chapter 19 : Early retirement

Orion returned to the ludus to find the others training. When he arrived, the gladiators stopped to look at him.

 Of all the looks, the most admiring was that of Segovax who had boundless admiration for Orion.

 He ignored them all, Sura also wanted to move towards him but a murderous look from Salma dissuaded him.

 Over a month ago they had a 'small' discussion about what Sura had done to Orion and they fought.

 Salma won this fight boosted by her anger and promised Sura to kill her the day she dared to speak to Orion.

 This threat was more than serious.

 They went to Orion's dressing room to rest lying on the bed, Salma who had her head resting on Orion's chest started talking to him.

 Salma: Did you really foresee what was going to happen with your friend Marius?!

 Orion: Honestly ? Yes, almost to the smallest detail.

 Salma: Still, he really meant what he said!

 Orion: I know! It's human nature!

 "So I'm not human, Apollos and the others are not, unlike Sura and Marius. We will always be faithful to you! If being human means being ungrateful then we will never be human." she said turning around on him.

 Orion: So what will you be from now on?!

 Salma: I heard you complain one day about the nickname we gave you, that Orion was the name of a constellation and not a star! Let us be the stars that will compose your constellation.

 For a moment, Orion had something of a revelation. The constellation which bears the same name as him had eight stars brighter than the others and which made it possible to quickly identify him. A similar number to his men now: Salma, Apollos, Demiclas, Stratos, Ajax, Vayline, Theokoles and finally Zena!

 Orion: Salma ?

 Salma: hmmm?!

 Orion: Thank you.

 Hearing this word, Salma started crying before they started kissing and undressing each other. Orion, after undressing her, directly penetrated her and seeing that Salma was on top of him, she stood up to start riding him.

 Salma's moans could be heard outside but the gladiators weren't even bothered by them anymore because they were used to it by now.

 In the villa Batiatus was informed of Orion's arrival and began to become agitated, tonight was the fifteenth birthday of Numerius the son of the magistrate Titus Calavius. He is going to wear the Toga Virilis to become a man so to celebrate, the magistrate asked Batiatus to organize a demonstration fight.

 The magistrate's son had never seen Orion fight seriously so the magistrate wanted the latter to take part in the demonstration but Orion was absent.

 As a substitute, they prepared a fight between Spartacus and Crixus.

 During Orion's absence, Ilithya and her friends had come to the ludus hoping to see Orion but he was not there so to embarrass Ilithya, Licinia requested that Spartacus be introduced to them.

 He had become a great star of this ludus and his combat strength had been recognized as the best below Orion and slightly above those of Varro and Crixus.

 The girls began to ask Spartacus questions about Orion who meekly answered until Licinia asked Spartacus details about his life and how he came to Rome as a slave.

 Spartacus told everything, especially without forgetting the passage of the treachery and cowardice of Glaber who left innocent and allied Thracian villages to be attacked by the barbarians in order to get involved in a war that was not his, this which caused a rebellion in the auxiliary troops where Spartacus was fighting. Hate, frustration and anger were visible in his eyes.

 The girls started to make fun of Ilithya who was looking at Spartacus with murderous desires.

Since that day, knowing that she could not reach Spartacus directly because of Orion, she decided to attack someone dear to Spartacus.

 On the evening of Orion's arrival, Numerius' birthday reception was being prepared. Orion came out of his dressing room to go speak to Batiatus when he saw a scene that greatly irritated him.

 One of the villa's guards was mistreating a slave girl by calling her a thief. Orion intervened and calmly asked the guard who had his back to him to stop and explain the situation.

 The guard turned around and looked at Orion with shivers.

All the ludus guards know that Orion was not someone to be looked down upon, he could kill them without batting an eyelid and would hardly be punished for it.

 Orion: What did she steal from you ?

 The guard: I…I don't owe you an account…

 Orion calmly moved closer and pushed the girl aside. Seeing that things were going to get out of hand, the guard changed his tune.

 "She didn't steal anything of value from me!"

 Orion: And that's why you hit her?! Do you have proof of what you accuse him of?!

 "No, but she's just a dirty slave and a thief! I'm sure that bitch...(interrupted)"

 Orion delivered a targeted punch just below the left ear, the guard's jaw was dislocated immediately.

 " What is your name ?! » Orion asked the girl who replied "Mira."

 Orion: Did you steal from that fool?!

 Mira: No my Lord, please believe me!

 Orion asked her to leave as she stared at him intently.

He came back to the guard, put his jaw back in place before asking him to look for what was stolen from him before accusing anyone.

 He went to meet Batiatus who started to complain about his absence for several days but Orion didn't care.

Batiatus told him everything he missed in their affairs and the reception that there will be this evening for Numerius.

 He asked Orion to fight but Orion refused, saying he wasn't in the mood to make a spectacle of himself for a stupid kid but was going to attend the party anyway.

 Batiatus Was very upset but said nothing and was content with the presence of his champion. Even if he didn't fight, Orion by his simple presence could attract a crowd.

 They separated and Orion went to eat then change, he wore a magnificent black toga and came with Salma who wore a light and sexy black dress.

 When they arrived, the guests noticed them pretty quickly, many knew who Orion was but more of them didn't know who Salma was.

 Ilithya was with Lucretia and Aemilia, when they saw Orion they were delighted but as soon as they noticed the beautiful Salma, they couldn't help but take a deep breath.

 Salma was beautiful and forced the gaze on her but just like Orion, she ignored all those stares and stood in a corner with Orion and it only took a few seconds before many people approached them.

 The women were the first to approach them, Aemilia hastened to come and greet Orion.

 Aemilia: Orion, my heart is dying for your absence.

 Orion: It's been a long time, Lady Aemilia! How is your husband?!

 "He is doing very well." she said embarrassedly then looked at Salma.

 "This woman is your friend?!" 

 she asked as Salma gritted her teeth waiting for Orion's response, she knew she was just his devoted servant but even though she was in love with him she had no illusions.

 Yet, somehow even if it was for a facade in front of these people, she hoped for something else.

 Orion looked at Aemilia and grabbed Salma's hand.

 Orion: She is not only my friend but also my best friend and my future wife if she and the gods want it.

 Salma:... 

 Aemilia: Your future wife?! So you are still single! Why refuse to offer pleasure to women of higher ranks ? Why hurt so many hearts that love you ? 

 Orion: Because unlike me who is single, you are no longer! Sleeping with married women is taboo for me! [This intergalactic lie !!].

 "But I'm not married yet. " Another voice was heard from the side and Orion rolled his eyes because that voice was Seppia's.

 Aemilia: Seppia! Your beauty is maturing day by day!

 Seppia: stop these useless compliments! Does my cousin know that you are here flirting with the divine champion of Capua ? Sextus's trip to Rome seems to suit you!

 Aemilia sniffed before leaving and Seppia with a big smile approached Orion but Salma anticipated his maneuver and asked Orion if they could go see the other gladiators.

 They left, leaving poor Seppia who looked at Salma with a murderous expression.

 The other ludus gladiators were lined up and normally Orion would have lined up with them. When the other gladiators saw him, he winked at them and they held back their smiles.

He moved closer to Spartacus, Varro and Crixus who were lined up together.

 "Spartacus and Crixus, I wish you good luck in your fight. By the way, the winner will be the new champion of this ludus, I'm tired of my short life as a gladiator so I'm going to retire tonight and I'll leave the Republic at dawn." he signaled them not to say anything by putting his finger in front of his mouth.

 The three were shocked, Orion was by far the most exceptional fighter the gods could have crafted, a perfect gladiator whose strength and charisma were matched only by his beauty.

 However, after making this ludus the height of prestige throughout the Republic in less than a year, he decides to leave everything. 

 He left them to go to the buffet with Salma and while he was munching on olives, people came closer to them, again.

They were Batiatus, Titus Calavius, his wife and his son Numerius.

 "Here is the champion of Capua! Even outside the arena he exudes a divine presence" Batiatus said showing Orion to the young Numerius looked at him with shock.

He had seen Orion fight several times before but they had never been introduced to him.

 Titus: Praise the gods! You are here Orion, you will be able to fight in honor of my son Numerius and demonstrate your talents to us.

 Orion: No thank you, frankly I don't have the slightest desire and anyway gladiators have already been chosen for that!

 Numerius: You refuse the honor of fighting for me?!

 Orion: How would it be an honor to fight for a despicable brat who has yet to achieve anything and can boast of his father's fortune or his noble birth ?

 Titus: YOU INSULT MY SON ?! YOU'LL CRUCIFIED FOR THIS!

 "Alright, I'm going to wait for my crucifixion here and kill every person you-(Interrupted)"

 Batiatus: Magistrate please excuse this idiot, he certainly overindulged in wine. Go and settle in, the fight that will honor your son will begin soon.

 They left after complaining and expressing their frustration with Orion.

 "You are speaking to a magistrate Orion. Don't forget what your place is, gladiator." 

 Orion: Speaking of that, I have something to tell you on the subject.

 Batiatus: Say what you have to say, you just offended the magistrate with that same mouth so what's the worst you could say to me ?

 Orion: I'm going to retire as a gladiator! I'm leaving this ludus! I'm going with Salma to see the world and its wonders! (LoL)

 Batiatus started laughing out loud thinking it was Orion's joke but when he saw Orion's face remained unmoved, he realized it was serious.

 He blocked his laughter to make a long silence before his face took on a serious look.

 Orion: You should go give the signal for your fight, the guests are starting to get bored.

 Batiatus: You're kidding me, right?! You want to destroy everything we built for...

 Orion: WE didn't build anything! I built it all! This ludus wasn't worth much when I arrived and today he's the best in this whole damn republic. Moreover, I have fulfilled my part of our bargain, I have brought you gold and prestige.

 Batiatus: You know very well that if you leave I will have nothing left !! You have no right to take all that away from me!

 Orion: In my opinion it's you who has no right to hold me against my will, I'm not one of your damned slaves, Batiatus ! Plus I left you some gifts, don't forget Spartacus and Varro who I trained. With Crixus, these three will make your fortune if you treat them well and prevent them from dying.

 Batiatus: Don't do that...we can renegotiate. 

 Orion: Remember, you have to treat them well so they will give the best of themselves and if they have to fight each other then make sure they don't kill each other! Now go and give the demonstration signal to distract this little idiot.

 He went elsewhere without letting Batiatus speak and the latter went to start announcing the fight.

 Batiatus: Dear guests, it is with a heavy heart that I stand before you this evening! An event which will even mark the nature of this evening's demonstration. Orion, the current champion of House Batiatus, the living god of gladiators has decided to retire from the arena and leave the republic.

 *Outcry*

 People began to murmur while being shocked at the news, especially the women. Orion was an exceptional person who had quickly won the hearts of the crowd and become the subject of obsession of many of the nobles present.

 Knowing that he was going to leave the republic and that they may never send him back, they asked Orion for an explanation but he only said one thing.

 "I'm leaving because I want to, period" (ayo 🤣) 

 This statement only added fuel to the fire but Batiatus began to calm the crowd again, some women even began to cry.

 Batiatus: Remain calm noble guests, this decision of Orion is legitimate! A free man has this same freedom in his choices. But rejoice, tonight's demonstration will give House Batiatus its new champion. The planned duel will be a three-way fight.

 " At three ?!" 

 " This is unheard of !" 

 "Orion shouldn't be a free man! He belongs to us " 

 "Someone hold him back. Offer him money or women" 

 Batiatus sighed and Salma behind Orion smiled in amusement.

 Batiatus: Spartacus, Crixus and Varro, ADVANCE. 

 The three were equipped with their weapons and moved forward under the leadership of Oenomaus.

Spartacus had two swords, Crixus and Varro were equipped in the same way, a round steel shield and a sword.

 "Fight well and honor this ludus" Doctore said as the three men took their guards.

 Ilithya was extremely upset by this turn of events, during Numerius' bath she had offered herself to him in order to influence his mind. The kid had to replace Crixus with Varro and that at the end of the fight, if Spartacus won, he would have asked that Varro die like in the arena.

 However, now that the fight was going to be a three way fight, this little jerk was now full of hype for this one completely forgetting about Ilithya and her attempt.

 Batiatus: FIGHT!!

 The fight started immediately and it was Crixus who was the most aggressive because the possibility of regaining his title gave him more enthusiasm.

 Spartacus and Varro were both quite calm but in their eyes burned an unwavering determination, that of regaining the title possessed by the one who trained them and revealed their potential.

 Spartacus deflected an attack from Crixus and tried a counterattack but Varro took the initiative and sent Crixus to the ground but just as he was about to attack the Gaul, Spartacus kicked him which sent him roll on the ground.

 They resumed their separations and observed each other. Varro smirked before dashing towards Crixus with a footwork that Orion had taught him, Spartacus knew what Varro was going to do as both acquired the same techniques from Orion's teachings but not Crixus.

 Varro came in Zigzag and Crixus sent a diagonal attack that Varro had planned. He dodged it and made a slash near Crixus' ribs (the same wound made to Spartacus in the series).

 An angry Crixus sent an attack backwards but once again Varro blocked it and struck his face with the edge of his shield. Disoriented Crixus fell to his knees on the ground with blood in his mouth.

 Varro wanted to knock him out with a knee in his face but Spartacus charged at him with a series of sword attacks that Varro blocked and dodged.

Unfortunately for him, even though they had the same techniques, Spartacus' speed and instinct were still above his own.

 He ended up being injured in the thigh and shoulder, however, he was waiting for an opportunity for a perfect riposte.

Crixus returned to attack but the two worked together to knock him out once and for all. He was strong but Spartacus and Varro had maneuvers he didn't know.

 Crixus off, Varro and Spartacus circled around to observe the opponent and they charged towards each other.

The fight resumed and the two took turns attacking each other. Varro put pressure on Spartacus with his superior physical strength and even managed to wound Spartacus in the chest, and deprive him of one of his swords.

 They resumed the fight with great intensity and injured each other, Varro had the advantage of physical strength and had confidence in himself.

 Seeing his opponent at a disadvantage, Varro immediately sent a direct blow with the tip of his sword but Spartacus deflected it before sending him an elbow to the jaw followed by a projection to the ground.

 The tip of Spartacus's sword was just above Varro's chest, the roman made the sign of the missio to give up the fight.

Now, Spartacus was officially the new champion of House Batiatus

 His victory acquired, he looked out of breath in the direction of Orion but he was no longer there with Salma.

He sighed heavily and Batiatus without even waiting for Numerius' verdict declared Spartacus Victor by sending Varro who was smiling and Crixus whose face was filled with rage to the ludus doctor.

 Batiatus: Please welcome the new champion of House Batiatus who, like Varro, followed the training of Orion, the god of gladiators.

 They cheered for Spartacus despite their still-present frustration at Orion's departure. Orion knew Spartacus was going to win this fight and was long gone.

He didn't want to sleep in the ludus enclosure for fear that someone would bother him to keep him so he took some things.

 He also left something in Oenomaus' room, hidden in the cabinet next to which Oenomaus prayed in memory of his dead wife.

 As he was leaving with Salma, she asked him.

 "Orion, were you serious in what you said ?" 

 Orion immediately knew what she was talking about and gave her a smile!

 Orion: It was the truth! If you want, later you will be my wife. There are few people I can trust and you are one of them. I will make you strong, stronger than you are now and you will be a goddess among women.

 Salma, completely red, kissed him and they left the ludus enclosure without warning anyone.

They rented a room in an inn in the city and once again, they made love before each falling asleep with a dagger near them just in case.