The Beginning from the End

Day 144

The sky was dark and stormy as usual around the top of Hyru's 
fortress.  Inside it was dimly lite with many waining candles that 
danced in the breezes that came in through the iron-bared windows.
The stone walls of the fortress had many different images cast on them 
including the five shadows of Hyru's counsel.  They were walking down a 
hallway that led to Hyru's main chamber.  They stopped when they 
reached the door to his room and waited for their master to allow them 
entrance.  The black-metal door glowed with a radiant blue light that 
subsided after a second.  A voice could be heard from within, "You 
will enter now."  In response to the command they walked toward the 
door which opened to let them in and then closed behind them.  It 
continued its glow afterwords.  In Hyru's main chamber many things 
adorned the room: a bookcase containing numerous volumes, an enchanted 
device used to communicate with the main Spyre base, various artwork
depicting things in Monic's history, a large window facing the main 
continent of Anihc, five chairs with a long table in front of them, and
at the back of the room was a gold throne that had many encrusted 
jewels.  Upon the throne of gold sat Hyru.  Each of the five counsel 
members sat down at his or her designated chair.  The grey uniformed General of 
the Espionage Corp. sat at the first chair, the black uniformed General
of the Stealth Corp. sat at the second chair, the dark green uniformed
General of the Predatory Corp. sat at the third chair, the dark blue 
uniformed General of the Versatile Corp. sat at the fourth chair, and
the blood red uniformed General of the Rampage Corp. sat at the last
chair.  
	Hyru spoke, "General Nage, what do you have to report?"  The 
man at the first chair stood up.  "I located the hidden library of 
books that was at the town of Regan.  The tip given by that Den of 
Souls member was true.  We burned the books and then killed everybody 
in the building," Nage said.  "Good.  But I want nothing to chance.  
The people of Regan have defied me for the last time.  General Kage.  
You will order a battalion of your Rampage Corps. to get rid of the 
town," Hyru said.  General Kage at the last chair replied, "Yes Lord 
Hyru.  Consider the town of Regan a mere memory.  If even that."  Hyru
nodded and spoke again.  "What do you have to report General Sheen?"  
Hyru asked the General in the second chair.  "My units report that a
resistance member was seen talking with a Rico Gel drug runner.  They 
didn't hear all of what was said but they know when they will meet 
again," Sheen said.  "Have both of them followed after the second 
meeting.  Find out all the information they both know.  After which 
discreetly kill them,"  Hyru commanded.  "I shall see to it," Sheen 
answered back.  Hyru looked over at the General in the third chair. 
"General Foust.  What information do you have for me?  Have the latest
taxes been collected?"  "Yes Lord Hyru.  But the people of Shokoca town
demand the taxes be lowered since their economy is suffering and soon
they won't be able to pay," Foust answered.  "Hmm.. Kill several of 
the townspeople and tell them if they don't want anymore people to die 
they must continue paying the taxes.  Instruct them that they had better find 
a way to maintain their economy or else the Rampage Corps. will solve 
the problem for them.  General Vira.  How goes the search for the main base
of the Shadow-Tal resistance?"  The General in the fourth chair stood
and spoke, "Our search continues but we keep coming to dead ends.  
Since they aren't widely known, not too many people have information on
them.  The few that do wind up dead or missing after we ask.  The 
resistance uses every means at their disposal to keep from being discovered.  
Coming out from their hiding place doesn't occur very often."  "Yes they 
are indeed cunning and devious but their deaths will come as many people 
have died before them that opposed me.  Also keep in mind the reason why not many 
people know about them is because we want it that way.  We don't want
a rebellion of my citizens because a rogue band of outlaws incites them
to.  People might be roused to follow the Shadow-Tal against me and I
intend to continue my control.  Ironically the Shadow-Tal would like
to known but can't because if they do I would find out where they are.
Right now we are at a stalemate.  But it is a battle I will win 
in the end.  Tell your troops of the Versatile Corp. to keep up their
efforts, General Vira.  I expect a more fulfilling report tomorrow.
You are all dismissed."  All the General's stood up, bowed down to 
one knee, and then left Hyru's chambers.  They walked to a room at the 
end of the hall from where they first entered.  In the room a circle 
of stone stood at the center.  Each member stepped in the center and
Hyru, sensing the members presence, used the Omni Gem to teleport 
each General back to Spyre's main base.  His clan would carry out the
orders he had given his Generals and relay any news through the 
communications device.  Hyru stroked his chin thoughtfully and walked
over to his window.  He looked out over his empire.  The only
thing not under his control was the Shadow-Tal resistance.  It angered
Hyru they had not been found yet but being immortal had granted him
an eternity of time and patience.  Eventually the resistance would 
fall...