Chapter 12
Man-sized torches, speared into dry warm sand, were arranged across the training ground. A warm gust of wind picked up, causing the flames to cast dancing shadows onto the stony walls and dusty ground. Two lines of torches in the middle of the training ground led to a pile of thick black wood near to the sharp cliff that led down to jagged rocks and the roaring ocean.
Despite the wind, the air around them felt thick and hot. Suffocating.
The deep, rhythmic sound of one single drum echoed through the night. Slow and powerful. The shining stars above them were gone – the ancient Goddess Nox herself had spread her sable wings to engulf the world in darkness.
Nox … the Goddess of the Night and the mother of Death and Sleep and Revenge.
Sleep had not found them that night – or any other night since the attack.
But Death had come. Followed by Revenge.
The sound of the drum kept thudding through the air – each beat a symbol for the loss they all shared, for the silver tears that had been shed.
No one moved. No one spoke. They were statues. Beautiful and powerful. Strong. Invincible. But without life to give.
They had been Gods, once. Warriors, made of human flesh and muscles, shaped by the hot iron of the enemy's sword and steeled by blood and sand underneath Sol's creation.
No… they had been made Gods. He had made them Gods.
Tonight, however, there were only shells. Internally mourning their leader.
Their Dominus.
"Where is he?!" she had exclaimed, her silver-blue eyes wide and full of confusion. Neither her heart nor her mind had been ready to accept the truth.
"Serenity…" the Doctore had addressed her gently, carefully. His mane of silver hair had been tousled and tainted red – the crimson evidence of the lives he had taken that night.
"Where is he, Artemis?!" the woman hat cried out once again – more forcefully this time.
Endymion still remembered the look on Artemis' face – a world of pain and helplessness. The Doctore had closed his eyes then, obviously unable to look at her the moment she would finally realize.
"I'm sorry." he then had whispered – the words nothing more than a broken sound, a faint whisper.
Her legs had given in then, Endymion's strong hold the only thing preventing her from crashing down onto the bloodied floor of marble. His big arms had closed around her, and he had pressed the crying woman to his warm chest. But he could not shield her from this, could not ease the pain. He had been overwhelmed by grief, hers and his own, and he had kissed her forehead lightly. He had felt Artemis' eyes on him, his skin burning and tingling under the intensity. But he hadn't been able to find himself to care.
The sound of the drum suddenly stopped with one final, powerful beat – the sound bringing the focus of Endymion's mind back to the dark training ground. Deafening silence filled the air for the longest of moments, until the great, massive door that led inside the villa was finally opened.
Diamond was the first to appear, clothed in dark colors that didn't seem to match his light skin and hair. In his right hand, he held a big torch – the flames illuminating his pale face. He stepped outside onto the training ground, his dark, hollow eyes examining the house's gladiators that surrounded him. The moment he moved again, the pounding of the drum restarted.
The gladiators watched solemnly as their young Dominus made his way towards the wood pile at the end of the illuminated path. Behind him, four men followed, carrying a thick board of wood with a coffin placed on top of it.
One of them was Artemis. His green eyes were firmly fixed upon the pile of woods ahead, his scarred face straight and without emotion.
Beat upon beat, the men carried board and coffin closer towards its final destination. Diamond stopped next to the pile of woods and turned around, facing the group of gladiators. His dark eyes followed Artemis and his men as they approached. For the shortest of moments, his gaze flickered towards the balcony high above, and a wave of pain washed over his features.
Without looking, Endymion knew exactly who had appeared. He lifted his head a little and followed Diamond's gaze.
It was remarkable, really. Even in deep mourning, she was still stunningly beautiful. She wore a dress of a dark color, and the matching veil hid her silver hair. Endymion had never seen her wear dark clothes, and even though she was a vision, he couldn't help but feel that she should not wear them. The picture didn't seem right. He half-hoped that she would look at him, but her silver-blue eyes were filmy fixed upon the coffin that was now carefully placed onto the pile of woods.
The Priestess Luna was standing right next to her, and Endymion noticed how the older woman attempted to place a hand of support onto Serenity's shoulder. Before she could, however, the young beauty lifted her hand, and shook her head slightly. Her eyes never left the coffin. Luna's hand dropped, her expression sad as she nodded her understanding.
Endymion sighed. He felt her pain as if it were his own. But he could not help her. The fight against the overwhelming dread of loss was something that she had to fight on her own. He brought his attention back to the other side of the training ground. The coffin was made of wood and glass.
A gift from Rome to honor the great Tiberius.
Diamond stepped closer to the coffin, his eyes filled with pain as he looked at the cold face of his dead father. After some more moments, he suddenly lifted his hand and the drum stopped.
"It's a heavy thing…" his voice then sounded through the darkness. "Seeing a father so strong in his life unable to rise."
There was a long pause before he continued.
"The weight of it is keenly felt."
He turned around to face the group of gladiators – his knuckles turning white as he tightened the grip around the torch in his hand.
"We waited 8 days to pass. 8 days since the attack. 8 days since barbarians, animals, dared to not only shed Roman blood, but also the blood of our brothers. Of our FATHER!"
Diamond's eyes had turned wild, his pale face brutish and twisted as he spoke.
"But this I swear by the Orcus: we will not fall victim to barbarity! They will pay with blood for what they have done!"
The gladiators around them roared and bawled in agreement.
"This house…" Diamond continued in a strong and mighty voice above the gladiators' bawling. "This house is found on unshakable foundation! A house of honor and respect! And they dared to take the most honorable and the most respected of us all! I will hunt them down, and with or without the help of the fucking Gods, I will make them regret that their filthy whores of mothers decided to bring them to this world!"
More cheers. More roaring. It was as if the night was exploding with dark energy.
"From this day forth…" the young Dominus barked. "… may the Goddess Nox be our patron, and may her children Mors and Nemesis lead our dark path! May the Gods have mercy upon our enemies. Because I won't!"
"Kill them all!" Andrew who was standing next to Endymion cried out while lifting his glistering sword high into the night sky.
The gladiators around them mirrored his action and battle cry.
Diamond nodded his head in appreciation. It was then that Endymion noticed that one person had not lifted his sword. His brows furrowed in confusion as he stared at Artemis who was standing a little behind the Dominus. The silver-haired man had his eyes firmly trained onto Diamond, and even through the darkness, Endymion could see that the man's green eyes were sparkling with hatred. But it was not hatred for the rebels that had attacked. It seemed as if it was hatred born out of another cause.
Diamond then lifted his hand, signaling the gladiators to fall silent.
"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned! I will laud my father's memory by seeing the House of Tadius elevated beyond the imagining of my ancestors. I will need all of you to see it done. My Titans of hard purpose and desire… Tomorrow, the sun will set a new era! And we will forever celebrate my father's glory through blood and death. Be it in the arena or on other battlefields! Enemies of this house shall fall by our hands, and we shall paint our walls with their lives forfeited, and water our gardens with their blood! May the Goddess of Vengeance now yield me her place to punish the wicked!"
He then turned around towards his father's coffin, his hand shaking as he approached it.
"Honor to the Dominus!" Artemis bellowed, and the gladiators started to bang their wooden swords against their shields.
Diamond showed the burning torch in between the pile of woods, causing it to immediately engulf in flames.
Endymion gazed up to the villa's balcony. Serenity's face was void of any emotion as she watched how her father's body was devoured by Vulcanus' lifeblood.
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Endymion walked down one of the villa's dark corridors. Recent actions seemed to have convinced the Dominus that the Thracian was indeed a slave to be trusted – enabling the gladiator to roam the villa without guards needed. It was a gift that Endymion cherished a lot, as it also made it much easier to see Serenity during the nights without raising mistrust too quickly.
The young man stopped when he suddenly heard whispering voices coming towards him. Endymion was quick to step into the shadows of a darkened corner, hiding himself from view. He pressed himself against the cold wall, listening carefully as two persons approached.
"It was treason against the Gods, Artemis." he recognized the High Priestess' voice. "Even if spoken in grief, he should not have insulted them as he did! To openly align oneself with the Gods of darkness and proclaiming the Goddess Nox as our new patron…"
She made a pause there, and Endymion could almost picture how the older woman shook her dark curls in disgust.
"… the Light Deities will not be pleased." she continued. "Dear Selene, what have we done…"
"It was quite a show, was it not." Artemis' scoffed. "He could have fooled Veritas herself."
"Artemis!" Luna's frantic whisper sounded. "It is not wise to give voice to your dark suspicions!"
"Suspicions?!" the Doctore hissed. "Tiberius was nowhere near death when I found him! The deed was done after the rebels were put to flight!"
Endymion bit his lips to prevent the gasp to escape his mouth. He slightly moved his head to peak around the corner. Luna and Artemis were standing not far away from where he was hiding. He had never seen the look of utter hatred on the Doctore's face as he stared intently at the small woman in front of him. Any other being surely would have tried to flee from the threatening sight, but the High Priestess just lifted her chin defiantly.
"The spirits of grief and pain lead you astray, Artemis." she replied with determination. "Luctus himself seems to becloud your sharp mind and makes you follow a dangerous path."
"It is the ugly grimace of truth that spurs my thoughts, Luna!" Artemis growled. "Diamond knew about his father's plans regarding Serenity. Obsession and madness must have been his companions when he found his father, and he…"
"Enough!" Luna stopped him sharply. Her angry hiss echoed from the walls of the dark corridor.
They stared at each other for the longest of moments, and tension was thick in the air.
It was Luna who broke the silence with a heavy sigh, shaking her head lightly. She took a determined step towards Artemis, and lifted one hand to gently cup his scarred face.
"What difference that is make, my love?" she whispered sadly. "Even it was the truth… what can you do?"
The Doctore's body relaxed under the Priestess' touch.
"Nothing." he admitted softly.
Luna pulled his face to closer to hers, placing a kiss onto his lips.
"Then do not waste your life on things that cannot be changed." she whispered. "The Gods have plans for you other than revenge. Your fate is linked to Serenity's, not Diamond's."
Artemis lifted Luna's hand to his mouth, kissing it gently.
"Yes, Priestess."
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"Dominus?"
Diamond let out a deep sigh and shook his head.
"It that all that remains?" he asked spiritless. "Parchment and documents, writings and notes from an old man?"
"It is the memory that remains, Dominus." Saphir offered. "The stories of great deeds and battles. The past shapes the future and thus will never be forgotten."
Diamond looked up, his eyes dull and tired as he met his body-slaves determined gaze.
"You have always been a clever man, Saphir." he said softly. "I praise the Gods that they sent you to guide me through dire straits."
Saphir smiled at the compliment, and bowed his head in thanks.
"The rebels will pay for what they've done." Diamond vowed, his eyes darkening. "They will pay for taking my father from me!"
Saphir's voice never wavered when he answered.
"No mercy will be shown." he agreed.
Diamond flipped through the papers once again, a sigh of exhaustion breaking through his lips.
"I will need to increase the profits from the Ludus if I want to bolster my father's troops." he said thoughtfully.
"Your troops, Dominus." Saphir was ready to correct.
Diamond briefly looked up from the papers to offer his body-slave an amused smile.
"You are right." he said. "It will take some time to get used to this."
He studied the profits for some more moments before he leant back against his chair.
"How is Malachite faring?" the young Dominus then asked. "Is he able to fight any time soon?"
"I'm afraid not." Saphir said. "The Medicus truly has worked miracles. Artemis instructed Malachite to join training in one week. It will take some time, however, until he is back to full glory."
Diamond let out an angry snort.
"The attack has cost us some of our best gladiators." he huffed. "It will take some promising games to earn enough money to replace them and to boost the troops."
He angrily slammed his fist down onto the table. He then grabbed his goblet of wine and stood, slowly walking towards the open window.
"Has Jadeite been found?" he growled.
When there was no answer, he whirled around, glaring at his body-slave.
"ANSWER!" he shouted, making the other man flinch.
"His body has not been found among the dead." Saphir finally replied.
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"He is suspected to have joined the rebels."
The skin beneath Diamond's right eye twitched before he forcefully threw the goblet of wine against the nearest wall. The red liquid slowly ran down the wall, tainting the white marble crimson.
"I will kill the ungrateful bastard!" the young Dominus growled. "And all of the other ungrateful pieces of shit for betraying me like this!"
"Nemesis will punish them, Dominus." Saphir said calmly. "No one will escape her wrath."
A cheerless grin appeared on Diamond's lips.
"The Gods…" he snorted. "Can we even trust them?"
Saphir's eyes widened in shock.
"Dominus…"
But Diamond stopped him before he could continue.
"Where was Jupiter when we were attacked?" he inquired forcefully. "Where was Mars when my father, his son of war, was killed?!"
"Dominus, please stop." Saphir begged, frightened.
But Diamond just let out a short bark of laughter. He spread both arms wide, looking to the ceiling.
"Have I insulted you, oh mighty Gods?" he challenged the heavens. "Do your worse, Jupiter, King of the Gods! Send your sons and daughters and finish what you have started!"
"Dominus, I beg you." Saphir implored as he rushed towards his master. "I admit that the Gods' paths often are dark and elusive. But we have to trust in their will, their glory. They will honor those of strength. And I have never met a strong person with an easy past."
Diamond lifted his gaze to meet Saphir's steel-blue orbs.
"You are meant for great things, Dominus." Saphir declared. "Trust in the Gods. Trust in Nemesis to guide you. Fate will surely soon reveal itself."
A smirk appeared on Diamond's lips.
"Then I will be the man worthy of her guidance." he answered, earning a nod of appreciation from his body-slave.
Diamond then straightened himself and grabbed another silvery glass of wine.
"I want to speak to the Thracian." He finally said after a while.
"The Thracian?" Saphir asked, surprised. "What about him?"
Diamond arched one brow at his body slave. Saphir immediately realized that he had overstepped his limits and bowed his head in shame.
"Apologies, Dominus."
Diamond rolled his eyes, sighing dramatically.
"Forgiven." he said with a wave of his hand.
"With some of our best gladiators dead or gone, and Malachite still unable to fight, all of our hopes to bring us to glory and money lie upon Endymion." he explained. "I want to make sure that his loyalties are still with the House of Tadius."
"He hasn't disappointed thus far, Dominus." Saphir said. "What gives you reason to doubt his loyalties?"
Diamond shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance.
"Nothing. Thus far, at least." he agreed while eying the silver goblet with interest. "But the situation has changed. He fought to earn his sister's freedom. A sister that has been taken by the rebels."
He slowly titled his head from one side to the other.
"To ensure the Ludus' future, I will have to ensure that Endymion stays a part of it. Understand?"
Saphir smirked and nodded his head.
"I will send word to get him summoned, then."
Diamond returned the grin and turned around to once again look out of the window. He took a log drink, tasting the bitter taste of rich wine on is lips.
And then he smiled.
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Endymion was standing at the edge of the training ground. He held the bottle of wine tightly in his hand, his strong fingers nearly breaking the fragile glass. A gift to soothe is bleeding heart.
A ridiculous gesture, but Endymion had indeed found that the wine had indeed been able to numb the pain. It was still there, no doubt. But at least he wasn't so aware of it anymore.
"Brother." The Dominus had addressed him with sad eyes. "The rebels have not only taken my father's life that night."
They had killed her.
The glass beneath his fingers shattered. Be barely noticed the pain in his hand as the shards pierced his skin.
Raye.
He had failed her.
He had not been able to rescue her.
Endymion let out another angry roar and collapsed onto his knees. Multiple times, he slammed his bloodied hand into the sandy ground.
He had failed her.
The Gods had betrayed them. Again, and had left him with nothing but pain and remorse.
"Endymion…" a soft voice from behind him addressed him cautiously.
He couldn't help the dry chuckle that left his cracked lips.
"Is this how you want to taunt me even further?" he roared to the dark heavens. "By sending her?!"
"Endymion, please… it's me!" Serenity pleaded softly.
The young man let out a scoff and slowly stood. He then turned around to face her. A gasp escaped her lips as she looked at him. His hand and body was tainted crimson, his hollow eyes bloodshot.
Endymion let out another cheerless laugh and shook his head.
"Look at you." he whispered. "You are so beautiful… The Gods have chosen well in my punishment."
Serenity's heart broke as he listened to him. She knew the look in his face – had it seen just minutes ago when she had looked at her reflection in the mirror. She watched as he stumbled forward, almost losing his balance. Without thinking, she rushed towards him, embracing his torso tightly. He immediately wrapped his arms around her, pressing her small form against his hard frame. His knees buckled due to the alcohol in his system, and he slowly went down onto his knees, pulling Serenity with him.
He buried his head into the crook of her neck, seeking comfort in her warmth. She whispered soothing words as he let lonely tears drop onto her silken skin, tightening his hold around her.
"She's gone, Serenity." She heard him whisper. "They killed her. I killed her."
A sob escaped Serenity's mouth, but she tried to be strong. For him.
Diamond had told her about the Thracian girl's fate that night. She had been shattered by the news. It was as if the Gods and cursed them. She had immediately rushed to find her love, to share is pain.
"You didn't kill her, Endymion." she said. "It was them who did the deed. The same cruel beasts that killed my father. You couldn't have saved her from this."
Endymion pressed his face more tightly against her neck, suppressing the sob that threatened to escape his throat.
"There is no one left." he murmured after a while. "Everyone is dead. The Gods have left me standing alone."
Serenity pushed him a little away from her so that he could gaze into her eyes.
"You have me." she whispered brokenly, the silver traces of tears still visible on her cheeks.
Endymion's lips lifted in a cheerless smile. He lifted his bloodied hand to follow the path of tears on her pale face – leaving specks of his own blood on her skin.
"A dream" he whispered sadly. "A fantasy. Nothing real."
Serenity took his hand his hers, lightly kissing the wounds.
"Does this not feel real?" she then asked, her eyes big as she stared at him. She then moved even closer, kissing his lips gently. Her hand led his to her chest, placing it where her heart was frantically beating.
Her mouth kissed her way to his ear, breathing softly and making him shudder.
"Is it not a dream worth living?" she whispered.
Endymion's free hand took hold of her hips, squeezing a little.
"Don't love me." he whispered softly while inhaling her intoxicating scent. "I'm nothing but a broken man. A dead man."
Serenity pushed her chest determinedly against his hand.
"I don't care who or what you are, Endymion." the beauty said softly, her voice full of determination. "I will love you until time has lost all meaning."
His lips captured hers then. What started gentle and soft soon turned into something more passionate… something more desperate. He enjoyed how her body quivered under his touch, the soft moans he was able to coax from her full lips filling his mind and successfully able to dispel dark thoughts. He pressed her against his barely covered body, his hot skin contrasting to the coolness of her silk dress and soft skin. His mouth moved to her neck, and he loved how the beauty gasped as he gently bit down, followed by another sweet mewl as the Thracian soothed the place with his tongue.
His hands were wild as he roamed her body – every willing part of her his personal proof that Gods truly existed. He might not believe in them, or them in him – but he would forever appreciate their work of pure beauty and sinful temptation as they sent Serenity to this cruel world.
Endymion felt his resolve crumble to dust as Serenity's fingers lightly touched his cock – by accident or on purpose, he never knew with his innocent temptress. Nor did he really care.
He wanted her more than anything in the world.
Needed her tonight more than ever.
He needed to forget. And she would help him.
Faintly realizing where they were, Endymion picked her up and carried her to his small cottage – his privilege as the Champion of Capua.
He closed the door with a determined kick of his foot – eager to finish what she had started.
They never noticed, however, that dark green eyes had watched them from the shadows.
They had never thought, not even for a second, that their carelessness had already set the wheels of fate into motion.
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The guests applauded politely as the statue of Tiberius in his youth was revealed.
"In tribute to the former Dominus of this House." Diamond announced with his wine-glass raised. "To Tiberius!"
"To Tiberius." The guests replied in unison before chinking glasses to honor the deceased general.
"A great man." Esmeraude added as she fluttered her eyelashes at Diamond.
"Indeed he was." Rubeus agreed as he drank from his glass. "And no of is likes to follow."
Esmeraude let out a surprised gasp, moving her crimson hand fan frantically as she blushed at her cousin's words. Diamond's eyes narrowed at the red-head, his knuckles turning white as he tightened the hold on his glass.
"How dare you speak such words of disrespect when under my roof?" he growled through clenched teeth.
But Rubeus, unfazed by Diamond's furious gaze, simply shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance.
"I was under the impression that this was a celebration to honor the great Tiberius." he drawled. "That does not mean I will have to flatter those who have yet to deserve my respect."
Diamond had already opened his mouth, when Serenity suddenly stepped in.
"Honorable Lanista Rubeus." she addressed him with a charming smile. "We appreciate you and your cousin's words of truly felt respect towards my dear father. Might I ask, however, to postpone personal dislikes and teasing to later dates? I would like to think that rivalry has no place on a day such as this."
Rubeus smiled at her and bowed his head.
"Lady Serenity, beautiful Domina of this House." he said smoothly. "As always, your beauty and wit bends me to your will. Apologies. Carelessly spoken words had not intended to do any harm."
Serenity smiled at him and nodded her head, accepting his apology.
"And Diamond." He then turned to look at Serenity's brother. "Please accept my hand of friendship during dark times. I am honored to provide my best men for the games to come."
The silver-haired man narrowed his eyes and shook his head in confusion.
"Games to come?" he repeated slowly. "What are you talking about?"
A chuckle sounded from behind them, making them whirl around.
"The Parentalia, of course."
"Praetor." Esmeraude gasped in sincere surprise as he spotted Seiya.
"Such honor." Diamond remarked, even though his face as well as the tone in his voice said otherwise.
Seiya ignored both of them as he moved straight to where Serenity was standing. His blue, intense gaze never left hers as he approached her.
"My Lady Serenity." he addressed her, his face full of worry. "I had to come and see for myself that not one hair on your beautiful head has been harmed by these wild animals."
He brought her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss onto her skin while stroking her knuckles lightly with his thumb.
"I could have never forgiven myself." he whispered, the truth of his words mirrored in his eyes.
Serenity blushed and nodded her head – unable to form one single coherent though under his intense gaze.
"I am her protector. I would have never let them harm her." Diamond stated forcefully.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side, his eyes burning with challenge as he glared at the Praetor.
Seiya lifted one dark brow at the scene, thoughtfully taking in the image of Serenity in the arms of her brother.
"Actually…" Artemis said as he stepped inside the circle of people. "It was Endymion who rescued Domina. If not for him, Domina would be dead by now. Or would endure a fate worse than death."
Serenity shuddered as images of that night penetrated her mind. The dagger against her swan-like neck, the look of hatred on the rebels' leader's face. His hot breath on her lips.
"Endymion?" Seiya inquired surprised. "The Thracian?"
"Yes." Serenity confirmed, her shaky voice immediately able to gain the Praetor's entire attention.
She swallowed hard as she tried to pull herself together.
"I found myself chased to the dungeons when the attack happened." she recounted. "Unfortunately, I ran straight into the arms of their leader, a Gaul. He… he…"
She closed her eyes, shaking her head.
"Endymion came to my rescue and put him to flight." Serenity continued in a steady voice. "Without him, I would be dead by now."
"Or worse." Seiya growled, his eyes dark with fury.
"Or worse." she whispered.
"A hero, then." Esmeraude exclaimed with glee.
"A slave." Seiya was quick to correct harshly. He then took a deep breath and let his right hand roam his dark mane.
"Even though I have to admit…" he added more calmly this time. "It is a deed I greatly appreciate. And one that I will be properly rewarding."
"There is no need." Diamond cut in sharply. "As a Titan of my league, it is my task to see to his prize. His loyalty will not be forgotten."
A strange mix of irritation and annoyance crossed the Praetor's features, but he quickly hid it behind a mask of friendly agreement.
"Very well." he agreed, smiling softly at Serenity. "Even though no reward in the world could possibly compensate what you've been through, dear Serenity."
He shook his head, his eyes filling with sadness and compassion.
"My heart has been crying bitter tears of injustice and grief since I've received word of your father's…" he paused there, obviously indecisive which word to choose.
"Murder." Artemis finished in a dark voice and with an even darker look on his face as he glared at his Dominus.
Seiya eyed the Doctore in irritation.
"Passing was the word I had wanted to use." he clarified sternly.
He then turned his head to once again address Serenity.
"The Roman Empire mourns the loss of one of its greatest children." he finished softly.
His compassionate words earnt a sad smile from the beauty.
"Thank you, Praetor Seiya." she whispered with silent tears in her eyes. "Your friendly words reach a broken heart eager for comfort."
Diamond's gaze flickered between his sister and the Praetor, his mood worsening by the second.
"You mentioned the Parentalia earlier, Praetor." he addressed the other man as he tried to make his voice sound as calm as possible. "It's rather early to speak about the festivities. We have yet to end summer, and the time of Parentalia is not due until spring."
"Exceptional circumstances call for decent actions." Seiya said with a shrug of his shoulders. "I took the liberty to convince the council in Rome to allow Capua 9 days of celebration in honor of our most cherished General Tiberius."
He took some grapes from one of the slaves that passed by, enjoying the flavor as he popped them into his mouth.
"And what better way to honor a son of Mars as by hosting games of blood and sand?"
Serenity winced slightly as her brother's fingers dug painfully into her hip.
"We appreciate the offer." The Dominus said, trying to sound as friendly as possible. But his blue eyes were burning with hot fury. "But as his only son, it surely is my place to decide how to honor him."
"Adopted son." Rubeus added, the smirk prominent on his feature as he watched the scene unfold before him.
"I did not mean any disrespect, good Diamond." Seiya offered, generously ignoring Rubeus' snide remark. "However, it is an honor that I would happy to share. Given the…"
He paused, his eyes flickering to Serenity.
"… special circumstances."
"You have no right to my family." Diamond growled lowly, the pretense of friendliness now completely gone from his face.
Seiya narrowed his eyes at him.
"You'll see that I have, Lanista. Besides…" he continued, shrugging his shoulders in nonchalance. "Preparations have already been made. It would be an insult of the Senate itself to stop their gracious offer now."
"Diamond." Serenity pleaded, now exhausted by the tension lingering in the air. "Even though I do not like the games, I am sure the father would have liked the idea."
Diamond met her pleading gaze, unable to resist her silent plea to leave whatever matters for the moment.
He sighed and nodded his head with a small smile on his face.
"My voice of reason." he whispered. "Apologies."
"And as for the Primus, I have a special treat for you and the people of Capua." Seiya announced with obvious pride on his face.
"I had the forests around Capua searched for rebels after the attack." he continued, his eyes gleaming. "Six men were captured and imprisoned. All of them confessed their misdeeds against the House of Tadius. Two of them were gladiators of your brotherhood that had decided to turn against you."
Diamond lifted his chin, his eyes without mercy.
"Then they shall be executed."
Seiya smiled at him and nodded.
"Agreed." he said. "I will summon for the most feared gladiators of Rome. He will not disappoint."
"No." Diamond responded, earning a look of confusion from those around him. "I want one of my gladiators to bring justice. One who has lost just as much as we did during the attack. I want Endymion to fight. This is my gift."
The Praetor didn't seem to be too happy about the suggestion, but eventually bowed his head in agreement.
"As you wish."
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He brought his fingers to his lips, closing his eyes. Never had he felt something as soft, as intoxicating. The memory of their little encounter was etched into his mind, leaving him restless.
Such fragility.
Such bravery.
He had not expected it. Had been completely unprepared.
His eyes opened, the hazelnut-brown within now dark with lust and longing.
She had been all that he despised. She had been all that he desired.
Pure, innocent. Ignorant to her misdeeds.
He wanted to show her the ugly grimace of this tainted world, wanted nothing more than to see the innocence fall from her silver-blue eyes. He wanted to crush her bravery, wanted to run bloody fingers across her pale flesh.
He was curios how the horrors of this world, the millions of wrongdoings caused by the great Roman Empire would affect her. How she would change. If she would change. It was driving him insane.
Would she cling to her false believes? To the Gods that she so desperately invoked? Would that all last once thrown into a godless world?
A smirk appeared on his lips.
"Brother."
Surprised, Alan turned his head only to spot his sister who was standing next to him.
"Anne." he addressed her, the smirk still lingering on his face. "I didn't hear you."
The woman's eyes narrowed in anger.
"I could have easily killed you." she told him, the pissed-off tone in her voice mirroring the fury on her face.
But Alan just rolled his eyes. With one quick movement, he stood right in front of her, placing a light kiss onto her full lips.
"Then I'm lucky that you simply love me too much." he retorted, grinning.
Anne huffed in response, but remained silent.
Alan walked towards the window of the abandoned villa, gazing outside.
There was a small garden beneath. Flowers and bees everywhere – a paradise of blooming life and colors.
The faint whisper of a smile graced his lips.
It truly was a beautiful place.
"The prisoner that you wanted to see." Anne spoke. "She's here."
Alan nodded his head.
"Bring her in."
He heard rustling behind him, the curses of a female and how she demanded to be freed.
A chuckle left his mouth as he turned around to face her.
She had been forced onto her knees. Her long, black hair surrounded her luscious form, and her violet eyes sparkled with mistrust and hatred.
Alan smiled. He liked her already.
"Your name?" he asked as he approached her.
Instead of answering, the woman spit before his feet.
Oh yes. He really did like her.
Another chuckle escaped his lips. Her fiery personality amused him.
"Free her." He told the guards with a swift movement of his hand.
The hatred within her eyes gave way to confusion.
"You are no prisoner here." Alan explained as he folded his arms before his broad chest. "My name is Alan, leader of the slave revolt."
The woman slowly stood, carefully massaging her wrists where her hands had been bound together.
"Slave revolt?" she asked cautiously.
Alan grinned and nodded his head.
"The Roman Empire has created a world of horror and misdeeds." he proceeded. "If you are not Roman, you are nothing. They treat us worse than animals. They kill our countrymen, enslave our children, abuse our women. It is against the law of nature. And it is time that Roman scum experiences what they have created. We are the ghosts from the past. We are the ugly truth of their actions. And we will bring an end to their sacred Empire."
Alan moved closer until he was standing right in front of her.
He could see the hurt and the Roman deeds within her eyes. The long days and nights of slavery clearly visible.
"Join us." he said with a smirk. "Take revenge for what they've done to you, your tribe, your family. Become a warrior of our cause."
He stared at her a moment longer.
"What is your name?"
She looked up, her violet eyes sparkling with determination and hatred.
"Raye." she replied as the sinister smirk of revenge formed her lips.
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Author's Note
Thank you so much for your patience! I hope the chapter did not disappoint!
I loved each and every review. It made me sit down today and write this chapter. So thank you all!
J
AzianCutieMiyan: Thank you so much! Sorry it took so long to update!
Loreleil: I hope to continue soon. I am nowhere near finished!
Guardians314: I am glad that you liked the last chapter! There are some more surprises coming up!
Tryntee13: Yes, it hurt to get him killed. It was necessary, though …
Klrowe4: I am happy that I could the story convinced you otherwise! Happy to have you as a reader!
Jessielee14: I don't like stories with sad endings – at least when Sere x Endy are the main characters
Guest: your wish, my command!
Lady Aya: I won't! Promised!
DarkAngleScout: Thank you so much for your review! I appreciate your offer and try to work on it. I would love to have you as a beta. I will get back to you for the next chapter if that's alright"
Rinoa223: Thank you for your enthusiasm and your review! I'm happy that you like the story!
Mercedes1312: Thank you so much! Your review means a lot to me! Enjoy the upcoming chapters!
Guest: I apologize for the long wait. Life and all… But I promise you won't need to wait another 5 months for the next chapter!