THE HARBINGER

Chapter XVI

In the shimmering haze of a temporal portal, The Harbinger emerged, a traveller traversing the currents of time. Clad in a cloak that seemed to shift with the ages, he stepped onto the ancient soil of Rome, his eyes set on a pivotal moment in history. His destination: the court of Emperor Constantine, the ruler whose decisions would shape the fate of an empire. As The Harbinger made his way through the bustling streets of ancient Rome, the grandeur of the city enveloped him. He passed by majestic monuments and bustling markets, feeling the heartbeat of an empire at its zenith. Finally, he arrived at the palace gates, where guards in polished armor stood watch. With a knowing glance, he passed through unchallenged, for his purpose transcended the boundaries of mortal authority.

Inside the palace, he found himself in the presence of Emperor Constantine, a figure of power and ambition seated upon a throne of marble and gold. The room was adorned with riches, but The Harbinger's gaze pierced through the opulence, seeing the threads of destiny woven in the fabric of time.

"Emperor Constantine," The Harbinger spoke, his voice carrying the weight of ages. "I come from a distant future, bearing knowledge of what lies ahead for your empire."

Constantine regarded the enigmatic traveler with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Who are you, stranger, and what do you claim to know?"

"I am but a harbinger of time, a witness to the ebb and flow of history," The Harbinger replied. "I have seen the rise and fall of empires, the turning of the ages. And I have come to offer you guidance, for the choices you make will shape the course of Rome for centuries to come."

Intrigued, Constantine motioned for The Harbinger to continue.

"You stand at a crossroads, Emperor," The Harbinger said. "Your decision to embrace Christianity will have profound consequences for your empire. It will unite your people under a common faith, but it will also sow the seeds of division and strife."

Constantine frowned in contemplation. "Are you saying that my conversion to Christianity will lead to turmoil?"

"It is not the faith itself that will bring about unrest," The Harbinger explained. "It is the manner in which it is imposed, the conflicts that will arise in its name. Beware the temptation to wield religion as a tool of power, for it can divide as easily as it unites."

Silence descended upon the throne room as Constantine pondered the words of the time traveler. He knew that the path ahead was fraught with peril, but also with opportunity.

"Thank you, Harbinger, for your counsel," Constantine finally spoke, his voice resolute. "I will heed your warning and tread carefully upon this path."

With a look of acknowledgement, The Harbinger stepped back into the currents of time, leaving behind a ruler poised on the brink of destiny. As he faded into the mists of history, the echoes of his words lingered, a reminder of the delicate balance between power and responsibility, between the past, the present, and the future of an empire.