Chapter 90: I have a dream. 1118 CE

Time passed in an instant, Anna had grown up, she's a grown woman now. She had studied everything that Pluto gave her, maths, medicine, philosophy, history, languages, and many more…

These last decades, she had dropped her ambition to become empress, instead, she became obsessed on writing a book about her dearest father, she talked to his advisors, she talked to her mother, she talked to the commoners about the emperor, she gathered everything she could about her father, including her own memory of him.

One day, she was called by her father again, but this time, he wasn't in the solar, he was in the bedroom, laying weakly on his bed, slowly dying.

In front of the room stood Pluto, Thena, and Phastos. As she saw them, she bowed gracefully, before Phastos opened the bedroom. As she entered the room, a weak voice spoke.

"Anna… is that you?" asked the dying emperor.

Anna quickly grabbed a chair, and sat near the bed. "It's me, father." she said, smiling at her father.

"Thank you for visiting this old man." chuckled the emperor while coughing.

"Nonsense father, I will always visit you." refuted Anna.

The emperor just smiled. "How is the book?"

"I-It's coming along father, I just need a little bit more time." stuttered Anna.

"No matter." said the emperor, "As long as you finish it, I will be happy."

"D-Do you not want to see it, father?"

"Anna…" said the Emperor softly. "Look at me, I only have a few days left before god takes me."

Anna just smiled softly, tears coming down her eyes.

"Do not cry, Anna." comforted the Emperor. "Death is inevitable for us humans, well, unless you are like those immortals outside." joked the Emperor.

Anna also chuckled. "Don't say too many words father, you should save your strength."

The emperor sighed, and held Anna's hand. "When will you get married? I want to see your children…"

"F-Forgive me father… I just…"

"Is it because of that damned Pluto?" grumbled the Emperor. "All my daughters have eyes on him, why is that?"

"He's already married father…"

"Ah yes, lady Thena, a beauty among beauties… skilled in fighting as well… don't tell your mother I said that…"

Anna just giggled at her father's antique. "You should rest now father."

"Yes…" smiled the Emperor weakly. "Yes, I think I'll rest now."

The emperor then closed his eyes, and as Anna would know later, it would be the last time she saw him alive.

—

Emperor Alexios Komnenos had died, and a funeral was held. While at the end of the Emperor's reign had been a rough time, the emperor was still respected. He brought the Byzantine emperor from the brink of collapse, and raised it to become a strong empire once more.

As the funeral was finished, Anna decided it was time to get out of Hagia Sophia. She didn't want herself to be used as a political tool by the court, so she moved away from it, she still stayed in Constantinople, continuing her book, determined to finish it.

But then she heard that Pluto, Thena, and Phastos were leaving. She was confused and annoyed. What about the promise? So she ran towards the leaving entourage, and confronted Pluto.

"Ah, there you are." smiled Pluto as he saw Anna running towards them.

"Why are you leaving?" asked Anna, a bit hurt that he didn't tell her.

"Well, the contract is only after Alexios dies." answered Pluto. "How is your book coming, Anna?"

"It's almost finished, I- give me more time." Pleaded Anna.

Pluto just chuckled. He then walked towards her, then ruffled her hair. "You've grown so much Anna…"

"I'm in my thirties, Pluto, don't do this to me." snorted Anna as she pushed away Pluto's hand.

"Alright, alright." laughed Pluto. He then stretched his hand, and asked. "Give me your hand."

Anna was confused, but she gave her hand to him anyway. Pluto then held her hand, covered it using his other hand, and when he let go, a ring was in Anna's finger. The Magenta ring was glowing faintly, signalling that it had been activated.

"There, your reward." smiled Pluto, he also took out a book, and gave it to her. "This book will tell you how to use it, you can't open it until you've proven worthy of it though."

"This… what will I get from this book?" asked Anna.

"Anything." answered Pluto. "As long as it's in your mind that is."

Anna was confused, but didn't say anything.

"Oh by the way, you're immortal now." added Pluto. "So I'll see you around Anna."

"Wait, what?!" Anna freaked out. "Wait, you didn't tell me about this!"

Pluto shrugged. "If you have questions, travel to Alexandria, a daughter of mine will recognize that ring of yours."

"You have a daughter?" questioned Anna suspiciously.

Pluto smiled mysteriously. "In a way, I'm sure you've read something about her."

Anna was even more confused, but then Pluto just backed away, waving as he did so. "Let us meet again Anna Komnene, descendant of my dearest daughter."

Anna was about to yell at him, but she decided not to. She then watched as the three Eternals walked away from her, travelling through the busy streets of Constantinople, before disappearing from her gaze.

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Next up: [Chapter 91: The Unseen Ones. 1150 CE]