Chapter 1: Champion of Kaon
Assassin's Creed: Empire Title theme: Assassin's Creed Legion unofficial theme by AC Univrs
-Apartment of Calvin and Emma-
"Cal, darling, can you help me pick out my outfit for today?" Sarah called as the young man was getting his own clothes on, the platinum blonde swapping between outfits on hangers as she looked at herself in the mirror.
"Let me see." The bespectacled young adult told her as she held up the trio of outfits in question. The common thing in all three was that Sarah's mid section would show.
One was a blue long sleeved top that had only a single button at the front. It also had a pair of light blue jeans and heels to complete the look. The second was a blue jacket with a black cotton fur, and a white mini skirt and blue knee high boots. The third was a gray tube top and a pair of tan colored jeans and white heels.
"The third one, I think today's gonna be a pretty standard day, so a standard outfit should be fine." Calvin replied, pointing at the tube top outfit. "No sense in getting fancy on a work day." He shrugged.
"Fair enough." The platinum blonde nodded as she went to get into her outfit for the day.
(Later)
-American Brotherhood Sanctuary-
The two were soon at their group's hideout and soon took notice of the fact that Joshua and Ororo were busy making out on the latter's desk, forcing the two to hide behind a corner to avoid being seen.
"Bloody hell! Since when were those two so good at getting busy?" Sarah whispered, recalling how her best friend mentioned that Joshua had asked her out during one of their break periods.
"Not sure. They look like they've been good at it for a while." Calvin replied quietly.
"Good morning all, I managed to get our coffees on the way he—whoa!" Mael said before he was suddenly pulled behind the same corner by the other two.
"Shhh!" Calvin and Sarah shushed in unison as they directed the historian's attention to Joshua and Ororo, who were now just cuddling.
"Well they certainly seem to have gotten along great." The taller man noted as the two lovers pulled apart and went to their stations while the other three walked in. "Well, here's your coffee everyone, help yourselves." He told them.
"Thanks." Joshua nodded as he grabbed his cup. "Is Calvin going in again?" He asked. "I mean I just went in last week so I've still got a few days before it's safe for me to go back in." He added.
"Yeah. I was planning on going in this week." Calvin nodded as he sipped down his own coffee—that being a Java chip frappe—while Sarah and Mael having glasses of Earl Grey and Darjeeling tea that the historian brewed with the base's kettle, and the two love birds having a Latte and an Iced Hot Chocolate respectively.
"I can't for the life of me figure out what we're going to do once we figure out what Ryse's memories tell us." Sarah mused, taking a bite out of an English muffin.
"We'll likely end up going after whatever he found, that way we can use the Feather to lock it down before Abstergo can get to it, like we plan to do with the Observatory, since Rebecca sent us its coordinates." Ororo replied as she shared a donut strawberry shortcake with Joshua.
"Once we actually get the feather." Joshua amended.
"Right." Calvin nodded before he got in the Animus. "Let's see what my albino ancestor got up to." He mused as his lover got him set up before everything went white.
Animus Active
Sequence 2 available
Memory: Casetus Proiectus
Synchronization in progress…
-City of Kaon, Province of Palmyra, 35 AD-
Ryse walked straight backed alongside his adoptive father Senator Gaulus, who led him through the streets of a city in Palmyra, the province that was set between Egypt and the eastern corner of the Roman Empire's Anatolian holdings.
The place was known as Kaon, and it was a fairly typical looking Roman city, gridded around a main square that gave the city a pentagon look, it was filled with buildings made of all manner of stone, brick and concrete while temples and local senate houses and basilicas were constructed outside of limestone and marble.
All of these were done in Ionic, Doric and other such fashions that gave it the Greek inspired looks that had become popular during the day. Dispersed throughout the streets of this city were wooden stands covered with tarps that merchants, fishmongers and other such tradesmen spent their days selling their merchandise.
Ryse watched the bustling city with intrigue as he passed by children playing with bronze and wooden toys or played child sized instruments, something he couldn't help but feel envious of.
But his attention was soon moved away from this to what really made the city special: the giant Gladiatorial arena in the center.
The arena was known as the Titanosium of Kaon, it was a megalithic structure constructed out of the finest limestone, pumice mixed concrete and carved marble, all held together by bronze clamps and clatting.
The body of the stadium was a rounded rectangle in shape with square Greek styled twin overheads and a giant portico similar to that of the arena in Krokodilopis in Egypt. In fact, the two arenas looked quite similar to each other, but instead of tarps held up by posts to provide shade—but actual retractable awnings that seemed to be made of fine cloth fit for purpose.
On the walls were carvings of Caesar's conquest of Gaul, the Battle of Zama, and the Triumph of Augustus after the conquest of Egypt along the walls, as well as statues of Emperors leading up to the current emperor Claudius that were scattered throughout the arena into the main battle ring.
Ryse took this all in as he was led into the arena itself, until they reached a quartered off area that was of smaller size were several men were fighting with wooden weapons—the city of Kaon's Ludus.
"Man, this arena is no joke." Calvin remarked as he looked at what Ryse was seeing.
"Yeah. This looks like something the Romans would definitely build." Joshua nodded in agreement.
The two then stopped in front of the barred gates of the Ludus, where a man dressed in simple but formal enough looking toga displayed outfit stood, checking something on some sort of list, charcoal ink pen in hand.
The man was rather old, having long gray hair and a bushy beard, with brown eyes and wrinkle canyoned skin that gave him sunken eyes. If Ryse had to guess, he looked about eighty based on that alone, but the stoutness of body that his Toga hid did give him an impression of being younger.
"Good afternoon, Owlus." The Senator greeted the older man, showing the boy that they likely knew each other. But from where he could not say.
"Hm?" Owlus hummed as he looked up and saw the senator. "Oh, Gaulus. What brings you here?" He inquired.
"I have come to give you a tribute." Gaulus replied, putting a hand on Ryse's pale shoulders. "In the form of a possible new champion." He continued. "This Ryse Maximus Gaulus, my newly adopted heir." He added as the boy adjusted his purple and red clothing nervously.
"Hm…" The old arena master hummed as he got up to inspect the boy. "He lacks color." He noted blandly.
"N-Not by choice." Ryse said.
"I am aware, make no mistake." Owlus told him. "But what makes you think he could be a champion Gaulus?" He questioned, looking at the old senator.
"He was originally to be discarded, but I saw him kill the guard that was to fulfill the task." The man replied, piquing Owlus' interest. "He has not only a startling display of savage might for one so young and frail, but also cunning as well." The man continued, rubbing the young one's white hair with affection. "So I am confident he will bring Kaon and yourself great victory." He added.
"He does have the initial makings of a gladiator. They all started weak, and became some of the strongest to ever grace the arena." The old man mused before looking down at Ryse and smiled. "How about it, child? Do you wish to fight for your glory?" He offered.
"If I can win glory for myself and my family, then so be it." The boy nodded.
"Then follow me." Owlus told him, gesturing to the gate. "And don't worry Gaius, I'll make sure your boy is treated well." He added to the older man.
"Be well, Ryse my boy, and good luck to you." The Senator told his adopted son.
"Thank you, father." The albino boy nodded back before the old Senator left. "When does my training start?" He questioned, looking up at Owlus.
"Right now, if you'd prefer." The man replied as they entered the training area, before handing the albino boy a rudius, or wooden sword.
"Then let's get started." The albino boy grinned as he took the practice weapon.
(Timeskip)
The clacking of wood against wood could be heard as Ryse was sparring with men who were in their early twenties. They were deemed the best for him to practice with as they were close enough to him in size for it to be fair for him to fight, but also large enough to give him an ample challenge.
The boy had been training like this for well over two years, and now was not nearly as frail looking as he was before, in fact, the slightest show of muscle was starting to appear on his young frame, which rightly aided him in his combat endeavors.
The young albino grunted as he was sent flying and landed on his back before he got back up. Thankfully, he was able to recover just in time to block a swing from one of his trainers.
"Come on, boy, fight! Don't let yourself be backed into a corner!" The man he was fighting, Flavius, barked at him. He swung and struck at the thirteen year old and put him on the defensive, each successful blow stinging the boy's nerves and leaving noticeable bruises.
Dodging a couple of blows, Ryse was quick to go on the offensive as much as he could. Flavius was both surprised and impressed with the albino's quick counter offensive, but said counter offensive didn't last long as the larger man went on the attack after exploiting an opening.
However, before the man could strike the boy on the head, Ryse proceeded to roll out of the way—then countered by striking the older gladiator in the back of the leg, forcing him to fall to one knee, and then crack his rudis on the back of the man's head, causing him to fall to the ground, a knob developing on his skull.
"Impressive." Owlus commented as he approached while two guards took Flavius to get treated. "It's only been two years, and you're already a far cry from when you first arrived. I can only imagine how you'll turn out in eight more years." He added.
"Hopefully as well as you and father believe me to be." The Albino said as he put away his weapon and followed his Lanista.
"I'm sure you will." The older man replied in his aged tone. "Now, you should return to your cell, it has been a long day." He continued, gesturing down the hall. "I shall have Iris and Seline come to you for the night with your dinner." He added.
"Thank you, Owlus." Ryse replied, rolling his sore shoulder as he walked to his cell.
Iris and Seline were unctores, or slaves that were tasked with taking care of Gladiators in their cells. Be it feeding them, giving them massages or being there to serve any… other such needs, they were basically at a Gladiator's beck and call.
These two in particular were Ryse's favorites. They were older than him, about thirteen years his senior, and they treated him like he was a son of theirs or a prince.
It didn't hurt matters that they were both ravishingly beautiful as well.
Ryse soon reached his cell and settled down on his cot when he heard his cell door open about fifteen minutes later, turning, he saw who had entered. As he expected, it was Seline and Iris.
Iris had brown hair, matching dark skin, brown eyes and wore only a white cloth bra and matching mini waist cloth. Her figure was very good for someone in her position, being overall voluptuous.
Seline had blonde hair, fair skin, blue eyes and the same attire Iris did. She also had a similarly voluptuous figure, but her bosom was ever so slightly larger than Iris'. This was because she actually produced a fair amount of breast milk.
Joshua immediately recognized them.
"Wait a cotton pickin' minute, are those Aphrodite's handmaidens from God of War?" He blinked as he noticed a glaring resemblance between these two ladies and the two video game characters in question.
"... Holy shit, you're right." Sarah agreed with her own blink.
"Just give Ryse a certain mark and shave his head, and he'll look like Kratos." Ororo chimed.
"... Ten bucks says that actually happens." Sarah dared her friend after a beat passed.
"You're on." The African woman grinned.
"If that actually happens, I'm gonna laugh." Calvin snickered.
Back to the memory at hand, both unctores girls sauntered up to the young gladiator in training, Iris kneeling behind him on the bed and rubbing bosom along his back while Seline knelt in front of him–a platter of roasted pork with salt and herbs, with a side of fava bean, onion and barley pulce, and a glass of wine placed beside them on a table–while she took Ryse's head and held it to her bosom, her milky teats close to his mouth.
"Drink, our future champion. You shall need your strength." She told him.
"Let us ensure you are cared for." Iris added while their albino charge drank Seline's milk with gusto.
It was likely his birth mother never did that with him.
'I love having these two around.' Ryse thought before he stopped drinking from Seline and started eating his gladiator style porridge.
(Timeskip)
-City of Kaon, Palmyra, 44 AD-
Ryse stood still as he was outfitted with his gladiatorial armor for his first ever battle in the Titanosseum, Owlus and Gaulus overseeing the process as a pair of male unctores from Spain took a sharpened whetstone and shaved the thin layer of white hair he had.
The young man was now twenty three years old and now was full of thick muscle, honed and carved from a decade of training in his Ludus, his fists and feet calloused from his work, and a stitched scar was just starting to fade from his left brow.
The armor that he was being outfitted with was white in color, to match his skin. It consisted of an iron chest plate, a pair of leather lined bronze greaves, two bulky manica arm guards—fashioned in the way of descriptions of that of the legendary Golden Fleece—which was lined with white linen, waist armor like those of the legionnaires as well.
The ensemble was all colored white, with a golden imperial eagle on its chest, and finally, he was given a mask. It was ivory white and covered his mouth, giving him the appearance of a snarling beast, golden fangs turned to his enemies—it reminded the modern crew of the masks worn by the Samurai of Japan.
"Hey Mael, think Gaulus could have had that mask imported from Asia?" Joshua asked their resident historian.
"It's certainly a possibility. The Romans had a pretty big territory and complex trade network, so they're bound to have met some Asian territories at the time." The historian replied. "What with the Silk Road being a thing." He added
Gaulus looked at his adopted son and smiled, clapping his hand on the man's shoulders. "Today you will make us all proud." He smiled.
"I will certainly try, father." Ryse nodded as his Lanista handed him his weapons, a sword, but one that almost looked like an elongated cleaver, which had an almost blackened sheen to it—to Joshua and Calvin it looked like a Cabal Severus from Destiny—and he also received a round shield.
"Now go, make us proud." His mentor told him as the young man walked down the hall, the sunlight grew brighter and brighter, while the crowds grew louder and louder…
And then he was in the arena, where the crowd cheered, eager for bloodshed.
The interior of the arena was colossal, like the outside, but it was mostly sand with trap doors, spike traps, and spinning spike posts scattered about to add more obstacles for uses in combat.
Additionally there were barred doors and pit openings where animals could be let in if need be, just to add to the spectacle in case anything already at hand proved to be lacking.
'Time to make my mark.' Ryse thought, gripping his cleaver-like sword tightly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, raise your arms and voices for our newest Gladiator. Fresh from the Ludus of Owlus Cassius Claro, we present: The Ghost Imperator, Ryse Maximus Gaulus of Britannia!" The Titanosseum Editor called from the top perch of the stadium.
The entire stadium roared in excitement, eager to see what kind of show Ryse would put on for them. The albino boy smirked under his mask. Who was he to deny these people what they came for?
A moment later, the gates opened and a bunch of no-name bandits rushed out, eager to win their freedom… Clearly they didn't know how the arena worked.
Drawing his hefted blade, Ryse swung the butcher's trade with a sweeping slash, bashing into one of the bandits—who was using the weapons of a secutor—scutum shield, causing the sheet of bronze to crumple against the steel of his blade, actually managing to break the man's arm in the process.
The hapless fool screamed in pain, tumbling to the ground as the crowd roared. Ryse, emboldened by the cheers of the mob, decided to snuff his life out with a decapitating swing that left his head rolling on the ground.
As the Ghost Imperator righted himself to fight again, a bandit retiarius glided behind him and sailed his chainmail net over the comparatively larger gladiator, attempting to ensnare him so that he could stab him with his trident.
Scoffing, the albinio gladiator managed to grab the edge of the net and throw it back at his opponent, who flailed haplessly like an idiot as he was ensnared by his own net. Then Ryse proceeded to grab the edges of the net and drag the bandit to a spike bit. Then, before the eyes of many, tossed him into it, letting the poor fool die instantly by being impaled.
Third was a Murmillo gladiator, a man who stood at equal height to Ryse—about six feet and five inches—with a burly body of compact fat and muscle that was protected only by a waist cloth, a pair of arm guards and greaves with a full cover helmet over his face.
His only weapons were an oblong shield, and a mace.
"Hmph. I'll crush your ugly body." The opposing gladiator sneered under his helmet.
"Correction: You'll die trying." Ryse retorted with his own sneer.
The two then charged at each other and clashed their weapons, the impact sending the two objects flying from their owner's hands—before the two attempted to strike each other with their shields—only for them to get caught. They then locked hands and started pushing against each other, the sand creating drag trenches from the force of their pushing.
"Damn, I wish I had some popcorn." Ororo pouted since this was kinda entertaining.
After seeing that they were at a stalemate, Ryse pulled a feint and relented for a brief moment, causing his opponent to stagger forward. The Ghost Imperator quickly moved out of the way, allowing him to fall to the ground.
The two then tossed their shields down and reclaimed their weapons, Ryse twirling his to flick off the blood of his previous kills, before he spun around with the speed and ferocity of a Vandal Barbarian and swung down at the large man as he attempted to parry—and cleaved his mace in two.
With his opponent's counter scuttled, the man reared his weapon back, and struck the gladiator in the jugular, nearly bisecting him diagonally, blood spraying everywhere on the ground and staining his white armor.
As his opponent fell to the ground dead, the crowd's cheers were nearly deafening. Ryse practically relished in it, taking this as a sign that he had successfully made progress in making his mark.
"The Ghost Imperator seems to have done well against our newer gladiators. But I wonder ladies and gentlemen, will he be able to do the same against one of our returning warriors?" The Editor questioned as the gates of the opposing end of the arena opened, and a new gladiator stepped into the ring.
The figure that walked in was a fair skinned man with a lanky and almost sickly thin looking body, his skin was pale as well, but not from albinism—but it was as if he were sick. His dirty blonde hair was tied behind his hair and his equally messy beard was barely braided. A pair of wild blue eyes was what looked at Ryse.
The man was barefoot and wore only a pair of brown pants. Otherwise he had no armor, save for a pair of knuckle dusters common among the Cetus brawler class of gladiators.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome our first returning gladiator. The man from the land of the barbarous celts, the one who can feel no pain, nor revel in any pleasure, let's cheer for Finn Balor of the Wilds!" The Editor called, the man clashing his fists together.
"No pain?" Ryse commented, raising an eyebrow. "That may be an issue." He muttered to himself.
"Come on then! Fight me!" Finn yelled as he rushed at the gladiator and delivered a punch that actually knocked the wind out of the Ghost Imperator, nearly causing him to fall to his knees.
"Damn, that looked painful!" Sarah commented with a wince.
"No kidding." Mael nodded in agreement.
As Ryse was recovering, Finn delivered another blow to his face, knocking his mask off. When the deceptively strong man tried to throw another punch, the albino gladiator caught it and glared into the brawler's eyes.
"You try my patience, Celt." The man growled. He was familiar with this man's people, and he had a feeling of kinship with them. But this man was pushing what little resolve he could muster.
"Urgh, finally." The blonde groaned before Ryse punched him right between the eyes, sending him tumbling to the ground and groaning as he got up, and muttering at how disappointing it was that he couldn't feel the hit.
Finn rushed him, a fist ready for a haymaker, but when he threw it, Ryse dodged it. Then the brawler started throwing punch after punch, trying and hoping to hit him. The albino's strategy was to tire him out in hopes of making this fight move along faster.
"You won't defeat me, your body is far too frail." The man taunted as the two clashed hands and started pushing against each other.
"I could say the same to you, you may be bigger. But you just fought several people, sooner or later that body will give out and you'll be left vulnerable." The man said. "Because while you can feel everything I'm throwing at you, I—I can't feel aaaany of this…." He added with an almost hysterical chuckle.
"Then you risk getting yourself killed." Ryse shot back. "All it takes is one fatal wound to end you. You won't feel it… But it will still kill you." He added.
It was at this moment that they pushed each other towards one of the spinning spike posts, which Finn then used his momentum to try and impale Ryse on it, but only managed to separate them long enough for the Ghost Imperator to roll out of the way of another punch to the ground—allowing him to grab the blonde by next in a headlock from behind.
"There are other things that can kill you, however." Ryse mused before he snapped the Celt's neck, killing him instantly. The man fell to the ground with a thud, and soon the stadium fell into a long silence… before it erupted into cheers.
"Ryse Ryse Ryse Ryse!" The spectators all chorused as the man picked up his sword and slung it onto his back.
Meanwhile, Ryse's surrogate father had a proud smile on his face as he heard the crowd chant his son's name as the white clad warrior turned around in a circle, arms outstretched. It was clear that the decade he spent training hadn't been wasted.
He still had a fairly long way to go, but it was clear that he was capable of making that journey.
"Your student looks promising, senator." An elderly voice noted beside the man.
Turning, Gaulus soon took notice of a man in yellow and white Siwan garments, with a feathered shoulder drape and a beaked hood over his bald head, his gray beard indicating his age.
"Osiris." The senator mused as he turned back to watching his celebrating son. "So you were watching." He noted.
"I watch all candidates of stature." The hooded figure replied. "The Hidden Ones can always use more initiates." He added.
"That's entirely up to Ryse." Gaulus stated. "But, I feel that he may yearn for something more beyond just being a gladiator. Joining your people might be what he needs." He added.
"Well then." The man nodded as he removed himself from the wall he was leaning against and tossed the senator something. "When you think your boy is ready to become something greater than himself, tell him to seek our symbol. We'll show him what it means to make real change." He added as he walked away, fading into the crowd of the stadium.
Gaulus opened his palm and looked at the objects that were tossed to him, it was a coin with the Hidden Ones crest, and as he looked back at his son, he saw the shadows of the young man's arms stretch in the light to resemble the symbol in his palm.
The symbol—of the Brotherhood.
Assassin's Creed: Empire
…
Sequence 2 complete
Memory Synched
Ejecting user…
-American Brotherhood Sanctuary, Present Day-
Calvin let out a groan as he came out of the Animus, seeing Sarah apparently had a water bottle ready for him. He accepted it with a thankful nod.
"Thanks." The boy sighed as he sat back up and got out of the chair. "Seems like I've got one hell of a warrior in my family tree." He mused.
"No kidding." Joshua nodded with a chuckle. "I'm a little curious about what kind of Eagle Vision he'll have." He mused, wondering if Ryse's Eagle Vision would be anything like Shin's to suit his gladiator lifestyle, or be something else entirely.
"That is, assuming he has Eagle Vision." Calvin chimed in, recalling how Bayek didn't really have the ability at all.
"Oh yeah, right." The man nodded, realizing that could be the case.
"But for now I think we've done enough for today." Sarah stated as she hugged her lover's arm into her ample chest. "So I think it's best we all go home for the time being." She added.
"Fair enough." Joshua nodded as he and Ororo hooked their arms together and walked out of the Sanctuary with Mael leaving too.
"... Movie at my place?" Calvin offered when they were left alone.
"Mmmm…." The blonde hummed as she laid her head on his shoulder. "How about a movie at your place, with dinner, and a few drinks." She continued as she leaned up to his ear—lips to it. "Followed by a night where you ravage me like a wild animal." She purred.
"I think that can be arranged." Calvin smirked before the couple beelined their way home.
Dragon Emperor0: Well that's the first actual chapter of the story out of the way, and we're officially one step closer to bringing this story to the point it needs to be in order to get the full gameplay loop going. Thankfully, that likely won't take long.
ThermalsniperN7: Yeah, and we got to see Ryse going through his decade of gladiator training along with him being taken care of by two women God of War players will be familiar with… All Ryse is missing is the mark Kratos has.
Dragon Emperor0: Don't get your hopes up though, those two will likely be old women by the time Ryse meets the Hidden Ones and starts working against Nero. But don't you worry, we have someone in mind who'll be perfectly worthy of filling the slot of leading female role and potential woman for the Ghost Imperator.
ThermalsniperN7: The only thing we'll tell you guys is that she'll be a gladiator too. She'll only appear after Ryse is on the cusp of the biggest winning streak ever. Anyway, see you next time.
