MIDNIGHT
Leonidas's eyes opened in the darkness.
The fire in Gothi's hearth had burned down to embers, casting barely enough light to see by. Outside, Berk was silent except for the distant sound of waves and the occasional bleat of a sheep.
He lay still for a moment, listening intently with his enhanced hearing. No footsteps. No voices. The village slept.
Perfect.
{ WAKEY WAKEY. READY TO PLAY CIVILIZATION-BUILDING SIMULATOR? }
"System," Leonidas subvocalized, not even moving his lips. "Status check. Is anyone nearby?"
{ SCANNING... NOPE. GOTHI IS IN HER SLEEPING QUARTERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HUT. THE NEAREST VIKING IS ABOUT 50 METERS AWAY, SNORING LIKE A CHAINSAW. YOU'RE CLEAR. }
Leonidas sat up slowly, his small body moving with the practiced silence of an assassin. The combat experience cards had given him more than just fighting skills—they'd given him stealth, awareness, discipline.
He stood and moved to the small window, looking out at the sleeping village. Wooden houses clustered together, smoke rising from chimneys. In the distance, watchtowers stood sentinel against dragon attacks.
This will be my home. For now, at least.
"Alright," he whispered. "Let's do this. Summon the continent."
{ FINALLY! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS. OKAY, HERE'S HOW IT WORKS: }
{ 1) YOU DESIGNATE THE LOCATION
2) I SUMMON THE LANDMASS (DON'T WORRY, IT WON'T CAUSE A TSUNAMI OR ANYTHING—SPATIAL MANIPULATION IS VERY PRECISE)
3) YOU SUMMON YOUR ARMIES TO POPULATE IT
4) THEY BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AUTOMATICALLY BASED ON PROGRAMMED OBJECTIVES }
{ LOCATION CONFIRMATION: 500 MILES SOUTHWEST OF VIKING ARCHIPELAGO? }
"Confirmed. And System—I want detailed maps of the continent once it's summoned. Terrain, resources, everything."
{ YOU GOT IT. INITIATING CONTINENT SUMMONING... }
The system screen expanded, showing a visualization—a massive landmass materializing in the ocean, rising from the depths like Atlantis in reverse. Mountains, forests, rivers, plains. An entire continent, untouched and pristine.
{ SUMMONING COMPLETE. }
{ CONTINENT DESIGNATED: "NEW SPARTA" (UNLESS YOU WANT TO CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE?) }
{ SIZE: 17.1 MILLION KM² (ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF RUSSIA)
TERRAIN: VARIED - Mountains, Forests, Plains, Rivers, Coastline
CLIMATE: Temperate (SIMILAR TO MEDITERRANEAN)
RESOURCES: ABUNDANT - Iron, Copper, Gold, Timber, Freshwater, Fertile Soil
WILDLIFE: STANDARD FAUNA (NO DRAGONS... YET) }
{ FUN FACT: THE CONTINENT CAME WITH BASIC PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE ALREADY ESTABLISHED. IT'S NOT JUST BARREN ROCK. VERY THOUGHTFUL OF THE COSMIC POWERS THAT BE. }
Leonidas studied the map that appeared on the screen. The continent was massive—far larger than he'd imagined. Multiple mountain ranges, a huge central plain perfect for agriculture, dense forests, and a long, defensible coastline with natural harbors.
"This is... incredible," he breathed.
{ RIGHT? NOW COMES THE FUN PART. SUMMON YOUR ARMIES. }
Leonidas took a breath, steadying himself. This was it. The moment he stopped being a lone survivor and became something else entirely.
A commander. A leader. A king.
"System, summon all available units to New Sparta. Deploy them according to the following parameters..."
He closed his eyes, organizing his thoughts. Years of military strategy from his previous life combined with the tactical knowledge from the Spartan combat experience.
"Deploy the 10,000 Spartan soldiers as follows:
2,000 to establish a primary fortress city on the central plain, near fresh water
3,000 to begin construction of coastal defenses and shipyards on the eastern shore—closest to the Viking Archipelago
2,000 to secure the mountain passes and begin mining operations
2,000 to establish farmland and supply infrastructure
1,000 as a rapid response force and scouts
Deploy the 500 Samurai:
Establish a separate training facility in the northern forests
Focus on discipline, martial arts, and eventual integration with other forces
Deploy the 200 Assassins:
Create a hidden base in the southern mountains
Begin intelligence network setup
Scout the surrounding ocean for potential threats or opportunities
All units: Build with the assumption that this is a long-term kingdom, not a temporary camp. Stone buildings, proper infrastructure, defensible positions. And maintain absolute secrecy—no contact with outside world without my direct order."
{ DAMN. YOU'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS, HAVEN'T YOU? }
{ EXECUTING ORDERS... }
{ SUMMONING 10,000 SPARTAN SOLDIERS... COMPLETE }
{ SUMMONING 500 SAMURAI... COMPLETE }
{ SUMMONING 200 ASSASSINS... COMPLETE }
{ ALL UNITS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR ORDERS AND HAVE BEGUN DEPLOYMENT. }
{ MEMORY IMPLANTATION PROTOCOLS ACTIVE: }
{ - ALL UNITS BELIEVE THEY SERVE LEONIDAS, RIGHTFUL PRINCE OF SPARTA IN EXILE }
{ - ALL UNITS UNDERSTAND THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW KINGDOM }
{ - ALL UNITS ARE AWARE OF THE NEED FOR ABSOLUTE SECRECY }
{ - ALL UNITS ARE LOYAL BEYOND DEATH }
{ ESTIMATED TIME TO FIRST FORTIFICATIONS: 3 MONTHS }
{ ESTIMATED TIME TO FUNCTIONAL CITY: 1 YEAR }
{ ESTIMATED TIME TO KINGDOM-LEVEL INFRASTRUCTURE: 2-3 YEARS }
Leonidas felt something shift in his chest—not physical, but mental. A connection. He could sense them, somehow. Thousands of soldiers, warriors sworn to him, working in the darkness hundreds of miles away.
"System, can I communicate with them? Give new orders?"
{ YEP. THROUGH ME. JUST THINK YOUR ORDERS AND I'LL RELAY THEM INSTANTLY. IT'S LIKE TELEPATHIC RADIO. VERY CONVENIENT. }
{ ALSO, YOU CAN DESIGNATE COMMANDERS. RIGHT NOW, YOUR UNITS ARE OPERATING ON GENERAL ORDERS, BUT YOU COULD PROMOTE SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS TO LEADERSHIP ROLES IF YOU WANT MORE DIRECT CONTROL. }
"Later. Let them establish the foundations first. I'll organize a command structure once I can actually visit in person."
{ SPEAKING OF WHICH—YOU'RE GOING TO NEED A WAY TO GET THERE EVENTUALLY. 500 MILES IS A LONG SWIM. }
"The store had ships, didn't it?"
{ YEP. SPARTAN WARSHIP IS 2,000 SP. YOU'VE GOT 1,800 SP. ALMOST THERE. }
"Then that's my next goal. Earn enough points to buy a ship—or two—and establish a secret route between Berk and New Sparta."
{ SOLID PLAN. THOUGH I'D RECOMMEND WAITING A FEW YEARS. YOU'RE SEVEN. VIKINGS MIGHT NOTICE IF A CHILD STARTS SAILING OFF INTO THE SUNSET ON A REGULAR BASIS. }
Leonidas smiled grimly. "Fair point. I'll need to be patient. Build trust here first. Learn everything I can. When I'm older, stronger, more established—then I make my move."
{ PATIENCE. THE HARDEST SKILL FOR ANY ISEKAI PROTAGONIST. MOST OF THEM JUST WANT TO POWER-LEVEL AND PUNCH THINGS. }
"I'm not most protagonists. I've already lived one life. I know the value of patience."
He looked out the window again, toward the dark ocean where, 500 miles away, his empire was being born.
{ SO. CONTINENT: SUMMONED. ARMIES: DEPLOYED. KINGDOM: UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WHAT'S NEXT ON YOUR MIDNIGHT TO-DO LIST? }
Leonidas reached into his system inventory with a thought.
{ ACCESSING INVENTORY... }
"Show me the Night Fury egg."
{ OOOH, THE DRAGON. YEAH, ABOUT THAT... }
An object materialized in his hands—warm to the touch, about the size of a football, with a surface that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. Deep purple-black with subtle iridescent patterns.
It pulsed gently, like a heartbeat.
{ NIGHT FURY EGG: STATUS }
{ - VIABLE: YES }
{ - GROWTH ACCELERATION: ACTIVE }
{ - ESTIMATED HATCH TIME: 6-8 MONTHS (NORMALLY WOULD BE 2-3 YEARS) }
{ - IMPRINTING POTENTIAL: HIGH (WILL BOND WITH FIRST CREATURE IT SEES) }
{ WARNING: RAISING A NIGHT FURY IN A VIKING VILLAGE THAT KILLS DRAGONS ON SIGHT IS... PROBLEMATIC. }
"I know," Leonidas said softly, running his small hand over the egg's warm surface. "But this is too valuable to waste. Night Furies are the most intelligent, most powerful dragons in existence. If I can bond with one..."
{ YOU'D HAVE THE ULTIMATE WEAPON/COMPANION/FLYING DEATH MACHINE. I GET IT. BUT WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP IT? GOTHI'S HUT ISN'T EXACTLY DRAGON-FRIENDLY. }
"The continent. Once it hatches, I'll need to take it to New Sparta. The Spartans can help me raise it in secret until it's large enough and trained enough to be useful."
{ THAT MEANS YOU'LL NEED TO GET TO NEW SPARTA WITHIN 6-8 MONTHS. }
"Then that's my timeline. Six months to establish myself here, earn enough points for a ship, and figure out how to travel 500 miles without anyone noticing."
{ TALL ORDER FOR A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD. }
"I'm not really seven, remember?"
{ FAIR POINT. }
Leonidas returned the egg to his inventory, where it would remain in stasis until he needed it.
His mind was already planning, calculating, strategizing.
Short-term: Integrate into Berk. Learn their ways. Befriend Hiccup. Gain Stoick's trust. Earn system points through quests and achievements.
Medium-term: Acquire transportation to New Sparta. Visit his growing kingdom. Hatch and bond with the Night Fury.
Long-term: Build enough power to protect himself, his empire, and eventually... deal with the threats he knew were coming. The Red Death. Drago Bludvist. The various warlords and tyrants of this world.
And maybe, just maybe, figure out what he was supposed to do with this second life.
{ YOU'VE GOT THE LOOK. THE "I'M PLANNING SOMETHING BIG" LOOK. }
"Because I am. But first things first—I need to survive childhood in a Viking village. Tomorrow, I start playing the role."
{ THE MYSTERIOUS ORPHAN WITH A DARK PAST? }
"Exactly. Give them just enough truth to be believable, just enough mystery to be interesting, and just enough competence to be respected without being threatening."
{ YOU'RE GOING TO FIT IN GREAT WITH THE VIKINGS. THEY LOVE A GOOD DRAMATIC BACKSTORY. }
{ ONE MORE THING BEFORE YOU GO BACK TO SLEEP—WANT TO TRY THE LUCKY WHEEL? YOU'VE GOT 1,800 SP. ONE SPIN IS 100 SP. MIGHT GET SOMETHING USEFUL. }
Leonidas considered. The Lucky Wheel was essentially gambling with system points. He could get something amazing... or something useless.
"Not yet. I'll save my points for the ship. Once I have reliable transportation, then I can afford to gamble."
{ RESPONSIBLE. BORING, BUT RESPONSIBLE. }
{ ALRIGHT, BOSS. YOU'VE HAD A PRODUCTIVE NIGHT. SUMMONED A CONTINENT, DEPLOYED AN ARMY, PLANNED YOUR NEXT SIX MONTHS. MAYBE GET SOME ACTUAL SLEEP? GOTHI WILL BE CHECKING ON YOU IN A FEW HOURS. }
Leonidas moved back to the bed, his small body finally feeling the exhaustion. He'd been awake for less than an hour, but the mental effort of planning and executing the summons had drained him.
As he lay down and pulled the furs over himself, he felt it again—that distant connection to his armies. Thousands of warriors working through the night, building his kingdom stone by stone.
I'm not alone anymore, he realized. I have resources. Power. Purpose.
Sarah... I'm sorry I can't come back to you. But I won't waste this chance. I'll build something here. Something that matters.
Sleep claimed him quickly.
THE NEXT MORNING
Leonidas woke to the sound of the door opening and morning light streaming through the window.
Gothi entered, carrying a tray with food—bread, dried fish, some kind of porridge. She set it down beside his bed and studied him with those sharp, knowing eyes.
She made a gesture—How do you feel?
"Better," Leonidas said, sitting up. "Much better. Thank you."
Another gesture—You healed quickly. Too quickly.
"I've always healed fast," he said, meeting her gaze steadily. Not quite a lie.
Gothi's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press. Instead, she pointed to the food, made an eating gesture, then pointed toward the door.
{ SHE'S SAYING: EAT. THEN STOICK WANTS TO SEE YOU. MORE QUESTIONS INCOMING. }
Leonidas nodded. "I understand."
Gothi studied him for a moment longer, then turned and left.
Alone, Leonidas ate quickly, his enhanced body grateful for the fuel. The food was simple but hearty—Viking fare designed for hard labor and cold weather.
As he ate, he reviewed his objectives:
IMMEDIATE GOALS:
Meet with Stoick. Answer some questions, but maintain mystery.
Befriend Hiccup. The future dragon rider would be a valuable ally.
Explore Berk. Learn the layout, the people, the defenses.
Earn system points through quests.
{ NEW QUEST AVAILABLE! }
The notification popped up, and Leonidas smiled.
Right on cue.
{ QUEST: INTEGRATION }
OBJECTIVE: Successfully integrate into Berk society without revealing your true nature.
TASKS:
Meet with Stoick and provide a believable backstory (Reward: +300 SP)
Make a positive impression on at least 3 Vikings (Reward: +200 SP)
Befriend Hiccup (Reward: +500 SP + SPECIAL REWARD)
Survive your first week in Berk without major incidents (Reward: +400 SP)
TOTAL POTENTIAL REWARDS: 1,400 SP
TIME LIMIT: 7 Days
{ THIS SHOULD GET YOU ENOUGH POINTS FOR THAT SHIP. NO PRESSURE. }
Leonidas finished his meal and stood, testing his body. The wounds were completely healed now, leaving only the scars—particularly the dramatic one across his eye.
He looked down at himself. The oversized tunic. The small, seven-year-old body. The scarred hands.
I'm a child again. A stranger in a strange land. But I have advantages they can't imagine.
He moved to the door and opened it.
Outside, Berk awaited.
Vikings moved about their morning routines—feeding animals, repairing buildings, sharpening weapons. In the distance, he could see the ocean, vast and blue.
And 500 miles southwest, invisible to everyone but him, his empire was rising.
Let's begin.