Mythos Of Narcissus: Reborn As An NPC In A Horror VRMMO

Thanks to the flurry of inspiration given by the Ink-Born Muse, I started to notice things that were usually out of my sight.

For one, Verina was actually the name of a married Eastern Roman empress, and a prominent figure in the political landscape of the Eastern Roman Empire during the 5th century.

Born into a noble family of the Balkans, Verina gained significant influence through her marriage to Leo, supporting his rule and later becoming a power broker in her own right. She was the sister of Basiliscus, who would later become emperor for a brief period, and she played an instrumental role in his rise to power.

Verina's later years were marked by her involvement in various conspiracies, as she attempted to manipulate political events in favor of her allies, including supporting revolts against Zeno. Her influence gradually waned as Zeno tightened his control, and Verina's political maneuvers ultimately led to her imprisonment. She died in 484 under uncertain circumstances.

Despite her ambitious political efforts and strategic alliances, Verina's legacy is primarily remembered for her role in the complex and turbulent politics of the Eastern Roman Empire, marked by family alliances and betrayals.

"... Doesn't really fit my Verina in the slightest."

It might be a coincidence, but since this game tends to take or reference something from real life history, myths, and legends—I might as well take this knowledge as a warning.

And speaking of a person whose name matched with a certain prominent figure of the past, Kuzunoha was one of them.

Kuzunoha is a mythical figure from Japanese folklore, known as a powerful and mysterious fox spirit, or kitsune, with a deep love and loyalty toward her human family.

Her story begins when Abe no Yasuna, a young nobleman from the prestigious Abe clan, rescues a white fox from hunters. Unbeknownst to him, this fox is actually a kitsune, a supernatural creature with shape-shifting abilities and mystical powers.

Grateful for Yasuna's kindness, the fox transforms into a beautiful woman, taking on the name Kuzunoha. In human form, Kuzunoha marries Yasuna, and they live together in harmony, eventually having a son named Abe no Seimei.

Seimei would later grow up to become one of Japan's most famous onmyoji, or sorcerers, known for his mastery of magical arts and connection to the spirit world—a talent inherited from his mother's supernatural lineage.

However, Kuzunoha's life as a human cannot last forever. One day, Seimei accidentally catches a glimpse of her true fox form reflected in water. Realizing that her secret has been discovered, Kuzunoha knows she must return to the spirit world, as she can no longer hide her nature from her family.

Before leaving, Kuzunoha writes a farewell poem on a sliding door in their home, expressing her sorrow at parting and her enduring love for her husband and son. In the poem, she reveals her true identity as a kitsune from Shinoda and promises to watch over them from afar.

This tragic farewell is considered one of the most poignant moments in Japanese folklore, symbolizing both the conflict between the human and supernatural worlds and the eternal bond of family love.

Kuzunoha's story is widely retold in Japanese literature, art, and kabuki theater, where she is often portrayed as a compassionate, self-sacrificing figure—a rare and cherished type of fox spirit who uses her powers to protect rather than deceive.

Her legacy lives on through her son, Abe no Seimei, who carries forward the gifts of his mysterious, otherworldly heritage, using them to shape Japan's esoteric traditions for generations.

"Surprisingly fit." I ended up nodding to myself. "For one, my Kuzunoha is also a fox, and she has a proficient mastery in magic."

And then there was me, whose name is not only the exact same with a certain huntsman in Greek mythology, but whose former name when I was still a normal human was the same with a certain historical figure.

Lothair I was the eldest son of Emperor Louis the Pious and a grandson of Charlemagne. As the Emperor of the Romans and King of Italy, he struggled to balance his inheritance of the Carolingian Empire, a sprawling and divided realm.

However, his hold over the empire remained tenuous as his brothers continuously challenged his authority, undermining his capacity to unify or effectively rule over his fragmented territory.

Despite his imperial title, Lothair's reign was marked by political instability and external threats. He struggled to protect his lands from Viking invasions in the north and Saracen incursions in the south, while managing internal dissent and maintaining a fragile alliance with the Papacy.

Toward the end of his life, weary of the constant conflict and desiring peace, Lothair abdicated in 855, dividing his kingdom among his three sons, which further fragmented the empire. He retired to a monastery, where he died shortly after.

Though Lothair's legacy was overshadowed by the divisive nature of his reign, his reign shaped the future of Europe, as the Treaty of Verdun and his territorial divisions laid the groundwork for the emergence of distinct European kingdoms that would later become France, Germany, and Italy.

"It was quite the tale, huh."

I don't know if it was related to me somehow finding myself in Carcosa, but it sure was a nice tidbit to know after some surfing with Sir Aethernet.

"The Ordeal is hibernating again, it seems."

While everyone was taking turns resting and scouting the perimeters in pairs, I sat by the central fire pit, absentmindedly stirring the embers as the last waves of the ordeal subsided.

Kuzunoha felt a minor disturbance within the phenomenon of rearranged lands of Carcosa, so she had to standby and observe the underground activity with caution, preparing to notify me at any given moment if needed.

While I was wondering what kind of things I should do to remove my boredom, Verina and Lupina joined me, both wearing expressions that wavered between exhaustion and amusement.

"The perimeter is secured, and it seems that we will have a three minutes to a one hour break time before the Ordeal starts being active again," Verina reported. "Do you mind if we sat next to you?"

"Sure, let me entertain you two with these thoughts of mine."