A Turn In History

by bookslover66

This story takes place during the Ancient Roman times, when gladiator games was still around. Achill, once a gladiator, realizes the true horror of the gladiator games, and tries to end it, once and for all, sacrificing many things for a better world, but this may include his own life. A heartbreaking turn of events reveal the outcome of this story. Read at the risk of a good cry.

3. Chapter 3

I was about to bring the sword down, but some part of me made me hesitate. When I looked into the eyes of my opponent, it looked like a void of hopelessness. Without meaning to, he saw my hesitation, and that void had a tiny spark of hope amidst the darkness. This man has a soul, I realised. He was a person just like me, and treated unfairly, but more unfairly than I had ever been treated. The Emperor is going to be so angry, I thought. Despite that, I stood up and threw the sword away from me and the slave.

For a moment, there was a startled silence. I could even hear a rumble of wheels against the uneven cobblestone streets in the distance. Then, Emperor Arcadius cleared his throat. "Achill has decided for some reason, to let his opponent live. Let his choice be honored!"

The crowd half-heartedly cheered, but I could tell that it was against their will. No one wanted to go against the Emperor. The guard Aemilanus ushered me back into the maze under the arena. I hung my sword on the rack and took off my armor. When I turned to leave, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aemilanus wink at me. Startled, I blinked. Aemilanus was staring off at the wall to my right, and not at all paying attention to me.

I emerged out of the doorway, standing under the Sun's heat again. "Oh, honey!" my mother cried and pulled me into a tight hug. She pulled away and took my face in her hands. "I'm so proud of you. You know that right?"

Stepping out of the embrace, I studied her face closely, it was a mask that concealed her true emotions. When I glanced around, I saw Emperor Arcadius standing at the exit of the Colosseum, flanked by two guards. Of course. I couldn't expect it to be real can I? "No, I don't," I snapped. Then, I turned on my heels and ran away as fast as I could. That was all that I was thinking. Away. Have to get away. I was a pretty decent runner. After ten minutes, I stopped to catch my breath. Without meaning to, I ended up at the temple of Jupiter. The white marble gleamed in the sunlight, looking as grand as ever. Jupiter was one of our chief gods and goddesses besides Mars, Minerva, and Vesta, so this is one of our most important places to pray for guidance and help.

A giant oak tree was standing straight nearby, and I sat down and leaned my head against its trunk. When I buried my face into my hands, I started to think. Not about my family and how they've mistreated me, but of all the lives lost just for people's entertainment. Most of the gladiators weren't willing, but forced and threatened. It was so inhumane, I didn't know how I haven't realized it sooner. This was the problem, I realised. Without experiencing something firsthand, you won't know the full extent of the horror. Slowly, I stood up and entered the temple of Jupiter. As I approached the altar, I thought of what I would say.

I reached the base of the altar and sank down to my knees, bring my hands forward in front of me and clasping them together. With my head bowed, I murmured for help and guidance for what I was planning to do.