Template:StoryArc The Final Darkness

The Final Darkness (Story Arc)

Souvenir

Levels: 45 - 50

A Shattered Shadow Seed

These pieces of a Shadow Seed crystal bring back memories of a desperate final battle against the Nictus that you remember as:

The Final Darkness

It all began when Journalist Lillian Issan, Shadowstar's daughter and the next in line to assume the role, took it on herself to find where Requiem and Arakhn had gone into hiding after their failed attempt to take over the Council. Unfortunately, she drew their attention, and now needed an emergency rescue. You went to save her, but found that she had already been abducted from the Nictus troops by the Center's Ascendant personal guard. You also found some angry correspondence between Requiem and Arakhn. In the wake of their failure, signs of real stress were showing in their relationship.

You were able to rescue Lillian from the Center, but what she'd discovered was shocking. Arakhn and Requiem had smuggled Shadow Seeds into Paragon City. If they could plant the seeds and protect them long enough for them to grow into full Shadow Cysts, they could bring their brethren down from the Cosmos and flood Paragon City with Nictus. You also found an intercepted message from Arakhn to Requiem filled with pointed words.

You investigated the cargo ship the Nictus had supposedly smuggled the Shadow Seeds into the city aboard. There, you found Galaxy troops and Warwolves waiting for you, and something far worse: a Shadow Cyst crystal, already growing! You destroyed the crystal, but knew that there were more.

You rushed to search for the Shadow Seeds, and found two more of them already growing in a Council base that was still under Nictus control. You destroyed two shadow seeds before they could grow into a full Cyst, and found the location where the next crystals were. You also found out that those Crystals would be guarded by Requiem himself.

Celebrations are sprang up all over the world when the news of your capture of Requiem hit the press. Though the recognition was nice, the more important aspect of your victory was the destruction of the four Shadow Seeds requiem was guarding, and the angry letter he was in the process of writing to Arakhn that also told you where you could find her, and the last of the Shadow Seeds.

You faced Arakhn in a nearly complete Shadow Cyst, and prevailed. Both she and Requiem are in custody, awaiting a trial that could turn the whole city into a media circus. Though the remaining Nictus are returning to the Council, it will be years before the Council can present a threat like it once did. Some Kheldians are staying on Earth to continue the battle here; others are planning to leave Earth to continue the battle with the Nictus on other worlds. All of them will carry the tale of your courage with them, an example of heroism to last to the end of time.

Rescue Lillian Issan from whatever trouble she's found.

The Final Darkness
Part: One

Briefing

Lillian Issan will be the new Shadowstar one day, if she can keep herself from being killed. In the aftermath of the Nictus insurrection within the Council, Arakhn and Requiem have gone into hiding, and Lillian has taken it upon herself to find them. Not the wisest course at any time, but absolutely foolish right now. She's dropped out of contact after she said she was going to investigate an old base that had been cleaned out weeks ago. I fear that Lillian has gotten herself in more trouble than she anticipated, and needs to be found.

Mission Acceptance

Since Lillian will assume the role of Shadowstar one day, she takes it upon herself to go beyond her job as a reporter and dig into the plans of the our enemies. It probably makes her feel like she's doing her part, I just wish she'd use more caution. You must find Lillian and bring her back safely. Also, look for any clues that might help her investigation. She puts herself in too much danger, but we do need to know what the Nictus are up to.

Unneccesary Solicitation

Lillian's safety is the most important thing, but you must also recover the information she was after. She puts herself in too much danger, but we do need to know what the Nictus are up to.

Mission Objective(s)

You can feel an all-too familiar energy in this place. There are Nictus here.

• Rescue Lillian Issan
  • Find Lillian Issan, 1 piece of information

You discovered that Lillian has been taken from the Nictus by the Center!

Enemies

Council
(Darkwolves and Galaxies)

Galaxy Archon

(before aggro): Where did the reporter go? Requiem said we were to keep her alive, and I shall be very cross if she is otherwise.

(on aggro): As if we hadn't had enough trouble today. Is killing Character too much to ask?

Personal Papers

These documents you found in a Council base contain some of Requiem's personal documents, including recent messages to Arakhn: 'My Lady Arakhn, I know that we are on an accelerated schedule, but you ask too much of my men. Perhaps if we'd had a more accurate time for the Peacebringers to arrive, or if you had found or made an opportunity to assasinate the Center as we had planned, we would not have been brought to such a wretched state now. You forced me to draw plans against my own men, yet you never took the Center's life in all these years. All the opportunities you had to silence him, all these years you were close enough to put a blade to his throat, and yet you spared his life at every turn. There is only one explanation: You have feelings for him. You always have, do not deny it. Even before you joined Arachnos, I saw how you and he would court over wine at your villa. In my old life as Ridolfo Uzzano, as a flunky to Il Duce, I watched the two of you. I was there. I saw. I know. Requiem'

	An operation failure report
	This solemnly worded report explains how the Reporter Lillian Issan infiltrated the base before they could receive an unnamed shipment, was captured, and was then abducted by the Center's Ascendant troops. The author takes full responsibility for the failure, but does point out that he was able to trace where the Ascendants took Lillian.

Debriefing

Why did the Center take Lillian? It doesn't make any sense. If he did capture her instead of killing her, then it means he has a plan for her, and needs her alive. That gives us some time to find her.

Rescue Lillian and find out what the Center wanted with her.

The Final Darkness
Part: Two

Briefing

We know where the Center has had his men take Lillian. What we don't know is why he did it or what he had planned for her. You must rescue Lillian before it's too late, and find out what the Center had in mind when he took her.

Mission Acceptance

Lillian will be the next Shadowstar someday, so her safety is paramount. However, we must also know why the Center was so interested in her, and why would he want her taken alive?

Unneccesary Solicitation

I'll feel much better once Lillian is safe and we know what this was about.

Mission Objective(s)

This small Council base is filled with the Ascendants, the personal guard of the Center.

• Save Lillian Issan
  • 2 clues to find, Rescue Lillian Issan

You rescued Lillian Issan and found out what she had discovered.

Enemies

Council
(Ascendants)

Ascendant Archon

(before aggro): I know that the Center is upset at our unit, but he gave us an easy assignment like this. Weird.

(on aggro): Oh, now I get it. You're here for the girl, right Character? This ain't so easy after all.

Lillian Issan

(on rescue): I sure seem to have a way with getting in trouble, Character.

'He called them Shadow Seeds'

After you rescued Lillian Issan, the intrepid reporter and future Shadowstar told you: 'Thanks for the rescue. This is getting to be a bad habit. Who would have guessed that snooping around the private armies of would-be world conquering megalomaniacs would be such a dangerous career? Anyway, I found out something important. Arakhn and Requiem have been in hiding, but they haven't stopped their plans. I saw Requeim overseeing the arrival of something major, something they think will let them win even without the Council's troops behind them. They called them Shadow Seeds. They brought them in on a ship, but I don't know which one. I was caught before I was able to find out. Then the Center's troops came after me, I guess to find out what I'd learned,too.'

An intercepted personal message

This message from Arakhn to Requiem was intercepted and copied here by the Center's intelligence group. From the sounds of it, the Nictus aren't taking their defeat well: 'My Requiem, I must assume that our recent set-backs have set your mind aflame, for there is no other reason I could conceive that would cause you to speak to me with such a tone. Has this alteration to our plans so snuffed out your wits? Of course I preserved the Center. Think past your crude world of strife, past your philosophy of battles pitting strength against strength. The Center's powers added to our own would have ensured our plans. I sought to preserve a resource you wished to throw away for what? Yes, the Kheldians have stopped our plans, and yes, the Center's men now seek us out. But we have more plans, my Requiem. We are not yet done.'

	Shipping records
	These shipping records show the lists of cargo ships entering and exiting Paragon city over the last few days. One ship in particular has been highlighted, a cargo vessel that left from Italy and arrived in Paragon City a few days ago. The words 'This is where they brought them in' are written next to the ship's name.

Debriefing

Shadow seeds? The nictus have smuggled shadow seeds into the city? This is worse than I'd thought. A shadow seed is made by melding together an encysted Nictus with certain rare crystals. If fed the right energy, it can create a 'Shadow cyst', a place where Nictus can live without a host. They can also cross between cysts instantly, even across interstellar distances. We'd suspected that there was a cyst somewhere in Italy, but if they're trying to make another one here in Paragon City, the results could be a disaster. We'll have to investigate that ship.

Investigate the cargo ship.

The Final Darkness
Part: Three

Briefing

The Nictus may be preparing to set up Shadow Cysts in Paragon City. If they were to accomplish this, they could flood the city with Nictus, creating a catastrophe on a scale beyond imagination. We have to know if they've been able to get shadow seeds into the city, and where they may have taken them. Thanks to your hard work, we know that the Center was very interested in a ship that came to Paragon from Italy, where there's long been rumored to be an active Shadow Cyst. We now have to find out if they've really got the seeds over here.

Mission Acceptance

If we have any luck at all, they won't really have any Shadow Seeds, just the threat of them. You can't take any chances though. If they do have a seed or a cyst, you must destroy it. Also keep your eyes open for any clues or information that might tell us about the next phase of their plan.

Unneccesary Solicitation

Be very thorough in that cargo ship. Who knows what could be lurking in there?

Mission Objective(s)

A growing shadow seems to gnaw at the interior of this lurching vessel.

• Search cargo ship
  • 2 clues to find, Destroy the Shadow Cyst

You destroyed one of the Shadow Cysts, and found vital information.

Enemies

Council
(Darkwolves and Galaxies)

Darkwolves

Darkwolf 1 (before aggro): I can feel it already! Darkwolf 2 (before aggro): Soon we'll be able to sweep through the city!

Darkwolf 1 (on aggro): There is no stopping the Nictus, Character!

	Directions to danger
	This slip of scratch paper was left in an empty packing container that once held at least one shadow seed. The paper has some scribbled directions written on it, showing where to take whatever was in the crates. You could probably use this to track down where the contents were taken.

Email on a damaged laptop

Though this email was supposed to be deleted, it looks like whoever was reading it didn't hit the return button, and instead blasted the laptop with some kind of power. The laptop is still working, and you can read the following: 'My Lady Arakhn, 'When I presented my plan to you, when I came crawling before you as a mere human seeking power, you knew that the Center's death would have to be part of that plan. We would need his resources, his talents, but we could never trust him to share our power. When you told me where to look to find the Shadow Cyst below Ravenna, you knew that this course could not be altered. And when I arrived before Il Duce, when I presented my services as Requiem and we began our plans, you accepted what the end of it all would be. A new world. A new rule. Our rule. I have never reneged. I have never forgotten. I am uncertain, however, if the same can be said for you. - Requiem'

Debriefing

It's true. They do have Shadow Seeds. It will only be a matter of time before they plant them and let them take root. They've probably been planning this for weeks. With all the destraction and destruction caused by their attempted coup of the Council, no one saw it coming. They were probably hoping to have the full strength of the Council on their side to protect the seeds as they grew, but now they're desperate. This is going to be close, but the Nictus are desperate. This may be our chance to end their threat for a long time.

Look for Shadow Seeds in Nictus base.

The Final Darkness
Part: Four

Briefing

We think that the information you found has shown us a Council base still under Nictus control where the Shadow Seeds were taken. If we are lucky, they'll still be there. If we aren't lucky, then you'll need to find out where the Nictus have taken them.

Mission Acceptance

We don't know what you'll find in there, but if they have created a Shadow Cyst you must destroy it. You must also find out if they've already planted any more Shadow Seeds, and where they might have put them.

Unneccesary Solicitation

We don't know what you'll find in there, but if they have created a Shadow Cyst you must destroy it. You must also find out if they've already planted any more Shadow Seeds, and where they might have put them.

Mission Objective(s)

Long shadows cling to every corner of this base.

• 2 clues to find, 2 Shadow Cyst Crystals

You destroyed shadow cysts and found information to lead you to the final shadow seeds!

Enemies

Council
(Darkwolves and Galaxies)

	Placement plans
	The drawing here show the plans for placing one of two Shadow Cysts beneath the City. The location of only one of the two cysts is shown here.

An annotated letter

This letter was written by hand, and has numerous notes angrily penned over parts of it in another hand. Parts of the letter are almost obscured by angrily written phrases like 'She would dare!' or 'Curse her Harpy tongue!' Despite this, you can make out the following: 'My Requiem, At times I now almost regret sending Ridolfo Uzanno to Ravenna. I had hoped you would gain enough strength. I had hoped you would survive. I had not dreamed that you would join with a Nictus as powerful as Dirge of Entropy, and perhaps that is the problem. Perhaps the bond between a Nictus so strong and a man so weak has created a creature too emboldened by it's power. Remember that I am the ruler of the Nictus, Requeim. I am the one who led us to this Earth. I refined fragmentation, I created the cysts where we can survive. You had plans only for temporal power within this world, I had plans to change this world forever and make it a new home for our kind. The Center's genius could have been our greatest asset, and you would tell me what to do with it! You short sighted fool! It is no wonder that our plans have come to naught with you at their helm! - Arakhn'

Debriefing

You performed excellently in destroying the Cysts growing in that place, but I think those were just decoys. The plans you found show that they plan to place two more major cysts. We only know the location of one, but that's at least a start. What I fear is that the Nictus are desperate enough to guard those Cysts themselves. You may be facing some of the most powerful Nictus this galaxy has ever seen. You'd better get ready.

Defeat Requiem and destroy the Shadow Cyst he guards.

The Final Darkness
Part: Five

Briefing

We've found where the Nictus are setting up a major Shadow Cyst, based on the information you found last time. 4 Seeds, deep under the city. It gets worse, though. We think that Requiem himself is there, protecting them. In order to stop the Nictus, you will have to destroy those seeds and then battle Requiem himself.

Mission Acceptance

You will need allies, and good ones if you want to have any chance against something like Requiem. I wish you the best of luck.

Unneccesary Solicitation

You will need allies, and good ones if you want to have any chance against something like Requiem. I wish you the best of luck.

Mission Objective(s)

Darkness and cold inhuman malice seep from every wall of this place.

• Find information, 4 Shadow Cyst Crystals, Defeat Requiem

You defeated Requiem himself and destroyed the shadow cyst crystals!

Enemies

Council
(Darkwolves) Notable NPCs

• Requiem (Elite Boss/Archvillain)

Requiem

(on aggro): Character, I shall make of your death a requeim composed of your final agony.

An unfinished letter

This is a draft of an unfinished letter, written by Requiem to Arakhn. It reads: 'My Lady Arakhn, You speak of the Center's power as if it were irreplaceable. Now I realize that nothing has changed in these 70 years. Even now you let your feelings for him cloud your mind. I, who have burned away all trace of my former human weaknesses am now brought low because I trusted you had done the same. You said you would convert him or kill him. You have done neither, and he has instead helped the Kheldians to shatter our plans and tear our schemes assunder. Until now. When we are done and this world is under our rule, the Nictus will need a leader if we are to stave off the certain Peacebringer assault and quell the growing number of Warshades. If you show such weakness again, you shall not live to challenge me for the title.' More important than the text is that it has the location a courier is to deliver the letter written on it. This could lead you right to Arakhn and the rest of the Shadow Seeds.

Debriefing

This is a day of celebration around the world, if for no other reason that Requiem's capture. Unfortunately, our job still isn't done. We've been going over the manifest of the cargo ship, and found that there were originally 13 shadow seeds aboard. After you destroyed the Cyst Requiem was protecting, that leaves 6 unnaccounted for. The instructions on the letter you found may tell us where they are, and what you'll have to face to destroy them.

Destroy the last Shadow Cyst.

The Final Darkness
Part: Six

Briefing

Celebrations over Requiem's capture have broken out all over the world, but it will be a short-lived celebration if we can't stop Arakhn. We have the location where she's overseeing the last of the Shadow Seeds, trying to create another cyst. That cannot be allowed to happen. You must defeat Arakhn and destroy the last Shadow Cyst. Take all the allies you can find. This is the end.

Mission Acceptance

Arakhn's back is to the wall, this is her last chance and she knows it. Be ready for anything. And good luck.

Unneccesary Solicitation

Arakhn's back is to the wall, this is her last chance and she knows it. Be ready for anything. And good luck.

Mission Objective(s)

You feel a strange dark energy reaching through this place into the dark spaces of the void.

• 6 Shadow Cyst Crystals, Defeat Arakhn

You Defeated Arakhn and destroyed the last Shadow Seed.

Enemies

Council
(Galaxies) Notable NPCs

• Arakhn (Elite Boss/ArchVillain)

Arakhn

(before aggro): It is almost done, and soon I shall welcome the cleansing flood of shadow from the stars.

(on aggro): You have defied our power for too long, Character. Now I shall end this miserable existance with the full power of the Nictus!

Debriefing

It's over. The Nictus have been captured, and their centuries of plotting foiled. The Council is rebuilding, and the leaderless Galaxy and War wolf soldiers are re-joining it, but they may never be as strong again. People all over the world are celebrating your victory, Natasha Smolenko. There's still much to do on Earth, but some of us will leave this world soon. There are other places in the cosmos where the Nictus gather and grow strong. In each of those places, when things look bleak, I know that your name will be spoken, and the story of your battle against the Nictus on Earth will be retold to inspire a thousand generations to come.