Chapter 9
Endymion watched how hot iron was forcefully shoved into sweat-stained tanned skin, causing a fountain of blood to splutter out of the descending body. Jadeite grinned down at the defeated man who was kneeling and wheezing before him. The blond gladiator's eyes sparkled with dark mischief and satisfaction as he took in the sight.
The people of Capua hollered and screamed for the battle's climax, as their endless thirst for blood and death made them again and again yearn for more.
More blood.
More death.
Jadeite slowly circled his defeated opponent, his taunting grin aimed at the cheering audience that got more and more impatient.
They hated him for it.
They loved him for it.
"He always toys with them." Zoisite next to him sighed, but his mouth and eyes showed clear amusement.
"With his unfortunate opponents or with the people of Capua?" Andrew laughed light-heartedly.
"He is only feeding the insatiable beast." Nephrite cut in with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.
Nephrite was standing a little behind them, leaning against a cold, stony wall as he watched Jadeite's battle through impassive eyes.
"The audience yearns for drama, and drama is what he will give them."
His eyes then left the arena sand and settled onto Endymion instead.
"Poor Jadeite." he added with the slightest of grins turning his lips. "He can try as hard as he wants, but there will be only one battle today that will satisfy the beast's thirst. Isn't that right, Thracian?"
Endymion felt Nephrite's eyes on him, but he wouldn't return his gaze, nor would he react.
Instead, Andrew did.
"How can you speak so lightly of it…" he said with a glare kindling his green eyes, "… when your leader was tricked into this unbalanced battle as much as Endymion was?"
Zoisite moved his eyes away from the spectacle on Capua's arena's sand to face Andrew with a twinkle in his eyes and a light chuckle on his lips.
"We have no doubt that Malachite will emerge victorious." he told him with a wink.
"As far as the Thracian is concerned, however…" Nephrite added, the slight turn of his lips broadening to a haughty grin as he left the remaining words unspoken.
Andrew's burning eyes narrowed to slits, and his hands clenched to fists as he whirled around to hiss venomous, protective words at the two gladiators. But before a single word could leave his mouth, another voice stopped him.
"I only hope Malachite does not share such foolish thoughts of insanity." Artemis spoke coldly. "For it is only with the strength of two and the blessing of the Gods that Theokoles will be defeated."
All four gladiators immediately turned around and watched as the Doctore emerged from the arena's cold shadows.
His long white hair was tied back, leaving his heavily scarred face free for the entire world to see. The Doctore wore his visible marks with pride… almost as if he wanted the Shadow – the one responsible from many years ago – to see and to remember.
Another wave of admiration surged through the Thracian's veins as he looked at Artemis: the only living soul that had ever faced the Shadow and would still roam the world above.
The death cry of Jadeite's opponent pierced through the suffocating afternoon air, causing the men's heads to turn and focus on their brother's grand finale.
"A child's play." Zoicite sighed as he watched through the arena dungeon's iron bars how the gladiator's lifeless body slumped down onto the bloodied dirt and sand before Jadeite's feet. "I cannot believe someone like him would be sent to take part in the Pluvia games. This is hardly enough to tempt the Gods into tears. If anything, we must fear their wrath for insulting their godly eyesight by offering them such a weakling as a tribute."
"Something the Primus will certainly manage to change." Malachite's deep voice sounded from behind them.
"Malachite." Artemis addressed Capua's Champion with raised brows. "Where have you been? I sent guards to fetch you quite a while ago."
"Forgiveness, Artemis." Malachite said, his voice strong and without even the slightest hint of regret within.
But he wouldn't answer the Doctore's question.
Artemis stared at him for some moments longer, awaiting the Champion's response, before he eventually sighed and shook his head.
"Gladiators." he addressed the men standing about. "Give these two some space to collect their thoughts before their fight."
He then turned to look at Malachite and Endymion, the expression on his face unreadable.
"I shall return shortly before your fight." he told them.
Endymion and Malachite both turned to look at the house's Doctore – both silently thanking him for granting them that.
Endymion saw how Artemis' gaze suddenly flickered towards the white strap of fabric that the Thracian held tightly in his right hand.
The Doctore then lifted his gaze to look Endymion right into his eyes, his piercing green orbs narrowing a little as they studied the Thracian gladiator.
"Use the time and think of what will help you survive this challenge." he then advised slowly. "And so be it."
Endymion stared after Artemis' retreating form, but he could still feel his probing gaze from moments before hot on his skin. The grip around the small piece of fabric automatically tightened. He did not like the way the Doctore had looked at him – did not like the glimmer of angry suspicion and spark of recognition that had swirled within the man's eyes.
"Is it hers?" Malachite's calm voice suddenly brought him out of his deep thoughts.
Startled, he turned his head to gaze at the other man who was now standing next to him in front of the iron bars that separated the dungeons from the arena sand. Malachite was not looking at him, but was watching how two slaves pulled the lifeless body of Jadeite's dead opponent over the sandy ground and out of the arena.
When Endymion wouldn't answer, Malachite finally shifted his hard gaze to settle on the other gladiator instead.
"The scrap of cloth in your hand." he told him and nodded towards Endymion's right hand. "Is it your sister's?"
Endymion furrowed his brow in confusion as he detected the spark of interest behind Malachite's grey eyes.
The Thracian then let out an exhausted sigh and shook his head while gazing down onto the thin piece of silver-white fabric.
"No." he finally admitted – more softly than originally intended.
"Why not?" he heard the other gladiator ask, causing Endymion to lift his gaze again.
"What is it to you?" Endymion huffed with a glare in his midnight blue eyes.
Malachite shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance and turned around to lean against the iron bars. He folded his tanned arms before his chest and kept staring at the Thracian warrior with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Isn't she the reason you accepted this challenge?" he wondered aloud. "Wouldn't it be logical to have something of hers to give you the strength to fight and defeat the Shadow?"
Endymion stared at him for a moment longer before he shook his head anew.
"My sister will be safe no matter if my heart still beats when the sun sets." he finally muttered. "She will not need me for I know that she will be treated kindly should I perish."
Malachite remained silent at that, his own thoughts clouding his grey eyes.
"And yet your eyes fill with determination to live when they settle onto this small strap of fabric." the undefeated Celt finally mused. "Why is that?"
Endymion's lips curled into a slightly amused smile as he looked up.
"Why are you so interested, I wonder?" Endymion said with a soft chuckle. "In your view, isn't honor and glory the only thing worth fighting for?"
Malachite cocked his head in response, his gaze thoughtful as he eyed the Thracian closely.
A sad smile suddenly appeared on his normally hard and stoic face, causing Endymion's brows to lift in surprise.
"Maybe there is something more worthy." he told him with a shake of his head, and the sudden softness within his grey eyes caught Endymion off-guard.
"Maybe there is something worth living for."
A startled frown carved into Endymion's expression as he eyed the Celt suspiciously.
"Maybe…" Malachite then added and paused a moment, his gaze drifting towards the arena's Podium. "Maybe we are no longer fighting at cross purposes."
Endymion's eyes mirrored the Celt's movement, immediately focusing on his silver-haired goddess sitting in front row.
"Maybe." he whispered, while his fingers tightened possessively around the satin piece of clothing in his hand.
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He didn't know how long he had been placing the softest of butterfly kisses onto her porcelain skin while his hands gently roamed and caressed her body, nor did he really care. She tasted sweeter than the sweetest fruit he had ever had, and was more addicting than the finest wine that had ever moistened his lips, making him yearn for more, always more. Every touch, kiss and taste would leave him giddy, lightheaded even. As if there was no care in the world, and tomorrow never existed.
It… she felt like freedom in a chained world.
He was leaning over her sleeping form, the beauty in deep slumber but with a satisfied smile on her lips as he softly worshipped her body. He stopped the movement of his mouth as he reached her chin. He gazed down at her with adoration in his eyes as he gently removed some of her silvery hair from her face. A wave of manly pride washed through his system, for he knew that he was the reason for the satisfied exhaustion that had made her fall asleep in his arms.
Endymion's eyes darkened with desire as images of what exactly he had done to her only a few hours flooded his mind, causing his groins to tighten yet again.
He was no saint, nor was he foreign to the world of pleasure in a loving woman's arms. Being the leader of a Thracian tribe somehow brought along the admiration and love freely given by local women. He would not consider himself as a bad man, for he had always treated them with the respect a woman deserved. The women in question might disagree, as he surely had caused his fair share of broken hearts over the past years. However, he had never raised false hopes, nor had he ever made vows and promises of deeper affections and undying love.
But Serenity…
An affectionate smile lifted his lips as his index finger gently followed the contours of her goddess-like face.
Serenity was different.
It was something he had clearly felt the first moment his gaze had settled onto her, and it was a feeling that had only intensified with every second they had spent together, reaching its climax hours ago when she had granted him to make her his – body and soul. Nothing he had experienced in his life so far had ever felt like this. No pleasure given by another woman, no victory in the arena. Being with her, loving her had raised a storm of emotions and pleasure inside him that he had never thought possible.
It had felt like living for the first time.
Endymion lowered his head and placed a soft and gentle kiss upon her lips. He watched in amazement as her eyes slowly fluttered open, her gaze drowsy and with the hint of irritation as she woke up. Endymion smiled down at her, and Serenity's eyes immediately filled with warmth and love as she spotted him.
"It's almost dawn." he finally whispered while his fingers gently roamed her face.
"Already?" Serenity asked, and her gaze immediately filled with sorrow for his words had made her remember reality, and the terribleness of their situation.
Endymion's heart clenched painfully as he saw the loving expression on her face change to one of pain. He wanted to brush away her tears, and to kiss away the sadness. But before he could, the beauty beneath him gently pushed him away and sat up, turning her bare back on him.
"I… I should go." he heard her say in a strained voice.
"Serenity…" he whispered, the tone of his voice begging her to look at him.
"Mina and Lita are going to kill me." she continued while ignoring his quiet plea.
She hurriedly reached down to grab her nightgown that Endymion had carelessly thrown onto the cell's stony ground at some time during their passionate night.
Serenity had already thrown the piece of clothing over her head and was just about to get up when two strong determined hands were placed onto her shoulder, gently keeping her in place.
"Serenity…" Endymion whispered her name against the side of her neck.
The beauty couldn't help but close her eyes at the soft sensation of his warm lips against her skin. She let out the shuddering long breath she didn't know she had been holding and shook her head a little in frustration.
"I promised myself not to cry." she finally admitted quietly when she felt the glistering hot tears run down her cheeks. "I wanted to stay strong and see you off with a reassuring smile on my lips and hope in my heart."
Endymion's hands on her shoulders gently forced her to turn around so that she would face him. She quickly averted her gaze that was flooded with hot tears, but the gladiator's finger beneath her chin made her head to lift. Endymion had his head slightly cocked and his face was covered with a thoughtful expression as he brushed the tears away from her skin.
She felt how his fingers slowly moved down until the fingertips of his right hand rested on the skin above her frantically beating heart.
"Is there no hope left?" he whispered, his clouded gaze trained on where his fingers lay on her heaving chest.
"Is there?" Serenity answered his question with one of her own as her hand lifted to cover his.
Endymion looked up to meet her gaze. Her eyes were pleading when she searched his face – desperate to find the tiniest spark of hope within his pools of midnight blue.
"There is something I wanted you to have, Serenity." he then said, and a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
Confused, the beauty watched as Endymion suddenly stood and walked towards where his pants lay. The beauty felt the heat rush to her cheeks as she took in his naked form, and she quickly averted her eyes. While Endymion was not in a least affected by his nudity, Serenity was by no means used to such a sight. No matter how brave she had been the night before – courage that had been sparked by the fear to never have a chance to be with him again – the shyness now returned with full force.
She heard his soft chuckle float through the dim cell.
"There is no reason for you to avert your eyes, Serenity." Endymion said with amusement in his voice.
Out of the corners of her eyes, she saw how he slowly approached her until he came to a stand right before her.
"Not after what we did only hours ago." he purred, causing the heated flush on the beauty's skin to increase.
Even through shadowy veil of dimness, Endymion could still see the endearing blush on Serenity's face as she continued to look away.
But he wanted her to look at him.
He wanted to see that spark of desire that always heated her innocent eyes whenever she would take in his form. He wanted to remember this, and he wanted her to remember as well. Endymion therefore gently but determinedly took hold of her chin and turned her head to look at him.
Serenity swallowed a little as her eyes travelled up the Thracian's body. Endymion was standing proudly before her – a vision of golden-tanned hard skin that would even put Adonis to shame. A cocky smirk appeared on his face as he noticed her rapid breathing and the flushed proof of arousal covering her cheeks and chest. Her innocent reaction almost drove him mad with desire – especially now that he knew what kind of other reactions and sounds he was able to coax out of her. He felt his groins tighten at the thought, and during another time and situation, he surely wouldn't have thought twice about pinning her to the cot to once more carry her off to the burning lands of passion and desire.
But it was not another time, nor was it another situation.
It was the final day of the Pluvia.
The day of the Primus.
His fighting day.
Serenity's shyness quickly turned to a startled look when the obvious desire in Endymion's expression was tinted with utter sadness. His thoughts had travelled to today's games, of that she was certain.
She covered his hand with his and gently pulled him down to sit with her on the cot. Endymion offered her a small smile as the fingers of his hand roamed her face again.
"I want you to have this, Serenity." he then said, and the beauty's eyes widened as he opened his other hand to reveal a fine piece of golden jewelry.
Endymion was holding a delicate necklace with a white rose-shaped glass bead as a pendant.
It was beautiful.
"Endymion." she gasped as she finally lifted her gaze to look at him, the expression on her face a mixture of awe and genuine confusion.
"One of Andrew's friends is a glass maker." he explained with a gentle smile on his face, obviously pleased by Serenity's reaction. "I managed to put some of my winnings aside to have enough money to pay him. It's …"
He paused there a moment, his eyes focusing on the glass pendant as his thumb slowly followed the bead's contours.
"It's a rose." he then continued when he looked up to meet Serenity's awe-struck gaze. "It was an idea that came to me during our last evening together before the Dominus returned home from Etruria. You were distressed because the flowers on your balcony had died because of the drought. And you told me that everything, no matter how innocent it was, would die in this house."
He cocked his head a little as he watched her reaction.
"Do you remember?" he whispered gently, and the beauty couldn't do more than nod her head.
Endymion nodded as well as he stared at her with a serious expression on his face.
"I wanted you to have something that would not die." the gladiator continued. "Something that would last even the most suffocating of droughts."
He then bent forward and put the necklace around her swan-like neck, and silenced every possible protests from Serenity with a gentle, loving kiss onto her lips.
His fingers found the rose-shaped pendant that was now dangling down her chest and gently pressed it against the skin above her rapidly beating heart.
"Something for you to carry close to your heart." he whispered. "Something that will remind you to never lose hope."
His hand then left the small piece of jewelry and he moved a little away from her, but his dark gaze never left hers. Serenity's hand immediately lifted to close around the small rose-shaped bead, still feeling the warmth of Endymion's touch from only moments ago.
She just stared at him: wide-eyed and unable to speak. Her mind and heart were filled with words and emotions, but her mouth was not able to form a simple syllable.
When she wouldn't react other than staring at him, doubt was slowly washing through Endymion's veins.
"I … I know it's not much." he tried to defend with a nervous shrug of his shoulders. "I just thought you …"
But his sentence was immediately cut off when Serenity threw herself at him, sealing his lips effectively with hers. The impact of the unexpected attack made Endymion fall back onto his cot, a soft and sweet bundle of silver and white in his arms as Serenity kissed him with all the love and passion that she had.
"Thank you." she whispered when their lips finally parted, and buried her face into his neck. "It's beautiful."
Endymion smiled tenderly as he wrapped his arms around her petite form, pulling her close.
"I want to give you something in return." he heard her suddenly whisper.
He pulled away a little to look at her, and he couldn't help the gentle shake of his head as he detected the determination sparkling in the depth of her crystal blue orbs.
He cupped her head, smiling.
"You already did."
Serenity cocked her head in confusion, and Endymion couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at her irritation. Did she really have no idea what her coming to him that night had meant to him? What kind of relief she had offered him that went so far beyond the assuagement of carnal desire, ever since he had become part of this Ludus?
The beauty in front of him shook her head stubbornly, clearly not accepting his words. He watched in amusement as she pulled her lower lip between her teeth, an adorable habit of hers that she always showed whenever she was in deep thought about something. Endymion titled his head to one side, smiling as he stroked the side of her face with his thumb. His eyes then travelled down her form, a devilish smile appearing on his lips as a thought crossed his mind.
"Give me this." he then said, and Serenity let out a startled gasp of surprise as he suddenly pulled forcefully at the seam of her nightdress, ripping it apart until he was holding a longish piece of fabric in his hands.
His eyes twinkled with mischief as he brought the piece of fabric to his nose, only closing them when he inhaled deeply.
Serenity watched him with irritation in her eyes.
Endymion's smile took on a gentle turn as he opened his eyes again and took in her startled expression. Without another word, he tied the piece of satin fabric around his wrist.
"I want to have this." he said, smiling.
Serenity shook her head, still confused.
"It's just a piece of fabric." The beauty told him slowly. "It's nothing of worth."
A soft chuckle rumbled through Endymion's chest, and he couldn't help but shake his head.
He then pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing her form to his hard chest.
"Serenity…" he sighed against her hair. "It is."
Serenity remained silent at that, the genuineness of his words and the realization that something so small could mean so much to him stunning her.
Endymion placed a gentle kiss onto her head, closing his eyes as he concentrated on her scent, the feel of her gentle breath against his neck, and the soft form pressed against his body.
And for one last blissful moment, his trapped world stopped moving.
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Endymion's thumb slowly traced the satin fabric he held tightly in his hand. He smiled a little at the sensation.
It felt so cool and soft – like her skin.
He knew that it even smelled like her.
A piece of her – a small token of beauty and freedom amongst shadows of death.
"It's time." Artemis announced solemnly from behind them.
Endymion briefly closed his eyes, granting him one last moment of happiness as he remembered the smile on her face. He wrapped the strap of clothing around the wrist of his sword-leading hand.
With every attack, with every blow of his weapon, he would see the small piece of fabric, reminding him of her and why he was fighting to live.
Endymion and Malachite slowly turned around to face their house's Doctore.
He stared at them for a moment longer with an unreadable expression on his face before spoke.
"One last lesson, gladiators." he the growled. "One last lesson before you face the Shadow of Death."
Both men lifted their brows in surprise as Artemis began to pull off his leathern chest guard that he always wore. Endymion sucked in a sharp breath as Artemis' skin that lay underneath was revealed for the first time.
Thick white and red scars had marred the Doctore's chest and back, leaving an everlasting imprint of battle wounds as a constant reminder of earlier times. Endymion had seen many scars before – but none of them as thick and prominent as Artemis'.
No mortal man could have possibly survived such wounds.
"My failure, your lesson." Artemis told them darkly as his green eyes were shadowed by the images of a battle long by.
He moved closer to where both were standing motionlessly.
"His first cut pierced my chest when I thought him vulnerable and pressed my attack unwisely."
"His next assault…" Artemis continued as he slowly circled them, giving them view to his equally battered back. "… came as I fell back to regain position. Yet these wounds are nothing."
Artemis now stood right before them, looking at them through serious eyes.
"A game of blood to amuse the crowd. And when Theokoles is tired of playing, he will move to separate your head from your neck."
Endymion bit something inside his cheek as he listened, his fingers clenching to fists in horrified anticipation.
"I live because I survived longer than any man that stood against him…" Artemis said darkly. "And because my Dominus chose the right time and place to grant me my freedom. Some claim that as a victory."
He shook his head almost as if disgusted.
"I am not among them." He growled, the truth of his words and the self-disgust he felt reflected in his green eyes.
Is was obvious that Artemis had rather preferred to die a death of honor against Theokoles instead of being spared by his Dominus.
He was a true gladiator – a man who had dedicated his life to play the games of blood and death and die as such.
But Endymion was not such a man.
He did not want to die at Theokoles' hands. He wanted to live – if only to hold Serenity in his arms once more.
"You tell us the Shadow wounds both when he is pressed and when he is given ground." Endymion said, shaking his head in irritation."
"Then how will he be defeated?" Malachite continued harshly.
The tiniest hint of a smile curved Artemis' lips, and he nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"By accomplishing both at once." he explained firmly.
"Press…" he motioned towards Endymion.
"And defend." He continued, his hand moving to point at Malachite. "Distract, and strike. Fight as one, or die as two!"
Endymion knew that Mina had uttered almost the same words the day before when she had yelled at them. He glanced at Malachite, wanting to see the Celt's reaction. The other man had both hands clenched to fists, his whole body tense as he glared into space.
There was anger inside him – of that he was certain. But there was something else. Something Endymion could neither pinpoint nor name, but it had made Malachite softer, and yet stronger.
Something Endymion had experienced as well.
The Thracian felt the cool strap of fabric around his wrists, and Serenity's beautiful face appeared in his mind's eye.
"My hour of glory has long passed." Artemis declared firmly. "Yours stands before you."
The Doctore then held up two sharp swords for Endymion and Malachite to take.
"Now, show me the way to honor." Artemis challenged, his eyes now a dark green. "Write sins no tragedies."
An evil smile appeared on his normally solemn face.
"Heel old wounds and kill that fucking bastard."
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"You look pale, dear." Esmeraude told her with false concern on her face, but with clear mocking in her green eyes. "Are you feeling alright?"
Serenity's nails dug deeply into the armrest of her seat as she watched how Jadeite's dead opponent was pulled out of the arena, leaving a path of angry crimson behind.
She swallowed hard as he tried to calm her frantically beating heart. The beauty forced herself to offer Esmeraude an equally false smile.
"I'm fine." Serenity told the other woman, but her voice sounded shaky even to her own ears.
"Maybe a little dizzy from the ongoing drought." she added as an explanation. "The burning sun is unbearable."
Diamond turned around to look at her with concern clearly visible in his indigo eyes.
"You should return to the villa, sister." He told her seriously. "You do look pale."
"No!" Serenity was quick to refuse vehemently, causing her brother's brows to lift in startled surprise.
She tried once again to swallow the lump in her throat, moving her fan hastily.
"It would be a shame to miss the Primus, brother." she told him with thickness in her voice while offering him a wobbly smile. "It's nothing, really."
Diamond continued to stare at her with uncertainty on his face, clearly still debating whether or not to better send her home.
"Do not tell me you have finally tasted blood, lovely Serenity." Praetor Seiya chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement at his own pun. "I have to admit it would please my heart to know that our Primus has managed to spark your interest for the games."
The other guests of honor laughed at his words, either because of real amusement or mere duty.
The smile on Serenity's face hardened at the sound.
The sound of laughter – be it real or not – felt so wrong, and sounded so false in her ears.
She felt Mina grab her hand, squeezing it tightly. It forced her attention to focus on her friend rather than on the other people around her. Mina's eyes were turned towards the arena beneath them, her face hard and pale as marble beneath the glistering midday sun. But despite the emotionless mask she wore, Serenity could still see the desperation and the fear that was swirling within Mina's blue eyes.
Fear for the men they had fallen in love with.
It made Serenity's own heart clench painfully in her chest, and she knew that she had to pull herself together so that the tears would not escape her eyes.
She had to be strong.
Just like Mina.
For them
For him.
"Serenity?" she heard Diamond's impatient voice.
Startled, she shook her head a little as her eyes focused on her brother who was sitting in front of her. He stared at her with a concerned but also irritated expression on his face, tainted with the slightest lines of anger.
Serenity drew her brows together, frantically trying to remember what he had just asked her, but at the same time knowing that she could not have heard what he had said for her mind had been occupied otherwise.
"Give her something to drink, son." a voice from behind them ordered harshly. "It was reckless to bring her here in the first place."
Serenity's eyes widened in shock, and she quickly whirled around to face the voice's owner.
In a matter of moments, she leaped to her feet and flung her arms around the man's neck.
"Father…" she breathed against his chest, and felt how Tiberius wrapped his strong arms around her petite form, pulling her close.
He placed a gentle kiss onto the crown of her blonde head, smiling affectionately down hat her.
"I knew that you would miss me, my lovely daughter, but I wouldn't have thought that you'd miss your old father quite that much." he chuckled as he held her shivering form tightly.
His merriness mixed with confusion as Serenity's hold around him only tightened in response, almost as if looking for comfort. Tiberius' eyes darkened a little as he moved her away from his chest to look at her. His old heart clenched painfully in his chest as he saw the glistering tears of sadness and desperation in her eyes.
He had never seen such a look on her face.
It filled his own heart with angered confusion.
"Father." he heard his son's cold voice. "We weren't expecting you."
Tiberius lifted his head, the gentleness in his eyes gone as he glared at Diamond.
"Did you expect me to fail to appear when my son happily ruins my father's and grandfather's life work?" he retorted coldly.
Diamond's face turned to stone at his father's words, his eyes narrowing as he mirrored Tiberius' glare.
A soft chuckle was heard, making everyone turn to where Rubeus was sitting.
Tiberius narrowed his hard gaze on the red-head, causing the Lanista to immediately fall silent, not daring to let out another sound.
Tiberius led Serenity back to her seat, motioning Saphir to pour her a glass of water.
"Honorable Tiberius." Seiya addressed the older man with a polite smile on his face. "It is a pleasant surprise to see you again. What brings you here?"
Tiberius motioned Mina to get up so that he could take the place next to his daughter. His lips were tightened to a thin line as he stared at the Praetor.
"As I've already mentioned, Praetor." he told him with unusual iciness in his voice. "I came to watch how you, Lanista Rubeus, and last but not least my own son try to destroy everything my ancestors have built."
"Father!" Diamond growled, but was immediately silenced by Tiberius' hand.
Seiya stared at the famous general for some moments longer, before his lips turned into a somewhat startled smile.
"I assure you, there was no malice behind me helping good Rubeus to organize the Pluvia." he explained soothingly. "It is simply a festivity to make the heavens cry."
"By tricking my son into sacrificing my house's most promising champions?" Tiberius retorted calmly, but his deep blue eyes were alive with challenge.
"I was not tricked, Fath…" Diamond started to defend himself, but was immediately cut short by his father's harsh words.
"Enough, Diamond!" he snarled with authority, the tone of his voice making the people around him flinch.
Diamond's jaw tightened, but he remained silent.
"Malachite and Endymion chose their fate, Dominus." Saphir came to Diamond's rescue. "They wanted to fight to bring honor to this house. To your house."
Tiberius lifted one brow, eying his son's body-slave with a stern look on his face. Saphir would always defend Diamond – no matter what. He had always done it, and would probably always will. But his blind loyalty was completely misplaced this time.
Tiberius still could not believe how reckless his son had been to send Malachite and Endymion to fight against Theokoles. He did not know Endymion, but the Thracian's reputation had even reached the borders of the Roman Empire. Artemis had sent word to Tiberius about what kind of challenge his son had accepted – and Tiberius had dropped everything in a matter of moments to head towards Capua.
Losing Malachite and Endymion today could very well destroy the Ludus in the long view. They had financial resources, of course, but only for so long. To suffer a loss like this was a difficult thing to recover from – even for a wealthy Ludus like his house's.
It was something that Rubeus and Seiya were well aware of.
"Forgiveness, Tiberius." Seiya then offered after some more moments of tensed silence, making Tiberius to focus on the Praetor. "I do not wish for misunderstandings to build walls between us. I assure you: to safe Capua's people from the drought by pleasing the Gods has always been my only intention."
The general stared at him for some time.
He knew why Rubeus had an interest in tricking Diamond to accept a fruitless challenge and to ruin the rival Ludus, but the Roman general still had to figure out the Praetor's motives.
It left him with a feeling of unease – but there was no use to show him that.
He therefore softened his expression a little and nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"And I thank you for that, Praetor." he finally said, and Serenity could see the tension leave Seiya's body at her father's words.
It was obvious that Tiberius would not further dwell on this specific topic in public, and so the group of noble men and women around them slowly started to converse about other topics.
Seiya then stood to announce the Primus, words that filled her heart with dread.
Serenity heard the exhausted sigh from her father next to her, and a spark of hope illuminated her eyes as she looked at him.
"Father." she whispered, grabbing his hand. "Stop this madness. It's not too late."
Tiberius's gaze was firmly fixed on the arena grounds, watching as Malachite and Endymion were brought to the center of the arena. Several man-sized flames had been placed all around the arena ground.
Seiya and Rubeus had organized quite a show for the Primus.
"Father!" Serenity urged desperately, her heart beating rapidly against her chest.
"I will not let this house be the laughing stock of Capua, Serenity." he said firmly without looking at her.
"But Father…" she whispered feverishly, but was immediately silenced when Tiberius' head whipped around to glare at her.
"I will not Serenity." he growled at her, the harshness of his tone making her gasp. "There is no way back."
His expression then softened as he took in her pained face. He took hold of her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"Do not worry, dear." he whispered gently. "Even with Malachite's and the Thracian's death, the Ludus will rise again. It may take some time, but it will not be ruined. We will rise like a phoenix from the flames."
She immediately turned her head away, not wanting her father to see the tears clouding her eyes.
The glistering proof of crushed hopes.
It was all about honor and money – not about the men who were doomed to die at a monster's hand – something even her father seemed to be convinced of.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to where Endymion was.
He was standing proudly among blazing fires in the center of the arena, his stance determined and powerful as the crowd cheered. Across the arena, his blue eyes found hers. One look was enough to make her surroundings fade from the spotlight.
There was only him – a shiny God of golden skin and muscles made of steel that was glistering due to the blazing fires around him.
As if Mars himself had descended from the heavens to fight the monster Theokoles.
Truly a God of the arena.
Her hand went to take hold of the rose-pendant around her neck, pressing it to where her frantically beating heart lay beneath.
She saw him smile briefly at her, before he turned around to face the door where Theokoles would emerge.
He had asked her not to lose hope.
To trust in his abilities, and in their love that would give him the strength to survive this.
She silently vowed that she would.
"That's a beautiful necklace, Serenity dear." she heard Esmeraude tell her in a sickeningly sweet voice, but she wouldn't move her gaze away from the God on the bloodied sand. "Where did you get in from?"
Serenity swallowed hard before she answered.
"It was a gift." she said with her voice barely above a whisper.
Diamond suddenly turned around to look at her. She felt his quizzical gaze hot on her skin, but she would not return his stare. Her eyes were glued on the arena sand where Endymion was.
The sun suddenly vanished behind thick clouds of grey and dark, turning the once brightly lit arena sand dark and causing a murmur to go through the crowd.
Dark shadows fell onto the ground as the heavy door on the right side of the arena was opened.
And then, Theokoles entered.
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Endymion tensed as the ominous silence stretched over the arena sand. He had fought many fights until then, but never had the arena filled with people been so soundless. Even the sun had disappeared – as if Mother Nature herself was trying to hide from Theokoles' presence.
The heavy doors across of them opened, and Endymion's eyes widened a little as he Theokoles finally emerged from the shadows.
He heard how Malachite next to him took in a sharp breath at the sight. Thekoles truly was a man to fear – everything about him screamed danger and death. He stood more than seven feet tall, his white body cluttered with hundreds – maybe even thousands of scars. He wore them proudly as he stepped onto the arena sand – the proof of thousands of wounds that had never managed to strike him down. He had long blond hair that seemed to be tinted with sparks of blood – as if the blood he had spilled would glom on to his body and refused to be removed. Endymion's fingers around the handle of his sword tightened as he realized that Theokoles' eyes were of a red color, glimmering with death and anticipation to take more lives.
When he spotted Malachite and Endymion, his scarred mouth convulsed in an ugly grin, revealing rows of yellow, sharp teeth. Andrew had already told him that Theokoles had filed his teeth to points to look even more repulsive.
"This is ridiculous." he heard Malachite growl, and he saw how the Celt's eyes narrowed with determination as he glared at their opponent. "He is nothing but a man."
Endymion nodded his head in agreement.
Theokoles was mortal – nothing but a man. He could be wounded, and therefore he could be killed.
The crowd watched in anticipation as Theokoles moved to the center of the arena, two swords in his hand, but no shield.
He would not fight to defend himself – as much was certain. He came to fight and to kill.
The moment he had reached the center, his angry red eyes focused on the crowd, before he lifted both swords high into the sky and let out a terrifying battle cry.
The crowd cheered in response.
"Capua!" Malachite then called out to the bawling people with an almost mocking smile on his lips. "Shall we begin?!"
They faintly heard the Praetor's order to begin of the excited cheers.
Theokoles was the first to attack. His huge body moved swiftly and pointedly like a big lion, his two edgy swords whizzing through the thick midday air as they craved to cut skin and bones. Endymion quickly leant away to avoid the gladiator's deadly blow, the sharp blade missing his vulnerable throat only by a hair's breadth. He faintly heard the crowd scream in surprise, some of them cheering as they wished for more blood to taint the arena ground. Endymion quickly whirled around to escape another deadly blow, while Malachite forcefully leaped at the whitehaired monster. Endymion quickly circled Theokoles in one graceful movement and pushed his own sword forward, and satisfaction washed through his body as saw crimson blood flow from a wound he had inflicted. They cut Theokoles several times, but the man simply would not go down. After only moments that felt like hours, Endymion felt the sweat pour from his head, mingling with the blood that escaped some wounds on his own body.
Theokoles smiled an evil grin as Malachite and Endymion both attacked him at once, his pointy teeth yellow and crimson. Endymion let out a cry of both pain and exhaustion when he landed another cut on Theokole's skin, but the giant would not even flinch.
It was as if he almost enjoyed the feel of metal against his skin, the burning pain in his eyes quickly turning to obsessive glee that spurred him further on.
Endymion had never fought against someone like that. Theokoles skillfully managed to parry every blow either Malachite or Endymion sent his way.
Something changed, however, when the sun suddenly emerged from behind the clouds. Endymion watched as Theokoles cried out a little even though that no sword had even touched him. The giant closed his red eyes tightly against the burning rays of sunshine – distracted as Theokoles seemed to turn out there for a moment. Malachite saw that as well, and he quickly jumped forward with a battle cry on his lips. With two forceful hits, he drove his sharp sword into the giant's skin, causing a cross-shaped wound to split Theokoles' chest.
Theokoles cried out in angered pain, but Malachite kicked his wounded chest forcefully with his foot, causing the other man to plunge to the ground.
Endymion stared wide-eyed at the fallen gladiator, tense and ready for another attack.
But Theokoles wouldn't move.
Malachite yanked his face guard from his head, panting heavily as he, too, stared at the fallen gladiator.
The entire crowd was deadly silent, the tenseness thick in the air. They waited with bated breaths for Theokoles to move – but his body just lay there, motionless.
Malachite then turned his head to where Endymion was who was still staring at Thoekoles with a confused expression on his face. The Thracian was pulled out of his irritation when Malachite suddenly threw his head back, laughing heartily.
Endymion stared at Theokoles' corpse, and he too began to laugh.
Their laughter made the crowd around them explode with laughter and cheers.
They had defeated the undefeatable.
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"YES!" Diamond yelled out his victory, his eyes shining with triumph as he stared at his two victorious gladiators.
"Well that surely was a quick fight." Esmeraude laughed, shaking her head. "A shame. I would have expected more."
Serenity's heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she stared onto the arena ground.
She could not believe it.
Theokoles – the Shadow of Death – was dead.
And both Endymion and Malachite alive and practically unharmed.
It was a miracle.
She felt Mina's hands on her shoulders, and she quickly turned around to look at her friend. Both women had tears of joy in their eyes, and Serenity's immediately came up to squeeze Mina's reassuringly.
They had survived.
"It's not over." a voice next to her whispered.
Serenity turned her head to look at Luna.
The High Priestess' eyes were firmly fixed on the arena sand where Endymion and Malachite were still being celebrated by the crowd.
"Theokoles likes to play." Luna continued with a sharp bitterness in her voice that Serenity had never heard before. "It's not over."
As if on cue, a wave of shock and irritation washed through the crowd. The people immediately stopped cheering, their happiness getting stuck in their throats.
Serenity's hand flew to her mouth in shock as she watched how Theokoles' body suddenly moved. Her eyes filled with horror as the gladiator got back onto his feet, an evil grin on his face as he faced the crowd.
"CAPUA!" he cried out, both bloodied swords lifted high into the air. "Shall I begin?!"
The heavens thundered their response in approval.
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The blood in Endymion's veins froze to ice as he heard the voice. Both, Malachite and him, whirled around, a look of horror and dread on their face as they saw the monster standing there that they had presumed dead.
Theokoles' yelled question was met by a storm of hysteric cheers.
The crowd loved the drama – and he was giving it to them.
Malachite was the first to overcome his shock, and he quickly made a bolt for the giant. Theokoles laughed as he effortlessly parried Malachite's attack, and plunged his sword into the Celt's arm instead.
Malachite let out a scream of pain and went down. Before Theokoles could aim another blow at the man, Endymion came to his rescue and threw his own sword in between. Thokoles showed his bloodied teeth as he grinned evilly at the Thracian, and he send blow after forceful blow at Endymion.
The young man groaned with every powerful hit that met his sword of shield. He knew he had to stand his ground for the moment that he fell meant certain death. But his body screamed with pain and exhaustion, with desperation. He faintly saw how Malachite had risen again to attack the giant from behind, and Theokoles let out a sharp bark of laughter as he quickly whirled around to avoid the Celt's attack. He kicked Endymion out of the way as he faced Malachite, and the Thracian was thrown to the hard ground.
Endymion groaned in pain as he forced his limbs to move – to get up and help Malachite.
He heard a roar fill the air, and his heart jumped with hope as he saw how Malachite plunged his heart into Theokoles' abdomen.
But instead of going down, the giant stood his ground and grabbed Malachite's sword with both hands. He pulled it further into his body while letting out a roar of pain and satisfaction.
Malachite's eyes were wide in shock as he was pulled further towards the giant.
He had hit him, he had wounded him.
His fucking sword was plunged deep into the other's body!
Then why was Theokoles not falling? Why did he wear an expression of triumph on his face?
He faintly heard Endymion's cry of alert pierce the thick air.
But it was already too late.
Theokoles suddenly knocked his head against Malachite's causing the Celt to stumble backwards from the force and pain. He felt dizzy, and his sight blurred, but he saw how Theokoles pulled the sword out of his chest. Malachite mustered all of his strength to keep the shield up when Thokoles attacked him once again, but the blows were to forceful.
One hit made was so strong that it made him whirl around.
A fateful failure.
The moment Malachite's vulnerable back was turned at him, Theokoles let out a triumphant roar and ran his sword into the Celt's skin. Malachite's eyes widened in shock and pain, his mouth slightly opened as he fell to his knees. Blood was escaping his mouth as he gasped for breath, the pain that was running through his body like fire making it harder and harder for him to fill his lungs with air.
His eyes moved to the Podium, focusing on the woman with blonde hair and deep blue eyes. He saw the horror on her beautiful face, and he moved his lips a little, trying desperately to say her name at least one more time.
"Mina." he choked, silently and not even sure if he really had said the name.
Endymion's eyes were wide with horror as he watched how Malachite had been hit by Theokoles. Blood as running in streams down the Celt's back as he knelt on the ground, the giant behind him with raised swords and ready to take the undefeated Celt's life.
But Endymion would not let it happen.
"THEOKOLES!" he cried out and got up on shaky legs.
It worked as the giant turned his red eyes on Endymion. Endymion lunged forward with his sword held high, ready to fight, to attack, to kill.
The Thracian attacked Theokoles with full force, pushing him further and further away from Malachite who had fallen to the ground by now.
Theokoles had his irritating smile on his lips as he parried Endymion's attacks effortlessly.
Malachite wheezed and spluttered blood, but forced his battered body to turn around. He saw Endymion battle Thracian, the Thracian fierce and protective as he sent blow after blow.
But he would lose – it was obvious that Theokoles was gaining the upper hand.
No one was able to defeat the Shadow of Death.
Only the Gods could save them now.
It was then that the sun suddenly reemerged from behind the clouds, drawing Malachite's attention to the metal helmet that was lying next to him. With a pained groan oh his lips, the Celt forced his weak body to move and grab the face guard with a shaky hand. He moaned and groaned with pain as he moved onto his stomach, the helmet in his hand.
Malachite positioned the helmet on the ground, catching the emerging sun's rays. He directed it towards where Theokoles was fighting, and he managed to reflect the light into Theokoles' face with the help of the metal helmet.
Endymion's eyes widened in realization as Theokoles cried out in pain. He quickly glanced back to see Malachite on the ground, helmet in his hands as he tried to blind Theokoles for a moment.
Hope surged through Endymion.
There was still live there – there was still hope.
He knew what he had to do.
Endymion was quick to use Theokoles momentary loss of sight to his advantage. He was swift to move behind Theokoles and pushed his sword into Thekoles body. The gladiator cried out in outrage and pain, but Endymion would not stop. Again and again, he plunged his sword into the man's chest until Theokoles fell to his knees as Malachite had done only minutes prior. Endymion let his sword stuck in Theokoles' chest while he grabbed another bloodied sword from the ground and attacked the side of Theokoles neck.
Blood sputtered from the seething gladiator as Endymion repeatedly hit the same spot. The Thracian's muscles were painfully tense and screaming with exhaustion as he sent blow after blow with full force.
But he would not stop. He could not stop.
Endymion forcefully pulled the second sword out of the gladiator's back, a shout of anger and frustration on his lips that Theokoles was still alive.
An ocean of blood formed on the ground, a clear proof of Thoekoles' mortality.
He placed both swords on either side of the other man's neck.
He mustered all of his remaining strength for this last attack.
The crowd cheered with ecstasy when Endymion's swords sliced through Theokoles' neck, the force of his blow finishing him by decapitation.
Theokoles' head flew through the air, landing several feet away from his body.
Endymion panted heavily as he watched Theokoles' body fall to the ground before him.
He heard the crowd cheer and bawl, but there was another noise – a growling from the skies above.
And then he felt it.
A drop of rain that had hit his face.
Capua's people cried out in surprise and ecstasy as the heavens finally cried to honor the fallen and surviving gladiators.
Endymion closed his eyes at the sensation of the streams of rain falling down onto his face, washing away the blood and exhaustion.
Eyes still closed, he lifted both swords into the air.
A roar of victory escaping his mouth.
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In my crown, I am king
I love their endless worshipping.
I am raw, a dinosaur
But I will never be extinct.
So don't mess with me,
I'll beat you down.
Don't mess with me.
'Cause all your head are gonna roll.
I've made your misery my goal.
So if you want survival,
Kneel on my arrival.
For this is how I rule the world.
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Hey guys!
Woa, that was a super long chapter ... I hope you liked it and it was worth the wait :-)
Thank your for your response. It is great to know that you people like my ideas!
Have a great weekend!
J