The dawn tinged the sky with shades of gold and purple, casting its first rays over the island of Crete. The Aegean, which had whispered secrets of gods and kings for millennia, sparkled like a freshly polished gem. Among the corners of that ancient land stood an inn that, despite its robustness, was nothing more than a crude relic compared to the glories of the Minoan cities. Its stone walls, battered by time and salt, creaked at the slightest breeze of the morning wind, as if lamenting the weight of the centuries.
Within that modest refuge, however, something far beyond mortal comprehension was stirring.
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The Awakening of Morpheus
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It had been a week since I arrived here. "Arrived"... Yes, that's the right word, even though my mind hesitated to accept it. Who could have predicted that I, of all people, would fall into one of those tales of rebirth and reincarnation? If death had claimed me by the whim of destiny, its hand had thrown me back into the world in an equally unpredictable manner. A trivial misfortune sealed my previous end — an accident so ridiculous that the pages of history wouldn't even give it honorable mention. Now, though, I was awakening in an era where myth and reality intertwined like threads of the same loom.
And while I was still trying to understand what had happened, something began to reveal itself. I was a hybrid, an improbable mix of human and vampire blood, something even the gods and monsters of this era seemed to forget. But there was more. Something strange I only started to notice in recent days.
My mind, which should have been limited by human bounds, seemed now sharper, deeper. And with growing fear, I began to realize that there might be something else. Something I hadn't asked for but that destiny had imposed upon me — powers. These were not the powers of an ordinary human, nor those of any typical vampire. They were powers I barely began to understand, but now found myself forced to learn to control.
The creaking of the wood under someone's feet snapped me out of my musings.
Crunch! Crunch!
The groan of the boards warned of a presence in the shadows. A cold chill ran down my spine before I even saw the red eyes watching me. They glowed like rubies in the dim light, radiating a cruel and unshakable power. It didn't take much to recognize the owner of those eyes — a man of slender build, skin as pale as marble, and hair as black as the deepest night. His dark robes fluttered lightly as he approached. He was a figure who had transcended time, a legend whose name even the winds seemed to whisper in fear.
He took me in his arms, a gesture both calculated and possessive. His eyes, always analyzing, seemed to search for something beyond what the eye could see. Then he spoke, his voice as soft as the slide of a freshly sharpened blade over silk:
— Ah, my little monster... How have you been?
His smile curved slightly, a play of shadows dancing across his face. There was something between tenderness and an unfathomable desire. I knew who he was. And because of that, I didn't let my expression betray the whirlwind of thoughts inside me. He couldn't hear my thoughts — a gift I thanked the heavens for. If Aro, the leader of the most feared of clans, discovered my true nature, what fate would await me? Death? Slavery? Or something worse?
With an internal sigh, I decided to play the game that had been imposed on me.
— Daddy is amazing! — I murmured, allowing my voice to take on the sweet childish tone they expected from me.
Aro raised an eyebrow, and for a moment, his eyes gleamed like embers in the wind. He laughed, a low, enigmatic sound.
— Oh, what a wonderful child I have — he murmured, lightly tracing a circle in the air with his pale fingers, as if conducting an invisible melody.
And then, before the silence could stretch on, another noise echoed through the room.
Crunch! Crunch!
A figure slipped through the wooden doorway, her presence illuminated by the rising sun. A girl with delicate features, still wrapped in the innocence of childhood, but who, to me, was more terrifying than any nightmare. Her arrival was announced by a radiant smile, deceiving like the light's gleam on the edge of a sword.
— Brother Aro! — she called in a voice full of sweetness. — I came to see how Morpheus is doing! And now that we're all here, how about we play together? It'll be so much fun, don't you think?
Didyme. My delightful and insufferable aunt. While the world saw her as an innocent flower, I saw her as my personal nemesis, a creature of suffocating hugs and unwanted attention. Her eyes sparkled with expectation as Aro, in turn, molded a smile that was almost convincing in response.
— Ah, my dear Didyme, I'm afraid my duties are calling. I need to handle some urgent matters with our neighbors. But please, feel free to entertain Morpheus in my absence.
If he knew the torment he was condemning me to... With an elegant wave, he disappeared through the door, leaving me at the mercy of the little storm called Didyme.
And so, under the timeless sky of Crete, the game between gods and monsters continued. My fate was sealed, at least for now. But deep within my soul, a promise was taking shape. Time was my ally, and sooner or later, I would write my own legend, forging a path that not even Aro could foresee.
The future would belong to me.
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Morpheus and Didyme spent the entire morning, and most of the afternoon, "playing." What was a simple joke for her, in Morpheus' eyes, was the purest and most painful punishment. He had to do dozens of shameful things his aunt forced him to do.
He went through unimaginable torture. The levels of cruelty were so great that he was forced to... I'm sorry to say such words, but I have to, Morpheus was forced to make cute faces and speak in a cute voice for hours. The suffering was so intense that the gods came to weep, and it was only thanks to the tears of the gods that Morpheus was able to save himself.
The tears of the gods turned into raindrops, which in time transformed into a raging storm. Thunder roared like the wrath of the Titans, and the wind howled as if whispering secrets from an ancient past. The storm terrified Didyme, forcing her to retreat to her room, leaving our hero in long-awaited solitude. There was Morpheus, lying exhausted, as if he'd faced the greatest battle of his life—a battle where his pride was the ultimate casualty.
It was such a draining struggle that, the moment Didyme left the room, Morpheus immediately fell asleep and went to meet a long-awaited companion.
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The Next Day.
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[Main POV]
Pain.
Pain.
From Old French peine, from Latin poena—punishment, grief, from Greek poinē—penalty.
The mere memory of yesterday sends chills through my soul. The cruelest torment disguised as innocence. I swear to ROB and all the forgotten gods—this will never happen to me again. Just remembering those moments of pain and suffering gives me chills.
Perhaps this is the one time I will be grateful for having been born three thousand years in the past. The horrors of the modern era—the dreadful makeup, the ridiculous outfits, the endless accessories—none of that exists here. A moment of reflection fills me with pure terror as I imagine the horrors of the future: cameras, cell phones, photographs. Those cursed weapons that could immortalize my suffering, tarnishing my reputation forever.
A shiver runs through me, and I exhale in relief. Thank the heavens that I have millennia to go before such monstrosities are created. Knowing that I managed to avoid such a disastrous future makes me smile and shout in victory.
"I LOVE THE PAST!"
A moment of silence follows. I freeze. I spoke too loudly. Aro might have heard me. But even if he did, I doubt he would suspect anything. After all, I shouted in English, and in this time, English does not exist. My history teacher once told me that English only appeared in the 11th century, shaped by various linguistic influences in the British Isles.
For now, my secret is safe.
Speaking of languages, I have ROB and my hybrid nature to thank for my unnatural intellect. Within a few days, I mastered Ancient Greek effortlessly. What an amazing skill! And yet, with knowledge comes boredom. My surroundings have become far too familiar. The house, the stone walls, the flickering candlelight—I've seen it all, countless times. It's time to explore.
I get up from my bed. It's truly a marvel—an infant just one week old walking around the house, discovering the world on unsteady feet. When I first realized I was a hybrid, the first thing I tried was crawling across the floor. I was inspired by Nahuel's feats in Breaking Dawn. To my amazement, I succeeded. On my first day of life, I could already crawl.
This surprised not only me, but also the mad Aro and the mischievous Didyme. To be born into the world of Twilight—with all its dangers and powers—was both exciting and frightening. I gained much, but I also lost. My mother died the moment I was born—a fate that befell all human women who gave birth to hybrids. Only Bella had defied the odds. Yet, this knowledge does little to ease the pain of loss.
Memories flood my mind—some painful, others thrilling. Yet, as I finish inspecting the house, I realize one simple truth: I am alone. Didyme and Aro are gone.
A golden opportunity.
A week has passed since my rebirth, and I still haven't tested the powers ROB gave me. I've longed to explore them, but never had the chance. Every moment was spent plotting my survival, avoiding attention. Aro and Didyme never let me be alone—until now.
Once again ensuring I am truly alone, I look at my hands and remember ROB's final words:
"My dear child, your death was truly amusing. I thank you. As a reward, I will grant you a new life in a world I choose, with powers I choose. Now, let's see..."
"Ah, I've found the perfect world for you! I hope you know it—if not, well, you'll probably die. But don't worry! Even in death, you'll serve a grand purpose: my amusement."
"Good luck in the Twilight world, my little toy. And enjoy your new gift—Shoto Todoroki's Quirk."
A twisted farewell from a twisted god.
But now, a pressing question: How do I use this power?
"Fuck it," I mutter, focusing on my hands. I strain my mind, reaching for something—anything. Yet nothing happens.
Damn it, ROB. No instructions? No divine guidance? How am I supposed to unlock this ability?
I lie down on the cold stone floor, frustration building inside me. But then, a thought strikes me. Those infuriating YouTube ads—guided meditation. Maybe, just maybe, there's wisdom in them after all.
I close my eyes and steady my breath. Slowly, my body relaxes, my mind clears. I focus inward, seeking the dormant power buried deep within my soul. With each inhale, I grasp at the intangible, and with each exhale, I bring it forth.
Then, something changes.
My heartbeat slows, unnaturally steady, eerily controlled. A sensation unlike any I've felt courses through my veins. I feel the energy—the ice and fire—two opposing forces slumbering within me.
I imagine the water in the air, willing it to bend to my will. The temperature drops. The air crackles with potential. And then—
A miracle.
Tiny crystals form on my fingertips, delicate but undeniable. Ice begins to materialize, forming into a small, shimmering fragment no larger than a bean. I stare in awe, my breath catching.
I did it.
A triumphant grin spreads across my face, but before I can celebrate—
The ground creaks.
A shadow looms over me.
To be continued...
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[N/A] If you've read this far, thank you! And since I'm terrible at handling compliments, please, insult me instead!