From the Shadows

[Captain Del]

I write this out of convenience, not compassion.


My role in life is both insignificant as it is important. I am simply a servant to those who have earned my family's loyalties over the years, and should one traverse their path I would be the first to stop them in theirs. From that, though, we choose to keep to ourselves, and hence you would not know our name unless you had experienced us first-hand; which, often, for outsiders, comes as an unfortunate experience. We are people of the shadows, often not venturing beyond our own realm unless called forth to do so. This is one of such occasions where I am called out by the loyalties I claim an oath to; though may it be clear my obedience is not to you, but to your affiliation.


Much like the rest of my people, I am a pursuer of evil. I have mastered the art of hunting corrupted men as my people have done for hundreds of years, not as a game or as a practice, but out of the perfection of establishing order and peace through times of turmoil. In isolation we have brought ourselves to a sense of a sharper mind, a thicker body, and a stronger heart than any one of you could possess - normally, that is. We have lived in peace with ourselves, because we do not make a noise out of our disputes or actions; attention is for the weak minded. Instead, we choose to work in the shadows, by ourselves, for it keeps our minds free of interception. But unfortunately there comes times where we must come out of our meditative states and put ourselves back to use. If it were not for the men I have come to deal with, I would not be writing this letter, you would not know my name, and to you, my tribe would not exist. But as of today, we do, and I assure you your lives will never be the same.


Evil men have come from the recesses of your land. They come to destroy what you hold dear, and they will not stop as much as you beg for them to stop. I have seen men much like the ones you have in your hands today.... they set fire to the land and the crops, and make dancers out of the field workers with their ammunition... they blockade the gates, and will force every last man, woman, and child in to rot and decay before they admit mercy... they will show no quarter to any many regardless of his flag or his disability, and they do not abide by any laws or codes set forth for them. I have seen these men before.


And I have killed them, as I intend to do to these men.







But it will not be a simple task, and this much has been seen already. I have been told the details of your efforts, and for the most part, they have been valiant, but fruitless. You think your courage is strong and admirable, but no such thing comes from swinging a sword; it only marks your own stupidity, and those who think otherwise are just as ignorant as you are. The power these men possess, and seek to possess, is not one that can be beaten by charging off in to battle; and yet being convinced so, you have allowed days to go by as thousands of innocent lives are threatened. By your own rashness, pride and lack of mind you have lost yourself in the spoils of battle, and you have shown to me that you are not ready for the challenges that lay ahead, no matter what you tell yourself. You are no hero yet, and if destiny has truly appointed you for this job, I can only question Her judgement.


But some men have already looked towards the light. The quick and frequent absence of your leader, the one you call Delmaria, is not by his own hand - it is by the hand of destiny. He has gone forth to travel lands unknown, where he will meet with the trials set forth for him that will transform him spiritually, allowing him to become what he will need to become to overcome the future obstacles ahead. He is alive; he is beaten, bruised, and bleeding, but he is alive. And should he have destiny's hand within his heart, he will stay alive.





But you too must awaken yourself. If you wish to do what destiny has planned for you, you cannot simply run off in to battle; you, too, must prepare yourself as he has. You must find yourself in destiny's ultimate plan, for only then will you know what your place is in this world, and how you shall go about unravelling your path.


Many great trials lay ahead. You must remember to keep faith alive no matter what you go through - She will always be on your side, and in the depths of your despair, she will be there.


You will hear from me again, very soon. You will not disappoint me.