Nasir would not find his prayers answered. The Gods had, for whatever reason, forsaken him.
Sedullus had the stamina of an ox and any hope Nasir had of a quick end was fading swiftly. With the mans immense weight still pressing against his back and his cock still pounding relentlessly into his sore and aching body he could snatch only short, irregular breaths and he himself was beginning to fade. Perhaps the Gods would be gracious enough to steal his consciousness for a time and spare him at least some of this agony.
Not far away, Naevia and Crixus sat together, watching the celebrations but not sharing in them. Crixus was glaring at the Germans and a low grumble of disapproval had settled in his throat. Naevia clutched at his hand, drawing his attention.
"I shall get us some more water." She said softly. Crixus nodded.
She took up the jug and rose slowly to her feet, weaving her way through the rabble, towards the small recess in which a table had been laid with refreshments.
What she saw as she rounded the corner filled her with horror, memories of her time in the mines assaulted her, making her tremble. The pain she saw in Nasir's eyes was one she knew only to well and it made her sick to think of it. No one deserved such a fate, least of all this man who had risked his own happiness to see her freed from her bondage, the only man besides Crixus she thought upon with any fondness.
She took a step back, her legs unsteady, and turned to survey the crowd, eyes desperately searching for Agron. They settled upon him in the far corner of the courtyard, laughing with a small group of new arrivals. The jug slipped from her hands as she ran to him.
"Agron!" She called out as she drew closer. The German lifted his head and his gaze immediately met hers. His laughter died and a feeling of dread crept along his spine. There could be only one reason why she would call for him in so anguished a voice. Nasir was in trouble.
"Where is he?" He demanded of her. She raised her hand and pointed.
"Sedullus has him. Please… hurry."He tore through the crowd in desperate, blind panic, Naevia following behind. He needed no further words from her to tell him what trouble Nasir was in, her eyes had told the whole tale. Agron's blade was already drawn. Sedullus was a dead man.
Crixus watched the commotion from across the courtyard. Naevia was distressed. That she sought Agron meant it was something to do with Nasir, and from Agron's reaction it was of no small concern. The Gaul held no affection for the German and never would but he had no quarrel with the Syrian. Indeed, he owed him a debt. If not for Nasir, Naevia would still be enslaved and at the hands of fucking Romans. He would not sit idle and see the man come to harm. He stood, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword and went to offer his assistance.
At the sight of his lover bruised and bloodied, limp and barely conscious from Sedullus' ongoing assault, Agron's rage exploded.
"SEDULLUS!" He roared in German. "YOU WILL FUCKING DIE FOR THIS!"
Sedullus ceased his thrusting at last and withdrew from Nasir's body, but still held him in place. Agron glanced down. The giant's cock was engorged and heavy between his thighs, and stained with Nasir's blood.
"BUT NOT BEFORE I RIP YOUR PATHETIC COCK FROM YOUR BODY AND FUCKING FEED IT TO YOU!"
Sedullus released his grip on Nasir and he fell to the ground, shaking and gasping for much needed air. Naevia ran to him instantly, dropping to her knees beside him offering what little comfort she could.
Agron snarled like a wild beat and charged the giant, determined to impale him upon his sword but the larger man was quick on his feet and easily avoided the blade. Agron roared again and swung his sword, this time slicing open the man's chest. The gash was not deep enough to kill but it bled freely. Sedullus stumbled forward and Agron's blade sliced flesh once more, a shoulder, revealing some of the muscle underneath.
Naevia helped Nasir pull up his torn bracae, returning to him some small vestige of dignity..
"Your whore is very good brother." The giant sneered in German. "And now that he knows what it is like to have a real man's cock inside him he will be even better next time."
"Nasir is no whore." Agron's fury was barely contained as he spoke. "And I am not your brother. You are no better than those… FILTHY ROMAN SHITS WHO SOUGHT TO ENSLAVE US AND YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR WRONGS AS THEY WILL FUCKING PAY FOR THEIRS!"
Agron lunged once more at Sedullus, but lacking a weapon the giant was able to move with more speed and agility and Agron was robbed of his aim by this blinding rage. Sedullus ducked beneath the blade, escaping with little more than another scratch. He did not notice Crixus approaching from behind, so intent was he on dodging Agron's sword.
Crixus drew his sword and angled his shoulder before swiping the tip of the blade across the back of the giant's knees. It was a move he'd used many times in the arena. The injury would not end life, but it would immobilize an opponent in an instant.
Sedullus fell immediately with a grunt of surprise. Agron shot the Gaul a look of gratitude and pounced upon the downed giant, tossing away his sword in favour of his dagger, more easily wielded in close combat. He knelt upon the larger man's chest, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared down at him. Sedullus bucked furiously but Agron would not be dislodged until he was ready.
He pressed the edge of his blade against the beasts throat, stilling him, enjoying the look of fear that slowly crept into his eyes. Then with a mighty roar he dragged the blade across the mans flesh, opening him up from ear to ear, watching as the dark crimson blood seeped from the wound, but he was not done yet. There was one last thing, A threat spoken that he would see made true before this animal was dragged into the afterlife.
His blade made one more jagged cut. Sedullus would have howled in pain were he able. Agron shoved the severed organ into the mouth of the man, no, no longer a man, beneath him and held it there, choking from him what little life had still to drain away.
"This…" He hissed. "Is better than you deserve for what you have done to Nasir. Would that I had the power of the Gods and I would give you back your life so that I might take it from you again and again in evermore agonizing ways.
As those final words were uttered Sedullus took his last shallow breath and it was over.
He stood, his stance unsteady and breathing laboured from the fight.
Nasir. He had to see that Nasir was safe.
Nasir was huddled in Naevia's arms, shaking, staring blankly ahead, lost in this waking nightmare. Agron could almost feel his pain from where he stood. Slowly he moved forward, crouching before the man he loved.
"Nasir." He whispered, but found no response. Nasir did not even seem to have heard him. Agron looked to Naevia for a reason. He could not begin to understand what Nasir must be feeling in this moment but if anyone could, he knew it would be her.
"Sedullus no longer has his body but he still holds his mind captive." She told him.
He nodded his understanding.
"Nasir." He tried again. "You are safe now." Still nothing. This was agony. To see this man, once so full of full of fire and joy, now so tormented, so hurt, so lost and have no idea what to do to help him… it made him ache so badly that he could hardly draw breath.
"Please." He begged. "Please Nasir, hear my voice, know that I am here, and that I love you." He reached out, his hand trembling as he moved to cup the younger mans cheek.
The touch seemed to awaken something in Nasir, but not as Agron had hoped. Nasir recoiled as though the touch had burned.
"No." He pleaded brokenly hands outstretched defensively. "No, no, no…"
Naevia spoke softly to him
"Calm yourself Nasir. It is only Agron."
"Agron?" Slowly Nasir came back to himself and he lowered his hands. His eyes darted here and there, as he became aware of his surroundings. Of Naevia's arms, Agron's strength, Crixus' concerned distance… Sedullus's lifeless body. He fought back tears. He felt shame enough as it was that they had seen him, seen Sedullus… They would not see him cry too. He let out a shuddering breath. Agron let out one to match.
"It is over. He cannot hurt you now. Nor ever again."
Nasir closed his eyes. His body ached, his head ached, his heart ached. He had neither the energy nor the will to do anything but nod.
He tried to forget what had happened, to push it from his mind but the moment he felt Agron's hand upon his he was seized by panic and he knew that he would never forget. His eyes flew open and he snatched his hand away.
"Do not touch me." He barked, regretting his words immediately for the pain they had caused was evident in Agrons blue eyes. But he could not take them back, nor could he explain them, he did not know how. How could he make him understand that although he longed to feel Agron's gentle loving touch once again, the memory was tainted now by the feel of Sedullus's hands upon him, his… "Do not…" He caught Agron's gaze and silently begged for forgiveness. He did not want to hurt the other man but he could not be near him either. "Apologies." He whispered. "I just… I cannot…" He could not finish the thought, the words would not come and so he fled. He did not know where he was going, only that he needed to be away from here.
"Nasir, wait." Agron called out but Naevia's hand on his arm prevented him from giving chase.
"Allow him his space."
"But he needs me."
"He is conflicted inside. He does not know what he needs and there is nothing you can do for him until he does. Be patient."
"But…" He sighed. His body was screaming at him to go after Nasir and it pained him to keep his distance, but he knew that Naevia understood Nasir's pain better than anyone and if she said wait, then he would bow to her wisdom, no mater how much it grieved him. His own needs were of no importance, only Nasir's.
Naevia returned to Crixus,
"Come." He said. "We shall need Spartacus help if we are to move this stinking piece of shit."
She nodded, casting one last sad glance at Agron before allowing Crixus to lead her away.
Alone now, Agron finally gave in to the deluge of emotions that had been threatening to engulf him. Sinking to his knees he buried his head in his hands and wept for Nasir.
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