After leaving Elena's shop, Morpheus headed to his workplace as usual. His mind was consumed by the strange events that had unfolded since his return to his world. Upon arriving, he went straight to the office of his mentor and superior, German—a man deeply entrenched in the mysteries of their perilous world.
German was seated in his large chair behind the desk, sipping a cup of coffee. A warm smile spread across his face as Morpheus entered.
"Welcome back, Morpheus. How was your experience in the dimension?"
Morpheus took a seat and began recounting the details of his adventure in the other dimension. He spoke of the challenges he faced, the allies he made in Isaac and Rosemar, and the battles he fought to survive.
German nodded thoughtfully as he listened, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Sounds like quite the adventure. You're lucky to have made it out. As you know, only 25% of people return alive from the first dimension. For the second dimension, the survival rate drops to 10%. And for the third..." German paused dramatically. "Only 1% make it out alive. Those survivors often become the most influential figures on the continent."
He leaned back in his chair and added,
"That's why most people avoid dimensional expeditions altogether. They prefer hunting beasts and steadily climbing in strength—it's much safer. But there's no denying that dimensions, despite their extreme risks, yield exceptional rewards for those who succeed."
Morpheus hesitated for a moment before speaking with some trepidation.
"German, I need to ask you about something strange that happened to me after I returned."
German raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Go on."
Morpheus pulled down the collar of his shirt to reveal the crimson mark below his neck. The moment German saw it, his eyes widened in shock. He abruptly slammed his hands on the desk, his voice filled with alarm.
"Dammit! You're incredibly unlucky!"
Morpheus blinked in confusion, responding sarcastically,
"Don't tell me I'm going to turn into a frog."
German shook his head, his expression deadly serious.
"Far worse than that. The woman you encountered... that was Cassandra, the Scarlet Moon Witch."
Morpheus froze, his heart sinking.
"Cassandra? You mean one of the most powerful people on the continent?"
German nodded grimly.
"Exactly. And that mark on your neck? It signifies that you belong to her now."
Morpheus's confusion deepened.
"What do you mean I belong to her?"
German sighed, leaning forward as he explained.
"Cassandra is anything but benevolent. She's a master manipulator who thrives on controlling others. As you might know, she possesses one of the legendary artifacts: the Book of Chaos. That artifact grants her unparalleled power, making her one of the most feared individuals on the continent."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"When I say you belong to her, I mean you're now her servant. The mark on your neck is a binding sigil. It signifies that she has claimed you. She can summon you or exert control over you whenever she wishes."
Morpheus shot to his feet, his voice tinged with anger.
"That's absurd! There's no way I'm anyone's servant!"
He quickly asked,
"Is there any way to remove this mark?"
German shook his head regretfully.
"Unfortunately, no. The only ways to remove it are either by someone as powerful as Cassandra herself or by Cassandra if she chooses to release you... which is highly unlikely."
Morpheus collapsed back into his chair, his frustration evident. He ran a hand through his hair, muttering,
"I'm in deep trouble... Why do I always end up in situations like this?"
German smirked dryly.
"That's the price of walking a path filled with danger. Dimensions, beasts, enemies... it's all part of the deal. But you'll have to find a way to navigate this situation. For now, you're tied to one of the most dangerous people in the world. Perhaps, you could even use that to your advantage."
German's expression turned serious as he leaned forward, his tone filled with caution.
"But don't think for a second that this is some kind of blessing. Cassandra may be powerful, but her manipulative nature makes her incredibly dangerous. She has countless enemies, and if any of them find out you're connected to her, they won't hesitate to attack you."
German took a deep breath and continued.
"These enemies are ruthless. To them, you're nothing more than a tool—a way to weaken or hurt her."
Morpheus felt a heavy weight settle on his chest. He looked at German, his voice shaky.
"So not only am I her servant... but I've also become a target? This is worse than I thought."
German nodded solemnly.
"Exactly. That mark is a curse in more ways than one. From now on, every step you take must be calculated. You need to be cautious—not just of Cassandra, but of everyone who despises her... and trust me, there are many."
Taking a deep breath, Morpheus clenched his fists and said with quiet determination,
"I won't let myself be a pawn in her game. I'll find a way to get rid of this mark, no matter what it takes."
German chuckled darkly.
"Good luck with that. But until then... brace yourself for the worst."
Morpheus sat in silence, his mind racing with thoughts of his new predicament. The mark on his neck wasn't just a symbol of servitude—it was a death sentence waiting to happen. But if there was one thing Morpheus knew, it was that he wouldn't go down without a fight.