text: and despite his crime, he was still ultimately loyal. Don't bother."
  
  You're fully aware that with these last couple of orders, you've probably just supported Yvette's argument. The irony is though; you weren't trying to create any sort of caste system initially, and it's only due to current events that you're having to resort to a bit more preferential treatment because you don't know who to trust right now. Eternals are naturally better warriors so you made them all part of the elite fighting group and let the less skilled human shadows tend to their families. Theo, Yvette and Dravin were all human and made up half the council, they all had a voice that could be heard. Yes, it's true that an Eternal is in charge, but that's hardly your fault when at nearly every turn you've been the one to rescue the shadows from destruction whether it's from external or internal forces.
  
  "And Dendrin chose me to lead, so it must be right." you laugh to yourself, though you imagine Dendrin's probably having the biggest laugh of all as usual.
  > Continue
  Year 55
  
  "Theo I know you're here I can sense your presence, you might as well come on out and take your punishment with some dignity." You say looking down the dimly lit stairway.
  
  You can't believe after all these years; it's come down to you personally tracking Theo hiding in the cellar of a simple abandoned farmhouse. Several of the Blades stand behind you asking if they should go in and get him, but you decline. You can handle this yourself, in fact you'd rather do it yourself.
  
  "Just stand guard, I'll be back soon." You say to Glen who nods and has the Blades guard the perimeter.
  
  You walk down the stairs without any worry about your safety. Even if Theo does attack you, and you're fairly certain he isn't going to be in any condition to do, you'll easily be able to defend yourself.
  
  The cellar isn't large and add the fact that there are several stacks of boxes and barrels here make the cellar seem even smaller than it is.
  
  "Supplies. Supplies still here from the Empire rebellion. Never did get around to using them." Theo's voice says from the corner of the room. You see him in his torn and tattered robe and sitting against the wall. Between his missing hand and half burned face, he's a mess.
  
  "Didn't get around to using them for this one either." You say.
  "Honestly, I'd forgotten about this place until recently. Had so many old safehouses, I was bound to forget some of them. Don't know why I forgot about this one though... it's rather peaceful. Serene even. I guess its remoteness helps. Yeah, this would've been a good place to settle down... maybe another life. Right?"
  "I don't think Dendrin does reincarnation. Least of all for traitors."
  "Yeah, I suppose so I guess. Good thing I stopped believing in him years ago." Theo laughs weakly.
  
  "You know, if you stopped believing in him, you could've just left rather than cause a whole lot of unnecessary fighting. It's not like I would've stopped you."
  "And tell me Eternal, would you leave if your own wife still believed in Dendrin?" Theo asks accusingly. You don't know if he's just asking hypothetically or if he is actually implying something.
  "No, I suppose I wouldn't."
  "Of course not. Besides... I did still believe up until I found out you killed her. From that point I knew that Dendrin truly didn't support my cause, so why bother worshipping a god that doesn't? Of course had to still keep up the charade since I had managed to hold sway over some of the new converts in Quala."
  "And that's when you decided to just kill Sam, declare yourself in charge of his forces and repeatedly tried to invade the temple?"
  "Well seemed like a good idea at the time. Honestly if that bastard Ackerson had just allied with me, I believe I would've had a good chance at winning. Didn't expect him to make a separate peace with you though."
  "The fool has still got his sights set on Rask and doesn't want to expend any military effort that isn't focused on that endeavor. You might've done better trying to get help from Brenda in Nalin, heard she's not too fond of shadows having caused the death of her husband and all."
  "Believe me I tried, she sent my messengers back without heads and a note saying she wasn't helping even if I wasn't really a shadow anymore and as far as she was concerned she hoped that we all killed one another."
  "Well thanks to you, this was certainly another set back for the shadows. Sort of makes the whole original rebellion rather pointless."
  "No... not for me. I think those were the happiest days of my life. I had a purpose, my enemy was clear and I knew I would win because Dendrin was on my side. Then I won, and that's when it all started to slowly fall apart."
  "Hah. I can certainly understand where you're coming from on that perspective. Part of your behavior in all this probably stemmed from being a rebel for so long that you never knew quite how to adjust and when the opportunity presented itself, you immersed yourself in the role again because it was comfortable. Really, any of your other reasons were all secondary and just an excuse."
  
  Theo doesn't answer he just looks down and nods a few times in a rocking motion as he clutches where his left hand used to be. Eventually he staggers upward sliding his back against the wall in an effort to stand up. You're guessing he's ready to die now.
  
  "Just one question Eternal, does Dendrin really speak to you?"
  "When he feels like it, but if it makes you feel any better he hasn't cared about the shadows for a very long time and the only reason why he takes an interest in them at all is due to me."
  "... well I guess I was doomed from the very beginning then."
  "So was I Theo... so was I." you say and hit Theo with a powerful shadowfire bolt which burns directly through his chest leaving a big hole and a black mark against the wall. Theo slumps down and the leader of the "new rebellion" is dead.
  
  The damage he's caused isn't so readily repairable. In addition to losing many shadows he's also created a separate faction of them (Something you were trying to avoid), which are still located in pockets across Quala. The beliefs are basically the same (and without the indoctrination ritual obviously), with the exception that YOU or any other non-pure human for that matter shouldn't be a shadow, let alone in charge of the order.
  
  Your first thought is that you should probably hunt them all down and wipe them out before they become a problem, but then again this little conflict has been taking a toll on the shadows you have left. Some of the children don't even have mothers and fathers anymore. It might be time to pack up the gear and attempt to rebuild again.
  
  As you think on this, you make your way up the stairs and wince at a couple of the aches in your joints in doing so. You might be an Eternal, but you sure as hell aren't starting to feel like one in the past few years as old age is becoming a little more apparent to you. Makes you sort of glad that you don't have to rely solely on regular combat anymore thanks to your increased magic abilities gifted to you by your "dedication" to Dendrin no doubt.
  
  In any case you're tired and you tell Glen that Theo is dead, but you're going to stay here for the night before heading home again. Glen as usual nods and says he'll keep everyone on watch.
  
  You find an old bed that probably has been slept in years, but it doesn't look infested with bed bugs so you use it. Doesn't take long for you to slowly drift off to sleep, but you get the impression that you're not going to get a peaceful rest.
  
  "So another enemy falls before you, keep this up and you'll outlive everyone." Dendrin remarks.
  "Figured you'd show up eventually. Any words of advice on what to do next?" you ask.
  "Not really, you seem to have it under control. So... still bored?"
  "No, but I hate set backs."
  "Come now you should be used to such things by now."
  "I am, but that doesn't mean I have to like them. Especially when I feel like packing it all in because there's little point in going on."
  "So you don't intend on destroying the heretic shadows?"
  "I almost don't intend on going back to the temple. I feel like just leaving altogether."
  "You've said that before, many times. You won't though."
  "Of course I won't, but I feel like no matter what I do something severely sets back the shadows. Against all odds I've taken it upon myself to be their leader and protect them better than you ever do and I'm still lying about being a true believer."
  "Oh you're a believer, a cynical one, but you're a believer. If you weren't you would've left a long time ago because it's a little bit more than just Talia keeping you here."
  "I don't see what else there is, because it sure isn't to bask in the glory of your voice."
  "It's power pure and simple. It's being in charge. It's telling others what to do and ruling them like a king or emperor if you prefer."
  "I might agree with you if I actually thought I was in charge of anything so grand. Besides, it's really you they're all worshipping not me."
  "And is that what your problem is? That you're doing all the work and not getting any of the perks? And here I thought all that nice magical power I've been granting to you was a fine way of rewarding you."
  "Well it hasn't hurt. You're right though, I don't mind being in charge and I do thrive on a bit of conflict, but sometimes it just gets a bit tiring that's all."
  "Ah, and now you see why I stopped directly leading the shadows altogether!"
  "Yeah, well I don't have that luxury unless you can elevate me to godhood."
  "Ha ha, even if I could, obviously I wouldn't want the competition."
  "Too bad, maybe if you could you wouldn't suffer from boredom either."
  "Hmm, interesting insight as always Eternal. Well, I'll let you get back to it. Oh and just in case you did want my advice, I'd rather you not destroy the so-called heretic shadows. They might not be following you, but they do still worship me."
  
  And once again you wake up, with more dubious advice from your "god." You sometimes wonder whenever he does give you any of his wisdom if he wants you to do the exact opposite of what he says, because you practically do every time.
  
  In any case, you can't dwell on the nature of the divine at this moment. You're still left with the decision about how to fix the mess you have to clean up.
  > go back to the temple and focus on rebuilding
  What few heretical shadows still remain isn't many and they don't exactly have any type of leadership anymore. Hunting them all down seems like a waste of your time and possibly manpower, especially since Quala is more hostile and destabilized than ever now. Chances are the heretics will eventually resort to the typical banditry that goes on here and they'll get wiped out by one of the warlord factions. Even if they manage to join up with any of the factions, they'll likely abandon their newfound religion in the process.
  
  Rebuilding what you have left seems like a better idea at this point, so you send a message out to all your people to leave this war torn land and head back to Delerg.
  
  When you arrive in Delerg, your temple seems so much emptier now. Well certainly empty of more adults. You don't have many Blades left either anymore, only about a dozen from what remains of the original amount you had. Not counting all the ones that never made it out of their tanks or failed Talia's training when she was trying to bring them into the fold of course.
  
  Orphaned children that are fairly young have so far been taken care of in more communal way as needed, though you ask if Talia wants to take charge of all them in the same way she did the eternals and eventually train them to be Blades. She declines though and says the children should probably start being assigned to a more permanent family arrangement starting with volunteers first.
  
  You're confident that the numbers will build back up since there are always people in Delerg that are drawn to join the order. Assuming you have no further major conflict, things should go back to their previous "boring" ways of simple temple routine in no time. This time though you're looking forward to a bit of boredom. This last major clash has somewhat made you realize that maybe you should be taking it easier in your later years. Not that you're ready for the grave, but you just aren't young like you used to be and you can't single handedly fight entire wars for the shadows anymore even with your increased magical powers. It's a strain and you've got so much on your plate in general.
  
  Maybe Dendrin knew this too and that's why he suggested that you not hunt down the heretics in that cryptic way that he tends to do. You think back to how you said to him that you couldn't afford to not be directly involved and relax in the way that he does, and while that is true, there really isn't any reason why you couldn't start following his lead just a little. It also makes you start to wonder if he's been right about a few things.
  
  Weeks and months pass as you go through the motions of temple routine, though it's been a little different for you somehow. Like you've actually started to attempt to find a deeper reason behind the words of all the texts you read from. You don't know if it's because you're trying to embrace this new moment of peace within the shadows (as opposed to the fidgeting boredom you usually suffer from) or if it's because you're becoming genuinely interested in the stuff.
  
  Are you finally becoming a "believer?"
  
  Dendrin claims you already are and it seems impossible, but you have noticed yourself having slightly more civilized conversations with Dendrin as the years have gone on, even agreeing with him at times. You remember practically ranting at him when you were young, in retrospect it's amazing that he didn't kill you given his power. He pretty much put up with you and he didn't have to. He hasn't helped you in probably the most direct way most of the time, but really would you have wanted him to? Your insistence on always forging your own way was always paramount to you and he probably saw that and acted accordingly by letting you make your own choices.
  
  You've only really prayed genuinely once to Dendrin and that was back when you wanted help with getting the new eternals under control. Even then it was a last ditch reason and you did it more out of selfish desperation rather than any genuine belief. You begin to wonder if it couldn't hurt to just sincerely pray to him once in a while. Not in the hopes of getting anything out of him, but just... well to show a little bit of gratitude.
  
  It is probably due to your new found attempt at piety that attracts more people to the temple and restores some of the hope that the shadows will overcome this set back like they have so many before in the past.
  
  Year 60
  
  "One of the heretics was caught near the temple. He claims that another group stand at the border of Delerg. We confirmed this and most of them haggard and tired looking. This speaker claims that he wishes to speak with you about making peace and an urgent matter." Brother Gannon says.
  "Hmm, have to say I didn't think they'd last as long as they did. They didn't mention what this so called urgent matter was about?" you reply.
  "No, just that it was of great importance to anyone who reveres Dendrin."
  "Probably a trick of some sort, you should just have all of them killed." Glen remarks.
  "Yes, that would be the safe bet, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to listen seeing as I'm not particularly worried about them. Drag him in, but keep a tight hold on him."
  "Very well Shadow Master." Glen says.
  
  The heretic is brought in and he certainly is a miserable looking wretch. It isn't due to any roughing up by your own shadows either, as he was confirmed to be in the same state as the rest of his fellows waiting for him. He's very nervous and looking around as much as he can while two of the Blades grasp his arms and several other shadows look on at the proceedings.
  
  "Well? We don't have all day. Out with it heretic scum!" Talia demands before you can say anything.
  
  "Oh! Right... uh... Shadow Master I beg you in Dendrin's name to call off your assassins! We have seen that Theo's teachings were the improper doctrine! We submit to your rule as the rightful chosen one of Dendrin himself and ask for mercy by allowing us to merge with the true and only temple dedicated to him!" the heretic whines. You certainly weren't expecting this, and you're also wondering about these assassins.
  
  "Assassins? We haven't sent anyone to seek out your destruction. If that were the case we would've done it years ago."
  "You... haven't? But that seems impossible."
  "Why? It isn't like shadows are well accepted anywhere else except Delerg as you surely know. What makes you think it isn't General Ackerson or any of the many other warlords in the area?"
  "No, he is too busy fighting Mog, Son of Flog's orc and ogre horde in Rask. Rumors are he's sick as well and his underlings are already squabbling over who is going to take power when he's gone. As for other warlords, they aren't a threat to us, at least not in any meaningful way, and most of them are too direct and unsophisticated to engage in the terror tactics that your assassins have. Your assassins tell us that they are the hand of justice in Dendrin's name."
  "As I said we have sent no assassins. I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'm not falling for it."
  "No please wait! Maybe you didn't send the assassins, but if that's true then this is more alarming news! Because they're using shadow magic to accomplish their tasks! If it isn't you or anyone in your order as you say, who are they? And will they attack you as well?"
  
  This does give you a bit of pause though it's hard to tell with someone that's supposed to be your enemy. He does look quite sincere in his words and his fear.
  
  If it wasn't any of your people, then who would it be? It's quite possible that it's just another rogue group that split off from the original heretics and formed yet a third faction of shadows. Of course if that was the case, they should know about it instead of jumping to the conclusion that it is you.
  
  Of course this could all still be just an elaborate trick. Perhaps an attempt to make you suspicious of people in your own group carrying out tasks that you didn't order. There's also the other urgent matter that they said they had to tell you, which you question the heretic on.
  
  "So what is this other urgent matter you had to tell us?" you ask.
  "Oh, yes that, well there are rumors that Warden Matron Brenda of Nalin is planning on invading Delerg."
  "What? I know she hates the shadows, but reports have always established that she has never set sights on anything north of the Nalin province. She doesn't even have an established presence in Quala." Talia remarks.
  "Well, I didn't say she planned on holding the territory, just that she was planning on invading it. I don't know. It is what we have heard in our travels to get here."
  "Could be Brenda that's sending the assassins then and using something similar to shadow magic that these blasphemous fools are taking as the real thing. Maybe we should prepare ourselves, after killing these heretics of course." Glen remarks.
  
  "But we're sincere! I'M sincere! How... how about we prove ourselves by being judged directly by Dendrin himself? You could perform the initiation ritual to open the portal to his realm. If he accepts our forgiveness then surely that would be proof that our hearts and souls are truthful, right? If he doesn't then we won't survive the process anyway." The heretic exclaims.
  "Well, that would be one way of ensuring their dedication I suppose." Talia says to you.
  > perform the initiation ritual
  "Very well, you and what remains of your people may come back to the true temple of Dendrin if he sees fit to forgive you for your transgressions. Glen, get the rest of this miserable lot back here and I'll prepare the ritual."
  "It will be done." Glen says and gathers some of the Blades to help him.
  
  "As for you, what is your name?" you ask the heretic.
  "Remi, Shadow Master."
  "Remi, you're going to be held outside, I don't want your heretic ass befouling the temple until it's time to throw you into the portal."
  
  The two Blades holding him take him away and you head off to go get yourself prepared.
  
  "So what do you think about the potential invasion business?" Talia asks.
  "I'm going to deal with this first and worry about that afterwards, but I don't think there's anything to it. Just rumors."
  "I agree. I'm surprised that you're giving the heretics a second chance though."
  "I'm not. Dendrin is. Well maybe he is, for all I know he'll still see them as potential troublemakers and do away with them. I'm wondering who is killing them though, because while I don't think its Brenda behind this, I'm not convinced that we're necessarily safe. For all we know after they're done targeting these heretics they could be coming after us."
  "Wait, so do you think it was good idea to allow them to join?"
  "As I said I'm putting this in Dendrin's hands. Whoever has been targeting the heretics will most likely show themselves to us a lot sooner. Besides I'd rather they did, since they're also performing acts that weren't sanctioned by this temple or masquerading as shadows."
  
  As you gather up the components needed to perform the ritual from your room, you hear a lot of noise coming from the ground floor. An alarm has been raised. It would seem that the assassins have decided to show themselves right now. You quickly run up stairs and find mass chaos and
  
  "We're being attacked! I was standing outside watching the Blades guards the heretic and then all of a sudden five shadows materialized right beside the three of them and killed them! I didn't even sense them! None of us did!" Gannon remarks.
  "I was inside, but he's right I didn't sense anyone cloaked. You have the best abilities in such matter, did you sense an intruding presence of any kind?" Talia says.
  "No... but how many did you say there were?" you ask.
  "At least five! Maybe more!" Gannon answers.
  "Odd, I'm only sensing one hostile presence in the area. Where are the rest of the Blades?"
  "Most of them are still out with the heretics, I've had the temple doors locked tight so whoever they are can't get in, but we're going to have to fight this one out. We'll all go out there together in a show of force and... "
  
  You raise your hand up and shake your head.
  
  "No Talia, I don't think that'll be necessary. I know who the attacker is." You say and head towa