Surface- Storm Break Bay Region
Empire of Night- City of Anchorhead
Cathrine, Abby, and a Century of the Heart Guard were there waiting for Jacob when he finally got off the transport. Both women gave him hugs as he staggered off the boat and Jacob immediately felt Cathrine start looking in his mind. For the first time, he felt her recoil slightly at whatever she found as she hugged him tighter. Jacob smiled at her, "I am fine Cathrine, I promise." He tried to placate her.
"I know how much pain you are in, I can feel through our link when we are this close. Don't try to lie or downplay it." Cathrine whispered in his ear before stepping back. Jacob gave her a sad smile and wink before leaning over and picking up Abby for a hug.
"My promise is fulfilled my lady," Darren called out as he stepped off the boat.
Jacob looked at him then Cathrine, "What promise was that?" Jacob asked him.
"To bring you back idiot. What exactly would you think I would promise her involving you?" Darren asked as he smiled.
"No idea, that's why I asked. The two Legions and the Dawn Guard helped though." Jacob pointed out making the other Immortal sputter before laughing and walking off.
"So...Lunch then the park if you are up for it, ok Abby?" Jacob asked the little girl as they started to walk towards the nearest plaza.
"Yes, but then you have to catch up with all your reports for a little bit, then you owe me dinner and some time alone," Cathrine responded grabbing as she grabbed Jacob's hand.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Control Room
"The recruits from the cities of Duling, Stormsurge, Athesas, and Yadpool are enough to bring the First, Second, and Third Legions up to full strength and create three full-strength Legions. In one week the three new Legions will be ready. The last of the Ninth Legion will be on its way to the Lost Islands Region in two days at which point the remainder of the First and Second Legions will finish transferring back to the mainland.' Nadal stated as the various forces were highlighted on the strategic map. 'We have already transferred ten thousand of the Dead Legion to the Obsidion Kingdom and we have enough supplies stored there to support five Legions for two months." Nadal finished.
"Good, but I want supplies for six months stored there if at all possible. This campaign will take months to complete even if everything goes perfectly and we meet minimal resistance. How goes the scouting?" Jacob asked as he moved the map to highlight the Dark Lands and the Regions held within.
Nadal grew visibly frustrated at that question, "Those lands are...difficult to map and scout due to both the levels of the wildlife and monsters. However, we should have a complete scouting report of the Obsidion Flats and Obsidion Coast Regions within two to three weeks. It will give us time to rest the First and Second Legions as well as organize the Immortal mercenary guilds. Once we have footholds in both Regions, our scouts will push deeper into the Dark Lands." Nadal replied.
"What about creating a permanent portal between the mainland and the Lost Islands Region?" Jacob prompted as the map moved back and focused on the islands in question.
"No, not possible. The Archmage says its too far. He said without a magical relay of some sort, the Portal cannot cross the distance. Yes, portals on the mainland cross larger distances but they use Portal Pads in between to boost their distance, that is why you can jump from one side of the Empire to the other or travel the depths of the Underdark." Nadal replied causing Jacob to frown in frustration.
The Lost Islands Region isolation made it nearly impractical to defend. They would have to depend on the naval forces to patrol and word off any invasion or slow it down long enough to reinforce the islands. "Ok, we will keep two flotillas there at all times to patrol around the waters and hopefully give us time to reinforce our forces their if they ever face an invasion. We will rotate them every month so the crews don't get overworked and isolated from the mainland." Jacob told the Drow who nodded and made notes.
"Understood, now as I understood it you want a Stronghold constructed on the Island of Ordstead. It will cost a minimum of one hundred thousand gold, just for the resources, that does not include the cost of the work crews and transportation of the resources." Nadal brought up causing Jacob to snort.
"I understand that, but I don't want that island to fall like it did to use. I want to create a Stronghold there and increase the fortifications at the port itself. If any invaders ever assail that island, I want the cost to claim it to be so high, it will slow them down for months if not years." Jacob told the Drow. 'However the Engineers will not be done surveying the island and making their plans for a few weeks, so we have time to prepare the Advisory council for the cost. After all the money we made from the tournament, they should have no complaints." Jacob said with a smile as he thought of the one million gold they had made after the costs of everything. I nice profit and more money for the war chest.
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"After the costs to build roads in the north...I don't know which will cost more in the end." Nadal replied while smirking.
"There is an old saying from my world, 'You have to spend money to make money.' Those roads will increase trade, therefore we will make more money from taxes. Trade between the north and south portions of the Empire will increase. We will make the Lost Islands the hub for our ocean trade as well as our main shipyards. Nearly half of those pirates that surrendered agreed to join the Imperial Navy or Marines. Others are looking to set down roots in Aramore boosting the population there even more. That town is on the verge of becoming a city, a small one, but a city none the less." Jacob mused as he looked at the map that shifted to highlight the growing town.
"Yes, that would be a boon considering the Arathia Basin does not have one city yet. We settled dozens of small farming villages from all the freed slaves, but most of them wanted to stay in those small communities. If both Aramore and Middlebrough become cities in the next year, it will provide more stability and trade for the Region. Now that you are making more extensive plans to scout and push into the Dark Lands, do you want to start sending naval patrols that way as well?" Nadal asked.
"Most of our naval strength is being used to patrol around the Lost Islands Region and to keep a path between the mainland and that Region relatively patrolled and free of monsters. The next squadron of Light Triremes was slated to assist with those patrols...However you are correct, we need to start scouting as well secure the coastline of monsters. The newest squadron could start this process and we have more than enough recruits to man the ships. See that it is done, my friend. Now if there is nothing else, my wife has been waiting for me long enough." Jacob smiled as he walked off as Nadal continued to scribble notes.
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The pain woke him, every muscle, and every bone felt like they were being ripped, shredded, broken, shattered, before being put together again just so it would happen all over again. Jacob tried to groan but the locked jaw and muscles around his esophagus made it come out as a gurgle. Jacob could feel Cathrine shifting next to him, either his movements or pain woke her when suddenly she froze. The pain was gone, but both Adam and Eve were in his room at the base of his bed. Both studied him with worried expressions.
"It is time, we have delayed for as long as possible but you have to make a choice right now. Either we start the process to digitize your mind or we enact your emergency logout option and you never come back. Currently, your chances of transitioning are at sixty-five percent to successfully transition. The choice is yours?" Adam filled Jacob in on what was happening.
"Your Fate is up too you. Here you are a husband, father, Emperor, and possibly a God one day. On the other hand, you can go back to being just Kevin Jones up until humanity decides to wipe itself out." Eve put in earning a frown from her brother.
"How long will this take?" Jacob asked Adam ignoring Eve for the moment.
"For anyone else, it would be seven days. You, on the other hand, are unique because you got that Mantle of Divinity stuck inside you. It complicates everything, including your chances of survival. For everyone else at this point, there is a seventy-three percent chance of digitizing a person." Adam replied as he moved over to Jacob and placed his hands on his temples.
"My brother is ever the optimist, I think you got a fifty-five percent shot at transitioning. Either way, I think you want to try. Come on Jacob, say yes." Eve encouraged him and goaded him.
Jacob looked at Cathrine, "Can I tell her anything?"
Adam and Eve both shook their heads in unison, "No, we are nearly freezing time in this world to give you this moment. It is straining both us and your brain to do it. You, humans, have so much potential, yet you have hardly scratched the surface of what you can do with your minds. Its time to choose, Ithea or Earth?" Adam prompted before stepping back.
"The Unknown or Oblivion, the Beginning or the End, Greatness or Obscurity...Choose...your...Fate?" Eve added with a smile.
Jacob looked at Cathrine one more time before leaning over and kissing her cheek. Then leaned over and touched her belly and felt the life within. Jacob closed his eyes and before returning Eve's intense look, "Let's get this started."
Eve smiled and gave a little fist pump in the air before turning and sticking her tongue out at Adam. "For what's it worth, good luck and God's speed. We will advise Balance that we have started the process, he will watch over you and explain everything to the right people." Adam said before moving forward and grabbing Jacob's head. The last thing Jacob saw was Adam closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, then everything went black...