Italia

2,595 years since initial death
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The simple, peaceful life Markus always dreamed of became a reality.

Latin Italia, or Italy, brought him the comfort he begged for, and he couldn't be more thankful. It was his new home after Sparta, and for a long while, there was no conflict. No wars to fight, no blood to spill, no curses to plague his mind. It seemed impossible, but his life had finally settled once he found his new home in the city of Pompeii.

Occasional earthquakes occurred in Pompeii, but they were nothing catastrophic or anything worrying to haunt the city's inhabitants. Even after every disaster that struck the city, it remained in pristine condition. It became an unbreakable city, an immortal land that would strive for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

However, the city would not always be this way. In 59 AD, a massive conflict broke out in the city's amphitheater that nearly changed Pompeii for the worst. It was a tragic event that the city was lucky enough to survive. Fires were spread and massacres soon followed as a result.

In the center of it all was Markus himself. Back on the frontlines, he clenched his gladius blade and stood his ground, defending the city from the opposing Nucerians. Disagreements turned violent as they raised their weapons against the Pompeians. As destruction ravaged through the city, Markus managed to continue the fight.

When the situation began to escalate, Roman Praetorian Guards entered the scene. During that moment, Markus was proud to fight alongside them. As a former Roman Legionary in the Imperial army, he was quick to earn their trust as they witnessed his skills in defeating the Nucerians.

To his own surprise, he came out of it alive. After a thousand years, he had mastered the form of combat to a point where he could escape most conflicts without facing death. It was enough to impress the entire legion of Praetorian Guards.

But fighting isn't what he was here for. The only fight he was happy to intervene in after the amphitheater incident was to secure the heart of his new lover, Camilla Porcia. She was a young woman who arrived from Rome with her father. Apart from her delicate appearance and charming personality, her long ginger hair was well kept and draped over her left shoulder. This was the selling point for him, as hairstyles for women of this time held great significance in determining their class, style and wealth.

For nearly five years, she stayed in the city even after her father's passing. Society had wanted Roman women to marry and bear children, but Camilla refused to accept this. Every man that chased her did so with malicious intent. As a woman, she wasn't entitled to an opinion. Whether she wants to marry or not, she never had a choice in the matter. Because of this, she often found herself the main target for harassment and abuse.

Needless to say, everyone that ever wronged her mysteriously disappeared shortly after. Only a few ever returned, stripped of their clothes and were left with shattered teeth and broken bones. Additionally, damage sustained to their privates indicated they had lost all fertility, rendering them entirely useless to Roman society. Camilla never knew who was responsible for this, or why anyone would choose to defend a woman such as herself.

She had a protector, a guardian angel. Or rather, a guardian devil. There was nothing angelic in Markus' actions, his wrath had disregarded the word 'mercy'. He made his presence known on several occasions, often showing Camilla his pure kindness. In a way, she started feeling safe around him. It didn't take long before she started showing signs of affection for him. Markus noticed this. Because he had already fallen in love with her, he knew they were meant to be together when she started feeling the same for him.

However, before he could confess his love, he found it difficult to do so. This wouldn't be the first time in his life he had ever felt this way about a woman since Ada. But he's never considered proposing to them. He promised himself he would never remarry, but how long could he remain that way? What he feared the most was that his wife's spirit still follows him, and remarrying in front of her would surely disappoint her.

But he couldn't stay like this forever. Camilla was beautiful and down to Earth. She was perfect for him, there was no doubt in his mind about that. Meeting her in the grand marketplace often, she always spoke kindly towards him. He needed someone like her in his life.

How long could a man live without someone to love by his side? Markus thought he could live forever that way, but he soon came to realize how wrong he had been. It became unbearable. He had to break the tension. Ada wouldn't want him to spend an eternity alone, even he had to understand it. On the day he confessed his love, he also prayed to his former wife for forgiveness.

Camilla was happy to accept Markus into her life. She never thought the day would come where she would willingly marry a man after all the abuse she was left subject to. He restored the hope she had lost, his actions could not go unrewarded.

They traveled to Rome in 77 AD for their marriage, only to return to Pompeii where they bought a new average-sized home to live in. It was located in the Eastern district of the city, surrounded by countless other homes but still offered decent space and a lovely view outside.

Everyday they would visit the market, speak with the locals, watch the scenery and enjoy their time together. But it wasn't always like this. Pompeii had expanded throughout this time, offering more activities to partake in. Plays were held in theaters and musicians brightened the atmosphere with their music. Purchasing his own lute, Markus learned how to play just to satisfy Camilla. Sitting atop of carpets in their balcony while he played the lute seemed to be the perfect life for them both.

By this time, Markus had changed his last name, Athánatos, into Septimius. It was the ideal name that reminded him of his previous surname, Seti. He could never forget the most important moments of his life that have shaped him to be the man he is today.

Camilla helped ease any pain he felt. Even before their marriage, she always made him feel loved and appreciated. She even taught him how to speak Latin, as he still spoke mostly in Mycenaean Greek upon his arrival in Pompeii. His past adventures in the Greek world were exhausting just to think about.

While Pompeii wasn't exactly a paradise compared to Rome, it still filled the void left inside of Markus. The views of the distant horizon never got old. However the volcano, Mount Vesuvius, looked menacing overhead. But it still became a beautiful sight to behold each day. The Temple of Jupiter was a great place to visit on occasion, although an earthquake in 62 AD completely demolished it.

But this wasn't enough for neither Markus nor Camilla. Although they loved each other, something was still missing from their lives. That was until Camilla announced her pregnancy that their lives changed for the better. Markus didn't know how to feel about a baby. It was an exciting but delicate topic for him considering he still feels awful every time he becomes reminded of Aisha.

Finally, their baby was born. It was a boy. Naming him Felix, their family was complete. Markus got over his emotions once he laid eyes on him. This was his chance to start anew. He cannot allow his past to haunt him any longer. Instead, he learned to move on and embrace his present life.

Camilla and Felix were all that mattered to him. He wouldn't allow anyone to take them away from him. However, something still felt wrong. Markus knew what it was but never wanted to admit it. It was the future that terrified him and gave him anxiety.

He's happy he can continue to live and witness his son's growth into adulthood. To see his family grow closer, and the opportunities that will be granted for them. But what will happen beyond that point? When Camilla's hair begins to turn grey and his son becomes old enough to marry and have a child of his own. It was another reason why he was so hesitant about starting a new family.

The pain of heartbreak is worse than anything else he had experienced before in his life. He couldn't stand the thought of outliving his own family. To see his loved ones grow old and die while he remains the same. Despite how much it hurt, he knew he had to set it aside. Time is important, and it's essential to make the most of it. Even if their demise is inevitable.

To make a living, Markus had secured a job in supply trading. He would head to the docks to load cargo aboard ships, trade, and occasionally deliver the cargo himself to nearby marinas. His earnings were relatively fair, but not enough for a responsible married man. However, much like his time in Athens and Sparta, he was able to keep his finances in order and secure a decent life.

Camilla, a jeweler, was able to successfully expand the profession that she inherited from her family in the heart of the city and gain a decent profit. With their combined income, they were able to enjoy a decent life in this city. They had a future plan of collecting enough gold so they could return to Rome together as a family.

Until that time comes, Pompeii is the ideal and comfortable city to live in. As they watched the world from their balcony, they had everything they could have asked for at the time. There, Markus would lay an arm over her shoulder, staring out onto the city.

"Have you ever been to Hellas?" Markus asked curiously, as the distant horizon reminded him of his time in Greece. Of course, he's never told Camilla the truth of his immortality. He was afraid she'd leave him for being mentally insane or downright crazy. In what world would anyone believe you if you said you're over a thousand years old?

"You mean Graecia, the land of the Greeks?" Her response made him slightly embarrassed. Even to this day, he makes the mistake of calling things by what he's particularly used to.

Trying to pass it off as a mistake, he chuckled. "It has been too long since my last visit, I still tend to call it by its former name."

"Oh please, it's a common mistake." To say Camilla was kind would actually be an understatement. She already seems like the happiest woman on the planet, and she's already made Markus the happiest man too. "When I was young, I had called the Empire by a foreign title. Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn. By the time I realized the proper way to say it was 'Imperium Romanum', I felt I had already made a mockery of myself."

It was small talk like this that made them appreciate the joy of life. Even if Markus had to lie about his past, he wasn't going to risk damaging his relationship with her.

"To answer your previous question," Camilla continued, "I haven't been to Graecia. All my life has been spent in Italia, but with you by my side, I'm sure we could travel anywhere."

In his excitement, he tried his best not to let anything slip through his lines. "You must see the Colossus of Rhodes, or perhaps the Statue of Zeus and the Temple of Artemis. I could take you!"

"I would love that." Her smile had a way of helping him forget his troubles.

He wanted to take her there. To see so many wonders of the world all in one journey is the adventure of a lifetime. As he had felt back in Egypt, his thoughts of becoming the perfect man returned especially during times of love. Now that he cannot permanently die, surely there would be nothing to stop him from making their wishes come true.

After a slight pause, Markus continued. "You know, it feels as if our story together has only just begun. There is a world out there for us, and our story shall live on for generations to come. You have my promise." In that moment, they stayed silent once more as they leaned in for a romantic kiss.

As he dreamed of future plans, the years continued to proceed as normal until late Summer in 79 AD. A minor earthquake had struck the city of Pompeii. It wasn't worrying, rather nobody paid it any attention. Earthquakes have been so frequent recently that many of the city's inhabitants stopped giving them any regards.

Markus had arrived at a dock in Misenum, right across the Bay of Naples. He was just about fifteen miles away from Pompeii. While he delivered the shipments, he could see his home in the far distance. It truly was a magnificent city, although not as impressive as Rome. But compared to Egypt so long ago, this would have been unimaginable.

Camilla remained at home with Felix, singing him Latin lullabies. Later that day, she had to attend the marketplace near the center of the city. Everything was calm, just as it should be.

Misenum was fairly busy, as more ships arrived at the docks. Apart from Pompeii, even the city of Oplontis could be seen in the horizon, it all looked beautiful. Roman legionnaires were stationed around the area as a few ships belonging to their naval fleet arrived at the docks of Misenum. 

At approximately 1:00 pm, Markus was just about to finish talking to an eighteen year old boy named Gaius Caecilius, or as he was more commonly known, Pliny the Younger. It was a peaceful trade, and they were about to part ways. Shaking hands, a scroll was passed and the ships were ready to begin departure.

The supplies were for his uncle, Pliny the Elder. He was stationed with a portion of the Roman naval fleet. Already, several packages had been brought aboard a few of the ships. Markus wiped the sweat off his forehead, the humidity was becoming unbearable.

Fortunately, a fresh gust of wind entered the scene. It was satisfying to feel the wind blow against his face. He gave it no attention, until he became suspicious of how heavy the wind was starting to get. What started off as a cool breeze was quickly becoming a gale of heavy wind.

As Markus slowly walked back towards the small merchant ship he arrived in, he was met with an unsuspecting shock. The deafening blast of a horrible explosion caught everyone off guard. Some had stumbled forward and fallen to the ground, including Markus himself. It was unlike anything they had ever experienced. His ears were still ringing as he attempted to stand, rubbing his eyes in the process.

Apart from crowds of people stumbling over each other in a state of panic, everything remained the same. A few crates and packages had tipped over as even the ground had begun to shake slightly. The wind was still howling violently and even nearby dogs started barking aggressively.

That was until he turned around and stared out across the sea. Just beyond Pompeii, a pillar of smoke was rising out of Mount Vesuvius. He was left speechless as he froze in place, his mind had shut down. All the yelling around him couldn't faze him, he was permanently stuck staring at the horizon ahead.

There was only one thing on his mind, and it was something he and so many others have wanted to ignore for so long.

Vesuvius was erupting.

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Historical Notes:

Pompeii was originally founded by Oscans in the early 8th century BC until the arrival of the Greeks in 740 BC.

It wasn't until 290 BC that Pompeii willingly joined the expanding Roman presence, choosing to accept the status of Rome.

Despite several setbacks and disadvantages for women during the Roman period, many were happy with their positions. Away from the dangers of war, they mainly focused on raising their children, providing food for the family and maintaining their home. Some of them were able to live more peacefully and comfortably than a majority of the poorest workers and slaves.

Their hair also played a significant role in determining their position within the Roman ranks. A girl with messy, uncombed hair would be ridiculed and harassed. Meanwhile, a girl with maintained, and beautifully combed hair would be treated far more elegantly.

Ultimately, there was still a class divide with racism and sexism. Both men and women suffered during rising tensions in war as percentages of the Roman Empire's population would drastically drop.

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