In Veritas Memento

Rating: NC 17

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All aspects of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena are owned by Steven De Knight and Starz. This is for pure entertainment value alone.

This story takes place after the episode Missio, yet it veers completely into an A/U after the events of that episode. I am a huge fan of the series Spartacus; however, my favorite character is Gannicus. This is his story.

Warnings: M for a reason. This story is much like the show. It contains bad words and smut! If that is not your cup of tea, turn back now. Although, if cussing and nude scenes offend, are you sure you're a fan of Spartacus?! ;) Hehehe. Kidding. Anyhow, you've been warned.

Pairings: There are multiple pairings, and Gannicus has more than one partner in this story, however, Gannicus/Melitta is endgame. If reading Gannicus with multiple pairings offends you, again, turn back now.

A/N: This story has been rewritten, so, do not be surprised if much has changed if you have already read this.

Chapter 3: ad pondus omnium: The weight of all things.

In the training yard, Gannicus leaned against the stone wall to the far left of his cell, seeking the shade, as he contemplated how his normal existence had turned to shit so fast. Not only had been forced into taking Melitta to bed—something he would have never initiated—but now, despite the promises made for his participation, he was being excluded from fighting in the arena; the Gods were punishing him for his transgressions.

As if brought forth from his mind's eye, he glanced up to the balcony and caught sight of sky blue dress and flowing locks, dark as raven wings and his heart dropped. He could not will his gaze away from her. She was becoming the true test of his mettle. One night with her had changed him so profoundly it appeared the memory of it would be forever etched upon fucking brain until death took him to the shores of the afterlife!

He was pulled from his reverie by the sight of the Roman noble, Varis, stepping up to the railing of the balcony alongside Batiatus, the Domina, her houseguest and another noble man and woman. Revulsion twisted inside him as he stared at Varis. If not for that Roman pig, he would never have lay with Melitta and discovered it was her touch he craved above all others.

Oenomaus cracked the whip, drawing Gannicus's attention as he ordered all Gladiators to 'Attend and present themselves'

Gannicus lined up next to his brothers, his fist raised in the 'Batiatus' salute. And while he was among many, he clearly felt that all eyes were upon him; it made his stomach tighten with apprehension. After they had 'presented' themselves to the Roman nobles, Gannicus was called front and center. He had expected it, yet he was concerned because it was eerily familiar to the last time…

What did Varis want now? He was no longer competing in the man's games. So, why was he here? Did he desire a repeat performance? Did he now invite friends to watch? Was Batiatus allowing it? So many questions swirled around Gannicus's head and he was not entirely sure he wanted to know the answers. However, he was sure the puzzle would be solved by the end of the day; it was not a pleasant thought.

His mind was inundated with what might be asked of him, and (to his shame) erotic thoughts of taking Melitta again was front and center within his imaginings. His eyes sought hers, yet she would not meet gaze and it was only by sheer force of will that he pushed such yearnings from mind.

*8*

Melitta took her place behind her Domina, quietly observing as Gannicus was positioned against Auctus and his spear in a supposed 'exhibition' match for the Nobles. However, once again wood gave way to steel and instead of a simple demonstration, the contest could easily become far too serious for comfort.

Gaia came to stand next to Octavia as the gladiators prepared for demonstration. "Did I exaggerate?" she teased.

Octavia released a long sigh as her eyes traveled over the golden physique of Batiatus' champion. "No, you did not. He is perfection. A rare specimen of beauty indeed."

Batiatus chuckled. "Gannicus is a titan! Watch and you shall see."

"He fights in the dimachaerus style," Octavia observed, her rising interest appearing on her face as she took note of his two swords and no shield.

Dimachaeri were a unique breed of gladiator, and Quintus turned to her, his surprise that she knew of the unusual style obvious. "You are a student of the games?"

"I have been intrigued with gladiator muneras for years… although, I must say, there are few who fight in such a way with true success," she replied, her gaze going from Quintus back to Gannicus, who was awaiting instruction, his two swords crossed in front of him. "It takes fierce determination, deadly skill and extraordinary stamina to wield the dual blades as a means of attack and defense. A difficult feat to master."

Quintus was impressed with her knowledge. "Yes, it is, but as you shall see, Gannicus possesses the prowess to accomplish such a task. The man has no equal."

"Then let us bear witness to such a marvel…" she murmured quietly.

Quintus gave a nod. "Begin," he said.

As the two men faced each other, Auctus tauntingly pointed his spear at the blonde gladiator, his laughter ringing out. "It appears I'll finally have a chance to spear that tight ass of yours, brother," he teased, making a crude gesture with his weapon; his grin wild and wicked.

Gannicus chuckled at Auctus's boast. As if that would ever fucking happen! "Then you best bring a bigger weapon than the one you now possess!" he taunted back, pointing one of his swords at his brother as he crouched down and assumed a fighting stance.

Auctus gave a roar and charged full force, and with that, the fight was on.

Melitta's eyes followed Gannicus as he battled. He wielded his swords with lightning speed and deadly precision, and the clash of steel echoed around the yard as his swords banged against Auctus's shield, driving the bigger man back after the initial charge. Early on, in a startling move, Auctus spun about and used his spear to trip Gannicus, momentarily taking the blonde gladiator off his feet. Melitta's breath caught and held as Auctus raised his spear as if to send it home in Gannicus' chest, but the blonde gladiator quickly rolled to the side, avoiding the potentially lethal blow. She nearly fainted with relief.

Frustrated for falling for a tactic he had seen Barca use a thousand times, Gannicus leaped to his feet with a growl. "I see his cock isn't the only thing Barca shares with you." His expression became serious as he added, "That will not happen again."

Auctus blew him a kiss. "Jealous?"

Gannicus gave a hearty laugh. "Of your tiny cock? Hardly." He winked at Auctus brazenly. "Just be glad I do not share your tastes, brother, since we both know if I but gave the Beast a smile, it'd be my cock he'd be sucking, not yours."

The comment infuriated Auctus, just as Gannicus had intended, and the man attacked, this time without his usual skill or finesse.

The nobles were laughing at the comments from the gladiators and making approving sounds as the battle resumed, but Melitta watched the exhibition with a knot in her stomach. She was utterly terrified, and despite telling herself Gannicus was too good to have Auctus defeat him, fear for him (especially after he had intentionally angered Auctus) made her heart race uncomfortably. She had always worried over him when he fought, yet it appeared her growing feelings for him made concern for his welfare of even greater importance than ever before.

It was a fierce, yet not an overly long match. Auctus was bigger, and as a Hoplomachus, he was well adept with the spear and shield, but he had lost his head early on after Gannicus teased him about Barca and his performance attested to his rage. Gannicus, on the other hand, was far quicker and fought with skilled determination that easily bested Auctus' size and anger. His dual swords were a blur at times as the blonde gladiator defended every attack Auctus made. After the initial blow Auctus landed, the fight was pretty much one sided, and while Auctus tried to get through Gannicus's swords, he had little success and had not landed a single blow that drew blood. Gannicus, however, had left a zig-zag trail of minor injuries along Auctus's chest and arms, before he finally ended the contest by catching his brother's spear between his swords and tossing it aside. Once he had Auctus' primary weapon to ground, a few well-placed blows had the man flat on his back with Gannicus standing over him, his two swords poised across his brother's throat.

Auctus raised his left hand and gave the missio and Melitta was glad it was over. Gannicus was safe. However, she could not help but worry the blood thirsty Roman's might want to see Auctus face the ultimate consequence of losing to further their entertainment value. She was not close to the man, but she had no wish to see him dead simply because these nobles deemed it necessary. She also would not see such a task fall to Gannicus. He would neither forget, nor forgive himself, if he was forced to take his brother's life in a demonstration bout.

Quintus chortled at Gannicus's victory, his face alight with pleasure. "Once again Gannicus proves himself a God among men!" He glanced around to Varis, Octavia and Cossutius. "What say you? Does Auctus live or die?"

Octavia smiled, but her eyes were firmly centered on Gannicus. "Your man gives the missio," she said, her attention still focused on the handsome blonde gladiator. "He fought well, and I would not see unnecessary blood spilled on simple exhibition. Let us offer life so that he may fight again another day."

Melitta breathed a silent sigh of relief as Varis and Cossutius seconded the blonde woman's decision and Batiatus gave the signal for reprieve.

Gannicus removed his swords from Auctus's throat and held out a hand to help his brother to his feet. After he had helped the other gladiator rise, he clapped him on the shoulder. "Apologies brother," he said smiling. "My comment was meant as means to inflame anger. I desired to end exhibition intact. I can promise I have no interest in your man's cock!" he teased.

Standing with the rest of the men behind the two gladiators, Barca chose that moment to chime in. "Ha! Do not fret, Gannicus, you are far too pretty for my tastes. I like rugged men!"

Gannicus shot Barca an annoyed look, but the Beast's comments restored Auctus' humor. He accepted Gannicus' apology by grabbing Gannicus' arm in the salute of brotherhood and pulling him close so they were nearly chest to chest. "My man speaks true," he told Gannicus with a smirk, "you are a pretty little thing, and we know the women love that comely face of yours brother, which is why I let you keep it." He glanced to Barca, "Fucking imagine the wails that would come from the villa if I marked Gannicus' lovely face and form?"

Barca's grin was teasing. "Like dying cats they'd screech!"

The statement was ridiculous, but Gannicus joined in on the laughter as well, finding the image amusing. It served purpose and brotherhood was restored.

Gannicus turned back to the nobles, crossing his two swords in front him and awaiting further instruction.

Octavia stared at the blonde gladiator, her eyes hungry as they surveyed his muscular physique. "Your man is all that I have heard and more," she told Batiatus. "I have never witnessed another bearing the two swords of the Dimachaeri with such skill." She seemed positively breathless. "I would have discourse on obtaining him for my husband's games and perhaps some of your house's…" She paused, wetting her lips, "other pleasures as well."

Melitta felt a knot of dread creep upon her when Varis turned to look at her as the woman made the request. Her heart started to pound in her chest as it dawned on her they may want to see her and Gannicus together in the same manner as Varis had witnessed. To her shame, it thrilled as much as it alarmed, and her belly churned with a mixture of disgust for herself and desire to have Gannicus inside her again.

In that moment Melitta felt she was damned…

*8*

Lucretia realized where summoning Gannicus may conclude, and to spare Melitta, tried to lead the nobles away from their desire to have Gannicus brought forth by offering a slave 'yet untouched' to be paired with a gladiator of their choosing. Cossutius was entranced with the idea and chose to summon Rhaskos, however, Octavia and Varis would not be swayed. They wanted Gannicus, and by the judging Melitta would again be coupled with the handsome gladiator.

"I will have both men sent up for your pleasure," Batiatus said, before leaving the room to have his gladiators prepared.

Gaia pulled out a small vial and held it aloft for the others to see. "May I suggest we indulge in another most pleasurable pursuit before we satisfy our other interests…?"

The response was most favorable and Melitta watched as the Romans drank their opium laced wine and waited for the gladiators to arrive. Rhaskos was the first to be led into the villa. As Cossutius requested, the thick necked Gaul was presented absent a bath or oils to scent his skin. He reeked of dirt and sweat and filth! Lucretia attempted to persuade the noble to have Rhaskos scented to disguise the ripe stench of his skin, but Cossutius seemed pleased at his appearance and after a crude display, in which Diona was chosen to partner with the dirty gladiator, the three of them went into a small cubiculum off the atrium separated from the larger room by only a thick golden curtain.

The room was absent from vison, but not ear; they were in there only a few moments when Diona started to cry.

The sounds that drifted beyond the curtains were not the sounds of delight and Melitta winced every time she heard the girl whimper, her mind unwilling to contemplate the atrocities being subjugated upon her. Naevia's face gave truth to the fear and revulsion she was feeling as well. Melitta was sickened as she realized that could have easily been any of the women who served this house behind that curtain, including herself. She had a brief, yet disturbing mental image of Rhaskos's body atop hers, it caused stomach to roil with disgust. She suddenly thanked the Gods it had been Gannicus she had been forced to lie with. At least he was her friend and showed tenderness towards her, had given her pleasure. Diona's suffering sounded unimaginable, and the longer Melitta had to listen to the girl's pitiful cries, one thing became brutally clear…there were worse circumstance awaiting a slave in this house than what had been forced upon her previously.

Diona let out a muffled scream and Melitta clenched her eyes shut tight. Yes, far worse…

By the time Batiatus arrived from the ludus with a properly bathed, oiled and scented Gannicus in tow, Naevia was escorting Diona back to the slave quarters and they passed Gannicus entering the atrium. Neither girl smiled at him, which was, in of itself odd, but it was the haunted expressions both girls wore that was truly disturbing. The blonde gladiator glanced back over his shoulder at the two young women as they hurried from the room as if Pluto was climbing up from the Underworld to snatch them away. He was uncertain what had caused such a look, nor was he sure he desired to know.

Cossutius returned to the triclinium, a jaded smirk adorning his face as he took position upon the only empty couch in the room.

"You were well satisfied?" Lucretia asked as Melitta poured the man some wine.

He shrugged as he reached for a grape lying upon the platter before him. "Her cunt was dry as the sand upon your yard, but her tears were lovely," he said, popping the fruit into his mouth.

Lucretia's smile was slipped just a tad, but she nodded. "Gannicus should arrive shortly."

"Hopefully, his performance will be more pleasing."

Melitta turned gaze away from the man, sickened by what she had witnessed and heard this day. Diona had appeared utterly broken while the Roman pig looked quite fucking pleased with himself! She tried to keep mind clear of hate, but what had been visited upon Diona had obviously been so terrible, the girl had acted as shell of her normally vibrant self as she escaped from the Roman presence, and Melitta's heart went out to her.

As they waited for the champion to make his appearance, Cossutius had begun drinking his fill of the drug induced wine and Melitta trembled when his eyes went to her and lingered. The man leaned over to the blond Roman and Varis and the three of them perused her with far more interest than she was comfortable with. Yes. It was abundantly clear, she and Gannicus were to be the second half of the entertainment. Diona's face flashed before her eyes and Melitta was (at least) thankful Gannicus would never leave her with such hopeless expression of torment.

No, his torment came in other forms—such as her desire for him.

Just then the curtains surrounding the triclinium parted and Batiatus appeared. "Ask and you shall receive…" Batiatus said by way of greeting to his guests. The curtains opened again and Gannicus entered. The three Roman nobles had gone silent at the impressive sight of the glistening half-naked gladiator. "Behold Gannicus…Champion of the House of Batiatus." Quintus waved an arm at Gannicus. "He is yours to command."

Gannicus stepped forward, shoulders back and head held high. He set his sight straight ahead, staring at a spot above the Romans who gathered to admire him. He looked proud and glorious, like a golden Adonis as he stood before them, allowing their eyes to linger upon his smooth, scintillating body. His fists were clenched tightly by his sides, his chest rising and falling steadily as he awaited their demands.

Melitta tore her gaze away from his far too tempting form. He was so distractingly attractive to her senses that her stomach clenched, and desire pooled deep within her belly. And she was not the only one fascinated with his body. The Roman's lust-filled gazes drank him in as if he were a treat they could not wait to devour; it was sickening. From the first meeting, Varis's attraction to Gannicus was obvious, and while many Roman men enjoyed such predilections, Gannicus did not. Cossutius was a sadist, did his desires match Varis' as well?

One thing was certain, Melitta could not see Gannicus allowing another man to use him in such a fashion nor would he harm a woman as Rhaskos obviously had with Diona. She was sure Gannicus would balk if pressured into indulging either man's desires and she feared the outcome if they decided they wanted the handsome gladiator to participate in something more lecherous than the 'feast for the eyes' experienced on Varis' previous visit.