A/N: This chapter contains torture and suicide content.
Reader discretion is advised.
CHAPTER 13.
Maybe being powerful means to be fragile.
Ai Weiwei
Sasuke and Itachi stood in front of their father and uncle, their mother absent again, and neither of the sons asked about their mother, accustomed to their parents spending little time together. Something quite common among gods.
Madara looked thoughtfully at his nephews while stroking his chin, and Fugaku glanced at his brother and looked back at his sons. It seemed as if he was deciding whether to speak, because both of his sons had their gaze fixed on both gods, olders, with more experience and knowledge than the two young men in front of them, although for the age of mortals they were just as old as any god else.
"Children," Fugaku finally spoke and the gazes of both Itachi and Sasuke were fixed on Fugaku, for being the first to speak after explaining everything that had happened with Sakura's disappearance. "I have to tell you something that we have kept as a secret until now," he said as he let out a sigh, and Madara stared at him with a frown.
"Brother..." Madara spoke, and Fugaku raised his hand as a sign that he knew what he was doing, and that it was better for his children to know.
"What is it about, father," Itachi said calmly. Sasuke was still tense, and his eyes were shining with fury, if his father and uncle were involved in Sakura's kidnapping, he was going to burn down every last wall of that palace. But he preferred not to say anything, and contained his anger as he breathed furiously.
"When your mother decided to name you the Lord of Dreams," he turned to Sasuke as the three men present listened in silence, "Obito did not agree, because he was the eldest of the Somnia and thought that the title was better for him. Both your mother and I tried to calm him down, and finally we convinced him that it was for the best, because the oracle had decided that the realm of Dreams was going to be in better hands with the youngest son," he paused for a few seconds to clear his thoughts. "A millennium ago, I found out that Obito had created a creature especially for you. A fantasy," he hesitated for a few seconds while fixing his gaze on Sasuke's and the latter arched his eyebrow in a question mark. "When your uncle and I, here present, found out," he said while turning his chin towards his brother, and Madara nodded, "We sent that creature to a place where it could not influence you," Sasuke did not quite understand what his father was explaining to him, and Sasuke's patience was beginning to run out.
"Father, please get to the point," he said while pinching the bridge of his nose irritated.
"Your brother, Sasuke, created a special fantasy for you so that you would fall madly in love with her, and thus leave you entertained with your own fantasy so that he could invade your kingdom and proclaim himself the Lord of Dreams," Fugaku finally said.
"Okay, but what does all this have to do with Sakura's kidnapping?" said Sasuke, still oblivious to what his father was explaining to him.
"Sasuke..." Itachi spoke this time "Sakura is the fantasy our father is talking about," he looked at Sasuke as he raised his eyebrows in surprise. Now he understood why he felt such a strange attraction towards her, and why the creatures of his realm were so attracted to her, because she was a creature of the fantasy realm.
"But..." Sasuke began to understand everything his father was telling him.
"We banished her to the mortal world as a young girl, always reincarnating into the same person, with different features," Fugaku began to explain. "For some reason you both met and you returned her to your realm, and so your brother's plan has begun," his father explained.
"Is that why we can't access the fantasy world?" Sasuke asked grumpily.
"It is very likely," Fugaku said thoughtfully, "It is likely that your brother has begun to devise a plan,"
"Then, Sakura must be there in Obito's realm," Sasuke said.
"I'm afraid so," Madara said this time.
"But what does Indra have to do with all of this?" Itachi asked.
"Possibly your uncle helped him from the beginning," Fugaku said.
"But how does it benefit him?" Sasuke asked.
"Who knows, perhaps he is abusing the fantasy right now. He has that sadistic side that few know about him," Madara answered, and Sasuke could not contain himself.
"We must kill Obito and Indra," Sasuke said too calmly for how furious he was. And Fugaku, Madara and Itachi stared at him in surprise. Sasuke had never shown violence and thirst for revenge, but it was always a first. Madara stared at him with a satisfied smile.
"And I will help you, if necessary," Madara replied. All the men present nodded at Thanatos' statement.
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In the distance, in Phantasos' palace, screams of a woman could be heard. Phantasos' subjects looked at each other, not knowing what was going on. Some, the most trusted and closest to the Lord of Fantasies, knew that Eros was in the palace and that his Lord was in the castle of Dreams.
The older subjects knew Eros' fetishes well, and he took refuge in the world of fantasies to make them come true. Therefore, many were accustomed to such activities by Eros.
In one of the most hidden rooms of Phantasos' palace, Eros was with Sakura. He was smiling sadistically and satisfyingly while Sakura writhed in pain, her body covered in blood due to the multiple wounds she had all over her body.
Eros loved to catch precious creatures, often nymphs or mermaids from the seas of Poseidon. He tortured these creatures until they were lifeless, but during the process he found it exciting, to the point that it excited him sexually, and many times he masturbated in front of them listening to them screaming in pain. That excited him in a sickly way, but no one had ever stood before his wishes.
"Do you know that you are even more beautiful covered in your own blood?" said Eros as he caressed Sakura's cheek, wiping away the blood, and then licked his own finger, tasting her blood. Sakura looked at him with angry eyes, although she was in that vulnerable and disadvantageous position, her anger and her fighting spirit had not abandoned her. Deep down she knew how it was all going to end, and Sakura on one hand thought it was for the best. That was not her place and it was better she ended up dead ending all that madness she had been living for a few months. But on the other hand, she had the hope that Sasuke would find her and rescue her, how naive, she thought.
Her lips were cracked, her eyes were red from crying and exhaustion, her face was covered in sweat and dried blood, as well as several bruises. Her body was covered in bruises and wounds, her dress was completely torn and dirty. Sakura was on her knees with her arms tied to the ceiling, her back was covered in fresh wounds, her skin open from the whipping Eros had been giving her recently.
"It's funny how you still haven't abandoned that fury in your gaze. I expected you to beg me and cry for mercy. But no, you haven't said anything until now, you've only screamed, which, by the way, I love to hear you scream. But I'm going to be patient until I hear you beg, I love it when you all beg," he said as he wiped a few drops of blood that fell from her cracked lips. Then Sakura spat at him, to which Eros pulled away surprised, looking at her amusedly.
"In your dreams I'm going to beg you, you psycho," Sakura told him with total contempt. At these words Eros laughed amusedly and grabbed her hair.
"You all end up begging," Eros said as he leaned close to her ear and moved away, moving back towards the whip he was using.
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Sasuke's three most loyal subjects were in their chambers, Jugo and Suigetsu were looking impatiently at Karin.
"Sui, since you have the ability to transform into all forms of water, the best thing you can do is to go into the stream and reach the Lethe River. There the sister of Hypnos and Thanatos will guide you to their Palace. I imagine that Lord Morpheus must be there, and if he is not, his father or uncle will notify him of your arrival," Karin said about the plan she had to let Sasuke know what was happening in his kingdom.
"It's not a bad plan," Jugo said thoughtfully. And Suigetsu nodded with total energy, willing to do anything for his Lord.
"We better act now, because there are hardly any of Phantasos' subjects left, so before more arrive, we have to carry out said plan," Karin said looking at Suigetsu.
"Okay, okay, to make things easier I'll start with the castle's pipes and slowly make my way into the river of the goddess of Oblivion to the World of Eternal Tranquility," Suigetsu said, and the two companions nodded. "Wish me luck, guys," he said while winking at them.
"Good luck, friend," Jugo said.
"Be careful," Karin said wrapping her arms around her waist. She was nervous, she was afraid that something bad could happen to him but she would never admit it.
"Aren't you going to give me a goodbye kiss, redhead?" he asked her with a mischievous smile while winking at her. And Karin was furious for having caused a little blush on her cheeks because of his teasing, and for the very thought of kissing him. So, she went towards him, angry and embarrassed, trying to slap him, but he quickly turned into water and entered the castle's pipes.
"You two are never going to change, huh?" Jugo said as he shook his head, knowing well Karin's feelings for Suigetsu, but she hid them out of pride. Suigetsu, on the other hand, didn't hide it and teased her whenever he could, hoping that one day she would accept her feelings for him.
"Shut up, Jugo," Karin said angrily as she left their room.
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It didn't take long for the goddess who represented women, the sky and the stars, queen of Olympus; Hera, to arrive at the Palace of Hypnos and Thanatos.
"What is the reason for this meeting between the handsome and chivalrous Somnia and Thanatos?" Hera asked as soon as she arrived at the palace. Hera was a beautiful woman with long, wavy blonde hair and honey-colored eyes. She wore a golden tiara, as a representation of her status as Zeus' wife, although that marriage was a mere farce. Zeus had so many women that Hera was almost always in her own palace, and they barely shared spaces together; Hera preferred to be alone and independent. She was wearing a light green dress, with golden strips that hugged her waist, her presence smelled of pomegranates and poppies.
"Welcome, Hera," said Hypnos as he nodded towards the figure of the beautiful goddess. The two Somnia brothers looked at her with total respect, knowing well that being before Hera herself was not common and a privilege. The goddess of motherhood conveyed as much, or more, respect than Zeus himself.
"I must say, I was pleasantly surprised that Hypnos himself has claimed my presence," she spoke again, amused.
"You know that we are a proud family and we have never asked anything of any of the twelve, but our current situation is delicate, and we would appreciate discretion," said Hypnos.
"Of course," Hera answered with an affirmative smile and understanding the men present. She knew that they were a reserved family, that since Zeus threw Hypnos out of Olympus they have wanted to act independently and not have any relationship with any of the twelve, despite the fact that they had family there, but even so they remained away from all the madness and disputes of the gods of Olympus, which Hera understood since she even hated it.
"My son, Phantasos, has rebelled, and we believe that Eros is helping him," Hypnos began to explain. "Also, Eros has in his possession something that belongs to my son, Morpheus, hiding in the fantasy world where none of us can access it," Hypnos said.
"Do you want me to give you access to the fantasy world?" It was more of a statement than a question. And the four men present nodded. "Done," Hera replied.
"That simple?" Sasuke was surprised, looking at Hera with suspicion. And she laughed at his reaction.
"Oh, naive and handsome Morpheus. Here your father did me a great favor thousands of years ago. A favor that led him to be banished from Olympus, which since then I feel responsible and I am indebted to him, so since then I told him that whenever he wanted, he could count on me," Hera explained. "He had never asked me for help or any favor, until now," she looked at Hypnos, while he nodded.
"Hn," Sasuke replied, understanding many things now.
At that precise moment, a figure arrived that Sasuke recognized instantly, breathing as if he was lacking air. Everyone present turned to the creature with a frown, not knowing who it was and why that creature was at such an important meeting.
"Suigetsu, what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked as he approached him.
"My Lord," he said while breathing heavily "Forgive the intrusion, but I had to leave the castle because something extremely urgent is happening in your kingdom," Suigetsu explained. Everyone presents looked at him curiously.
"What is it about Sui?" Sasuke asked worriedly.
"Your brother Phantasos has proclaimed himself Lord of Dreams, and has occuped in your castle, where there are a hundred of his subjects surrounding and protecting the castle," Suigetsu said.
"And how did you manage to get out of there?" Hera asked curiously.
"My Lady," Suigetsu said as he bowed, when he noticed that the woman in front of him was none other than the goddess Hera herself. "I have the ability to turn into water, and I have traveled the rivers until I reached Lethe, who has helped me to get here," everyone present understood his words.
"Hera, this confirms what we just told you," said Hypnos addressing the beautiful woman.
"I think the best thing we could do," said Thanatos for the first time, his strong voice reverberating throughout the room, "It's to let Phantasos be in Morpheus' castle, believing that he has won that battle, and first enter the realm of fantasy to rescue young Sakura," Hera arched a thin blonde eyebrow.
"Sakura?" asked the goddess.
"Sakura is the beautiful whim my nephew has taken," Thanatos said with a half-smile and Sasuke frowned. He hated that Sakura was referred to in such a disrespectful way, but he preferred not to answer his uncle.
"Oh," Hera was surprised "So all of this is being done for love, and not for power," Hera said "Now I like the plan more," she smiled turning to Sasuke, and he snorted through his teeth.
"Well," Itachi spoke this time "Let's say that both matters have become intertwined. My brother's kingdom is in danger and at the same time his romantic interest," Itachi explained with his overwhelming logic. Hera laughed genuinely at Phobetor's words.
"Oh, beautiful Phobetor, as intelligent and logical as always. But you must understand that we gods, just like mortals, are driven by desire and power. But above all desire," she said those last words looking at the Somnia young man. "Did you know, Morpheus, that I married your parents myself?" she asked amused, and he looked at his father in confusion.
"That's right," Thanatos said smiling. "We can say that you are the goddess who makes the unions between the Somnia," he said, amused.
"It seems so, Madara," Hera replied, amused, calling him by his proper name with complete confidence. It seemed that the formalities were coming to an end.
"Well," Sasuke said, irritated because that conversation was getting away from the main point, "what are we going to do? What's the plan?" he asked furious.
"I agree," Hera said, "Where do we start, gentlemen?" she asked amused. She had never worked with the Somnia, and that was a breath of fresh air in her eternal life.
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Near the coast of Latmos, under the starry sky of a summer night, a slender woman emerged from the sea, her hair straight and silver, her body covered in a fine cloth that clung to it, revealing every curve of her perfect figure. The beautiful Selene emerged from her night bath washed by the reflections of the moon, heading towards the palace where her lover Endymion was. She was happy because that night her brother Helios came to visit her.
When she arrived at the palace, the image she found haunted her for the rest of the last days that awaited her; her uncles Iapetus, Ceus and Cronus were around the lifeless, beheaded body of her brother. The cry of horror that the beautiful Selene let out made several stars fall from the sky, crying inconsolably, without being able to do anything, feeling helpless, and falling asleep in Endymion's arms.
Selene returned to her palace after a bath under the moonlight, with the idea of having dinner with her brother, Helios and Endymion. She felt that her heart was full of happiness, it was rare that her brother visited her, and when that happened it was always dark. When she arrived at the palace she found the hall full of blood and her brother lifeless on the floor while her uncles, the titans, left there without any remorse. Selene remained on her knees crying inconsolably while the silver locks covered her face, staining her dress, her face and hair, and everything she touched with blood.
"I'll pass away, reborn as a star's bright ray" she said through tears.
She woke up from that nightmare, taking it as a symbol of bad omen, which when she woke up she was hit by the reality she had lived a few days ago. At her side was sleeping peacefully Endymion, the only man she had ever loved, being a mortal and not a divinity. She thought that perhaps her family was punishing her for this.
After that dream she had decided what she was going to do. So she got up, almost without thinking, and went to the room where she had found her brother lifeless, his body no longer was there, only a small stain of blood on the carpet that the servants had not yet been able to remove. She took a knife that was on the dining room table and stabbed her heart with it, and she vowed to be reborn as a pink star, so fair, beyond any god's reach, loved only by dreams' care.
A/N: I know the oracle was used as the "word of god" and it wouldn't make sense as they are gods themself... But i am using it more like "someone that can see the future and guide the gods". You will see that i name it more in the next chapters, so have this in mind when i name it.