you know the reason why, we're doing things the way we're doing them, but more importantly Dendrin wants it done this way!" Now get some rest, we're going to need to be at full strength tomorrow." Murk shuts up and mentally chalks up yet another way he embarrassed himself in from of Bianca. You also make mental notes, namely on who you should kill first. You wonder if you should take out the strongest or weakest first. You could probably easily dispatch Murk and Bianca without too much trouble. You aren't aware of Dusk's full abilities, but you know she is at least accomplished as Shade was. Talia, however is an Eternal and you know how strong she is. "You thinking about how you're going to handle things if everything goes wrong?" Talia suddenly asks. "Huh? Oh. Yeah I guess you could say that." "Figured. You're always deep in thought, I've noticed you've been doing that a lot lately, especially at night in your bed." "Hm, glad to see Cyrus isn't the only one spying on me." You answer. "I wasn't really spying, so much as I was studying you, besides I think you noticed that I was." "Yes, I did notice." "Of course you did, because you're always alert. You're always aware. And I think you know of my desire." Talia sits next to you very closely. While you were certainly aware of her interest, you didn't expect it right now! You react immediately to her advances. "Talia, stop for a moment. Do you really think this is a good idea right now?" "What better time than now?" You've heard that line before though the situation is completely different than the one a year ago. This state of affairs is a little weird even for you, considering you were thinking about killing her not a few moments ago. "Talia, I really don't think we have time for this. We need to get some rest, we've got a very important mission tomorrow." You reply. "Well it won't take that long will it?" "Won't take long?" "Well I mean I know you've been with all those trollops, and your goal there probably wasn't to make them feel good, but rather yourself. And I imagine you wanted to do that as quickly as possible. I don't need to be pleasured...I mean perhaps I will express some interest in it during the act and maybe we can try for fun if the mission goes well, but right now I just want your essence." "My essence? Wait a minute; you just want me to impregnate you?" "Well I want you to try. I suppose I should've come to you sooner with this, but I do see you as a potential mate. Even though we are all siblings and equals in the eyes of Dendrin, quite frankly WE..." Talia grabs your hand and puts it to her heart and then your own. "...are Eternals. We still have a bond that the others don't and you're the only one I believe is worthy for me. Our child will be an Eternal and a Shadow like us and we will raise him or her to follow Dendrin as we do. Now I believe you will come out of this mission alive and we will probably talk about our future together in greater detail later, but like you I also prepare in case something should go wrong. If you should fall in battle, then I want to at least have a part of you to live on through me." This was definitely not something you anticipated. All these years of managing to distance yourself emotionally from all of these traitors and it's been cracked within a few moments. Or maybe you still had the feelings and you never got rid of them, only buried them deeply. Doesn't matter, you're still left with the same problem, pangs of conscience. Weakness. Though perhaps it's due to Talia being a fellow Eternal that has caused it. She obviously hasn't abandoned all of her superiority complex. And she's right; you do still have a bond. You just wish she was on the right side, because you don't have time to convince her. You hope Dendrin's having a good laugh at all this, because this is the best twist yet. Bastard. You could decline her advances, no you SHOULD decline her advances, but for whatever reason you accept them. Maybe it's your weakness of will, maybe it's your hormones or maybe it's just your own twisted way of granting a dead woman her last request, even if she's unaware of it. The pair of you leave the camp far enough away, cast a spell for privacy and embrace. At least neither of you will die not knowing the pleasures of the flesh. You have to admit, you were always a bit curious. How funny that your reputation as a whoremonger couldn't have been any further from the truth. After it's over you both return and go to your bedrolls without speaking another word. You notice Sister Dusk sleeping against a tree and open one eye as if to let you know what you were up to, but she doesn't do anything else. Perhaps she understands the need for hasty copulation, having lost her own mate only a year ago. The next day, you set off. Murk tries to speak to you and makes a few comments about noticing that Talia was eyeing you a lot yesterday, but you tell him to leave it alone and focus on the mission. Dusk tells him the same thing when she sees him jabbering on as usual. As for Talia, she hasn't spoken to you, though perhaps her mind is focused on the mission like it should be. Where your mind should be actually. You try to get back your focus and are finding it difficult. What are you supposed to do now? Throw everything away just for a one night with a woman? Even if she is an Eternal and you could reconcile yourself with being a traitor, you don't fit in with the shadows and you never will. You've done too much to go back and the shadows are doomed at this point anyway. No, the Emperor and the Empire need you, and that's who your life is dedicated to, nobody else. You spend the remainder of the journey cloaked and sticking to the less populated parts of the Felkan kingdom, though you eventually reach the capital and sneak over the walls of the city. Fortunately night is falling by that time. While you're still struggling with your own dilemmas you do take the time to notice how much different the Felkan society is. A lot less soldiers first of all, though their soldiers all carry gunpowder based weapons in addition to their normal weapons. In fact their whole society is slightly more technologically advanced than the Empire, but that won't mean anything compared to the sheer might of the Empire when they bring their full force to bear down on the Felkans. You hope that you'll perhaps be part of that after crushing the shadows. Eventually the five of you are just outside the palace walls of where you presume the king is located. It is here where Dusk addresses the group again. "You all know the plan, get in, cause some havoc, don't kill the king and get the hell out. Still, I think we'll do a better job with the last part if we're not all bunched up as a group. I want some of us to go to the other side of the palace and start from that side, the soldiers and guards will be less likely to gang up on all of us that way. I'd say about thirty to forty five minutes should do it and afterwards, we'll meet up at that wood where we made camp yesterday, then we'll continue the rest of the journey back to Gloom from there. Now I just need someone to volunteer to come with me and the rest of you can scale the palace wall here." Well it looks like your original plan of trying to split up the group is going to come true after all, the question is do you want to take care of Dusk first or whoever decides to be on the second team? > You stay silent Dusk could pick you anyway, so there really isn't any need to volunteer. You're still going to have to find the king, kill him and the rest of the shadows regardless of who you're "working" with. Dusk ends up picking Talia and tells you, Bianca, and Murk to wait five minutes before scaling the wall after they leave to head to the other side. She then tells you she trusts you to use your best judgment on things. Killing Bianca and Murk should be too hard without Dusk or Talia here, the pair of their combat skills are nowhere near your own. The hard part will be tracking down the king. Within the five minutes you wait, you see Murk fail to impress Bianca as usual with his wooing attempts. You can't believe he'd waste his time on the eve of such of an important mission. As you see him fail for the umpteenth you have no idea why you ever considered him your "friend." He's an idiot even in the hierarchy of the shadows. "Why the hell did they even pick him?" you wonder. Maybe it's a lot of built up rage, hatred and other bad thoughts you've been keeping under wraps for years, but you can't help but continue to feel disgust for Murk. "Okay, I think about five minutes have passed. We should get going." Murk suggests. "Might as well, I'm not here to watch you bumble around all night trying to impress Bianca who obviously isn't interested in you and never will be." You say. There's a momentary silence and both Bianca and Murk give a look of surprise to the fact that you've said something so direct concerning their "relationship." "I...we...we'll speak on this later." Murk says and starts to cast his spider walk spell. "No, we really won't." you reply and cast your speed spell. You raise your armbow and hit Bianca with a bolt to her throat. She falls helplessly attempting to gurgle a spell. Murk, sees this tries to cancel his current spell to match your speed, but he isn't fast enough. You draw two daggers and impale him several times with them before he even hits the ground. You think he tries to ask you "why?" before he dies, but you aren't really sure because you're too busy driving your daggers into his skull for the kill at the time. After dealing with Murk, you go over to finish off Bianca who is still attempting to struggle against death. "Let this be known before you die, the Emperor shall reign forever and your dying god will be forgotten like he should've been centuries ago!" you say and stab her in the heart. You feel as if you've just taken your first steps towards freedom at last with the deaths of Bianca and Murk. Two more to go, but first you need to find the Felkan king and finish off that part of your mission before an alarm is raised when Talia and Dawn start killing guards. You cast your spider walk spell and quickly scale the wall. When you get to the other side you're near a lot of carts with stacks of supplies on them. A quick look reveals that they're mostly sacks of food. You must be outside the royal kitchen or something. Sure enough you hear several voices coming from a nearby door which opens up. "Alright start hauling in those sacks of potatoes; we got enough space for them in here now." A chef says with several of his staff following outside. Well you weren't planning on massacring an entire kitchen staff, but you don't have the luxury of waiting around or looking for another quick entrance and using any more magic right now is going to start making you feel exhausted. You ready your blade. The hapless kitchen staff is naturally unable to fend against you. The head chef throws a cleaver at you, but that's about the closest any of them come to hitting you. By the time you're finished, the entryway looks like it's leading into a cannibal's kitchen rather than a royal one. A few of the staff made some yelps of pain when you killed them, so you quickly leave the area and hope you can find the king. You search about eight rooms before you start hearing yelling and the sounds of alarm. A lot of them mention guards being killed. Surprisingly you haven't even run into any guards yet, so you're guessing Talia and Dawn must be to blame. You curse since that means they're probably already on their way to making their escape and this place is going to be crawling with soldiers. Never mind the fact that the king is probably going to be actively hiding now. Against your desires, you cloak yourself and speed yourself up in an effort to help your search. You kill several soldiers during this time, but no king. You do manage to get a hold of a couple fancy dressed women that look like nobility or royalty. It doesn't take much to scare them, but they claim they don't know where the king is, and tell you he's probably already been moved from the palace. There is just no way you're going to be able to assassinate the king and kill Dawn and Talia in time. In fact at this point, you aren't even sure if you'd be able to kill the king seeing as you have no idea if he has left the palace, or if he's still in it. That isn't even the main problem, the main problem is your excessive magic use has left you incredibly fatigued. You feel like you're going to pass out at any moment. While you're struggling to stake awake and decide on what to do next, the Felkan soldiers finally pinpoint your location and begin coming in force. Were they attacking you with close combat weapons, you might've been able to fight them off. Were you more alert, you might've been able to dodge their bullets. As it stands neither of those possibilities exist and several soldiers fire their muskets at you. Hot lead hits you in the arm and the leg. When you fall and try to crawl away another blast hits you in the back. "I've...failed...forgive me...my Emper...or..." are your last words.

Year 21 "So do you think you'll be going on the assassination mission?" Talia asks. "I dunno, I think I'm still under watch for my past indiscretions." You reply. "Oh come on, even Master Ebon can't believe you're going to find some Felkan trollop to lay with while on your way to kill the king!" Murk laughs. You give a small chuckle and go back to poisoning your bolts. When Mr. Mol explained to you that the plan was going through, you wondered if you were going to be one the assassins. Mr. Mol said he was leaving it up to the Shadow Guard to pick "their best" as requesting you, might give you away especially given the mess you told him that followed with Shade. Mr. Mol congratulated you on how you handled that and as far as that event is concerned to the Shadow Guard, it's still a mystery. His body was never found and it's known he didn't start a war with the Felkan Kingdom. The general consensus is he just left never to return due to his disagreement with Master Ebon. Brother Murk remarked on the irony that if he'd only waited a little longer, he could've been one of those sent to kill the Felkan King now. In any event you know the plan on both sides. As soon as the assassination mission is underway the Empire is going to start purging the shadow safehouses and all known dissidents before moving on to Gloom. From what you know, orc troops are going to be used liberally in this. Mr. Mol said it will thin out the ranks and put their restlessness more at ease. He also mentioned that he's going to be sending in some of your former classmates as well. Your mission will differ depending on where the Shadow Guard send you. If you're going on the assassination, then you'll carry that out, but it will also be you job to eliminate all the rest of the shadows with you. If you're left at home, then it'll be your job to start sabotaging Gloom and taking out any shadow that gets in your way in the process. Mr. Mol mentions that some allies that owe the Empire a favor will be taking down the brunt of Gloom. Master Ebon has decided to make the move when the Felkan War is in full swing. Fortunately their plan to destabilize Rask was abandoned as all shadows were "suddenly" transferred out of there by decree of the Emperor. The Shadow Guard's plan won't even get off the ground if all goes well, at best, there will be a few major battles and then the hunting of escapees. Everything should go well for the Empire. The only perpetual pain is Cyrus. He's only gotten more hostile since the Shade incident and even more so when he found out he wasn't being sent to Rask. He claimed it was your fault and the pair of you had to be separated. He didn't make any more accusations further than that, but he knows something is going on. You're guessing he'll probably be one of those on assassination mission. If he's not around and you're left behind, it'll make your job a whole lot easier without the possibility of him spying on you. Then again if you're both on the mission, it'll give you an excellent chance to kill him, because at this point you want to as much as he probably wants to kill you and that idea certainly appeals to you. Later that day you pay a visit to Brother Gray. "Can I help you brother?" he says looking up from his desk. "Brother Gray, I know you're still disappointed with my indiscretions, but I would like to prove myself that I am dedicated to Dendrin's laws and commandments and I feel the best way to do that is to be on the assassination mission. I've even been practicing my shadow magic and while it isn't as strong as say Sister Talia's, I'm confident that it will be sufficient for the mission." "Hmmm, well you were being considered, but you were still on the fence as it were. As for me being disappointed, you shouldn't have been concerned with that, so much as you should've been concerned with offending Dendrin. However, if it puts you at ease, I ceased being disappointed a while ago. I've noticed that you've been more focused lately, so I know you're trying to atone for your actions. It's mainly why I was considering you for the mission. As for your skills, I'm still baffled to as why your magic abilities aren't as strong as they should be, but I suppose your combat abilities make up for it and I think you'd be more than suitable for the mission in that regard, but I'm a little more concerned with sending you on any mission with Brother Cyrus since he is being considered as well. I'd rather not risk jeopardizing the mission, so I need to leave one of you here." It's apparent that whether you stay here or go on the mission that you probably won't be dealing with Cyrus, which is a little disappointing and a minor reason to as why you wanted to go on the assassination mission in the first place. "I understand brother and I accept your judgment." You say humbly. "Well I don't have the final say, that honor belongs to Master Ebon and he ultimately answers to Dendrin as do we all. He will determine if you're worthy or not, but I'll see what I can do for you. So is that all brother?" "Yes. I shall take my leave and return to my duties." You leave Brother Gray's office, shaking your head at it all. Not about the mission, but more about the fact that Brother Gray still believes very much in you. In fact other than Cyrus and perhaps Draven you still can't believe how you're so accepted here, it never seems real to you. You can't be exactly sure, but you think Talia has been examining you as a potential mate. Especially after all that business of you sleeping with countless whores became public knowledge. You can only guess she figures you've got a lot of experience, well that and the only other Eternal around is gay. Even Master Ebon hasn't doled out any harsher punishment on to you more than what he did during your false confession. If you were in his shoes, you would've had yourself executed for the slightest possibility that you were involved in Brother Shade's disappearance. Strange that the shadows' treacherous nature would be so blind to someone so close to bringing them down. Their deity Dendrin hasn't spoken to you in any dreams lately, or for quite awhile actually. Perhaps he got tired of taunting you or whatever game he's playing. Though perhaps he's lulling you into a false sense of security. You still always expect him to visit you any time you sleep. Of course maybe that's part of his way of fucking with you as well. In any case, you return to your room and engage in your routine fake behavior of friendship. You'll be so glad when this will be over, it sickens you when you actually start feeling like you're actually friends with these traitors rather than crushing them under foot in the Emperor's name. A couple days pass and you get called to Master Ebon's office and when you get there, you also see Talia, Murk, Bianca and Dusk. He mentions that you've been chosen to go on the mission. He wasn't sure at first, but after Brother Gray's recommendation on your behalf and after consulting Dendrin for a sign, he says that you were chosen instead of Cyrus. He goes on to say he hopes that the pair of you straighten your feelings out soon, because there is going to be a great need for solidarity more than ever after this mission. Master Ebon also goes on to explain that Sister Dusk will be in charge of this mission and that you all will defer to her experience. Ebon brings up a bit of a change in the mission too, a change you're not too pleased to hear. "We're not assassinating the Felkan king. Dendrin showed me that our cause would be best served by deliberate incompetence." "What?" you ask out loud, feeling a very real sense of having heard this plan before a year ago. "Killing the king would only throw the Felkans into disarray. We want them to be focused when they declare war on the Empire. Instead I want you to infiltrate the palace, kill a few guards and then get out as if it was a failed assassination attempt. This will definitely alert the Felkans to start beating their war drums and it hinders the Empire's own plans. You all will be assumed dead by the Empire for obvious reasons, but in reality you will just return to us and will have to stay out of sight... which shouldn't be too hard given our nature. When you do return, we shall put the final part of our plan in motion when the Felkans retaliate." Maybe he's not visiting you in your dreams anymore, but he's definitely still fucking with you. Now you've got two things to take care of personally. You have to kill the shadow squad AND the king. Master Ebon tells you that the mission will be underway in the next few days and dismisses the lot of you. "Hey you got in after all!" Murk says after you leave the office. "I'm glad, you certainly deserve it." Talia adds with a smile. When you return to your barracks, a death glare comes from Cyrus and Draven doesn't look too happy with you either. The pair of them immediately leave the room. You can only imagine that he's super pissed because you've been chosen to go on the mission rather than him. You wouldn't be surprised if he tried to kill you in your sleep tonight. Not that you're going to get any sleep, since you're going to be up all night trying to figure out how you're going to pull off your additional assignment. The day soon arrives and everyone gathers in the assembly hall to see you off. Master Ebon makes a small speech. "Brothers and sisters of the shadow, today is truly the beginning of the end for the Empire. These five have been chosen by Dendrin to carry out his plan. May their mission be a success and may all of them get back safely so that they may help the rest of us continue the fight at home. And if they should fall, know that they fall for a worthy cause and will pass from this world to serve in Dendrin's shadow realm forever and there is no greater honor." "Death to the Empire! For Dendrin!" Master Ebon shouts and everyone else follows suit, then the five of you leave. The first part of the trip to the Arat province is fairly laid back and the usual friendly banter goes on during this time, though Sister Dusk is consistently telling the rest of you to knock it off as your minds should be more focused on this mission. You've never really had too much interaction with Dusk before, but it is apparent to as why she was Shade's lover. She seems very much like him in some ways. Yes, this mission is starting to feel all too familiar. In between the party banter, you've been coming up with various potential plans. One plan involves continuing the mission and during the infiltration of the palace you'll try to kill them or get them killed by the guards. This allows you to get inside the palace with their help and you're still in a good position to try to kill the king, of course this also means you're going to have to be quick if you want to kill everyone without anyone getting away. The other plan would be to try to convince Dusk to split up the group and meet up at the Felkan palace. This would allow you to pick off a few of them before you get to the palace and perhaps make it more manageable. The problem is you're going to have to come up with a good excuse, not to mention you'll be a few bodies short in case you do run into trouble with the Felkan soldiers. Never mind the fact you're going to have to convince Dusk of this in the first place. > You try to convince Dusk of your plan Felkan soldiers aren't going to be a problem, but you need to get rid of Dusk and perhaps a few others before you get to the palace because you aren't going to have time to do it when you need to focus on assassinating the king. You approach Dusk as she stands away from the rest of the group examining the map. "Sister Dusk, why don't we split up and meet at the palace?" you ask. "For what purpose, brother? It would be more efficient to just all go together." Dusk replies. "If we run into major trouble during our journey in Felkan territory, it would be better if some of us still got to the palace in a timely manner. Besides a larger group will attract more attention." "And neither of those things are going to be a problem since we'll be cloaked the whole time." "Well how do we know the Felkans don't have something to prevent that? Wouldn't it be better to remain on the side of caution?" "I think it would be better for you if you had more faith in Dendrin's protection and stopped speaking nonsense. I'm in charge and I'm telling you we're all going as a group. Besides I don't want all five of us running around separately, because as you say if we do run into trouble, we'd be stronger as a group." "I didn't mean all five of us go separately, we could still be in groups. Like you and I go as one group and the other three go as another." "You and I? Seems like you've thought this out." "Despite Murk constantly failing to impress Bianca, they work very well together, so they should stay together and I assumed Talia would be the logical choice as a leader. Her skills are better than Bianca and Murk's so she could lead them. Granted my combat skills are probably better, my magic is not. I believe I would be better off with you where your magic and my combat abilities can complement each other. We're going to have to split up when we get to the palace anyway if our intent is to sow as much chaos as possible before escaping, better that we do it now before we get too comfortable with a larger group." Dusk still doesn't look entirely convinced, however she tells you to wait and she goes over to speak to the others. After a few moments of discussion, she turns back to you. "Okay, you might have a point. You'll come with me and we'll approach the Felkan capital Dessle from the north, Talia and the rest will approach it from the south. Neither of us are going to reach it today, but we'll definitely make it by tomorrow night where we can meet up and I'll relay the next course of action. Try to stick to the wilderness and non-populated areas until then. May Dendrin guide us all." Dusk and you set off, about five minutes in she states that she forgot to mention that the area Talia is suppose to be heading into is supposed to be have regular patrols, so she should be warned about that. You wait for Dusk to return pondering when the best time would be to kill her. Probably not until you a good ways into Felkan territory, maybe just before you get into Dessle. Eventually Dusk comes back and you're on your way again. Crossing into Felkan territory is very easy. The outposts aren't nearly as well guarded as they should be and combined with sticking to the wilderness and using magic to cloak yourself it's incredibly simple. You eventually camp out in a secluded wood where Sister Dusk becomes more talkative. "We made pretty good time, with minimal problems. I guess you had a good idea. I suggest we both get some rest, tomorrow will be the big event." "Yeah, hopefully the rest are doing just as well." You remark. "Oh I wouldn't worry about them. I'm sure they're fine." Nodding in agreement, you decide this would probably be the best place as any to get rid of Dusk. You figure you'll pretend to go to sleep, wait until she's asleep and make your move. After waiting for about an hour, you finally get the impression she's asleep thanks to the sounds of snoring. Not very quiet for a shadow, but it helps you any way. You slowly get up and make your way towards her. Your blade is drawn and just before you strike, you feel a bolt go into your side. "Ah shit!" you cry out and fall to the ground. Another bolt goes into your leg and Dawn "wakes up". She wasn't the only one faking sleep it seems. "I knew it! I knew Brother Cyrus wasn't just ranting and I knew you probably were involved with killing my mate Shade. Filthy traitor!" Dusk exclaims, kicking you in the face. Talia, Murk and Bianca all come out from the underbrush. Dawn must've told them to follow you the whole time. They all look on in disappointment at you, but Talia especially. "I didn't want to believe it...how could you betray Dendrin like this? How long have you been a traitor?" Talia asks while reloading her armbow. "Me a traitor? No, it is YOU who is the traitor! All of you! All of you have betrayed the Emperor for your pitiful god who cares nothing for you!" you shout in defiance. "I know this because Dendrin himself has spoken to me on several occasions trying to convert me to his will, but it didn't work." "He does care, or else he would not have tried to bring you into the fold. How sad that you did not learn his wisdom and accept his mercy." Murk says. "How sad that you actually believe that. You're more pathetic than he is. If he really cared for any of you, he would've warned you about having a so called traitor in your midst. He didn't, so that says a lot about your revered deity." "Enough! I won't hear anymore of these vicious lies! Your treachery ends here today traitor." Dusk shouts back and attempts to finish you off with a sword blow, but you've got enough fight in you to roll out of the way and return with your own attack, hacking Dusk's foot off. It's a small victory though, the rest of the shadows move in and run you through several times. Defiant to the end you laugh and state that they've won nothing here and the Empire will survive as you die.

His plan is going to mess everything up and reporting him probably will just result in him getting scolded and he'll sneak off later anyway. You need to kill him. It's part of your overall goal anyway. The next few days you spend mostly in the training room, trying to get yourself ready for what will probably be a grueling battle. Quite frankly if you do it right, you won't have to fight him at all as you're going to try to catch him completely with his guard down, but if that doesn't work, you're going to have a struggle on your hands and you need to be prepared. Brother Shade helped directly train your magic skills, so as usual you're hoping your combat skills will be the deciding factor, but your major advantage will be the element of surprise. You make sure your blade is extra sharp and your arm crossbow is in good working condition. You fully expect Dendrin to harass you in your dreams, but that doesn't happen. When the day finally arrives you and Brother Shade take your leave of Gloom and head to Venji. Brother Shade and yourself travel under the cloak most of the time, though up keeping such magic is tiring business, so you rest a few times on your way. During your time together, you find out more about Brother Shade's thoughts. He goes on about how Master Ebon is not fit to speak for Dendrin anymore. Shade believes the old man isn't even in contact with Dendrin anymore as Shade knows that Dendrin would not want to wait any longer for the shadows to live under Empire rule. Shade knows that Dendrin would want action to be taken right now and that only those that prove themselves to be proactive in these times will be rewarded when the dust finally settles. You can't speak for Ebon, but from what you can tell, Shade doesn't really know shit what Dendrin really wants. You don't either, but then you aren't one of his blind sheep that follows his orders. Still, it's somewhat fascinating to see one of the shadows not fall completely in step with the rest. If Mr. Mol hadn't suggested his idea, you probably would've gone through with Shade's mission and try to sew a little more dissension on both sides to flame the fans of a shadow civil war. As it stands though, he needs to die, but you're still trying to build yourself up to do it. You have no idea why either, you've had the opportunity a few times and you're far enough away from civilization since you've been sticking to the back roads. Eventually the humble village of Venji is in sight, and you're going to have to kill Shade soon. You think you're going to pass the village, but Shade starts heading towards it. "We're not actually entering it are we? So far we've managed to stay out of sight." "And we'll continue to do so, I can maintain the cloak, but if you're feeling weak you stay here. I'll be back soon anyway." "But why are you going into the village?" "Because there's bound to be a couple of Empire soldiers stationed there. We're going to need a couple of disguises." "You're going to kill Empire soldiers?" "Yes, and why is that a problem?" It's not. Actually it's a perfect excuse for you. "No, I just didn't know the entire plan. I guess I'll wait here I am feeling a little drained from the magic and I wouldn't want to jeopardize the mission." You answer. Brother Shade grunts and turns his back to you, and just before he cloaks again, you raise your arm and fire your crossbow at him. Your aim is true and the bolt lands directly into the back of his skull. He's dead even before he falls face first into the ground . It's done and it was so quick. He didn't suspect anything or even see it coming. Now you've got to get rid of the body and think up a story. Nobody saw you leaving together, you made sure of that, but you've both been gone awhile. You figure you'll think of something on your way back to Gloom. You strip Shade of his robe, weapons, then you cut off his head and dig a small hole to toss it into along with his robe and weapons. You figure nobody is going to recognize him now and that's not even counting the wolves or other wandering animals that will probably find the body to feast on first. When you finally get back, you get several people asking you where you've been. "Where in Dendrin's name have you been? You just left without reporting to Brother Gray for assignment!" Brother Murk exclaims. "I was doing my usual patrols in the Quala province. I didn't think I was being switched from them any time soon, so I just left. Was it a problem?" "Well sort of, Brother Shade is missing as well, you weren't with him were you?" "No, I wasn't, I haven't seen him since I left Gloom a couple days ago either." "Okay, well you're going to need to explain that to Master Ebon, he believes Brother Shade went and did something rash." "Oh? Like what?" "Like defying Master Ebon and the will of Dendrin. Anyway, you better hurry to Master Ebon's office." You do as Murk suggests. You just hope you can convince him as easily. You enter Master Ebon's office and see him, Brother Gray AND Cyrus. You can guess what the first two are doing here, but you don't know why Cyrus would. He's giving you a dirty look from underneath his hood as usual. "At last, we can get to the bottom of this." Brother Gray remarks. "I certainly hope so, because there are some serious allegations going on and conspiracy in the air." Master Ebon says while looking at you. "I'm telling you I saw the pair of them together several times and the day they both left, he made sure to leave several minutes after Brother Shade." Cyrus remarks. And there it is. Cyrus is on to you, well maybe not entirely, but apparently he was skulking around spying on you when you thought nobody was looking. And here you were thinking he was on assignment or with his boyfriend most of the time. "So what if I left several minutes after Brother Shade? What does that prove? Am I supposed to wait hours? A day? What would be enough time for you? And what's this all about anyway? What did Brother Shade do?" "Oh like you don't know." "Brother Cyrus, quiet!" Master Ebon says before continuing. "And to answer your question, I'm sure you're aware of Brother Shade's recent behavior and his desire to move things along as far as our plan goes. He approached me not too long ago, about starting a war with the Felkan Kingdom, I told him no and he got very angry. Then he disappears for a few days when I specifically told him to stay here and concentrate on his prayers to Dendrin. We believe he's gone and tried to do this himself. You being gone without reporting to Brother Gray wouldn't normally be held to such scrutiny, but Cyrus here has said he's seen you speaking with Brother Shade several times before his disappearance." "So I shouldn't have spoken to him? I can't be the only one that spoke to him before he disappeared." "Yes, but you are the only one that left without reporting to Brother Gray first, not to mention up until then I've been told that you and he never interacted much. All of this seems very suspicious and it grieves me something like this is being brought to me, especially when so much is at stake right now." You're trying to remain as calm as possible, but the pressure is on. Cyrus looks on with a faint smug expression like he's anxious to see you get into trouble. You need to come up with an explanation and you aren't sure if outright lying is going to help you. Maybe you should tell them the truth...up to a point of course. > You tell them the altered truth Blatant lying tends to complicate things and if you're caught, it's only going to make you look worse. You might be better off telling the truth and omitting part of it. "Alright, alright, I'll tell you the truth, but I was only trying to protect Brother Shade's memory...and I was ashamed." "What are you talking about brother?" Master Ebon asks. "(Sigh) Brother Shade did speak with me, but he was mainly complaining. Stating that you didn't really know the will of Dendrin at all and action needed to be taken now regardless of what you said. At first I thought he was just spouting his usual rants, but the last time we spoke he wanted me to go with him to attack a Felkan outpost. The plan was to kill everyone there except one maimed survivor to tell the tale. He hoped that would bring war quicker and you'd have no choice, but to act on the plan." "Why didn't you report this?" Brother Gray snaps. "I told you, I didn't want Brother Shade to get into trouble just for having a momentary lapse in judgment and I thought I could talk him out of it. So I followed him and I caught up to him I tried to convince him his plan was folly. I failed and when I tried to physically stop him, he beat me and warned if I tried again he'd kill me. Fearing for my life I ran. That was the last I saw him." Master Ebon is silent and puts his face in his hands. Brother Gray gives a look of disapproval and shakes his head. Cyrus on the other hand takes the opportunity to question you. "You really expect us to believe your lies? You probably agreed to the plan, got scared and tried to back out of it. You killed Brother Shade and made up this story to..." "Brother Cyrus that's enough! You are not the one doing the interrogating here! Know your place in Dendrin's shadow! There has obviously been too much of people overstepping their bounds lately and you'd do well to not follow that same path. In fact, you need to leave. Brother Gray and I will handle it from here." Cyrus looks a bit put off by this order, but obeys. He gives a dirty look at you before leaving though. You're left standing in front of Master Ebon and Brother Gray. "Brother, do you realize what sort of position you've put us in?" "I realize it's bad, but..." "No, you don't! All of our plans could be ruined because YOU didn't report this like you should have! For all we know Brother Shade has completed his rash mission and the war will be occur too soon!" "And that's the best case scenario." Brother Gray adds. "Brother Cyrus' theory, though accusatory, does make me question if what you're saying IS the entire truth." "It is! I swear to Dendrin!" "Perhaps, but due to your deeds, a punishment still must be decided...I believe the silence of the shadow will do since you prefer to remain quiet. When your tongue is removed, I believe you shall forever know the price of your failure. Brother Gray please escort..." You aren't about to let yourself be mutilated by these religious fanatics, you draw your weapon, but Master Ebon mumbles a few words and you're held in place. "Brother, cease your hostility NOW! You will submit to this punishment or you will face much worse!" Brother Gray shouts. "Never! I'll never submit to you! The Empire will live forever and your order will be ground into dust! Long live the Emperor!" you shout breaking all pretense of your allegiance, which causes a look of surprise from Brother Gray's face. Master Ebon however just shuts his eyes. "Dendrin will preserve us through this unforeseen hardship, and we will prevail, just as he has said we would centuries ago. Your actions will not stop what cannot be stopped." Master Ebon says calmly and with a few quietly spoken words, your heart stops killing you instantly.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war] Year 20 "So you say, Brother Cyrus and Brother Draven are going to be assigned to Rask soon?" you ask. "That's what I've heard from Brother Gray. Them and a few others. Next year at the latest." Murk says "What's the reason, from what I've heard it doesn't seem like the Empire has a good grip on Rask anyway." "Well that's sort of the point! By weakening the areas where the power isn't as strong it causes the Empire to divert resources from other places and making those much easier to bring down as well. We're going to need it too, Master Ebon was sure the Empire would've started another war with the Felkan Kingdom by now, but as it stands they're practically friends with them, well as much as the Empire can be. Oh well there's still time I suppose." "We don't have that much time, we should push things along in our favor with some international incidents." Brother Shade says. "In fact, I'm going to mention that to Master Ebon next time I see him." "You don't think that he hasn't already thought of such a plan?" Talia asks. "Perhaps, but let's just say I've been here a little longer than the rest of you, and while I know Master Ebon is just waiting for the right time to strike, he's been playing the waiting game a little longer than I think is necessary. In fact I think he's been playing it so long that maybe his vision has become clouded from certain opportunities." This statement from Brother Shade gets a lot of looks, but nobody says anything. The shock is too great. Even you are surprised as this is the first time you believe you've heard something close to an open criticism about Master Ebon or the leadership structure in general And that's something you can definitely use. Soon after his statement Brother Shade leaves to attend his duties. "Brother Shade should watch how he talks about Master Ebon. Ebon speaks directly to Dendrin on a daily basis and knows best on how to proceed." Murk remarks. "Then why did you not speak up, instead of just sitting there?" Sister Bianca asks. "Uh...well..." "Always trying to impress the ladies, eh Murk?" you chuckle and take your leave as well to go seek out Brother Shade, he hasn't gone far and you catch up with him in the hallway. Fortunately nobody else is around. When you get his attention he's not exactly cordial. "Oh it's you, what do you want, I have duties to attend to brother." "Nothing excessively important brother, I just wanted to say you aren't alone." "Aren't alone in what?" Shade asks. "You aren't alone in how you feel. I think we should strike against the Empire now as well. All this waiting around isn't helping our cause." "Well I suggest if you want to help our cause, you keep your feelings to yourself brother and focus on your responsibilities...and your magic skills." "But brother, you said..." "Nevermind what I said! I spoke in haste to a bunch of snot nosed shadows that barely know what it truly means to serve Dendrin. Now leave me be!" Shade at this point pushes you aside and walks off. Well that didn't go like you hoped; still, you can report this to Mr. Mol who you have to meet in a few days anyway. When you meet Mr. Mol at the usual spot, you tell him everything you know as usual. "So, planning to destabilize Rask, eh? Well I'll see what we can do about that...tell me have you heard any plots involving orcs?" Mr. Mol asks. "Mmm, I don't believe I have. I would've told you." "Okay then, maybe it's not related, but some of our orcish troops have been getting restless lately, mostly those stationed in Rask too. If we had proceeded with our invasion of the Felkan Kingdom like we wanted, we could've thinned out their ranks a little. As much as we need them in the far northern reaches of Rask right now, I fear that having them all in a large group is asking for trouble. I guess we'll transfer some to Nalin, I hear they're having problems with the usksha nomads and kobolds down there. Speaking of the Felkan Kingdom tell me about this plot to start a war with them." "There isn't one, so much as there have been suggestions to do so by a Brother Shade." "Ohhh, dissention in the order. I like it. So is this guy losing his faith or something?" "I do not believe its that more so that he feels Master Ebon is being too cautious. He wants to strike now and he knows that Ebon's plan hinged on the Empire being distracted with the Felkan Kingdom, so he suggested starting one ourselves in passing, though when I approached him about how I agreed that we were being too cautious, he told me to not speak of it again and to leave him alone." "We can still possibly use this. The fact that he mentioned it says that he's thinking about it, even if he himself isn't totally committed to the idea. Try to speak to him some more on the subject of starting a war with the Felkan Kingdom." "But if he does want to go through with the plan, won't starting a war with the Felkan Kingdom be exactly what they want?" "Well, it's a gamble to be sure, but quite frankly we were going to invade the Felkan Kingdom again anyway, but...ha ha I got it." Mr. Mol says with a big grin on his face. "Okay forget what I told you about speaking with Shade, I've just gotten a better idea. I'm going to have to discuss this with a few others and the order is going to have to come from the Emperor himself, but I'm pretty sure he'll agree to this." "What the plan?" "I think we should send several Shadow Guard into Felkan territory to assassinate their king and other high ranking officials. We should even demand the best. This will occupy some of the shadows and hopefully this puts the Felkans in a state of chaos as well. While this operation is taking place, I doubt the remaining shadows will act just yet with several of their best fellows gone. In the meantime, we can start wiping out those safe houses and dissident hideouts you've been giving us the locations to over the years. This will no doubt alert what remains of the shadows that we're on to them at this point, but it won't matter. Thanks to you, we also know the exact location of Gloom and let's just say we've got some allies that can help us with that underground fortress." "That sounds like a good plan." "Thanks, just thought of it, but like I said, I need to speak with a few others first. As usual I'll be in touch, but all you need to do for now is go about your usual duties within the Shadow Guard. You've done excellent work as usual." Mr. Mol shakes your hand as you part ways and you feel a great sense of pride in your accomplishments. You also feel better that this charade may all come to an end soon and you'll be free of masquerading as a shadow. When you get back to Gloom, Brother Shade suddenly surprises you on your way back to your bunk. "Hey you, where have you been?" he demands to know. You're so taken by surprise; all you do is stumble over your words. "Uh...well..." "Uh huh. Probably slacking with some cheap tart as usual. I know you sneak off sometimes to the nearby villages. I know you're young and full of hormones, but you know very well that making yourself unclean with non-shadows is frowned upon." "I...I'm sorry, Brother Shade." You say. "Well you can ask for Dendrin's forgiveness in your prayers later, right now I want to discuss something with you. Come with me." You follow Brother Shade through the winding halls of Gloom until you eventually reach a small empty storage room. After doing a quick perusal, closing the door and casting a cloak of shadows spell, he speaks to you again. "Okay, it's safe to speak. You and me are going to start a war with the Felkan Kingdom." "What...you spoke to Master Ebon, about this?" "Yes, and the old fool is too set in his ways just as I thought he would be. Says it's too risky. Bullshit. What better time than now?" "Well I suppose, but...uh...just us?" you say in an attempt to stall. "As far as I know you're the only one who feels we need to do something now and I can't wait around and investigate if others feel like you do. Besides we can easily do this. I know your shadow magic is weak, but your fighting skills are excellent." You didn't expect this. "Okay, so just us...sure. Dendrin shrouds us in protective darkness right? We can easily assassinate the Felkan king..." "Hold on there brother. Now we're just starting a war, not destabilizing the government. Well, not their government anyway. Heading deep into Felkan territory to kill their leader isn't necessary and will just serve to waste time. No, we just need to go in, make a statement and get out. Maybe take out a large portion of one of their outposts and leave a maimed survivor to tell the tale." Sounds like Brother Shade has already planned this out. The problem is his plan doesn't exactly fit your own. Mr. Mol wants to assassinate the Felkan King and possibly some other high ranking types. It'll also bide a little time for him to get things in place. Brother Shade's plan probably won't throw the Felkan Kingdom into chaos, but will serve to anger them and that might distract the Empire too much if the Felkans are focused. Who could've thought starting a war would be so precise? In any event, you agree to Shade's plan and he says the pair of you will head to the village of Venji in the Arat province near the Felkan border. From there, you'll cross the Felkan border and infiltrate the nearest Felkan outpost to carry out the plan. When you ask about the others, Shade dismisses the consequences of his fellow shadows. He says when things have been set in motion they will have no choice but to accept the reality. He then mumbles about there possibly being some more changes before leaving. Of course you don't want to carry out that plan, so you're going to have to kill Brother Shade on the way. Not exactly an easy task, so you might try reporting him to Master Ebon or Brother Gray instead and try to have him taken care of using the shadow's own code of conduct. > Report Brother Shade Killing him is just going to complicate things for you, better to be a good little shadow and go through the proper channels in this case. You immediately go see Brother Gray and state you need to see Master Ebon. "And why do you need to see him right now?" Brother Gray asks. "It's about Brother Shade, I fear he's going to do something rash that could ruin everything the shadows have worked so hard for." "What is it?" You explain Brother Shade's plan in its entirety and how you pretended to go along with it so he wouldn't suddenly run away or attempt to attack you. "This is a very serious accusation, but...(sigh) not really all that surprising given his behavior lately. Before we take this to Master Ebon, I'm curious to as why he approached you of all people to help him. I don't believe hearing him ever saying a good word about you, so picking you is a bit puzzling to me. Is there something you should tell me?" "Well...I'm sort of embarrassed, but Brother Shade knew that I saw a few uh...women of low moral fiber during some of my patrols and threatened to report me, if I didn't help him." "(Sigh) Well...I'm glad you at least had the sense to come clean in the face of a greater threat. I'll keep this from Master Ebon, but we're going to have a serious talk about your own indiscretions later! As for Brother Shade do you know where he is now?" "I believe he's in his room getting his stuff prepared for the mission." "Okay, I'm going to send some brothers outside his room to make sure he doesn't leave while I go fetch Master Ebon. If Brother Shade even tries to escape instead of staying put, well that's going to prove his guilt, though I'm hoping it won't come to that and he'll at least stay put and submit the proper punishment that Master Ebon deems necessary." "What should I do?" you ask. "You, go back to your own room and stay there until you're called for to tell your story in front of Master Ebon and Brother Shade." You nod and head back to your bunk. Nobody is there though; they must be on their patrols. You wait a few minutes expecting Brother Gray or someone else to come get you to come confirm your story in front of Master Ebon or whoever, but nobody does. You do however begin to hear the sounds of fighting though in the halls. "Wonderful, they can't even hold their own defectors in place." You mutter and draw your weapon. You then cast cloak on yourself and hide in one of the corners of the room with your eyes on the doorway at all times. Eventually someone enters the room, but it's not Shade, its Murk. "Hey brother, are you in here? I just came back from patrol and heard Brother Shade is running amok through Gloom! What's going on?" "Shhh! Quiet you idiot! He's..." Before you can even complete that sentence, Murk is suddenly thrown face first into the floor. It would seem your instincts were right and he decided to get revenge rather than seek escape. You attempt to cast a decloak on Shade which works, but not in time for Murk to get his bearings. Shade smashes Murk's face into the floor. He may or may not have killed him, but in any event he's not going to be getting up to help you anytime soon. "You may have prevented me from serving Dendrin like the rest of these short sighted fools, but I guarantee that you will not live to see the fruits of your treachery." He says and attacks. You engage Shade in battle and the pair of you are fairly matched as far martial combat are concerned. The problems arise when Shade falls back on magic. He speeds himself up getting few good hits on you. You attempt to do the same thing and it helps, but you still are at a disadvantage. He matches every move you've got and has wounded you to the point where you're starting to doubt that you'll win this battle. You push yourself harder and hope your will to survive will win out. Eventually help comes in the form of several more shadows and Brother Gray. Several bolts go flying into Shade's back and he falls to the floor in a heap. You never thought you'd think this, but you're actually glad to see the shadows this time. "Brother are you alright?" Brother Gray asks. "Yes, I think so (Whew) lemme catch my...ulk!" you utter and then you feel a bolt go through your heart. You look down long enough to see Shade's armbow stretched out and then the rest of his body become still for the final time. You soon follow him, unable to believe that your service to the Empire came to such an abrupt end.

Year 18 "And so I said to the blacksmith, well if you're intending on killing the Emperor, you better damn well have a better plan than those group of thugs you've been supplying with weapons in the sewers. At least supply them to some thugs who the Emperor wouldn't be able to smell six miles away!" you say, and this is followed by a few laughs from some of your fellow shadows. "Hah, good one brother! Tell me, what did you do to the blacksmith?" Brother Murk asks. "Oh we relocated him to our safehouse in Derlerg along with his buddies, reported that we eliminated him as a dissident...you know the usual. I must say, their surprise that we aren't going to kill them is always amusing though." You reply. "Yes, given our reputation, I imagine it is. Still, it's all for a good cause eh, brother?" "Yes brother, it certainly is." You say to Murk with a nod and take another drink of black tea. "Well I have to say I'm very glad you've finally managed to settle in brother, I have to admit, for awhile I was getting a little worried about you. You just didn't seem like yourself after our ceremony initiation." Talia says. "Yeah, well I guess I was just a late bloomer or something." "Don't worry about it brother, it's all in the past. What matters now is that we're all on the same page now." Murk replies. On the same page...the problem is you really aren't on the same page. You haven't been since you got here. The other problem? You're starting to feel like you might be getting there though. During the time you were forced to socialize you just swallowed your fear and self-doubt and proceeded like it was any mission. And you were successful. Perhaps a little too successful. Once you actually got sent out on a mission, you were paired up with Brother Murk. A fellow you had become semi-friendly with during your months of socializing. Your original plan was as soon as you left Gloom, you were going to run to the nearest Empire fort and make your report. Though for this plan to succeed in any meaningful way you would've had to kill Murk and despite your better judgment, you couldn't bring yourself to do it. You later cursed yourself for this temporary weakness and the next time you were sent out, you vowed to yourself that you'd do it again, the problem was you had only become friendlier with Murk within that time. You failed again. By the time they rotated your partnership and you were paired you with someone else, you still couldn't do it, because now you actually started to feel like the Shadow Guard really was like a family to you. And you liked that feeling. In fact it was the best you've felt in a long time. Yet, now you are in a difficult position. You are still loyal to the Empire and the Emperor first, but you haven't been able to find the fortitude to expose the Shadow Guard for what they are. You attempt to rationalize it in your mind, by claiming the longer you stay the more you learn about their exact plans, and while that's certainly true, it really isn't the TRUTH. The real truth is you're starting to believe in the Shadow Guard's cause slightly. You don't know if it's because you've spent so much time here that you've developed some sort of emotional attachment or some odd sort of subtle indoctrination. Is this what Dendrin really had in store for you? Did he know you could be turned even without his intervention? Before you had that experience everything was so certain, your feelings weren't a constant source of ups and downs. Even under Mistress, you don't remember ever feeling this. It was either success or death. It was very simple and you preferred it. Now you don't know what the hell you're doing. Are you a traitor? Are you still loyal? Are you both? Are you neither? You excuse yourself from the rest of your brothers and sister and say you have to get some rest, though in reality you have to take a long look at your priorities. Once again you spend a few more months going through your usual routines and quietly suffering in silence. That comes to a halt when Murk comes into the barracks one day... "Hey, where are brother Cyrus and sister Talia?" he immediately asks you. "Uh, sister Talia I think is in the library and brother Cyrus is probably with brother Draven somewhere." You reply. "Oh, well I'll go get Talia, someone else can look for Cyrus, but you need to report to Master Ebon right away." "What's this all about?" "I don't know, just that he wants you, Talia and Cyrus to see him. Something about someone from the Empire wanting to meet with all three of you. Sounds important." You get up and walk to Master Ebon's office which remains closed, so you wait. A few moments later, Talia joins you. "Hello, brother. Isn't master Ebon here?" "If he is, he isn't answering his door, so I've been waiting outside." "Do you know what this is about?" "Dunno, just that someone from the Empire wants to see us." Talia nods and remains silent. Soon Cyrus joins you and asks a similar question, to which you answer in a similar manner. He grunts at you and stands as far from you as possible, though he says something polite to Talia. Same old Cyrus. No sooner has Cyrus got there, when Ebon's door opens. You hear a voice that tells you to come in. You didn't even think he was inside, but you guess he was really waiting to see you all together. When you all enter, he tell Cyrus to close the door and gets right to the point. "You three have been summoned by Mr. Mol. Apparently he wants to ask you a few questions and is insisting on doing it somewhere in the capital I believe. In any case, he claims he wants to check on your progress as an Eternal, but I suspect he's fishing for information about us." "You don't think he suspects anything do you?" Talia asks. "I do not believe he knows anything about our true goals, if he or anyone did, I have no doubt we would've been moved upon by now. No, I think this is just another Empire ploy to try to get more inside intel on our organization, which for the reasons I just mentioned they cannot know about." "I won't say a word to this running dog of the Empire! My eyes have been open a long time and my loyalty is and will always be to Dendrin." Cyrus says. Master Ebon nods. "Yes, I know it will be. I have no doubt, but I still would like you all to just be on your guard when answering questions none the less. It probably won't come to this, but kill yourselves if you have to. It won't be ideal, since it'll arouse suspicion, but it'll still give us time to go ahead with our plan anyway, even if it would be a few years early. Anyway, the three of you are to make your way to the town of Lenet and from there you'll take an Empire carriage to the capital. Return immediately if you are able. May Dendrin and the shadows hide your true intentions." With those last words, Ebon sends you away and the three of you set off on your journey. You begin to feel nervous as soon as you leave Gloom, you weren't expecting this happening, but deep down you did know that something like it was going to happen eventually. You remain mostly quiet during the journey as you try to get in a certain frame of mind of what you're going to do or say. Cyrus is mostly silent as well, though you're guessing that's because he's so firmly entrenched in his belief in Dendrin, that he knows what he's going to say and do. Talia is the only talkative one and that's mainly questions about what you both think Mr. Mol will ask you. You know she's dedicated herself to Dendrin, but you sense that perhaps she's a little nervous too, though you don't know if it's due to her new loyalty to Dendrin or because she's been harboring secret loyalty to the Empire like you have. You decide to imagine it's the latter, mainly because you want to make yourself feel better. Eventually the carriage from Lenet reaches Qale, the Empire's capital and several soldiers immediately step forward to say they are here to escort you to Mr. Mol. The three of you are taken from the opulence of one of the main streets and quickly through a system of back alleys until you eventually reach a non-descript building. You enter and there you see Mr. Mol. It's the well dressed man you saw speaking to Brother Gray six years ago. He's also wearing the same formal black suit he was back then. "Ah, the Shadow Eternals. I've so wanted to catch up with your progress, but my attention was on your less subtle peers for a while. I think we've sorted them out though, so now it's time to sort you out as well. Just a formality really, we just want to see if you're achieving your full potential in the Shadow Guard. After all you're Eternals first, and we wouldn't want your talents to not be used to their fullest potential in the service of the Emperor, right?" Cyrus and Talia say nothing, but you feel obligated to acknowledge that question if only to not look suspicious. "Correct. All that we are, we owe to the Emperor's will." you say. "Glad to hear it! Now then we're just going to be asking you some questions, these soldiers will take you to a place to wait. Off you go." At this point the three of are marched out of the room and down a long hallway. The cold broken stone walls and desolation of this place almost makes Gloom look cheery by comparison. Eventually you reach a door on your left and Cyrus is told to wait inside the room. He enters without a word, but gives you and Talia a look like "Say nothing!" A few moments later you reach another door on the left, this time Talia is told to wait inside. She hesitates for a moment, but enters. She gives you a look as well, though this one is more of concern. Finally you reach the last door on the left and you are told to enter and wait. You do so without looking at anyone. The door shuts behind you and the ominous sound of a lock is heard. There isn't much you can do, so you sit down at one of the chairs in the middle of the room and wait. And wait...and wait...and wait...and wait... You don't know how much time has passed, but you get up and move about several times before sitting down again. You don't quite panic as much as you think you would, but being alone with your thoughts is definitely not the best thing for you. Right now you're already thinking they've managed to break Talia into talking and probably killed Cyrus. Maybe if you cooperate right now, there will be leniency? Why shouldn't you cooperate? The Shadow Guard ARE traitors after all, and this is just the kick in the ass you needed to remind you of that. But then there's the other part of you that feels loyal to the shadows and how you shouldn't betray them. You go back and forth what you're going to do several times, and then you hear the lock on the door. Mr. Mol enters... > You keep quiet You're fooling yourself. You've only been struggling with your loyalty issues because you were brought up to obey the Emperor and serve the Empire. But really what have you learned since then? You've learned that a great majority of it is all lies. True, the Shadow Guard has their own agenda, but it isn't just based on following their god, it's actively trying to free others under the tyranny of the Empire. And are they seeking to take the place of the Empire? No, they're just going to return to Derlerg and return to how their lives used to be, before the Empire arrived, everyone else is free to do as they please. Is that something you really need to fight against? People that want to bring freedom to not just themselves, but to others as well? Dendrin said that he didn't believe you were going to serve him and you were just saying you were to survive. He also said you weren't as rigid as your fellows. He's right on both accounts. You don't think that you'll ever be a true shadow, but perhaps you agree with their goals at least in this case. Besides, you've bonded more with the people at Gloom who have actively helped you in the past than you have with a faceless Emperor who you haven't even seen let alone gotten any help from. If anything the Empire has nearly tried to kill you since the moment you were born. You make your choice within that moment. You're going to remain quiet and not tell Mr. Mol anything, but if you get accused you doubt if you'll kill yourself, you're more likely to make a valiant escape attempt instead. Mr. Mol sits down and begins his line of questioning. "So how are you today?" he asks. "I'm fine." "And how are your duties going in the Shadow Guard?" "Fine sir. The rooting out of dissidents and traitors to the Empire is a tireless one, sir." "Yes, it is..." Mr. Mol says with a pause. "Tell me, are there times when you have found someone not guilty?" "Never sir." "Never? Really? Surely not all your searches come up with violent dissidents. Perhaps some of the citizens are merely just speaking harmless nonsense?" "If they are, then they would've been wise to keep their mouth shut sir. The Emperor is not to be criticized and his will is what guides the greatness of the Empire." "I see..." Mr. Mol says and takes some notes. "Tell me, what do you think of the Shadow Guard?" "They are the hands of the Emperor, sir." "His hands huh? That implies they are so important that the Emperor cannot do without them." "Not at all sir. The hands are nothing compared to the mind that controls it. The Emperor is the mind that controls the hands. They are nothing without his direction and guidance. This is known and accepted as it has been from the beginning. But I am not truly a Shadow Guard, I am an Eternal. My duty is and will always be to the Emperor first. If you order me to abandon the Shadow Guard because you feel my talents would be better served elsewhere, I shall do so." "Hmm, no I do not think that's necessary." Mr. Mol asks you a few more questions and you answer in the best way you can. All in all Mr. Mol seems almost bored by your answers, like he was hoping to hear something much more exciting. You're not sorry to disappoint him, but you're definitely trying your hardest to maintain a cool demeanor in the face of certain treason if he suspects the slightest lie. Eventually he finishes and you are lead out of the room and back into the main room where you see Cyrus and Talia waiting with the soldiers. "Okay I believe we are done here. I am pleased to find that all of you are obviously living up to your potential. I was a little concerned only because a couple of your non-shadow Eternals already have proven to lack the discipline we thought they had. One was executed for killing his superior officer and another one died by breaking a solid fighting formation during a battle. I'm glad to see all of you are much better in that regard and I can only chalk that up to the Shadow Guard's superior training techniques. Perhaps more Eternals in the future will join as it is obvious you all have tremendous willpower and great loyalty to the Empire." Mr. Mol says. And with that, the three of you are lead back to the carriage, which takes you back to Lenet, and from there you walk back to Gloom. You're all more talkative at this point, Talia and Cyrus go on about the questions with each other and you. Of course you lie and state you were asked similar ones. "So do you think he suspected anything?" Talia asks. "Doubt it. The Empire fool didn't even ask anything remotely important. It is obvious Dendrin's shadow covers his eyes from the truth. So much so that it required minimum effort on our part to even lie to him. I mostly just omitted truth." Cyrus mocks. "Omissions of the truth are usually better than outright lies anyway. Less of a chance to get caught up in a web." Talia comments. "Oh I dunno, all I did was lie and he never suspected a thing." You say. After the three of you report to Master Ebon, he seems pleased with how things turned out, but states that he's pushing to enact the plan sooner for concern that the Empire may still suspect something. He then says to expect things to get hectic soon, but with Dendrin's guidance you all will surely prevail and the Empire will collapse. You retire to your bed to get some rest as it's been a long stressful day. You're finally glad to have settled your crisis of loyalty though. With these comforting thoughts you drift off to sleep... As you sleep you begin to dream. You dream that you're in the same void like space when you walked into that portal two years ago. You feel nothing and you sense nothing for a long time then you hear the voice, but it isn't oppressive like the first time. "So you did not betray me after all...I am a little surprised mortal. Perhaps you see after all." "I see that the Empire is indeed a corrupt system that needs to be brought down, but I don't feel the need to worship you." "It is a start, but know that this path you take now will be very dangerous. As strong as you are your survival is not guaranteed. It shall be interesting to see you try however." With those last words, you wake up. You try to go back to sleep, but it isn't easy. Just like bringing down the Empire isn't going to be easy. You just can't figure out why Dendrin, doesn't take a more active role in helping his followers. He obviously has the power, but you don't know. The best you can do is what you can achieve in the mortal realm and leave the motivations of any gods out of the picture. > Year 20 "So Brother Cyrus and Brother Draven are going to be assigned to Rask soon?" you ask. "That's what I've heard from Brother Gray. Them and a few others. Next year at the latest." Murk says "Good idea, from what I've heard the Empire is always having problems with that area, though I think they'll start having problems in other areas too soon now that they're officially at war with the Felkan Kingdom." "Personally I don't think we should be waiting around now, we should push things along even more." Brother Shade says. "In fact, I'm going to mention that to Master Ebon next time I see him." "You don't think that he hasn't already thought of such a plan?" Talia asks. "Perhaps, but let's just say I've been here a little longer than the rest of you, and while I know Master Ebon is just waiting for the right time to strike, he's been playing the waiting game a little longer than I think is necessary." This statement from Brother Shade gets a lot of looks, but nobody says anything. Even you are surprised as this is the first time you believe you've heard something close to an open criticism about Master Ebon or the leadership structure in general. Soon after his statement Brother Shade leaves to attend his duties. "Brother Shade should watch how he talks about Master Ebon. Ebon speaks directly to Dendrin on a daily basis and knows best on how to proceed." Murk remarks. "Then why did you not speak up, instead of just sitting there?" Sister Bianca asks. "Uh...well..." "Always trying to impress the ladies, eh Murk?" you chuckle and take your leave to go about your duties as well. Later that night you fall asleep and have an encounter with someone you don't want to interact with unless you have to... "So I see you're fitting in well after all. Glad to see it seeing as you still don't particularly hold a lot of faith in my help. You are a most puzzling creature Eternal." Dendrin says. "For someone with god powers, you aren't very omniscient. As I said, I joined the Shadow Guard's cause because it's the best chance to bring down the Empire. Master Ebon is the leader and whether he's getting reliable guidance from you or not is irrelevant, he's who I'm following not you." "Interesting, so you've just exchanged one Emperor for another." "No, for one I actually have interacted with Master Ebon and understand his motivations and goals better. As far as I know about the Emperor and the Empire, they're just into power for power's sake. And what do you care? I'm following Ebon and he follows you, so shouldn't you be happy?" At this point a low chortle pierces your brain. "Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am. As always I enjoy our little talks Eternal." Sometime later you wake up from your sleep, still wondering what the hell Dendrin's game is. Year 21 "Besides the hidden cells we already have, I think we can definitely count on the elven population for support when the time comes, I don't think there's a single one that would defend the Empire, if it meant a true end to it. As for the human population well its hit or miss. We know we'll stir up any slaves and probably criminal types looking to take advantage of the chaos. The poorer folk might be a bit divided. Some are still brainwashed fools happy to toil under the iron fist, though happily a lot seem to be grumbling as of late. It'll probably go more to our favor when the revolution goes full swing." You tell your fellow shadows. "Good to hear. The reports I get from Cyrus at Fort Defiance are promising as well. He says that he's made contact with the orc commander who has been stirring up a bit of rebellion in the orcs. He's been slowly transferring many of them to Rask and concentrating on having them all rebel there though. This Captain Gruz states it would be too risky to do it with the orc serving on the Felkan frontlines as well since he needs to keep his profile somewhat low and they're probably just going to get killed soon in that meat grinder anyway." Brother Gray remarks. "And I still say we should've pushed further on sabotage on that front, not to mention try to convince Gruz to influence the orcs stationed there anyway." "Yes, yes, so you've said. Brother Shade isn't it enough that your voice was heard on the orc issue at all? You should be satisfied with that fact rather than pushing for needless recklessness. Your idea contribution was utilized in the best way that will advance Dendrin's agenda. Be happy for such a thing brother." Brother Gray responds. Brother Shade sits back down and scowls, but says nothing else except a few grumbles. He does glare at you as if you're to blame, but it's not your fault. You've been putting in just as much work as everyone trying to cultivate dissension and looking for weaknesses to exploit when the time comes, you sort of hope it comes soon though because even you are getting tired of the waiting around. You're still an Eternal and the desire for combat on a grand scale is still there. After the meeting you head towards your room since you have no more duties for today. As you walk down the corridor Talia catches up with you. "Where is Brother Murk, normally he's by your side talking to you after these things." "He had to rush to the Delerg province; he had duties to attend to there immediately after the meeting. "I see, for a moment I thought you were going to tell me he was attempting to unsuccessfully attempt to charm sister Bianca again." "He probably still did that before he left." "I don't know why he puts himself through the hassle. It is obvious she will never feel that way about him." Talia remarks. "Oh I dunno, with enough time he might wear her down in twenty years." "Perhaps, but his time would better spent elsewhere pursuing a mate. Certain people just aren't made to be together, unlike say us for example." While you and Talia have grown slightly closer over the years, you weren't aware it was to that level! "Okay Talia, you're going to have to explain in greater detail on this issue, because I'm lost." "I intend to. Basically I am choosing you now as a mate. I think you know there is wisdom in this." "Wha? Now? Me? Why?" "Because even though we are all siblings and equals in the eyes of Dendrin, quite frankly WE..." Talia grabs your hand and puts it to her heart and then your own. "...are Eternals. We still have a bond that the others don't and you're the only one I believe is worthy for me. Besides, I'm sure you are sick of waiting around for the revolution to get started and are feeling the urge for combat a lot. I figure we could both blow off some of those urges with other intimate activities." "...does that really work?" "I dunno, I've heard it does. It's not like I've tried this before, I guess we'll have to find out, assuming you want to that is...you aren't like Brother Cyrus are you?" "Hah, no. I just haven't thought about it a lot about it in general. I guess I've got a lot on my mind most of the time." "I sensed as much, as you always seem to be deep in thought a lot. Is it anything in particular?" You almost want to tell her how your whole experience with the Shadow Guard has most likely been a lot different from everyone else's. How you don't have faith in Dendrin and how you've personally had several frustrating conversations with him. And most importantly how you always wonder if secretly attempting to overthrow the Empire is even going to work in the first place. You don't though because it's only going to complicate things and perhaps you should take the time to relax every once in a while. You aren't even going to wonder if getting it on with Talia is even a good idea at this time. You're just going to act on her advances. The pair of you find a secluded spot and embrace. While it's a completely new sensation to the pair of you, it somehow feels natural. Not just the act itself, but rather who you're with. Perhaps Talia was right in thinking that as Eternals you do still have a bond that the others don't. She was also right about another thing too, sex does help with some of the pent up energy you both have. The pair of you engage in this activity quite a bit in the months to come. Near the end of the year, the time to revolt is still no closer, but it would seem a spontaneous riot has broken out in one of the smaller towns just within province and several have been on the verge of doing so. Ever since the Felkan war broke out, the Shadow Guard haven't really been assigned there since the Empire has soldiers coming in and out of the area most of the time so it keeps the idea of rebellion down with the masses. However it would appear that's part of the problem in the first place as a lot of the soldiers have just been taking advantage such as supplementing their food supplies by emptying entire grain storages or fields. The rumors of worse things abound as well, but as always the Empire doesn't pay any attention to such things. The military and its conquest of the Felkan Kingdom is top priority. The peasants are just going to have to make do and suffer through it as always. Normally soldiers would put down the dissension going on in the province, but most of the military is currently attempting to make a big push on the Felkan Kingdom to break the current stalemate and it doesn't really want to divert any more soldiers than necessary. As the Shadow Guard are supposed to be the secret police enforcers in the first place, your order has been assigned to take care of the problem and the Empire wants an example made of the town of Hewlif which has openly rioted to the point where they've murdered all the Empire soldiers within it. While Brother Shade urges that this would be good time to openly strike, Master Ebon again says no and says the charade still needs to be kept. Even you find this to be a little strange since this would indeed be a good opportunity and judging by some of the other reactions of your fellow shadows they may be in agreement. "But how are we supposed to hide any potential rebels this time? I mean this is a whole town that the Empire wants us to wipe off the map!" Sister Bianca exclaims. "We aren't. We're going to obey the Empire on this one and do exactly what we're told." Master Ebon says. "WHAT?! Are you serious? This is supposed to be what we're fighting against! These average ordinary citizens have displayed more courage than you by taking matters into their own hands!" "Brother Shade!" Brother Gray snaps. "NO, I will not be silent this time! I must speak! We have the resources, we have infiltrated enough! Now is not the time to sneak about in the background, Dendrin wanted us to be free and I won't let you or this doddering old fool hold us back with your indecisiveness any longer!" Without another word, Brother Shade speeds himself up and moves in for the attack. He can't possibly win even if he does reach Master Ebon in time...unless you attempted to help him. > You help in the assassination Brother Shade has a point, waiting around for things to happen isn't why you're going along with the shadows. You thought they were actually trying to make major changes, but it's apparent a change in leadership might be indeed necessary. You speed yourself up and fire your armbow at Master Ebon, but instead of hitting him it hits Brother Gray instead. He clutches his eye and falls to the floor. You really didn't mean to hit him though; he just got in the way. Several shadows behind you tackle you to the floor, but this followed by more shadows assaulting your attackers. Apparently you and Shade's actions have caused a minor civil war within the shadow ranks and those that disagreed with Master Ebon are taking their opportunity. While you're trying to avoid getting trampled to death, Brother Shade's attack isn't as successful; he gets just within reach of Master Ebon before he's struck down with whatever mind power that Master Ebon apparently has. He displays it quite prominently when Shade instantly clutches his head as if it's about to explode. While that doesn't happen, he does begin to bleed from his ears and nose. He lets out one long scream of pain before collapsing to floor, this causes the current in-fighting to stop and just stare at Master Ebon who is now displaying an expression of fury the likes you've never seen on anyone before. "SO THIS IS WHAT IT HAS COME TO?" He shouts and points over at Brother Gray's body. "How can we possibly defeat the Empire if we're killing each other and doubting Dendrin's will? If Dendrin right now struck ALL of us dead for this blasphemy, I could not blame him! Nor would I because it is not my place, nor anyone else's to judge his plans! It is obvious that this order must undergo purification before we are even able to overthrow the Empire! Centuries of planning completely gone, but this is how it MUST be if we are ever to be truly free under Dendrin's blessed design." Master Ebon pauses a moment and then points in your direction. "We'll start with you for your murder of Brother Gray!" Before you can even react you feel a sharp pain wrack your brain then it courses throughout your entire body. It feels like your entire body is on fire and having thousands of blades stabbing you at the same time. You begin bleeding, screaming and writhing on the floor just like Brother Shade did with one importance difference, Master Ebon actually makes your head explode into gooey chunks just to get his point across about purifying the shadow order.

Year 20 "So Brother Cyrus and Brother Draven are going to be assigned to Rask soon?" you ask. "That's what I've heard from Brother Gray. Them and a few others. Next year at the latest." Murk says "Good idea, from what I've heard the Empire is always having problems with that area, though I think they'll start having problems in other areas too soon now that they're officially at war with the Felkan Kingdom." "Personally I don't think we should be waiting around now, we should push things along even more." Brother Shade says. "In fact, I'm going to mention that to Master Ebon next time I see him." "You don't think that he hasn't already thought of such a plan?" Talia asks. "Perhaps, but let's just say I've been here a little longer than the rest of you, and while I know Master Ebon is just waiting for the right time to strike, he's been playing the waiting game a little longer than I think is necessary." This statement from Brother Shade gets a lot of looks, but nobody says anything. Even you are surprised as this is the first time you believe you've heard something close to an open criticism about Master Ebon or the leadership structure in general. Soon after his statement Brother Shade leaves to attend his duties. "Brother Shade should watch how he talks about Master Ebon. Ebon speaks directly to Dendrin on a daily basis and knows best on how to proceed." Murk remarks. "Then why did you not speak up, instead of just sitting there?" Sister Bianca asks. "Uh...well..." "Always trying to impress the ladies, eh Murk?" you chuckle and take your leave to go about your duties as well. Later that night you fall asleep and have an encounter with someone you don't want to interact with unless you have to... "So I see you're fitting in well after all. Glad to see it seeing as you still don't particularly hold a lot of faith in my help. You are a most puzzling creature Eternal." Dendrin says. "For someone with god powers, you aren't very omniscient. As I said, I joined the Shadow Guard's cause because it's the best chance to bring down the Empire. Master Ebon is the leader and whether he's getting reliable guidance from you or not is irrelevant, he's who I'm following not you." "Interesting, so you've just exchanged one Emperor for another." "No, for one I actually have interacted with Master Ebon and understand his motivations and goals better. As far as I know about the Emperor and the Empire, they're just into power for power's sake. And what do you care? I'm following Ebon and he follows you, so shouldn't you be happy?" At this point a low chortle pierces your brain. "Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am. As always I enjoy our little talks Eternal." Sometime later you wake up from your sleep, still wondering what the hell Dendrin's game is. Year 21 "Besides the hidden cells we already have, I think we can definitely count on the elven population for support when the time comes, I don't think there's a single one that would defend the Empire, if it meant a true end to it. As for the human population well its hit or miss. We know we'll stir up any slaves and probably criminal types looking to take advantage of the chaos. The poorer folk might be a bit divided. Some are still brainwashed fools happy to toil under the iron fist, though happily a lot seem to be grumbling as of late. It'll probably go more to our favor when the revolution goes full swing." You tell your fellow shadows. "Good to hear. The reports I get from Cyrus at Fort Defiance are promising as well. He says that he's made contact with the orc commander who has been stirring up a bit of rebellion in the orcs. He's been slowly transferring many of them to Rask and concentrating on having them all rebel there though. This Captain Gruz states it would be too risky to do it with the orc serving on the Felkan frontlines as well since he needs to keep his profile somewhat low and they're probably just going to get killed soon in that meat grinder anyway." Brother Gray remarks. "And I still say we should've pushed further on sabotage on that front, not to mention try to convince Gruz to influence the orcs stationed there anyway." "Yes, yes, so you've said. Brother Shade isn't it enough that your voice was heard on the orc issue at all? You should be satisfied with that fact rather than pushing for needless recklessness. Your idea contribution was utilized in the best way that will advance Dendrin's agenda. Be happy for such a thing brother." Brother Gray responds. Brother Shade sits back down and scowls, but says nothing else except a few grumbles. He does glare at you as if you're to blame, but it's not your fault. You've been putting in just as much work as everyone trying to cultivate dissension and looking for weaknesses to exploit when the time comes, you sort of hope it comes soon though because even you are getting tired of the waiting around. You're still an Eternal and the desire for combat on a grand scale is still there. After the meeting you head towards your room since you have no more duties for today. As you walk down the corridor Talia catches up with you. "Where is Brother Murk, normally he's by your side talking to you after these things." "He had to rush to the Delerg province; he had duties to attend to there immediately after the meeting. "I see, for a moment I thought you were going to tell me he was attempting to unsuccessfully attempt to charm sister Bianca again." "He probably still did that before he left." "I don't know why he puts himself through the hassle. It is obvious she will never feel that way about him." Talia remarks. "Oh I dunno, with enough time he might wear her down in twenty years." "Perhaps, but his time would better spent elsewhere pursuing a mate. Certain people just aren't made to be together, unlike say us for example." While you and Talia have grown slightly closer over the years, you weren't aware it was to that level! "Okay Talia, you're going to have to explain in greater detail on this issue, because I'm lost." "I intend to. Basically I am choosing you now as a mate. I think you know there is wisdom in this." "Wha? Now? Me? Why?" "Because even though we are all siblings and equals in the eyes of Dendrin, quite frankly WE..." Talia grabs your hand and puts it to her heart and then your own. "...are Eternals. We still have a bond that the others don't and you're the only one I believe is worthy for me. Besides, I'm sure you are sick of waiting around for the revolution to get started and are feeling the urge for combat a lot. I figure we could both blow off some of those urges with other intimate activities." "...does that really work?" "I dunno, I've heard it does. It's not like I've tried this before, I guess we'll have to find out, assuming you want to that is...you aren't like Brother Cyrus are you?" "Hah, no. I just haven't thought about it a lot about it in general. I guess I've got a lot on my mind most of the time." "I sensed as much, as you always seem to be deep in thought a lot. Is it anything in particular?" You almost want to tell her how your whole experience with the Shadow Guard has most likely been a lot different from everyone else's. How you don't have faith in Dendrin and how you've personally had several frustrating conversations with him. And most importantly how you always wonder if secretly attempting to overthrow the Empire is even going to work in the first place. You don't though because it's only going to complicate things and perhaps you should take the time to relax every once in a while. You aren't even going to wonder if getting it on with Talia is even a good idea at this time. You're just going to act on her advances. The pair of you find a secluded spot and embrace. While it's a completely new sensation to the pair of you, it somehow feels natural. Not just the act itself, but rather who you're with. Perhaps Talia was right in thinking that as Eternals you do still have a bond that the others don't. She was also right about another thing too, sex does help with some of the pent up energy you both have. The pair of you engage in this activity quite a bit in the months to come. Near the end of the year, the time to revolt is still no closer, but it would seem a spontaneous riot has broken out in one of the smaller towns just within province and several have been on the verge of doing so. Ever since the Felkan war broke out, the Shadow Guard haven't really been assigned there since the Empire has soldiers coming in and out of the area most of the time so it keeps the idea of rebellion down with the masses. However it would appear that's part of the problem in the first place as a lot of the soldiers have just been taking advantage such as supplementing their food supplies by emptying entire grain storages or fields. The rumors of worse things abound as well, but as always the Empire doesn't pay any attention to such things. The military and its conquest of the Felkan Kingdom is top priority. The peasants are just going to have to make do and suffer through it as always. Normally soldiers would put down the dissension going on in the province, but most of the military is currently attempting to make a big push on the Felkan Kingdom to break the current stalemate and it doesn't really want to divert any more soldiers than necessary. As the Shadow Guard are supposed to be the secret police enforcers in the first place, your order has been assigned to take care of the problem and the Empire wants an example made of the town of Hewlif which has openly rioted to the point where they've murdered all the Empire soldiers within it. While Brother Shade urges that this would be good time to openly strike, Master Ebon again says no and says the charade still needs to be kept. Even you find this to be a little strange since this would indeed be a good opportunity and judging by some of the other reactions of your fellow shadows they may be in agreement. "But how are we supposed to hide any potential rebels this time? I mean this is a whole town that the Empire wants us to wipe off the map!" Sister Bianca exclaims. "We aren't. We're going to obey the Empire on this one and do exactly what we're told." Master Ebon says. "WHAT?! Are you serious? This is supposed to be what we're fighting against! These average ordinary citizens have displayed more courage than you by taking matters into their own hands!" "Brother Shade!" Brother Gray snaps. "NO, I will not be silent this time! I must speak! We have the resources, we have infiltrated enough! Now is not the time to sneak about in the background, Dendrin wanted us to be free and I won't let you or this doddering old fool hold us back with your indecisiveness any longer!" Without another word, Brother Shade speeds himself up and moves in for the attack. He can't possibly win even if he does reach Master Ebon in time...unless you attempted to help him. > You stop the assassination Brother Shade has gone too far this time in this foolish attempt at a coup. You didn't think he attempt such a thing, but maybe you should've seen it was coming. As such you feel like it's your duty to try to stop him before he can do any major damage. You speed yourself up and fire your armbow at Shade just as he reaches Master Ebon and Brother Gray. It's not a fatal hit, since your bolt amusingly hits him in the ass; however it's enough to throw him off and whatever power Master Ebon has, he displays it quite prominently when Shade instantly clutches his head as if it's about to explode. While that doesn't happen, he does begin to bleed from his ears and nose. He lets out one long scream of pain before collapsing to floor. Everyone else stands silent as Brother Gray checks to see if he's dead and then confirms it. You hear a quiet whimper of "I told him." come from the crowd. It must be Sister Dusk who was Brother Shade's lover. Even she didn't help him. "This is a sad day for all shadows. To think that one of our own would...I cannot speak of it...(Sigh) I am only relieved to see that the rest of you still hold more faith in Dendrin than Shade did." Master Ebon say and then looks at you. "And I thank you for reacting so quickly brother. I always know your loyalty to Dendrin to be impeccable. I think that's why you need to be one to be in charge of this mission. I know it's grim, but our order has done such deeds in the past. Just think of this as being a means to an end. A means to an end before we're all truly free." "I...understand Master Ebon. And I accept your confidence in me." After some discussion on the events that just occurred you are instructed to gather together some shadows to help you put down the revolt in Hewlif. You already know who you're going to pick though, Murk, Bianca and Talia, though you're sensing they have the recent event on their minds. "It's just like Master Ebon said, this is just one of the things we have to do before we put our own plan into action." You say back at your barracks. "I just don't know. I mean I don't agree with Brother Shade's actions on trying to kill Master Ebon, but he might've had a point about all this waiting around. When ARE we going to strike out against the Empire properly?" Sister Bianca says. "Yeah, I mean I know we've had to kill a lot of innocent people here and there for the Empire to keep up appearances, but we're talking about an entire town here. I just don't know..." Brother Murk says. You can't believe what you're hearing right now. Why all the doubts? Is this the so called faith in Dendrin? You're so frustrated that you lash out. "Oh for...I thought we were all doing this to serve Dendrin! I mean Master Ebon gets his orders from him and then we follow Master Ebon! It's a hierarchy that I THOUGHT we were supposed to adhere to, that's why I tried to stop Brother Shade in first fucking place! I don't have time for this, look if you lack the stomach to do this, I'll wipe out the entire town myself, and won't think twice about it!" You turn from your fellows and storm out of Gloom. As you're walking out you can sense other shadows that don't agree with Master Ebon, give you a few glares on the way out. You don't understand any of this. You thought Dendrin's brainwashing technique made them all utterly loyal, you can see now that it has its limits. Granted the only one that actually did anything against the order was Brother Shade, and he at least had enough courage to try to carry out his convictions, unlike the rest who just stood around to watch him die. You find it ironic that you're probably least faithful when it comes to Dendrin himself, yet your loyalty to the order is a lot more secure. On your way to stop at Lenet, you sense someone following you. You turn and see Talia. "It's you." "And a big greeting to you too, brother! Sheesh, I thought you'd wait for me after your rant at least." "I didn't think anyone was interested in coming with me." "You should know better than that." "So you agree with what I did?" "Well, I have to admit...and I'd only admit this to you...I sort of thought Brother Shade had a point." "Well of course he had a point. I mean for the briefest moment I thought about helping him." "You did?" "Yes, but I didn't because as far as I'm concerned I've chosen a side and for good or ill I fully intend on carrying out its mission or die trying. So if that means I've got to wipe out every town in the Arat province to bring the Empire down, well so fucking be it." Talia smiles a bit at your statement. "Now that is why YOU are the only one worthy of me." "Oh, you just picked me because Cyrus turned out to be gay." "Ha ha! Nah, I already knew what was up with him even back when we were all in Mistresses class. He was always staring that that one classmate of ours...what was his name...oh yeah Gerald. Can't say I blame him though, Gerald was probably the most handsome in class." "Hmm. I didn't take much notice of any of that." "No I wouldn't expect you would've. You tended to lurk in the background and just focus on the training and your orders. Though you're still focused on your orders, you're a lot more pro-active about it rather than lurking in the background now. I suppose that sort of unquestioning dedication is what makes you a great fighter though." You thank Talia for her compliment. For the remainder of journey you and her keep the chatter to a minimum. After all it is true that you do prefer to keep your mind focused on the task at hand. When you finally arrive near the town of Hewlet, you see a group a ragged Empire soldiers standing nearby. They hardly look like the Empire's "best". "Are you the shadow people the Empire sent for?" one of them asks. He doesn't look very old, in fact he's probably younger than you are. All of them look like that. You didn't realize how bad it was on the Empire's recruitment front. "Yes, yes we are and who are you supposed to be?" "I'm private first class Jones and this is my squad. We're sort of supposed to be watching the town. To make sure none of the dissidents attempt to leave it." "And?" "And what...uh sir?" Jones asks unsure of how to address you. "And so have any of them left?" "Um, not really. Well I mean I guess a few did before we arrived, but it looks like the rest are hunkered down in the town. I think they're building barricades around it." "How come the Empire hasn't sent a company in there to just wipe them out." "Not sure sir, but they said it wasn't the army's priority right now and that's what you Shadow Guard were here for." You shake your head at the absurdity of this. If there was ever a good argument for overthrowing the Empire this would be it. The sheer inefficiency of this is just ridiculous. Instead of having a group of snot-nosed recruits to play sentry, the Empire could've easily sent in a company of well trained troops to put down the fucking uprising and been done with it! Unless the war with the Felkan Kingdom is going a lot worse than you've heard of course. Right now you're glad you decided to aid the Shadow Guard despite your recent frustration with them. "So uh, where are the rest of your people? Are they invisible or something?" Jones asks. "No, it's just us." You answer. "...just you? But there's at least two hundred people in that town!" "Two hundred? Then that probably means only about fifty have any sort of combat experience, and maybe out of those, ten of which have beyond the basics. The rest...hardly worth thinking about. Still with only two of us here there are bound to be a few escapees. Oh well, we'll do what we can, the rest of you just stay out the way." Due to your cold seriousness, Jones is at a loss of how to respond other than a yes sir. You look at Talia, who nods at you as an indication that she's ready. The pair of you don't speed up or use any shadow magic tricks on your way to the town. The sounds of threatening shouts are blocked out as you approach. A few arrows are shot at you, but they are so pitifully aimed you don't even need to dodge most of them. As you get closer, you feel the stirring of battle approaching and you can hardly contain yourself. Whether this will help the Empire or the Shadow Guard cause you don't care right now, because all you're thinking about is how finally you'll be getting into a proper battle. You sense that Talia feels the same way. The following is a bloodbath, the hapless townspeople are no match for you or Talia. You don't even bother speeding yourself up, you rely on natural raw skill. By the time you've butchered most of the combat capable people, the rest of the townsfolk have either run and hid or tried to run off completely. You catch most of the stragglers though when you find a group of small children cowering in their school house (after running one of their teachers through with a sword) you get an idea. "Children, this is your lucky day, for today you not only get to be witnesses but also messengers. It is an important message that I want you all to spread to whatever other town you to run to. Tell the people that if they continue to cause trouble, they won't have to fear the Empire, but the Shadows. Oppose the Empire, and you will die. Oppose the Shadows and you will beg for a death that won't come quick enough. We have displayed mercy here today. Remember this." You then dismiss the children with a wave of your hand who go running and screaming out of the room and probably in several different directions. When you leave the school, Talia waves at you. "Hey are we chasing these kids down too? I just saw a bunch of them rushing out of the school crying the whole time." "No, I sent them off with an important message." "Oh, what was it?" "Hopefully an incentive for when the big day eventually arrives, the people will be more likely to side with us than the Empire or at least more afraid of us that they won't oppose us. In any case we've done our job here and the Empire shouldn't be bitching about it anymore." You and Talia take your leave of the newly created ghost town. You wonder if your small idea will have any effect, probably not, though you guess you won't really know until the day of the big revolt comes. > Year 25 You settle into the bed of the dead Empire captain for the night. Normally you'd be a lot more alert, but you've got an entire group of shadows here at the conquered Empire outpost, not to mention several elven freedom fighters. You're fairly confident that they'll wake you if a counter attack comes. For now though you really need to get a good night's rest. You've been fighting non-stop for the past couple of weeks and you need a quick recharge at least. It doesn't help that the use of shadow magic drains you as well and probably why you don't use it much. Not that you really need to anyway, your natural skills work well enough. While the rebellion has only just gotten started, a lot of progress has been made. All the provinces from what you know of are suffering revolts on some scale. The worst of the lot being Rask where Cyrus has taken control of Fort Defiance. The shadow/orc alliance seems to be working well up there and the rest of the towns aren't exactly in line to help the Empire. Apparently the strongest resistance is from the second Empire fort called Destiny and another Eternal called Captain Kane is in charge. You barely remember him from class, though you heard he made a name for himself wiping out various barbarian tribes. Speaking of Eternals, one has been personally put in charge of attempting to eliminate the shadow striker cells like yours. A Captain Roldan. You do vaguely remember him from class. Tended to follow orders to the letter during training. Sort of like you in a way, but different. He was more extroverted you think, you guess that's why he was chosen to be a soldier rather than a shadow. You still don't know the reasoning was for making you a Shadow Guard candidate anyway, if you had to guess it was to try to spy on them. Of course this all makes you wonder what if you hadn't been chosen? What if you'd been a regular soldier? Would you have been content on just following Empire orders and never knowing any better? You'll never know of course. You've chosen your path and it's best to make most of it. Not that you regret your decision as the rebellion goes well. And with that positive thought you fall asleep. As you drift off you find yourself back in the numbness of the void... "It's finally happened. Rebellion across the Empire. Are you finally satisfied?" "I'm satisfied in that I'm glad we've finally stopped sitting on our hands. Why ask me anyway? You're the one that's been guiding the shadows all this time for centuries to rebel. Shouldn't you be the one that's excessively happy about it?" you ask "Oh I suppose..." "You suppose? I don't get you. You act like you don't care one way or another about it!" "Perhaps the time has passed." "What?!" "Oh don't get me wrong, I once wanted to see the Empire fall because it infringed on my own control over the mortals that were worshipping me at the time. And it's been interesting how over the decades and centuries that my little followers have been building up their strength to defeat them, but quite frankly I figured they would've done it long before then. Now? Well its okay, but I've lost a bit of interest since that time." If you weren't floating in a void of sensory deprivation you'd yell and scream at Dendrin so loudly that the rage would be felt throughout your body right now. "But that's your fucking fault. YOU were the one guiding them! If you wanted them to strike before now, you should've made some sort of sign to Master Ebon, or whoever was in charge at the time!" "Quite frankly I stopped giving them any advice centuries ago. I found it was much more interesting to see them figure out things on their own. The only time I speak to any of them is during the ceremony process." "If that's the case, why all the indoctrination, if you're such a fan of free will?" "How long do you think that actually lasts? It's only temporary! Just long enough to get them to have faith in me. Whether they continue to follow me or not is all them and on a related note, whatever so called signs the shadow leaders have been talking about are either ones they made up or made up in their heads. Glad to see Ebon finally decided to get off his ass and do something and be interesting for a change though." "So I was right! I've been right all along! You're nothing but a fucking fraud. You're not a god at all." "No, Eternal YOU got it wrong. It isn't I who is a fraud. It's the religion itself! I didn't originally call ANYONE to worship me. They did that naturally when one of those big hairless monkeys stumbled into a cave and messed around with some lost magical Derro object that opened up a portal where I dwelled. I was perfectly content spending infinity in my own realm until that time, but things change and I took an interest in these new creatures and their world. Wasn't my fault that they saw me as some deity just because they couldn't comprehend me in any other way." "You didn't exactly deter that thinking though." "Well you have me there Eternal. And I say so what? I gave these creatures purpose, meaning and even magical power! In return they worship me and serve. If you really think about it, is that not the definition of a god? And so what if I have lost interest in my subjects? True, they have proven loyal, but I grow bored with their antics. I seek other stimulus now." As strange as it may seem you sort of understand Dendrin's point of view. He views humans and mortals in general as you would watch insects. They're interesting to watch for awhile, but after some time has passed you're ready to move on. And really who's to say that if you weren't some powerful being you wouldn't do the same? Still, you have more questions. "Okay, but why not move on then if you're so bored?" "Because I'm not quite THAT bored yet. Besides when you arrived things started to get interesting again. Never had anyone resist my indoctrination so strongly before. I probably could've increased it, but that might've killed you besides I thought it would be more interesting to see if you followed me even without the indoctrination. It's interesting to see that while you have decided to follow the shadow's cause, you have been nothing but indifferent to outright hostile towards the religion even before you found all this out. That displays a grain of imagination and it's mainly why I've been in contact with you. In fact you're about the only mortal I've spoken to on a regular basis in centuries." "I guess I'm the lucky one then." You remark. "Your sarcasm aside, you actually are lucky, because I'm about to give you some friendly advice. Namely, don't go back to Gloom." "What? What are you talking about?" "That's all you get Eternal. Heed my advice or don't, it makes no difference to me. Talk to you again later perhaps." Once again you wake up though this time Dendrin gave you some direct information. Quite a bit of it really. You aren't even sure of what to make of all of it. You mean you always knew something was off with the whole shadow religion, but you didn't think he'd actually admit it all to you. Makes you wonder why he did, when he's been so cryptic in the past. Then against perhaps he knows you can't actually tell anyone, or rather you could, but wouldn't be believed and most likely attacked as a heretic. Perhaps that's his little joke on you. Yeah sounds like him. Still he's also given you a warning of not going back to Gloom. Why? Is something terrible going to happen there? Does he mean forever or just in the near future or is he just trying to play head games with you as usual? In reality, you aren't even scheduled to go back to Gloom anytime soon. Your job has been to sew as much chaos as you can across the Quala province. Still, if something bad IS going to happen there, maybe you should try to prevent it or warn somebody or something because right now Brother Gray and Master Ebon are supposed to be preparing a proper army of shadows to march directly on the capital, though not in the traditional way. Apparently they're going to try to use a magical gate to travel through the shadow world and pop up right in the heart of the Emperor's Palace. Such magic is very powerful to use, but also very time consuming and fatiguing. You know they have been going through some sort of long involved ritual which is involving several of the more powerful shadows to link their energy and even draw upon some of the weaker ones. You know Murk and Bianca are there rather than working in a shadow guerilla detachment. (They never quite looked at you the same way again after the incident with Shade.) Talia is also there, though she's one of those lending her powerful shadow magic skills to the ritual. And despite one of the most important events occurring at Gloom right now, the ONLY reason why you'd return there to possibly risk your own life is for Talia. You've grown closer to her in a way that you never thought possible. The relationship you've experienced with her is just one more reason why fighting against the Empire is the best idea you ever had. Still all of this might be for naught if something happens to Gloom. You still don't know WHAT that could be and for all you know it could just be something that will affect your life not anyone else's. (And from Dendrin's tone, not for the better) > You go back to Gloom yourself Considering you willingly chose to oppose the Empire, you'd say you've already gotten over the whole putting yourself in great danger bit. You might as well go back to Gloom to find out what's going on if anything at all. If something is happening, then you need to help anyway. If something isn't, well nothing will have been lost except time attending your own duties you suppose. Still there isn't any reason for you to hold up the rest of your group. You call to speak to one of your fellow shadows that you believe to be the most skilled. "Sister Yvette, I need to go back to Gloom and no I can't be talked out of it either, but I assure you it is incredibly important. I want you to take charge of this group until I return. I think you know your mission and I'm sure you'll do a fine job." "But brother, your orders from Master Ebon are to stay with this group, and do not need to report your progress. He's busy performing the ritual at Gloom at this time, what is so important that you have to go back?" "It's a long story, but let's just say I've had my own personal sign from Dendrin himself." "You...you have? Is something bad going to happen? Should we all go with you?!" "As I said, you stay here and carry on the fight. I don't know if something bad is going to happen, but if it does, we're going to need shadows like you still doing your job to help bring down the Empire." Sister Yvette reluctantly agrees though it's apparent she would either prefer to go with you or for you to stay with the group. You don't know why, since she's actually been a shadow longer than you and should have more confidence in her ability to lead, but it's like with anything, some people are just naturally more gifted than others, even if they are supposed to be equals. You make your way back to Gloom as fast as possible, even using some magic to speed yourself up. It's tempting to attack some of the stray Empire soldiers you hide out from along the way, but you need to focus on just getting back. One thing you've noticed though is that you aren't really encountering any soldiers heading in the direction of Gloom. You would've thought (even without the warning) that more Empire soldiers would've been marching that way. In fact this revolt has been going on for months now and there have been no attempts by the Empire to attack Gloom, they've just been focusing on putting out the fires you've been setting everywhere else. You don't know if that's because they're lacking the manpower to adequately attack it due to the Felkan War, if they're just biding their time or maybe it's just Empire incompetence due to them not anticipating this even happening and having a backup plan for it. Eventually you arrive at Gloom the next night. You're a little tired, but you can't let that bother you. When you approach the rock formation you chant the usual words to reveal the opening and descend down the stairs. Gloom is normally a pretty quiet place. Rare is the time where you can hear lots of shouting or the clomping of footsteps. Right now you're hearing both in abundance, followed by the familiar sounds of metal clanging against metal. Apparently your worst fears have been confirmed. You rush down the rest of the stairs and peer around a corner just in time to seem half a dozen heavily armored figures chopping a shadow to pieces with axes. The figures themselves aren't very tall, almost squat like, but their armor still makes them look massive and you can't even see their faces. It makes you pause a bit; these are a powerful unknown foe as you've never seen any soldiers like this before in the Empire military and you can only assume they're helping the Empire. You take a deep breath and cast a cloak on yourself along with speeding yourself up again before pressing forward with your attack. You try to drive your blade through the armor of one of the figures, but it resists your attempts. The only thing you do manage is to do is knock him off balance long enough for him to tip over completely. You fire a bolt from your armbow at another one. It pierces his full face helm and knocks him back, but apparently not enough to kill him because he doesn't fall down. The other four have now turned their attention to you and while you run around striking them with your weapon, your blades just aren't getting through their armor. With your cloak off and your speed wearing down, one of them helps their buddy off the ground and the one with the poison bolt in his face helm has rejoined the fight after having pulled it out. What sort of creatures are these? You decide to back off a bit and reassess the situation, and then you make a complete retreat when the six of them start advancing on your position. Your saving grace is they aren't very fast in that armor and you easily find a storage room to hide in. You think you're alone, but you aren't. "Brother... I never thought I'd see you again..." you hear familiar voice struggle to exclaim. You turn and see Murk lying in a corner bleeding profusely. One of his hands is missing and he's holding in his innards with the remaining one. "Murk? What's going on? What's happened here?" "It's the Derro...they've returned...(cough) always heard they abandoned this place. Guess they REALLY want it back." "The Derro? How? When?" "A couple days ago brother. We've been fighting them off here for the past two days, but unsuccessfully I'm afraid. Everything was going well with the ritual and we would've been making a full invasion right in the heart of the capital if they hadn't just suddenly showed up. They disrupted everything. They came out of the damn walls and even from underneath the floors. They aren't as big as us, but the little bastards are the toughest things I've ever encountered and who knows what they look like under all that heavy armor." "The Empire is probably behind this attack." "Probably, but does it matter? They're killing us and no matter how much we try, we can't beat them!" "They can't be invincible. Everything dies." "Oh yeah, you can kill 'em, just really hard to, due to all that armor. Even without that, though they seem to have some natural magic resistance. (cough) I saw one of those fuckers take a full blast of shadow fire from Master Ebon himself, and he kept coming at him like a golem. It wasn't until Brother Gray stepped in to help that they turned him into blackened heap of melted metal." "Where are Master Ebon and Brother Gray?" "Brother Gray is dead. I saw him surrounded and literally torn apart by those things, I mean they (choke) ripped his limbs off like a rag doll...it was horrible. I don't...even want to..." Brother Murk begins to get upset, but you really need him to continue so you can get a better idea of how bad this is and maybe find some way of turning it around. "Murk, what about Master Ebon?" "I don't know. Probably dead! Just like Brother Gray and (sob) Bianca...I tried! I tried so hard to save her!" "Sister Bianca is dead too?" "No, not the last time I saw her. A couple of the Derro were dragging her unconscious battered body in chains to one of their invasion entrances. I've noticed they've been doing that with several of the female shadows. I tried to save her, and what you see before you is the result of my attempted heroics. I know she never saw me as a potential mate, but...I don't want to think about what they'll do to her...(sob)." This new information suddenly makes you ask the question that you're afraid to ask. "Talia? Did you see them take Talia?" "No, brother. I haven't seen Sister Talia since the interruption of the ritual. She may still be alive and fighting. Oh why didn't Dendrin prevent this destruction? Why wasn't this foreseen? We were on the verge of victory and now all is lost!" Murk cries out. "Hey! All isn't lost yet! The Empire WILL fall, I promise you." You say looking at Murk. He manages a faint smile, but his life force is fading fast. "Perhaps it will brother, but I won't live to see it anymore ...I'm sorry for..." "Murk, you don't have..." And you don't bother finishing you sentence. Murk is dead and even though you drifted apart slightly in last few years, you're going to miss him. Right now though you need to figure out what you're going to do. Tactically, this looks like a no win situation. From Murk's last words, the Derro have already managed to slaughter most of the shadows and have successfully overrun the fortress. You've already tried to fight a few and didn't make much headway. You might do better to get out of here and inform the remainder of the shadows topside of the bad news so that you can regroup. Of course the other part of you wants to at least try to find Talia, and even some other shadows that may need your help, because assuming you get out of this alive, you're going to need all the help you can get in continuing your plan to overthrow the Empire. > You leave Gloom This place is a mass grave at this point, these Derro have left nothing alive and if anyone is, then they're probably dying like poor Murk was. You need to get out of here now and try to regroup the shadows above ground. You make your way back towards the entrance; unfortunately the large group of Derro that were in your way when you entered are still in your way while you're trying to exit. They're guarding the entry gate to the stairway up which is now locked so you aren't going to be able to sneak past them and fighting them is obviously not a winning solution either. You find a spot nearby to hide in and wait for hours hoping that the group moves, but they just stand there like statues. You don't even see them speaking to each other. After even more hours of waiting they still haven't moved and you have to change your hiding spot anyway, because another group of Derro starts approaching uncomfortably close to your position. So you do the only thing you can think of, you sneak back to where Murk's body was and hide there. You figure eventually they will have to move on. After one day passes you still hear the clanking of armored foot steps roaming about Gloom, you manage to sneak out again and to your dismay the Derro are not only still there, but they're in the same exact positions. At this point you're getting very frustrated; you need to get out of here! Since you're trapped anyway, you decide to start looking for possible other survivor, though you're less optimistic now than ever. You spider climb on the ceiling and cloak yourself to avoid the Derro, but you don't find much save for massacred shadows and Derro patrols thoroughly searching Gloom. You can't believe how relentless this race is. In your search you never do find Talia. Not even her body. You can only hope she somehow managed to escape and didn't suffer the fate of Bianca. You'd actually rather not think about it. You do find Master Ebon's body though. He was heavily wounded and alone in some forgotten room, not unlike Murk. Two more days pass and you're still stuck in Gloom. You've managed to keep yourself going by raiding the kitchen for food and drink, but the Derro are still all over the place. (And still guarding the entryway) You don't know if they've permanently moved in here or what, but you hope that isn't the case because that's going to make escape even harder. By day five you get desperate. You come up with a plan to try to kill a few of the Derro guarding the entryway. You fail utterly and are turned back, worse the Derro now realize there is still at least one shadow in the area so they double up on patrols around the entryway and other important zones like the kitchen On day nine you're exhausted from evading Derro patrols. You don't know how the hell they've been managing to track you, but your cloak spell isn't working anymore. Just as well, because using your shadow magic is draining all your endurance at this point. On day twelve you're awakened by several explosions followed by the stomping of metal boots at a much quicker pace. You can hear shouting in Derro tongue, but you have no idea what's going on except more explosions are occurring shaking loose the stones and dirt above your head. You step out from your hiding spot and feel the rumbling all over and the strong scent of brimstone and smoke in the air. The Derro have purposely done something to collapse the entire complex! You immediately speed yourself up and rush to the entrance as you need to get out now or you'll be buried alive. Fully expecting that at least the entryway will be open now, you are in for a brutal shock when you see the same group of Derro STILL guarding it despite the fact that the entire place is coming down. If you could even see their faces, it probably would be a look of unconcern on them, because the Derro are still more or less not moving while standing guard. With no more hope, you rush into battle in a vain attempt to escape. You don't make it far, though you give as good of a fight as you can. The battle ultimately ends with you getting an axe in your spine, which is then followed by another axe blow to your left hand severing it. When you collapse to the ground mercy comes swiftly in the form of a large stone falling on your skull.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist] Considering you willingly chose to oppose the Empire, you'd say you've already gotten over the whole putting yourself in great danger bit. You might as well go back to Gloom to find out what's going on if anything at all. If something is happening, then you need to help anyway. If something isn't, well nothing will have been lost except time attending your own duties you suppose. Still there isn't any reason for you to hold up the rest of your group. You call to speak to one of your fellow shadows that you believe to be the most skilled. "Sister Yvette, I need to go back to Gloom and no I can't be talked out of it either, but I assure you it is incredibly important. I want you to take charge of this group until I return. I think you know your mission and I'm sure you'll do a fine job." "But brother, your orders from Master Ebon are to stay with this group, and do not need to report your progress. He's busy performing the ritual at Gloom at this time, what is so important that you have to go back?" "It's a long story, but let's just say I've had my own personal sign from Dendrin himself." "You...you have? Is something bad going to happen? Should we all go with you?!" "As I said, you stay here and carry on the fight. I don't know if something bad is going to happen, but if it does, we're going to need shadows like you still doing your job to help bring down the Empire." Sister Yvette reluctantly agrees though it's apparent she would either prefer to go with you or for you to stay with the group. You don't know why, since she's actually been a shadow longer than you and should have more confidence in her ability to lead, but it's like with anything, some people are just naturally more gifted than others, even if they are supposed to be equals. You make your way back to Gloom as fast as possible, even using some magic to speed yourself up. It's tempting to attack some of the stray Empire soldiers you hide out from along the way, but you need to focus on just getting back. One thing you've noticed though is that you aren't really encountering any soldiers heading in the direction of Gloom. You would've thought (even without the warning) that more Empire soldiers would've been marching that way. In fact this revolt has been going on for months now and there have been no attempts by the Empire to attack Gloom, they've just been focusing on putting out the fires you've been setting everywhere else. You don't know if that's because they're lacking the manpower to adequately attack it due to the Felkan War, if they're just biding their time or maybe it's just Empire incompetence due to them not anticipating this even happening and having a backup plan for it. Eventually you arrive at Gloom the next night. You're a little tired, but you can't let that bother you. When you approach the rock formation you chant the usual words to reveal the opening and descend down the stairs. Gloom is normally a pretty quiet place. Rare is the time where you can hear lots of shouting or the clomping of footsteps. Right now you're hearing both in abundance, followed by the familiar sounds of metal clanging against metal. Apparently your worst fears have been confirmed. You rush down the rest of the stairs and peer around a corner just in time to seem half a dozen heavily armored figures chopping a shadow to pieces with axes. The figures themselves aren't very tall, almost squat like, but their armor still makes them look massive and you can't even see their faces. It makes you pause a bit; these are a powerful unknown foe as you've never seen any soldiers like this before in the Empire military and you can only assume they're helping the Empire. You take a deep breath and cast a cloak on yourself along with speeding yourself up again before pressing forward with your attack. You try to drive your blade through the armor of one of the figures, but it resists your attempts. The only thing you do manage is to do is knock him off balance long enough for him to tip over completely. You fire a bolt from your armbow at another one. It pierces his full face helm and knocks him back, but apparently not enough to kill him because he doesn't fall down. The other four have now turned their attention to you and while you run around striking them with your weapon, your blades just aren't getting through their armor. With your cloak off and your speed wearing down, one of them helps their buddy off the ground and the one with the poison bolt in his face helm has rejoined the fight after having pulled it out. What sort of creatures are these? You decide to back off a bit and reassess the situation, and then you make a complete retreat when the six of them start advancing on your position. Your saving grace is they aren't very fast in that armor and you easily find a storage room to hide in. You think you're alone, but you aren't. "Brother... I never thought I'd see you again..." you hear familiar voice struggle to exclaim. You turn and see Murk lying in a corner bleeding profusely. One of his hands is missing and he's holding in his innards with the remaining one. "Murk? What's going on? What's happened here?" "It's the Derro...they've returned...(cough) always heard they abandoned this place. Guess they REALLY want it back." "The Derro? How? When?" "A couple days ago brother. We've been fighting them off here for the past two days, but unsuccessfully I'm afraid. Everything was going well with the ritual and we would've been making a full invasion right in the heart of the capital if they hadn't just suddenly showed up. They disrupted everything. They came out of the damn walls and even from underneath the floors. They aren't as big as us, but the little bastards are the toughest things I've ever encountered and who knows what they look like under all that heavy armor." "The Empire is probably behind this attack." "Probably, but does it matter? They're killing us and no matter how much we try, we can't beat them!" "They can't be invincible. Everything dies." "Oh yeah, you can kill 'em, just really hard to, due to all that armor. Even without that, though they seem to have some natural magic resistance. (cough) I saw one of those fuckers take a full blast of shadow fire from Master Ebon himself, and he kept coming at him like a golem. It wasn't until Brother Gray stepped in to help that they turned him into blackened heap of melted metal." "Where are Master Ebon and Brother Gray?" "Brother Gray is dead. I saw him surrounded and literally torn apart by those things, I mean they (choke) ripped his limbs off like a rag doll...it was horrible. I don't...even want to..." Brother Murk begins to get upset, but you really need him to continue so you can get a better idea of how bad this is and maybe find some way of turning it around. "Murk, what about Master Ebon?" "I don't know. Probably dead! Just like Brother Gray and (sob) Bianca...I tried! I tried so hard to save her!" "Sister Bianca is dead too?" "No, not the last time I saw her. A couple of the Derro were dragging her unconscious battered body in chains to one of their invasion entrances. I've noticed they've been doing that with several of the female shadows. I tried to save her, and what you see before you is the result of my attempted heroics. I know she never saw me as a potential mate, but...I don't want to think about what they'll do to her...(sob)." This new information suddenly makes you ask the question that you're afraid to ask. "Talia? Did you see them take Talia?" "No, brother. I haven't seen Sister Talia since the interruption of the ritual. She may still be alive and fighting. Oh why didn't Dendrin prevent this destruction? Why wasn't this foreseen? We were on the verge of victory and now all is lost!" Murk cries out. "Hey! All isn't lost yet! The Empire WILL fall, I promise you." You say looking at Murk. He manages a faint smile, but his life force is fading fast. "Perhaps it will brother, but I won't live to see it anymore ...I'm sorry for..." "Murk, you don't have..." And you don't bother finishing you sentence. Murk is dead and even though you drifted apart slightly in last few years, you're going to miss him. Right now though you need to figure out what you're going to do. Tactically, this looks like a no win situation. From Murk's last words, the Derro have already managed to slaughter most of the shadows and have successfully overrun the fortress. You've already tried to fight a few and didn't make much headway. You might do better to get out of here and inform the remainder of the shadows topside of the bad news so that you can regroup. Of course the other part of you wants to at least try to find Talia, and even some other shadows that may need your help, because assuming you get out of this alive, you're going to need all the help you can get in continuing your plan to overthrow the Empire. > You search for Talia Your main purpose of coming here in the first place was to make sure Talia was safe. You can't leave now without trying to find her or at least her body if she's dead. You leave the storage room and decide your best bet would be to keep yourself cloaked the entire time while you search the fortress. You also decide to use spider crawl just to make sure you're really out of sight. As you stick to the ceilings of corridors and rooms you survey the carnage of what the Derro have wrought on the shadows. It's almost like they didn't have a chance. You now have to believe that this was why the Empire wasn't attacking Gloom, they had some sort of deal with the Derro to do it for them and since this used to be a Derro home at one time, they probably knew every ancient secret passage and entire layout of it. You progressively get more and more discouraged in your search and that's when you hear a voice in your head. Not Dendrin's though, it's distinctly a human one. "To...the left and down the hall...hurry...not much time..." you hear Master Ebon say. Lacking any other ideas, you follow his instructions and make your make to his location from where you are. As you do so, you notice there aren't any Derro in this direction, though there are a few dead ones. You're guessing that the rest of their fellows haven't searched this area as much. "The door...at the end...hurry..." Sensing that there are no Derro in the immediate area, you climb down from the ceiling and prepare to enter the door at the end of the corridor. When you arrive in front of it, you hear a loud click as it opens. "Quick, inside!" a brother says pulling you in by the arm roughly. A quick glance and you see a couple more shadows both in wounded condition. You then see Master Ebon in some sort of spell trance. He's also wounded, but his status looks a lot worse. He probably shouldn't even be alive with the deep bleeding gashes he displays across his body. A female shadow stands near him also wounded. When you see her face more clearly and recognize her as Talia, your worries are at least divided by half. "What are you doing here?" she exclaims. "I heard the voice of Dendrin and..." in that moment you realize you've just admitted you've heard his voice for the first time. You then realize this isn't the time to keep it a secret and you continue. "...he...uh gave me a warning... are you alright?" "Just a light wound...wait, you said Dendrin spoke to you? He warned you about the attack?" "Well, not in so many words. Look we need get out of here, I can explain everything later." You then hear Master Ebon's voice again. He still isn't speaking verbally though and is using his mind. "Dendrin spoke to you? Lucky lad. He hasn't spoken to me since I first became a shadow. I always thought he would eventually, but he never did. I assumed he was testing me, to make my own decisions. Perhaps I offended him by claiming those decisions came from him directly, but I didn't know what else to do..." "Master Ebon, we can discuss this later, right now we really need to leave!" "Is Master Ebon speaking to you through his mind?" Talia asks. "Yes, and what's he doing anyway? He's just sitting there with gashes in his chest deep enough for me to see his heart beating and bleeding out. As I said we need to leave before the Derro kill us all." Master Ebon interrupts you. "They've already succeeded in killing me I fear, but I still have powerful magic...enough to save the remainder of you...to carry on the fight..." Master Ebon's eyes begin to turn completely black, this is followed by his entire body. A shimmering portal then opens up nearby. "This...was to take us to strike at the very heart of the Empire...but now just an escape...to friends. Continue the fight there. The Empire will fall as long as you continue to fight. Dendrin I hope you can forgive my failures as I have served to the best of my abilities...I am ready to enter your realm of shadow if you will allow it..." "Master Ebon!" Talia shouts when she sees his body undergo his transformation. "He can't be helped and he's giving us a chance to escape. We need to take it now!" "But where is it going?" the shadow that grabbed you by the arm asks. "He said to friends, but quite frankly it could lead into the middle of an Empire battalion and I think we'd still have better chances! Now come on!" Without another word you all enter the portal. Within seconds your eyes are nearly blinded by the whiteness of snow and you feel a blast of cold air whipping around you. "DIE! Shadow bastard!" you suddenly hear and turn around just in time to avoid a sword strike to the head. Realizing that this is an Empire soldier and not a Derro, you quickly dispatch your assailant who falls turning the snow red. When you said being transported into the middle of an Empire battalion would be a better situation, you didn't actually mean it! Fortunately it isn't quite as bad as all that. Getting your bearings you notice you're on a battlefield. The bodies of several Empire troops lay on the ground and are mixed in with those of orcs and shadows. A great fortress looms in the distance. "Fort Defiance..." you say to yourself. "Brother, we're over here!" one of the shadows calls out to you and you run over to the group. (Apparently, all the others teleported to a place out of immediate danger!) "Are we in Rask?" the shadow who grabbed you asks. You still don't know his name, you can only guess he was one of the newer recruits after you joined. "Well it doesn't look like Delurg that's for sure. I'm guessing that group ahead of us fighting the Empire troops are our brothers and sisters from Fort Defiance." Talia says. "Looks like it, well no time like the present, we need to go help them." "But what about those two? They're badly wounded and can't fight properly." The new shadow asks. "(Sigh) Very well, you, what's your name anyway?" "I'm Brother Gannon. I just joined recently..." "Yes brother, we can get all that getting to know you stuff out of the way later. I want you to take those two and head over to that fort in the distance. I'm sure they can get help there. What about you Talia, I know you're wounded too, do you need any first aid?" Talia draws her weapon. "I'll worry about my minor cuts after we take care of this Empire scum." She answers in a harsh tone. "Okay then let's go down there and drive back the Empire!" you answer back. You and Talia sprint as fast as you can to where all the action is taking place. Swords are clashed, halberds are swung, skulls are smashed and heads are severed. Mostly all in your favor and the Empire troops were actually losing even before you got here. Still, it's good to be on a winning side of a fight today and you feel energized by the battle. A short reunion occurs as you finish off the last of the stubborn Empire soldiers. "What the...? What are you doing here?! I thought you were supposed to be in the Quala province!"Cyrus exclaims running his sword through an enemy. "Things change brother and how have you been doing?" you answer doing the same. "We've been getting wave after wave of Empire skirmishers recently, but nothing serious yet. Honestly I would've thought we would've had a full on assault by now. I think they're trying to whittle us down, it won't work though. We're entrenched and have people all over the area slowly turning the population of Rask against them...is that Talia over there? What's SHE doing here? Last I heard she was supposed to be back in Gloom helping with the ritual that Master Ebon and Brother Gray were doing." "Like I said, things change Cyrus." At this moment there is a lull in the fighting that allows Cyrus to actually stop fighting. He looks at you his expression is one you've never seen before. One of genuine worry. "Oh no...what happened?" You don't even know where to begin. "Cyrus let's just get through this battle and celebrate THIS victory over the Empire. We can dwell on the troubled times to come later." The pair of you say nothing more for the rest of the battle which soon ends with your victory. You just wish it was a better one, because it cannot possibly counteract the incredible loss you have suffered this dark day. You think back on how you told Murk in his dying breaths that the Empire would fall, you also think back to how Master Ebon believed it would fall in his on dying breaths. If you had to guess, you think Talia probably still believes it and you know Cyrus will even when you tell him all that has happened. The righteousness in the shadows' cause and its unwavering faith in Dendrin has always been its strength that it cannot lose no matter how bad the odds. Of course it would help if you actually believed all that nonsense. Which brings you to your next dilemma: You already let it slip to Talia that you spoke to Dendrin and Brother Gannon was also there to hear it (and maybe even the other two wounded shadows heard it as well) , so it'll probably be brought up after everyone is caught up to speed on the war front and what happened at Gloom. The fact that Dendrin spoke to you is actually why you're here in the first place. The question is should you even mention what Dendrin said to you or just lie about what he said? Your own feelings on the situation are that Dendrin, god or not, is not worth following let alone creating a fanatical religion around. He obviously doesn't give a shit about any of you and sees you all as amusing toys at best. However, given the grim situation, the misguided slavish devotion to Dendrin might be the only thing that'll keep their spirits up. Not to mention you wonder if you'd even be believed. Cyrus himself is a very dedicated believer, he may even turn violent and you aren't even sure if Talia would believe you. > You tell the truth about Dendrin You really can't pay any more lip service to Dendrin after what you know and it's silly to let this charade go on. What's the point of rebelling against the Empire if it was solely built on the whim of a being that doesn't even care about his own followers anymore? After Cyrus catches you up on the situation at Rask, you and Talia tell him what happened at Gloom. Talia fills in the details better since she was actually there. Cyrus seems a little distraught at hearing so many shadows dying nevermind losing the shadow home, but he doesn't seem broken in his goals to continue to fight the Empire. "It doesn't matter, we've still got agents in the Quala province and other places. Once we reconnect with the various cells we can regroup. We need to tell the others here though now, the sooner we get this information out the way the quicker they can deal with the loss. The Empire is desperate and we'll overcome whatever else they decide to throw at us because Dendrin will see us to victory." "Yeah, about that I've got some more to tell you, in fact Talia you'll want to hear this as well. And before I start I need to both to not interrupt until I'm finished. Afterwards you can do what you like." This gets their attention and they sit down to listen to your tale. You start from the moment Dendrin first spoke to you and go from there. The look on both of their faces is first one of shock then as you explain more, Cyrus' face is one of calmness with a simmering anger that is only growing with every "blasphemy" you speak about Dendrin. He eventually closes his eyes as if blocking out the sight of you will help keep him from attacking you. Talia's expression displays more of a concern than anger. You aren't sure if it's because she believes you or is pained by the idea that someone she loves is basically speaking out against something she has placed unwavering faith in. You'll soon find out you suppose. When you finish, there is a moment of silence and then Cyrus takes a deep and opens his eyes. You feel him staring right through you and you are ready to fight if necessary, but he speaks instead. "Is that it?" he asks. "Yes." You reply. "What the hell do you hope to gain by this?" "Wha? Nothing, I just feel that the..." "And I'm supposed to believe this shit?" "Believe what you want Cyrus, it's the truth." "No, it isn't! Look I can believe that Dendrin perhaps warned you about Gloom because it was a dire situation, but I DO NOT BELIEVE..." Cyrus catches himself raising his voice and then stops to calm down again. "I do not believe that you were speaking to him on a regular basis. Only Master Ebon could speak with him in such a manner!" "He couldn't speak to Dendrin at all! He even admitted as much before he died! Talia was there for that, come on back me up here!" Talia turns away and hides her face. It's obvious now that she believes you, but doesn't WANT to believe you. Her silence though doesn't help in convincing Cyrus. "Just because you're mates doesn't mean you're allowed to bully her into your heretical way of thinking!" "What? No! Look, I can drag in Brother Gannon and confirm it as well since I'm pretty sure he heard everything as well!" "No, you're not poisoning anyone else with this shit. I can't believe...I mean where do I fucking start? You've stood here and just admitted that you've never been a believer in Dendrin! That's the whole foundation of our organization!" "Okay first of all I never said I didn't believe in him. He's very real and I know because he's been playing games with the shadows for centuries and fucking with my head since I met the bastard." "Yes, so you've said. So why you? You say that when you first met him during the ceremony that you resisted him and then gave in only to save your own life. You even said you still weren't sure if you weren't going to turn us all in to Mr. Mol when he questioned us that one time. Why would Dendrin speak with someone whose faith in him was so lacking?" "Fuck, I don't know Cyrus! Don't you think I've tried to figure that out? My best assessment? He's a sadistic fucker that gets bored easily so he finds new ways to amuse himself." "You insult Dendrin one more time and it'll be your last." Cyrus warns. "Oh fuck you Cyrus, you've wanted to kill me since we were Mistresses class. Just admit it and stop hiding behind an excuse." "Really? Is that what you think? Because if it is, then you're wrong about that as well. Yes, it's true I didn't like you for a long time, but after that moment when all of us walked out of Mr. Mol's interrogation room without betraying the shadows and staying true to the cause my opinion of you changed. I saw then we really were as brothers. Pity it turned out to be a lie. A horrible vicious lie." At this point Talia steps in. "So where does this leave us?" "What do you mean?" you ask. "I mean you've been keeping this all a secret for years. Why tell us now when things are at their worst for us?" "I...don't know. Maybe because things ARE at their worst and if we're going to continue this fight against the Empire, then we need to do it for the right reasons rather than for the misguided devotion of a false god..." "DENDRIN IS NOT A FALSE GOD!" Cyrus snaps and attempts to tackle you. You and he roll around on the floor punching each other for a while until you both finally break a few pieces of furniture and back off to catch a breather. Talia tells the both of you stop fighting. As you stare at him from across the room, you know that some part of him must be questioning his beliefs. If he really thought you were completely full of shit, he would've made more of an effort to try to kill you. And this scuffle tells you is he's pissed at you for making him question his beliefs. Still doesn't mean he won't try to kill you later if you press this issue, but it's more than you could've hoped for. "Look Cyrus, I know this sucks and maybe Dendrin is a god... I know he certainly thinks he is, but I'm still not following him. It's enough that I have to listen to his cryptic warnings and outright taunts on a random basis. I do see the need for the Empire to fall because it's corrupt, it's inefficient, and it's oppressive. However, I also see that in this shadow organization. How can you be against something when you're part of something else that's just as bad?" Cyrus doesn't answer he's still standing there fuming at you, but Talia says something. "I understand what you're saying, but Dendrin has at least given us our powers and shadow magic. Maybe everything what you've said about him is true, but does it really matter? In a way he sparked this rebellion centuries before any of us were even around. Without him, would their even been a rebellion able to hurt the Empire as bad as it has? I mean even with all that happened at Gloom, I still believe as Cyrus does that victory will come. I'm sure the orcs, the elves, the poor, the criminals and others all have their own reasons for wanting to see the Empire fall. Does it really matter why as long their beliefs carry them to see it through?" "(Sigh) No, I guess it doesn't Talia, but maybe for ME it does and I can't be a shadow anymore, or at least not one that buys into this worship of Dendrin. I can't live a lie and just go through the motions anymore. Now I will continue to fight the Empire. I'm still here for that, if I wasn't I would've betrayed you all to Mr. Mol years ago. Though I might be fighting the damned Empire for the most cliché reason ever now, which is love. When we bonded Talia, that's what gave me more of a purpose to fight the Empire more than anything. It's why I even went back to Gloom AFTER Dendrin told me not to. I couldn't leave you in potential danger." "Oh fucking spare me your romantic sense of nobility!" "Cyrus stop!" Talia yells. "He's just using honeyed words to get you on his side and somehow excuse his blasphemy. I can't believe you're even listening to him or even trying to see his side of things." "Oh really Cyrus and your reasons for fighting the Empire are purely for Dendrin huh?" you say. "Of course, why else would they be?" "Oh I don't know, maybe a certain shadow by the name of Draven comes to mind? Sure you aren't just a little more dedicated because of him?" "You leave Draven out of this!" "Fine, but your little outburst just proved my point. You're ready to fight me again just for mentioning his name which proves you might be doing a little of this for love as well." "I'm ready to fight you again, because you're attempting to sew chaos and dissent and I for one have had enough! If you want to abandon Dendrin fine. If you want to continue fighting the Empire for your own reasons fine. But you're not doing it here. I want you out of my fucking fort and I don't want to see you ever again!" "You can't kick me out, you're not head of the fucking shadows." You laugh. "Oh no? All of our leaders are dead! WE are the next in line if you haven't noticed and quite frankly I've got more support than you do. Always have. And if I wanted to I could expose your heresy to the shadows in the fort and have your head right now. The only reason why I'm not? Because I'm doing this out of respect for Talia and at one time I did consider you my brother. But you're nothing to me now. You're not an ally, you're not a brother, you're not a friend!" You look over to Talia hoping for support, but she offers none. "Talia, aren't you going to help me over here? All your professed love for me meaning nothing? Aren't we supposed to be mates?" "And we always will be my love...but I cannot follow your path. I just can't...I'm sorry..." "But..." you start to say, but you see that it won't do any good. You thought you were getting through to them too, but it would appear that even in the face of the truth, they are willing to stay in denial. Not even love can overcome faith it seems. You gather up all your belongings and start to leave, but you turn to address both of them before doing so. "You both know I'm right and you know why? Because all three of us have another bond and that's the fact we're Eternals and as such we have a tendency to acknowledge a hierarchy especially among our own kind even if we don't want to do it. Cyrus, I'm stronger than you, I'm smarter than you and just better than you in general. You've always known that. If we were in any other organization, I would be your superior officer or leader and what I would say would be unquestioned because you'd know that as your superior, I'd ALWAYS be right. You just can't admit it to yourself and let's face it, given how you flaunted how much support you had and how our leaders are dead, I'd say your true Eternal colors are finally showing. Talia...well I think you know where we stand. You were the one that brought up our bond as Eternals years ago. One would think that you would be listening to that instinct now, but for some reason you're not. When you're ready to tell me, I'll be around." With those last words you leave Fort Defiance wondering if they'll ever face the truth. In the mean time you now have to figure out how to fight a one man war against the Empire. A daunting task to be sure, but part of you feels strangely free now that you've officially broken away from the shadows. Time will tell if you've broken away from Dendrin however. > Time passes… Year 30 You throw another log on to the fire in an effort to keep warm. A futile task, but it's better than freezing. You'd like to stay in a town, but Empire troops seem to be everywhere in Rask nowadays ever since they halted the war with the Felkan Kingdom. From what you hear it wasn't exactly on favorable terms either, but you imagine that they needed to just so they had enough manpower to fight the rebellion. And if it isn't them, then it's the shadows who you've had a few unfortunate runs in with over the past couple years. Seems Cyrus told everyone you were a heretic after all. You aren't really surprised though, you even understand it. He's trying to solidify his power base and he still sees you as a potential threat even though you have no desire to take anything he has, let alone the shadows. You haven't even heard Dendrin's voice since you left the shadows and while you're glad of that, it's still like everyone has completely abandoned you. (Your shadow magic abilities have weakened quite a bit, but aren't gone completely, so you're guessing Dendrin's probably still watching you for whatever twisted reason.) You wish you could figure out why Talia turned on you though, but the only answer you can come up with is her bond with the shadows was stronger than her bond with you despite everything you shared. It doesn't sadden you so much as it disappoints you though perhaps you had too much faith in the relationship. You laugh to yourself about that one since you probably lost faith in the Empire and Dendrin quicker than you did in Talia. Even now you still hold out the hope that she'll return to you and see that her own in Dendrin is incorrect. Of course this also makes you question why the hell you're still doing all this. Like fighting the Empire for instance, why are you still bothering? When you were first part of the shadows, you were united with them in their cause if not their reasons. It wasn't probably the best motivation, but it was enough for you at that point because back then you were so damn confused about who you should even be loyal to. When you got together with Talia, your motivation became stronger. However that motivation is all gone. Talia isn't around and the shadows have for the most part turned on you. Why bother? What are you getting out of it really? Even if the Empire does fall, then what? The shadows original plan was to go back to their old ways of private worship, but if Cyrus' leadership is any indication that plan will be thrown out. He'll most likely just try to carve out a nation of his own using similar oppressive measures. You doubt he'll get the chance though. Sure the Empire has been greatly weakened, but by your observations it'll eventually overwhelm the rebellion through sheer numbers alone and things will most likely go back to the way they were before and the people will just accept it. It's not like your efforts are even appreciated by anyone at this point. The more you think about it, the more you think how you probably should've just stayed loyal to the Empire. You would've saved yourself a whole lot of hassle. You wonder if you're just going through the motions because you don't have anything better to do. Though perhaps that's not entirely true, there is ONE thing that has stayed with you and that's your love of battle. You think that has to be a major part of it. You could be fighting Empire soldiers or shadows and it ultimately wouldn't matter to you (And it really doesn't at this point because they're both hostile to you) you just like getting into the thick of combat and striking down whatever enemy that's in your way. Makes you think you'd probably be better off working as a mercenary like those svelk do. Unfortunately you don't really have that option considering both sides of this conflict hate you. If you wanted to pursue that life you'd have to move on to a different land somewhere, after the world has to be a bigger place than what you've seen right? Still, you aren't and have never been motivated by money. You figure if it really is battle lust that's keeping you going then you might as well stay here since there's no shortage of it. And despite your brief period of re-assessing your situation, you are still hoping Talia will one day see the light and come back to you. In the meantime you're just going to have to live off the land and continue the fight though you don't even know how much longer that's going to last, Captain Kane has been pushing for final victory a lot harder lately. You know Cyrus has sent out assassination attempts against him, but they've all failed. Kane might not have the fancy shadow tricks, but he's still an Eternal and a pretty vicious one. Really you're sort of disappointed that Cyrus wouldn't at least try to do the deed himself, if he's serious about being a leader. Likewise Kane has tried to take Fort Defiance, but so far it has lived up to its name, the problem though is it won't for long. The Empire has slowly been putting down the major rebellions in the south, and Captain Roldan has been hunting the remaining shadows still down there and doing a good job of it too. This means more troops have been getting sent up to Rask lately. Not enough to finish off the shadows, but enough to start making a difference in swinging the long stalemate. It doesn't help that the alliance with the orcs has broken down with the shadows and you've heard rumors that their ring leader Gruz was finally caught in the act of sabotaging and misinformation and executed. Flog took it upon himself to take charge and didn't agree with how Cyrus was doing things since the orcs were still taking the brunt of the casualties. One would think this would've ended in bloodshed, but Flog apparently was remarkably forward thinking for an orc. Flog took the remainder of his people and headed even further north to where the giants, ogres and other manner of monsters make their homes. As far as he was concerned the Empire wasn't going to ever be able to extend its territory that far north in the state they're in and saw no more reason to waste more lives to help the shadows (who only saw them as tools anyway). As it stands the shadows, civilian dissidents and even some soldiers that turned traitor are about all that's left to defend Fort Defiance. Village and town support is next to nil now. There are probably still a few rebel bands hiding in the wilderness (much like you do) but you'd venture to say that they do even less damage than you do, which is pretty sad considering they at least have a bit more support and people than you do. This rebellion will be crushed in a few months if something doesn't change quickly and about the only thing that's going to do that at this point is doing something Cyrus has been failing to do: Killing Kane. Get him out of way and it'll probably take months for the Empire to get their shit together before they put in an equally competent person. (You'd guess that will probably be Roldan, but you'll have to deal with that later.) It'll give the rebellion a bit of breathing room up here in Rask at least. The question is how to do it. You could try to break into Fort Destiny, but security there is always at maximum and your shadow magic stealth tricks aren't as strong now. Even trying to disguise yourself as a guard might only get you so far. Still, you can always trust that your combat skills will get you through day if magic and trickery fail. You also could wait for an opportunity for Kane to leave the fort, he does do that from time to time when he wants to make an example of a town or engage in a major battle. The problem is the next major battle he'll probably engage in is trying to take Fort Defiance again, and by that time it'll be too late since he'll probably win this time. This means you're going to have to do something that'll make him so angry that he'll want to make an example of some hapless village that isn't falling in line with the Empire. > You sneak into the fort Elaborate plans usually mean more chance of failure, better to just stick with a simple assassination where you're at least sure to face Kane. You make preparations mainly in the form of a making a strong poison. The shadows always used them on their bolts, but given that Kane's an Eternal he's not going to be floored by the stuff instantly. Ideally you'll get a single shot while he's asleep, but who knows how this is going to play out so you take the time to heavily poison several small throwing daggers you'll take with you as well. Not very sporting perhaps, but you're trying to accomplish a very difficult task by yourself as quickly as possible. The next day you make you way to the outskirts of Fort Destiny, making sure to avoid getting spotted by the multiple patrols along the way. One thing about the Empire is they typically stick to certain building designs. While you weren't in Fort Defiance very long you do remember the layout. If you're lucky, Fort Destiny's layout should be similar. Sneaking about and scaling the walls of the fort aren't really a problem for you. You don't even need to rely on your magic that much. You make things easier for yourself by slitting the throat of an isolated guard in one of the towers and disguising yourself in his clothing and armor. It won't fool everyone, especially if they take a closer look, but it should help. As you make your way through the fort you're relieved to find that the layout is indeed very similar to Fort Defiant's layout. This will make escape a lot easier. The closer you think you're getting to Kane's quarters the larger amount of soldiers standing around as guards. Eventually you get to a point where there's no way you've going to be able to bluff or sneak your way in. You're going to just have to kill them, the problem is that's going to alert everyone. So you do the only thing you can think of. You cloak yourself and start tossing your poisoned throwing daggers at the soldiers. Naturally you catch them off guard and the poison is strong enough to kill them almost instantly. While you've cleared the way and done it as silently as you were able, there's still enough noise of their lifeless bodies hitting the floor. This is just enough noise to alert Kane who was sleeping in his quarters, or perhaps he wasn't sleeping since when he steps out of his room, he's fully dressed in battle armor (It's entirely possible he sleeps in it though) with axe in hand. He's certainly as imposing as his reputation. Wasting no time you throw your remaining daggers at him and shoot your armbow bolt at him. The daggers unfortunately are deflected from his armor or he dodges them completely, the bolt sinks into his arm, but the poison doesn't seem to slow him down. "Pfah! You shadows and your poisons. I developed immunities to those years ago! Now fight like a man!" he says and charges at you. You block his attack just barely. In fact he keeps on the pressure for a good five minutes before you can even maneuver in such a way to attack back. By this time more soldiers have arrived, but Kane shouts at them saying he wants to slay you himself. They obey, but there's enough of them to block all the immediate exits. This is pretty grim, even if you win, you don't see how you're going to get out alive, unless you impress them so much with your victory that you break their morale. Of course first you have to win, and right now that's looking more doubtful by the second. Kane is matching you in combat skill in everyway. In fact he's actually a little bit better than you and you're forced to rely on your shadow magic to give you a slight edge. It doesn't give much of one though; Kane's slaughtered so many shadows trying to assassinate him with magic that he's developed his own battle style against them. Your own weak magic is more of a hindrance to you in the long run as you quickly begin to get fatigued from using it. "What's the matter outcast? Weak magic, because you're no longer Dendrin's favored? Ha ha! I know who you are and you're a disgrace to the name Eternal!" Kane remarks and slams you into the wall with all of his weight. You feel like all the air has left your body and you struggle to catch your breath when you receive another slam to your head with his metal gauntlet. Bleeding from your head and lying prone of the floor isn't a great position during any sort of fight and this one is no exception. Kane wastes no time in finishing you off with an axe blow to your face. The Butcher of Rask has claimed another victory.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, grimdark, villain protagonist] Year 30 You throw another log on to the fire in an effort to keep warm. A futile task, but it's better than freezing. You'd like to stay in a town, but Empire troops seem to be everywhere in Rask nowadays ever since they halted the war with the Felkan Kingdom. From what you hear it wasn't exactly on favorable terms either, but you imagine that they needed to just so they had enough manpower to fight the rebellion. And if it isn't them, then it's the shadows who you've had a few unfortunate runs in with over the past couple years. Seems Cyrus told everyone you were a heretic after all. You aren't really surprised though, you even understand it. He's trying to solidify his power base and he still sees you as a potential threat even though you have no desire to take anything he has, let alone the shadows. You haven't even heard Dendrin's voice since you left the shadows and while you're glad of that, it's still like everyone has completely abandoned you. (Your shadow magic abilities have weakened quite a bit, but aren't gone completely, so you're guessing Dendrin's probably still watching you for whatever twisted reason.) You wish you could figure out why Talia turned on you though, but the only answer you can come up with is her bond with the shadows was stronger than her bond with you despite everything you shared. It doesn't sadden you so much as it disappoints you though perhaps you had too much faith in the relationship. You laugh to yourself about that one since you probably lost faith in the Empire and Dendrin quicker than you did in Talia. Even now you still hold out the hope that she'll return to you and see that her own in Dendrin is incorrect. Of course this also makes you question why the hell you're still doing all this. Like fighting the Empire for instance, why are you still bothering? When you were first part of the shadows, you were united with them in their cause if not their reasons. It wasn't probably the best motivation, but it was enough for you at that point because back then you were so damn confused about who you should even be loyal to. When you got together with Talia, your motivation became stronger. However that motivation is all gone. Talia isn't around and the shadows have for the most part turned on you. Why bother? What are you getting out of it really? Even if the Empire does fall, then what? The shadows original plan was to go back to their old ways of private worship, but if Cyrus' leadership is any indication that plan will be thrown out. He'll most likely just try to carve out a nation of his own using similar oppressive measures. You doubt he'll get the chance though. Sure the Empire has been greatly weakened, but by your observations it'll eventually overwhelm the rebellion through sheer numbers alone and things will most likely go back to the way they were before and the people will just accept it. It's not like your efforts are even appreciated by anyone at this point. The more you think about it, the more you think how you probably should've just stayed loyal to the Empire. You would've saved yourself a whole lot of hassle. You wonder if you're just going through the motions because you don't have anything better to do. Though perhaps that's not entirely true, there is ONE thing that has stayed with you and that's your love of battle. You think that has to be a major part of it. You could be fighting Empire soldiers or shadows and it ultimately wouldn't matter to you (And it really doesn't at this point because they're both hostile to you) you just like getting into the thick of combat and striking down whatever enemy that's in your way. Makes you think you'd probably be better off working as a mercenary like those svelk do. Unfortunately you don't really have that option considering both sides of this conflict hate you. If you wanted to pursue that life you'd have to move on to a different land somewhere, after the world has to be a bigger place than what you've seen right? Still, you aren't and have never been motivated by money. You figure if it really is battle lust that's keeping you going then you might as well stay here since there's no shortage of it. And despite your brief period of re-assessing your situation, you are still hoping Talia will one day see the light and come back to you. In the meantime you're just going to have to live off the land and continue the fight though you don't even know how much longer that's going to last, Captain Kane has been pushing for final victory a lot harder lately. You know Cyrus has sent out assassination attempts against him, but they've all failed. Kane might not have the fancy shadow tricks, but he's still an Eternal and a pretty vicious one. Really you're sort of disappointed that Cyrus wouldn't at least try to do the deed himself, if he's serious about being a leader. Likewise Kane has tried to take Fort Defiance, but so far it has lived up to its name, the problem though is it won't for long. The Empire has slowly been putting down the major rebellions in the south, and Captain Roldan has been hunting the remaining shadows still down there and doing a good job of it too. This means more troops have been getting sent up to Rask lately. Not enough to finish off the shadows, but enough to start making a difference in swinging the long stalemate. It doesn't help that the alliance with the orcs has broken down with the shadows and you've heard rumors that their ring leader Gruz was finally caught in the act of sabotaging and misinformation and executed. Flog took it upon himself to take charge and didn't agree with how Cyrus was doing things since the orcs were still taking the brunt of the casualties. One would think this would've ended in bloodshed, but Flog apparently was remarkably forward thinking for an orc. Flog took the remainder of his people and headed even further north to where the giants, ogres and other manner of monsters make their homes. As far as he was concerned the Empire wasn't going to ever be able to extend its territory that far north in the state they're in and saw no more reason to waste more lives to help the shadows (who only saw them as tools anyway). As it stands the shadows, civilian dissidents and even some soldiers that turned traitor are about all that's left to defend Fort Defiance. Village and town support is next to nil now. There are probably still a few rebel bands hiding in the wilderness (much like you do) but you'd venture to say that they do even less damage than you do, which is pretty sad considering they at least have a bit more support and people than you do. This rebellion will be crushed in a few months if something doesn't change quickly and about the only thing that's going to do that at this point is doing something Cyrus has been failing to do: Killing Kane. Get him out of way and it'll probably take months for the Empire to get their shit together before they put in an equally competent person. (You'd guess that will probably be Roldan, but you'll have to deal with that later.) It'll give the rebellion a bit of breathing room up here in Rask at least. The question is how to do it. You could try to break into Fort Destiny, but security there is always at maximum and your shadow magic stealth tricks aren't as strong now. Even trying to disguise yourself as a guard might only get you so far. Still, you can always trust that your combat skills will get you through day if magic and trickery fail. You also could wait for an opportunity for Kane to leave the fort, he does do that from time to time when he wants to make an example of a town or engage in a major battle. The problem is the next major battle he'll probably engage in is trying to take Fort Defiance again, and by that time it'll be too late since he'll probably win this time. This means you're going to have to do something that'll make him so angry that he'll want to make an example of some hapless village that isn't falling in line with the Empire. > You lure him out If you actually had a little help, you probably would be able to pull off killing him in the fort, but the risks are too great and while you might have a love of battle, you also have a strong sense of self-preservation. So luring Kane out it is. The next day you come up with a plan and your first step is seeking out a lone peasant. It doesn't take long and after you get him to calm down you ask him a few simple questions such as if he has family, where he lives, is he part of the rebellion, etc. Happily he's pretty informed on things being a travelling peddler and all. He ultimately tells you he has no ties to the rebellion, but he's aware of certain villages that he's visited that still have sympathies a lot stronger than they let on. You make a note of where to head to for the third step of your plan. The second step involving killing the peasant and disguising yourself as him, well not as him, but as another wandering merchant. After disposing of his body you set off towards the town of Volgst. You start off by assessing the Empire strength there. It's moderate, but nothing that couldn't be handled. It's obvious the people are just trying to go about their business, but if what the peddler said was correct, this place has just been temporarily cowed into submission due to occupation and closer proximity to Fort Destiny. You decide to head to the local tavern and take in some of the atmosphere. You order a drink sit at a table in the corner and pretend you're just going through some of your inventory. You get a few people asking you about some of the jewelry you have on the table. To you it looks cheap and it probably is, so you don't charge much, just what you think its worth since you aren't here for that anyway. You sit there a few hours and then finally some Empire soldiers come through the door. The tavern gets a bit quieter and that's when you decide to make things louder again. "Hey barkeep! Gimme another ale!" you shout walking up to the bar interrupting the soldiers who were attempting to order their own drinks. "Uh, hold on sir. I just have to serve these gentlemen first." "Oh come on, I was here first and they aren't supposed to be drinking on the job anyway!" At this point one of the soldiers addresses you. "We happen to be off duty right now citizen." "Off duty? When there are rebels running around all over the place? What the hell man? You should be out there killing the sons of bitches, not getting drunk!" "I can assure you we are, and citizen you need to calm down." "Why is it taking so long anyway? Is that captain of yours just sitting on his fat ass in that fort all day while rebels terrorize the area? I thought the Empire was supposed to be doing something about it, but it looks like it's as impotent as ever!" At this point now several bar patrons start to take notice, some try to get you to calm down, others just outright leave. The soldiers to your surprise haven't tried to kill you yet. It's almost like they're trying to diffuse the situation and dismiss you as some loudmouth drunk because all they really want to do is relax after a long day. Oddly enough, you can understand it, unfortunately you can't relax either. You step it up and physically push one of the soldiers. That does it, and the swords come out. You kill two soldiers almost immediately, the third one runs off for help, leaving the fourth one to try to finish you off. He fails miserably when you run your sword through his chest. Three bodies lay at your feet and several patrons are in shock along with a very scarred bartender. "What the fuck did you just do? We're all dead men!" he screams. "You were dead long before I got here. Now if you want to live, you'll help me fight these Empire assholes and get them the hell out of this town." "You dumb fuck, don't you realize they'll just send more troops? The Butcher of Rask himself will probably come here himself and lay waste to the entire town!" "That's what I'm counting on. Now I know this place still has rebellion sympathies, and I'm telling you right now, if you really want to be free of the Empire you'll start helping me rather than hiding...or don't if your conviction is lacking. Either way I'm stepping outside and I'm going to be killing Empire soldiers and I'm not stopping until all of them are fucking dead. Do what you like." You take your leave at this point and face the small platoon of soldiers that is running in your direction. You don't use any shadow magic, just pure skill to put soldier after soldier down. After you've killed about six of them in the open street, some of the citizens actually start growing a backbone and begin to help. A riot ensues and you've accomplished your mission. The remaining soldiers are quickly overwhelmed and those that aren't manage to run off. You could easily catch up with them, but you figure Kane will show up quicker if someone's alive to talk about what happened. While the celebrating is going on, you take the opportunity to slip away before someone holds you up as some sort of hero when you really aren't. This is all just a means to an end to you. Your escape back into the wilderness isn't completely unnoticed though and you draw your weapon again when you sense yourself being followed. "Alright I know somebody is following me...shadowing me even. Might as well come out now so we can get this over with because no cloak is going to help hide you." A lone shadow materializes. To your surprise it's Brother Gannon. He's little older now and a lot more worn looking, almost beaten. He has no intention of trying to kill you. "Did you have to do that? That place was one of the few towns left that was still able to sneak supplies to us! When Kane finds out what happened he's going to destroy the place! We're suffering from a lack of supplies and allies as it is!" he exclaims. "Yeah? Well maybe if Cyrus was taking a more personal hand in this war like I just did, he'd be inspiring more people to follow him more openly. What the hell happened to him? I've been out here on my own for five fucking years and I've seen nothing but Cyrus make mistake after mistake! Pulling back and attempting to lay low? Losing your orc allies? Not reconnecting with the shadows south of Rask?" "Actually we did try to do that, but...(sigh) nevermind you're right it's all gone horribly wrong. Master Cyrus' leadership isn't like Master Ebon's. I mean I know he's the one that's guiding us and speaking to Dendrin personally, but his need for control is so uncompromising sometimes. As much as I hate it, I'm actually glad I got assigned to be this town's liaison, anything to be out of that fort! He keeps saying that Dendrin won't let us lose and that final victory will come, but it seems so bleak now. I'm trying to keep the faith, I'm really trying, but...oh why won't Dendrin just hear our prayers and help us now?" You shake your head and smile at the delusion that continues to plague the shadows. "Why should he? It's more amusing for him to see you all desperately try to squirm out of your hopeless situation." This cynical (yet true) answer is met with a dead silence. Poor Gannon looks so forlorn that he's probably agreeing with you in his head. Gannon might come in useful though so you decide to try to not break his spirit completely. "However, MAYBE Dendrin did answer your prayers, namely in the form of me. I probably just bought you all a little more time." You add. "What? Your big plan to kill Kane? The Butcher of Rask? I heard you down there in the tavern! If Captain Kane even comes he's going to come with a company of elite soldiers not by himself! Besides, Cyrus sent the best shadows against him and he's killed them all! Why do you think you have a chance?" "Simple. I'm an Eternal and if Cyrus remembered that he was instead some Dendrin worshipping fool, we wouldn't be in this situation now." "Yeah? Well Sister Talia is one of you Eternals too, she could've done something as well. I don't see you blaming her." You grab Gannon by his collar before he can react. You stop yourself from killing him, because you know he's just pissed at his lot in life right now. Not to mention he's got a point. "You know what you're right. She could've. It's not really important right now though, what IS important is that we get prepared for Kane's arrival." "We?" "Oh yes. You want to help turn things around, you'll help me." "How?" How is a good question. The easiest way is to have him help you organize the townsfolk so that they can at least put up a good fight against the soldiers while you take care of Kane. The long shot would be to send him back to Fort Destiny to explain your plan and hope he can convince the shadows to come help you. It's a gamble, but maybe Cyrus hates the Empire just a little more than he hates you. > You send Gannon back While the people of this town can probably put up a bit of resistance, they aren't going to last too long if Gannon is to be believed. You need some help of worth, so you tell Gannon that he needs to go report back to his master. "What? Master Cyrus isn't going send anyone to help a heretic like you!" "He will if he wants to keep this town still supplying you lot. I'm not asking him to come down here himself, since I know that would be too much for him now, but I'm saying he could at least send some shadows down here to help kill someone who is detrimental in your continued existence. However, regardless of what you or Cyrus decide I'm going to be fighting the Empire, because contrary to popular belief, I'm not your enemy." And with those words you head back to your campsite to get prepared. You check up on the town the next day and see they're already starting to barricade the place. If they're lucky, you figure they'll only lose about a half of the town before the battle is over. A couple days later you scout a little further south of Volgst and that's when you see a large group of soldiers approaching. Several on horseback, many more on foot and unfortunately a single catapult as well. If Kane is actually with them, you'd guess he'd be on horseback, but then you can't tell at this distance. You find a good elevated spot in some trees and when the mass of troops get in range you do a little sniping with your bow which you've gotten a lot better with over these past five years thanks to your need to hunt on a regular basis (And certainly a lot better than your single shot armbow which you practically never use anymore) You fire at the ones on horseback first, you don't get Kane, but you do find out he's the one that starts shouting the loudest about getting that sniping sonofabitch. Turns out he was walking the entire time. You try to aim for him, but now the chaos is so great within ranks that he wisely takes advantage of getting lost in the mass. Doesn't take long before they figure out where it's coming from and start responding in kind. You immediately dash from your position and retreat deeper into the wilderness. A group of soldiers are sent to look for you though you dispatch them with relative ease as you use the terrain to your advantage. By the time you're done with the goon squad that was sent after you, the rest of them are hastening their way towards Volgst. If Cyrus is sending anyone, they're obviously coming at the eleventh hour, or more likely not at all. Can't say you're surprised, but it would've been nice to have some help. When you make it back to the outskirts of Volgst, you see that it's prepared for a frontal assault. You watch from distance for about a half hour before Kane's company arrives. He doesn't bother with any sort of diplomacy and orders the catapult to fire. A rock smashes through the barricades and the make shift wall that was set up in front of the town. They're wide open for the Empire troops to pour in now, with the Butcher leading the way. You make your way towards town and jump into the battle, which naturally isn't going well for the citizens of Volgst. When you arrive it gets a little better, but even you can't stop the carnage and what will probably be the utter destruction of Volgst. Right now though all you're trying to do is seek out Kane and kill him. And as luck would have it, you bump into him, or rather the pair of you catch sight of each other in the middle of the chaos. He doesn't dodge you or even make any sort of threatening war cry, he just walks straight towards you and you to him. When he stands before you, he certainly displays the signs of a battle-hardened warrior, but there's something more to it than just his size, armor and scars. It's his eyes. Not like a hate filled wraith behind them, but more like he's experienced something that's caused the light in them to go out. Almost soulless. "The Butcher of Rask, himself. At last we meet." You say. "Yes, and you would be the shadow outcast and it will be a pleasure to finally bring you to the Emperor's justice that you've evaded for so long." "Hmm, guess you better get to it then." Kane swings his axe, which you dodge and the battle is joined. "You're weak. You cannot hope to win this battle." He says preparing for another swing. "Right now, just getting rid of you will be sufficient." You reply. "You think you can best me? This isn't Mistress' class anymore and you're no Eternal. When I look at you, I see the mockery of what is supposed to be an Eternal. You're not even a shadow. You are a pariah that has no honor at all. You're part of the sickness that has infected the Empire. A sickness that will be cut out and purified like all others." While Kane tells you what he really thinks about you, he's also matching you in combat skills. To be quite honest you might've been a little too over confident in your abilities because he's really putting you to the test. It doesn't help that in the midst of this one on one fight you also have to dodge other attacks. You use a little shadow magic to speed yourself up and it helps, but it isn't nearly as strong as it once was not to mention you feel the drain a lot quicker. You land a couple of good hits on Kane before you have to stop from fatigue. Kane however has no such problems and isn't slowed at all by his wounds "Is that the extent of your precious shadow magic outcast? No wonder you were kicked out." Kane says and catches you with a glancing blow across your chest followed by a hefty to your left knee, which causes you to lose balance and fall. You barely roll of the way of his next swing. You stagger back up only to get your sword knocked out of your hand when you attempt to block another of Kane's axe blows. Becoming desperate you fire your armbow and a bolt flies into Kanes chest. It doesn't stop him and he charges into you knocking you back onto the ground. He doesn't follow up with his axe this time, instead he puts all his crushing weight upon your chest by sitting on it and attempting to choke the life out of you with his own hands. "You're going to die here today, because you believe in nothing and that makes you nothing and when I'm finished choking the life out of your pathetic body I'm going to eat your fucking heart because I can." Kane at this point pauses with a deranged little smirk. "Heh, maybe one of those wendigo bastards did get to me just a little..." then his face becomes deadly serious again. As you struggle to remain conscious all you can see are the souless eyes of Kane looking down upon you as he intends to make good on his threats. You punch him several times in the face to no avail. You even take out one of his eyes and he's still not deterred as it dangles uselessly from its bloody socket. You'd probably be a lot more scared if you weren't teetering on passing out. During this walk along the line of life and death a familiar numbness washes over you and you hear a voice you haven't heard in a long time... "You're lucky I still find you interesting." Dendrin says and then within that moment you feel Kane's hand release their death grip followed by him bellowing in pain. His weight is soon lifted off you and you attempt to regain your assessment of the situation. Still feeling woozy you grab a nearby sword and see Kane (with a brand new bloody dagger in his back) fighting what looks to be a blurry shadowy figure. It's Talia and you're glad to see her in more ways than one. Wasting no time, you run up behind Kane and hamstring him. He falls to his knees cursing you the entire time. Talia follows up with a slash to his neck. "(gurgle) Long live (sputter) the...Em (gurgle) pire..." he utters and falls to the ground dead. You take a quick look around at your surroundings and see that most of the town has indeed been destroyed or on fire. Bodies are everywhere, but it looks like what remains of the Empire is in retreat mainly due to the death of their leader who you have to agree was a pretty impressive figure. As for the townsfolk, a lot of them are just trying to help their wounded along with open grieving for their dead. The one thing you aren't seeing are any shadows. Well other than Talia of course who is now walking towards you. "Thank you." you say to Talia still trying to catch your breath. "You know that's not necessary, but I do question what the hell you were thinking attempting to take on not just the infamous Bane of Rask by yourself, but a whole company of Empire troops as well." "I thought I was trying to change the tide of the rebellion, because if you haven't noticed it isn't going well for you." "I'm surprised you even still consider it your concern actually. You don't believe in the Emperor, you don't believe in Dendrin, why bother taking any side? You could've just left years ago." "First of all you do know I believe in Dendrin, I just don't worship him. Second of all I made a vow to you years ago and I've never abandoned it. So if your fight is still with the Empire then my fight is also still with the Empire. Besides, I've always believed the Empire is made up of a bunch of arrogant oppressive bastards that need to be taken down a peg anyway. So where are the rest of the shadows?" "There aren't any. I'm it. Cyrus had no intention of helping you, in fact he even killed poor Brother Gannon for not attempting to kill you when he had the chance. That's when I left." "Didn't he try to stop you?" "He made threats, but ultimately did nothing other than saying I was a heretic and mentioned that I would be considered an enemy of the shadows from now on." "Well I'd probably tell you right now that you should've done that a long time ago, but considering you just saved my life, I won't." Talia shakes her head. "You realize you just said, "I told you so" anyway don't you? Doesn't matter though because my reasons for leaving are slightly different than yours. I still believe in Dendrin, I just don't believe in Cyrus, at least not anymore. Though I was questioning his leadership ability for a few years now. Guess this suicidal attempt of taking on the Empire by you was just the final kick I needed to get me to leave because I never abandoned my vow to you either. So thank you as well." "Not necessary." You say with a smile and the pair of you embrace. There are still a lot of unresolved issues between you and Talia, but none of those really matter right now. What does matter is that when you needed help she helped you thus reconfirming your belief that not all your waiting was for naught. As for Dendrin, you can't really be sure if he actually had anything to do with guiding her to you, or if he's just giving the impression that he did, either way you're still not worshipping him. Though you imagine you'll have plenty of time to debate about religious philosophy with Talia now that the pair of you are reunited, it's just a question of where you're going to go and do now. > Time passes... Year 31 Sometimes it seems surreal that the Empire hasn't attempted to retake Rask yet, but then there have been a few major changes all decidedly not in the favor of the Empire. First off, Kane's death was a bigger deal than even you thought it would be. Kane's "Butcher of Rask" infamy wasn't exactly the most efficient way of keeping the plebs in line, but it was working better than nothing at all. Not to mention it was also keeping his command in line as well. When he died, Empire troop morale in Rask dropped and the native Raskians' morale went up significantly. The towns finally unified enough that they declared Rask to be independent of Empire law and rule. You figured the Empire would send more troops to re-establish order, but instead they started withdrawing from the area entirely. Apparently some of the shadows still causing problems for the Empire south of Rask started engaging in suicidal tactics and taking out high ranking commanders, including Captain Roldan (Who you always thought would've been one of the first to be sent to Rask) With this set back, the Empire decided it would be better to crush all the opposition in places where they at least had a majority of control, hence Rask was left alone for now at least. In the meantime, the shadows are...well a shadow of their former selves. It is almost quite certain that all of them south of Rask are being ruthlessly hunted to extinction and there weren't many left in the first place (even less when they started with suicide tactics). The last shadow "stronghold" is Fort Defiance where presumably Cyrus still rules over his small group of brainwashed followers. You say presumably because nobody has heard anything from them since Kane was killed. You haven't even been the target of any revenge assassination attempts. The place is still intact, but has effectively closed itself off from the outside world. Despite the major shadow influence on starting the rebellion in the first place and people helping them in the past, nobody is in any particular hurry to thank them and Fort Defiance is looked upon as a monastery of religious fanatics that should be steered clear of. As for you and Talia, you're exceptions, but not by much. You were known as a shadow outcast long before Kane's death so nothing much has changed with how people treat you, though sometimes you get a few small thank yous for directly being involved in Kanes death, then on the flip side you also get a few fuck yous for indirectly being involved in the near total destruction of Volgst. Talia on the other hand doesn't get much of either. It's somewhat known that she was the one that actually killed Kane, but due to her continued dedication to Dendrin, she's just looked upon as one of the "acceptable" religious fanatics, rather than any sort of hero. Not to mention nobody wants to piss off the killer of the Kane. In keeping with your outcast nature you and Talia have made yourself at home in one of the many abandoned cabins in the wilderness. It's not much, but after fixing it up it's a suitable home. You both are fairly self sufficient While things are currently peaceful, you're finding it harder and harder to find ways to pass the time. Part of you is always on guard believing that one day the Empire will eventually come back or even closer to home, that shadows will attempt to kill you. You've set up many traps and scouted several potential escape routes as possible. Even with that large of a concern you're still left with a lot of extra time which is mostly spent with Talia and that's becoming another situation lately. Talia is also finding herself restless, possibly even more than you are. Part of the problem is that she was once part of a bigger community that she identified with and now she is effectively isolated from that community. That isn't the only the problem though, she still believes in Dendrin and the "shadow way" and namely that means all her ideals and plans for the future have practically gone by the wayside. She once stated to you that one of the reasons why she bonded with you is because she had this idea that when the Empire was brought down you and her would spawn several Eternal shadows to become little Dendrin worshippers and presumably strengthen the community because of it. Well, the Empire hasn't fallen, the shadows are near extinct and Talia hasn't gotten pregnant despite how much the pair of you have had sex. To be quite honest you were never really paying too much attention to that last one until Talia started bringing it up recently. You always figured she was using some sort of shadow magic to prevent such a thing in the past due to how inconvenient it would be (You know planning a rebellion and all), but now in this time of "peace" it's been brought to your attention that something must be seriously wrong. Given that you weren't really a true shadow to begin with, the whole legacy thing wasn't really something you were placing a priority on, though you do find it a bit odd. You can only come up with the conclusion that you, her or perhaps both of you just can't produce offspring. Talia on the other hand feels that something NEEDS to be done to try to correct this, and that something is placing greater faith in Dendrin to bless you with children. This in it of itself is asking the impossible of you, but Talia also wants to travel to the Delerg province to locate his original temple. She remembers where it is and she figures that perhaps the connection to him will be stronger there. As one can imagine this has caused a great source of arguing on your part. Disregarding the fact that Derlerg is still Empire territory and that both of you aren't exactly wanted there, there's also the fact that you're never going to "believe" in Dendrin like Talia, no matter how much she wants you to. The best you'd be able to do is fake it, and you've tried that before, didn't work for you. You also aren't really convinced that he'd bless you with children anyway, given how unhelpful he is in the first place and that's assuming he's even able to do such a thing. However, all of these arguments have fallen on semi-deaf ears. Talia is quite aware of your feelings on the matter, but she would like you to make the attempt. She tries to point out that Dendrin has been guiding or at least looking out for you in some way, because if he wasn't he wouldn't have spoken to you on a regular basis in the past or guided her to you when Kane was getting the better of you. If that were anyone else telling you about that last one, you'd think they'd be trying to get you to do what they want as "payment" for saving your life. However, given that it's Talia, you know she's being sincere in her belief, which makes it even harder to argue against since you can at least understand the idea of owing someone. At this point, if you really insisted on staying put you aren't sure if Talia wouldn't just leave again, after all she did put her faith of Dendrin over you before. This makes you question if this is even going to work out to anyway. Sure, you and Talia have had some good times in the distant past and even recently, but this just might be an obstacle that's always going to be between you both and going to be insurmountable. > You stay in Rask Maybe Talia's a believer, but you're not and you aren't about to go traveling across miles of hostile territory, let alone staying in it, just for the purpose of her religious beliefs. You've put up with enough of Dendrin and this shadow nonsense long enough and you're not pointlessly risking your life because of it. You put your foot down and tell Talia that she can worship Dendrin all she wants, but you're not going on some fool pilgrimage in the hopes of having children. Talia doesn't argue anymore, she just resigns herself to her defeat. However, things between the pair of you are noticeably strained now, if they weren't already. Year 33 She hadn't been happy in a long time, you knew that due to the fact the pair of you barely spoke to each other anymore. You even figured you'd wake up or return from hunting one day and she'd be gone like last time. But you didn't think it would be like this. You finish covering up her snowy grave and stand there for a while cursing the whole situation. The suicide note simply stating the words "I'm sorry" will forever be embedded in your mind. The thing is you don't think it was just the conflict of religious beliefs or even the desire to have child (which was tied to her belief of Dendrin being able to help in that matter). To be sure those two factors probably didn't help, but you always got the impression there was something else. Something you think she wanted to tell you, but couldn't for some reason. Doesn 't matter now whatever the case may be. She's dead and that's that. You return to your cabin. Year 35 You always knew the Empire would come back to Rask, but you thought they'd come back to conquer it, not destroy it. There were always rumors, but you never paid too much attention most of the time mainly because you had so much else going on in your life, but when the announcement of the Empire's new eternals came about, you had no choice but to pay attention especially since there was a lot more of them, hundreds actually. And the first place they sent them was to Rask to raze the place to the ground. Town after town has been completely obliterated by these new eternals and the people no matter how united can't stop them. Some have tried to pledge their allegiance to the Empire again, but they were killed like everyone else. Not since the days of Kane has Rask experienced such brutality on a wide scale. You thought what remnants of the shadows are left would be trying to do more, but so far there hasn't been a peep from them. Cyrus seems content on keeping all of them hold up in Fort Defiance. It won't work because you know that they're the main target, the rest is probably just combat practice and to send a message. When the time comes, Fort Defiance and all the shadows within are going to massacred. You've toyed with the idea that you could probably easily evade the advancing army if you went further north and laid low in the mountains or deep forests. You're pretty confident that you'd be able to survive this onslaught that way. The thing is you've sort of lost the will to go on. You haven't been the same since Talia died. Even when you were apart for five years the hope of her returning was still there to keep you going. Even when your relationship had been strained in the last years of her life she was at least still there. But now? She's dead and she won't be coming back and there's no more reason for you to fight the Empire any longer. Even Dendrin hasn't spoke to you in years; you're guessing he's moved on. Makes sense given that you haven't been very entertaining lately. From your estimates an army should be passing through your area soon, you need to get prepared... The next day you visit Talia's grave for the last time. "For what's worth... I'm sorry too Talia." You say and head towards the main road. You stand in the center and see a massive force in the distance, won't be long now you think as you draw your weapon. Several hundred eternals march straight towards you on foot and horseback. They don't even stop to see if this is possibly an ambush of some sort. Perhaps they don't care or are confident that if it is, they'll be able to handle it. Doesn't take long before you can hear them shouting about how they're going to enjoy killing you and the rest of your shadow "friends". You can't help but smile at that one. You do about as well as someone could be expected against an army of eternals. Meaning you kill about three of them, before you're enthusiastically overwhelmed and ultimately chopped, stabbed, crushed and stomped into bloody pieces. You last dying thoughts are how these new eternals might be young but they're already vicious bastards. Didn't seem very disciplined though. Who knows, perhaps they will eventually become a problem for the very Empire that created them. You certainly did.

Year 31 Sometimes it seems surreal that the Empire hasn't attempted to retake Rask yet, but then there have been a few major changes all decidedly not in the favor of the Empire. First off, Kane's death was a bigger deal than even you thought it would be. Kane's "Butcher of Rask" infamy wasn't exactly the most efficient way of keeping the plebs in line, but it was working better than nothing at all. Not to mention it was also keeping his command in line as well. When he died, Empire troop morale in Rask dropped and the native Raskians' morale went up significantly. The towns finally unified enough that they declared Rask to be independent of Empire law and rule. You figured the Empire would send more troops to re-establish order, but instead they started withdrawing from the area entirely. Apparently some of the shadows still causing problems for the Empire south of Rask started engaging in suicidal tactics and taking out high ranking commanders, including Captain Roldan (Who you always thought would've been one of the first to be sent to Rask) With this set back, the Empire decided it would be better to crush all the opposition in places where they at least had a majority of control, hence Rask was left alone for now at least. In the meantime, the shadows are...well a shadow of their former selves. It is almost quite certain that all of them south of Rask are being ruthlessly hunted to extinction and there weren't many left in the first place (even less when they started with suicide tactics). The last shadow "stronghold" is Fort Defiance where presumably Cyrus still rules over his small group of brainwashed followers. You say presumably because nobody has heard anything from them since Kane was killed. You haven't even been the target of any revenge assassination attempts. The place is still intact, but has effectively closed itself off from the outside world. Despite the major shadow influence on starting the rebellion in the first place and people helping them in the past, nobody is in any particular hurry to thank them and Fort Defiance is looked upon as a monastery of religious fanatics that should be steered clear of. As for you and Talia, you're exceptions, but not by much. You were known as a shadow outcast long before Kane's death so nothing much has changed with how people treat you, though sometimes you get a few small thank yous for directly being involved in Kanes death, then on the flip side you also get a few fuck yous for indirectly being involved in the near total destruction of Volgst. Talia on the other hand doesn't get much of either. It's somewhat known that she was the one that actually killed Kane, but due to her continued dedication to Dendrin, she's just looked upon as one of the "acceptable" religious fanatics, rather than any sort of hero. Not to mention nobody wants to piss off the killer of the Kane. In keeping with your outcast nature you and Talia have made yourself at home in one of the many abandoned cabins in the wilderness. It's not much, but after fixing it up it's a suitable home. You both are fairly self sufficient While things are currently peaceful, you're finding it harder and harder to find ways to pass the time. Part of you is always on guard believing that one day the Empire will eventually come back or even closer to home, that shadows will attempt to kill you. You've set up many traps and scouted several potential escape routes as possible. Even with that large of a concern you're still left with a lot of extra time which is mostly spent with Talia and that's becoming another situation lately. Talia is also finding herself restless, possibly even more than you are. Part of the problem is that she was once part of a bigger community that she identified with and now she is effectively isolated from that community. That isn't the only the problem though, she still believes in Dendrin and the "shadow way" and namely that means all her ideals and plans for the future have practically gone by the wayside. She once stated to you that one of the reasons why she bonded with you is because she had this idea that when the Empire was brought down you and her would spawn several Eternal shadows to become little Dendrin worshippers and presumably strengthen the community because of it. Well, the Empire hasn't fallen, the shadows are near extinct and Talia hasn't gotten pregnant despite how much the pair of you have had sex. To be quite honest you were never really paying too much attention to that last one until Talia started bringing it up recently. You always figured she was using some sort of shadow magic to prevent such a thing in the past due to how inconvenient it would be (You know planning a rebellion and all), but now in this time of "peace" it's been brought to your attention that something must be seriously wrong. Given that you weren't really a true shadow to begin with, the whole legacy thing wasn't really something you were placing a priority on, though you do find it a bit odd. You can only come up with the conclusion that you, her or perhaps both of you just can't produce offspring. Talia on the other hand feels that something NEEDS to be done to try to correct this, and that something is placing greater faith in Dendrin to bless you with children. This in it of itself is asking the impossible of you, but Talia also wants to travel to the Delerg province to locate his original temple. She remembers where it is and she figures that perhaps the connection to him will be stronger there. As one can imagine this has caused a great source of arguing on your part. Disregarding the fact that Derlerg is still Empire territory and that both of you aren't exactly wanted there, there's also the fact that you're never going to "believe" in Dendrin like Talia, no matter how much she wants you to. The best you'd be able to do is fake it, and you've tried that before, didn't work for you. You also aren't really convinced that he'd bless you with children anyway, given how unhelpful he is in the first place and that's assuming he's even able to do such a thing. However, all of these arguments have fallen on semi-deaf ears. Talia is quite aware of your feelings on the matter, but she would like you to make the attempt. She tries to point out that Dendrin has been guiding or at least looking out for you in some way, because if he wasn't he wouldn't have spoken to you on a regular basis in the past or guided her to you when Kane was getting the better of you. If that were anyone else telling you about that last one, you'd think they'd be trying to get you to do what they want as "payment" for saving your life. However, given that it's Talia, you know she's being sincere in her belief, which makes it even harder to argue against since you can at least understand the idea of owing someone. At this point, if you really insisted on staying put you aren't sure if Talia wouldn't just leave again, after all she did put her faith of Dendrin over you before. This makes you question if this is even going to work out to anyway. Sure, you and Talia have had some good times in the distant past and even recently, but this just might be an obstacle that's always going to be between you both and going to be insurmountable. > Travel to Delerg Maybe you love Talia more than she loves you, or maybe you're just tired of practically being a loner all the time and at least if you have Talia, you know you've got someone on your side. Whatever the reason, you tell Talia that you're willing to go to Delerg with her. Her reaction is a happy one though she admits she's a little surprised you agreed as quickly as you did. Later that night you fall asleep wondering how the hell you got yourself into this. Then a numbness washes over you... "So, ready to come back to the fold eh?" you hear Dendrin say. "Hardly." You reply. "I didn't think so, but you always continue to intrigue me. I mean here you are supporting a woman that obviously places faith over love. Why would you do such a thing? The Empire's most fanatical soldiers have faith in their false Emperor and the shadows...what's left of them still have faith in me yet they have no real proof that their respective masters approve of them or feel anything back. Yet you have proof that Talia's faith in me is stronger than her love for you and you still stand by her." "Because I'm an idiot obviously." "That remains to be seen, but I don't think so. In fact you're being clever enough to avoid my question. Don't think I haven't noticed. Is it possible that you're heading to into Empire territory in the hope of getting into major battle again? Has been awhile and I know you do enjoy it so." You don't answer, you just try to go back to waiting out this "dream", but Dendrin isn't letting you. "Passive silence? That's not your usual tactic with me. You've always been a fighter, a warrior! But I'll take that silence as a sign that I was right." "Take it however you want, but take it away from me." "Hmm, not sure if I like this new approach to our talks, but if I had an opinion on your decision, it's that you've made the right one. I think that you'll find something else in my old temple too. Well now you will since I've just mentally transferred the position of a very hidden place in it. Hope the baby situation works out for you, I think fatherhood would suit you, and it'll give me a new follower! I'll be watching as usual." In the next few weeks you and Talia make your preparations to leave Rask. When you tell her that Dendrin spoke to you and placed the image of a stone "button" to reveal a secret part of the temple, Talia is again overjoyed and remarks that this is a good sign that he cares for your well being and merely wants your worship in return. You don't bother saying what you really think, but instead just nod and tell Talia that perhaps she's right and that maybe one day your faith in him will be as strong as hers. The journey is a long one, it probably wouldn't be if you could actually use shadow magic to speed yourself up without passing out anymore, but since you're not yet a "true believer" again, looks like ol' Dendrin's withholding the perks still. Doesn't seem to bother Talia, she's very positive during the whole trip. She talks about how you can both make your home in the temple and start your new lives there. She goes on about how you can also put out feelers on how the rebellion situation is going on in Delerg and how maybe you can get it split from the Empire like Rask did. You have to admit you don't mind that idea. There are a few times on the trip through the Quala province you could've avoided combat with Empire patrols, but you deliberately engage them when the time is right. You make an effort to leave no survivors in these attacks; every dead soldier is a blow to the Empire right? Eventually you make it to Delerg and the place is crawling with Empire troops, it looks like they've really been trying to clean up around here. You keep a lower profile here and it takes a lot of sneaking around, but eventually you make it to Dendrin's temple which have several rotten heads on pikes facing the temple along with several rotten bodies (partially eaten by the wildlife and insects) strewn around and even inside the temple. "These are shadows." Talia says with a touch of sadness in her voice. "I know...even with half her face covered in maggots I recognize that one. Sister Yvette. I always wondered what happened to her after I left her in charge of my cell when I went back to Gloom. (Sigh) I figured it would be something like this." "Do you think these are all the shadows that we lost contact with south of Rask?" "Most of them I suppose. I guess maybe they had the same idea and made a last stand here where they thought Dendrin would protect them. Looks like..." you stop yourself from saying something completely negative like "he didn't." so you think of something slightly less negative and say: "they fought so hard that the Empire tried to make some sort of example out of them." "We need to take them down off the pikes." Talia says. "No we need to leave them be, since I'm sure the Empire has patrols come around here, and if they see all the heads suddenly gone, they're going to correctly assume shadows are around. We need to keep a low profile if we're going to stick around here remember?" "I...suppose discretion would be best right now." You and Talia move past the pike heads and enter the temple, which is surprisingly in good condition though signs of battle obviously took place here. You waste no time in seeking out the stone "button" that will open up a secret place in the temple. Eventually you find it (which you doubt you would've been able to do if Dendrin hadn't told you) and descend down. What you find is better than you could've hoped for when you first arrived and that's living quarters for what you presume would be for the old shadow high priests or whatever. It isn't fancy, but it's fairly clean. You imagine that this place hasn't been accessed in centuries. The walls are very solidly made so it doesn't even look like signs of any natural intrusion have occurred either. There is one "room" that sticks out which isn't man made and that's a small natural cavern, which seems to be an underground garden of some sort with a shallow stream of fresh water flowing through it. Blue glowing fungus lights up the place and there are no exits other than the small openings the water is flowing through. With no suspicion whatsoever Talia immediately takes some purple berries off one of the bushes and pops them in her mouth and remarks how good they taste. "Hey those could be poisonous!" you exclaim. "Oh you doubter, Dendrin lead us here! We won't come to any harm! "I'm being cautious. This cavern is strange; I mean wouldn't a garden like this have overgrown or decayed without regular care? I imagine the water stream is seeping into the soil and sustaining them, but some of these plants wouldn't survive without sunlight either." "It's obviously magical and don't you see? Dendrin provides as usual. We now have a good supply have fresh sustenance and water. Why question it, for it is one less thing to worry about! With this place we could easily hide underneath the Empire's noses and strike from the shadows again." Talia says. "As long as they don't call in their Derro buddies again, I agree that this will make a suitable hideout. I suppose you're probably right about the garden being magical. Sort of odd though, never known Dendrin to be into the whole nature thing." "Well we cannot hope to know all of a god's interests and thoughts. As I've said, why question it? It is enough that it's something good and we could use that right now. Now come, we should thank Dendrin for this together." As you join Talia in thanking Dendrin, you can't help but wonder if this is all some elaborate plan by Dendrin to actually get you to be a true believer, or if he doesn't really care if you believe, just as long as you're going through the motions. Either way, you'll do this for Talia because that's who you're really faithful to. > Year 35 Despite your best efforts, stirring up more dissent in Delerg seems to be a losing battle. It's not just the Empire though; it's the people here in general. Most of them are content on being dominated. Funny how in the "birthplace" of the shadows, that rebellion would be less here. The best you've been able to do is organize small groups of society's misfits, lowlifes and outright psychopaths and they're just doing it for the shits and giggles for the most part, but whatever works at this point. You and Talia have been very careful about not giving the impression of any shadow activity in the area and that's a good thing because lately the Empire has been throwing its weight around once more. Almost as if it's gotten a second wind. And it has. There were always rumors, but you never paid too much attention most of the time mainly because you had so much else going on in your life, but when the announcement of the Empire's new eternals came about, you had no choice but to pay attention especially since there was a lot more of them, hundreds actually. The first place they sent them was to Rask. Not surprising considering the Empire lost the territory. What wasn't expected is that the Empire didn't just send them to conquer the place. They sent them to destroy it. Town after town was completely obliterated by these new eternals and the people no matter how united couldn't stop them. Some tried to pledge their allegiance to the Empire again, but they were killed like everyone else. Not since the days of Kane had Rask experienced such brutality on a wide scale. After most of the towns had been laid to waste, Fort Defiance was next. In fact this was the main objective in the first place. The rest of it? Just in the way and served to test the viciousness of the new eternals. Perhaps even to scare the remaining shadows still huddled up in that run down fort. "Defiance" was a reminder of an old wound. A loss. A humiliation. The Empire didn't just lose a fort, or even a whole province; they lost it because of the shadows, the ones who caused all this in the first place. They had to be eliminated once and for all. You heard that the siege didn't even last three days and Fort Defiance was destroyed along with all the remaining shadows inside. Cyrus himself was found dead with another male shadow (Who you presume was probably Draven) in an embrace. Apparently they had poisoned themselves rather than give the satisfaction to the Empire of killing them. Talia gets a little sad when she hears the news. While she left due to her feelings for you and Cyrus' incompetence, she was there for five years and still considered them all her brothers and sisters. A loss of any of Dendrin's faithful is a loss to all who revere him. While you aren't exactly broken up about it, you certainly aren't jumping for joy. Now that the Empire has satisfied its blood revenge on what they believed to be the last of the shadows, they're going to unleash these new eternals on the rest of their provinces in full force too. They've already started deploying them in the Quala and Arat province. Delerg can't be far behind. "While I hate to always be the cynic. Things are looking really damn bleak right about now Talia." "They've been bad before and we've still pulled through. Dendrin will preserve us and the Empire will fall." "Yeah...well..." "Oh come on now my love, don't tell me you're starting to lose your faith again." It's always so charmingly naïve of Talia to believe that you're not just faking everything. Still, even while faking it, you can't help but be a "doubter" sometimes. "Well no...but we're the last two shadows left Talia. I mean, sure Cyrus was obviously a bad leader and all that, but above all else he was a devoted worshipper of Dendrin along with all the rest. I have to question why Dendrin isn't doing something more direct to help his own followers now more than ever." "Cyrus' actions had obviously offended Dendrin, and he was punished along with all those that followed him. True, I weep for their passing, but they strayed from the teachings. They were no longer fighting the Empire or trying to carry out Dendrin's will and as a result Rask was ravaged. We on the other hand were smart enough to leave and carry on the fight. For years now we've successfully hid ourselves right under the noses of the Empire. I know we're careful, but we're not that lucky. Dendrin has obviously clouded the Empire's collective mindset from believing there are shadows here in Delerg. Your magic is back completely. I'd say Dendrin is looking out for only those that are worthy. When the Empire does finally fall, it will be a new era and it only takes two..." Talia takes your hand and looks into your eyes. "...to recreate the shadows stronger than ever." While you're glad Talia's confidence in victory is so certain, you're not convinced as usual. Even if Dendrin is helping you both out on some small level like Talia believes he is, he's going to have to do a hell of a lot more. In the meantime you're going to prepare yourself for the inevitable new eternal invasion. You begin setting up traps in and around the temple though you imagine the day when they actually get used is probably going to be the day you're making your last stand. Months pass and you go through your usual routines of opposing the Empire, then that fateful day comes. A platoon of the new eternals arrive in Sinkhole. They aren't there to destroy it, but they barely act like it. Under the cover of cloak you spy on them for a period of several days, and you see them routinely assaulting people even when there is no real cause for it other than pure sadistic glee. Even their non-eternal commander doesn't have much control over them. Sometimes when he tells them to stop beating someone, they just look at him like he'll be next. Whoever trained these eternals obviously didn't do a good job, it's like they have no discipline what so ever. That's when you begin to wonder if the Empire hasn't put the last nail in their own coffin. These monsters the Empire has unleashed upon the world are going to cause them more problems than they're going to solve. You can see that even now. Another month passes and more of them arrive in Delerg. You and Talia engage small bands of them during their patrols, and they aren't slouches in a fight either despite only being teenagers. Naturally when dead eternals start becoming more common, Delerg starts getting the thumbscrews put to it. While all the little villages in Delerg aren't put to the torch a lot of them are. Sinkhole becomes a staging ground for public executions and worse. Eventually the few that were actually supporting the rebellion are all rounded up and killed. It gets harder and harder to sneak around the swamp ambushing patrols, and you and Talia never seem to get enough rest to recharge up your magic. And today is the day when all this catches up with you both... As you withdraw your sword from a dead foe, you hear the sounds of several bows being drawn behind you as well as above you. Fortunately, whoever is in charge has decided to be an overly dramatic fool and doesn't attack immediately. You and Talia stand back to back trying to get a bit of a breather before the next assault. A young man appears from behind the archers. He's obviously one of the new eternals though he's wearing a captain's rank, which strikes you as a bit odd. "Give it up shadow scum. Oh yes, we've figured out who you really are now. Should've known a few of you would've been sneaking around somewhere, but that ends now. You've exhausted yourselves and your magic won't help you now. Even if you can outrun the arrows I've got eternals all over the swamp right now waiting for you in all directions." The young captain sneers. "The Empire getting so desperate they're promoting babies now?" you say. "The Empire is getting better now that we're around. Our former captain was inferior so he was replaced. Only an eternal is fit to lead other eternals. Of course you two would know nothing about being real eternals having betrayed the Empire after all, but really even if you had stayed loyal, you'd be obsolete now anyway. Time to put an end to your kind in more ways than one." "You brats talk too much." You say and you and Talia speed yourselves up to run back into the undergrowth and avoid the arrow barrage to come. You're successful, but you're getting really tired really fast. Even Talia is experiencing fatigue. You need to run to safety to get some temporary relief, but chances are if they know about you being shadows, they'll assume you'll run straight to Dendrin's old temple where there might be a larger group of eternals waiting for you. > You run to the sanctuary Given that the captain said he had eternals all over the swamp, going deeper into it probably isn't going to help. Hell, who knows what else could attack, not like the swamps are exactly a friendly place and all you need to do is get yourself killed stepping into quicksand because you're tired and not paying proper attention. You and Talia race to the temple, dispatching eternals that get in your way, but the constant arrows flying from what seems to be everywhere are what prove to be the most hazardous in this gauntlet because despite your unnatural speed, it doesn't make it impossible to get hit. "Ah! Damn it!" you hear Talia shout and fall to the ground. She's got an arrow in her back by some lucky shot. You barely avoid getting shot yourself when you stop to pick her up. "You got enough in you to cloak yourself?" "Yeah I think so..." "Okay do it." The pair of you cloak yourselves and you get out of the area as eternals continue to fire blindly at where they think you're located. It takes you a little longer to make it back to the sanctuary under cloak, carrying Talia over your shoulder, as well as trying to avoid the eternals swarming the swamp, but eventually it's in sight. Unfortunately you were right and a large group of eternals are stand watch around the place. You sneak by just long enough to make it to the steps and that's when your own energy starts to give out and you collapse breaking your cover completely. First eternal that reaches you gets a sword blow to his face causing him to fall backwards into two of his fellows. You engage two more and Talia, despite having an arrow in her back manages to fight off another one. Though she's still far from peak condition. A sword strike catches her across the leg and then a dagger is shoved into her stomach. Before you can react to help her, she manages to helps herself by slitting the throat of the eternal who believed her to be already defeated. Talia manages to drag herself into the temple while you attempt to fight the rest of the eternals off as long as you can. When you dispatch them you see more eternals begin to swarm out of the swamp and approach the temple. Finding Talia in the temple entry way bleeding out, you pick her up in your arms once again and make haste for the sanctuary. While you're running down one of the corridors you hear the work of your various traps going into action when death screams echo throughout the temple. "I told you not to enter the place you fools! I knew this place was going to be trapped! We'll wait them out!" you hear another voice shout. Nobody sees you enter your sanctuary and only when you seal it up do you take time to worry about how much Talia's been hurt. It's bad and while you're good at fighting and even some basic first aid, you can't fix this. Not even your magic can. "They're going to be waiting awhile...we've got unlimited food and water down here..." Talia says. "Shh, don't speak. We gotta...Dendrin! Dendrin will help!" you say and start praying to Dendrin in desperation. After a few minutes of this, Talia speaks again. "Why are you praying...you don't believe he's going actually help anyway...you never have...it's okay I know you did it for me. You've always done it all for me...that's your real faith..." You stop and look at her; she looks so pale now due to the blood loss. "I'm going to go back up there and kill every last one of those sons of bitches!" you exclaim, trying to fight back the tears. "No...stay here with me my love...please..." You hold on to her hand and watch as life slowly ebbs from her and eventually she begins to drift into unconsciousness. "I...heard him..." she says with a faint smile and then passes on. You sit by her side quietly sobbing in a small pool of her blood on the floor for what is probably an hour or so. Eventually you pull yourself together and do what needs to be done. You take her body to the garden and bury it there. It's as fitting of a gravesite as any for her and really you don't have many options right now anyway. You were tired when you arrived here and now after burying your beloved you're exhausted along with being emotionally drained. If those new eternals come for you now they're going to have to kill you in your sleep, because that's what you do in the garden. Unconsciousness takes you followed by the numbness, though now the numbness is welcome. "You probably don't believe it, but you have my sympathies Eternal. Talia was always devoted, no matter what hardship was thrown in her face, she always believed even if her own logic told her not to at times." Dendrin says. "And look where it got her." "Yes, and look where it got her. Are you honestly going to keep blaming me for everything tragic in your life? You could easily blame yourself for not being quick enough to help her, or those new eternals for killing her in the first place." "I'm done blaming you for anything, because ultimately you don't DO anything, which is what I've been saying for years. Tell me, was it ever in your power to bless Talia with a child?" "No." "Really? You admit this so freely? The great Dendrin admits to something he can't do?" "Why wouldn't I? You know there are already limitations to my power so why tell you I can do something when I can't? I'm not a fertility god and I can't cure the sterility that infects you eternals." "Hold on, so you're saying it wasn't just Talia, it was me as well?" "Yes. Cyrus too, though it wouldn't have mattered in his case. So I imagine it has something to do with the process of how you Eternals are magically altered. Perhaps it's nature's way of balancing itself out. Who knows? But procreating was never really on your high priority list nor was creating a new line of shadows, so the question is what are you going to do now?" "Well when I wake up I intend on carrying out my promise of killing every one of those bastards up top." "For what purpose? Revenge? Talia already killed the one directly causing her mortal wound and killing the rest won't bring her back. Even if you did manage to kill all the ones currently up there, more are just going to come and you'll fall to them eventually." "Then that's what will happen." "Eternal I urge you to reconsider. I know of your love of battle, I know it's probably one of the few things that stirs something within you and ultimately that's how you want to die. I can respect that. But I also know that you have a strong survival instinct as well. Not to mention I don't think Talia would want you to just throw your life away on a hopeless battle when there is no need to." "Why the sudden sense of concern, afraid of losing your source of entertainment? Besides, I don't think I'm going to have a choice anyway. If I wait down here, all they're going to do is eventually storm the place anyway, traps or not. Then they'll eventually find the button that leads down here." "You're correct on the first assumption with the traps, but they won't find out how to get down here. They just won't, trust me." "Trust you? Are you trying to be funny?" "Not at all, but you do what you want. I can't stop you. I will say this though, despite our unstable relationship I think you do know I HAVE been looking out for in small ways. Perhaps I haven't helped the way you'd like me to, but I have helped. And yes it is true that if you died I would be losing my favorite form of entertainment, but I do genuinely like you Eternal and I don't see your part in this world at an end yet. Far from it actually, I still see much potential in you, but you're going to have to be patient for a while. There is always time for revenge if you still desire it. Trust me." You can't argue with Dendrin on that one, he would know all about planning and waiting to make the right time to serve revenge. That's what the rebellion started by the shadows' was all about for the most part. He seems pretty adamant that you won't be found down here, so you're guessing he's probably going to make it impossible for anyone to even stumble upon the hidden button that leads down here. "Dendrin, I just have one more question. Did you really speak to Talia before she died?" "Yes. As I said, as devoted as she was, she deserved to hear the voice of her god." "What did you say exactly?" "Ha ha. I fear that would be telling Eternal and also a private matter. Let's just say the words were of a comforting nature in her final moments of life." "Then I guess it was all worth it." When you wake up, you don't follow through with your suicidal plan of charging into battle and you decide to take Dendrin's advice and wait. Fortunately the place is stocked with it's own library. You never really bothered glance at the books before let alone read them, but there's no time to start like the present. A few weeks pass and you start hearing noises from up above. You take that to mean that they finally got tired of waiting you out and are searching the temple along with many of them falling afoul of the traps no doubt. You stay alert at this time, believing that they will find their way down here eventually, but as Dendrin told you, they never do. At one point the whole underground sanctuary shakes and you hear several loud crashing noises from above. You're ultimately okay, but if you had to guess they probably just destroyed the temple either with magic or maybe even with a catapult they dragged through the swamp. For all you know you might be trapped down here now, but you're not worried. You'll get out of here eventually, when you feel that the time is right. > Year 45 You travel back to the sanctuary under cloak as you have many times before. The sanctuary isn't much to look at anymore ever since it collapsed ten years ago, but one thing's for sure, nobody ever comes around here, making it the perfect place to live ever since you started to live like a recluse. You scan the area to make sure there is nobody around before you go through your secret entrance; you remember how long it took you just dig your way out of the place. You probably could've stayed down there indefinitely, but there are only so many times you can read the same books over. It was only natural that you got curious about what was going on in outside world after the first few years of being buried had past. About another year of digging and it was a brand new world. The Empire had fallen, but not much had changed in the scheme of things. In some ways the situation might've been worse for the average person. You travelled under cloak to explore what used to be the territory of the old Empire, only to find that most of it was now divided up into petty fiefdoms run by the new eternals. You knew as soon as you saw these new eternals they were going to hasten the Empire's fall, not save it. You also weren't surprised to find most of them fighting over the scraps of their dead "parent." They lack any sort of discipline of your generation, as far as you're concerned they're twisted mutants of eternals, but not real ones. Most of the population that had existed under the Empire has become practically enslaved under the new eternals. There are a few that remain autonomous, but this is mainly in Rask where the place is a war zone even compared to places like Quala or Arat. From what you've heard Flog and his orc/ogre horde have been spreading to southern Rask and making it hard for any eternal attempting to plant a flag and keep it there. It's gotten so bad that what eternals do lay claim there have resorted to hiring svelk mercenaries to help. And the svelk aren't exactly well liked by the new eternals (Though that's one issue you'd have to agree with them on). The other area that remains free from of new eternal domination in Nalin, which is seemingly a beacon of "light" and under the control of the only other first generation eternal known to be alive, Brenda. She apparently has a non-aggression pact with the eternal upstarts, but has made it clear she will not let them destroy what's left of what she considers to be the last remnants of the Empire. You don't know whether it's out of respect or fear that she has managed to avoid war with any of them. As for Delerg, it's not a warzone, but it's no paradise. Delerg is slightly unique in that it's currently only "ruled" by one eternal by the name of Brutus, with no major competition. Brutus is not quite as ambitious either; he and his crony eternals seem content to just wallow in the swamp. One might think that perhaps he's just biding his time and waiting for an opening to invade the weakest eternal in Quala, but in reality he wouldn't have the means to do it anyway, his entourage is more of a gang rather than any proper army. He's just lucky Delerg isn't a profitable target by any other eternal or else he'd probably be wiped out by a real invasion. You've often wondered why you continue to stay in Delerg or even the general area even after you took your "tour" of the old provinces and saw the chaos for yourself. You have no real answer other than you have nowhere else to go and that you've lived at the temple for so long now that you consider it your home regardless of who is calling themselves ruler there. The other reason you guess is Talia. Even after all these years you still haven't quite moved on. You speak to Talia a lot, but she's not much of a conversationalist anymore, not that you mind. You'd rather speak with her than Dendrin who you don't know why still insists on speaking with you at all though thankfully it's been rare nowadays. Later that night you go through your usual routine of a little training to keep your skills sharp and eating your dinner. You then visit the garden and speak with Talia about what you did today. "Visited Sinkhole again today. Still the same rundown town it's always been. You'd think since Brutus made it his headquarters that he'd actually have a little pride to build it up a bit. Instead he and his lackies seem to just enjoy kicking around the same pathetic peasants, molesting hapless young girls and generally being assholes. Must be nice to enjoy doing the same routine over and over again." You grab a handful of dirt and throw it where you buried Talia. "Sometimes I feel like uncloaking and killing them all, just to see what they'd do, you know? I bet they'd be scared shitless. The return of the shadows! Ooooooooh!" You laugh a bit. "Of course you know I did feel like killing them all after you died, but now? What's the point? It won't bring you back, and most of those bastards get themselves killed over stupidity anyway. Hell I'd probably be honoring them by gracing them with my blade to their hearts." You throw a stone in the small stream nearby. "I mean I suppose if I did kill them, I'd be helping out those they're tormenting now...but why bother? Most of those wretches were content living under the yoke of the Empire, they can be happy with what that mindset got them! Remember when I was trying start up a minor rebel cell here? All I could practically get were the fucking criminals and other miscreants. I mean what the hell does that say about society when those are only type willing to fight against tyranny?" You start to get angrier at the predictable silence. "I mean it's not my fight anymore! I did what I could back in the day and it wasn't appreciated by anyone, sometimes not even by you! The Empire is dead! I've done my bit, so if someone else wants to play freedom fighter they can have at it. I'm done...I'm...I'm sorry..." you say as you slump down near Talia's grave. You sit in silence for quite a while, and eventually you fall asleep. "You're not still moping about are you? I thought you'd be over the hermit thing by now." Dendrin says "I can't really be a hermit when you keep interrupting my solitude all the damn time." "Oh please, you secretly crave it! If you really cherished your solitude that much, why the hell do you even bother leaving this place to make your little trips all over the countryside?" "I only did that once because I was curious about the changes in the world." "But you still continue to make your routine trips in Delerg at least. You know nothing has changed for quite some time, same eternals tormenting the peasants as usual. It's almost as boring as a routine as you have, must be an eternal thing. My point is, if you really wanted solitude, you wouldn't risk leaving this place at all. You wouldn't lurk on the outskirts of civilization spying on what others are doing. You also wouldn't still be talking to your mate who hasn't been in any condition to talk back in quite some time. I don't think this hermit thing is for you. You need to be doing something else." "Oh like what? Entertaining you? Look if you're so bored, why don't you go bother someone else and leave me alone? I've repeatedly told you, I'm not here for your amusement." "Obviously not. (Sigh) Very well Eternal, but you know I'm right. You can't keep going on like this. You're going to have to change your surroundings eventually, because you might as well be lying in a grave right next to Talia given that you've fallen asleep in the dirt and have small cave insects crawling on you." "Don't think I haven't considered it." "Stop talking nonsense. You're not suicidal and even if you were, you'd be too cowardly to go through with it anyway. Just like you're too cowardly to change your current situation by leaving this place." "First you say I'm not really a hermit because I'm leaving here on a regular basis, but now you're saying I'm too cowardly to leave it? How does that make sense?" "I'm saying you're going about everything half assed! You want to be a hermit? Fine then you need to shut yourself off from the outside world completely and not run around topside and vicariously getting your socialization kicks by spying on others. However I don't think that's what you want. I think you WANT to go back to doing what you used to do, but you've been staying hidden from the known world so long that you don't want to risk what peace you have. Its safer that way." "And I haven't earned a little peace? Given everything I've been through?" "Maybe you have Eternal. I don't know, but what I do know is you don't seem to be satisfied with it, so what I'm saying is you need to change your situation. Otherwise you might as well be dead because you're not living, you're just surviving." "It's enough." "Are you sure?" "Always has been." At this point Dendrin stops speaking. You don't know if it's because he's just tired of arguing with you or if it's because you've actually won the argument. Dendrin can't really deny that surviving to a certain extent has been enough for you in the past. In any case the numbness eventually subsides and you wake up. After brushing yourself off you head back to your real bed and ponder what you're really going to do since despite it all, Dendrin has once again managed to weasel a little truth in his words and its enough to make you think. > You continue to live here Dendrin can chatter in your ear all he wants it's not going to make you change how you want to live your life. What the hell has he ever done for you? You the sleep the rest of the night in your bed and most of the day as well. In fact you don't leave the sanctuary for over a month. Eventually you start to get restless again and you go for a walk in the middle of the night. "I'm leaving Talia, I'll be back soon." You say. Tromping around through the swamp at night isn't something you normally do since the place is already a breeding ground for biting insects during the day, its even worse at night. The Sul Monkeys are usually a little more active as well. Sometimes they even get vicious if they sense an easy target; fortunately they seem to be scared of you. As you wander through the night you reminisce about the old days, back when you were in Rask and temporarily separated from Talia. It wasn't an easy time, but you survived it, just like you're surviving without her now. "Pfft. Dendrin thinks he's so smart. Suggesting that I can't..." you begin to whisper to yourself, but just then your thoughts are interrupted by shrieks and pleas nearby. This is followed by some loud obnoxious voices. "Go ahead a scream bitch, not like anyone's going to save you!" a voice yells. "Hey are you taking your turn?" the second voice asks. "Naw, I'm just gonna fuck the boy, seein' as we already beat him unconscious. Less trouble." A third voice replies. "Suit yourself." The second voice says. Great, you wandered in the middle of a sexual assault in progress. What is it with these new eternals and rape? They're always engaging in it like its going out of style. Must be some sort of defect in their minds during their training or something because none of the first generation eternals that you know of were so focused on their genital region. Even Kane, as infamous as he was for his atrocities was never known for rape. Though given some of the other things he did to his enemies, that's not saying much. You shake your head as the cries, grunts and laughter gets louder and louder. They presumably have all the same natural ability and training the first generation eternals had and this is what they do with it. You turn back to go home. "SHUT UP BITCH!" you hear followed by a smacking sound. "Hah! Teach her to open her mouth when she doesn't have a dick in it." Your hand tightens around your sword hilt as you stop walking for a moment. "I'm not getting involved. They don't deserve my help. None of them ever did..." you mutter and take another step. "Shit! This bitch is tight! She must be a virgin!" "So must be her boyfriend's ass!" You do a complete pivot. "(Sigh) Damn it..." You rush towards the sounds of the group and after passing through some tall swamp plants; you find two of the eternals on top of the bodies of their victims. The third one is standing around watching the pair of them, laughing. He stops laughing when he catches the sight of your blade shining in the moonlight. "Oh shi..." he utters and you split his head with your sword. The eternal on top of the girl manages to stop what he's doing long enough to look up, which allows her to give him enough of a shove and crawl away backwards from him. The other eternal on top of the young man doesn't even bother getting off his victim, instead he makes idle threats. "Come closer and I'll break this boy's fucking neck!" he shouts and pulls the unconscious young man's head into his arms preparing to twist. "He's better off dead anyway at this point." You say. You hear a bone crack followed by the sound of your sword cleaving the neck of the eternal. He attempts to grab at you while making horrible gurgling noises, but he only manages to falls face first into the muddy ground. The third eternal at this point has pulled up his pants and drawn his weapon, but given that he hasn't attacked you immediately like he should have, you know that means he's scared. They haven't been challenged in so long, they've forgotten what its like. You forgot too. You forgot how thrilling combat was. All those old feelings are starting to come back. You're enjoying this. "Give me a fight." You say. The eternal attempts to oblige your request, but does a poor job at it. A couple of sword parries and dodges later and you've already opened up a wound in his chest and hacked a deep cut in his leg. He drops his sword and collapses on his ass in the mud. "Please! Stop! Look, you can have the girl okay? Do whatever you want with her!" "How the hell did you idiots ever take over anything? You're not eternals. You're fucking pathetic." "And what are hell are you?" "I'm a shadow of the past and right now the past is catching up with you." A little dramatic, but you're having too much fun. Your line is lost on the eternal anyway who continues to plea like the girl did when he was raping her. You show the same amount of mercy and smack him across the face with your hilt before shoving your sword into his crotch. His voice goes into a high scream and then silent when you finish him off with a couple stomps to his head cracking his skull. Another couple stomps and his body stops breathing. You look around the area and see the young girl still nearby. In this moonlight you can see she's huddled with her knees up to her body and her arms wrapped around them. She's also completely naked with bruises on one side of her face and partially covered in mud and dirt. She can't be any older than twenty; her dead boyfriend was probably around the same age. She rocks back and forth sobbing. Even when the physical damage heals, this is event is still going to be a scar in her mind for as long as she lives. You have no reassuring words for her, only advice. "Go home girl and grow stronger from this experience." You say and leave her to her misery. You eventually arrive back at the sanctuary and excitedly tell Talia about what happened tonight. "...yeah, it was something to see. I sort of wondered if I was going to be rusty, but it all came back pretty naturally. Didn't even use any magic. Heh. I...I think I'll be really busy soon. So if I forget to talk to you or anything, its not because I don't love you. I'll just have my mind on other things okay? Okay. I'm glad you understand." Over the next few days you pick off a few more eternals that you catch unawares in the swamps. Doesn't take Brutus long to start realizing that someone is standing up to him, though from conversations you've eve's dropped on, he isn't entirely sure who it is yet and even thinks it might be the pre-cursor to an invasion. He'll wish that was the case by the time you're through. The peasants though are still being oppressed as usual. Perhaps even worse than they already were, since the eternals are taking their frustrations out on them, you can't understand why they aren't at least being encouraged by the situation and trying to fight back. You briefly wonder if you should dispense with your secretive solitary operations and try to get a "rebellion" going again, but you quickly dismiss such ideas. Maybe you're indirectly helping the people, but you're mainly just doing this for your own personal reasons. You're not going to do is try to enlist aid again. Those days are long gone you're not putting up with the headache of them anymore. Someone else can do it if they feel so inclined. You're working fine on your own. You've done it many times in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Besides if you were successful in starting up a rebellion, then you'd eliminate your targets too quickly. As it stands right now, you're enjoying taking your time. If you wanted to kill them all as fast as possible, you could easily do it. Over the course of a few months you continue your activities. Brutus starts sending patrols in large groups. He also destroys one of the smaller villages claiming that they know who has been attacking them if not involved in the attacks directly. If something like that doesn't motivate the people nothing will. As it turns out, it has motivated at least one and when you're spying an eternal patrol camp you aren't surprised to see a familiar smaller figure hiding nearby. She thinks that nobody sees her, and so far she's correct as far as the eternals are concerned, but you see her as clear as day. She hasn't seen you of course due to your cloak. Looks like she took your advice, but she has no idea what she's doing. Her desire for vengeance is going to get her killed, though maybe she feels like she has no reason to live at this point. In any event, she's going to get in the way of your own plans, if you don't do something. > You approach her You're not going to rush into battle when you aren't entirely sure of the situation yet. You need to get her out of here before she messes everything up. You silently move towards her staying cloaked the whole time. You try to pay attention to what the eternals are doing while still moving towards the girl. When you finally reach her, she still isn't quite aware of your presence, you she begins to look around as if she senses something. You're just about to lunge at her, when her sense that someone is near causes her to panic and she ends up falling backwards causing enough noise to attract the attention of the nearby eternals. "Shit." You curse and decloak before the girl. She's very surprised to see you. "Don't speak, just get the hell out of here!" you shout at her as you here the eternals rushing over to check what's going on. "But..." she utters. "I said don't..." you say and then feel a spear fly into your back from a second group of eternals that were just returning to camp. You manage to spin around and muster enough of a fight to dispatch a couple of the eternals advancing on you, but even you can't hold your ground against such odds with a sharp object puncturing your vital organs. Even speeding yourself up only serves to prolong the inevitable and you eventually succumb to the onslaught. As for the girl she didn't get far and the eternals make good on finishing her off this time.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, serious, war, grimdark, fantasy] Dendrin can chatter in your ear all he wants it's not going to make you change how you want to live your life. What the hell has he ever done for you? You the sleep the rest of the night in your bed and most of the day as well. In fact you don't leave the sanctuary for over a month. Eventually you start to get restless again and you go for a walk in the middle of the night. "I'm leaving Talia, I'll be back soon." You say. Tromping around through the swamp at night isn't something you normally do since the place is already a breeding ground for biting insects during the day, its even worse at night. The Sul Monkeys are usually a little more active as well. Sometimes they even get vicious if they sense an easy target; fortunately they seem to be scared of you. As you wander through the night you reminisce about the old days, back when you were in Rask and temporarily separated from Talia. It wasn't an easy time, but you survived it, just like you're surviving without her now. "Pfft. Dendrin thinks he's so smart. Suggesting that I can't..." you begin to whisper to yourself, but just then your thoughts are interrupted by shrieks and pleas nearby. This is followed by some loud obnoxious voices. "Go ahead a scream bitch, not like anyone's going to save you!" a voice yells. "Hey are you taking your turn?" the second voice asks. "Naw, I'm just gonna fuck the boy, seein' as we already beat him unconscious. Less trouble." A third voice replies. "Suit yourself." The second voice says. Great, you wandered in the middle of a sexual assault in progress. What is it with these new eternals and rape? They're always engaging in it like its going out of style. Must be some sort of defect in their minds during their training or something because none of the first generation eternals that you know of were so focused on their genital region. Even Kane, as infamous as he was for his atrocities was never known for rape. Though given some of the other things he did to his enemies, that's not saying much. You shake your head as the cries, grunts and laughter gets louder and louder. They presumably have all the same natural ability and training the first generation eternals had and this is what they do with it. You turn back to go home. "SHUT UP BITCH!" you hear followed by a smacking sound. "Hah! Teach her to open her mouth when she doesn't have a dick in it." Your hand tightens around your sword hilt as you stop walking for a moment. "I'm not getting involved. They don't deserve my help. None of them ever did..." you mutter and take another step. "Shit! This bitch is tight! She must be a virgin!" "So must be her boyfriend's ass!" You do a complete pivot. "(Sigh) Damn it..." You rush towards the sounds of the group and after passing through some tall swamp plants; you find two of the eternals on top of the bodies of their victims. The third one is standing around watching the pair of them, laughing. He stops laughing when he catches the sight of your blade shining in the moonlight. "Oh shi..." he utters and you split his head with your sword. The eternal on top of the girl manages to stop what he's doing long enough to look up, which allows her to give him enough of a shove and crawl away backwards from him. The other eternal on top of the young man doesn't even bother getting off his victim, instead he makes idle threats. "Come closer and I'll break this boy's fucking neck!" he shouts and pulls the unconscious young man's head into his arms preparing to twist. "He's better off dead anyway at this point." You say. You hear a bone crack followed by the sound of your sword cleaving the neck of the eternal. He attempts to grab at you while making horrible gurgling noises, but he only manages to falls face first into the muddy ground. The third eternal at this point has pulled up his pants and drawn his weapon, but given that he hasn't attacked you immediately like he should have, you know that means he's scared. They haven't been challenged in so long, they've forgotten what its like. You forgot too. You forgot how thrilling combat was. All those old feelings are starting to come back. You're enjoying this. "Give me a fight." You say. The eternal attempts to oblige your request, but does a poor job at it. A couple of sword parries and dodges later and you've already opened up a wound in his chest and hacked a deep cut in his leg. He drops his sword and collapses on his ass in the mud. "Please! Stop! Look, you can have the girl okay? Do whatever you want with her!" "How the hell did you idiots ever take over anything? You're not eternals. You're fucking pathetic." "And what are hell are you?" "I'm a shadow of the past and right now the past is catching up with you." A little dramatic, but you're having too much fun. Your line is lost on the eternal anyway who continues to plea like the girl did when he was raping her. You show the same amount of mercy and smack him across the face with your hilt before shoving your sword into his crotch. His voice goes into a high scream and then silent when you finish him off with a couple stomps to his head cracking his skull. Another couple stomps and his body stops breathing. You look around the area and see the young girl still nearby. In this moonlight you can see she's huddled with her knees up to her body and her arms wrapped around them. She's also completely naked with bruises on one side of her face and partially covered in mud and dirt. She can't be any older than twenty; her dead boyfriend was probably around the same age. She rocks back and forth sobbing. Even when the physical damage heals, this is event is still going to be a scar in her mind for as long as she lives. You have no reassuring words for her, only advice. "Go home girl and grow stronger from this experience." You say and leave her to her misery. You eventually arrive back at the sanctuary and excitedly tell Talia about what happened tonight. "...yeah, it was something to see. I sort of wondered if I was going to be rusty, but it all came back pretty naturally. Didn't even use any magic. Heh. I...I think I'll be really busy soon. So if I forget to talk to you or anything, its not because I don't love you. I'll just have my mind on other things okay? Okay. I'm glad you understand." Over the next few days you pick off a few more eternals that you catch unawares in the swamps. Doesn't take Brutus long to start realizing that someone is standing up to him, though from conversations you've eve's dropped on, he isn't entirely sure who it is yet and even thinks it might be the pre-cursor to an invasion. He'll wish that was the case by the time you're through. The peasants though are still being oppressed as usual. Perhaps even worse than they already were, since the eternals are taking their frustrations out on them, you can't understand why they aren't at least being encouraged by the situation and trying to fight back. You briefly wonder if you should dispense with your secretive solitary operations and try to get a "rebellion" going again, but you quickly dismiss such ideas. Maybe you're indirectly helping the people, but you're mainly just doing this for your own personal reasons. You're not going to do is try to enlist aid again. Those days are long gone you're not putting up with the headache of them anymore. Someone else can do it if they feel so inclined. You're working fine on your own. You've done it many times in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Besides if you were successful in starting up a rebellion, then you'd eliminate your targets too quickly. As it stands right now, you're enjoying taking your time. If you wanted to kill them all as fast as possible, you could easily do it. Over the course of a few months you continue your activities. Brutus starts sending patrols in large groups. He also destroys one of the smaller villages claiming that they know who has been attacking them if not involved in the attacks directly. If something like that doesn't motivate the people nothing will. As it turns out, it has motivated at least one and when you're spying an eternal patrol camp you aren't surprised to see a familiar smaller figure hiding nearby. She thinks that nobody sees her, and so far she's correct as far as the eternals are concerned, but you see her as clear as day. She hasn't seen you of course due to your cloak. Looks like she took your advice, but she has no idea what she's doing. Her desire for vengeance is going to get her killed, though maybe she feels like she has no reason to live at this point. In any event, she's going to get in the way of your own plans, if you don't do something. > You launch your attack now Even as quiet as you are, if you head over to her location, you might miss your best opportunity to attack even if you were waiting for a slightly better opening. Still no point in taking chances, you speed yourself up just give yourself that extra edge. As your blade sinks into the back of one of the eternals you materialize before the rest of their eyes and they look as if they see a ghost. Their surprise doesn't last long, but it's enough for you to chop down another one before they can put up a decent defense. "Behind you!" you hear a voice shout and you instinctively duck down and spin around to shoot a bolt at whatever might be behind you. You catch an attacker in the leg with it, but from what you can see a bunch more eternals have arrived to help their buddies. This is why you wanted to wait a moment longer before attacking. One of the eternals in charge shouts at one of his men to go catch the girl that just shouted a warning to you. At this point running might not be a bad option for yourself. If you had your back against something, you might be better able to fight them, but being surrounded and outnumbered like this isn't the best situation. You make a break for it, but the eternals are wise enough to not all chase you directly, some instead run along either side of you hoping to head you off. It doesn't help that a few are carrying spears and are fairly proficient at throwing them. You cloak yourself and climb up a tree, which helps lose them. They continue to search the area where they last saw you. Eventually they give up and argue with each other about losing you. You wait about an hour in the tree before you decide its safe to come down. You head back to the sanctuary cursing your unpreparedness. That speed spell also took it out of you. You feel more drained than you have in a long time; it's almost like the old days when you were complete crap at casting magic. You're guessing your long detachment from Dendrin has made your shadow magic even weaker. At least you can still cloak without too many problems it seems. Eventually you get back home only to see a visitor waiting for you. It's the girl and she's sitting on a pile of rubble near your secret entrance. Now that you can see her in a better light, she's much different looking from the wailing waif you last saw. She stinks of the swamp like she's been living in it for days. Her face is healed up with a few minor scars, but her eyes display a stare that could be matched by some battle weary warriors. You're actually a little surprised to see her since it implies that she knew where you lived, meaning she's sneakier than you thought. "Nobody followed me. I lost my pursuer." "Did you kill him?" "No." "Then how the hell do you know you really lost him? Maybe he let you get away, just to follow you at his leisure. What the hell were you doing out there, you know damn well you're no match for those guys." "Neither are you it seems." "I would've been had I waited a little longer to gather all the information instead of jumping into battle like an idiot." "So why'd you jump in like an idiot?" "Because I saw you and you were already a factor I didn't need to deal with if you decided to jump in like an idiot. So I did it instead, hoping that was all of them. Apparently not. Still, got a few of them I guess. There's always tomorrow. Now if you don't mind, I'm going inside and I don't need you knowing exactly where the entrance is even if you already knew where I lived." The girl doesn't move. "So basically what you're saying is you risked your life to prevent me from getting hurt." "No, I told you why I did it. Don't read into something that isn't there, now I suggest you do what I told you to do last time and go home." "I can't considering they destroyed my village not long ago. Completely." You exhale deeply since you heard about that, but of course you had no idea she was from there. "So that was your village? Was it random, or did they know you were there for the...first attack?" "I think they knew. They didn't know exactly what had happened or who was there, but they guessed someone in the village knew something. Some in the village knew what I told them, like my family, Aaron's family, and close neighbors, but nobody gave me up. I sort of wished they did, they'd all be alive right now." "If you felt that way, why not turn yourself in?" "Because I was scared? Because I didn't want to die? Because I'd somehow beaten the odds and endured something I shouldn't have?" "Because you wanted to survive." You say. "Yes, because I wanted to survive. Just like I wanted to survive when they started lining up everyone to more efficiently butcher them. I managed to run. I left my mother, my father, my little brother, my friends. I left them ALL behind. I didn't try to save them Maybe I could've I don't think so, but I didn't even try. All I wanted to do is survive. And that's what I've been doing ever since, living in the swamp attempting to survive and plot revenge." "Hmm, well you've got the survival bit down at least. So were you the only survivor from your village?" "I dunno, I think some others ran. Don't know what happened to them though. So when are we going to attack again?" "I'M going to get some rest and I'll attack again when I feel like it. YOU I don't know what you're going to do, but I suggest you go find some place to hide where those bastards can't find you. Now leave. I'm not going to ask nicely again." The girl hops down from her sitting spot. "No, I'm not going anywhere. YOU saved me. Twice. Which means right now you're the closest thing I have to a friend and friends help each other out. Besides, I did warn you about that guy going to attack you. Surely that warrants me at least some place to stay. I won't get in the way. I know how to take care of myself. I know I can do a lot more than I used to..." "Look this isn't some shelter for lost girls! This is my damn home! I don't owe you shit! Now get the fuck outta here!" you yell and stand directly in front of her, but she's unmoved. "You're going to have to fucking kill me then!" she shouts back in your face. At this point you're more worried about your voices attracting attention. You feel like knocking her out, but that would only be a temporary solution and despite being a fairly ruthless killer, you're not going to oblige her alternative. You push her out of the way and open up your entrance. She's probably a little amazed that she was so close to it and didn't realize it. "Well? Don't just stand there with a dumb look on your face; get inside before we attract the attention of something other than Sul Monkeys." You say and motion her inside. "What's your name anyway?" "Lena." Dendrin's going to have a field day with this and you've got nobody to blame but yourself. > Time passes... Year 46 "Think the girl will survive your big attack plan?" Dendrin asks. "If she does, she does. If she doesn't, well that's the way it goes." You reply. "You don't mean that. You're just trying to play tough. I know better." "Well if you know better why do you insist on asking stupid questions?" "Tradition?" "Hah...okay I'll admit that one was a little amusing." "Glad to see you're in a better mood nowadays, but I imagine having someone to converse back and forth with on a regular basis might be helping. I told you, that you couldn't go on with your life as it was and I was right! And you say I don't look out for you." "Yeah, that must be why you've seen fit to deprive me of nearly all my magic abilities." "You're not a believer. I can't give to someone who has no faith. Sorry, but I don't make the rules. Besides, you were never a magic lover anyway." "Perhaps not, but I found it useful in certain situations. Doesn't matter, I've been making due...I suppose it has made me adapt, and kept me from relying on a crutch." "Well if that's your way of saying thanks, I guess I'll take it. Good luck tomorrow." You wake up. Today is the day, after months of carrying out a personal guerrilla war on Brutus' gang (you refuse to acknowledge such rabble as any sort of "army") you've managed to whittle it down to a manageable size to the point where he's had Sinkhole barricaded. You're not sure why considering its not going to stop you, but if the fool actually thinks building a shaky wooden wall and locking himself in his house is actually going to save him, so be it. While you get ready, Lena's already set to go. You think she's been anxious for this day more than you have. Lena has been helping you and for her part she's done an adequate job. She's taken to training well, though that's probably because she doesn't have much left anymore. You've had to pull her fat out of the fire on more than one occasion, but you expected you would when you first agreed to have her help you. And at least she's helping you. That's more than can be said about anyone else! Despite all the damage you've done to their oppressors, your actions have not inspired others to take up arms against what's left of the eternals. You can't say you're surprised though. Lena on more than one occasion has travelled to a few of the swamp villages in the hopes of getting help, but no luck. You told her it was a waste of time, but she had to learn on her own your suppose. You probably never show it and you'd certainly never admit it, but you do respect Lena and don't mind her company. Though there's still another whose company you prefer. (And that that isn't Dendrin) "I'm going now. I'll be back later to tell you all about it." You tell Talia before you leave. You and Lena make your way to Sinkhole. Along the way Lena makes her usual snappy comments. It's one of her less endearing qualities. "So you couldn't get Talia to help us for this one?" "Well maybe if I'd been a believer in Dendrin, he would've seen fit to raise her from the dead or something, but seeing as he's as much of an asshole as you're being right now, no I couldn't get Talia's help. Maybe next time." You reply. "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have said that, I..." "Forget it. You're nervous just like you are whenever we go into battle and you're deflecting as usual. Just save those witty remarks for combat. Seems to work on those wannabe eternals who get flustered over the smallest taunts." Sinkhole's rickety wall doesn't quite extend all the way around the town, but its enough that there's no way to easily go around it without either wading through the deep marsh water or just barging through the front gate. If you still had your magic, you'd just scale the wall with the spider walk spell, but you don't have that luxury anymore. Chopping or kicking through the wall would probably take time and attract attention. You'd like to at least catch the enemy a little off guard. So you decide to do the classic "pincer maneuver." "Lena, you sneak around through the marsh where there is no wall and enter Sinkhole that way." "Wait, where are you going to be?" "I'm going through the main gate of course. They'll be focusing on me so much that you'll probably be able to take down several of Brutus' men before some of them converge on your position." "Are you going to be all right?" "We've worked together for months now and you have to ask me that? Don't worry about me, I've faced worse. A lot worse. Now Brutus will probably be hold up in that big house of his. Don't try to enter it until I get there since the place will probably be trapped." "What if I see him outside?" "I doubt it since the coward seems determined to throw everyone under his command at us while he hides. In the off chance you do see him, he'll probably be trying to escape so by all means try to stop him in that case. Now let's get going." As you and Lena part company you know there's a fifty fifty chance Lena is going to disregard everything you've said and try to enter Brutus' home and try to kill him herself. You're going have to be quick if you want to beat her there. Predictably several eternals guard the front gate and when you appear before them, the alarm is raised and they attack. If they're lucky, they might actually last more than a five minutes against you... Four minutes later you've already fought your way through the main gate. You see several more eternals standing in the road with weapons drawn, but they look unsure to as whether or not to attack you or run away. Surprisingly one speaks up, he's a short man with brown hair wearing leather armor. He's very average looking and not at all anything like what the second generation eternals are supposed to be which are great hulking warrior types. "Hold for a moment! I would speak with you. There is no need for animosity." "What, you trying to stall for time and set up an amubush? Not likely, let's get on with this!" you reply and advance. He and the two other eternals standing behind him all back away while still attempting to hold a defensive position. "Wait just a moment, damn it! There are not enough of us left to set up a fucking ambush! We're all that's left, besides Brutus barricaded in his house. I mean we already know you could kill us all within seconds, is it really going to hurt to hear what I have to say?" "Alright, make it quick." "Okay, we're giving up. I mean just let us get the hell out of here and we'll never enter this damn swamp ever again. This ain't worth it and I certainly ain't dying for Brutus." "What makes you think I'd let you go?" "Look I know who you are. You're not just some crazy ass old shadow; you're also an eternal. A first gen. Oh yes, I heard stories about you in the old days and unlike most of my kind, I took them seriously. I also remember because I was assigned here when you were still causing trouble for the old Empire. Everyone thought you died when we collapsed the temple on you, but when our boys started getting picked off over the last year, I had a feeling who it might be. I tried to warn Brutus that we should just leave, but the fool wouldn't listen. "Hmm, too bad you weren't smart enough to leave yourself." "Well, Brutus may be a fool, but he's still my friend." "Friends? Didn't know you second gens, had the concept of it...but he's so much of a friend, that you're ready to abandon him now?" "I don't like it, but if I have to chose between loyalty to my friend and survival, survival is going to win." "While this is all very interesting, you still haven't answered my question, why the hell should I let you go?" "Because I talked Brutus out of destroying this entire town and the rest of the little villages in this swamp? Did you know when you started murdering us, his first order was to wage systematic genocide on the people of Delerg? Granted he still wiped out a few villages completely, but I managed to save lives because even I thought that was going too far. Other did too, I was just the only one brave enough to tell him in a way that showed it wouldn't be wise to do it." "So that makes you a good guy?" "No, I didn't say it makes me a good guy, I'm just saying that my deeds at least should be taken into consideration. I mean...fuck...you've killed a lot of us and you'll likely kill Brutus as well. Isn't that enough? We're no threat to you and we're not going to come back to launch some sort of sneak attack. You can have free reign of this place, I'd rather just put this shithole far behind me. You'll never see us again." This guy might not be playing for time to have more of his buddies ambush you, but he's still taken up more than enough and there's no indication of Lena showing up who probably would've attacked them by now. Since she hasn't that can only mean she's decided to take on Brutus himself, which means she's probably going to get herself killed if you don't reach the house soon. > You take care of the eternals first If Lena's gone ahead without heeding your warnings, she's going to have to fend for herself, because there's no way you're taking chances with just the word of this asshole. "If you paid attention to history and old stories like you say you do, then you'd also know that I was never one to show mercy to my enemies. You're a bigger fool than your friend Brutus if you're thinking I'm going to let you go for any reason." "I had to try." The eternal says with a resigned sigh. He turns and nods to his cohorts and they scatter in different directions while he advances on you. Great, now you'll have to chase them all down. You dispatch the big talker fairly quickly, you manage to catch another one with your armbow before he gets too far and you finally chase down the third one just as he reaches the front gate. You notice several citizens starting to creep out from their homes and other hiding places. Still helpful as ever. You head quickly to the "mansion" sized home near the marshlands. You approach cautiously and that's when you see Lena waiting nearby it. Apparently she decided to listen after all. "What took you so long? I'd like to get rid of this bastard and change out of these wet clothes." "Glad to see you listened for once, but didn't you think I'd need help?" "You told me, not to worry about you and to just wait for you." "Hmm, I suppose I did. Nevermind, did you have any problems?" "Other than having to pull leeches off my body? No. There were a couple eternals near the area where I came through, but I killed them while they were still trying to make up their minds on whether or not to leave their posts to investigate the noise you were stirring up at the front gate. Besides that, I investigated the surrounding area outside this house and I haven't seen any evidence that Brutus has tried to leave it." "Let's just hope he doesn't have some sort of underground tunnel built. Let's go." After breaking down the door, you cautiously move throughout the house. While certainly bigger than the rest of homes in Sinkhole, it probably doesn't look much better from the inside. The place is a wreck, you'd think as a leader he'd want to keep his own home in better condition, but then given that you live in an underground hole of a collapsed temple which was already in ruins when you arrived there, maybe you aren't exactly in a position to make judgments as far as living arrangements are concerned. "No traps so far." Lena whispers. "Considering there's so much junk and garbage in this place, they could be well hidden. Keep a look out anyway, and stay quiet! No need to give our position away." "I'm sure he already knows we're..." Before Lena can complete her statement, Brutus appears from around a corner and nearly takes her head off with an axe. Fortunately for her, you block the attack. At last you get a close look at the great leader himself, and once again you're unimpressed by what you see. Makes this whole endeavor hardly even worth it at this point. "I'll make you wish you hadn't come back from the dead shadow!" Brutus exclaims right before you shut him up with a head-butt and then slicing his belly open. Falling to the floor and desperately attempting to hold in his entrails he starts to scoot back from you. "You new eternals always talk too much." You say. "Lena...if you'd like to do the honors." Lena wastes no time in taking up your offer. She points her spear at Brutus, who makes a plea for his life through bribery. It doesn't work and Lena skewers him in the chest with the spear. Then she does it again... and again... and again... and... "Sonofabitch! You killed my family! Bastard! Die! Die! Fuck you..." Lena sobs the whole time. "Lena he's dead. You can stop now. He can't order anyone else anymore. None of them can do anything anymore, we killed them all." You say and grab the spear from her. She looks at you with tears streaming down from her eyes and for the first time since that first night you saw her assaulted she looks vulnerable again. The hardened exterior has allowed itself to collapse. She hugs tightly you and continues to sob. You aren't exactly sure how to react except to reciprocate for a moment, but you're uncomfortable so you gently push her away when you feel enough time has passed. She's still upset, but begins to compose herself. "(sniff) So what's next?" she asks. "What do you mean?" "What's next? I mean we killed all of the eternals here in Delerg. Aren't we going to go to Quala and continue? Where should we strike first?" You figured something like this would happen. Lena isn't going to stop here. Already her desire for more vengeance is taking over. And while you certainly understand it and even agree with it to an extent, you just aren't sure if this is truly the path for her. She has talent to be sure, but she's attempting to take on a task that will far exceed her abilities even with you at her side. That's the other problem. You fear that you might not even be on your best performance since you'll always be worrying about her in the back of your mind. Still part of you would like to continue your partnership with her wherever that may lead. You certainly aren't moping around like you used to and Lena's enthusiasm bring a bit of a joy to your life. > You join Lena Lena will probably go whether you do or not so you might as well go with her to keep her safer. You can also continue training her which can only help in her survival. You also enjoy Lena's company too and your spirits haven't been remotely this high for a long time. "Slow down girl, we'll get to them eventually. They aren't going anywhere. Right now we should take a break before planning our next attack." Lena nods and says that maybe you're right and that you should take a break. The pair of you takes your leave of Sinkhole and head back home as the peasants start to slowly fill the streets again. When you get back home, Lena is definitely in a much better mood. "It felt so good killing all those bastards! I think I'm only just realizing just exactly how good though!" she says followed by a triumphant yell of victory. "Well you should be proud of what you managed to accomplish. It was a great victory and I'm proud of you too." Lena smiles at your remark and hugs you again. "Oh I would've never done it without your help! You've been so good and helpful to me! We'll go on to more victories against those eternal bastards, I just know it!" Lena's body against yours so good to you right now. You feel closer to her than ever and not just in a physical way. During your embrace both of your eyes meet and it doesn't take long before your lips follow along with other parts of your body. Later while she's asleep beside you, you walk into the garden feeling somewhat guilty for your actions. "I...uh...I'm home. I meant to tell you sooner, but I...(sigh)..." you begin to say to Talia's grave. It takes you a while to even muster up courage to speak again. "Talia, I'm sorry...but as much as I tried to fight them I have feelings for Lena. She's a brave girl. She has that same fighting spirit. You know, like you did..." You take the silence that follows as accusatory. "No! I'm not replacing you! I just...NO! She won't die like you did! I'll make sure she's safe! That's why I'm going to look out and be with her! Look I can't morn you forever! Why won't you just let me move on? I have to move on right?! Wouldn't you want me to do that?!" The further silence just makes you run out of the garden and into one of the other rooms. You begin to curse and sob at your situation. You know it's completely irrational, but you don't understand why you can't move on. After you compose yourself, you head back to your room where Lena is still happily sleeping. Fortunately despite your rather loud outbursts, she hasn't stirred at all. When you get back into bed she instinctively cuddles next to you. "Where'd you go?" she asks sleepily. "Uh...just thought I heard a weird noise. It was nothing." You remark. "Oh." She replies and drifts back to sleep. You on the other hand are practically up for the rest of the night trying to put a ghost to rest once and for all. You manage to succeed, but you still don't feel good about it. Hopefully in time, you'll be able to live with it, but in order to do that, you're going to have to leave this place and not come back. There are just too many memories here. Year 50 Lena wanted to take the fight to the eternals, and she's really been sticking to that promise. In the beginning you were mainly targeting eternal soldiers and such. This naturally drew the ire of whatever local warlord that had established dominance there. This wasn't a problem since you mostly just moved on to another location in Quala. The problem was you weren't just fighting eternals now, you were fighting the multitudes of human followers said eternal warlords have under their command. Given that you were only two people, you were more than a little outnumbered. Also while Lena may be better skilled than she was, but she still does not have the capability to assassinate a battle hardened eternal warlord commanding said armies. You probably might have had better luck, if you were younger and still had access to your shadow magic, as it stands though, you've lost that ability completely now. It would seem that Dendrin's link to you has practically been broken at this point, though he has still spoken to you from time to time. Mostly to tell you that your actions are a pathetic attempt to live in the past and you're just following around Lena like a glorified bodyguard. This has lead to the usual predictable arguments. Dendrin must've gotten tired of arguing with you though since he hasn't been speaking with you in quite some time, which suits you just fine. Eventually, Lena once again attempted to stir up the local populations in the hopes of getting some more help, she was a little more successful this time, but nobody has ever lasted very long. They either they quit for various reasons after the first few missions, or they get themselves killed. The ones that do stick around are mostly criminal types who enjoy the violence along with the looting on the side. All of this pretty much means Lena's the leader of a group of bandits masquerading around as "freedom fighters." You and Lena are now wanted in several territories in Quala. Even a few eternal rulers have declared temporary truce just so they can send joint forces against you. Svelk mercs have also been hired to hunt you down. While you've been generally supportive of Lena's misguided quest for vengeance, you haven't always thought its necessarily the wisest thing to pursue. Your last raid on a small encampment got half of the gang killed and Lena wounded to the point where she's going to be in no condition to go on another until she heals. Right now you're siting beside her bandaged body while she rests. You wonder if you shouldn't at least try to talk a little sense into her. Its getting to the point where you believe your luck is going to run out eventually and while you're enjoying fighting side by side with her, part of you would like to pull back a bit. If only to ensure your survival so you can actually enjoy her company a lot longer. Just as you've completed pondering this situation, Lena starts stirring from her sleep. "Did we win?" she asks. "Yes, but it was at a high cost. I told you we should've prepared longer. And you shouldn't have charged into battle like that." "Doesn't matter, as long as we got that bastard." "You do realize that the sergeant was the only eternal in the platoon right? The rest were just regular humans." "So? If they take orders from an eternal and do their bidding, they're just as bad. You know that better than anyone." There it is again. Her blind need for vengeance as usual. You're beginning to think she cares more about that, than she does you. > You talk to Lena about quitting "Lena, you've been getting more reckless lately, and I'm starting to get concerned." "What? These wounds? I'll heal. And I don't even need to wait that long anyway, I could be up and around before then." "If you didn't pick a fight every chance you get, and actually took time to step back for a moment, you'd probably suffer less cuts and bruises. And while I know the group we hang around with are a bunch of low life scum for the most part, we still can't afford to lose them like we've been doing. Especially when the risk is starting to severely outweigh the potential rewards." "Well, maybe its time we get some new people to help. Try to find some disgruntled peasant or something again." You shake your head. "Lena, you're not hearing me. I'm saying maybe its time to quit while you're ahead. I mean what are we even doing anymore?" "We're fighting against injustice and tyranny! I thought that's what you used to do!" "Yeah, that's what I USED to do. What I'm doing now I'm not so sure. Lena, you're letting your desire for vengeance overwhelm you. You're not thinking straight. You shoot down all my ideas when it comes to sound strategies. I mean lately you've just been throwing cautious right out the window." "And you always played it cautious, when fighting the Empire?" "Y'know what? YES. Yes I did whenever it was possible, y'know why? Because they fucking outnumbered us in everyway that's why! And despite the fact that I taught you how to fight, you are NOT me. You will NEVER be me. You passion for vengeance brought on by your unfortunate experiences, will never replace the rush I get when I get into a battle which always gives me an edge. And let me tell you something else. As good as I am, I can't always be everywhere so that I can save you just in time." "Well who the hell is asking you to save me?!" Lena says with a displeased look on her face. "Someone needs to save you, because you sure as hell haven't been of clear mind to maintain your self-preservation anymore! Lena look, I know you'd like nothing more than to personally kill every eternal you could get your hands on, but it's not going to happen. Even if you could, it won't change what has already happened." You hold on to Lena's hand. "Lena, I'm asking you for me, stop this now, before it completely consumes you. Are your feelings for vengeance stronger than your feelings for me?" You look into Lena's eyes and her previous expression of displeasure turns to one of avoidance. She tries to speak, but stops. Sensing that she needs to respond, she gives you an answer. "You, you know I love you." "Yes, I'm sure you do, but you will not avoid my question so easily." "I'm not...I...I...just..." At this point, you close your eyes and sigh deeply. "It's okay Lena. It's okay. This was probably my own damn fault anyway. Good luck." You say and kiss her on the head before attempting to leave. "Wait! Where are you going?!" "I can't stay with you Lena. You're on a path to self-destruction that I can't follow. I did that already with Talia and her dedication to Dendrin. Now that I think about it, this whole thing has been me trying to relive my own past by being with you. Trying to rekindle the same spark I had with Talia. I can't even lie to myself about it anymore. Anyway I'm rambling now, so I bid you goodbye and I hope you eventually see that you don't need to follow the path you're on." You exit the tent with the Lena still calling for you, but you just keep walking. You notice you aren't the only one leaving. You see some of the thugs packing up their stuff and heading off to greener pastures no doubt. Maybe with less people to help, Lena will be less likely to mount foolish attacks. At least you hope she has that much sense. As for you, you realize that if you're going to live in the past, you're going to do it the right way. You travel back to Delerg. Back to the temple. Back home. The place is the same, its like you never left. You enter the garden... "I'm home Talia. I'm home and I shouldn't have left. I see that now. I can only hope you can forgive me. Can you forgive me?" You approach Talia's grave. "Yes. Yes of course you forgive me. Just like I forgave you. We...we were always meant to be together." You say closing your eyes and unsheathing your blade. "I should've done this a long time ago." You say and thrust your blade into yourself. You fall beside Talia's grave as your life force drains out. Your last thoughts are peaceful ones.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, fantasy, war, villain protagonist] Lena will probably go whether you do or not so you might as well go with her to keep her safer. You can also continue training her which can only help in her survival. You also enjoy Lena's company too and your spirits haven't been remotely this high for a long time. "Slow down girl, we'll get to them eventually. They aren't going anywhere. Right now we should take a break before planning our next attack." Lena nods and says that maybe you're right and that you should take a break. The pair of you takes your leave of Sinkhole and head back home as the peasants start to slowly fill the streets again. When you get back home, Lena is definitely in a much better mood. "It felt so good killing all those bastards! I think I'm only just realizing just exactly how good though!" she says followed by a triumphant yell of victory. "Well you should be proud of what you managed to accomplish. It was a great victory and I'm proud of you too." Lena smiles at your remark and hugs you again. "Oh I would've never done it without your help! You've been so good and helpful to me! We'll go on to more victories against those eternal bastards, I just know it!" Lena's body against yours so good to you right now. You feel closer to her than ever and not just in a physical way. During your embrace both of your eyes meet and it doesn't take long before your lips follow along with other parts of your body. Later while she's asleep beside you, you walk into the garden feeling somewhat guilty for your actions. "I...uh...I'm home. I meant to tell you sooner, but I...(sigh)..." you begin to say to Talia's grave. It takes you a while to even muster up courage to speak again. "Talia, I'm sorry...but as much as I tried to fight them I have feelings for Lena. She's a brave girl. She has that same fighting spirit. You know, like you did..." You take the silence that follows as accusatory. "No! I'm not replacing you! I just...NO! She won't die like you did! I'll make sure she's safe! That's why I'm going to look out and be with her! Look I can't morn you forever! Why won't you just let me move on? I have to move on right?! Wouldn't you want me to do that?!" The further silence just makes you run out of the garden and into one of the other rooms. You begin to curse and sob at your situation. You know it's completely irrational, but you don't understand why you can't move on. After you compose yourself, you head back to your room where Lena is still happily sleeping. Fortunately despite your rather loud outbursts, she hasn't stirred at all. When you get back into bed she instinctively cuddles next to you. "Where'd you go?" she asks sleepily. "Uh...just thought I heard a weird noise. It was nothing." You remark. "Oh." She replies and drifts back to sleep. You on the other hand are practically up for the rest of the night trying to put a ghost to rest once and for all. You manage to succeed, but you still don't feel good about it. Hopefully in time, you'll be able to live with it, but in order to do that, you're going to have to leave this place and not come back. There are just too many memories here. Year 50 Lena wanted to take the fight to the eternals, and she's really been sticking to that promise. In the beginning you were mainly targeting eternal soldiers and such. This naturally drew the ire of whatever local warlord that had established dominance there. This wasn't a problem since you mostly just moved on to another location in Quala. The problem was you weren't just fighting eternals now, you were fighting the multitudes of human followers said eternal warlords have under their command. Given that you were only two people, you were more than a little outnumbered. Also while Lena may be better skilled than she was, but she still does not have the capability to assassinate a battle hardened eternal warlord commanding said armies. You probably might have had better luck, if you were younger and still had access to your shadow magic, as it stands though, you've lost that ability completely now. It would seem that Dendrin's link to you has practically been broken at this point, though he has still spoken to you from time to time. Mostly to tell you that your actions are a pathetic attempt to live in the past and you're just following around Lena like a glorified bodyguard. This has lead to the usual predictable arguments. Dendrin must've gotten tired of arguing with you though since he hasn't been speaking with you in quite some time, which suits you just fine. Eventually, Lena once again attempted to stir up the local populations in the hopes of getting some more help, she was a little more successful this time, but nobody has ever lasted very long. They either they quit for various reasons after the first few missions, or they get themselves killed. The ones that do stick around are mostly criminal types who enjoy the violence along with the looting on the side. All of this pretty much means Lena's the leader of a group of bandits masquerading around as "freedom fighters." You and Lena are now wanted in several territories in Quala. Even a few eternal rulers have declared temporary truce just so they can send joint forces against you. Svelk mercs have also been hired to hunt you down. While you've been generally supportive of Lena's misguided quest for vengeance, you haven't always thought its necessarily the wisest thing to pursue. Your last raid on a small encampment got half of the gang killed and Lena wounded to the point where she's going to be in no condition to go on another until she heals. Right now you're siting beside her bandaged body while she rests. You wonder if you shouldn't at least try to talk a little sense into her. Its getting to the point where you believe your luck is going to run out eventually and while you're enjoying fighting side by side with her, part of you would like to pull back a bit. If only to ensure your survival so you can actually enjoy her company a lot longer. Just as you've completed pondering this situation, Lena starts stirring from her sleep. "Did we win?" she asks. "Yes, but it was at a high cost. I told you we should've prepared longer. And you shouldn't have charged into battle like that." "Doesn't matter, as long as we got that bastard." "You do realize that the sergeant was the only eternal in the platoon right? The rest were just regular humans." "So? If they take orders from an eternal and do their bidding, they're just as bad. You know that better than anyone." There it is again. Her blind need for vengeance as usual. You're beginning to think she cares more about that, than she does you. > You continue to stand by her You've been a fool over one woman in the past, why not another one? At least you can identify with Lena's obsession a bit better than Talia's worship of Dendrin. It may be true that one day your luck will run out, but you've been running on borrowed time for decades. What better way to die in battle beside one you care about? Just like you should've years ago... "What's wrong?" Lena asks due to your silence to her previous statement. "Nothing. Nothing at all." You say and give her a kiss on the lips. "I'd just prefer if you listened to my ideas a little more in the future. I'm only looking out for your safety." "I know. You're probably right. I'd like to stay alive long enough to kill every eternal after all." Lena says with a small chuckle and then holds on to her side when it causes a bit of pain. Lena spends the rest of the week healing up. It's the longest amount of "downtime" you've had in quite a while. You'd actually enjoy it a bit more, if Dendrin didn't visit you and continue to impart his views on your situation. "She's going to lead you to ruin. I'm telling you Eternal." Dendrin remarks. "Yes, yes, yes. You've been telling me that for years now. You should know at this point I don't give a shit if it does. It's better than living like I was. At least now I feel alive again. Besides you were always bitching at me for living like a hermit anyway." "Yes, but I didn't know you were exchange one self destructive lifestyle for another." "Dendrin, my whole fucking life has been self-destructive, long before I even had the misfortune of meeting you. My first major choice I can remember was either to beg for my life or die when I was five. I chose to die. Pretty much tells you all you need to know about me. So how about you leave me alone once and for all and let me get back to it okay? You'll get no more entertainment from this mortal." "Apparently not. Very well then Eternal, go forth and die." And that's the last time you ever hear from Dendrin. Year 54 Here you are hold up in some abandoned cabin with svelk mercenaries shouting obscenities from outside. Lena lies on a dirty bed bleeding out and attempting to stay conscious. You're not doing too good yourself. You knew it would end like this and you still don't regret your decision in what is probably going to be your last moments on this world. It's only a matter of time before the svelk just decide to burn you out. Somehow you can't help but laugh at the fact that the first person who nearly killed you was a svelk. Everything has come full circle it seems. "Is..it...(cough) time?" Lena weakly asks. "Can you stand up?" "I don't think so...I hurt all over and just want to sleep." "Its okay, you'll be able to sleep soon. We both will. Here I'll help, just grab your dagger." You pick up Lena in an attempt to stand her up and while she's practically dead weight, you manage to do it. "Do...you ever regret saving me?" Lena asks. "Never." You tell her and kiss her one more time before exiting the cabin with her. You and Lena make it five steps before the svelk open fire on you with their crossbows.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, grimdark, serious, fantasy] If Lena's gone ahead without heeding your warnings, she's going to have to fend for herself, because there's no way you're taking chances with just the word of this asshole. "If you paid attention to history and old stories like you say you do, then you'd also know that I was never one to show mercy to my enemies. You're a bigger fool than your friend Brutus if you're thinking I'm going to let you go for any reason." "I had to try." The eternal says with a resigned sigh. He turns and nods to his cohorts and they scatter in different directions while he advances on you. Great, now you'll have to chase them all down. You dispatch the big talker fairly quickly, you manage to catch another one with your armbow before he gets too far and you finally chase down the third one just as he reaches the front gate. You notice several citizens starting to creep out from their homes and other hiding places. Still helpful as ever. You head quickly to the "mansion" sized home near the marshlands. You approach cautiously and that's when you see Lena waiting nearby it. Apparently she decided to listen after all. "What took you so long? I'd like to get rid of this bastard and change out of these wet clothes." "Glad to see you listened for once, but didn't you think I'd need help?" "You told me, not to worry about you and to just wait for you." "Hmm, I suppose I did. Nevermind, did you have any problems?" "Other than having to pull leeches off my body? No. There were a couple eternals near the area where I came through, but I killed them while they were still trying to make up their minds on whether or not to leave their posts to investigate the noise you were stirring up at the front gate. Besides that, I investigated the surrounding area outside this house and I haven't seen any evidence that Brutus has tried to leave it." "Let's just hope he doesn't have some sort of underground tunnel built. Let's go." After breaking down the door, you cautiously move throughout the house. While certainly bigger than the rest of homes in Sinkhole, it probably doesn't look much better from the inside. The place is a wreck, you'd think as a leader he'd want to keep his own home in better condition, but then given that you live in an underground hole of a collapsed temple which was already in ruins when you arrived there, maybe you aren't exactly in a position to make judgments as far as living arrangements are concerned. "No traps so far." Lena whispers. "Considering there's so much junk and garbage in this place, they could be well hidden. Keep a look out anyway, and stay quiet! No need to give our position away." "I'm sure he already knows we're..." Before Lena can complete her statement, Brutus appears from around a corner and nearly takes her head off with an axe. Fortunately for her, you block the attack. At last you get a close look at the great leader himself, and once again you're unimpressed by what you see. Makes this whole endeavor hardly even worth it at this point. "I'll make you wish you hadn't come back from the dead shadow!" Brutus exclaims right before you shut him up with a head-butt and then slicing his belly open. Falling to the floor and desperately attempting to hold in his entrails he starts to scoot back from you. "You new eternals always talk too much." You say. "Lena...if you'd like to do the honors." Lena wastes no time in taking up your offer. She points her spear at Brutus, who makes a plea for his life through bribery. It doesn't work and Lena skewers him in the chest with the spear. Then she does it again... and again... and again... and... "Sonofabitch! You killed my family! Bastard! Die! Die! Fuck you..." Lena sobs the whole time. "Lena he's dead. You can stop now. He can't order anyone else anymore. None of them can do anything anymore, we killed them all." You say and grab the spear from her. She looks at you with tears streaming down from her eyes and for the first time since that first night you saw her assaulted she looks vulnerable again. The hardened exterior has allowed itself to collapse. She hugs tightly you and continues to sob. You aren't exactly sure how to react except to reciprocate for a moment, but you're uncomfortable so you gently push her away when you feel enough time has passed. She's still upset, but begins to compose herself. "(sniff) So what's next?" she asks. "What do you mean?" "What's next? I mean we killed all of the eternals here in Delerg. Aren't we going to go to Quala and continue? Where should we strike first?" You figured something like this would happen. Lena isn't going to stop here. Already her desire for more vengeance is taking over. And while you certainly understand it and even agree with it to an extent, you just aren't sure if this is truly the path for her. She has talent to be sure, but she's attempting to take on a task that will far exceed her abilities even with you at her side. That's the other problem. You fear that you might not even be on your best performance since you'll always be worrying about her in the back of your mind. Still part of you would like to continue your partnership with her wherever that may lead. You certainly aren't moping around like you used to and Lena's enthusiasm bring a bit of a joy to your life. > You persuade against her idea This isn't going to be easy or fun for you, but it is regrettably necessary. You're going to not only have to convince her that she shouldn't pursue this path, but also push her away in general. "Lena, you won, be happy with your victory. I know you'd like to kill every eternal out there, but it just isn't feasible." "I won? My family is still fucking dead!" "And? You think you're the only one who's ever lost something dear to them? Going on a vengeance crusade still isn't going to bring them back and it's just going to get you killed!" "What the hell else do I have to live for?!" "What do you have to live for? You're still young for one thing, you've got your whole life ahead of you. Yes, what happened was tragic for you, but you've grown stronger because of it and you survived the ordeal. Now make the most of it. Live your life. Find someone to settle down with or whatever it is normal people do." "Normal people...do you really think I can go back to a normal life? Be someone's little housewife?" "Okay maybe not normal...look I'm just saying you going on some fool errand of trying to kill every one of those assholes claiming to be eternals is going to get you killed. Not all of them are going to be as inept as the ones that were hanging around here. The other ones? They're constantly at war and are battle hardened. I guarantee they'll be much tougher opponents and much more organized." "But wouldn't you be there to help? You could train me more and...you could start up a rebellion in Quala! Just like you did in the old days you told me about!" "Ha ha. No, those days are long over. I've told you that before. I'm not going anywhere and I'm not training you any more. You are not meant for this sort of life. I helped clear out this swamp and now I will probably go back to my previous life of solitude." Lena begins to tear up again. It's obvious she doesn't like where this is going. "You're kicking me out of your home aren't you?" "(Sigh) You had to know this arrangement wasn't going to last forever. I know you'll find some place to be I mean I'm sure you'll be treated very well by most people considering you just helped remove their oppressors." "Save me your words, (sniffle) I thought we were...a team...I thought you cared...just go away. Leave me alone." You don't say anything else, because saying anything else is just going to make things harder and likely make things worse. So you just leave. It feels like forever getting back home, but eventually you do and head straight to the garden. "I'm back home, just like I said I would be. I even brought you something." You say and put some blue flowers you picked on your way back home on her grave. "Oh Lena? Yeah she's gone. I think its for the best she didn't live here anymore y'know? Dendrin already impedes on us enough. Didn't need her around too." "I mean if she'd stayed she would've just been miserable here and eventually we would've ended up going to Quala like she wanted and she would've gotten herself killed. At least this way, she won't do it now...well I suppose I can't be sure of that, but I think the fact that she waited for me instead of charging into Brutus' place by herself is a good indication. Showed me she's always heeded my advice and not only that, she's not as overly confidant as I thought she was. Without me around she'll eventually abandoned her need for vengeance and settle into the normal life she was supposed to lead. She... deserves it, don't you think?" you say with your voice quivering a bit. You begin to wipe your eyes and sniffle a bit. "No, of course I didn't love her! What kind of opportunist would I be if I took advantage of some girl half my age that had a shitload of emotional baggage and a fragile personality? I'd be no better than those wannabe eternals that's what. Besides, I didn't think of her in that way, I just...look I'm tired all right? I'm going to bed." You leave the garden and collapse on your bed. It takes awhile but eventually you start to fall asleep hoping that you don't have to put up with any smart-ass comments from Dendrin anytime soon. He has uncharacteristically heard you for once because he leaves you alone for quite some time. You briefly consider doing what you told Lena not to do and that's go kill eternals in the Quala region, but really that bores you already. Besides, you feel it isn't going to be quite as much fun anymore without Lena around. It suddenly occurs to you that you should do some travelling again. You don't have much else to do, so why not? Still, this will always be your home no matter what. You won't leave for good. You just need a change of scenery. You decide that you'll travel not to places you've already been or already know about, but to parts unknown, namely Delerg itself. Despite it being part of the Empire, much of it still remains unexplored. You decide you might as well stay relatively close to home if you have the intention of coming back. You pack up some gear and get ready to go, of course saying good-bye to Talia and telling her you'll return eventually. Year 50 Passing the time by exploring uncharted parts of Delerg has kept you a bit busy over these past few years. It's amazing that nobody had done it before, but the stories about the Delerg swamp being much more hostile the deeper you went were true. You travelled north for quite awhile, but eventually the swamp thinned out completely until it turned into vast bodies of water. Going further would've required a boat and you didn't really have any wish to do that once you saw a glimpse of some of the things lurking in the water. Travelling east was an ordeal that you nearly didn't survive. The swamp became more jungle like and it almost seemed as if the land itself was protecting something or otherwise it just didn't want anyone going further east. You did battle with several beasts that you'd never seen before and probably nobody else from the "civilized" world had either. It wasn't just beasts that were hostile, or even the plants, but also a short dark race of humans. Their small stature didn't make them any less dangerous. Eventually you had to turn back because of the constant attacks that even you couldn't keep defending against. You swear the trees must've been spawning the little bastards. Thankfully as an eternal you're somewhat resistant to poisons, because it served you well during that time. Still if you stopped doing something just because it nearly killed you, you wouldn't have accomplished anything in your life. So eventually you travelled south and beyond the swamp and jungle you discovered a whole new land, yet very much the same as the one you're familiar with. Four tribes, two of them human, one elven and another one reptilian, all of them warring with each other and all of them fairly hostile towards you when confrontation was your only option with them. From what you could figure out, three of the factions were all displaced by the Empire in some way when it still existed. The reptilian tribe apparently was nearly exterminated by the shadows in the earlier days of the Empire as they once lived in the Delerg province. (Which explains why they were especially hostile towards you) You explored as much as you could and eventually departed leaving the factions to their private war. Naturally the whole time you were exploring you were periodically returning back home. Delerg itself never changed, it was the same quiet place it always had been. Every once in a while you'd attempt to trade goods in Sinkhole for the rare items you might need, people never accepted any payment you might offer and instead just handed it to you for free. Nowadays you're considered the last shadow protector of the land and well respected. Of course you aren't the only one. Lena is also well respected thanks to her deeds. Her assumption that she would never be able to fit into a normal life again were wrong as she did find someone to settle down. Though she was right that she would not be a simple housewife and is a hunter and trapper by trade. You know she lives in one of the smaller villages, probably much like the one she grew up in, but you've never spoken to her directly. You see no point in dredging up the past and you have both gone your separate ways now. You're glad that she managed to move on, which is more than can be said for others... "Why have you been writing a lot lately? Never known you to pursue such interests." Dendrin asks. "I dunno. Why not? Not like I'm currently wandering topside at the moment and I already read all the books here. Figured I'd write about stuff I encountered or did on my last travels." "So you're writing a book?" "More like a personal journal. Not like I'm going to share it with anyone." "So why do it?" "As I said, why not? Don't you have something better to do?" "Not really, though I thought you would be considering the impending invasion." "Invasion?" "Yes, the invasion. I know you've been running all over the place lately, but haven't you been keeping up on the local discussions, I assumed you had since I know you do visit Sinkhole on occasion. One of those eternals or several of them apparently have figured out this place has no active resistance of any kind and would be easy pickings." "Oh that. Yes I'm aware of what's going on and I've been preparing for the inevitable." "What? Your usual training? You really think you're going to be able to pull off what you did before by yourself? You do realize that if this place is invaded again, it won't be occupied by the ones that were here before?" "Yes, I'm well aware and as I said, I'll be ready." "Are you planning on leaving?" "No, but I'm glad you've still got faith in my combat abilities...as I asked before, don't you have something better to do?" "I might have to find something better to do soon if you aren't around anymore." Dendrin says. You wake up. You're also left to ponder his "concern" for you. He's right in that if there is an invasion, it'll most likely be a proper army like when the Empire occupied Delerg. So what can you really do about it if it does happen? Leave? You're past thinking like that. This is your home until the day you die. Fight? You probably will eventually just to break up the monotony, but you doubt if you'll be able to keep your "secret" home a secret. Ever since you made your reappearance it's a well known fact of where you live by most of the Delergites. Even the group of eternals you got rid of before eventually figured it out, though by that time they were too damned scared to ever launch any sort of offensive. The other problem to this is you are starting to feel your age. It's partly why you stopped your exploring and returned home to rest. Fighting your own extended personal war by yourself for any reason is getting to be less of a viable option especially if this potential invasion force is dead set on keeping the province. And it isn't like anyone else is going to help... Well perhaps one person might, but the situation would be vastly different and she has her own life now, though you wonder what sort of life that might be when the invasion comes. The only other option you have is to just lay low in the temple and never come out when the invasion arrives. You could easily seal up the entrance that even if it were found, it wouldn't be easy to get in. > You live as you have You spent many years practically buried alive, you're not about to spend your remaining life that way. Better you should just die in battle instead. Of course you only intend on doing that if there are no other options. So if this place stands any chance at all you're going to enlist the help of the only person you know that will fight tooth and nail. You have no idea how Lena is going to react to seeing you again, but its something you're going to have to do. You travel to the small village that lies to the south of Sinkhole where you know Lena has made her home. Its nameless, unspectacular and the people there live simple lives, but that's usually the standard for the villages around here. After asking a few of the locals, one of them directs you to where Lena's house is located. It doesn't surprise you that it's a bit isolated from the rest of the village. In any case it looks a lot better made than the rest. The muscular man outside chopping wood might have something to do with that though. He's younger than you, though probably not more than ten years and probably a wood cutter by trade. He puts down his axe when he notices you walking up, which shows he doesn't sense believe you mean him harm. While he's probably a little surprised by your presence, it's obvious he knows who you are, why not? Everyone does in this swamp. "So...the shadow finally comes to visit. I always wondered when this day would come. My name is Henry. Lena has spoken about you on several occasions." "Nothing good I expect." "On the contrary, she's always spoken highly of you. If I was a more insecure man, I'd probably be jealous. However, I believe the bond I have with Lena is an unbreakable one...well save for death of course. Even love must give way for reality after all." Shows how much he knows given that you still speak to Talia as if she were still alive. Of course you may not exactly be the beacon of sanity. "Anyway, if you're here to see Lena, she's out right now hunting, but should be back soon. I can't promise that she'll greet you warmly however." Henry remarks and then crying is heard on the front porch of the house from a basket. He excuses himself to go see to it. You watch from a distance as you see Henry take a child from the basket and make the usual parental reassurances to calm the child. The child must only be a few months old, you didn't know that Lena had a baby recently. You hear the name Tulla being said a few times and then Henry looks back over to you. "A handful this one sometimes. Still worth it though." He says to you with a smile. "Worth fighting for I hope." You reply. Henry's smile disappears at your remark. "Of course." "Well that would make you better than most parents in this forsaken swamp. But the willingness to fight isn't going to carry the day you know." "Neither is an old broken down eternal who belongs to a long dead order." A familiar voice says. You turn around and see Lena carrying few dead Sul Monkeys and a small Croxidile. She's changed a bit, a little older and weathered by life, but its still the girl you remember. She motions to Henry to go inside and he nods and complies. "So that's the family huh?" you say. "I didn't realize you had recently given birth. Congratulations I guess. I knew you'd find..." "Why are you here?" Lena asks as she sets up the Sul Monkeys for skinning. "Okay, right to the point then...there's an invasion coming." "Yes, I'm well aware of the rumors." "I doubt if they're rumors at this point." "So? What are you suggesting then?" "I really don't know. I mean...(Sigh) look if there is an army coming from Quala, they aren't going to be the push overs that were here before." "Yes, I'm aware of that too. That's why I've been trying to build up a resistance. I dunno if they'll be any good in a fight, but it's better than nothing." "Wait, you mean you actually got people to potentially help you? When?" "I've been doing it ever since you abandoned me. Making contacts, building up friendships and all that stuff. I'm surprised that you didn't know about it, but then you have been traipsing around the swamp for the past few years. Surprised you didn't just leave for good. I mean what is there for you here?" "Its my home too you know." Lena snorts at your answer. "Home...you don't have a home. You aren't even a true shadow by your own admission. The only reason why you still live here is because you buried Talia in that wrecked temple you call home. You can't move on." "Perhaps, but someone else hasn't moved on from her school girl crush either apparently. Henry's nearly my age. He's my height and his hair is even my color, one might call that... substitution." "Don't you dare criticize Henry! He's a good man! Better than you'll ever be!" Lena shouts, but you notice she is careful enough to throw down her skinning knife before getting in your face and poking you in the chest. Not that you would've taken it as a serious threat anyway. "Again perhaps, but I didn't come here to criticize him or fight with you. Look, I'm going to be fighting the eternals regardless of your answer, but I thought it might be wise to contact someone else who I know is a fighter. Apparently though you've managed to find more though so perhaps you don't need my help. Now if you don't want or need my help, I shall take my leave, but it's always here if you want it directly." Lena says nothing other than picking up her knife and going back to skinning. You turn to leave and get about a few paces, before she calls back to you. "Wait. Since you're more out of the loop than I thought, it might be good to bring you up to speed on the specifics of what is known and what is planned. If only to make sure you don't get in the way of our own operations with your lone wolf tactics. So let me finish this first and you can come on in. We'll have dinner before going over some of the details." "Very well." You respond. After your visit is over, you leave with a better grasp of what's to come. You just aren't optimistic about it being enough, but then fighting the odds has always been what you've done all your life. No point in changing precedent. > … Year 55 You always were one to defy the odds, but you knew it could only end like this. Luck certainly played a large factor in your favor at the beginning. First off the invasion rumors were still just rumors for quite a while. It gave you and Lena more time to prepare and it was definitely preparation that was needed. By the time the eternal warlord Victor sent anyone to establish dominance, most of the population had actually been motivated to help. This was mostly thanks to Lena ag

ain, as well others she recruited. Victor's first attempt was surprisingly diplomatic, as he sent in an ambassador of sorts along with a company of his troops in Sinkhole. There was an attempt to talk the Delergites into just capitulating with assurances that no harm would come to them if they had. Ultimately these empty promises were wasted and with your help, the first battle of Delerg was a crushing defeat for Victor. There was a lot of celebrating afterwards. You knew it was just the beginning though. The first few years were a back and forth guerilla war. Victor immediately seized Sinkhole and made it his base of operations. Battles were fought throughout the swamp and jungle. Some of the villages were occupied during this time, but there was still hope. Then came the moment you knew was going to happen and that's when Victor got tired of playing nice. Losing way more troops and spending a lot more time than he wanted to, Victor started making demands that if the Delergites didn't surrender immediately he was going to set the whole province to the torch. He also wanted you personally to be delivered to him dead or alive. He probably assumed that since you were a shadow, you were actually the main one responsible for leading this thing. There were a couple attempts to assault your home, but you had made sure it was a death trap for anyone even entering the nearby area, let alone the ruins themselves. The other attempt was to surround the area to at least contain you, but that didn't really work either considering you just used a different access route that you made years ago and they'll probably never find that one since its nowhere near the ruins and you have to actually swim underwater to access it. Eventually an order was given to just try to kill you on sight when possible and that the subjugation of Delerg was the main priority. To her credit Lena managed to maintain the Delergites' enthusiasm of resisting Victor and most continued to fight, but heart alone isn't enough sometimes. Victor just sent in more troops and began to make good on his promises of setting the province on fire. Village after village burned. Those that weren't killed were taken away, probably in slavery. Things got so grim that you briefly pondered the idea of praying to Dendrin for help if only to try to get your shadow magic back, but given that it didn't save Talia, you saw no reason to bother. Dendrin even told you not to bother, as he knew you'd never be a believer. Apparently your mere lip service would no longer be sufficient at this point. Dendrin did suggest that you attempt to convert others to the shadow religion though and he'd be more than willing to grant them powers providing they went through all the normal procedures. You laughed at that idea, you're no missionary and had no time to bother with whatever self-serving plan Dendrin was hatching. Besides, the Delergites weren't interested in anything else except surviving the next attack by Victor, they were already committed to one "cause" and that was more than enough. And now here you are in Lena's village, the last stand of the Delerg resistance. It doesn't much resemble a village anymore so much as it resembles a small walled fort now. And when Victor's forces attack again, it'll resemble a smoldering ruin. As you look around the village through the rain you see so many wounded and many more just plain exhausted. Things weren't even this bad for them under the Empire during its last days. They weren't even this bad under Brutus' gang. This is what fighting the good fight has brought them. Death for those that resist and slavery for those that gave up long ago. All of them have to be thinking or have already thought at one time: "Was it worth it?" Some probably think no. Some probably think yes. And they'd both be right. It's definitely what you think and have thought in the past. The difference is you know that YOU can survive this. You'll live to fight another day. Its what you've always done and it'll probably what you'll continue to do until some lucky bastard manages to kill you. Who knows? Maybe that day is sooner than you think. You really aren't worried about yourself though; lately you've been slightly more concerned about someone else. And it isn't Lena. "Hey Uncle Shadow, are the invaders coming today?" Tulla walks up and asks you seemingly oblivious to the fact that it's raining. You have no idea where she got the idea to call you "uncle shadow", but she's been doing it for so long now that you don't bother to tell her not to anymore. "Probably not in this rain. Victor's soldiers are still going to need a catapult or battering ram to get through the gates. They aren't going to be able to drag one of those things here in the mud at least not effectively. Not just mud either, but water as well; the rivers and marsh are overflowing because of the rain. If you look down there you can see we've practically got a small moat around us. No my guess is they'll wait for the rains to stop and then a few days after so the water level drops." You explain while fixing your hood over your head. "And then they'll attack?" "Yes, and then they'll probably attack." "And will we win again?" You don't answer; instead you motion Tulla to the overhanging roof at a nearby sleeping house. "Didn't your mother teach you to come in out of the rain?" you say shaking off your own water soaked tunic. "I like the rain. It feels nice." Tulla remarks. It's funny to see how Tulla was brought up in such a warzone yet she maintains an innocent sense of appreciation for simple things like rain. "Where is your mother anyway? Shouldn't she be looking out for you?" "Oh you know her, she's busy a lot making plans with people to fight the bad people that attack us. It's boring to sit there." "Perhaps, but you still should stay near her. Its not exactly safe out here." "But I am safe, because you're here and you're a great warrior! Mommy says so!" "Hmm. I'll bet, but I'm also busy and I can't keep an eye on you all the time." "I'll bet you can! Mommy says that you're also the fastest warrior here!" "Mommy talks a lot about me to you does she?" "Yes! She says that you're a lot more useful than daddy was." You don't even know how to respond to that. You always figured that even if Lena never did truly "love" Henry, you always thought she at least respected and cared for him. Henry wasn't a bad guy; he just wasn't cut out for fighting. It's certainly not his fault that he died trying to defend this village. He's only been dead a year and it really doesn't seem right that she's bad mouthing him to their daughter like this. Its not really right that she's always been so distant to Tulla in general, but you've never understood that. Or maybe you do. Lena's deluded herself that she's always pursued this resistance because it's about defending her family, other families and the homeland from tyranny, and it is to an extent. But her real reasons? She still hasn't let go of the hate she has for eternals and she wants to kill as many as possible before she dies. (Never mind the fact that it's mostly other humans actually making up the rank and file of Victor's troops and Vic himself isn't anywhere near the battlefield) In the scheme of things she never really wanted a family because as far as she was concerned her family died when she was a little girl and all that was left was the hatred that burned within. Everyone else to her is a secondary concern. You might be the exception because you managed to better focus her rage and possibly even quell the fire of it a bit. Who knows what might've happened had you taken Lena as some sort of youthful substitute for Talia. Who knows what might've happened had Victor not invaded. Would Lena still have insisted on her vendetta? You don't know and it isn't important because it's the past and now is the present. She has obviously chosen a path and its not one you're going down because you're not responsible for her. You've helped as much as you could and you're done. Still, while it probably won't do any good, part of you feels like you should go confront Lena before you leave. > You confront Lena You're going to try one last time with Lena. MAYBE you can talk some sense into her. "Come on." You say and grab Tulla by her little hand to pull her along as you walk. "Where are we going?" "To see your mother." Lena usually holds her meetings in a drab looking two-floor house near the center of the village which she's made into her home since the village was walled up. You go there immediately and find her standing behind a table while she speaks to a bunch of other people standing in the room. It's packed, but you make your way through the crowd. Lena notices and wonders if you're here to tell everyone that there's an attack coming. "What's going on? Are those bastards coming to attack us?" Lena asks. "No, but I need to talk to you NOW." "I'm in the middle of something, can't it wait?" "No, this is something that needs to be addressed in private, and if you're unwilling to do so, I'm going to start clearing this room out in a less civilized manner." Knowing that you'll do it, Lena tells everyone that the meeting is over and that everyone should go back to their duties. When the home clears out, you're left with just Tulla and Lena in the room. You tell Tulla to go upstairs and find something to busy herself with. She complies though she's not enthusiastic about it. She also isn't a fool and knows when an argument is about to happen. "Okay everyone's gone, now what's so damned important?" Lena says. "Well for starters how about your own daughter? You let her wander away like this all the time, knowing damn well how dangerous it is." "She seeks you out right? I trust that you'll look after her." "Yeah, but the problem with that is I'm not her damn parent and I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on other things that are of more importance remember?" "And? I just sit around all day doing nothing? What exactly do you think I do and have been doing?" "Losing a war and satisfying your desire for vengeance, but that's not what I'm here about, I'm here to try to talk sense into you one last time..." "Oh here we go. Wisdom from the old shadow once again. Save your breath I've heard your fat musings about our situation time and time again. And as I've said before nobody is forcing you to stay. Go on back to your hole and hide with your beloved corpse. That is what you're best at right?" "Lena, this isn't about me, this is about YOU and your family, or what remains of it. This battle is lost, you know it and I know. Everyone probably knows it, but they're still following you out of loyalty and desperation." "You know damn well we can't surrender." "I'm not talking about that! I'm saying you need to take Tulla and just get the fuck out of here. You fought the good fight as long you could; you probably crippled Victor's army and wasted his resources to the point where he's probably struggling to maintain his holdings in Quala. I mean I think you're way past even now." "Even? Is that supposed to be a joke? Victor kills us and enslaves us all and because he's suffering from a little manpower shortage we're supposed be even? What kind of leader would I be if I just abandoned everyone?" "Fine then, if you really care about the people then talk them into leaving with you. Hell, I even know of an area where everyone could settle down anew. It's not the friendliest place, but it's the northern part of Delerg and out of reach from Victor or anyone else desiring to establish a military presence." "Since when have you been some protector of the people?" Now you start to get exasperated. "Lena, we've had this discussion before, but if you insist...I was doing this YEARS before YOU were even a lust filled idea in your parents' heads! Protector of the people...I've probably been doing more than YOU to protect the people of Delerg even now. At least I'm suggesting a way for them to survive, but let's get serious for a second. You're right, I don't care about any of them, I only care about one in particular. Okay two, but you don't want me to care in that way...you want me to want me to care on a whole other level but the time for has long since past if it was ever a possibility to begin with." Lena's expression, which is usually one of coldness nowadays, begins to crack a little. She turns her head a bit and brushes her hair in an effort to hide possible tears starting to form. "Look Lena, the first time you explained your reasons for staying to fight five years ago, you managed to convince me because you were right and despite how I knew this was going to play out, it was still a worthy cause. However, I'm right too. There is nothing to be gained by being a martyr or dying a hero, or whatever it is exactly you're trying to do here. If you don't care about your own life, at least think of your daughter's life. You've been distant with her ever since she was born, one would think in these times you'd want to spend more time with her not less. Let alone bad mouthing her father who DID spend time with her or leaving her in the company of a complete stranger." "I'm not leaving her with a complete stranger, I'm leaving her with you!" Lena says and begins to break down. Lena collapses in a nearby chair with her head in her hands weeping. "She'll...survive with you...(sob)" You suddenly realize the situation that Lena has placed you in, and you hate her for it. You shake your head in disbelief. Out of all the things that have happened in your life, this has got to be the most unforeseen to your mind. You have no words; you instead just leave Lena to her crying and walk out the front door. You stand outside the house for a moment as the rain continues to fall just trying to wrap your head around all of this. You don't even know where to start. Did she always plan this? Was this a last minute decision? Does she just expect you to... "Hey Uncle Shadow are you and mommy done fighting?" you hear Tulla ask as she comes from around a corner. "Huh? Where'd you come from? I thought you were upstairs." "I was, but I sneaked out while you and mommy were yelling at each other. Sneaked like you do! I wanted to play in the rain. So are you done fighting?" "Yeah...I think we're done fighting..." you say looking back at the door. "That's good. I didn't like it when mommy and daddy fighted either." She says. With her question answered, Lena's attention has already been distracted by the rain, which she gleefully plays in by splashing a nearby puddle. She has no idea what the hell is going on and what just happened. You watch her play for a moment and then call her over. "Tulla, come here." "Yes, uncle?" "Do you have any items that are special to you?" "Yes!" "Well go in and grab them, but ONLY the ones you think are really important. Some clothes too. We're going on a trip and we won't be back for a long time." "Where are we going?" "We're uh, going to your uncle shadow's secret hideout. Nobody will be able to hurt us there." "Yay! Is mommy coming too?" "No...she's got important stuff to do here. Look, get your belongings and let's go. I'll be right here waiting." Tulla goes inside and you wait. Doesn't take long For Tulla to come back out with a small bag of her things. "I'm ready uncle." "You say good bye to your mom?" "Yes. She was crying and sad when I first went inside, but when I told her I was leaving with you, she looked up at me and smiled a little. She told me that she loved me and to do what you say." You nod at Tulla's explanation of events. "Are you going in to say goodbye?" "No, your mother and I have said our goodbyes. Let's go." Your trip back to the temple is surprisingly uneventful. You don't even need to avoid any patrols. You do take the long way though and go through your alternate entrance. This causes a bit of worry for Tulla since she's never gone underwater before, but you reassure her that as long as she holds on to you, you won't let her drown and will hold her up to catch her breath using the air pockets in the underground tunnel. Naturally she believes you can do anything so this immediately alleviates her fears. Eventually you're home. "This place is dark and scary." Tulla remarks looking around. "Yeah, but my home, and your home too now. You can stay in this room, it was your mother's at one time." "Wow there are a lot of books in that room!" "That's the library." "What in there?" Tulla asks and points to the cavern with the garden. "That's...a private area. Don't go in there without permission okay? Even if you talking or faint whispering." "A ghost doesn't live there does it?" "Heh, well sort of I suppose." You smirk. "But don't worry she's friendly...in fact forget what I said, let's go into that room right now." You enter the garden with Tulla hiding somewhat behind you still nervous about the "ghost." You point out Talia's grave to Tulla. "There she is. She doesn't speak or anything though. She just listens, mainly to me of course. Her name is Talia." "Oh is she like my daddy?" Tulla asks making the connection that Talia isn't a real ghost and just dead. "Yes, yes she is, but I still talk to her. Because I still love her." Tulla starts to ask another question, but you are in mood to answer any more as its been a long strange day. You tell Tulla to go to her room and dry off and unpack. You then mention you'll see her shortly. Tulla leaves you alone to be with your beloved. You sit down beside Talia's grave and think about the strange situation you're in. "Well Talia, it probably isn't exactly how you ever envisioned it, but we have a child now." > … Year 70 As the years go by, you know that day is coming soon that you won't and shouldn't keep Tulla sheltered from the surface too much longer. Granted you'll still be with her when that day comes, but having been to the surface every once in a while to keep apprised of the situation, Delerg still isn't exactly the friendliest place. Victor dumped so much into the campaign to conquer Delerg he's been trying to get the most out of it by rebuilding Sinkhole into a proper town (Calling it Triumph). Apparently he's also decided to make more plans to develop the area namely by chopping down the jungle to the south and to the east. This has been slow going though especially to the east which you know full well just how hostile the jungle flora and fauna get in that direction. (Oddly he hasn't decided to expand north which is just as well since he'd probably call for the temple's ruins to be dug up or built over, or something similar and you'd have to deal with his troops more directly.) As a result of all this redevelopment he's not only got the pitiful remains of the enslaved Delergites working day and night, but he's also imported many of his subjects from Quala to do work as well. A lot of these seem to be prisoners of varying types. Some are genuine criminals like murderers and thieves. Most though just couldn't pay their taxes and it was either this or as a conscript to serve on one of the war fronts that Victor is engaged in with other Quala warlords. Amusingly you're no longer on the "wanted list." An eternal captain by the name of Brom that runs the military garrison in Triumph claims he killed you during the final battle for Delerg. (In fact that's how he got his current promotion) You're not exactly sure how he "proved" this, but you're guessing he just threw a black cloak on some dead body, destroyed the face to the point of recognition and made everything up. Naturally he brags quite a bit about doing it. You're not sure what's funnier, the fact that he's lying about it, or the fact that he managed to fool everyone into believing his lie (Including Victor, apparently). In any event, it doesn't bother you since it makes life easier without some angry warlord trying to hunt you down. Besides you've got enough on your mind just looking after Tulla. "Come on, get your head out of those books, its time for your training." You say to Tulla. "But we train all the time! Can't I just finish this one book?" Tulla whines. "No! We have to keep to a schedule. Now let's get to it." Tulla puts away her book in defeat and leaves the library to head to the training room. It's been more of an effort to get her to do her training lately. "Why do I have to train so hard? You never let me go up to the surface anyway." Tulla says. "And you won't be going up to the surface until I'm confident that you can take care of yourself. I know you think I'm just being mean, but trust me what I'm doing is going to ensure your survival. I won't always be around, you know." Tulla doesn't reply to your remark she just picks up her wooden sword and gets into the fighting stance you've been teaching her. You and her spar for a few moments and fortunately despite her less than enthusiastic desire to be here, she does not slack off and proves to be absorbing everything you've been teaching her all these years. "Good. Glad to see you're taking this seriously. Now let's try something new." You say and change up your style. You tell Tulla to pay attention. An hour later you and her are taking a break. Though it's mainly for you. Every damn bone in your body aches and the ravages of time never let you forget that your earlier years of near perpetual combat have taken their toll. "Are you okay uncle?" Tulla asks in concern. "Yes, I'm fine. Just old war wounds acting up as usual. We'll pick up training again in a few minutes." While you lay prone recovering, Tulla decides to be inquisitive as usual. "Uncle, did you train as hard as this when you were my age?" Tulla asks. "Heh heh...I was trained harder than you at an even younger age." You chuckle. "Was it the shadows who trained you so hard?" "Not at first. It was some sadistic svelk bitch that called herself Mistress. She trained me up until I was twelve, and then I was transferred over to the shadows." "Oh. So is that when you learned magic?" "Yeah I learned it eventually. Never really liked using it though." "I would like to use magic like a shadow! I've read you could turn yourself in invisible, make yourself really fast or even walk like a spider on a ceiling!" "Yeah some of it was pretty handy I guess. Haven't been able to use any in years though. "Because Dendrin doesn't like you anymore?" "Not exactly...but something like that...yes." You've explained a little bit about Dendrin to Tulla in the past, you don't think she fully understands all of it, but you do know that she spends a lot of time reading the old tomes about shadow history and such. Which is why she's been getting increasingly more curious about him and the shadows in general. She probably would like to hear a more personal view of the organization. A view you don't even want to get into anytime soon. So you try to change the subject. "Alright, we've rested enough, let's get back to it." You say getting off the floor. Just as you're about to begin, Tulla makes a statement. "It's a shame you and Dendrin don't get along anymore. If you did, you could teach me shadow magic and it would help me survive better." You say nothing and just tell her to focus on defending herself. Tulla complies, but she's not the one that's preoccupied, you are. The remark she's just made is going to be the first step in a long series of questions and

problems. You know she's going to eventually ask why can't she become a shadow. They already intrigue her the more she reads the books. What are you going to do? Tell her she can't read anymore? Put further restrictions on her? The whole point of this is to make her independent and avoid sheltering her. You dwell on this for the rest of day and until you manage to fall asleep... Nothing happens. You fully expected Dendrin to visit and give some sort of "sagely" advice and most likely try to convince you to let Tulla become a shadow, but he doesn't. Weeks go by while you're still struggling with this decision and you still get no visit from Dendrin. This is one of the rare times you'd actually wish he'd show up and try to convince you just so you'd have a compass of doing the exact opposite. Of course maybe he doesn't care. He did say he was bored of the shadows for centuries after all. In the end this isn't up to him. This decision is on you. Tulla's interest in the shadows is only going to increase and you're going to have to let her find her own way or nip it in the bud now. The problem is despite all your own prejudices against Dendrin and the shadow religion in general, you'd be a complete hypocrite if you didn't admit that the training did provide you with the means of surviving this long. The shadow magic also helped in that endeavor. Even Tulla made that connection. Tulla already shows much promise combat wise. If she could cast magic, she'd probably become very powerful indeed. > You allow Tulla to be a shadow After some further thinking you realize that its not really your decision either it's hers. If being a shadow is what she wants to be, then you're not going to stand in the way. The next day you approach Tulla about it and she's noticeably happy about the situation. "So I'll get to use magic?" she asks. "Well that's part of it I suppose, but if you're going to pursue this, you're going to have to train even harder AND you're going to have to do some of it on your own. I can tell you what I know, but I can't cast magic anymore so you'll have to really absorb what you learn in those spell books in the library and keep up on your prayers to Dendrin. Though I'm pretty sure as long as you're praising him you'll get your powers." "What about the initiation ritual?" "The what?" "The initiation ritual. The ritual every shadow has to go through. I've read about it and it says it involves opening up a portal to Dendrin's realm." "Oh yeah, that. Well I dunno, I think that's just a formality." "No! I have to connect with Dendrin before I'm able to use the magic and even if I got the ritual right, I can't open the portal unless I have magic ability to begin with!" "Okay okay...don't worry, I'll think of something." Of course that "something" isn't something that you particularly want to do, Later that night before you go to sleep, you pray to Dendrin. It isn't exactly the most pious of prayers, but you figure you'll at least get a visit this time. You figure right. "Well it's been a long time since you've done that. I'm guessing you need something from me." Dendrin says. "Yeah and you know what." "No I actually don't, why don't you tell me, I'd be very interested in what has caused you to pursue such a desperate measure. For you of course." "Determined to play this up for all its worth I see. (Sigh) Fine. Tulla wants to be a shadow, but she can't be one until a portal to the shadow realm can be opened. Is there anyway you can help with that?" "Are you asking me to give you your magic powers back?" "I was actually going to ask if you'd grant powers to Tulla. She thinks that she has to go through the initiation ritual in order to gain them." "She does. If it were as simple as worshipping me, then everyone would be doing it. So how are you going to open up the portal to my home?" "Come on you can't help me out here?" "I'm sorry, but what do you want me to do? I have no connection with the girl and I can't just grant her powers! Those are the rules." "Alright so can you grant me powers so I can open up the portal then?" "And why would I want to do that?" "Because I've provided you with years of fucking entertainment that's why! I mean shit, you can even take 'em away after I open the damn thing if you want. One would think you of all people would want this anyway, it's a new follower for you." "You presume much Eternal." "Yeah I suppose I do. Fine then, don't help me. I'll fine some way of helping myself as usual..." "Hold on, I never said I would help you, but tell me Eternal why do you want this so much? You do realize that once she enters my realm she will undergo a change that will cause her to become a proper devotee correct? In time her faith will only get stronger and your own influence on her will dwindle. I know you care for this little girl, so I'm asking you now are you prepared to make this sacrifice?" "If it will better ensure her survival, then yes." You then think about Talia's own devotion to Dendrin "Besides, it wouldn't be the first time." "Very well then Eternal, I shall grant you your magic powers temporarily so that you may help Tulla on her first steps to becoming a shadow. Who knows, perhaps you may even realize that I've actually been helping you all this time and come back to the fold..." "I won't argue and claim that you haven't given a few good pieces of advice or even genuinely helped me on occasion. But you and I both know that any help you've given me, is to help yourself as well as your own twisted fascination with me. I'll always know that and it's why I can't ever worship you as a god." "You do realize however, your life could've been a lot less painful if you had just complied and paid respect even to a superficial degree?" "I'm not sure how much more superficial I could've gotten. I mean I was practically walking on the unbeliever line at the best of times. After Talia died, what was even the point of that anymore? Besides, I'd say you giving me my powers back now despite my blasphemous ways is a win for me in my book." "Ha ha, perhaps, but what of my influence over your daughter?" Its weird, even though you've taken care of Tulla like a daughter you've never called her that. Not even in your conversations with Talia. Dendrin's choice of words you imagine is him trying to make some sort of point, but whatever it is you don't care. "What of it? Despite everything I know about you, you've never been actively malicious towards me or even your own followers. Apathetic? Inattentive? Yes, but you've always done the bare minimum as far as help is concerned which is providing the ability to tap into the shadow realm so that your worshippers can cast spells. I don't really see you being any more influential than that because it would actually require effort on your part. It's why you just indoctrinate everyone during the initiation ritual. So Tulla will pray to an uncaring god of a silly religion. Whatever. As long as it helps her survive, I'm fine with your influence. The most you'll do is take away the magic if Tulla ever overcomes the indoctrination and stops worshipping, which I don't see happening. Not even Talia's love for me overcame it." There's a brief silence followed by a low chuckle. "You're lucky I've always liked you Eternal. Tell your daughter that I will be looking forward to seeing her soon." You wake up and the first thing you do is try to cloak yourself. It takes a little effort, but it works. You then try to speed yourself up and that works as well. You decide to spare your endurance on anymore tests and head to the library. Unsurprisingly you see Tulla there reading by candlelight. "Oh, I didn't know you were up. I was just reading up on some of the old shadow masters." "What you should be doing is reading up on one of those spell books rather than history. I'll be preparing to open the portal to Dendrin's realm after I study up on the spell first." "You...you are? But how? Your magic..." "Its back, Dendrin has seen fit to bless me with the ability again if only to help you. He also says he's looking foreword to seeing you." "He is? I don't know what to say! I mean this is an opportunity I've wanted for a while now." "I know you have, so you better get yourself prepared because as I've already said, this will be a big commitment. When you go through that portal, you will be changed. You will think differently due to your connection to Dendrin. You may even dislike me afterwards..." "Oh that's silly! Why would I dislike you? You're the one who saved me from certain death and has trained me for all these years. You're the one who is making this all possible and for that I shall always be grateful to you." You see the sincerity in her eyes and the brightness in her smile when she says that. You can only hope that she retains that feeling. The next few days you spend reading over the initiation ritual. You remember reading about it before during your "hermit" years, never thought you'd actually ever be casting it though. Finally the day comes and you open up the portal much in the same way Master Ebon opened it up for you so long ago. It's funny; Master Ebon actually tried to talk you out of entering the portal. Claimed you didn't have the right mindset to be a shadow. Of course at the time, you had no idea what he was really talking about. You just saw it as an insult that you weren't worthy enough and you just went in anyway disregarding orders just to prove you were worthy. That decision probably changed your life forever just like this will change Tulla forever, though in a different way. The shimmering portal to Dendrin's realm fades in and out of existence and you watch Tulla approach. "Are you ready for this?" you ask her. "I am uncle." She replies "Then enter the portal." After a quick hug, Tulla composes herself and enters the portal. You watch and begin to wait for her return. > Year 75 "Well the liberation of Delerg seems to be going better this time around, Triumph has been seized. Let's hope when Tulla wins this war, it'll stay free of petty dictators once and for all." You say to Talia. Tulla's been succeeding in her goal nearly as soon as she put her mind to it, which wasn't long after her shadow initiation. Tulla managed to recruit people even easier than her mother did, you guess she inherited her charisma in that way. Of course it helped that the people from Quala forced to live in Delerg weren't very happy with Victor for a long time anyway. Not to mention all the criminal types that had been brought here to work off their sentences as well as the outright slaves. Delerg pretty much became a breeding ground of recruits. What was surprising is that Tulla managed to not only recruit them into a rebellion, but also got some interested into becoming shadows. That's mainly where your help came in. You provided your home as the training ground along with performing the initiation ritual for said recruits. With their help you even managed to rebuild the temple a bit, though you still tend to keep to your underground sanctuary. It's odd though, this new generation of shadows don't seem quite as fanatical as the ones you were familiar with. They revere Dendrin of course, but they don't regard someone like you with hostility. You remember you were shocked when Tulla first came back from the portal and you found that she treated you with the same respect that she always had despite your attitude towards Dendrin. At first you figured that maybe your previous influence over her had been so great that it over came Dendrin's indoctrination, but its obvious now that Dendrin hasn't been doing the old routine of indoctrinating the shadows with mindless loyalty anymore. You'd ask him about it, but he hasn't been speaking to you lately. Besides, you'd rather not jinx a good thing. It's enough that you've still got your magic to a small degree. "Just wish I could be of more help to her. Damn old body. I hate this weakness. I used to be so quick and strong." You continue to say to Talia. You haven't had a chance to speak with her like this in a while so you're taking advantage of your sudden clearing of responsibility. "You ever think we could've actually won a sound victory against the Empire? I've been thinking about it, and I think we could've. Maybe I shouldn't have been so proud and just never told you and Cyrus the truth about Dendrin. It might've kept us more united. Certainly would've help when I fought Kane practically all by myself. Remember that? What a battle! I was probably at my peak and I still couldn't get the advantage over that tough bastard. I was really happy to see you when you showed up and not just because you saved my life either, though it played a big part of it at the time." You suddenly stop reminiscing because your statement has now made you think about how you didn't manage to save her life. After all these years, you wonder why you continue to do this to yourself and why you can't move on. You can only guess its because what Talia once said. You're Eternals and you had a special bond that nobody else did. There must be some truth to it, Brenda was the ruler of the Nalin Empire for decades and she never married or even took another lover after her beloved Roldan died during the Empire War. Last news you heard of her was that she committed suicide a couple years ago and her second in command Tarna took power. You guess the absence of her mate for so many years was just ultimately too much for her to bother going on. You wonder if it hadn't been for your encounter with Lena and later your relationship with Tulla if you would've eventually done the same thing. Probably not in the same way, but still... It also makes you realize how many people you've outlived in general. If you were anyone else you probably would've been dead several times over already. You're not just the last of the true Eternals, but as the second generation has been murdering each other out of existence, you might very well end up being the last one period. "Survival Talia, I always was good at it." You say patting the earth near the grave. You suddenly hear Tulla calling for you. "Yes, Tulla I'm in here." Tulla stands near the entrance of the cavern with a large black book in her hand. She knows when you're speaking with Talia, she prefers not to disturb you. "I'm sorry I didn't realize you were busy." She asks. "It's fine, I was finished anyway. What is it? The liberation of Delerg is going well I trust?" "Oh yes. Victor's troops have been pushed back to the borders. Actually there are reports that he's suffering strife in his territory in Quala as well." "Not surprising. Most of those so-called eternals have little grasp on how to rule effectively. As soon as a crack forms their little dominions start folding like a house of cards. Look at Warden Matron Brenda. She ran the Nalin Empire for what, about thirty some odd years? She kept it stable and those second generation eternals never dared to attack her." "I'm surprised to hear you praise her. Didn't you fight against her in the old Empire war?" "Not directly, but it doesn't matter. I can at least respect her even if she was on the other side. Who knows? Maybe if things had been different, we may have fought on the same side. Bah, I'm rambling nonsense, what was it that you needed?" "Oh, this book." Tulla says and hands it to you. You glance through it and then close it. "Yes, what about it?" "Do you know what it is? I can't really make any sense of the rest of it and most of it is in a language I don't even understand." "Oh yeah, I vaguely remember this book now. I tried reading it once during my hermit days, but I put it back pretty quickly and never looked at it again until just now. It holds a spell called the ritual of ascension." "Ritual of ascension? Sounds pretty impressive." "I suppose it does. It was supposedly passed down from Dendrin himself to the first Shadow Master. It wasn't really clear what it does exactly except that it would strengthen the shadows link to Dendrin's realm forever. I guess that means it would make the shadows more powerful. Dunno though. Seems weird that no Shadow Master ever tried to use it. Maybe it was more of a symbolic thing." "Maybe...but maybe now is the time to try it!" "I doubt if you need this spell to win the war with Victor." "No, but a chance to bring ourselves closer to Dendrin? Why shouldn't we jump at such a chance?" "Eh...I think you're asking the wrong person, Tulla." "I know, but I'm so busy with coordinating the war effort, I just don't have time to study this book like I would've been able to in the old days. I mean I suppose I could wait until after the war is won, but who knows how long that will be exactly? And there's never a guarantee on survival." "Don't say that." You remark. "You know better than anyone that life can be cut short in a blink of an eye." "Hmm, I also know that sometime life can just go on and on and on..." you say causing Tulla to laugh. "Alright, I'll study this book again, I've got the time after all. You just be careful out there." You say. Tulla thanks you and after a couple more brief exchanges she's on her way again, leaving you alone. "Well Talia, I said I wanted to help more, guess I better get to it." You spend the next few days reading over the book. You thought you weren't going to have any better luck than you did decades ago, but actually you understand it a little better now. You can even figure out some of the unfamiliar language. The problem though is you're still not getting a good feeling about the ritual. It's still vague on what exactly will happen, but the shadows would be linked with Dendrin's realm not just in a spiritual sense, but also in a very real physical sense. The shadows essentially would become REAL shadows. Incorporeal and no longer susceptible to the weaknesses that most beings suffer. At least that's what you think it means. Worshipping Dendrin is one thing, but becoming some sort of a wisp? An intangible being with real no sense of self? You can't imagine wanting to transform yourself in such a manner regardless of the benefits. However you wouldn't be involved, it would be Tulla and the rest of her shadows and they may be more willing to jump at the chance. True they aren't the fanatics like the old shadows, but one never can tell. You even attempt to pray to Dendrin, just so you can ask him more about this ritual, but you have no luck. You're on your own in this and you're only left with a couple choices. You could just destroy the book and solve the problem that way or you can tell Tulla the truth about the spell and let her make her own decision. > You destroy the book You're not taking any chances, this ritual doesn't feel right to you and you're not going to let Tulla put herself in any more danger in the name of Dendrin. You put the book to the flame. You half expected it to be invulnerable or something similar, but it burns fairly quickly and easily. You wonder if you should think up a lie to tell Tulla. Maybe tell her that you lost the book or something, but you can't lie to her. Besides, you're fairly certain she wouldn't believe you anyway. You're just going to have to deal with her getting angry with you. Unfortunately you don't expect her to get quite as angry as she does. "You destroyed the book?! What's wrong with you?! That was obviously a sacred book with a sacred ritual to Dendrin and the shadows! I trusted you!" Tulla yells. "I'm sorry Tulla, but that ritual didn't feel right. Not in my heart. I couldn't let you perform it and something bad happening to you." "But that wasn't your call! That was mine!" "Tulla, I know you're a shadow and a dedicated follower of Dendrin and all that, but you really don't know what a manipulative uncaring and unfeeling bastard he is. I know! I've been speaking with him for decades!" "Yes, I've heard all this countless times. And just because your relationship with him wasn't positive, it doesn't give you the right to dictate MY relationship with him!" You can't contain your own anger at how Tulla is reacting to you just trying to look out for her. "What fucking relationship? Does he even speak to you? Does he? No! He doesn't! You know why? Because he doesn't give a shit about you! And the sooner you learn that fact, the better off you'll be!" "Dendrin will speak to me when he deems it to be so. In fact maybe he's not speaking to me because I'm still associating with you." "Are you listening to yourself? How can you even say such nonsense?! I'M the one who even got your foot in the door to be a fucking shadow in the first place! I'M the one who's been training you, and supporting you all these damn years! I'M the one who SAVED your life when you were a little girl! So don't tell me that your associating with me is some sort of negative!" Tulla gets quiet and looks at you with a stare you've never ever seen her give to you before. "You know something uncle? You're right. And I am grateful for everything you did for me up to this point. But I see now that our minds are not the same on this and our paths differ completely. I shall continue to respect you, but I believe our relationship will not be the same after this." Tulla takes her leave immediately. You call out to her, but she doesn't listen. You curse yourself for getting angry like you did, but you still believe you did the right thing. Days pass and you hear nothing from Tulla. There aren't any of her shadows coming to the temple for training either. You begin to get concerned so you make a trip to Triumph and start asking questions. You find out that nothing has happened to Tulla, except that she's been fighting directly on the front lines. You imagine that she's probably working out her anger through battle. A bit reckless, but you've often turned to battle many times when you were angry so its one way of channeling it you suppose. Weeks pass into months and eventually into years. Victor has been driven out completely, yet you hear nothing from Tulla in all that time. You don't hear anything from any shadow or Dendrin for that matter, not that you don't mind his silence, but its like everyone has abandoned you completely. You learn that Triumph has been renamed New Gloom and a new shadow temple is in the process of being built there. When you attempt to find out more about Tulla, other shadows barely speak with you and only say that Tulla cannot be bothered as she has important business as Shadow Mistress. Naturally you become outraged that you're not being allowed to see her and despite your best efforts you are only beaten by shadows for your troubles. If only you much younger and they weren't hiding behind their shadow magic. As you drag your bloodied body out of New Gloom it is at that moment you realize that Tulla has not and will not forgive you for what you did. You feel a great sorrow that you haven't felt since Talia died. You return home that day and go to the only one who has continued to stand by your side for decades. "Talia... I have tried to do the right thing whenever I could, but everyone I've ever cared about has either died or in this last case pushed me away. There is no longer a place for me in this world. I come to join you at last and put aside this life time of anguish once and for all." You lie down beside Talia's grave and thrust your blade into yourself.

Year 75 "Well the liberation of Delerg seems to be going better this time around, Triumph has been seized. Let's hope when Tulla wins this war, it'll stay free of petty dictators once and for all." You say to Talia. Tulla's been succeeding in her goal nearly as soon as she put her mind to it, which wasn't long after her shadow initiation. Tulla managed to recruit people even easier than her mother did, you guess she inherited her charisma in that way. Of course it helped that the people from Quala forced to live in Delerg weren't very happy with Victor for a long time anyway. Not to mention all the criminal types that had been brought here to work off their sentences as well as the outright slaves. Delerg pretty much became a breeding ground of recruits. What was surprising is that Tulla managed to not only recruit them into a rebellion, but also got some interested into becoming shadows. That's mainly where your help came in. You provided your home as the training ground along with performing the initiation ritual for said recruits. With their help you even managed to rebuild the temple a bit, though you still tend to keep to your underground sanctuary. It's odd though, this new generation of shadows don't seem quite as fanatical as the ones you were familiar with. They revere Dendrin of course, but they don't regard someone like you with hostility. You remember you were shocked when Tulla first came back from the portal and you found that she treated you with the same respect that she always had despite your attitude towards Dendrin. At first you figured that maybe your previous influence over her had been so great that it over came Dendrin's indoctrination, but its obvious now that Dendrin hasn't been doing the old routine of indoctrinating the shadows with mindless loyalty anymore. You'd ask him about it, but he hasn't been speaking to you lately. Besides, you'd rather not jinx a good thing. It's enough that you've still got your magic to a small degree. "Just wish I could be of more help to her. Damn old body. I hate this weakness. I used to be so quick and strong." You continue to say to Talia. You haven't had a chance to speak with her like this in a while so you're taking advantage of your sudden clearing of responsibility. "You ever think we could've actually won a sound victory against the Empire? I've been thinking about it, and I think we could've. Maybe I shouldn't have been so proud and just never told you and Cyrus the truth about Dendrin. It might've kept us more united. Certainly would've help when I fought Kane practically all by myself. Remember that? What a battle! I was probably at my peak and I still couldn't get the advantage over that tough bastard. I was really happy to see you when you showed up and not just because you saved my life either, though it played a big part of it at the time." You suddenly stop reminiscing because your statement has now made you think about how you didn't manage to save her life. After all these years, you wonder why you continue to do this to yourself and why you can't move on. You can only guess its because what Talia once said. You're Eternals and you had a special bond that nobody else did. There must be some truth to it, Brenda was the ruler of the Nalin Empire for decades and she never married or even took another lover after her beloved Roldan died during the Empire War. Last news you heard of her was that she committed suicide a couple years ago and her second in command Tarna took power. You guess the absence of her mate for so many years was just ultimately too much for her to bother going on. You wonder if it hadn't been for your encounter with Lena and later your relationship with Tulla if you would've eventually done the same thing. Probably not in the same way, but still... It also makes you realize how many people you've outlived in general. If you were anyone else you probably would've been dead several times over already. You're not just the last of the true Eternals, but as the second generation has been murdering each other out of existence, you might very well end up being the last one period. "Survival Talia, I always was good at it." You say patting the earth near the grave. You suddenly hear Tulla calling for you. "Yes, Tulla I'm in here." Tulla stands near the entrance of the cavern with a large black book in her hand. She knows when you're speaking with Talia, she prefers not to disturb you. "I'm sorry I didn't realize you were busy." She asks. "It's fine, I was finished anyway. What is it? The liberation of Delerg is going well I trust?" "Oh yes. Victor's troops have been pushed back to the borders. Actually there are reports that he's suffering strife in his territory in Quala as well." "Not surprising. Most of those so-called eternals have little grasp on how to rule effectively. As soon as a crack forms their little dominions start folding like a house of cards. Look at Warden Matron Brenda. She ran the Nalin Empire for what, about thirty some odd years? She kept it stable and those second generation eternals never dared to attack her." "I'm surprised to hear you praise her. Didn't you fight against her in the old Empire war?" "Not directly, but it doesn't matter. I can at least respect her even if she was on the other side. Who knows? Maybe if things had been different, we may have fought on the same side. Bah, I'm rambling nonsense, what was it that you needed?" "Oh, this book." Tulla says and hands it to you. You glance through it and then close it. "Yes, what about it?" "Do you know what it is? I can't really make any sense of the rest of it and most of it is in a language I don't even understand." "Oh yeah, I vaguely remember this book now. I tried reading it once during my hermit days, but I put it back pretty quickly and never looked at it again until just now. It holds a spell called the ritual of ascension." "Ritual of ascension? Sounds pretty impressive." "I suppose it does. It was supposedly passed down from Dendrin himself to the first Shadow Master. It wasn't really clear what it does exactly except that it would strengthen the shadows link to Dendrin's realm forever. I guess that means it would make the shadows more powerful. Dunno though. Seems weird that no Shadow Master ever tried to use it. Maybe it was more of a symbolic thing." "Maybe...but maybe now is the time to try it!" "I doubt if you need this spell to win the war with Victor." "No, but a chance to bring ourselves closer to Dendrin? Why shouldn't we jump at such a chance?" "Eh...I think you're asking the wrong person, Tulla." "I know, but I'm so busy with coordinating the war effort, I just don't have time to study this book like I would've been able to in the old days. I mean I suppose I could wait until after the war is won, but who knows how long that will be exactly? And there's never a guarantee on survival." "Don't say that." You remark. "You know better than anyone that life can be cut short in a blink of an eye." "Hmm, I also know that sometime life can just go on and on and on..." you say causing Tulla to laugh. "Alright, I'll study this book again, I've got the time after all. You just be careful out there." You say. Tulla thanks you and after a couple more brief exchanges she's on her way again, leaving you alone. "Well Talia, I said I wanted to help more, guess I better get to it." You spend the next few days reading over the book. You thought you weren't going to have any better luck than you did decades ago, but actually you understand it a little better now. You can even figure out some of the unfamiliar language. The problem though is you're still not getting a good feeling about the ritual. It's still vague on what exactly will happen, but the shadows would be linked with Dendrin's realm not just in a spiritual sense, but also in a very real physical sense. The shadows essentially would become REAL shadows. Incorporeal and no longer susceptible to the weaknesses that most beings suffer. At least that's what you think it means. Worshipping Dendrin is one thing, but becoming some sort of a wisp? An intangible being with real no sense of self? You can't imagine wanting to transform yourself in such a manner regardless of the benefits. However you wouldn't be involved, it would be Tulla and the rest of her shadows and they may be more willing to jump at the chance. True they aren't the fanatics like the old shadows, but one never can tell. You even attempt to pray to Dendrin, just so you can ask him more about this ritual, but you have no luck. You're on your own in this and you're only left with a couple choices. You could just destroy the book and solve the problem that way or you can tell Tulla the truth about the spell and let her make her own decision. > You tell the truth You believe you'd probably be better off destroying the book, but this isn't about you. Once again it's about Tulla. You allowed Tulla to make her own decision on becoming a shadow; you'll allow her to make this decision on her own as well. Doesn't mean you can't try to sway her against it though. A week passes and Tulla returns for a visit and asks you what you've learned about the ritual. You explain to her what is involved and what you think the result is after it is completed. She's intrigued, which makes you a little worried. "Tulla, I know you might not want to hear this and you'll probably think that I'm just displaying my own prejudices against Dendrin, but I don't think going through with this ritual is a good idea." "Oh? Why not?" "Because you'd be giving up you so much. I mean do you really want to be a real shadow that does nothing but serve Dendrin? I mean I know you're happy serving him now, but you still have the chance to walk away if you should ever change your mind later. This ritual would be a one-way trip. And who knows what it will do to you exactly." "It could be nothing like what you're worrying about then." Tulla points out. "Yes, or it could be something even worse than what I'm worrying about. (Sigh) I dunno Tulla, I mean it is ultimately your decision, but I do not believe performing this ritual is a good idea and I worry about you. It is supposed to be cast by a Shadow Master anyway. As it stands, this order doesn't even officially have a Shadow Master. I mean I certainly don't count, and I don't know about you, has Dendrin spoken to you?" "No. Sadly Dendrin has not yet seen fit to speak with me in the same way he does with you. "Hmm, he hasn't spoken to me in a long time either. I even tried asking him about the ritual, no luck though." Tulla looks at you in silence for a moment. "Well given that we still need to worry about Victor, I suppose maybe this isn't the best time to be messing about with unknown spells and rituals especially when we don't exactly know what they do. Dendrin hasn't seen fit to tell you and he hasn't seen fit to speak to me, so perhaps we're not worthy of performing it anyway. Maybe nobody has, which is why its never been cast. Another day perhaps." Tulla says. "Perhaps." You say causing Tulla to smile a bit and then give you a great big hug. You're a little surprised at the suddenness of it given the situation. "Wha...what's this for?" "For being so wonderful of course! You obviously had deep concerns about this ritual and worried about me in particular yet you still allowed me to make the decision. You have always allowed me to make my own choices, just like when I wished to become a shadow to begin with. You could've easily forbade me to become one, just like you could've destroyed the book." "Trust me, it did cross my mind on both accounts." "But you didn't, because you encourage me to be my own person." "Hmm, some might call that being overly permissive." "Well I call it being a supportive father." Tulla exclaims. The two of you just look at each other for a moment. The realization that Tulla just acknowledged you as her father takes only a few seconds to sink in. "And you're the best I could ever have in a daughter." You remark trying to not burst into too much emotion and the pair of you embraces tighter as if the pair of you never wants to let the other one go. Eventually you do though and Tulla gives you a small peck on the cheek before saying she has to get back to the battle for Delerg. "I can still help directly you know. I could lob a few shadow bolts a peoples' heads." you remark. "I know, but I worry about you as well. Besides, I've been having success in getting more people interested in being shadows. They'll be coming here for brief training and initiation soon. Your skills a better put to use here." "Very well, I'll be here." Tulla leaves and you're soon left alone pondering all of what just happened. While you're certainly glad you managed to convince Tulla against the ritual today, who knows what will happen in the future. Still, you can't dwell on the possible doom and gloom of the future. You've done that most of your life. Right now you're little more than happy that you're no longer just "uncle" to Tulla. She considers you her father just as you've considered her your daughter for a long time. You naturally go to Talia and tell her the news. "Tulla called me her father today. Didn't expect it and I have to say I got all choked up about it nearly to the point that I couldn't reply back. Made me happy. Don't think I've ever been exactly this happy in a long time. I mean I've had moments where I wasn't unhappy, but I've haven't felt this good since, well since before you died." You sit down near Talia's grave and touch the ground. "I...just wish you were here to experience it." You say with a few sniffles. You rub your eyes a few times and just sit quietly near the grave until you eventually fall asleep... "You continue to surprise Eternal. I really thought you'd destroy that book and make it seem like an accident." "Just shows you haven't been paying attention for over sixty years. However, I am in good spirits and I won't even let this visit from you bring me down." "It's never my intension I assure you. But you aren't worried about Tulla one day casting the ritual of ascension?" "Sorry, like I said, I'm not going to dwell on such matters right now. If she does, then so be it. It'll be her decision to make as usual. Oh and thanks for helping me out on that as usual. You could've at least told me what it does." "Sorry, but you don't get that knowledge. It's something a shadow master just has to know to do when they feel the time is right. Their choice, not my influence. Something you're encouraging in your daughter right? But if it'll ease your mind a bit, she'll never be able to perform it in your life time." "What do you mean?" "She's not a Shadow Master or Mistress in her case and she won't be until the current one dies." You don't get it at first, but then you do which just raises further confusion. "Wait...so that means...me? I'M the Shadow Master? Since when?" "Unofficially since Master Ebon died, though when you were the last one left you were pretty much the only candidate left." "Wha...but you never told me!" "You never asked, plus I doubt if I had told you, it would've made much of a difference to your antagonistic mindset." "But...this still doesn't make sense! I strayed so far that I didn't even have shadow magic ability!" "Eh, you were still the closest thing to a shadow. Though I'm pleased that a new group will be able to carry on after you. It's odd, I was bored with the shadows, but I think starting fresh like this has renewed my interest a bit. I think giving them a bit more free will and making them a little less mind numbingly devoted helps with that. Just think when the group starts numbering in the hundreds or thousands, oh the conflicts of doctrine interpretation they'll have! I can just see the holy wars now! And I suppose I have you to thank for all of it." You shake your head at Dendrin's enthusiasm at his predicted carnage. He hasn't changed at all, it's all still just a game to him, but you're hardly surprised. Still, you doubt if such a thing will happen any time soon and oddly, you are sort of pleased to hear that Tulla can't perform the ritual even if she tries. Though you do wonder one thing. "So tell me, did you know all this was going to happen? Did you know that I would eventually bring about a new group of shadows for you to enjoy all over again?" "Well as I always said, I predicted you making a major change and you did." "And that's that?" "And that's that." Dendrin says. If you could see place a face with this reply, it would definitely be a smug one. You're not getting any more information out of Dendrin, he's back to being his usual cryptic self so you don't bother trying anymore. "I shall leave you now Eternal, we will only speak once more to each other in the far future, but for now I give you a much needed rest from my divine discourse. Think of it as your reward for all your service...as a shadow." Dendrin says with a laugh. You eventually wake up. You brush the dirt off of yourself and groggily look over at Talia's grave. "Well Talia, Dendrin say's he's leaving me alone for a long time. I guess you were right, he does eventually answer all prayers." > Epilogue Epilogue 8: Eternal Survivor Year 101 "How come I never wanted to live in New Gloom? I didn't even want to live old Gloom at times! For all its space, they had us all bunking together like we were in a soldiers' barracks. Never had any real privacy." You tell Tulla. "Yes, but old Gloom as you told me, was originally a Derro fort. New Gloom was built by shadows and had a completely different lay out. You certainly would've had your own room." Tulla says. "Eh, still not private enough. Now this place? Its been my home for over sixty years and its all mine!" "Its yours alright because nobody else is a crazy old hermit that insists on sleeping in dilapidated ruins like you!" Tulla laughs. "Hey, these dilapidated ruins kept you safe for years, let's not forget." "Yes, I know. Still I was glad when I could at last head back up to the surface, I really missed the rain." "I remember you practically dancing in it when I took you back up and it rained not too long after. Isn't your own daughter Lilly is the same way?" "Yes, it would seem inherited that trait from me. Loves the outdoors." You nod and smile before a short fit of coughing hits you. Tulla gets you some water, which you drink down, but you're feeling pretty weak. You close your eyes and try to catch your breath. You soon feel better enough to speak, but it won't be long and you know it. Tulla tries to make conversation again. "So...we've been making some progress in spreading the word of Dendrin throughout Quala. Letting people know that they don't have to submit to tyranny, they can fight against oppression." You don't say much to Tulla's statement and just nod as if you're still recovering from your coughing fit. You'd rather not get into an argument over religion or philosophy in your final moments with her. You do find it amusing that the shadow organization has seemingly turned into a religion of "freedom fighters" and Dendrin's name has become tied to freedom and anarchy. You aren't exactly sure how they can believe in rejection of governmental authority in any form yet worship a deity as well "conquer" territory in the shape of conversion. Dendrin's right, it can only be a matter of time before the shadows start fighting each other accusing one another of becoming the "oppressors" they're attempting to fight. Still all of it is out of your hands and you wouldn't want to deal with any of it anyway. You would rather see Tulla not have to deal with the mess of a multiple civil war though, so you give some last moment advice. "Remember not to expand too much and too fast. I know the shadows are gaining influence in Quala, but always remember that Delerg is top priority. This is home and it should remain that way. Better to remain small and manageable than grow so large that everyone sees you as an inviting target. Quala is also no longer just a group of old eternals desperately trying to cling to power. You've got some genuine major super powers in that area now trying to carve it up like the Nalin Empire to the south or that Drog's horde coming from Rask, and you say the Felkan Kingdom is even starting to expand eastward too?" you remark. "So the reports say, father." Tulla remarks. "Hmm, looks like I'm going to miss some interesting events, but my time is nearly at an end, and I think that's for the best. My usefulness on this world has been non-existent for a long time now." "Don't say that. Your wisdom has been respected by the shadows and myself for many many years!" "Maybe, and while I would even stick around just to keep you happy, I fear that is beyond my abilities. I was conditioned to survive much, but I can't cheat death." You say to Tulla. Tulla touches your hand and tears up a bit. "You know where to bury me." You say as Tulla nods. "I love you father." "And I love you." You feel the squeeze of Tulla's hand tighten and faint sobbing as you start to get sleepy. In your haze, you remember that Dendrin claimed he was going to speak to you once more. He better hurry up. You mumble something about Talia as you start to lose consciousness and then nothing. "There you are, I was wondering if you'd ever die." Dendrin remarks. "Am I dead?" You ask. "Pretty much. Your brain is still semi-active, hence why we can have this conversation." "Well I wish my brain would hurry up and follow my body, because I was hoping to avoid this conversation." "I think you'll be glad you didn't miss it, if nothing else I had to say goodbye to the one who not only relieved me of my boredom, but also provided me with something fresh to spend my time with for many years to come. In the past I had thought about abandoning this world completely after you eventually died. Not now of course as you well know." "One world's near miss, is another worlds continued misfortune I suppose." You remark. "Ah yes, there's that delightful sense of humor you employ. I shall miss that about you. But face it Eternal, your life wasn't all bad." "No, no it wasn't...and I suppose I can admit you did help me out sometimes." "There, now was that really all that difficult to admit?" "So... my spirit go to the shadow realm or something now that I'm dead?" "Why would you think that?" "You did say I was shadow master, unless you've changed your mind as usual." "No, but I think you've got the wrong impression of the afterlife. I'm no deity and I'm not in charge of the dead souls of shadows. I expected you of all people knew that." "Well I assumed you still had some sort of power over them or something. So where do the dead shadows go?" "I haven't the faintest idea WHERE they go. Maybe they go to whatever plane depending on the type of person they were. Maybe they all go to the realm of the dead. I mean for all I know, they don't go anywhere and they just rot in the ground." "Well if that's the case, at least I'll be joining Talia as worm food I guess." "Hah. YOU don't get off quite that easy. I've put up with your sass for years; you don't get to have the last word by dying. Oh no my little Eternal I have some important plans for you. Wonderful plans. We've got a whole new generation of shadows to oversee!" At this point your borrowed time is up, and you are unable to argue with Dendrin anymore. He's gotten the last word, but perhaps his last word wasn't an overly malicious one and somehow your mind feels like it's undergoing a transformation... The shadow order thrived under Tulla, who did indeed prove to be one of the better Shadow Masters in the long line of them. She would always speak highly of you and teach the other shadows that you were the example that should be followed. To never give in, to always fight injustice and above all survive at all cost, if only so one could continue to fight another day. She also heeded your advice in keeping the core of shadows more or less confined to the borders of Delerg where no single government ever took influence, keeping the place a disconnected collection of towns that only banded together in times of great danger. It was a system that worked well under shadow guidance. Still the shadow faith did spread far and in its wake, to those that possessed a much more extremist mindset. The chaos that followed may have been worse than that of the fall of the old Empire. The Nalin Empire suffered the brunt of it at first. The fighting was so great one could mistake it for the original Shadow-Empire War. Nalin ultimately ended up much in the same way its parent had. Broken into several pieces and never the same again. Shadow influence also spread to the Felkan Kingdom, which had been more or less a benign government for a majority of its existence. It didn't matter as it was seen as just another dictatorship that needed to be overthrown. Didn't take long for the Felkans to outlaw the "religion of anarchy" but by then the seeds of chaos had already taken root. The orcish hordes of Rask initially fared a little better given that their rabble was barely unified at the best of times. Still, the shadows always made it a point to assassinate potential chieftains that looked like they were on their way to ruling any group bigger than a small tribe. After enough of these "visionary" leaders were killed all that was left were the shortsighted and unintelligent. Eventually Rask ceased being "civilized" in any fashion altogether and the wilderness reclaimed it leaving only small war bands of ogres and the like to fight over simple things like food. And eventually just as Dendrin predicted, when there were no major systems of authority any more, the shadows began to turn on each other. The organization splintered into several smaller groups each lead by their own "shadow masters" and all accusing the other ones of being tyrants and not living up to the true ideal of Dendrin. Holy Wars plunged the surrounding lands into a dark age for centuries. Still, despite the chaos, the shadow never wiped themselves out. Even when others finally rose up against them claiming theirs was a religion of was insanity and violence, the shadows were never wiped out. The religion sometimes teetered on the brink of extinction, but all it ever took was a few to keep its spirit alive and eventually gather its strength again. Sometimes even just one to start the cycle all over again. And this is due to your influence. No matter how extreme, no matter how open minded, no matter what their interpretation of shadow doctrine. The shadows always remembered the stories about the one shadow that survived long enough to keep the faith alive. Above all else, survive. Sometimes there are stories of a being of pure shadow that will manifest itself to the faithful in more grim times to give advice on how to best endure their dire situation. One of the more popular tales now is how at times you've managed to manifest yourself on the battlefield in shadow form to distract enemy giving shadows a chance to escape a losing battle. These stories have become so prevalent that even foes of the shadows have been known to believe them. But of course these are just stories...or are they? Whether such stories are true, half true, or completely false, what is certain is that you have maintained your influence over the shadows and you remain ETERNAL.

Year 70 As the years go by, you know that day is coming soon that you won't and shouldn't keep Tulla sheltered from the surface too much longer. Granted you'll still be with her when that day comes, but having been to the surface every once in a while to keep apprised of the situation, Delerg still isn't exactly the friendliest place. Victor dumped so much into the campaign to conquer Delerg he's been trying to get the most out of it by rebuilding Sinkhole into a proper town (Calling it Triumph). Apparently he's also decided to make more plans to develop the area namely by chopping down the jungle to the south and to the east. This has been slow going though especially to the east which you know full well just how hostile the jungle flora and fauna get in that direction. (Oddly he hasn't decided to expand north which is just as well since he'd probably call for the temple's ruins to be dug up or built over, or something similar and you'd have to deal with his troops more directly.) As a result of all this redevelopment he's not only got the pitiful remains of the enslaved Delergites working day and night, but he's also imported many of his subjects from Quala to do work as well. A lot of these seem to be prisoners of varying types. Some are genuine criminals like murderers and thieves. Most though just couldn't pay their taxes and it was either this or as a conscript to serve on one of the war fronts that Victor is engaged in with other Quala warlords. Amusingly you're no longer on the "wanted list." An eternal captain by the name of Brom that runs the military garrison in Triumph claims he killed you during the final battle for Delerg. (In fact that's how he got his current promotion) You're not exactly sure how he "proved" this, but you're guessing he just threw a black cloak on some dead body, destroyed the face to the point of recognition and made everything up. Naturally he brags quite a bit about doing it. You're not sure what's funnier, the fact that he's lying about it, or the fact that he managed to fool everyone into believing his lie (Including Victor, apparently). In any event, it doesn't bother you since it makes life easier without some angry warlord trying to hunt you down. Besides you've got enough on your mind just looking after Tulla. "Come on, get your head out of those books, its time for your training." You say to Tulla. "But we train all the time! Can't I just finish this one book?" Tulla whines. "No! We have to keep to a schedule. Now let's get to it." Tulla puts away her book in defeat and leaves the library to head to the training room. It's been more of an effort to get her to do her training lately. "Why do I have to train so hard? You never let me go up to the surface anyway." Tulla says. "And you won't be going up to the surface until I'm confident that you can take care of yourself. I know you think I'm just being mean, but trust me what I'm doing is going to ensure your survival. I won't always be around, you know." Tulla doesn't reply to your remark she just picks up her wooden sword and gets into the fighting stance you've been teaching her. You and her spar for a few moments and fortunately despite her less than enthusiastic desire to be here, she does not slack off and proves to be absorbing everything you've been teaching her all these years. "Good. Glad to see you're taking this seriously. Now let's try something new." You say and change up your style. You tell Tulla to pay attention. An hour later you and her are taking a break. Though it's mainly for you. Every damn bone in your body aches and the ravages of time never let you forget that your earlier years of near perpetual combat have taken their toll. "Are you okay uncle?" Tulla asks in concern. "Yes, I'm fine. Just old war wounds acting up as usual. We'll pick up training again in a few minutes." While you lay prone recovering, Tulla decides to be inquisitive as usual. "Uncle, did you train as hard as this when you were my age?" Tulla asks. "Heh heh...I was trained harder than you at an even younger age." You chuckle. "Was it the shadows who trained you so hard?" "Not at first. It was some sadistic svelk bitch that called herself Mistress. She trained me up until I was twelve, and then I was transferred over to the shadows." "Oh. So is that when you learned magic?" "Yeah I learned it eventually. Never really liked using it though." "I would like to use magic like a shadow! I've read you could turn yourself in invisible, make yourself really fast or even walk like a spider on a ceiling!" "Yeah some of it was pretty handy I guess. Haven't been able to use any in years though. "Because Dendrin doesn't like you anymore?" "Not exactly...but something like that...yes." You've explained a little bit about Dendrin to Tulla in the past, you don't think she fully understands all of it, but you do know that she spends a lot of time reading the old tomes about shadow history and such. Which is why she's been getting increasingly more curious about him and the shadows in general. She probably would like to hear a more personal view of the organization. A view you don't even want to get into anytime soon. So you try to change the subject. "Alright, we've rested enough, let's get back to it." You say getting off the floor. Just as you're about to begin, Tulla makes a statement. "It's a shame you and Dendrin don't get along anymore. If you did, you could teach me shadow magic and it would help me survive better." You say nothing and just tell her to focus on defending herself. Tulla complies, but she's not the one that's preoccupied, you are. The remark she's just made is going to be the first step in a long series of questions and problems. You know she's going to eventually ask why can't she become a shadow. They already intrigue her the more she reads the books. What are you going to do? Tell her she can't read anymore? Put further restrictions on her? The whole point of this is to make her independent and avoid sheltering her. You dwell on this for the rest of day and until you manage to fall asleep... Nothing happens. You fully expected Dendrin to visit and give some sort of "sagely" advice and most likely try to convince you to let Tulla become a shadow, but he doesn't. Weeks go by while you're still struggling with this decision and you still get no visit from Dendrin. This is one of the rare times you'd actually wish he'd show up and try to convince you just so you'd have a compass of doing the exact opposite. Of course maybe he doesn't care. He did say he was bored of the shadows for centuries after all. In the end this isn't up to him. This decision is on you. Tulla's interest in the shadows is only going to increase and you're going to have to let her find her own way or nip it in the bud now. The problem is despite all your own prejudices against Dendrin and the shadow religion in general, you'd be a complete hypocrite if you didn't admit that the training did provide you with the means of surviving this long. The shadow magic also helped in that endeavor. Even Tulla made that connection. Tulla already shows much promise combat wise. If she could cast magic, she'd probably become very powerful indeed. > Don't allow it Forbidding her to do anything or restricting her is only going to cause her to resent you even more or worse run away completely. You aren't going to let her be a shadow and become some indoctrinated idiot with no mind of her own though. There's only one solution you can come up with, you're going to have to leave this place and live elsewhere. If the temptation isn't readily available then it the desire for it may eventually go away. Well you hope at least. But where could you go? Its not like the surrounding areas are exactly all that friendly. The only places you can think of that might be relatively free of strife are the Nalin Empire and the Felkan Kingdom. The Nalin Empire is closer since you'd only have to travel through part of Quala. It's still run by Matron Warden Brenda, and from what you know she keeps it pretty orderly and safe. It's somewhat amusing to think that you'd be running to a place that is basically the last remnants of the old Empire. Your only real concern with going there is that Brenda's as old as you and you've heard rumors that her second in command Tarna is a very ambitious woman. You might end up heading to a place that will either be going on a war of conquest or even suffering a civil war soon. The Felkan Kingdom is a much longer trek and you'd have to travel through Quala and Arat, which is daunting prospect given how dangerous both places are. You also don't know much about the Felkan Kingdom save for the propaganda that the Empire told everyone which probably means it isn't that bad of a place. It still exists so you're guessing it's fairly stable. In any case you'll figure it out later, right now you have to make preparations. When you tell Tulla the news that you need to leave this place and go to the surface her reaction is a mixture of confusion and joy. Confusion to as why it is so urgent to leave, but joy that she's finally getting to leave. You make up a story of saying you've been noticing Victor's people scouting the topside of the temple ruins lately and how you think its only a matter of time before they try to either start digging or collapse the place on you. This excuse seems to work. Tulla of course tries to pack some books with her, but you tell her to leave such things, as you need to go quickly and travel light. She complains a bit, but after you raise your voice slightly, she capitulates. "Okay, I'm ready to go uncle. Do you think it's raining? I hope so, I really miss the rain." Tulla remarks. "Well, we'll know soon enough, but I need to do one more thing first. Wait by the entrance, I'll be there shortly." While Tulla waits, you head into the garden one last time. "Talia, I'm leaving now and I probably won't be returning this time. I wish there was some other way, but I just can't allow Tulla to become a shadow. I need to take her out of this place. Its for the best anyway, can't allow her to become sheltered." You move closer to Talia's grave. "I'll continue to honor your memory even though I won't be here anymore. I promise. I love you you...goodbye." You say and kneel down to touch her grave before leaving. Immediately after you and Tulla leave the temple, she happily takes in the outside scenery. "The sky! The trees! Its all as wonderful as I remembered!" she says. "Yeah, well keep the joy to a minimum, Delerg's become an even less friendly place than you probably remember too. We need to keep a low profile until we reach our destination." "So what is our destination?" Tulla asks. > Travel to the Nalin Empire The Nalin Empire is closer and quite frankly you're too damn old to be sneaking around on long extended trips nowadays. "The Nalin Empire? Are you sure? I thought you told me it was run by an eternal." Tulla says. "It is, but she's like me. She's a first gen and given that she's run the place for several decades without any attacks or other major problems it's one of the more stable places I can think of." Your journey out of Delerg is fortunately without conflict. Your journey through Quala isn't however, though you're lucky enough to not get harassed by any professional soldier types and its just bandits. Tulla does well against them, you don't do too bad yourself considering your age, but during the fight it's never been more apparent of how old you actually are. "You okay uncle?" Tulla asks you after the battle. "Yeah...(pant)...just...well like I've said before. I'm just old. Though I can honestly say, I'm proud of you and glad to see that you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. Now let's loot these sons of bitches and hope they actually robbed some people before their pathetic attempt on us. I'm pretty sure we're going to need some money when we get to Nalin." When you eventually arrive in Nalin, you make your way to Dalt, which is one of the major cities in the land. Tulla is in awe. Most of her life has been spend underground in practical isolation. She's never seen anything so busy, everything is almost overwhelming, but she seems to enjoy it. The funny thing is, you're pretty much in the same situation as Tulla. Most of your life has been spent away from civilization and in isolation. Even when you were around other shadows you were still alone. Unlike Tulla though, you don't feel comfortable here. "Uncle this place is amazing! There's so much here to do!" "Mm, well keep in mind that while this place isn't Delerg or Quala, there are still dangers here. Perhaps more subtle ones. Here." You hand over what valuables you have to Tulla. "Now with this stuff, you can probably get a room at a quality inn for quite a while. I imagine you'd probably be able to get a job as a serving girl easily, but I doubt that's something you'd want to do. So I suggest maybe something in the local security or maybe even the recruiting office. Given most of female soldier types I've noticed stomping around here, I don't think they'd turn you away due to gender. Age maybe, but after you prove what you're capable of, I don't think you'll have any problems." You give Tulla a hug though she seems confused. "Uncle, I don't understand." "Tulla, this is your chance to start a new life. I wish you all the best with it, but this..." you make hand motions at the buildings around you. "This isn't me. I wanted to bring you to a place where you can have a normal life, well as normal as it can get anyway. And I have. As for me, I'm too old to change and get accustomed to new situations." "But where will you go?" "Oh, I'll be around. You don't think I'd just abandon you completely do you? I just won't be here. Besides, I noticed when we took that short cut through the woods; we passed a run down old cabin on the way here. Pretty sure it's abandoned. Seems like it would be a good place to spend my remaining years." You give Tulla a hug. Tulla returns your hug and kisses you on the cheek, promising to visit you at some point when she gets the chance. You leave the city and return to the abandoned cabin you mentioned to Tulla. The place is indeed abandoned. Needs some fixing up, but you can get to that tomorrow, its been a long past couple days and you're glad to have proper place to sleep for a change... "You really think this is what's best for Tulla? Encouraging her to become some common soldier? A soldier of a government for all intents and purposes is a remnant of what you spent your life fighting against?" Dendrin asks. "Yeah, I'm amused by the irony myself." You say. "But I believe she will thrive in this environment or least she'll have a better chance than where she was." "If you'd gotten past your irrational prejudices, and allowed Tulla to become a shadow she would've thrived a lot better no matter what environment she was in. "And that's what you're really pissed about isn't it? You were hoping that the shadows would be resurrected somehow with Tulla? Well sorry to disappoint you, but the shadows die with me and as far as I'm concerned they already died long ago." "You short sighted fool, this wasn't about Tulla, this was a chance for you to finally achieve something worthwhile in your miserable life!" "Yeah, well I've never been here to impress you, so if I'm no longer a source of amusement or interest to you I guess you can start leaving me alone finally." "I suppose so. You're a great disappointment Eternal." "I'm sure I am." And that's the last time you ever hear from Dendrin ever again. In the months to follow you spend fixing up your cabin and generally living a simple life. Tulla comes and visits you as she promised. The next time you see her she's in a soldier's uniform. Apparently she made an impression. She mentions that the Nalin Empire is always on the look out for new recruits anyway. A couple years pass and the ruler of Nalin dies. Apparently Brenda committed suicide, but given how ambitious her second is, you wonder if Tarna didn't have anything to do with it. You briefly have a concern that Nalin will be plunged into civil war, but fortunately Tarna keeps the Empire together and it was never in such danger. Tarna is perhaps s a little stricter than Brenda is, not that it matters to you since you live a self-sufficient life in the middle of nowhere and have a "daughter" in the army. The only thing you ever have problems with is competing with the nearby kobold tribe for game. Tulla still visits you from time to time, but the visits get rare due to her responsibilities, but you don't mind. She's living her life after all and that's what you always wanted for her. into decades and you live long enough to see the Nalin Empire embark on a war of conquest of Quala. You know Tulla was sent to the front lines because she made one last visit before leaving. You wished her luck as you always do, but you know better than anyone that war is an ugly business and death can come at any time. You never do see her again. You never know if she was killed or if she was just on assigned elsewhere. Eventually your last remaining years are spent as you most often lived: Alone and your thoughts mostly revolving around Talia. With your last dying breath you tell her that you'll be joining her soon.

Forbidding her to do anything or restricting her is only going to cause her to resent you even more or worse run away completely. You aren't going to let her be a shadow and become some indoctrinated idiot with no mind of her own though. There's only one solution you can come up with, you're going to have to leave this place and live elsewhere. If the temptation isn't readily available then it the desire for it may eventually go away. Well you hope at least. But where could you go? Its not like the surrounding areas are exactly all that friendly. The only places you can think of that might be relatively free of strife are the Nalin Empire and the Felkan Kingdom. The Nalin Empire is closer since you'd only have to travel through part of Quala. It's still run by Matron Warden Brenda, and from what you know she keeps it pretty orderly and safe. It's somewhat amusing to think that you'd be running to a place that is basically the last remnants of the old Empire. Your only real concern with going there is that Brenda's as old as you and you've heard rumors that her second in command Tarna is a very ambitious woman. You might end up heading to a place that will either be going on a war of conquest or even suffering a civil war soon. The Felkan Kingdom is a much longer trek and you'd have to travel through Quala and Arat, which is daunting prospect given how dangerous both places are. You also don't know much about the Felkan Kingdom save for the propaganda that the Empire told everyone which probably means it isn't that bad of a place. It still exists so you're guessing it's fairly stable. In any case you'll figure it out later, right now you have to make preparations. When you tell Tulla the news that you need to leave this place and go to the surface her reaction is a mixture of confusion and joy. Confusion to as why it is so urgent to leave, but joy that she's finally getting to leave. You make up a story of saying you've been noticing Victor's people scouting the topside of the temple ruins lately and how you think its only a matter of time before they try to either start digging or collapse the place on you. This excuse seems to work. Tulla of course tries to pack some books with her, but you tell her to leave such things, as you need to go quickly and travel light. She complains a bit, but after you raise your voice slightly, she capitulates. "Okay, I'm ready to go uncle. Do you think it's raining? I hope so, I really miss the rain." Tulla remarks. "Well, we'll know soon enough, but I need to do one more thing first. Wait by the entrance, I'll be there shortly." While Tulla waits, you head into the garden one last time. "Talia, I'm leaving now and I probably won't be returning this time. I wish there was some other way, but I just can't allow Tulla to become a shadow. I need to take her out of this place. Its for the best anyway, can't allow her to become sheltered." You move closer to Talia's grave. "I'll continue to honor your memory even though I won't be here anymore. I promise. I love you you...goodbye." You say and kneel down to touch her grave before leaving. Immediately after you and Tulla leave the temple, she happily takes in the outside scenery. "The sky! The trees! Its all as wonderful as I remembered!" she says. "Yeah, well keep the joy to a minimum, Delerg's become an even less friendly place than you probably remember too. We need to keep a low profile until we reach our destination." "So what is our destination?" Tulla asks. > You travel to the Felkan Kingdom The Felkan Kingdom is further away from the chaos and while it'll be a long trek, you feel it'll be a better place for Tulla to start a new life. "The Felkan Kingdom? That's a long distance, are you sure you're up for that?" Tulla asks. "Of course I am! I'm not so old that I can't make a simple trip! Now let's get going." You snap. Your journey out of Delerg is fortunately without conflict. Your journey through Quala isn't however, though you're lucky enough to not get harassed by any professional soldier types and its just bandits. Tulla does well against them, you don't do too bad yourself considering your age, but during the fight it's never been more apparent of how old you actually are. "You okay uncle?" Tulla asks you after the battle. "Yeah...(pant)...just...well like I've said before. I'm just old. Though I can honestly say, I'm proud of you and glad to see that you're more than capable of taking care of yourself. Now let's loot these sons of bitches and hope they actually robbed some people before their pathetic attempt on us. I'm pretty sure we're going to need some money when we get to the Felkan Kingdom." You continue your journey through Quala and continue to feel your age. You don't have too many more problems in Quala, but Arat is another story. As bad as Quala is, Arat is still in relative anarchy. You and Tulla are attacked several times and unfortunately it is during one of those attacks that your age catches up to you. In this case your attackers happen to be a small group of svelk. The svelk are more than a match for Tulla despite her skills, and you as well. Though you manage to at least fight long enough for Tulla to escape. You on the other hand succumb to your wounds and the svelk finish you off with a few bolts to your head.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, grimdark, dystopia] Year 55 You always were one to defy the odds, but you knew it could only end like this. Luck certainly played a large factor in your favor at the beginning. First off the invasion rumors were still just rumors for quite a while. It gave you and Lena more time to prepare and it was definitely preparation that was needed. By the time the eternal warlord Victor sent anyone to establish dominance, most of the population had actually been motivated to help. This was mostly thanks to Lena again, as well others she recruited. Victor's first attempt was surprisingly diplomatic, as he sent in an ambassador of sorts along with a company of his troops in Sinkhole. There was an attempt to talk the Delergites into just capitulating with assurances that no harm would come to them if they had. Ultimately these empty promises were wasted and with your help, the first battle of Delerg was a crushing defeat for Victor. There was a lot of celebrating afterwards. You knew it was just the beginning though. The first few years were a back and forth guerilla war. Victor immediately seized Sinkhole and made it his base of operations. Battles were fought throughout the swamp and jungle. Some of the villages were occupied during this time, but there was still hope. Then came the moment you knew was going to happen and that's when Victor got tired of playing nice. Losing way more troops and spending a lot more time than he wanted to, Victor started making demands that if the Delergites didn't surrender immediately he was going to set the whole province to the torch. He also wanted you personally to be delivered to him dead or alive. He probably assumed that since you were a shadow, you were actually the main one responsible for leading this thing. There were a couple attempts to assault your home, but you had made sure it was a death trap for anyone even entering the nearby area, let alone the ruins themselves. The other attempt was to surround the area to at least contain you, but that didn't really work either considering you just used a different access route that you made years ago and they'll probably never find that one since its nowhere near the ruins and you have to actually swim underwater to access it. Eventually an order was given to just try to kill you on sight when possible and that the subjugation of Delerg was the main priority. To her credit Lena managed to maintain the Delergites' enthusiasm of resisting Victor and most continued to fight, but heart alone isn't enough sometimes. Victor just sent in more troops and began to make good on his promises of setting the province on fire. Village after village burned. Those that weren't killed were taken away, probably in slavery. Things got so grim that you briefly pondered the idea of praying to Dendrin for help if only to try to get your shadow magic back, but given that it didn't save Talia, you saw no reason to bother. Dendrin even told you not to bother, as he knew you'd never be a believer. Apparently your mere lip service would no longer be sufficient at this point. Dendrin did suggest that you attempt to convert others to the shadow religion though and he'd be more than willing to grant them powers providing they went through all the normal procedures. You laughed at that idea, you're no missionary and had no time to bother with whatever self-serving plan Dendrin was hatching. Besides, the Delergites weren't interested in anything else except surviving the next attack by Victor, they were already committed to one "cause" and that was more than enough. And now here you are in Lena's village, the last stand of the Delerg resistance. It doesn't much resemble a village anymore so much as it resembles a small walled fort now. And when Victor's forces attack again, it'll resemble a smoldering ruin. As you look around the village through the rain you see so many wounded and many more just plain exhausted. Things weren't even this bad for them under the Empire during its last days. They weren't even this bad under Brutus' gang. This is what fighting the good fight has brought them. Death for those that resist and slavery for those that gave up long ago. All of them have to be thinking or have already thought at one time: "Was it worth it?" Some probably think no. Some probably think yes. And they'd both be right. It's definitely what you think and have thought in the past. The difference is you know that YOU can survive this. You'll live to fight another day. Its what you've always done and it'll probably what you'll continue to do until some lucky bastard manages to kill you. Who knows? Maybe that day is sooner than you think. You really aren't worried about yourself though; lately you've been slightly more concerned about someone else. And it isn't Lena. "Hey Uncle Shadow, are the invaders coming today?" Tulla walks up and asks you seemingly oblivious to the fact that it's raining. You have no idea where she got the idea to call you "uncle shadow", but she's been doing it for so long now that you don't bother to tell her not to anymore. "Probably not in this rain. Victor's soldiers are still going to need a catapult or battering ram to get through the gates. They aren't going to be able to drag one of those things here in the mud at least not effectively. Not just mud either, but water as well; the rivers and marsh are overflowing because of the rain. If you look down there you can see we've practically got a small moat around us. No my guess is they'll wait for the rains to stop and then a few days after so the water level drops." You explain while fixing your hood over your head. "And then they'll attack?" "Yes, and then they'll probably attack." "And will we win again?" You don't answer; instead you motion Tulla to the overhanging roof at a nearby sleeping house. "Didn't your mother teach you to come in out of the rain?" you say shaking off your own water soaked tunic. "I like the rain. It feels nice." Tulla remarks. It's funny to see how Tulla was brought up in such a warzone yet she maintains an innocent sense of appreciation for simple things like rain. "Where is your mother anyway? Shouldn't she be looking out for you?" "Oh you know her, she's busy a lot making plans with people to fight the bad people that attack us. It's boring to sit there." "Perhaps, but you still should stay near her. Its not exactly safe out here." "But I am safe, because you're here and you're a great warrior! Mommy says so!" "Hmm. I'll bet, but I'm also busy and I can't keep an eye on you all the time." "I'll bet you can! Mommy says that you're also the fastest warrior here!" "Mommy talks a lot about me to you does she?" "Yes! She says that you're a lot more useful than daddy was." You don't even know how to respond to that. You always figured that even if Lena never did truly "love" Henry, you always thought she at least respected and cared for him. Henry wasn't a bad guy; he just wasn't cut out for fighting. It's certainly not his fault that he died trying to defend this village. He's only been dead a year and it really doesn't seem right that she's bad mouthing him to their daughter like this. Its not really right that she's always been so distant to Tulla in general, but you've never understood that. Or maybe you do. Lena's deluded herself that she's always pursued this resistance because it's about defending her family, other families and the homeland from tyranny, and it is to an extent. But her real reasons? She still hasn't let go of the hate she has for eternals and she wants to kill as many as possible before she dies. (Never mind the fact that it's mostly other humans actually making up the rank and file of Victor's troops and Vic himself isn't anywhere near the battlefield) In the scheme of things she never really wanted a family because as far as she was concerned her family died when she was a little girl and all that was left was the hatred that burned within. Everyone else to her is a secondary concern. You might be the exception because you managed to better focus her rage and possibly even quell the fire of it a bit. Who knows what might've happened had you taken Lena as some sort of youthful substitute for Talia. Who knows what might've happened had Victor not invaded. Would Lena still have insisted on her vendetta? You don't know and it isn't important because it's the past and now is the present. She has obviously chosen a path and its not one you're going down because you're not responsible for her. You've helped as much as you could and you're done. Still, while it probably won't do any good, part of you feels like you should go confront Lena before you leave. > You just leave You're not wasting any more time with Lena or stretching this out any longer than you have to. You begin to leave. "Uncle Shadow where are you going?" Tulla asks. "Home. And I suggest that's where you go. Tell your mother if she's got any sense of self preservation left she'll get you and herself out of here too." "But aren't you staying to help us fight the bad men?" Tulla asks, not fully understanding the situation. "No, I'm not. (sigh) I'm sorry Tulla, but even if you don't realize it yet you've been dealt a bad hand in life. If your mother doesn't flee soon like I think she won't then I can only tell you one last thing." You put your hand on Tulla's shoulder and look her in the eyes. "When the bad men come, you HIDE. Find a safe place and hide, and then run when you're able. Even if you see or hear them doing bad things to your mother you continue to run or hide. They won't show mercy and they will do bad things to you as well. If you want to survive, you will listen to me." It's a cold hard truth and Tulla just stares at you with the rain continuing to pour down on the pair of you. You think she's probably more upset that you're leaving than anything else you've told her. You can't do anything for her though except hope that she absorbs your advice. As you start to leave, you briefly consider taking Tulla with you, but you dismiss the idea. You already "took in" one young girl in trouble and you can see how that turned out. You're no parental figure and you're not responsible for Tulla either. Your journey back home is an uneventful one. When you finally arrive you immediately head to the garden. "I'm back Talia. For good this time, as I don't believe I'll be making many more trips topside." The silence continues to question you. "Why? Well because I'm done with it all that's why. I mean I tried to relive the thrill of battle and that only has a temporary effect on my good mood, eventually it just gets boring. I've explored most of lands and found nothing of interest save for hostile people and unfriendly terrain. I've helped those in need and it only serves to either make their situations worse or prolong the inevitable. What's the point of it all? I've come to realize that down here with you is where I belong and it's where I shall stay for the rest of my life. However long that happens to be." After telling all this to Talia, you feel like a great weight has been lifted off of you. It feels good to no longer have to worry about anyone other than yourself again. You excuse yourself to Talia and head off to your bedroom to get some much-needed sleep... "While I appreciate that you finally had the common sense to abandon a hopeless cause I'm a little concerned by your return to a hermit life style." Dendrin remarks. "Yeah, well I would think by now that you'd know I don't really care about your opinions on my life." "But you can still be so much more, or at least you could still be destined for greater things. I see that, how come you don't?" "Maybe I don't want to be destined for such things even if they are true? Maybe I'm happy just spending the rest of my life here? What difference does it make? Besides I'm sure my so-called destiny would only serve to benefit you in some way so that's not exactly a motivator either. And if you don't like what I'm doing or you no longer find that I provide you with the amusement that your own pathetic existence so desperately craves then you can fucking leave me alone." "Very well Eternal. I can see I should waste no more time with you. My only regret is I did not see your inadequacies sooner. Perhaps I should've picked someone more motivated. Oh well. Time to move on." And with that, you never hear from Dendrin ever again. You also never go to the surface again. as they always do. You more or less keep yourself occupied by writing in your journal and speaking with Talia. It's not much stimuli, but don't seem to mind it at first. In time though you begin to get a little more detached from reality. You begin adding new people to speak with, such as arguing with Cyrus on a regular basis about how his tactics will not work against an Empire encampment or laughing at Murk on his latest tale of how he's failed to woo Bianca. In other words, you practically go mad. One moment you're fully aware of your surroundings and living in the present, the next you're living in the past again. You've created your own reality and aren't leaving it anytime soon. You continue like this for a few more decades until you eventually die as the mad hermit you are, and like most mad hermits, you leave no lasting presence in the world.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, war, serious, dystopia, grimdark, fantasy] This isn't going to be easy or fun for you, but it is regrettably necessary. You're going to not only have to convince her that she shouldn't pursue this path, but also push her away in general. "Lena, you won, be happy with your victory. I know you'd like to kill every eternal out there, but it just isn't feasible." "I won? My family is still fucking dead!" "And? You think you're the only one who's ever lost something dear to them? Going on a vengeance crusade still isn't going to bring them back and it's just going to get you killed!" "What the hell else do I have to live for?!" "What do you have to live for? You're still young for one thing, you've got your whole life ahead of you. Yes, what happened was tragic for you, but you've grown stronger because of it and you survived the ordeal. Now make the most of it. Live your life. Find someone to settle down with or whatever it is normal people do." "Normal people...do you really think I can go back to a normal life? Be someone's little housewife?" "Okay maybe not normal...look I'm just saying you going on some fool errand of trying to kill every one of those assholes claiming to be eternals is going to get you killed. Not all of them are going to be as inept as the ones that were hanging around here. The other ones? They're constantly at war and are battle hardened. I guarantee they'll be much tougher opponents and much more organized." "But wouldn't you be there to help? You could train me more and...you could start up a rebellion in Quala! Just like you did in the old days you told me about!" "Ha ha. No, those days are long over. I've told you that before. I'm not going anywhere and I'm not training you any more. You are not meant for this sort of life. I helped clear out this swamp and now I will probably go back to my previous life of solitude." Lena begins to tear up again. It's obvious she doesn't like where this is going. "You're kicking me out of your home aren't you?" "(Sigh) You had to know this arrangement wasn't going to last forever. I know you'll find some place to be I mean I'm sure you'll be treated very well by most people considering you just helped remove their oppressors." "Save me your words, (sniffle) I thought we were...a team...I thought you cared...just go away. Leave me alone." You don't say anything else, because saying anything else is just going to make things harder and likely make things worse. So you just leave. It feels like forever getting back home, but eventually you do and head straight to the garden. "I'm back home, just like I said I would be. I even brought you something." You say and put some blue flowers you picked on your way back home on her grave. "Oh Lena? Yeah she's gone. I think its for the best she didn't live here anymore y'know? Dendrin already impedes on us enough. Didn't need her around too." "I mean if she'd stayed she would've just been miserable here and eventually we would've ended up going to Quala like she wanted and she would've gotten herself killed. At least this way, she won't do it now...well I suppose I can't be sure of that, but I think the fact that she waited for me instead of charging into Brutus' place by herself is a good indication. Showed me she's always heeded my advice and not only that, she's not as overly confidant as I thought she was. Without me around she'll eventually abandoned her need for vengeance and settle into the normal life she was supposed to lead. She... deserves it, don't you think?" you say with your voice quivering a bit. You begin to wipe your eyes and sniffle a bit. "No, of course I didn't love her! What kind of opportunist would I be if I took advantage of some girl half my age that had a shitload of emotional baggage and a fragile personality? I'd be no better than those wannabe eternals that's what. Besides, I didn't think of her in that way, I just...look I'm tired all right? I'm going to bed." You leave the garden and collapse on your bed. It takes awhile but eventually you start to fall asleep hoping that you don't have to put up with any smart-ass comments from Dendrin anytime soon. He has uncharacteristically heard you for once because he leaves you alone for quite some time. You briefly consider doing what you told Lena not to do and that's go kill eternals in the Quala region, but really that bores you already. Besides, you feel it isn't going to be quite as much fun anymore without Lena around. It suddenly occurs to you that you should do some travelling again. You don't have much else to do, so why not? Still, this will always be your home no matter what. You won't leave for good. You just need a change of scenery. You decide that you'll travel not to places you've already been or already know about, but to parts unknown, namely Delerg itself. Despite it being part of the Empire, much of it still remains unexplored. You decide you might as well stay relatively close to home if you have the intention of coming back. You pack up some gear and get ready to go, of course saying good-bye to Talia and telling her you'll return eventually. Year 50 Passing the time by exploring uncharted parts of Delerg has kept you a bit busy over these past few years. It's amazing that nobody had done it before, but the stories about the Delerg swamp being much more hostile the deeper you went were true. You travelled north for quite awhile, but eventually the swamp thinned out completely until it turned into vast bodies of water. Going further would've required a boat and you didn't really have any wish to do that once you saw a glimpse of some of the things lurking in the water. Travelling east was an ordeal that you nearly didn't survive. The swamp became more jungle like and it almost seemed as if the land itself was protecting something or otherwise it just didn't want anyone going further east. You did battle with several beasts that you'd never seen before and probably nobody else from the "civilized" world had either. It wasn't just beasts that were hostile, or even the plants, but also a short dark race of humans. Their small stature didn't make them any less dangerous. Eventually you had to turn back because of the constant attacks that even you couldn't keep defending against. You swear the trees must've been spawning the little bastards. Thankfully as an eternal you're somewhat resistant to poisons, because it served you well during that time. Still if you stopped doing something just because it nearly killed you, you wouldn't have accomplished anything in your life. So eventually you travelled south and beyond the swamp and jungle you discovered a whole new land, yet very much the same as the one you're familiar with. Four tribes, two of them human, one elven and another one reptilian, all of them warring with each other and all of them fairly hostile towards you when confrontation was your only option with them. From what you could figure out, three of the factions were all displaced by the Empire in some way when it still existed. The reptilian tribe apparently was nearly exterminated by the shadows in the earlier days of the Empire as they once lived in the Delerg province. (Which explains why they were especially hostile towards you) You explored as much as you could and eventually departed leaving the factions to their private war. Naturally the whole time you were exploring you were periodically returning back home. Delerg itself never changed, it was the same quiet place it always had been. Every once in a while you'd attempt to trade goods in Sinkhole for the rare items you might need, people never accepted any payment you might offer and instead just handed it to you for free. Nowadays you're considered the last shadow protector of the land and well respected. Of course you aren't the only one. Lena is also well respected thanks to her deeds. Her assumption that she would never be able to fit into a normal life again were wrong as she did find someone to settle down. Though she was right that she would not be a simple housewife and is a hunter and trapper by trade. You know she lives in one of the smaller villages, probably much like the one she grew up in, but you've never spoken to her directly. You see no point in dredging up the past and you have both gone your separate ways now. You're glad that she managed to move on, which is more than can be said for others... "Why have you been writing a lot lately? Never known you to pursue such interests." Dendrin asks. "I dunno. Why not? Not like I'm currently wandering topside at the moment and I already read all the books here. Figured I'd write about stuff I encountered or did on my last travels." "So you're writing a book?" "More like a personal journal. Not like I'm going to share it with anyone." "So why do it?" "As I said, why not? Don't you have something better to do?" "Not really, though I thought you would be considering the impending invasion." "Invasion?" "Yes, the invasion. I know you've been running all over the place lately, but haven't you been keeping up on the local discussions, I assumed you had since I know you do visit Sinkhole on occasion. One of those eternals or several of them apparently have figured out this place has no active resistance of any kind and would be easy pickings." "Oh that. Yes I'm aware of what's going on and I've been preparing for the inevitable." "What? Your usual training? You really think you're going to be able to pull off what you did before by yourself? You do realize that if this place is invaded again, it won't be occupied by the ones that were here before?" "Yes, I'm well aware and as I said, I'll be ready." "Are you planning on leaving?" "No, but I'm glad you've still got faith in my combat abilities...as I asked before, don't you have something better to do?" "I might have to find something better to do soon if you aren't around anymore." Dendrin says. You wake up. You're also left to ponder his "concern" for you. He's right in that if there is an invasion, it'll most likely be a proper army like when the Empire occupied Delerg. So what can you really do about it if it does happen? Leave? You're past thinking like that. This is your home until the day you die. Fight? You probably will eventually just to break up the monotony, but you doubt if you'll be able to keep your "secret" home a secret. Ever since you made your reappearance it's a well known fact of where you live by most of the Delergites. Even the group of eternals you got rid of before eventually figured it out, though by that time they were too damned scared to ever launch any sort of offensive. The other problem to this is you are starting to feel your age. It's partly why you stopped your exploring and returned home to rest. Fighting your own extended personal war by yourself for any reason is getting to be less of a viable option especially if this potential invasion force is dead set on keeping the province. And it isn't like anyone else is going to help... Well perhaps one person might, but the situation would be vastly different and she has her own life now, though you wonder what sort of life that might be when the invasion comes. The only other option you have is to just lay low in the temple and never come out when the invasion arrives. You could easily seal up the entrance that even if it were found, it wouldn't be easy to get in. > You lay low You had a brief revival of the "glory days" when you first fought along side Lena. And while it was fun while it lasted, you believe you're done with such things now. A storm is coming and you're not going to stand in its path because it'll ultimately be a fool's game. You take steps to seal up the more accessible entrance to your sanctuary. It would take quite the effort to try to break in now, but you doubt if anyone will make the effort. You've been in this situation before and you handled it just fine. You can easily do it again despite what Dendrin might say. You do wonder how Lena will handle the situation. She'll probably fight, but if she's learned anything, she'd do better to flee with her family. In any case you've made your decision and you return to the familiarity of the garden. "Looks like I'll be spending a lot more time with you again Talia, just like the old days." Year 65 Several years have passed and you still haven't a clue what's been going on the surface nor do you care anymore. You haven't even made the attempt to even take a peek, you've kept your entrance sealed and haven't dug out any new ones. As predicted nobody has attempted to intrude on you, so why bother leaving? Throughout the years you've been trying to keep your mind occupied with your conversations with Talia and even Dendrin when he sees fit to speak to you anymore. You also continue to write in the journal you keep, but if anyone read it now, they probably wouldn't understand any of it as your thoughts have become disjointed and not of a sound mind. You babble a lot to yourself nowadays, and not just in the usual way you do with Talia. Over the years you've actually been including others, such as arguing with Cyrus on a regular basis about how his tactics will not work against an Empire encampment or laughing at Murk on his latest tale of how he's failed to woo Bianca. In other words, you've practically gone mad. One moment you're fully aware of your surroundings and living in the present, the next you're living in the past again. You've created your own reality and aren't leaving it anytime soon. Dendrin tries to snap you out of it, but eventually he realizes the futility of the task and stops speaking to you altogether. Hardly matters as you've got more than enough disembodied voices in your head to keep you company. You continue like this for a few more decades until you eventually die as the mad hermit you are, and like most mad hermits, you leave no lasting presence in the world.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, fantasy, dystopia, grimdark] Year 46 "Think the girl will survive your big attack plan?" Dendrin asks. "If she does, she does. If she doesn't, well that's the way it goes." You reply. "You don't mean that. You're just trying to play tough. I know better." "Well if you know better why do you insist on asking stupid questions?" "Tradition?" "Hah...okay I'll admit that one was a little amusing." "Glad to see you're in a better mood nowadays, but I imagine having someone to converse back and forth with on a regular basis might be helping. I told you, that you couldn't go on with your life as it was and I was right! And you say I don't look out for you." "Yeah, that must be why you've seen fit to deprive me of nearly all my magic abilities." "You're not a believer. I can't give to someone who has no faith. Sorry, but I don't make the rules. Besides, you were never a magic lover anyway." "Perhaps not, but I found it useful in certain situations. Doesn't matter, I've been making due...I suppose it has made me adapt, and kept me from relying on a crutch." "Well if that's your way of saying thanks, I guess I'll take it. Good luck tomorrow." You wake up. Today is the day, after months of carrying out a personal guerrilla war on Brutus' gang (you refuse to acknowledge such rabble as any sort of "army") you've managed to whittle it down to a manageable size to the point where he's had Sinkhole barricaded. You're not sure why considering its not going to stop you, but if the fool actually thinks building a shaky wooden wall and locking himself in his house is actually going to save him, so be it. While you get ready, Lena's already set to go. You think she's been anxious for this day more than you have. Lena has been helping you and for her part she's done an adequate job. She's taken to training well, though that's probably because she doesn't have much left anymore. You've had to pull her fat out of the fire on more than one occasion, but you expected you would when you first agreed to have her help you. And at least she's helping you. That's more than can be said about anyone else! Despite all the damage you've done to their oppressors, your actions have not inspired others to take up arms against what's left of the eternals. You can't say you're surprised though. Lena on more than one occasion has travelled to a few of the swamp villages in the hopes of getting help, but no luck. You told her it was a waste of time, but she had to learn on her own your suppose. You probably never show it and you'd certainly never admit it, but you do respect Lena and don't mind her company. Though there's still another whose company you prefer. (And that that isn't Dendrin) "I'm going now. I'll be back later to tell you all about it." You tell Talia before you leave. You and Lena make your way to Sinkhole. Along the way Lena makes her usual snappy comments. It's one of her less endearing qualities. "So you couldn't get Talia to help us for this one?" "Well maybe if I'd been a believer in Dendrin, he would've seen fit to raise her from the dead or something, but seeing as he's as much of an asshole as you're being right now, no I couldn't get Talia's help. Maybe next time." You reply. "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have said that, I..." "Forget it. You're nervous just like you are whenever we go into battle and you're deflecting as usual. Just save those witty remarks for combat. Seems to work on those wannabe eternals who get flustered over the smallest taunts." Sinkhole's rickety wall doesn't quite extend all the way around the town, but its enough that there's no way to easily go around it without either wading through the deep marsh water or just barging through the front gate. If you still had your magic, you'd just scale the wall with the spider walk spell, but you don't have that luxury anymore. Chopping or kicking through the wall would probably take time and attract attention. You'd like to at least catch the enemy a little off guard. So you decide to do the classic "pincer maneuver." "Lena, you sneak around through the marsh where there is no wall and enter Sinkhole that way." "Wait, where are you going to be?" "I'm going through the main gate of course. They'll be focusing on me so much that you'll probably be able to take down several of Brutus' men before some of them converge on your position." "Are you going to be all right?" "We've worked together for months now and you have to ask me that? Don't worry about me, I've faced worse. A lot worse. Now Brutus will probably be hold up in that big house of his. Don't try to enter it until I get there since the place will probably be trapped." "What if I see him outside?" "I doubt it since the coward seems determined to throw everyone under his command at us while he hides. In the off chance you do see him, he'll probably be trying to escape so by all means try to stop him in that case. Now let's get going." As you and Lena part company you know there's a fifty fifty chance Lena is going to disregard everything you've said and try to enter Brutus' home and try to kill him herself. You're going have to be quick if you want to beat her there. Predictably several eternals guard the front gate and when you appear before them, the alarm is raised and they attack. If they're lucky, they might actually last more than a five minutes against you... Four minutes later you've already fought your way through the main gate. You see several more eternals standing in the road with weapons drawn, but they look unsure to as whether or not to attack you or run away. Surprisingly one speaks up, he's a short man with brown hair wearing leather armor. He's very average looking and not at all anything like what the second generation eternals are supposed to be which are great hulking warrior types. "Hold for a moment! I would speak with you. There is no need for animosity." "What, you trying to stall for time and set up an amubush? Not likely, let's get on with this!" you reply and advance. He and the two other eternals standing behind him all back away while still attempting to hold a defensive position. "Wait just a moment, damn it! There are not enough of us left to set up a fucking ambush! We're all that's left, besides Brutus barricaded in his house. I mean we already know you could kill us all within seconds, is it really going to hurt to hear what I have to say?" "Alright, make it quick." "Okay, we're giving up. I mean just let us get the hell out of here and we'll never enter this damn swamp ever again. This ain't worth it and I certainly ain't dying for Brutus." "What makes you think I'd let you go?" "Look I know who you are. You're not just some crazy ass old shadow; you're also an eternal. A first gen. Oh yes, I heard stories about you in the old days and unlike most of my kind, I took them seriously. I also remember because I was assigned here when you were still causing trouble for the old Empire. Everyone thought you died when we collapsed the temple on you, but when our boys started getting picked off over the last year, I had a feeling who it might be. I tried to warn Brutus that we should just leave, but the fool wouldn't listen. "Hmm, too bad you weren't smart enough to leave yourself." "Well, Brutus may be a fool, but he's still my friend." "Friends? Didn't know you second gens, had the concept of it...but he's so much of a friend, that you're ready to abandon him now?" "I don't like it, but if I have to chose between loyalty to my friend and survival, survival is going to win." "While this is all very interesting, you still haven't answered my question, why the hell should I let you go?" "Because I talked Brutus out of destroying this entire town and the rest of the little villages in this swamp? Did you know when you started murdering us, his first order was to wage systematic genocide on the people of Delerg? Granted he still wiped out a few villages completely, but I managed to save lives because even I thought that was going too far. Other did too, I was just the only one brave enough to tell him in a way that showed it wouldn't be wise to do it." "So that makes you a good guy?" "No, I didn't say it makes me a good guy, I'm just saying that my deeds at least should be taken into consideration. I mean...fuck...you've killed a lot of us and you'll likely kill Brutus as well. Isn't that enough? We're no threat to you and we're not going to come back to launch some sort of sneak attack. You can have free reign of this place, I'd rather just put this shithole far behind me. You'll never see us again." This guy might not be playing for time to have more of his buddies ambush you, but he's still taken up more than enough and there's no indication of Lena showing up who probably would've attacked them by now. Since she hasn't that can only mean she's decided to take on Brutus himself, which means she's probably going to get herself killed if you don't reach the house soon. > You let them go and help Lena Lena's more important right now. This lot seems like they're not eager for a fight. Even if they do regain their courage at a later date, you figure you can easily deal with them then. "Today is your lucky day, get the hell out of here and don't let me see you again!" you say. The speaker of the group nods and thanks you while he and the rest of his fellows quickly run past you and out the front gate. You head quickly to the "mansion" sized home near the marshlands. You approach cautiously and that's when you see Lena just arriving. You're glad you got here in time. "Good there you are, did you have any problems?" you ask. "Other than having to pull leeches off my body? No. There were a couple eternals near the area where I came through, but I killed them while they were still trying to make up their minds on whether or not to leave their posts to investigate the noise you were stirring up at the front gate. Besides that, I investigated the surrounding area outside this house and I haven't seen any evidence that Brutus has tried to leave it." "Let's just hope he doesn't have some sort of underground tunnel built. Let's go." After breaking down the door, you cautiously move throughout the house. While certainly bigger than the rest of homes in Sinkhole, it probably doesn't look much better from the inside. The place is a wreck, you'd think as a leader he'd want to keep his own home in better condition, but then given that you live in an underground hole of a collapsed temple which was already in ruins when you arrived there, maybe you aren't exactly in a position to make judgments as far as living arrangements are concerned. "No traps so far." Lena whispers. "Considering there's so much junk and garbage in this place, they could be well hidden. Keep a look out anyway, and stay quiet! No need to give our position away." "I'm sure he already knows we're..." Before Lena can complete her statement, Brutus appears from around a corner and nearly takes her head off with an axe. Fortunately for her, you block the attack. At last you get a close look at the great leader himself, and once again you're unimpressed by what you see. Makes this whole endeavor hardly even worth it at this point. "I'll make you wish you hadn't come back from the dead shadow!" Brutus exclaims right before you shut him up with a head-butt and then slicing his belly open. Falling to the floor and desperately attempting to hold in his entrails he starts to scoot back from you. "You new eternals always talk too much." You say. "Lena...if you'd like to do the honors." Lena wastes no time in taking up your offer. She points her spear at Brutus, who makes a plea for his life through bribery. It doesn't work and Lena skewers him in the chest with the spear. Then she does it again... and again... and again... and... "Sonofabitch! You killed my family! Bastard! Die! Die! Fuck you..." Lena sobs the whole time. "Lena he's dead. You can stop..." you start to say and then you feel a crushing blow to the back of your skull knocking you to the floor. You were paying so much attention to Lena's breakdown that you didn't hear anyone else enter the house. It's the trio of eternals that you previously let go. You attempt to get up, but only get another smash to your head for your troubles. "We kept our word shadow, you never saw us again!" you hear one of them laugh and this is followed by a final blow to your skull which splits it open causing bits of brains to splatter nearby. Lena charges at them already in a rage from before and while she manages to wound one of them, they ultimately take advantage of her unhinged state and finish her off with ease.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, serious, fantasy] Year 45 You travel back to the sanctuary under cloak as you have many times before. The sanctuary isn't much to look at anymore ever since it collapsed ten years ago, but one thing's for sure, nobody ever comes around here, making it the perfect place to live ever since you started to live like a recluse. You scan the area to make sure there is nobody around before you go through your secret entrance; you remember how long it took you just dig your way out of the place. You probably could've stayed down there indefinitely, but there are only so many times you can read the same books over. It was only natural that you got curious about what was going on in outside world after the first few years of being buried had past. About another year of digging and it was a brand new world. The Empire had fallen, but not much had changed in the scheme of things. In some ways the situation might've been worse for the average person. You travelled under cloak to explore what used to be the territory of the old Empire, only to find that most of it was now divided up into petty fiefdoms run by the new eternals. You knew as soon as you saw these new eternals they were going to hasten the Empire's fall, not save it. You also weren't surprised to find most of them fighting over the scraps of their dead "parent." They lack any sort of discipline of your generation, as far as you're concerned they're twisted mutants of eternals, but not real ones. Most of the population that had existed under the Empire has become practically enslaved under the new eternals. There are a few that remain autonomous, but this is mainly in Rask where the place is a war zone even compared to places like Quala or Arat. From what you've heard Flog and his orc/ogre horde have been spreading to southern Rask and making it hard for any eternal attempting to plant a flag and keep it there. It's gotten so bad that what eternals do lay claim there have resorted to hiring svelk mercenaries to help. And the svelk aren't exactly well liked by the new eternals (Though that's one issue you'd have to agree with them on). The other area that remains free from of new eternal domination in Nalin, which is seemingly a beacon of "light" and under the control of the only other first generation eternal known to be alive, Brenda. She apparently has a non-aggression pact with the eternal upstarts, but has made it clear she will not let them destroy what's left of what she considers to be the last remnants of the Empire. You don't know whether it's out of respect or fear that she has managed to avoid war with any of them. As for Delerg, it's not a warzone, but it's no paradise. Delerg is slightly unique in that it's currently only "ruled" by one eternal by the name of Brutus, with no major competition. Brutus is not quite as ambitious either; he and his crony eternals seem content to just wallow in the swamp. One might think that perhaps he's just biding his time and waiting for an opening to invade the weakest eternal in Quala, but in reality he wouldn't have the means to do it anyway, his entourage is more of a gang rather than any proper army. He's just lucky Delerg isn't a profitable target by any other eternal or else he'd probably be wiped out by a real invasion. You've often wondered why you continue to stay in Delerg or even the general area even after you took your "tour" of the old provinces and saw the chaos for yourself. You have no real answer other than you have nowhere else to go and that you've lived at the temple for so long now that you consider it your home regardless of who is calling themselves ruler there. The other reason you guess is Talia. Even after all these years you still haven't quite moved on. You speak to Talia a lot, but she's not much of a conversationalist anymore, not that you mind. You'd rather speak with her than Dendrin who you don't know why still insists on speaking with you at all though thankfully it's been rare nowadays. Later that night you go through your usual routine of a little training to keep your skills sharp and eating your dinner. You then visit the garden and speak with Talia about what you did today. "Visited Sinkhole again today. Still the same rundown town it's always been. You'd think since Brutus made it his headquarters that he'd actually have a little pride to build it up a bit. Instead he and his lackies seem to just enjoy kicking around the same pathetic peasants, molesting hapless young girls and generally being assholes. Must be nice to enjoy doing the same routine over and over again." You grab a handful of dirt and throw it where you buried Talia. "Sometimes I feel like uncloaking and killing them all, just to see what they'd do, you know? I bet they'd be scared shitless. The return of the shadows! Ooooooooh!" You laugh a bit. "Of course you know I did feel like killing them all after you died, but now? What's the point? It won't bring you back, and most of those bastards get themselves killed over stupidity anyway. Hell I'd probably be honoring them by gracing them with my blade to their hearts." You throw a stone in the small stream nearby. "I mean I suppose if I did kill them, I'd be helping out those they're tormenting now...but why bother? Most of those wretches were content living under the yoke of the Empire, they can be happy with what that mindset got them! Remember when I was trying start up a minor rebel cell here? All I could practically get were the fucking criminals and other miscreants. I mean what the hell does that say about society when those are only type willing to fight against tyranny?" You start to get angrier at the predictable silence. "I mean it's not my fight anymore! I did what I could back in the day and it wasn't appreciated by anyone, sometimes not even by you! The Empire is dead! I've done my bit, so if someone else wants to play freedom fighter they can have at it. I'm done...I'm...I'm sorry..." you say as you slump down near Talia's grave. You sit in silence for quite a while, and eventually you fall asleep. "You're not still moping about are you? I thought you'd be over the hermit thing by now." Dendrin says "I can't really be a hermit when you keep interrupting my solitude all the damn time." "Oh please, you secretly crave it! If you really cherished your solitude that much, why the hell do you even bother leaving this place to make your little trips all over the countryside?" "I only did that once because I was curious about the changes in the world." "But you still continue to make your routine trips in Delerg at least. You know nothing has changed for quite some time, same eternals tormenting the peasants as usual. It's almost as boring as a routine as you have, must be an eternal thing. My point is, if you really wanted solitude, you wouldn't risk leaving this place at all. You wouldn't lurk on the outskirts of civilization spying on what others are doing. You also wouldn't still be talking to your mate who hasn't been in any condition to talk back in quite some time. I don't think this hermit thing is for you. You need to be doing something else." "Oh like what? Entertaining you? Look if you're so bored, why don't you go bother someone else and leave me alone? I've repeatedly told you, I'm not here for your amusement." "Obviously not. (Sigh) Very well Eternal, but you know I'm right. You can't keep going on like this. You're going to have to change your surroundings eventually, because you might as well be lying in a grave right next to Talia given that you've fallen asleep in the dirt and have small cave insects crawling on you." "Don't think I haven't considered it." "Stop talking nonsense. You're not suicidal and even if you were, you'd be too cowardly to go through with it anyway. Just like you're too cowardly to change your current situation by leaving this place." "First you say I'm not really a hermit because I'm leaving here on a regular basis, but now you're saying I'm too cowardly to leave it? How does that make sense?" "I'm saying you're going about everything half assed! You want to be a hermit? Fine then you need to shut yourself off from the outside world completely and not run around topside and vicariously getting your socialization kicks by spying on others. However I don't think that's what you want. I think you WANT to go back to doing what you used to do, but you've been staying hidden from the known world so long that you don't want to risk what peace you have. Its safer that way." "And I haven't earned a little peace? Given everything I've been through?" "Maybe you have Eternal. I don't know, but what I do know is you don't seem to be satisfied with it, so what I'm saying is you need to change your situation. Otherwise you might as well be dead because you're not living, you're just surviving." "It's enough." "Are you sure?" "Always has been." At this point Dendrin stops speaking. You don't know if it's because he's just tired of arguing with you or if it's because you've actually won the argument. Dendrin can't really deny that surviving to a certain extent has been enough for you in the past. In any case the numbness eventually subsides and you wake up. After brushing yourself off you head back to your real bed and ponder what you're really going to do since despite it all, Dendrin has once again managed to weasel a little truth in his words and its enough to make you think. > You leave the area Whether you're content on just surviving or not isn't really the issue, staying here in what amounts to be an oversized grave wallowing in self pity from time to time probably isn't the best thing for your mind. You're already starting to go a little off kilter in that regard. There is really nothing for you here or Delerg or even the area in general. Maybe shouldn't just change your surroundings, maybe you need to just leave them completely. It takes you about a month, but eventually you gather up the motivation to leave the temple for good. You visit Talia's grave one last time before you leave. "I'm sorry Talia, but I have to leave you now. We'll... be together again some day." You keep your goodbyes to Talia short because if you draw it out any longer you'll end up staying. When you leave the temple you aren't exactly sure which direction to head in. You could head west through Quala, Arat and eventually to the Felkan Kingdom. From there you'll decide your next course of action of what to do next. Of course you could do the unthinkable and do what even the Empire avoided and that's head east deeper into the Delerg swamp. There are rumors of horrors that live further in and while that might be true, the swamp has to end somewhere. It isn't like anyone to your knowledge has ever explored past it. Part of this intrigues you a bit. At the very least the danger would keep your mind focused on other things. > You head east into deep Delerg jungle The whole point of changing your surroundings is to go someplace where you haven't been before. You've been through Quala and Arat and you'd rather not have to travel through them again. You're going to off in a completely new direction. Your journey through the eastern swamp is an ordeal to say the least. The swamp eventually becomes more of a jungle it almost seems as if the land itself is protecting something or otherwise it just doesn't want anyone going further east. You do battle with several beasts that you've never seen before and probably nobody else from the "civilized" world has either. It's not just beasts that are hostile, or even the plants, but also a short dark race of humans. Their small stature doesn't make them any less dangerous. If it wasn't for your magic abilities you doubt if you'd be able to handle so many because you swear the trees must be spawning the little bastards. Thankfully as an eternal you're also somewhat resistant to poisons. Still the constant attacks are taking their toll and you're exhausted from fighting and magic use. The moment you are able to get a small bit of sleep, even Dendrin is suggesting that perhaps you should go back. You ignore him though. He's always giving you contradictory suggestions. One moment he's telling you to something like change your surroundings, and the next he's telling you how that's bad. You wish he'd just leave you alone once and for all. You press onward and eventually the jungle thins out a bit and you discover what looks to be some very old ruins. Another temple perhaps, but its design isn't like the shadow temple. Your curiosity gets the better of you and you decide to enter. If nothing else, it'll give you a bit of relief from the tree dwelling attackers. You cautiously explore, but so far the ruins seem empty. You don't even come across any of the jungle fauna making their home here. Your guess that it was once some sort of temple seems to be on target as you come across several altars and odd symbols. Lot of drawing of snakes too. You're guessing it was dedicated to some sort of snake god. Not finding anything of interest, you step back outside only to suddenly feel four sharp darts going into your body. The pygmies set up an ambush! You stagger back inside the ruins cursing yourself for not being more observant. You can hear them shouting excitedly from outside while you're pulling out the dart from behind a fallen stone pillar. Given that they typically attack you with abandon of their own well-being, you fully expect them to come rushing into the temple to attack you. It'll be taxing, but you'll have the advantage in the cover of the darkness. That doesn't happen however. They don't enter the temple at all and seem to be waiting for you to come out. You wonder if they consider this place taboo or something. In any case you decide you'll take advantage by resting a moment and when you feel like you've got the energy, you'll cloak yourself and sneak past them all. You wait in the darkness for quite a while and keeping an ear out for the pygmies. Though while you're listening out for them, you then hear another sound which sounds very close. A hissing sound that is right behind you... You turn around and swing your weapon, but the instant you do, an incredibly bright light blinds you. You then feel the whip of a tail smashing you in the chest causing you to fall backwards and hit your head on the stone floor. Through your grogginess and hazy eye sight you manage to just make out your attacker which seems to be some sort of serpent creature, but with arms like a human holding a staff with a glowing tip. You attempt to mumble a spell to speed you up, but the serpent creature is faster even without magical enhancements. Its head lunges forward and you feel its fangs sink deep into your throat puncturing the jugular. You die instantly.

Whether you're content on just surviving or not isn't really the issue, staying here in what amounts to be an oversized grave wallowing in self pity from time to time probably isn't the best thing for your mind. You're already starting to go a little off kilter in that regard. There is really nothing for you here or Delerg or even the area in general. Maybe shouldn't just change your surroundings, maybe you need to just leave them completely. It takes you about a month, but eventually you gather up the motivation to leave the temple for good. You visit Talia's grave one last time before you leave. "I'm sorry Talia, but I have to leave you now. We'll... be together again some day." You keep your goodbyes to Talia short because if you draw it out any longer you'll end up staying. When you leave the temple you aren't exactly sure which direction to head in. You could head west through Quala, Arat and eventually to the Felkan Kingdom. From there you'll decide your next course of action of what to do next. Of course you could do the unthinkable and do what even the Empire avoided and that's head east deeper into the Delerg swamp. There are rumors of horrors that live further in and while that might be true, the swamp has to end somewhere. It isn't like anyone to your knowledge has ever explored past it. Part of this intrigues you a bit. At the very least the danger would keep your mind focused on other things. > You head west to the Felkan Kingdom You think you'd still rather stick to familiar terrain first, so you decide that you'll head to the Felkan Kingdom and see what happens from there. Your journey through Quala takes a while, but is fairly uneventful. Same chaos going on that you saw before with various eternal warlords squabbling over the scraps of a fallen regime. You don't really see it getting better any time sooner. In fact you wonder if overthrowing the Empire made a damn bit of difference at all. In some ways things are even worse. Arat fairs even worse. There doesn't seem to be any sort of law and order of any kind here. There isn't even a petty dictator around, its just complete anarchy. The only semblance of order is on the Felkan boarders where the overworked Felakans are busily attempting to keep the riff raff from coming in. Naturally you simply cloak and sneak over. The Felkan Kingdom is something you've heard about usually in a negative light from the Empire, but of course like with most things that seems to have been propaganda. The Felkan Kingdom is very different from what you're used to seeing though. The whole place seems to embrace technology and new ideas more readily than the Empire did. You see many instances of soldiers carrying around the "black powder" weapons you've heard about. You stay in the Felkan lands for a while mostly keeping to the more rural parts of it, but the land is currently involved in a war of its own against a race of creatures called Gnolls making those same rural parts fairly dangerous. You have many of your own run ins with them while attempting to make a home here. Eventually you decide to move on and leave Felkan territory. You travel for years to distant lands, never finding a place to call home. In time, Dendrin stops speaking to you altogether and you find that you no longer have any magic ability at all. You see it as a small price to pay for never having to deal with him again. What ultimately happens to you is lost to history.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, villain protagonist, serious] Year 35 Despite your best efforts, stirring up more dissent in Delerg seems to be a losing battle. It's not just the Empire though; it's the people here in general. Most of them are content on being dominated. Funny how in the "birthplace" of the shadows, that rebellion would be less here. The best you've been able to do is organize small groups of society's misfits, lowlifes and outright psychopaths and they're just doing it for the shits and giggles for the most part, but whatever works at this point. You and Talia have been very careful about not giving the impression of any shadow activity in the area and that's a good thing because lately the Empire has been throwing its weight around once more. Almost as if it's gotten a second wind. And it has. There were always rumors, but you never paid too much attention most of the time mainly because you had so much else going on in your life, but when the announcement of the Empire's new eternals came about, you had no choice but to pay attention especially since there was a lot more of them, hundreds actually. The first place they sent them was to Rask. Not surprising considering the Empire lost the territory. What wasn't expected is that the Empire didn't just send them to conquer the place. They sent them to destroy it. Town after town was completely obliterated by these new eternals and the people no matter how united couldn't stop them. Some tried to pledge their allegiance to the Empire again, but they were killed like everyone else. Not since the days of Kane had Rask experienced such brutality on a wide scale. After most of the towns had been laid to waste, Fort Defiance was next. In fact this was the main objective in the first place. The rest of it? Just in the way and served to test the viciousness of the new eternals. Perhaps even to scare the remaining shadows still huddled up in that run down fort. "Defiance" was a reminder of an old wound. A loss. A humiliation. The Empire didn't just lose a fort, or even a whole province; they lost it because of the shadows, the ones who caused all this in the first place. They had to be eliminated once and for all. You heard that the siege didn't even last three days and Fort Defiance was destroyed along with all the remaining shadows inside. Cyrus himself was found dead with another male shadow (Who you presume was probably Draven) in an embrace. Apparently they had poisoned themselves rather than give the satisfaction to the Empire of killing them. Talia gets a little sad when she hears the news. While she left due to her feelings for you and Cyrus' incompetence, she was there for five years and still considered them all her brothers and sisters. A loss of any of Dendrin's faithful is a loss to all who revere him. While you aren't exactly broken up about it, you certainly aren't jumping for joy. Now that the Empire has satisfied its blood revenge on what they believed to be the last of the shadows, they're going to unleash these new eternals on the rest of their provinces in full force too. They've already started deploying them in the Quala and Arat province. Delerg can't be far behind. "While I hate to always be the cynic. Things are looking really damn bleak right about now Talia." "They've been bad before and we've still pulled through. Dendrin will preserve us and the Empire will fall." "Yeah...well..." "Oh come on now my love, don't tell me you're starting to lose your faith again." It's always so charmingly naïve of Talia to believe that you're not just faking everything. Still, even while faking it, you can't help but be a "doubter" sometimes. "Well no...but we're the last two shadows left Talia. I mean, sure Cyrus was obviously a bad leader and all that, but above all else he was a devoted worshipper of Dendrin along with all the rest. I have to question why Dendrin isn't doing something more direct to help his own followers now more than ever." "Cyrus' actions had obviously offended Dendrin, and he was punished along with all those that followed him. True, I weep for their passing, but they strayed from the teachings. They were no longer fighting the Empire or trying to carry out Dendrin's will and as a result Rask was ravaged. We on the other hand were smart enough to leave and carry on the fight. For years now we've successfully hid ourselves right under the noses of the Empire. I know we're careful, but we're not that lucky. Dendrin has obviously clouded the Empire's collective mindset from believing there are shadows here in Delerg. Your magic is back completely. I'd say Dendrin is looking out for only those that are worthy. When the Empire does finally fall, it will be a new era and it only takes two..." Talia takes your hand and looks into your eyes. "...to recreate the shadows stronger than ever." While you're glad Talia's confidence in victory is so certain, you're not convinced as usual. Even if Dendrin is helping you both out on some small level like Talia believes he is, he's going to have to do a hell of a lot more. In the meantime you're going to prepare yourself for the inevitable new eternal invasion. You begin setting up traps in and around the temple though you imagine the day when they actually get used is probably going to be the day you're making your last stand. Months pass and you go through your usual routines of opposing the Empire, then that fateful day comes. A platoon of the new eternals arrive in Sinkhole. They aren't there to destroy it, but they barely act like it. Under the cover of cloak you spy on them for a period of several days, and you see them routinely assaulting people even when there is no real cause for it other than pure sadistic glee. Even their non-eternal commander doesn't have much control over them. Sometimes when he tells them to stop beating someone, they just look at him like he'll be next. Whoever trained these eternals obviously didn't do a good job, it's like they have no discipline what so ever. That's when you begin to wonder if the Empire hasn't put the last nail in their own coffin. These monsters the Empire has unleashed upon the world are going to cause them more problems than they're going to solve. You can see that even now. Another month passes and more of them arrive in Delerg. You and Talia engage small bands of them during their patrols, and they aren't slouches in a fight either despite only being teenagers. Naturally when dead eternals start becoming more common, Delerg starts getting the thumbscrews put to it. While all the little villages in Delerg aren't put to the torch a lot of them are. Sinkhole becomes a staging ground for public executions and worse. Eventually the few that were actually supporting the rebellion are all rounded up and killed. It gets harder and harder to sneak around the swamp ambushing patrols, and you and Talia never seem to get enough rest to recharge up your magic. And today is the day when all this catches up with you both... As you withdraw your sword from a dead foe, you hear the sounds of several bows being drawn behind you as well as above you. Fortunately, whoever is in charge has decided to be an overly dramatic fool and doesn't attack immediately. You and Talia stand back to back trying to get a bit of a breather before the next assault. A young man appears from behind the archers. He's obviously one of the new eternals though he's wearing a captain's rank, which strikes you as a bit odd. "Give it up shadow scum. Oh yes, we've figured out who you really are now. Should've known a few of you would've been sneaking around somewhere, but that ends now. You've exhausted yourselves and your magic won't help you now. Even if you can outrun the arrows I've got eternals all over the swamp right now waiting for you in all directions." The young captain sneers. "The Empire getting so desperate they're promoting babies now?" you say. "The Empire is getting better now that we're around. Our former captain was inferior so he was replaced. Only an eternal is fit to lead other eternals. Of course you two would know nothing about being real eternals having betrayed the Empire after all, but really even if you had stayed loyal, you'd be obsolete now anyway. Time to put an end to your kind in more ways than one." "You brats talk too much." You say and you and Talia speed yourselves up to run back into the undergrowth and avoid the arrow barrage to come. You're successful, but you're getting really tired really fast. Even Talia is experiencing fatigue. You need to run to safety to get some temporary relief, but chances are if they know about you being shadows, they'll assume you'll run straight to Dendrin's old temple where there might be a larger group of eternals waiting for you. > You run deeper into the swamp You don't want to risk heading back to the temple, it's bound to be crawling with new eternals. "Talia, don't go to the temple! This way!" you exclaim grabbing her arm. "What? We need to go where Dendrin will protect us the most!" "He's not helping us now! Let's gnnnt!" While you were standing around arguing you catch two arrows to the back and then another to your side. You're down and Talia attempts to drag you into cover before cloaking the pair of you. Cloak or not, the arrows continue to be fired in your vicinity, won't be long before more find their mark or worse the rest of the eternal chasing you catch up. "We need to get out of here and back to the sanctuary now! Can you stand up?" Talia asks. "Probably, but I'm not going to be going too fast all shot full of arrows, and with this pain I'm not sure how long I'm going to be able to upkeep the shadow magic. Look, just go on without me, I'll figure out something." "I'm not doing that! I already left you once when you needed help, I'm not doing it again!" "Well this situation isn't looking good, you realize that right?" "I know." You and Talia look into each other's eyes and briefly kiss. You had some good times; your only regret is you won't have any more with her. The arrows stop as more eternals start swarming the vicinity. While one of them is barking orders to find you, Talia decloaks and cleaves his head in starting the battle off. Despite your limited mobility, you manage to throw some of your attackers off their game by fighting low to the ground. A couple of them go down by your hand, but ultimately there are too many of them and you feel a crushing mace blow to your head followed by a blade to your chest. As your sight begins to fade, you see Talia still giving the eternals a good fight. Hopefully she'll make it back to the sanctuary like she wanted to in the first place. You won't.

If you actually had a little help, you probably would be able to pull off killing him in the fort, but the risks are too great and while you might have a love of battle, you also have a strong sense of self-preservation. So luring Kane out it is. The next day you come up with a plan and your first step is seeking out a lone peasant. It doesn't take long and after you get him to calm down you ask him a few simple questions such as if he has family, where he lives, is he part of the rebellion, etc. Happily he's pretty informed on things being a travelling peddler and all. He ultimately tells you he has no ties to the rebellion, but he's aware of certain villages that he's visited that still have sympathies a lot stronger than they let on. You make a note of where to head to for the third step of your plan. The second step involving killing the peasant and disguising yourself as him, well not as him, but as another wandering merchant. After disposing of his body you set off towards the town of Volgst. You start off by assessing the Empire strength there. It's moderate, but nothing that couldn't be handled. It's obvious the people are just trying to go about their business, but if what the peddler said was correct, this place has just been temporarily cowed into submission due to occupation and closer proximity to Fort Destiny. You decide to head to the local tavern and take in some of the atmosphere. You order a drink sit at a table in the corner and pretend you're just going through some of your inventory. You get a few people asking you about some of the jewelry you have on the table. To you it looks cheap and it probably is, so you don't charge much, just what you think its worth since you aren't here for that anyway. You sit there a few hours and then finally some Empire soldiers come through the door. The tavern gets a bit quieter and that's when you decide to make things louder again. "Hey barkeep! Gimme another ale!" you shout walking up to the bar interrupting the soldiers who were attempting to order their own drinks. "Uh, hold on sir. I just have to serve these gentlemen first." "Oh come on, I was here first and they aren't supposed to be drinking on the job anyway!" At this point one of the soldiers addresses you. "We happen to be off duty right now citizen." "Off duty? When there are rebels running around all over the place? What the hell man? You should be out there killing the sons of bitches, not getting drunk!" "I can assure you we are, and citizen you need to calm down." "Why is it taking so long anyway? Is that captain of yours just sitting on his fat ass in that fort all day while rebels terrorize the area? I thought the Empire was supposed to be doing something about it, but it looks like it's as impotent as ever!" At this point now several bar patrons start to take notice, some try to get you to calm down, others just outright leave. The soldiers to your surprise haven't tried to kill you yet. It's almost like they're trying to diffuse the situation and dismiss you as some loudmouth drunk because all they really want to do is relax after a long day. Oddly enough, you can understand it, unfortunately you can't relax either. You step it up and physically push one of the soldiers. That does it, and the swords come out. You kill two soldiers almost immediately, the third one runs off for help, leaving the fourth one to try to finish you off. He fails miserably when you run your sword through his chest. Three bodies lay at your feet and several patrons are in shock along with a very scarred bartender. "What the fuck did you just do? We're all dead men!" he screams. "You were dead long before I got here. Now if you want to live, you'll help me fight these Empire assholes and get them the hell out of this town." "You dumb fuck, don't you realize they'll just send more troops? The Butcher of Rask himself will probably come here himself and lay waste to the entire town!" "That's what I'm counting on. Now I know this place still has rebellion sympathies, and I'm telling you right now, if you really want to be free of the Empire you'll start helping me rather than hiding...or don't if your conviction is lacking. Either way I'm stepping outside and I'm going to be killing Empire soldiers and I'm not stopping until all of them are fucking dead. Do what you like." You take your leave at this point and face the small platoon of soldiers that is running in your direction. You don't use any shadow magic, just pure skill to put soldier after soldier down. After you've killed about six of them in the open street, some of the citizens actually start growing a backbone and begin to help. A riot ensues and you've accomplished your mission. The remaining soldiers are quickly overwhelmed and those that aren't manage to run off. You could easily catch up with them, but you figure Kane will show up quicker if someone's alive to talk about what happened. While the celebrating is going on, you take the opportunity to slip away before someone holds you up as some sort of hero when you really aren't. This is all just a means to an end to you. Your escape back into the wilderness isn't completely unnoticed though and you draw your weapon again when you sense yourself being followed. "Alright I know somebody is following me...shadowing me even. Might as well come out now so we can get this over with because no cloak is going to help hide you." A lone shadow materializes. To your surprise it's Brother Gannon. He's little older now and a lot more worn looking, almost beaten. He has no intention of trying to kill you. "Did you have to do that? That place was one of the few towns left that was still able to sneak supplies to us! When Kane finds out what happened he's going to destroy the place! We're suffering from a lack of supplies and allies as it is!" he exclaims. "Yeah? Well maybe if Cyrus was taking a more personal hand in this war like I just did, he'd be inspiring more people to follow him more openly. What the hell happened to him? I've been out here on my own for five fucking years and I've seen nothing but Cyrus make mistake after mistake! Pulling back and attempting to lay low? Losing your orc allies? Not reconnecting with the shadows south of Rask?" "Actually we did try to do that, but...(sigh) nevermind you're right it's all gone horribly wrong. Master Cyrus' leadership isn't like Master Ebon's. I mean I know he's the one that's guiding us and speaking to Dendrin personally, but his need for control is so uncompromising sometimes. As much as I hate it, I'm actually glad I got assigned to be this town's liaison, anything to be out of that fort! He keeps saying that Dendrin won't let us lose and that final victory will come, but it seems so bleak now. I'm trying to keep the faith, I'm really trying, but...oh why won't Dendrin just hear our prayers and help us now?" You shake your head and smile at the delusion that continues to plague the shadows. "Why should he? It's more amusing for him to see you all desperately try to squirm out of your hopeless situation." This cynical (yet true) answer is met with a dead silence. Poor Gannon looks so forlorn that he's probably agreeing with you in his head. Gannon might come in useful though so you decide to try to not break his spirit completely. "However, MAYBE Dendrin did answer your prayers, namely in the form of me. I probably just bought you all a little more time." You add. "What? Your big plan to kill Kane? The Butcher of Rask? I heard you down there in the tavern! If Captain Kane even comes he's going to come with a company of elite soldiers not by himself! Besides, Cyrus sent the best shadows against him and he's killed them all! Why do you think you have a chance?" "Simple. I'm an Eternal and if Cyrus remembered that he was instead some Dendrin worshipping fool, we wouldn't be in this situation now." "Yeah? Well Sister Talia is one of you Eternals too, she could've done something as well. I don't see you blaming her." You grab Gannon by his collar before he can react. You stop yourself from killing him, because you know he's just pissed at his lot in life right now. Not to mention he's got a point. "You know what you're right. She could've. It's not really important right now though, what IS important is that we get prepared for Kane's arrival." "We?" "Oh yes. You want to help turn things around, you'll help me." "How?" How is a good question. The easiest way is to have him help you organize the townsfolk so that they can at least put up a good fight against the soldiers while you take care of Kane. The long shot would be to send him back to Fort Destiny to explain your plan and hope he can convince the shadows to come help you. It's a gamble, but maybe Cyrus hates the Empire just a little more than he hates you. > You keep Gannon with you Cyrus isn't likely to help you no matter what so the most help you're going to get is Gannon and while that won't be much it'll be better than nothing. "Gannon I want you to go back to the town and do what you shadows are supposed to be doing, stirring up the people and getting them organized." "What? I'm not doing that! When the Empire army arrives with or without Kane, the whole place is going to get leveled anyway!" "Look you either help me now and have a chance to make a difference or return to Cyrus and try to explain why you aren't at your post. I'm pretty sure he'll be able to sense if you're lying given how nervous you constantly are. Now what's it going to be?" "Oh alright I'll help, but we're all dead men anyway!" "Really need to work on that confidence Gannon. Maybe you should pray to Dendrin for some." And with those words you head back to your campsite to get prepared. You check up on the town the next day and see they're already starting to barricade the place. Gannon's even taking a bit of a leadership role. If they're lucky, you figure they'll only lose about a half of the town before the battle is over. A couple days later you scout a little further south of Volgst and that's when you see a large group of soldiers approaching. Several on horseback, many more on foot and unfortunately a single catapult as well. If Kane is actually with them, you'd guess he'd be on horseback, but then you can't tell at this distance. You find a good elevated spot in some trees and when the mass of troops get in range you do a little sniping with your bow which you've gotten a lot better with over these past five years thanks to your need to hunt on a regular basis (And certainly a lot better than your single shot armbow which you practically never use anymore) You fire at the ones on horseback first, you don't get Kane, but you do find out he's the one that starts shouting the loudest about getting that sniping sonofabitch. Turns out he was walking the entire time. You try to aim for him, but now the chaos is so great within ranks that he wisely takes advantage of getting lost in the mass. Doesn't take long before they figure out where it's coming from and start responding in kind. You immediately dash from your position and retreat deeper into the wilderness. A group of soldiers are sent to look for you though you dispatch them with relative ease as you use the terrain to your advantage. By the time you're done with the goon squad that was sent after you, the rest of them are hastening their way towards Volgst. You hope Gannon's done a decent job in rallying the people. When you make it back to the outskirts of Volgst, you see that it's prepared for a frontal assault. You watch from distance for about a half hour before Kane's company arrives. He doesn't bother with any sort of diplomacy and orders the catapult to fire. A rock smashes through the barricades and the make shift wall that was set up in front of the town. They're wide open for the Empire troops to pour in now, with the Butcher leading the way. You make your way towards town and jump into the battle, which naturally isn't going well for the citizens of Volgst. When you arrive it gets a little better, but even you can't stop the carnage and what will probably be the utter destruction of Volgst. You haven't seen Gannon at all, he's either dead already or more likely the coward's run off. Right now though all you're trying to do is seek out Kane and kill him. And as luck would have it, you bump into him, or rather the pair of you catch sight of each other in the middle of the chaos. He doesn't dodge you or even make any sort of threatening war cry, he just walks straight towards you and you to him. When he stands before you, he certainly displays the signs of a battle-hardened warrior, but there's something more to it than just his size, armor and scars. It's his eyes. Not like a hate filled wrath behind them, but more like he's experienced something that's caused the light in them to go out. Almost soulless. "The Butcher of Rask, himself. At last we meet." You say. "Yes, and you would be the shadow outcast and it will be a pleasure to finally bring you to the Emperor's justice that you've evaded for so long." "Hmm, guess you better get to it then." Kane swings his axe, which you dodge and the battle is joined. "You're weak. You cannot hope to win this battle." He says preparing for another swing. "Right now, just getting rid of you will be sufficient." You reply. "You think you can best me? This isn't Mistress' class anymore and you're no Eternal. When I look at you, I see the mockery of what is supposed to be an Eternal. You're not even a shadow. You are a pariah that has no honor at all. You're part of the sickness that has infected the Empire. A sickness that will be cut out and purified like all others." While Kane tells you what he really thinks about you, he's also matching you in combat skills. To be quite honest you might've been a little too over confident in your abilities because he's really putting you to the test. It doesn't help that in the midst of this one on one fight you also have to dodge other attacks. You use a little shadow magic to speed yourself up and it helps, but it isn't nearly as strong as it once was not to mention you feel the drain a lot quicker. You land a couple of good hits on Kane before you have to stop from fatigue. Kane however has no such problems and isn't slowed at all by his wounds "Is that the extent of your precious shadow magic outcast? No wonder you were kicked out." Kane says and catches you with a glancing blow across your chest followed by a hefty to your left knee, which causes you to lose balance and fall. You barely roll of the way of his next swing. You stagger back up only to get your sword knocked out of your hand when you attempt to block another of Kane's axe blows. Becoming desperate you fire your armbow and a bolt flies into Kanes chest. It doesn't stop him and he charges into you knocking you back onto the ground. He doesn't follow up with his axe this time, instead he puts all his crushing weight upon your chest by sitting on it and attempting to choke the life out of you with his own hands. "You're going to die here today, because you believe in nothing and that makes you nothing and when I'm finished choking the life out of your pathetic body I'm going to eat your fucking heart because I can." Kane at this point pauses with a deranged little smirk. "Heh, maybe one of those wendigo bastards did get to me just a little..." then his face becomes deadly serious again. As you struggle to remain conscious all you can see are the souless eyes of Kane looking down upon you as he intends to make good on his threats. You punch him several times in the face to no avail. You even take out one of his eyes and he's still not deterred as it dangles uselessly from its bloody socket. You'd probably be a lot more scared if you weren't teetering on passing out. Eventually darkness envelops you and Kane finishes you off with a brutal snap to your neck. For what it's worth he doesn't eat your heart afterwards.

[Themes: grimdark fantasy, dystopia, grimdark, fantasy] Your main purpose of coming here in the first place was to make sure Talia was safe. You can't leave now without trying to find her or at least her body if she's dead. You leave the storage room and decide your best bet would be to keep yourself cloaked the entire time while you search the fortress. You also decide to use spider crawl just to make sure you're really out of sight. As you stick to the ceilings of corridors and rooms you survey the carnage of what the Derro have wrought on the shadows. It's almost like they didn't have a chance. You now have to believe that this was why the Empire wasn't attacking Gloom, they had some sort of deal with the Derro to do it for them and since this used to be a Derro home at one time, they probably knew every ancient secret passage and entire layout of it. You progressively get more and more discouraged in your search and that's when you hear a voice in your head. Not Dendrin's though, it's distinctly a human one. "To...the left and down the hall...hurry...not much time..." you hear Master Ebon say. Lacking any other ideas, you follow his instructions and make your make to his location from where you are. As you do so, you notice there aren't any Derro in this direction, though there are a few dead ones. You're guessing that the rest of their fellows haven't searched this area as much. "The door...at the end...hurry..." Sensing that there are no Derro in the immediate area, you climb down from the ceiling and prepare to enter the door at the end of the corridor. When you arrive in front of it, you hear a loud click as it opens. "Quick, inside!" a brother says pulling you in by the arm roughly. A quick glance and you see a couple more shadows both in wounded condition. You then see Master Ebon in some sort of spell trance. He's also wounded, but his status looks a lot worse. He probably shouldn't even be alive with the deep bleeding gashes he displays across his body. A female shadow stands near him also wounded. When you see her face more clearly and recognize her as Talia, your worries are at least divided by half. "What are you doing here?" she exclaims. "I heard the voice of Dendrin and..." in that moment you realize you've just admitted you've heard his voice for the first time. You then realize this isn't the time to keep it a secret and you continue. "...he...uh gave me a warning... are you alright?" "Just a light wound...wait, you said Dendrin spoke to you? He warned you about the attack?" "Well, not in so many words. Look we need get out of here, I can explain everything later." You then hear Master Ebon's voice again. He still isn't speaking verbally though and is using his mind. "Dendrin spoke to you? Lucky lad. He hasn't spoken to me since I first became a shadow. I always thought he would eventually, but he never did. I assumed he was testing me, to make my own decisions. Perhaps I offended him by claiming those decisions came from him directly, but I didn't know what else to do..." "Master Ebon, we can discuss this later, right now we really need to leave!" "Is Master Ebon speaking to you through his mind?" Talia asks. "Yes, and what's he doing anyway? He's just sitting there with gashes in his chest deep enough for me to see his heart beating and bleeding out. As I said we need to leave before the Derro kill us all." Master Ebon interrupts you. "They've already succeeded in killing me I fear, but I still have powerful magic...enough to save the remainder of you...to carry on the fight..." Master Ebon's eyes begin to turn completely black, this is followed by his entire body. A shimmering portal then opens up nearby. "This...was to take us to strike at the very heart of the Empire...but now just an escape...to friends. Continue the fight there. The Empire will fall as long as you continue to fight. Dendrin I hope you can forgive my failures as I have served to the best of my abilities...I am ready to enter your realm of shadow if you will allow it..." "Master Ebon!" Talia shouts when she sees his body undergo his transformation. "He can't be helped and he's giving us a chance to escape. We need to take it now!" "But where is it going?" the shadow that grabbed you by the arm asks. "He said to friends, but quite frankly it could lead into the middle of an Empire battalion and I think we'd still have better chances! Now come on!" Without another word you all enter the portal. Within seconds your eyes are nearly blinded by the whiteness of snow and you feel a blast of cold air whipping around you. "DIE! Shadow bastard!" you suddenly hear and turn around just in time to avoid a sword strike to the head. Realizing that this is an Empire soldier and not a Derro, you quickly dispatch your assailant who falls turning the snow red. When you said being transported into the middle of an Empire battalion would be a better situation, you didn't actually mean it! Fortunately it isn't quite as bad as all that. Getting your bearings you notice you're on a battlefield. The bodies of several Empire troops lay on the ground and are mixed in with those of orcs and shadows. A great fortress looms in the distance. "Fort Defiance..." you say to yourself. "Brother, we're over here!" one of the shadows calls out to you and you run over to the group. (Apparently, all the others teleported to a place out of immediate danger!) "Are we in Rask?" the shadow who grabbed you asks. You still don't know his name, you can only guess he was one of the newer recruits after you joined. "Well it doesn't look like Delurg that's for sure. I'm guessing that group ahead of us fighting the Empire troops are our brothers and sisters from Fort Defiance." Talia says. "Looks like it, well no time like the present, we need to go help them." "But what about those two? They're badly wounded and can't fight properly." The new shadow asks. "(Sigh) Very well, you, what's your name anyway?" "I'm Brother Gannon. I just joined recently..." "Yes brother, we can get all that getting to know you stuff out of the way later. I want you to take those two and head over to that fort in the distance. I'm sure they can get help there. What about you Talia, I know you're wounded too, do you need any first aid?" Talia draws her weapon. "I'll worry about my minor cuts after we take care of this Empire scum." She answers in a harsh tone. "Okay then let's go down there and drive back the Empire!" you answer back. You and Talia sprint as fast as you can to where all the action is taking place. Swords are clashed, halberds are swung, skulls are smashed and heads are severed. Mostly all in your favor and the Empire troops were actually losing even before you got here. Still, it's good to be on a winning side of a fight today and you feel energized by the battle. A short reunion occurs as you finish off the last of the stubborn Empire soldiers. "What the...? What are you doing here?! I thought you were supposed to be in the Quala province!"Cyrus exclaims running his sword through an enemy. "Things change brother and how have you been doing?" you answer doing the same. "We've been getting wave after wave of Empire skirmishers recently, but nothing serious yet. Honestly I would've thought we would've had a full on assault by now. I think they're trying to whittle us down, it won't work though. We're entrenched and have people all over the area slowly turning the population of Rask against them...is that Talia over there? What's SHE doing here? Last I heard she was supposed to be back in Gloom helping with the ritual that Master Ebon and Brother Gray were doing." "Like I said, things change Cyrus." At this moment there is a lull in the fighting that allows Cyrus to actually stop fighting. He looks at you his expression is one you've never seen before. One of genuine worry. "Oh no...what happened?" You don't even know where to begin. "Cyrus let's just get through this battle and celebrate THIS victory over the Empire. We can dwell on the troubled times to come later." The pair of you say nothing more for the rest of the battle which soon ends with your victory. You just wish it was a better one, because it cannot possibly counteract the incredible loss you have suffered this dark day. You think back on how you told Murk in his dying breaths that the Empire would fall, you also think back to how Master Ebon believed it would fall in his on dying breaths. If you had to guess, you think Talia probably still believes it and you know Cyrus will even when you tell him all that has happened. The righteousness in the shadows' cause and its unwavering faith in Dendrin has always been its strength that it cannot lose no matter how bad the odds. Of course it would help if you actually believed all that nonsense. Which brings you to your next dilemma: You already let it slip to Talia that you spoke to Dendrin and Brother Gannon was also there to hear it (and maybe even the other two wounded shadows heard it as well) , so it'll probably be brought up after everyone is caught up to speed on the war front and what happened at Gloom. The fact that Dendrin spoke to you is actually why you're here in the first place. The question is should you even mention what Dendrin said to you or just lie about what he said? Your own feelings on the situation are that Dendrin, god or not, is not worth following let alone creating a fanatical religion around. He obviously doesn't give a shit about any of you and sees you all as amusing toys at best. However, given the grim situation, the misguided slavish devotion to Dendrin might be the only thing that'll keep their spirits up. Not to mention you wonder if you'd even be believed. Cyrus himself is a very dedicated believer, he may even turn violent and you aren't even sure if Talia would believe you. > Don't address it If this war against the Empire is going to succeed on any level, the unity and upkeep of morale must be there. You're not going to destroy those things at such a fragile time, even if you do know that Dendrin's opinion of the shadows hasn't been high in a long time. Besides, you've paid lip service to the lie this long, you can do it a little longer. You have to, no matter how much you don't like it. After Cyrus catches you up on the situation at Rask, you and Talia tell him what happened at Gloom. Talia fills in the details better since she was actually there. Cyrus seems a little distraught at hearing so many shadows dying never mind losing the shadow home, but he doesn't seem broken in his goals to continue to fight the Empire. "It doesn't matter, we've still got agents in the Quala province and other places. Once we reconnect with the various cells we can regroup. We need to tell the others here though now, the sooner we get this information out the way the quicker they can deal with the loss. The Empire is desperate and we'll overcome whatever else they decide to throw at us because Dendrin will see us to victory." "Indeed he will. I know its why he warned me to go back to Gloom and help who I could there." You respond. Cyrus looks at you as if he's unsure of how to take your claim. "Yes, so you mentioned before in how you even knew about Gloom. Are you sure it was Dendrin and just not perhaps some sort of instinct? We are all shadows after all and we do have a bond." "There can be no mistake, Dendrin spoke to me and warned me in a dream. Even Master Ebon believed me in his final moments." "It's true, he did." Talia says. "Forgive me brother, it's not that I meant to call you a liar, it's just I would've thought if Gloom was in danger that he would've spoken directly to Master Ebon about it or any other shadow at Gloom, like Sister Talia. "I cannot know the will of Dendrin brother, I can only follow the way he guides me." You answer. Cyrus nods at you answer as if to acknowledge that it satisfies him. "True brother. Well, I suppose maybe this was all part of Dendrin's great plan. I mean not to speak ill of Master Ebon as he was a great man, but perhaps Dendrin saw that he wasn't the one to lead the shadows into the next era. Perhaps it was meant to be that a new leader take charge." "Oh? And who do you think that leader is?" you ask. "I don't know, but I'm sure Dendrin will pick the next Master when the time is right. In the meantime I think that we three should pick up the leadership slack." Cyrus answers. "Yes, I agree." After you agree, Cyrus excuses himself saying that he should break this news to everyone else. When he leaves it gives you and Talia a chance to speak. "Thanks for backing me up, I don't think Cyrus really believed my claim." "No problem, but I don't see why he wouldn't, I mean it makes perfect sense that Dendrin would warn you about Gloom. As I have often said, we may be shadows and devoted to Dendrin, but we're also Eternals and are better qualified to lead. Perhaps Cyrus is right and Dendrin sees that as well. I heard Master Ebon when he said Dendrin never spoke to him. It's obvious that he was never truly meant to lead the shadows." "Maybe, but personally I'm just glad I got to you in time." Talia smiles and moves closer to kiss you. With all that's gone on today, you just enjoy the moment. In the weeks to come, the three of you are taking steps to regroup the shadows and the rebellion in general. Despite some of his earlier claims of reconnecting with shadows south of Rask, Cyrus doesn't seem to put much effort in to it and focuses his attention mostly on consolidating power in Rask. Cyrus claims that if you get enough support pushing the Empire entirely out of Rask would follow and then you could get so entrenched that the Empire would never be able to take back the province. While that's a not a bad idea, you believe it would ultimately be folly to only focus on such a plan. The Empire can't be allowed to mop up the rest of the rebellion in other places. They need to have their attention and forces divided as much as possible. Cyrus of course feels it would be a waste of time to continue supporting the rebellion in other places and would only weaken your position in Rask overall. When Talia points out that it's not just rebels, but fellow shadows that need help, Cyrus relents a bit, but he still doesn't seem to eager to send people. So you take it upon yourself to reconnect with the other shadow cells. You tell Talia, that she should stay to help Cyrus since you can easily do it on your own and that Cyrus wants all the help he can get consolidating power in Rask. What you don't tell her is that you'd like somebody in Rask to keep an eye on things since Cyrus is starting to act a little sketchy. You figure that if Cyrus is up to something, Talia will no doubt inform you. After a few months you manage to make contact with most of the shadow cells and get them regrouped to do the maximum amount of chaos. You were glad to find that Sister Yvette has been leading well in your absence. Her and another shadow cell leader, Brother Theo have joined together and have been doing their best in creating trouble for the Empire. After your new orders and some encouraging words about how Dendrin will still see the shadows to victory, you assign them both to be your "go to" shadows as far as rebellion operations outside of Rask are concerned. In the meantime, Talia has been attempting to fix the allied relationship with the orcs at Rask. The orc leader Captain Gruz still hasn't been heard from, so it is assumed that he was found out and executed. The orc liaison Flog at this point has declared himself leader and is increasingly feeling underappreciated mainly because Cyrus has been more or less treating the orcs as battle fodder, which is exactly how the Empire was treating them. Not a great idea especially since he's big on the whole idea of getting enough support to drive the Empire out of Rask. On the outside, Cyrus is supportive and even friendly at times towards you when you're actually in his presence. Talia says other than what you've noticed, he hasn't acted strange in any way. Cyrus has just been focused on stirring up more dissent in Rask, but you get the strong impression he's plotting something more. You just don't exactly know what it is yet, but you imagine you'll find out eventually. Hopefully it won't involve killing him because you didn't fake your devotion to Dendrin just to have the shadows torn apart by a petty power grab. If it wasn't for Talia, you'd be half tempted to just let it all fall into ruin at this point, but you'll see this through for now. > … Year 30 "No, I say we take all of our resources and make a forward push on Fort Destiny. We can hit Captain Kane from the north and from the south." Cyrus says. "And I'm telling you that we can't do that. Our people aren't grouped together on the southern Rask border ready to strike, they're scattered all over the place and that's how they should remain! I keep telling you this, besides I've got a better plan for the shadow cells in the Quala province." You remark. "Brothers, this yelling isn't helping." Talia sighs. Another typical day on the "Shadow Council", you and Cyrus arguing, with Talia stuck in the middle. You really wish that wasn't the case, but it is just inevitable that you and Cyrus are going to always disagree on something. You don't even know why you bother meeting to discuss battle plans nowadays, what usually happens is a bunch of arguing like this and then you both go off and do your own thing. This hasn't really been a problem in the past mainly because your plans are all outside of Rask, while Cyrus' plans are always within Rask so they never conflict for the most part. Also, the Empire's attention was divided due to their war with the Felkan Kingdom. However things have changed. The Empire recently signed a non-agression pact with the Felkan Kingdom meaning they've been able to focus a hell of a lot better on the rebellion. You need to do something to swing the tide in your favor before they begin to gather enough momentum to roll right over you. Cyrus' plan is the one he's been endorsing for years. Consolidate Rask and drive out the Empire from it completely. As the war has raged on over the years this has been done for the most part. The only thing that really stands in the way are a few of the loyalist border towns and Captain Kane in Fort Destiny. The problem is that's still a big obstacle to get over and a major assault would result in considerable losses. Cyrus has in the past sent groups of shadows to assassinate Captain Kane, but so far all attempts have failed. Kane's reputation as the "Butcher of Rask" isn't just for show and him being a battle hardened Eternal means he's more than a match even for the average shadow. Cyrus probably would've sent more, but Talia convinced him that it was just pointlessly sending shadows to their deaths. You didn't necessarily think the idea was without promise, but you suggested that an assassination attempt might work if you, Talia and Cyrus actually did it since you feel that you'd have the skill to pull it off, but Cyrus dismissed that idea, claiming that Talia is right and that assassination should be taken off the table. So a major assault it is, of course this is why Cyrus wants you to gather all of your shadow cells outside of Rask and have them attack from the south in a classic pincer maneuver. It would probably work, but you'd still have heavy losses especially those attacking from the south since the Empire could redeploy reinforcements early enough that your forces could be caught in the middle too. You imagine this idea would appeal to Cyrus since then options would be limited to just focusing on Rask and you wouldn't have any forces at all anymore. You get the impression that when the Empire is finally defeated Cyrus has major plans for Rask given how badly he wants to focus on it. Perhaps he has some long-range goal of starting his own "empire." However, he's still short sighted as far as your concerned because even if you went along with his plan, it would just hold off the Empire a few extra years and wouldn't stop them from taking back Rask given the new information you've received from your contacts. The Empire has been breeding new Eternals, the number is unknown, but it's apparently enough to create an army of them. They're not "ready" yet, but in a few more years they soon will be and if that happens you might not be able to stop them if the Empire unleashed them on Rask. However, you've received the information of where this new Eternal training camp is which is a remote location in the Quala province close to the Arat border. The only other information you have on the place is that the main complex appears to be underground since children. The place doesn't appear to be heavily guarded up top, but who knows what security is like down below. Considering magic is involved in creating Eternals, it's a sure bet that there are going to be wizard types about. Your plan is to destroy this place by leading a small group of the most skilled shadows you have. While this is going on, your other cells will strike out at vital areas in the Empire at the same time to keep them from immediately sending out reinforcements to the camp. You actually wouldn't mind Cyrus to come with you since he is a skilled fighter, but you aren't even going to ask since you know what his answer will be. Cyrus doesn't even believe that it's a top priority and claims that if Rask is liberated then you can attack the camp later since these new Eternals still won't be battle ready for a while. If you go off and do your own thing, your concern is that Cyrus is going to do the same thing and get everyone under his command killed in his attempt to take Fort Destiny. Of course if you help him you're left with the same problem that it's very probable that your shadow cells are going to get hit pretty hard during the assault on Fort Destiny and Cyrus won't actually lend any help when you want to destroy the new Eternal camp. There's also the issue that you're trying to maintain the unity as always. Cyrus is really pushing for this assault on Fort Destiny and doing your own thing this time might be the "last straw" and the last thing you need is to do is start a shadow civil war. After a lot more arguing, everyone decides to call it a day and make a decision tomorrow. Talia as always says she'll side with whatever you decide, but would prefer if you and Cyrus actually worked together for once. That doesn't exactly help you and you have a hard time sleeping. When you finally do get to sleep you still don't get any rest... "So what are you going to do Eternal? You and Cyrus continue to clash and it's only a matter of time before things between you are going to end badly." Dendrin remarks. "Doesn't take a god to figure that one out." You say. "Yes, but it takes a fool to blatantly ignore the obvious. By continuing to not support Cyrus' you're just driving a wedge deeper in the shadow organization that will eventually split you in two. Something I thought you were trying to avoid given that you made such an effort to keep it together." "Well someone had to, because you certainly weren't doing it." "I'm not here to hold the collective hands of the shadows. As I've said, I've done that already and it was a boring experience. Besides you seem to be enjoying your new leadership role, who am I to take it away from you?" "I'm not leader of the shadows, I'm...." "Nonsense! You ARE leader of the shadows. Perhaps you're currently sharing that duty with your Eternal peers, but you're clearly the strongest of that group. Talia certainly has potential, but her blind devotion to certain things is her weakness. It clouds her judgement." "So she's not worthy because she's so loyal to you?" "Not just me, but to you as well. It doesn't occur to her in the slightest that you're keeping secrets or lying to her about your real feelings on the shadows. She just believes you, just like she misguidedly believes that one day she'll have eternal shadow babies with you." "Wait, she can't have kids?" "No and neither can you. Neither can Cyrus for that matter, though I doubt it that's ever going to come up with him. Don't ask me why you can't, I don't know. I can only imagine it has something to do with how they magically altered you Eternals back in the labs. I'm not a fertility god either, so her constant praying to me isn't going to help." This sudden news does explain a few things. You're going to have to inform Talia of this at some point, you just don't know when would be the best time. Yet another thing for you worry about. Dendrin continues his speech "And for all of Cyrus' bluster of being a shadow he obviously lacks as a good leader. I dare say if you weren't around, the Empire would be on the verge of driving the shadows to extinction right now. He may be better liked than you, but even that's starting to change and it certainly doesn't hold true for any shadow not stationed in your little fort. You've got allies and support in places other than Rask, Cyrus doesn't and it worries him. After all it's well known now that you were the one that heard my warning about Gloom and attempted to save who you could." "You didn't warn me, you gave a cryptic comment and it wasn't even one that urged me to return to Gloom. I just told everyone you did." "See, lying to the rest of the shadows about something I didn't actually say. You're already doing a great job of following the traditions of shadow leaders!" Dendrin laughs. Is Dendrin mocking you, is he encouraging you, is it both? You can never quite tell. "So what are you saying? Are you officially appointing me as the new leader of the shadows?" "Official? Since when have you known me to be so formal? And I'm not appointing you as anything; you don't even have faith in me anyway, but if you really want to be in charge just do it already. I'd be careful though, that Cyrus fellow might get the same idea someday soon and I suppose you'll need to decide if the expense of your own ambition is worth keeping the shadows together." Once again after Dendrin's little mind games you wake up. Whether Dendrin's encouraging you or not, you're going through with you plan and if that hurts Cyrus' fragile ego then you'll deal with it later, because the Empire is still a bigger threat right now. The next day you tell Talia that you're going through with your plan. "I figured you would, but you know Brother Cyrus isn't going to be happy about this." "Brother Cyrus needs to realize that Rask isn't only front we're fighting the Empire on and get over it." "Yes, I know. (Sigh) Well I'll try to keep things stable here while you're gone. Hopefully I can convince him that now is not a good time to assault Fort Destiny." "No, I'd rather you join me on this mission. I could use all the powerful shadows I can get, because I'm certainly not going to be able to get any other shadows to join me from here." "You want me to go? I mean of course I'll go with you, but aren't you worried about what might happen here if I don't stay to help look after things?" While Talia would certainly be a great asset to your mission, but she also serves as a bit of a counter balance to Cyrus when you're not around. > You have Talia go with you As much as it might be wise to have Talia keep Cyrus in check, you'd rather her come with you on this mission, as you'll need all the skilled help you can get. Talia's shadow magic is certainly more powerful than your own, even though you've found in recent years that yours isn't weak as it once was. When the pair of you confront Cyrus, he's predictably furious claiming that the pair of you are wasting time and not following Dendrin's plan like you should be. He goes on about how the attack on Fort Destiny should take top priority. You don't bother arguing, it's all been said before and if he wants to do anything about it, then he can try to stop you. He doesn't of course, but there's definitely a hostile glare as you leave. "You think he'll go ahead with his attack anyway?" Talia asks. "If he does, I can only hope he's as determined to drive the Empire out of Rask like he seems to be because that raw desire might just win him through the day. Anyway we'll deal with it after this mission." Talia and you travel a couple of days to the Quala province and eventually reach the meeting spot at night. There await around twenty shadows you picked which also includes Sister Yvette. You would've picked Brother Theo as well, but you needed someone to coordinate the other shadow cells in Quala. "As soon as I got the message that you were coming, our other shadow cells got into position to strike out at the other targets across Quala. I assume you're ready to assault the camp brother?" Sister Yvette asks nearly as soon as you arrive. "Yes, let's get this over with, because this is going to be pretty grim business. Now I know some of you have already done a few necessary things, but probably not on this scale. These new eternals are only going to be children, and if the rumors are true, hundreds of them. Despite this they will still be dangerous, as they have no doubt gone through some of the Empire's brainwashing techniques and training. You are not to hesitate just because they are young. Slay all of them...for Dendrin." You add at the end. "For Dendrin!" the rest of the shadows say in unison. "Also be aware that there will no doubt be battle mages around and who knows what else. Let's try to do this as silently as possible until it's no longer an option. Everybody cloak." Sister Yvette and couple of the other shadows take the lead due to their basic knowledge of the outside of the camp and even some of the interior. When you have to go below ground though, it's going to be anything goes. You know going in that you'll be severely outnumbered, but the whole point of doing it this way is to utilize your strengths which is stealth and terror on a grand scale. Something Cyrus doesn't really get despite his dedication to Dendrin. Neck snaps, bolts to the head and blades to the back dispatch the patrolling soldiers quietly and quickly. You then move from bunkhouse to bunkhouse slitting the throats of the sleeping soldiers inside. With everyone up top dead, it's time to descend into the underground. "I'll take the lead for this." You remark. "Everyone remember, we've got a lot of killing tonight, there's A LOT of these new eternals. Try not to speed yourself up unless it's necessary. You don't want to exhaust yourself prematurely. In fact save the magic for just cloaking if possible, we're still going to try this the stealthy way." You make your way through the underground complex, which is very well made. In fact the solid stonewalls remind you of Gloom...and that might not be a good thing. "Where do you think they're keeping these new eternals?" Talia asks. "I don't know, they have to be around though. I mean I'm a little surprised that they'd all be asleep. As I remember our training we didn't get much of that and were even woken up in the middle of the night to perform tasks." You reply. "True, I can still remember Mistress' domineering voice commanding that we all wake up followed by a whip crack...maybe she's not in charge anymore?" "I hope she is, I'd like to repay that bitch while we're here." You remark. "You don't think they moved everyone out do you?" Talia asks. "We've been watching this place for a few months now and just yesterday I saw a large group of those new eternals training up top. I don't see how they could've moved them all so quickly without us noticing." Yvette answers "We are underground, who knows maybe they've got escape tunnels. (Sigh) Shit, I really hope that isn't the case, because I'm already concerned with the architecture of this place." You say. "What do you mean?" "The walls, the archways, doesn't it look a little familiar? Like Gloom right? And who originally made Gloom?" "...the Derro." Talia says. "Exactly and while I was expecting battle mages or elite guards, I wasn't expecting those little armored juggernauts on legs. Okay fine, we'll deal with it, we just need to decide on what to do next." Your comment is met with silence, mainly because everyone figures that you're the one to come up with the plan on what to do next. "Everyone stay here, Talia and I will scout ahead a little bit then come back with a plan." You say. You and Talia continue down one of the corridors hoping to find something, almost anything really and that's when you finally stumble upon an argument between a derro and a mage at the far end of the corridor. The pair of them don't sense either of you, but there's no reason to be foolish, you and Talia quickly get out of their possible line of sight and you listen for a moment. "When the hell are you dwarves going to start harvesting those trolls? I want to get on with the enchantment process!" a disheveled looking mage with a scraggly beard says. "When Marik's done brewing the last batch of regeneration serum. No point in doing it until then and I'd remind you to watch your words with me wizard." A short figure in heavy armor remarks in a very deep tone. This is the first you've ever heard a derro speak common before, you don't know if that's his voice or his armor causing it to sound like that. "Watch my words? I'll do as I please! I don't even want to be here with you rock eaters! Your boss is a mad man that barely knows what he's doing. I swear we were better off with svelk mercenaries as trainers." "I'm not surprised you would praise such a decadent race as your own race is decadent as well. You are lucky to even have us as allies due to a pact, now I suggest you go back to your quarters where the rest of your kind may play with your magic lights until you're called upon to actually do something useful for a change. Do not speak with us again until such time." The wizard nearly says something, but decides not to and storms off in one direction while the derro warrior walks off in the other. "Well if that's any indication we know where the wizards are and we know where the derro are." Talia says. "Yeah, but where the hell are the eternals?" "Perhaps we'll find them after we dispatch those two groups first?" "I sure hope so." "We probably should split up the group and tackle them at the same time, because I'm sure we won't remain stealthy for too long while fighting either group and we certainly don't want the other to come running and attack us from behind when they hear the sounds of battle." As far as you can tell magic isn't all that effective on the derro and while Talia's an excellent fighter, her superior magic skills would probably be more effective eliminating the mages. You tell her that you'll take on the derro and to go get the rest of the group. After retrieving the rest of the group, you and Talia part company. Yvette goes off with Talia as well. You're confident that they'll easily succeed in their task, you're a little more concerned with how you're going to accomplish yours though especially if it turns out to be a lot of derro. Your groups heads off in the direction that you saw the derro walking towards. Doesn't take long for you to start seeing a few of them milling about in the hallways and side rooms. None of the shadows in your group have ever faced the derro before, they've just heard the stories of how they destroyed Gloom. Naturally they want revenge. "We're not attacking them yet. We'll find a better way... Dendrin always provides a better way." You say which calms them down. You can't believe how effectively either. It's a little unsettling to control a group with just the mere mention of a name, but that's how shadow masters have been doing it for centuries you suppose. Your group takes to spider walking on the ceilings to avoid the derro, It worked back in Gloom and it works here too. As you creep through, you can hear rumbling and monstrous growling followed by shouting in the derro's language. You follow sound and eventually you reach a large lab area filled with contraptions, a lot of alchemy equipment and several metal boxes of what you would guess to contain very angry trolls. From their growling they sound as horrible as the stories you've heard. You've also heard how strong they were too; whatever the derro got them locked up in must be some very strong material because you can see several punch marks even from this distance. Several derro warriors stand near the boxes with weapons ready, a few more are standing guard at strategic areas. In the center of all this is another small figure, but this one isn't armored. He's bald with a gray skin color and dressed in a white robe of some sort, which is covered in blood, and several other unidentifiable fluids. He's frantically going back and forth to several tables with mutilated bodies on them, waving a sharp knife in his hand all the while yelling in his language. You're guessing that's what one of these derro really looks like. Certainly less impressive. You have no idea what exactly is going on here and what it has to do with the new eternals, but you need to attack the derro fast before Talia attacks the mages and causes enough noise for some of the derro to investigate it. You suppose you and the rest could just drop down from the ceiling in a surprise attack, speed yourself up and hope for the best, but circumstances have given you something else to work with. It's a simple magic trick that most shadows take for granted, in fact most never really appreciate its uses and that spell is one that unlocks regular locks which the derro have seen fit to use on the boxes they're holding the trolls in. If you did that, you could unleash the trolls on the derro, of course the problem with that plan is you've never faced trolls before and they could be ten times worse than the derro. Not to mention you'd have to deal with both groups. > You drop down for a sneak attack Not wishing to add a third unknown element to the fray you decide to just deal with the derro. You signal to your group to speed yourselves up and jump down for the attack. The derro are surprised at first and due to your unnatural speed, your group actually manages to bring a couple down due to ganging up on them. The problem is you're outnumbered and despite your speed, your weapons are largely still not very effective on them in one on one combat. It doesn't help that the derro begin to haphazardly lob their firebomb weapons in order to stop the shadows from zipping around all over the place. It's sloppy, but effective as you see several of your fellows get caught in the blasts. The derro on the other hand are mostly protected by their heavy armor. You see the unarmored derro run away to a locked door on the far side of the room, and just when he manages to open it; you shoot him in the back with your armbow, which causes him to collapse to the floor. You don't know where he's trying to go, but he's not getting far. Unfortunately neither are you as a firebomb lands right near your feet and explodes. You feel the impact and the burning as you go flying in the air. Your death comes quickly when your burning body lands wrong and breaks your neck.

As much as it might be wise to have Talia keep Cyrus in check, you'd rather her come with you on this mission, as you'll need all the skilled help you can get. Talia's shadow magic is certainly more powerful than your own, even though you've found in recent years that yours isn't weak as it once was. When the pair of you confront Cyrus, he's predictably furious claiming that the pair of you are wasting time and not following Dendrin's plan like you should be. He goes on about how the attack on Fort Destiny should take top priority. You don't bother arguing, it's all been said before and if he wants to do anything about it, then he can try to stop you. He doesn't of course, but there's definitely a hostile glare as you leave. "You think he'll go ahead with his attack anyway?" Talia asks. "If he does, I can only hope he's as determined to drive the Empire out of Rask like he seems to be because that raw desire might just win him through the day. Anyway we'll deal with it after this mission." Talia and you travel a couple of days to the Quala province and eventually reach the meeting spot at night. There await around twenty shadows you picked which also includes Sister Yvette. You would've picked Brother Theo as well, but you needed someone to coordinate the other shadow cells in Quala. "As soon as I got the message that you were coming, our other shadow cells got into position to strike out at the other targets across Quala. I assume you're ready to assault the camp brother?" Sister Yvette asks nearly as soon as you arrive. "Yes, let's get this over with, because this is going to be pretty grim business. Now I know some of you have already done a few necessary things, but probably not on this scale. These new eternals are only going to be children, and if the rumors are true, hundreds of them. Despite this they will still be dangerous, as they have no doubt gone through some of the Empire's brainwashing techniques and training. You are not to hesitate just because they are young. Slay all of them...for Dendrin." You add at the end. "For Dendrin!" the rest of the shadows say in unison. "Also be aware that there will no doubt be battle mages around and who knows what else. Let's try to do this as silently as possible until it's no longer an option. Everybody cloak." Sister Yvette and couple of the other shadows take the lead due to their basic knowledge of the outside of the camp and even some of the interior. When you have to go below ground though, it's going to be anything goes. You know going in that you'll be severely outnumbered, but the whole point of doing it this way is to utilize your strengths which is stealth and terror on a grand scale. Something Cyrus doesn't really get despite his dedication to Dendrin. Neck snaps, bolts to the head and blades to the back dispatch the patrolling soldiers quietly and quickly. You then move from bunkhouse to bunkhouse slitting the throats of the sleeping soldiers inside. With everyone up top dead, it's time to descend into the underground. "I'll take the lead for this." You remark. "Everyone remember, we've got a lot of killing tonight, there's A LOT of these new eternals. Try not to speed yourself up unless it's necessary. You don't want to exhaust yourself prematurely. In fact save the magic for just cloaking if possible, we're still going to try this the stealthy way." You make your way through the underground complex, which is very well made. In fact the solid stonewalls remind you of Gloom...and that might not be a good thing. "Where do you think they're keeping these new eternals?" Talia asks. "I don't know, they have to be around though. I mean I'm a little surprised that they'd all be asleep. As I remember our training we didn't get much of that and were even woken up in the middle of the night to perform tasks." You reply. "True, I can still remember Mistress' domineering voice commanding that we all wake up followed by a whip crack...maybe she's not in charge anymore?" "I hope she is, I'd like to repay that bitch while we're here." You remark. "You don't think they moved everyone out do you?" Talia asks. "We've been watching this place for a few months now and just yesterday I saw a large group of those new eternals training up top. I don't see how they could've moved them all so quickly without us noticing." Yvette answers "We are underground, who knows maybe they've got escape tunnels. (Sigh) Shit, I really hope that isn't the case, because I'm already concerned with the architecture of this place." You say. "What do you mean?" "The walls, the archways, doesn't it look a little familiar? Like Gloom right? And who originally made Gloom?" "...the Derro." Talia says. "Exactly and while I was expecting battle mages or elite guards, I wasn't expecting those little armored juggernauts on legs. Okay fine, we'll deal with it, we just need to decide on what to do next." Your comment is met with silence, mainly because everyone figures that you're the one to come up with the plan on what to do next. "Everyone stay here, Talia and I will scout ahead a little bit then come back with a plan." You say. You and Talia continue down one of the corridors hoping to find something, almost anything really and that's when you finally stumble upon an argument between a derro and a mage at the far end of the corridor. The pair of them don't sense either of you, but there's no reason to be foolish, you and Talia quickly get out of their possible line of sight and you listen for a moment. "When the hell are you dwarves going to start harvesting those trolls? I want to get on with the enchantment process!" a disheveled looking mage with a scraggly beard says. "When Marik's done brewing the last batch of regeneration serum. No point in doing it until then and I'd remind you to watch your words with me wizard." A short figure in heavy armor remarks in a very deep tone. This is the first you've ever heard a derro speak common before, you don't know if that's his voice or his armor causing it to sound like that. "Watch my words? I'll do as I please! I don't even want to be here with you rock eaters! Your boss is a mad man that barely knows what he's doing. I swear we were better off with svelk mercenaries as trainers." "I'm not surprised you would praise such a decadent race as your own race is decadent as well. You are lucky to even have us as allies due to a pact, now I suggest you go back to your quarters where the rest of your kind may play with your magic lights until you're called upon to actually do something useful for a change. Do not speak with us again until such time." The wizard nearly says something, but decides not to and storms off in one direction while the derro warrior walks off in the other. "Well if that's any indication we know where the wizards are and we know where the derro are." Talia says. "Yeah, but where the hell are the eternals?" "Perhaps we'll find them after we dispatch those two groups first?" "I sure hope so." "We probably should split up the group and tackle them at the same time, because I'm sure we won't remain stealthy for too long while fighting either group and we certainly don't want the other to come running and attack us from behind when they hear the sounds of battle." As far as you can tell magic isn't all that effective on the derro and while Talia's an excellent fighter, her superior magic skills would probably be more effective eliminating the mages. You tell her that you'll take on the derro and to go get the rest of the group. After retrieving the rest of the group, you and Talia part company. Yvette goes off with Talia as well. You're confident that they'll easily succeed in their task, you're a little more concerned with how you're going to accomplish yours though especially if it turns out to be a lot of derro. Your groups heads off in the direction that you saw the derro walking towards. Doesn't take long for you to start seeing a few of them milling about in the hallways and side rooms. None of the shadows in your group have ever faced the derro before, they've just heard the stories of how they destroyed Gloom. Naturally they want revenge. "We're not attacking them yet. We'll find a better way... Dendrin always provides a better way." You say which calms them down. You can't believe how effectively either. It's a little unsettling to control a group with just the mere mention of a name, but that's how shadow masters have been doing it for centuries you suppose. Your group takes to spider walking on the ceilings to avoid the derro, It worked back in Gloom and it works here too. As you creep through, you can hear rumbling and monstrous growling followed by shouting in the derro's language. You follow sound and eventually you reach a large lab area filled with contraptions, a lot of alchemy equipment and several metal boxes of what you would guess to contain very angry trolls. From their growling they sound as horrible as the stories you've heard. You've also heard how strong they were too; whatever the derro got them locked up in must be some very strong material because you can see several punch marks even from this distance. Several derro warriors stand near the boxes with weapons ready, a few more are standing guard at strategic areas. In the center of all this is another small figure, but this one isn't armored. He's bald with a gray skin color and dressed in a white robe of some sort, which is covered in blood, and several other unidentifiable fluids. He's frantically going back and forth to several tables with mutilated bodies on them, waving a sharp knife in his hand all the while yelling in his language. You're guessing that's what one of these derro really looks like. Certainly less impressive. You have no idea what exactly is going on here and what it has to do with the new eternals, but you need to attack the derro fast before Talia attacks the mages and causes enough noise for some of the derro to investigate it. You suppose you and the rest could just drop down from the ceiling in a surprise attack, speed yourself up and hope for the best, but circumstances have given you something else to work with. It's a simple magic trick that most shadows take for granted, in fact most never really appreciate its uses and that spell is one that unlocks regular locks which the derro have seen fit to use on the boxes they're holding the trolls in. If you did that, you could unleash the trolls on the derro, of course the problem with that plan is you've never faced trolls before and they could be ten times worse than the derro. Not to mention you'd have to deal with both groups. > You unlock the boxes You all move close enough so you're above the boxes and then with a brief whisper, every lock on the troll boxes clicks. And then all the box doors are suddenly torn open. "TROLLS! TROLLS! TROLLS!" is all you can make out from the derro who are now shouting rushing into the lab to combat the trolls now emerging from their prisons. Their appearance is indeed as fearsome as you heard in stories. Tall with long gangly limbs and blackish green skin. You sort of expected them to be more massive much like an ogre, but there isn't an ounce of fat on them, and even though they're relatively thin they're all solid muscle. They definitely look hungry though with their large teeth though. The trolls also prove to be a lot quicker than you expected as well. You watch them leap and dodge the derro attacks, which look slow and clumsy by comparison. You see a troll smash a derro to the floor with one punch, leap on top of him and easily peel off his armor with its talons. A scream soon follows when the troll eviscerates him. Several more derro begin lighting some sort of round metal objects and toss them at some of the trolls. These devices explode into flames and seem to hurt the trolls who howl in pain, but continue to attack while still on fire. The unarmored derro tosses a few glass beakers at the trolls too. You assume it must be some sort of acid given how it starts to eat away at a troll's skin when it hits. As you and the rest of the shadows stay cloaked on the ceiling watching this carnage unfold, you're unsure of whom to start attacking because you can't let either group completely dominate the other. There are more derro, but the trolls are very tough and are putting up more than enough of a fight. You see the unarmored derro run away to a locked door on the far side of the room, and just when he manages to open it; you shoot him in the back with your armbow, which causes him to collapse to the floor. You don't know where he's trying to go, but he's not getting far. "SHADOWS!" one of the derro shouts as you all decloak to join the fight. For the most part you all keep your distance when you can from the trolls and attempt to finish off any severely wounded derro. "Kill everything!" you shout and make your way to the staggering unarmored derro to finish him off. He fumbles with some sort of strange weapon he takes out of his pocket, but you kick it from his hand and smash him in the face with the pommel of your sword. "Shadows! You narrow minded religious fanatics dare desecrate the progress of science? Your actions will not go unpunished here toAGH!" the unarmored derro is cut short on his dying monologue with your blade to his chest. You look around and see that most of the derro have been literally shredded open by the trolls who have focused most of their attention on them, but they've started to pay more attention to the shadows now that the derro numbers have dwindled. Speeding yourselves up at least manages to match their own swiftness, but they're still no pushovers as you find out when you're locked into one on one combat with one of the trolls. Being this close to the creature, you get the full force of its horrible odor and that combined with the smell of its still burnt flesh are almost enough to put you off your fight. You haven't smelled something so bad in...well ever. You do manage to overcome though only after nearly hacking off its leg long enough for you to realize that the derro were using fire and acid on the trolls for a reason. Troll may not instantly regenerate, but you need to stop it before you give them time to do so. As the troll continues to rapidly crawl after you on three limbs, you grab one of those firebombs from a dead derro and light it with a near by torch. You narrowly avoid the explosion when you toss it at the troll who is successfully blown to pieces. "Really hope those pieces don't reform into little trolls." You mutter. The remainder of the battle involves much of the same tactics, though some of your shadows aren't quite as skilled as you are and fall in combat. Fortunately reinforcements come in the form of Talia and Yvette and with their help you finally finish off the remainder of the trolls and whatever derro that are still attempting to cling to life. "Were those things actual trolls?" Yvette asks. "Yep and if they weren't such savage monsters I'd be thanking them for killing most of the derro for us. Are you two the only ones left?" "No, but only Brother Haze besides us made it and he's currently tending to his wounds. He would've been in no condition to help fight the trolls and derro. The fight with the mages wasn't an easy one." Talia says. "I'll bet, but I never had any doubt that you wouldn't be victorious. Did you see any sign of any new eternals?" "No, the mages' quarters didn't seem to house any of them and there weren't any other bedrooms in that direction either. I saw some training facilities and a large library, but nothing more. What about over here?" "Well other than this big lab, we haven't seen anything of any note either. We passed a lot of derro bedrooms a long the way, but that's about it." "What about that door?" Yvette asks pointing over to the one where the unarmored derro lies dead. "I don't know where that one goes to. That derro certainly was in a rush to escape out that way though. Guess we all might as well check it out." You quickly take a head count and altogether there's six of you left, seven if you count Haze who isn't even with you. If this door leads to the hundreds of young eternals, you question if you'll even be able to kill them all before they can overwhelm you. When you open it up you find yourself on a platformed level, which overlooks a huge room. It's nearly the size of a small hamlet you think. There are several ladders that descend down to the lower level which contain translucent containers all hooked up with tubing and connected with each other and large strange machines. When you climb down the ladder you inspect the containers more closely and make out a small figure floating in liquid within it. There are hundreds of these containers, possible even a thousand. "I think we just found the new eternals." You say. "Wait, are they in those tanks?" Talia asks. "I believe so. Looks like the Empire has a whole new way of breeding Eternals or at least altering them. I assume they take them out to train them and then pop 'em back in when they aren't needed. Pretty convenient I suppose." "This...this all seems wrong somehow. Against nature. We should destroy this place as soon as possible. Those derro weapons you were using on the trolls were explosive, if we could find more we use some of them to collapse this place." Yvette says. "Or maybe there's a some sort of switch that kills them in the tank. Seems like the Empire would be inclined to implement something like that." Talia adds. Normally you'd be all for killing all these little bastards while still lying in their "cribs", but it suddenly hits you that you might have an opportunity here. You didn't think about it before, because you thought you were going to have to fight these little runts in the corridors of this place. However circumstances have definitely changed. Maybe you could get them to be on YOUR side. Why not? They're young enough that they could probably take re-indoctrination. Problem is, it still might take a lot of time and while this was a great blow to the Empire, it doesn't put them out of the fight yet. They may eventually find out what's happened and come back for this place and you're not really in a position to defend it. > You kill the new eternals It's a good idea, but probably impractical and you don't have the luxury of being impractical at this time. You'd have to retrain them and everything. No, better to just kill them and get this mission over with. You and the rest of the shadows search for more derro explosives and find a whole room filled with them. You take your time setting up them up in areas, though quite honestly you don't really know what you're doing. Yvette seems to have a little better grasp on them for some reason, but even she's just guessing since she's never worked with such weaponry before. Talia tries to find some sort of "kill switch" as a safer alternative, but fails to do so. When you think you're prepared, you tell everyone else to leave the complex and you'll light the extended fuse. You assure Talia that you'll be all right since you'll just speed yourself up. Sister Yvette interrupts you however saying that she'll volunteer to light the fuse since she feels that if anything does go wrong, it would be a greater loss to the shadows if you died instead. You ask Yvette if she really wants to take the risk and she assures you that risking her life to save a brother isn't a risk, it's an honor to all that serve Dendrin. "Well...I can't argue with that I suppose. Okay, but I'm sure we're all worrying over nothing." "You're probably right brother, but just in case we aren't, I was honored to serve beside you brother." Sister Yvette says. You and the rest of the shadows leave the complex as fast as you can and put a good deal of distance away from the camp before you hear a very large explosion. You turn around and see the entire camp sink into itself. You're guessing it worked. "Does anyone see Sister Yvette?" you ask looking for a figure running in the distance. "No, but let's wait a bit." "Yes well we can't wait too long, that explosion was loud enough to alert someone. Won't be long before the Empire sends troops here." You wait a few minutes, but Yvette still hasn't shown up. Thinking that maybe she's hurt, you insist on going back to the camp to search for her. There isn't much left of the camp when you see the destruction caused by the blast. You all look around the wreckage, but you find no trace of her body. You get angry." "Fuck! She surely had enough time to get out of the blast! I mean that's what our speed spell is for isn't it?!" you shout. "It is regrettable, but this mission was filled with danger right from the start and she died for a reason. That could've been you." Talia says. "Yes, but...(Sigh) I dunno. If she had fallen in battle that would've been one thing, but to die like this after we already achieved victory? She deserved better." You says. "Well, I'm sure she's in a better place with Dendrin now as she has served him well." "Yeah..." you mutter, severely holding back on what you really think about Dendrin. "Come on let's get out of here before any Empire soldiers show up." Before heading back to Rask you tell Brother Theo about the new changes. Fortunately he's still alive, when you check to see how those other shadow cell attack turned out. Reports have started to come in about the attack on the camp, which isn't too surprising despite all the chaos going on elsewhere that brother Theo caused. He is saddened to hear of sister Yvette's death and says she was very instrumental in helping him coordinate the shadow cells, but he'll make do. Eventually you make your way back to Rask which you're happy to find out Cyrus was smart enough to not risk attacking Fort Destiny. Unfortunately he caused a different set back entirely. Talia was about the only one keeping the Flog and the rest of his orcs on good terms. You rarely interacted with him and he never got along with Cyrus who was usually condescending to him. While you were gone apparently a small skirmish ensued between the orcs and shadows. Amazingly nobody was actually killed, but several were wounded and ultimately Flog left with the remainder of the orcs. "Are you fucking kidding me?" you yell in exasperation. "Where did they go?" Talia asks. "How should I know, further north I think where the rest of those overgrown idiots dwell. I don't care, we don't need them anyway!" Cyrus says. After your recent loss of Yvette, you're not really in any mood for Cyrus' shortsightedness. "Oh well, I'm glad that YOU decided that for all of us! Did it even occur to you that we might need them if we were going to attack Fort Destiny?" "Now you think that's a good idea? What about all the arguing you did, saying it was a rotten idea?" "I said it wasn't the best idea at this time, I wasn't opposed to it AFTER we got rid of the new eternals. Priorities!" "Sure, that's great when they're YOURS brother. When it comes to the rest of our plans you just ignore them." "Well that hardly matters now, because you just fucking ruined your own plans by pissing off our orc allies. Nice going with the self sabotage brother!" Cyrus looks you up and down with distain in his face. "Fine. We'll do it your way." Cyrus begins to storm off "Wait, brother Cyrus where are you going?" Talia asks. "Well seeing as our chosen brother of Dendrin is obviously correct about everything and as he pointed out that we cannot do anything without our orc allies any longer, I'm going to follow his suggestion that he gave me not long ago. I'm going to lead an assassination squad myself to get rid of Kane once and for all." "Hold on! Wait, we need to plan better for something like that we can't just..." Talia runs after him. You dismiss Cyrus and whatever he plans to do, you don't care anymore. You already offered your help to him on this before and the whole plan at the time was dismissed because of his own pettiness. If he succeeds then that's good. He's done something useful for a change, if not then he'll be out of the way and no longer whining about his our feeble plans. Either way he's on his own on this. Three days later reports come in on Cyrus' death and all shadows he took with him on the mission. Kane wasn't even severely wounded. In fact all this has done is raise his reputation. Talia doesn't say it, but she implies that you should've helped Cyrus even if claimed he wouldn't have accepted it. Draven is devastated by the news and commits suicide soon afterwards. With this sudden loss of several prominent shadows, morale takes a bit of a dive, especially since Cyrus was still well liked around Fort Defiance. Year 31 "So Flog's dead?" you ask. "Yes, I couldn't get through to him. He insisted that if he didn't keep raiding the northern villages that support us, his people would've just seen him as weak and killed him anyway. Ultimately he said he would've preferred to die by my hand and so he did." Talia replies. "Well, I suppose that'll stop organized raids, but it won't stop them completely." "Indeed. Flog's leadership was probably keeping the rest of his tribe in line and all those various ogre tribes as well. With him gone, it's going to be chaos." "I know. I know. Shit. Well we can only hope that they spend more time fighting each other. In the meantime I've got to figure out a way of keeping up the pressure south of Rask. Captain Roldan is starting to become as much of a problem as Kane, has he even left that fortress yet?" "Nope, report say ever since brother Cyrus' attempts he doesn't leave it anymore and he's been getting an influx of troops as reinforcements lately." "Damn it! (Sigh) All right, double up on the shadow protection in key towns. Last thing we need is Kane's mindless scorched land tactics destroying the places that are helping us." Year 32 You slash through the jugular of Kane and even as blood gushes from his throat he laughs madly claiming that you'll never defeat the Empire. You shove his body out of the window just to shut up his final death throes. You look over at Talia's body and curse yourself for allowing this to happen. You knew you should've gone on this mission by yourself, but she wanted to be by your side. You don't even have time to morn right now as you hear the rest of the soldiers scrambling up the stairs to defend their now dead master. You climb out the very window you threw Kane out of and scale down the walls of the fort and make your escape. When you make it back home, you find plenty of time to weep and morn for your dead love. With Talia dead, a small portion of your own will to go on has died as well. Year 33 "The south wall of the fort has been breached!" Brother Gannon shouts. "Well get ready to kill the bastards that are going to be pouring in then damn it!" you shout back. The situation is grim and getting worse with every passing second. You can't believe how the Empire has managed to turn this all around, though it didn't help that you had a few set backs of your own. Now Captain Roldan is at your gates and there's nothing you can do to stop it. You watch as the remaining shadows desperately fight the overwhelming number of Empire soldiers. "Dendrin, if you're still watching, I hope you had a good run of amusement, because it's about to end." You mutter and rush into the hopeless battle. During Roldan's life, he would go on to speak about how you were a worthy opponent during conversations about the battle of Fort Defiance. Probably out of minor respect that you were an Eternal. Ultimately though history only remembered Roldan and how he gloriously destroyed the shadow traitors once and for all.