Chapter 18

Four years have passed since Commodus murdered Father. And since then Rome had plunged into deepest chaos. Everyday I heard stories of murder, rape, small scale wars and other kinds of evil Father had painstakingly eliminated from Rome.

I decided to return to Rome and make Commodus pay for his crime, but I needed to wait for the perfect time. And as it would seem, Commodus had begun an evil game which Father hated the most; Battle of gladiators. I felt its my only chance into Rome and close to Commodus, I had to become a gladiator, which I am now.

I joined a rank of gladiators and have fought my way to the top.

"Spaniard, I hear the Roman gladiators are not so easy to deal with." Motumba, a dark skinned gladiator from the far deserts whom have been so friendly to me ever since I joined their ranks.

"You worry too much Motumba, they are but flesh and blood as we are." I replied to quell his rising fear.

"To you they are, for you can slaughter a hundred men with not even a single scratch on your body. But Spaniard, what about the rest of us." he queried.

I had deliberately brought us to Rome because I needed to face Commodus but my companions and fellow gladiators didn't share the enthusiasm of being in Rome, to them, this was hell on earth.

"Then stay behind me and I shall do the work." I said. He smiled and patted my shoulder.

"And let you seize all the glory again? No my friend, I shall have my own fair share this time." he laughed and walked off.

I peeked outside the carriage and saw the Colosseum, they had said they will let us stay in "Ludus Magnus" which was a house for noble soldiers, but the high and mighty Commodus issued an order for all gladiators to be kept in the vast storage room below the Colosseum.

"Tomorrow's the big day Spaniard, we're all counting on you for victory." another gladiator came by and said.

All these didn't matter to me, my ultimate goal was severing Commodus's head. In order to gain the recognition of Rome as a gladiator, I had fought and killed a lot of men in so many cities for three and half years, and I had spent half a year getting intimate with my demonic. Now I've finally returned, I'll kill him before he does more harm. I was now known as Spaniard.

* * * *

"From the far deserts they came, to our city, seeking for games. They are strong no doubt, and fierce. Men and Women, I give you Spaniard and his Conquerors!!!"

The iron door was lifted and I put my helmet back on, it had never left my head and face, except when I wish to clean it. W marched out. The crowd booed at us, but I didn't care because sitting high up with the spectators was Commodus Aurelius and beside him were Lady Lucilla and a young boy, I had no doubt this young boy was the seed of Commodus. Right there and then my anger and hatred grew beyond control.

"From the city of Rome, bred and trained in Rome, our very own undisputed and undefeated champions; Spawns of Ares!!!" Just as the announcer was through, the ground rattled and an army of Roman soldiers riding atop chariots and wielding great swords, spears and arrows came forth.

"Spaniards, these aren't gladiators." Motumba said loudly amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd. He was right, these aren't gladiators, these were soldiers of war, and I looked at them, I recognized them, these were soldiers of the Black Dragon Squad. I turned to face Motumba.

"Would you ride with me to victory?" I asked.

"I will ride with you to anywhere Spaniard." he said firmly. I gave him a slight nod, unsheathed my sword and got ready to improvise.

I closed my eyes and meditated deeply.

"Demon Wolf, show yourself. Time for us to do that which we were sent to do." I said through a mindlink the demon wolf and I share.

"Finally, I thought you'll never speak up." it replied in a menacing tone.

*WOOSH*

I appeared right in front of a moving chariot, swinging my sword, I cut off the horses legs, then I wooshed off to the other horses and cut off all their legs thereby immobilizing their chariots, and then I moved off a few distance, all these happened in less than ten seconds.

There was ghostly silence that even Motumba was shocked, but I cared less as I looked towards my black dragon soldiers.

"MEN OF ROME, PRINCES OF ROME, YOU HAVE SUFFERED FOR LONG, YOU SHALL SUFFER NO LONGER." I then took off my helmet, the place was filled with gasps and whispers.

"I HAVE HEARD OF THE STORIES SPREAD AGAINST MY NAME: THE PRINCE WHO WASN'T OF ROYAL BLOOD, KILLED HIS CAESAR AND FLED TO THE DESERTS. I ASSURE YOU, THERE IS NO TRUTH IN THAT."

I turned around to face Commodus and I saw he was seething, which made me smile.

"I HAVE RETURNED, NOT TO TAKE THE THRONE, BUT TO KILL THE ONE WHO MURDERED MY DEAR FATHER."

Everyone followed my gaze and it landed on Commodus, they immediately got the message which infuriated him the more.

"Silence! How dare you accuse your Caesar of such evil." Quintus stood and drew his sword.

I didn't even spare him a glance. I looked at the black dragon soldiers, and the Motumba conquerors.

"MY FATHER WAS MURDERED BY COMMODUS, HE PUT THE DEED ON ME, A STRANGER FROM A STRANGE LAND, HE AND QUINTUS SOUGHT TO KILL ME WHEN I THREATENED TO EXPOSE HIM, AND HE HAS FORCED YOU ALL TO BECOME OBJECTS OF SPORT. I ASK YOU THIS DAY, DOES HE DESERVE THE TITLE OF CAESAR?" I expected no answer and I got none, I turned back to Commodus.

"I DO NOT ASK YOU TO HELP ME AVENGE THE CAESAR. BUT KNOW THIS ALL YOU PEOPLE OF ROME, FOR ON THIS DAY, I SHALL HAVE COMMODUS'S HEAD TO AVENGE MY FATHER." I said.

"ENOUGH, LET US SEE JUST HOW GREAT YOU ARE!" Commodus roared and Roman soldiers bust into the arena, they formed a circle around me, Motumba and my soldiers.

"Finally, let's get this over with." The demon wolf in me smirked and I couldn't agree more.