Nothing is easy, nothing is impossible

Is it a characteristic of immortal life to perceive the passage of time less not realizing how it can slip away from our hands without being fully aware of it?

Although the desire to escape had been more vivid than ever Hanna and Sara understood that they could not stop lowering their heads anytime soon.

It was evening and they could finally rest after another tiring day, unaware that the answer to all their problems had arrived in the gym.

Laughter welcomed the dirty and battered new recruit. An injured and destroyed man stumbled on the steps at the entrance to the bathrooms, looking up he saw the gladiators peering at him with fun.

Some were naked, others, like him, wore a towel on the waist that gave a minimum of privacy.

"Don't tell me the Thracian dog is still alive!" A man with a sculpted physique and a presumptuous look welcomed him.

"Would it be him, the Spartacus that everyone talks about?" Another said that he was sitting comfortably on a wooden bench.

"Spartacus, but my name is not ...." the newcomer was unable to finish speaking that the first man interrupted him "Nobody cares who you were thracian!" Mocking.

"If that's why we don't even care who he is now!" The other joined him.

"Where are we?" Spartacus asked in an attempt to appease that bad humor.

"You are the guest of honor of Batiatus, owner of the largest gym in the city of Capua!" The first answered with pride. The other men present shouted the name of the city "Capua!" with joy and pride.

"Gym?" He asked confused. After escaping his execution for deserting the battlefield, where did he end up? "A school for gladiators, where men turn into gods!" The one who had welcomed him so warmly explained.

"Gladiators ...." Spartacus whispered that word with extreme contempt.

"The truest brotherhood!" The energetic continued. "Yeeah!" The others cheered.

“If you survive, in a few days you and the other recruits can join us gladiators and boast our brand!" The second was revealed.

"In the meantime, can we offer you something?" The first asked with sudden kindness.

"Water thank you!" Spartacus replied that he felt his throat dry.

"It is slow even in thought!" The usual arrogant man mocked him.

“What did you expect from a Thracian? They smell like rotten fish!” The second said, looking away with a disgusted expression.

"They're all like that, apart from the bitches ...... those stink of piss and dung!" This was too much and Spartacus faced him deciding to give him a name "And who would you be?" He asked angrily.

"I am the champion of Capua, the most heroic of my race: Crixus, the invincible gaul!" He replied with obvious haughtiness.

"A gaul, now I understand, why you stink like a female!" Spartacus provoked him. The silence became deafening and the tension palpable. Everyone waited for the sample's reaction with curiosity and trepidation.

He seemed to reflect carefully on the answer, before laughing "Now think about healing your wounds, then we will resume this speech!" He said finally.

Spartacus sighed nervously realizing that he had just found a hot head against which he would inevitably go to clash again.

The feeling of being observed made him turn around and was amazed to notice the presence of someone he should have noticed even before the gaul.

He was a tall and imposing man, blond hair framing his face and falling neatly on his shoulders.

They were long, a rare feature for a slave of the Romans, this because they had been cut to him even if they had originally been significantly shorter.

Observing him carefully he saw that, like everyone else, he was in perfect physical shape and he also wore a towel at the waist.

But the thing that struck him most were the ears ...... pointed that protruded from under that cascade of sea bream. His icy blue eyes peered at him making him suddenly feel very vulnerable, an unwelcome sensation that made him look back with ferocity.

A push broke that contact. Crixus approached his ear and warned him "You are crazier than I thought if you dare to look like that at the angel of death!".

Spartacus' only thought was "Who?".



*



"Drought and sultry are calamities! Nobody will help us, nobody will quench our thirst! I warm up, it's because of the heat ....” “If you keep singing your throat will dry out!” Sara said, interrupting that chant that had been going on for at least half an hour.

The girls were busy putting the closet back in place, dropping more things than they put it away!

“I'm just looking forward to seeing the new recruits! For a while the owner didn't buy them ......” Hanna was interrupted again “And he’s right! It is only thanks to Azrael that we are staying afloat, economically speaking!" Her friend pointed out.

“Hanna, Sara, the owner will start the conversation in moments!" called them Naevia.

Since Diona's death they had bonded much more with their new friend.

"Wish fulfilled!" Sara said first follow her friend full of enthusiasm.

They stopped the race as soon as they reached the balcony and saw six recruits lined up in the square below them.

As if he were reciting a script, the master repeated the same speech made when they had come to that house. Utter, did not lose a conjunction or changed a word. Boring!

Oenomaus walked slowly in front of the recruits, but despite the distance his voice came clear and powerful.

“A gladiator is not afraid of death. He welcomes her, embraces her ... fuck her!” The laughter of a slave made him direct to it "Every time he enters the arena he puts his tool in the jaws of the beast and begs to finish, before he locks his jaws!" He said hitting him where the sun didn't beat and forcing him to stiffen. "None of you would survive in the arena, except one of you!" The Doctore continued to speak, stopping in front of a slave who carried the signs of a hard fight.

“This poor and battered thracian faced four. He defied death, fate and the gods themselves!” He said flattering him.

"Observe it and remember that ..... it is a nullity! He fought against the men incapable of Solonius, rival of the master!" Mistaken! He was taking the hit before hitting.

"If he had challenged one of my gladiators to the arena, the head would lie very far from the body!" Batiatus said boasting the best preparation of the entire Republic.

The man in question began to observe the gladiators before him as if he did not believe these words.

"The thracian is doubtful! Do you want to give us a demonstration?" Oenomaus said not happy with the slave's behavior.

"Crixus!" He called. He took a wooden sword and threw it at the foot of the Thracian.

"Show us that we are wrong!" He ordered them. “Take that sword!" He insisted as soon as he saw that the man remained motionless. "Spartacus!" He shouted outraged by such insolence.

Atticus was surprised when he heard his father stand beside him.

He was in chains but had never shown interest in the master's and Doctore's speeches, always remaining in the shade, separated from all the others.

Oenomaus snapped the whip as a warning before directing it to the thracian when he realized that it was not enough. He stopped her by raising one arm and letting it twist around his wrist.

"My name is not Spartacus!" He said with a defiant look. The Doctore pulled hard making him end up lying on the ground.

"Your name and your life, we will decide now!" Oenomaus informed him. The thracian rose again and as if nothing had happened, he resumed his position among the ranks of the recruits.

Azrael smiled. The slave may have appeared calm and disinterested, but he sensed well the fury that also resided in his gaze as well as in his spirit.

“Maybe the thracian needs an advantage to appease the tremor of his knees! Sword!" The Doctore said and then stuck the sword in the ground in front of the man.

When he remained motionless not willing to listen, he turned to the master "I don't need someone like this, send it to the mines!" he said.

Spartacus took that advantage. He grabbed the sword and then made a somersault that would bring him behind the master, but Crixus was quick to intercept him sending him back to the ground, with a powerful knee in the face.

The gaul wasted no time and attacked him causing him to back away. The slave attempted to injure the opponent, only to lose orientation and parry a blow, ending up on the ground again.

"An attack needs good ground support, he tried to hit the lunge before finding balance!" Said the Doctore. The swords clashed with each other again, but Crixus took advantage of the exchange to hit Spartacus on the back with his wooden weapon.

The unfortunate fell to the ground emitting a cry of pain. He got up almost immediately, unwilling to give up. This time it was he who attacked, but Crixus managed to make him raise his sword to hit him on one leg and when he ended up on his knees he hit him on the back again, making him end up face on the sand. "Turn your back on your opponent and you're done for!" Said the Doctore.

Spartacus got up, attempting a new attack, but the gaul grabbed his wrists with both hands forcing him to stay with his arms outstretched. After a few seconds he gave in and the other dealt a punch in the stomach. "Look for a melee with a stronger one and you .... you're done!" The Doctore said again.

Spartacus opted for another attack strategy and brought the sword backwards, holding it firmly while aiming.

He threw the weapon with all the strength he possessed towards Crixus who turned his back on him.

A millisecond before the weapon hit the target, the gaul spun around to deflect it.

But by flying and rotating on itself, the blade hit a recruit in the throat and killed it instantly.

"Throw the sword in the arena and once again you're done!" Crixus took advantage of Spartacus's surprise for what he had unknowingly done and I will land him by blocking one arm with one foot, the other with his free hand and pressing the wooden sword on his throat.

“Your madness cost a life. While yours can still be saved! " Oenomaus said reaching him.

“Two fingers raised in surrender. Ask the organizer of the games for clemency” he ordered, observing the slave's reaction.

Spartacus seemed completely disinterested in the meaning of his words and struggled to free himself.

"Ask him to have cowardly pity!" the Doctore insisted.

The arm under the gaul's foot stretched and the hand was clenched into a fist.

Spartacus wouldn't give in!

"Kill him!" He said to the champion but a voice interrupted them "Crixus!" Said the master.

Both men looked at him in amazement "It's just a workout!" He pointed out before retiring.

Azrael looked at the trace with his eyes reduced to two slits. He only saw a pale shadow of the man he had been. But like a still burning ember, it would have been enough to blow on it for the fire to blaze!



*



Sara entered the gym happy as an Easter.

The master had ordered her to stay with the gladiators all day.

The reason was unknown to her but she didn't care much since it would finally satisfy her curiosity.

She always went to chain the elf, but then she was forced to return to the Villa.

The euphoria was such that he went up against a gladiator. He was one of the new ones, one of the few to be friendly.

"What a welcome surprise!" The man said smiling at her "I'm really a villain, my name is Varro!" He showed up. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, my name is Sara!" She replied returning the smile.

Varro looked at her in amazement and the girl sighed. She and Hanna were almost as famous as the elf ...

"I am sorry I have to go!" she said before heading for Atticus and Milo.

"Looks like you've seen a ghost!" Spartacus said in amazement that his friend looked fearfully at a small and fragile girl.

“You don't know who is true?" Varro asked, not liking the irony.

"I'll find out soon!" Spartacus replied "You are out of your mind!" His friend took it up again when he realized what he was going to do.

"Now I am convinced that you do it on purpose!" Milo greeted Sara laughing "Did he treat you well?" Churches wary Atticus.

"Yes dad!" She sarcastically replied before taking the chain to fulfill the only really important task.

"Quoi de neuf?"(What's going on?) Asked Azrael who was comfortably seated on a wooden bench.

"Qu'est-ce que tu racontes?"(What are you talking about?) She asked back as she finished closing the lock.

"Je ressens ta joie, tu n'as jamais été aussi excité à l'idée de putre la chaîne sur moi!"(I sense your joy, you've never been so excited about putting the chain on me!) He pointed out.

“Peut-être qu'il a découvert que c'est un véritable honneur de s'incliner devant l'ange de la mort!"(Perhaps he discovered that it is a real honor to bow before the angel of death!) Joked Atticus.

"Ou peut-être qu'elle n'a pas rencontré ce type par erreur!"(Or maybe she didn't hit that guy just by accident!) Guessed Milo.

The girl rose to her feet furiously. "Comment osez-vous insinuer ....."(How dare you insinuate ....) Sara was interrupted by feeling a hand grasp her arm, but immediately afterwards she heard a grunt followed by the noise of the chain.

He turned his head to see Spartacus looking at Azrael defiantly.

It would have been an unforgettable day in many ways!

"Don't you dare touch her!" Atticus said, standing next to the girl.

"Who are you?" The trace asked Sara "What kind of idiotic question is this?" She protested "I am who I was and who I will be forever!" she said firmly.

Okay, maybe it wasn't Hanna's influence, maybe she was really a rude, cheeky and petulant kid! Atticus and Milo laughed shamelessly even bending over too much laughter and Sara couldn't help joining them in seeing the expression of the trace, absolutely unique!

Azrael was smug too, but just hinted at a smile, masking the fun because in reality, he shouldn't have understood a single word.

"Spartacus!" The Doctore's voice interrupted that perfect moment of pure joy.

The Doctore stood between the elf and the trace, with his back to the blond boy.

“Do you dream of mines? Try to get close to the elf again and you will be satisfied!” He said before dragging him away.

"Hear, hear, today I will keep you company all day!" Sara informed them before they went to train "Why?" Milo asked both happy and surprised "This is a good question!" She replied.

Azrael glanced worriedly on the balcony looking for Hanna, where was she? Why weren't the girls together? Batiatus had never kept them apart for so long!

"Elf?" Spartacus asked while training with Varro. "You don't really know anything?" He asked in return astonished "That is Azrael, the angel of death! An immortal elf, with magical powers and a supernatural beauty that lives by feeding on the souls of its victims!" Said his friend.

"I do not believe you!" Spartacus admitted. "Do as you wish! It's a legend! His previous masters attempted to kill him without ever succeeding. In the arena he exterminates all his opponents ....” Varro continued to tell “He also killed two warriors belonging to his race just to feed himself!".

"We humans also kill our fellow men!" Spartacus pointed out.

"They were not scarce fighters, but skilled, hardened by a thousand battles ..... and they are said to be his children!" Varro unveiled.

Spartacus looked at him uncertainly, weighing his words "Is it the truth?" He asked eventually.

"Who knows, in the world of gladiators fame and glory count for much more than truth!" His friend answered him sincerely.

"Fame and glory, I don't care!" He made things clear.

"Seek wealth, like me!" tried again Varro only to see Spartacus running towards the master who was preparing to leave.

"A master word!" Said the trace. "Get away!" Fifth answered looking at the other gladiators.

“Do you have news of my bride?" Spartacus asked hopefully.

“It was sold to a Syrian, but for now I don't know anything else. Research continues! You see to fight and win ...... his freedom will require the disbursement of a significant amount of money from you!" Said the master before leaving the gate.



*



That afternoon could be called unusual, if compared to the previous ones. Hanna had been able to use the master bath and had never felt so clean and elegant.

The owner welcomed her out of the bathroom with a beaming smile to show her to follow her.

They entered a richly decorated room full of people.

"In honor of our revered guest, here is the woman blessed by the gods, a creature of rare beauty, the magnificent Hanna, completely at your disposal!" The master introduced her to the two guests present.

The girl remained impassive staring at a point in front of her.

What did Quintus mean?

Hanna hated being treated like an object. Plus Sara was missing, so there was no one to cheer her up.

The noble Varo and Cossuzio had requested his presence. Just at lunchtime.

That is, what for her would have been the moment of pause in which to eat, let alone if the noble men remained dry-mouthed.

They had been watching her for a while, under the watchful eye of the owner.

“You really are a great Batiatus lanista! You can coax a man to convince him to buy!" Varus flattered him as he studied the girl in front of him.

“You can always find interesting people!" Cossuzio said to Varus before getting up and approaching the girl. "It is truly blessed by the gods!" He said turning around "A pity that so much beauty is wasted to satisfy a wild beast!" He watched.

“Azrael is led by the gods. You don't have to be blasphemous, they could take offense!” Quintus said that he wasted no time in reminding everyone that detail that had always given his pet a lot of notoriety.

"I want to enjoy the pleasures this house has to offer again!" Varo decided to stand up suddenly full of expectations.

"As you wish! Follow me, so you can choose carefully! " Quintus replied, leading him to another room. "Cossuzio would you like to assist too?" Lucretia asked when she saw that the respectable man had remained to observe his slave.

"I'll be there in a moment!" He replied, not diverting attention from his prey.

The mistress seemed undecided whether to stay or follow her husband.

It was Cossutius who made things easier for her.

“Go ahead, I have to confide in the gods! So that they can absolve all my sins!” Without looking at Lucretia, she answered.

She decided to obey, not wanting to offend a man of higher rank.

The man stared at her for a time that seemed very long.

"But didn't he have to confide?"Hanna thought tired of that stalemate.

“I've heard a lot about you! But never before have I been able to enjoy your presence!" Cossuzio began to say "Will you forgive me if I have been waiting so long?" He asked with mock displeasure.

"I shouldn't have come to this house ......" He continued.

Hanna did not listen to him, more interested in comparing him to that pig of his uncle who had made his childhood hell by treating her more like a cleaning lady than as a grandson.

For this reason, as soon as she could, she had found a job that would allow her to rent a small apartment as far away from their home as possible.

".... and I cannot offend the gods by refusing a fresh gift ready to be tasted!" This particular sentence brought her back to the present, but not quickly enough for her to react in time.

The man who stood in front of her grabbed her by the waist making her lie down on a table.

The plates and cutlery that they accidentally moved fell to the ground with a great din and if that worm had not been on her, blocking her shoulders with her hands and legs with her pelvis, she would have run immediately.

Had they all suddenly gone deaf? Why didn't anyone come?

Hanna squirmed with all her might, taking care not to hit the nobleman.

Despite Azrael's protection, he knew that such an action would have consequences from which not even Thranduil could have saved him!

“Stop!" Cossuzio ordered but she did not listen to him, starting to make annoying verses before he closed her mouth.

“You should be used to it! Isn't Azrael like that?" He asked with a smile that didn't promise anything good. “Rough and brutal! Because in our world the sublime and the obscene .....” he said, removing the shoulder straps of his robe “..... they live together!".

Hanna had clasped both arms to her chest. Stubborn not to allow him to see beyond his shoulders.

"There is no one without the other! They are two sides of the same coin!” He continued.

“You can't have one without the threat of the other!" He said as he tried to move his arms.

“And words cannot fully express this contrast! You need to experience it!" This time the man's strength was excessive and he managed to lower her dress over her waist. Hanna screamed.

“What happens?" The master's voice made them both turn. This gave her a minimal advantage, but his jolt allowed her to wriggle, escape his grasp and run as fast as I can away from him.

The first person that came to mind was Thranduil.

She ran at breakneck speed to the stairs leading to the gym, but his legs were too soft and gave way just two steps.

She slipped on his ass for almost half a ramp before he managed to stand up and start running again.

She heard her name being shouted in the distance but ignored whoever was calling her.

Luckily a guard came out at that moment from the security gate, located at the base of the stairs, to prevent gladiators from entering the house without the permission of the master.

She passed both the guard and the gate and found himself in the porch adjacent to the clearing where everyone was training.

The tears and the fact that he was trembling like a leaf in the wind blurred his vision, but it was not difficult to distinguish the golden hair of the elf in the midst of all that confusion.

Oenomaus went immediately to meet her.

“What do you do here?" He asked worried, but she ignored him running to the only one who could protect her. Azrael was about to parry a thrust from Atticus when he saw him stop in the middle of the attack and stare at him in bewilderment.

He didn't even have time to turn around when someone put his arms around his torso. The elf stopped.

He was about to give that impertinent a lesson when sobs forced him to look down.

Dark brown hair and extremely small hands: it was Hanna!

All the other gladiators also stopped abruptly as soon as they realized that unusual scene.

The elf only pulled the girl away from him because she was hugging him from behind, not allowing him to see her in the face.

He knelt in front of her, who was crying looking at the ground and with one hand raised her chin.

As soon as their eyes met she wrapped him in a new embrace starting to sob louder.

Azrael decided not to chase her away despite everyone's eyes on them.

He picked her up and carried her to the shade, sitting with her on the bench where an incredulous Sara was standing.

“Work out!" The Doctore’s order came stern and authoritarian and nobody contested it.

Oenomaus approached the three "What happened?" He asked, shocked to see that girl who had always shown herself stubborn and full of spirit, reduced to that state.

"Y-you l-lied to me!" Hanna said between sobs. Sara translated, her friend was in a state that had even forgotten their secret.

"Y-you said-that you would protect me!" She accused him.

Only then did Azrael notice the torn dress Hanna held up with one arm.

“Milo, Atticus!" called the Doctore realizing that the situation was becoming dangerous.

The two responded promptly and in less than a second they were at Oenomaus' side.

“Take him to the cell and stay there! Now!" He ordered impatiently.

Atticus and Milo obeyed and it was not difficult to convince the elf to go.

Azrael made his way to a more secluded spot with a flat calm facade.

Was this supposed to happen to get him to move?

The time had come to break the chains!



*



Evening had come and yet time seemed to stand still in Azrael's cell.

Hanna had been holding on to the elf all the time until she fell asleep deeply.

He had had nightmares, but Thranduil had always been ready to calm her.

At the moment she and Azrael were lying on the bed, while Atticus, Milo and Sara were sitting on a large blanket on the ground.

Sara played with dinner, taking the soup with a spoon and dropping it back into the bowl several times. Nobody had touched food.

Finally Hanna woke up looking around in confusion, but it lasted only a moment, before turning around and checking that the elf was the one she was lying against.

"I stopped your training!" she said guiltyly since he hadn't thought of anything better to say.

“What happened?" Azrael asked, trying not to be too brusque because of the anger that had awakened with her. The girl looked at the others and saw their curious but patient looks. She sighed.

"They tried!" she said with a whisper before starting to cry.

It didn't take a genius to understand what he was referring to.

“How is it possible? The master promised security in exchange for obedience!" Astonished Atticus asked "Maybe the fight he blew up ...." "It happened too long ago!" Milo contradicted Sara, not understanding why the master had done such a thing well knowing the risks.

“You were right brother! The promises of the Romans are all lies!” Atticus admitted angrily.

How could he have been so blind?

"I don't think the owner wanted it ...... but they left me alone with him ...... and he attacked me!" Hanna began to tell “I-I couldn't defend myself! Hitting him would have had dire consequences! I-I couldn't do anything!" She confessed trembling at the mere memory of those moments.

“It doesn't matter if he wanted it or not! He lied to us!" Milo shouted furiously.

"Tell me the name of the pig so as soon as we run away I kick it in the ass!" Sara said standing up and kicking the air "And I break his arms so he won't be able to use them to hurt anymore!" He said mimicking the gesture.

“Leave an arm to me, please!" Milo begged her "And to me the legs!" Atticus added.

"Yes, but before we fantasize about a succulent revenge we have to decide on an action plan!" Sara said sitting on the edge of the bed in front of Hanna.

"It is imperative to keep you safe!" Azrael underlined in a tone that didn't mean anything good.

"Stay here!" he sentences.

“I will ask for an audience with the master! It shouldn't be difficult to convince him!" Atticus reasoned before turning to the sound of the lock that unlocked.

Oenomaus appeared before them "Hanna, it's nice to see you again in strength!" The Doctore said happily. Sara got up to allow him to see her, going to Atticus' side.

“The owner is sorry for what happened. He is sorry and would like to offer you an apology ....” a grunt made everyone turn towards Azrael who had held the girl in his arms and like a predator observes the prey, looked at the Master.

“Ne respirez pas la bouche uselessly mortelle! Elle ne reviendra jamais sur ces murs froids! Le maître ne m'enchantera plus de sa langue menteuse!”(Don't breathe unnecessarily deadly mouth! She won't come back to those cold walls again! The master will no longer enchant me with his lying tongue!) Said the elf in a low, icy voice.

"I urgently need to speak with the master!" Atticus stepped in as soon as his father stopped making everyone tremble with the sound of his voice.

The Doctore seemed lost but not surprised by Azrael's change of attitude "I'm sorry, but other issues require your attention!" He replied without stopping to stare at the elf, wary.

"It's important! Have you not forgotten who he is?” Milo asked standing up and pointing to Azrael.

“It is you who forget your role. He is the master and you are the slaves!" Oenomaus replied in a glacial way. Atticus approached the Doctore, facing him “Then go to him and make him reason. Because our words will not be able to hold him for much longer!" He asked trying to use a pleading tone.

"I don't need you to hold him back!" Oenomaus said confidently "Guards!" Scream.

As soon as the men entered Milo, Atticus and Azrael stiffened.

The elf jumped up and pushed Sara onto the bed, ready for the fight.

“React and even the girls will pay the consequences of your actions!" He threatened the Doctore by taking his whip.

Atticus and Milo exchanged a knowing look before kneeling in front of the Doctore, but Azrael did not imitate them.

Sara was quick to put herself between the elf and the guards "Faites comme vous dites! Ca ira pour nous! Maintenant que nous connaissons le danger, nous ferons plus attention!”(Do as he says! We'll be fine! Now that we know the danger we will pay more attention!) she reassured him.

“Ce n'est pas encore le moment!"(It is not yet the time!) she said with a calm and confidence that would make the elf rethink his intentions.

As soon as Azrael got on her knees, the guards grabbed him and dragged away. Milo and Atticus were taken back to their cells and the girls remained in the one that suddenly became large and spacious.



*



One morning the master entered the large cell where the elf was chained to the wall, followed by two guards carrying another prisoner.

"Did you take me for a fool?" Quintus asked Spartacus after the rings were tightened around his wrists.

“No master!" He replied in a repentant tone.

“Yet you dishonored me! We agreed, you had sworn it, you would have followed the training, you would have called me master obeying the rules! And I, in return, would have tried to track down your precious wife!" The furious master took him back, revealing the details that Azrael was unaware of.

"But you made yourself overcome by haste! Your maneuvers to knock out Crixus's opponent in the final challenge, to take his place, have come to light! Your first fight .... with the champion of the damned Capua!” That man was really smart.

The master's ignorance was benefiting him. Azrael watched them both sit comfortably on the ground with their backs against the wall.

The chains were long enough for him to be comfortable enough. It was only two days that he was locked up and the guards did not spend very often to fill him with beatings.

So all in all, things were better than she could hope for.

“Gods in heaven you had the crowd in your hand! But now your name is pronounced with contempt and this makes reuniting with your bride very problematic!" Quintus said exasperated.

“Did you hear from her?" Spartacus asked hopefully.

"The Syrian to whom it was sold was headed north, but I can't say exactly where!" The master replied.

"You don't have to stop looking for her!" Spartacus pleaded.

"And with what money will you pay for his freedom?" The master asked, still showing his anger by shouting that simple question "Let me fight!" Spartacus said confidently.

"The favor of the crowd has the consistency of the wind, the interest in you is now gone!" Quintus revealed heartbroken that he could no longer exploit his fame to make money.

“There must be a place where I can fight!" Spartacus was quite stubborn.

"Only one and there are no rules: the pits!" Azrael tried to remain impassive.

He knew well what the master was referring to.

Years ago, when he was still considered indomitable, he had lived there for a short time.

They were a place of suffering where human evil could freely express itself, with ordinary people who paid and bet on clashes even with bare hands.

Where slaves were treated worse than animals.

The master went out without looking at the elf.

“Tell me I don't look like a boar excrement like you!" Spartacus' voice broke the silence.

Azrael gave him a dirty look before lying on the ground with his back to him.

"It's a pleasure for me too!" Spartacus said amused.

The cell door was suddenly opened and Varro entered with a big smile on his lips.

"Hasn't he killed you yet?" He asked, looking intimidatedly at the elf.

"At the moment, with him I only risk dying of boredom!" Spartacus replied.

“Is it true that you will go to the pits?" Varro asked frightened.

“What do you know about that place?" Spartacus asked, understanding that his friend knew well what he was talking about.

"Even too much! I made bets there long ago! And I'm not proud of it!” Sadly he admitted.

"These struggles are different from the arena! I have seen men of honor lose their mind! Turn into beasts!" He said, taking a look at the elf, who seemed to be sleeping deeply but could not be sure since he was giving them his back.

"You say he was there?" Spartacus asked, pointing to Azrael.

“I'm sure!" Varro replied confidently "I look forward to the moment when you will reunite with your brothers!" He encouraged him before going out.

Atticus and Milo had moved away from the other gladiators, to give the girls a respite to the unwelcome glances of their brothers and to make them have lunch in peace.

"When I can make you change your mind, those cursed decide to lock him up!" Milo said furious that the elf was still in chains.

Atticus observed the girls worried, Hanna and Sara kept looking around as if someone was following them. Trying not to give it any weight, to avoid another fight, he decided to put an end to his brother's complaints "Soon they will free him! And when they do, they will regret meeting us on their way!".



*



"This is the classic stalemate!" Sara said as they walked down the halls of the gym.

In those last days they had been confined there, because, they didn't know.

They had not seen Azrael even once, but fortunately Atticus had hosted them in his cell and together with Milo he had made it clear that the gladiators should not even think of touching them.

"I can't wait for it to end!" Hanna said nervously.

“You mean imprisonment?" Asked her friend with skepticism.

“It's obvious! What should I refer to?" Hanna asked offended.

"Well, I don't know ... you're strange lately!" she observed.

“It's the least! You realize that gladiators won't listen to Atticus and Milo for much longer! They look at us differently now that he's in the cell!" Hanna said afraid.

“We shouldn't panic. If we show confidence and threaten them with Azrael's revenge, we should get away with it!" Sara found.

"There are too many if in your sentence!" Her friend filmed it.

“But aren't you ever satisfied?" Sara asked before the other stopped her and dragged her behind the wall, just before the corridor connected to the stairs leading to the house.

"What ..." "Shh ...!" Hanna whispered looking out.

At the base of the stairs was Naevia. A guard had just accompanied Crixus to this point before retiring. "Thanks!" Naevia said to the guard.

"Wait up!" she called the gladiator as soon as the other man had gone far enough not to be within earshot. "The mistress will become impatient!" He tried to avoid her Crixus.

“But he hasn't called you yet!" Unveiled the nervous girl.

"Why are you here then?" He asked in surprise.

“The necklace, you bought it for me!?" Naevia asked, lost.

"Don't tell me things I already know!" He replied gruffly.

"And don't you dare speak like this!" Hanna growled.

"But which necklace are they talking about?" Sara asks whispering.

"Naevia will have to give us explanations!" Her friend decreed.

"And why does it adorn the mistress's neck?" Asked the girl.

“The mind of you females! First you refuse my gift and then you show yourself annoyed! You didn't accept it!” Crixus replied that he still seemed to be upset by his denial.

"Exact! But you didn't let me finish talking!" She replied in a tone.

"You can do it now!" He encouraged her.

“It is impossible for me to keep it, despite my wishes! I have nothing that was not given to me by the mistress! Are you so dull that you don't understand it? Do you think she wouldn't have noticed?" Naevia tired of the hard head against which she had to slam.

"I misunderstood the real reason for your refusal!" He admitted bitterly.

"Of course you did! Your only thought is to win in the arena. Reasons only with the sword and the shield! You are a fool ....." the girl was unable to finish insulting him that he kissed her.

Hanna and Sara found themselves speechless, feeling complete imbeciles for not having noticed anything until then!

"You are crazy! ..... guard!" Naevia said, terrified and with a smile on her face, before calling the guard again.

Crixus made the bad choice to go back to his cell through the wrong corridor!

The girls panicked when they noticed other gladiators blocking the exit preventing them from disappearing from the direction taken by the Gaul.

After various pushes and curses, they leaned against the wall, facing each other, pretending to be in the middle of a discussion.

"In the end I can't help but prove you right!" Sara said speaking even better than the advertising voice that is capable of pronouncing hundreds of letters in seconds.

"As always sister! When you accept that being right is one of my countless talents, then we could resume this discussion!" Hanna was far more talented in acting.

Crixus turned as soon as she finished speaking.

The girls and the Gaul stared at each other ....... or rather, Hanna and Crixus looked each other intensely in the eyes, as Sara's inexplicably glued themselves to the floor.

He studied them for too long, before he hardened his gaze and moved on.



*



One hot morning the gladiators were engaged in daily training while Quintus in a discussion with his wife "Do you think the gods cursed him!" Her husband said to a furious Lucretia “It is so! It's his fault that you ended up in the pits!" She screamed furiously.

"It saved my life! Gods or not gods, every debt must be paid!" Quintus ended the discussion, before going to welcome his guests.

The decision to remove the trace from the pits had come when he had given irrefutable proof of his loyalty, saving him from two hit men who had tried to deprive him of life in the pits.

The principal was still hidden in the shadows, but would remain so for a short time.

"Magistrate, I am honored by your presence!" Quintus said remarking slowly the last word as soon as he saw Solonius in addition to Titus Calavius.

“My good Batiatus, the good Solonius spoke to me of the efficiency of your men" said the magistrate anxious to ascertain the veracity of these words "As you well know, drought has reduced the population to the extreme! We tried everything to convince the sky to tears, even a massacre!” He explained.

“He sacrificed a hundred oxen, but nothing has changed!" Solonius said.

“The gods prefer the blood of men, not that of animals. And the good Solonius helped us organize games to propitiate the gods!" The magistrate said enthusiastically.

"Deadly fights. No grace or parity!” Solonius said.

"Only the best gladiators will be invited to participate!" The magistrate confirmed.

Quintus stopped smiling boldly “Only the best are offered in Batiatus’ house! Come, examine my goods!" He said guiding the two guests to the balcony overlooking the main square, where the gladiators were engaged in training.

“Admirable selection! Which rivals that of the good Solonius!” Calavius flattered him.

"But I have the final fight!" The other pointed out.

“Yes, however ....... the contender must still be chosen!” The magistrate said observing the gladiators with interest.

"If you want to satisfy the gods you must have a great fighter!" Quintus intervened "Crixus, the champion of Capua!" He proudly introduced him "He will win against anyone Solonius has to offer!" He declared confident.

"Excellent! It will be a clash of legends!" Calavius said satisfied.

"Legends?" Quintus asked, understanding that the opponent would not have been any gladiator.

“I forgot to tell you ..... the good Solonius got the big Theokoles for the finale!" The magistrate replied pretending regret for his distraction.

"Theokoles?!" Quintus asked shocked.

"Yes, I convinced him to come to our beautiful city, not cheap!" Solonius highlighted with satisfaction.

“You have our gratitude! And if the gods do not grant us rain after such a tribute, we must consider ourselves cursed!" Said the magistrate.

“I fear that the gods would not approve, the clash is unbalanced! Only one man fought Theokoles and survived!” Quintus pointed out, terrified at the idea of losing a precious champion of his home.

“What if Crixus is joined by Spartacus? It was destined to be executed, but he challenged fate and made me lose four men!” Solonius impatiently proposed to settle the score.

“Your debts are well known Batiatus! Even if you lose your men the reward would be enough to heal them all! Unless you prefer to stay out of these games and those that follow!” Calavius threatened him so as not to be forced to look for another contender.

“No, they will be ready for the assignment!" Batiatus hurriedly answered to lean out of the balcony and speak to his men.

"My titans! Hear the glorious news!" The gladiators lined up neatly as soon as they heard the master's voice request their attention.

“The magistrate Tito Calavius has invited our best men to participate in the next games! Crixus one step ahead!" He proudly called "Spartacus a step forward" he said with annoyance "You have been chosen to fight together against Theokoles, The shadow of death!" He declared making Crixus tremble and confusing Spartacus.



*



"This Theokoles ...... his legend cannot be true!" Spartacus said doubtfully.

"He has been injured a thousand times and has never fallen!" Varro tried to convince him.

"If we were to win how much would the reward amount to?" The Thracian asked to earn coins for his beloved bride.

"It would be enough to even redeem ten wifes!" Varro replied.

In the meantime, things had changed in the house. Hanna and Sara had been called back to serve the mistress and were now able to watch her scene.

Crixus had become her once champion lover and she was trying to save him as best she could.

“Send them to certain death! Let me fight for them! I have an outstanding account with Theokoles!” Oenomaus tried to change his master's mind "Great suggestion!" Well supported by Lucretia.

“You have not been asked even if no one has forgotten the courage you have shown by clashing with him while remaining alive!" The master replied tired of all those controversies "Yes, but without victory!” Remembered the Master.

“Be the only one who survived!" Quintus still flattered him.

"Prepare them for confrontation!" He ordered. "I fear that no effort will save them from Theokoles' grasp!" Oenomaus said.

“Prepare them for a glorious death!" Quintus corrected himself before dismissing him.

The following morning Oenomaus was busy instructing the two chosen gladiators, with poor results ..... When Crixus hit the ground for the tenth consecutive time, he punched Spartacus when he tried to help him get up "Two gladiators fighting together ...... there are no such things in the arena!" He screamed full of anger at the trace.

"Do you think you can defeat that giant alone?" Asked the other stunned.

"I've always been alone!" He pointed out the Gaul.

"This time you're not!" Spartacus was desperately looking for a meeting place.

"When Theokoles succumbs all the glory will be mine alone!" Crixus said firmly.

"But if we don't fight together only death will be ours!" The other replied.

The Master had had enough of the quarrels of two children who did not pay attention to the opponent, therefore, with two well-aimed blows of his swords, he made them end up back in the air "You hinder each other! You will fight against the great Theokoles! Try to be worthy of it!" He scolded them.

“They will form a great couple!" Atticus joked observing the training.

"Better fight alone!" Milo said he hated the Gaul.

“And certainly die!" Atticus replied.

The legend of Theokoles almost equaled that of Azrael. Almost for the simple fact that no one who had faced the elf had been able to tell it!

"The shadow of death? The Romans don't have much imagination!" Sara whispered to Hanna as they were in the grandstand to watch the long-awaited clash.

"That Gaul ...... is the champion of Capua!" Ilithyia said that she observed the gaul in the arena with interest. "Nobody can match it!" Lucretia gave her reason by admiring Crixus.

As soon as Spartacus entered, the screams of joy were replaced with those of mockery.

“At last that trace will meet its end! He dishonored Rome and my husband by deserting the battlefield! He will have what he deserves!” Ilithyia said with resentment, fully shared by Lucretia.

Theokoles was greeted by shouts full of enthusiasm and pregnant with expectation.

“Hopefully the gods will welcome this tribute!" Solonius said hopefully. "It would be good news in such a dark moment!" The magistrate presented himself looking distressed.

"My good dear cousin Ovidius was murdered in his house!" He informed those present.

“And what about his son? Was it so young?" Lucretia asked upset.

"His house was burned and only a few bodies recovered, but I have no hope!" Calavius admitted destroyed. "What a tragedy! I wonder what can cause such an action!" Quintus said giving his rival a defiant look.

He turned to meet the confused gaze of his wife, but barely turned him away in the arena, the gladiators faced each other.

"Kill that bastard son of a sow!"The Doctore’s encouragement had not helped much, at least not since they had come face to face with the opponent.

“Crixus , it's for my woman that I fight!" Spartacus said before attacking.

At first they took turns in blocking the opponent's blows with the shields, but soon that formation was broken. Crixus , while the other distracted him, struck a blow to the abdomen and managed to injure him. Spartacus took advantage of the moment to kick him back.

The Gaul managed to take him by surprise by snatching one of the two swords from his hands with a powerful blow.

Spartacus, who was on the opposite side of his teammate, struck a further blow by opening another gash on the opponent's belly. Then, with a powerful kick, he sent him back to the ground.

The combined attack had succeeded perfectly!

The silence that followed enveloped all those who stunned, were eager to see what would happen.

Crixus and Spartacus took off their helmets looking doubtfully. Then they laughed.

The crowd cheered in their favor soon after. They had triumphed!

"For Capua!" Crixus shouted enthusiastically.

The silence came again, even more chilling than before, but the two men did not seem to notice it, taken by euphoria.

Theokoles had risen!

"Capua, you want me to start!" He shouted articulating the first words.

The crowd encouraged him by starting to rumble and he went on the attack.

The initial defense formation was immediately broken through by bumping the two against each other. Crixus , furious, pushed away Spartacus with a "Get out of the way!" Finding himself alone in front of the enemy and appearing infinitely small in front of his size.

With a kick, the Gaul was sent on the trace and both ended up in the dust.

"Get out of the way ..." Crixus repeated ".... or I'll kill you with my hands!" He added.

But during this attack, in a parade the body rotated too much, leaving the arm that held it uncovered, allowing the opponent to hit him right there.

Naevia, Sara and Hanna started, as did the mistress.

Theokoles made him fall to the ground with a blow on his heels, but Spartacus, intruding in the clash, parried the next one. This time it was he who flew backwards.

Taken aback by the enemy's strength.

Crixus , recovered, charged the opponent.

Parrying numerous blows with the shield, he finally managed to skewer Theokoles in the belly.

The energenist made a painful cry, followed by a scream and a header against that of the other gladiator. Crixus stepped back, disoriented by the blow.

Theokoles snatched the sword from his hands and attacked him.

But when the Gaul parried a blow with the shield, deflecting the opponent's blade, not having a sword, he found himself exposed and was deeply wounded in the belly.

He turned away, his back to the mountain and panting in pain as Theokoles prepared to strike again.

The second slash wounded him in the back and Crixus fell to his knees.

"Theokoles !" Spartacus' scream distracted the enemy from its prey and the Gaul fell forward, resting on the shield, holding it horizontally as if it was trying to protect itself.

The Thracian took advantage of it and gave the momentum by jumping on it.

A clash began as Crixus collapsed seriously injured.

Theokoles deprived the Spartacus shield and he parried his blows as best he could.

The two were so focused on each other that they did not see the Gaul as he was preparing to take one of the two helmets previously worn.

Crixus positioned him in such a way that the reflection with the sun blinded the opponent and Theokoles found himself having to cover his eyes. Spartacus rolled to the side and grabbed a second sword to attack the enemy with all the ferocity he possessed.

He managed to make him fall to his knees injuring his leg and not happy he pierced him from side to side. He wasted no time and started hitting him on the right side of the neck with the intention of taking his head off.

The fight was really over and Spartacus took the killing blow as the crowd shouted "Kill! Kill! Kill!”.

A jubilation of shouts welcomed that sacrifice and a rumble of thunder echoed it.

Tiny raindrops began to fall, before becoming a real downpour.

After months of drought, the people remained there to fully enjoy that much-hoped gift.

Filled with joy at the long-awaited end of the drought, people began to cheer on their savior "Spartacus! Spartacus! Spartacus! Spartacus!"

Spartacus the bearer of the rain!



*



“We have faced countless misfortunes! Immediately the burning of defeat, the humiliation of an empty stomach. They said this house would never return to its former glory! That we would have been ignored by history, but had proven otherwise!" Quintus shouted in front of his men, rising victoriously on his balcony, while the rain fell incessantly.

“We have shown that the name Batiatus will thrive even when we are bones and dust! Be proud and praise the bearer of the rain! The executioner of the shadow of death! The new Capua champion: Spartacus!" Quintus said, gesturing to the trace to stand beside him.

Gladiators greeted him enthusiastically and wet from head to toe.

Atticus and Milo smiled as soon as they saw Azrael observe them from under the porch, finally free.

The elf seemed exhausted, the result of numerous tortures and deprivations, but as always he was calm ........ at least apparently.

Hanna and Sara were enthusiastic about Spartacus and worried about Crixus .

It was impossible to feel simple emotions in that house!

“And this is only the beginning! On your name I will build an empire!" Quintus said full of joy.

"He wasn't the only one fighting though!" She specified Lucretia that she was worried to death about her lover.

“Crixus will not be forgotten, but he will become a legend! Admiration will only increase!" Quintus continued with a smile on his face that the girls had never seen before.

“I defeated an impossible man to beat! What more can they expect?" Spartacus Churches with satisfaction. "Maybe they'll favor you against .... the angel of death!" Lucretia mocked him.

“Not for now! The elf finally calmed down, but it is not yet time to put in comparison!” Said the husband. "Not now that the gods favor him...." he added waving a sheet of parchment "..... and they bless with news that will lighten his heart!" He concluded.

“Sura?" Spartacus asked fearfully and hopefully.

“I found her!" Perhaps the happiest master confessed to him.

"How are her? And where?" The thracian asked impatiently.

“She was sold to a Syrian ... landed these days at the port of Napoli!" Quintus replied.

"It's a short walk?" Asked the impatient gladiator. "Two day trip!" Unveiled the master.

"When can I leave?" asked Spartacus full of joy.

"One of mine is already traveling and is accompanying her here!" The surprises did not end!

"You are a man of honor Batiatus! You will always have my gratitude!" Spartacus said looking moved.

"And you mine!" Quintus replied.



*



The following evening the girls had been allowed to return to Azrael. Hanna had clung to him, determined not to let him go.

"It feels like being in Rio!" Hanna remarked "There they make five days of consecutive celebrations!" Sara explained hearing the cries coming from outside the cell and having seen the wine accompanied by women for all the gladiators.

"Yes, but the murder is not included!" Hanna said in disgust.

"Murder?" Asked confused Atticus "The owner had a wealthy merchant killed!" The girl answered as if she were telling her day.

"Apparently it was he who sent the assassins who attacked his life!" Sara revealed that she had attended the bosses' conversation while Quintus clarified his wife's doubts.

"That man is dangerous!" Milo declared shocked by what he felt.

"Have you got it now?" Hanna asked making fun of him and hiding her face in Thranduil's chest when Milo looked at her badly.

“Spartacus is intent on running away!" Azrael said, drawing everyone's attention to himself.

"And how the hell do you know?" Sara asked upset and quivering at the idea of being finally free.

"I heard it while presenting the plan in Varro!" The elf replied "He will take his master hostage and run away thanks to the horses tied to the cart that will take her to this house!" He recounted.

"And when would you have been within earshot?" Milo asked, absolutely certain that the elf had always been at a safe distance from the new champion.

“I don't need to be glued to my interlocutor to be able to listen to what interests me!" Azrael replied.

"Do you have magical powers?" Sara asked, jumping to her feet.

"No!" He replied "Right ...." the girl reached awareness only at that moment, giving herself stupid for not having thought of it before.

"Are you taking part in your enlightenment?" Hanna asked annoyed that Thranduil was doing the mystery so much.

"Elves have exceptional sight and hearing!" She revealed Sara elated.

"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Milo asked annoyed.

"It is not my concern to reveal the secrets of my people!" The elf replied.

Azrael was not at all sociable since he was released.

LPerfect! Then tomorrow morning we will be free! " Atticus said already anticipating the moment.

"No!" The father's denial took him off guard.

"Are you fond of your new cell?" Milo teased him not understanding that sudden change.

"You spoke of revenge during our first meeting!" Azrael remembered "It's true!" the boy proved him right. "How can you settle for the simple escape?" The elf asked, smiling with wicked satisfaction.

"What do you have in mind father?" Atticus asked curiously.

“Thanks to Hanna and Sara we know the master's moves well. You will only have to convince the gladiators ..... and we will bring down this cursed house!" Thranduil said eager to take revenge.

The following morning they were all drunk apart from Azrael, his children and obviously Spartacus.

The three sat on a bench on the porch, impatient to enjoy the show.

The champion wore his new armor and was more restless than they were.

The owners had gone down to the gym to be able to welcome the bride they had heard so much about and had been looking for so much. The girls and Naevia were with them.

As soon as the cart entered the square, the owner hurried to speak with the man who was leading him and Spartacus joined him impatiently.

"But take a look ....." Milo turned the two around to see a furious Oenomaus strode towards the cart. "Don't tell me he found out!" Doubting Atticus wondered.

Varro tried to stop the Master by placing himself on his way ...... being pushed aside with a push and a "Go away!" Full of anger.

But a suffering verse made everyone stop.

The one who led the cart came down to the ground: it was covered in blood!

Azrael got up leaning to see better, followed closely by his children.

“They came out of nowhere, on the road! They attacked us .....! There were many .....!" The suffering man whispered to his master, who rushed to his side.

The horror was painted on the face of the champion who ran to open the doors behind which his bride was. A petite woman with long black hair fell backwards into her husband's arms when the door was opened and stopped supporting her back.

Hanna, Sara and Naevia watched in shock Spartacus as he picked her up with a moving delicacy and knelt on the ground continuing to hold her close.

Sura, as she was called, only managed to look at her partner one last time, before closing her eyes forever. "I'm here honey!" Spartacus said crying and holding her in a desperate embrace, giving vent to his pain.

The master passed him as if nothing had happened and turned to his wife "I kept my promise!" He said and then looked at her with a satisfied smile "They reunited!".

Notes:

I contradicted myself!
This chapter is even longer than the previous one!
But I couldn't break it! I would have stopped the story where it couldn't be broken!
Thank you very much SapphirePearl for the kudos left! They urge me to continue the story!
Spartacus has finally arrived!
And since it was not enough I decided to open the eyes of the girls showing that life is not all roses.
New loves are born and new difficulties arise.
What do you have to say about the legend of Azrael?!
There is an unexpected event that prevents escape, a change of plans ... So many things happen! Spartacus rose quickly managing to free his much sought after wife, but unfortunately Quintus Lentulus Batiatus had no intention of awakening his rebellious spirit by giving him his woman back!
What do you think?
I hope you like the chapter despite its length!
See you soon,
X-98