chapter 11 : Man vs. Demigod

Orion was awakened in the morning by the sounds of the other gladiators cheering and encouraging those who were going to fight in the Vulcanalia games.

 He went out yawning because he was still sleepy, he knew his fight was at the end of the day so he didn't feel like he had to leave with the others.

 Crixus was getting into the chariot with the other fighters to go to the arena when his gaze met Orion's.

 --Orion POV—

 Poor me I'm going to have to fight today while I'm so tired, I want to sleep all day with Zena next to me, this girl is so sexy!!

 As I watched the poor unfortunates go to the arena so early, I shook my head complaining for them and that's when it happened. Crixus that annoying guy was giving me a murderous look.

 « So champion, in a good mood today ?! Our fight is in the evening you know… ah yes I forgot that unlike me you have no choice! Ah ah ah ah ! » I started to make fun of him.

 Crixus : You won't laugh as much tonight in the arena, I'll kill you slowly!

 "Oh no, I'm too scared, the evil Gallic is going to hurt me! Damn, someone help me! » I replied sarcastically while Spartacus and Varro laughed at the scene.

 Spartacus: You're not coming with us?!

 « No, I'm still sleepy, plus my fight is in the evening so I have time! However, you two had better win your fights, I didn't train chickens but warriors! »

 He and Varro nodded with confident smiles as they knew they had become much stronger from my training.

 Soon the cart left with Doctore giving me a nod which I returned with a smile. I went back to my room to go back to sleep.

 After a few more hours of sleep, I woke up and got ready, Zena was still asleep! I understand that this girl wants to enjoy her rest, she has been a slave since a young age and her sleep was not even hers to satisfy her masters.

 When I return I will tell her that she is free and that she can go and make her life elsewhere.

 Finally I went out, after gearing up and damn I looked classy, ​​I ordered every part of my combat gear to be both practical and stylish with my fighting style.

 I wore a hooded coat that covered my entire body and walked towards the arena.

 I finally got to the arena and damn it took a long time, I was even late!

 Damn, Batiatus is going to moan because his guests and the audience may have had to wait for me. When I arrived, I saw Doctore waiting with an anxious look.

 Doctore: You're late!!

 "I'm really sorry, I overslept. Let's not waste any more time, the public is waiting, hurry up!!" 

 He looked at me completely amazed before guiding me towards the fighting air after whispering something in the ear of one of the guards.

 [In the arena]

 « SPARTACUS! SPARTACUS! SPARTACUS! »

 The audience shouted the name of Spartacus who held a large shield on one arm and a sword in the other hand, lying in front of him was his dead adversary with his head half decapitated.

 Spartacus only had a very small cut on his left shoulder, nothing deep! He raised his sword and uttered a cry of victory which the public also accompanied.

 In the stands, Sura came to watch the fights with Orion's other men. Marius took them away and left his wife and children in the care of Ajax and Vayline.

 Sura looked at her husband who finished his fight with a sigh of relief, she was impressed by his bravery in battle, he had fought very well.

 Marius: The next fight is the primus, Orion will face the champion of Capua, Crixus the undefeated Gaul.

 Salma: This Crixus, is he strong?! Could it pose a danger to the master?!

 Marius: That's what we'll see, but Orion is very strong!

 Apollos: This Galic is not an opponent for the boss , he'll be killed!

 Demiclas (2nd Spartan): Correct, I even doubt that there is a warrior strong enough in this world to threaten the boss.

 Nodding his head in agreement, Stratos the Third Spartan then added

 "We faced Orion several times and although we gave our all during training, I can say with certainty that the boss was never serious against us.

 We have become stronger from fighting with him but his speed of progress is simply monstrous! It doesn't even make sense at this level anymore!

 To anyone we are powerful, deadly and experienced warriors but against the boss we fight like children against an adult. This Crixus unfortunately has no chance against this monster"

 The others nodded and impatiently waited for Orion's fight to begin, an impatience which was even more felt towards the main lodge where Batiatus and the others sat.

 Batiatus: That damn Orion, he's late!

 Lucretia: The whims of a free man. He will be there and fight.

 Ilythia: Tsk! That's all we expect from him! How dare he make us wait?! That kind of dirty…(Lucretia cut her off)

 Lucretia: Ilythia, Orion is a free man I remind you.

 The magistrate next door immediately replied,

 "Free or not, this man deserves punishment for keeping us waiting and disrespecting us so much!" »

 Immediately, a guard arrived and whispered something in Batiatus' ear, whose face immediately lit up. He looked at his guests and said with a slight smile, "He's here!" .

 Behind the gates under the stands, Varro and Spartacus met and greeted each other. Varro had fought earlier and had already won a big victory, he observed Spartacus' fight as well and was happy with his friend's victory.

 Varro: Beautiful victory, almost as beautiful as mine.

 Spartacus: You're dreaming! Of course it is, I won faster!

 Varro: I hit harder!

 Spartacus: I have fewer injuries!

 They looked at each other for a few seconds without saying anything before they both burst out laughing. They heard the noise of the crowd and realized it was their friend and teacher's turn to fight.

 Spartacus: That's it, it's up to Orion to show his strength now!

 Varro: Do ​​you think Crixus will be big enough?!

 Spartacus: (sighs) We'll see, hopefully we'll see this guy fight seriously! Let's go look.

 They ran towards the gates, pushing aside the other gladiators already in front to better observe the featured fight.

 "CITIZENS OF CAPUUA!" Batiatus' voice rang out as he stood with his hands outstretched. The audience immediately fell silent.

 "THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR FINALLY BEGINS, THE PRIMUS OF VULCANALIA!" 

 The crowd: OUUUUOOOOAAAAAAH!

 "YOU ALL KNOW HIM, HE'S OUR CHAMPION, THE JEWEL OF THIS CITY, A LEGEND OF THE ARENA! BRING IN THE MIRMILLON, CRIXUS THE UNDEFEATED GAUL! »

 The crowd: CRIXUS! CRIXUS! CRIXUS!

 The gate opened and Crixus made his entrance cheered by the crazy crowd, the women were going crazy and showing their private parts to Crixus.

In the main room, Lucretia and the other women looked at Crixus with a certain smile as they looked at his tall muscular body.

 Crixus on the sand of the arena put on his show to the great joy of his audience, he was the undefeated champion and Capua was at his feet.

 "NOW HIS CHALLENGER ! AN ALL-NEW GOD OF THE ARENA WHOSE TALENT, BEAUTY AND STRENGTH ARE AS HIGH AS THE SKY! ORION, THE DEATH STAR!" 

 Within the audience, a large portion began to boo in displeasure upon learning that their champion's opponent for the PRIMUS was a new gladiator instead of a veteran who will add more value to the fight.

 However, some in the audience flinched upon hearing Orion's name and nickname. They knew of this rumor about a masked warrior in the PITS, a legend who not only was undefeated but had never been touched by any opponent.

 Seeing the audience's reaction, those who were upset with Orion among Batiatus' guests now gave him a mocking look. Solonius his rival smirked.

 The gates opened and Orion entered the arena. Immediately the audience had his attention. Orion wore a linen loincloth similar to the one he wore the day before except this one was completely black.

 His head was covered with a Greek helmet with a mane under which his long hair waved, his muscular and lean torso was exposed. He had a metal arm guard on each of his two arms and shin guards over high sandals.

 This whole ensemble highlighted his body which immediately captivated the audience in its entirety and attracted all female desire on him. However, everyone was shocked by something absurd, Orion had no weapons on him.

 They started whispering and in the box the senator was at his height.

 "What is this Batiatus ?! This clown for whom you made us wait comes without any weapons! Is he making fun of us?!" the magistrate got angry.

 Ilythia: I knew it, this guy is definitely only good in bed!

 Lucretia also looked at Orion questioningly when Batiatus asked Orion

 "GLADIATOR WHERE ARE YOUR WEAPONS?!" 

 Orion looked at him with amusement before saying with a mocking tone

 "I left them at home, I plan to kill this idiot with his own sword!" 

 This statement caused a public outcry, the public began to mock Orion. Apollos and the others were speechless.

 Sura looked at Apollos and asked him,

 "Are you sure the master will be okay ?! He has no weapons!!" 

 Salma: I'm worried, I know he's strong but I'm still scared!

 Apollos put his hand on his shoulder and reassured them

 "Have no fear and watch instead, the show will be amusing. Everyone will see what Demiclas, Stratos and I saw!" 

 Sura: What did you see?!

 Salma: what then?!

 All three: The Death Star!

 Seeing the ridiculousness of the situation, Batiatus looked at Orion telling the guards to give him a sword but he did not grab it.

 "Your stupidity will be your downfall gladiator" he said angrily.

 « START!! » he gave the signal and the two adversaries moved closer.

 "I will not witness this charade for another second!" the magistrate said before getting up and leaving with Solonius following him taunting a frustrated and extremely angry Batiatus.

 Orion and Crixus faced each other and did not try to argue. Crixus was the first to attack because he was the only one armed, he had no hesitation because he was not going to underestimate the man in front of him.

 He swung his sword several times but Orion dodged each of his attacks with the greatest ease.

 He moved with a footwork that looked very much like a dance.

 The public, which until then had made fun of Orion, became more and more silent. Crixus was not weak and his attacks were quick and precise.

 Only, no one knew why or how, but Orion perfectly dodged each attack without even gaining much distance from his opponent.

 Gradually, the audience's mockery turned to fascination and then shock when Orion began to counterattack with melee blows.

 Crixus, angry, gave a diagonal blow with his sword which Orion dodged to the right but it was not over because the Gaul quickly turned on himself to give Orion a quick blow with his shield.

 However, to Crixus' surprise, Orion was no longer in front of him.

 It took him a second to realize that Orion was already behind him but it was too late as he was sent to the ground with a sweep from Orion to the back of his legs.

 " He is fast ! It's frightening !" 

 "How can he move like that?!" 

 "Crixus didn't even manage to hit him once!"

 Crixus on the ground quickly got up but once again, Orion was no longer in his last location. The undefeated Gaul immediately swung his sword from behind but his wrist was firmly grabbed.

 Before Crixus even reacted, Orion gave him a Spartan kick to the back and poor Crixus was once again sent to the ground lying on his stomach.

 "Look, he's literally playing with Crixus!!" 

 "This fight makes no sense ! How can Crixus get beaten up so much?!" 

 "It doesn't even look like it's a fight ! It's literally like an adult having fun with a kid."

 "Orion, where does a guy like that come from?!" 

 The public was beginning to become interested in the fight when suddenly with a rapid movement, Orion struck Crixus in the throat and the gesture was extremely fast and precise.

 Choked and dizzy, Crixus removed his helmet to breathe better as his throat was affected by Orion's blow.

 Orion dodged another attack from Crixus by positioning himself on his side he kicked behind the knee of Crixus who quickly found himself on one knee on the ground.

He tried to swing his glaive but at an insane speed, Orion delivered a punch to his chin that almost knocked him out.

 Crixus even more stunned, Orion had no trouble disarming him, leaving him with only his shield.

 Crixus came to his senses but to his regret, his weapon was already in Orion's hands and he began to get seriously afraid.

 The audience was completely shocked at the situation and how easily Orion could handle a warrior as powerful as Crixus.

 Batiatus and the rest were too, Ilythia had her eyes like chicken eggs and couldn't understand how Orion could be so fast and strong. Lucretia, for her part, was starting to fear for Crixus.

 Orion after having taken the sword of Crixus retreated to the location of the sword that the soldier had thrown at him under the order of Batiatus.

 He took it and threw it towards Crixus saying

 "I'm going to kill you with your own sword but you can have this one to try to defend yourself!" 

 The audience was left speechless, Orion's men had a smile on their lips. Behind the gates, Spartacus and Varro looked at him as if they saw a monster.

 Crixus, frustrated had hatred in his eyes when he took the sword. He charged towards Orion and attacked again. However this time Orion didn't just dodge, he cleanly deflected each of Crixus' attacks, leaving slashes on him with each counterattack.

 After almost a minute, Crixus was once again on one knee on the ground, his body covered in wounds. The most striking was the frightened look he had when he saw Orion in front of him.

 This fear was shared by all the spectators who witnessed how easily Orion played with him.

 Panting, Crixus tried to get up when Orion kicked him in the face. Lying down without any strength, Crixus saw Orion take the second sword and thrust it into his shoulder.

 "AAAAAAARGH!"

 Crixus screamed in pain, the scream was audible to everyone as the audience was completely silent.

Orion raised the sword that he had snatched from Crixus' hand, wanted to finish him off and finish this little game.

 Lucretia seeing her lover about to be killed wanted to get up and shout at Orion to stop but could do nothing. Ilythia looked at Orion with apprehension as did Batiatus.

 Doctore was the same, he did not want to see Crixus have such a pathetic end instead of a glorious death after a fierce fight against an opponent of his caliber because this fight was like that of a sheep facing a lion.

 Orion brought the blade down towards Crixus's neck when to everyone's surprise, Crixus raised two fingers in surrender.

 *Complete silence*

 Those who knew Crixus' proud nature knew that he would never in his life give up during a fight in the arena.

Little did anyone know that Crixus was subject to every gladiator's enemy, fear.

 He was terrified, terrified of Orion, terrified of his strength and equally terrified of the death he himself had inflicted on so many others.

 Orion looked towards Batiatus to ask the fate of Crixus when the crowd began to shout

 "LIFE, LIFE, LIFE!" out of pity and sympathy.

 "Look, champion of Capua, your public pities you and asks me to spare you. Who humiliated who?! Hum ?!" Orion asked Crixus mockingly.

 Batiatus raised his thumb to let Crixus live and Orion lifted his foot from his chest, leaving him helpless and increasingly less conscious.

 The crowd was still in silence until Batiatus finally announced Orion as the new champion of his ludus.

 After the announcement the audience burst into cheers and to greet his audience, Orion took off his helmet, which caused Chaos in the stands.

 Seeing Orion's magnificent face, the crowd made even more noise, the women were literally going crazy.

 Orion was quite happy with his performance, he made this fight last but could finish Crixus in a few seconds if he wanted.

 After his exposure he found Marius and his men, they talked and parted ways then Orion returned to the Ludus where a certain woman was waiting for him in his bed.