Circa 1500 CE – The Italian Renaissance
As Europe emerged from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance breathed new life into the continent. Italy was the epicenter of this rebirth, and Florence was its heart. It was here that Marcus crossed paths with some of the most brilliant minds of the era—Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Lorenzo de' Medici.
One evening, Marcus found himself in the company of Leonardo da Vinci, the polymath who was already on the verge of scientific and artistic greatness. The two sat in a quiet courtyard, the stars above them reflecting the future they both saw in different ways.
"You see the world differently than most, Marcus," Leonardo said, watching as Marcus casually sketched on a piece of parchment. "You do not simply observe—it is as though you understand the very laws that govern it."
Marcus smiled, setting down his pen. "I have lived long enough to see how the gears of the world turn, Leonardo. The key is to never stop asking questions."
As they conversed, Leonardo grew more intrigued, and the seed of innovation was further planted. Marcus's presence was like a quiet wind—subtle, but powerful enough to change the course of history. Leonardo's future inventions and discoveries were shaped not just by his genius, but by Marcus's quiet influence.
But Marcus didn't just stay in the intellectual circles. In the crowded streets, he met ordinary people, artists, craftsmen, and merchants who were also part of this cultural awakening. He would inspire them with stories of faraway lands and forgotten eras, planting the seeds of curiosity that would fuel the Renaissance for generations to come.