Eternal
If Decena feels this strongly about your safety then you’re not going to deny it. Besides another way of looking at it isn’t more time to rethink the situation, but instead more time to spend with Decena.
“Very well, if you feel a second inspection should be done, then that’s what will be done. (Sigh) I’m just wondering who had as much experience as Zana and Elam did with the machine that they could inspect it without wondering what certain parts did or accidently make things worse.” You respond
“What about that nervous fellow I saw sometimes in the palace? Didn’t he work on the Eternal Project?” Decena asks.
“Oh…you mean Gregory? Yeah, he did. I transferred him over here as a general supervisor when that project got shut down. Sometimes I even forget he’s here, since he’s such a wallflower sometimes. Still you’re probably on to something, because if anyone is a stickler for safety and thoroughness its him and while he wasn’t involved in the building process, he has familiarized himself with the machine probably just as much due to being a safety supervisor for the rst of the technical staff. He’s probably annoyed the hell out of Elam on several occasions because of it.”
“Good, he’s sounds perfect.”
The next day you summon Gregory to the palace, when he arrives he’s nervous as usual. The man must think you’re going to have him executed, but then he thinks that any time you look at him. You tell him that you just need another inspection done on the tank and the machine (It’s really going to have to be given a better name at some point). He of course complies.
While he gets started you plan on informing Elam and Zana that there may be a slight delay in the project, but you figure it can wait until tomorrow and you spend some quality time with Decena for the rest of the day.
On the second day, Kivan tells you that Gregory really needs to speak with you and says it’s incredibly important. When you go to speak with him, he’s very apologetic, but explains that he’s already found some possible problems with the machine.
“Apologies my Emperor as I know you want to get this procedure underway as soons as possible, but well I just think I found some possible problems. I mean they seem very minor, but they aren’t. In time some vital parts could break down. In fact I’m very surprised that Zana did not catch the worn tubing and slightly frayed wires on the inside. Besides myself, she’s the only one that has a good eye for that detail.”
Decena who happens to be with you, immediately exclaims about this being proof that she knew that something wasn’t on the up and up with Zana.
“She tried to make her assassination attempt look like an accident! I KNEW there wasn’t something right about her!”
You tell Gregory to keep doing his inspection to see if there are any more flaws he can find. While it’s very possible Zana didn’t see these potential dangers, you’re still not pleased with her right now and plan on having the Eyes bring her in. Elam will have to be brought in too.
When you arrive at the Eye headquarters, Warrick tells you that they haven’t interrogated to any great length yet, but the pair of them don’t know why they’ve been brought in by the Eyes.
Your main concern is Zana at first so you personally go to see her with the Eye interrogators. What is surprising is that when you see her she’s completely calm. Most people (including Elam) when brought in by the Eyes are scared shitless.
And that’s what starts to make you suspicious. You’ve found that the people who are the most calm under pressure are probably the most capable of ruthlessness and plots…
Zana explains her inspection step by step and steadily asserts her dedication to the Empire and her loyalty. It probably would’ve been better had she just not spoken at all, because the more you hear the more your own suspicion rises. If Decena was here, she probably would’ve just shot her for lying, and while her fate is definitely sealed as far as you’re concerned, you still want to know the reason.
“Zana, I’ll admit, you had even me fooled, but the problem is the more you talk the worse it gets for you. Gregory has already found more flaws in the machine since you were brought in. He’s even said that even he doesn’t think that they could be anything other than sabotage. Even if I assume you’re telling the truth, it displays a gross amount of incompetence on your part. So either you were trying to kill me on purpose or you’re a lot less competent than I believed. And quite honestly I do not believe that from your past experience that YOU are capable of that level of incompetence.”
Zana’s calm demeanor begins to change to one of uncertainty. It’s hitting her that she might not make it out of here.
“So tell me why Zana. Was this something you just came up with, had you been planning this for years? Who else is involved? Did someone put you up to this…did a svelk woman by the name of Semra put you up to this?” you ask.
Zana’s face now has dropped to one of fear. She looks like she’s about to cry.
“Zana, you know how this is going to end for you. If you ever had any loyalty toward the Empire then at least tell me everything. If you do, I can at least promise you a quick execution.” You say.
Zana’s expression now changes to one of absolute rage.
“Like the same quick death you’ve given so many others? The fact is I’ve NEVER had ANY loyalty to the Empire let alone you, murderer. Tyrant. But I’ll tell you everything anyway, because you don’t know shit about me. You think I’m upset because I’m about to die? I’m upset because I won’t get to kill you and spare the world of your future domination and cruelty!”
This outburst causes the Eyes nearby to move closer towards Zana and grab her wrists just in case she attempts something, though at this point there isn’t much she could do to you now.
“Who are you? I mean who are you really?”
“I’m nobody. Nobody of importance at least not until YOU came around and killed my entire family!” Zana says.
“Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?” you ask.
“I was going to be a princess! I would’ve ruled a kingdom one day! YOU and YOUR EMPIRE destroyed all that before I even had a chance to enjoy a taste of such a life! Klemto didn’t just save a random Felkan baby, he saved an HEIR TO THE FELKAN FUCKING KINGDOM!” Zana shouts.
It was a very long time ago. Almost a different life even, but you vaguely remember seeing a crib in the Felkan royal palace, yet no baby or even signs of a dead one. You never thought too much of it at the time, but apparently even though Zana was just an infant, Klemto must’ve told her about her real heritage. He probably lied to you thinking that you would’ve had her killed.
“Because of YOU, I’ve had to live a miserable existence working on machinery surrounded by fucking GNOMES! You know what that’s like? Being the only human in community of damn gnomes? It SUCKS! Then when some humans do fucking arrive, they’re from the same nation that destroyed my birthright! It almost sickened me to even sleep with that crazy fool Elam!”
You continue to listen to Zana’s rant.
“When I heard of your plan to create a fertile version of those abominations called Eternals I already saw my opportunity to get my revenge. Imagine my surprise when you actually took Elam up on his insane plan. To be quite honest I thought it would be a failure and I wouldn’t need to do anything except watch you eventually die of old age having missed your opportunity to carry on some monstrous legacy in the quest for immortality instead.”
“So why didn’t you attempt to sabotage the attempt long before now? Hell, why not even go the direct route and try to kill me? Not like you didn’t have plenty of opportunity.” You ask.
“Hah, kill you? The Eternal Emperor? I wouldn’t have stood a chance. No matter how quick, clever or young I might be, even I know that you have more lives than a cat. No, I would’ve never been able to kill you myself. As for sabotage, that might’ve been an option had you not been lingering around as much or Gregory not constantly doing inspections after every new part had been added. I knew I should’ve had him killed. I nearly thought about killing Elam when he started making progress with the project…but what can I say, I’d grown to like the old fool too much. Weakness on my part and a fatal one obviously.”
Zana’s confession now has a tone of regret, not because of what she did, but more of what she failed to do. Right now you can see her thinking about the methods she could’ve went through with this plan a better way. So close, yet so far.
“Okay, since you’re in a talkative mood, did Klemto or any gnome put you up to this?” you ask.
“What? So you’ll have an excuse to round them all up and destroy their souls again? I heard about what you did to them. And maybe I might find them to be timid, tiresome unattractive little know it alls, I find it deplorable what the Empire did to them. I can’t believe they allowed themselves to be dominated by a nation that systematically exterminated them from not just this life, but the next as well!”
“So did they help or not?” you ask again.
“No! No they did not! My father would’ve probably had me jailed if he knew what I was planning. Those cowards wouldn’t dare stand against the Empire, but I fucking would! And did! Not that this will save them. After you’re done killing me, you’ll probably have them all killed as well for any excuse will serve a tyrant!”
“It’s amusing that you keep calling me that. What did you think your parents were? They were a KING and QUEEN. You think they ruled by popular decision? Do you think YOU would have if you became queen? My actions that day weren’t even personal. I was just following orders like a soldier. Your actions however today are misguided and as you already admitted, fatal. Such a waste. Even had I known your origins, I would not have had you killed if you had remained true to serving the Empire. Your quest for vengeance was as pointless as your entire life. But I am a man of my word and I believe everything you’ve told me.”
Without another word, you nod at the Eyes restraining her who back off. You then raise your hand and flash of lightning emanates from your fingers blasting Zana directly in the heart. She shakes for a few seconds and then slumps forward dead on the table.
“Funny. She’ll probably be the last person I’ll ever kill directly. Well in this body anyway. Who’s to say what the future will bring? Anyway, I’ll need to speak with Warrick again.”
You tell Warrick that you want the Eyes to purge New Dessel. Despite the fact that Zana most likely worked alone, you can’t take that chance. Maybe Klemto anticipated she’d eventually seek revenge and just took a hands off approach so that he couldn’t be directly implemented. Maybe they’re all genuinely innocent. Doesn’t matter. You’re trying to secure the future of the Empire and its obvious the gnomes are a potential threat.
You chuckle to yourself realizing that you’re even more like Casimir than you ever thought. You have to believe even if he would be jealous of all your other accomplishments, he’d definitely be proud of this one.
“Very well, we’ve already got a large number of Eyes positioned in that city. All we have to do is send in another large group, telling the gnomes that it’s a routine changing of the guard and when they’re in, they’ll purge the city. What about Elam?” Warrick asks.
“Oh, him I need. Besides I’m fairly certain the only thing he’s guilty of is thinking with his dick. Catch him up to speed on the situation and release him. Also let him know that the project will have to be set back until I’m satisfied with the machine’s replacement parts and Gregory’s inspection of every little detail.”
“Understood. Long live the Empire.” Warrick says.
The project is set back at least a couple of months. The purging of New Dessel takes awhile due to the gnomes locking themselves in hard to reach sections of the city, but eventually the entire city is purged. You at last finished what Casimir started though really you wish it hadn’t been necessary. You never hated them. Klemto just saved the wrong baby and brought death on them all because of it.
In any event, mostly technicians, inventors and other human families with members that have similar mechanical or scientific skills will resettle New Dessel.
Eventually Elam and Gregory have all the equipment fixed and ready again and you return with Decena to complete the task you originally set out to do.
You’re strapped to a table. Elam is remarkably subdued. You’re guessing he’s still taking Zana’s betrayal hard. Still, perhaps its good, it will give him more focus on what is important, serving the Empire.
As you are prepared, you and Decena exchange one kiss for what will be the last time.
“Know that whatever happens, I’ll always love you.” She says.
“And I will always love you.” You respond.
Elam injects you with a powerful reagent that knocks you out and the process begins.
The blackness takes you experience absolute nothingness…
Hours later you wake up or at least you believe you’re “awake.” All around you, you feel as if you’re floating and every so often a tingling electrical charge can be felt. Your mind…or rather “you” are in the tank. The procedure worked.
It’s a very strange sensation, you can “see” though you don’t have eyes. It’s almost as if the images you see outside the tank are being displayed directly into your brain. Though it isn’t like proper vision. You can only “see” them as blurs in your mind, however you can fill in those gaps due to your real memories of said people.
Elam was right, the magic energy within you has allowed you vision, and it has also allowed you to speak. You focus on the female image…on Decena who still stands near your now empty shell of a body on a table.
“Decena…do not cry…it worked…I am…alive.” You say with a bit of effort.
This statement is followed by some shouts of joy from Decena who starts speaking out loud asking if its really you. When Elam sees what’s going on, he begins to jump up and down exclaiming that the process worked.
“Decena, speak to me with your mind. It is the best way to directly communicate with me now.” You say to which she does so.
“My love, I’m so happy to see that this has worked! I was about to have Elam killed if it didn’t! So how is it? How do you feel?”
“It is an odd sensation, though not an unpleasant one. Indeed I do not feel the pain I once did any more. Perhaps, I shall get used to this form after all.”
At this point you hear Elam’s mind and he’s asking you five hundred questions, all of which you will get to in time, but you tell him for now you just want to rest and converse with Decena alone.
He gets it and says he’ll be back in an hour to check on you since there are still many tests that need to be done, such as the ability to move the automaton bodies and such.
After Elam and his staff leave, Decena sits next to the tank touching the glass and looking in on you. It’s the closest she’ll ever be with you ever again, and she begins to sniffle and sob a bit. At first you think its out of sadness, but then you sense her thoughts and its due to happiness.
“You’ll live forever and so will the Empire now. You did it, my love I always knew you would.”
You are filled with a sense of bliss that seems stronger than you’ve ever felt before. You wonder if it’s due to your new form. Perhaps without a body, emotions and senses are stronger in some way?
In any case you know now that this is just the beginning. You’ll have to make special arrangements due to your new form, but that’s all part of running an Empire. Now with your immortality secured, you can get back to expansion and possibly even get the Eternal project back up and running with alterations. Your plans to unite the entire world under Empire world has not changed and you know there are still places out there left to conquer.
Still, when you look on at Decena’s hand on the glass you wish you could just touch her again. If only for a moment.
“Very well, if you feel a second inspection should be done, then that’s what will be done. (Sigh) I’m just wondering who had as much experience as Zana and Elam did with the machine that they could inspect it without wondering what certain parts did or accidently make things worse.” You respond
“What about that nervous fellow I saw sometimes in the palace? Didn’t he work on the Eternal Project?” Decena asks.
“Oh…you mean Gregory? Yeah, he did. I transferred him over here as a general supervisor when that project got shut down. Sometimes I even forget he’s here, since he’s such a wallflower sometimes. Still you’re probably on to something, because if anyone is a stickler for safety and thoroughness its him and while he wasn’t involved in the building process, he has familiarized himself with the machine probably just as much due to being a safety supervisor for the rst of the technical staff. He’s probably annoyed the hell out of Elam on several occasions because of it.”
“Good, he’s sounds perfect.”
The next day you summon Gregory to the palace, when he arrives he’s nervous as usual. The man must think you’re going to have him executed, but then he thinks that any time you look at him. You tell him that you just need another inspection done on the tank and the machine (It’s really going to have to be given a better name at some point). He of course complies.
While he gets started you plan on informing Elam and Zana that there may be a slight delay in the project, but you figure it can wait until tomorrow and you spend some quality time with Decena for the rest of the day.
On the second day, Kivan tells you that Gregory really needs to speak with you and says it’s incredibly important. When you go to speak with him, he’s very apologetic, but explains that he’s already found some possible problems with the machine.
“Apologies my Emperor as I know you want to get this procedure underway as soons as possible, but well I just think I found some possible problems. I mean they seem very minor, but they aren’t. In time some vital parts could break down. In fact I’m very surprised that Zana did not catch the worn tubing and slightly frayed wires on the inside. Besides myself, she’s the only one that has a good eye for that detail.”
Decena who happens to be with you, immediately exclaims about this being proof that she knew that something wasn’t on the up and up with Zana.
“She tried to make her assassination attempt look like an accident! I KNEW there wasn’t something right about her!”
You tell Gregory to keep doing his inspection to see if there are any more flaws he can find. While it’s very possible Zana didn’t see these potential dangers, you’re still not pleased with her right now and plan on having the Eyes bring her in. Elam will have to be brought in too.
When you arrive at the Eye headquarters, Warrick tells you that they haven’t interrogated to any great length yet, but the pair of them don’t know why they’ve been brought in by the Eyes.
Your main concern is Zana at first so you personally go to see her with the Eye interrogators. What is surprising is that when you see her she’s completely calm. Most people (including Elam) when brought in by the Eyes are scared shitless.
And that’s what starts to make you suspicious. You’ve found that the people who are the most calm under pressure are probably the most capable of ruthlessness and plots…
Zana explains her inspection step by step and steadily asserts her dedication to the Empire and her loyalty. It probably would’ve been better had she just not spoken at all, because the more you hear the more your own suspicion rises. If Decena was here, she probably would’ve just shot her for lying, and while her fate is definitely sealed as far as you’re concerned, you still want to know the reason.
“Zana, I’ll admit, you had even me fooled, but the problem is the more you talk the worse it gets for you. Gregory has already found more flaws in the machine since you were brought in. He’s even said that even he doesn’t think that they could be anything other than sabotage. Even if I assume you’re telling the truth, it displays a gross amount of incompetence on your part. So either you were trying to kill me on purpose or you’re a lot less competent than I believed. And quite honestly I do not believe that from your past experience that YOU are capable of that level of incompetence.”
Zana’s calm demeanor begins to change to one of uncertainty. It’s hitting her that she might not make it out of here.
“So tell me why Zana. Was this something you just came up with, had you been planning this for years? Who else is involved? Did someone put you up to this…did a svelk woman by the name of Semra put you up to this?” you ask.
Zana’s face now has dropped to one of fear. She looks like she’s about to cry.
“Zana, you know how this is going to end for you. If you ever had any loyalty toward the Empire then at least tell me everything. If you do, I can at least promise you a quick execution.” You say.
Zana’s expression now changes to one of absolute rage.
“Like the same quick death you’ve given so many others? The fact is I’ve NEVER had ANY loyalty to the Empire let alone you, murderer. Tyrant. But I’ll tell you everything anyway, because you don’t know shit about me. You think I’m upset because I’m about to die? I’m upset because I won’t get to kill you and spare the world of your future domination and cruelty!”
This outburst causes the Eyes nearby to move closer towards Zana and grab her wrists just in case she attempts something, though at this point there isn’t much she could do to you now.
“Who are you? I mean who are you really?”
“I’m nobody. Nobody of importance at least not until YOU came around and killed my entire family!” Zana says.
“Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down?” you ask.
“I was going to be a princess! I would’ve ruled a kingdom one day! YOU and YOUR EMPIRE destroyed all that before I even had a chance to enjoy a taste of such a life! Klemto didn’t just save a random Felkan baby, he saved an HEIR TO THE FELKAN FUCKING KINGDOM!” Zana shouts.
It was a very long time ago. Almost a different life even, but you vaguely remember seeing a crib in the Felkan royal palace, yet no baby or even signs of a dead one. You never thought too much of it at the time, but apparently even though Zana was just an infant, Klemto must’ve told her about her real heritage. He probably lied to you thinking that you would’ve had her killed.
“Because of YOU, I’ve had to live a miserable existence working on machinery surrounded by fucking GNOMES! You know what that’s like? Being the only human in community of damn gnomes? It SUCKS! Then when some humans do fucking arrive, they’re from the same nation that destroyed my birthright! It almost sickened me to even sleep with that crazy fool Elam!”
You continue to listen to Zana’s rant.
“When I heard of your plan to create a fertile version of those abominations called Eternals I already saw my opportunity to get my revenge. Imagine my surprise when you actually took Elam up on his insane plan. To be quite honest I thought it would be a failure and I wouldn’t need to do anything except watch you eventually die of old age having missed your opportunity to carry on some monstrous legacy in the quest for immortality instead.”
“So why didn’t you attempt to sabotage the attempt long before now? Hell, why not even go the direct route and try to kill me? Not like you didn’t have plenty of opportunity.” You ask.
“Hah, kill you? The Eternal Emperor? I wouldn’t have stood a chance. No matter how quick, clever or young I might be, even I know that you have more lives than a cat. No, I would’ve never been able to kill you myself. As for sabotage, that might’ve been an option had you not been lingering around as much or Gregory not constantly doing inspections after every new part had been added. I knew I should’ve had him killed. I nearly thought about killing Elam when he started making progress with the project…but what can I say, I’d grown to like the old fool too much. Weakness on my part and a fatal one obviously.”
Zana’s confession now has a tone of regret, not because of what she did, but more of what she failed to do. Right now you can see her thinking about the methods she could’ve went through with this plan a better way. So close, yet so far.
“Okay, since you’re in a talkative mood, did Klemto or any gnome put you up to this?” you ask.
“What? So you’ll have an excuse to round them all up and destroy their souls again? I heard about what you did to them. And maybe I might find them to be timid, tiresome unattractive little know it alls, I find it deplorable what the Empire did to them. I can’t believe they allowed themselves to be dominated by a nation that systematically exterminated them from not just this life, but the next as well!”
“So did they help or not?” you ask again.
“No! No they did not! My father would’ve probably had me jailed if he knew what I was planning. Those cowards wouldn’t dare stand against the Empire, but I fucking would! And did! Not that this will save them. After you’re done killing me, you’ll probably have them all killed as well for any excuse will serve a tyrant!”
“It’s amusing that you keep calling me that. What did you think your parents were? They were a KING and QUEEN. You think they ruled by popular decision? Do you think YOU would have if you became queen? My actions that day weren’t even personal. I was just following orders like a soldier. Your actions however today are misguided and as you already admitted, fatal. Such a waste. Even had I known your origins, I would not have had you killed if you had remained true to serving the Empire. Your quest for vengeance was as pointless as your entire life. But I am a man of my word and I believe everything you’ve told me.”
Without another word, you nod at the Eyes restraining her who back off. You then raise your hand and flash of lightning emanates from your fingers blasting Zana directly in the heart. She shakes for a few seconds and then slumps forward dead on the table.
“Funny. She’ll probably be the last person I’ll ever kill directly. Well in this body anyway. Who’s to say what the future will bring? Anyway, I’ll need to speak with Warrick again.”
You tell Warrick that you want the Eyes to purge New Dessel. Despite the fact that Zana most likely worked alone, you can’t take that chance. Maybe Klemto anticipated she’d eventually seek revenge and just took a hands off approach so that he couldn’t be directly implemented. Maybe they’re all genuinely innocent. Doesn’t matter. You’re trying to secure the future of the Empire and its obvious the gnomes are a potential threat.
You chuckle to yourself realizing that you’re even more like Casimir than you ever thought. You have to believe even if he would be jealous of all your other accomplishments, he’d definitely be proud of this one.
“Very well, we’ve already got a large number of Eyes positioned in that city. All we have to do is send in another large group, telling the gnomes that it’s a routine changing of the guard and when they’re in, they’ll purge the city. What about Elam?” Warrick asks.
“Oh, him I need. Besides I’m fairly certain the only thing he’s guilty of is thinking with his dick. Catch him up to speed on the situation and release him. Also let him know that the project will have to be set back until I’m satisfied with the machine’s replacement parts and Gregory’s inspection of every little detail.”
“Understood. Long live the Empire.” Warrick says.
The project is set back at least a couple of months. The purging of New Dessel takes awhile due to the gnomes locking themselves in hard to reach sections of the city, but eventually the entire city is purged. You at last finished what Casimir started though really you wish it hadn’t been necessary. You never hated them. Klemto just saved the wrong baby and brought death on them all because of it.
In any event, mostly technicians, inventors and other human families with members that have similar mechanical or scientific skills will resettle New Dessel.
Eventually Elam and Gregory have all the equipment fixed and ready again and you return with Decena to complete the task you originally set out to do.
You’re strapped to a table. Elam is remarkably subdued. You’re guessing he’s still taking Zana’s betrayal hard. Still, perhaps its good, it will give him more focus on what is important, serving the Empire.
As you are prepared, you and Decena exchange one kiss for what will be the last time.
“Know that whatever happens, I’ll always love you.” She says.
“And I will always love you.” You respond.
Elam injects you with a powerful reagent that knocks you out and the process begins.
The blackness takes you experience absolute nothingness…
Hours later you wake up or at least you believe you’re “awake.” All around you, you feel as if you’re floating and every so often a tingling electrical charge can be felt. Your mind…or rather “you” are in the tank. The procedure worked.
It’s a very strange sensation, you can “see” though you don’t have eyes. It’s almost as if the images you see outside the tank are being displayed directly into your brain. Though it isn’t like proper vision. You can only “see” them as blurs in your mind, however you can fill in those gaps due to your real memories of said people.
Elam was right, the magic energy within you has allowed you vision, and it has also allowed you to speak. You focus on the female image…on Decena who still stands near your now empty shell of a body on a table.
“Decena…do not cry…it worked…I am…alive.” You say with a bit of effort.
This statement is followed by some shouts of joy from Decena who starts speaking out loud asking if its really you. When Elam sees what’s going on, he begins to jump up and down exclaiming that the process worked.
“Decena, speak to me with your mind. It is the best way to directly communicate with me now.” You say to which she does so.
“My love, I’m so happy to see that this has worked! I was about to have Elam killed if it didn’t! So how is it? How do you feel?”
“It is an odd sensation, though not an unpleasant one. Indeed I do not feel the pain I once did any more. Perhaps, I shall get used to this form after all.”
At this point you hear Elam’s mind and he’s asking you five hundred questions, all of which you will get to in time, but you tell him for now you just want to rest and converse with Decena alone.
He gets it and says he’ll be back in an hour to check on you since there are still many tests that need to be done, such as the ability to move the automaton bodies and such.
After Elam and his staff leave, Decena sits next to the tank touching the glass and looking in on you. It’s the closest she’ll ever be with you ever again, and she begins to sniffle and sob a bit. At first you think its out of sadness, but then you sense her thoughts and its due to happiness.
“You’ll live forever and so will the Empire now. You did it, my love I always knew you would.”
You are filled with a sense of bliss that seems stronger than you’ve ever felt before. You wonder if it’s due to your new form. Perhaps without a body, emotions and senses are stronger in some way?
In any case you know now that this is just the beginning. You’ll have to make special arrangements due to your new form, but that’s all part of running an Empire. Now with your immortality secured, you can get back to expansion and possibly even get the Eternal project back up and running with alterations. Your plans to unite the entire world under Empire world has not changed and you know there are still places out there left to conquer.
Still, when you look on at Decena’s hand on the glass you wish you could just touch her again. If only for a moment.