Watcher in the Garden

Year 784/Macedonia Empire/Alexandria (once Constantinople) 

Cleopatra 

Cleopatra awoke for what it felt was the hundredth time. Every time to lay with Alexander but never to keep his promise. Cleopatra dreamed of the days of her youth so long ago. To a time when she was still innocent, and Alexander wasn't so aggressive. 

She had noticed since arriving on this planet that Alexander had become softer in a way. He didn't get violent or aggressive with her anymore. He was always so sweet and gentle. She knew something was wrong with Alexander. 

Cleopatra started with small things like not laughing at his jokes or spilling wine on his bed sheets. He got mad but he did not strike her. He has hit her often and over very little so for him to suddenly stop altogether was suspicious. Finally, she told him no as he creeped into her bath. He simply sighed and walked away. She mostly said it out of instinct, but he never cared before when she would protest, he seemed to like it more. Something was wrong with Alexander, she could tell him no. 

So, Cleopatra made a plan. This time she would escape Alexander. Find this man Alexander calls the Mad God across the sea. The so-called evil of this world. Nothing was more evil to her than Alexander. He had stolen her innocence, and then everything else he could from her. She hated her brother, but she had never met anyone willing to oppose him before. 

Finally, it was over. Alexander had spilled his seed then climbed from atop her. She always found a place far in the back of her mind to go while Alexander pleasured himself with her. She didn't like it, but she knew she had to play her hand right. 

"Alexander, do you mind if I soak alone in the bath for a while?" Her words were sweet like honey as they left her lips, "I'd like to stretch out for some time while I'm out of the chamber." 

He sighed and waved her on, "fine go on then." He rolled off the bed and started putting on his white silk toga. "I'm going to get some more wine then." 

She knew Alexander well his lust would not be quenched with just her. Everything and everyone belong to Alexander, but most especially her and Hephaestion. Now it was their hour and she'd be alone. 

She bathed quickly but focused on cleaning out Alexander's seed. She was barren and could not have children, but she didn't like it inside her none the less. She grabbed only a cloak to hide her face, a spare toga to change into and a pouch of gold coins Alexander had collected from taxes. They were minted with his face, and it sickened her. 

Down the stairs she ran. Out the door she went. As she looked at the faces she passed, and she recognized none. Alexander must have had many years already. She wasn't sure anymore after the sporadic wake ups for Alexander's fun and pleasure. She was nearly at the gate. She couldn't believe she was so close to her freedom. 

"Hey, you show me some identification!" A man's voice called from behind her. She panicked not knowing what to do and started running. She would make a dash for the gate the land was wild and free beyond it. 

She ran and ran until it hurt so much to breathe, she could no longer stand it. The man no longer gave chase, so she slowed to catch her breathe. She was free for now, but she had to keep moving. She didn't know much about this world, but she knew where to closest port was. Alexander had advanced these people to an age of naval shipping lanes for distribution. 

There were many ports but most useful of all to her a band of pirates. Escaped slaves and rebel peasants who never forgave Alexander for stealing them away to this foreign land. She wondered how they would feel if they knew this was really the earth. Regardless she knew the captains name, Greybeard, and that he sailed under the banner of the Kraken. 

She pictured a big scary Kraken, and the thought frightened her, but she knew there were no such thing as Kraken it was just a tale for young children. 

Cleopatra was glad Alexander had picked a familiar land. It made it easier to navigate and find her way to New Athens. It was the closest commercial port besides Alexandria's Royal Port. It would take her seven days on foot or three by cart if she could find one. 

***** 

Year 784/Macedonia Empire/New Athens 

David 

David was an older man of 59. He once had thick full black hair now greyed from the war. He called it a war, but the others didn't really believe it like David did. He was old enough, and being that he was the grandson of Aristotle, knew the truth of the world. This was actually the earth, and they had never left. Alexander wasn't really a god he was just drunk on a new kind of power and David wasn't going to let him get away with it. 

David stole a slave ship and turned the slaves into his crew. He tried to sail for the other continent but at some point, a Kraken always rose from the depths and chased him away. He took the Kraken as his flag as a sign of defiance. David would find this so-called Mad God Alexander claimed waits across the sea. The Kraken only proved he was there; it did not scare him away. 

However, crews have to eat so money must be made. The Greybeard Pirates terrorized the inner Aegean islands, any ship headed to the Royal Port. They battled constantly with Poseidon, Alexander's son and Commander of his Navy. The daft fool thought he could give his children the names of ancient gods and we would be fooled into complacency. That we would forget he was born a man himself. Most were but not all, the Greybeards fight on. 

Then one night in his usual bar in New Athens he hears a woman asking about his ship, " Excuse me can you tell me where I could find the Kraken's Captain?" She holds up a drawing, a close resemblance to his flag. He approached her and grabbed her by the arm and whispered, "keep it down and follow me." 

To his surprise she followed him silently and without fuss. He found it odd she wasn't weary; the world is dangerous for women especially women as beautiful as she. They entered an alleyway beside the bar. 

"Why are you looking for that ship miss?" He asked her sternly he meant no harm, but she seemed naive, and naivety brings trouble. 

"I need to sail to the other continent, but no one can know where I've gone." She answered him so honestly it surprised him. 

"You to run away with pirates? Are you troubles that bad miss?" He sighed and assumed she was a slave. 

"That is for me to discuss with the Captain of this ship. I'm sorry but if you can't help me, I'll be on my way." She was guarded and her body language said it all. She had been abused deeply; she was running from someone. 

"I'm the Captain, you can call me David." It was fortunate for her that everyone in his crew was running from something. 

She seemed to not believe him at first, "You're the dreaded Pirate King of the Aegean Isles?" 

"One and the same," he gave her a bow as he tipped his hat, and she gave an honest laugh. 

David could tell she was still suspicious so pulled his arm from his jacket sleeve to show her his tattoo. It resembled it closely enough she agreed to follow him to his ship for further proof. 

"Very well you may call me Cleo," she said as she followed along behind him. 

She followed him to the port and an Empire flag flew above his mast. He simply smiled and winked to her as they stepped aboard. She knew it was a decoy, and he was just having some fun with her. 

"Miss, aren't you afraid we will hurt you?" David asked the girl because she wasn't exactly difficult to convince. 

"You aren't that kind of man though are you Captain Greybeard?" She teased him. 

"You do not know that miss," as he said the words her expression soured. 

"I have seen the true face of evil Captain. You and your rebel slaves scare me not," she suddenly smiled brightly again, "Plus I know you have only attacked the Empire's ships. That means you know he's evil too." 

She did not have to say his name, he knew she meant the Emperor. He did not know why but he knew that was who she was running from, "Fair enough miss." 

***** 

Year 784/Ocean between Eldaria and the Macedonian Empire 

Nicholas 

Nicholas had always been a sickly boy, but nothing contagious, he was anemic and diabetic from a young age. The Immortal Emperor in all his glory had restrictions in place to weed out the weak in his society. People like Nicholas were made slaves and sold to rich noble women as toys to satisfy their lustful urges. 

He was an attractive boy of twelve with a bright and warm personality that would instantly put most people at ease. He was not hardened nor scarred by fighting or abuse. His features gentle and refined. Nicholas had grown to dislike noble women though. The noble women who used him became ever more violent and aggressive that by the time Captain David found him he did not protest joining him. The noble houses had never been a friend to him anyways. He would always be worthless trash to them. 

This new girl the Captain brought aboard was different though. She held a look in her eye that he understood all too well himself, but she had never been saved like the Captain had saved him. She looked at least twice his age, if not older, he wasn't sure, but she was beautiful even to him. 

Nicholas had never favored a girl himself, but he liked that she didn't try to touch him or make him wrestle. When she first arrived, he was weary, she appeared a noble older woman like those who had abused him. 

One day he worked the nerve to ask her, "Are you from a noble house." He was shy and meek as he spoke. 

She let out a loud laugh. "Not even close," she said as she messed up his hair. "I am but a broken toy a child refused to give up." 

He did not understand her meaning but he giggled at her teasing. After that they spent many hours talking and laughing on the deck. Until eventually they ran into a terrible storm. 

"Everyone at the ready we've reached the Kraken's waters," the Captain barked as a heavy rain poured down upon them. 

Lightning struck all around them growing more intensely as they sailed. The thunder howled amongst the heavens deafening to the ears. The waves seemed to roar themselves as they slammed against the ship and then Nicholas say the tentacles. 

Giant tentacles slammed against the water's surface causing the waves as one swung another about the air. It looked to his as if it was holding something, but he could not tell what. It was fast as well and quickly closing the distance. Nicholas couldn't even imagine how one would even fight such a thing. 

***** 

Year 784/Western Imperial Macedonian Border 

The first land I found was the British Isles. I was amazed. If it wasn't right in my face, I'd never have believed it. I flew high into the sky so high I almost left the atmosphere and then I could see it clear as day. The Roman Empire at its largest. I had always had a fascination with Rome, so I knew them well. All land not owned by Rome was gone now. It was a massive continent centered around a sea. 

London was the first city I found. Infested with humans. Damned things but for some reason as much as I know I hate them; I feel no hostility towards them anymore. I decided to punch one in the face, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Something is wrong with me. I've never tried to harm the Elves or Dwarves, so I've never had this issue. I feel like I'm being forced to be a neutral observer and while that hasn't been an issue it is now. There are humans in my world that should not be here, and I can't kill them. 

That puts me in a rather perplexing predicament. I have no desire to turn any of my children into cold blooded murderers. I've always taught them to find a way to live in harmony with everything and although I've taught them humans are evil, I doubt they can just slaughter them all. They could never kill every man, woman, and children... I couldn't imagine even asking them to do so. The Elves and Dwarves are just too pure, but humans will come for them eventually. 

This land is vast, and the humans are few now but in three hundred years this land mass will be divided, and every parcel will be someone's kingdom. That's when they will set their sights out across the ocean for my lands. 

I decided to gather information and what I found out made me laugh. They call me the Mad God of the Fairies. I suppose in their view I am. I did destroy all of humanity down to the planet, but they don't seem to know that much. Their level of technology isn't up to par with ours. They're probably on the scale of the 700s of earth's humans. 

They rely heavy on shipping lanes and apparently the old British Isles are now a kingdom known as the Antigonid Isles. To the East what was once France and Spain is now the kingdom of Amyntoria. South of that in what was the northern coast of Africa is now the kingdom Cassandria. East of Amyntoria from old Italy to ancient Greece is now all the kingdom of Macedonia, capital of the Macedonian Empire. East of Cassandria what was Egypt is now the Ptolemy Kingdom, and the remaining kingdom was Seleucus. It was like a larger scale breakdown of Alexander the Great's succession to his Generals after death. But Alexander was long before Rome ever saw these heights, at least to my knowledge. 

History remembered Alexander's accomplishments fairly well. He was regarded as one of the greatest military minds of all time. He built a massive and mighty kingdom before he died but nothing on Rome's scale. However, after further digging I found out that the Emperor's name is indeed Alexander the Immortal. I'm a bit dumbfounded as I don't really know what to make of all this. 

The Elves and Dwarves live in a pseudo 21st century due to magic and Dwarven magi-tech. Since they've never known war they've focused the majority of tech research into quality-of-life improvements. Our architecture to technology ratio is off so on first glance you'd think it was a normal medieval fantasy land. We have castles and stone buildings even some of the smaller Elven villages are still just huts, but they have central air, self-powered stove tops and ovens, refrigerators and freezers, electricity, plumbing and so on. It all just runs off Mana ore formed into cores which can be charged by anyone with mana. 

These people are all living in the 700s in all regards. The Nobles probably have more but I can't get near their houses to check. They look more like colonial mansions. The Empire's capital is in Alexandria where Constantinople once was. That worries me because Alexander the Great had a thing for naming places Alexandria, he made like eight of them throughout his empire. I don't really want to believe he's the leader of these humans but considering my existence now I can't really say it isn't possible. 

My Human Knowledge acts weird if I try to access anything before year 1. Since Alexander lived in the 300s bc it isn't an accepted date to access. All I can access is everything from year 1 to 3083 when I destroyed it all. I can pull what we recorded of him but that's it. I don't know what, but something happened in-between his timeline and year 1 that caused some kind of reset on human knowledge. It makes sense, since I can't access what the pyramids actually were or Stonehenge. I think the Watchers did something to the humans back then with the coming of Jesus. 

I'm not getting answers out of these people either. According to them their grandparents settled this land, but no one seems to know where they came from besides Atlantis. That makes even less sense to me. Atlantis was a city lost to the ocean in ancient times, why would it be here and why is this happening? 

Where did these god damned humans come from? 

How do I get rid of them? 

Do I sic my mythical beasts on them? 

This is really infuriating me. I don't know what to do about this. My first instinct is to return home and teach the Dwarves to make guns, maybe even tanks and bomber jets. It's a huge weaponry jump from swords and axes but I'm sure we can make it all run off Mana cores like everything else. Then train in the art of military combat till they all are blue in the face. 

I decide to contemplate it as I walk across the ocean back to Eldaria. About halfway across I see storms raging intensely. As I get closer, I see Calypso attacking a ship. 

Damn the humans are already trying to make it to my lands. 

I really see no reason to interfere. From the looks of it the ship is going to sink even if she left it alone now. It could never make it to Eldaria now. However, I assume they must be military or diplomats so I should see what information they have. 

Once close enough I call Calypso off, "Calypso you've done well but you can go rest now." 

She stops her assault and returns deep under the water. As I look around, I only see three living people left aboard the ship: a man, a woman, and a young boy. 

"Who are you?" I ask. 

The woman is cradled over the boy to protect him, but the man steps forth, "My name is Captain Greybeard and this is Cleo and Nicholas." He looks around looking for the Kraken, "Did you really call off that beast?" 

I sneer at him, "She isn't a beast. Her name is Calypso. Why do you attempt to cross these waters?" 

The woman answers me still clutching tight to the boy, "We seek an audience with the Fairy God." 

"And what exactly do you want with me Miss Cleo?" I fix my gaze on her. "Why shouldn't I just kill you all here?" 

I couldn't kill them if I wanted to, but they don't know that. 

"Aye I believe that. Only the Fairy God could command that..." I cut him a sharp glare as if to dare him to say it again. "Magnificent Calypso... we wish for your aide against the Empire. We are at war." 

"Ha, when are humans not at war with one another? The petty squabbling of humans means nothing to me." 

"Aye my lord but the Emperor has only put off his invasion of your lands to deal with our rebellion. It would benefit you to aide us..." I cut the Captain off there. 

"And then the day will come when it will be you who comes for my lands. If not you, your greedy children. I do not trust humans." Even as I say it, I know it sounds harsh. It is human nature, nonetheless. 

"Please you do not know my brother," she cries out. 

Her brother? 

It seems even the Captain and the boy didn't know of this. They seem as confused as I am. 

"Your brother is the Emperor?" I have to ask. If he is she has far better information than anyone else I've come across. 

"He is... I hate Alexander! I will tell you all I know if you at least grant us asylum. We are the only three left." 

She wants to ruin her own brother how very human. 

"I cannot allow humans into Eldaria." 

"Then make me not human I care not how... You are a god are you not? Please I'll sell you my soul if it's to kill Alexander." She sounds desperate as she cries out. 

"I'm no God and I'm not all powerful... still there might be a way." I begin to search my pockets. 

During the seven-hundred-year peace I made nine more Divine Artifacts. Mostly out of boredom but three of them were cursed contract rings made in the event we found enemies one day. 

I hold up the rings, "You say you will sell me your soul Miss Cleo, we shall test that now." 

I hand each of them a ring, "These rings will bind you to me, but they will grant you power as well. Each ring is different but they all will rob you of your humanity," I can't help but let out a laugh at the idea of humanity as I say it, humans have none really. 

"What will it do?" The Captain asks as he holds out and inspects the ring. 

"It will curse you and turn you into my weapons eternally. Each one a different curse. I'm sure you've heard of necromancers, vampires, and witches?" I pause and I wait for their acknowledgement. 

"Aye it all be black magic." The Captain answers. 

"Well Captain your ring will allow you to command and raise the dead for the cost of your soul. Cleo's will make her a witch able to use magic at the cost of blood sacrifices, and the boy's... will turn him into a vampire who must feed on the blood of humans," I explain as I watch their faces, "The rings once put on can never be removed and they will eternally bind you to me. You will not be able to lie to me nor hurt me or my children." 

"Deal!" Cleo places the ring on her finger without hesitation. I watch as the life appears to return to her face. She had a rough look about her behind her beauty before. 

The Captain seems hesitant but he puts on the ring. The boy does so as well but unfortunately for him his curse now needs to feed on blood to survive, I had forgotten but I spot a few sailors floating about to feed to him. 

"Captain raise your crew," I point out to the dead bodies littering the deck, "just yell rise and imagine them standing again." 

He does so although hesitantly, "rise!" 

The dead all raise to their feet. They are not conscious, but they are smart enough to fight and kill. The Captain jumps back a little at the sight. 

"The boy's body cannot survive without blood and you need more sailors. I'll take Cleo with me for now, you two terrorize the waters until I call for you." 

"What about the ship my lord? She will sink soon." The Captain points out. 

"Calypso!" I call out in a thundering voice, "Protect this ship from now on and give them a ride." I look at the Captain, "Calypso is plenty big to carry this ship." 

Since Cleo can't walk on water, I teleport us with omnipotence from the ship to Shangri-la.