Thread

I wake up, hearing the sound of rain against a window, my head is pounding harder than that night when Decimus got married and we drank till dawn. This bed I'm lying on is so soft, what fabric is this? Not even Syrian silk feels this smooth, I must still be dreaming. No, not dreaming, I must have hit my head pretty hard. And what's this smell?

Where in Hades am I?

I can hear a melodious voice seemingly coming from nowhere and everywhere, 「有楽町、有楽町です」. What did she say?

Before I can react, an invisible force throws me to the left, followed by a serpentine hiss that chills my blood.

I look around and gasp. I'm trapped in the belly of an iron beast!

Standing quickly, the memories flood back.

Just a few hours ago, I had awakened in my villa on the Aventine to Syrus, the morning light came filtering through the compluvium as it had for thirty seven years. My clients packed the atrium like flowers turning towards the sun, the people, as always depended on me.

The daily inquiries were interrupted by Lucius Antonius who arrived with news that changed everything; after a long time waiting, Trajan wished to discuss my aqueduct proposal. I would spend twelve million sesterces to extend Aqua Claudia, the water rights alone would repay the investment tenfold.

By evening I was walking home through the velabrum, having secured my fortune and having my legacy carved in stone, and water. But that’s when I saw it.

The metal demon with blazing eyes, and a roar like Tartarus itself. No oxen, horses, nor slaves were moving it, and yet its speed was just impossible. The impact lifted me up in the air, and then… darkness followed by that white void and the mysterious figure with perfect Ciceronian Latin telling me not to disappoint him, and that I better be entertaining.

Now I stumble in this iron serpent's belly, trying to steady myself as it hisses and shudders around me. The sensation of movement is undeniable.

By the gods... am I traveling inside this beast?