The stage of a great battle formed, but there wasn’t any to come. The Roman Legion faced the endless Lupus Wolfpacks, holding onto a tight formation while the enemies crowded the open fields outside Rome. Between them was a gap, a no-man’s-land devoid of any life beyond the grasses covering it. It was there the fate of everyone present would be decided.

“… I don’t see her,” said Gaius, standing in front of his men and flanked by his Divine Legionnaires. He looked onto the vast Lupus contingents, “She should be there…”

“…. Those dogs.” Minerva said, “Would they dare hurt her with us present?”

“It’s possible, probable even.” Venus said, “They must have realized they stand no chance in winning the duel, so have resorted to killing who they can…”

“Don’t say such things so casually!” Minerva raised her voice, “You are talking about the Princeps great-niece!”

Venus shrugged, “… I’m just saying how it is. Desperate people do desperate things. None of us can sense Julia’s relatively unremarkable life essence among them, so we can’t know for sure.”

“… They must be waiting until it starts.” Gaius concluded, “Arcail must have assumed we would jump to the opportunity to save Julia and turn on them immediately after.”

Venus smirked, “Well… It sounds like a fine strategy if you ask me. If we can pull it off, it puts some pressure out from our hands, and makes the option to annihilate the dogs more appealing…”

“Julia is not the only reason we are defending Rome.” Minerva said, “The Princeps is doing this as much for the people as for his heir and family.”

“Oh… I never doubted such. It is part of his title’s obligations to defend the empire’s citizens, I’m aware.”

“… It goes beyond obligation.” Gaius sighed, “… They are counting on me.”

“Princeps… Please, don’t be so somber…” Minerva approached him, “We ought to plan for what we shall do after your victory.”

“… Yeah, there’s a lot to deal with…” Venus crossed her arms behind her head, “I doubt those balls of fur will recognize my Princeps as their leader… It will devolve into a battle either way, but I guess taking out their leader is good.”

“The Lupus are barbarians, but that is not to mean they are completely uncivilized.” Minerva said, reluctantly so, “They recognize the rule of the strongest, and once Gaius’ true power is showcased for all to see, they will succumb to their primal traditional ways.”

“… Ya think?” Venus faced her, “Well, that kind of complicates things… It’s strange to think the Lupus will be annihilated by the one they have to acknowledge as a leader…” She giggled.

“It posses an important topic… We could take advantage of Gaius’ position and force them to separate into smaller groups, then destroy them individually. It ought to be a long and bloody process, but with the Princeps, Divine Legionnaires and men at it, we can assuredly do so by the end of the day.”

Venus rolled her eyes, “So brutish you are…” she took a sip from her glass of wine, “… We don’t have to get our hands dirty one bit. The way we should use Gaius title as the Lupus’ leader is by ordering them on a suicidal attack to the land of the dragons. Let barbarians deal with barbarians.”

Minerva’s frowned, “Such a lazy solution… I should have expected something like this coming out from you.” She carved her spear firmly on the ground, “The Lupus are our enemy, our responsibility, and our duty to defeat. It would be a disgrace to the empire’s honor to for it not to be the executioner of its own revenge, especially when we are perfectly capable of carrying it out.”

Venus showed her tongue to Minerva, “I’m not getting my dress dirty with filthy canine blood just to appease your zealous sense of justice, sis!”

Minerva sighed, and glanced at Gaius, “… Princeps, you should be the one to decide. What do you think is the best way to deal with the Lupus?”

“… You are asking the wrong questions.” He said, “As far as getting rid of the Lupus is concerned, I agree we can either kill them ourselves or let someone do it, but it shouldn’t be where your attention is.” He gestured to the Wolfpacks, “They are still our enemy, here and now. Don’t speak like they are a defeated foe, for they aren’t… Not yet.”

Venus’ made away with her smile, “I don’t really like the way you are talking… It sounds like you plan to lose…”

Gaius shook his head, “I don’t. My focus is firmly set on victory… But it doesn’t mean I’m not considering the possibility of a loss.” Gaius turned, facing the sisters, “Should it happen, you two ought to be prepared.”

They were both at a loss of words. Their vision so set on victory it made considering failure too shocking. Gaius was ready to face the odds, yet they didn’t look so inclined. He couldn’t scold them for it, for their naivety was likely born more out of a refusal to accept he isn’t invincible, like two young daughters, unable to understand their father’s mortality. They were millennium old beings, yet there are things even a lot of time can’t wash away entirely.

Gaius’ attention was taken from them as the movement came from the enemy. It was Arcail, finally coming out of his tent and showing himself. He was accompanied by Codubia, who carried a young pup in her arm. It looked exactly like Arcail did when they met in Impera. Arcail hugged them both and cheered for men, who all howled and sent their cheers. It sparkled a grand moral boost, spreading through their people. The sound of hundreds of thousands of Lupus howling made for a unique experience, and uneasy chill nearing fear claiming him. It was made clear the numerical disadvantage the empire was in, and the determination of the Lupus remained strong.

“There he is…” Gaius said, “He looks prepared to start.”

Minerva was the first to raise her head, “… Princeps… May I ask something of you?”

Gaius faced her, “… What is it?”

Minerva glanced at Arcail’s far away advance, looking deeply into Gaius’ eyes, “…In the unlikely case of your defeat, please grant me permission not to abide by Arcail’s rule.” Her eyes narrowed, “… I couldn’t bare following the one responsible for your death.”

Gaius wasn’t surprised by her request. The agreement he made would grant Arcail all the legitimate authority over the empire, and therefore the Divine Legionnaires, if he lost, yet asking his creations to simply accept his death, was beyond his authority. It was the realm of emotions too powerful to intervene.

“… Should the worst happen, I will not bind your fates and destiny to an unwanted cause? If you wish to continue resisting, as you have through all these years, you free to do so, Minerva… I only ask you to secure both Julia and Rome before engaging in open hostility.”

She nodded, “I understand, Princeps. Thank you.”

Gaius returned his eyes to the field and Arcail. He had stopped by then, standing on the middle between the armies. As stipulated by the rules, he wore no protective gear or weapons, which with the exception his gladius and some imperial garments was the same case for Gaius. Venus might have joked about it before, but to fight without his armor set might as well be the same as fighting naked for all Gaius considered. He was to be exposed like never before, a few odd examples from the past coming up as comparable examples.

A fireball exploded in the air, far away from his position. It came for atop the Imperial walls. Discordia was waving her arm to him, Apollo more appropriately watching over by her side. He couldn’t hear exactly what she was shouting but judging by Arcail’s disturbed reaction he had an idea. He could see many of the palace’s guards on the walls as well, and if the civilians could they would watch too. Everyone had gathered to what the fates of their own, their children, and their children’s children be written.

“… I’m off.” Gaius said, marching to meet his adversary.

“… Wait!” Venus shouted, running to Gaius, grabbing onto his hand.

“… Venus?”

“… Don’t leave us again…” she said, “Promise you won’t die…”

She was very emotional over it. Venus frequently broke promises and her word, but there she was so truthfully asking Gaius to provide it. Whether he said he would win or not didn’t matter in a practical sense, but to say it out loud wasn’t in his interest. This was about calming her fears, but it created an unwanted likelihood. TO Gaius it was preferable not to break his word than to ignore her plea for assurance. He didn’t know what, but something was wrong within him. It was the uneasy feeling of weakness digging deeper into his mind, and it began to ache. He calmly released from her grip, tapping on her shoulder and smiling. It was all he could afford doing, and fortunately, it proved successful. Venus calmed herself, and Gaius could go. Venus returned to Minerva’s side, and Gaius walked off.

It was a chilly morning, the sun barely coming out from the horizon. As he met Arcail, he drew his gladius, resting its tip on the dirt with a firm grip on the hilt. None moved for the longest time, an uneasy silence forming as Gaius expected Arcail to talk, but nothing coming out. He wasn’t the only one to use the mutually given time to analyze the opponent. Arcail stood a head taller than him, yet their physics were similarly built, the Lupus being considerably bulkier by nature of his race. Without spells to count on, he had to face him up close with no defensive equipment to speak off.

“… Where’s Julia.” Asked Gaius, pointing the gladius to him

“… The Roman kid, you mean?” Arcail gestured behind him, “… Look for yourself.”

Gaius’ eyes squinted as he tried to find a small child on a sea of wolfmen. He eventually found, locked in a cage and guarded beside Codubia. For his relief, she looked healthy and free of any injuries born of mistreatment and punishment. She was grasping onto the bars of the cell, looking at them as all others were.

“… To imprison a kid like that… Have you no shame?”

“I do…” Arcail admitted, “I don’t like resorting to hostages, but the situation demanded it.”

“You didn’t have to put her on a cage. She is not some out of control animal, but an innocent girl who wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Arcail frowned, “Oh, please… You expect me to believe someone raised by the likes of Minerva, Venus, Discordia and yourself is harmless? She might look so, but I have let myself be deceived by you Romans for far too long. I cannot keep running the same risk.”

“… SO that’s your excuse… Very well, I ‘ll break her out of it myself when this is over. “

“Confident to start, I see… I wished to have further time to do so, but It seems we both have our troubles dismissing our families.” Arcail said, closing most the leftover distance.

Gaius nodded, “One of us will prove their worries justified by the end of the day.”

“Indeed…” Arcail stared onto Gaius

“… Something in my teeth?”

“… No… I’m just surprised I can’t see any horns, fangs, or any racial features on you. You are human, after all…”

“I’ve always been a human, that was never a secret.”

“… Perhaps not for you… But this is the first time looking at the man under the armor.” Arcail walked sideways, his arms crossed to his back, “Legends tend to lose their humanity as time passes… And I must say… Even if you look less intimidating, I can still see the same soulless, infernal presence before me as I did as a child.”

Gaius smirked, “… How flattering. You are not the first, nor shall be the last to call me scary. I’m sure you sympathize…”

“… No, I’m afraid I don’t.” He stopped, facing frontally with Gaius, “I might look monstrous to humans, and most humanoid races… But we both know who the real monster among us is…”

Gaius sighed, “… I take your meaning… The Northern Campaign wasn’t the best show of my clemency…”

“… The Northern Campaign… So that’s what you Romans at the time called it…” He looked at the rising sun, “… Just another campaign, in a sea of conquests… Mattering little who, or where you fought, as long as you won.”

Gaius stepped up, “… Such were the times we lived in. The world Conquest wasn’t going to bring self to fruition through diplomatic means alone, and I’ll remind you our people were at war far before I attacked.”

“… My wolfpack wasn’t.” Arcail said, “If anything, our wolfpack was considering joining you… Like my brother did.”

“… Your brother?” Gaius asked, “You mean that auxiliary?”

“.. You remember him, then? I didn’t expect such courtesy…. His roman armor must have stood out among the countless Lupus you killed that day…”

“You were siblings… I didn’t know…”

A small headache caught the emperor. It wouldn’t have been at all alarming, had it not appeared at a time where his concentration was needed. Also, it was eerily like that one time. He grasped onto the Laurel Wreath, trying to force the pain to diminish.

“… What’s wrong?” Asked Arcail, “Something with that thing on your head?”

“… N-No. Ignore it.” Gaius let go of the item, pretending as if he had recovered.

Arcail eyes the item on Gaius’ head, “… As long as it’s not a magical item, I don’t mind. In fact, I look forward to learning if you can live to your name without any armor or fancy magic…” Arcail frowned, “… I’ll give some rest to my brother’s spirit.”

Gaius’ lowered his eyebrows, “… Your brother… Why did he join the empire? Did he ever say?”

“… Regret killing him? That’s good but hardly repentive…” He sighed, “… Litchios believed in cooperation between our peoples, and saw imperial integration as the way forward…” He smirked, “… It’s tragic, you killed the most loyal Lupus you could.”

“… He sounded quite different from most of his race. Most Lupus wouldn’t even know what the empire was, much less value it to their own freedom…” He smiled, “… It’s eerie how familiar we are in that aspect, having brothers so unlike ourselves… “

“… Are you implying… That man, beside you that day…”

“Gaius nodded, “… He’s the reason you are alive today… Something I wager he would deeply regret doing were he still with us.”

Arcail’s expression of doubt waivered, “… No, I doubt that.”

“… You doubt it?” Gaius asked, “Wouldn’t you feel guilty for being responsible for the existence of an enemy who threatens your home and people?”

“… You tell me.” Arcail retorted.

Gaius’ eyes narrowed, “Are you saying it is my fault? Aye… I should have ignored him and killed you without hesitation back then.”

“No, you got it wrong.” Arcail said, “It is your fault for attacking us in the first place… And I’ll make sure you regret it deeply.”

“… This is about your revenge, more than anything. I now get why you were so eager to accept a duel when holding an advantage in the negotiations…”

Arcail sighed, “… Revenge tends to lead to one’s own self-destruction. It’s a lie to say I haven’t desired for it all these years, but I had important matters to attend, and my enemy had already been killed… Or so I thought. When I learned of your return, that blaze was re-kindled inside of me, and now burns with the rage of a thousand suns.”

Gaius smirked, “… How poetic… For a Lupus, at that… You are quite open about your intentions. You should be careful, for if you keep talking you might let your entire strategy in this fight to leak as well.”

Arcail chuckled, “I might have gotten carried away, but it couldn’t be helped. The moment I confirmed your humanity, my guard fell.”

“… Is that so?”

“Aye…” he nodded, “… It made you look far easier to kill.”

Arcail starred Gaius, the strongest hint of a looming attack given. The emperor assumed a defensive stance, his feet firmly set and blade ready to intercept.

“… Before we begin, I must ask you one final thing.”

“… Go ahead, but the next thing you say after it will be a painful screech.”

Arcail chuckled, “Threat taken…” He glanced onto his family cheering for him, and then to the Divine Legionnaires doing so for his opponent, “… Both our brothers dreamed of peace between our peoples. Let us agree, whoever wins today, may he treat our enemy’s people fairly. No genocides, punishments, slavery or forceful expulsion.”

Gaius shook his head, “… I can’t promise that. My job as the emperor is to rid your barbarian filth off my lands… You have committed too many crimes to hope being acquitted… I will not let my brother’s sensibility carelessly guide my actions. There is only one way this can end.”

Arcail sighed, “… I see… What a shame… We will both disappoint our siblings, either way…” he sharpened his claws, assuming an offensive posture, “… At least, with this choice, you have given me even more determination… to win!”

Arcail charged Gaius, clashing against the emperor. It sent shockwaves through the wins as his attack was blocked with one hand. Gaius grasped firmly onto his wrist, pushing his body against the blade. Arcail dodged it, breaking away. He propelled himself from the ground and clashed again. Arcail tried to reach for Gaius’ neck, but all attempts were either met with a counter he avoided or a block he couldn’t break through. Arcail quickly, pushing himself over Gaius’ shoulders and landing on his back. He scratched his neck in the process and threatened to do so again as Gaius was taken from the rear. Gaius ducked, slashing Arcail’s right leg in a twist Gaius gripped his cut leg and threw him on the dirt with great force. It created a crater, followed by a small local earthquake. The legions celebrated it, while the Lupus were silent. As the dust rested, their eyes met again. Arcail wasn’t anywhere as damaged as he hoped and was able to escape from his reach. They took their distance and analyzed their wounds.

The duel had recently begun, yet Gaius could already infer a lot of information from it. While he was stronger, Arcail was faster. They were both resilient to strikes and targeted vital spots. If the information inferred was genuine, then a defensive posture was to be maintained. He would let the barbarian attack and counter him, as so far it seemed to have worked. For now, he held the advantage.

Arcail did not remain idle and began to run behind Gaius. He was soon back to his front, and a circular motion initiated. Gaius dealt with Lupus before, and this was their preferred tactic when facing lone prey. The Lupus seemed to disorient him, exploiting and weaknesses and exposed vital spots. Gaius stood still, keeping up with his movements with a calm head. Arcail jumped on him, Gaius turning around and slashing his chest. It did little more than cutting a few furs. He clawed Gaius’ exposed arm as he thrust the weapon, He was met with a reactive strong kick to the ribs, sending him off. The injuries inflicted, both further confirmed the mortality of the other. If Arcail could score more attacks, he would flay Gaius alive. Could Gaius land more direct hits, Arcail’s bones would be crushed.

The further he used the tactic, the less effective it became. While Arcail could score scratches on Gaius, he was adapting to his pattern, landing increasingly stronger counter attacks. It was hard to his direction with the blade, but the Lupus had trouble avoiding punches and kicks while focusing in avoiding the blade. After many attempts, Arcail jumped for Gaius’ neck again. He was about to collide but predicted where Gaius would punch, and threw him off his stance. As he tried to get back in his feet, Arcail clawed his back in a direct hit, carving his skin from the shoulders to the hips. It did not come without a cost, as Gaius turned his gladius direction, and stabbed onto Arcail with a backward jump. It cut into his groin, but not deep enough to be fatal. He dislodged from the emperor, who didn’t pursue.

The first few minutes came at a great cost for them. They spent a great amount of stamina and inflicted considerable damage. As Gaius was riddled with cuts, Arcail had many fractured bones, and an open stab wound on his belly, barely having missed any organs. He held onto it, avoiding too much blood to be lost. Gaius couldn’t afford to do the same, as his wounds were too far spread and wide to be covered. His back was bleeding greatly, tainting his purple robs with a red, forming a dark mixed shade which spread on his clothing. His body burned with a pain he never felt before, and all he wanted was to take some rest.

“… Your wounds…” Arcail said, breathing heavily, “… They hurt, don’t they?”

“… Make a guess.” He replied.

“…So you can feel pain… Good, it will give you some taste of what you have inflicted on others.”

Gaius grinned, cleaning the excess blood flowing down his body. He let Arcail speak, it only served to give himself time to recover. It was true the same thing was to his enemy’s service, yet Gaius needed to time to think on what had gone wrong. At the beginning, he had started well, but once Arcail began using Lupus tactics he was exposed to attack. He was taking advantage of his speed while negating Gaius’ strength. The tactic seemed to be dealing small, but quantitative small wounds, and let the blood loss do the heavy work. It was an ingenious way to take on a stronger foe, much like using guerrilla tactics against a better invading army.

Had Gaius his scutum to work with, and formed a proper Roman Defensive stance, then he would have blocked all his attempts. Alas, he didn’t, and it threw his strategy off the window. As Arcail was in his natural element, he could rely on fighting the way he did best, as Gaius was forced to adapt. A simple, counter attack focused plan wouldn’t work anymore, and the offensive had to be taken. Until then, his wounds would need a bit of peace before re-engaging the enemy. He had to buy time and could use it to clear a few doubts.

“… Answer me… Arcail…”

“… An incoming question? I assumed I wouldn’t be hearing any from you anymore…”

“… I’ve been thinking about, but why didn’t you raze Rome while I was way? Surely Discordia alone couldn’t stop you entirely… Did you fear my retaliation?”

“… Partially, but it wasn’t why I chose not to do it.”

“… You act concerned for your people, so was it the casualties you wanted to avoid?”

“… Again, partially, but no…”

Gaius frowned, “… What was the reason?”

“… It wouldn’t be right to sack an almost defenseless city full of innocents. It wasn’t what I aimed for, so I didn’t do it.”

“… It wouldn’t be right… Of all the reasons… ” Gaius chuckled, “… You are committing the same mistake I did when I let you live. You have given up the chance to destroy your enemy, and for what? Petty morals?”

“… Yes, for that.” Those petty morals are what makes us who we are. Without them, the world would be filled with evil people like you, and nothing of value would be left.”

“Evil… Don’t give me that.” Gaius said, anger flowing in his voice, “You shouldn’t apply your standards to others without taking a good look to yourself first.”

“… Look at myself?”

Gaius gestured to the capital, “You might have sparred them of a sack, but what you left them with is even worse. As you said, the people inside are innocent civilians, but what you forgot to add is that you are the one occupying their lands and responsible for the deaths of their loved ones. You threaten the existence and sovereignty of the empire, a direct insult to my Divine Legionnaires. You imprison an 11-year-old girl, whose father you killed because you cannot trust she is harmless…” Gaius raised his sword, “… For them, you are the one who’s evil.”

Arcail sighed, crossing his arms, “… I must disagree. I have been very lenient to you all, and the actions I’ve taken are well justified. Just as you must do what you can to protect your citizens, I must do the same for my companions.”

“Exactly.” Gaius nodded, “Through the years, I’ve grown very used to be the center of everyone’s hatred, but these days, especially when all I’m doing is defending my empire, I cannot stand people like you who label me a not only a mortal, but a moral enemy.”

“… Is that so?” Arcail asked, “… So you are saying you do care about morals.”

“No, that’s nonsense. I’ merely stating how tired I am of how you can diminish someone’s struggles, ambitions, and motivations to a simplistic good vs evil narrative. It’s a lie. If anything, we are both evil, as is everyone else who seeks their own objectives at the cost of others.”

“You are such a lost cause… Denying the existence of the few shreds of humanity still left in you… It is incomprehensible to me how you could have a good-willed brother who cared for you.”

The conversation was getting out of hand. Gaius got the little time he needed to recover and made buying time only disadvantageous as his veins lost pressure. He shut himself and prepared for an opening in the enemy.

“.. Done talking again, I see.” Arcail restored his offensive posture, “We ought not to waste further time… But if I could end it with a question… Why did you do it?”

“… Did what?”

“Why did you spare me? You act like it was the greatest mistake of your life, so what reasoning could you have had to appeal to your little existing good will?”

“… Why did I?” Gaius whispered, the headache returning. It was stronger than before, his brain sent ablaze inside his head. He closed his eyes, and gruntled in plain discomfort, “… My head…”

“… Is that a headache> quite the inopportune time…I don’t take pride in exploiting it, but…” Arcail charged Gaius, cutting his chest deep, “… I must win at all costs!”

“… You damn… Get off!” Gaius, furious at the combination of inward and outward pain, slashed Arcail. It missed entirely, his rage obscuring his aim. Arcail landed his claws on his hands, as Gaius failed to predict his movements, and relied on his arms to block him. Gaius let himself get carried away, and the little recovering time the talk awarded was soon thrown to waste. He was stricken at the knee and the strength on his legs began fading. Many opportunities to fatally retaliate showed, yet the disorientation of his senses worsened with his mind’s deterioration and the lack of oxygen reaching his organs. Arcail tackled him down, and went for a bite at the neck again, this time closer to success than ever.

Gaius couldn’t react in time for a counter attack, holding against him not to approach one inch further. Arcail’s open jaw neared him like a hungry wolf’s. The strength in his arms failed him, the wounds they endured sapping them of resilience. Arcail broke out of it and was free to advance. The second before he could shred Gaius’ neck, he met the gladius shoved between his jaws. Gaius was aiming for his head, but this result would do for now. It saved him from Arcail’s fangs, and another stalemate ensued. The Lupus cheered for Arcail, as the Legion shouted insults against them.

“… Princeps, do you need assistance!?”

“Do you need help!?”

The worried shouts came from his side of the field. Minerva and Venus looked prepared to intervene in his favor. So dire was his position the confident Divine Legionnaires had accepted he could lose. Were they to take part in it, the duel would be rendered void and a battle ensue. Gaius wouldn’t have time to heal, and they would be in an even worse position than before. He wouldn’t allow it. He went too far to fail. Gaius found a battle cry filling his lungs. As he shouted, he forced the gladius deeper on Arcail’s teeth and punched him away. He was sent rolling, many meters away.

It wasn’t without a casualty. As Arcail was pushed away, he made use of his opportunity and clawed Gaius’ exposed face as he countered him. It hit his left side, opening his skin in four vertical lines, one of which passed by his eye. He was blinded by it, the greatest pain yet fitting all in a single point. Gaius covered his damaged face, his world rocked mentally and physically.

“… It’s… It’s fine… Don’t interfere…” Gaius said with heavy breaths. He continued laying down, “… Whatever happens, don’t interrupt the duel….”

Minerva and Venus stopped shouting, yet their worried expressions remained. As both Gaius and Arcail laid down, Gaius was given more time to think about what to do. Without one of his eyes, his ability o reach attacks was crippled. He couldn’t heal it without blatantly breaking the rules with all to see. He had to endure it, and not let it become a second headache. He still had an eye and was he needed. As he devised a strategy, he almost fainted. He was losing himself and couldn’t waste a single second not focused on the fight.

Arcail’s claws were a problem, a serious one. He couldn’t land the same strong strikes Gaius could, but his sharp fangs did injure him severely. His blood loss alone was already having a terrible effect on his fighting capability, but attacks like these which hindered his senses were even worse. As was hinted at before, to rely on the traditional roman tactic to let the opponents tire out and then countering wouldn’t work. Arcail could still rely on a solid amount of stamina, while he was drained of it.

The headaches were to blame for it all. They rendered him vulnerable and stole his attention when needed most. The cursed Laurel Wreath seemed intended on killing him, but if it was so, why did the headaches come out and disappear so randomly? Were they the product of talking, during which they appeared, then it was easy to fix. All Gaius had to do was to keep himself shut for the duration of the fight. With them gone, the fight would come back in his favor, despite his shortcomings. Arcail couldn’t be much better off.

He proved Gaius right, as the Lupus showed troubles getting in his feet. He held his jaw, likely broken from the last punch. He wasn’t disfigured by it, the knowledge of the wound only reaching Gaius through a guess. He heard the cracks in his bones, glad it wasn’t his own. Arcail’s jaws were overflowing with his own blood, his inner mouth cut by the gladius.

There was someone standing beside Arcail, a ghostly presence whose image was undecipherable with a single tired eye. It slowly disappeared as his vision focused on the enemy’s words.

“… Hurts, doesn’t it? Arcail said, clearly still able to speak, “… Although… Yours… Won’t heal… So easily.”

Gaius transitioned to breathing through his nose, getting up on his knees. To stand up wasn’t easily done, his ankles ravaged by previous attacks. To place weight on them would only make things worse. He used the weapons to balance himself, serving as a resting object.

Arcail approached Gaius, one step after the other. Gaius let him get nearer, not a protest being made. As he tried to tackle the Emperor, Gaius rolled sideways. Arcail went for him to score another cut and was exactly what he waited for. Both hands strongly gripping the gladius, Gaius severed Arcail’s hand. It flew off with the momentum, a stream of Lupus blood flowing out. Arcail gruntled in pain, holding to where his hand used to be.

It was his biggest success yet. The plan wasn’t still complete, but it was a great start. Arcail could doge all he wanted, but he couldn’t attack without getting close. Without his right hand, his ability to scratch and cut Gaius was severely reduced. There were still three other limbs to contend with, not counting the sharp teeth riddled jaws, but the prospects of a victory increased. The problem was, now his intentions were revealed, would another opportunity to carry them out appear?

Arcail had trouble containing his blood loss, putting him at a closer level with Gaius as far as a time restraint went. Their attacks would weaken equally, and the rhythm of the fight slower, to Gaius’ favor. He would win a war of attrition, once the ability of the enemy to carry out attacks was taken out.

His fresh wound still claimed him. Off all the things he endured thus far, this was the worst. He forgot about his wounded body, all pain focused on a single point. He wanted to scream but held against it not to demoralize his men. It took too long to cut the hand off, Arcail’s muscles and bones too sturdy to sever swiftly. The casualty of his delay would promise his doom. With only one eye to work with, predicting Arcail’s movements was impossible.

Gaius fell, the shock of the moment getting to him. He struggled upwards but standing on his knees was becoming too much to endure. Only now he noticed, but the grasses around him were covered in his blood. He lost too much. It was impossible to keep fighting. Unknowingly, what was supposed to be only one of four attacks ended up being his last.

“… Dammit!”

Gaius struck the field, a small crater forming. He was almost out of stamina, and without it fighting was impossible. Only a single time he landed a critical strike with his blade, and it wasn’t fatal. He was sitting duck, unable to run or attack. What he could hope for was for Arcail’s wound to lose him enough blood. Were they to reach the same condition, Gaius could think of something.

“… You… Will pay… For that.”

Gaius’s heart almost stopped as he heard Arcail’s voice. He looked back, seeing him not only recovered but on his feet.

“… Was that… Your last move?” Arcail asked, holding his bleeding stump against his chest, “… I’m at my limit too…. So as I said… Let’s finish this…” He moved to Gaius, slowly and painfully.

Gaius forced himself up. His legs failed to accomplish his commands, and he fell. His skin was going paler by the second, a dizziness and blurred vision all he grew to see. He was on the verge of death, be it through his wounds or Arcail’s next strike. His body demanded him to rest, only his will keeping him awake. Arcail stopped in front of Gaius, his vision only able to clearly see by that short distance.

“… You didn’t torture my brother when you killed him… So I may as well retribute the favor…” He raised his arm, “… Goodbye.”

Gaius saw his upcoming execution taking place. The was still some power resting inside him, and now was the time to use it. He struck first, stabbing Arcail. It was his last bet, draining all remaining strength in his body. It landed in the same place as the first stab, disappointingly also cutting as deep. Arcail halted the blade’ thrust with his only hand, slashing his palm.

“… Ugh… So…. You still had something left…”

Gaius lowered his head, his wounds burning, body decaying, and metal will fading. He lost the duel and would die shortly. Many thoughts passed through the defeated emperor. He was a failure to his people, himself, and all future generations who would have to live under Lupus rule. He failed to live up to the expectations of his Divine Legionnaires. His plan to save his people only netting getting him losing his own. Where he was supposed to be unparalleled, he was bested by a barbarian. He wasn’t worthy of his name and might as well return into obscurity.

Arcail forced the gladius out of his groin, but Gaius’ kept it in.

“… What are you doing? You have no stamina left. Get this blade out of my…” he tried forcing it out again but couldn’t. Gaius’ was unconsciously breaking his limits to stay on it, but it wouldn’t be sufficient. Arcail was almost as weakened as him but had still blood flowing in his veins.

“… Well then… I’ll just have too… Ughh…”

As Arcail forced Gaius into a corner, the last cards were played on the table. The electrical currents flew through the gladius and spread inside Arcail. His inner body was damaged on all parts, muscles tore apart, and organs shut down. The Obliteration Spell wasn’t supposed to be used this form but served its purpose. Arcail fell, his back lading on one of the small pools of Gaius’ blood, which soon was overtaken bis his own.

Gaius used the following moment to breathe, calming himself and think straight. The time given to collect himself, he recovered the faintest amount of stamina to get on his feet. The moment too pressing to feel shame, he continued. It hurt like hell, but he was too close to finishing it all to desist. Arcail was still alive, the last breaths and movements coming from him. It that couldn’t remain so. His eyes were opened, and body barely moving, but still alive.

The gladius was lodged onto him, the hilt as bloody as the edge. He retrieved the blade from him, the electrical currents still flowing through it. None from the Lupus wolfpacks had raised a protest yet, so it was likely none of them noticed him using the spell. Of all the possibilities he considered for winning, to do so in this manner was among the lowest in dignity or desirability. Gaius raised his sword, ready for the last strike of the duel.

It was hard to say if it was the lack of blood, the immense headache returning, or the low amount of stamina left, but Gaius couldn’t pull it off. He forced his arm down, but it was stuck in the air. Gaius began to hallucinate again. The morning sky faded into darker colors. The grasslands covered in obfuscating bright lights. Arcail’s Wolfpacks had vanished, as had the legion and Divine Legionnaires. He wasn’t in the outskirts of Rome anymore but in that northern forest. He had his armor back, the force stopping his attack shifting from the unrecognizable light from before to someone’s arm. His brother’s arm.

Gaius was out of his mind, and he knew it. Back in the northern campaign, he was once again ready to kill Arcail, but Brunus intervening. His head was on the verge of exploding, and his body, already at its limits from the inflicted wounds had seemed to lose control.

“… Don’t do it.”

Brunus’ voice sounded as clear as if he was really there. It was more than a lucid dream, like an extension of reality. It was all in his head, yet nothing looked like it was so. His mouth moved without his consent, spouting the same reply he gave him then.

“This is an Alpha Lupus. He has to die, or he will cause us trouble in the future.”

Brunus kept the grip on his arm, “We don’t have to do things like this, you know?” I know, deep down, that’s not what you want to do.”

It was a re-occurrence of that night. Gaius’ memories made manifest vividly. Now was the time Gaius relieved from his killing intent and conceded to Brunus’ will in sparring the little wolf. It was then the memories turned into a living nightmare. Gaius, still unable to control his actions, spoke out: “… No, he will die.” Gaius stabbed his memory of Arcail as a child, killing him beside his dead brother.

His headache reached new highs of torment. As the makeshift recalls of those moments faded, and the hallucinations blurred further, the projection of Brunus shook his head and walked off into the woods. His brother giving his back to him, much like Gaius gave to his legacy. The emotions were too intense to contain. Gaius forcefully regained control of his body, forcing the gladius out of Arcail and clenching his fists, filled with the blood he did not wish the spill.

Gaius threw the weapon away, and ran to his brother, into the woods. He was engulfed by the fires, and no sign of Brunus was found. He was gone again. Once more, they departed in such foul terms. This time, not even a single request he gave him. The unmeasurable self-hatred, shame, and regret broke the Emperor’s will to keep pursuing through the flames. He fell, and the fires consumed him. All was lost, and what was left went dark.

Shaking his head violently, Gaius slowly returned to reality. His armor set was gone, his left eye blinded, and gladius still at hand. He fell to his knees and tried to breathe. A glance at Arcail’s adult body was enough to break any remaining will. His dead eyes looked to the clouded morning sky. There were any new stab wounds on him, the effects of the obliteration spell responsible for his death. As the hallucinations predicted, unwillingly, he had killed him. He failed his brother and went back to where he was.

The following silence was the fruit of many emotions. Surprise, fear, happiness, relief, and dread depending only on whose hearts it filled. It wasn’t the way Gaius envisioned, even if the ending was the same. The voices of many souls reached him, almost deaf as he was by then. Whether it was cheers of victory or the cries of a battle he didn’t know. Seeing anything beyond a short distance was impossible.

Gaius’ arms collapsed, dropping him beside Arcail and the pools of his blood. He stopped breathing, and heart slowed. His eyes closed, and the last breath came out.