INVICTA: Hell's Last Gate

"However..."

Alexios drawled, but the word came to Commius like a rope to a man dangling at the edge of a cliff.

"Centurio Vibius, my esteemed Centurio Princeps, would have hated for me to enact the 'penalty of the sack' on his Optio. It would also be a waste to lose your talent for battle..." He noted with a difficult, pondering look.

"Finally, given that my—slave still draws breath, I will have your punishment voided."

Commius sucked in a breath of fresh air feeling rejuvenated. It felt like he had just fled the hot sun into the cool shade of a tent.

Alexios glanced at him. Seeing his smile, he smirked faintly.

"On one condition."

Commius' growing smile halted, and Alexios picked up a parchment and perused while speaking.

"You must be first on that wall tomorrow. I do not wish to free the slave on the off-chance he truly is the son of Mars, and survives. Having such a figure as a slave would be extremely beneficial to my name, even if he is known as a daemon."

Commius saw his line of thinking and smiled darkly before nodding.

Seeing this, Alexios relaxed with a look of content.

"Now that you owe me your life, I believe I can trust you with my secrets. But firstly, depending on your performance tomorrow a promotion can be assured." He coolly informed, and Commius' eyes widened in delight.

"My friend, a patrician should arrive after noon. If your feats tomorrow make me proud, I may even coax him to grant you the Corona Muralis, the illustrious Golden Mural Crown, one of the highest military decorations for valor."

Commius found himself drooling at this, but quickly composed himself.

"A...patrician, Lord Praefect?"

A smug smile cracked Alexios' near-impassive expression.

"The new Provincial Governor of the eastern province."

Commius' eyes widened in disbelief.

"You don't mean...of the rumored province of the gods beyond the Golden Gate—"

"Lord Praefect!" The tent guard suddenly called, and they both jolted, turning toward the tent's flaps.

"The Pedite, Kotys, son of Medokos, seeks an audience."

Alexios glanced at Commius before answering with a wave of his hand.

"Allow him!"

Kotys walked in, looked around and greeted the officers.

"Lord Praefect, Optio Commius."

Alexios nodded his acknowledgement while Commius lightly grunted.

"How is the—Son of Mars, Kotys?" Alexios inquired as if tasting the words with a doubtful wave of his hand.

"I sent you to him because you are smart and should be able to discern the truth. Also, you two seem to have formed a kinship—of sorts, given your sparring of his life today." He gazed up at him with curiosity in his eyes.

"So tell me... Is he what he claims?"

Kotys remained calm and thoughtful under both scrutinizing gazes. But then he gazed at the Praefect.

"He is certainly not the slave who died, nor a daemon...like what Chief Centurion Vibius turned into—"

Alexios grunted sadly at the memory, momentarily giving Kotys pause, but he dutifully pressed on.

"As for his identity as a god, I cannot say. However, he has displayed a willingness to fight with us tomorrow. He even asked for my arms, so that he might train through the night."

Commius' eyes widened, and then his face morphed into alarm, seeing Kotys without his weapons.

"Did you give him?!?" He all but yelled out his query.

Kotys begrudgingly wiped spit from his face and turned to the Prefect.

"No, as Lord Praefect said, I am smart. I thought I would first request permission from Lord Praefect for this."

Commius looked away, letting out an audible sigh of relief which made Kotys raise a curious brow at him.

Alexios seemed thoughtful.

"Did he have any other request?"

Kotys nodded.

"He sought food, he seemed starved."

Alexios smiled faintly.

"He has human needs, good. Give him what he needs."

Kotys seemed perplexed. "The food or my weapons?"

"Both."

The reply came so quickly it hit Commius in the gut like a punch.

"B-but L-lord Praefect!" Commius stammered, looking at Alexios with pleading eyes. "Is that wise?"

Alexios smirked at this, then his gaze shifted to Kotys.

"Do you trust him, Kotys?"

Kotys frowned in such an uncertain manner that it may have well been a grimace, but then he shrugged.

"I do not think he would hurt us with them."

Alexios nodded.

"Good. But have my first cavalry commander, Decurio Segimerus, be on guard in case he tries to flee. He has the night shift."

Kotys' eyes widened.

"Horse master Segi?" He blurted out in shock and awe before he could stop himself.

"I-I mean, yes, Lord Praefect!" Kotys quickly amended.

Alexios waved him off.

"You may go, and feel free to return to your tent after this is done."

Kotys bowed slightly in appreciation, turned and walked out under both their gazes; Alexios deep and calculating, the Commius' hesitant and concerned.

With Kotys gone, Alexios' gaze turned toward Commius.

"Do not fret, Commius. He will be second on that wall, and if he dies, he dies. If he lives and his aid is instrumental, it is great for all of us; he remains my slave and does not have the right to avenge the death of the body he now possesses." Alexios solemnly stated and reached for a scroll. "I need every advantage I can afford, the governor must not arrive while that garrison fort remains under rebel control."

Commius's eyes flitted back and forth in thought and he couldn't help but question.

"Is there a special reason, Lord Praefect?" Commius tested, and Alexios threw him a glance while going through the scroll.

"The Chieftain of the rebel forces has something the Governor wants, a scroll. You must retrieve it if you can. I assure you there will be a great reward for this. But do not read it!" He warned with a serious glance and looked away. "That is all I can tell you. Now, you should get some sleep. It's been a busy day, and a difficult morning awaits you tomorrow, Commius."

Hearing this, Commius bowed lightly.

"Thank you, Lord Praefect. I am in your eternal debt."

Then he turned and went out of the tent.

–––

Kotys walked toward the camp gate, under the watchful eyes of some patrolling guards.

He had his oval shield strapped on his back, a small sack in one hand, and his spear in the other. His gladius was securely sheathed at his waist.

Kotys soon came to a stop under the camp's gate, the blazing torches around the wooden gate reflected upon his worn armor as his shadow danced to the song of the night.

He let out a weary sigh and looked ahead, but what he saw made his face wrinkle slightly in confusion.

"What is he doing?" He wondered out loud.

"Perhaps a ritual. To summon more of its kin."

The guard standing on the right answered.

"He has been gathering large stones in an area for a while now. I thought nothing of it until he began dancing. I—just hope it is a form of worship to his father." Whispered the guard on the left in a nervous tone.

The guard on the right scorned.

"I don't believe him! He can't be the son of a god." He opined, suspicious callous eyes locking onto Rainer.

But then he smirked with mirth in his eyes.

"Well, so long as the ground doesn't crack and start spewing out foul creatures—he presents an entertaining sight to liven our watch."

Kotys frowned and gazed between the one on the right and left.

"Pay attention! Arminius! Sinatus! You guard the western gate! Do not be distracted!"

"Aye!"

"Hm!"

Both grunted lightly in reply.

Kotys seemed like he was about to say something more but shook his head. He looked toward Rainer, hesitated, and began walking.

"A brave youth you are..." Sinatus, the lean soldier on the left intoned.

"Keep your gladius close, Kotys! I can't save you in time if he suddenly decides to rip your throat out!" Arminius, the stocky soldier on the right advised in a jesting tone.

They both laughed and Kotys shook his head with a tired sigh.

"Idiots." He mumbled under his breath, looking toward Rainer with apprehension.

'But perhaps, I'm the bigger idiot.'

He thought as his eye tensed, remembering what happened to the deceased Centurio Vibius during their noon assault...

*Bam!*

The sound of meat and bones breaking against the ground was clear even in the chaotic din of battle.

"Centurio Vibius has fallen off the wall!"

A soldier yelled, however before anyone could react, he stood back up, eyes pitch black as dark, gnarly veins spread all over his face. A soldier ran up to him to assist; however, the centurion's hand blurred, and the soldier's head soon went flying.

"Oh! No! The Chief Centurion became a daemon!"

"Gods! Why now!? I thought this was rare!"

"It's the third time this month! And now on the Chief centurion?!"

"It's a bad omen from the province of the gods!"

The daemon opened its dark, glistening mouth and snarled in a loud, monstrous voice.

"Maidenless beings! A curse on you! Go not into Hell's acursed gate! Bring nought your filth! Bring nought your champion! Or Abyssal Lord Shadarth—"

Its loud raving was soon halted with a javelin to the chest, but it simply pulled it out and scowled.

"Your blood for Lord Shadarth!"

—

–

-

"Kotys."

"Kootys!

"KOTYS!"

He suddenly stopped, snapping out of his headspace to find Rainer in his face.

Rainer blinked back and smiled mischievously.

"Obol for your thoughts?"