Italy

4,025 years since initial death
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Inside the barricaded bedroom, a mother feared for her family's lives while her daughter was ready to defend them.

When Marco knocked on the door, there was no answer. But after calling out to them calmly, they revealed themselves. A table had blocked the door with Livia standing behind it. Kara was carrying a small knife from the kitchen, lowering it as she looked back at her father.

He stared at her, noticing the knife. It was enough to drive him mad. "Out."

When Kara refused, he approached her with anger in his eyes. "Out I said! Drop the knife on the way out. We'll discuss what you did another time."

"I helped you!" She yelled back at him, trying to defend herself. "He was going to kill her and you were just talking-"

Before she finished, Marco had already forcefully grabbed her hand and pulled the knife back. He clenched the weapon tightly, instinctively readying it and keeping its blade pointed directly towards her. Through gritted teeth, he glared at her for a second. For a moment, he felt himself about to lose control. But looking into her fearful eyes, he loosened his grip on the knife.

Reaching for her shoulder, he instead shoved her outside the bedroom. As she was about to protest, he grabbed the door and slammed it shut. All the while, Livia was screaming at him to stop. Setting the knife away, he slowly turned around to face her.

Taking a step forward, his wife responded by stepping away from him. Seeing the way he just handled his own daughter, now she was afraid of him.

"We're leaving today, all of us." He stood in front of her, preventing her from going anywhere. Backed into a corner, his wife was in disbelief and tears.

"What have you done?" She asked him, continuing to shiver from fear and anxiety. "What have you done to our family Marco? These people were here for you, you said it yourself! Who were they?!"

Overcoming her fear, Livia approached him. They stood merely a foot apart from one another. She was in a complete outrage, refusing to believe what had just happened. "Since when have you killed another man? You're covered in so much blood, what did you do to them?! And the way you talked. You're not the peaceful, wholesome man I married. Who are you?"

When there wasn't an answer, she screamed back at him again. "Who are you?!"

"I kept you safe." He was calm, concealing his rage but sounding ever so terrifying. "As long as I continue to breathe, I am keeping this family alive. That is the sort of man I am. Not one soul in this realm can threaten us and expect to live, not even the House of Borgia."

"The House of Borgia?" Livia knows who the Borgia are, but what she couldn't believe was that they were their prime targets for assassination. "Marco why would they be after you?"

"Because I imprisoned Cesare Borgia myself. I'm the man that humiliated him and stripped him of his power and fortune! Now that he's escaped from prison, he will stop at nothing until our heads are served to him on a silver platter."

Livia was startled by his words. It was hard to believe that the sweet innocent man she married would actually be a psychopathic murderer behind the scenes. It just wasn't right, and he was scaring her. "So, you mean to tell me we're in danger? That this will happen again and next time we'll all be dead?"

"Cesare started this." Marco's wrath was rising once more. "He sent his army to kill us, Livia! Do you have any idea what that means? It means we're not in danger; he is! I will deliver death and destruction to his doorstep and have him on his knees as he begs for his life like a dog! As long as I live, he will never be safe."

"I should have known you've gone mad." Livia was shaking her head, slowly backing away from him. "I sent letters to those artists you said you were meeting. One of them replied that they haven't seen you in years, and the other didn't even know who you were. You lied to me Marco, you led these mercenaries here!"

"What the hell was I supposed to say, huh?! Hello Livia, don't worry but there's a private militia hunting me down and they plan on killing us all! Salve Kara, I know you're still young, but would you like to help your father shoot someone in the fucking head? I was protecting you! Do you understand? I protected this family, and I won't stop until Cesare is buried six feet underground!"

He had to stop momentarily to catch his breath. They couldn't continue fighting one another like this. Wasting valuable time will accomplish nothing at this rate. Therefore, he forced himself to calm down. Taking a few steps back, he granted Livia some space as they both stood in silence.

"And what exactly is your plan?" She asked with her head lowered, briefly raising her eyes to look at him.

"I was hoping to keep this as a surprise, but there's a villa in Firenze we can live in. For the past year, I've been saving some of my earnings and it's enough for us to move and secure the house. It's ours Livia. The dream home we've longed for, I made it a reality."

Livia paused for a short minute in silence. Her expression seemed neutral when she finally spoke. "Good, Kara and I will be safe there."

He looked back at her in silence, frowning in the process. Sitting on the bed beside him, he crossed his arms. "That's why I won't be joining you."

"What?" She approached him again, taking a seat next to him.

"You and Kara will go to Firenze without me. It's safer this way. Cesare wants me, and I intend to give him what he wants. While I pursue him, you can pursue our home and take care of our daughter."

"Marco no! Have you any idea how reckless that sounds? You will die, do you hear me? I don't know how but we can try to live a peaceful life again. Just don't get yourself killed!" As much as she pleaded with him, it didn't seem to work. Rather, it just infuriated him further.

He stood up, feeling his wrath beginning to take control of him once more. "I'm not taking 'no' for an answer! He's brought this upon himself, and I will succeed where others have failed. As for you, this is nonnegotiable."

"What makes you so confident in knowing you can defeat such a powerful man alone? You and I both know this is no simple task, why will you succeed when thousands of others have failed?" Marco wanted to answer her truthfully, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Livia had stood alongside him, staring at him in silence. She's come to accept that whatever she may say, it won't change his mind. "You haven't even mentioned if you would return. What will we do without you, what if you never come back? What will Kara do without her father?"

"I will return!" Marco suddenly screamed loudly, startling her. Tears were beginning to form in his eyes as his screams were noticeably emotional. "This is not the first time I've had to do this, and unlike last time, I will not fail you! Not again!"

"Again?" She asked, confused by what he meant.

"I've promised our survival every single time and I've always failed to deliver it. But not this time. I will not let this family die!" He wasn't even looking at Livia anymore. Instead his eyes were focused behind her.

Right behind Livia were three other women that had appeared. They were all staring at him. Not a single one of them smiled. Each of their faces looked identical to how he saw them last. The final time he had ever seen them before their demise. They had returned to haunt him, to remind him of his continuous failures and mistakes.

Ada. Camilla. Violet.

Livia noticed his eyes and turned around, but nobody was there. "Marco, who are you speaking to? You're scaring me, just tell me what's happening with you!"

There was no point in mentioning his past to her. Revealing his immortality would only make matters worse and far more complicated. But it did worry him. Back in Egypt, he never could have guessed that chasing after some bandits would have gotten him killed and cursed. Even in Pompeii, he thought he could escape safely with Camilla. His immortality gave him the confidence he needed to save those he loved.

But after so many promises, he lost all of his families forever. His immortality wasn't enough to fulfill some of his promises. He's still lost so many times. Even when he's sure that his death wouldn't matter, he failed. He failed to protect Violet. Despite these memories haunting him, he had to keep trying nonetheless.

Nobody can attack him this way and expect to suffer no consequences. He was ready to travel alone, all to defeat one man. This time, he will make sure that his promise is kept. No matter the cost.

Focusing his attention back to Livia, he tried to relax. His former wives had disappeared, allowing him to breathe calmly. "I'm sorry Livia. Please, I don't want us to argue anymore. I just need you to trust me. Try and gather whatever you can while I find us transportation. We all have a long journey ahead of us."

Before Livia could protest again, he had already walked away. Opening the bedroom door, he found Kara seated on the floor opposite the doorway. They shared eye-contact for a moment. She had heard everything. Her watery eyes already confirmed it. Marco however wouldn't attempt to comfort her. Unable to look at her any longer, he stepped aside and left her alone. 

There wasn't much he needed to take with him. All he would need is a small satchel with enough florins and a few loaves of bread. But there was one last thing he needed.

For the past two dozen years, he hasn't carried his own personal sword. The only weapon he had was a crossbow, and it was a gift he couldn't refuse. Therefore, he stepped back outside.

Marco searched the conflict's aftermath for a sword that was worthy of being swung. One that was clean and was free from any rust. But it seemed every weapon these guards carried was in terrible condition. He had in fact shattered some of them with his rage.

That was until he remembered the one guard he had killed with the crossbow. That guard was unarmed. Marco rushed over to inspect the body, noticing the helmet that had previously rolled over. The guard was covered in blood, and Marco was beginning to feel sick with how much blood there was around him. He padded down the guard's armor and found their sheathed blade. It was pristine and perfect.

Without even identifying the corpse, he grabbed the sword and walked off, returning to his rowboat. Inside was a bag that he left onboard. This is what he needed to show Livia. Therefore, he kept it in his satchel and waited until the time was right.

It would take three days of constant movement to reach Firenze, the Republic of Florence. Horseback was the only option they had. Together, they'll row to mainland just west of Venice, and only then will he leave for Spain. Until he knows his family will be safe for the time being.

Without wasting any more time, he helped them pack up as many belongings as they needed. No furniture was necessary, as the new villa Marco paid for was already furnished luxuriously. Once they completed the boat ride back to mainland, Marco secured a carriage large enough for his family to ride alongside their supplies.

The sun was beginning to set, and the carriage was due to depart momentarily. Marco reached for his satchel and held out a small sealed parchment. He handed it to Livia with a slight smile on his face. "This will show you which villa is yours. There should be a pigeon waiting outside the house. Once you make it there, give this to the pigeon. It'll know what to do."

"At least come with us to Firenze. See the villa with us." Livia pleaded with him, but he continued to refuse.

"You know I can't do that." He placed a hand over the left side of her face, trying to comfort her. "But please, promise me you'll be well. This is your chance to start a new, peaceful life again. Even Kara can benefit from it."

"What will Kara benefit without her father?"

Just as she said it, Kara walked over to him. She had been waiting by the carriage, but even she couldn't leave without giving her father a few words of her own. Standing in front of him, her height nearly matched his. Marco can't even remember the last time he's ever seen a child of his reach the age of adulthood.

"Are you leaving us for good?" She asked him with a straight face. Kara wasn't one to normally get too emotional, rather her confidence and strength were obtained from him.

Livia had taken a few steps back, choosing to leave the two alone while she focuses on the carriage. Marco on the other hand couldn't even form a single word in response.

"Dad!" Kara's voice had risen, slightly startling him. "I need an answer. Will you come back for us?"

Marco boldly stared at his daughter, remaining expressionless. "You seem capable of keeping your mother safe without me."

She sighed in response. "I'm sorry about the crossbow, I just had to protect her. You killed them too and it was to keep us safe."

"Don't apologize." He understood what she felt, but he couldn't bring himself to comfort her. "I don't blame you Kara. I only blame myself. I'm the one who taught you how to kill."

"No you didn't. You taught me how to protect the ones I love."

"You're not the first to believe that. The truth is, you'll never understand my reasoning."

Kara's anger had returned, she shared his wrath. "What reasoning? I saved mom because of you! Why can't you see that? The least you could do is show some support!"

"Do you know what I've done for this family?" He took a step forward, confronting his daughter with his sheer confidence. "Support is all I've given for thousands of... for my whole life!"

"You lied to us and led an army to kill us! You claim you're protecting us but you're too blind to see that you are responsible for putting us in danger! Now your plan is to protect us by going to war?" Kara screamed at him, unleashing her true emotions.

Marco responded by gritting his teeth, forming a fist out of instinct as he threatened his own daughter. "You have no right to raise your voice at me! If it wasn't for me, God forbid you would have been raped, enslaved or dead; or all of those in order! I have given this family everything I've got and I will never rest until you are safe!"

"Fine then, do you want to know how you can protect us?" Although she spoke calmly, her lips quivered. When a tear had dropped from her eye, she finally lost control and gave in to her wrath. "You can keep us safe by staying the hell away from us! It's clear that danger follows you everywhere! Wherever you go, it's all just the same! Go get yourself killed, you'll be doing us a favor! See if I'll care!"

Marco's eyes widened as his wrath subsided. This wasn't the fire time he's had this argument with someone. He was stunned by her words, appearing confused and sympathetic. "Kara?"

She didn't answer him. Rather, her tears did. She turned her head around and ran back to the carriage. Leaving her father behind, she wept inside the carriage as Livia looked back at her husband. He couldn't bear to say another word. Therefore, he frowned and turned to leave.

By the time Kara had looked back, her father was already gone. The truth was, she wanted him to return. But now that he's left, she fears the worst is yet to come. He promised his return, and he seemed willing to keep that promise. Now however, she's not so sure if he'll make it.

As she stared out into the sunset, the carriage began to move. It took three days of traveling before they arrived, seeing the great Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in the horizon within the city walls. It towered above all the other structures in the city, becoming the pinnacle of modern architecture. However, sightseeing would have to wait.

The villa was situated nearby, outside the city walls. It offered a vast green field that surrounded their home. Already in place was a birdcage right outside the front door, holding a pigeon that carried a letter. It was from Leonardo da Vinci. He was the one that helped secured the villa for Marco's family. Even after these past years, they had still been communicating through pigeons.

Meanwhile, Marco rode through the night alone. The moon guided him forward, basking him in moonlight while shrouding the trail behind him in nothing but darkness. He's had a lot to think about, but one thing is certain in his mind.

He's off to confront Cesare one final time.

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Historical Notes:

Florence was under control by the powerful House of Medici. The Medici were a political dynasty that produced four popes and two queens of France. They claimed to have funded the inventions of the piano and opera. Additionally, they were patrons of several artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo. The Medici family lasted until the majority of the members died and the family was disbanded in 1737.

In 1402, the city of Florence was destined to fall after a brutal siege by the northern city of Milan. With Florence's army defeated and its defenses toppled, the city was entirely doomed. However, Milan's ruler unexpectedly died from a fever, halting the siege and ending the war between Milan and Florence as his city became fractured by his death.

By this time in 1507, Leonardo da Vinci was in Florence. He had started work on a painting named "Saint John the Baptist". It is widely recognized as his final painting. Additionally, Leonardo had also aided Cesare Borgia by sketching military designs and maps of territories and cities for the Borgia.

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