Year 18

"And so I said to the blacksmith, well if you're intending on killing the Emperor, you better damn well have a better plan than those group of thugs you've been supplying with weapons in the sewers. At least supply them to some thugs who the Emperor wouldn't be able to smell six miles away!" you say, and this is followed by a few laughs from some of your fellow shadows.
"Hah, good one brother! Tell me, what did you do to the blacksmith?" Brother Murk asks.
"Oh we relocated him to our safehouse in Derlerg along with his buddies, reported that we eliminated him as a dissident…you know the usual. I must say, their surprise that we aren't going to kill them is always amusing though." You reply.
"Yes, given our reputation, I imagine it is. Still, it's all for a good cause eh, brother?"
"Yes brother, it certainly is." You say to Murk with a nod and take another drink of black tea.
"Well I have to say I'm very glad you've finally managed to settle in brother, I have to admit, for awhile I was getting a little worried about you. You just didn't seem like yourself after our ceremony initiation." Talia says.
"Yeah, well I guess I was just a late bloomer or something."
"Don't worry about it brother, it's all in the past. What matters now is that we're all on the same page now." Murk replies.

On the same page…the problem is you really aren't on the same page. You haven't been since you got here. The other problem? You're starting to feel like you might be getting there though. During the time you were forced to socialize you just swallowed your fear and self-doubt and proceeded like it was any mission. And you were successful. Perhaps a little too successful.

Once you actually got sent out on a mission, you were paired up with Brother Murk. A fellow you had become semi-friendly with during your months of socializing. Your original plan was as soon as you left Gloom, you were going to run to the nearest Empire fort and make your report.

Though for this plan to succeed in any meaningful way you would've had to kill Murk and despite your better judgment, you couldn't bring yourself to do it. You later cursed yourself for this temporary weakness and the next time you were sent out, you vowed to yourself that you'd do it again, the problem was you had only become friendlier with Murk within that time. You failed again.

By the time they rotated your partnership and you were paired you with someone else, you still couldn't do it, because now you actually started to feel like the Shadow Guard really was like a family to you. And you liked that feeling. In fact it was the best you've felt in a long time.

Yet, now you are in a difficult position. You are still loyal to the Empire and the Emperor first, but you haven't been able to find the fortitude to expose the Shadow Guard for what they are. You attempt to rationalize it in your mind, by claiming the longer you stay the more you learn about their exact plans, and while that's certainly true, it really isn't the TRUTH.

The real truth is you're starting to believe in the Shadow Guard's cause slightly. You don't know if it's because you've spent so much time here that you've developed some sort of emotional attachment or some odd sort of subtle indoctrination.

Is this what Dendrin really had in store for you? Did he know you could be turned even without his intervention? Before you had that experience everything was so certain, your feelings weren't a constant source of ups and downs. Even under Mistress, you don't remember ever feeling this. It was either success or death. It was very simple and you preferred it.

Now you don't know what the hell you're doing. Are you a traitor? Are you still loyal? Are you both? Are you neither?

You excuse yourself from the rest of your brothers and sister and say you have to get some rest, though in reality you have to take a long look at your priorities. Once again you spend a few more months going through your usual routines and quietly suffering in silence.

That comes to a halt when Murk comes into the barracks one day…

"Hey, where are brother Cyrus and sister Talia?" he immediately asks you.
"Uh, sister Talia I think is in the library and brother Cyrus is probably with brother Draven somewhere." You reply.
"Oh, well I'll go get Talia, someone else can look for Cyrus, but you need to report to Master Ebon right away."
"What's this all about?"
"I don't know, just that he wants you, Talia and Cyrus to see him. Something about someone from the Empire wanting to meet with all three of you. Sounds important."

You get up and walk to Master Ebon's office which remains closed, so you wait. A few moments later, Talia joins you.

"Hello, brother. Isn't master Ebon here?"
"If he is, he isn't answering his door, so I've been waiting outside."
"Do you know what this is about?"
"Dunno, just that someone from the Empire wants to see us."

Talia nods and remains silent. Soon Cyrus joins you and asks a similar question, to which you answer in a similar manner. He grunts at you and stands as far from you as possible, though he says something polite to Talia. Same old Cyrus.

No sooner has Cyrus got there, when Ebon's door opens. You hear a voice that tells you to come in. You didn't even think he was inside, but you guess he was really waiting to see you all together. When you all enter, he tell Cyrus to close the door and gets right to the point.

"You three have been summoned by Mr. Mol. Apparently he wants to ask you a few questions and is insisting on doing it somewhere in the capital I believe. In any case, he claims he wants to check on your progress as an Eternal, but I suspect he's fishing for information about us."
"You don't think he suspects anything do you?" Talia asks.
"I do not believe he knows anything about our true goals, if he or anyone did, I have no doubt we would've been moved upon by now. No, I think this is just another Empire ploy to try to get more inside intel on our organization, which for the reasons I just mentioned they cannot know about."
"I won't say a word to this running dog of the Empire! My eyes have been open a long time and my loyalty is and will always be to Dendrin." Cyrus says.

Master Ebon nods. "Yes, I know it will be. I have no doubt, but I still would like you all to just be on your guard when answering questions none the less. It probably won't come to this, but kill yourselves if you have to. It won't be ideal, since it'll arouse suspicion, but it'll still give us time to go ahead with our plan anyway, even if it would be a few years early. Anyway, the three of you are to make your way to the town of Lenet and from there you'll take an Empire carriage to the capital. Return immediately if you are able. May Dendrin and the shadows hide your true intentions."

With those last words, Ebon sends you away and the three of you set off on your journey. You begin to feel nervous as soon as you leave Gloom, you weren't expecting this happening, but deep down you did know that something like it was going to happen eventually. You remain mostly quiet during the journey as you try to get in a certain frame of mind of what you're going to do or say. Cyrus is mostly silent as well, though you're guessing that's because he's so firmly entrenched in his belief in Dendrin, that he knows what he's going to say and do.

Talia is the only talkative one and that's mainly questions about what you both think Mr. Mol will ask you. You know she's dedicated herself to Dendrin, but you sense that perhaps she's a little nervous too, though you don't know if it's due to her new loyalty to Dendrin or because she's been harboring secret loyalty to the Empire like you have. You decide to imagine it's the latter, mainly because you want to make yourself feel better.

Eventually the carriage from Lenet reaches Qale, the Empire's capital and several soldiers immediately step forward to say they are here to escort you to Mr. Mol. The three of you are taken from the opulence of one of the main streets and quickly through a system of back alleys until you eventually reach a non-descript building. You enter and there you see Mr. Mol. It's the well dressed man you saw speaking to Brother Gray six years ago. He's also wearing the same formal black suit he was back then.

"Ah, the Shadow Eternals. I've so wanted to catch up with your progress, but my attention was on your less subtle peers for a while. I think we've sorted them out though, so now it's time to sort you out as well. Just a formality really, we just want to see if you're achieving your full potential in the Shadow Guard. After all you're Eternals first, and we wouldn't want your talents to not be used to their fullest potential in the service of the Emperor, right?"

Cyrus and Talia say nothing, but you feel obligated to acknowledge that question if only to not look suspicious.

"Correct. All that we are, we owe to the Emperor's will." you say.
"Glad to hear it! Now then we're just going to be asking you some questions, these soldiers will take you to a place to wait. Off you go."

At this point the three of are marched out of the room and down a long hallway. The cold broken stone walls and desolation of this place almost makes Gloom look cheery by comparison. Eventually you reach a door on your left and Cyrus is told to wait inside the room. He enters without a word, but gives you and Talia a look like "Say nothing!"

A few moments later you reach another door on the left, this time Talia is told to wait inside. She hesitates for a moment, but enters. She gives you a look as well, though this one is more of concern.

Finally you reach the last door on the left and you are told to enter and wait. You do so without looking at anyone. The door shuts behind you and the ominous sound of a lock is heard.

There isn't much you can do, so you sit down at one of the chairs in the middle of the room and wait.

And wait…and wait…and wait…and wait…

You don't know how much time has passed, but you get up and move about several times before sitting down again. You don't quite panic as much as you think you would, but being alone with your thoughts is definitely not the best thing for you. Right now you're already thinking they've managed to break Talia into talking and probably killed Cyrus.

Maybe if you cooperate right now, there will be leniency? Why shouldn't you cooperate? The Shadow Guard ARE traitors after all, and this is just the kick in the ass you needed to remind you of that.

But then there's the other part of you that feels loyal to the shadows and how you shouldn't betray them. You go back and forth what you're going to do several times, and then you hear the lock on the door. Mr. Mol enters…

You keep quiet

You're fooling yourself. You've only been struggling with your loyalty issues because you were brought up to obey the Emperor and serve the Empire.

But really what have you learned since then? You've learned that a great majority of it is all lies. True, the Shadow Guard has their own agenda, but it isn't just based on following their god, it's actively trying to free others under the tyranny of the Empire. And are they seeking to take the place of the Empire? No, they're just going to return to Derlerg and return to how their lives used to be, before the Empire arrived, everyone else is free to do as they please.

Is that something you really need to fight against? People that want to bring freedom to not just themselves, but to others as well? Dendrin said that he didn't believe you were going to serve him and you were just saying you were to survive. He also said you weren't as rigid as your fellows. He's right on both accounts. You don't think that you'll ever be a true shadow, but perhaps you agree with their goals at least in this case. Besides, you've bonded more with the people at Gloom who have actively helped you in the past than you have with a faceless Emperor who you haven't even seen let alone gotten any help from. If anything the Empire has nearly tried to kill you since the moment you were born.

You make your choice within that moment. You're going to remain quiet and not tell Mr. Mol anything, but if you get accused you doubt if you'll kill yourself, you're more likely to make a valiant escape attempt instead.

Mr. Mol sits down and begins his line of questioning.

"So how are you today?" he asks.
"I'm fine."
"And how are your duties going in the Shadow Guard?"
"Fine sir. The rooting out of dissidents and traitors to the Empire is a tireless one, sir."
"Yes, it is…" Mr. Mol says with a pause. "Tell me, are there times when you have found someone not guilty?"
"Never sir."
"Never? Really? Surely not all your searches come up with violent dissidents. Perhaps some of the citizens are merely just speaking harmless nonsense?"
"If they are, then they would've been wise to keep their mouth shut sir. The Emperor is not to be criticized and his will is what guides the greatness of the Empire."
"I see…" Mr. Mol says and takes some notes.

"Tell me, what do you think of the Shadow Guard?"
"They are the hands of the Emperor, sir."
"His hands huh? That implies they are so important that the Emperor cannot do without them."
"Not at all sir. The hands are nothing compared to the mind that controls it. The Emperor is the mind that controls the hands. They are nothing without his direction and guidance. This is known and accepted as it has been from the beginning. But I am not truly a Shadow Guard, I am an Eternal. My duty is and will always be to the Emperor first. If you order me to abandon the Shadow Guard because you feel my talents would be better served elsewhere, I shall do so."
"Hmm, no I do not think that's necessary."

Mr. Mol asks you a few more questions and you answer in the best way you can. All in all Mr. Mol seems almost bored by your answers, like he was hoping to hear something much more exciting. You're not sorry to disappoint him, but you're definitely trying your hardest to maintain a cool demeanor in the face of certain treason if he suspects the slightest lie.

Eventually he finishes and you are lead out of the room and back into the main room where you see Cyrus and Talia waiting with the soldiers.

"Okay I believe we are done here. I am pleased to find that all of you are obviously living up to your potential. I was a little concerned only because a couple of your non-shadow Eternals already have proven to lack the discipline we thought they had. One was executed for killing his superior officer and another one died by breaking a solid fighting formation during a battle. I'm glad to see all of you are much better in that regard and I can only chalk that up to the Shadow Guard's superior training techniques. Perhaps more Eternals in the future will join as it is obvious you all have tremendous willpower and great loyalty to the Empire." Mr. Mol says.

And with that, the three of you are lead back to the carriage, which takes you back to Lenet, and from there you walk back to Gloom. You're all more talkative at this point, Talia and Cyrus go on about the questions with each other and you. Of course you lie and state you were asked similar ones.

"So do you think he suspected anything?" Talia asks.
"Doubt it. The Empire fool didn't even ask anything remotely important. It is obvious Dendrin's shadow covers his eyes from the truth. So much so that it required minimum effort on our part to even lie to him. I mostly just omitted truth." Cyrus mocks.
"Omissions of the truth are usually better than outright lies anyway. Less of a chance to get caught up in a web." Talia comments.
"Oh I dunno, all I did was lie and he never suspected a thing." You say.

After the three of you report to Master Ebon, he seems pleased with how things turned out, but states that he's pushing to enact the plan sooner for concern that the Empire may still suspect something. He then says to expect things to get hectic soon, but with Dendrin's guidance you all will surely prevail and the Empire will collapse.

You retire to your bed to get some rest as it's been a long stressful day. You're finally glad to have settled your crisis of loyalty though. With these comforting thoughts you drift off to sleep…

As you sleep you begin to dream. You dream that you're in the same void like space when you walked into that portal two years ago. You feel nothing and you sense nothing for a long time then you hear the voice, but it isn't oppressive like the first time.

"So you did not betray me after all…I am a little surprised mortal. Perhaps you see after all."
"I see that the Empire is indeed a corrupt system that needs to be brought down, but I don't feel the need to worship you."
"It is a start, but know that this path you take now will be very dangerous. As strong as you are your survival is not guaranteed. It shall be interesting to see you try however."

With those last words, you wake up. You try to go back to sleep, but it isn't easy. Just like bringing down the Empire isn't going to be easy. You just can't figure out why Dendrin, doesn't take a more active role in helping his followers. He obviously has the power, but you don't know. The best you can do is what you can achieve in the mortal realm and leave the motivations of any gods out of the picture.
Chapter 2B2: Dendrin's Shadow


Year 20

"So Brother Cyrus and Brother Draven are going to be assigned to Rask soon?" you ask.
"That's what I've heard from Brother Gray. Them and a few others. Next year at the latest." Murk says
"Good idea, from what I've heard the Empire is always having problems with that area, though I think they'll start having problems in other areas too soon now that they're officially at war with the Felkan Kingdom."
"Personally I don't think we should be waiting around now, we should push things along even more." Brother Shade says. "In fact, I'm going to mention that to Master Ebon next time I see him."
"You don't think that he hasn't already thought of such a plan?" Talia asks.
"Perhaps, but let's just say I've been here a little longer than the rest of you, and while I know Master Ebon is just waiting for the right time to strike, he's been playing the waiting game a little longer than I think is necessary."

This statement from Brother Shade gets a lot of looks, but nobody says anything. Even you are surprised as this is the first time you believe you've heard something close to an open criticism about Master Ebon or the leadership structure in general.

Soon after his statement Brother Shade leaves to attend his duties.

"Brother Shade should watch how he talks about Master Ebon. Ebon speaks directly to Dendrin on a daily basis and knows best on how to proceed." Murk remarks.
"Then why did you not speak up, instead of just sitting there?" Sister Bianca asks.
"Uh…well…"
"Always trying to impress the ladies, eh Murk?" you chuckle and take your leave to go about your duties as well.

Later that night you fall asleep and have an encounter with someone you don't want to interact with unless you have to…

"So I see you're fitting in well after all. Glad to see it seeing as you still don't particularly hold a lot of faith in my help. You are a most puzzling creature Eternal." Dendrin says.
"For someone with god powers, you aren't very omniscient. As I said, I joined the Shadow Guard's cause because it's the best chance to bring down the Empire. Master Ebon is the leader and whether he's getting reliable guidance from you or not is irrelevant, he's who I'm following not you."
"Interesting, so you've just exchanged one Emperor for another."
"No, for one I actually have interacted with Master Ebon and understand his motivations and goals better. As far as I know about the Emperor and the Empire, they're just into power for power's sake. And what do you care? I'm following Ebon and he follows you, so shouldn't you be happy?"

At this point a low chortle pierces your brain.

"Perhaps I am. Perhaps I am. As always I enjoy our little talks Eternal."

Sometime later you wake up from your sleep, still wondering what the hell Dendrin's game is.

Year 21

"Besides the hidden cells we already have, I think we can definitely count on the elven population for support when the time comes, I don't think there's a single one that would defend the Empire, if it meant a true end to it. As for the human population well its hit or miss. We know we'll stir up any slaves and probably criminal types looking to take advantage of the chaos. The poorer folk might be a bit divided. Some are still brainwashed fools happy to toil under the iron fist, though happily a lot seem to be grumbling as of late. It'll probably go more to our favor when the revolution goes full swing." You tell your fellow shadows.
"Good to hear. The reports I get from Cyrus at Fort Defiance are promising as well. He says that he's made contact with the orc commander who has been stirring up a bit of rebellion in the orcs. He's been slowly transferring many of them to Rask and concentrating on having them all rebel there though. This Captain Gruz states it would be too risky to do it with the orc serving on the Felkan frontlines as well since he needs to keep his profile somewhat low and they're probably just going to get killed soon in that meat grinder anyway." Brother Gray remarks.
"And I still say we should've pushed further on sabotage on that front, not to mention try to convince Gruz to influence the orcs stationed there anyway."
"Yes, yes, so you've said. Brother Shade isn't it enough that your voice was heard on the orc issue at all? You should be satisfied with that fact rather than pushing for needless recklessness. Your idea contribution was utilized in the best way that will advance Dendrin's agenda. Be happy for such a thing brother." Brother Gray responds.

Brother Shade sits back down and scowls, but says nothing else except a few grumbles. He does glare at you as if you're to blame, but it's not your fault. You've been putting in just as much work as everyone trying to cultivate dissension and looking for weaknesses to exploit when the time comes, you sort of hope it comes soon though because even you are getting tired of the waiting around. You're still an Eternal and the desire for combat on a grand scale is still there.

After the meeting you head towards your room since you have no more duties for today. As you walk down the corridor Talia catches up with you.

"Where is Brother Murk, normally he's by your side talking to you after these things."
"He had to rush to the Delerg province; he had duties to attend to there immediately after the meeting.
"I see, for a moment I thought you were going to tell me he was attempting to unsuccessfully attempt to charm sister Bianca again."
"He probably still did that before he left."
"I don't know why he puts himself through the hassle. It is obvious she will never feel that way about him." Talia remarks.
"Oh I dunno, with enough time he might wear her down in twenty years."
"Perhaps, but his time would better spent elsewhere pursuing a mate. Certain people just aren't made to be together, unlike say us for example."

While you and Talia have grown slightly closer over the years, you weren't aware it was to that level!

"Okay Talia, you're going to have to explain in greater detail on this issue, because I'm lost."
"I intend to. Basically I am choosing you now as a mate. I think you know there is wisdom in this."
"Wha? Now? Me? Why?"
"Because even though we are all siblings and equals in the eyes of Dendrin, quite frankly WE…" Talia grabs your hand and puts it to her heart and then your own. "…are Eternals. We still have a bond that the others don't and you're the only one I believe is worthy for me. Besides, I'm sure you are sick of waiting around for the revolution to get started and are feeling the urge for combat a lot. I figure we could both blow off some of those urges with other intimate activities."
"…does that really work?"
"I dunno, I've heard it does. It's not like I've tried this before, I guess we'll have to find out, assuming you want to that is…you aren't like Brother Cyrus are you?"
"Hah, no. I just haven't thought about it a lot about it in general. I guess I've got a lot on my mind most of the time."
"I sensed as much, as you always seem to be deep in thought a lot. Is it anything in particular?"

You almost want to tell her how your whole experience with the Shadow Guard has most likely been a lot different from everyone else's. How you don't have faith in Dendrin and how you've personally had several frustrating conversations with him. And most importantly how you always wonder if secretly attempting to overthrow the Empire is even going to work in the first place.

You don't though because it's only going to complicate things and perhaps you should take the time to relax every once in a while. You aren't even going to wonder if getting it on with Talia is even a good idea at this time. You're just going to act on her advances.

The pair of you find a secluded spot and embrace. While it's a completely new sensation to the pair of you, it somehow feels natural. Not just the act itself, but rather who you're with. Perhaps Talia was right in thinking that as Eternals you do still have a bond that the others don't.

She was also right about another thing too, sex does help with some of the pent up energy you both have. The pair of you engage in this activity quite a bit in the months to come.

Near the end of the year, the time to revolt is still no closer, but it would seem a spontaneous riot has broken out in one of the smaller towns just within province and several have been on the verge of doing so. Ever since the Felkan war broke out, the Shadow Guard haven't really been assigned there since the Empire has soldiers coming in and out of the area most of the time so it keeps the idea of rebellion down with the masses.

However it would appear that's part of the problem in the first place as a lot of the soldiers have just been taking advantage such as supplementing their food supplies by emptying entire grain storages or fields. The rumors of worse things abound as well, but as always the Empire doesn't pay any attention to such things. The military and its conquest of the Felkan Kingdom is top priority. The peasants are just going to have to make do and suffer through it as always.

Normally soldiers would put down the dissension going on in the province, but most of the military is currently attempting to make a big push on the Felkan Kingdom to break the current stalemate and it doesn't really want to divert any more soldiers than necessary. As the Shadow Guard are supposed to be the secret police enforcers in the first place, your order has been assigned to take care of the problem and the Empire wants an example made of the town of Hewlif which has openly rioted to the point where they've murdered all the Empire soldiers within it.

While Brother Shade urges that this would be good time to openly strike, Master Ebon again says no and says the charade still needs to be kept. Even you find this to be a little strange since this would indeed be a good opportunity and judging by some of the other reactions of your fellow shadows they may be in agreement.

"But how are we supposed to hide any potential rebels this time? I mean this is a whole town that the Empire wants us to wipe off the map!" Sister Bianca exclaims.
"We aren't. We're going to obey the Empire on this one and do exactly what we're told." Master Ebon says.
"WHAT?! Are you serious? This is supposed to be what we're fighting against! These average ordinary citizens have displayed more courage than you by taking matters into their own hands!"
"Brother Shade!" Brother Gray snaps.
"NO, I will not be silent this time! I must speak! We have the resources, we have infiltrated enough! Now is not the time to sneak about in the background, Dendrin wanted us to be free and I won't let you or this doddering old fool hold us back with your indecisiveness any longer!"

Without another word, Brother Shade speeds himself up and moves in for the attack. He can't possibly win even if he does reach Master Ebon in time…unless you attempted to help him.

You help in the assassination

Brother Shade has a point, waiting around for things to happen isn't why you're going along with the shadows. You thought they were actually trying to make major changes, but it's apparent a change in leadership might be indeed necessary.

You speed yourself up and fire your armbow at Master Ebon, but instead of hitting him it hits Brother Gray instead. He clutches his eye and falls to the floor. You really didn't mean to hit him though; he just got in the way. Several shadows behind you tackle you to the floor, but this followed by more shadows assaulting your attackers. Apparently you and Shade's actions have caused a minor civil war within the shadow ranks and those that disagreed with Master Ebon are taking their opportunity.

While you're trying to avoid getting trampled to death, Brother Shade's attack isn't as successful; he gets just within reach of Master Ebon before he's struck down with whatever mind power that Master Ebon apparently has. He displays it quite prominently when Shade instantly clutches his head as if it's about to explode. While that doesn't happen, he does begin to bleed from his ears and nose. He lets out one long scream of pain before collapsing to floor, this causes the current in-fighting to stop and just stare at Master Ebon who is now displaying an expression of fury the likes you've never seen on anyone before.

"SO THIS IS WHAT IT HAS COME TO?" He shouts and points over at Brother Gray's body. "How can we possibly defeat the Empire if we're killing each other and doubting Dendrin's will? If Dendrin right now struck ALL of us dead for this blasphemy, I could not blame him! Nor would I because it is not my place, nor anyone else's to judge his plans! It is obvious that this order must undergo purification before we are even able to overthrow the Empire! Centuries of planning completely gone, but this is how it MUST be if we are ever to be truly free under Dendrin's blessed design."

Master Ebon pauses a moment and then points in your direction.

"We'll start with you for your murder of Brother Gray!"

Before you can even react you feel a sharp pain wrack your brain then it courses throughout your entire body. It feels like your entire body is on fire and having thousands of blades stabbing you at the same time.

You begin bleeding, screaming and writhing on the floor just like Brother Shade did with one importance difference, Master Ebon actually makes your head explode into gooey chunks just to get his point across about purifying the shadow order.