[General POV]
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The day after the news, Morpheus and his family packed their belongings and set off on their journey. The reason they had to leave their homeland was never revealed to Morpheus, but that hardly mattered. Unbeknownst to them, Morpheus had reincarnated, and for him, it was just a matter of connecting the dots.
Morpheus had overheard his father mention rumors that, in the small village they lived in, people had started to disappear. Coupled with the fact that his father was a cold and bloodthirsty vampire, the outcome was predictable. Even without a concrete reason, Morpheus had always suspected that their departure was due to his father being close to discovery.
Their destination was also kept from him. Little did he know, they were heading to one of the most feared places of antiquity.
The sea.
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[Main POV]
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"Dad, when are we going to arrive? We've been in this old wagon forever! I just want to stop and take a bath..." I grumble, frustrated. We've been traveling for almost a month, and this journey is nothing short of unbearable. I take back everything I ever said about loving the past—this is a nightmare. A trip that would take just a few hours by plane or days by car in the future now stretches into endless days.
"My little Morpheus, be patient. The road will become easier soon. And to answer your question for the thousandth time, we'll arrive at the next village shortly." His calm tone only irritates me further. We've been on this journey for so long that I feel like I might die before we even reach our destination.
"Okay." I roll my eyes, exhausted. In my past life, I was a city boy—I'm not used to wagons, let alone going days without bathing. My frustration boils over, and I end up shouting at him, which, in hindsight, isn't the smartest move. Yelling at a man who could kill me in the blink of an eye… or worse, force me to interact with my aunt Didyme. Unfortunately, she's traveling with us as well.
The biggest reason this trip feels like hell is undoubtedly my "dear" aunt. She has an uncanny talent for getting under my skin. Superman has kryptonite; I have Didyme.
Luckily, she's asleep right now, granting me a rare moment of peace. At least for now. The only silver lining to this trip is that I'm growing fast. I now resemble a two-year-old. Thanks to this, I feel physically stronger, and walking has become much easier—my legs are no longer those of a baby, which is a huge relief. I remember that in the movies, Nahuel mentioned reaching adulthood by the age of seven.
In my case, it won't be that bizarre, since in my past life, I was only thirteen. Adding the seven years it will take to reach full maturity, it won't seem as strange. I've always found the idea of a seven-year-old in an adult's body unsettling. Even weirder is Jacob imprinting on a child...
But in the end, being a hybrid has its perks. Growing up this fast is fascinating, and with my advanced mind, I can evolve at an impressive rate. Lost in thought, I suddenly hear a noise that makes me jolt upright.
"Hey, Morpheus, this time it's true—we've finally arrived!"
Upon hearing this, I rush out of the wagon to see what lies ahead. The first thing I notice is an endless stretch of blue. The unmistakable scent of saltwater fills the air.
Yes, in front of me, there is only the sea. Nothing else.
"What is this?" I look at my father, my expression filled with questions, only to see a smirk plastered across his face. He remains silent for a few moments, watching me, before finally speaking:
"We still have to cross the ocean for a few more days. I didn't tell you earlier because I wanted to see your reaction, my little Morpheus."
Anger rises to my head. If he weren't an incredibly strong vampire who could kill me in an instant, I would definitely try to punch him.
"SURPRISE?!"
I let some of my fury slip, though I restrain myself. I hate that lunatic Aro. After this hellish journey, I now have to endure several more days on a "boat." I can only wonder if it's even remotely safe… but honestly, is anything from three thousand years ago truly reliable?
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[General POV]
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Morpheus and his family endured a truly nightmarish sea voyage. Maritime transport before the 11th century B.C. was practically nonexistent, and the few vessels that did exist were so crude that even the best of them were nothing more than floating wrecks. A single day's journey could feel like an eternity.
This was Morpheus's fate—a young boy trapped in a child's body, forced to endure endless days aboard a tiny boat. He was so frustrated with the situation that he barely spoke for the entire trip, choosing instead to focus on training his powers.
He revealed his ice-manipulating abilities to his father, which both surprised and thrilled Aro. Obsessed with power, Aro was overjoyed at his son's potential. Little did Morpheus know that this revelation made Didyme's future even more uncertain.
Aro even entertained the idea of turning Didyme into a vampire to further strengthen his family. However, he ultimately abandoned the thought, deciding it would be best to let her develop a little more before the transformation.
Despite showcasing his ability to create ice, Morpheus chose to keep his fire manipulation a secret. He knew his father was dangerous, and this power could serve as a hidden trump card against him in the future.
And so, their journey continued, with their destination set for the Peloponnesian Peninsula in southern Greece—a place that would later become the cradle of one of the most renowned civilizations of antiquity.
They were heading to the land of the Spartans.
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!