Chapter 21
.
.
The four year-old ran as fast as her little legs carried her, a bell-like giggle on her lips that floated through the cold air.
"Wait!" she heard her companion shout from behind her, but the slip of a girl just granted him with another mischievous smile over her shoulder and ran even faster.
Panting heavily, she reached the small wooden cottage and threw the door open.
"Mother!" she cried and panted, her cheeks flushed from heat as she entered her home. "I'm first!
A warm smile greeted her, indigo eyes dancing with amusement. A hand patted her head with affection, while cool lips pressed against her forehead for a gentle kiss.
"Again?" the woman laughed with raised brows. Her eyes shifted to the young boy who stumbled into their home, his face, too, flushed with heat while his eyes were narrowed on the little girl in the center of the room.
"She tricked me!" he accused breathlessly, his left hand removing some of his sweat-stained silver hair from his face. "I'm much faster than you are!"
The little girl whirled around and stuck out her tongue, earning a disapproving look from her mother.
"Be it as it is…" a male voice announced, and a broad-shouldered man clothed in thick wolfskin entered the cottage. "A true warrior does not fall pray for distraction. No matter how sweet."
The little girl's eyes lit up as she spotted the man, and with a cry of delight she flew into his arms. A deep chuckle rumbled through his broad chest as he picked up the small girl and hugged her tight. The young boy watched the scene with a sullen expression on his young face, his arms now crossed sulkily before his chest. The huge man let out another chuckle and reassuringly petted the boy's shoulder as he passed him.
"Don't get upset, my boy." he laughed as he carried the little girl to the open fire. "Our little girl is a special one. Enjoy the chase."
His dark eyes twinkled as he saw the boy's expression soften at his words.
Suddenly, there was a scream from outside, and the door burst open.
Another man clothed in animal skin stood at the entrance, his body sweat-stained while his broad chest heaved rapidly. His dark eyes found his leader's.
"They are coming." he growled through clenched teeth. The girl felt how her father's skin beneath her fingertips tensed at the other man's words. Her father quickly handed her to her mother.
"How close?" he barked at the other man.
"Too close." was the dry response.
The leader let his big paw roam his long beard, his dark eyes quickly shifting to where his family stood.
"Prepare the tribe." he ordered with authority in his voice that let the entire cottage shudder with respect. "Get every man, every woman. We need every sword to beat these bastards."
He then turned towards his wife and nodded his head. His eyes softened as they lingered on the little girl and boy for a moment. He was about to leave the cottage when a cold hand encircled his wrist.
"Let me fight!" the boy urged, his indigo eyes aflame with determination. "Let me fight with you!"
"No." was the gruff response. He knelt down before him, both big hands placed on the small boy's shoulder.
"Not yet." he added in a softer voice. "Your time will come, but for now, I need you to protect her. Protect the both of you. Remember the small cave I showed you last summer? Go there and wait until we come and get you."
He saw the resistance in the boy's eyes and it made his heart swell with pride.
"Promise you will protect yourself and her. Promise you'll wait until we come and get you."
There was a long beat of silence, but the boy finally nodded his head in agreement.
The leader smiled.
"I'm proud of you." he told the boy, earning a genuine smile from the little warrior.
The leader then turned to where his wife and the little girl where standing.
He saw the fright in his wife's eyes, but could also see the determination to kill whoever dared to threaten her family's life.
"Come now, wife." he addressed her. "We have Romans to kill."
His eyes then shifted to his daughter. The little beauty with silver hair and the most beautiful silver-blue eyes.
"He will protect you, little one." he said to her with a reassuring smile on his face. "Until we meet again."
The girl felt how her mother hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead – and she watched as her father and mother left the cottage. A hand encircled her small wrist and she looked up, only to stare into a pair of indigo eyes.
"Don't be afraid." the boy said and held her tight. "I promise to protect you to my last breath."
And in that moment the little girl knew that one day, he would die because of her.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Serenity awoke with a start. Darkness filled the void around her, and moistness and death lay in the air. She was lying on a cold, wet stone floor, and her head throbbed painfully. The beauty tried to lift her hand to touch her forehead, but realized that her hands were bound and tied to the wall behind her. It was then that she remembered. Remembered where she was, what had happened.
She closed her eyes as her world once again fell apart with the memories that flooded her mind. The reveal, the punishment, the attack… Diamond. She felt hot tears run down her cold cheek. She saw his face in her mind's eye – the determination, the sadness, the love. Her beloved brother had eventually been true to the promise he had given her so long ago.
And she cried for him – for the injustice of this world – for the cruel fate the Gods had enforced upon him.
On them.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"We need to find her!" Mina hissed, her blue eyes full of anger as she looked at the people around her. "How can you just stand her and WAIT?!"
She felt Malachite's hand on her shoulder to calm her, but she was quick to shake it off.
"She could DIE!" she cried out in frustration.
"Tell your woman to keep it down, or we will all die." Nephrite growled in Malachite's direction.
"But she's right!" Lita hissed in his direction. "We have no clue what those bastards are planning to do to her. Maybe she's already dead."
The young Greek clenched her hands to fists beside her body, her green eyes turning almost black.
"We should have rescued her right there." she muttered, the growl not able to mask the pain and shame she was feeling within.
"And you would have all died." A voice sounded from the tent's entrance.
In a second, everyone inside the small tent stood and faced the newcomer.
"Traitor!" Zoisite hissed and took a step forward, only to be held back by Artemis' hand on his shoulder.
Jadeite stared at the hate-filled faces of his brothers and their female companions, confusion clouding his sparkling green eyes.
His eyes moved from one to the other, and his lips formed into a thin line.
"Is this how to greet your brother after all this time?" he challenged with raised brows.
"Brother?!" Nephrite repeated with a snort. "You little piece of shit, how dare you…"
"Nephrite." Artemis' cool voice stopped him mid-sentence. "Enough."
Artemis' green eyes shifted to where Jadeite was standing, eying him suspiciously.
"What do you want?" he asked without emotion in his voice.
Jadeite's body went stiff and the indifferent tone in the Doctore's voice.
"As I said…" he replied slowly. "I came to see my brothers."
"We don't need your company." Malachite replied. "It is best you leave now, Jadeite."
Jadeite's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Why do you treat me like that?" he demanded, his green eyes sparkling with frustration.
Lita snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Maybe it is because of the treason you committed against your house… against your brothers?" she challenged coldly with a heated glare in his direction.
"I may have betrayed the house of my Roman oppressors, but I have never betrayed my brothers!" Jadeite defended passionately. "I rescued you!"
"Your sword still glistens with the blood of the brothers you have killed during the attack!" Zoisite barked at him.
"And the House of Tadius never treated you poorly." Artemis added with a growl. "None of us. What reasons did you have to betray them like that?"
Jadeite ran a frustrated hand through his golden hair.
"What reason?" he whispered after a while, shaking his head. "We were their slaves, Artemis. They let us fight for their amusement! We were nothing but sources of income for them. Animals the Romans let fight against for their mere amusement!"
He panted heavily, his eyes searching the others'.
"I was offered with the chance of a better life – and I took it. And I wanted you – my closest brothers – to have a chance at freedom as well."
Mina let out a dismissive laugh and shook her head.
"Freedom?!" she spat. "What kind of freedom is this supposed to be?! We are not allowed to leave this … whatever this group of people is … let alone the tent! This is no freedom!"
She held his gaze as she slowly approached him until she was standing right in front of him.
"And what about our Domina?" she asked him through gritted teeth. "How did she deserve what your new friends did to her?!"
Jadeite stared into Mina's hate-filled blue eyes, the truth within them making him swallow hard.
"She's a bloody Roman!" an angry voice sounded, making everyone turn towards the tent's entrance. "She deserves everything that Alan has in store for her."
"Raye…" Jadeite addressed the woman, shaking his head.
The black-haired woman entered the tent and moved until she was standing next to Jadeite. Her hand touched his arm while her fiery indigo eyes stared at Mina.
Mina took a step backwards, but answered the glare with equal hatred.
"I advise you do not speak about Serenity like that!" Lita hissed. "Or I will kill you with bare hands!"
Raye's lips curled into a haughty smile.
"Serenity?" she repeated with an amused tone in her voice. "So that's the little slut's name?"
A slap was heard, followed by a cries and strangled sounds.
"ENOUGH!" Artemis barked. "By the Gods, Jadeite, Malachite, get your women apart!"
"I will KILL you if you ever dare and speak about her like that!" Mina screamed as she fought against Malachite's hold.
"Have a try Roman lapdog!" Raye retorted furiously while being held back by Jadeite. "It will be my pleasure to kill you – but you will get to see your precious Roman slut die first!"
"I said ENOUGH!" Artemis barked over the screaming and spatting, the authority in his voice managing to silence the tent.
"You both should go now." Luna whispered through the silence, her eyes sad as she looked at Jadeite and Raye. "I won't let you exploit the pain that we are in any longer. Leave."
Raye let out dismissive snort and shook her head.
"Alan did well to keep you under surveillance." she spat. Her gaze shifted to look at Jadeite. "They don't belong here."
Saying this, she left the tent.
Jadeite stared at his former brothers with a pained expression on his face.
"Jadeite…" Luna sighed and shook her head. "Just leave."
The blond hesitated before his stiff posture slacked with defeat.
"You might consider me no longer part of the brotherhood." he told them with deep sadness in his voice. "But no matter what, you are still my family. Each and every one of you. You are right. What Alan is offering is not the freedom I was looking for. Far from it, actually. But I found something like happiness here. And knowing that you are here – even if you hate me – fills my heart with joy. I did what I had to to free you from slavery. If it hadn't been for the attack, you all would be dead now by Diamond's hand. If it hadn't been for me and my speech, you all would be dead now by Alan's hand. You know it's true… what else made you agree to join Alan's group?"
He let out an exhausted sigh, meeting everyone's gaze. He saw in their eyes that they understood the truth of his words.
"I know that you are afraid for Domina." Jadeite continued. "And I wished I could help you ease your minds. But I can only tell you that she's alive and is kept locked away."
"Where?" Malachite said, his eyes firmly fixed on Jadeite.
"That I don't know." Jadeite said and shook his head. "She's not with the rest of the prisoners. Only Alan and Haruka know where she is kept."
"Then how do you know she's still alive?" Luna whispered with tears in her eyes.
Jadeite offered her a soft smile.
"What does your heart tell you?"
Despite herself, Luna answered his smile with a soft curl of her lips.
"Don't be too hard on Raye for what she said." Jadeite said after a while. "She's been through a lot because of the Romans – more than any of us. But she's not cruel. Just hurt."
He let out another sigh and met Artemis' gaze.
"I will earn your trust again." he promised and left without another word.
.
.
.
.
.
.
He found her where he always did for the past days. He slowly approached her and sat next to her, watching how she carefully cleaned her brother's wounds. Her normally harsh facial expression had softened with love and tenderness.
"How is he?" Jadeite asked softly.
"Still weak, but the worst is over." Raye replied without looking up. "He's strong."
Jadeite smiled and kissed her shoulder lovingly.
"Like his sister."
A soft smile washed over her face and she nodded her head.
They sat in silence for a while until Jadeite let out a long sigh.
"You shouldn't have attacked them like that, Raye." he softly said. "They are not our enemies."
The softness on her face hardened, but she remained silent.
"Raye…" Jadeite addressed her again and grabbed her hand, keeping her from further tending to her brother's wounds.
She turned her head, her fiery indigo eyes meeting his.
"They shouldn't have talked to you like that!" she insisted passionately. "You saved their LIFE! And they choose the loyalty to the Romans over YOU!"
Jadeite shook his head in response.
"That is not true." he argued. "It's much more complicated than that. It is true, the House of Tadius never treated their gladiators badly."
Raye let out a dismissive snort and shook her head.
"Listen to yourself." she hissed and freed her hand, continuing to tend to her brother's wounds.
"It's true." Jedeite said. "As for the Domina… I did not know her well during the time at the House of Tadius, but I know that was always kind to the slaves there. Lita and Mina were her body slaves and she loved them like sisters."
The shortest glimpse of doubt crossed Raye's face before it was once again replaced by hatred when her eyes fell onto the unconscious man in front of her on the cottage.
"It does not matter." she said. "The Romans did this to him! Was he not worthy enough of her mercy?! Why was he punished then?"
Jadeite was at a loss of words and just shrugged his shoulders.
"We don't know what happened that night. But Serenity, she…"
"Not another word!" Raye spat furiously, successfully silencing her companion.
"Go now, Jadeite." she whispered, her eyes focusing back on Endymion. "I want to be alone right now."
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Eat something." the blonde in front of her ordered and shoved the plate closer towards her.
Serenity stared at her freed hands, then back at the plate with the small piece of bread on it.
"Aren't you starving?" the blonde asked with raised brows.
Serenity let out a sigh and folded her hands in her lap, looking away.
She heard a frustrated sigh, followed by movement.
The beauty took in a sharp breath when fingers suddenly took hold of her chin, forcing her to meet impatient green eyes.
"Is our food not enough for you, kitten?" Haruka asked, but there was no malice in the voice – maybe a hint of amusement.
Serenity remained silent, causing a frustrated sigh to escape her capturer's mouth.
The blonde let go of her chin and sat down some feet away from her, the green eyes taking in the small shivering form in front of her with a thoughtful expression on her face.
"You are a stubborn little kitten." Haruka finally said and shook her head. "You are hungry and your entire body is cold. Yet you take neither covers nor food that I offer you."
The blonde crossed her arms before her chest and cocked her head.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you are trying to die on me."
Serenity's body stiffened, but she remained silent.
"Well, little kitten, I'm afraid I won't let you." Haruka said with a sigh. "No matter how hard you try."
Finally, Serenity's gaze shifted to meet the blonde's. For the slightest of moments, Haruka's heart broke at the sight the beauty in front of her made, and at the sadness and loss she could see in the young woman's eyes.
"Why?" Serenity whispered, her voice as broken as the spirit she once held.
Haruka did not answer, she just stared at the beauty in front of her.
"Does it not bring you joy to see me suffering?" Serenity challenged weakly. "Does it not lift your heart and spirit to see me die?"
Haruka's lips formed to a thin line and she shook her head after a while.
"It does not." she finally said in a whisper.
Serenity furrowed her silver brows at the truth she heard in the other's voice.
"What's your name?" she heard herself ask, surprised by the smile that entered the other's face at the question.
"Haruka." The blonde replied, earning a confused look by the silver-haired beauty.
"You're a woman." Serenity stated more than asked, earning a deep chuckle from her captor.
Haruka leant a little closer, a strange twinkle in her green eyes.
"In body more than in soul." She said lowly, winking at Serenity.
The playfulness of Haruka's personality caused the shadow of a smile to appear on Serenity's lips. A strange feeling, she immediately thought. It felt like she hadn't smiled for a long time.
Her thoughts immediately went back to the conversation she had overheard some days ago – when the two guards in front of her cell had talked about the attack. How they had laughed and taking joy in Diamond's death. How they had said that they at burnt the villa, her home. And that they had arrayed crosses all over the training ground and in front of the villa to display the dead and almost-dead in the cruelest way possible as a warning for every Roman who would dare to defy the slave revolt.
She clearly remembered the feeling when Endymion's lifeless body appeared in her mind's eye. How a cold fist clenched around her heart as she realized that he had died that night. And that they would be forever parted in this world.
Tears prickled in the corners of her eyes, and she averted her gaze to look at her folded hands in her lap. She was unsure what pain was worse. The shock of what had happened, pr the ache for what would never be.
She let out a soft breath.
It did not really matter now.
"You are being very kind, Haruka." she finally addressed her blonde captor.
Haruka smiled at her words. She didn't know what it was about this small, beautiful woman. This Roman. But she wanted to see her happy. She wanted to show her kindness.
Serenity lifted her head, and the smile immediately fell from Haruka's lips as she saw the glistering tears and the emptiness within the small beauty's eyes.
"Show this last bit of kindness and let me join my loved ones." Serenity whispered, pleaded.
It caused a cold shudder to run through Haruka's veins.
She couldn't answer, so she wordlessly shook her head.
"Please." Serenity whispered, her broken voice colored with desperation. "There is nothing left in this world that would keep me here."
"There always is." Haruka insisted, shaking her head determinedly.
"Not for me." the beauty spoke softly while streams of hot tears made their way down her cheek. "Not this time. You took everything away from me. There is nothing left."
Haruka abruptly stood and turned around, not wanting to show the beauty how her words affected her. She ran a hand through her short golden hair. This was new to her. She had never felt compassion for a Roman – or even remorse for what she had done, who she had killed.
But this was different. She was different. It felt wrong to see the silver-haired beauty so… broken. Haruka took in a deep breath, her face cool and collected as she turned around to face Serenity again.
"You lost people you love." she addressed her without emotion in her voice. "We all have. All of us because of Romans. And you, for once, because of slaves. The pain we feel… the grief never ends. But it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. It is a price we pay for the love we once felt. But it's not about getting over it. This is about learning to live with it. This is what strong people do. And you are strong, kitten. So no. I will not kill you or let you kill yourself. I will not allow it."
"You will not allow it?" someone taunted with an amused chuckle – the voice alone able to make Serenity's blood freeze in her veins.
Her silver-blue eyes widened with fear as she spotted the broad-shouldered man at the entrance of her cell's door, and she couldn't help but press her back firmly against the cold wall behind her.
Haruka narrowed her eyes to slits as she recognized Alan and stepped in front of him to block his view on Serenity.
Alan raised one brow in amusement, his lips curling to a smirk. He glanced at the young beauty, the fear in her eyes causing the smile on his face to broaden.
"So our little Roman bird has a death wish now, has she?" he taunted lightly while observing Haruka's reaction closely. Over the past days, he had observed, to his great annoyance, that his blonde follower had developed a soft spot for the little beauty. He had grown desperate to catch the little bird alone, Haruka, however, always seemed to be close by. It was fruitless to even try. Alan's gaze once again shifted to the object of his desire. Oh how he longed to make her his – to make her his personal slave and to taunt her with the knowledge that she was now in his grasp, forced to do whatever he desired. And he had spent months in thinking about what exactly to do to her.
"Alan." Haruka growled in warning, recognizing her leader's expression of lust that seemed to take over.
Alan straightened his spine and lifted his chin in challenge.
"I want to be alone with her." he commanded lowly. "Now."
Haruka snorted and shook her head.
"I don't think so." she retorted, unaffected by the heated glare Alan was giving her. "She is my prisoner – under my care. Keep your pants on in here and go and search for your little sister."
Even through the dimness, Serenity could see Alan's nostrils flare in response, and how the skin beneath his right I twitched. But when he spoke, his voice was cool and collected – with no hint at the anger that he was no doubt feeling inside.
"Haruka. I am your leader – you constantly seem to forget that. And I request to have a little private talk with our … guest."
Haruka crossed the arms before her chest and lifted her chin in defiance.
"Our law says that she belongs to me now. I respect you as a leader, but I also expect you to respect our rules. Talk to her – but not without me present."
Alan stared at Haruka for some moments in silence – his eyes revealing how his mind worked restlessly on how to react to the challenge. Finally, he let out a soft laugh and shrugged his shoulders in nonchalance.
"As you wish." he sighed. "Funny that you say that – as my request also has to do with our law."
He smirked as realization dawned on the blonde's face.
"And I would say it matches perfectly our little bird's plans for herself." he added with a malicious twinkle in his eyes.
"No" Haruka whispered, shaking her head slowly.
Alan chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that spoke volumes of how he enjoyed the situation.
"Wasn't it you, Haruka, who so passionately pointed to the importance of our group's law just moments ago?" he said. His dark gaze shifted to where Serenity was sitting, her body still pressed against the cold wall behind her.
"Blood must be paid with blood. Death must be avenged with death. Our people are calling for Roman blood. Her blood – in memory of our fallen brothers and sisters."
Serenity caught Haruka's gaze for a moment, and her heart clenched as she saw the internal inside the blonde's eyes.
"You know the rules, Haruka." Alan continued with a sickly sweet voice.
He took a step forward, approaching Serenity.
"If I claimed her, however, as my personal prisoner, I could rescue her from tonight's games."
"Would her fate better, I wonder?" Haruka seethed, her green eyes now sparkling with fury.
Alan's gaze never left Serenity when he answered.
"I would not kill her."
"There are fates worse than death, Alan." Haruka argued heatedly. "She would…"
"Enough of this, Haruka." Alan stopped her mid-sentence, the annoyance clear to hear. His gaze left Serenity's and he turned around to look at his blonde follower.
"Do not forget who I am, and who she is." he growled coldly. "You get attached too quickly – and let yourself deceive by a pretty face and a soft body. She is Roman – and these are the options. Hand her over to me and I'll make sure to spare her from tonight's games. Insist to keep her and she will die tonight in the arena."
Haruka's hands clenched and unclenched next to her body – the blonde uncertain what to do.
"I will gladly die tonight …" Serenity spoke, her silver-blue eyes glaring at the revolt's leader. "If this means I will prevent you from laying just one of your filthy fingers on me!"
Alan stared at her for a long moment – the amusement completely gone from his face. He then knelt down before her and brought his face as close as possible without touching. Serenity raised her chin high in defiance as she stared right back at him – without fear, without remorse. She saw how irritating swirled in the depths of his deep brown eyes, before it was replaced by another wave of amusement. His lips curled, and she could see how he licked his lips with the tip of his tongue.
"We will see about that." he breathed lowly.
He stood and turned towards Haruka, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Bring her to the arena by sundown." he commanded with a grin. "I have got a feeling that this is going to be an exquisite night."
.
.
.
.
.
.
She smiled as she looked at his sleeping face.
"Why are you smiling?" Endymion mumbled sleepily.
Serenity giggled and kissed his cheek.
"How can you tell?" she asked with a pout on her lips.
Endymion opened one eye to look at her. He smiled up at her.
"I just know." he replied matter-of-factly.
Serenity rolled her eyes at his cocky attitude.
"Why were you sleeping anyway?" she asked with a shrug of her shoulders. "The little time we have should be filled with more enjoyable things."
Endymion let out a soft chuckle before he quickly moved to roll her beneath his body.
He smirked at her and shook his head.
"You, my Domina, are insatiable." he chided softly.
She answered with a long, loving kiss.
When they finally parted, he smiled down at her, but Serenity realized that his eyes had turned sad.
"What is it?" she asked and touched his rough cheek with her soft hand.
"It is just …" he stopped there for a moment, his eyes losing focus, as if unsure whether to respond or not. When he looked at her again, she could see an unspoken pain within.
"It is just that it is only in my dreams that we can be together. Free. Unbound. In love. Forever."
Serenity kissed him, but she felt tears in the corners of her eyes.
"I believe that one day, we can be together. One day, there will be nothing to keep us apart."
Endymion smiled at her. This was what he loved about her. Her optimism, her positivity. Her reckless, foolish belief in the good. In the future.
"One day." he agreed.
But saw it in his eyes that he lied.
.
"Kitten" someone whispered into her ear, causing her to open her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Haruka said as she helped her stand. "It's time to go."
Serenity swallowed the lump in her throat, but she collected all the bravery within and nodded her head. Haruka led her out of her cell and outside the abandoned building. The sun was about to vanish behind the trees of a thick forest nearby, tinting the surrounding in dark orange colors. Serenity smiled at the beauty of it.
Together with some more armed rebels and prisoners, Haruka led her down a steep path, and Serenity could already hear the roaring and bawling from a clough not far away.
"It's not too late." Haruka whispered. "I can still accept Alan's proposal. If you want me to."
There was a hint of hope within Haruka's eyes as she looked back at Serenity. The beauty was touched by the other woman's concern. Haruka surely had no reason to help or even like her. And still, she had shown nothing but kindness to Serenity.
Serenity shook her head in response and offered Haruka a soft smile.
"Thank you. But this is how my story is going to end."
Haruka sighed but nodded eventually.
There was no further explanation needed. The blonde could see it in the beauty's eyes that she had made up her mind. That she had made her peace. And that there was nothing left in this world that could bring back the light to her life.
"So that you can return to the ones that hold your heart." she replied.
Serenity looked into the darkening sky.
"And this time, forever."
.
.
.
.
.
.
Serenity was roughly shoved to the ground at the edge of a field. Her eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. She was laying at the edge of a steep, stony hillside – with rows of seats hewn in the stone. The hillside closed around one half of the plateau, while the other half ended in open space. It reminded her of the training ground back in Capua. People were already sitting on the stony benches, drinking and eating and enjoying themselves. Some of them threw small stones and other smaller objects at the prisoners to their feet – yelling and roaring angry foreign words at them that Serenity did not understand. But from the expressions on their faces, the beauty was pretty sure what they meant.
"Serenity." Someone addressed her, causing her to turn around.
"Rubeus!" Serenity gasped as she took in the man who was heavily beaten sitting not far away from her among the prisoners.
The red-head tried to smile at her, but failed miserably due to the swelling on his face.
"Look at those bastards." Rubeus growled, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Ready and eager to see some Roman blood."
Serenity did not answer, she did not look at the crowd. She could not stand the hatred that she would see there.
"Diamond, is he…?"
"Yes." Serenity was quick to reply. There was no need to voice it out loud.
Rubeus let out an exhausted sigh and shook his head.
"I'm sorry to hear that." he said. "I never liked him very much. But he was a gifted Lanista."
Serenity wordlessly nodded her head. She didn't trust her voice at that moment.
"Esmeraude is dead as well." Rubeus sighed. "At least I assume that as she is not here with us… Lucky bitch."
Serenity gave him a disapproving look but Rubeus just shrugged his shoulders.
"She hated your guts, you know?" he chuckled joylessly. "She was so in love with your brother. But he only had eyes for you. If he hadn't proposed to her within the next two months, she surely would have killed you herself."
He sighed dreamily in remembrance of his cousin.
"She was a passionate one, that one."
Serenity was growing more and more uncomfortable – if that was even possible. She somehow understood now why Diamond had hated Rubeus that much. He surely was unpleasant company.
"So what is going to happen tonight?" she asked to change the subject.
"They are feeding us our own poison Domina." a soldier next to her replied. "They are going to celebrate the games."
She knew his face from the Ludus, one of the Roman soldiers that Diamond had assigned for his protection. Her heart grew heavy in her chest as she looked at the prisoners around her. They did not deserve that. None of them did.
"Now now, isn't that a promising selection of performers for tonight's entertainment?" a voice laughed from behind them.
Serenity didn't have to turn to know that Alan was standing behind them.
"Let's see what we have here…" Alan continued. "Roman soldiers – oh look at all the proud badges and signs they are wearing to honor the great Roman Empire."
A female chuckled in response, but Serenity refused to turn around.
"And who is that brother-mine?" the female asked sweetly.
"Oh Anne, you will love that one." Alan replied with a chuckle. "A true Lanista from Capua. I've kept him alive – just for you so that you can see him die tonight."
A squeal of delight was heard, and a clapping of hands. Serenity felt sick.
"But my special treat will be you."
She felt how Alan knelt down behind her, his hands lightly following the flow of her silver hair.
"My offer still stands." He whispered against the shell of her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "Choose me instead of death. And I promise you will not regret it. I can be gentle if you ask nicely."
Serenity whirled around, her eyes alive with fury as she met Alan's amused gaze.
"Read it from my lips!" she hissed. "It is DEATH that I choose. That I would ALWAYS choose."
There was a brief flicker of disappointment in his eyes. Another chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head in response.
"Some women are lost in the fire." he said. "Some are built from it. A shame, really, to lose a woman like you."
"Alan!" the woman behind him hissed. "Stop messing around. It's time for the disgusting scum to meet their Gods."
Alan sighed and stood. His index finger gently caressed Serenity's cheek.
"I'm looking forward to your fire on the arena sand, Domina."
She watched him walk with determined, proud steps towards the middle of the field and the bawling, heated crowd went silent as he faced them and held up one hand.
"Brothers, sisters!" he called out to them. "My fellows in misery! For years now, the great Roman Empire has enslaved our people, has tortured and killed them! The superior race – the Gods among earth – sit in their mighty halls, enjoy our wine and women – our food and our misery. Look where they are now!"
He pointed at the prisoners and the crowd cried out in anger and amusement, and threw more things at them.
"Each and every one of you has lost someone to the bloodthirst and cruelty of the Romans. Each and every one of you had to endure thousands of lifetimes of pain. But not anymore! We will feed them their own poison – we will let them drink their own bile! And we will not stop until the earth is soaked in their blood and our new lives and homes will be built with their rotting corpses!"
He laughed loudly at the hate-filled response from his comrades – took joy in how his words spurred them further on.
"Tonight, they will fight for US. They will die for US. And with their death, we will honor our fallen brothers and sisters – those who had to die because of the Roman greed!"
"For Kraynos!" a large man shouted and stood, holding his glistering sword high into the air.
"For Alfher!" another cried out.
"For Dagrún!"
"For Boda!"
More and more names filled the night air – more and more rebels stood and lifted their swords to the sky in honor of the fallen people.
Serenity felt the anger, the pain, the desperation. She saw the children who had lost their mothers, she saw the fathers who lost their sons and daughters. She saw them all in their eyes and faces. An image of a woman with long hair similar to hers entered her mind, and that of a man, broad and strong and proud, who had fought against Romans – a long time ago. Her vision blurred, and her head began to throb anew. A hand behind her steadied her.
"Don't let this scum see your fear, Serenity." Rubeus whispered into her ear. "We are Romans. We don't fear slaves."
He then stood, his eyes glistering angrily.
"DID YOU HEAR THAT?!" he shouted. "My life is worth a thousand of your people! I'm citizen of the Roman Empire! You worthless scum will all DIE!"
The area was silent for a moment or two, when Anne suddenly started laughing. Alan joint her, and soon did the entire arena.
"I guess we have a volunteer for the first fight!" Alan announced good-heartedly. "Actually, I wanted you to fight at the end as the big finale, but I guess Capua's most beautiful flower all on her own will do as well for the last fight."
Serenity's stomach turned when Alan winked at her.
"SERENITY!" a desperate scream suddenly pierced the air. "NO! LET ME GO!"
Her eyes widened as she spotted Mina and Lita who were being held back by two rebels.
A flicker of irritation washed across Alan's face, and the crowd began to murmur at the turmoil.
"SERENITY!"
"By the Gods, make them leave." Anne ordered and rolled her eyes. "And don't let them come out of their tents until this is over."
"NO! LET ME GO! SERENITY!"
The tears fell freely from Serenity's eyes as she watched how her friends were dragged away. She was happy that they were alive – and she knew that the rebels won't hurt them. They were not like her. They were not Roman.
She tried to smile as she caught Mina's gaze. She tried to tell her with her eyes that everything was fine. That she had accepted her fate. And that she wished them happiness and love in this world… that they would find a way to escape blood and death and slavery.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw how Rubeus was dragged to the middle of the arena field.
"Give him a sword as sharp as his tongue!" Alan ordered and someone stepped forward and threw it in front of a seething Rubeus. The former Lanista eagerly grabbed it, immediately taking the position of a skilled warrior. Serenity had never seen him fight – but she knew from Diamond's stories that Rubeus was skilled enough.
One of his former gladiators, Veneti, was chosen to fight him. Serenity remembered Veneti from the arena. He had a big scar across his chest, and was of a bulky build. She briefly saw the fear flicker across Rubeus' face. He of all people knew best what Veneti was capable of.
The former gladiator smiled a crooked smile.
"How I've longed for this, Dominus." he laughed.
Alan raised on fist in the air and smiled brightly at the scene.
"BEGIN!" he exclaimed as he yanked his hand down.
Serenity averted her gaze and her thoughts wandered back to her two friends.
If they managed to escape, she was sure that Lita would be clever enough to lead Mina to Elysium. A place far away from that all.
Elysium… Serenity sighed. How she wished she had stayed there.
Safe. Happy.
And together with him.
.
.
.
.
.
.
First, it felt like waking up from a deep slumber. It felt warm and safe. With no worries in the world, trapped in the blissful state of numbness. Then the pain came, setting the entire body on fire. He cast up his eyes with a start, his mouth and throat feeling dry as a croaking sound left his split lips.
"Shh, it's alright. It's alright. You are safe." a soft voice cooed.
A voice he knew. A voice he had not heard in a long time. Soft warm hands gently pressed him down onto the soft ground beneath him.
Soft long hair tickled his shoulders and his bare chest, and when his eyes slowly focused, he saw a blackness that had always reminded him of the shiny dark fur from Thrace's horses. He looked into her eyes, tear-filled and determined, stubborn and strong at the same time. They looked different now, somehow. There was something inside them had had not been there before – darkness and pain, yet not less beautiful.
"Am I dead?" he whispered, his voice foreign to his own ears.
The woman laughed and shook her head, tears now running freely down her cheek.
"Raye…" he whispered – but was not sure if the name truly escaped his cracked lips.
She laughed again, a happy sound filled with utter relief.
She placed a hand on his cheek, her thumb caressing lightly the way she had done so often before. It was that small gesture, this deliberate touch that made him realize that this was indeed happening. That this was real.
He ignored the pain inside his body and quickly sat up, his arms flying around his long-lost sister, hugging her tightly. He heard her laughter as she complained that he was crushing her. But he did not care.
"I thought you were dead." he whispered over and over again, glistering tears of joy now spilling from his eyes.
"And I you!" Raye sobbed, her arms carefully wound around his neck to avoid touching his still healing wounds.
He loosened his strong hold, only to shift his body a little to look into her face, her eyes.
He touched her cheek, her nose, her mouth over and over again.
"You are real!" he whispered desperately. "You are real!"
She gave him a shiny smile and nodded her head while tears of her own wetted her face and his hands.
"I am." she confirmed. "Endymion… how I've missed you!"
He shook his head anew, not truly believing that she was here. With him.
He hugged her again, tighter than before, kissing her dark mane.
"Stop it now." She laughed and gently wiggled herself out of his grasp. "You are hurt. Don't wear yourself out on my behalf."
She helped him lay down again, but he never once let go of her small hand.
"I cannot believe you are here." he whispered.
"But I am. And so are you." she whispered with affection.
His eyes slowly scanned his surroundings. He was lying on a small cottage inside what looked like a tent. It was dark outside, and the pain that surged through his body came from his back. Raye handed him a goblet filled with water and urged him to drink.
His brows furrowed and he shook his head in confusion as he looked at the goblet. He knew the emblem on it. It belonged to a Roman family not far away from Capua. He had fought some of their gladiators some months ago in the arena.
"Where are we?" he whispered as he searched Raye's eyes.
She titled her head and smiled at him.
"There will be enough time for the big questioning." she assured. "For now, just know that we are with friends and that we are safe here."
Endymion shook his head, trying to get his mind to work again – trying to remember what had happened.
Then he saw her face. Her beautiful silver-blue eyes desperate as they met his gaze – and he heard his own voice groan with pain as the whip pierced his skin like a thunder bolt over and over again. Her screams. Her cries. Her desperation.
"Where is she?" he suddenly whispered frantically, trying to get up again.
Raye, confused by his sudden behavior, held him down with gentle force.
"Endymion, lay still." She ordered softly. "Your wounds are not fully healed yet."
But Endymion just roughly shoved her hands away and sat up again.
"Where is she?!" he demanded, his voice loud and frantic.
Raye just shook her head at her brother's sudden harsh behavior.
"Give yourself some rest, Endymion." She tried to calm him. "We will talk tomorrow and I will answer all your questions."
His head throbbed, and he let his hand roam harshly across his face.
"But… Diamond, Serenity…" he whispered as he tried to collect his thoughts.
Raye's confusion changed to compassion and she smiled soothingly at him.
"Do not worry, brother." she said as she took hold of his shoulders. "Diamond, the filthy bastard, was killed during the rebel's attack when we rescued you. And the Roman bitch is about to get executed. Maybe she's even already dead. They will not be able to harm you anymore."
It was as if someone had pressed the air out of his lungs. His eyes widened, his body felt numb and the world around him began to spin mercilessly.
"What?" he breathed.
Raye was uncertain about the shocked expression on her brother's face, but she just laughed and shook her head.
"I know, we are blessed by the Gods that everything turned out alright. Since you are here, I cannot believe that we are finally lucky after all we had to end…"
"Where?!" Endymion shouted and got up from the cot. The quick movement caused his world to spin even more, and his vision blurred for a moment, making him sway on his wobbly legs.
"Endymion!" Raye cried out and helped him steady, trying to get him to lie again.
But Endymion shoved her arms away from his body, his eyes restless, desperate and angry as he met her gaze.
"WHERE?!" he shouted.
Raye took a step back, shaking her head.
"What are you talking about?" she whispered, confusion swirling in the depth of her indigo eyes. She watched as Endymion moved around the tent until he finally found and grabbed a sword nearby.
His hair and eyes were wild as he turned around to face her again. She was about to tell him to stop this and get back to the bed when Jadeite and Malachite suddenly entered the tent.
Endymion whirled around, his eyes immediately finding Malachite's. The other man nodded in silent understanding and pointed at his own sword.
"Hurry." he whispered.
Endymion felt the pain in his weak limbs with every step he took, but he needed to get to her as soon as possible. Before it was too late.
A hand on his arm tried to hold him back, and he met his sister's confused gaze.
"I'm sorry Raye." was all he whispered before he dashed out of the tent, leaving her behind.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Serenity closed her eyes as she heard the crowd cheer when the hot iron ran though the Roman soldier. The ground was painted crimson, and bodies of dead Romans lay wherever the eye looked. The torches around the natural arena ground shed light on the fallen warriors, and she could see Rubeus' separated head with his fiery red hair some feet away from her. She was the only one left.
The people around her bawled and cried, spurring the chosen fighters on to shed more blood, to inflict more pain. The bulky gladiator to her left took hold of the Roman soldier's almost lifeless body and broke his arm, causing the injured solider to let go off his sword. Alan pointed his thumb downwards, clearly enjoying the role of a Roman emperor. The gladiator let out a deafening cry before he took hold of the soldier and threw him off the cliff. The audience cheered and clapped their hands and stamped their feet in approval.
She felt how someone roughly grabbed her by the arm and shoved her to the middle of the plateau. She fell to the blood-soaked ground, her once light blue dress now tattered, and spotted in dirt and blood.
Alan approached her slowly. Taking his time.
"All your followers have fallen, Domina." he announced haughtily with a broad grin on his lips. "And you, once shiny and beautiful, ruler of so many enslaved brothers and sisters, are now to our feet. The last to follow your companions."
The crowd laughed and howled, screaming for her blood.
Alan knelt down and took hold of her chin. He forced her to crane her neck until it hurt, and he brought his face close to hers.
"This is your last chance, beautiful." he whispered only for her to hear. "Beg me to spare your life."
Serenity narrowed her eyes.
"Never." she whispered.
She could clearly see the anger in his brown eyes.
"As you wish." He growled and shoved her forcefully to the ground.
He turned towards the crowd.
"Tonight's big finale has arrived, my friends." he called out. "Let's see what color a Domina from Rome bleeds."
"Veneti" he addressed the former gladiator from Capua and nodded to where she was still laying.
"Brother!" Anne said. "Let not only have Veneti all the fun. Let me shed her blood as well."
Alan laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
"Try not to be too cruel, Anne."
Serenity saw how a sword and a dagger were shoved in front of her.
"Come on, little Domina." the woman in front of her laughed. "Or are you too afraid to fight?"
She played with the dagger in her hands, her almond eyes glistering evilly as she looked at Serenity.
"Let's see how beautiful you are when my dagger is finished with your pretty face."
With shaking hands, Serenity took the sword and the dagger and stood on wobbly legs.
"BEGIN!" she heard Alan shout, and Veneti and Anne immediately ran towards her.
Serenity whirled around the avoided the first attack. She could see Anne's surprised look and took the moment of confusion to whirl her sword until it sliced Anne's upper arm. The woman cried out in fury and pain.
"YOU BITCH!" she screamed, and Serenity could faintly hear how Alan laughed in amusement.
It didn't take long until Veneti managed to hit the first blow, causing Serenity to cry out in pain as his sword pierced her right arm, causing the sword to fall to the ground. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw how Anne approached her from behind, and despite the pain, she whirled around and kicked her hard enough for the other to stumble backwards.
"NO!" Anne screamed at Veneti. "She's mine!"
With an ear-deafening scream, she threw herself at Serenity and threw her to the ground. She straddled her, the glistering dagger firmly in her hand as she wiggled it balefully in front of Serenity's face.
"Your face truly is beautiful, isn't it?" she whispered with an evil smile. "Where should I put the first cut I wonder?"
Serenity cried out in pain as Anne slowly cut the skin beneath Serenity's right breast.
"Oh…." she heard Anne whisper. "Did this hurt?"
Serenity felt how the other woman placed the dagger right beneath her right eye.
"You have beautiful eyes – I wonder how beautiful you are when you no longer have them."
Serenity squeezed her eyes shut.
This was it – this was the end.
She just hoped she would soon pass out from the pain so that she wouldn't have to endure Anne's torture.
Suddenly, a shriek was heard, and the crowd went deadly silent.
Serenity opened her eyes and looked to the left. She could see Veneti standing there, with the front of a spear sticking right out of his chest. The huge gladiator took hold of the weapon inside his body, before his eyes rolled back and he fell to the ground.
From the shadows, she could see how another sharp spear pierced the night sky, missing Anne only by a hair's breadth and only managed to graze the skin of her arm. Anne rolled herself from Serenity with a cry on her lips, and Serenity quickly used the opportunity to crawl away from her.
She heard shouting and screaming and then there was suddenly someone beside her, pulling her to her feet. Strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her closer. She knew him. Knew the warmth of his body, his scent, the color of his eyes.
"What is this supposed to mean?!" Alan screamed in anger as he took in the sight before him.
"None of you will touch her!" Endymion barked, his eyes liquid fire as he glared at the crowd of people in front of him. Nephrite and Malachite were by his side, both of them holding their swords high, ready to fight.
Alan shook his head and couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips.
"Endymion." He addressed the Thracian. "So glad that you could make it to our little games. Right in time for the big finale."
He eyed the men in front of him cooly while letting his hand roam his beard's shadow thoughtfully.
"And what is the big idea behind your master plan, I wonder?" he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "Three loyalists to Rome fighting for a Roman Domina against… what … 100 rebels? One of them injured and just risen from the dead."
The rebels' leader threw his hand into his neck and let out a roaring laughter.
"You are good, Endymion." He added, tears of amusement gathering at the corner of his eyes. "But I doubt that you are that good."
Endymion tightened his hold around the woman he loved. He felt the pain from his back flooding his system, could feel himself weaken with every breath that he took.
He looked down at her, looked into her endless pools of silver and blue that stared up at him with confusion, pain, fear … but most of all: love.
"I will protect you." he whispered to her and offered her a pained but genuine smile. "I promise to protect you to my last breath."
A small boy suddenly entered her mind, a boy not older than 8 years, in a small cottage far away from here. A boy who had uttered the same words – and who had kept this promise only some days ago.
She took hold of Endymion's face and turned him to look at her.
Serenity pulled him down and kissed him, long and sweet, and full of pain and sorrow.
When they parted, she shook her head with tears in her eyes and a sad smile on her face.
"No." she whispered. "Not again."
.
.
.
.
.
.
His muscles burnt from the long ride, his heartbeat increased with every step he took towards where the billows of smoke were still tainting the sky grey.
He reached the door to the villa, only to come face to face with his younger brother who just stepped out of the building. His brother held out his hand to stop him from moving further.
"Don't" he urged, but was pushed roughly away.
It smelled like fire and death inside. He heard his brother follow him close behind, calling his name over and over again. He passed one of the marble walls, and the breath got caught in his throat as he realized that "FREEDOM" had been written on the stones with crimson words. The blood had already dried.
A hand was placed on his shoulder, but he shook it off and made his way to the balcony. Bodies lay everywhere, soldiers and slaves and rebels alike.
He stepped outside, and he took in a deep breath at the sight that greeted him. An ocean of bodies, the sand now crimson rather than gold. And in the middle of it, seven crosses could be found, with human bodies attached to them.
His heart grew heavy as he looked at the crucified man with silver hair in the middle of the training ground.
"They had no chance." Yaten whispered. "The rebels killed them all."
Seiya swallowed hard, not able to take his eyes off of the lifeless silver-haired man.
"They seemed to have killed him before he was crucified." Yaten whispered. "It doesn't make it as less disgusting deed… but at least he didn't suffer."
"You don't know that." Seyia growled.
"Where is she?" he eventually pressed out.
Yaten heaved a heavy sigh and shook his head.
"We didn't find her." he said. "Not yet at least." he added more softly.
Seiya closed his eyes, trying to keep the fear inside him at bay.
"And Rubeus?"
"His villa looks the same." Yaten said. "But he, too, is missing."
Hope entered Seiya's eyes.
"They could have escaped together."
Yaten let out another sigh and shook his head.
"Seiya…" he sighed. "No one escaped this."
Heavy silence filled the air as the brothers watched how their men searched for survivors of this massacre.
"Take them down." Seiya growled and finally tore his gaze away from Diamond. "Give them a proper funeral. All of them."
Yaten nodded and motioned his men to see it done.
He followed his brother back into the villa, unsure how to approach him. He knew that Seiya had cared a lot for Serenity. He found him standing in front of the marble wall with the bloody "FREEDOM" sign on it. Seiya had his arm outstretched, close to touching the crimson letters.
"Brother… I"
"PRAETOR!" a voice shouted, accompanied by a chubby Roman soldier who rushed towards them.
Seiya raised one brow and ordered him to speak.
"We have found two survivors."
"Survivors?" Yaten repeated. "Who is it?"
"One is the Domina, the other…"
He could not finish, as Seiya had already started running the moment the word has escaped the soldier's mouth.
Seiya ran as fast as he could, right to the direction where the chubby Roman had come from.
Several soldiers were standing around a small cot where an injured, unconscious woman lay. Seiya shoved them away, his heart singing with joy. It was, however, when he saw the hair color that his face and heart darkened again.
"This is not the Domina!" he barked with fury, making the soldiers around him flinch.
"It is" one soldiers said. "Isn't Lady Esmeraude the Domina of the other Ludus that was attacked?"
Seiya let out a bitter laugh. How could the fates be so cruel?
"She is." He heard his brother confirm. "Bring her to the Medicus immediately."
"Seiya, listen to me. It's fruitless." Yaten implored. "Serenity is…"
"DON'T you dare speak her name!" Seiya hissed, his blue eyes alight with fury. "If you would have supported me more in my search for her, she would be…"
"Still be dead." Yaten interrupted sharply. "It wouldn't have changed anything, brother."
Seiya huffed and turned away.
"For all it's worth, brother. I'm truly sorry." Yaten whispered after a while.
Seiya closed his eyes – desperately trying to prevent the tears from falling.
"Who is the other survivor?" he addressed one of the soldiers gruffly.
"A slave." the Roman was quick to reply. "A body slave from what we gathered from the collar around his neck. He's severely injured, but there is still life inside him."
Seiya approached the cot where a young man with black hair had been placed.
"I know him." he said, his eyes focusing on the young man's face rather than the deep wound on his stomach.
"Tend to him." He ordered gruffly. "Don't let him die. This is Diamond's body slave. He will know what has happened."
.
.
.
Hey guys
I'm back :) Sorry for the long wait.
Summer time is finally over and I won't feel guily anymore sitting inside and writing fanfiction ;-)
Fingers crossed the autumn will be good writing weather.
I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter and it was worth the wait!
xxx
J