Eternal
There is too much that is unknown to you about the Ascension Ritual that you don’t want to risk it. Maybe it would result in better protection, but at what cost? The problem is you don’t know what the cost is and Dendrin isn’t forth coming about the information anytime soon.
There is also placing faith in others to think about. You mainly considered the Ascension Ritual because you had concerns about any successor doing your job as well as you could, but really the shadows have had many Shadow Masters in the past and the order never suffered complete destruction. They endured centuries under the Empire, and they’ll easily endure centuries now that they aren’t under it. If anything the shadows are in the best position than they ever have been.
You tell Talia that you’ve decided to train a successor and that you’d like her help on the matter. She of course agrees, but asks you about the Ascension Ritual.
“There’s no need for it. The shadows will be alright without me.” You say with a smile. “But we should still pick the best candidate for the position just to be sure.”
The follow days are busy ones after you announce that you’re choosing a successor. This news is somewhat surprising since you’re so well respected that it is almost inconceivable that you’ll die one day (Especially since you’ve come back to life once already). Still, those that are chosen are very honored that they have been considered for the position.
“How come you chose all younger shadows? I would’ve thought you would’ve chosen those more experienced.” Talia asks.
“If I was going to do that, I would’ve just made you my successor and been done with it. But since I don’t plan on dying just yet, I figure it would be better for when the inevitable does happen the successor won’t be ready for the grave themselves. Besides, it’s easier to train young people they aren’t set in their ways of doing things yet.”
“I suppose that’s true. I just realized that most of these candidates were born after the Empire fell. That almost seems surreal that most of them only know about the Empire through stories now. The youngest one here…Sister Celia is only twenty years old. She was just coming into this world as you were putting an end to Theo’s rebellion.”
“Yet she’s one of the main candidates I’m leaning towards. She has shown a lot of promise both magically and combat wise. I believe Glen saw her as a potential future Blade, but I think she’d make a fine successor if she passes the tests. She has proven to be wise for her age as well.”
“You seem to be quite fond of her.” Talia remarks.
“You aren’t jealous are you?” you chuckle.
“Pfft, hardly. I’m still an Eternal and there’s no way any mere human girl could compete with me for your affections. If I believed that to be the case, then I’d just call for you to step down as Shadow Master right now because obviously you’d gone feeble minded with age.”
This last remark causes you to laugh out loud in agreement before kissing her in a loving manner. It is true though, probably more than Talia even realizes. If you hadn’t fallen in love with her, you question if you would’ve ever stuck with the shadows in those early years. Cyrus’ last rant that somewhat “outted” you as unbeliever back in the day never was questioned since Dendrin brought you back from the dead. It was more than enough proof that you were his chosen and believer now.
Still, you’ve gotten the impression that Talia has almost wanted to ask you for a little more detail on that matter, but she never has. Of course, maybe she always had her suspicions and didn’t care since she knew you were still doing what she saw as the right thing. On that matter you’ve almost wanted to ask her, but you never have.
Some things are better left unsaid especially if they aren’t true anymore.
After the first day of testing the candidates, you finally get a visit from Dendrin that night.
“So, you’ve finally decided to train a successor. Gone are the plans for the Ascension Ritual?”
“Is that what you wanted? Because I tried to ask you, but I got no answer.”
“And you’ll continue to get no answer. That’s something only you can decide, besides I think our relationship has worked best when I let you make your own decisions. Are you confident in your decision?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Then that’s all that matters. I’m sure it will work out fine.”
“Will you still be watching over the shadows after I’m gone?”
“That, I will answer, but I can’t give a solid one because I haven’t made up my mind yet. I hate to tell you this, because you’ve been so very interesting, but you’ve started to become dull to watch lately. This isn’t your fault though; you are mortal and getting old. It was bound to happen that you would start slowing down eventually. This latest dilemma that you were having about the Ascension Ritual was the most interesting you’ve been in years.”
You don’t know quite how to respond. You’re not angry. You’ve passed that stage long ago. You are somewhat insulted though, since despite it all, Dendrin has always been fascinated by your actions. Takes a bit of wind out of your sails to hear he’s getting bored even by you. Disheartening even, especially since you’ve taken the steps to best ensure the survival of the shadows as well as making your own leap of faith.
“Yeah, well we can’t all be deities.” You answer, as you do not wish to argue.
“No, but perhaps…”
“What?” you ask, but all you hear is Dendrin speaking to himself.
“…hmmm…maybe that would work…but…no…I suppose I could try that…yes that will take time…but then…oh well if it doesn’t work it’s no loss of mine anyway.”
“What are you talking about?” you ask again.
“Can’t talk right now. I need to work on some things. As I said you’ve got the situation well in hand it looks like, so I’ll speak to you again when you die.”
“Wait!” you say and then you wake up.
You spend the next few days wondering what Dendrin has planned, but of course you can’t really know. All you do know is he promised to speak with you when you die, whenever that is, hopefully not too soon.
Realizing that you can’t worry or actually do anything about it, you focus your attention back to testing the potential candidates. By the end Celia does indeed prove to be the best one and you make it official.
“Sister Celia, I hope you realize that by being chosen, a great amount of responsibility will be placed upon you. I also hope you will be prepared to endure whatever it is that I will ask of you.” you start to say.
“Of course Shadow Master I…”
“The Shadow Master was not finished speaking! Speak when you are allowed to do so!” Talia snaps causing Celia to shut up immediately.
“As I was saying, you will be working closely with me directly or Talia in most cases, but who knows where you may need to be sent in the future. Perhaps we will need to send someone to speak with the Warden Matron of the Nalin Empire. Perhaps you will have to patrol the Delerg border with your fellow shadows. Any and all of these tasks from the complex to the mundane may be asked of you, because if you are to perform the duties of the Shadow Master you will need to be skilled in everything. Dendrin may watch over us, but that does not mean you can rely on him to pull you out of every situation. He favors the strong and the intelligent that can be self-reliant first and foremost. Remember this.”
After a bit of silence Celia realizes that she can now speak when you nod to her.
“I will Shadow Master. I will.”
“Good. That will be all for today. I suggest you get some rest, for tomorrow you will begin your TRUE training.” You say and dismiss her.
After she leaves you turn back to Talia.
“Nice job in putting a little fear into the girl, though I can’t help but think you enjoyed that a bit.”
“Of course I did, but I bet she’ll remember not to do it again.”
“Oh of that, I have no doubt. Really as long as she remembers everything we plan to teach her she’ll be fine I think.”
“Hah. No small task.”
Talia’s right about that, it won’t be a small task, not for Celia and not for you either. Still, nothing is worth doing without hard work and that’s basically been your whole life.
There is also placing faith in others to think about. You mainly considered the Ascension Ritual because you had concerns about any successor doing your job as well as you could, but really the shadows have had many Shadow Masters in the past and the order never suffered complete destruction. They endured centuries under the Empire, and they’ll easily endure centuries now that they aren’t under it. If anything the shadows are in the best position than they ever have been.
You tell Talia that you’ve decided to train a successor and that you’d like her help on the matter. She of course agrees, but asks you about the Ascension Ritual.
“There’s no need for it. The shadows will be alright without me.” You say with a smile. “But we should still pick the best candidate for the position just to be sure.”
The follow days are busy ones after you announce that you’re choosing a successor. This news is somewhat surprising since you’re so well respected that it is almost inconceivable that you’ll die one day (Especially since you’ve come back to life once already). Still, those that are chosen are very honored that they have been considered for the position.
“How come you chose all younger shadows? I would’ve thought you would’ve chosen those more experienced.” Talia asks.
“If I was going to do that, I would’ve just made you my successor and been done with it. But since I don’t plan on dying just yet, I figure it would be better for when the inevitable does happen the successor won’t be ready for the grave themselves. Besides, it’s easier to train young people they aren’t set in their ways of doing things yet.”
“I suppose that’s true. I just realized that most of these candidates were born after the Empire fell. That almost seems surreal that most of them only know about the Empire through stories now. The youngest one here…Sister Celia is only twenty years old. She was just coming into this world as you were putting an end to Theo’s rebellion.”
“Yet she’s one of the main candidates I’m leaning towards. She has shown a lot of promise both magically and combat wise. I believe Glen saw her as a potential future Blade, but I think she’d make a fine successor if she passes the tests. She has proven to be wise for her age as well.”
“You seem to be quite fond of her.” Talia remarks.
“You aren’t jealous are you?” you chuckle.
“Pfft, hardly. I’m still an Eternal and there’s no way any mere human girl could compete with me for your affections. If I believed that to be the case, then I’d just call for you to step down as Shadow Master right now because obviously you’d gone feeble minded with age.”
This last remark causes you to laugh out loud in agreement before kissing her in a loving manner. It is true though, probably more than Talia even realizes. If you hadn’t fallen in love with her, you question if you would’ve ever stuck with the shadows in those early years. Cyrus’ last rant that somewhat “outted” you as unbeliever back in the day never was questioned since Dendrin brought you back from the dead. It was more than enough proof that you were his chosen and believer now.
Still, you’ve gotten the impression that Talia has almost wanted to ask you for a little more detail on that matter, but she never has. Of course, maybe she always had her suspicions and didn’t care since she knew you were still doing what she saw as the right thing. On that matter you’ve almost wanted to ask her, but you never have.
Some things are better left unsaid especially if they aren’t true anymore.
After the first day of testing the candidates, you finally get a visit from Dendrin that night.
“So, you’ve finally decided to train a successor. Gone are the plans for the Ascension Ritual?”
“Is that what you wanted? Because I tried to ask you, but I got no answer.”
“And you’ll continue to get no answer. That’s something only you can decide, besides I think our relationship has worked best when I let you make your own decisions. Are you confident in your decision?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Then that’s all that matters. I’m sure it will work out fine.”
“Will you still be watching over the shadows after I’m gone?”
“That, I will answer, but I can’t give a solid one because I haven’t made up my mind yet. I hate to tell you this, because you’ve been so very interesting, but you’ve started to become dull to watch lately. This isn’t your fault though; you are mortal and getting old. It was bound to happen that you would start slowing down eventually. This latest dilemma that you were having about the Ascension Ritual was the most interesting you’ve been in years.”
You don’t know quite how to respond. You’re not angry. You’ve passed that stage long ago. You are somewhat insulted though, since despite it all, Dendrin has always been fascinated by your actions. Takes a bit of wind out of your sails to hear he’s getting bored even by you. Disheartening even, especially since you’ve taken the steps to best ensure the survival of the shadows as well as making your own leap of faith.
“Yeah, well we can’t all be deities.” You answer, as you do not wish to argue.
“No, but perhaps…”
“What?” you ask, but all you hear is Dendrin speaking to himself.
“…hmmm…maybe that would work…but…no…I suppose I could try that…yes that will take time…but then…oh well if it doesn’t work it’s no loss of mine anyway.”
“What are you talking about?” you ask again.
“Can’t talk right now. I need to work on some things. As I said you’ve got the situation well in hand it looks like, so I’ll speak to you again when you die.”
“Wait!” you say and then you wake up.
You spend the next few days wondering what Dendrin has planned, but of course you can’t really know. All you do know is he promised to speak with you when you die, whenever that is, hopefully not too soon.
Realizing that you can’t worry or actually do anything about it, you focus your attention back to testing the potential candidates. By the end Celia does indeed prove to be the best one and you make it official.
“Sister Celia, I hope you realize that by being chosen, a great amount of responsibility will be placed upon you. I also hope you will be prepared to endure whatever it is that I will ask of you.” you start to say.
“Of course Shadow Master I…”
“The Shadow Master was not finished speaking! Speak when you are allowed to do so!” Talia snaps causing Celia to shut up immediately.
“As I was saying, you will be working closely with me directly or Talia in most cases, but who knows where you may need to be sent in the future. Perhaps we will need to send someone to speak with the Warden Matron of the Nalin Empire. Perhaps you will have to patrol the Delerg border with your fellow shadows. Any and all of these tasks from the complex to the mundane may be asked of you, because if you are to perform the duties of the Shadow Master you will need to be skilled in everything. Dendrin may watch over us, but that does not mean you can rely on him to pull you out of every situation. He favors the strong and the intelligent that can be self-reliant first and foremost. Remember this.”
After a bit of silence Celia realizes that she can now speak when you nod to her.
“I will Shadow Master. I will.”
“Good. That will be all for today. I suggest you get some rest, for tomorrow you will begin your TRUE training.” You say and dismiss her.
After she leaves you turn back to Talia.
“Nice job in putting a little fear into the girl, though I can’t help but think you enjoyed that a bit.”
“Of course I did, but I bet she’ll remember not to do it again.”
“Oh of that, I have no doubt. Really as long as she remembers everything we plan to teach her she’ll be fine I think.”
“Hah. No small task.”
Talia’s right about that, it won’t be a small task, not for Celia and not for you either. Still, nothing is worth doing without hard work and that’s basically been your whole life.