Love and Glory Chapter 15: Brothers in Fate, a sailor moon fanfic

Chapter 15

He stood at the large window, and the cool night air fanned over his bare chest like a soft caress. Silence filled the darkness as he stared into space, his eyes fixed onto the glistering lights from the city that illuminated the distance. A movement was heard from behind him, a slight shuffling of parchment, and the slightest sliding of bare skin against soft cushions. Endymion closed his eyes – willing his mind and body to stay focused on ahead, and not to be distracted from what he knew was behind – what a pointless, futile attempt this was.

He heard her, felt her, sensed her. He was surrounded by her. Her sweet alluring fragrance lingered in the air, suffocating and addictive all at once. His broad tanned hand clenched for the briefest of moments before it unclenched yet again, the young man unable to win this specific battle against his desires.

He felt his head move slightly, felt his lids open. Out of the corner of his eyes, he glanced at her – taking in her beauty that was lit by the soft moonlight that shone through the broad window. She appeared to be lost in the roll of parchment she was holding in both of her hands, but Endymion knew her better than that. He knew that she felt his eyes on her, that his mere presence was able to make her absent of thought just the way hers did to him. For the past month, they both had to endure this special kind of torture that the divined siblings Miseria, Goddess of Misery, and her brother, Momus, God of mockery, seemed to have chosen for their own amusement. Being so close and yet apart. Even swimming in the river Styx could hardly inflict a greater pain.

"What is it that you are reading?" he heard himself ask, the desire to hear her voice driving him crazy.

But just as always when Endymion addressed her for these past moons, she chose to ignore him. He could handle her tears, could even handle her hatred – it was the least that he deserved. But seeing her so unfeeling, so aloof, so completely without her inner shine was something he was not willing to accept. Even her pain would have been better – because it would mean that she felt – that she felt for him.

Was he selfish again? Perhaps he was.

Despite himself, he turned around to face her fully. He waited another beat of silence, waiting for any reaction on her part. But nothing happened.

"Serenity." he addressed her firmly, his frustration slowly showing.

And still, she would not answer. But Endymion did not miss the tell-tale twitch of her hand, and how her body stiffened in the attempt to force herself to disobey the heart's natural reaction, and to keep her eyes focused on the paperwork in her hand.

Endymion let out an exhausted sigh and rested his face in both hands, kneading his burning temples to sooth the stinging pain. It had been one moon cycle since Diamond had forced the Praetor and his brothers to leave the house – one moon cycle since he had ordered Endymion to be Serenity's protector during nighttime to prevent Seiya from taking her. He vividly remembered how the silver-haired beauty had heatedly protested against her brother's orders, first trying to reason with him, then openly shouting at him. Endymion had admitted that he had silently hoped that Diamond would give in to her pleas, but her brother was just as stubborn as she was. In the end, Endymion had been assigned to watch over her almost every night, while heavily-armed soldiers had been placed before her chambers. He had done his best to keep his distance at first, but the more time he spent with his alluring siren, the more sleep-deprived he was, the more she purposely avoided him, the more difficult it was not to simply give in to this natural pull.

He felt how his feet brought him closer to this object of his desire, and he could see how her body tensed as he approached. He knelt before the chaise longue she was lying on, both hands folded before his mouth while his elbows rested on his knees, observing the beauty thoughtfully. Endymion knew that he was making her feel uncomfortable, but he simply couldn't help it. He was dying for the slightest of reactions on her part, the smallest glance she would gift his way.

He reached out one hand with the intent to take the parchment, but before his fingers were able to take hold of the piece of paper, Serenity quickly pulled it away from him and sat abruptly up with her almost bare back turned towards him.

"Careful, gladiator." she spoke her warning with the unfeeling voice of a true Roman Domina. "Or you might overstep your boundaries."

Hearing these words, how she addressed him, Endymion pressed his lips to a thin line before slowly getting up. He stood there a moment longer, looking down at the beauty in front of him who had her head turned away and refused to look at him.

His mind kept telling him that this was how it should be. That this was how it needed to be. But wisely spoken words were drowned by the roar of seething blood pumping through his veins like liquid lava. Her distance was driving him mad, and her stubborn aloofness merely fueled the annoyance burning within his heart.

"And what if I did?" he heard himself challenge boldly.

After some moments of tensed silence, Serenity stood from the chaise longue and slowly turned around to face him. Her beautiful eyes that normally shone with happiness and love looked at him solemnly, and he couldn't help but realize that the silver specks within seemed to have lost their sparkle.

"I am tired." she said evenly. "I suggest for you to return to your quarters and get some sleep before the sun arises anew."

Again, the young man felt his muscles tighten in frustration under her words, and his hands balled to fists.

"It is my task to guard you overnight." he told her sternly as his determined gaze met hers. "The Dominus…"

"The Dominus…" Serenity interrupted sharply. "… tends to exaggerate as it appears. No harm will come upon me that night, as it was for the past weeks."

She averted her eyes and added: "Physically, that is."

The tension inside his body made way to a surging pain as he watched her. Out of instinct, he took a step towards her.

"Serenity…" he whispered, his heart and body all too ready to offer comfort, but she stepped away from him. As she always did.

"Don't." the beauty told him firmly, her hands clasped around the fabric of her nightgown above her heart as she looked at him as if in pain.

They stared at each other for some moments longer before she let out the long, exhausted breath she had been holding.

"Look." she finally said, her gaze dropping. "This past month has not been easy for me. It seems that even though I accepted your decision to part from me, the Gods seem to test my strength of will again and again."

Endymion stepped closer, shaking his head.

"It is not only you that they are testing, Serenity." he whispered with barely hidden frustration coloring his voice.

Serenity let out a dismissive snort at his admission, her eyes suddenly burning like liquid silver as she gazed up at him.

"And yet it was you who took the decision by choice." she hissed. "It was your own free will."

She closed her eyes, taking another deep breath as if to calm herself. When she opened them again, the silver within them had once again lost the fire, the liquid heat replaced by a cold and distant look.

"I won't need your assistance tonight." she spoke firmly. "Go to your quarters and grant yourself some much needed sleep."

She was about to turn around and dismiss him as his strong arm shot forward, and his fingers tightened around her small wrist.

"It's hard to sleep when your heart is at war with your mind." he revealed through sad eyes as he met Serenity's shocked gaze.

They stared at each other for moments that felt like eternity, and Endymion's heart sung with joy of being so close to her. He was feeling like a man plagued by thirst who was about to receive his first glass of water. This longing for her had eaten at his soul, his heart, his mind. And the small contact alone was able to dispel any rational thought from his mind. But the small moment of happiness was soon destroyed when Serenity's beautiful face was suddenly covered by a dark shadow, and her silvery eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

"It seems, Endymion…" she whispered, her face darkening. "… that you are Jupiter's lightning and I am a mere tree. And the words that you so carelessly utter are the fire that keeps burning the heart inside of me."

She then forcefully wrenched her wrist from Endymion's grasp and quickly turned around to head towards the large window, keeping her back turned towards him.

Endymion felt every word pierce his heart and soul like heated daggers, leaving scars on his battered heart that time would never be able to heal. He watched her tense body, how her silvery hair moved with the night air's breeze… how the starlit sky was reflected by her marble skin and thin gown. During happier days, he had often compared her to the moon, for she had brought light to his darkness. But it was only now that he fully understood the extent of this comparison. Because like the moon, she, too, had a side of her soul that even the stars couldn't shine on it, and that a part of her soul was so cold, that even the sun could not reach for it.

Something he had caused.

"Despite what you might think…" Endymion whispered into the silence of the room. "I only did what was right for you."

Another grim laugh was heard, and he saw how Serenity shook her head dismissively.

"You rather mean what was right for you." she said bitterly.

"For the both of us." Endymion insisted firmly. Serenity stayed silent, leaving Endymion to run a frustrated hand through his dark hair. He moved closer towards her, her natural pull forcing him to ignore all reason. He stood directly behind her, and closed his eyes as he took in her alluring scent of vanilla and roses. Serenity felt his presence behind her, felt the warmth radiating from his strong frame. She tensed as she felt his large hands hover above her slender arms, and she couldn't help the shudder when his rough skin touched hers, his warm fingers gently sliding across her bare, cold arms.

"Don't be under the illusion that it's easy for me to see you drift so far from the love we once shared." he whispered against her ear. "And as a godless man, I pray to the Gods every night that one day, my heart will stop mentioning you with every breath I take."

He sensed the shudder that went through her, felt the heat of her skin against his fingertips. Endymion closed his eyes and stepped closer until his bare chest touched her back. His fingers tightened their hold around her soft arm when he felt her traitorous body shift slightly backwards, leaning back against his form for one single blissful moment.

"Truly, you are the best gladiator this world has ever seen." he heard her whisper, and before he knew what was happening, she forcefully freed herself from his grasp and turned around to face him.

Endymion inhaled sharply as her silvery eyes, flooded with liquid fire of pain and accusation stared back at him.

"For you know exactly how to bend your opponents to your will, be it with weapons of steal or that of words."

She stepped closer then, her eyes firmly upon him as she craned her neck to look him in the eyes.

"It would be a trap I would happily fall into." she said lowly. "Had I not realized by now that your heart only mentions the name of Mars and Pluto, War and Death. As it always has – of anything, my name was nothing but a fleeting whisper."

Serenity was about to move past him when Endymion suddenly stopped her, his eyes liquid fire as he caught her chin with two fingers to make her keep looking at him.

"That is not true." He growled through clenched teeth, his voice low and dangerous from the frustration he felt within that she would not acknowledge the pain that he was in.

"Then what is it that you want, gladiator?" she hissed, struggling a little against his hold.

The answer was ready on the tip of his tongue, and yet he was unable to voice it. Unable to answer her. His fingers tightened a little around her chin, and his face moved closer until his nose was touching hers.

Then he heard them, footsteps that approached Serenity's chambers. He let her go, actively pushing himself away from her and turning around to face her room's entrance. Only seconds after, Saphir appeared.

As always, the young body-slave wore an almost bored expression on his face, but Endymion noticed the slight curve of his right eyebrow as he took in the scene before him.

"Domina." Saphir addressed the beauty, bowing lightly and nodding his head in respect.

"Forgiveness for the intrusion at such a late hour." he continued, his cold blue eyes briefly flickering towards Endymion. "I thought you were already fast asleep."

Serenity straightened her spine and held her head high.

"Sleep won't come as easily when under constant watch." she declared coldly.

"A small price to pay to ensure your safety, Domina." Saphir was quick to defend his master's decision. "Even though I agree that the guard could have been chosen more wisely."

Endymion's head snapped around, his blue eyes darkening as he glared daggers at the young man.

Serenity ignored his comment and rolled her eyes in frustration.

"I don't need protection!" she cried out exhaustedly. "I don't need saving!"

For the briefest of moments, Saphir's lips curled into the slightest of smirks before he answered.

"Is that so?" he challenged lightly, his eyes mercilessly fixed upon the beauty.

Serenity inhaled sharply, lifting her chin defiantly.

"Yes." she said determinedly. "Neither Praetor Seiya nor his brothers will return to Capua anytime soon."

Saphir chuckled, the sound and his boldness earning a confused look from both the Domina and the gladiator.

"It's a pity, is it not, Domina?" the young body-slave then said mockingly, his blue eyes dancing with cold amusement as he met Serenity's shocked gaze.

"But sometimes…" Saphir drawled with the slightest of shrugs. "Sometimes it is our own thoughts and all-too quick ideas that we need protection from."

Endymion heard the shocked gasp that escaped Serenity's soft lips. Confused, he turned towards her, immediately spotting how her face had paled, and how her eyes had widened at Saphir's words.

"Thracian." Saphir then addressed Endymion in a colder voice, the amusement now completely gone from his face. "You are summoned."

Endymion sent an uncertain look towards Serenity who strangely averted her gaze, the young man hesitant to follow the order.

"My order is to protect the Domina." Endymion then voiced his decision, his spine straightening as he caught Saphir's darkening gaze.

"I will stay with her." Saphir said, his cold eyes narrowing.

Endymion was about to protest when Saphir suddenly lifted his hand to stop him.

"The Dominus may have taken a liking to you, Thracian." The young man said with clear disgust coloring the tone of his voice. "But I recommend not to overstep your boundaries. You would not want to defy the Dominus' orders."

Endymion balled his hands to fists. He really did not want to leave Serenity with Saphir by her side. Something about this man did not feel right, and the strange exchange between Serenity and Saphir from just moments ago added up to this bad feeling. It was true, however, that it was not wise to disobey Diamond. Endymion briefly looked at Serenity who still had her head turned away from him. Endymion's pressed his lips to a thin line. What choice did he have? At the end of the day, he was nothing but a slave – ready to follow his Dominus' orders.

When Endymion entered the Dominus' chambers, Diamond was sitting at a table across from a Roman soldier with broad shoulders and tanned skin. The Dominus' eyes were fixed upon a game board with black and white squares on it, and he furrowed his brows in concentration. A light of mischief then entered his indigo eyes for the briefest of moments, and he moved one of the white-colored stones. A triumphant smile curled Diamond's lips as he took his opponents' black stone from the board, and his eyes shone with victory as he added it to the other black stones that were neatly built to small towers to the left side of the board game. He then looked up to find Endymion look at him, and with a short nonchalant movement of his hand he motioned the gladiator to enter.

With growing satisfaction on his face, Diamond watched as the Roman soldier across from him grunted in frustration, the other man realizing his hopeless situation. With a mock sigh that spoke of victory more than of anything else, the Dominus leant back against the rest of his chair, his features dancing with amusement as he watched the other man's struggle. Endymion stood next to them, his eyes carefully scanning the board game.

He watched the Roman's hand move to a black stone in the middle of the game, and how the soldier tentatively pushed the stone to the right.

"You move unwisely." Endymion suddenly said, his forwardness earning a heated glare from the Roman soldier.

"Shut your fucking mouth, Thracian scum." the man growled as his eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

Diamond, however, only chuckled, and amusement colored his voice as he addressed Endymion.

"You play?" he challenged lightly.

Endymion held his gaze and answered with a firm nod.

"It is a pleasurable amusement between fights, Dominus." he explained.

Something close to interest flickered within Diamond's eyes, his grin broadening.

He moved his hand invitingly towards the game board.

"By all means…" he said, the challenging gaze he was giving Endymion unmistakable. "Grace us with your knowledge."

Endymion intently gazed at the board in front of him and knitted his brow. He then moved a black stone close to the middle diagonally one step forward, his face expressionless as he observed his move.

Diamond let out a dismissive snort and shook his head. With one quick movement, he used one white stone to jump over the piece that Endymion had just used, clicking with his tongue as he took the stone away from the board and adding it to his small tower of victory.

"It appears our Champion has no head for games of strategy, good Felix." he addressed the Roman in front of him with a bored sigh, the mockery in his voice clearly to hear.

"What else to expect, Dominus?" the Roman was quick to agree while a grin that spoke of superiority and taunt appeared on his face.

Endymion only offered both men a lopsided grin.

"Battles maybe lost..." he then said calmly as his hand moved to another black stone on the board, making a double move until it jumped over the big triangle shaped white pyramid in the center "… and yet the war concludes in victory."

Diamond's indigo eyes widened in surprise, and Endymion watched with growing satisfaction as realization dawned on the Dominus' face.

"Ah!" the silver-haired man exclaimed. "Treacherous fox! Played like a true Roman!"

He chuckled then, shaking his head as he looked at Endymion with respect.

"Come, Champion." he said, and motioned the Roman to get up to make room for Endymion to sit. "Fall from your chair, Felix. And bring us more wine."

Diamond waved his hand dismissively at the Roman, barely looking at him as the man left.

"His name alone makes him think he is blessed by the Gods." Diamond chuckled as Endymion took the seat across from him. "And yet it is not luck that brings victory, but sharp instinct and strategy."

Diamond looked up, a mischievous smirk on his lips.

"Come now." he said lightly, his grin broadening. "Let's have a contest between men."

It was later that night when Diamond let his head fall back, a frustrated groan escaping his lips.

"Bloody heavens!" he exclaimed and shook his head in confusion. "How can you keep besting a man so far above your station?!"

Endymion chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

"I sprung from my mother with a sword in my hand." he offered with a smirk on his face. "The ways of battles are my second nature… passed down from father to son."

The amused grin slightly fell from Diamond's face, his features morphing into a thoughtful expression.

"I regret my own father never saw the advantage of me being skilled and aware of military glory."

He sighed and emptied another cup of wine.

"He never saw the spoils that I could have won." Diamond continued, his face darkening. "He never understood my aspiration in being further than what I am. A simple Lanista, far from Rome... While he conquered the world through iron and blood."

Noticing the bitterness in Diamond's voice, Endymion titled his head as he watched the Lanista pour himself another cup of wine. For the first time that night, the gladiator truly looked at the man in front of him. It seemed as if Diamond had lost some of his youth over the past few weeks, and when the mask of arrogance and lightness fell, a man was revealed with scars that shone from inside. Diamond's eyes had sunken in a little, and were now rimmed by deep lines of sadness and exhaustion. The powerful Lanista… reduced to a shadow that mirrored a lifetime of struggle and tiring efforts. The torches surrounding them made dark figures to dance mockingly across his pale face, seemingly extinguishing the only hint of life left inside Diamond.

The Dominus then lifted his eyes to meet Endymion's gaze. An exhausted smile pulled on his lips.

"You wonder why you are here." he stated after another beat of silence.

Endymion held his gaze as he replied.

"I assume I was not summoned to share some games, Dominus."

Diamond chuckled and shook his head.

"Indeed not." he agreed and stood, turning away from Endymion as he walked towards a large desk nearby that was covered with heavy roles of parchment.

Endymion mirrored the action and stood as well.

"Why have you summoned me, Dominus?" he probed when Diamond would not continue to speak.

The Dominus stepped behind the large desk while staring at a golden box that was placed in the center of it.

"The only thing that my father and I ever agreed upon was the love for my sister, Endymion." Diamond said after some more beats of tensed silence, his voice low and with the slightest tint of remorse.

He then lifted his eyes to look at Endymion, his gaze now full of determination.

"My father loved Serenity more than life itself, more than war, more than glory." he continued while his slender fingers traced the boxes golden rim. "Even more than me. I don't blame him."

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"How could I?" he said. "When I love her more than life itself, more than war, more than glory? More than I loved him."

Endymion felt his muscle tense at Diamond's words, but he forced his face to stay impassive.

"Her safety, her protection…" the silver-haired man sighed and shook his head. "It's the only thing that matters to me. I might seem cruel to her, she might even hate me for the rest of her life. But her hatred is a price I am willing to pay to keep her out of harm's way."

Endymion felt his heart speed up, felt how a cold shudder ran down his spine.

Did he know?

The gladiator swallowed hard and lifted his chin in defiance before he replied.

"Forgiveness, Dominus. I'm not sure I understand." he said in a strong voice.

Another chuckle, another cold shudder.

"I think you do, Endymion."

Diamond motioned Endymion to step closer while he pushed the golden box closer towards the young Thracian.

Endymion felt how Diamond's gaze was upon him as he moved towards the desk.

"Open it." The Lanista urged, and the slightest hint of roughness sharpened his voice.

Endymion took a deep breath and opened.

He couldn't help but furrow his brow as the content was revealed. Inside the box, a dead raven lay surrounded by dark velvet of a crimson color. Next to the bird, a folded letter could be seen, and Endymion realized that specks of the dead bird's blood had tinted some areas of the parchment red.

"Read it." he hard Diamond order.

Reluctantly, Endymion closed his fingers around the letter and took it from the box.

At first, he felt Diamond's burning gaze on him as he scanned the words. But Diamond, the dead bird… everything was soon forgotten as his mind comprehended the words that were written in fine-lined, smooth handwriting.

His eyes narrowed while his blood boiled in his veins. With a dark glare, he lifted his gaze from the traitorous lines, only to be met with an equally dark expression.

Diamond wordlessly took the piece of parchment from Endymion's hand, his indigo eyes turning black as he read the words out loud.

"My dearest Serenity…." he drawled with a flourishing gesture born out of pure mockery.

"How my heart sang with joy as I received your last letter. A beautiful bird should not be caged in a prison of blood and sand, but fly freely to see the wonders of this world. Rumors from Pompeii state the slave revolt is targeting Capua once again. Be assured that I won't see you fall victim to neither Nemesis' nor Invidia's wrath. I will prepare Rome for your visit. Await my arrival upon the second moon to come. Until then, may Somnus grant me entrance to your dreams to see you again."

Diamond tightened his hold around the parchment, gazing up at Endymion with a fierce and angry expression on his face.

"Seiya." he finished the letter through gritted teeth.

Endymion felt the blood roar in his ears. The letter … so full of hope, so intimate. The raging ugly face of jealousy nearly made him lose his composure. He took a deep breath to calm himself, but it was to no avail. The words kept repeating themselves inside his head, over and over again. And fleeting whispers from Gods or spirits reached his ears, breathing taunting words of betrayal of what Serenity could have written first.

"She sent him a letter." was all Endymion was able to growl.

Diamond nodded darkly.

"Not only one." he confirmed with barely hidden fury in voice and face. "Saphire has seen her blonde body-slave send and receive ravens every other day. It was only today that he managed to shoot the bird to retain the letter before it reached its original purpose."

Endymion couldn't help but turn away from Diamond's probing gaze. He bit something inside his mouth to prevent himself from uttering a sound that he would certainly regret. Out of frustration, Endymion yanked his hand through his thick black hair, his eyes darkening with every word that the Goddess Invidia would whisper into his ears.

The very thought of Serenity actively searching contact to Seiya … it left him restless, angry even. He suddenly remembered countless times when he would enter her chambers late at night, only to find her hurriedly moving papers around, hiding them even. He never thought much of it. But now however… it was as if wrong pieces appeared to suddenly match – and oh, how wrong the world suddenly felt… how anger and jealousy suddenly crept their way into his heart, piercing it with long hot spears of betrayal.

"Here I am… trying my best to protect her from evil and the lamb seeks out the lion behind my back." he heard Diamond's dismissive snort. "I cannot allow this any longer. Her disobedience must face appropriate consequences."

Endymion's eyes widened, and fear for her suddenly covered all dark thoughts of jealousy and anger. He took a calming breath before he turned back around to face Diamond.

"Dominus?" was all he was able to respond with uncertainty in his voice.

Despite the anger on his face, Diamond's lips curled into the slightest of smiles.

"Don't fret, Endymion." he assured calmly and placed the letter back into the box. "I know that you had nothing to do with it."

Endymion let out a shuddering breath, his prayers to the Gods that of gratitude that Diamond seemed to have mistaken his reaction that of fear for his own life rather than fear for Serenity. With one last glance at the letter, Diamond determinedly closed the box.

"I need to mobilize the Northern army… I need to ensure their fellowship." Diamond then said thoughtfully. "If Seiya and his fucking brothers want to play, then a game it will be. But the victory will be mine in the end – and they will face a war that the Roman Empire has never seen before."

"And the Domina?" Endymion asked, his fingers balling to fists at the mere thought of what Diamond might have in store for his beauty.

Diamond let out a long breath before he answered.

"Seiya will find her chambers empty should he dare to come to Capua." the Lanista answered determinedly. His dark eyes then lifted, narrowing a little as they gazed at Endymion's form. "Jupiter himself could not claim her as his mistress without my consent."

Endymion furrowed his brows in response, earning a light chuckle from Diamond.

"I will send her away, Endymion." Diamond the revealed. "Neither the fucking rebels nor that pompous snippet Seiya will find her."

Endymion noticed how the other man's eyes lit up before he spoke his next words.

"And this is where you come in." he declared, pointing one sharp finger directly at Endymion.

Endymion's mouth fell open and he was ready to reply when Diamond lifted one hand to motion him to keep silent.

"I will prepare a group of my best soldiers, and you will be her personal protector. I want you to go with her, I want you to kill everyone who dares to steal her from me. And…" he nodded his head towards the golden box on the table. "… and I want you to keep an eye on her. Prevent her from making contact to Seiya. Kill every bird that is near her. Kill her servants if you have the feeling that they are trying to help her make contact."

He stepped closer, his eyes crazed and lit with a burning fire from within.

"Do everything that is necessary to make sure she is not found or stolen." he whispered.

Endymion smelled the wine on Diamond's lips, and his heart raced with a whole mixture of feelings as he stared into the Dominus' eyes.

No, he could not do this, Endymion thought. Being near her, alone with her, betraying her like this. By the Gods, there were too many reasons for him to deny this request.

He shook his head, his eyes closing.

"No" he whispered desperately. "No, I can't."

Endymion abruptly turned away, hiding his face from Diamond's probing gaze.

"You can't?" he heard the other man's confused and slightly angered echo. "What does that mean you can't?"

Endymion stepped away, his hand moving frantically across his face.

"I …" he shook his head anew. "The fights." left his mouth. "I am a gladiator. My place is on the arena sand where I can fight the house's enemies. Not this. Not like this."

"There are others to fight in the arena." He heard Diamond's growl. "You are born for much greater deeds."

Endymion couldn't help but shake his head, his mind frantic in its search for another excuse.

"Why me?" he asked helplessly. "There are other people who could protect her better than I could ever do. People she trusts. Artemis, she loves him and he loves her like a father, he could…"

"Artemis!" Diamond interrupted sharply, and a dismissive, angry snort filled the room. "It's her love for him that kept me from killing him a long time ago!"

Shocked, Endymion turned to face Diamond again. The Dominus' face was contorted with rage that Endymion had never seen before. It was the first time that Diamond looked as dangerous as he was.

"Did you not know?" Diamond taunted, a crazed laugh on his lips. "Artemis and his witch Luna entertain the idea that it was me who killed my own father. He thinks he is speaking those lies in hiding, but my spies are everywhere. I know about his treacherous thoughts. I should have cut out his venomous tongue the moment I was informed."

If possible his face turned even darker.

"To even think that I would take my father's life." he shook his head vehemently at the ridiculous accusation. "To even think that I would take the life of the man that Serenity loves above all other. It's an insult that will not be forgotten."

He quickly moved towards the cupboard and poured himself another drink that he emptied immediately. Endymion watched as the fingers tightened around the cup until the knuckles turned white, and he also did not miss the briefest wave of pain and betrayal that washed over the Dominus face.

"No." Diamond whispered and shook his head. "Artemis will stay here to take care of the house and my gladiators while I'm gone. But as long as I'm away, Serenity will not be near him. I will not risk him filling her pretty head with such venomous thoughts."

"Then, Saphir?" Endymion offered, hardly able to suppress the frustration in his voice.

"Saphir will accompany me to the Northern troops." Diamond explained harshly. "He doesn't seem as much, but you would be surprised what a skilled and deadly serpent he can be. With enemies lurking behind every corner, I need him to stay with me to ensure my own safety when necessary."

Diamond then stepped towards Endymion, his eyes determined and firmly fixed upon the gladiator.

"Don't you see, Endymion?" he asked a little softer than before. "You are the only person I trust her with. You are the only person I trust. You pledged your life to the house, you vowed to protect us from enemies. And now the greatest is standing at our gate, threatening to take your Domina… the woman you owe your own life to."

Endymion pressed his lips to a thin line, a weak shaking of his head the only reply he was able to offer.

"I've never believed in the Gods, Endymion." Diamond said while placing his hand onto the Thracian's shoulder, squeezing a little. "But I now know that they brought you to us for a reason. That our lives are intertwined. I know that where my father and I were bound by our love for Serenity, it is your and my hatred for Seiya that will link us. It is our deep love for our sisters that makes us go a joint path from now on. One sister has already been taken by this Praetor, and perished by his actions. Do not let him take another sister, do not allow him to lure her to certain misery."

Endymion closed his eyes at his words, the image of how Raye was taken by Praetor Seiya back in his mind.

"And this is what I ask you – not from Dominus to slave, but from brother to brother." he heard Diamond whisper. "Have you already forgotten about her, about Raye? Have you forgotten what he did to you and your family? How she must have suffered from his cruel hands? How he sent her to work in the mines or maybe worse, to houses of pleasure for his and his brother's amusement?"

Endymion squeezed his eyes shut, unable to dispel the images Diamond created within his mind.

"So I ask you, Endymion." Diamond said as his hand wandered to Endymion's neck and squeezed lightly, the action making Endymion to open his eyes again.

"Do you want to see your Domina, this house's light, a soul as pure as Astraea herself, in this man's arms? Do you want to offer this sister as another sacrifice to Seiya's greed and wickedness?"

Endymion's eyes darkened at the very thought. He shook his head.

"No." he heard himself say in a strangely dark and venomous voice that was even foreign to his own ears. "I'd rather die."

A genuine smile lifted Diamond's lips, and his fingers tightened significantly around Endymion's nape.

"Good." he said and nodded in appreciation and relief. "So I entrust you with Serenity's safety."

His smiled broadened before he added: "My brother in fate."

Endymion watched how the faintest blush fell from her rosy cheeks, leaving a pale mask of marble behind. Her lush lips parted at first, before they slimmed down to a thin line that she firmly pressed together.

"Well?!" Diamond asked in a hoarse, low voice.

Endymion who was slightly standing behind the sitting Dominus knew that the other man's eyes must have turned to black pools, and still were they only a misted mirror of the true anger that was pumping through Diamond's body.

Serenity lifted her gaze from the golden box standing opened before her, her silvery eyes cold as she looked directly at her brother.

"Is there even a point in denying it?" she finally answered in a strong voice, and despite everything, Endymion could not help but admire her for her steadfastness. He knew that men of greater strength and higher rank would have cowered in fear before the silver haired man. But not her. She was stronger than that. More stubborn than that. More determined.

But he saw the telltale, nervous play with her fingers, he had noticed the slight shiver that had went through her body when she was presented with Diamond's … gift.

Diamond made a clicking sound with is tongue.

"No." was his cold, whispered reply.

The room was deadly silent, the atmosphere strained and full of pent-up emotions. Endymion briefly let his eyes roam over the other faces in the room. On the other side of Diamond's plush chair, Saphir was standing – body stiff and face expressionless as always. Serenity was standing only some feet away from the trio, behind Diamond's large desk and with her eyes firmly focused on her seated brother. Behind her, near the chamber's entrance, Artemis, Luna, Lita and Mina were standing next to each other, each of them wearing a dark expression on their faces that spoke volumes of the hatred and fury they felt within. Heavily-armed guards were surrounding them, their expressions as cold as the armor they wore.

"Endymion." Diamond addressed the gladiator next to him without turning his gaze away from his sister. "Read it to us."

Endymion swallowed hard and stepped forward. As he approached Serenity, he noticed how the faintest of blushes tainted her cheeks, but she turned her gaze away from him. Standing next to her, he felt her shiver, could almost feel the tension that held her spine upright. He kept his gaze on her as he slightly bent over to retrieve the letter from the box where the dead bird still lay.

He felt his own fingers tremble as he unfolded the word's he already knew too well.

"My dearest Serenity…." Endymion began to read out loud – his own voice foreign to his ears.

"LOUDER, Endymion!" Diamond barked, the strength and anger in his voice making the people around them flinch.

A cold chuckle escaped Diamond's lips and out of the corner of his eyes, Endymion saw how the silver-haired man got up from his chair to pour himself yet another goblet of wine.

"Speak loud and clear, so that our dear friends back there understand every sweet written word!"

Endymion gulped, and his fingers tightened. His eyes shifted to look at Serenity, but she had her face still turned to the other side.

He let out a shuddering breath before he continued to read, forcing his voice to be stronger than before.

Endymion felt and heard the words echo heavily from the walls around them, sounding loudly in every head.

"So this Roman scum truly tries to steal you away, sister-mine." Diamond taunted, causing Serenity's lips to tighten further. "You must be so…" he whirled his hand through the air as if in search for the right word. "… winged, little caged bird."

Serenity let out a shuddering breath before she turned her head back to face her brother.

"Did you really expect me to accept the fate that you have chosen so lightly for me?" she challenged boldly. But she couldn't fool Endymion. He was standing too close, knew her too well. He could see the tears of desperation forming in the corners of her eyes, heard the pain and suffering in her voice. It took him everything within him not to pull her close and to shield her from her brother's wrath.

"Lightly?" Diamond exclaimed heatedly, his normally pale face flushed from anger. "Lightly, you say?!"

He smashed his wine-filled goblet against a wall nearby, the sudden movement and clanking sound causing even Serenity to wince.

"I am trying to protect you!" Diamond yelled. "And you? You offer yourself so freely to this good for nothing scum."

"I didn't offer myself, Diamond!" Serenity cried out in frustration. "He invited me to Rome and I've never been there. I cannot stay here any longer, I…"

Endymion's heart stopped a beat when her silvery tear-filled eyes landed on him for the briefest of moments. She swallowed the words that had almost escaped her lips and shook her head.

"I want to see Rome." she finished in a broken voice. "I cannot stay in this place."

Endymion couldn't help the pain he felt in his heart as he saw the love of his life suffer. It was all his fault – it was no use blaming destiny or any God for this. This was his doing. This was his pain he had caused her. He felt how his body slightly moved closer towards her, and he already felt the warmth of her soft skin close to his. Before he could touch her, however, he felt Diamond next to him, the Dominus' presence causing him to return to reality. With a simple nod of his head, Diamond motioned him to step away. Reluctantly, Endymion stepped aside and watched how Diamond took the place right in front of Serenity.

"And you won't." Diamond whispered in a strangely soft voice. Serenity lifted her tear-filled gaze to look at her brother in surprise.

"I know that I have asked much of you, Serenity." he said, as he took her chin with two fingers to force her to keep looking at him. "To stay in this place where you were almost taken or killed by rebels… where they killed our beloved father."

His words caused thick droplets of silvery tears to run down Serenity's face.

"But you must understand that I cannot allow you to go to Rome." he continued softly. "I cannot allow you to be with that Praetor who is only trying to use you for his own purpose."

Serenity cried harder at that, her strong façade now gone and replaced with the true desperation she felt. She tried to turn her face away, but Diamond's fingers held her in place.

"I cannot allow it, Serenity." Diamond repeated determinedly. "You are my ward now. I am your protector. And I will protect you. Even when it is from your own foolishness."

Serenity closed her eyes. Unable to longer look at the foreign man in front of her. She felt how Diamond wiped away her warm tears with his thumb.

Diamond sighed and let go off her chin.

"I will go to the Northern troops." Diamond then announced. "I made plans for you to go to a safe place. No rebels and no Praetor will be able to find you there. And even if they do…" his eyes shifted to Endymion whose gaze was locked on the silver-haired beauty. "Endymion will kill everyone who tries to come near you."

A gasp was heard, but Endymion couldn't name the lips that it escaped.

"Endymion, Dominus?" Artemis then asked and took a step forward.

Diamond's eyes turned dark as he looked at the House's Doctore.

"Indeed." he replied coldly. "Endymion has proven himself trustworthy over the past months. I trust him to protect her the way I would."

Artemis narrowed his eyes and lightly shook his head.

"Dominus." he addressed him and lifted his chin in defiance. "Endymion is a gladiator who has been part of this Ludus shorter than any other. It is unwise to…"

"ENOUGH!" Diamond barked at him while glaring daggers at the older man. "This is my decision. Endymion and some of my best soldiers will accompany her. You, on the other hand, will stay in Capua in service of your House, Artemis."

Artemis had already opened his mouth to protest when Luna placed a hand onto his shoulders, silently urging him to stay silent. Reluctantly, Artemis closed his mouth, his features going hard. He offered Diamond an obedient nod and said in a low voice: "Your will, my command, Dominus."

A triumphant smirk appeared on Diamond's lips.

"Preparations have been finished." He then declared cheerfully, his focus moving back onto Serenity. "You will leave tomorrow."

Serenity's eyes widened.

"Tomorrow?" she gasped, shaking her head.

Diamond simply nodded his head.

"The sooner the better." he said with a shrug of his shoulders. "We wouldn't want you to try and contact your beloved Praetor again to come and safe you now, would we?"

He winked at her, making her shudder.

"Ah…" Diamond suddenly exclaimed, hitting his hand mockingly against his forehead. "Speaking of which… I cannot believe I almost forgot."

He straightened his spine then, his eyes dark and the haughty grin plastered across his face.

"Seize her." he ordered.

Endymion's eyes widened as the soldiers in the back suddenly moved. Serenity whirled around, and out of instinct, Endymion stepped forward to shield her tiny form from their view. But it was not Serenity who was in danger. A cry was heard, people were roughly pushed aside.

"NO!" Endymion heard Serenity's scream in panic. She tried to move past him, but he held her back. He tightened his arms around her waist as she frantically tried to struggle free, pressing her firmly against his chest and holding her close.

He watched in horror as two soldiers pushed Lita aside, only to capture Mina between them, holding her roughly.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Serenity yelled in frustration and looked at Diamond who was now standing next to her.

"I cannot allow disobedience." Diamond explained lightly. "I forgive you your failings, beautiful sister. I forgive you that went against my will. But treason must be punished."

He shortly waved at the Roman soldiers, and Mina was forcefully pushed onto her knees.

"Diamond!" Serenity cried out, shaking her head frantically.

"I know that she helped you. Maybe she even filled your pretty head with ideas of contacting Seiya." Her brother explained calmly. "I cannot let this stand."

"But you are wrong." Serenity exclaimed heatedly, fresh tears now running freely down her face. She struggled more forcefully against Endymion's hold. "This was all my doing, my idea! I forced her to help me. She had no choice!"

Diamond furrowed his brow for the briefest of moments before his face turned cold again.

"Be it as it is." he said. "It's treason against the Dominus' will. Her fate is decided."

He nodded his head again at the soldiers who were holding Mina down. Endymion watched in horror as the left soldier drew his heavy sword.

"Diamond!" Artemis exclaimed, he too now being held back by soldiers. "You cannot do this!"

"SILENCE!" the silver-haired man shouted. "Watch your fucking tongue, Artemis, or you find yourself absent of it!"

"Diamond please." Serenity whispered, pleaded, cried.

Endymion felt how her legs gave in, her weak body now threatening to slump down it not for the gladiator's strong hold. He watched with growing agitation how the soldier placed the sharp edge of his sword against Mina's nape. Lita tried to fight her own soldiers who were holding her back, her cries of frustration and fury now mingling with Luna's bitter cries and Serenity's sobs.

"Stop!" he suddenly cried out, his strong voice echoing with power and authority from the cold walls.

Serenity turned around to face him, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

He felt how every pair of eyes inside the room burnt wholes into his skin. He moved his gaze away from the frightening scene in front of him to look at Diamond instead. The young Dominus had his brows furrowed into a deep frown, his eyes narrowed and dark as they stared at Endymion.

"Dominus." Endymion addressed him with a determined but respectful voice. "A word."

He gently let go off Serenity and let her sink unharmed onto the cold marble floor. He then moved quickly towards Diamond, standing close.

"Domina loves her like no other, like a sister." Endymion spoke hurriedly in a hushed voice. "Killing someone so close to her heart will bring you nothing but hurt and regret. She would never forgive you."

Diamond's frown deepened, but he held up one hand for the soldier to pause his original intent. The small motion alone spurred Endymion on, the gladiator now winged with the intent to save his love's best friend.

"I understand that justice must be done, but winning this battle will not bring you the desired victory." Endymion implored, his gaze strong and determined as he locked eyes with the Dominus.

"But… she must be punished." Diamond replied stubbornly, but Endymion noticed the spark of reluctance flickering inside his indigo eyes.

"I understand." Endymion repeated. "But what would be the outcome? After the loss of her father, how much more misery would Domina be able to bear?"

Diamond's gaze flickered towards where Serenity was crouching on the floor, her face covered with both hands as his Goddess cried bitter tears of grief and fear.

His own eyes clouded with doubt and pain. He gazed back at Endymion.

"And your advice?" he addressed Endymion slowly.

"Trust me." Endymion said. "And put mercy before justice."

Diamond took in the scene before him. Mina, with her head dropped, ready to receive the inevitable. Artemis and Lita who were struggling against their capturers holds. The High Priestess Luna on the floor, weeping for one of her doomed children.

And Serenity. Oh beautiful Serenity who had to endure so much at such a young age. She must have felt his eyes on her, because she looked up at him. Her beautiful silvery eyes were rimmed red, her pale skin flushed and wet from her crying. She moved her lips, a silent plea in his direction. No sound was heard, no word came out. But it reached his soul, and melted away the cold shell that was oh so tightly wrapped around a once so caring heart.

Diamond closed his eyes and let out a shuddering breath, collecting his thoughts.

Endymion's body was tensed, unsure whether or not he was able to get through, unsure whether or not he could save Mina, but Serenity as well. He could not describe the feeling when Diamond suddenly gave the slightest of nods.

"Let her go." he whispered.

"Dominus?" one of the soldiers asked in confusion.

"I said let her GO!" Diamond shouted, his eyes full with fury as he glared at the soldiers.

Reluctantly, the Romans let go off Mina. The moment she was free, Luna crawled to her, hugging her tightly. Artemis finally freed himself from the soldiers' grasp and with two long steps, he, too, was beside Mina, ready to fight everyone who dared to come near her. He placed one hand protectively onto her shoulder, his green eyes lit with cold fire as he looked at Endymion and Diamond.

Endymion felt how his body started to relax, a sigh of relief readily on his lips.

"You have chosen wisely, Dominus." he whispered, a mere breath of words. He didn't even know if Diamond had heard them.

He looked back to where Serenity was still sitting on the floor. Her eyes were still full of fear, but they were solely fixed on him. Endymion couldn't help but offer her a small smile, but she would not smile at him. She just stared at him. He was about to turn away when he saw her lips moving, a silent thank you was mouthed that made his heart burn with joy.

"I am not a cruel man." He heard Diamond explain, the man having mistaken Serenity's words of gratitude as his reward. "Still… the slave must be punished for her deeds."

He moved towards Serenity to kneel in front of her.

"And what greater punishment as being apart from you, sister mine?" he whispered as he took her face into both hands. "Your blonde slave shall not accompany you to the place I have chosen for you. She will stay here to serve the gladiators and to satisfy their needs."

Serenity's eyes widened. But before she could voice a single word of protest, Diamond bowed to kiss her lips gently.

"This is the price of loving you so much, Serenity." he whispered.

Endymion struggled against the hold, tried to free himself from the blinding hatred that was pressing him forcefully against the cold wall.

"What is this game that you are playing?!" Artemis hissed, his grip around Endymion's neck tightening. "What do you gain from it?"

Endymion forced his eyes to open to meet Artemis' sparkling green eyes.

"Let go off me!" he pressed out through gritted teeth.

"Answer!" Artemis hissed like a deadly cat.

Endymion felt how the air inside his lungs left his body, and how black and yellow spots appeared before his eyes. His survival instinct kicked in, and he smashed his head forcefully against Artemis, causing the latter to stumble backwards.

Endymion did not wait another second before he forcefully pushed Artemis back, his strong arms firm around the other man's neck as he pulled him to the ground, tightening his hold.

But Artemis was a skilled fighter, strong and experienced. He grabbed Endymion by the head and whirled him around, punching his face brutally as the gladiator lay on the floor. Endymion used his legs to finally push him away from him, and he quickly scrambled back onto his feet, bringing some distance between the two of them. He watched as Artemis stumbled back onto his feet, blood tickling from green eyes as he glared at the other man.

"I will go with her." Endymion growled, his blue eyes dark. "There is nothing you can do about it!"

"We had an agreement!" Artemis shouted angrily.

Endymion narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

"No" he then said with a snort. "You tricked me in believing that staying away from her would save her. But your wise piece of advice, Doctore" he spat "almost killed us both! And Mina as well. You made me push her into the arms of another man!"

"Her only chance at freedom and happiness!" Artemis growled. "A future that is now destroyed thanks to you and Diamond! Tell me Thracian, what does he promise you for you to become his devoted lapdog? Oh no… advisor, is it not?"

A taunting laugh left his cracked, bloodied lips.

"What a career this is!"

"His trust in me saved Mina's life tonight!" Endymion reminded coldly. "And where were you, Doctore? What was your plan? Struggling and spitting threats like a newborn kitten?"

Artemis' eyes narrowed.

"Careful, Endymion." he said lowly. "I can always kill you with bare hands."

But Endymion just let out a soft laugh, shaking his heads.

"I doubt that." he replied unfazed. "You trained me well."

Artemis' chest heaved from fury, but deep inside, he knew the truth of Endymion's words.

"You vowed to protect her." Artemis said after a long beat of silence. "I trusted you to love her enough to keep your false promise."

Endymion let out a sad laugh.

"You have no idea what you are talking about, Artemis." he said. "I love her more than the moon the stars. I love her more than anything in this world or any other. And I will protect her. But I will not watch her fall into the arms of Praetor Seiya!"

"Your own personal hatred for this man is clouding your judgement Endymion!" Artemis yelled angrily. "Or is it just an excuse to try to keep her all to yourself? If you loved her truly, you would let her go! You would let her be free and move to Rome, away from Diamond. By the Orcus, boy! Did you not see what he is capable of?!"

"I know exactly what he is capable of!" Endymion growled. "But I also know what Seiya is capable of! I will not allow her to be blinded by his façade! I will not allow her to walk into certain misery!"

"And where does your path lead her, Endymion?!" Artemis challenged. "Where indeed?"

Endymion stepped closer, his eyes softening a little as he gazed up at the Doctore.

"Freedom." he spoke lowly. "I will free her from both Seiya and Diamond. And I will protect her from them until time has lost all meaning."

"Endymion." Artemis urged, a silent plea now entering his eyes. "The attempt alone is futile. You stand no chance."

Endymion stared at him for another beat of silence before he lifted his chin high, determination oozing from every pore of his body.

"You are wrong."

With these words, he turned around and moved further towards the dark dungeons.

"Endymion" Artemis called out, trying to make him change his mind.

Endymion stopped walking, his body tense. But he had made up his mind. It was dangerous, but he would not fail her. Not again.

"Take care of Mina." he heard himself whisper into the darkness. "Send her to Malachite. He will protect her. He will not let the others harm her."

Artemis watched how the Thracian gladiator was swallowed by darkness, leaving him back alone in the black corridor.

"Hold your promise, Endymion." he whispered into the darkness. "May the Gods give you the wisdom and strength to protect her as you vowed, even when the time arrives when you have to protect her from yourself."

Notes

More drama, I know. But the stage is set for romance in the next chapter

Hope you are still with me!