Elam's always had wild ideas, but this "immortality" plan just sounds too far-fetched and quite frankly more than a little risky. You'd be sacrificing the original plan entirely just to what? Live forever as a brain in a tank? What kind of life is that?

Even if something were set up so you could interact with the outside world, you'd still be very limited. Never again could you lift a weapon or cast a spell and face your enemies in battle. Never again could you enjoy the company of Decena in a meaningful way. And what of other potential mates when you eventually outlive her? You can't imagine how you could be satisfied with the existence even if you did manage to conquer the rest of the world. Who knows what the long-term effects would be. You still think you'd probably go mad eventually.

If the immortality involved your current body, you're not even sure you'd accept it. Not with how much you ache on a regular basis. No, immortality was never in the cards for you. This "life" wasn't even supposed to happen, so why entertain an impossible dream? You've achieved much in this life and if the end is coming soon then so be it.

"I'm not spending the rest of my life as a disembodied brain for any reason. We're sticking with the original plan regardless of the consequences. However, I'm also not quite eager to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet, so we're going to take the safety precautions and try to keep me alive. So when are we to start?"
"Uh...well, whenever you are of course my Emperor. I mean you'll have to collect the babies for this project first, then after that's done, we can get started." Elam says.
"Okay then, I'll have the Eyes gather candidates right away. In fact, given the nature of this project, I'm going to tell them to get an equal amount of males and females. As for you two I want you to gather whatever staff and equipment you need."

Elam and Zana both acknowledge your command and leave when you dismiss them. Elam makes one last attempt at asking if you're sure you don't want to be immortal to which you tell him you've made your decision.

Now all you have to do is tell Decena which you do so later that night.

"…so that's the process. If it succeeds spectacularly I'll still be alive and we'll have fertile new eternals. If it fails spectacularly then none of that will be true." You finish explaining to her.
"And you're sure this is what you want to do?" Decena asks.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well I wasn't aware that Elam had found a potential way to keep you alive forever."
"As a brain in a jar or tank or whatever? You really think I'd want to live like that? He needs more time to perfect the process anyway and who know how long that would be if ever?"
"No, I suppose you're right. I wouldn't like to live like that either. Who wants to live forever right? But about this other process, you'll be putting your life in danger, are you certain it will work?"
"Elam and this Zana are both confident that it will. While Elam's always been a bit on the eccentric side and prone to take risks, he's always come through on his projects and Zana's likely to err on the cautious side anyway due to being raised by gnomes. In any case I'm more than willing to take this risk if it's going to bring about what we've been talking about for the last few years."

Decena smiles at your response.

"I think that's one of many the things that I've always loved about you. Your willingness to put yourself at risk for the good of the Empire. You've never been one of those rulers that has shied away from potential danger. There is one thing I ask though. I mean regardless of whether or not the process is successful, if you don't survive it. I mean if this indeed it, I want to be with you during this moment." Decena says holding your hand.
"Of course. You'll always be by my side." You answer and kiss her.

After a bit more discussion, it's also agreed upon that Brenda and Warrick should probably be there as well.

Over the next few days, the Eyes acquire the Eternal candidates and soon everything is ready. You arrive at the Eternal factory with Decena, Brenda and Warrick. Elam, Zana, and several technician and physician types run around hooking up strange machinery and placing the babies in the tanks. Gregory is also here and goes up to you nervously telling you that he's very concerned, as none of this extra equipment looks very safe.

Eventually Elam and Zana approach.

"Everything is ready my Emperor! One hundred candidates all hooked up in the tanks, all we need is to strap you in to that chair over there and we can get started." Elam points to a chair that looks more like a torture device you've had used on enemies before…in fact you think it IS and Elam's just modified it!

"I have to say you're a braver man than I." Warrick says clapping you on the shoulder.
"Yeah, I mean I'm just looking at that thing and it looks painful." Brenda says.
"Well I have faith that you'll laugh off any pain and come out of this alive." Decena exclaims.
"Glad to hear someone that's optimistic about this. Well no point in drawing this out, let's do this." You say and walk towards the chair.

Sit in the chair and get strapped in. This is followed by several painful needles being stuck in your arms, legs and chest with rubber tubes hooked up to a large machine, which in turn is hooked up to the tanks. Decena stands close by the entire time.

"Don't worry my Emperor. I'll make sure Elam doesn't push the controls too hard. Unlike him, I actually was born with a sense of safety." Zana says checking on your lines.
"Well glad to have you working on this then." You respond.
"I'm glad just to have this chance to work on this my Emperor. You don't know how long I've waited for the opportunity to work so closely on something directly involving you. It is a very great honor. One that I shall never forget for as long as I live." Zana says and leaves smiling at you and Decena to check on what Elam is doing.

As you're mentally attempting to prepare yourself, suddenly Decena whispers in your ear.

"I don't trust her." Decena says.
"What?" you answer.
"Zana. I don't trust her. Something doesn't feel right about her."
"Like what? Did she say or do something? Because I rechecked her file that the Eyes had on her and she's nothing but clean. Well maybe except a lack of judgment in sexing up Elam on occasion, but I can't imagine there are a lot of choices in human males in New Dessel."
"I dunno. It's her tone. The way she's being so eager to please. It's almost as if she's trying too hard and has a hidden agenda."
"So what are you saying?"
"I don't want her on this project. I feel you're in direct danger with her at the helm of those controls."

Decena is quite serious in this accusation and you have no idea how to respond.

"Decena, Zana worked on this right along side Elam."
"Well I don't know, maybe they're in it together! Or just have Elam perform this procedure, I don't care, but I DON'T want that woman involved in this procedure any longer!"

At this point Decena has made enough noise to call the attention of several people, including Zana and Elam who come over.

"What seems to be the problem my Emperor? Are you having last minute concerns? If so, we can call a halt to this…" Elam asks.
"No, Elam. I'm fine. Decena is just having I believe some last minute concerns."
"My Empress, as I said, I will make sure that your beloved…" Zana starts to say before being interrupted.

"Silence bitch!" Decena snaps and everyone is silent.

"I don't know what you have planned exactly, but let me make this clear. I DON'T TRUST YOU. And I don't want YOU working on this project any longer!" Decena says.
"My Emperor, with all due respect, I need Zana to help me with this!" Elam exclaims.

At this point Zana begins to protest her innocence in a polite way, trying very hard not to sound out of line, but Decena isn't hearing any of it and even draws her pistol.

"Decena, are you sure you're not just scared that I'm going to die and deep down you don't want me to go through with this because you want me around a little longer?" you ask.

Decena grabs your hand and looks straight at you.

"My love, there are many times you could've died and while it was always a concern, I always accepted it as a possibility. If you died in battle, then it would have purpose at least. You would have been serving the Empire. Even if you died of old age or some other natural cause I could accept it because you would have still died serving the Empire. And IF you die in this process then I can accept it, because you will be dying to secure the future of the Empire."

Decena pauses and takes a deep breath and turns to everyone else while pointing at Zana.

"But I cannot accept you going helplessly into danger like this. THIS woman has ill intent. I FEEL it in my heart. I FEEL it in what I guess would be my soul. EVERY warning, EVERY instinct about her is telling me that she is wishing you unwell. All of us perhaps. I can't even prove it, but I don't need to when I FEEL it."

Decena then turns back to you.

"My love, if you genuinely believe this woman has no ill intent then I will as always defer to your judgment, however if you trust my judgment on this matter even a little bit, then I beg of you to let me kill her where she stands."

At this point both Zana and Elam's eyes widen. The nearby technicians almost shuffle back as if not wishing to get caught in the fallout. Even Brenda and Warrick are a little surprised by this.

Elam at this point once again begs you not to kill Zana as he needs her for this project to work. Zana stays silent, though she probably believes that anything she'd say at this point might cause Decena to shoot her anyway.

And here you thought the only thing you were going to have to worry about today was trying to stay alive long enough to create some fertile Eternals…

You let Zana live

As much as Decena is just trying to look out for you, you can't imagine that if Zana was up to something you wouldn't have caught it by now. Actually you'd be more worried if she wasn't on this project considering that she's been assisting Elam from day one. She's pretty much vital.

"Decena, I tell you with absolute certainty that I trust this woman and do not believe she means any ill intent. I understand that you're concerned about my safety, but Zana is needed for this project and has proven her dedication to it from the beginning. Honestly, I'd rather have her around if only to keep Elam's tendency towards…overenthusiasm in check."
"Emperor, I assure you, I will be…" Elam starts to say, but you interrupt him.
"Yes, yes, I know. But as I said, I'd still feel comfortable with Zana assisting you. In any case, that is my decision Decena."

Decena looks very apprehensive; she probably didn't think you'd side against her. She nearly starts to say "but…" however she stops herself and just gives you a nod.

"Very well, as I said, I will defer to your judgement on this matter, but if anything starts going wrong, you know who's head is going to roll first." She says looking at Zana.

"Well, I guess nothing better go wrong Zana." You say.
"Nothing will go wrong, my Emperor. Everything will go according as planned, that I promise." Zana remarks.

With that out of the way the procedure continues and you and Decena exchange one kiss for what might be the last time.

Elam pulls the lever and the process begins. Lights, buzzing, rumbling, and all manner of machinery noises can be heard throughout the room.

The oddest thing is you're not feeling as much pain as you thought you would. There is definitely a tingling sensation and it feels as if all your hair is standing on end, but you've felt things a lot more painful.

You are however feeling very tired and it is all very draining. Eventually you can't fight it anymore and you start to fall unconscious…

Then all of a sudden you feel a surge running all through your body, which wakes you back up. Your body begins to go into convulsions and you start to foam from the mouth. Basically you're being electrocuted.

"Zana! There's something wrong! Turn down those dials!" Elam shouts, but Zana does nothing of the sort, instead she uses some sort of device that fries the controls and runs off pushing a technician out of the way.

"SHIT! I KNEW IT! GET HER!" Decena shouts and attempts to untie your straps, but the electric pulse running through your body is so strong that the charge knocks her down and even stuns her. Elam runs attempt to turn off the machine from another source.

Zana doesn't get far, as Warrick and Brenda easily catch her, but it's for naught as she reveals a bomb hidden on her person, blowing herself and them up as well. The blast also manages to destroy several tanks, machinery and kill several staff along with Elam. On the plus side, it stops the electrical current frying your body inside out, unfortunately its too late and you're well on your way to death. Your mind isn't even functioning anymore save for a faint sense that you're still alive.

The secondary explosions from other machinery on fire finishes you off, along with Decena who doesn't recover fast enough to get out of the blast, though perhaps when she saw your own condition in those moments, she didn't want to go on.

With the death of you and all the other top Eternals, the Empire soon descends into factions of the newer third and fourth generation Eternals fighting over who is the rightful "heir." The other races either get caught in the middle or break off into their own factions.

This massive civil war would be the final days of the Empire.