This is my other project as some of you would already know from speaking about it in my other story. This one is probable the most crack of crack crossover can get but I really think this'll work out. Hopefully.
I do not own anything. ;(
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In the great city of Rome all were present in the coliseum, to see a show that one rarely ever gets to see. A battle between the current Emperor and a former, famous, Roman General turned slave. The battle ended as quickly as it begun with a shocking conclusion, the Emperor being killed.
This was inconceivable in any roman's minds. The very few times an Emperor entered the arena they were always victorious not because of skill but because of their wealth and power. All of the roman people knew that most of those games were rigged for the Emperor's victory.
"Who shall help me carry him." Princess Lucilla the sister of the now dead Commodus, former Emperor of Rome, called to the surrounding gladiators,soldiers, and senators. In response to her call a large number of all three groups began to walk towards a downed man in the center of the circling individuals. The man on the ground is the one who killed Emperor Commodus, a man who enacted his vengeance. This man whose son, wife, father-like figure,Marcus Aurelius( Who was also Commodus's father) the Emperor of Rome before Commodus , friends, career and life were either murdered or destroyed by Commodus. This man's name is Maximus Decimus Meridius.
As the men lifted him off the ground Maximus stared to the bright sun above the clouds. As his mind begins to lose its consciousness with his only thought being hope he would see his deceased wife and son in the afterlife, if there was one. His half lidded eyes finally closed completely as he let himself finally relax,rest, from the restless days he has been through.
A soft breeze touched his face, as loud rustling sounded around him. He opened his eyes to see a beautiful sight. A field of grain spanning as far as the eye can see with a small yet decorative home in the middle, with a road leading through it. He knew what this place was, it was his home, it was same home his family was murdered in. His eyes narrowed at the thought, eyes watering with tears of sadness but in the distance he could something,someone. His eyes, at first, had difficulty discerning who the people were until his eyes final adjusted to the light. His tears of sadness soon became tears of joy. His wife and son were with him, in their home in the afterlife. He walked towards them, his hand grazing the field of grain, as his family also walked towards him, his son however, was running. A soft smile came over his face at the sight of his son.
"Father!" the boy yelled as he neared Maximus. With the distance quickly lessening Maximus kneeled with one knee and caught his son as he rammed into him. He chuckled as his son giggled as they hugged. Maximus was, is, happy, after all the hardship he gone through he can finally rest peacefully with his family. Maximus stood up ruffling his son's hair as he looked to his wife that now stood in front of him. He could not resist the urge to embrace her and give a heart filled kiss, with his wife returning it wholefully.
"I have missed you, dearly" Maximus said with his soft smile still plastered on to his face.
"And I have missed you as well, Maximus." His wife said as she held his hand. They began to walk towards their home for a day of celebration, ironically considering they are all dead. Maximus and his family spoke of his exploits that they already knew of, they have been watching him since the moment they were killed. It still pained his heart that he could not save them but they held no remorse and told him to feel the same for they are now all together and that's all that matters. For the entire day and night they feasted on food that tasted fit for gods to eat. Maximus and his son played with either wooden swords or chasing each other around the home, with his wife having an unending happy smile on her face. Watching them peacefully from a chair on their homes porch. After the young boy was all tired out and put to sleep he and his wife had taken the chance to express their love in a more intimate form.
XXX
As the morning came Maximus and his family were in the room munching on some fruits and snacks for breakfast before they would begin to work in their peaceful farm. Though he noticed something in his wife's eyes every time he would look at them. They had sadness in them and he
could not fathom why she would have this. So he sent son to go to his room and set up a mock battle with his toy soldiers. His son, with much enthusiasm, ran to his room to do what his father told him. As his son left the main room he turned to his wife that had her back turned, her long black hair falling to her lower back.
"Selene, what's wrong?" He said as he approached her. Her hands were trembling as she held a plate as tears were falling from her eyes. He now was worried, what could have caused to act so different from yesterday? Her eyes locked with his as she placed the plate down on the table as she sat on the stool. Maximus sat next her with his hand on her back.
"Maximus, before you arrived I was visited… by the Gods." Maximus's eyes grew wide as this.
'Which gods?" He asked curiously yet seriously. She hesitated with her response as she looked at her hands.
" Vesta, Mars, and Jupiter they came saying that your journey has not yet been completed. That there is still another fight, another war you must be a part of." She said as more tears fell from her face. Maximus tried to comfort her in any way he could as he thought upon her words. The Gods are calling him to fight in a war, it would seem even in the afterlife war still continues. He wished he could say no the Gods but he can't. They have the power of destroying his family's souls completely or worse tartarus for all eternity.
" They said they will arrive for you in the morning the day after you've arrived. They were also the ones who gave us the food as a way to give you welcoming and goodbye meal or something of the sort." She continued as tears still fell but not as strong as before.
"I knew that food was to godly to have been made by your hands." Maximus joked getting a smack to the arm for his subtle insult/joke but he got a storn look by his wife which causing him to lose his small smile. Before either can say anything more a knock was heard from the front of their home. He, Selene and their son, who had heard the knock as well, walked towards their door. When they arrived, finding the door already open, they found a woman in a stainless silk white cloth. With flawless skin, a beautiful face and a attractive body, her blond hair place in a large bun on her head with two locks of said hair falling to boths sides of her face. Her most mesmerizing site, however, were her pure, heavenly gold eyes. A smile spread across her lips as she saw Maximus but her eyes her filled with sadness.
"I am Vesta Goddess of Family and Home, may I come in" She asked with an unbelievably, beautiful, angelic voice. Maximus and his family bowed their heads, with Maximus saying 'Of course, my lady'. They led her to the main room the family waited for her to sit first before they sat themselves. Maximus apologized for their lack of preparation and quality of furniture that surely she was not used to. She waved them off saying it was 'alright' and that she didn't mind the quality. She went on to say how it gave their home a more family atmosphere that she enjoyed greatly, which made sense for she is the Goddess of Family and home after all. Her smile faded ,however, when she looked at Maximus replacing it with a grim expression.
"I'm sorry, Maximus, for all that has happened to you and for what I, we, will put to put you through." She said grimly as Maximus only nodded.
" It is alright, my lady, this is your realm and we are simply quests. We have to on some way compensate your generosity. In that note where is the front for this war you want me to fight in." Maximus asked as his wife's face grew tearful again and his son grew confused. Vesta's face grew slightly angry as his question causing Maximus to worry that he had done something.
"I'm sorry Maximus, again, but their is no war in this realm you will be directly participating." This confused and his wife. Taking their expressions as if they were saying 'What do you mean?' Vesta continued.
" You, Maximus, have been chosen by not one of us nor any other God our plain. You were chosen by something we can not control and that is your fate or destiny as some would like to call it. Though keep in mind that destinies are vague and very open so that it usually only says your destination not your actions or ending." The more she spoke the more Maximus grew confused not at the concept of fate or destiny but of the part about destination. Where was he going?
"You have been marked to enter a different world. A world where you will play a powerful role in but what you do in the world all depends on your choices." She finished getting a confused look from the young boy a bemused look from Selene and a shocked looked from Maximus.
They wanted him, a farmer, a former general, to be sent to a different world and do some kind of drastic changes that he and they yet know of. He could not fathom the reasoning behind this. Of why they would chose him and he asked that very question to her.
"Why me?"
"Because you have always had the ability to lead, to drive people forward, to create the impossible." A withered voice spoke behind Maximus and his family. The voice was familiar to him it sounded almost like...no it couldn't be.
Maximus turned around to see an old man with white beard and wrinkled face. Wearing a purple cloak and a white robe. He knew who this man was and he could not believe his eyes.
"Aurelius" Maximus whispered in shock. He soon shook out of stupar and quickly kneeled. The old man chuckled at his former generals action.
"I am not the Caesar anymore, Maximus, there is no need to kneel or bow before me." He said with wisened old voice. Maximus only lifted his head up, not standing from his position.
"You will always be a Caesar to me,sire." Aurelius smiled at Maximus's loyalty and sense of duty. He motioned him to stand before walking closer, Maximus quickly got his stool and motioned for him to sit. Aurelius shook his head with smile before sitting while Maximus got another stool to sit on.
"I am sorry I am late Lady Vasta I am not as young as I used to be." Aurelius said to the Goddess causing her to chuckle.
"Their is no need to apologize it would appear you arrived at a perfect time." She said with a smile.
"It would seem I have" Aurelius said with a nod. He looked to Maximus once with an approving smile.
"Maximus, do you know how I died?" His question caused Maximus to stiffen. He had guessed on how he died and that guess was confirmed in his dual.
"Commodus." He said with venom. Aurelius nodded with a sad look in eyes.
"Do you know why he killed me?" Now that he did not know anything about. He could never figure out why he killed him. Maximus shook his head causing Aurelius to smile.
"He killed me because I named you, Maximus, as my heir to the throne. As the next Caesar, the next leader, the next emperor of Rome." Maximus's eyes grew wide, along with his families. He was to be the next Emperor of Rome. Why? Why was he chosen to be the next Emperor. This is just as confusing as to why he was going to a different world.
"You do not know what you have do you, your gift. Maximus you've always had this incredible ability to direct the people emotions, to lead people into whatever you've planned and they loyally follow without question. You would have been one of Rome's most famous and memorable Caesar's Rome would have ever had. It is only my son's greed to have caused you and everyone involved so much hardship. For that I am sorry" Aurelius finished.
"Sire, you are not in fault with this it was Commodus's own choice to follow his greed and not his loyalty to his nation's leader nor to his father." Maximus said strongly getting a smile from Aurelius, Maximus's loyalty to his country and family has always been commendable.
"Now there is your sense of duty that I enjoy so much and that sense of duty will drive you to do what you must in your coming campaign." Maximus , even though he was still confused on why he was chosen and why Aurelius has such high hopes on him being a great ruler. His sense duty was beginning to drive him forward into this new mission and to complete it only on the reasoning to not disappoint Aurelius's expectations. Maximus looked to his wife to see what she had to say about the current situation. Her expression said it all that she accepted that he had to leave but she didn't need to like it. Though it would seem that there is something else she was hiding, something his instants is telling him to find out, Vesta noticed this.
"You did not tell him?" Selene's head shook causing the Goddess to sigh. Maximus looked to the Goddess from her reaction.
"What did she not tell me?" He asked now worried.
"The place we are sending you is in another world, another plane, realm, we can send you their but we can't take you out." Vesta said sullenly, eyes downcast.
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that when you die from either old age or battle you will not return to his realm but to go to that worlds heavens." Maximus turned stiff again, he has been shocked stiff more times in this hour than he had his entire life. He wouldn't be able to see his wife or son again. Why? Why must he go through this again. Losing his family for a second time would simply destroy him completely. His hand curled to fist in his anger and frustration but his inner rage calmed when a hand touched his. It was Selene, her touch calmed him, but only for a moment. He knew that one day he would scream in agony from all that's transpired.
XXX
Vesta had left saying that Maximus had until midday before he had to be at the Gods Palace, Olympus. Aurelius stayed to show him the way when he was ready to leave. Maximus stood in the main room wearing a replica of his armor he wore to battle in his campaign in the north. Only instead of leather and some metal plates it was crafted using metal, a metal Vesta called Silverite. A durable, yet thinly light armor made up his armor, his sword was also made out of Silverite. There was gold colored plates on his wrist, legs, feet, and parts of his shoulders. It also made up his decorations of the two horse on his chest. These golden plates ,however, were not gold it is only colored mithril, yet another light yet durable metal. It surprised him that the metals did not hamper his movements of any sort compared to his regular leather armor. He also wore his winter cloak, same one he wore to the North with. On the advice of Vasta saying that the location that he will be sent will be having Winter very soon. He wore this armor as he spoke to his wife and son for the final time. Maximus kneels in front of his son.
"My son, you be good to your mother and crop the field just like I taught you. If you need help ask your mother for some advice but don't depend on her you must grow on your own." Maximus said to his son as the little boy nodded trying desperately to not cry. Though before Maximus could speak to his wife he told his son to go to his room, to which he obliged and left. Wanting to silently weep for his father.
Maximus stood and as she looked towards Selene he grew curious on what Selene wanted to say. As her eyes were screaming, wishing to speak but being held back by her own self control. Until her will could not hold any longer
"Maximus," She began,her voice was broken." Since you are going to another world with no chance of returning to us. I believe that if you meet someone that… you would be interested in being with that you should-"
"What!?" Maximus said in surprise, he could believe what she was suggesting.
"I will not break our vows Selene" He said holding onto his shoulders.
"And you won't be, when you arrive there you will be reborn meaning that all vows and former allegiances are gone. You have fulfilled your vows to the letter and I feel that I shouldn't cause you to live a life of loneliness hoping that you return but never will." She said as tears pore down from her eyes. Maximus did not know what to say he was to shocked. How many more times was he going to get shocked today before he could rest and actually think upon the current circumstances. She grabbed his hand causing him to look at her eyes.
"Maximus, I know this will be hard for you, and believe me it is devastating for me, but I want you to have some sort of peace in that world after you finished with everything. I want you to be able to a come home with someone who loves you as much as I and bares you a child or children for you to raise. Please, Maximus when you are there please keep in mind that you need some sort of happiness as well." Maximus did not respond he only hesitantly nodded, slowly. He gripped her hand once before giving her a kiss on the forehead before leaving with Aurelius.
XXX
In the thick forest filled with gargantuan trees and vines you would see a light glistening in the darkness of the night. The moon's illuminating rays only sparsely pierced the large branches and leaves. Revealing the muddy and wet ground riddled with animals tracks pointing towards all directions. Animals ranging from foxes and rabbits to wolves and wild boars. Yet among these tracks a set of markings of animals a man's boots was plastered on the mud. The footsteps in the mud were deep and strong telling any experienced tracker that the man was very heavy, either by his fat or armor, and that he was marching through the forest with a determined mind.
The tracks passed cut brushes, torn branches, and corpses of a small pack of wolves. Each killed with a swift stab to the head or neck. It would seem that the man disturbed the packs meal as a deer's leg was lying on the ground next to. A drag marks was seen leading out of the small clearing towards a mountain side. A mountain side with a small illuminated section.
Pass the large rocks and traitorous sliding stones a small camp fire can be seen. A slow turning leg of the venison was being turned by a human wearing decorated armor as he sat on a rock with a thick leather cloak over it for cushion. A large curved yet rectangular shield was laid next to him on his left with well crafted javelins resting on his right. A helmet with horse hair in a mohawk pattern was next to his feet.
Finally, he had been tracking this humy for a while now. His tongue slide across his sharp carnivorous teeth. His clawed hand gripping his barbaric and crudely made wooden mace. He heard footsteps behind, he could smell them, it was more of his pack. A crooked smile grew on his large animalistic face. His excitement grew to much and he started...laughing.
XXX
Maximus instinctively pulled out his gladius as he heard a very squeaky but very animalistic laugh coming from the rocks in front of him. He heard more and more and more laughs. Soon the whole rock side was filled animalistic laughs. He sheathed his blade before grabbing his javelins putting one in the holster in his shield and the other in his ready to throw it the moment they showed themselves. He heard footsteps on his right then his left then behind him, they surrounded him. Readying his shield he used his senses to hear where one of them would attack from.
He heard a thunk behind him. The creature dropped down from the large rock.
He didn't leave anything else to thought. As soon as he turned he threw his javelin without looking, only using his memory of the spacing between the rock and his camp fire to guide him. He heard a cry of pain signally he had hit him but at that moment all of them pounced. Large thuds were sounding all around him. Pulling his sword out he quickly ran towards the direction of the wounded creature as it is the only open location.
As he got closer he studied it.
It was an ugly beast yet very small. No more four and half feet, barely reaching his chest. It was walking on two feet like a man but it was pure animal. It almost looked like a lycan, a half man half wolf creature but it looked more coyote than wolf. Stopping his thoughts he quickly stabbed the creature on its neck while it was pierced by the javelin on its gut. It did not resist as it breathed it last breaths.
He turned and found more of these beasts. He counted quickly and found that there were twelve of them. To many for him to fight head on. He noticed some had crude leather armor and wooden weapons causing the danger level to increase. They also spoke somehow in a laughter mixed voice.
" By the gods, that is the most annoying sound I could ever hear." Maximus thought as he tried to block out the Gnolls noise. Though as they watched each other another dropped in from a rock in the far back.
"Make that thirteen" He thought but as the new gnoll appeared he was different. Different as in it wore metal shoulder plates and some metal plates over some areas of it body. It was also larger, about his size which was 5'11, and it carried a very large battle axe. It licked it's sharp teeth in anticipation of his possible meal.
"That one must be the leader of this pack" He watched the 'large' gnoll walk to the front of his pack. Staring at each other, looking for the slightest moment of weakness for either one to strike but Maximus was no fool. He knew he could not defeat them in honor bound combat but thanks to his time as a gladiator. It taught him that survival by battle must be won with tricks or teamwork. Since he was alone teamwork was out of the question.
"Trickery it is then" Being in a new world causes him to know very little of how anything of this world works. These beasts attest to the differences between his world and this one but if there's one thing Rome teaches its people, especially its soldiers, it's adapting.
Maximus ran through a crevice large enough for him between two large boulders. The gnolls quickly followed. Maximus new by simply looking at the rocks he could see the difficulty someone or something would have climbing it. He surmised that if he had the high ground he would be able to take them out one by one. So he looked for a steep rocky slope for him to climb when he found one, thanks to his armor being very light, he was able to leap across some of the larger rocks to reach the top. The gnolls were barely halfway. He noticed a group of five was on the left and they were very close to each other. Finding a large rock he pushed it off the flat ground down the slope causing a small rockalanche. The rocks crushed the five gnolls as they squealed in pain. Now there were only eight of them.
When the first gnoll arrived at the top he quickly swung at Maximus with a hatchet looking axe only to have it blocked by Maximus's shield. The shock from hitting shield stunned him for second. A second that costed him as Maximus stabbed him between his ribs and too his heart, years of training and experience giving him the advantage in this skirmish. The gnoll fell back dead. Retracting the blade he turned to find two gnolls, one carried a small sword and the other a two-handed hammer. The gnoll with the hammer swung first, Maximus blocked with his shield. He did not flinch when the hammer hit instead he stepped forward so he could shield slam the gnoll down the slope. Hitting the rocks as he fell down leaving him dead as he rolled to the bottom. Maximus then attacked with his blade; the gnoll tried to parry but to only have his sword shatter and his neck slit open. Now there is six.
Maximus stared at his mithril sword.
" Vesta was not exaggerating when she said mithril was incredibly strong...plus the blessings I received from the gods help as well." He thought but was interrupted when five gnolls arrived and began growl at him. The last gnoll that was still climbing the slope was the leader as he much slower than the rest because of the heavier armor and larger weapon he carried. Ignoring the leader for now he focused on the five gnolls that were currently concaving him. His back was to the edge of the flat ground mere inches from falling down the rocky side. The gnolls believed that they were at the advantage because of both their numbers and positioning giving them the courage to charge.
Their advantage proved to be false.
The first gnoll that attacked was dodged and with his momentum caused him to slip and fall down the cliff. The second was also dodged but he did not fall like his brother; Maximus stabbed him on the back of the leg. He then ducked under a mace from an angry gnoll. Maximus, still in his crouch, turned and stabbed him in the stomach then pulled up word to its heart killing him. After pulling the blade out he did a 180 turn and slammed his shield against another gnoll; making the gnoll step back in pain. Giving Maximus another chance to strike as he stabbed his leg. The gnoll kneeled down exposing his neck allowing Maximus, with a powerful swing, to cut off his head. He turned with his sword and shield at the ready. Two gnolls remained one was unharmed while the other was gripping his leg, red liquid seeping out of his hand.
The unharmed gnoll charge with his axe raised high. The general ignored him,easily moving past the attacking gnoll, charging the wounded gnoll with a shield slam. The wounded gnoll was knocked on his back, hands spread out. Maximus used this opportunity to press his foot on the gnolls chest and stab into his heart. A battle cry sounded from behind him as the last gnoll again wildly charged at him. Maximus continued to stare forward until the very last moment as he turned stabbing at the creature's chest with shield raised to block the axe. Gnoll fell limp on the ground leaving Maximus catching some of his breath until his breathing hitched as his instinct were telling him he in danger.
A moment, sensing something behind him, he ducked down under a giant axe that was swung to cut his head.
It was the pack leader and he was angry, very angry. Maximus raised his shield in his defence as the beast gripped his axe harder, eyes narrowing dangerously. The gnoll began to use his axe as a spear and strike at Maximus in a distance. He used his shield to bounce the gnolls attack back. As an opening appeared Maximus moved forward his sword swinging. Instead of fighting the gnoll dodged most of his attacks getting nicked by the tip of his blade once or twice but the wounds were not threatening.
"This beast is much smarter than the rest. Just like the barbarian leaders back in my home world; smart, skilled, and cunning." he complimented. Knowing that this creature was smarter than the rest he needed to defeat him quickly or the beast may find a way to defeat him; time for any tactician is a great boon. Putting faith in his sword's durability, he swung and parried blow for blow against the beast. Surprisingly the beast weapon did not break or chip. It was then, as he was examining the weapon, that he noticed the strange and slightly glowing marking on the weapon. He did not know what they meant but if he had to guess it was some sort of enchantment an enchantment that stops it from being destroyed so easily like the others.
Where this creature obtained an enchanted weapon he did not know but that was not important. What was important is that he now has an enchanted weapon and he's willing to use against him.
The beast swung with his axe at his head causing Maximus to ducked. He was about to stab the creature in the side but before he could the gnoll shoulder butted him knocking him on the ground. The gnoll leaped on him, axe forgotten, and began to use his clawed hands as a means to finish him off. His claws only slide off his armor as they struggled until the gnoll slashed at his neck. He missed his neck but his clawed hand still slashed the lower part of his jaw. Maximus grunted to the pain while the gnoll laughed. Maximus in his anger pushed the gnoll off him, blood covered his neck, the bottom part of his face and the top part of his armor. Maximus roared as he charged at the gnoll barehanded. He grabbed the bottom part of the gnoll thigh and began to lift him in a surprising amount of strength. The gnoll was now dangling over him, his arms flailing about, and as he secured his grip on the gnoll he began walking towards the slope.
"Victoria!"
Maximus screamed as he threw the beast down the slope. He watched as he bounced off rocks, getting hit in every location imaginable. He knew he was going to die as all his bones would be broken when he would arrive at the bottom but it didn't. As the gnoll finally stopped at the bottom he began to stand up, wobbling in his pain, turning to look up at Maximus's surprised face.
"HUMAN!" The gnoll scream in a deranged and raspy voice; Maximus's eye's grew wide at it.
"I have you scent! I will kill you! With stronger pack! Remember name! Remember! Name is HOGGAR!" Hoggar screamed as he limped away from the mountain side. Maximus watched as he left, this Hoggar, allowing himself some breath of fresh air and to allow his wounds to heal.
The bleeding had stopped and it had already began closing up completely. The blessings given to him seem to, again, be very helpful. As it finished healing it left a three line-like scars on his jaw. Yet another battle scar for his body. Maximus collected his weapon and shield so that he may collect his spoils of war. Scavenging the corpses of the gnolls he found anything from random pieces of cloth, parchment, herbs and many other things. Though the most important things he found was currency two handful of copper coins, thirteen silver coins and a single gold coin and the discarded axe of Hoggar. Maximus was able to make a comfortable enough bed of leather from the armor of the gnolls. It smelled disgusting but he slept in worse. The fire crackling next to him, his sword in hand, shield on his left side and his recovered javelin on his right side as he stared at the stars to give him some peace but they only were a glaring reminder of his circumstance. All the stars were different in this world. The constellations that told stories of the gods were nowhere to be seen.
He sighed and closed his eyes. He needs rest and staring at the stars were not helping. He needed be at full strength for what is soon to come, whatever it may be, but he knows one thing is certain. War is going to be involved.
For War, war never changes and it never stops.
….but he hopes that one day peace could actually be a possibility.
XXX
Ahhhh hope you enjoyed. I bet many of you noticed some unexplained things and of course I will explained them in another chapter. I don't really like their being plot hole's so I make sure it will get explained but if there's one please tell me so i can one day fix it :D.
If any of you have criticism, please try and make it constructive. Also if you enjoy my story please either fave/follow/review or check in once in awhile to see if there' an update.
Have a nice day! :D