CHAPTER 9.
When the Somnia were born from Hypnos and Pasithea, there were a thousand of them, but only three inherited the world of dreams. They gave the kingdom entirely to Morpheus, the youngest and favorite son of Pasithea, and then they divided up the sub-kingdoms; the nightmares to Phobetor, one of the older brothers, and the fantasies to Phantasos, the oldest brother of all. No one, none of the Somnia questioned their parents' decision, and while the three brothers reigned over the world of dreams, the other Somnia remained among the dreams doing other minor tasks, but these were not irrelevant.
Meanwhile, Hypnos and Pasithea ignored the world of dreams and remained in other matters proper to the gods, leaving their children to rule that world. And until now there had been no problem that concerned either of the parents returning there and visiting their children. But after the latest events, and the rumors that had reached Pasithea from the nymphs, she had to go visit her youngest son to see with her own eyes that it was true that he was keeping a young woman. On the other hand, there was the matter of her eldest son, and that is why Hypnos decided to listen to Phobetor and go personally to the world of fantasies. It was likely that some god or demigod had meddled there, it was quite common due to the temptations and endless fantasies that could be conceived there. It was probably the world that caused the most problems because it was the most tempting, and that is why they decided that the eldest son should take it because he had more experience and because it was slightly more difficult.
Hypnos was with his son Phobetor, both tried to enter the world of Phantasos without luck. So, Hypnos required the help of his youngest son and the one in charge of the whole kingdom.
"Sasuke, our father requires your presence," said the raven that had settled on his right shoulder. Sasuke walked around the castle, he was exhausted by everything that was happening, and he had slept little for fear that his dreams would be manipulated again. Since their last conversation he had been avoiding Sakura, he decided to take distance and give her time. He understood that she was confused and still did not accept the whole truth of her origin, and that is why she probably needed more time. In addition, the subject of his brother Phantasos was worrying him, since none of the Somnia knew anything. Until the presence of his brother interrupted his thoughts, answering one of his concerns. Upon noticing the presence of the raven, and hearing his words, both dissipated, leaving a black feather and some specks of sand floating in the air.
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They were in front of a dark palace, darker than Morpheus's; the walls and the floor were made of pure stones, almost like a dark and unwelcoming cave, where the rays of Phoebus could not be reached, neither at dawn nor at dusk. There was no sound from any creature, nor from any natural element, whether it was the wind or the stream of a brook. The silent rest was eternal in that place.
In front of the two brothers was a giant portico of dark iron where images had been engraved all over it, from top to bottom; as if a story was being told in each part of the engraving. And so it was: on the right side it told the story of Hypnos and Pasithea, and the Somnia. Reigning and governing the Dreams; on the right door where three women of different ages appeared, in addition to a winged man, the uncle of the Somnia, Thanatos, the personification of Death. There were also other images such as Hades and Thanatos transporting lifeless bodies to the underworld. This part told the story of Thanatos. Both brothers lived and shared the immense and gloomy palace. There Hypnos lived with his wife, and this was demonstrated by the beautiful poppies and other consciousness-altering flowers that bloomed around the portico. These flowers absorbed the dark night from the ground of that place and took it to the drowsiness that induced sleep.
The large portico that was in front of both Somnia opened, and both brothers looked at each other, without saying a word they both entered, closing the portico behind them. Inside it was just as dark and unwelcoming as it seemed from the outside. It was not surprising that Morpheus' castle was so gloomy, because he had grown up in that place that was much lightless than his own home. Unlike his two brothers, Morpheus' castle was the one that most resembled the home of his parents and his uncle.
As soon as they entered, they were greeted by a tall man, the same height as both Somnia, with features similar to both brothers; raven hair and slanted coal-black eyes. He had longer hair than Itachi, but he wore it loose, did not tie it back. He had marks under his eyes of evident tiredness that revealed the eternity of his existence. Thanatos had the beauty of the Somnia, descendant of his mother, the Night. Darkness preceded them, and everything that it entailed; The warmth of a summer night, the beauty of the stars along with the moon, the fear of the shadows that the torches caused due to the poor light, the softness caused by the tranquility of the absence of crowds, the brutality of wild animals that go out to hunt at night, and the sobriety caused by the absence of any stimulus. All of that was inherited by both sons; Thanatos and Hypnos, and then this was inherited by the Somnia.
"Welcome, nephews, long time no see," he greeted them kindly. Both felt the imposing presence of their uncle, older than their father. The personification of the greatest fear of all mortals and deities; Death. He was in charge, along with the three Moirai sisters, of taking the dead to Hades and the underworld.
"Madara," Itachi said respectfully, greeting his uncle. Sasuke simply nodded acknowledging his uncle's presence.
"Your father awaits you in the main hall, come with me. Although I imagine you still remember where it is from when you lived here, but that was so long ago…" he spoke as the two brothers walked behind him. Thanatos' deep voice echoed through the walls of the palace made of pure stone.
"Yes, it has been hundreds of centuries since we came here," Itachi said. Although on the surface it seemed that they did not get along, that serious and distant attitude was so typical among the family, that the only warm figure was that of their mother, the only female figure in the family. Nix, their grandmother was just as distant with her children, both sons having learned from her.
"It is normal, there is always a lot of work in the Dream World. And Morpheus, who until recently, has never wanted to rest or take a reward for his effort," he addressed Sasuke, but without turning around. At such a comment Sasuke frowned not liking what his uncle was insinuating.
"I have not taken any reward, I have taken what is mine," Sasuke protested. He was increasingly feeling more protective and possessive towards Sakura. Those feelings were overwhelming him and he had less and less intention of holding them back. Madara briefly turned to glance at his youngest nephew drawing a satisfied smile.
"You are finally learning, nephew," Thanatos, like Death has always been a possessive man, holding and taking what he had to, not out of mere desire, but, even if he has been begged, promised, and tempted, he has always taken the lives of others without hesitation no letting anyone question him. Thanatos never worked out his function alone, but he was always the one who made the final decision.
"Hn," was the only answer his nephew gave him. They continued walking until they reached the room where their father was waiting for them. He was alone, both sons expected to see their mother there with him. But many times, Pasithea had other matters to attend to along with her sisters. When they arrived in front of Hypnos, Thanatos left his brother alone with his two sons. "Father..." Sasuke greeted Hypnos, and Itachi stared at the interaction between the two men.
"It's been a while since I saw you, Sasuke. How is everything going, my son?" Sasuke stared at him, not expecting his father to ask him such a question. He expected them to speak directly about the matter of Obito.
"Fine, father." He answered dryly, with the same cold tone as his father.
"That girl isn't causing you any trouble, is she?" He was surprised that his father suddenly had an interest in the matter of Sakura. It was true that Sasuke was calm and had never strayed out from his business. He was a practical and effective man; he had never lost his head for any woman nor had he gotten into trouble with revenge and hatred. So, it was normal that now some people were interested or surprised that Sasuke was doing something different from his usual job, but, even so, he was surprised that his father, specifically, was interested in that matter.
"No father, Sakura is not causing any problems." He answered a little confused, but without showing emotion to him. He hoped that he would not continue with the conversation, so Itachi noticed the signs of discomfort of his brother and went to his rescue.
"Father, are there any reports about Obito?" Itachi intervened, helping his brother out of his predicament and introducing the topic that concerned them at that moment. Hypnos turned his gaze from his youngest son to his older one. Some said that Itachi was his favorite son, but Hypnos barely showed affection or preference for any of his sons. Although he did show concern and interest, as a father.
"From what we know, there has not been any interference outside the realm of fantasies," he answered, changing his face, because that did little to clarify the problem, but rather gave more questions about it.
"So that means whatever happened has been from within the realm itself," Itachi said as if reflecting out loud while putting his hand on his chin, with a worried face. Sasuke stared at them confused.
"How can that be? Do you think some fantasy has rebelled?" Sasuke asked this time.
"It's possible…" replied Itachi, still in the same thoughtful posture. He seemed to be thinking about the matter, the whole matter worried him.
"We have to get in there no matter what," Hypnos sentenced both sons. That was an order, and they had to do it no matter what it cost. Both brothers stared at each other wondering how they were going to be able to do that since they had tried so far and hadn't succeeded.
"Do you have any idea how to do it?" asked Sasuke, addressing his father.
"We'll probably have to ask for help…" his voice changed; he didn't like to show weakness to any other god. The Somnia were a proud family and had always been on their own. In fact, it had always been the other way around. Other gods had asked them for help to intervene in the dreams of others, or even asking Thanatos for the death of other beings or even to spare the lives of lovers or children. So, Hypnos was not liking having to give in to another god and show that they are in a moment of weakness.
"Do you have someone in mind, father?" asked Itachi this time, aware of his father's pride and the effort it will take to have to ask for help.
"Hera still owes me a favor from millennia ago…" he said thoughtfully "I don't like to collect favors, but to be the one who does the favors. It always gives you some advantage, but I'm afraid it's time to talk to Hera," he spoke as if he wanted to teach his children a lesson. Both brothers nodded, knowing their father well and having inherited the same pride.
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Meanwhile, Sakura was getting used to her life in the castle. She was starting to get to know Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo a little better. She also visited Ayame and Teuchi daily. She spent her mornings reading in the library and her afternoons walked freely around the castle, sometimes going to the kitchen to visit Ayame and her father, other times she spent them talking to Karin and Suigetsu. Jugo was more of a loner, in fact, sometimes Sakura thought Karin and Suigetsu were a couple. Ayame hinted at it one day, after telling her that Lord Morpheus many years ago had had an adventure with some nymph, but had never brought a woman to his castle, answering her question the first time they met.
"I haven't seen Sas…Morpheus in a while," Sakura said, having a hard time calling him by his title. Or so she thought, since apparently, he had a proper name, both he and his mother had an official name, but then a more personal name. The world of the gods is very strange, thought Sakura.
"Lord Morpheus has been absent for a few days," answered Suigetsu.
"Absent? What is he doing?" her curiosity aroused, what could he be doing? Well, a thousand things, since he was the Lord of Dreams, she imagined that he would always have many matters to attend to, or perhaps another girl to kidnap, she rolled her eyes at that thought.
"We don't know about Lord Morpheus' personal affairs, we only know that he has gone with his brother Phobetor to visit his father," said Suigetsu entertained while eating a piece of watermelon. Karin was next to him and was eating another piece. Sakura, on the other hand, was simply there with them, enjoying their company, they were quite a peculiar couple. But they were very funny and had many stories to tell about the world of Dreams. Sometimes Sakura would like to ask them more about Sasuke, but she imagined that they wouldn't answer because he was their Lord.
"Do you know his entire family?" Sakura asked, wanting to know a little more about him. Karin looked at her smiling.
"His whole family?" she asked amused, Sakura was embarrassed thinking that they might think she had an interest beyond Sasuke. "His family is very extensive, there are more than thousands of siblings," Karin said laughing.
"A thousand brothers? I thought he only had two brothers," Sakura said, but soon regretted it because all she knew about Sasuke's family lurking around the castle, no one had told her anything about them officially.
"Oh, yeah. The ones who run everything are the three brothers, but the other Somnia still work and have important functions in the Dream World," Karin said without judging Sakura, apparently not finding it curious that Sakura knew about Sasuke's two brothers.
"And do you know them?" Sakura asked again.
"Yes, Lord Phantasos and Lord Phobetor, we know them. They are in charge of the realms of fantasies and nightmares," Suigetsu explained this time. Sakura nodded, understanding Sasuke's world a little more. So, there were three brothers in charge of the Dream World, Sakura reminded herself internally so that the information would be consolidated.
"But if there are three brothers who rule the Dream World, why does Morpheus claim to be the Lord of the Dream Realm?" Sakura didn't quite understand that, so Sasuke wasn't the one who ruled the Dream World entirely.
"Lord Morpheus is the one who rules the realm and the Dream World, entirely, including nightmares and fantasies, only his other two brothers are in charge of ordering and keeping those two other sub-realms under control, so to speak," Suigetsu explained. "But the boss is Morpheus," Karin nodded next to Suigetsu as if confirming her partner's words.
Sakura was beginning to understand all of that a little. It was a little complicated, because it was all rules, and people kept ranks, as if they were in the Middle Ages or something like that. But Sakura couldn't complain because she was in a privileged situation, she was like Sasuke's "protegée". Although sometimes Sakura worried that one day he would get bored of her, what would he do with her? Would he leave her to her fate? Sakura hated not having the freedom and independence she had in the other world, there she remained so conditioned to him.
"Guys, we have a visitor," Jugo appeared, interrupting Sakura's thoughts. Suigetsu and Karin looked at each other and then looked at Jugo with a questioning look. Sakura looked at the three of them wondering why they could be surprised by that.
"Who is it?" Karin asked as she stood up.
"Eros," Jugo answered dryly, fixing his gaze on both companions. Karin quickly turned to Suigetsu as if looking for an answer, and he quickly stood up.
"Eros? The god of love?" Sakura asked confused, and starting to recognize that all this was real. How many more gods would she meet? Sakura thought.
"What the hell is Eros doing here?" Karin asked, her expression changing from surprise to irritation. "No god from Olympus has ever come to visit our Lord since they were banished from the family, and now one of them dares to come?" she said grumpily while wiping her pants from sitting on the grass outside the castle.
"Karin, don't talk like that about one of the twelve, show respect," Suigetsu said seriously.
"I should only show respect to Lord Morpheus, the others I don't give a damn," Sakura was surprised by all this interaction. The twelve? Banished? She had many questions. There was so much she didn't know.
"Let's go greet Lord Eros and tell him that the Lord is out," Suigetsu replied, ignoring Karin's grumpy mood. Jugo nodded and went after Suigetsu, leaving Karin behind with Sakura.
"Karin… what's wrong?" Sakura asked confused, unaware of everything that was happening.
"Nothing, don't worry," Karin replied without looking at her and went after her two companions, leaving her alone. "You better go back to your room," she shouted as she walked away without looking at her.
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"Welcome, Lord Eros. What do we owe the honor of your presence?" Suigetsu received him in the same room that Sasuke received Sai and Naruto the first time. Karin stood behind Jugo and Suigetsu trying to go unnoticed.
"I came to see Morpheus, I have been told about his latest adventures and I have been personally interested," he said amused. Eros was young and beautiful, with long brown hair tied back, although several unruly strands fell out and had such dark and beautiful almond eyes. He was amused by love stories, and was often responsible for such destinies that sometimes caused much pain, but other times had happy endings.
"Our Lord is not present, he is busy attending to other matters," Suigetsu answered with total respect, but deep down he wished he would leave as soon as possible. But Eros had other plans.
"It doesn't matter, I will wait," he answered smiling. None of Sasuke's three subjects liked that. Having a god other than Sasuke's family in the Dream Realm was always a problem, especially since gods were unpredictable and it was unknown what their true intentions could be. All the gods they had met were capricious and arrogant, so having the presence of one of the twelve gods of Olympus was never good news. Karin gulped and cursed under her breath. "You, the one hiding back there," Eros addressed Karin for the first time and she slowly walked out from behind her two companions.
"Yes, what would you like Lord Eros?" she spoke with total falsehood trying to seem polite.
"Bring me the girl that Morpheus has hidden here,"
"Excuse me?" Karin tried to be nice, but that shocked her. Could it be possible that he had gone there just to meet Sakura? Karin only wanted to protect Sakura, and that was preventing her plans from coming to fruition.
"Yes, I want to meet the girl who has conquered the cold and arrogant heart of Morpheus without divine intervention," apparently all this amused him because he could not remove the smile from his face.
Karin left the room heading towards where Sakura was with her two cats. She knew that she could not contradict the wishes of the gods, so she had no choice but to go for Sakura, although it occurred to her to leave with her and disappear. She was afraid that Eros would do something to her or much worse, that he would fall in love with her. The whims of the gods always caused wars and disputes that rarely ended well. Karin's feminine intuition told her that this would not end well.