chapter 17 : Savior

[Orion moments earlier]

 He watched as the injured and weakened Theokoles stood on one knee with his hands clutching both glaives while grunting as tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

 Orion: You know, you have killed many people, offered the blood of complete strangers to thirsty crowds, you have forged this mental shell to protect yourself from your sadness, your solitude in cruelty and massacre but my Instinct rarely betrays me , you are not a monster or their killing machine.

 Theokoles: You don't know me!! I am the shadow that precedes death!

 Orion: I don't know you, but you know yourself better than anyone. Now let me tell you what you should have heard from those who have crossed your path so far.

 "I beg your pardon Theokoles!"

Theokoles :...W...What ? 

 « What you experienced was inhuman and made you who you are today, the good boy who became alone and sad, transformed into a monster so that the screams of the crowd were his only company. » Orion said looking into his eyes. [Those who have read the Spartacus comic know how sad and tragic Theokoles' story is.]

 Theokoles:…

 Orion : Now i'm going to give you a choice .

 Theokoles:…

 Orion: Years ago you let one of your opponents live, the only one to have survived a match against you. This is the choice I give you, either I finish you here and you die in this arena as a shadow of death, or you make the missio to surrender, I free you from your condition of slave and then you follow me as a free man with the guarantee that you will never be alone and sad again.

 Theokoles: These are sine missionne games, the losers must perish to honor the gods. I have no choice but to die as a gladiator, in the shadow of death.

 "Trust me my friend !" Orion took off his helmet and Theokoles saw his face, his silver eyes, he could tell Orion wasn't lying to him!

 Orion: Come with me and you will never have to experience what you suffered again my brother!

 Theokoles experienced what for several decades he only felt from his mother, acceptance.

The crowd adored him for his massacres in the arena but he knew that he was only a monster to them, not a human and that he would never be accepted.

 In that moment, he saw Orion as his savior, not the one from Shadow of Death but the savior of Theokoles, the sad and alone boy.

 Slowly, he placed his second knee on the ground, dropping his swords at the same time. The crowd began shouting asking Orion to finish him, the champion of Capua had brought to his knees the one who had never fallen and they wanted his blood.

 [In the pulvinus]

 Crassus: He did it!

 Sextus: It's really scary when you think about it, since the start of the fight he did nothing but play with Theokoles . Take a look at all these cuts!

 Albinius: The champion of Capua...what a frightening young man! Even Theokoles is no match for him. This trip to this dry city was definitely worth it.

 Titus: Guess I supported the wrong ludus, Batiatus, your gladiators are exceptional! Especially your champion.

 "The greatest…" Batiatus muttered to himself as he looked at Orion in a daze.

 They were waiting for Theokoles to be put to death when, before their incredulous eyes, Theokoles made the sign of the missio to ask for mercy for his life.

 [In the arena]

 A complete silence reigned throughout the arena when after a second, Batiatus shouted to Orion.

 "THESE ARE SACRIFICIAL GLADIATOR GAMES, THE LIVES OF THE VANQUISHED MUST BE TAKEN TO HONOR THE GODS!". FINISH THIS MAN" 

 Orion: IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO DECIDE BUT FOR THE GODS THEMSELVES. I DECIDED TO SAVE HIM.

 *Outcry*

 The crowd and the guests at the pulvinus began to get agitated and become indignant at the insolence of Orion who refused to obey.

 "SPARTACUS, CRIXUS FINISH THIS MAN" Batiatus ordered his two other gladiators.

 " DEATH ! DEATH ! DEATH !" The crowd called for Theokoles' death.

 Spartacus sighed as he moved forward with Crixus towards Orion and Theokoles, he didn't want to go against Orion's choices but he had no other choice now that he had received this order.

 Theokoles: I told you…I (interrupted)

 " STFU ! You won't die today if I decide!" Orion said turning around he faced Spartacus and Crixus pointing his sword at them.

 "My brothers, I have nothing against you but either you stop your steps or your lives end here!" He said with his emotions completely turned off, he was actually going to kill them without hesitation if they wanted to face him.

 Spartacus saw Orion's face and he could tell that for some reason Orion was now a different person, completely cold and soulless.

 If he went against him now, he would die in a second in front of the crowd and certainly his wife.

 Crixus felt a terrible feeling but unlike Spartacus he moved forward through Pride.

 "Stay back Thracian, today...I take back my title in addition to the head of Theokoles !" He said continuing to advance towards Orion who had already decided to take him down once and for all.

 However, as Crixus continued to move forward, it suddenly began to rain.

 The crowd, the gladiators, the guests, everyone was shocked because after several months of excruciating drought, the rain was finally here.

 Even more so, for such a superstitious and believing people, their interpretation was the same "The gods supported Orion!". Crixus no longer even needed Batiatus' order to stop his steps.

 While everyone was marveling at the rain, Orion was smirking

 "Exceptional timing! I knew it was going to rain" he whispered before turning back to Theokoles, smiling.

 Orion: See?! You won't die today if I decide!

 Theokoles looked at his savior and tears flowed abundantly from his eyes, fortunately it was raining to hide them, he was happy because someone had finally accepted him.

 Orion helped him up and took him away as he needed medical attention which he would take care of personally. The audience watched them leave the arena clapping while shouting "Orion!" Many times.

 [In the pulbinus]

 Albinius: By all the gods!

 Sextus: This man is supported by the gods themselves! Who knows if he isn't one of them or a demigod like Heracles!

 Solonius:…

 Batiatus:…

 "He got me ! He had everything planned and even the gods helped him!" Crassus repeated to himself before starting to smile. He had a deal with Orion the day before.

 [Flashback, to the day before]

 After humiliating Glaber and his men, Orion returned to the sidelines with the girls where he left the two paintings to dry in full view of everyone. People stood there for minutes on end admiring the drawings and admiring the details.

 " Wait ! These drawings! You are the artist whose paintings Rufus bought! Is that you young man?" Senator Albinius declared after noticing the quality of Orion's works.

 Orion said nothing and just nodded, he really didn't like being around these many rich nobles.

 Batiatus looked at him in shock, he had also heard of an artist who made exceptional drawings but didn't know he had been in front of him all this time.

 " It's really unbelievable !" 

 "So many talents and qualities in one body!" 

 People started to exclaim.

 Ilithya: I get tired of repeating it but it's a shame he's not a slave.

 Glaber: To be able to torture him and punish him for his insolence. He dares to humiliate soldiers of the Republic ! We are leaving for Rome tomorrow, these ridiculous games no longer interest me.

 Crassus wanted to talk with Orion and isolated themselves. Sitting down, Orion suggested that he play the strategy game while chatting.

 Crassus was an excellent player but he was still crushed by Orion. His many defeats showed him what an incredible strategist Orion was so his interest in him only increased.

 he made him an offer to buy his two new paintings but Orion told him that they were not for sale, they were gifts for the girls.

 However, this first proposal was a facade because Crassus offered Orion to return with him to Rome to be in his service.

 He promised to make him a true Roman citizen and to pay him handsomely as well as give him land if he agreed to follow him to serve the interests of his house.

 Orion refused but offered Crassus a bet on his match tomorrow. If he loses then Salma will give him the recipe for Venus' blood, however, if he wins then Crassus should spend whatever it takes for Theokoles' freedom and settle his emancipation within hours of the match.

 Crassus was amused at first before his face was paralyzed with shock. He was a man of sharp wit and knew that the man before him was not lying to him.

 Crassus: This divine wine...are you the maker?!

 " SO ? Interested ?" Orion asked with a calculating smile.

 Crassus accepted the deal because he had practically nothing to lose in this deal knowing that the next day's games will be sacrificial whatever happens, if Orion were to win then Theokoles would have to die.

 [Back to present]

 Crassus watched them leave the center of the arena and whispered again

 "Beautiful, intelligent, strong and above all blessed by the gods!! If he were to serve the name of Crassus then my house would rise to the pantheon of the gods themselves, especially if he had a military career."

 Before also leaving, congratulating Batiatus and promising to use his services in the future.

 Orion for his part found Crassus who promised him to buy his freedom and settle his emancipation the same day, the documents will be in the hands of Batiatus.

 He also proposed a new, much more generous offer to Orion but he refused once again.

 Crassus was a businessman and if he saw something that could prove extremely profitable then he would do anything to grab it.

He watched Orion leave, swearing to himself that sooner or later he would have this boy at his feet.

 Batiatus and his gladiators all returned to the ludus under the celebrations of the crowd who literally worshiped Orion, some even tried to touch him because they thought the gods walked with him others even believed he was a demigod.

 Once at the ludus, the other gladiators having heard of what had happened welcomed Orion and the others with great joy, the rain had come and for them it was thanks to Orion.

 They almost all greeted him as if he were a messiah but when they saw the giant who was leaning on Orion helped by Spartacus, they all fell silent.

 Orion ignored them all while taking Theokoles to the infirmary, Medicus seeing Orion bringing back a stranger wanted to protest but looking at Orion's cold eyes, he just stepped aside to let them pass and settle him to hurt him .

 "Take out all the tools and medical supplies you have." he asked coldly and Medicus quickly complied.

Orion began to treat the wounds and cuts of Theokoles who had remained silent all this time ignoring even his pain.

 " How can I help you ?" Salma who was in the room asked wanting to be helpful.

 Orion: Go get me a blanket and some water, he's lost a lot of blood and will be cold if he isn't already.

 She ran away and Theokoles seeing how Orion was concerned about his condition looked at him saying

 "You don't have to do all this, Theokoles has already had several injuries worse than these cuts. It's not much and it always heals in the end."

 Orion: I already told you, you are no longer alone! You're my friend now and what's more, it's me who ripped you off like that!

 Theokoles: Hmph! Very light cuts which could only weaken Theokoles, not kill him.

 "If I had wanted to kill you, it would only have taken me two to three seconds and if I wanted to prolong the pleasure I only had to cut your tendons one by one to paralyze you then kill you. I could have done this hundreds of times during this fight." Orion said mockingly.

 Salma came back with the blanket and the water, they cleaned the giant and covered him. Orion introduced him to Salma and they continued to talk until Salma left and then he was left alone with Orion.

 Theokoles: Theokoles has never fought someone as fast as you! How strong are you?!

 Orion: I told you, enough to knock you down in two seconds. (he smiled) !

 Theokoles: In the arena, you said that Theokoles was the child of an ancient king of Sparta! Where is it ?! Do you know Theokoles' father?!

 Orion: Sparta is the city I grew up in, a state in decline. I don't know your father but mine certainly did. Wait, why have you been talking about yourself in the third person for a while?!

 Theokoles: Theokoles feels like a stranger to himself right now! You brought back certain memories, including that of his mother.

 Orion: What was your mother like ? I didn't know mine. 

 They stayed talking until Theokoles fell asleep. Orion left him to rest but on his way out he met Oenomaus who seemed to be waiting for him.

 "Congratulations on your victory Orion!"

 Orion: Doctore !

 Oenomaus: Will the shadow survive ?

 Orion: You hope not ? I saw the way you looked at him. 

 Oenomaus: You misunderstand my expectations! The shadow was an adversary who took me to the edge of death and who for some reason let me live! If I want to take my revenge then it will be in an arena, you have confused my thirst for combat with a desire for murder.

 Orion: Then I beg your pardon!

 Oenomaus: It's nothing, I understand you. Dominus was looking for you, you made his mood even better! Since you arrived here the house of Batiatus has prospered like never before.

 "Then I'll go see him. If you're so hungry for combat then prepare two training swords and be ready to take a beating" he said as he left while Oenomaus remained smiling.

 In the villa, Orion entered and was guided as always by the slaves towards Batiatus who was kissing his wife Lucretia.

 As soon as he saw Orion, he rushed towards him to take him in his arms.

 Batiatus: Ah! Here is the man who made the house of Batiatus prosper like none of them ever did! You don't even suspect the success we have now that even the gods have shown their kindness to you by bringing us rain.

 The richest and noblest families will pay fortunes to see you fight. Wealthy women will come crawling for your massages or spreading their thighs for you and even Marcus Crassus plans to support our ludus for primus in Rome! Rome!!

 Orion: Where are Theokoles' emancipation documents ? Crassus told me they will be with you!

 Batiatus: Oh yes! He left them when he left for Sextus' villa after having bought back The Shadow. Hey, here they are! (he handed over the documents) Tomorrow I'm going to organize a big party in your honor and that of this ludus! Our names will be written in the legends.

 Orion: You will do this without me !! I'm taking Theokoles to my place so that he can rest properly and enjoy his freedom, I will stay there for a few days, a week at most.

 Lucretia: Orion why are you-(interrupted)

 "I was speaking to your husband, madam! Good night !" he said as he left leaving the couple completely dazed.

 Lucretia: His insolence has no limits, he is worse than the Thracian !

 Batiatus: His insolence is worthy of one who resembles the gods, who has their skill and their favor. Orion brought rain to Capua and his insolence was always accompanied by extraordinary things. Let's ignore his fault and pay attention to the money he puts in our pockets.

 Orion went out and found Sura talking with Spartacus, when she saw him, Sura went straight to face him.

 "My love, that's not necessary. Stop! »

 Spartacus tried to hold her back but to no avail, she looked Orion in the eyes.

 "My husband told me what happened in the arena when the lanista ordered him to kill this man you decided to spare. Were you really going to kill ##*##?! " She asked. 

 Orion: If he had raised his sword against me then your husband would have died by then. I would have killed him without the slightest hesitation!

 *Slap*

 Sura slapped him on the cheek and Spartacus tried to intervene but Orion signaled him to calm down.

 Sura: You know what I went through when we were separated, despair, pain and sorrow were all I was away from his arms but I found him! You would have killed him just like that?! For a stranger ?

 Orion: I'll let it slide for the slap, it will be the first and last time. I acted towards your husband as I would have acted towards anyone who wanted to hurt you when I bought you back months ago, remember that?! (Sura looked down). 

 Your despair, your pain, your sorrow and the illness that was ravaging you, I did what was in my power to get rid of it as best I could. I found your husband and I reunited you both but apparently the roses of love made you forget your recent experience and who your benefactor is. 

 Spartacus: Orion what you have done for us, never in this life my friend could we repay you and we are grateful to you! Sura just-(interrupted)

 Orion: It's to your wife that I have raised from the mire of slavery, from pain and illness to whom I speak , it is Sura who has directed her anger towards me, not you.

 Sura: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...(She wanted to touch Orion's cheek in the same place where she hit him but he held her hand back)

 Orion: Theokoles is like you were before, hurt, alone and sad but unlike you, he has been for most of his life. I promised him that he will never be alone again so I will help him like I helped you…there was a time.

 He went straight to his dressing room where he found Salma sitting on the bed with a dark face of anger.

 Orion: You saw everything, didn't you? Why is it colder here ?

 "AFTER EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR Her ?! FOR US !! YOU GAVE US EVERYTHING AND SHE…(interrupted)

 Orion: It doesn't matter anymore! I did what I promised her and she is with her husband now, the rest doesn't really interest me anymore. I learned my lesson.

 Salma came closer to him touching his face, tears flowed from her eyes for him and they started kissing and making love. They went to take a bath afterwards and fell asleep while the rain was still falling outside.

 The next day, Zena accompanied by Demiclas on the cart brought food. Orion left the food for Spartacus and Varro before leaving with them, Salma and Theokoles whom they installed in the cart.

 Sura had not come, she had not appeared before them since their last confrontation, Spartacus wanted to talk to Orion about it but he didn't even know what to tell him.

 Orion told them that he will be gone for the entire week and that they are free from their training, they were free to join the same regime as the others now.

 Spartacus felt strange hearing that Orion wasn't going to train them anymore, he thought it had something to do with what happened the day before but in reality, Orion really thought they were already strong enough to continue to develop their potential without him from now on