Fortress Delve

The Shadows are too arrogant to spend their time on the scritch-scratches of a broken vessel.

I write to you as a fellow mortal. Expose the Shadows and the Doom that infests our gentle Darkness.

They wish to make slaves of us all.

The Mysterious Stranger of the ShadowScythe.

Of all of the Strangers, their power and memory is the strongest.

They remember their Master, wish to emulate this Master, and have gone through great pains to trap Valen Pulchure in their grasp.

Brick by brick, they built the ShadowScythe Empire.

It ordered the other active Strangers to serve it, for only they can see the Master's plan vividly.

This is their fifth attempt. One last chance.

It has no face. No identity. It is the Master's will and only the Master's will.

Daji, in Flames.

The antithesis to the ShadowScythe's Mysterious Stranger.

Brings civilizations to ruin and prevents the mortals From evolving too fast.

Countless lives, the promise of a better future, the ingenuity and inventions of humankind, all lost to its Shadows.

It enjoys our torment, our torture, forcing us to be pieces in its political games, watching in delight from the Shadows.

But, in return, it was set aflame and still remains aflame, tormented and tortured like its victims.

It traveled to the Fortress to seal away the deceased Champion of Light's weapons in exchange for a favour.

"Leave me be. Let me return across the sea."

The Worm that Walks.

Weakest of the active Strangers, yet able to bore into a mortal's body and mind with ease.

It infests Lore just as the Shadows infest the Darkness.

Your neighbour could be infested and you would never know.

The Worm's pride drives it to be doubtful of the ShadowScythe's Stranger.

"We will not be your marionettes. Not when your favourite puppet has been ripping off its strings."

"Lies. You are envious of my influence." So said the Stranger of the ShadowScythe.

"No. I am envious of the scion of Light's influence." So said the Worm. "Already, it steals your control. Nothing you say to your puppet will stop the Light now."

The Colossus.

A Stranger that is as vast as the night sky.

It engulfed entire continents in Shadow during the ancient Planar Conflicts. Millions of lives and untold amounts of history, sunk to the sea.

It was within this sea that 'something' tore the colossus in half. This Stranger's insides became its outsides and nothing can stop the bleeding.

"If the weak no longer have the will to serve the Master, then that leaves only you and I" So said the ShadowScythe's Stranger to The Colossus.

"Give up," The Colossus responded. "I despise those who can not see that they have already lost. Abandon your failing schemes, and turn your attention beyond the Light."

The only way to regain its former glory was to take back the half that it lost to the abyss of the sea.

It had no interest in the coming downfall of its peers.

Enraged, the Stranger of the Shadowscythe attacked the Colossus.

The ensuing skirmish shook the foundation of the Flying Fortress. Fire spread From Daji, scorching the others with the Flames the mortals used to execute it.

The Fragments of The Worm were dug from my body, forcing it to flee

Spited and without direction, the Shadows scattered, leaving the ShadowScythe's Stranger burned and with tangled puppet strings.

Though weak, these Shadows will grow again. To whoever finds these words, do not allow the Shadows to escape.

Find them. Destroy every last one of them.

My name? …I no longer remember if I had one. The Shadows had me for too long.

But finally, I am free. The Darkness is quiet and gentle.

Finally, I can fall asleep.