My head is throbbing with excruciating pain. As I lift my head, I am struck with a sudden feeling of nausea and disorientation. 'What just happened to me? The last thing I remember was an ominous storm and falling.' I found myself in a clearing, half hung over a hole in the Earth. The more I strained my mind to remember, the less vague the details I could recall. 'Why was I even out here?' I weakly pull myself off the charred ground. A fire had recently burned here. Peering down into the hole, it looks deep.
A sound catches my ear.
"Primus...," A low deep voice said.
Swinging around in surprise, I find nothing but the forest's darkness. Yet, ironically, I could see just fine. In fact, I could see quite a distance into the woods. Details that would generally elude me were crystal clear now. Stunned that I could see in great detail, even the shapes of animals. They appear as shades of red and orange, while the rest of the world is degrees of blue and green. Not only that but my sense of smell has improved. All kinds of aromas catch my attention. My hearing was more extraordinary, as I heard even the insects that crawled and buzzed the foliage.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
From afar, I heard my name again. It was coming from the direction of my home. I follow it as the voice calls my name. As I walk, the world seems to twist and morph. A burst of heat hits me like I've passed some invisible barrier. Turning into a fiery infernal mirror of the Earth. Standing a distance away was a person. A burning humanlike person with bright eyes observing me. The flaming figure walks towards me. A reflexive fear and dread consume my mind. I tried retreating from this hellscape, but my body was still frozen. This presence reeked of evil intent. Soon, I was face to face with the scorching man. His eyes burn deep inside of me. I could hear the entity's voice as if many spoke as one.
"Find me, Primus Atilius Pelagius. Release me, my chosen harbinger of darkness. So that my fiery wrath may devour this world," the flaming entity said.
"What are you?" I mumbled.
"I am your fate," the burning man revealed.
The fiery figure touches my shoulder just as a familiar voice reaches me. In the blink of an eye, the world is normal again. My wives, Livia Furia, and Caesonia Avidia, stood with torches in hand before me. Still dressed in their revealing white gowns. I was overwhelmed by the stunning grace and beauty of the blue and green-eyed blonde vixens. It was as if I was seeing them for the first time. Furia's sweet eyes look over me with worry. Her soft lips and upturned nose were red from the cold air. I studied the features of her face. Her thick eyebrows, delicate cheekbones, and the paleness of her skin.
Caesonia's worry was equal to Furia's. Her skin was even paler than my other wife's. The coldness affects her delicate nose and puffy lips. Even with her frown, curling her narrow but straight eyebrows and wrinkling her soft cheekbones. Both were blessed with ample bosoms and curvaceous figures. All I wanted to do was lay with them on the spot, but my instinct denied me. 'Was it my instincts?' An unknown desire was urging me to ravish them, but simultaneously, I had a purpose to fulfill.
"Darling, are you alright?" Caesonia asked, still worried.
"You've been gone for hours. So we came to search for you," Furia revealed.
The blades I had given them as gifts the day before we were wed were in their free hand. Then, finally, I realized they'd been crying.
"I'm fine, Caesonia and Furia. I just lost my balance, that's all. There was nothing out here after all," I explained. "Sorry for worrying you. Shall we return to bed?" I asked.
"Yes, please," they said in unison.
The two sirens led the way back to the cottage. My heart warms at the backside view of my elegant pair of spouses. The events I had just experienced moments before seemed distant. I began to wonder if it did happen. 'Had I had some vision from the Gods and Goddesses? Or was it something much more malignant?' My mind was torn between the two thoughts.
"Find me, Primus, release me," the deep voice said again.
It came out of nowhere again. The voice of the entity. I focus on the women before me as they enter the stone house. The voice echoes in my head. It reflects in the air around me. That dark presence was everywhere. I turn back and scan the dark landscape only to realize I can see everything now. As if it was daylight already. I could hear the creatures of the world. The vibrations of all around me. See the essence of life itself. What I'd seen and experienced did occur. I've been changed in some way that I fear threatens my family. A cold, dark feeling rises inside of me. Growing deep from within my core being. My sight turns red with intensity. I closed the door, yet I didn't.
____
I find myself in bed now. Time had jumped somehow. Furia and Caesonia lay nude in the bed. 'Had we made love?' Before I could do or say anything, it was morning again. I was holding the reins of our carriage. We were riding to the city. The important event my wives had mentioned the night before came to my mind. We were on the way to purchasing the adjacent open land now that the previous tenants had passed. This would significantly boost our harvest for future seasons. My land was already lucrative enough. Last year's harvest had brought enough funds to hire workers and the prospect of new land.
Lord Elias Theofanis Zanelis, Governor of Colonia Corvinium and Forum Colonia Provincia was the Lord I needed to gain permission to buy the land. A wealthy merchant named Oppius Sallustius Propertius arranged this vital mission for my future plans for my family. Colonia Corvinium, the crown jewel of this Provincia, came into view. A bustling metropolis of this Kingdom. Forum Colonia is the third largest Provincia of the Northern Kingdom, granting Governor Elias considerable influence over the Kingdom's affairs. The majestic city was a marvel and breathtaking to behold.
"Look, Primus, the city!" Furia said.
"We'll soon arrive," I said.
"What do you think the Lord will do? Will he grant your request?" Caesonia asked.
"I owe Lord Elias a lot. My father served under him in his early years, as did I during my time in the legion. I'm sure he will grant my request. Oppius Sallustius is a good man and carries influence with the Governor," I explained.
"I wish to visit the market, Dear," Furia revealed.
"As do I. We could use a few more garments," Caesonia said.
"Don't worry; I have something special prepared for both of you after the meeting," I stated.
The excitement fills their lighthearted giggles. I couldn't blame them; our future together would only become brighter. The short wait to enter the city was expedited due to my status as a former Praefectus in the legion. Many other denizens passed through these towering gates. City life was abundant, as expected for a metropolis like Colonia. Our Kingdom is known for its many metropolises. An affluent and military powerhouse of the great continent of Auranith. Granting us much influence on our neighboring Kingdoms. The North Yarliers Canal gives access to the Bosnora Ocean, The Depths of Davellet, and the Gravefait Abyss. There is no end to the reach of the naval forces of the Oromanian Empire. Here in Colonia, the might of this Kingdom intertwined. I stopped the carriage at a famous Sublime Aegis Inn and Tavern. My father, Maximus Proclus, exited from the back of the carriage. This was one of his favorite places to visit when he came this far north. Seeing him in high spirits again was welcomed.
"Ah, the Sublime Aegis. A place filled with memories and tales. I could tell you many stories about this place, Primus," Proclus said.
"Indeed, Father. This place is very special to anyone serving in the legions," I said.
"And the Navy. Do you know it was here that I departed for my first campaign as a Centurion? From there, I rose to the rank of Legate," Proclus countered.
"We're resting here tonight, but for now, there is plenty of time before I see Governor Elias," I said.
"Then we shall sightsee for a bit," Caesonia said.
While my father disappeared into the Traven, I watched as my lovely ladies ventured off to explore the city. Guiding the carriage into the nearby stable, a servant takes the reins. I feel an influence wash over my thoughts. There was something that I needed to do now that everyone was sidetracked. The same helplessness that I felt last night came back. My thoughts became difficult and distant. 'Yes, I have some business to attend to.'