Disclaimer: I do not own the Yu-Gi-Oh! Series (The Original and ZEXAL included). Therefore I do not own the characters used in this story but I DO OWN the plot and the OCs used. Thank you.

After finally coming up with something I present to you chapter 4, although I'm not sure how to feel about it so I'll let you decide for me (if there is any logic way about that).

Enjoy chapter 4 :D


4 - Pain

"I would like to draw the attention to the enemy we face. The Kuris, as they so boldly call themselves, are threatening the Empire as we speak. I do not want everyone to take them so lightly because they started off as a diminutive resistance group at the North. They gained a rather intelligent leader, who was able to lead the Kuris against most of the army barracks situated in the Northern Colonies. They have killed a total of 8700 soldiers, mostly from Gaul, on a full moon. The remaining Gauls have joined the resistance group and have rumored to be working on a weapon that no one has ever made, capable of destroying the Roman Empire. Just recently, they managed to secretly gain the support of the Egyptians however Pharaoh Seth denies such allegations. On the contrary, our Secret Intelligence confirmed that this was true. Egypt may not be a threat to the Empire anymore but their resources could give Kuris an upper hand on us."

"Fascinating tale Second Lieutenant Sergius…"

"Pardon my interjection, Senator Acteon but it is Second Lieutenant of the Northern Division Army, Shark," said the dark purple-haired, which resembled tentacles hanging down but curled up on the end, young male with dark blue eyes and light skin. The Lieutenant stood firmly on the platform with a serious expression on his face looking directly at the 100 senators present in the Senate House, that chilly Monday morning.

The exterior of the Senate House featured brick-face concrete with a huge buttress at each angle. The lower part of the front wall was decorated with slabs of marble; while the upper parts were covered with stucco imitation of white marble blocks. Along with a single flight of steps lead up to bronze doors. The interior part of the Senate House had a hall that included three broad steps that could fit five rows of chairs and could hold a total of about 300 senators. At the center of the hall where every senator's eyes could view, was the platform that at the moment Lieutenant Shark remained motionless waiting to hear the other thoughts of the situation from the senators.

"As I was saying…" The middle-aged Senator Acteon began. "That was fascinating tale Second Lieutenant Sergius…" Lieutenant Shark narrowed his eyes at Acteon, which Acteon smirked barely in response. "But I do not see the Kuris being a threat at all. You know well enough the capabilities of our Roman Army can exceed a resistance group that seems to be trying desperately to get some attention. I suggest that the Senate disregard this so called threat, which Lieutenant Sergius has graciously told us about, and begin to discuss on more serious matters."

"Senator Acteon, you think killing 8700 soldiers in a single night does not pose as a threat to the civilians of Rome?! Kuris is a bigger threat to this Empire than you can imagine but your mind is too clouded to see the truth facing you in the face!" exclaimed Lieutenant Shark, glaring at Acteon.

"You will watch your mouth and remember who you are speaking to. How can the Senate take into account of what you saying when you show utter disrespect to one of those that are members of the Senate? You are giving us more reason to presume that what you saying is not truth. 8700 soldiers killed in one night?! What type of fools do you take us for, Lieutenant?! We shall not take action about this and that is…"

"I think you should reconsider," confirmed a familiar male voice as the person came out of the shadows with two soldiers behind him, acting as escorts. "Second Lieutenant Shark speaks the truth. I did my own research and the Kuris are not a group that we should not take notice of at this time. They have formed an alliance with our enemies and we should take action swiftly."

"E-Emperor Vitus… You believe Lieutenant Sergius' tall tales?" Acteon laughed halfheartedly as he asked the Emperor before them.

"Firstly I believe that the Lieutenant's name is Shark not Sergius, so I have no idea of this Lieutenant Sergius you speak of. However…" Vitus looked directly into Acteon's eyes when he stopped laughing, seeing as the Emperor was being serious. "I am saddened that a whole Senator such as you cares little of the well being of our brave and noble soldiers and the innocent people of the Empire." Vitus sighed before gazing his eyes at each and every senator present in the meeting. "As Emperor of the Roman Empire I request that the Senate take into account what Second Lieutenant Shark has spoken about and allow me to lead the arrangements on how to deal with this problem at once."

Low toned voices surrounded the hall as the senators discussed with each other about the issue. Shark looked around before landing his eyes on the Emperor, who gave him a reassuring smile which Shark responded by looking away then closing his eyes before smiling back.

"We have come to a decision." Acteon stood up and faced the two. "We have agreed to the Emperor's request although on one condition, the Senate will not be held responsible for any lives lost or damages faced in the process."

Shark scowled at the condition thinking that the Senate was filled with a bunch of cowards. Vitus nodded and thanked the Senate before making his leave, Shark following him closely behind.

"Emperor Vitus!" Shark called out from outside the steps of the Senate House. "Thank you for assisting me back there. If it was not for you Rome would truly be doomed."

"There is no need to thank me yet Lieutenant. The problem has not been solved yet. This is just the beginning. I trust that I can count on you when the time comes?"

"Yes Emperor. I am willing and ready to do as you wish for the benefit of the Empire." Shark bowed slightly in respect.

Vitus had a small smile on his face. "That is good to hear. Well I must be going now…"

"Your Imperial Majesty, may I ask you something?" Vitus noticed that Shark's expression changed into something he could not quite read. He nodded for Shark to go on with his question. "I was just wondering if… Your daughter, Marcella is well now?"

The Emperor should have known that Shark would ask such a question. "Yes she is," assured the Emperor. "It was just a mere bump to the head, nothing major so she is doing fine. Although she never did have a good explanation to how she was found unconscious in the palace. She told me that it was just her condition but this has never happened to her before. I get the feeling that she is hiding something but I am not worried. The truth will eventually reveal itself. I am quite sorry but I must be on my way."

"It is fine Your Imperial Majesty. Thank you for everything." Shark watched silently as the Emperor left to his transport. "Her condition… Tch. You were never a good liar Marcella."


If there was one place III never wanted to go to was the hospital. The scent of sickness and death always got him nauseated. Every time he went, sometimes he never had a choice after being forced to go, he would try and think of things that made him smile and be happy. But this time, no one forced him he willingly went to a public hospital with his brother to visit their other brother, who was still there.

III stared mournfully at his wounded brother lying on the ragged sheets, with the blood-stained bandages barely covering the cuts on his frail body that he received from the lions. The severe loss of blood had made his condition worse each day. III hated seeing his oldest brother like this so… so… helpless. III knew that his other older brother felt the same way, as they stood in silence. III wished he could do something; give his brother better treatment in a private hospital because they had the proper facilities in healing him completely but they did not have the money. Being simple gladiator slaves, growing up practically in the streets, and not being born-Romans they did not have life easy; as they worked hard for little pay that even their slave master, Domitian, did his best in providing some coins to them but it was not going to be enough.

At that moment the TriArc gladiators were broke, even Domitian was short on money so there was very little to eat or to drink for his gladiators.

III always tried to look at the better side of things but this time, he could not see the hope for their futures. He held onto that small glimmer of hope still left in him, that his brother would heal and they would have better lives than what they have.

"B… B-Brothers?" III snapped out from his thoughts when he heard his injured brother cough and glance up at them. He knelled down and smiled slightly.

"Shh… You should rest brother, do not let us disturb your slumber."

"N-No…" The coughing became more frequent. "No… Do not leave… Stay…" He glanced up at his helmet-wearing brother who remained standing as he stared down at his brother. "Thank you… F-For saving me… Thank yo…u…" He managed to smile up at him before he began coughing out some blood.

III looked frightened at the sight and called for a doctor immediately. Once he did, the doctor told them that they should leave. III at first refused to leave until his older brother dragged him away, with him forcefully. III hated hospitals. He hated them so much.

After successfully getting III out of the hospital, someone was waiting for the two gladiators.

"Are you two the TriArc gladiators?" A Roman soldier asked the two slaves.

"Who wants to know?" III boldly asked, still annoyed about his brother dragging him out from the hospital like that.

The Roman soldier bowed slightly before replying, "His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Vitus requests for your presence in the Novian Palace. He wishes to talk to both of you about an urgent matter. I shall escort you both to the palace." III looked suspiciously and confused at the soldier then turned his head to look at his brother, who looked back at him through his helmet.


"Your Imperial Majesty, I present to you the TriArc gladiators." The Roman soldier bowed in admiration to his Emperor before he was dismissed. III and his older brother had their bare feet planted on the cold floor, admiring the spectacular architecture of the Novian Palace. III thought on how some people were just lucky in life it seemed.

"Thank you for coming TriArc gladiators, III and the Gladiator." Since III's brother had refused to say his name, the Emperor figured that he would now be addressing him as the 'Gladiator'. III smiled to himself when he realized this. "The reason I called you here was that I need your assistance. There is a new threat to the Roman Empire that has emerged, a group or clan called the Kuris. I need to be rest assured that my family is safe if at any time the enemy strikes. I fear for my family's well being especially my daughters, Marcella and Tori. That is why I am ready to give you the jobs of becoming their new bodyguards. Gladiator, you will guard Marcella and III, you will guard Tori. I will pay you handsomely for your services that my daughters remain safe at all times. Well, do you accept my job offer?"

III and the Gladiator (he is not much of a shocker) were completely lost for words. The time they needed money so desperately for themselves and their oldest brother, the richest man in the Roman Empire (or even the entire world) was offering them jobs to protect the Princesses of the Empire on a silver platter. III smiled brightly at the Emperor and nodded in an enthusiast manner.

Vitus nodded. "Thank you. I already talked to your former slave master, Domitian and he agreed that if you agree with my job offer then he will release you and you will work for me, from now on. Since you have accepted, you will be living in this palace with my family and the other slaves. Come. I will show you to your quarters, where you will get cleaned and dressed so I can introduce you to my daughters formally."


I've decided to end this chapter until here. Well it seems the TriArc gladiators have new jobs. I wonder how that will end up for them (considering what the Gladiator did to Marcella last time). Oh man, I'm giving you guys a hint about the next chapter, Acteon says to disregard what I said :P

So uh, thank you for reading :) Reviews are much appreciated, gives me motivation to keep writing.

Until next time, ToonTail signing out.