Year 540

It's not there yet, but the political and social climate in the republic is finally getting to a point that's a little more recognizable to you. Thanks to Trog's actions the orcs have been attacking the Nalin just like you wanted. After a couple of burned down massacred villages, the Nalinites are a lot more supportive of military endeavors (Kobold citizens especially, but that's hardly surprising given their nature).

The citizens are also becoming more fearful and suspicious of other "foreign threats" like the usksha. Highlighting the sandman drug epidemic and the crime due to it, Quintus has managed to get restrictions on the southern borders of Nalin. The usksha that used to live within Nalin are starting to go back to their desert due to the increasingly hostile population. Trade hasn't completely stopped, but the relationship between the republic and the emirates is very strained now.

Of course some of this still wouldn't be possible without senate support, however that's become more in Quintus' favor due to a combination of several factors. Some are just like the peasants, they're getting scared because their comfortable lifestyle are at risk and want to protect themselves. Some were weak from the start and vote depending on which way the majority is heading.

There are still holdouts that don't agree with the more militant policies however. Even the "will of the people" does not sway them to fall in line. The most vocal of these is Senator Batalimus Ventis who has been a long time rival of Quintus. He's stated that this trend towards militarism is going lead back to the dark days of when Matriarch Tarna ruled the land. He has also stated quite openly that Quintus is a warmongering fool that is only a puppet for his "mysterious Eternal" advisor.

Quintus hates the man more than he hates the usksha and feels he's the main cause of all his woes. Apparently he's also decided that even if it isn't quite time to dismantle the senate, it is time to get rid of Batalimus and has tried to have the man assassinated on a few occasions. All attempts have failed so far though and all it's done is served to make Batalimus more cautious and legitimize his accusations about Quintus (Even if he can't quite connect Quintus to the actual assassins).

You're going to have to speak with Trog soon about the attacks having served their purpose and that he needs to ease up. Trog is under the impression that after all this is over; he or at least his people will have a place within the new order when it finally comes about. In truth, you'd like to have a few orc legions if only for the intimidation factor of keeping the citizenry in line. However, you aren't exactly sure how likely that's going to be since orcs are increasingly becoming hated by the average citizen and are unlikely to want them to be incorporated into the new order no matter what. Let alone as soldiers.

Another problem for another day you suppose. Right now though you're on your way back from another visit with Quintus (who basically did nothing but bitch about Bartalimus) and on your way back to Quala. You're a lot better known now and as you pass through you mostly get a lot of respectful nods from the military and worried glances from citizens. Your reputation within the republic has grown and it's much like it was back in the old Empire days. There's a certain familiar comfort in that.

Before you leave Dalt you decide to pay a visit to Calvin's museum to see Jennifer. Since the orc war, expeditions to the Quala Badland have been put on hold so Calvin and Jennifer have returned to work at their museum to study what they have found in more detail and ultimately put it on display.

When you enter, you see a sign that tells people to be sure to visit their brand new Empire exhibits. Naturally you wander over to where these displays are, so you can see how much they actually got right.

When you get to the exhibit its currently empty of visitors. You're impressed with what you see though. They've managed to recreate a small portion of the Emperor's palace and fill it with the old stuff they found. Some of the things are just replicas, but they're very good replicas and in the correct locations. They even managed to restore one of the Emperor's big black statues.

Just looking at all this stuff makes you feel like you're back where you should be. When you close your eyes you can almost imagine that you are where you WANT to be. If only things had been different, you wouldn't have to be starting all over again…

"We tried to make it look like what we thought it looked like in the past and based on writings we found." You hear Jennifer's voice say and you open your eyes to see her stand to the right of you.
"You did a good job, almost feels like home. That big ass black statue wasn't in the throne room though. In fact the Emperor never even used the throne room when I knew him." You say.
"Yeah, but we did have any place else to put it. I think its impressive looking where we did put it though. Should draw in a lot of people. So did you come here to revisit old memories?"
"Not at first, but this is was a nice distraction."
"Glad to hear it, well I'll leave you to your thoughts." Jennifer says and begins to leave.
"No, stay here with me, I came here to see you in first place. Besides, no point in reliving past glories when I don't have anyone to share said glories with." You say and grab her hand.

Jennifer's reaction is a positive one in that she doesn't let go and moves closer to you.

"So since you've got the time, how about you tell me about some of those old glories?" Jennifer asks.

You gladly do so.

You talk with Jennifer for hours until it starts getting late at which point you say you have to get back to your mission in Quala. Jennifer understands and wishes you luck on it.

"If you're going wish me luck, how about you do it with a kiss?" you ask which takes Jennifer by surprise.
"That's certainly new. What brought this on?"
"I thought you liked me. You do don't you?"
"Of course, I'm sure I was pretty obvious about it."
"Well why ask why? I'm fond of you as well. I like your company and you're the only person I've ever considered my friend since I got dug up. You're independent, you're physically attractive and you listen to all my stories. What's not to like?" You say which causes a small chuckle from Jennifer.
"Okay…we'll talk more about this later, but for right now, here's that kiss."

Jennifer moves in to kiss you and the pair of you embrace.

After your minor amorous interlude, you take your leave of the museum. You briefly wonder if pursuing a relationship with Jennifer is a good idea, but what's done is done and you'll just have to figure it out. Once again, another problem for another day you suppose.

Just as you get out of the gates of Dalt, two guards approach you. They're not military or domestic security, they look like private guards, probably those of a senator.

"You the Eternal?" one of them asks.
"Yes." You answer.
"Senator Batalimus wants to see you. If you would accompany us to his home please, it's just a few miles west of this city."

Well this is an interesting turn of events, though perhaps not entirely unexpected. If you had to guess, Batalimus either plans to have you killed when you arrive to meet him or he's going to try to convince you to be on his side. You doubt he has the means to do either.

You don't know if you should even bother entertaining him at all, but then you think if he does try to kill you, then you'll have eliminated the need to kill him later. Hell, even if he doesn't try to kill you, maybe you should just do it anyway.

You agree to follow the guards and eventually you reach Batalimus' estate. His home isn't much bigger than Quintus' home, though there are a lot more trees and gardens on his grounds. As you expect there are a lot of guards patrolling about. When you step through the front door you feel like you've stepped into a barracks rather than a senator's mansion due to all the guards standing around.

Soon an older balding man dressed in a purple robe comes down the grandiose staircase. It's Batalimus.

"Ah the Eternal, at last we meet face to face." Batalimus says.
"Yes, I'm surprised that you didn't confiscate my weapons though." You answer.
"Whatever for? We all know you can just incinerate or fry everyone in the room with the snap of your fingers. It's not like you actually need a sword or even a pistol. You're a walking weapon without such things."
"So? Why risk bringing me here then?"
"Because I have nothing to lose. Your associate, Quintus seems quite determined to have me killed. Granted he always has harbored ill feelings, but now that the little reprobate has the advantage his confidence has reached an all time high. I suppose the fool has to have his fun though given the family he has. In any case I figure its only a matter of time before he sends you to do the deed and while I could increase my security even further, I quite frankly doubt if it would stop the likes of you. At best you might get mad."

You have to appreciate someone who knows exactly where they stand.

"So…you brought me here to kill you?"
"Hah, I hope not, but I suppose that is a strong possibility. No, what I'd like to do is try to convince you to perhaps not kill the republic because that is what you and Quintus are striving to do, though I believe I actually have a shot with getting through to you. You aren't saddled with any emotions of hatred towards me. To you, I'm just another potential obstacle in your goals. If I have to be killed then you will, but if it isn't necessary you won't."

Well it looks like Batalimus has opted to try to get you on his side, just like you thought he might. He is over estimating your willingness to kill him though. True you don't have any hatred for the man and quite honestly you probably already respect him more than Quintus within the short time you've met him, but you've been known to kill folks even if you believe that they will be potential obstacles in the future.

Still, killing Batalimus right now isn't exactly part of the plan, so you'll most likely just leave unless he tries to stop you. Then again you did come all this way so there is no harm in hearing him out.

You leave

You know what this is going to be, his attempt to convince you of why you shouldn't be helping Quintus. You're not interested in anything he has to say, and it will be pointless to do so.

"I'm going to just leave now and stop wasting both of our time, Batty. I suggest you don't try to stop me." You remark and begin walking towards the door.
"But, you're already here! You can't just listen?" Batalimus says.
"No. This was a lapse in judgement on my part I suppose. Still, I guess I got a good idea of the layout of this place when I eventually have to kill you."
"Very well then, but I had hoped you'd be reasonable about this Eternal."

With those last words you leave Batalimus' house and return to your duties in Quala. Just as you're thinking about how you need to go see Trog soon about your little arrangement you get an urgent message from a republic messenger.

"He's fucking dead?!" you exclaim.
"Yes sir, as I said he was found dead in his home, poisoned. His assets are all being seized due to him owing various people, though his wife is contesting…"

As the messenger drones on about this, you realize you're in position that you really should've considered. Namely, you have no "patron" anymore. Sure, you're somewhat popular with the military, but Quintus' influence on the population and his fellow senators were a big deal. Batalimus must be behind this and even if he isn't, he's going to be the main one taking advantage of the situation.

Without another word you ride off to Nalin and you don't stop until you arrive at Batalimus' place. Batalimus' personal guards are surprised to see you and even more surprised when you start chopping them down with your sword. Despite killing everyone in his home, you don't find Batalimus so you go to the next logical place to look, the senate building.

You don't have any more luck there, all you manage to do is interrupt some of the senators debating something or other.

"Where is Batalimus?!" you demand.
"I don't know! We don't know!" the senator that has the floor answers, but it really isn't the answer you want to hear.
"Lies!" you say and fry the senator with a lightning bolt.

"You really think your republic is going to survive? Most of you were already supporting Quintus' ideas, now I bet you're ready to turn your back on those same ideas just because he's dead. Well Batty killed the wrong man. I will see the Empire return even if the rest of you are too cowardly to do so!" you shout and begin throwing fireballs at the rest of the senators. You don't stop until you leave the senate house in flames.

By this time the military is on the scene, but they're unsure of what to do for several reasons. So you give them the reasons.

You take immediate control of the military and tell them to start hunting for Batalimus and to maintain order. A few days later and it's official. You make your announcement that the Republic is dead and that the Empire now lives again. The general public doesn't know quite what to make of everything. You're sure that there will be some sort of misguided rebellion especially with Batalimus still on the run probably stirring up dissent, but with the military behind you're confident that you won't have too much trouble.

Year 541

"You really think this is going to change anything? Look at the nation! Despite your attempts to crush its spirit with your outdated concepts of order it still resists you! Face it, you've already lost and my death will not save you!" Batalimus screams defiantly.

You break a couple more of his ribs with a few stomps to his chest. The older man wheezes and gasps in pain. He won't show fear though; he's fully willing to die.

"It may not change anything, but keep this in mind before I send you on your way. Your actions did NOT save the republic; it only increased the chaos and strife. You may have fucked up my plans, but you have completely destroyed and betrayed your own."
"(Wheeze) Perhaps…Eternal…(gasp) but better the people should live in anarchy than under your brutal order!"

You shake your head at his answer and crush his windpipe with your boot. At last the thorn in your side has been removed, but the damage he's done has not. In fact you're not even certain that you can repair it. Even with Jennifer doing her best with the propaganda machine, it's still not enough.
You have attempted to recreate a secret police in a similar style of the Emperor's Eyes, but efforts haven't proved too successful mainly because you're too busy using the military to keep direct order.

Even portions of your military have turned against you, if not outright treason then desertion. Some have fled to find work within the six cities of Arat or even joined up with the pirate groups in Delerg.

It isn't that the people don't fear you, it's that they hate you more than they fear. Even after you've destroyed entire towns that have dared defy you, you still get pockets of resistance running off into the wilderness to cause ongoing problems.

Your methods in the beginning months were probably too harsh in retrospect. Killing everyone in the senate certainly didn't help as perhaps some of those experienced fools might've still been useful in swaying public opinion and dealing with the more mundane issues of running the government. Combine this with the fact that the idea of things like "liberty" still lingered within the people, your brutal actions only proved to them what happens when a single tyrant takes power. Instead of cowing them into submission, you ended up lighting a fire of freedom that you still haven't put out yet and at this point you wonder if you ever will. Batalimus of course took advantage of that fact too.

Between the steady attrition of loyal soldiers, the ongoing defiance of the people, external threats like the Flogger tribe hearing of your struggles and taking advantage of your lightly defended outposts in Quala (And certainly have no intention of joining your Empire now) you are pushed to the brink and beyond.

You decide if the fools won't submit to your rule, you'll burn the whole damn thing down. Jennifer however talks you out of it saying that it won't solve anything. She also tries to convince you that maybe you should consolidate what holdings you do have and build from there.

It's a nice thought and it's certainly logical, but you're so exasperated at the entire situation that you decide to just give up. You realize that your time has come and gone. The people don't want you around and at this point you don't even care to rule them anymore. In fact you don't even care about ruling anything anymore. All you really ever wanted to do was serve the Emperor and the Empire and enjoy your time with Alison.

Things were so much simpler back then.

You shouldn't have ever listened to Semra. Even if the Emperor had killed you, at least you wouldn't exist in a time where the Empire doesn't. You would've died at least knowing the Empire would still be around.

Not being able to go on and unwilling to stick around, you suddenly leave Nalin forever. Where, nobody knows. Some say you found death in the Usksha Desert, others say you found it in the cold mountains of Rask, but ultimately what happened to you is lost to time.