2 Chapter 2

Pitter patter !!

The sound of rain beating against a ship's wooden hull, merged with the roaring of the raging sea.

Demetrius, a newborn, could hear the tumultuous symphony of the storm echoing throughout the vessel.

The wind howled fiercely, causing the ship to creak and groan as if in agony. It seemed as though it could splinter apart at any moment.

The darkness of the night enveloped everything, with only occasional flashes of lightning illuminating the sailors' surroundings.

In the midst of this chaos, Demetrius found himself cradled in the arms of a woman who had become his new mother. The circumstances surrounding his birth were shrouded in mystery.

Demetrius was still in awe that he had been reincarnated after the accident that claimed his previous life.

He had been transported to a new world, an isekai, as if pulled from the pages of a fantasy novel.

Accepting his new reality, Demetrius embraced the opportunity to start afresh. In his old world, he had nothing to return to - no family, no friends, and a body that had probably been reduced to a meat pie.

But in relinquishing his past, he also freed himself from the burdens of debts and sorrow. This new existence presented him with a chance to forge a new path.

Not yet named, Demetrius pondered the reason behind his lack of a designation. In the context of this medieval era, he surmised that the custom might be to wait until a specific day or until the child had survived for a month or two before bestowing a name.

The diverse cultures of his previous world offered different naming traditions, and he wondered which one might apply here. His observations of the ship - its worn appearance, cramped quarters, and the air of secrecy surrounding their voyage - led him to believe they might be on the run from something or someone.

His new mother, despite their language barrier, reassured him with gentle, soothing words. Though he did not understand the unfamiliar language, Demetrius gleaned the comfort from her body language, the softness in her voice.

She was a remarkably beautiful woman, with long grey hair and eyes as blue as the vast ocean. At times, when the ship teetered dangerously, her eyes took on a feline quality, further deepening her enigmatic aura.

Demetrius couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between his own dark complexion and that of his mother.

His medium-light chocolate skin tone raised questions about his lineage, making him wonder if his father possessed African heritage.

However, quickly dismissing these thoughts, Demetrius appreciated the striking resemblance of his eyes to his mother's. In the grand scheme of things, his skin colour seemed inconsequential in this new life.

As sleep beckoned him with the incessant rocking of the ship, Demetrius's thoughts drifted to the possibilities awaiting him.

Living in a medieval era, he envisioned myriad adventures and opportunities. He imagined wielding a sword, exploring ancient ruins, and even engaging in the politics of kingdoms. Fatigue taking hold, Demetrius surrendered to slumber, hoping that this new life would offer him the chance for a brighter future.

With the pitter-patter of the rain on the ship's deck as his lullaby, Demetrius closed his eyes, leaving behind the storm and embracing the unknown possibilities that lay ahead.

......…

As Demetrius lay in a deep slumber, his mother carefully cast a spell upon him, further intensifying his sleep.

With meticulousness, she positioned her child inside a small enclosure, ensuring his safety.

Her hand emitted a radiant glow of otherworldly energy as she inscribed peculiar symbols on his skin and the walls of the enclosure.

In the midst of this enchanting scene, another woman entered the room and knelt before Demetrius' mother, her eyes reflecting concern.

"Lucia-sama," the woman named Kiyone spoke with a somber tone, "it seems that the ship destined for the island is in peril. It is on the verge of collapsing and sinking. What should we do?"

Lucia flashed a weary smile, her voice calm and reassuring. "It's okay, Kiyone. No need for formalities," she responded.

'Sigh, it has been more than a century since I rescued her from that island,' Lucia reminisced quietly.

She had encountered Kiyone and made her a servant when she arrived on the secluded island to which the ship was currently headed.

"Kiyone, it is time for me to return to my clan," Lucia declared.

Surprised, Kiyone replied, "Is it already time for that?" She knew that her master was not of this world and that, eventually, she would be leaving alongside her.

The truth was that Lucia did not originally belong to the reality they currently inhabited.

She had sought refuge in this world after being poisoned and, due to her pregnancy, had been compelled to remain until giving birth.

"Yes, and you will be accompanying me," Lucia confirmed.

Reluctantly, Kiyone inquired, "Must we leave the young master behind?" Her gaze fell upon Demetrius, who slumbered peacefully within the wooden enclosure.

"Yes, it is the decree of the clan," Lucia replied hesitantly.

She cast a gentle glance at her son and tenderly brushed his hair, contemplating how her own mother felt as she left her in some random world.

"Lucia-sama," Kiyone called out with concern.

"Please find solace in the fact that the young lord carries your blood. I believe he will endure and ultimately seek you out."

Lucia pondered Kiyone's words, wiping away the tears that streamed down her face. "Hmmm, the time has come," she said, her voice infused with determination.

"My little one, I pray that you will triumph over the challenges your lineage presents and return to our clan with glory." With these words, Lucia concluded her engravings with a single drop of her blood and dropped a pouch of strange gems in the enclosure, before sealing it..

She then tenderly carried the wooden enclosure and released it into the water, watching it float away.

"Let us depart," Lucia declared, as a grand portal materialized before her.

She cast one final glance at her sleeping child within the drifting enclosure before stepping into the portal with Kiyone, vanishing from the world they had known.

...…..

(802 AD)

It was a magnificent day, with clear blue skies and a gentle breeze sweeping across the tranquil fishing village of Hono Mura.

The previous night's storm had washed away, leaving behind a sense of calm and serenity.

In the secluded Zushi area of Kanagawa prefecture, an old local fisherman embarked on his usual routine of strolling along the shore, a habit he had cultivated over the years.

As the fisherman meandered along the shoreline, his gaze suddenly landed upon a peculiar sight.

Pieces of broken wood were scattered across the sand, a mystery that piqued his curiosity.

Intrigued, he approached a large broken object made of weathered wood.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that it was the remnants of a shattered ship, its once grandeur now reduced to fragments.

With keen senses, the old man's ears caught a faint sound amidst the gentle lapping of the waves.

A baby's cries echoed through the air, beckoning him to investigate further. Following the sound, he stumbled upon an enclosure, adorned with strange symbols.

Overcoming his initial apprehension, he reached out and touched the enclosure, causing it to shatter into pieces, unveiling a baby with silver hair, blue eyes, and dark skin.

Shocked by this unprecedented sight, the fisherman instinctively maintained a cautious distance from the mysterious child.

However, his compassion and curiosity prevailed, prompting him to approach the baby once more.

Gently cradling the infant, he pondered, "Could this child be a survivor of a shipwreck?"

Beneath where the child had rested, the old fisherman noticed a small pouch.

Curiosity fuelling his actions, he cautiously opened it, revealing an assortment of precious gems glistening inside.

Overwhelmed with joy, the fisherman exclaimed, "Ha, Ha, Ha! Truly, this is a blessing from the sea goddess! With this newfound treasure, I can now afford to search for my lost son!"

As the old man basked in his fortune, a surge of responsibility washed over him.

"Now, what am I to do with this child?" he pondered silently.

Concealing the pouch carefully, he embarked on his journey back to the village, thoughts buzzing in his mind.

It was the dawning of the Heian period in Japan, and news had already reached even the remotest corners of the land that the capital would soon be relocated to Kyoto.

The old fisherman couldn't help but wonder how this significant change would shape their lives in Hono Mura.

As he approached the village, the fisherman resolved to seek guidance from his wife. He knew that nurturing and caring for the enigmatic child would require the wisdom and support of the community.