Gathering Gods

I've enlisted the assistance of 4 of the other Gods of Darkness. However, the Orphan and the Stranger still haven't emerged yet.

The Darkness has been shielding me from the telepath's power, but I know I'll have to fight him eventually.

Oh well. I'll be waiting.

Isolation

I haven't found any more of the Heralds yet, but I found a victim of the Frozen Orphan. However, she was surrounded by allies. The Orphan would never appear unless we got her alone.

"Isolate her," I instructed. The Darkness obeyed. They slaughtered most of the runners, as I watched from the shadows, invisible to all but the Darkness.

However, there was someone there who surprised me. A young man who had power over reality itself. He was able to ward off the Darkness, protecting a few of the other runners. He then looked straight at me, as if he could see me. He then charged at me, with a spear in his hand. I melted  into the wall behind me and fled. My title as "Escapologist" was originally a fluke caused by spellcheck. I had meant to name myself "Bill the Egyptologist", but apparently spellcheck doesn't believe in that word. However, with my new powers, I truly am a master of escape.

As I fled, I heard a voice in my head.

You will pay for this, William Dawson!

Interesting. Not only can he manipulate reality, but he's also a telepath.

The Darkness asked me if I wanted him dead, but I came up with another plan. He is a former servant of the Stranger, and is now a runner. We can kill two birds with one stone. A runner from the Frozen Orphan, and a runner from the Stranger. We can use them to draw out the Heralds and earn their allegiance. All we have to do is play our cards right.



Alright, runners. It is time for you to help further our goals.

The Swarm

I met with them today. It was deep in the deserts of Egypt, in a secluded region. Being there brought back memories of my days as an Egyptologist.

I followed some of the Swarm into a pyramid, and we went deep underground. The hieroglyphs on the walls seemed to praising Khepri. Figures that the legendary scarab god would be connected to the Swarm.

It was in the deepest chamber that I met Haji. He was one of the few servants of the Swarm with a mind of his own. He would be speaking for them.

"You're the Shadow Man?" he asked.
"Yes, I am," I replied. He seemed put off by my appearance. Can't blame him. It's not every day you see a man who's face is partially composed of darkness.
"So the Nightlanders have finally taken up a servant," he said thoughtfully.
"I'm more than just a simple servant," I informed him.
"What business do you have with the Intrusion?" he asked.
"The world is an ugly place," I said. "Do you agree?"
"I have seen much of the worlds hideousness first hand," he replied.
"Mankind is grotesque," I said. "The modern world is a terrible place. Wouldn't it be great if things could be reset?"
"Where are you going with this?" he asked me.
"Hear me out," I said. "My intention is to recreate the plagues of Egypt, on the greater scale. The entire world will be consumed, and in the end, the only life left will the the servants of the Heralds Of The Plagues."
"And then the servants repopulate?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "And we shall rebuild the world, the way I envision it. But it will take more effort than the first time. We will need more than just gnats and locust. We will need all arthropods of all shapes, sizes, and species."
"I see...," he said.

The Swarm suddenly became very noisy. The sounds of buzzing wings and clicking mandibles surrounded us.

"What are they doing?" I asked.
"They are considering your offer," he said.

Then the noise stop. Haji pick up a large stone gourd leaning on the wall next to him, and lifted it above his head. Then, a large, pitch black wasp, at least two feet in length, flew over to him, and carved something into the gourd with its stinger. Haji glanced at the marking, and then turned back to me.

"The Intrusion has spoken," he said. "They will assist you. And so will I."
"Excellent," I said.
"Who else is in on this?" he asked.
"Have already enlisted the Hound Of Destruction," I said. "Also, the Flickering Queen has offered her help. She wasn't one of the original Heralds, but as I said, I wish for this to be greater than the original 10 plagues."
"And are any opposed to us?" he inquired.
"The Storming Skyborn and the child of the Guide mean to stop us," I said.
"The Convocation was among the original Heralds Of The Plagues, were they not?" he asked.
"We can accomplish this without them," I said. "Also, there another person I encountered."
"And who might this be?" Haji asked.
"He possesses the power of the Bleeding Lust," I said. "But he is not fully under her control. He is able to resist her somehow. He is definitely some one to be worried about."
"Well then, we'll need to recruit the other Heralds quickly."
"Yes," I agreed.





There are many more Gods I need to contact. Until then, goodbye.

The Darkness Has Empowered Me

I angered them. I defiled their home. They were enraged. They came for me.

But they saw something. Something inside me. A dark desire I've held for a long time, but never shared with anyone.

They gave me a chance. They gave me power, to achieve my dream. A dream they wish to see come true.

This world is wicked, and evil. To change that, I must become even darker than them.

I shall re-enact the plagues of Egypt. This world will be destroyed, and all of its evil with it.

An when that is all done, the Darkness can rebuild things as they see fit. That is why I was chosen.


I am William Dawson.

I am the Shadow Man.

I will bring about the apocalypse.