"It's been five days already, Quintilius! My patience is wearing thin! Surrender now and I will make your public execution as swift as I can make it!"
Marcus mockingly yelled as he stared up the walls of the besieged fortress.
On top of the wall was another Centurion. He had a skull face mask and his armor was painted black and orange. The colors of Blackstone Legion.
Quintilius was a supporter of Apollyon, along with the other Knights, Vikings and Samurai that shared her ideals. Despite Apollyon's end, her Wolves still roam the lands. Wreaking havoc and destruction wherever they go. Publius was among the Centurions that supported Apollyon that had escaped Marcus's wave of executions on anyone affiliated with her. Through them the Apollyon lives on. They call themselves 'The Wolves of Apollyon'.
The Lord Warden tasked Marcus to hunt down each of Blackstone's Generals. Unfortunately for Quintilius, Marcus found him first.
For five days, Marcus besieged Quintilius's fortress. He had sent a request for five Onagers to be delivered to him. Luckily, the Onagers just arrived and finished setting up.
Quintilius threw a torn banner of the Iron Legion over the wall and saw the it land before Marcus's feet.
"Five days I have held this fortress! Five days I have held your petty Legion's siege! Five days I have spilt the blood of your men! And I will to do so Valerius!" He taunted.
"You asked for it!"
He turned back to his men and ordered "Illa Iactāte!"
A barrage of flaming pots struck the fortress, causing chaos all over the fortress.
"Legionaries, to me!"
The soldiers rallied behind Marcus and the Centurion led the charge.
"Trāicite!" He ordered and an Onager launched a boulder that destroyed the gate's portcullis.
Quintilius's soldiers formed a steady shieldwall despite the chaos around them.
"Cuneus!"
The soldiers formed a triangular formation with Marcus on the tip. The wedge cut through the first lines then formed a square.
Quintilius's soldiers turned their attention on Marcus's men, forgetting the rest of his Legion as they charged through the gate. Now they fight the enemy inside and outside their shieldwall.
Quintilius watched in horror as his men were slain one by one by the Iron Legion dogs. He made his way to the courtyard to fight Marcus face-to-face. He shoved through his men and cut down the Iron Legion's. He saw Marcus stop fighting and glare at him. He returned the glare and stomped his way to him. He roared as he charged and struck.
Marcus parried the blow and kicked Quintilius away. Quintilius staggered but quickly recovered. He dodged Marcus's swing and grabbed him by the neck. He slammed the pommel of his blade thrice on Marcus's head before following it with a downward slash. Marcus blocked the blow and sent a powerful jab that sent the other Centurion sprawling on the ground. Marcus capitalized on this opportunity and jumped high in the air. He buried his blade on Quintilius's shoulder, eliciting a scream from the downed Centurion. He pulled his blade free leapt away.
Quintilius stood shakily from the ground and glared at Marcus. He growled and sent a sloppy swing that Marcus easily parried. Marcus lunged and stabbed the staggered Centurion in the chest. He leaned his head closer to Quintilius's ear.
"I'll make it quick."
He pulled the blade free then spun his blade on his hand into a reverse grip. He cut Quintilius above his knees, causing the Centurion to fall to his knees. He tossed the blade in the air and caught it before sticking the blade clean through Quintilius's neck. He punched the body off his blade and looked down on the dead body.
Marcus raised his head and saw that his soldiers were the only ones left standing. The fortress was in flames and the bodies of Quintilius's men lay dead in a pool of their own blood. He raised his bloody Gladius and yelled "Invicta!"
"Invicta!"
On that day, The Iron Legion left Quintilius's fortress aflame. The Centurion's body was left crucified by the fortress's entrance, along with his soldiers. Those who weren't crucified were thrown in a pile and burned. The Wolves of Apollyon will learn to fear the Patriarch of the House of Valeria.
When Marcus returned to the Citadel, his first destination was his home. Arriving at his room, he quickly rid himself of his armor and tunic leaving him in his trousers. He stared at the mirror and saw all the scars he received when he became Damocles along with the scars he received prior. The tattoo on his back was a stylized Eagle that had a laurel wreath surrounding it. On it's talon was a Gladius with the word 'VINDICTA' written on the blade. Under the eagle were letters that spelled: MAGNA FORTVNA IUVAT.
~Line Break~
Titus sat up from the bed and looked to the window outside. It was still night and the only source of light in the room was the torch beside the wall. He felt the body beside him stir and wake. A callous yet gentle hand was placed on his shoulder.
"Titus, what's wrong?"
Titus looked over his shoulder and saw Rin bare as the day she was born. Her hair was messy and sweat ran down her tattooed skin.
"It's nothing. It's... I don't know. Every time I sleep, I always think that I'll wake up in my old quarters and find out none of this is real. Just a dream. My brother and sister teasing me about being too drunk to conjure up such a thing. But it's not... It's all real." He sighed and glanced back at Rin "It's all too real."
Rin remained quiet and traced her hand at the tattoo on Titus's back. A fist holding a Gladius and was surrounded by a Laurel Wreath. The Gladius stood atop a pile of skulls. Written on the blade itself was the word 'INVICTA'. Above the image were letters that formed: FORTIS FORTVNA IVVAT.
~Line Break~
Lucia Valeria Felix Aureliana stared ahead with a blank expression as their her fleet grew closer to the beach. She turned around and called for Severus.
"Severus, ready the men. The beach is the only path we have to get into that fortress. Expect the worse when they defend it."
The Optio nodded and assembled the men into formation. As they formed, Lucia held each of their gazes with a critical eye.
"Attention, lads!"
The soldiers can hear the other voices of the Shipmasters.
"Catapults! They're firing incendiaries!"
"Hold steady!"
Lucia maintained her gaze even as the other ships were trying to avoid getting hit by the incendiaries. She saw some had fear evident in their eyes but still stood in attention, barely moving.
"Today is the day when you will receive your first taste of Glory!"
Everyone in the formation can hear the panicked cries and orders from the other ships.
"Row faster! Double time!"
"Row, you dirty slobs! Do you want to die?! Row faster!"
Yet Lucia hadn't moved an inch, still standing on her spot without so much as a struggle even as the ship rocked.
"The remnants of the Blackstone Legion have managed to commandeer this fortress. Now it is our duty to hunt down these wolves and put an end to Apollyon's influence in this world!"
The ship beside them was hit by an incendiary. The men can see the crew and their fellow soldiers jump off the side of the burning ship as flames lick their bodies. Screams rang throughout the fleet as a few more ships got hit by incendiaries.
With her face mask, Lucia gave off a stoic and emotionless expression.
"Or die trying."
She turned around and cracked her neck as their ship grew closer to the beach.
"Ready!"
The soldiers drummed their swords against their shields in a rhythm. Lucia grabbed a shield and followed.
"On me!" Lucia ordered as she leapt out on the side of the ship and landed feet first into the water. A soldier beside her let out a roar as he charged, only to stop in his tracks as an arrow lodged itself into his eye. Three more buried itself in his neck, shoulder and knee.
"By the Gods." She muttered as she saw the soldier's unfortunate death.
She turned to her men and raised her Gladius in the air.
"Move!"
More ships have successfully landed and dropped out more soldiers to the beach.
"Incoming!"
A barrage of incendiaries and fire arrows fell upon the soldiers, keeping the Iron Legionaries from advancing further.
An incendiary slammed behind Lucia and sent her flying face-first into the sand.
Coughing up sand, Lucia shakily stood up from the sand and tried to steady her vision.
All around her, Legionaries lie dead on the ground. Some pelted with arrows and others were killed by incendiaries. She saw one dodge and weave through arrows only to be crushed by a flaming boulder. Shaking her head, she realized her helmet was gone.
'No time, we have to move and take this fortress.' She thought before rushing behind a rock to avoid the flaming arrows fired at her.
She saw her Optio, Severus, had gathered at least twenty one soldiers and hid behind a large rock across from her.
"Severus!" She yelled "Testudo!"
"Yes, ma'am!" He replied before turning to his men "Alright, boys. Form Testudo." They waited for the right opportunity before taking it "Move!"
Severus and his men formed Testudo, Lucia assimilating after. Lucia then took command.
"Forward!"
The shield formation moved forward, blocking arrows and slowly advanced to the gates.
The portcullis blocked the Legionaries entry to the fortress. The Testudo was then rained upon by arrows, causing distress on how long can the formation hold.
"The gate's control is inside. How are we going to get in?" Severus asked.
"Look! Artilleries!" A soldier shouted in joy.
Lucia looked to the beach and saw that past the beached Triremes were four Artillery Quinqueremes that carried Onagers.
The Onagers fired boulders that managed to divert the archer's attention from Lucia and her men.
It seemed Lucia was indeed a child of Fortuna. A lone boulder managed to destroy the gate's control and allowed the Iron Legionaries to enter the fortress.
Lucia smiled at their luck. She turned to the beach and raised her Gladius.
"Legionaries! Rally to me! Rally!"
The soldiers on the beach saw the Centurion raising her Gladius and rallied to her side.
Lucia turned back to the gate and yelled "Charge!"
The Legionaries were met by the forces of Blackstone Legionaries. The two clashed in a flurry of blades. Blood spilled over the fortress. Soldiers from both sides lay dead on the ground, the rain washing away the blood and grime on their bodies.
Lucia fought her way up the fortress until she finally cornered it's commander.
Standing ahead of her was a Warden wearing the Tedeus armor. He bore the colors of the Blackstone Legion and his blade had a skull for a pommel.
The Warden dropped into a stance "You're Iron Legion may triumph today but your Legion will crumble beneath our feet. The Wolves of Apollyon will continue her will. No one can stop us! Our power is unmatched!"
Lucia snorted before rushing at the Warden. She leaped into the air and aimed to bury her blade in the Warden.
The Warden dodged and slashed Lucia in the arm. It stung but it wasn't enough to hinder her movements too much. She feinted a strike then kicked the Warden in the abdomen, sending him on the ground. She lunged and struck but was blocked in the last second.
The Warden rose to his feet and sent three, quick slashes that Lucia couldn't parry nor block. She dodged a shoulder tackle and stabbed her opponent under his arm. She twisted his arm around then pulled her blade free before kicking him away.
She lunged and stabbed her blade on his chest. The Warden dropped his sword and clutched his wound in pain. She pulled the blade free then kicked him away. She threw her Gladius at the staggering Warden's feet and stomped towards him. With all her might, she punched the Warden under the jaw and sent him flying along with his helmet. Taking her Gladius, she stood over the downed Warden and observed the graying features of the Knight.
"Who are you?"
The Warden looked up at her then spat blood on her feet.
"I... ugh... I am Guy... ugh... Warden-General of the Wolves of Apollyon... Her loyal servant. And you, Centurion?"
"I am Lucia Valeria Felix Aureliana, Sister to Marcus Valerius Felix and Titus Valerius Felix. A proud Centurion of the House of Valeria."
"Heh... So you're the sister of Valerius. That wretched Lord Warden's dog!"
Guy's glare intensified as he smiled his bloody lips at Lucia.
"I would have had him chained to a wall while and have him watch you tied down and raped like who-"
Lucia scoffed as she buried the blade in his neck. She twisted twice before pulling it free. She grabbed Guy by the hair then cut off his head.
Walking over the balcony that looked over the fortress, she raised the head and roared out.
"Enough!"
The fighting stopped as everyone heard the Centurion's commanding voice.
"You're commander is dead! Surrender now and you're lives would be spared. If not, I will have no choice but to order your arrest and execution!"
Severus was curious at this. Even when she killed and beheaded the enemy commander, she would still choose to spare the lives of those under the enemy. If it were Marcus or Titus, both whom he have served under, would've killed the Blackstone Legionaries or had them crucified.
The Blackstone Legionaries slowly dropped their weapons and surrendered. The Iron Legionaries lining them up and sending them to the ships as prisoners.
Lucia watched as her men take down the Blackstone Legion's banners and replace it with the Iron Legion's.
She went to find the bathhouse and clean herself up of grime and blood. Taking off her purple cape, it was soon followed by her musculata and other armor pieces until she was left with only her tunic. She removed the belt and took off the tunic, revealing a tattoo of a woman wearing a blindfold and a crown. In her left hand was a cornucopia filled with wealth while in her right was a Gladius. Written on the blade was the word 'VICTORIA'. Letters were spelled above the crown and read: VERVS FORTVNA IUVAT.