32 chapter 32 : A New Journey

Orion, his men and the rebels returned to Baiae. The celestials there welcomed their brothers with great joy, none of them had been killed in battle and seeing them reunite, embrace and laugh together was a deep joy in Orion's heart.

 Each of his men was precious, extremely valuable and he would never commit to a plan where his men would not have maximum security.

He'll always put all his physical and mental resources into play so that each of them returns home to their loved ones, it was his role as leader.

 The celestials who returned from the battle at Sinuessa excitedly told their brothers and sisters about the battle, took care not to miss any details of their struggle, and even warmly congratulated the former slaves who had fought very well against Rome.

 Two days later, the deceased former slaves who had been brought back were each cremated under the tears of their loved ones and the celestials came to pay them the homage and respect they owed to comrades who died in battle.

 They may not have been celestials but they fought together. They were brothers in arms and fallen heroes.

 As Orion stood there watching the bodies go up in flames, Spartacus came near him to speak.

 Spartacus: I have sought your meeting since we left Sinuessa but only now do I have the opportunity to speak with you. Thank you so much for saving us once again, Sura and I owe you so much and we will never have the opportunity to repay you. Thank you also for welcoming us to your city, with what happened in Sinuessa I will understand that-(interrupted)

 Orion: Thanks are enough, no need to look back. The time has come to respect the dead Spartacus, among the rebels you have lost many more people compared to our meager losses, go, console your men, that they take courage and live free for those who fell for this freedom.

 Spartacus: I understand and I intend to do it. Things would have been truly a nightmare without you and yours, Crassus surprised us horribly and it-(interrupted)

 Orion: You would all have died there.

 Spartacus:…

 Orion: Crassus would have won, the vast majority of you would have been killed and the rest crucified as an example to crush any desire for freedom among the slaves of the republic. He would have personally killed you, your wife, your friends, Oenomaus and the others would be on a cross now for the glory of Rome.

 Spartacus: It's really scary, it could have been total hell but you saved us and we won.

 Orion: However, everything is not over yet, Rome is a wounded wolf that must be tamed now. If we let him go or rest from his wounds, he will learn and hit better next time.

 Spartacus: So what should we do now?!

 Orion: Show the wolf that breaking its paw is nothing but that we can hit it with an arrow at any time. Thus, the wolf will keep its distance and be afraid every time it sees us, giving it a permanent fear of what we are capable of doing to it whenever we want and where we want. I already have a plan for that. You and your men can stay here as long as you want.

 Spartacus: Is there anything I can do?! We can help too.

 "Nah, my men and I will handle this calmly. You and your men have your wounds to heal." Orion said as he left as Spartacus watched him leave with complex emotions.

Orion had done so much for him but he in return had no use in his savior's plans.

 Much later, Salma was drinking with the other lieutenants except Vayline who was pregnant. They laughed and enjoyed each other's presence after sincerely honoring the former slaves who died in battle to challenge Rome.

 Laughter and jokes reigned when a person was invited among them, it was Sura.

 Aside from Theokoles and Galatea , Orion's other lieutenants and Zena who was also there knew Sura from their early days with Orion and knew what had happened. As soon as they saw her, the festive atmosphere stopped.

 Sura, embarrassed, greeted her former comrades who only responded with a nod.

 -awkward moment of silence-

 Salma: What do you want ?

 Sura: I just wanted to see you again, there was a time when we were like brothers and sisters. I also wanted to speak to you privately Salma, please.

 Salma sniffed before following her.

 Ajax: The atmosphere has become quite weird!! It felt like that moment when you go to relieve yourself and...

 The poor guy couldn't even finish his sentence when his wife Vayline hit him on the head, asking him to shut up under the mocking looks of Demiclas who was holding back his laughter because of what his friend was going to say.

 Galatea approached Apollos and asked why the situation had become so bizarre and he began to tell the girl who Sura was, how Orion had saved, healed and then trained him with their help.

He also told her how she had dared to slap Orion who had defended their brother Theokoles against Spartacus and Crixus.

 He explained everything to her in detail before seeing the young Greek's face turn red with rage.

 "This bitch dared to lay a hand on my precious big brother after everything he did for her and her husband?! When I think that she could have been one of us it disgusts me." she said as anger rose within her.

 Stratos: It was a long time ago! I'm sure Orion forgot about this matter quicker than you think.

 Galatea : Yes, he is like that but not me. If I had been there I would have killed that bitch.

 Stratos: That's why we haven't forgotten, we swore to ourselves never to tolerate this again even if some did worse afterwards. (he looked at Apollos with deep anger like the others).

 Apollos: I myself am terribly angry with myself for what I did. Even if it was an accident with Salma, it was all my fault -(interrupted)

 Theokoles: It's not about that but about what happened days later after he was informed . YOU DARED TO RAISE YOUR SWORD AGAINST HIM ! 

 Demiclas: What you did was unforgivable my brother. Orion left you in Crete for good reasons but you took everything personally and threatened him with your gun.

 Ajax: Good thing he kicked your ass in less than a second otherwise I would have ended up doing it even if you're a little stronger than me.

 Apollos:...I know what I did and you have no idea how much it tore me up when I woke up later. I even thought about leaving but I couldn't.

 Vayline: Why did you stay then ?

 Apollos: I would have missed him. I would have missed Orion, this kid saved me and he gave me so much after Sparta my own homeland betrayed me and my companions (Stratos and Demiclas bowed their heads). Each of you is a part of me and him even more, my new homeland is the celestials and Orion is the lord I have decided to follow. Now I have to give everything I can to make amends with him.

 Vayline: Good luck.

 Ajax: It's okay darling, he realized his mistake.

 Vayline: You Shut up, you want me to tell Orion how you and Demiclas threw this little party with the rest of the shipment of Venus' blood ?

 Ajax: My love, I-(interrupteur) 

 Vayline: Shut up, sneaky husband.

 Ajax: But…

 Demiclas: Vayline, this pregnancy is making you too fierce. Besides, how is it going ?

 Vayline: Don't try to change the subject. Between you and this idiot husband that I love, I don't even know who has a worse influence on the other.

 Ajax: Baby, what I wanted to tell you is that the boss also participated in the party.

 Demiclas: Yes it's true, he surprised us with the others before joining us.

 Galatea : Ahhhh this party!! I remember it now, it was at this same party that Theokoles vomited into the famous empty wine jug ahahah.

 Demiclas: The same jug from which Stratos wanted to help himself ahahah!

 Stratos: It was MY favorite pitcher, I remind you.

 The others: Ahahahahah.

 -A few moments before –

 "What you have to say, say it quickly because I have to return to the others." Salma said coldly to Sura as she stood in front of her casually.

 Sura: I wanted to thank you for saving my life during the battle, you didn't have to do that after what happened between us but you did it anyway. I'm glad that my life still has value for you and maybe even a remnant of friendship.

 Salma: It seems that my gesture was misinterpreted.

 Sura:…

 Salma: What I did was only sever what linked you to us, even hatred is a bond between two people and I wanted to cut the slightest link between you, me and Orion. You wanted to live your life and that's what he gave you and what he did for each of us. I chose to walk alongside him and you chose yours. You had a life before meeting us, it was legitimate for you to return to it and you made him understand that in your own way.

 Sura: Salma I…(interrupted)

 Salma: STOP trying to get close to him again. Orion is far too kind to cruelly repel those who do it, but I will be for him and the others as well. For all his strength and the amazing things he does all the time, Orion is more sensitive than we think, we even tend to forget that he is much younger than us but he is. I prefer to tell you one last time, there is nothing left between you, Orion and us so stop trying.

 Sura: I understand but I can't.

 "Then I will rectify my actions and kill you here and now!" Salma slowly took out her sword, she was going to cut Sura's neck when a hand stopped her movement, it was Orion.

 "No need to get to that, my dear, I'm here." he said taking Salma in his arms before calmly looking at Sura smiling.

He had the same smile he had when he saved and healed them, even in the night, Sura could make out that smile.

 Orion: Sura.

 Sura: What I did, what I said...

 Orion: Salma is right, you must forget what happened between us and then continue on your way and we on ours. Your life with your husband is what you wanted above all else and it is what I swore to give you back. You are happy now that you have what you wanted so leave the past behind you and stop clinging to it, each of those I saved chose their path and it is final. Now, there is nothing left between us and you must forget your time with us to return to your life with the one you love.

 They then left leaving Sura in a state of reflection before tears streamed down her cheeks. Orion and Salma didn't hate her but it was worse, they had cut all ties with her while continuing to evolve into something she was never going to belong to and that was worse than being hated because even hatred was proof of your existence to someone.

 Orion was returning from a little drinking session with a group of celestials that he had found and with whom he had started the evening to get closer to his men.

After speaking with Sura, he returned with Salma to his gang with whom they started laughing and drinking while telling each other friendly bullshit.

 After days, the news of Crassus' death and the defeat of his army became known throughout Rome, which was deeply shocked.

 Crassus was by far the richest man in the republic and one of its most powerful men.

 The army he had gathered despite a crisis situation was no joke and was very powerful but yet he had died in the battle to put an end to the rebellion just like his son.

 Soldiers who managed to escape the city after being interrogated were executed for desertion or declared fugitives.

However, Through their reports they understood what was the cause of the shocking failure of Marcus Crassus, the celestials.

 Exactly 13 days after the Battle of Sinuessa, in Rome in the Senate building, several men in white and red togas were speaking at the same time trying to make themselves heard better than the others in a cacophony that only the gods could endure.

 Senator ???? : We must recall Pompey to face Orion and Spartacus!!!!

 Senator ???? : AND WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF THE RENEGATE SERTORIUS ? YOU ?! STOP TELLING YOUR SUPPORT.

 S. Metellus: Stop your useless bickering, we are faced with a problem which risks putting the republic in total ruin. Perhaps it is time to seriously negotiate with those who oppose us.

 Senator ???? : YOU ARE CRAZY!! ORION LIKE SPARTACUS IS A SAVAGE, IT'S SAYED THAT HE KILLS WOMEN AND CHILDREN AFTER RAPING THEM FOR DAYS AND THAT HIS MEN ARE REAL DEMONS. HE RELEASED THE ROMANS WHO LIVED UNDER HIS CAPTIVITY BUT THIS WAS ONLY A FACE TO PREPARE HIS NEXT PLAN AGAINST THE REPUBLIC.

 "Are you sure you want to uphold these accusations while taking responsibility and proof ?" A clear and very clear voice resonated, putting an end to the sound disorder in the room.

 All the senators looked towards the direction of the entrance to the room to see a very handsome young man with dark skin and long wavy hair, it was Orion and the few senators who knew him or knew the little about what he was capable of began to fear.

 "How did he get here ?!" 

 "Where are the many soldiers who are supposed to protect us ?!" 

 "Who are you ?!" 

 These were the questions that crossed the minds of the poor senators. Orion quietly approached the senator who had made the accusations and asked again.

 "Will you bear or not responsibility for your words, insults and accusation without evidence, Mr. Senator?! "

 Senator ??? : Y-You…!! GUAAAARDS!

 Orion: No need to shout at them senator, your men are dead now. Hurry up and answer my question if you don't want to join them.

 Senator ??? : I… I'm sorry, nothing I said is proven. Don't kill me, I'll tell you... *RKLARGH*

 A small dagger thrown by Orion lodged in his throat and he died after some agony before the horrified looks of his counterparts.

 "Sorry, he had to die for what he said, if I hadn't killed him you see it would have been really unfair to those whose lives I took for the same reasons. I don't tolerate people talking shit about my men without proof, gentlemen. Understood ?!" Orion said picking up the dagger before wiping the blood on his latest victim's toga.

 The other senators nodded to answer his question before he continued.

 Orion: Senator Metellus, it's been a long time since we last saw each other. I really liked what you said earlier and that's precisely why I'm here, to negotiate and not kill.

 S. Metellus: Let's get straight to the point Orion. What do you want ?

 "Very well, firstly and this is non-negotiable, I want Sicily where my men and the rebels can live in peace.

 Secondly and this is also non-negotiable, an abolition of slavery on Roman soil. You will be able to hire labor for their work in exchange for income.

 We do not intend to bring down the republic, my Instinct tells me that Rome has its heritage to bring to the world.

 The republic will be able to continue its expansion but there is no question that the vanquished peoples will be your slaves. Submissive yes but not enslaved, they will be the provinces of what will tomorrow be an empire but if you mistreat these people then they will end up turning against you, all at the same time then Rome will end up devoured.

 Then, from Sicily, we will form a purely commercial relationship with the republic through Baiae or Naples, I understand that a good number of you are lovers of the blood of Venus, we will supply it.

 Respect my conditions and nothing bad I swear will come to you from us but try to take us for fools and every one of you in this room will be killed like the rest of your family who will disappear with your name.

 No need to hide anyone anywhere, our information network is larger than you imagine and what's more you had proof today that we can infiltrate anywhere at any time .

 Do we have a deal ?! » Orion said calmly.

 Senators:…

 -Four years later in Sicily-

 Two children of about three years old were playing together in the courtyard of a small villa, the children were twins and they were having fun playing innocent and clumsy fighting games.

 "Orion, Talion come clean yourself. Your uncle and aunt are going to leave today and we have to say goodbye to them at the port. » a female voice rang out. It was Vayline who, leaving the villa, caught up with her two sons to take them inside.

 "These children are as agitated as their father, it's scary! » Another female voice came from the entrance to the portal.

 "Big sister Galatae!!" The two boys ran to her and she hugged them. In four years, Galatae had become a beautiful young woman in her early twenties.

 Thanks to her training, her body was toned just like Vayline's despite her two children whose appearance had not been degraded due to continued training.

 Vayline: Hi Gal, still pissed ?

 Galatae: Of course! I can't believe he's leaving without me, I can be useful to him in Egypt, I'm sure.

 Vayline: If he leaves you here it's because he knows that you'll be useful here.

 Galatae: hphmm!

 Vayline: You really need to find a boyfriend. Come help me prepare these two thugs, we must not be late to say goodbye to them.

 Orion and Salma were going to leave for Egypt today, several months ago he informed his men of his illness even though he didn't really know what he was suffering from.

He took decoctions to ease the symptoms but now had to go elsewhere to seek a cure for his illness and Egypt was his first destination.

 When his men learned of his illness, some of them almost went crazy. Their leaders during all this time when he had made them prosper abundantly on this land now theirs was sick and none of them had guessed anything, they were deeply ashamed and hurt.

 When he announced he was leaving for Egypt, his lieutenants all wanted to come with him but he refused.

Sicily, now their home, had become in four years a much more prosperous place than before.

 Their wheat production was excellent, their peaches were still good and the production of the blood of Venus resumed as did that of the blood of Vulcan.

 He had left the manufacturing secrets only to his lieutenants and they quickly learned to reproduce Orion's creations. Their brains had been hypnotized to learn quickly and it had its effect.

 Apollos, Demiclas, Stratos, Theokoles, Zena and Ajax were already there among the lieutenants as were all the other celestials gathered at the port to see their lord leave and find a cure for his illness.

Many wanted to accompany him but they could only stay there with trust in Orion.

 Spartacus and the rebels who were now living peacefully on parts of the island had been informed of this departure so he and some of his men also came but they could not get too close.

 In four years, the celestials had become much stronger because they continued to train, the young people in training had become full-fledged celestials and their commercial exchange with the republic brought them a lot of money. Attius, the Blacksmith had asked to be their exclusive Blacksmith and Orion accepted.

 Finally, Vayline, Galatea and the children arrived and the twins ignored their father to go straight into Orion's arms to the mocking laughter of the others towards Ajax.

 Talion: Uncle Orion, you're going to come back, right ?

 Orion: Of course champ and with gifts for you both.

 Orion #2: What are you going to see in gygypte ?!

 Orion: It's "Egypt", your aunt Salma and I are going on our wedding night to look for treasure.

 He stayed talking with his men without making a farewell speech because he planned to return faster than they thought.

Orion embarked with Salma in the ship of Theokoles who with his crew were responsible for their passage to the African empire.

 The celestials watched their lord leave with great sadness but also confidence. They feared nothing here and had plenty to defend themselves with. Their new city was even safer than Baiae and their port was extremely well guarded.

 Rome despite the return of Pompey left them in peace and respected their agreements, a large part of the newly freed slaves came to Sicily to be welcomed there on the side where Spartacus and the others live because the Romans and a large part of the Sicilian inhabitants had left their lands to reach the continent.

As Orion and Salma sailed, off the water there was the silhouette of a person walking on the surface of the sea and it was a woman.

The woman was extraordinarily beautiful with tanned skin and shared features with Orion, she was his mother. 

" We'll see each other again soon, my son..." She said with a sad expression before disappearing into a draught. 

 -A few months later-

 In the hot and grueling Egyptian desert, a man was traveling on his camel, he was in a hurry and under great stress.

As he approached a fairly sized village, the man was caught by three other pursuers.

 In a hurry, he took his bow and even on the back of a moving camel, he did not have too much problem reaching the three men with his arrows which killed them.

 Without wasting much time, he finally arrived at the village and ran at high speed towards his home.

 "AYA!! AYA!!" 

 the man shouted his wife's name in panic and when he entered their bedroom, he found his wife with their barely born baby boy in her arms.

He only looked at the two strangers in the room for a split second and went to hug his wife and son.

 ??? : I was so scared, thanks to the gods who helped you everything went well. Forgive me my love, I was delayed.

 Aya: The gods had nothing to do with it, it was these people who heard my cries of pain and came to help me bring our son into the world.

 The man turned in surprise to the two smiling strangers and thanked them for everything they had done.

 Of the two strangers, the man seemed to be in your early thirties and was incredibly handsome and the woman next to him was also very beautiful, he felt that these people were quite special people by his Instinct and he introduced himself.

 ??? : My name is Bayek from Siwa village and this is my wife Aya. May I know who are those who have brought help to my modest home?

 "No need to be so rigid, friend. My name is Orion and this is my wife Salma And she's in early pregnancy so I understand , we are travelers passing through this village and when we heard little howls of pain here we just helped a little." Orion said with a peaceful smile.

 Bayek: Please, my house is not big but it is comfortable. You can stay as long as you like during your time here and if you need help, I'll be there for you.

 Orion didn't know why but the presence of this man was exactly the same as that of his adopted little sister Galatea but a little more intense.

He gratefully accepted Bayek's hospitality and his Instinct told him that this man would play a role in discovering what he was looking for.

 -END of the book (or not)-

***Thank you sincerely to those who took their precious time to read this little story. My writing skills are lousy but I hope you enjoyed this story anyway. Once again, thank you. ***