"Hey, Aquila!" said Naofumi.
"Yes, shieldman. What can I do for you?" said Aquila.
"When's your centurion coming back?"
"Centurion father will return in..." Aquila started counting with his fingers, "Two days."
"Thank you. Continue with your patrol."
"Yes, shieldman."
Naofumi turned and walked away, leaving Aquila with his duties.
With Marius's memoir in his hand, Naofumi made his way to his room. Expecting to find the same people last night, he was shocked to find Filo, Rishia, Rato, Taniko, Ren, Eclair and Motoyasu waiting in the room.
"What the hell are you all doing here?" said Naofumi.
"He he he... I kinda accidently slipped it out..." said Keel.
"Are you serious? Who else did you tell?"
"I hope I'm not too late." said a familiar voice from behind.
Naofumi turned around and saw Princess Melty with her bodyguard, "You invited the princess?"
"It wasn't me!" said Keel.
"Yay! You're here!" said Filo.
"Filo!" said Naofumi.
"Don't yell Filo-chan like that, father-in-law!" said Motoyasu.
"Looks like we got company." said Mercy, who just entered the room.
"Great. As if this room doesn't smell like pigs already." said Motoyasu.
"Alright, that's enough! Get in and take a sit so we can get over with it." said Naofumi.
Everyone started settling in as Mercy locked the door. Naofumi sat at the same bed from last night, with Raphtalia and Filo sitting beside him. Then Atla started sitting on his lap, then Keel and Sadina leaned their chest on his back.
Naofumi sighed, "I'm not gonna start over from the beginning, so I'll continue from where I left."
"Don't be like that! We need to know from the beginning!" said Melty.
"Master, Filo wants to know the beginning too." said Filo.
"Whatever his stories is, it's probably boring and not worth listening to." said Motoyasu.
"Then why are you here?" said Naofumi.
"Cause I wanna be with Filo-chan and our child!"
"It's Marius's child! Not yours!" said Filo as she hugged her egg tighter.
"Enough! You wanna listen or not!" said Naofumi, and everyone kept quite. "Good."
"Alexios. That's Marius's real name?" said Filo.
"And this Lady Flavia gave him a new name. The name we currently used for him." said Naofumi.
"Does that mean we have to use his old name?" said Filo.
"I don't think we should. After all, we don't want him finding out."
"He's greek, uh? I always thought he didn't looked roman enough." said Ren.
"Whatever. Once an Ugly Bastard, always an Ugly Bastard." said Motoyasu.
"I think the two of you have something in common."
"Oh, really?"
"See, Naofumi said Marius was chasing girls in his youth. Sounds like something you did."
"I am never like him! I have long pass that habit and I devoted all my love to Filo-chan!"
"You're right, you're not like him." said Naofumi, "He's a lot better."
"What?! Father-in-law, why would you say that?!" said Motoyasu.
"Infact, he could be a better Spear Hero than you."
Filo stuck her tongue out at Motoyasu.
"Filo-chan!"
"Now can we continue?" said Mercy.
"Yes, finally." said Naofumi.
"I am now the son of Lady Flavia, a wealthy noblewoman in the imperial city. And with her influence and a new name, I was accepted into the legion. Lady Flavia have made sure I was sent to a different barracks, away from her husband... My new father."
The training was quite harsh but my agoge training have made it easier for me. I can see the legionnaires way of warfare was more effective than the hoplite training I received when I was a boy, so I made the right choice."
I have called the barracks my new home and the other legainnaires as brothers. Yet I do find myself missing my home..."
Marius returned to his home in the city after a year in the legion. Upon stepping inside the villa, he was greeted by a familiar face.
"Welcome home, young master." said Priskos.
"You do not have to call me that." said Marius.
"I am still a slave to your mother, young master."
"You have done alot for me, Priskos. I still owe you."
"Do not burden yourself, young master... At least, you do not forget who you were. Lady Flavia is tending with a special guest. She as been waiting for your return."
"Then I must go. Thank you, Priskos."
Marius walk through the hallway and saw his mother conversing with a man.
"Marius. Welcome home, my son." said Lady Flavia, who went in and hugged Marius.
"How do I look?" said Marius as he showed his armor.
"Like a proper legionnaire. Marius, I like you to meet..." Lady Flavia presented Marius to a someone familiar, "... Sophokles. He's a scholar from the greek village."
"Greetings. Have we met before?" said Sophokles.
"No, I don't believe we have." said Marius, as he was still shocked from seeing his brother for the first time in a year.
"I see... Lady Flavia." Sophokles turned to the noblewoman, "If you don't mind, I would like to speak to a legionnaire for his opinion on the matter."
"Very well. You two may join me at thetriclinium. I have the servants prepared food for us. I know you must be hungry from your travels, Marius." said Lady Flavia.
"Thank you, mother." said Marius.
And with that, Lady Flavia left the area towards the dining room. After she disappeared from their sight, Sophokles turned towards Marius.
"A year ago, I had younger brother who ran away from home. Saying he wanted to join the legion." said Sophokles. "His name is Alexios. I like to know if there is someone with that name in your legion."
"I don't know anyone with that name." said Marius, as he tried to hide his nervous tone.
"I see." Sophokles suddenly stepped on Marius's foot.
"Malaka! Why you-"
"I know it's you, Alexios! Why did you ran away!"
"I do not wish to spend all my life farming."
"So you throw that all away for... This!"
"Forget it! What are you going here?"
"Lady Flavia started a small movement to convince the emperor to stop the oppresion on our people and the celts. So she invited me, the best of the greek scholars, to help her with the movement... Perhaps you could lend your hands to me. It is the least you can do."
"I am just a soldier, Sophokles. I have no interest in politics."
"This is not just about politics, Alexios. This is more than that... When the time comes, and I pray to the gods in will not... You will have to choose a side..."
"What do you mean?"
"Just do what you have to do, while I do mine. You'll be seeing me around in the city."
Sophokles turned his back at his younger brother as he made his way to the dining room while Marius looked on, before he turned around and went somewhere else.
Not wanting to join them, Marius decided to take a walk in the bustling imperial city. As he was walking, he heard the sound of breaking pots and some rolled infront of him. He turned his head and saw a skinny elderly man struggling to get up, and pieces of broken pots.
"You idiot slave! All I ask is for you to move the pots!" said a loud angered voice coming towards the tired slave.
The man pulled out a whip from his belt and was about to punished the old slave when Marius quickly snatched the whip from the man's hand. Marius then went to the old slave to help him. As the slave looked up, Marius immediately recognized the slave's face.
"You! You're not one of those slave sympathizer, are you?!" said the slave owner.
Marius look at the slave who was scared by the sight of the whip. The old celtic man was skinny to the bones compare to when they first met, "Your slave. Have you not fed him?"
"Just enough to keep him alive."
The old slave shook his head at Marius. The old celtic man tried to speak but Marius saw that his tongue was cut off.
"You lied."
"I paid for that slave, so I do what I wish with it."
"Clearly you have not fed him enough!" Marius got up and clutched his gladius.
"Legionnaire!" said a stern voice.
Marius turned around and saw centurion Vitallion approaching him.
"What is the meaning of this?" said Vitallion.
"The slave... He is old and not well fed. He should not be doing this work." said Marius.
"A slave...", Vitallion step closer to Marius, "Does not have the same right as us citizens... The gods have fated them to serve us."
"And let them do as they please to them?"
"Lady Flavia as corrupted your mind, boy." Vitallion started whispering, "Do you want me to expose who you really are?"
"... No, centurion."
Vitallion took the whip from Marius's hand then gave it to the slave owner, "Your whip."
The slave owner took the whip then started punishing the slave. The terrified scream of the old slave pierced Marius's ears and he witnessed the gruesome punishment happening before him.
"Now run along ,boy." Vitallion whispered before he walked away.
Marius watched on as the old slave begged for him, but Marius turned and quickly left as the begging cries grew louder.
Months have passed since that day, and I have not heard nor saw the old man again. Thinking he might have died, than atleast he is free from the cruel torture that heartless brute put on him."
Life in the legionary went as normal. We train, we march, we patrol, and occasionally, we fought back the barbarians trying to trespass our great city. In the barracks, I heard a movement going on back home that wanted to convinced the emperor to give better treatment to the greeks and the celts."
I thought about what the old man said to me when I was put into slavery. The romans have been taking resources and food from them by force. Declining such request means a visit from the legions."
Then, it happened. The emperor was assassinated, and the praetorians caught the assassin... My brother..."
Hiding in behind a wall in the dark of the night, Marius looked around for patrols. With the crucifixion ground clear of guards, Marius went in and saw one cruxified man.
"Please... I did not do it..." said Sophokles, bloodied and weak.
"Sophokles." said Marius.
"Al... Alexios? Is that you?"
"Why? Why did you do it?"
"It was not me, Alexios... I was framed..."
"That is not what I heard."
"Please, brother... You must believe me..." Sophokles said, with his voice grew weaker.
Then, Marius pulled out an axe. He then started chopping the base until Sophokles's weight tilted the pole back and it fell to the ground.
"W-What are you doing?" said Sophokles, still disoriented from the fall.
"Be quite. I am bringing you home." Marius started cutting the ropes wrapping Sophokles's limbs.
"They will know I escaped, Alexios! They will hunt me down!"
"Then I will have to hide you. I know a place near the farm-"
"Where you always hide to get out of chores?"
"Yes, that one... You are a scholar, Sophokles. Why involved yourself in politics?"
"I have to, Alexios. No one else would. They rather want war than peaceful talk."
Marius suddenly stopped, "War?"
"Father tried to tell them that waging war on the romans will only make it worse for our people, but the hoplites would not listen."
Marius continued cutting, "And you came here to talk to the emperor."
"I told them I will talk to the emperor, to end the oppression on our people and the celts."
"And you came to Lady Flavia."
"She is the only noble who would listen to me."
"She said in anger, you killed the emperor."
"Look at me, Alexios. Do I look like I could take a man's life?"
After Marius cut all the ropes, he lifted Sophokles to a sitting position then gave him a sip from his canteen, "Drink. Then I will carry you back home."
Marius then placed Sophokles's arm over his shoulders to support him as they sneaked away into the darkness.
After hours of travelling by horse, they arrived at their old home.
"We are home." said Marius. He got off the horse then carried Sophokles to the old villa.
The door opened and they say a familiar old men looking at them.
"Father." said Marius.
Aegeus glared at Marius before he looked at Sophokles, who was in a weakened state.
"Inside, now!"
Marius carried Sophokles inside then placed him on the resting place.
"Am I home?" said Sophokles.
"You are, my son. Do not strain yourself."
Then, Callidora and Rhea came down from their room and saw them.
"Alexios? Sophokles?" said Callidora.
"Callidora! Get some water! Now!"
"Yes, father." Callidora ran to the kitchen.
Rhea quickly came to comfort Sophokles, "Who did this to you?". She said as she held back her tears.
"He was crucified." said Marius.
"Is this your doing?" said Aegeus.
"The praetorians did it. And I saved him."
Aegeus looked at Marius's uniform then back at him, "Seems you got what you wanted."
"Father... I failed..." said Sophokles.
"That damn emperor!" said Aegeus.
"The emperor is dead." said Marius, and both Aegeus and Rhea looked at Marius in shock, "And they accused Sophokles for the murder."
"What do we do now, my love?" said Rhea.
"I do not know... The hoplites have lost their patience. They will marched to the city with the celts." said Aegeus
"If the legions finds out about this, they will burn our settlement to the ground." said Marius. "But as long as news of the attack never reached the legion, all of you will have time to escape."
"You decided to help us?"
"It is the least I can do."
Callidora returned with a cup of water and she handed the water to her mother. She saw Marius then quickly wrapped her arms around him.
Marius gently pushed her away, "I cannot stay here. I must return to the city."
"Go. You helped enough."
And with that, Marius got up then walked out, "I must return to the city. There is someone I must warned."
"Will you come back?" said Callidora.
Marius turned his head to see his little sister, "Maybe... After all of this is over."
"Alexios..." said Aegeus, "Thank you."
Marius saw the small smiled carved on his father's face. He nodded, "I promise I will find all of you."
Marius exited his old home then he rode his horse back to the city.
After he reached Lady Flavia's villa, he entered and called her name. He ran towards the noblewoman's room and saw her sitting on chair as she was waiting for him.
"Mother, I have terrible news." said Marius as he entered her room.
"And what would that be, son?" said Vitallion, who was standing near the doorway behind Marius.
Startled, Marius turned around and saw the centurion.
"Why aren't you in your post, legionnaire?" Vitallion walked closer towards Marius, "Well?"
Marius was tongue tied, unable to say a word.
Vitallion was quite until he spoke, "Just as a I thought... Perhaps you should be more aware of your surroundings. That way, you wouldn't be followed."
The centurion then walked behind Lady Flavia before drawing his gladius then put the blade close to Lady Flavia's neck.
"No!" Marius exclaimed.
"Why did you ran here instead of going back to your encampment, boy? Were you trying to warn her something?"
"I only came here to talk to her about the scholar!"
"Tell me the truth... Or I will spill her blood."
"Please! Please tell him, Marius!" said Lady Flavia, tears flowing from her eyes as he fears for her life.
"The hoplites... They were preparing for war..." said Marius.
"And where will they march?" said Vitallion.
"... Here."
"I see. So it is war they wanted, so it is war they will get." Vitallion sheathed his gladius and headed towards the exit as he walked passed Marius
Marius quickly pulled out a dagger and charged at his adopted father. But his rushing footsteps was heard and Vitallion quickly turned and hit Marius with his backhand, throwing him off and knocked him out after he hits his head on the floor. Lady Flavia quickly got off the chair went towards Marius.
"You are nothing..." Lady Flavia lifted her head with tears still flowing, "... But a brute!"
"This is for his own good. You wanted him to be roman, did you not?" Vitallion turned his head and continued to the exit, "In time, our son will learn."
Marius felt a damp sensation touching his forehead. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Priskos tending to his wound.
"Priskos..."
"Lady Flavia, he's awake!"
Lady Flavia quickly sat on her knees, "My son... This is all my fault."
"Vitallion... Where is he?" said Marius.
"He returned to his legion... Why did you sided with the murderer?"
"He did not do it. My brother was framed."
"Brother?"
"That scholar was my brother. From the home I ran away... Home." Marius winced as he tried to get up, "I must warn them!"
"You have passed out for a very long time." said Priskos. "Vitallion's legion must have already reached there."
"They will have to fight the hoplites first. I still have time." Marius got up on his feet, "All of you must get out of the city as well. If they succeed, they will march here too."
"No, my son. I will stay."
"Mother?"
"My family have helped the empire during troubled times. And I will do the same."
"No, you must ran! My people and the celts will not show any mercy towards a roman!"
"I know. But I must never abandoned my duty nor should I stain my family's name." Lady Flavia stood up with pride, "I am a Valerius. And so are you, my son."
"I promise I will return, mother."
Lady Flavia nodded, "Now go."
"Becareful, young master." said Priskos.
"I will." Marius turned and quickly ran outside.
He exited the villa then went to his horse before making his journey back to the greek settlement.
Marius rode his horse as fast as the animal could carry him. His heart beats faster as he pray his family will be spared from Vitallion's legion. As he got closer, he can see dead legionnaires and hoplites laying on the ground after a recent battle. And from the distance he saw smoke coming from his home.
He rode the animal towards the smoke, and his heart sank as he saw the farm and home he grew up as a child as been burnt to the ground. Marius stopped the horse and quickly dismounted before running towards his home.
But he was stopped dead on his track, as the sight of all of his family laying dead in the front of his burnt home.
"No!" Marius ran towards them before falling on his knees.
He saw the sliced neck of his family's corpse as they lay dead on the ground. He then noticed someone was missing.
"Callidora!" Marius quickly got up and started searching for his missing sister.
Marius searched everywhere until he found the horse stable that was not burnt down with its door wide opened. He quickly ran inside and found a sight he never wanted to see.
On the ground in the middle was Callidora, with her clothing ripped out. Marius ran closer and saw his little sister was raped, and was left to die.
Marius fell on his knees, tears flow from his eyes, "Callidora... I'm sorry... I could not protect you..."
"A-Alexios..." Callidora spoke. She slowly turned her to see her older brother, "You came back."
"Callidora!" Marius tried to cover her with the remaining cloths she has.
He then lift her off the ground then laid her on top of a hay pile.
"Big brother... I'm thirsty..."
Without saying a word, Marius quickly ran out towards the well. After he retrieved a bucket of water he ran back to the stable.
"I have the water. Drink." Marius lifted Callidora's head and he careful placed the on Callidora's mouth.
But the water poured out of Callidora's mouth.
"Callidora..." Marius finally realized that his sister as gone cold.
He tried to shook her as he call on to her name but there was no respond. Devastated, Marius cradled Callidora's corpse. The silent stable was soon filled with his cries after loosing his family.
Naofumi felt a drip on his hand. He turned his head and saw Raphtalia crying after hearing the story. He turned towards Filo and saw her hugging her egg closer as she too was crying. Naofumi looked around and saw everyone else was felt by Marius's tragic story, except Motoyasu who was trying to comfort Filo. But the Filolial queen pushed him away with her foot.
"Should I continue?" said Naofumi.
And everyone in the room, except Motoyasu, nodded.
Marius just stared at the four graves where his family was buried. He felt the overwhelming feeling of regret in his heart along with sorrow. Soon, that feeling turned to anger. He gripped the shovel tighter as the desire to kill Vitallion grew stronger in his heart.
Then he heard twig snapping behind him. He quickly turned his head and saw a hoplite soldier sneaking behind him with a xiphos in hand. Marius swung his shovel at the lone soldier. The hoplite stepped back to dodge the shovel before he readied himself.
The two stared at each other, waiting to attack until the hoplite recognized who he was about to fight.
"Alexios?" said the hoplite.
"How do you know who I am?" said Marius.
The hoplite removed his helmet from his head, showing Marius his face.
"Ephialtes?" said Marius.
"I see you are finally a legionnaire. I did not see you during the battle.
"The legions murdered my family... I am no longer one of them."
"I can see why you changed side."
"Why are you here?"
"I am just a scout. The rest of us fled to the east."
"And the celts?"
"We have not heard from them yet."
"Are the legions still here?"
"They set up a camp on the marketplace."
"Then I must head there now."
"What are you planning to do?"
"Kill the centurion."
"Are you mad?"
"He and his legions murdered my family! They burnt our homes!"
"If the centurion is dead, then the legion will be without their leader. Alexios, we can work together to retake out home."
"It's better that our people found a better place to settle. It's no longer safe here."
"And what will you do once you succeed?"
Marius glared at the hoplite, "Ephialtes-"
"Let me help you."
Marius then planted the shovel to the ground, "Fine."
Ephialtes chuckled, "You have not changed one bit, my friend. What's your plan?"
The two old friends hid behind the darkness of the night while they watched the legionary camp.
"You know where the centurion sleeps?" said Ephialtes.
"There." Marius pointed at a single lit tent, "Everyone is asleep except for the centurion."
"That makes him vulnerable."
"Yes. Follow me."
They got out of their hiding spot and approached the camp while trying not to alert the guards. They sneaked behind the tent to reached the centurion's tent faster. They looked around and saw no guards around, and they quickly moved towards the tent. They slowly entered the tent and saw Vitallion with his back turned as he looked at the battle plans.
Marius signal Elphialtes to move in slowly. As they got closed enough, Marius took out his gladius then drew it on Vitallion's neck.
"Marius. Finally you could join us." said Vitallion.
Marius took Vitallion's gladius from its sheath then threw it aside and Ephialtes drew his xiphos at the centurion's neck.
"You wanted to kill me? Is that right, boy?"
"You and your legions murdered them!"
"Is your father's name Aegeus?"
Marius responded by moving the blade closer to Vitallion's throat, "How did you know! Answer me!"
"So you were his son. I remembered seeing you as a little boy, talking with my legions like an clueless child."
"You killed them!"
"You blamed me for their deaths?" Vitallion turned his head towards Marius with a small smug, "Your family was already dead when we arrived."
"You're lying!"
"Why don't you ask your friend?"
"It's not true! Don't listen to him!" said Elphialtes.
"Your family farm have provided food for the empire and her legions since the day I came and visit." said Vitallion.
"Enough of this! Alexios! Let's kill this snake!"
"And in exchange, they will have full protection from my legions. Even if they are greeks. So why would I kill them and burn the farm down? What good do I have by starving my legion?"
"Then who did it?!" said Marius.
"Only an enemy of the legions would do that." Vitallion turned his head towards Elphialtes, "Isn't that right? Greek?"
Marius shifted his gaze towards Elphialtes, "Tell me the truth..."
"What?"
"Who murdered my family?" Marius struggled to held back his tears and his rage. He lowered his gladius then he walked towards Elphialtes.
"The elders have deemed you and your family a traitor to our people... Before we marched into battle, our lokhagos ordered the execution of your family."
"Were you there?"
"... Yes."
With one swift move, Marius stabbed Elphialtes's neck.
Elphialtes dropped his xiphos then grabbed Marius's hand as blood started to flood his mouth.
Marius then pulled the blade from the hoplite's neck before kicking him to the ground. He watched on as his old friend slowly died choking on his own blood until he lie lifeless on the ground.
"He was just a scout. More of them retreated to the east."
"You have done well, legionnaire. Were you with Gaius's legion?"
"Yes, centurion."
"No longer. You're in my legion, now." Vitallion placed his hand on Marius's shoulder, "My son."
Naofumi shut the book close, "That's the end."
"Master?" said Filo.
"Yeah?"
"When's Marius coming back?"
"Two days. Or more. Why?"
"Because... Filo miss him. And hearing Marius's stories makes Filo miss him more."
"But Filo-chan don't have to miss anyone cause I'm here!" said Motoyasu.
"No!" Filo moved further away while holding her egg.
"Alright, that's enough." Naofumi got up from the bed before heading to the door, "Story time's over, now get out."
"You can't just kick us out like that!" said Melty.
"Yes I can. Don't you have something important to do?"
Frustrated, Princess Melty crossed her arms and looked away.
"When I'm done putting this back, I want everyone to go back to their training."
Two days later...
Marius let out a sigh of relief after seeing the village from the distance. With his orders, the Shield Legions marched towards Rock Valley, their home.
Author's note :
I know, I know. I was gone for quite a long time. I got so much shit going on that I just don't have time to write this chapter. But I still want to continue the story so I tried to squeeze in fanfic writing in my busy schedule.
Also, I may not confirm this yet but I am yet to put in Reprise of The Spear Hero storyline in this fanfic. Maybe a separate story.
Also, Apex Legends is fucking addictive.
