Shadow's Fall
Death of an Emperor
The huge mass of the Titanic Gibberlord collapses in upon itself, plasma and effluence splashing around like vitriolic ocean wave. Wild Magic surges violently-and a herd of chameleons goes running by your feet before you find yourselves torn atom from atom, and thrown into the universe. Below you, the planet; Tellus, herself in all of her glory. You have no idea what height you are at, and are only mildly panicked about the fact that you do not seem to be breathing; all you know is that you are on a level with the moons and stars. A flickering image of a pair of serpents, endlessly circling, each with the others tail in its mouth, overlays the entire scene, and you are washed over with a feeling of warmth, and overwhelming love.
Your attention shifts, and you see Shadow's unmistakable outline. He seems to be waving at you...then, from behind you, comes an immense golden dragon. It is enormous, yet graceful and majestic in its movements as it ripples toward Shadow. The dragon takes Shadow by the hand, and glances back over his shoulder at you. "You have saved much of the world this day, Weavewalkers; and while the Emperor's time has come, yours (for good or ill) has not. You have much left to do, and to guard against, my friends." The voice is in your head, ethereal and so bold as to be almost overpowering; yet it is also somehow familiar.
Then, with a rush of light speeding past your awareness, the planet hurtles toward you, spinning inexorably. You hear the mighty bass tones of the whirling mass as it moves through space and time, and then suddenly you find yourselves facing each other, standing within the teleportation circle in the tallest tower of Dixon's Castle. Shadow is conspicuously missing, and as you all realize what just happened, grief begins to settle on you like a familiar old cloak. Remembering his shenanigans, you all begin to chuckle softly.
It is a grievous loss to you, to the community, and to the world. Yet, the legend of Shadow Ironbound will live on in story and song for generations to come.
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