Let the games begin

Vincent did not get to see the famous Colosseum, for it was not jet build. Instead his brother dragged him towards one of the less famous counterparts. It was not less impressive however.

They were early, hours before the performance would eventually start. The arena was only sparsely populated.

Walking through the tunnels reserved for the rich, Arminius lead the way. He must have been here many times.

No tickets were needed, one of the many perks of being an official citizen. The emperor sponsered the games to entertain the masses.

It was imposing, grandiose. Almost like a modern stadium. Stone was shipped here from half across the empire, worked on with masterful precision. Mages probably took their time to shape them, so that not even a piece of paper would fit through.

They arrived at their seats. Shades were thrown on them form red cloth draped above them by wooden constructions, protecting them from the immense heat of the sun.

Only the sandy ground of the arena was almost burning.

They were in the front row, directly in front of the performance. The spots reserved for the powerful and mighty.

"What do you think, marvellous is it not?"

Vincent only nodded, searching for magic.

"You will not find it, artefacts are sparse and only powerful individuals got to use them. If we wanted to affect the whole arena we would need so much valuables, it would empty the empires vault."

He looked back at his brother dejected, his lips were curved upwards with faint angles.

Slowly, more and more spectators filled the seats, they seemed exited.

"Is there something special today?" Vincent got no answer.

It grew louder and louder.

Next to them men in toga and silk clothing talked among themselves. Many of them were mages, not even bothering to hide their aura.

Arminius was different, you could think he was an ordinary person.

Still the seats next to us were empty. It was like there was a silent tactical agreement to stray away from them, or more precisely his brother.

Suddenly magic waves spread through the arena washing over everyone. A refreshing scent of flowers filled the stale are and refreshed his mind.

The emperor sat in his personal box, separated by all other spectators, only next to his entourage and Family.

"He is so young." Vincent whispered.

"He is not. His capability's were vouched by the senate and the collage, otherwise he would have never gained the seat of the emperor. Traditions are hardly defied when the oldest and mightiest mages are biding their time to behead anyone disregarding them.

They do their best to hold the state toghether."

He kept quiet. This was not his world, so he should stop juging people with old standarts.

The chatter died down. A mighty jet young voice spread across the stadium.

"Let the games begin."

Vincent had no idea what to expect, but it was certainty not this.

For the opening, two mages of the second circle fought. One of them used fire to scorch the ground and lighten up the sky. The other used wind to nimbly doge and fly around the arena, unhinged.

The play was beautiful, jet tense.

Music accompanied the show, highlighting the ups and downs. It had been enhanced with magic to spread across the entire Arena. Drums and chorus competed with strings and horns. The music swithched between familiar and exotic.

"They are telling a story, the story of the fight between two unknown mages in the punic wars."

Only now did Vincent notice the different attires and symbols both contestant wore. In the end the Roman representative won, obviously. It was a scripted show after all.

The audience cheered and screamed. It was incredible. The atmosphere grappled him, as he too stood up, exited about what to come next.

Twito worriers arrived from two entrances, oppose to each other. Both were almost naked except a loin cloth hanging on their waist.

Blue tattoos, shimmering with power were etched on their whole body. They were nordman.

The crowd grew exited once more, eager to see the performance.

No weapons were in their hands, jet they still excluded sharp and dangerous ara.

Both hurled taunts and insults at each other, in latin and in their mother tongue.

Then they clashed. Their speed was inhuman, their power incredible.

Sand flew up, blows were traded.

It was similar to a modern MMA performance, jet both of them possest inhuman stamina, and stood up even after direct hits.

No rules seemed to be in place as they bit clawed kicked and punched at each other.

Blood flowed down their wounded body, jet they did not falter. A shiver ran down Vincent's back, was this the reason the legion had still not conquered the north?

Coins and flowers were thrown into the arena, giving honer to the victor.

The shouts hammered like drums, letting Vincent's blood surge in excitement. HE became part of the crowd.

Even on the Privileged places it was crowded, almost every place was filled.

And then they brought the beasts. With tricks and magic the show masters agitated them, causing them to rip the flesh of each other.

An Elephant as big as a mammoth fought against an Asian tiger, as big as a Horse.

A cohort of soldiers and a powerful mage slaughtered a bunch whole bunch of strange fish-men walking on all four and riding half aquatic beasts.

"What are those things?"

Vincent asked Arminius in agitation.

"Sea monsters, the reason half the Roman legions are stationed inland. They ere even worse directly next to the bigger oceans. They are, however valuable to slay. Their hearts are made of little gems, every castrer desires."

'If those monsters are frequent, it is no wonder they signed a peace treaty at the northern border. A war could be devastating for both party.'