Eternal
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.
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.
