"You've done well as the successor of Augustus Caesar, Lucius. Our relations with the Athens is stronger along with the other countries that allied themselves with Rome. You've brought peace, progress, prosperity and stability upon Rome and her allies. You are different, Lucius. Where other leaders of the Empire would've destroyed civilizations simply because they were different, you pacify them without shedding a single drop of blood. And when war was befell, you destroy our enemy or force them into submission. No corruption, no secessions, no civil war. You have set your legacy in stone, Lucius. Your soldiers and people love you, the Senate is in your favor, the Gods themselves smile on you. But even with your benevolence, you've built a violent and bloody road to the top. Rival senators, politicians and anyone who stood in your way. You traded their blood for power over Rome. So I ask you this, Lucius, what will the great Emperor do now?"
Gaius Julius Iulus asked as he stared at his brother, Lucius Julius Iulus Caesar. Said man closed his eyes in thought. Lucius, along with two legions led by Gaius and himself, marched through Nabatea. Lucius and his army were only a day away from Jerusalem. News of a revolt has reached his ears, accompanied by rumors of a Son of God and his miracles. He wanted to crush this rebellion before it gets out of hand and see this Son of God for himself.
Lucius opened his mouth to answer only to be cut off by when a hole appeared on the sky. Purple light emitted from the hole and shined down on Lucius and his legions. The earth shook and the winds roared as the very ground the legions stood on was lifted from the ground and sucked into the sky. And on that day, Emperor Lucius Julius Iulus Caesar and his brother, Gaius Julius Iulus and their legions was gone from the face of the earth. With his disappearance, Tiberius Julius Caesar, formerly Tiberius Claudius Nero, reigned as the new Emperor.
~Line Break~
"Lucius... Lucius... Wake up!"
Lucius's eyes snapped open and he shot up from the ground. His eyes roamed over the field and saw his men tending the wounded. He turned to Gaius and saw his brother with a bandage over his left eye. He could see spots of dried blood over his cheek.
Lucius shut his eyes as a painful headache struck him.
"Gaius... ugh... What happened?"
"Orochi happened."
"What?"
Gaius sighed and ran a hand over his hair.
"That demon that brought us here, remember?"
Lucius closed his eyes and memories of fighting flashed into his mind. When only half of the legions were left, he remembered Gaius surrendering for the safety of his men when Lucius was on the verge of unconsciousness from his wounds. Now they're here, prisoners of a demonic being.
"Yes... I remember."
Gaius looked down and didn't dare to look Lucius in the eye.
"Orochi gave us a choice in that battlefield... Serve him or you die. We lay down our arms the moment he grabbed your body and threatened to cut you in two."
He scoffed "This is humiliating. We're Romans." He stood up and gathered the attention of his Legionaries "Soldiers of Rome, hear me now!"
Legionaries ceased their actions and looked to their leader.
"I thank you for the sacrifice you have done to keep me alive. But now... without our allies. We are too few to fight against this demon alone. But fear not, Legionaries. I swear to you all that we may be weak now but we will not fall! We must gather the other warriors Orochi summoned and unite against him. Some of them may not like it, but that will not deter us from our true goal. Heed my words and take them into heart. Rome is Civilization! Rome is Order! Rome is Power! And in this new world... We.Are.Rome!"
The legionaries roared in agreement. Determination burning in their eyes.
The guards that stood by the door gripped their spears as the Romans turned their attention to them. Each of the Legionaries took out their Pugios, hidden from the enemy when they gave away their swords and shields.
Lucius stared at the two guards and smirked.
"Impetus!"
Lucius and the Legionaries rushed the guards and overwhelmed them. Just as they killed the two guards, the doors opened to reveal more of Orochi's minions. Without wasting another second, Lucius grabbed the spear and threw it at the front guard. What followed was a rush of Roman Legionaries on the corridor, taking the weapons of their kills and freeing anyone that was in their cages. One individual caught Lucius's eye.
The man had long, black hair tied back into a ponytail. A green bandana with golden markings was covered his forehead. He wore strange set of clothes in white, blue and green. The man looked like he was broken. No will to fight.
"What is your name, warrior?"
The man glanced at him before dropping his head, ignoring the Emperor's question.
Seeing that the man wouldn't answer him, Lucius opened the door to his cage and threw a spear in front of him.
"I can't, in good conscience, leave any man alone in this prison. You may not understand me, but I ask you. Please, fight with me. Fight against Orochi's rule. Avenge the fallen. Fight for their memory!"
The man grabbed the spear and stared at it for a long time. Lucius saw a fire burn in his eyes and the man stood up to look at the Emperor in the eye. Seeing the man's height, Lucius saw the man dwarf him only by an inch.
"Orochi has slain my Lord Liu Bei. For that I swear vengeance upon him. I am Zhao Yun and I will gladly fight by your side to avenge my Lord."
Lucius smiled, not even bothering to know how this man can speak and understand Latin perfectly. Zhao Yun thought the sane. He held out his hand and Zhao Yun took it.
"I am honored, Zhao Yun. My name is Lucius Julius Iulus Caesar. I am glad to have you on my side." He let go and the two nodded at each other before running to join in the battle.
~Line Break~
"That's it, lads! Push these bastards back! Roma!"
"Invicta!"
The Legionaries and other prisoners slowly made their way through the armory. Gaius opened the doors and smiled as he saw the familiar Gladiī, Scuta and Pila that littered the room.
"Alright, lads. Grab your weapons. Let's show them the might of Rome!"
One of the Romans, Captain Messala Severus, spotted something in the corner of his eye. A black haired girl, fighting with a fork and shield. A tall, white haired man with tan skin and wielding a giant, war hammer. The last person was an old man in an elegant, white robe. He called out to Gaius.
"Sir! Look!"
Gaius turned to where Messala was pointing at and saw the three individuals fighting off Orochi's goons. He turned to Lucius and brought a hand to his shoulder "Lucius, looks someone planned a rescue mission." He nodded towards the three and Lucius hummed in thought.
"Maybe our friend would know something about them. Zhao Yun!"
The Brave Dragon walked towards to the Emperor of Rome and asked "Is something the matter, Lord Lucius?"
Lucius nodded and turned his head towards the three individuals just as they made their way to them "I believe you have visitors."
"Lord Zhao Yun!" The black haired girl exclaimed.
Lucius chuckled and patted him on the back "I'll leave you to it, my friend."
Lucius turned away and was followed by Gaius and Messala.
"Tell me. How many men have we gathered?"
"We have gathered at least one cohort. The rest of the Legions are scattered. Those who got away are roaming the world, lost. I've heard rumors of three cohorts pledging their allegiance to a resistance force fighting against Orochi. That's all I've heard for now." Gaius answered as he picked up a Gladius and Scutum.
"So at least four hundred men. What about the prisoners we freed?" Lucius asked.
"At least a hundred men, Caesar." Messala replied.
"So five hundred... We'll make do."
"Caesar!"
The three turned around as two Legionaries escorted a brown haired woman, wielding a serrated blade and wearing a three-pronged crown.
"We found this woman fighting Orochi's minions, Caesar."
"I am not just a woman... I am a Tachibana!" The woman proclaimed as she looked Lucius in the eye. Said man returned the stare with his own.
A moment of silence passed as the two continued to see who would withdraw first. Lucius smiled and laughed.
"Hahaha!" He walked over to Tachibana and brought a hand to her shoulder. He looked at Gaius and said "I like her spirit!" He looked at Tachibana and said "Would you like to join us in our escape, my friend?"
The woman nodded "Of course."
"Ahh, forgive me. I have not introduced myself yet. I am Lucius Julius Iulus Caesar."
"Ginchiyo Tachibana. My duty is to slay Orochi. Just don't get in my way." She stated.
"Alright then" The Roman Emperor started as he faced his Legionaries "Legionaries, to arms!"
"Form ranks! Now!" Gaius ordered. The Legionaries lined up in a standard formation. Gladiī and Scuta in hands, their faces set in a blank expression.
"Caesar!"
Lucius turned to the speaker and saw a Legionary holding the Legion's banner and an Eagle standard. The Emperor smiled as he took the Eagle and raised it above his head.
"Roma Invicta!"
The Romans roared with renewed vigor. Slamming their Gladiī on their Scuta and cheering.
Lucius raised his Gladius and pointed at the exit "Forward!"
The Romans marched through the doors and made their way through Ueda Castle. Zhao Yun joined Lucius and Gaius. Beside him was the black haired woman.
"Lord Lucius, I would like to introduce you to Xingcai. She has also informed me that my Lord, Liu Bei, lives. Though, Orochi is keeping him captive somewhere. But at least I know he is still alive."
The woman bowed and said "Thank you for rescuing Lord Zhao Yun, Lord Lucius. I shall help you in your conquest against Orochi, if you will have me, my Lord."
Lucius smiled "Your cooperation is enough, Xingcai." He turned to Zhao Yun "And I congratulate you, Zhao Yun, for your leader still draws breath. I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to reunite you with your Lord, my friend. 'No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full.' A saying that I have taken to heart." He brought a hand to Zhao Yun's shoulder and nodded.
Lucius dropped his hand as Zhao Yun and Xingcai ran into the fray, intent on escaping this prison and rescuing their Lord.
"Mark my words, Orochi. You have made an enemy of Rome. You have wronged me. Now... You will pay with your blood, snake." He muttered before joining his men in escaping Ueda Castle