Eternal
As much as you hate leaving your command, which does need you, you feel like this situation with Cyrus needs to be dealt with before it impedes the Empire’s ability to wage war on the Felkans any further.
You leave one of your lieutenants in charge, but explain to them that they should only keep advancing if they have a clear advantage in their attacks, as they will now lack any sort of magical support.
Having accepted this assignment you discover you are to report to Marik’s factory since Cyrus must be operating in the area and security there has been doubled. You’ve never even met Marik before despite having heard of him several times so you assume this will be your introduction.
When you make it back to Arat you only make short stops in villages to water your horse. Eventually you see the factory within sight rather than just the permanent black cloud that hoovers over it. When you get there you are met by a small contingent of Eyes standing outside the factory’s gates, which are locked up.
“Were you sent here by the Emperor? We heard that the Emperor was sending his problem solver.” One of them asks.
“Yes, is Jacob here?” you ask as they let you in.
“He is actually. He said he wanted to brief you on the situation before he leaves to attend to other business. Um…he’s been a little on edge lately, so he might seem a bit nervous.”
“Given his failures, he should be nervous. The fact that none of you have apprehended Cyrus yet is appalling and there will be investigations later! For now though, Cyrus’ capture is what we need to focus on.”
Your warning is met with a quick “Yes sir” and the Eye takes you into the factory proper which is very noisy and busy. You see many citizens running around operating odd looking machines and moving large boxes and barrels. Jacob is up on one of the higher platform levels where the foreman’s office is located.
When you arrive the foreman excuses himself to let you and Jacob talk privately. The Eye who spoke to you wasn’t kidding, Jacob looks like he’s aged several years since the last time you’ve seen him. The stress of not handling this task properly is getting to him.
“Thank the Emperor you’re here. I swear I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Jacob remarks.
“Well the first thing you should do is calm down. You look like you’re going to pass out.”
“I feel like I’m going to pass out. This place is very important to the war effort and its just a sitting duck! Do you realize how much explosive material is here? I feel like its only a matter of time before Cyrus strikes.”
“First of all he’d still need help in bringing down a whole factory and he’s the only shadow left. Its not like the rest of his band of cutthroats are shadows too. They’re thugs at best. Besides, I thought you had Eyes all over this place.”
“I do! Even at the expense of not having them located elsewhere. I wish I still had Warrick though. You know, one of your former classmates? He was the best tracker in the Eyes. Cyrus killed him last year and when we found him, he had his eyes cut out with a message saying: Eternally blind to the truth.” Jacob remarks in his continued jittery state.
“Okay like I said calm down. Now where is Marik? Shouldn’t he be here?”
“Marik?! Hah!” Jacob snorts. “Marik is underground along with the rest of his derro chums. He’s so involved in whatever experiment he’s working on; he’s not even connected to the reality of the current situation. Don’t expect any help from him. Besides, he’s a derro, they never step foot above ground, even if its inside a building.”
“Okay, didn’t realize that, well I guess its just you and me then. (Sigh) Alright, what you need to do is go report to the Emperor and tell him we need another factory built as quickly as possible. I mean we should be building more anyway given our war with the Felkans. As for what’s going on here, just leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything.”
Jacob seems a little relieved to hear you say that, though he still fears seeing the Emperor, as well he should. He gives you all the information on the situation here such as nearby raids and sightings. As you make note of this, you suddenly both hear loud shouting outside the office.
You and Jacob both step out of the office and an explosion rocks you to the platform. Its enough to cause Jacob to fall over the side completely, though you catch his hand just in time.
As you attempt to help Jacob up another loud explosion comes from the far end of the factory. Fire and fumes are everywhere along with workers running for their lives, well the few that are still alive anyway.
“Shit, shit shit! He’s here! I knew this day would come! We’re all dead men!” Jacob exclaims.
“Jacob will you stop panicking and give me your other hand, it’ll make it easier for me to…”
Before you can finish your sentence, you see Jacob’s eyes widen as he looks up at you. He doesn’t even get to tell you “Look out!” or any similar warning before you feel a long blade in your back.
You wheeze and collapse, instantly letting Jacob go, who falls to his death onto the burning floor below. You feel the tip of the bloody blade sticking out your abdomen and try to get back up, but you feel a powerful kick to your head instead. Your vision starts to get blurry and you’re having a hard time maintaining consciousness.
“I could’ve destroyed this symbol of oppression long ago, but I knew it was only a matter of time before you were sent here. Now I can also kill the one responsible for the mass murder of my shadow siblings. Your Empire WILL fall. Die knowing this.” You hear Cyrus say before he kicks your limp body off the platform. You’re dead before you hit the cement floor.
You leave one of your lieutenants in charge, but explain to them that they should only keep advancing if they have a clear advantage in their attacks, as they will now lack any sort of magical support.
Having accepted this assignment you discover you are to report to Marik’s factory since Cyrus must be operating in the area and security there has been doubled. You’ve never even met Marik before despite having heard of him several times so you assume this will be your introduction.
When you make it back to Arat you only make short stops in villages to water your horse. Eventually you see the factory within sight rather than just the permanent black cloud that hoovers over it. When you get there you are met by a small contingent of Eyes standing outside the factory’s gates, which are locked up.
“Were you sent here by the Emperor? We heard that the Emperor was sending his problem solver.” One of them asks.
“Yes, is Jacob here?” you ask as they let you in.
“He is actually. He said he wanted to brief you on the situation before he leaves to attend to other business. Um…he’s been a little on edge lately, so he might seem a bit nervous.”
“Given his failures, he should be nervous. The fact that none of you have apprehended Cyrus yet is appalling and there will be investigations later! For now though, Cyrus’ capture is what we need to focus on.”
Your warning is met with a quick “Yes sir” and the Eye takes you into the factory proper which is very noisy and busy. You see many citizens running around operating odd looking machines and moving large boxes and barrels. Jacob is up on one of the higher platform levels where the foreman’s office is located.
When you arrive the foreman excuses himself to let you and Jacob talk privately. The Eye who spoke to you wasn’t kidding, Jacob looks like he’s aged several years since the last time you’ve seen him. The stress of not handling this task properly is getting to him.
“Thank the Emperor you’re here. I swear I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Jacob remarks.
“Well the first thing you should do is calm down. You look like you’re going to pass out.”
“I feel like I’m going to pass out. This place is very important to the war effort and its just a sitting duck! Do you realize how much explosive material is here? I feel like its only a matter of time before Cyrus strikes.”
“First of all he’d still need help in bringing down a whole factory and he’s the only shadow left. Its not like the rest of his band of cutthroats are shadows too. They’re thugs at best. Besides, I thought you had Eyes all over this place.”
“I do! Even at the expense of not having them located elsewhere. I wish I still had Warrick though. You know, one of your former classmates? He was the best tracker in the Eyes. Cyrus killed him last year and when we found him, he had his eyes cut out with a message saying: Eternally blind to the truth.” Jacob remarks in his continued jittery state.
“Okay like I said calm down. Now where is Marik? Shouldn’t he be here?”
“Marik?! Hah!” Jacob snorts. “Marik is underground along with the rest of his derro chums. He’s so involved in whatever experiment he’s working on; he’s not even connected to the reality of the current situation. Don’t expect any help from him. Besides, he’s a derro, they never step foot above ground, even if its inside a building.”
“Okay, didn’t realize that, well I guess its just you and me then. (Sigh) Alright, what you need to do is go report to the Emperor and tell him we need another factory built as quickly as possible. I mean we should be building more anyway given our war with the Felkans. As for what’s going on here, just leave it to me. I’ll take care of everything.”
Jacob seems a little relieved to hear you say that, though he still fears seeing the Emperor, as well he should. He gives you all the information on the situation here such as nearby raids and sightings. As you make note of this, you suddenly both hear loud shouting outside the office.
You and Jacob both step out of the office and an explosion rocks you to the platform. Its enough to cause Jacob to fall over the side completely, though you catch his hand just in time.
As you attempt to help Jacob up another loud explosion comes from the far end of the factory. Fire and fumes are everywhere along with workers running for their lives, well the few that are still alive anyway.
“Shit, shit shit! He’s here! I knew this day would come! We’re all dead men!” Jacob exclaims.
“Jacob will you stop panicking and give me your other hand, it’ll make it easier for me to…”
Before you can finish your sentence, you see Jacob’s eyes widen as he looks up at you. He doesn’t even get to tell you “Look out!” or any similar warning before you feel a long blade in your back.
You wheeze and collapse, instantly letting Jacob go, who falls to his death onto the burning floor below. You feel the tip of the bloody blade sticking out your abdomen and try to get back up, but you feel a powerful kick to your head instead. Your vision starts to get blurry and you’re having a hard time maintaining consciousness.
“I could’ve destroyed this symbol of oppression long ago, but I knew it was only a matter of time before you were sent here. Now I can also kill the one responsible for the mass murder of my shadow siblings. Your Empire WILL fall. Die knowing this.” You hear Cyrus say before he kicks your limp body off the platform. You’re dead before you hit the cement floor.
