EMPIRE REWRITTEN [Isekai ? Alt-History ? Strategy]

Chapter Two: The Weight of Two Worlds

And Ellen... Michael's thoughts turned to his ex-wife, stirring up a complicated mix of emotions. There was a time when her laughter had been his favorite sound. He could still picture the way she'd throw back her head when something truly delighted her, dark curls bouncing and eyes sparkling with mirth. That image was from long ago, back when they were young and the world was open before them. In recent years, their interactions have been strained, and they have been reduced to polite conversations about the boys or awkward exchanges on birthdays and holidays. Their last talk had ended with a hollow promise to "catch up soon" that neither truly meant. Ellen had moved on—he knew that. She had her career, a new circle of friends, perhaps even someone new to love. Michael had made peace with that, or so he thought. Yet now, in this silent medieval night, he felt a pang of loss sharper than he ever expected. Ellen was part of the life that had been his, the life that was now irretrievably gone. Would she grieve for him, if he never woke up in that other world? Or would his disappearance merely be a brief disturbance in her busy life? He suspected it might take weeks before she even realized he was missing; they just weren't entwined in each other's daily lives anymore. The realization stung more than it should. Maybe she'll think I ran away, he reflected bitterly. Just decided to disappear. It wasn't fair to her—or himself—but a dark voice in his mind whispered that perhaps she'd be relieved to be free of any remaining obligations tying her to her ex-husband.

Michael let out a soft, miserable sigh and bowed his head. His family, his home, the very era of conveniences and customs he understood—it was all slipping through his fingers like sand. "What does any of it matter now?" he whispered under his breath. The sound of his own voice—low, rougher than he remembered—echoed faintly in the chamber. In the stillness, it almost sounded like someone else had spoken. He grimaced at the irony. The 21st century is out of reach, he thought. All the people he loved, all the things he knew... he might as well be an entire world away. In fact, he was centuries away. And yet, they refused to let him go. How was he supposed to focus on surviving in this strange medieval world when half of his soul was still mourning the one he'd lost?

Behind him, he heard the rustle of sheets and a soft moan. Michael stiffened, quickly wiping at his eyes. He turned to see Theodora shifting in their bed. She reached out with one hand, perhaps seeking the warmth of her husband that had been next to her moments ago. Finding nothing but empty, cool sheets, she stirred fully awake. In the semidarkness, Michael saw her push herself up onto one elbow, her long hair tumbling over her shoulders. Her face was in shadow, but he could imagine the gentle crease of concern on her brow.

Theodora stirred behind him, her soft voice mumbling something unintelligible in her sleep. She had been nothing but kind these last two days, offering him gentle words and space to recover from his supposed illness. But Michael couldn't bring himself to meet her kindness with anything but distance. This woman—Constantine's wife—looked at him with trust, with the comfort of a partner. And yet, he was a stranger. How long before she sensed it? Before the mask he wore slipped, and she realized the truth?

His grandmother's voice echoed in his memory then, reciting stories of Byzantium's last stands. He could almost see her hands gesturing vividly as she painted pictures of glittering domes, grand processions, fierce battles. Look, Grandma, he thought with a bitter smile, I'm here. I'm really here—just like your tales. Too bad there's nothing heroic about any of it.

He heard the faint howling of the wind outside the tower walls and imagined the conflicts brewing out there. The Ottomans. The future. Twenty-five years or less until doomsday. What difference can I make? A salesman with only a patchy grasp of actual history—no illusions about that—he was hardly a mighty general or a brilliant political thinker. Yet he alone knew what was coming.

The thought terrified him. What if he failed? What if this empire, this world, was destined to fall no matter what he did? His hands trembled as he pulled them away from the window, staring at them as if they didn't belong to him.

The weight of Constantine's life was overwhelming. I'm not Constantine. But here, in this world, he had no choice but to be. Could he become that man? Could he save the empire?

He leaned heavily against the wall, trying to still the rising panic. Michael's life—his family, job, modern comforts—was gone. But he still had something. He had knowledge. He could use that. He had to use it.

As he slipped back under the heavy blankets, Theodora murmured something wordless and nestled closer, warm and familiar in the predawn chill. Tucked against the pillow, Michael closed his eyes. Sleep hovered restlessly on the edge of his mind, full of unwanted memories and hopes that both soothed and tormented him. But for now, at least, he let exhaustion carry him off. In the fragile space between fear and resolve, he drifted to a troubled slumber, bracing himself for all that would come with the morning light.

Historical note:
List of the Palaiologos family in 1428, highlighting their territories:

1. Emperor John VIII Palaiologos (1392)
- Role: Reigning Emperor of the Byzantine Empire based in Constantinople.
- Controlled: Constantinople and its surrounding areas.
Considered unification between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches to gain support, showing a pragmatic approach.

2. Constantine Palaiologos (Constantine XI) (1404)
- Role: Co- Despot of the Morea.
- Controlled: Regions of Elis and Arcadia in the Morea, with his base at the Castle of Clermont near the port town of Clarentza.

3. Theodore II Palaiologos (1396)
- Role: Despot of the Morea.
- Controlled: Territories of Messinia, Laconia, and parts of Arcadia, including Mystras, the cultural and political capital of the Morea.
Deeply religious/Against unification between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

4. Thomas Palaiologos (1409)
- Role: Co-Despot of the Morea.
- Controlled: The strategic region of Kalavryta in northern Morea, known for its mountainous terrain.

5. Demetrios Palaiologos (1407)
- Role: Largely based in Constantinople during this period; involved in the empire's political and military strategies.

6. Andronikos Palaiologos (1400)
- Role: Former ruler of Thessalonica, who had transferred the city to Venetian control to protect it from the Ottomans. Returned to Constantinople and became a monk, known for his fragile health.

Additional Notes:
- Shared Responsibilities: All Morea Despots were involved in the defense of the Hexamilion Wall guarding the Isthmus of Corinth. Theodore held a higher command in coordinating its defense.