Chapter 21 : Finally Back

[3 years and 7 months later…]

 In more than three years, Orion has done, discovered and learned a lot of things. He traveled the world around him with his men, making sure to increase his ranks more and more.

 In three years, a normal man does a lot of things but for someone like Orion, more than three and a half years was enough to do a lot of almost unachievable things.

 From Africa to Asia Minor, also visiting Gallic and Greek lands, Orion took the time to expand its trade network and develop its activities.

 He advanced in science, appropriated land and developed things unimaginable for his time.

 One of his proudest achievements was the acquisition and development of his maritime fleet, which he gained by plundering pirate and Roman ships.

Through his technical prowess, Orion modified these ships to make them faster and stronger.

 Throughout the Mediterranean Sea, Orion's glottis was recognized as containing the fastest ships ever seen.

Of the 16 ships that made up his small fleet, the technical modifications were the same.

 In order to give his ships more speed, Orion had created a technique very similar to that of the freshwater wheelboat but instead of having one large wheel, he installed three smaller wheels on each side of the ship.

 The most ingenious thing in this story was the operating system, it was still similar to the rowing system except that executing the movements for the rowers will be easier thanks to another technique created by Orion, it was similar to a rowing system. pedal but a little more rudimentary.

 Of course, the ships kept the sails and paddles just in case and thanks to other improvements they were very resistant to storms. (I don't know anything about shipbuilding, I just made this up for the story. Take it easy) 

 Orion had obviously not accomplished this alone, it was impossible even for him to build everything himself but it was his men who built everything under his orders.

 During his travels, Orion took several people under his wings who became his employees. These were people at their lowest, slaves, orphans and even former soldiers who wanted to follow him.

 He taught them to fight, clothed them, and cared for them. Now he had just over 600 men who were extremely loyal to him.

Orion didn't like being surrounded by weaklings so he was strict on the daily training of his men led by Appolos, Stratos, Demiclas, Theokoles, Ajax, Vayline and Salma.

 Zena knew how to defend herself but was much better at managing Orion's affairs than at fighting.

Thanks to his extensive training, each of his men was a formidable warrior and thanks to Orion's various operations everywhere, they had already experienced numerous battles.

 Thanks to its blazingly fast ships, Orion had maintained its main activity, trade.

 In his time, he learned and perfected the manufacture of tools or objects made of glass .

Obviously, at that time glass already existed, but the most refined and complex manufactures came from him. 

 In his trading trips, Orion sold the blood of Venus everywhere in large quantities and for very expensive sums, but also various tools made with glass including cups, vials and other containers.

 Refined glass, because of its beauty and delicacy, also sold very expensively because it was adored by the rich and nobles who considered it quite refined like them.

 That wasn't all, Orion also sold his remedies in these glass vials, they were all very effective so the prices were substantial. He had developed another activity for his fleet, that was transport.

 Several rich merchants, Princes and others hired the services of Orion's ships to transport them and their goods because Orion's ships, in addition to being fast, included strong crews and were equipped enough to defend them very easily.

 Orion's fame, wealth and influence were terrible, he had settled on the island of Crete in southern Greece 3 months after his departure from the Republic.

 Orion had never returned to his father, he had no desire to see him again because Melessis had never loved or considered him as a son but just as a perfect student, especially after the birth of his half-brother Thalos.

 The name of Orion and his company "The Celestials" resonated throughout Europe, Anatolia and northern Africa.

In Rome where he had already made a name for himself, people kept looking to see him again but they never had the opportunity because Orion's lieutenants took care of his activities for him.

 The blood of Venus had continued its expansion throughout the world and was Orion's most consumed product.

 Thanks to this success, he also attracted bad looks.

 Many wealthy traders, pirates and influential individuals wanted to attack him and these ships but the results were all the same, Orion ended up easily repelling them, finding them, killing them and then plundering everything they had, increasing thus his wealth.

 He had the reputation of being a very correct trader but also too cruel . He had a great deal of deterrence for anyone who wanted to attack him and steal his property.

 Of Orion's 685 new men, 640 of them were directly trained and commanded by his eight lieutenants except Zena who was more manager than warrior.

 The other 45 were trained in various other disciplines by Orion himself, these were orphaned children and young adolescents that Orion himself considered his younger brothers and sisters.

 Each of them had unfailing admiration and loyalty to Orion and they all wanted to be like him so they made every effort not to disappoint him.

 To fill Zena's void among her lieutenants, Orion among her encounters had found his eighth star.

She was a young Greek girl named Galatea, a daughter of Artemis who strangely always carried an eagle named Phobos with her.

 According to Galatae, she was a descendant of Alexios of Sparta, one of the greatest warriors in Greek history (long live Assassin's Creed) and also claimed that Phobos her eagle could communicate with her, a gift from the gods that her ancestors also had .

 When she spoke about it, everyone made fun of her except Orion who silenced everyone by saying that he believed it.

 Melessis, his father had already told him about the lineage of the eagle bearers. There was always an extremely intelligent eagle that followed each of Alexios of Sparta's descendants.

Each of its wielders was a prodigy in combat but it was quite tricky.

 Because Alexios had procreated with Daphnae, a daughter of Artemis, at the birth of each bearer it was necessary to respect the commitments made by them which became a family tradition.

 If the child was a boy then he will be raised in Sparta but if it was a girl then she will be raised and trained by the daughters of Artemis as was the case for Galatae.

 Thanks to her gifts, Galatae was an extremely formidable fighter with swords but her precision with the bow was just inhuman despite her young age.

 She had trained Orion in this discipline and had very quickly regretted it because Orion had caught up and outclassed her in barely a month, if she was monstrous with a bow then Orion was just divine.

 As Orion and the girl dated, they got along so well that they became sworn siblings.

 She had integrated perfectly into her team and met its requirements as well as its expectations in her work.

 Now it has been almost five months since Orion left for a place unknown to everyone. Before leaving, he told his men in a letter that he was going to isolate himself to train, he asked them not to go looking for him but to stay to manage the business and continue the training of group members.

 [On a beach on the island of Crete]

 *Thud *

 *Clangk*

 Two women were confronting each other and among the two, there was Salma who was carrying a spear and a shield.

Salma's body due to training and fighting had become even more Martial. She had scars in some places and muscles were visible on her.

 However, despite the presence of slight muscles that were increasingly visible, Salma had not lost her femininity.

 She was always very beautiful and her curves made any man want her.

 In front of her was Galatea, who held a sword in her right hand and a broken spear in her left hand (The true ones know).

Where Salma had a technical and powerful fighting style, Galatae was agile and aggressive.

 Salma sent a direct spear blow that Galatae dodged while getting closer but while she thought she could reach Salma and strike her with a sword, Salma gave a shield blow that blocked Galatea's attack by throwing it at the same time. 

 Galatea cursed as she got up and spat out the little sand in her mouth. She tried to charge again but Salma signaled her to stop.

 Salma: It'll be fine for today, we've been fighting for almost an hour and you've made enormous progress.

 Galatea : Tch! It's still not enough!! I can't even beat you!!

 Salma: I had a good teacher, your close combat skills are excellent and your archery skills are even better but you are still too young.

 Galatea : I'm already 15 years old. I'm not a child anymore!

 Salma: Yes and you still have a lot to learn! When Orion narrowly saved your life in Skyros and you wanted to follow him, he warned you that your path would still be very long.

 When Galatea heard Salma mention Orion, she lowered her head with a sad expression.

 Galatea : Big brother, I miss him so much! It's been several months since he left!

 Salma: I know and I also miss him, many of our members are very worried about him because we haven't heard from him for a long time.

 Galatea : Worried ? Who ? Apollos ? If you miss Orion so much then why did you sleep with Apollos ?

 Salma: Gal what happened between Apollos and me was just an accident, we don't…(interrupted)

 Galatea : Brother had forbidden us all to consume the blood of Venus except under certain conditions to avoid doing anything stupid, but you both drank it and you ended up betraying Orion into the arms of this traitor Apollos.

 Salma: Stop ! YOU KNOW NOTHING !!

 Galatea : I know my brother doesn't deserve what you did to him.

 Galatea put away her weapons before leaving with a mixture of anger and disgust. As she was leaving, Salma called her back asking her not to say anything to Orion upon his return but the girl just looked at her with contempt and left.

 Salma stood there sighing with a face full of regret, what happened with Apollos was an accident and even though she had mixed feelings for him, she was supposed to become Orion's wife later and that was what she wanted.

 However, Galatea had surprised them and knowing how much she worships Orion, she will not hesitate to tell him everything upon her return.

Orion had given them advice related to the blood of Venus, "A good seller is one who does not consume his merchandise."

 He had forbidden them to drink this wine without having diluted it but she drank it raw with Apollos to celebrate a successful delivery return and they ended up sleeping together until Galatae saw them.

 "Master…I'm so sorry. Where are you ?" she whispered in tears.

 In the large courtyard of a large building resembling a palace on the island, there was a small crowd made up of a few adults but also the 45 children and adolescents that Orion personally looked after.

 They formed a circle in the middle of which two powerful people were fighting. First there was Theokoles whose main change was in his face, which was much more pleasing to the eye than before, as well as his muscles becoming even more obvious.

 Opposite Theokoles was a tall, muscular black woman. It was Nubia, a Numidian recruited by Orion during his visit to Africa.

 Nubia with a strong and tall but still feminine body was quite an attractive woman. She had quite a beautiful face and wore dreadlocks adorned with metallic ornaments.

 The beautiful black warrior was armed with a shield and a weapon that looked like a sword but whose handle was thicker and longer like that of a spear, Theokoles was armed with two battle axes.

 The two had been smiling at each other and exchanging blows for a while now under the impressed eyes of the others.

 *KANG*KLANGK*

 *Axe blow*

 Nubia deflected a blow from Theokoles and spun around for a rotating sword strike that Theokoles also tried to dodge but at the last moment, Nubia slid his hand on the long handle of the weapon, which gave him more reach, to the great misfortune of Theokoles.

 As he saw the blade extend towards him, Theokoles was initially surprised before smiling and He leaned back with great flexibility and then at a complex angle, He deflected the blade to the ground with a blow from his other axe. The force of the blow was such that the weapon left Nubia's grip. 

 People felt like they were dreaming! How could such a gigantic body have as much flexibility as that ?!

Theokoles had worked on his flexibility and speed with Orion, he was extremely balanced in addition to being a monster of power.

 Nubia wasted no time and tried to grab her weapon from the ground when she quickly withdrew her hand to avoid an ax blow from Theokoles who attacked a second time in a row but Nubia blocked the blow with her shield before giving a punch then a headbutt received by Theokoles who also responded with an ax blow which was embedded in Nubia's shield to her great surprise but just as she was about to look at him again, the blade of one of the axes was already a few centimeters from her neck before stopping.

 Nubia: I give up, your speed will never stop surprising me baby.

 "Nothing but work my love, it's because of my incessant battles against Orion. This guy is much faster than me and also has good strength." Theokoles said smiling before wiping the sweat from his forehead.

 Theokoles: You're getting stronger and stronger too, it's scary!

 Nubia: Yes but it's still not enough! The boss has to come back, he's been absent for months now.

 Theokoles: it will be fine my dear, the savior always has total control over everything he does. He went to train in a secluded place!

 She sighed before looking at the audience and calling out to two young boys with wooden gleves. Theokoles looked at them before addressing everyone.

 "AS YOU HAVE SEEN, QUICK AND INTELLIGENT ACTION CAN PRECIPITATE THE OUTCOME OF A FIGHT, SHOW THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THIS PRINCIPLE "

 The crowd: YES INSTRUCTOR!

 Nubia: Very good. START!!

 The two children began to compete fiercely with passion in their eyes. They each wanted to become as strong as their instructors, Orion's lieutenants to get closer to him.

 [Off the coast of the island]

 Three ships were on their way to the island of Crete, they were part of Orion's fleet. On the deck of the ship in the middle two men stood there, they were Apollos and Ajax.

 Ajax: (Sighs) Finally, we're coming home! This damn escort mission has exhausted me! I miss my Vayline!

 Apollos:…

 Ajax began to nibble on a bunch of grapes before continuing.

 "I tell you, once I land on dry land, it's going to be hard for me to go back to the sea . Theokoles or Salma will take the next delivery or escort for me." 

 Apollos:…yeah

 Ajax: May I know what your problem is? You have exactly the same attitude as when we left the island on this mission.

 Apollos: It's a personal problem Ajax, mind your own business!!

 Ajax: Okay I understand!

 Apollos: (Sighs) I'm sorry, I feel like I'm going crazy!

 Ajax: Like you said, it's none of my business so don't talk about it!

 Apollos: I'm really sorry, okay ? I did something that I will regret for a long, long time.

 "Is this thing related to Orion ?" Ajax asked seriously.

 Apollos: How do you know?!

 Ajax: What other problem can put you in this state ? Orion is literally the only human being we can fear.

 Apollos: Damn!

 Ajax: What have you done that's so horrible my friend?!

 "I have done something unforgivable to our boss " Apollos said painfully while massaging his temple.

 Ajax: Stop beating around the bush and spill the beans. 

 Apollos: Salma and I slept together a few weeks ago! A few days before our departure!

 Ajax waited a few seconds before bursting out laughing thinking that his friend was joking but looking at the serious and unchanged expression on the Greek's face, he understood that it was not a lie.

 Ajax: WAIT ARE YOU SERIOUS ?! WHY ?!

 Apollos: We were drinking that night, it happened just like that!

 Ajax: JUST LIKE THAT?! Orion is not just our BOSS, he's also our savior and friend! How could you do this to him !?

 Apollos: I told you, we were drunk.

 "And what kind of alcohol gave you the audacity to do that ?"

 Apollos: Venus' blood. 

 "NO, I'M DREAMING!" Ajax shouted in anger!

 Ajax: Orion was clear on the subject, you…(interrupted)

 Apollos: I KNOW! Yet it happened but the problem does not end there.

 Ajax: What else ? You can hardly do worse at this level. 

 Apollos: Since that day, I have had feelings for her.

 Ajax: Listen brother , you're my friend but I have to be honest with you. What you did to Orion was treason, it's both physical but also sentimental now.

 Apollos:…

 Ajax: I really hope no one saw you. 

 Apollos:... (looks away) 

 Ajax : Your reaction speaks for you idiot. Who has seen you? 

 Apollos : The one among us who admires Orion the most. 

 Ajax: Wait, don't tell me that...Galatea ? This little girl has boundless loyalty to Orion, she will tell him if you don't and believe me, it would be better if he found out from a confession from Salma or you. 

 Apollos:…. I will take responsibility for my actions.

 [Southwest of the island]

 A boat was approaching the island's beach and on board, there was only one person. He was a man with tanned skin and gray eyes. His hair was long, dirty and covered his face. His clothes were dirty and torn, he looked like a beggar.

 The man accosted and looked around with a slight smile, whispering "Finally back"