Year 75

"Seems hard to believe that we haven't had any major conflict in over a decade." Talia says.
"What is harder to believe is that I stopped missing it. But I imagine the major powers are too busy fighting over the Quala region to worry about us as usual. I mean you've got the Empire of Nalin, Drog Son of Mog's Horde and even the Felkan Kingdom all annexing portions of it."
"Who do you think will win it?"
"The Nalin Empire will probably take most of it. Their new ruler Tarna is very ambitious as she started laying groundwork to invade Quala soon after Brenda's suicide…which was pretty suspicious anyway. I'm sure Drog is ambitious too, but predictably his son Og will soon challenge him for leadership and they'll resort to infighting as usual. As for the Felkan Kingdom, I believe the only reason why they started eating up land from Arat to Quala is to initially stop the on going anarchy that was starting to cross over into their borders. I think when they finally reach borders with Nalin, the expansion for them will halt and then it'll be a long stand off…history repeats itself again."
"You sound a bit concerned."
"Well, I'm fairly confident that we won't be attacked anytime soon, but as I said, history repeats itself and you're always going to get that one leader that's determined to prove themselves no matter how foolish the odds."
"Even against a chosen one of a god?" Talia chuckles.
"Especially against a chosen one of a god, even if only to claim they defied the divine."
"Is that what you would've done?"
"Of course." You laugh. "But as I said, I do not believe an attack will come in our time. It's going to come after us, I don't know how long, but the shadows are going to have to be prepared."
"Dendrin, will look over them as he always has."
"I sure hope so, because I can't do it forever. I may be an Eternal, but I'm not eternal. I've been studying some of our members as a potential successor, but I'm still not sure if any of them are up to the task."
"You have? I didn't know."
"Well unless Dendrin tells me himself who he wants as his chosen, it's sort of up to me and nobody has told me they've been speaking to him on a regular basis either."
"Actually you never told anyone either until years later."
"Yeah, but that was a little different…besides I'm also pondering a more permanent solution to our potential safety issues."
"Oh? What's that?"
"The Ritual of Ascension"

Talia is a little taken back by your statement. The Ritual of Ascension was supposedly passed down from Dendrin himself to the first Shadow Master, telling him that it was only to be used if he felt the shadows were ready for it.

The results are not entirely clear on what it does, but what Dendrin explained is that it would unify the shadows to his own realm forever. Not just in a spiritual sense, but in a very real physical sense. The shadows essentially would become REAL shadows. Incorporeal and no longer susceptible to the weaknesses that most beings suffer. At least that's what you think happens.

Obviously no Shadow Master ever felt this way for any reason. Even during the time under the Empire, it was never seriously considered as a solution to the problem, which gives an indication to how this ritual is viewed with more awe and fear than anything else.

Still, the procedures of the ritual do exist and they have been written down. Dendrin passed them to the shadows obviously believing that one day it would be used so you don't see why you shouldn't consider it as an option.

In the meantime Talia has gotten over her surprise.

"Well, if you believe that we are worthy and ready, then I will certainly follow you in performing this ritual. I believe everyone will, there is no question about that. You have lead the shadows through some of the toughest conflicts in our long history. You've even returned from death itself because Dendrin believed your work here was not done. Perhaps this is why."
"Heh, I never thought about that before. Still, perhaps I should consult Dendrin about this before making a final decision." You say.
"Of course. Obtaining his guidance in this very important matter would be essential."

Later that night you pray to Dendrin and go to sleep fully expecting him to see him soon…

But nothing happens.

You do this night after night until four months go by, and still you get no sign. Dendrin not speaking to you for month or even years on end is nothing new to you, but in every instance where you've directly requested his guidance he has always appeared. Not this time.

You start to wonder if him not appearing is a sign that maybe you shouldn't go through with this ritual. Of course maybe this is one of those decisions that's so important that you need to make it for yourself. Are you ready? Do you consider the rest of the shadows ready?

You know everyone now is a loyal worshipper of Dendrin and have an equal amount of faith in you as well. You really don't see how they could be any more ready than they are now. They won't fear the unknown no matter what it is, as long as they trust in Dendrin. Becoming one with Dendrin seems like it would be ideal to most in the order, though perhaps you have a few reservations about it for a few reasons, but then maybe that's why the ritual has never seriously been considered in the past by other Shadow Masters.

Maybe it hasn't been just you. Maybe they all had their doubts about Dendrin's plan. Maybe it's just a natural thing when it comes to being "a leader."

You don't fear death. You've always accepted it from the first time Mistress put the boot to your chest and demanded that you beg for your life to the time when you stood your ground against Cyrus without fighting back. You always believed you were going to die (well permanently anyway) either in combat or through some sort of violence, but it's starting to look like you'll end up dying as an old man in your sleep. Nothing wrong with that.

Your concern is what exactly happens to you after you perform this ritual? Are you dead? Are you alive? Are you something else? Will you still be on this world? There are so many questions and one of them is will you be better off in this form, or is death better?

You already assume that when you die, you'll be in Dendrin's realm. That being your understanding of how death in the service of a god works. What makes this different? Would you just be speeding up the process in some sort of mass suicide?

The fact is, you won't know unless you go through with it.

You train a successor

There is too much that is unknown to you about the Ascension Ritual that you don't want to risk it. Maybe it would result in better protection, but at what cost? The problem is you don't know what the cost is and Dendrin isn't forth coming about the information anytime soon.

There is also placing faith in others to think about. You mainly considered the Ascension Ritual because you had concerns about any successor doing your job as well as you could, but really the shadows have had many Shadow Masters in the past and the order never suffered complete destruction. They endured centuries under the Empire, and they'll easily endure centuries now that they aren't under it. If anything the shadows are in the best position than they ever have been.

You tell Talia that you've decided to train a successor and that you'd like her help on the matter. She of course agrees, but asks you about the Ascension Ritual.

"There's no need for it. The shadows will be alright without me." You say with a smile. "But we should still pick the best candidate for the position just to be sure."

The follow days are busy ones after you announce that you're choosing a successor. This news is somewhat surprising since you're so well respected that it is almost inconceivable that you'll die one day (Especially since you've come back to life once already). Still, those that are chosen are very honored that they have been considered for the position.

"How come you chose all younger shadows? I would've thought you would've chosen those more experienced." Talia asks.
"If I was going to do that, I would've just made you my successor and been done with it. But since I don't plan on dying just yet, I figure it would be better for when the inevitable does happen the successor won't be ready for the grave themselves. Besides, it's easier to train young people they aren't set in their ways of doing things yet."
"I suppose that's true. I just realized that most of these candidates were born after the Empire fell. That almost seems surreal that most of them only know about the Empire through stories now. The youngest one here…Sister Celia is only twenty years old. She was just coming into this world as you were putting an end to Theo's rebellion."
"Yet she's one of the main candidates I'm leaning towards. She has shown a lot of promise both magically and combat wise. I believe Glen saw her as a potential future Blade, but I think she'd make a fine successor if she passes the tests. She has proven to be wise for her age as well."
"You seem to be quite fond of her." Talia remarks.
"You aren't jealous are you?" you chuckle.
"Pfft, hardly. I'm still an Eternal and there's no way any mere human girl could compete with me for your affections. If I believed that to be the case, then I'd just call for you to step down as Shadow Master right now because obviously you'd gone feeble minded with age."

This last remark causes you to laugh out loud in agreement before kissing her in a loving manner. It is true though, probably more than Talia even realizes. If you hadn't fallen in love with her, you question if you would've ever stuck with the shadows in those early years. Cyrus' last rant that somewhat "outted" you as unbeliever back in the day never was questioned since Dendrin brought you back from the dead. It was more than enough proof that you were his chosen and believer now.

Still, you've gotten the impression that Talia has almost wanted to ask you for a little more detail on that matter, but she never has. Of course, maybe she always had her suspicions and didn't care since she knew you were still doing what she saw as the right thing. On that matter you've almost wanted to ask her, but you never have.

Some things are better left unsaid especially if they aren't true anymore.

After the first day of testing the candidates, you finally get a visit from Dendrin that night.

"So, you've finally decided to train a successor. Gone are the plans for the Ascension Ritual?"
"Is that what you wanted? Because I tried to ask you, but I got no answer."
"And you'll continue to get no answer. That's something only you can decide, besides I think our relationship has worked best when I let you make your own decisions. Are you confident in your decision?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then that's all that matters. I'm sure it will work out fine."
"Will you still be watching over the shadows after I'm gone?"
"That, I will answer, but I can't give a solid one because I haven't made up my mind yet. I hate to tell you this, because you've been so very interesting, but you've started to become dull to watch lately. This isn't your fault though; you are mortal and getting old. It was bound to happen that you would start slowing down eventually. This latest dilemma that you were having about the Ascension Ritual was the most interesting you've been in years."

You don't know quite how to respond. You're not angry. You've passed that stage long ago. You are somewhat insulted though, since despite it all, Dendrin has always been fascinated by your actions. Takes a bit of wind out of your sails to hear he's getting bored even by you. Disheartening even, especially since you've taken the steps to best ensure the survival of the shadows as well as making your own leap of faith.

"Yeah, well we can't all be deities." You answer, as you do not wish to argue.
"No, but perhaps…"
"What?" you ask, but all you hear is Dendrin speaking to himself.

"…hmmm…maybe that would work…but…no…I suppose I could try that…yes that will take time…but then…oh well if it doesn't work it's no loss of mine anyway."
"What are you talking about?" you ask again.
"Can't talk right now. I need to work on some things. As I said you've got the situation well in hand it looks like, so I'll speak to you again when you die."
"Wait!" you say and then you wake up.

You spend the next few days wondering what Dendrin has planned, but of course you can't really know. All you do know is he promised to speak with you when you die, whenever that is, hopefully not too soon.

Realizing that you can't worry or actually do anything about it, you focus your attention back to testing the potential candidates. By the end Celia does indeed prove to be the best one and you make it official.

"Sister Celia, I hope you realize that by being chosen, a great amount of responsibility will be placed upon you. I also hope you will be prepared to endure whatever it is that I will ask of you." you start to say.
"Of course Shadow Master I…"
"The Shadow Master was not finished speaking! Speak when you are allowed to do so!" Talia snaps causing Celia to shut up immediately.

"As I was saying, you will be working closely with me directly or Talia in most cases, but who knows where you may need to be sent in the future. Perhaps we will need to send someone to speak with the Warden Matron of the Nalin Empire. Perhaps you will have to patrol the Delerg border with your fellow shadows. Any and all of these tasks from the complex to the mundane may be asked of you, because if you are to perform the duties of the Shadow Master you will need to be skilled in everything. Dendrin may watch over us, but that does not mean you can rely on him to pull you out of every situation. He favors the strong and the intelligent that can be self-reliant first and foremost. Remember this."

After a bit of silence Celia realizes that she can now speak when you nod to her.

"I will Shadow Master. I will."
"Good. That will be all for today. I suggest you get some rest, for tomorrow you will begin your TRUE training." You say and dismiss her.

After she leaves you turn back to Talia.

"Nice job in putting a little fear into the girl, though I can't help but think you enjoyed that a bit."
"Of course I did, but I bet she'll remember not to do it again."
"Oh of that, I have no doubt. Really as long as she remembers everything we plan to teach her she'll be fine I think."
"Hah. No small task."

Talia's right about that, it won't be a small task, not for Celia and not for you either. Still, nothing is worth doing without hard work and that's basically been your whole life.