Unknown Location

Jacob slowly opened his eyes, he was laying on a cot in the Cabin he had been too the last time he saw Balance in physical form. This time though all the Primordial Powers were present and studying him intently, "Well guess I lost the bet, the power didn't scramble the humans brain after all." Darkness stated before turning toward the kitchen area.

"You know how I like my cookies made Darkness." Light stated as she smirked and walked toward the table.

Balance smiled like a father who had seen his children do something amusing before shaking his head in exasperation, "You two are some of the oldest beings in existence yet you act like children at times. Welcome back boy, glad to see you survived." Balance said as he extended his hand to help Jacob up. Jacob gladly took it and started walking toward the table where Light waited. Jacob was hesitant to join her but she waved him forward as she conjured up food for all of them.

"So, do you guys mind enlightening me why I am here again between worlds?" Jacob asked them as he started making plates for them all.

"That is a good question, I apologize Jacob. I should have kept a closer eye on you but I had no idea that you had that quest that led you to the House of Remembrance. Apparently, Mom and Dad are hiding things even from us. None of us know why though. What happened too you almost fried your brain literary speaking." Balance responded and causing Jacob to freeze in surprise.

"For some reason, they decided you had to have a Mantle of Divinity, even though it could have easily killed you. You Immortals were never supposed to acquire one. They were only meant for the indigenous populations of this world." Light said as she ate and continued to study him.

"So how and why did I end up with it?" Jacob asked them. Once again dead silence was the only response he received.

"Relax meat suit, you are still alive. The question is, what are you going to do about it?" Darkness stated.

Jacob sat back, the food was forgotten. "I have no idea. Do I have to do anything about it? Will I be allowed back to this world as long as I have it? Can you guys take it from me?"

Balance responded immediately, "No, you do not have to do anything with it. Fate is all about the choices we make, that has not changed no matter how much you do. Yes, of course, you will be allowed back into the world of Ithea, you have become a crucial part of it due to your unique position. Now, could we hypothetically take the mantle from you? Yes but if we did both your avatar and you would die. I mean really die. This is one of the reasons why the Mantles of Divinity are not supposed to go to Immortals."

Jacob absorbed that little tidbit of information, "What about regular death? Such as beheading, arrows to the eye, someone cutting out my heart? All that, does that apply to the Mantle death?" Jacob responded quickly.

Darkness snorted and Light snickered at his question, "Nope you can still be killed by normal means and come back fine. The only ones that can kill you for real, are gods, high ranking angels and demons, and a mortal on the cusp of attaining a mantle themselves. Currently, four of those exist and you will know them on sight. Also, those that are in the same stage of developing Mantles of their own, of which there are currently 12. So not too many beings can do it." Balance replied trying to calm him down.

"So when can I go back?" Jacob asked them, this time they all shrugged their shoulders.

"This is the first time that an Immortal has attained a Mantle of Divinity, we are in the unknown right now. The good news is 1/16 of a second in the world of Fate has passed, that is it. The bad news, since you brought yourself here, only you can make yourself leave. We think once your mortal self in both Fate and on Earth accept the Mantles presence, you will be fine and wake up." Light responded.

"Well we could, but it might fry your physical brain on earth....so we decided to wait even though you came here uninvited." Darkness stated as he placed a tray of cookies in the oven.

"Then how did I get here?" Jacob asked.

"When the Blood Lord added his Mantle to what was already growing in you, it temporarily amplified your abilities and your brain trying to come to terms and accept everything came here to relax and give itself time to do so. This is also a first because none of the gods have ever come here uninvited." Balance responded.

"So basically, sit back and relax until I come to terms with the fact I have a Mantle growing in me and changing me?" Jacob asked. All three beings nodded their heads so Jacob dug into the food and tried to relax.

Tomb of Eternal Night

House of Remembrance

Jacob screamed right before he collapsed, blood red and blue energy pulsed out from him as the acolytes rushed toward him. The Heart Guard hearing him nearby quickly ran in and started pushing people out as they tried to isolate the are. Jacob was tired from the battle and cleanup, was completely exhausted now and he collapsed from exhaustion. Yelling guards and Acolytes trying to calm them down made the situation worse though until Jacob tried calming them himself. He sounded drunk though, so he wasn't speaking clearly but they understood the point he was trying to get across. Take him home.

12 hours later he woke up and he was famished, between the time at the cabin and the sleep here had allowed him to accept certain things. Rolling out of bed revealed all the women in his life somewhere on it. Good thing when they designed the Master Suite, it included an extra large bed he thought. Jacob notified the Heart Guard that he was fine immediately and ordered food, tea, and blood for those that required it. He also inquired about the state of the House of Remembrance. The Heart Guards told him that physically all the Acolytes were fine, but they were worried about him. They had never encountered anyone having the reaction Jacob did when experiencing a memory. Jacob told them he would go there later in the day after he got everything settled here and got caught up on his work.

Quest Issued: Blood Lords Legacy

Description: You survived both the last memories of the Blood Lord and his 'gift' to you. The question is what will you do with his legacy.

Rewards: 50,000 Experience, Blood Lords Mantle of Divinity

Alert...

You have received the...Blood Lords Mantle of Divinity

Due to having absorbed the essence of Divinity before, the Mantle of Divinity will grow faster and stronger but it will take time to fully emerge.

Alert...

Alert...

Secret Achievement Unlocked: Blood Lords Legacy

Description: You have acquired the Blood Lords Armor and Survived to accept his Legacy, Rise and live up to what he once was. (Increases loyalty of Vampire Factions and People, effects Locals only)

Title Unlocked: Heir of the Blood Lord

Alert...

Alert...

1st Legion average level has increased from 43 to 45.

Dawn Guard average level has increased from 46 to 47.

Alert...

Dear Jacob,

We apologize for foisting the Mantle on Divinity on you, but we had little choice for what is coming. As you have said before, a time is coming where people will have to choose sides. We hope this will prove what side we have chosen.

With respect and hope,

Adam and Eve

Kevin,

The doctors got some very odd reading from your brain a couple of minutes ago, we need to know if you are ok. Please send me a message ASAP!!! I do not care what you are doing, drop it and respond, NOW!!!

Mark

Jacob whistled at everything he read through and immediately responded to Mark and told him not to worry about it. He had just gone to the House of Remembrance and saw a troubling memory. Hopefully, it would placate the Devs and Doctors. Spoiler: Spoiler In relation to the Battle of the Bloodsoaked Fort, the following items, equipment, coin were acquired. Uncommon level items/gear and below will not be listed.

13,732 Gold, 942 Silver, 37 Copper (Amount added to coffers after guild cut and taxes)

Formula: Greater Healing Tonic

Formula: Red Reaver Poison

Formula: Weak Anti-Venom

Plans: Onager (Siege Weapon)

Plans: High-Steel Daggers of the Shadows (Paired Daggers)(Rare)

Plans: Hand-Held Crossbow of the Dead-Eye (Rare)

Name: Onager

Damage: 2,000 (Per shot every 2 minutes)

Durability: 1,000/1,000

Description: The Onager is an upgraded Catapolt capable of firing at a longer range while sacrificing the rate of fire.

Miscellaneous...Over 3 thousand pieces of Uncommon, common, and poor quality items were recovered after the battle. All poor items, unless Unique, will be broken down into components, as will common items. Uncommon items will be released to Legion members and guild members on a case-by-case basis.

Jacob finished up reading the report of spoils from the battle and started writing up orders for the Tomb Guardian Commander, a very cantankerous Vampire. However he knew his job well, hopefully, he would adapt to the Legions tactics and discipline when the Tomb Guardians went through Legion training.

Suddenly the bedroom door opened and Cathrine came stumbling out, she looked at him and Jacob held out his arms so she could cuddle up. "Sorry if I freaked anyone out. I went and finished a quest I had here, I did not expect those results. Between what happened, the battle, and the clean up I was overly tired." Cathrine didn't say anything just nuzzled his neck a little before closing her eyes to sleep again.

Anchorhead

Outer Slums

Hassim packed everything he could, money, weapons, clothing. Anything and everything that he could move quickly. He had failed at the job he had been hired to do after taking the money in advance. Not to mention he had assisted in kidnapping an Immortal, they never forgave or forgot slights against them. Now he was packing his household and hoping he could get out before those hunting him, found him.

Slaves were running everywhere packing anything in the wagons and carts that were not nailed down, others had gone off to the local Warehouses to grab any remaining inventory of goods he had as well. He would have to risk the wrath of Khans to the east, at least they were not actively hunting him. He could hide there for a couple of months, buy some protection, before moving back to the west after everything settled down.

Suddenly screams rang out and his guards started dying, Hassim couldn't make out was killing them as shadows and darkness began consuming all light sources in and around his home. For four years he had lived here since he had been exiled, now it appeared that he would die here as well.

"Do you realize what you have done Hassim?" the question came from the nearby darkness that was rapidly expanding to consume every light in the room.

"Please, I will pay the money back!! Take everything here as a downpayment. I will pay our employer back within 3 months time." Hassim begged as the shadows and darkness came closer. Laughter was the response.

"You fool, we do not represent your former employer. We represent those you offended by thinking you could kidnap Jacob Longstrider without suffering consequences." the voice hissed in Hassims ear. By now shadows and darkness had consumed all the light around him and he was within a small circle. The screams of the dying had faded as they waited. "You will tell me everything I want to know though about those who hire you. You will do this quickly and without lying or you will suffer."

Hassims cries lasted for hours before they were finally silenced. When the guards of Anchorhead finally showed the next day, they found Hassim partially skinned and his body had been dismembered. The mark of the Deathwalker had been branded on his forehead so the authorities knew who had killed him even though they didn't know why. They did figure out that they had not been the first to arrive, a party of Immortals had come in the wee hours of the morning before quickly leaving. The party had included a War Mage, Rogue, a Monk, and a fourth member they could not identify.