Eternal
You’ve got a lot of baggage to travel with and the longer you can do it on road, the quicker you’ll get to your destination. Whatever tolls or other harassment that any wannabe emperors have in store can be dealt with. Certainly can’t be worse than what you’ve already faced.
“Okay we’re taking the roads brothers and sisters. Remember that we are potentially entering hostile territory, so keep alert and be prepared.” You tell everyone before continuing on the journey.
Half a day passes without incident; of course it doesn’t stay that way when several people patrolling the road up ahead and immediately head your way. They aren’t dressed in proper Empire armor, but the way they swagger with self-importance; you’re guessing they’re probably some sort of militia recruits under the command of this General Ackerson.
Several of the Eternals are itching for a fight and while you don’t doubt you’d win, you’d rather try to get through without doing it. Last thing you need is to fight a running battle through the Quala province.
“Shadow scum! This area belongs to General Ackerson, don’t you know your kind aren’t wanted here? It was your kind that caused this once great nation to fall, but fortunately we have people like the general to pick up the pieces to make it stronger than ever.” The leader of the soldiers says.
“Uh huh, we’re just passing through and have no desire to start a fight.” You reply, but of course this idiot doesn’t have a sense of self-preservation.
“Oh no? What’s all this then? A baggage train of supplies to support your war effort? I don’t believe you shadow! Why should any of us trust you after the great betrayal?”
“Because if we wanted to destroy you we would’ve done it already, empire dog!” one of the Eternals snaps.
This isn’t going well and several of the soldiers begin to ready their weapons.
“As I said, we are merely passing through and have no desire to start a war. We already have our freedom, we don’t care if you’re trying to rebuild the Empire or something else to take its place. We just want to be left in peace. However if you really wish to pursue this course of action, let me remind you that you are currently outmatched and outnumbered. We whittled away the Empire with forces smaller than what you see here. It would not take more than ten of us to destroy whatever government you’re trying to re-establish now. Are you such fools that you would willingly throw your lives away so easily? You say to the soldiers.
The leader realizes that he’ll have to swallow his overflowing pride and capitulate to your accurate assessment of the situation.
“…very well…let the shadows pass.” He meekly remarks and he and his men step aside.
You and the shadows pass through, but you know that’s just he beginning of what you’ll probably have to face. Cyrus mentions that perhaps they should be killed so they don’t warn anyone, but really whether they do or not isn’t going to make much of a difference. You’re a big enough target that anyone can see you if they just open their eyes.
You soon pass through a town in the process of being rebuilt, your reception there isn’t much better. The citizens all give you an evil eye and the soldiers stand ready to attack at anytime. Nobody does anything, but the second town you pass through makes up for that…
“BOOOOOOO! Go home shadow shit!”
“Zealots! Sheep! Go suck your god’s cock!”
“Get out of our town you fucking fanatics!”
These citizens are obviously very upset about the shadows. So much so that not only do they call you names, they also start throwing rotten fruit at some of you. This is too much for the eternals who are were barely holding their homicidal urges in check to begin with.
Before you can react, several eternals respond to the rotten fruit by shooting bolts at the peasants. Naturally none of them miss either. The town’s militia steps in and before you know it, you’ve killed half of the town and the rest of the citizens are running for their lives. The eternals aren’t contents with letting anyone live though, so they make that extra effort to chase most of them down. They seem to get a sadistic pleasure out of it and you have to rein them in.
Naturally you’re pretty mad, but mostly at yourself for trying to cross Quala by road in the first place. You can see now this was a really bad idea, but now you’ll just have to make the best of it.
The next day one of your people says they’ve scouted ahead and that a large army is heading your way. Worse, more troops are heading from other directions as well. Cyrus advises that you all should dump all non-essentials, cloak, and make a speed run towards the wilderness. Yvette point out that several of the shadow children or even babies in some cases don’t have such abilities and their parents aren’t likely to leave them. Theo says he knows of an old hide out and you could lay low there for a while and it is defensible. Talia is strangely silent on the whole matter, in fact she’s been silent during most of the trip, like she’s preoccupied with something else. You can’t imagine what given the shit you’re waist deep in right now, you’ll have to ask her about it later.
Eventually you take Theo’s advice since running isn’t a real option right now and you need a good defensible place. You do take Cyrus’ advice though and have everyone dump all non-essential equipment.
The trip to the old hideout is uneventful, unfortunately Theo forgot to take into consideration that some of his old hideouts might’ve actually been discovered since the last time he used them. This one in particular has been turned into a battle mage enclave. You didn’t even know Ackerson had any under his command, but he does and they took great measures in protecting their private base with magical security. They were alerted as soon as you entered the area and took steps to ambush you.
The fight with the battle mages takes a heavy toll. Along with many shadows, you also lose Yvette as well as Dravin. Cyrus launched himself into a rage cutting down several of the mages before being heavily wounded. He’s still alive and being carried on a stretcher, but you doubt if he’ll make it, if you ever get to the temple. Which at this point is looking less likely since you’re now effectively stuck inside the hideout and surrounded by General Ackerson’s troops.
Many of the shadows are praying to Dendrin which you encourage if only to keep their morale up, but of course you’re holding no such faith. The only ones seemingly having a good time are the new eternals who are enjoying the carnage way too much. You don’t care though given the circumstances as they’re about the only worthwhile fighters you’ve got left.
While the shadows are used to fighting near impossible odds, not all of those were victories and this will unfortunately be one of those times.
You think up the only possible plan that might work and that’s if you take all the eternals and try to distract the majority of the army while some of the other shadows get away. When you explain your plan, everyone is content to listen and obey since there really isn’t a choice in the matter.
“Theo, I want you to lead the escape since you still know the area best. Talia, you’re going to be in charge and possibly the new…”
“I’m staying.” Talia says cutting you off.
“Talia, I don’t know if I’m coming back from this battle.”
“Exactly. Why would I leave you now of all times? Besides, you’re taking my…children with you. If we are to die today, then I would do it as a family.” Talia says and grabs your hand.
You look down at her hand and then her face. You can see that there will be no changing her mind.
“Very well, then Theo, you will be the new Shadow Master. Good luck and I hope you understand Dendrin better than I did.”
Theo thanks you for the honor and prepares everyone to get ready to move. You, Talia and the rest of the eternals prepare for the attack. It’s funny; you realize that the shadows will no longer be split anymore between human and eternal. Assuming they make it, the surviving shadows will all be human. Perhaps it’s better this way, eternals were not meant to be holy men and worshipping fickle gods. They were meant to die in battle. That was what you were originally bred for after all.
“You two, carry Cyrus into battle. He’s one of us and he’ll die like one of us.” You say to two of the new eternals. Cyrus, while struggling to maintain consciousness manages a weak smile in your direction.
“You ready my love?” Talia asks.
“I was born for this.” You answer.
And with that you, Talia, Cyrus and the last of the eternals go forth and face your destiny.
Your names are forgotten, but the surviving solders of that battle always remembered the day they didn’t win a battle against shadows, but instead remember the day that they almost lost a battle against eternals.
“Okay we’re taking the roads brothers and sisters. Remember that we are potentially entering hostile territory, so keep alert and be prepared.” You tell everyone before continuing on the journey.
Half a day passes without incident; of course it doesn’t stay that way when several people patrolling the road up ahead and immediately head your way. They aren’t dressed in proper Empire armor, but the way they swagger with self-importance; you’re guessing they’re probably some sort of militia recruits under the command of this General Ackerson.
Several of the Eternals are itching for a fight and while you don’t doubt you’d win, you’d rather try to get through without doing it. Last thing you need is to fight a running battle through the Quala province.
“Shadow scum! This area belongs to General Ackerson, don’t you know your kind aren’t wanted here? It was your kind that caused this once great nation to fall, but fortunately we have people like the general to pick up the pieces to make it stronger than ever.” The leader of the soldiers says.
“Uh huh, we’re just passing through and have no desire to start a fight.” You reply, but of course this idiot doesn’t have a sense of self-preservation.
“Oh no? What’s all this then? A baggage train of supplies to support your war effort? I don’t believe you shadow! Why should any of us trust you after the great betrayal?”
“Because if we wanted to destroy you we would’ve done it already, empire dog!” one of the Eternals snaps.
This isn’t going well and several of the soldiers begin to ready their weapons.
“As I said, we are merely passing through and have no desire to start a war. We already have our freedom, we don’t care if you’re trying to rebuild the Empire or something else to take its place. We just want to be left in peace. However if you really wish to pursue this course of action, let me remind you that you are currently outmatched and outnumbered. We whittled away the Empire with forces smaller than what you see here. It would not take more than ten of us to destroy whatever government you’re trying to re-establish now. Are you such fools that you would willingly throw your lives away so easily? You say to the soldiers.
The leader realizes that he’ll have to swallow his overflowing pride and capitulate to your accurate assessment of the situation.
“…very well…let the shadows pass.” He meekly remarks and he and his men step aside.
You and the shadows pass through, but you know that’s just he beginning of what you’ll probably have to face. Cyrus mentions that perhaps they should be killed so they don’t warn anyone, but really whether they do or not isn’t going to make much of a difference. You’re a big enough target that anyone can see you if they just open their eyes.
You soon pass through a town in the process of being rebuilt, your reception there isn’t much better. The citizens all give you an evil eye and the soldiers stand ready to attack at anytime. Nobody does anything, but the second town you pass through makes up for that…
“BOOOOOOO! Go home shadow shit!”
“Zealots! Sheep! Go suck your god’s cock!”
“Get out of our town you fucking fanatics!”
These citizens are obviously very upset about the shadows. So much so that not only do they call you names, they also start throwing rotten fruit at some of you. This is too much for the eternals who are were barely holding their homicidal urges in check to begin with.
Before you can react, several eternals respond to the rotten fruit by shooting bolts at the peasants. Naturally none of them miss either. The town’s militia steps in and before you know it, you’ve killed half of the town and the rest of the citizens are running for their lives. The eternals aren’t contents with letting anyone live though, so they make that extra effort to chase most of them down. They seem to get a sadistic pleasure out of it and you have to rein them in.
Naturally you’re pretty mad, but mostly at yourself for trying to cross Quala by road in the first place. You can see now this was a really bad idea, but now you’ll just have to make the best of it.
The next day one of your people says they’ve scouted ahead and that a large army is heading your way. Worse, more troops are heading from other directions as well. Cyrus advises that you all should dump all non-essentials, cloak, and make a speed run towards the wilderness. Yvette point out that several of the shadow children or even babies in some cases don’t have such abilities and their parents aren’t likely to leave them. Theo says he knows of an old hide out and you could lay low there for a while and it is defensible. Talia is strangely silent on the whole matter, in fact she’s been silent during most of the trip, like she’s preoccupied with something else. You can’t imagine what given the shit you’re waist deep in right now, you’ll have to ask her about it later.
Eventually you take Theo’s advice since running isn’t a real option right now and you need a good defensible place. You do take Cyrus’ advice though and have everyone dump all non-essential equipment.
The trip to the old hideout is uneventful, unfortunately Theo forgot to take into consideration that some of his old hideouts might’ve actually been discovered since the last time he used them. This one in particular has been turned into a battle mage enclave. You didn’t even know Ackerson had any under his command, but he does and they took great measures in protecting their private base with magical security. They were alerted as soon as you entered the area and took steps to ambush you.
The fight with the battle mages takes a heavy toll. Along with many shadows, you also lose Yvette as well as Dravin. Cyrus launched himself into a rage cutting down several of the mages before being heavily wounded. He’s still alive and being carried on a stretcher, but you doubt if he’ll make it, if you ever get to the temple. Which at this point is looking less likely since you’re now effectively stuck inside the hideout and surrounded by General Ackerson’s troops.
Many of the shadows are praying to Dendrin which you encourage if only to keep their morale up, but of course you’re holding no such faith. The only ones seemingly having a good time are the new eternals who are enjoying the carnage way too much. You don’t care though given the circumstances as they’re about the only worthwhile fighters you’ve got left.
While the shadows are used to fighting near impossible odds, not all of those were victories and this will unfortunately be one of those times.
You think up the only possible plan that might work and that’s if you take all the eternals and try to distract the majority of the army while some of the other shadows get away. When you explain your plan, everyone is content to listen and obey since there really isn’t a choice in the matter.
“Theo, I want you to lead the escape since you still know the area best. Talia, you’re going to be in charge and possibly the new…”
“I’m staying.” Talia says cutting you off.
“Talia, I don’t know if I’m coming back from this battle.”
“Exactly. Why would I leave you now of all times? Besides, you’re taking my…children with you. If we are to die today, then I would do it as a family.” Talia says and grabs your hand.
You look down at her hand and then her face. You can see that there will be no changing her mind.
“Very well, then Theo, you will be the new Shadow Master. Good luck and I hope you understand Dendrin better than I did.”
Theo thanks you for the honor and prepares everyone to get ready to move. You, Talia and the rest of the eternals prepare for the attack. It’s funny; you realize that the shadows will no longer be split anymore between human and eternal. Assuming they make it, the surviving shadows will all be human. Perhaps it’s better this way, eternals were not meant to be holy men and worshipping fickle gods. They were meant to die in battle. That was what you were originally bred for after all.
“You two, carry Cyrus into battle. He’s one of us and he’ll die like one of us.” You say to two of the new eternals. Cyrus, while struggling to maintain consciousness manages a weak smile in your direction.
“You ready my love?” Talia asks.
“I was born for this.” You answer.
And with that you, Talia, Cyrus and the last of the eternals go forth and face your destiny.
Your names are forgotten, but the surviving solders of that battle always remembered the day they didn’t win a battle against shadows, but instead remember the day that they almost lost a battle against eternals.
