Prologue
It was the age of the old Roman Republic.
Far in the East, tribes of Doubters and their Foruciannic allies threatened the province of Roman Asia. Nervous whispers of war drums, camp-fires and inhuman, monkey-like cackling along the Republic's long Eastern border flow westwards towards Rome. Before long, Her Senate could ignore them no longer.
To answer Asia's pleas for help, the Senate appointed a new Praetor to do battle with the Doubters: Praetor Secundus Altare Regis Morius, also known as Morius the Younger. Altare, a seasoned warrior, went by many names. To many Romans, plebeians and patricians alike, he was known as the triumphant Doubtericus , Slayer of Doubters. To the senators, he was the cunning dominus daemonium , Demon Lord.
But to Altare's legionaries, the five thousand strong Legio V Stella Elysium with whom he fought alongside in the Copiumic Wars, he was also simply known as Leader.
" Ave Praetor Altare! Ave Doubtericus! Ave Leader! " His men greeted him at their camp, crying out and lauding his many names. The legionaries flew their banners high and their golden Phoenix signifiers sparkled in the sun.
"Aww, you guys." The soft-spoken Altare nearly blushed in front of his men at first. One of the newer centurion officers was startled by the decorated man's voice, but the other centurions shushed him.
" Faatus! You fool!" The senior centurions snapped at the newcomer, "Do you want to get your cohort decimated! Because that's how you get your cohort decimated!"
Altare glanced towards the centurions whispering amongst themselves. A cryptic, frigid smile formed on Altare's lips. The centurions promptly fell silent.
"Thought so." Altare whispered deviously.
He took a deep breath, held his head high and addressed his Legio with a louder, firmer voice.
"Ave, my brothers in Mars. Ave! The Senate has given me imperium to lead Stella Elysium again. We shall go East to do battle with the Doubters in Asia. Lend me your strength once more and we shall humiliate the Doubters and feast on their salty tears yet again - like we have done a thousand times before!"
The centurions and the legionaries cheered. They, too, were now as eager for battle as Altare. The Praetor was filled with pride, but there was one more task that tradition tasked him to accomplish.
Altare was to seek an audience with the Pontifex Maximus, offer sacrifices to Jupiter, receive an augury and pray for victory in battle, fair weather and favorable fortunes in his campaign.
All for the glory of Rome.
It was at this point, however, that Altare faced a fortunate misfortune.
The old Pontifex in Rome had passed away and the new Pontifex was still in their estate in the Province of Asia.
Aside from their Asian heritage, little was known about the new high priest.
"At least I won't have to take many trips." Altare counted his blessings.
And so, with springs in their steps and good winds in their sails, Altare and Legio V left Rome and sailed to Asia to do their duty. Little did Altare know that his fortune did not come without cost. A peculiar pint-sized storm of irritable, mercurial and precipitous misfortune was waiting for him in Roman Asia.
A familiar storm with blue hair just like his.
A storm that didn't give a damn about Altare's rising fame and imperium.
A storm that knew the true Altare from before he became Doubtericus .
A storm named Prima Kobo Kanaeru Morius, also known as Morius the Elder.
Altare's behated little big sister.
My Annoying Little Big Sister Is The Pontifex Maximus!?
A KobAlt, Roman AU Sibling Rivalry Story
~ I ~
Altare and his Legio V arrived in the Province of Asia by sea and marched towards the estate of the new Pontifex in the heart of Asia. Everywhere they went, from the docks to the city forum, they were greeted with much fanfare. Children showed off wooden figurines of the famous Doubtericus as he and his entourage passed by. Their parents flew the banners of Stella Elysium and decorated their homes with Phoenixes. All of them shouted and cheered for Altare, calling him by his many names.
Praetor.
Doubtericus.
Dominus Daemonium.
However, as the bustling urban centers of the large cities gave way to the rolling hills and open fields of the outskirts, the crowds thinned and the warm welcome cooled. It was there on the road to the estate of the Pontifex Maximus that Altare and his legion would meet their gracious host.
Even from far away, the Pontifex Maximus and their train of attendants were visible. The blue sashes over their togas and the blue parasols they carried contrasted the green grass and the leaves of the many vineyards that dotted the land.
"Stella Elysium!" Altare cried, "Form up for inspection! The Pontifex Maximus approaches!"
Altare's centurions echoed the call to the legionnaires. The five thousand men followed their orders and presented themselves to their approaching guest. Altare himself knelt down on the dirt road and lowered his head reverently.
The train of attendants drew close. Soon, the shadow of a parasol loomed over Altare.
Without looking up, Altare watched the parasol's shadow. It was the parasol of the Pontifex Maximus. The unusual, ornate-looking shadow and the rustling of beads and jewelries in the wind gave it away.
So, Altare greeted the high cleric with his clear and gallant voice.
"Oh dear Pontifex Maximus, it is an honor to have you come all this way to meet us! By Jupiter and Mars, if this is not an auspicious sign then I do not know what is!"
It was just like Altare practiced: a cool and calm demeanor that he perfected over the years - a manner of speech and gesture that could sway the toughest of Senators to grant him more imperium.
The Pontifex Maximus, however, was not swayed. There was no answer to Altare's practiced greeting.
It didn't work…!?
Tension started to grip at Altare's heart. Did he say something to offend the pontiff? Worse yet - did he say something that would anger the gods?
Whispers started breaking out amongst the legion. They, too, were afraid of the same thing.
Altare had to save face.
"We have traveled this way by sea, oh high pontiff. We bring you tribute from Italia ." He added. His composure was shaken ever so slightly. "Good Roman wine and copium! Funds for the next Games to be held in Asia! The regards of the Senate, too! The finest of animals will also be sacrificed to the gods and in your honor!"
His true thoughts, however, were descending into panic.
Are you toying with me!? I'm a Praetor, damn it! Why the hell aren't you answering me! The Senate will hear about this Pontifex whoever you are! Just you wait!
Impatience and frustration started to win out over Altare's caution. His dutiful reverence was turning into disappointment and salty, childish rage. He glared at the shadow before him and saw something strange about the pontiff looming over him.
Their stature was short.
Too short.
Familiarly short.
All of a sudden, the figure in front of him snickered. Then, it burst into childish laughter.
Laughing at me!? That's the last straw!
Altare raised his head from where he knelt. Under the parasol of the Pontifex Maximus, he saw a familiar face. It was a youthful maiden with wave-like blue hair and silver piercings on her ears. She grinned menacingly at Altare and burst into laughter.
"That look. Kneeling on the ground to me. It suits you, dear brother!" The petite Pontifex teased, "You should stay like this for the rest of your life, REGUS!"
"Wah! Kobo!" Altare lashed back angrily, "You son of a Phoenix!"
Kobo, the devilish little Pontifex Maximus, stuck out her tongue and jeered, "EHE!"
Again, the whispers rumbled from the ranks of his legionaries. Altare's cold glares could only silence so many of his men. Before the whispers could get out of hand, though, Kobo cleared her throat and made her announcement to the crowd.
"Listen to me, men of the Fifth Legion. The gods are pleased by the offerings that your Praetor has brought from Italia ." Kobo raised her parasol high for the soldiers to see, "Neptune favored your travels through the seas and Jupiter graced your march to meet us on the road." She turned to Altare now and offered the ornate parasol to him, "Rise up, Praetor Altare Regis. Rise, for you and your legion - brave defenders of Asia - will have the honor of escorting the Pontifex of the gods back to her estate!"
Altare's jaw dropped to the ground. He didn't expect Kobo to speak and act with solemn grace like that. The last time Altare saw his sister, she was just a spoiled brat without a lick of poise and gravitas. Now, under the shade of the blue parasol, Kobo Kanaeru looked like a true, blue Pontifex Maximus.
"We shall have the honor indeed." Altare took the parasol from Kobo and turned to his men, "Stella Elysium! Our march continues!"
His men gave their war cries and raised up their standards. The blue parasols of the Pontifex and the golden Phoenixes of the standards shimmered under the sunlight. With that, Legio V joined with the attendants of the Pontifex and they marched together towards Kobo's estate.
The brother and sister walked under the ornate parasol. Altare held the parasol high and stole a glance of his smaller, older sister. Kobo glanced at him too, but she pouted and turned away. She ignored her brother and proceeded to call some of her attendants to go over the rituals and ceremonies they had in store for Altare and the legion.
Altare snorted and called some of his centurions to walk with him and talk business too.
Altare could live with that.
He wasn't in Asia to meet his sister, after all. He was there to fulfill his traditional duty and to fight for the glory of Rome. Kobo probably thought the same thing.
The sooner they could put this meeting behind them, Altare thought, the better.
~ II ~
By sunset, the soldiers and clerics arrived at the estate of the Pontifex Maximus, a rustic Roman villa that was a day's march away from the borders of Roman Asia. It was a large house on a hill surrounded by olive trees, vineyards and fountains. Only a low, stone wall enclosed the estate, so the villa blended in with the rolling hills and grasslands of the countryside.
Kobo welcomed her guests to her relatively large home, but she and her attendants were not able to accommodate a whole army. Only Altare, his centurions and a few dozen more officers were allowed to attend the ceremonies and rituals. The rest of the legion set up camp outside the estate.
With that, Kobo began her religious service for the coming battle.
Altare watched as Kobo sacrificed the animals brought to her for the ceremony. She offered them to the gods and performed her divination: searching for auspices in the innards of the animals and in the smoke and sway of the flames that burned them. Kobo did her duty eagerly and turned to the soldiers gathered in her home.
"The gods have spoken." Kobo declared, pointing to the flames in the pit, "Do not be distracted by the fog of war. Advance carefully and keep a united front so that your battle for the glory of Rome." She turned to Altare now and showed her bloody hands, "The enemies you face are crafty. Stay calm and level-headed, but do not be afraid to trust your gut. Do this, and many enemies shall fall and Mars will surely be pleased."
The centurions and the other officers, pleased by Kobo's words, cheered for their good fortune. Altare, however, had a sinking feeling in his gut. He had the invincible Legio V at his side. He had been expecting that the gods would deliver him a swift, decisive victory - not a battle where victory could somehow be snagged from their hands.
Hmph. I'll just have to prove this brat wrong in tomorrow's battle. We'll make those Doubters cry rivers. You'll see what my Stella Elysium can do, Kobo. You little twerp!
Either way, Kobo washed her hands and moved on to the last phase of their ceremony: the feast!
Kobo's attendants brought out food and drink for the guests at the Pontifex's table. Even the legionnaires camped outside the large estate had their share delivered to them in wagons. Music was played for the household. Centurions and veteran attendants alike, drunk on their wine and copium, told tall tales about their exploits.
Kobo cheered her guests on. She raised a goblet of wine and called on Bacchus to bless their feast. However, Altare saw that Kobo drank very little wine and made that one tiny goblet last the whole night.
Before long, the feast came to an end. The officers and the attendants had their fill of meat, bread, wine and copium and retired for the night. Altare was just about to join his men en route to their camp, but he suddenly felt someone tug at the sleeve of his toga.
Altare was just about to join his men in their camp, but he felt someone tug at the sleeve of his toga.
It was his sister.
"Hey. Regus." Kobo started, "Leaving already?"
Unlike when Kobo was performing her religious duties, she was talking in the same bratty way that she did when the two of them still lived under the same roof.
Now that his centurions were too drunk to notice, Altare dropped his act and scoffed.
"We're done for today, aren't we?" Altare asked directly, "If that's the case, then I'll go back to camp with my boys and we'll call it a night."
"Hah!? That's all you have to say?" Kobo challenged, fuming at her taller younger brother, "We haven't seen each other for years and this is how you treat me? That's pretty rude, Regus."
"I'm a Praetor, Kobo. And you're the Pontifex Maximus." Altare countered, "I came here to do business and that's that."
"I don't care if you're Praetor! I don't care how many Doubters you've killed for Rome!" Kobo whirled her hands around angrily, "You're still my little brother! Even if you become Consul like daddy, you'll always be my little brother! At least try to act like one!"
Altare furrowed his brow. He wanted to shout back at Kobo at first. In the many years they've lived together, Altare had many gripes that he had with his annoying little big sister. However, he noticed something odd.
There were tears at the side of Kobo's blue eyes.
This wasn't some childish bit or prank.
He knew Kobo was speaking from the heart.
Altare knew this, but he wasn't about to change course so quickly.
"Fine." Altare conceded, but his voice remained impatient. He folded his arms and raised his head, "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"First, drop the freaking attitude, Regus." Kobo pointed at Altare.
"Attitude…!?" Altare started, but Kobo cut him off.
"Second - spend the night here in the villa." Kobo folded her arms this time and pouted, "Mommy and Daddy asked me to check in on you when you dropped by. They want a full written report in papyrus."
"A full written report!?" Altare scratched the back of his head, "Can't you just make something up?"
"You really want to try lying to Mommy Kiwawa?" Kobo glared at Altare.
Altare shuddered. The last time he lied to Kiara as a child, a volcano nearly erupted. He - and just about everyone in Italia - learned what it meant to fear the gods. Even his dad Calli and all his imperium couldn't save him from Kiara's wrath. It was an experience that Altare didn't want to repeat.
Altare shrugged.
"Alright. I'll stay the night so you can write your report. Happy?"
"Hmph. A little. Maybe." Kobo nodded and put her hands on her hips. Then she made one last demand, "Also, call me Princeps . Just like you did before back in the day."
" Princeps? No deal." Altare shot her down without any hesitation. He turned away and started walking out of the villa.
"Wait!" Kobo gripped Altare's toga, "Fine, just stay the night! You don't have to call me Princeps . Stupid Regus."
Altare turned around and accepted the compromise - though he knew it was him who was doing the compromising. Kobo's sour expression turned sweet in a heartbeat. Altare had almost forgotten how quickly Kobo's emotions shifted.
She really is just like the summer rain.
Left without a choice, Altare gave his centurions - the ones who were still sober enough to listen - their marching orders, telling them not to wait for him. Then, Altare let the excited Kobo lead him to the villa's guest house.
Spending time with the new Pontifex Maximus was not something that Altare had been planning to do.
Spending time with his estranged sister, however? Perhaps he could spare that one night.
For Kobo's sake.
~ III ~
Later that evening, Altare settled into the guest house of Kobo's estate. He poured himself a cup of wine mixed with copium and drank his nightcap drink before bed. Despite the effects of the finest Roman copium, Altare found it hard to sleep.
Even without a sundial, Altare could guess that it was the third hour past midnight - the Horae of Mercury.
Altare tossed and turned on the soft and comfortable bed. He was so used to roughing it in tents at camp with his legion, so it took him some time to adjust to his luxurious lodgings. More than that, the whirlwind of events that happened that day lingered in his mind.
Every time Altare tried to close his eyes, he remembered his younger years with Kobo.
Back then, Kobo truly was the big sister. She was taller than him and she flexed on him - at least when their Mommy and Daddy weren't home. Altare hated it whenever Kiara went on her diplomatic missions and when Calli had to go to the Senate to discuss yet another Civil War. Those were times when Altare, sometimes literally, lived under Kobo's shadow.
All of the charisma and gravitas that Altare had built up to become Prator were things that he had to work hard on over the years. In his youth, he had a lisp and nervous speech impediments that made the other Patrician kids laugh at him and pick on him when their Greek teachers weren't looking.
Altare winced at his own thoughts.
Whenever that happened, that mercurial brat Kobo would…
He shook his head and groaned.
I need more copium.
The restless Praetor got out of bed and sauntered towards his copium bottle when he saw a shadow in the moonlight shifting about the guest house. All of a sudden, a tiny pebble struck his side.
"Wah!? What the…?" Altare growled, "An enemy attack!?"
He clenched his fists and searched for his gladius sword, preparing himself for a pitched battle. Rather than a Doubter, though, Altare found himself face to face with his sister Kobo.
Kobo had another pebble in one hand and a jug of water in another. Her face went pale in front of Altare and she scrambled to hide the evidence of her mischief.
"R-Regus…!" Kobo stammered, "Fancy seeing you here!"
"This is the guest house!" Altare called her out, "You gave me this room, stupid!"
The brother and the sister glared at each other and shouted at the same time, "You little shit!"
A tense moment of pause gripped the guest house.
Then, the sibling burst into laughter.
"Gods above, you sounded like mommy Kiwawa!" Kobo guffawed.
"And so do you!" Altare snickered, laughing until nearly cried, "Maybe you're not adopted after all, Kobo!"
"Hah!?" Kobo lashed out, shifting gears on a dime like the mercurial brat that she was. She pouted and bristled at Altare, jabbing him with the jug of water, "Say that again Regus! I dare you!"
"I'm just kidding!" Altare promptly apologized, still snickering.
Seeing the pouting Kobo made old memories come rushing back to Altare's mind.
He sat down on his bed and turned to his little big sister, "So, why did you try to ambush me at the Third Hour?"
Kobo set aside her jug and her pebble and joined her hands behind her back. Underneath the silver moonlight, Kobo beamed at Altare and spoke.
"Hey Regus. Let's play, just like we used to back in Italia ."
A wry smile formed on Altare's lips.
"Real gladiuses?" He asked, "The ones I've got are military-grade, you know. They're used to fight Doubters."
"Scared that I can still beat the crap out of you?" Kobo raised her brow.
"Game on." Altare accepted the challenge.
~ IV ~
Kobo and Altare marched out to the moonlit courtyard of the villa. The siblings, clad in their lighter tunics, carried a gladius sword each. Cool, nighttime winds rustled the olive trees while the sloshing waters of the courtyard filled the air. Meanwhile, a spare blue parasol sat on the ground by the bushes.
"Last chance to back out, Kobo." Altare taunted.
"You wish." Kobo swung her gladius through the air, making the blade sing, "I'm not gonna hold back, Regus!"
"And neither will I…!"
As soon as Altare said this, he gripped his sword firmly and rushed towards his little big sister. Kobo's blue eyes shimmered and she steadied her stance.
Gladius clashed against gladius and the two siblings squared off. Altare swung his sword with the confidence of a veteran of a dozen campaigns against the Doubters, but Kobo was no slouch with the sword either. Thrusts, slashes, feints and parries traded between the two with incredible speed.
"You've gotten stronger, Regus." Kobo commented, grinning from behind her gladius, "My little brother is finally moving up in the world!"
"Heh - and you haven't lost your edge." Altare replied, locking blades with Kobo, "I was worried that this whole Pontifex Maximus business would have made you soft."
"Soft!? Never!" Kobo denied, pushing back against her brother, "If I go soft, who's gonna protect little Regus from those snobby Patrician kids who bullied him, huh?"
"You still remember that?" Altare asked.
"How could I possibly forget!?"
The clash continued. Sparks flew between the gladiuses of Kobo and Altare. In those sparks the memories that Altare had suppressed came to life in the moonlight.
He remembered the many times that he came home crying to their father's villa in Italia . He remembered how Kobo would rush to Altare, demanding to know who hurt him. Then, once she knew the names, Kobo would grab Altare, pick up a parasol and proceed to beat up her brother's bullies until they were Roman purple!
Altare butted heads with his sister often and they were almost always at odds in their home. However, whenever Kobo came to his aid, Altare thought that his big sister was really freaking cool. She also started training swordplay with him whenever Calli and Kiara weren't at home.
Thanks to Kobo's mentorship, Altare grew stronger and more confident. Thanks to his little big sister, Altare was able to grow and reach for the stars.
Altare smiled graciously. He swung his sword now with all his strength. Kobo met him halfway, but Altare was prepared. He twisted his blade with incredible skill and sent Kobo's gladius flying out of her hands!
"What the…!" Kobo gasped. She saw the blue parasol in the corner of her eyes.
Kobo ducked under Altare's gladius and rolled through the grass. She picked up the parasol and whacked Altare's kneecap in one smooth motion.
"Ow, damn!" Altare cursed.
"I hit you…!" Kobo couldn't believe it herself at first, but she started to cheer, "I hit you, Regus! I won!"
Altare wanted to protest, but the absolute joy radiating from Kobo's face and her excited, rhythmless victory dance told him to do otherwise. Kobo was almost screeching like a banshee, glowing with joy that was completely unbecoming of a Pontifex Maximus - but it warmed Altare's heart.
~ V ~
Defeated, Altare heaved a heavy sigh. He picked up Kobo's gladius and swung it through the air.
"Alright, alright. That counts, you little raindrop." Altare conceded, "But let's make it best out of three."
"Oho? Still can't accept defeat, huh?" Kobo rested her parasol on her neck, "Since my little brother still wants to play, I have no choi…"
Before Kobo could finish her taunt, however, panicked birds flew out from the estate's olive trees in droves. Something startled them. Then, one by one, the torches in the estate went off one by one. Muffled screams of Kobo's attendants were stopped halfway through, left and right.
Altare didn't need to perform a full augury to know what was going on. He knew that sound - that deafening silence - from anywhere.
Kobo looked up to the startled birds and to the looming darkness in her estate. Then, she turned to her brother.
"Regus - what the hell's going on!?" Kobo asked.
"Shhh…" Altare shushed his sister and whispered, "Doubters. A lot of them." He watched the unnatural movements between the trees of the villa, "Knowing them, they probably saw the camp outside the estate and thought they could get sneaky."
"Here!?" Kobo struggled to stay quiet.
When Kobo said this, one of her attendants came running towards the courtyard.
"Pontifex! Pontifex!" The attendant cried, struggling to catch her breath, "There's Doubters in the villa! There's so many of them!"
Behind the attendant, a pair of Doubters chased after her. Their inhuman, monkey-like frames scrambled on all fours desperately. The sight, smell and sound of living, breathing human females activated the neurons of the repressed creatures and they shrieked like the barbaric beasts that they were.
Kobo scoffed at the sight of the overstimulated Doubters snorting and shouting at her attendant. The Pontifex pulled off the belt of her tunic and turned it into a sling. Then, she picked up the other pebble that she had set aside earlier.
"Regus!" Kobo slotted the pebble into her sling and whirled it around until it whistled.
"You don't have to tell me." Altare reassured. He had a gladius in each hand and held them both firmly, "Let's go!"
At this signal, Kobo hurled the pebble at the two doubters. It struck one Doubter in the head and bounced off to hit the other Doubter on the chest! Then, Altare lunged forward with both gladiuses and slashed the two Doubters dead in their tracks.
The attendant saw the carnage in the wake of the two siblings and shuddered. Under the moonlight that night, Altare's green eyes and Kobo's blue seemed to take on a curiously reddish hue. It made the attendant feel uneasy, but at least she was safe.
"How many Doubters are there?" Kobo asked the attendant, "And where are your sisters, attendant?"
"A-about five dozen Doubters, my lady. Roughly a cohort. A smelly, smelly cohort." The attendant answered, "My sisters were ambushed in their sleep. They're being held in the banquet hall." She shook her head and urged, "But we have to get out of here, good Praetor and Pontifex."
"And why would we want to do that?" Altare asked gamely, whisking the blood of the Doubters off of his gladiuses.
"The Doubters…" The attendant tried to explain, "They're here to kidnap the two of you! Their leader said that they will not rest until the Pontifex Maximus and the Doubtericus are 'canceled' or something like that."
"They seem like big fans of ours, Regus." Kobo hummed nonchalantly, wielding her parasol now, "Maybe we should go and see these Doubters ourselves."
"Hoh - I was thinking the same thing." Altare agreed. He turned to Kobo and smirked, "How about this, you little twerp. If you slay more Doubters than me today, I'll call you Princeps. Deal?"
"Deal!" Kobo gladly accepted.
The brother and sister bumped fists. Then, with their many weapons in tow, they started walking menacingly towards the banquet hall. Auras of murderous intent followed the two siblings wherever they went.
The attendant, troubled by this development, called out to the Praetor and the Pontifex.
"My lord and lady…!" She started, "Shall I call the Legion?"
Altare paused and turned back to the attendant.
"Yes please. Call the Legion." Altare ordered. Then, he smirked, "Tell them to dig sixty graves."
~ VI ~
A vicious battle ensued in the banquet hall of Kobo's estate. The sixty Doubters threw themselves at the two siblings. Altare and Kobo were competent fighters on their own. Side by side, though, they were unstoppable! Doubter after stinky Doubter fell to the vicious siblings. All the while, Kobo and Altare counted their kills out loud.
It was a symphony of destruction, playing to the tune of gladiuses, parasols and a sling. This happened so quickly that the attendants held hostage barely had time to catch their breaths and see what was going on. All the attendants knew was that the Doubters never stood a chance against the Praetor and the Pontifex.
The role of Doubtericus was hereditary.
By the time soldiers of the Stella Elysium arrived at the scene of the banquet hall, the attendants were all free and unharmed - and the Doubters were strewn out on the marble tiles, bathing in pools of their own blood. In the middle of it all, Altare and Kobo were covered in blood that wasn't theirs.
Once again, they were bickering and arguing amongst themselves.
"I got thirty-one, Regus!" Kobo fumed, whacking Altare with her bloody parasol, "You saw what I did to that last one!"
"That was my kill, you stupid raindrop!" Altare didn't back down, shielding himself from the parasol. Then, he kicked one of the dead Doubters on the floor and hissed, "And that last one was my kill too, so I'm thirty-one!"
"NO WAY, REGUS!"
"OH YEAH? PROVE ME WRONG, KOBO!"
"ARGH! JUST PRAISE ME, REGUS!"
The argument got so heated that the head attendants and Altare's centurions cautiously approached them and begged them to stop. It took them a little bit of time to remind the Praetor and the Pontifex Maximus of their ranks and duties. In the end, the siblings agreed on a stalemate of thirty-thirty. Then, they carried on with the last of the rest of their traditional itinerary.
After Altare and Kobo helped clean up the banquet hall, of course.
~ VII ~
Once the hall was mostly clean and the two siblings were in clothes that weren't bloodstained, Kobo performed the last ritual to bless Altare and his legion: the augury. Just like in last night's feast, the attendants and military officers gathered to hear the Pontifex Maximus speak. Here, Kobo looked out the windows and watched the birds flying through the sky in grand formations.
Kobo smiled.
"A clear sign from the heavens." Kobo spoke in her clerical poise once more, "Mars will favor Legio V - Stella Elysium in its battles against the Doubters. I have no doubt in my heart." She turned towards Altare now and laid her hand on his head, "The gods have spoken, Praetor Altare Regis. Go forth and lead your legion to victory - for the glory of Rome!"
Again, the centurions and lower officers cheered. With that, Altare's traditional duties before battle were complete. All that was left was for him and the blessed Legio V Stella Elyium to march to the front lines and do battle with the Doubters on the open field.
This time around, Kobo and her attendants accompanied Altare and his legion out of the estate. Again, Altare held the ornate, blue parasol over himself and his sister and they chatted as they walked. They still argued about the number of Doubters they killed before sunrise, but it was more of a muted discussion to pass the time.
Soon, they reached the mile-stone that marked the end of Kobo's estate and the start of the road to the borders of Roman Asia.
"Looks like this is where we part, Kobo." Altare said. He passed the ornate blue parasol back to Kobo and smiled, "It was more eventful than I thought it would be, but I had fun. Thank you for hosting us."
"Ehe~!" Kobo relished in her brother's rare praise, "But of course!" She took back the parasol and spun it around gracefully, "I'm gonna be the best Pontifex Maximus in the history of Rome, Regus. Get ready to read all about me in the history books!"
"I'm sure that I will, Kobo. I'm sure that I will." Altare chuckled, playing along with his little, big sister's ambition. Then, he drew one of his gladiuses and raised it up to the sun, "As for me, I'll lead my legion and slay many Doubters. If the gods - and the Senate - favor me, I may still become next year's Consul!"
"You've got a good shot, brother." Kobo jabbed Altare with her elbow, "I'll be rooting for you." She joined her hands together and winked cutely, "I'll pray for you too, if I feel like it!"
Altare furrowed her brow, "Please pray more often. It's literally your job."
To this, Kobo just stuck out her tongue and twirled her parasol playfully.
With this, Kobo's train of attendants started trickling back towards the estate and Altare's legion began their march to the front lines. Kobo was about to turn around and join her attendants when Altare called out to her one last time.
"Hey!"
"What do you want, Regus?" Kobo asked.
Altare cupped his hands over his mouth and cried out, "See you again soon, Princeps Kobo!"
" Princeps Kobo…" Kobo's jaw dropped down to the ground. Her cheeks flushed red ever so slightly.
Then, she rested her parasol over her shoulder and beamed at her big, little brother Altare.
"See you later, Regus!"
Her smile was as bright as the sun that shone in the heavens above.
The End