Fate

The storm raged outside, a reflection of the turmoil that was brewing within the city. Thunder boomed, like the very skies were rending asunder, jagged flashes of lightning cast stark light upon the ominous Roman skyline. It was the 14th of March, and Leo's intuition was slightly aware that the final threads of fate were being stretched to the breaking point.

The holographic interface of the system lit up instantly right in front of Leo's eyes.

System Alert:

Urgent Quest: Save him before the Ides.

Goal: Do not let Decimus Brutus persuade Caesar to go to the Senate on the 15th of March. It will be too late.

Time Remaining: 14 hours

Leo blinked, his mind distracted by the changing words. "Decimus? Of course he would be involved."

Antony looked over his shoulder, his eyes squinting at the floating words. "That thing of yours. always full of surprises. What now?

Leo cut the interface with a sweep of his hand. "We have to stop Decimus. If he can convince Caesar to ignore Calpurnia's warnings tomorrow, we will be unable to prevent the assassination.".

Antony frowned, his fingers curling into fists. "Decimus is slippery. We'll have to move fast."

As they prepared to make their next move, another clap of thunder went through the ground. It sounded as if the earth was complaining too.

The storm's fury followed them through the city, and at every shadow that passed, a reminder of the plot waiting to be implemented. At Caesar's villa, the cloaks fluttering menacingly in the gusts betrayed the sight of soldiers stationed at the imposing gates.

Inside, Calpurnia paced the grand atrium, her face pale and drawn. She ran to Leo and Antony when she saw them enter.

You've come, she said breathlessly. Maybe you can talk sense into him.

What's wrong?" Leo asked, though he suspected he already knew.

"My dream!" cried Calpurnia. "I saw him—Caesar, all blood-stain'd, and senators about him. I did beseech him to avoid the Senate tomb to-morrow, yet Decius has been busy here, sowing pains in his ear. This storm is but a whitling of the sun," he says, "And those omens which the heav'nly beings are sending to us for our own warning.

Antony's jaw clenched in response. "Decimus is trying to play on her fears to make her feel safer about Caesar.".

A great cough sounded within the villa, followed by the thud of heavy footsteps. Caesar was seen coming out, now in simple tunic, though in this simple attire also, he looked big and imposing.

"Ah, Antony," said Caesar in his steady voice while all around him was chaos. "And you, Leo. What are you doing here on such a night?"

Leo bowed shallowly and stepped forward. "Caesar, we came to warn you. The Senate is dangerous tomorrow."

Caesar raised an eyebrow, his face one of mirth. "Dangerous? Do you speak of Calpurnia's visions?" He looked at his wife, who stood behind Leo, wringing her hands. "I respect my wife's concerns, but I am not one to be swayed by superstition."

"Superstition?" Calpurnia exclaimed, her voice quivering with frustration. "This is a portent, Caesar! This tempest is unusual, just as the dreams I have had. Pray, listen to reason."

Caesar went toward her, his hand reaching out for her shoulder. "My dear, I must show Rome I am strong, not to be cowed by the storm like a frightened child.".

Leo's mind was racing. He had to think of a way through which he would counter his influence. "Caesar" he began, "it is not about fear. It is about prudence. If the gods truly send warnings, isn't it better to heed the warning and be safe at least for one day?

"They won't interpret caution for weakness. They love you. Your not showing tomorrow will only increase the admiration they have for a man who knows wisdom when it comes".

He hesitated, and the conviction in his eyes wavered. Just as he was about to speak, the conversation was interrupted by the sound of hastened footsteps. A dripping wet servant appeared, bearing a scroll.

"A letter from Decimus Brutus," the servant declared, extending the roll to Caesar.

Caesar unrolled it, his eyes scanning the text. Whatever it said made his brow furrow. He looked up, meeting Leo's gaze. "Decimus urges me to attend the Senate tomorrow. He claims that the senators see my absence as a sign of disdain and that staying away would jeopardize my position."

"That snake," he said to himself.

Calpurnia stepped forward, weeping. "Caesar, listen to me. Don't let ambition cloud your judgment. The signs, the tempest—are all warnings that something will go wrong.".

Leo breathed deep and his mind dizzied, for a minute forgetting what he had seen - the alert in the system: "Caesar, Decimus cares not for you, only for himself. Trust instincts. Trust wife."

A silence fell on the air, short but heavy, broken only by the distant mutter of thunder. Caesar's eyes ran from Leo to Antony to Calpurnia. Ultimately, he expressed his opinion. "Very well. I shall stay at the villa tomorrow." Relief filled the room; then Leo knew this only to be the beginning: it was not so smooth from Cassius and all their conspirators.

Systems alert-

Quest Progress: Decimus is convincing. Prepare for the counterattack.

Leo and Antony knew no storm outside could ever come near to compare to that which was to yet break; they passed the look.