Year 16

You stand alone before Mistress face to face in the room you've been trained in by her for the past four years. You're training has been grueling to say the least, you've been forced to fight various beasts and people using traditional weapons as well as battle magic. You've been subjected to harsh environment conditions not to mention the psychological torture that Mistress seems to enjoy. You can't imagine that your classmates had training this tough.

"Today is the big day Eternal. Today is the day you get to kill me with your own bare hands." Mistress says with her usual wry smile. "Think you can handle that?"
"If that's what my training entails today, I shall certainly do my best, Mistress."
"Your best won't be good enough I assure you. Better you should just accept your death now or beg for mercy…but I believe we know you won't do either of those things mainly because you're too stupid to know your place."
"If you say so Mistress."

Mistress' smile becomes a disappointed frown. She would prefer you to fear her, but that's no longer going to happen so she'd at least like you to get angry which does happen from time to time. It isn't always easy maintaining a detached demeanor given how much abuse you've put up with, but if you've learned anything, it annoys the hell out of her.

"Your attempt at remaining emotionless just continues to prove what a mindless fool you are. Attempting to show bravery when today is the day you know you're…"

And before she can even complete her sentence you throw a punch at her face. She dodges, but doesn't quite make it and part of your fist hits the side of her cheek, which staggers her backwards.

You press your attack with another punch, but are blocked when she throws up her hand creating a force shield.

"Too bad, that was the only chance you're going to get." She says and knocks you to the ground with sweeping kick to your feet.

You barely have to time to roll out of the way before Mistress conjures some sort of magical sword in her hand and tries to impale you with it. You get enough distance to cast firebolts at her, but again she blocks them with her barrier. She counters with some sort of ice cone, which covers you in frost and chills you to the bone before you can counter it with your own barrier.

Mistress is relentless with casting spell after spell and you're getting weaker with each passing moment just trying to keep up your defenses. Mistress' magic is not only stronger than yours, but she's also had a lot more experience in maintaining her stamina while using it. If you keep this up, she'll kill you for sure.

"I've seen better magic cast by half blind hedge wizards!" Mistress mocks and casts a poison cloud that suddenly envelops you within your own protective barrier. You instantly feel sick and stagger out of the cloud, dropping your barrier in the process.

Taking advantage of your distraction she throws her magic sword which probably would've decapitated you had you not had your head down and vomiting up a bit of blood at the time. As it stands you merely feel the blade graze the top of your head.

You look up just in time for her to conjure a new weapon, which materializes in her hand. You waste no time in conjuring one of your own to deflect the second attack she attempts to bring down on your head.

"Quit struggling monkey. You're no match for me in martial combat either!"

She might be right, but just like when you were five, you're not going to just accept death. With all your might you push her back with your weapon and then drop it only to grab her by the wrist with both hands and break it. Mistress makes a yelp and drops her weapon.

She kicks you in the crotch and punches you in the side of the head with her one good hand. You feel pain, but try to ignore it as you trade another couple of punches and kicks with her before pulling her to the floor while crushing all your weight on her left arm which you were still holding by her broken wrist. The pair of you rolls on the floor for a moment and at this point you're severely bleeding from scratches on your face and head. She must've had a hidden blade on her as well because you definitely feel one go into your back and being twisted around. She attempts to bite your throat out, but you headbutt her in the nose and rotate her around with her left arm. You break it to the point where the bone has snapped out from the skin. She stifles her urge to cry out and instead tries to break free, but you're doing the best you can to prevent her from going anywhere by pressing all your weight on her and using your free hand to reach around to choke her.

The pair of you are a mess, but that's not the weird part, the weird part is you're starting to get…excited.

"(Gasp) I can feel your enthusiasm…pressing into me. Well…(gasp) is it everything you expected Eternal?" Mistress asks, which catches you so off guard you release your grip from her neck.

Heavily panting and trying to push herself up off the floor with her good arm. Mistress turns her head enough so she can see your face. Her eyes still display that coldness you're used to, but there's something else there. Something…seductive.

"I bet right now, you don't know whether to kill me… or fuck me."
"Wha…what?" you exclaim.
"Don't deny it…you've always wanted me in this way. I know how you've looked at my body lustfully during our training sessions. I know your violent primal urges. All the hatred you've built up over the years for me could only be unleashed in this way. The need to conquer and defile your enemy in every way imaginable. And who am I, but your enemy? Finish it Eternal or am I mistaken and you're lacking in that simple task as well?" She says and begins to laugh.

Her taunts, her laughter, everything about her are enough to put you over the edge. The twisted thing is she's right. You do feel some sort of…the word isn't attraction…you don't know what the correct word for it would be, but you feel it.

You release her arm and painfully pull the bloody dagger out of your back to slice the back of her form fitting clothing and rip most of it off of her. While she continues to taunt you, you toss the dagger aside, proceed to pull down your own breeches and thrust into her roughly from behind.

From there it gets surreal as she goes from continuing to taunt you and what are presumably sounds of ecstasy. She even demands that you to continue choking her. All of this puts you in such a state of confusion that you have a hard time even finishing. This whole experience is quite unknown to you as you've only read about such activities, but certainly never engaged in them. Surely, it isn't always like this?

When you've finished you briefly collapse backwards which is all the time Mistress needs to gain her advantage. She grabs the bloody dagger you pulled out your back and stabs you in the leg with it. You think she was aiming higher, but you managed to drag yourself out of the way in time to avoid such a grievous injury. Unfortunately she still manages to cast some sort of force spell and slam you against the wall with it. You can't move no matter how hard you try. Mistress, naked and bloodied from your battle approaches you with one useless broken arm and her other hand up keeping the spell with the cruel smile on her face you're used to seeing.

"Look at you, you're already spent." she remarks getting closer to you as you feel her spell continuing to crush you into the wall.

"All right. That will do. I don't know what the point of all this was, but I'm putting an end to it right now." Mr. Mol suddenly says. You didn't even see him enter the room, though you were sort of pre-occupied.
"Mmm, interesting that you waited until after the floor show before putting an end to it Jacob. Did our actions excite you as well? Maybe you could've joined in or perhaps you just like to watch. Yes, I imagine watching is something a eunuch like yourself is only capable of."

Mistress releases her spell as Mr. Mol comes closer to the pair of you. You slump to the floor exhausted.

"The Emperor says he's ready now and there is no more need to test him." Mr. Mol says.
"Maybe not for your precious Emperor, but I needed to test him for myself." Mistress replies.
"For what purpose?"
"Just to see if he was up to the challenge, but he was severely lacking in every way just as I suspected. Take your creation Jacob, I am done with him."

Still in discussion with Mr. Mol, Mistress isn't paying attention to you at all. You are beneath her notice now and you aren't sure if that makes you madder than the fact that she just defeated you in battle when you thought for sure you had her beat. You stare at the dagger in your leg and think how easy it would be to use it on that bitch while she isn't paying attention.

You resist the urge

As much as you would like to, you know it would be folly. You're in no condition to attack again and you've already underestimated her enough today. Besides, she's probably expecting you to attack her, perhaps even hoping you will just so she has the excuse to kill you.

In the meantime, Mr. Mol has stopped speaking with her and points over at you.

"You. Report to the medical ward and get yourself healed up as quickly as you can. You've got an important meeting soon and the appropriate clothing for it will be provided for while you're there. And for the Emperor's sake, put your damn pants back on before you leave this room."
"Uh, yes sir." You say sheepishly.

Mr. Mol gives a disapproving look and shakes his head before walking out the door.

You pull the knife out of your leg and stagger up to retrieve your pants. While putting them back on, you see Mistress near the door casting some sort of spell over her broken arm. She appears to be healing it all on her own and within the moment it takes you to get over to the exit, she has healed it completely. Once again she turns her attention back to you.

"Too bad you can't heal yourself so easily, but I couldn't teach you all of my tricks now could I? Mind if I have my dagger back? No wait, why don't you keep it as a reminder of our quality time together…and your complete and utter defeat." Mistress says with a big grin.

She sees your hand tightening around the handle of the dagger.

"Do it. I know you wanted to earlier when my back was turned to you." She grabs your hand with the knife and presses it in her stomach and then moves it upward between her breasts. She presses deep enough that the point is cutting her skin a bit. "Thrust that blade deep into me. This is your best chance Eternal."

You want to, you REALLY want to…but this is just another head game she's playing. There's some sort of trick, you know it.

"No, I am to report to the medical ward immediately." You say trying not to look into her eyes or focus on her naked body.
"Ah yes, duty calls. Very well. Another day perhaps." She says and then lets go of your hand only to rub up against the side of you and press her lips near your ear.

"You were right not to do it. I would've killed you. And this…my dear Eternal, is why you will never beat mommy. Remember this." She says and licks the side of your face followed by a sensual kiss to your lips as her hand rubs your chest.

Once again your hormones impede your better judgment and the temporary distraction is just another tactic for her to hurt you in some way. She suddenly bites your lip hard enough to draw blood and then spits the blood back in your face laughing the whole time.

It is at this moment that even within your short amount of years on this world, you can't ever imagine encountering a more cruel and twisted creature. If there are other such people, beings, or whatever, Mistress has managed to completely desensitize you to the point that you aren't going to be surprised by them.

But then maybe that was one of the things she was trying to teach you.

With Mistress' laughter still ringing in your ears, you exit the room holding your bleeding lip and head to the medical ward. While you're waiting you examine your last "gift" from Mistress. It is a very fine weapon and probably svelk made given that its blade is made of an uncommon material. You want to say its mithril, but you can't exactly be sure since studying various types of metal wasn't really in your schedule. It certainly isn't common steel that's for sure. As for the hilt you can't even guess, except that it's some sort of dark metal, sturdy and has a simple design. You eventually put it away when the medical mages are ready to help you.

You're healed relatively quickly by the medical mages. Apparently you are not to waste time lying around in a bed, as this meeting of yours is very important. When you put on the new clothes that have been provided, they are of a higher quality cloth and definitely fancier than what you're used to.

You don't have wait long before Mr. Mol arrives.

"There you are, hmmm well you look presentable enough I suppose. I trust you're all healed up and feeling better?" Mr. Mol says looking you up and down.
"Yes, much better sir."
"Good, because you're going to meet the Emperor himself. This is a great honor for you Eternal, I hope you realize this."

This revelation that you're going to meet the Emperor in person is more than enough to put you in better spirits.

"Of course sir. I know that the Emperor is all-powerful and all seeing and I should be grateful for my existence to him. And I am."
"Well, don't tell me, tell him when you meet him. Let us be on our way."

You follow Mr. Mol outside, something you rarely do. You're usually cooped up inside the training facility all the time. A carriage waits for you and you enter it with Mr. Mol. Along the way to the capital Mr. Mol tells you how you should act and various other things to expect. The one thing he doesn't tell you is what the Emperor looks like, but you suppose you'll find out soon enough.

When you reach the capital Qale, it's just as big as you've heard. Though you sort of thought that everyone would be dressed similar to you and the place would be practically paved in gold. Not that you're disappointed, but it's just much…different than you expected.

The palace on the other hand is as impressive as you thought it would be. The inside and out. Royal guards are everywhere and you see more than a few people in the fancy clothes similar to your own and Mol's. You expect to enter a grand throne room, but Mr. Mol tells you that the Emperor hasn't used the throne room in all the time he has known him. In fact, from what he's heard, the Emperor hasn't used it in centuries since he rarely meets with anyone directly anymore except with a few trusted associates.

With this sort of information, you truly realize what a really rare opportunity this is and how proud you are that you're getting to experience it.

After going down a long stairway and through several corridors, you eventually come big empty room with a giant sturdy silver door with two equally large black statues on either side, which are made of some sort of crystal. They appear to be warrior figures of some sort, but when you look at the face, they have none; or rather their face is that of a skull. Each one carries a battle-axe in their hands, which arc over the top of the door.

Mr. Mol approaches the door and whispers something and in a few moments, the door creeks open just enough for the pair of you to enter.

The room opens up and all you see are shelves and row after row of books. You'd almost think you'd stepped into a library of some sort. After the rows of books the room opens up to a more spacious area, which consists of luxurious furnishings from the carpet to the tapestries on the walls. And there in a fancy leather chair sits an old man in a robe reading a book. You draw his attention when you and Mol approach and stands up.

Is this the Emperor? If it is, your perceptions have been challenged again. He doesn't look anything like the figure you imagined.

"Ah, Jacob. Good of you to be on time as usual. And this…this must be the one I've heard so much about! So am I everything you expected me to be? Well? Speak up son!"
"Uh…yes my Emperor?"
"You're a bad liar son. I thought your previous teacher would've taught you better in that regard. Oh well, you're still young and I can probably teach you better than anyone."
"Teach me my Emperor?"
"Of course teach you, you'll be learning everything you need to know from me from now on."
"I…I'm honored my Emperor!"
"And you can stop with that my emperor nonsense every time you address me. I'm not Mistress, or whatever the hell that svelk bitch is calling herself these days. I don't demand some sort of power trip formality."
"Of course my…of course."
"Ha ha! They told me you learned quick! Now let's get to…eh? Jacob you still here? Don't you have something important to do?"
"Yes, but I needed your input sir, it's about the shadows, something needs to be done with them."
"Don't you have those other two eternals to use as spies? Wasn't that your idea?"
"Yes, but…"
"Well don't bother me with it again until you find out more. Now leave us." The Emperor says and waves Jacob away.

Jacob looks like he wants to say more, but he stops and instead just nods and makes his exit, leaving you alone with the Emperor who turns his attention back to you.

"So, back to you son. Where do you see yourself in say…oh five years?"
"Well, I suppose on the battlefield destroying your enemies and serving you of course."
"Of course you would, if you were some grunt destined for sword fodder. No you're destined for much greater things. That, I promise you. But we can talk about that all in good time for right now I'll bet you have some questions of your own. Go ahead, ask me anything and I assure you there is no question that will be too personal. If you ask something I feel you do not need to know then I shall not tell you. Simple enough right?"
"Yes, sounds reasonable."
"Good, so why don't you start?"

The first problem is that you don't even know WHERE to start. You eventually do ask some things you're curious about and the Emperor is very forth coming with information. You do not want to take advantage his kindness though so you stop after you feel most of your curiosity has been sated. Besides, there will be opportunity to learn more later.

And so the Emperor begins his process of mentoring you…
Year 19

The day of reckoning is coming soon for all traitors; particularly the shadows and you're just itching to play your part. It was you after all that influenced the Emperor on such an important decision. You just wonder what that role will be since the Emperor is currently explaining part of the plan to you and you're still not entirely sure of how this is going to play out.

"But isn't the military already going to wipe out the shadows?" you ask.
"I told you son, I had a contingency plan for the shadows a long time ago. Our military isn't even going to be involved for the most part. Maybe a few soldiers to mop up a few escapees, but their subterranean fort called Gloom is also serving as their handy underground tomb…heh that rhymed. Anyway what I'm saying is I have an old alliance with the derro and the fort the shadows are currently using as their headquarters was originally created by the derro who abandoned it because there wasn't any worthwhile mining prospects in the area any longer. The derro still know every secret passage and inch of that place and can launch a surprise attack at anytime. And before you even ask, yes they'll be MORE than enough to finish off the shadows. Personally I wish I could use them against the Felkans, but that's not meant to be since they don't do favors like this on a regular basis."
"Can we be sure to get all of the shadows though? Won't a lot of them be on topside?"
"Well we're trying to coordinate the attack so there won't be a lot of shadows on the surface at the time. However we do keep track of their patrol routes and schedules, we even try to keep track of their unofficial patrol routes that they seem to prefer. Basically the derro will get most of them underground, the more tedious thing isn't getting rid of the shadows, it'll be wiping out any of non-shadow sympathizers they've recruited to their cause. I might use specialized teams to take care of that…in fact I think I'll put you in that group. It'll give you an opportunity to put those combat skills of yours to good use! And it'll also give you a good opportunity to be in demonstrating your ability to lead since I'm also putting you in charge of it."

You don't know what to say. Not that you're displeased with such an opportunity, its just you really weren't expecting it.

"I won't fail you Emperor." You remark.
"Of course you won't since it's not an option, but as I said I have complete faith in you. Now I'm going to tell you right now all of them have got more battlefield experience and in some cases several decades, but don't let that intimidate you. YOU are in charge. Never forget that."

The Emperor goes on to explain that while you'll be working with a specific group, you naturally won't be working without the full support of the Empire. He states that there will be other groups like yours scouring the countryside for shadows and any other potential rebel types.

"Most of those scum are probably going to be hiding out in that backwards swamp province of Delerg, so that's where you'll be heading. It'll probably be a good idea to do a purge anyway, so you've got full permission to use whatever means to stomp out anyone who even remotely is showing signs of rebellious behavior. The derro are still getting prepared, so you'll have a little time to get to know your team before we stop this misguided revolution before it starts. You'll head to Delerg in a couple days and await further orders there."

Your trip to Delerg is an uneventful carriage ride, though it does give you time to see a little more of the Empire countryside. Along the way you read up a little more about the Delerg area and how it used to be the original home of the shadows. It was there where the Emperor first made his alliance with them. You also refresh yourself on the shadows themselves and how they typically go about fighting. Their favored tactic is to remain cloaked invisibly and then launch a sneak attack followed by hasting themselves to finish off anyone else.

When you reach Delerg you stop in a rundown town appropriately called Sinkhole. From there you are told the rest of your team is meeting you there. No sooner have you gotten off the carriage when you're approached by a large scarred orc in battle armor.

"You the Emperor's boy?" he asks in a gruff tone, though much more coherent than you were lead to expect from his kind.
"I am in his service and was sent here, if that's what you mean. Who are you?"
"All business, I guess you're him. I'm Captain Gruz at your command I suppose since I've been informed that you're in charge of this thing. The most of your command is in the local barracks. The svelk mercs have been busy scouting though, better that they stay out our way until its time anyway."
"Wait, svelk mercs?"
"Yeah, they're trying to find any hidden safe houses and such that the shadows might have scattered about in the deeper reaches of the swamp. Figured you knew seeing as you're buddies with the Emperor and all."
"I'm not his buddy, I'm his dedicated agent who is honored to serve him to the best of my ability!" you say starting to get annoyed by the orc's choice of words.
"Okay, I meant no disrespect…I will say though you need to lighten up a bit lad. Even the other Eternals I trained weren't quite as serious as you seem to be."

While this is news to you that he was a trainer to some of your other classmates, you don't see as that having any bearing on how he should tell you how to behave.

"Well YOU didn't train me, because I surpassed my classmates! I survived ordeals that would've most likely killed them! So do not presume to tell me how I should act!"

Captain Gruz's stoic expression cracks a bit, you at first think his face is going to turn into an expression of anger, but instead he smirks a bit.

"Mistress trained you didn't she?" he asks.
"Yes, and what of it?" you snap.
"Nothing, just explains some things. Come then, I'm sure you'll want to talk to the troops and enlighten them how you're going to be running things. Now I know this is your first command, but don't worry, I'll be here to give advice and make sure the rest of the troops take you seriously."
"If I want your advice, I'll ask for it captain. And the troops should be taking me seriously regardless of your presence. I am here by the orders of the Emperor himself! That should be more than enough motivation for them to obey my commands!"
"…I suppose so sir." Gruz answers though you get the impression he'd like to say more.

When you and Gruz enter the barracks, you're welcomed to a surprising sight. It's filled with orcs! First svelk mercenaries and now orc troops! You didn't know you were going to be leading two distinctly different races! When Gruz notices your expression, his own is one of amusement. The other orcs stop their loud discussions and begin to study you. They appear unimpressed.

"Ey cappin' ooo dis humie in da fancy leather armor? You get 'im from the local 'orehouse fer me? Har har har har!" one orc says which is followed by loud laughter from the rest.
"Alright everyone calm down this is…" Gruz tries to interject, but you stop him.
"I can speak for myself!" you say realizing that you must take an aggressive stance. It is clear that the Emperor put you in this situation to force you to deal with surprises and how well you can handle commanding unruly troops.

"All you need to know about me is that I am your superior for the duration of this operation and you will cease behaving like the near mindless beasts you are and start earning your keep for the Empire by following my orders!"

This works on a few of the orcs, but the outspoken one has decided to keep pressing the issue of challenging your authority.

"Beast iz it? I'll have you know ima fookin' lady!" the orc says standing up. To be quite honest you thought the orc was male, but between the battle armor and ugliness of all of them they all look alike to you.
"I don't care what gender you are, you WILL follow my orders or…"
"Or whut? Whachu gonna do?" the female orc says getting closer and staring down at you ready for a fight.

You look over at Gruz who just gives you a look that expresses "Hey, you said you didn't need my help." and you're right you don't need his help. You know how to handle this.

You scan another orc who is egging on the loud female. The orc looks fairly formidable and is on the larger side (though they're all bigger than you).

"HEY YOU!" you shout out to the orc.
"Huh? Whut?"
"You male?"
"Yeah."
"Good." You say and immediately attack him after pushing past the female orc.

While this battle could be over within seconds if you used magic, you can't do that here. The orcs need to respect your natural battle skills if they're going to properly respect you. Of course you need to beat said orc first and one you've decided to make an example of isn't about to just let that happen and readies his morning star.

You go for his eyes and face

You attempt to slam the pommel of your sword into the orc's face, but he anticipates that move and blocks it with ease. Using his strength he manages to push you away so hard that you end up tripping backwards over a small stool on the floor. Now that he has a bit of distance he swings his morning star at you and you just barely manage to get out of the way before it crushes the stool you just tripped over.

You grab the chain of the morning star in an attempt to take it away from him, but he jerks back so hard that you end up being pulled with it and land right in front of his feet. Then you get a hefty steel boot to the face, specifically the nose…which unfortunately due to the angle of the kick, the bone inside goes inside you brain.

You convulse on the floor, gurgling and bleeding from the nose and mouth for a few seconds before dying.

Captain Gruz is naturally furious at his subordinate who insists that he didn't mean to kill you and can't help that humans are so weak and squishy. Ever the wily one, Gruz tells some of the other orcs to get rid of your body and ultimately blames your disappearance on the svelk scouts. The svelk being who they are, are not believed when they protest their innocence and those that don't immediately flee are rounded up and executed by the Empire.

The Emperor laments your death for a few days, but soon comes to the conclusion that if you were dispatched so easily then you must not have been worthy anyway.