Chapter Twenty-One: Atrocities Revealed
Nasir waited with the other rebels while a mirror much like those in limbo was installed at the center of the space. He thought back to the words he shared with Johnny, 'Your man is warrior and it is difficult to love such a man. Be strong and come to me if necessary.' Johnny nodded in gratitude and spoke for a moment while their men spoke to one another. Nasir found mirrored image of self in Johnny, and he felt desire to befriend and be of service to one such a young age that has been forced into life of battle like Nasir was. There had never been a moment where he desired companionship, Chadara was a companion, someone who suffered at the hands of same Dominus, and their similar position placed them as kindred. Her death only solidified Nasir's desire to remain apart from those around him. Only Agron continued to desire company despite Nasir's choice an the German warrior had been fumbling and sincere so Nasir chose to open heart to him. Now with opportunity to live, another opportunity to enjoy the companionship of others was open to him and for once Nasir desired change.
It caused a further recollection to the moment Spartacus ripped collar an position from Nasir's throat, his desire to kill the man had waned over time but he would have killed Spartacus in that first day for the forced freedom but every moment since then has been blessing.
"You care for Johnny," Agron spoke gently as the large German settled into a chair with Nasir leaning against his side. Nasir seemed incapable of separating his body from Agron and felt no need to change such a thing at the moment. Agron did not seem to find fault in his closeness either. They both suffered at the loss of one another's death and thankful resurrection, Nasir unable to live and move forward without Agron and he understood that his beloved German had watched his death on these reflective mirrors as well.
"I see myself reflected in him, I see us reflected in them. I would befriend the young one to give him chance to survive this battle they see coming for them. I fear for them, Greer worries they cannot survive this."
Agron nodded, "You shall become as a brother to him than and he will be blessed for your presence. And we shall do what we can to see these people through the battle that comes for them."
Nasir smiled and nudged Agron's side gently as the gladiator's arm pulled him close. Nasir leaned down and kissed Agron, it seemed in recent times his desire to taste and touch the former gladiator had strengthened into insanity though fault could not be found in desire only discomfort at momentary separations. Nasir felt after long separation and believed death there was more reason to kiss and love one another more than ever.
When Greer stepped into the room all fell silent once more. He stepped forward and that's when Nasir noticed for one, Johnny followed Greer into room but the Queen, Tiana, as well. She stepped to the front and folded her hands gracefully at her waist and watched them.
"I wish to speak to you privately, not as production in front of my people. I may not agree with what my brother has done to you but there is no way to undo path now that our feet has stepped down upon it. I am leaving Greer as your commander, but he promised you and yours right to freedom and I would honor word as well. I hope you understand that if you can teach my people strength without powers, we may lose less loved ones during next battle. It shall take time to construct some homes for you and I would be pleased to leave your people in close proximity. I would leave you now to Greer; he will show you the losses we have suffered at the hands of Zarcorp. I hope you can understand worthy cause in exchange for second chance at life, we have attempted to leave this battle to the city but he comes for us again and again, we have no choice but to keep fighting back."
With that, the Queen bowed a little to them and walked from the room. Others whispered about her, the deference of her humility and kindness compared to the destructive power of the Dominus of Nasir's house and the slavery he and those of his kind had suffered at the hands of Roman people. Nasir knew some of the terrors that Agron and Spartacus had suffered within ludus. It would seem this woman is not born of the same cloth or she was more like Laeta who was kind and sweet but still Domina to hold their chains.
"And that is my little sister," Greer laughed in answer to their amazed whispers.
"You would name younger sister queen?" Gannicus shouted across the room, shocking many of them. Gannicus was always a loud man but this woman could indeed command them if she so chose and he would dare to question her right to authority.
Greer did not appear to be offended by Gannicus as he answered the gladiator's question, "Age and gender does not choose rulers here, it happens due to strength of magic and the choice of the Powers of the Ruler, a thing that is difficult for my understanding let alone my ability to explain it to you so I will not attempt it now. I promise it works for us, and does not have to make sense to any of you. For now though instead of sending you to see in person what kind of people Zarcorp has on its side I would show you some of our people's past in opposition with those we call enemy."
Greer reached out and slid his fingers across the mirror and once more they were watching a battle happen on the reflective surface. It was much like the battle they saw that morning in the arena, where there was magical fighting as well as fighting with sword and spear. "Oenomaus has seen this battle," he pointed out an attractive woman with black and silver hair who fought beautifully, utilizing steel and strength as well as magical abilities. Then pointed to a man that had slipped farther away from the woman and Nasir knew who they were even before Greer spoke, "This is my mother, Queen Zarkina and my father Sir William. They were two of the strongest fighters in our arsenal, but also the heart held close to center of our people. Much like Spartacus lead all of you, my mother and father refused to stand at the back and stay protected while their people perished. Much to our deep regret, they should have at least considered separating on the field of battle."
They watched when magical element was stolen from them, the queen fell and not much time passed before she perished and they watched Greer find himself at her side, saying goodbye to beloved mother and leader. His father fell around the same time and Nasir's chest ached at the loss for the man. Nasir did not remember his father and mother, barely recalled a brother but he caught sight of pain and love felt by the son for mother.
He slipped his finger against the mirror and it shifted to another scene of the Queen, Greer's mother, captured and chained to a wall. In front of her stood her husband and before anyone had a chance to demand answer to confusion Greer spoke again, "Zarcorp found a way to make someone appear as my father and the other person about to enter was another, made to look like Lady Erica, my mother's best friend."
Then the woman entered and they spoke and hit the Queen, causing lip to bleed and she spit it out. Her eyes moistened in the face of pain and betrayal when the other two pressed close to one another in a passionate kiss. Nasir watched as the Queen screamed and was dealt another hit that made him flinch against Agron's side. To believe she was betrayed by close friend and spouse is cruel tactic taken by the enemy. One they were aware of in the revealing of Lysiscus being Caesar or the Cilicians opening Sinuessa En Valley to the Romans to kill them all, this though chipped at the spirit of the enemy instead of the brute force of destruction that Nasir experienced.
Time after time, they watched as people were stolen from their beds to be tortured for nothing sometimes, there were towns that raped women to create more sons and daughters for Zarcorp's side. Another town took families and turned young children into gladiators against friends and family. So much of the pain and terror these people dealt with reminded Nasir of the lives they left behind when rebels took up cause against the Romans. It went on for so long he finally stood up from Agron and called attention to self, "I would have you stop."
Greer slipped fingers across the mirror and they found themselves looking at reflection once more, Greer pushed tears from cheeks and Nasir watched as Johnny slipped a finger to grip gently at Greer's hand, offering some small measure of comfort. "There is more proof to be found during years of struggle if any of you require more evidence."
Nasir watched as the other rebels around the room to see shaking heads and several with tears in eyes as well. "We find already known worthy cause doubly so due to atrocities heaped against your people."
Greer nodded and listened as others spoke similar words towards the beginning of training and such.
"I would be pleased to see Oenomaus resume former role as leader among the trainers, if that would please?"
There was a resounding agreement and Oenomaus smiled as he bowed his head and placed hand over heart, "Gratitude for offer."
Greer looked to Oenomaus, "I would seek to teach many in the sword, the spear, the bow and arrow as well as close combat and weaponless. I would also request endurance training, to strengthen our ability to fight and fight until no more stand between us and victory. My people are warriors but they do not fight without powers and do not have the belief in fighting to win and live because we have existed in stalemate with Zarcorp for much of our lives."
Oenomaus nodded in agreement, "I will see to it Sir Greer."
"I hope to send the first fighters to you tomorrow morning and I plan to start sending those with ability to cancel magic's access within days. It shall be difficult but I have seen the strength and power in your people and I believe that if anyone can teach us to live, it will be your people."
With that, Greer and Johnny left to give them privacy in which to speak of what they should be doing the next day. Oenomaus stood and looked to each of them, "Mira and Saxa should seek out the women hoping to fight, instruct in ways to bring men to their knees. Nasir and Castus lead the spear training," Oenomaus looked to him and Nasir nodded. Castus had grown strong with the spear and he would see no other at his side with such a weapon. He wondered what Agron would believe about them when asked to work together. He believed Agron no longer plagued by the petty jealousy he struggled with previously and Nasir saw no desire to have constant companionship with Castus but they would be the best of trainers for the weapon of choice though both men trained with sword and spear as well.
"Gannicus, I would have you spar with many and force others to fight with any weapons retrieved on field as well as the ability to fight with two swords instead of shield." The previous champion of the arena nodded as Oenomaus continued his assignments, "Agron and Crixus, help with murmillo training of sword and shield."
Nasir knew it was where Agron excelled but of course placing him in equal standing with Crixus without Naevia and Nasir to keep anger from spiking between them would make for a less than ideal situation. The two gladiators sneered at each other and Nasir heard his German speak, "Fucking Gaul."
Crixus laughed as though he knew Agron's words from across the room, which was a possibility. Nasir bumped into Agron who pulled him close once more with hand against opposite hip. Within moments they were relieved to duty to have the rest of the evening before long days of training would begin once more. Nasir knew that after such a time away from constant sparring and fighting they would be weary in the coming days. He felt gratitude for the energy he felt now as opposed to the death he felt weighing on his bones when they were in the place called limbo. Returning to form would take time and energy so Nasir pulled Agron to shared room and shut door, a rare form of privacy they had never had before this place.
"We return to purpose on the morn," Agron whispered as he pressed Nasir close to the wall. Nasir loved when his tall lover was pressed against him, feeling the heat from his skin and the beat of his heart. He reached up and pulled Agron close to share kiss, nibbling at Agron's lips pulling groan from Agron's throat. It was a power he held over Agron, one he had never experienced in his life before becoming lovers with the German. When he was touched, fucked or fucking his Dominus, it was never about him and always about beauty stolen or power. Agron's body and pleasure was something of a gift and a miracle even now.
Nasir pulled back just enough to allow words to whisper between their lips and sharing the precious air between them, "Should we not spend time with Duro and the others?" he asked.
Agron smiled, "I would give gift promised for later."
Nasir tugged Agron close for another kiss, pulling back to speak. "Promise?"
His beloved German grinned before pushing Nasir across the small room and down upon bed. He refused to lay down for this though it was a rare occasion for Nasir to take it upon himself to take the more active role in their lovemaking. It had always been an affirmation of the emotions he felt for Agron while Agron seemed to need the constant sexual connection. Nasir loved to lay with his gladiator but it would never be the same after living as slave, body slave or no, he had been used often for only his cock and ass, being put on display and treated as toy to be played with for guests of his Dominus and he had done so to survive. Agron had never done so; it was reason Nasir felt passion and pleasure at all in the German's arms
This place though shifted Nasir's mind and heart towards freedom with more than just the will to fight. He would no longer play the passive role when they had opportunity to only be free together with no chance of being retaken by the Romans as before. Nasir tugged off his boots, leggings and vest before he helped Agron to do the same.
"Impatient little dog," Agron said as he sat down on the side of the bed. Nasir slipped his leg over waist and pressed close, their cocks rubbing against one another making both men grunt and groan in response to closeness. Nasir rocked his hips into Agron's over and over, giving them friction to achieve pleasurable end but then he had plans for Agron that extended beyond mere friction.
"I would find pleasure from being inside you," Nasir whispered along Agron's cheek, slipping his tongue and teeth along his jawbone and close to the larger man's sleek throat.
Agron sucked in a deep breath in response; Nasir and Agron shared equal pleasure in being inside the other. Agron was a strong warrior but he was not one that felt need to refuse Nasir's request in need of retaining strength in the eyes of his fellow warriors, something that made Agron ever more attractive and loving partner to Nasir who had constantly been used by Dominus and those visiting the man to show dominance and power, but that was never intent for Agron.
"Would you have me astride or beneath you, my heart?" Agron whispered as he continued to lave tongue down the side of Nasir's neck, down his chest to his nipple.
Nasir tried to think about the question at hand, due to their height difference some positions would not work with Nasir inside Agron but they had found equal passion with Agron astride, riding his cock and it gave him pleasure to think of what was to come. "I want you on top of me," he finally choked out through the passionate embrace.
Agron stood, holding Nasir in his arms before he turned to settle Nasir onto the bed slowly. The larger man used his still superior strength to slide Nasir down his body, to feel all his muscles and the hardened cock wishing for attention. Nasir allowed himself to be settled on the blankets and watched as Agron pulled oil close before he turned sideways on the bed and without pause, started to prepare himself for Nasir's penetration.
"Agron, you attempt to force heart from chest," Nasir moaned at the sight. Agron did not do this often because Nasir honestly loved the feel of the larger man filling him so completely. This was a delicious view to behold, one of rare beauty.
"I wish only to show appreciation for pleasure freely given," Agron husked out in breathy moans before he finally took free man and coated Nasir's cock with oil and climbed over his waist to impale himself slowly on Nasir. Agron's hands slipped down to brace himself against Nasir's chest while Syrian's grip slipped up warm thighs to hips and as soon as they were so close there was no air in between, Nasir rolled his hips pressing forward and then back out in shallow thrusts. Agron's head was thrown back for a moment as he rose in counter to Nasir's rolling rhythm before pressing back in once more. Nasir held strong to slow lovemaking until Agron started speaking in German and he could not fight the spike in passion his guttural words always seemed to cause in Nasir and their movements became more harried while Nasir's hand slipped from Agron's hip to wrap around his straining cock. They held nothing back, pumping together towards passionate release and with a few more thrusts, Nasir could feel Agron tightening around him as his cock spread warm seed all over his chest and Nasir followed quickly with a groan.
Agron slipped from Nasir's shaft and settled beside his love and turned to stare into the Syrian's dark eyes with smug look upon his own, "It has been too long since such pleasure has been received."
"I would not see such a length of time again without the pleasure," Nasir returned, kissing Agron gently before they rose to clean up and settle back into each other's arms to rest. Tomorrow would see them serving cause and weary at days' end.