The Empty World | The Empty World Sequence [complete | rewriting]

Extras: Outline/Synopsis (WIP)

[Temporary Author's Note: My goal was to write a synopsis, but I'm not experienced writing them and I think this is more long-form outline or chapter-by-chapter summary. I'm worried about it, honestly, because I understand one reason editing services ask for the synopsis first is to see if the work can even be condensed into one plot with clear goal, conflict, and resolution. And, I'm honestly not sure this work can be condensed. It's really more like two books in one volume, neither of which is strong enough to stand entirely on its own. There's a long-term romance plot and also a long-term fantasy conflict plot, but the main signs of the latter don't show much until the second half.  Also, this is way too long, I'm taking half a page or more with some chapters.]

(1)MORPHEUS is sung into being in the ethereal realm of The Night Regions. Fully formed and adult in size, but still rather naive, Morpheus is aided in assimilating his inherited memories by his mother, OPIUM. Entering the House of SLEEP, his father, Morpheus and his sister MAYA are formally introduced to their fellow Children of Night.

Before the ceremony can be concluded, Opium receives a summons to go to Earth, which they call The Empty World. JIBRIL, last in line at the introduction, offers to withold his formal presentation and gifts so that Morpheus and Maya may accompany Opium rather than go directly to training with mentors.

On the morning of September 11 2001, Morpheus, Opium and Maya teleport into the Manhattan penthouse of famous tech CEO STEVEN JEWEL. Steven explains that a woman named JOY taught him the summons but is now dead.

In Joy's neighboring penthouse they meet Steven's wife HELEN and ZERACHIEL, one of the Children of Night acting as Regent of Death. Opium confirms that Joy's soul is not under the jurisdiction of Death, because she was created by Jibril, current Regent of Dream. With prompting from Helen, Morpheus and Opium cooperate to give Joy bottled vampire blood which Opium explains will make her live "with consequences".

(2)After stopping back in the Night Regions, Morpheus then travels to 5th Century BCE Greece with relatives ABSINTHE and LAUDANUM, whom he presumes to be his mentors. Morpheus wants to talk to humans, but is instructed not to approach to strangers. He is introduced to RAPHAEL (Apollo to locals) and REMIEL (Hermes to locals) and their human companion HYACINTH.

Hyacinth makes a pass at Morpheus who, somewhat impeded by language barrier when attempting to explain he's not ready for love affairs, ends up casting a dream into Hyacinth's mind. Raphael tutors Morpheus in dreamcasting, as he once was Regent of Dream before Jibril "was created for the task".

Later, Hyacinth is mortally injured in a quoits-related accident and GABRIEL appears instead of the expected Zerachiel to reap his soul. With her is RAGUEL who announces Remiel has been promoted to Archon of his Order, as former Archon DUMA has been stripped of rank and privileges.

Gabriel indicates that Jibril is also unable to do his duty at this time, and as she's already covering for Zerachiel, asks Morpheus to help her deliver a message in a dream. Afterward he can "go where he likes".

Morpheus delivers news to the human ALCYONE that her husband CEYX has died. He then returns to Absinthe and Laudanum and learns a new flower has grown where Hyacinth died. Morpheus then takes the flower and goes on a journey with Absinthe and Laudanum during which he collects several more flowers and two Djinn. Wording implies that Morpheus has become leader as opposed to student.

(3) Traveling back to the Night Regions, Morpheus spends time with Opium and explores a library where he becomes interested in the Roman Empire. Morpheus then travels with his Djinn, LOREN and HEPBURN, to Alexandria, Egypt during the Siege of Alexandria circa 47 BCE. He steals a horse and wall tent belonging to a Roman officer and travels with these to the Thar Desert of roughly the same period.