The Martial Unity

The assassination organizations of the Shadow Isles worked furiously in the span of two weeks as they continued to form the foundations of a new organization. Months of work were either crammed into the span of two weeks or were skipped as the basics of an organization came together.

One of their biggest problems was that the remaining assassins in the Shadow Isles had largely lost their faith and trust in the place as a place where they could make the most of their services while looking for the Silent Shadow, while also selling their services within the giant assassination market.

This problem was even more acute than the Voidreaper himself.

There needed to be something tangible that they could do to regain their grasp over the assassin populace, and pooling together the strengths of their collapsing organizations was their only way forward.

Only two weeks later, they had managed to get just enough done to pull themselves together enough for a strong face to show to the Shadow Isles and the Derschek Region.

Thankfully, the fact that they had an intimate understanding of not just their own organizations but also their former rival organizations made it easier for everyone to come together and make a transition that was a lot smoother than the challenges one would have expected from such an undertaking.

Although there was much to be refined, a functional organization was all that they needed at the moment.

A brief inaugural speed from the new organization was soon to be conducted, which was very much unlike an assassin organization, but the Shadow Isles was a place where the regular norms about assassins and never drawing attention were completely upended.

The many assassins on the island decided to attend before deciding whether they too ought to leave the Shadow Isles or not. If things were looking up, it could be worth it to stay.

The day drew closer until it was finally time. A simple podium set up with large banners and flags with the crest of the new assassination organization was established. The many organizations of across the Shadow Isles also changed their various crests to the crest of the new organization, surprising all of the assassins enough to be curious to attend the new announcement.

A large crowd had gathered, comprised of many assassins on the central island of the Shadow Isles, and an elaborate security detail was set up to ensure the safety of the key members that were presenting themselves.

They were surrounded by assassins, after all.

"I would like to begin by thanking all of you for bearing witness to an important moment in the history of the Shadow Isles. Welcome to the inauguration of the Shadow Association!" The speaker confidently spoke, exuding an aura of power.

The name caused many eyebrows to rise. It directly drew from the name Shadow Isles and the fact that it was an association indicated it was a gathering of many working together for common interests.

"As everybody is aware, a calamity has swept the Shadow Isles in the past few months. We have had many of our best Martial Senior assassins fall to an unknown assailant who has managed to set us back significantly. That is why we are here today." The speaker continued. "In order to revitalize the Shadow Isles, the various assassination organizations that once resided over the archipelago have together and pooled our enormous power in its totality to form a single assassination organization that is stronger than the sum of its parts. Stronger than we were when were fragmented!"

That wasn't technically true, given the decline in the number of assassins, especially Martial Seniors, however, that was not the point.

"No longer will there be a waste of resources in competing with each other. No, these resources will be used to revitalize the assassins of the Shadow Isles. We will strive to ensure that the catastrophes of the past will not shake us as much as they did the first time. However, while these are catastrophes for the assassination industry at large, they are not necessarily curses for each of the various assassins in the Shadow Isles."

The speaker gave the various assassins in the crowd a knowing smile. "In reality, the demand for assassination services has not reduced even in the slightest. The vast consumer market of the Derschek Region still exists. What had changed, however, is the fact that the number of available assassins to fulfill the demand has gone down. That means that those remaining are that much more valued and important than they were ever before. All of you are that much more significant than before!"

That declaration drew the interest of the various assassins who had gathered. It was certainly true, and it gave them a pretty solid reason to stick around rather than pack their bags when things were looking up for them personally, even if not so good for the Shadow Isles as a whole.

While it didn't singlehandedly wipe away all of their concerns, it did make them feel more secure about the decision to stick around.

"In the two waves of emigration, we have seen a steady incline in the average commission fee for an assassination." The man continued. "According to even our most conservative estimates, the number will continue to incline until it is at least triple the value that it is at the moment."

That certainly was pleasant to hear as well. And while it did make progress, it wasn't enough to alleviate all their concerns. At some point, the Shadow Association needed to address the elephant in the room, one way or another.

The officials of the assassination industry were clever enough to recognize that.

"Of course, many of you must be wondering what our solution is to the crisis that has swept the Shadow Isles." The man continued. "Many of you must be concerned with this matter more than anything else. Rest assured, we have a solution at hand. A solution that can satisfy all parties and conflicts of interest."

That drew the interest of all the listeners.