It was the image of nightmares. At one of the hills, Gaius oversaw the united Lupus Wolfpacks surrounding the Imperial Walls of Rome. Their numbers several times bigger than what his legion composed, the memories of his early days in the World Conquest refreshed. Worse odds have been overcome, but new stakes were at play. This would be the deciding event to determine if Gaius could save his empire, his people, and himself.

Sections of the grasslands were burned. Lupus corpses littered the field still set ablaze. It would seem leaving Discordia in charge of the city’s defense proved to be a wise one. Was it of caution or fear, Arcail hadn’t taken the opportunity to sack the capital while Gaius was away. It was a confusing state of affairs. His enemy’s intentions weren’t yet clear, but with their meeting, these were soon to be.

“… The legion is in position.” Said Minerva, standing beside the emperor.

“Have you explained to the centurions what they need to do?”

She nodded, “I’ve made sure they understood the orders. They will be ready to strike if the negotiations fail.”

“… When the negotiations fail.” Venus said on the other side of Gaius, “This can only go two ways. Either Arcail’s demands will be too outrageous we will need to reject them, or they will be so incomprehensibly lenient we won’t trust their intentions.”

”I agree…” Minerva glanced at Gaius, “We won’t achieve anything from this, beyond buying time for the city. I’m sure you are aware of it, but what are we to do with this extra time?”

“… The situation is very delicate.” Gaius said, “If I were Arcail, I would have taken Rome by now… The fact he hasn’t done so yet is confusing me to no end… I can barely focus on other things.”

Minerva looked down, over the Lupus approaching, “… They are ready to receive us. We’ll hear from his own barbaric jaws what Arcail’s plan is.”

He looked back, “… Is Codubia under control?”

The Lupus was kept in chains and on her knees. While she didn’t seem ready to escape, to ask if all was in order was required.

“Paralyzed on all dangerous parts!” said Venus, “I let her walk on her own though… I’m not carrying this ball of fur all the way there…”

Codubia’s eyes narrowed as Venus talked, yet she didn’t look to run away. We were to take her to her husband, so there wasn’t a real reason to risk getting killed for escaping yet. Gaius wouldn’t resort immediately to lethal force, given how pissing off Arcail while he threatens Rome wasn’t very sound. On the other hand, when hostilities broke out, Codubia would be one of his primary targets.

“… Let’s go.” Gaius said, jumping off the hill. He fell down the great distance.

“Understood!” Minerva said and jumped down, but not before grasping Codubia to go with her.

“… Wait! Don’t leave without me!” Venus shouted, jumping behind them, but screening by the cliff rather than falling through the air.

They landed one after the other, Gaius and Minerva falling with great force on the ground, while Venus relied on support on the hill to decline. Their bodies were stained with dirt, but only Venus cared enough to clean it.

Gaius stood up, letting the Lupus stare, “… I suppose you are here to escort us.”

The Lupus stood in awe at their display of power, except their leading representative. He stepped up, his eyes on the emperor, “… Follow me, Romans.” He said, “You will meet with the Alpha Lupus in his tent.”

“Take the lead,” Gaius said.

The Lupus turned, walking away with his guards. For him to be comfortable with having his back to Gaius was either a sign of his confidence or trust. Knowing the unprovability of the latter, Gaius assumed it was the former. It could be born out of ignorance of his power, or knowledge of Arcail’s.

The Lupus formed a perimeter around them. No matter how many times it happened, to be surrounded by these monsters was never getting old on how uneasy it felt. Emperors don’t tend to end well when cornered by hostiles handling sharp objects. It wasn’t outright fear, as Gaius could resist any of their physical attacks, but the principle stood.

They moved to the capital, the vast horde suffocating it their destination. At first, all Gaius could see were more brute Lupus looking at him with great anger, but the deeper they went it began to change. Some temporary settlements likely made out of improvised materials and roman leftover equipment appeared. On them weren’t tall, bulky wolfmen, but small, fangless pups running around the crowded fields. Some more females, alike to Codubia appeared. None of them were Alpha, but simple Lupus taking care of their young and assisting in menial tasks. The deeper the Emperor went the wolfpacks, the less they looked like barbarians, and more like a people seeking a place to call home.

He shook his head, damming his brain for showing pity at the wrong place and time. These monsters couldn’t be allowed to settle Roman lands. The empire needed them to feed its people and extract basic resources. Gaius had his own set of families to think about, the survivors of a bygone age only he could bring forth once more.

His consideration, much to his displeasure, did alter. It wasn’t quite possible to deem them a barbaric foe when none barbaric acts could be spoken off at the heart of their civilization. The Lupus were very different from his time in Impera. They used to scorn any manufacture goods and diplomatic actions with other races. They were a greater enemy to themselves than others, organizing in small groups dubbed woolpacks which often skirmished with each other. What Gaius faced then was almost the complete opposite. They were a united, almost civilized people. As far as their internal affairs went, they seemed peaceful.

“… We are here.” Said the Lupus conducting them. He stopped by a large Roman camp, similar to the one used by himself earlier, “He’s waiting inside.”

Gaius took a while examining the place, looking for any abnormalities. No excess number of troops seemed to be inside, nor any traps or ambushes set up from what he could see. Gaius secretly casted a life detection spell, looking inside on a short range. An unsurmountable presence did lay in it. A Lupus stronger than any he ever met before.

“… This is the place.” Gaius said, “Let’s get it over with…”

“Wait…” said Venus, blocking his path with her arm, “… I know this tent…”

“… Yes, I know it too…” Minerva added, “… It’s Princeps Flavius tent... The one belonging to him when he went off to face the Lupus invasion.”

“… It's his?” asked Gaius, examining it further. The tent didn’t hold any imperial banners on it, however, the design was clearly Roman. It likely was the case they removed it when appropriating the looted camps. Knowing where he was about to enter used to belong to his dead great nephew was unnerving. It reminded Gaius it didn’t matter how great of an impression the Lupus might make, they are still his enemies and responsible for the deaths of his people, and more, of his family. Whatever positive aspects flowed in his mind, they all but vanished.

“… Let us then do what Flavius couldn’t,” he said, walking inside. It opened like any other tent in his legion, the entrance being easy to the intruder. He glanced at what awaited his attention.

There were several Lupus, most wearing scrap clothing and items, guarding the one sitting on the table. It was Arcail, the Alpha Lupus leading them all into a united force. He had a large scar on his face, going up from his chin to the left eye. He wasn’t blinded by it, his red pupils still gleaming in his stare which didn’t cease.

Venus and Minerva entered, the captive Codubia among them. His gaze broke off, going to her

“… Codubia… Are you alright?” he asked his hands on the table. She didn’t, unable to talk with the spell still in effect.

“Venus…” Gaius said.

“… Alright, I can guess…”

She released the hold on the muscles which prevented the captive from speaking, “… I’m… I’m sorry Arcail, this cunt got me…”

“… Cunt!?” asked Venus, outraged.

“You will regret this…” said Codubia, sneering, “…Traitorous one...”

“Watch your tongue, or I will…”

“Calm yourselves!” Minerva commanded, raising her voice and hitting both their heads, “… This meeting isn’t about your squabble, so stay quiet.”

Venus and Codubia gave her an annoyed glare, looking away soon after. Gaius and Arcail returned their attention to each other, the mistrust and disdain in the atmosphere too dense to ignore.

“… Unfortunately, the hopes I was wrong were dashed… You have indeed returned from death…” Arcail rested his arms, “Sit down, we have much to discuss…”

Gaius was stricken by doubt but nevertheless obliged, taking the seat opposite to him. Minerva and Venus remained standing up, guarding his back.

“… You know me?” Gaius asked, “You are the first one to recognize me, beside my Divine Legionnaires.”

“I remember you quite vividly, but I suppose it’s not the same for you about me…”

“… About you? Should I remember you?”

Arcail smirked, “… No, perhaps not…” he blinked, “Given how many like me you killed that knight, my image must have blurred among them…”

“… Blurred?”

He was insinuating a lot to the emperor. Was he some Lupus who lead an enemy wolfpack in the northern campaign? Gaius recalled having them all executed, no ground given to enemy leadership to mount rebellions. In his conducted genocide of Alpha Lupus, Gaius never directly interacted with any of them whom he didn’t have killed. None of them should have survived for him to stand in front of him. For all this time Gaius assumed Arcail was among the survivors he didn’t get to, but if his words were true, and they did meet once, that wasn’t the case. He thought hard on it, remembering what he could.

His stare rested on the old wound inflicted on Arcail’s face. It didn’t look like one gained through combat with members of his race, as no other markings were present. A blade was the author of the carving, likely of roman making. He must have faced with his legions before, but whether it was a few years or an entire millennium ago was difficult to know. He could have attained it against Flavius, for all he knew.

Gaius couldn’t look away, an ominous sense of déjà vu taking hold. He did see this scar before, but at what time and place didn’t reach him. Had they fought, Arcail shouldn’t have lived. Was it gained by one of his men, Gaius and Arcail shouldn’t have met. The contradictions collided within him, no side gaining ground.

“… Foolish.”

Arcail’s mocking words cleared the emperor’s mind from everything. The time, place back to him, Gaius gasped with widened purple lights from his visor

“… That night… You were… From that night…”

“… You remember?”

Arcail was that young Lupus, the last survivor of his kind after the last battle of the campaign. The one Brunus made him spare. He survived being left in the woods and rose through the years to become extremally powerful and lead his people. Gaius sighed, for it went exactly as he imagined it would. Granting mercy to the innocent pup only made him a future threat to the empire, and now there he was threatening not a local northern legion, or a regional city, but Rome itself. His brother’s mercy had gotten him into this mess, so then, was it truly worth to pursue it? If being good and merciful, like his brother preached meant to allow problems like these to freely develop, then how could Gaius emulate it in good conscience? Gaius was bothered, for not only his own, but his brother’s actions kept coming back from the past to hunt him. Had he stuck with killing the Lupus kid, how many roman kids would still be alive? It wasn’t worth to emulate Brunus. He was wrong, and his mistake costed the empire dearly.

“… Yes.” Gaius affirmed, “You are a past mistake needing correction.”

Arcail smirked, “I see… Your ways remain the same… Why is it then you have sparred my wife? “ he asked, eyeing Codubia.

“She held more value alive than dead. Whether it will remain so after this meeting is doubtful.”

“… Speaking of which, we should get it started… But before we do… Bring her to my side.”

The Lupus guards approached Codubia, looking to pull her away from captivity.

“… Back off!’ yelled Minerva, pointing her spear to them.

“… Her personality lives on to the reports…” Arcail sighed, “Tell your soldiers to allow her release, lest you want the negotiations to end here.”

The emperor didn’t say a word, tilting his head to the left, “… Minerva, let them have her.”

“… Princeps? Are you sure?”

“… If the negotiations fail, we won’t need hostages. It doesn’t make sense to hold onto them, much less fear of losing them.”

“… Very well…” Minerva let the Lupus take Codubia away.

“… Enjoy your freedom while it lasts!’

Venus removed her spell, letting her move freely again. She jumped over the table, getting beside Arcail. The Lupus looked passionately at themselves but left it at that. They weren’t as disrespectful as to forget who was present with them.

“… I have released my hostage, so you may do so as well.” Gaius said.

“We may? What hostage?” Arcail asked.

“Don’t play dumb.” Gaius put his fist on the table, “You hold my entire city hostage.”

“… Ah, I see what you mean. Onto the main subject….” The lupus guards went back to position, “I’ll let you begin. Proclaim what you most desire.”

“I want you all out and far away from it.” Gaius exclaimed, “I want every single Lupus out of my city, and the Imperial peninsula altogether. If you don’t heed my words, I will force them into practice.”

“… Will you, now? You seem to give a lot of value to your capital and lands, a bit more than I expected, to be honest. It was my belief you wouldn’t have heeded my call, and casted that storm spell once again.”

“.. I founded this city. I created this empire. I’m its emperor and protector. Everyone inside counts on me to defend it from barbarians like yourself. Of course, I care.”

“… I suppose…” Arcail drank a cup of water, “Pardon me for not understanding you… The minds of tyrants are a mystery to me, especially when they proclaim to desire the best for their people...”

“Oh! Look who’s talking!” Venus interrupted, “You have a lot of balls to call my Princeps a tyrant, being one yourself!” she gestured to the other Lupus, “… Are you gonna say you run things by committee around here?”

“Yes, I do.” Replied Arcail.

Venus’ face went a little pale, as her voice lowered, “… You do?”

“While it’s true I have great authority, my rule isn’t absolute. Every decision I make is taken into consideration by my generals and ex-chieftains.”

“… It’s an oligarchy, then.” Minerva said, “Also, judging by the way you mentioned the ex-chieftains, it brings to light the way you brought this Lupus Union into place. Your ways of achieving power involve conquering and defeating your enemies, like any other.”

“… They aren’t my enemies.” Arcail said, “I brought the Lupus together because I knew who the enemies truly were.”

Gaius assumed the meaning in his words. Aware the topic was getting out of hand, he pulled the trajectory of the conversation, “… You haven’t taken Rome yet, I couldn’t help but notice when I arrived.”

“No…” Arcail confirmed, “To take it wasn’t in my interests…”

“Discordia’s too much of a thorn to endure, I imagine….”

“… Almost, but not all the truth.” Arcail pulled a map for the other side of the table, “She was openly hostile to our arrive since we got here, even though we didn’t directly attempt to breach… It’s been a problem, true, but she’s not the reason why I didn’t do it.”

Gaius tried to guess himself, but had to ask, “… What was the reason, then?”

Arcail pointed to the city, “… Were I to let my men attack the city, I wouldn’t be able to stop them from doing whatever they wanted with it. They would sack, plunder and kill indiscriminately, with little I could do to stop them. The city would be completely destroyed were I to give the order to attack.”

“… Well, wouldn’t that be good for you?” asked Venus, “You are sounding too compassionate for a man at the head of a horde.”

“… It’s not compassion only for your people, but mine as well. I am fully aware of the destructive power you Romans possess… And even if it isn’t enough to kill most of us, the damage and carnage you would inflict is not something I desire to endure.”

The emperor nodded, understanding what he said was founded. If he really was that little Lupus pup from long ago, he saw what Gaius could do when desiring to kill. He didn’t underestimate him like Iraminus did, but instead somewhat overvalued his prowess. Even if Gaius was to coordinate with Discordia for maximum effect, they couldn’t achieve a decisive or even mild victory. It would all get much more complicated when the Lupus did breach, and they mixed with the population. By that point, Gaius couldn’t use massive destruction spells. As they would kill as many Romans as Lupus.”

“… You seek a diplomatic solution.” Gaius concluded

“… I do.” Arcail nodded, “Violence is to be avoided. Both our people slaughtered, nothing else would be worth fighting for anymore.”

“Agreed, but If I recall your scout’s words, you aren’t seeking a resolution, but my surrender.”

“… He was right. The conditions for our withdraw from the siege are threefold.” He cleared his throat, granting everyone time to pay attention, “… First, your legion will be disbanded and it’s veterans scattered to different parts of the peninsula. Second, the Imperial Walls will be demolished. And third… Emperor Gaius and her descendant Julia will be executed…” He glanced at Gaius, “… These are the conditions, and I will not concede on them.”

Minerva was the first to snap, followed almost instantly by Venus. Their faces expressing all kinds of anger and surprise leaned forward.

“… You dare propose such ridiculous terms…This is beyond unacceptable.”

“You have lost your mind, Arcail. My Princeps and his niece’s lives are far above your reach, so you resort to this? It better be a poorly thought out and timed prank on your part.”

“… I stand by my words.” Arcail affirmed, “I gave the Romans many chances to be trusted, but you wasted them each time. First I resorted to leaving Rome alone, but Minerva kept provoking us to the point I couldn’t hold one of my chieftains and wolfpacks from attacking. Then I tried to seek an alliance with them, but all I got in return were my diplomats dead and wife captured. You have proved yourselves unworthy of good will, and if you desire to reach a settlement, only terms as harsh as these will be enough.”

“… That still doesn’t justify it.” Minerva asserted, “You ask for the permanent death of the Gaian Imperial Family. It is unforgivable. I would have your head just for suggesting it.”

“… The Imperial line must go.” Arcail said, “I’ve dealt with many emperors in the past, one worst than the other. Flavius wouldn’t even give our people the dignity to make our case before attacking us. Julia is a child, but one day will grow to be as powerful as her father, if not more. She was controlled by Minerva, and now Gaius… And of course, him…” Arcail seemed to struggle to contain his emotions, “… No man since Gaius has brought greater death and suffering on this world, let alone to the Lupus in particular. I cannot trust that, once our grip on Rome is relieved that he will honor his words. Only his death can bring any solace and hope for peace”

Minerva frowned, “… Damn you…Were the circumstances different… I would….”

“Oh… Things will change around here…” Venus smirked, “The negotiations have failed, and now there’s only one thing left to do…”

The Lupus were put on edge by her threat, Arcail himself reacting with a stare, “… If it’s violence you wish, I shall give it to you. Be aware, the costs will be as severe to me as they will to you.”

With this final ultimatum, and time for words to triumph over swords went short, Gaius had to reach a decision. All his choices were crap, leading either to Rome’s destruction or his and Julia’s death. Was he really put into a corner, and only his life on the line, to trade it for his people’s and family wasn’t a hard choice, but alas, Arcail was after Julia as well. Judging by he wasn’t after the Divine Legionnaires spoke for how he didn’t fear them as he did him. His decision would be taken as final, and a fight would break out once said.

Gaius resorted to his most primitive thoughts and thought about everything if he was still playing Impera, or better yet, like a game of chess. If the king was Rome itself, then it should be protected at all costs. Julia and the others would be other pieces, ready to be sacrificed if need be. The right move was, in that logic, to agree with the terms. A spike of anger and denial overtook him. To let Julia die was not only unfortunate, but something too painful to accept, or even consider. She was a pawn in the grand strategy, but he couldn’t treat her like one.

For the second time during the meeting, another sense of déjà vu emerged. It was all too similar to the chess match he had with his brother. As Gaius had forced Brunus into making a comprise, so had Arcail with Gaius. In his own words, pawns are worthless if not used to defend the king. Brunus refused to do it, and so lost the game.

But did he? While by the rules Gaius had won the match, Brunus did protest in his own childish way, knocking his king off and proclaiming victory. A duel, he justified. A duel to decide the entire match. He didn’t want to face the choices he was given, so resorted to another way. Could Gaius learn something from it? As Brunus had gotten him into this mess, could he be the one to resolve it?

“… Arcail, I’ve made my decision.”

The bickering ended as he announced it, Minerva and Venus more surprised than anyone else.

“… Princeps, you mean to take their terms seriously…”

“Yeah, there’s nothing to be said.” Venus added, “We should return to our legion, and …”

“I’m not accepting his terms, but neither am I conceding the negotiations. Rather, I’m interested in a third option.”

“… Are you? And what would that be?” asked Arcail.

“A propose a duel… For everything.” He pointed to Arcail, “I challenge you for a duel to decide the fate of Rome and the Lupus Wolfpacks. The winner takes all.”

The tent became as quiet as a lonely night in the forest. The Lupus began whispering to each other, Arcail among them frowning.

“… You are mad!” said Codubia, “Dueling you is pure madness, and you know it. We cannot and will not accept such an outrageous proposition!”

“… Wait, Codubia, we cannot dismiss this…” Said Arcail, his eyes closed “… As has been the tradition of the Lupus, the strongest rules over the others, his authority only challenged by someone stronger. I’ve been trying to change some of our ways, but on this front, I couldn’t do anything about, for it is the means I brought my people together…”

‘No… Arcail, you can’t be considering taking him on!” Codubia said nervously, “This man killed Arcail and all his man with a single spell! You told me as much yourself!”

“… Do not fear for me, my love, for there is a way to make it fair. As I intend to honor this challenge on my part, so must him.”

“… What are you implying?” asked Venus, “I’m sensing you are about to say something important.”

“Let us hear it.” Said Minerva.”

“… This will be a traditional Lupus duel. As Gaius is not a member of our race, he must compensate for it.” He pointed to the emperor, “… No Magic, Armor, and weapons allowed. We will duel as any Lupus would, with their own inner strength, determination, and stamina.”

“.. You would have Gaius fight naked?!” asked Venus, her face blushing, “… That’s… Ugh… We couldn’t possibly…”

“… It’s one ridiculous demand after the other.” Said Minerva, “You Lupus have claws and fangs you can rely on. It is not a fair compromise to deprive the Princeps of any weapons.”

“… He shall be given permission to use a single sword, then.” Arcail looked at Venus, “… And if it really must be said, no, it’s not necessary for him to be deprived of all clothing. Only his armor.”

“… Oh… Darn… I-I mean… I get it…” she calmed, glancing at the emperor.

Gaius wasn’t bothered by the lack of armor and most weapons, but to be forbidden to use magic was a serious handicap. Relying on his physical power to carry the day wouldn’t be a problem, was it not an extremally old and experienced Alpha Lupus he had to face. It wasn’t certain who would win in such a fight, devolved and limited as it was. To be forbidden from using his main abilities was bothersome and opened the opportunity for lethal threats to hit close.

“… I accept the terms.”

“… Very well. But before we settle it for good, I must make one further demand.”

“… Name it.”

Arcail quickly looked at Venus and Minerva, “… As experience dictates, I must expect you Romans to somehow break this agreement, be it by using spells or intervening in the fight when I’m weakened. It is, therefore, my right to demand Julia to exit the protection of Discordia and become our prisoner.”

“… You want my niece…” Gaius asked, withholding his emotions.

Arcail sighed, “… You do seem to care for her, which is why I am forced to do this. Know that, if anything goes wrong, it will be at the cost of her life. Consider it the price for me agreeing to the duel.”

“You monster… To threaten the life of such a young girl…” Minerva gruntled.

“I don’t like it either, but as I said, there’s no other choice. No harm will come to her, lest it being your doing. She’ll be released once the victor is decided, and her fate decided afterward.”

“… No.” Gaius said, “If I do lose, you must swear not to harm Julia. I can take her deposition from her titles, but not death. It is my price for agreeing.”

Arcail smirked, “… Your price? You should be the one trying to convince me to accept, but I can’t blame for acting like that…” he sighed, “… I suppose that, in the event of your death, she won’t be as much of a threat. Exiling her would be enough and lift a heavy burden from my future self.”

“… It is agreed, then.” Gaius said.

Arcail nodded, “The duel will take place tomorrow. I shall distance my men from the city as a sign of good faith.” He pulled a scroll from the table, “I will need you to send a letter, explaining why Julia must be sent to our captivity.”

Gaius took the scroll, “I will see it done.”

“Arcail got off from this table, “I didn’t imagine we would reach such a relatively bloodless solution. The critic within me keeps saying this is a trap, but I ever so much want it to be true…” He rested his arm on Codubia, “… Whoever wins tomorrow, we must agree that our respective people should abide by the victor’s whims.”

“… Indeed,” Gaius said, getting up, “The Lupus will recognize me as their leader, as much as Rome will acknowledge you as theirs.”

“… Good…” he extended an arm to Gaius, “… May the strongest win.”

Gaius retributed, shaking his hand, “… May it be so.”