The cries of man and blade echoed into the ears of Aniketos as he stood his ground with his shield and dory in the phalanx formation. Blood flowed down to his hand gripping the long weapon as he jabbed it forward towards the Persian enemy in front. His brothers around him slashed and jabbed, growling as they made contact to the bloody flesh. Blocking a sword slashing down with his shield, he jabbed forward, making his spear go through the body of the enemy. Not having time to pull back his spear, he pulled out his kopis and slashed the body of another charging Persian. It was their third day fighting back the enemy that threatened their home.
"Fight! Fight on! No Mercy!" His king yelled out.
Aniketos bashed then stabbed another Persian, but was too late to block a slash in his arm from one from his left. He screamed out, pulling his kopis from the now dead body and slashing the neck of the enemy that harmed him. The blood splattered, matching the color of his red cape and staining the golden-bronze chest plate. Distracted once more in his rage, he turned and met a slash from a sword down on his right eye. Harming only the helmet, Aniketos smirked and slashed his own onto the Persian's neck. The screams of agony were covered by the screams of determined rage.
The fighting had suddenly ceased, and for that moment was a moment to catch his breath. The sky turned dark, making Aniketos look up, only to see a rain of arrows coming down from the heavens. Cowards, Aniketos last thought as he raised up his shield, but was too late to block any from hitting him. A surge of pain took over his entire body as he moved back into his fighting stance. Breathing became difficult as he looked towards another wave of Persians charging forward. Moving was proving to be a challenge, and when he noticed something from his body, he knew why. One arrow. One single arrow. Though what looks to be where the heart is, he gripped the stick and broke it off. His vision grew blurry and keeping his shield proved to become as heavy as the mountain he was near. The sound around him became muffled as he fought on the charging Persians in his last stand before joining in the afterlife. Slash after slash, he moved deeper into the enemy lines before he was overwhelmed by spears pushing through his body. Fight on my king, my brothers. We shall meet again after we grow victorious. Now on the ground, bloody and defeated, he took in his last breath, before it was no more.
Instantly, Aniketos opened his eyes, finding himself waking up from what may have been only a dream. A blue sky, clear as it can be with a breeze blowing along the tall grass he laid on. Slowly sitting up, the same pain he had quickly returned and forced him to fall onto his back again. Growling, he forced himself up, noticing that he was still the uniform he had back at the battle site. Looking around some more, he saw both his shield and dory on the ground nearby. He grabbed it, seeing that the blood was no longer there, but the damage it had received from battle still remained. His eyes went wide and he looked down to his chest. He relaxed, seeing that the arrow was not there and he had truly gone to the afterlife. He thinks, that is.
"What place is this?" He questioned himself, walking forward towards anything that can lead to answers. "I still remain in my armor, along with my weapons and soreness from battle. Am I in Elysium?"
The grass brushed along the ankles of the Spartan as he walked, the red cape with its end torn flowed along the wind that brought a cool touch onto his skin. Marching up a hill, his vision caught eye of something ahead of him, and he ducked down to remain undetected. Raising his head, there he saw two creatures lying on the grass. Horses, he thought, watching the white one speak to the blue one, along with two others in armor. They seem to be having a conversation. What a strange world I have entered after my death. He focused to the two guards who stood by the white and blue one. It seems they are royalty. I shall be greeted with answers about this place. Hopefully it is not Tartarus.
Aniketos walked low through the grass, moving around the hill and towards the creatures he knew would speak to him with no harm. Step by step, he grew closer to them, being able to hear their conversations. To his surprise, he was able to understand their language.
"Such a wonderful day to be outside, won't you say dear sister?" The white one said.
"Yes, it is quite refreshing to not be stuck inside behind the castle doors." The blue one replied.
Aniketos was close, and his stealth proved to be working. One of the guards however spotted something red from the grass and had its spear ready. The white and blue one noticed the guard and turned towards where it was looking. Aniketos knew he was caught, and if he was to fight then being in a stealth position would not benefit him. He stood up, raising his shield and pulling out his kopis, leaving his dory down on the ground.
The two guards stood in front of the two who stood up behind them. Aniketos noticed that both the white and blue one were taller than the two guards who stood ready to fight. He took a step forward, and noticed one of the guards had fear in its eyes.
"Tia, what is that?" The blue one questioned.
"I am not sure Luna, but whatever it is, it looks to be a warrior from somewhere unknown." The white one replied.
"You are correct." Aniketos spoke, frightening all that stood in front of him. He sheathed his sword and stood relaxed. "It seems I have stumbled in a world which is not of my own. Tell me-" He took a step forward, but stopped when he noticed the two guards ready to charge.
"Guards, stand down." The white one ordered. The two were hesitant, but followed its orders, but remained where they stood just in case. "I see. I may answer where you are right now, but I am wiry of everypony's safety if I do so."
Pony? He thought, hearing Luna speak against what the white one is doing. "Aye, I am concerned about my own safety as well." He placed his shield down on the grass and removed his helmet. "I will not do any harm, if you do the same offer."
"Sister, I advise to not trust this creature." Luna spoke, noticing the scar on the Spartan's right eye.
"Hush." The white one said to Luna. "What is your name?"
"Aniketos Xenagoras of Sparta. And what is yours?"
"Princess Celestia." she answered. "And my sister beside me is Princess Luna."
Aniketos took a step forward. "An honor to meet-" His voice was interrupted by one of the guards thrusting its spear into him. Wide-eyed, he pulled out his kopis, but his deadly strike would not come. It was as if some form of power or magic prevented him from doing such action. Looking towards the two princesses, the last sight he had was Luna shooting a form of light to him, making him fall into sleep. Or another trip through death.
A groan of fatigue came out from the awaking Spartan. His vision blurred as he opened them, his sight not staring to the sky, meaning he was indoors. Wide awake, he attempted to sit up but was held down to what looked to be some form of light wrapped around his wrists and ankles and onto the bed. He also noticed that he was only in his loincloth, revealing his tone yet scarred-damaged body. He growled as he continued to break free from the weird lock he was placed in. He grew close to breaking free as the binds loosened but ceased his attempt upon hearing voices.
"Princesses, you do not want to see how this creature's appearance is. It is rather horrifying." A voice spoke behind the door.
"Nonsense. Whatever it may be won't frighten us one bit." Celestia spoke calmly.
"It's already horrifying enough." Luna flatly said.
Aniketos relaxed himself from breaking out as he watched the door open, revealing the two princesses, along what looked to be a nurse and the guard that attacked him. However, he watched all but the nurse with concerned looks as they looked towards his almost nude body. He remained silent, waiting for them to speak to him.
Celestia walked up to Aniketos, smiling at him, which he knew was fake. "You've awoken Aniketos. I am glad to see you have healed up well." The Spartan jerked, trying to free himself which made Celestia take a step back and the guard to step forward. The white princess held her hoof out, letting her guard know that it was alright.
"Why are my arms locked down like a prisoner?" He asked.
This made Celestia's smile disappear. "I know you won't bring harm, but I cannot risk having you free after you were about to strike one of my royal guards."
"Your guard struck first. It is only natural that I repay the favor." Aniketos looked up towards the ceiling. "I understand if you fear me. And having me bind down while nude doesn't help it either." He looked back towards Celestia. "My scars are what frightens you, I know. It reveals my life I have gone though, and a guess of how many I've killed in the process."
"Silence!" Luna yelled out, noticing her sister grow uncomfortable with what the Spartan was speaking about. "Sister, I fear that he is too violent to keep in the room and I recommend he be put in the dungeon."
"Luna, I do not think that is the right choice to make, but in order to keep the safety for all ponies, I will consider your recommendation." Celestia turned to the lone guard. "Call for more guards."
Time had moved forward quickly as Aniketos walked through the hall, surrounded by dozens of guards with spears and the two princesses behind. He remained silent, trying to break free from the new light that surrounded his wrists. He had gain freedom of his ankles, but it was soon locked up as he accidentally tripped one of the guards, making the light bind his ankles enough that he can only walk. Walking down many steps, he arrived to his new cold room. He was shoved into a cell and he could only laugh at what was happening. All were about to walk away until he spoke out to Celestia.
"Celestia, I believe these restrains are no longer necessary to remain." He spoke.
She was silent, but nodded to what he had said. With a glow of her horn, she removed the light from his wrist and ankles. "I apologize for what we are doing, but it is for our own safety."
Aniketos walked up to the steel bars. "I understand." He said to her, seeing her form a small smile before she and Luna disappeared along with all but two royal guards. Aniketos knew he would be able to escape, but he kept himself calm, wanting to gain the trust of these 'ponies' they call themselves. He was in a new world after all.
Mercy was not a part of him, but it was the only thing he could do. He sat down, leaning his back onto the cold wall as he calmed himself. The low temperature did not bother him at all. He was trained young to survive in conditions such as this, though this was considered mild unlike the wilderness. These ponies are friendly, too friendly. Any other place would have killed me on the spot instead of healing my wound and putting me in a dungeon. He looked down to his lower body, seeing the latest scar of where the guard had struck him. He needs to repay them for what they done to help him, but first was to gain trust of the princesses. Especially Luna's as she's the one who only wants to rid of him.
