Chapter Twelve: Victory
Nasir walked forward, following Spartacus to the front of their rebel ranks, finding Naevia standing in wait. Nasir nodded to his dear sister to which she returned knowing gesture. Nasir felt Lugo to his left and Castus on his right as they took in the sight of the Romans before them. There were so many of them, Nasir thought with feral grin upon lips
Castus spoke, "They stand an ocean."
"As when Crixus was swept from shores of the living," Naevia recalled distantly.
Nasir saw the dull rage in her gaze, wishing to be unleashed and when she returned gaze he found reason to break silence, "They but offer opportunity to swim in a sea of Roman blood."
Spartacus looked to Nasir, then to Naevia and there was pain in his gaze for the loss of Crixus and Agron but he did not speak to the loss, because neither warrior would welcome the words now. He whispered, "Great and unfortunate things."
Nasir frowned as Naevia stepped closer, "Your words carry meaning?" she questioned.
Spartacus gives sad smile, "A warning given voice by loving wife to a man who no longer exists." He paused and Naevia took his hand in comfort for but a moment then Spartacus turned to speak to his people, "Soon Crassus will give command, and we shall face his legions in open battle! We stand in shadow of greater might, as their Republic casts across the lives of every man, every woman and every child condemned to the darkness of slavery, forced to toil and suffer so that those of coin and position can see their fortunes grown beyond need or purpose. Let us teach them that all who draw breath are of equal worth and that those that seek to place heel upon the throat of liberty will fall to the cry of freedom!"
A shout rent the air from those standing behind Nasir but nothing mattered but the coming blood. When they saw spears loosed into the sky Spartacus called for the charge and they ran. Nasir could feel the strength gathering in his legs and his heart beat within chest, proving that for now he was still alive, ready to kill all those who came before him.
Then Spartacus halted their advance, and watched as Romans fell into pit and died upon spikes before Spartacus called for archers. Calling for Testudo was not a surprise as Rebel Commander knew and planned for it, pulling out the ramp in which they would press down upon heads of the Romans. Nasir found himself amidst the Roman soldiers and he started to bring them down. He felt spear pierce flesh of nearest soldier and sick pleasure was derived as Nasir hissed at the sucking sound of his spear releasing from flesh. He could hear Lugo and Castus close to back as they pushed through the ranks of the Romans.
Then Crassus called for raining fire and Nasir called out to Lugo barely escaping a falling ball of fire. They moved forward at the command of Spartacus as he sent Naevia and her ranks to aid Gannicus at the rear where they were forcing Crassus army to split focus against him and Saxa and their army. Nasir, Lugo and Castus fought close to Spartacus side. They cut through more and more of these men and Nasir finally found himself bathed in blood as he so desperately wished for.
Nasir focused on his protectors in time to see Castus had moved far from his side and a Roman upon horse was rushing his back. Nasir felt fear for one who would call him friend and beloved only if he had known Nasir first, "Castus!" he screamed out in warning.
Castus turned to slowly as Nasir raced to his side, hoping to end rider's life before he ended Castus but it was not to be so. Lugo followed close behind, striking down any who would seek to end Nasir as well. The Syrian caught Castus as he fell, sword having slit him clean through his chest from waist to shoulder, blood staining the ground quickly as Castus fought to breath. Nasir did not try to stem the flow, it was useless and he would have his hand remain on his weapon in case Lugo fell as well.
"Castus," he whispered, saddened not for the death of beloved lover but of dear friend, someone who could have shared similar joys but for the Cilician's relentless passion for a lover and Nasir's weak nature.
Castus was only the third person to ever demand Nasir to be in his life, seeking Nasir's company frequently despite Agron's jealousy or Nasir's reticence. Nasir may not have ever been capable of giving heart but Castus deserved more than he received in life.
Castus looked into Nasir's eyes, "I wish for one small touch in end of life given freely for freedom and you."
Nasir, knowing Lugo guarded back leaned down and pressed lips to Castus in light kiss, knowing the touch would undoubtedly leave blood upon his lips, a vivid reminder of all these Roman shits steal from them. He could give no more and no less than that one touch, Castus stilled beneath him and he looked up at the Romans still fighting all around. With a bloodthirsty cry that rang above all the other sounds of the field of battle Nasir jerked into motion again, leaving Lugo to follow quickly as they pushed forward once more.
Till the end.
Agron wept for Nasir as he continued after the fall of Castus. The kiss meant nothing; it was a deathbed request that Nasir had given in. The moment when Castus started taking final breath, Greer tapped mirror freezing the moment for an instant.
"A way to find moment again in such chaos of full war," Greer explained.
Agron nodded and gasped when view switched to the other end of battle. The screen split view both so Greer could see Nasir and Lugo who were fighting close to Spartacus as their rebel commander to take to the hill to seek end to Crassus.
Agron watched as Saxa fell, in the arms of Gannicus. She spoke in German and Agron translated private moment, seemingly unable to deny her understanding. "I again find myself in your arms," Agron whispered while Greer tapped mirror once more. It seemed the deaths were coming faster when Naevia fell in battle with Gannicus shouting for her loss as well. Greer again tapping screen gently while Agron looked around, thankful to find Crixus not there to see her demise this time. When Greer was prepared to take them from their resting place upon field, then they would seek Crixus and the others to watch it happen. Naevia would come to with Crixus' arms around her as was only right.
Agron winced as Gannicus fought to the last ounce of strength and as he fell to his knees, Caesar was in front of him. Gannicus grinned sickly grin as Caesar knocked him out. Then Agron refocused as Spartacus fell to spears through chest and leg, bringing him to his knees. But Crassus attempted to take final breath when Nasir and Lugo were upon hill to save Spartacus and send Crassus from hilltop. Nasir stared down at the man as Lugo pulled Spartacus up from the ground and called out, "Nasir, we must depart!"
Agron watched the rage simmer within Nasir's gaze as he wished to take final vengeance against the man who took Agron from him but he turned to Lugo and Spartacus to help escape to the mountains and the remains of their people. Lugo pulled and tugged Spartacus along, Nasir giving aid to purpose only to be set upon by clutch of soldiers. Nasir turned back and started fighting once more. Agron watched as his Syrian's movements became slow and erratic. Agron pressed close as Nasir faded and Lugo pressed Spartacus gently to ground before joining in protecting of Nasir and Spartacus. Agron's breathing became pants of tension gripping his movements.
Someone grabbed him just before he touched the mirror and he turned to see Johnny holding his arm then turned to watch as Nasir moved to strike down final man before him when injured man fell but had enough strength to drive sword through Nasir's stomach. Nasir screamed out his pain as Lugo bashed in the man's head and caught at Nasir as he struggled to stand. There was nothing to do besides push away from Lugo as another clutch of men advanced on them. Nasir continued to fight, watching as one slit open Lugo's stomach before they were finally able to pull away from advancing men. Despite blood left on ground Spartacus rejoined the surviving group of slaves, Laeta holding fast to Spartacus hand while Nasir pressed cloth to his own leaking wound. Lugo laid down a short distance away with Sibyl at his side as he drew final breath and slipped into final resting place.
Agron's eyes shimmered, watching another brother finding final breath. He watched as others attempt to lift Spartacus but he would not be moved, and they were left to say their farewells.
"I would rest awhile," Spartacus told them.
Another man, meant to stay with those who remain spoke, "We cannot stay here."
"No you cannot," Spartacus replied. "Nor can I follow."
Agron's eyes filled once more as Nasir's eyes filled with rare tears, Spartacus turned to him, "Do not shed tear my brother. There is no greater victory than to fall from this world a free man."
Nasir visually pulled himself together as Spartacus struggled for final breath as the sky darkened and rain began to fall. Then he spoke gently, "I recall the stories of the Bringer of Rain, the same man I would have attempted to kill in response for taking my life as it was and yet," Nasir's voice was still and sure, "One day, Rome shall fall yet you shall always be remembered in the hearts of all who yearn for freedom."
"We must go," Laeta said as Spartacus grew still.
"I would rest a while here," Nasir spoke gently, as he could not stem the flood from his wound. He would stay at Spartacus side, Agron knew until death.
"I would stay and keep company, hearing the tale of Gannicus, God of the arena," Sibyl stated and Nasir nodded. Laeta moved to argue but the other woman stood her ground, "I would join with you later if the gods deem it so."
With those final words, Sibyl and Nasir were left behind. Nasir stood and started the burial process until he was to weak to move then he settled down with Sibyl close to his side and nothing between him and the afterlife but time and blood upon ground.
"Is it time?" Agron demanded as Greer tapped the mirror once more.
"It is, let me seek through time once more alone and then we shall see ourselves to field where we shall have all the space we need to take those we would choose to save."
Agron nodded and left the building, returning to the sparring field, watching battle and doing nothing had him desperate for fighting and blood. He would train these newest recruits until Greer called to them once more.
