As the first rays of dawn broke through the windows, Nolan stirred from his sleep, he rose from the bed, ready to face the day. As he became fully aware of his surroundings and his senses sharpened, he couldn't help but notice the intricate details and fine craftsmanship that decorated his room—details he had overlooked in his haste to rest the previous day.
The space was vast, with high ceilings standing at ample distance from the floor. In the center of the room stood a massive four-poster bed accompanied with sumptuous velvet curtains and beautiful carvings, serving as the centerpiece of the room.
To one side of the room, a writing desk crafted from rich mahogany showcased an array of writing materials, including quills, ink pots, and parchments.
On the other side, a grand fireplace of polished marble decorated the wall. There were several hanged pictures and artistic paintings depicting many scenes from the past, covering the entire perimeter of his chamber.
After freshening up and having been served his breakfast, Nolan went on a walk through the elaborate corridors of the palace to the library, guided by his servants. As he entered the vast library, the scene of ancient parchment and knowledge excited him. The shelves were filled with countless tomes, each a treasure trove of rich history, awaiting study. Nolan couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, but he was resolute to study and answer his questions.
Approaching the librarian, an elderly man with a long white beard, Nolan received a courteous bow, "Welcome, Your Majesty. How may I assist you?" the librarian asked.
Nolan managed a smile, "I seek to revise my knowledge about this realm and its history," he replied back .
"Of course, Your Majesty. I will summon my helper to gather the books you require. In the meantime, allow me to have a servant prepare a cup of tea for you," the librarian responded.
"Yes, please do so," he agreed, settling himself by the window to take in the view. He watched as birds fluttered about, their playful dance momentarily capturing his attention. But he quickly refocused his mind, knowing he had important matters to attend to.
Soon, a young boy arrived, carrying a towering stack of books. "Y-your Majesty, here are the books!", the boy was stumbling on his words, clearly discomforted by the weight of books. Nolan rose to his feet, not wanting to burden the child any further, and took the books from him, placing them carefully on the table.
"You may leave now. Ensure no one disturbs me," he instructed the boy, who bowed hurriedly before making exit.
Alone with his mountain of books, he began his studies. The first book he opened was titled "The Constitution of Aurelia and Its Cities." It delved into the myth of the founding of the realm and its cities and admist his study, he discovered that he could also read the writing of the books as though he had been familiar with this ancient writing for ages which eased his anxieties, but the more he read from the book, the more perplexed he became.
The information presented was foreign to him, and not just in its historical context. The names of cities, rulers, and locations were unfamiliar, and it dawned on Nolan that he was facing a realm entirely unknown to him. As a history enthusiast, he expected that he would be able to easily differentiate to which realm he had transmigrated to in the past but never had he encountered any mentions of "Aurelian Empire". From geography to it's ruler's name, though quite inspired of Hellenistic and Byzantine styles, were unrecognizable and he wasn't able to trace any historical figures from Earth.
Unless... It wasn't even Earth as he had assumed upon his arrival. This thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, and sent him into an existential crisis.
"I-Is this not Earth?" Nolan mused, his brow furrowed in deep thought. The realization that he might never return to his family and his world weighed heavily on his heart, and he couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly lost.
As the enormity of his situation settled upon him, He couldn't help but wonder if he was truly meant to be here, in this strange and unfamiliar land. The very foundation of his understanding and sense of self had been shaken, leaving him questioning everything he had known before. Was this the work of God/Gods? The devil? or an unknown phenomenon yet to be explained by mankind, whatever was the source of it all, denied any explanations that Nolan could think of.
"But then again, the fact that I am here defies any common sense," he murmured to himself, his mind still grappling with the impossibility of it all.
As he was left to wonder about this bizarre situation, he suddenly started to hear unintelligible echoes grappling along the library. Just as he stood up to investigate the source of these echoes, an unexpected turns of events shook him.
Without warning, his mouth was involuntarily silenced, leaving him unable to call out or respond to the sounds reverberating in the room. Time itself appeared to decelerate, its steady flow disrupted by an unseen force.
In an instant, a swirling vortex of darkness materialized, surrounding him from all sides and obscuring his view of the outside world as the vandl engulfed him like a miniature tornado.
Struggling against the immovable force that rendered his legs useless, Nolan found himself trapped, his attempts to escape futile. His mind raced with memories of the white void and the torment he had endured there before he came here, leaving him fearful of what would come next.
Yet, amidst the unsettling darkness, a figure of radiant light began to manifest before him. The figure's materialization seemed to take forever, as if time had lost its grasp on the moment. It gradually took on a humanoid shape, yet its features remained elusive, obscured by the overwhelming light amongst the darkness that surrounded it. He was reminded of an angel or a soul as he observed the unsettling event taking place infront of him. What could this luminous figure want from him? Was it friend or foe? his mind were filled with questions but none remained answered.
As the echoes slowly clarified into clear and resonant words, Nolan stood dumbfounded.
Then, what felt like eternity, the illuminating presence finally spoke with an air of authority.
"The study of History is in the truest sense an education, and a training for political life; and that the most instructive, or rather the only, method of learning to bear with dignity the vicissitudes of fortune is to recall the catastrophes of others." The figure paused, contemplating for a while before it continued again, "Can any one be so indifferent or idle as not to care to know by what means, and under what kind of polity, almost the whole inhabited world was conquered by the Romans."
(Qoute from "The Histories", by Polybius)
Though the words were directed at Nolan, he was rendered incapable of any immediate response or action.
Amidst the overwhelming encounter, his thoughts raced, trying to make sense of this extraordinary situation. The figure's words were hinting at the importance of history as a teacher, guiding humanity through the complexities of life and governance.
He struggled to find the right words to address the illuminating presence before him. His voice trembled as he managed to utter, "W-What is happening?"
The luminous figure seemed to understand his bewilderment and assured him, "You are safe here, no harm will be inflicted upon you in this sphere and so you need not to worry."
Though the response provided some comfort, it failed to satisfy Nolan's curiosity. He couldn't help but inquire further, "W-who are you?"
The figure promptly introduced itself, "I am...Polybius, a humble historian belonging to the era of the Romans, familiar terms to an avid learner such as you, I assume."
Polybius—a name etched in the annals of history—stood before him as a illuminating entity, condensed in luminosity. It was as if time itself had folded, allowing him to encounter a figure from the ancient past.
However, a torrent of questions continued to flood Nolan's mind. While he was indeed familiar with the famed historical figure, Polybius, from Earth's antiquity, the current encounter defied all logic but at this point, he should have been ready.
"Am I in Earth after all?" he whispered to himself.
"Unfortunately not, my friend," Polybius replied. "As you have already concluded, we are indeed in another world, entirely separate from Earth, and you have been bestowed with the great honor of being the Emperor of this realm."
Nolan's breath grew restless, and his words stumbled over one another as he struggled to form a even sentence. "H-how do you know? And how are you l-like this?"
Polybius reassured him sensing Nolan's restlessness, "Ease your mind first. You will eventually receive all the answers you require. However, we must fulfill the mission of my abrupt appearance, as time is of the essence." As he spoke, the swirling vortex of darkness gradually disappeared, and Nolan regained control of his body.
Polybius continued, "Let's study together the wonders of this world!", his voice filled with excitement and eagerness.