Jacob and you enter your room. Jacob looks almost as bad as the Emperor once did. He hasn't been the same since Roldan died, but he's also been overworked since the Emperor has been sick. The man is in his late sixties, but nowadays he looks more like he's in his late eighties. The stress has been taking a toll.

"Jacob, I really hope this is important because I've got a lot going through my mind right now." You say.
"I'm sure you do, but you'll have a lot more after you hear what I have to say. Though after you hear it you might just decide to kill me instead, but that's a risk I'll just have to take."
"Can't be anything worse than anything I haven't thought myself today." You say.
"I highly doubt that, but I just want you to at least hear me out before you make a decision."

You sit down and nod telling Jacob to go ahead.

"Okay. I know you just came from a meeting with the Emperor and his revitalized condition. I'm also guessing he told you to that he wants you to go back home with him."
"Yes." You reply.
"Do you know where his original home is?"
"He said it was a very far away island that couldn't even be reached by a boat. That was about it."
"Figures he'd be cryptic. His home is Mortos, an island of necromancers. It's not a well-known place to the average person. Most that have heard of it just believe it's a myth, but it exists."
"What?"
"The Emperor is a necromancer. I mean it makes sense doesn't it? How else would he have the knowledge to extend his life for so long?"
"Okay, so what?"
"You are aware of what necromancers do don't you?"
"I'm aware of the branch of magic. Most just believe it's about raising the dead, but it deals with life force in general. Healing mages use it all time at a cost of course. Only the strongest of wizards can use the art, let alone master it. Hence why there aren't many around and why stories about necromancers creeping about graveyards raising armies of undead horrors are mostly reserved for parents trying to scare their children." You say.

Jacob gets a little frustrated at your apathy at this revelation.

"Perhaps I'm not making myself clear enough…the Emperor is a necromancer. Roldan was KILLED by a revenant. YOUR WIFE was KILLED by a revenant."

That got your attention. You stand up and Jacob can't help but step back even though he knows you'd easily catch him if he tried to run.

"You're treading on very thin ice Jacob."
"Believe me I'm well aware."
"Then you must also be aware that you sound crazier than Marik right now. What you're implying doesn't even make sense."
"Why not? It does if you really think about it."
"Semra was responsible for my wife's death and Roldan's death! She is also a powerful sorceress that is more than capable of raising the dead!"
"Yes, and she's also a perfect patsy for your wrath. The Emperor wanted you to think it was her, but it wasn't. Think man, even if she did have your wife killed why would she bother having Roldan killed? She had no grudge. There was no profit in it. Chaos for the sake of chaos? Not Semra's style and you know it. That woman didn't do anything without purpose even if she was chaotic about it at times. Besides if she REALLY wanted to kill your wife, she would've just done it herself."

You think back to when Alison told you she met Semra face to face and entertain Jacob's theory.

"Even if Semra wasn't responsible, why would the Emperor have Roldan and Alison killed?"
"Because of you. It's all because of you."
"Me? How? Why?"
"(Sigh) It's a very long and complex plot. I've only been piecing some of it together myself. I'll try to tell you what I know."

Jacob starts off by explaining that it all goes back to your birth and the Eternal Project. You and all of your "siblings" were picked for it for a reason. You weren't just to become super soldiers for the Empire. One of you was going to be chosen to be the new vessel for the Emperor, but only if that Eternal showed promise. Apparently you did. Jacob explains that while the chosen needed to be a great warrior with magical skill and be put to the test, the Emperor didn't want to risk your life excessively, hence why he initially wanted to keep you out of very heavy fighting. Also he didn't want any of the potential vessels to complicate things by potentially producing offspring so sterility was something that ensured during your "enhancement" period as a baby.

You were a perfect soldier that was utterly loyal, so much so that you saw the Emperor as your father. Then Alison came along. Alison was the only other person that you had a close relationship with and that distracted you from your duty. Or more precisely, it made your loyalties potentially divided. The Emperor couldn't take a chance with another person turning your devotion elsewhere or corrupting his influence over you so she had to die.

The assassination of Roldan was just a simple matter of taking out a potential future rival. Roldan's fame was at least as much as your own, and he was probably better liked. Even if Roldan was loyal, the Emperor couldn't take a chance of another potential domestic rebellion with a charismatic leader. Jacob also believes that the Emperor also just did it out of mean spiritedness since he knew how proud Jacob was of Roldan.

On top of everything else he could lay all the blame on Semra.

Jacob isn't sure exactly how the Emperor plans to transfer himself into your body, but given that it involves a trip to the island of Mortos, he's sure it can't be good and that you as a person will cease to be so that the Emperor can continue his immortal reign.

While this is all very interesting from a conspiracy point of view, you aren't convinced.

"So are you seriously telling me the Emperor has been molding me into some container that is to be filled? You're telling me that this man who I see as my father and treats me as his son has been lying to me from the beginning about everything? Even if this were the case and I highly doubt it is, HOW do you know all this? What evidence do you have?"

Jacob at this point is extremely nervous.

"I…I have no hard evidence. I mean I've seen a few private writings, but I dared not to take them."
"So what you're telling me is that you've been snooping into the Emperor's privacy and can't even back up your accusations."
"No! I also have another person who can back up these facts! She…"

You stop Jacob.

"She? Jacob, I really hope you aren't talking about who I think you're talking about."

Jacob ignores your warning and blurts out what he has to say as quickly as he can.

"Look, I pieced together some of the assassination myself, but Semra told me about the true purpose of the Eternal Project. But this isn't about just you. This is about a potential danger of world proportions! The Emperor isn't just a ruler seeking everlasting life; Semra says he has a more sinister agenda that he's been planning for centuries and given that I've recently learned his original homeland is Mortos I'm inclined to believe her."
"Believe Semra? Really? Then you're a damn fool along with being a traitor! Just how long have you been in contact with Semra? WHERE IS SHE?!" you ask and slam Jacob against the wall.

"Please…I'm telling you the truth! I'm no traitor! I'm loyal to the Empire first and foremost and I see the Emperor's actions as something that will harm it in the long run! The Emperor needs to be stopped, whatever it is he has planned. You can't go to Mortos with him! You have to kill him!"
"I'll kill YOU for speaking such treason!" and begin squeezing Jacob's neck.

"(Sigh) I told you this wasn't going to work Jacob. He's too hopelessly brainwashed to listen. Not even the death of his beloved Alison will cause him to believe that the Emperor means him ill. I guess I should've just killed him long ago, but as they say love makes you do stupid things."

You turn around and see Semra. You don't think, you just lunge, only to pass through Semra and crash into some furniture. Its not really Semra, its just a magic projection of some sort.

"I suppose I should be flattered that you still want to get your hands on me." Semra remarks.
"After I'm done killing Jacob, I'm going to find and kill you, bitch." You say getting back up.
"I'm sure, but I don't have much time so I'm going to make this brief. Unlike our sniveling associate over there, I'm not going to appeal to your logic or reason, because its always been hampered by your warped sense of mindless duty. I'm going to appeal to your sense of desire and survival, because despite your warped sense of mindless duty, you can't suppress those."

You draw your weapon and walk past Semra's image to butcher Jacob who pleads with you to spare his life.

"Okay here it is, you WANT to kill the Emperor. You WANT to rule the Empire. Don't tell me you haven't thought about it. I know your desires better than anyone else. Even if the Emperor isn't planning on taking your body as his own and is going to just rejuvenate himself in some other way, why would you still want that? Isn't it time for him to accept his demise and step aside for someone else? Who better than you? Are you truly happy just surviving and serving like a drone or are you going to finally step up and take what is rightfully yours? You've already had a major hand in expanding the Empire and holding it together, why not take the next natural step?"

You stop yourself from killing Jacob and turn back to Semra.

"You don't have to like me, you don't have to believe me, just listen to me lover. I've always known what's best for you. Kill the Emperor now while he's at his weakest, there has never been a better time. You were born to rule. Its in your blood, its in your heart, its in your soul. Seize your potential and do what's meant to be." Semra says.

With Jacob's damning accusations and Semra's words appealing to your ambitious aspirations, you now don't know what to do. Should you dismiss everything they say as lies and stay loyal or should you not take any chances with your own survival and kill the Emperor regardless of reasons?

You rule

Click.

That's the sound of everything in your head finally coming together.

Jacob's right.

Semra's right.

YOU'RE right.

The Emperor needs to die and at this point the reasons are overwhelming and you can't deny it any longer. You lower your sword causing Jacob to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Okay…so the Emperor needs to die. Any advice on how I should accomplish this task, because I'm fairly certain it's not going to just be a matter of storming in and chopping his head off." You ask Semra who is surprised by your response.
"Semra? You listening?" you repeat.
"Yeah…I just…I didn't actually think you'd listen to me…I'm glad you finally have though. Yes, you're right of course it won't be just a matter of chopping his head off, he'll most likely detect your intent as soon as you enter his chambers. At which point he'd melt your brain with just a thought and your mind shield spells wouldn't even help you. Fortunately you will have me along to help you in this task. He can't do that little trick on me, svelk brains work differently."
"Don't I know it." You mumble. "I still don't see how that is going to help me though."
"Easy, I'm going to shield you by joining our minds together. It'll come in handy during the fight as well since we'll be more in sync with our attacks…"

You immediately interrupt.

"Wait a minute, I don't know about this plan. Linking our minds and you having access to mine? That sounds like I'd be at your complete mercy."
"(Sigh) You've trusted me this far, why not a little further? You already know I've been trying to help you from the start. Besides, we've done this to a minor degree already when we were destroying gnome souls in Gnome's Home. Also it works both ways you know. You'd have access to my mind as well."
"You make that sound like that's a good thing."
"Oh trust me lover, it'll be a very good thing. Just think our minds in harmony and knowing each other greater than we could ever express in words. We'd have a level of intimacy that most beings can't even comprehend. Doesn't that sound just so… invigorating?"
"It sounds like something all right. Look, I don't know if I'm going for this. Maybe I'll just take my chances with getting my brain melted."
"I highly suggest you don't. I know you think you are strong of mind, but this is something you are not going to have any defense for without my help. I'm going to meet you down in the hall just before you enter the Emperor's chambers. I suggest you reconsider my generous offer by the time you get there."

At this point Semra's image disappears and its just you and Jacob left in the room. He's still very nervous.

"Jacob, you can stop shaking I'm not going to kill you. In fact since you're partly responsible for this power grab in process, what are you going to be doing?"
"Me? I don't know. I wouldn't be much good in a fight as you well know. I guess I'll be packing a few bags just in case I need to make a hasty getaway, not that it'll probably do me much good."
"Way to have confidence in me, Jacob."
"I do have confidence, but I have to maintain a pragmatic attitude too. You understand."
"Yeah, I get it…so what about Semra? You think I should let her invade my head?"
"You're asking me?"
"Sure, why not? You and her have been plotting this whole thing. You obviously trusted her enough to work up the courage to try to bring me into this. So what's your opinion?"
"I don't know. And I'm not saying that to be evasive or frustrating, I really don't know. I mean if you were anyone else I'd say go for it because you wouldn't have anything to lose because quite frankly I don't think anyone BUT you would have a chance of coming out of this alive."
"But…?"
"But since you DO have a chance of surviving this, who knows what Semra might pull after the Emperor is dead? And if she can get in your head…well…I just don't know."
"Great."
"But didn't she say you'd be in hers as well? Maybe she wouldn't try anything, because she'd be just as vulnerable."
"So she says…shit, just wish this was clear cut. You know? This isn't where I envisioned where my life was heading. In fact I never envisioned this."
"I don't think any of us did, but here we are never the less. The only other thing I can tell you is given how obsessed she is with you, she probably won't kill you."
"There are things worse than death, Jacob. (Sigh) I guess I'll figure it out soon." You reply and turn to leave before you do though, Jacob calls out to you.

"Just in case we don't get to speak again…I just want to say thank you for the times you helped me out."
"Just doing my part in serving the Empire." You say and leave.

"Serving the Empire." You chuckle at that dark joke. You're about to try to kill the man who created it. You might be inclined to rationalize such an act by thinking you're serving the Empire by killing a leader that is no longer good at ruling it.

Of course that would be complete bullshit. You're killing the Emperor for your own personal reasons first and foremost. Some of that is your own desire for power, but a lot of it is for revenge of Alison's murder. In fact the more you think about it, the angrier you get and that's good, because it's keeping out the fear you do have about facing the Emperor.

Eventually you reach the large hall before the Emperor's chambers and just as she promised, Semra is there waiting.

"What took you so long lover? The Emperor is probably aware I'm here by now and possibly even suspecting something is amiss with you as well."
"What's the difference? You said he'd know I was going to kill him as soon as I enter the chambers."
"I suppose so, but I was at least hoping that maybe we'd have a slight chance at a surprise attack. Those are always the most efficient. Killing your enemy before they even get a chance to strike. Less messy, don't you agree?"
"Maybe, but personally I don't mind getting messy."
"Mmmm, yes I imagine you don't. Anyway come to me so we can merge our minds and get this task underway."

You cautiously step towards Semra who gives a faint smile as you do so. Her attempts at being friendly and inviting are probably more disturbing to you than when she used to beat and verbally abuse you. When you get within range, her arms reach out and around you.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" you ask backing up.
"Will you relax? This is part of the spell. We need to be looking at each other and focusing. Now here, just put your hands around me like this…" Semra says and starts to position your hands though you can't help but notice she initially positioned your hands so they were temporarily on her ass before she slowly moved them up around her waist. Her hands find their way on your shoulders and at this point you feel like you're in a compromising embrace rather than preparing for some spell.

"Now stare into my eyes and focus." Semra remarks as her own face is only a few inches away from your own. Your eyes don't immediately focus on her eyes though, you stare at her full blood red lips. You think about how you want to press your own lips against hers.

And then she suddenly does and your mind goes to another place.

You see what's in Semra's mind or at least a glimpse of it. Images are coming at you so fast you can't make out all of it, but you see a mixture of the horrifying and impressive at the same time.

You see what must've been during the time of when the svelk ruled. Everything is very regal and elegant looking, though much like the svelk themselves, it radiates a certain coldness. You also see the svelk treating their subjects (Most of which are of races you've never even seen before) worse than the Empire ever could. They also have greater control too thanks to their magic.

What you aren't seeing is any images of Semra herself and you're even sensing that she's experiencing pain during this process. Semra is obviously blocking some of her more private thoughts. She's showing you a general history of her life, yet somehow only telling you half the story. Meanwhile she's probably trying to scour through your mind of everything.

With this moment of clarity during the spell, you wonder if you shouldn't break off this link given that she's intending this to be a one-way affair. She might have ill intent for you once this is over after all.

You break the link

Something about this is suspicious and you aren't risking it. You push yourself away from Semra.

"What are you doing?! I'm not done yet!" Semra exclaims.
"Well I am. I'm not going to be put in a position where you can access my brain."
"You damn well better, because when the Emperor has access to it, he's not going to be nice about it like me."
"Look, let's just get this over with." You say.

Semra wants to argue more, but she sees she isn't going to convince you.

"Fine." She replies.

After speaking the password, the door opens and you both enter the Emperor's chambers. You cast your magical shield spells and distance yourself from Semra. Almost immediately you hear the voice of the Emperor, though he hasn't made an appearance yet.

"So it's come to this has it? After all I've done for you. After all I've given you. You turn traitor for a piece of svelk tail?"

The Emperor steps out from his bedroom.

"Son, I am disappointed." He says and then just stares immediately in your direction. You feel a slight pain in your head, which then gets much worse nearly immediately.

Semra casts a spray of acid, and while it sizzles and melts objects within the designated direction, the Emperor's own defenses absorb it. Meanwhile you're collapsing on the floor clutching your head in extreme pain.

You bleed from your nose, from your ears and finally your eyes. Your death screams are ignored as Semra attempts to defend herself against the Emperor's overwhelming lightning blasts.

Your brain liquefies inside your skull and you are no longer a factor in this attempted grab for the throne.