12. The Traitor

Xavier curiously asked, "What do you mean by your words?"

The black-robed man's movements were deliberate as he gradually revealed his face to Xavier. His lips curled into a sly smile, an expression devoid of fear, while his eyes sparkled with an enigmatic glint.

"I am Leonidas," the black-robed man declared, his voice steady and self-assured.

Xavier, still uncertain about the unfolding situation, couldn't help but ask, "Leonidas? What do you want?"

Leonidas' smile remained, as if he was thoroughly enjoying Xavier's confusion. "You can be freed, but it comes with certain conditions."

Xavier, feeling both anxious and curious, pressed further, "Conditions? What are they?"

"Someone else will explain it to you. Please, allow me a moment." He clapped his hands three times.

In response to his signal, the room seemed to come alive with movement. In a matter of seconds, four towering warriors emerged from the shadows. Their presence was imposing, and Xavier could sense their strength and discipline, making it abundantly clear that he was in the midst of something far more significant and enigmatic than he had ever imagined.

The four warriors, their features obscured by intricately designed masks that bore symbols of ancient power, moved with an eerie synchrony that hinted at rigorous training and unwavering loyalty. Their armor, adorned with mysterious runes, gleamed faintly in the dim light. As they encircled him, aura of tension hung in the air.

Leonidas said, "These men will escort you. Follow me."

Xavier, left with little choice, nodded hesitantly. The situation had taken a surreal turn, and he could only wonder what lay ahead as he obediently followed Leonidas and his escort, his mind racing with questions and uncertainty.

As they moved through the grand corridors of the mansion, the flickering candlelight casting eerie shadows on the opulent tapestries, Xavier couldn't shake the feeling that he had stepped into a world far removed from his own.

A few moments later, Xavier stood before an opulent mansion, its grandeur imposing against the backdrop of the night. Leonidas had hinted at a rendezvous with one of the kingdom's most influential individuals.

Leonidas whispered, "Xavier, this is the place. The man we're about to meet is a powerful figure in our kingdom. He will explain it to you."

As Leonidas concluded his words, a figure emerged from the shadows, casting an aura of elegance and authority. He was tall and slender, his beard and mustache impeccably connected, and his demeanor exuded confidence.

"Ah, there you are," the enigmatic figure greeted them with a nod. "I've been expecting you. Please, come inside."

Xavier and Leonidas exchanged a quick glance, then followed the mysterious stranger into the mansion, where secrets and alliances would be forged under the watchful gaze of the night.

The tall man led them to a dark room. Xavier, who had been curious, couldn't wait to get his thoughts out. The tall man led them to a dark room. Xavier, who had been curious, couldn't wait to get his thoughts out. He looked at the tall man curiously.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" asked Xavier.

"Please, mind your manners." Leonidas, with a respectful nod towards the newcomer, began the introductions, "May I present to you, Cassius, one of our esteemed Senators."

Cassius regarded Xavier with a discerning gaze, his eyes assessing Xavier's presence. After a moment of silence, he spoke with a measured tone, "Judging by your appearance, you seem fitting for the task at hand."

Xavier, still trying to absorb the extraordinary turn of events, ventured to inquire, "Is this condition you speak of related to the task you are about to explain, Cassius?"

Cassius, maintaining his air of authority, nodded solemnly. "Indeed, it is. I intend to mold you into a gladiator, and you will need to emerge victorious in the arena. Only then will you have the opportunity to approach Julius Caesar during the ceremony when he receives his accolades. It is at that moment that you must carry out the act of eliminating the authoritarian Emperor."

Xavier stood in a dimly lit room, the soft light from a lamp casting eerie shadows on the worn furniture. Opposite him, Cassius, leaned forwards, his face etched with seriousness.

Cassius spoke in a low, but confident tone, "Xavier, you must understand how serious what I just told you is. The fate of our nation, perhaps even the world, depends on the success of this mission."

Xavier was stunned at the thought of Cassius' offer. Instead of accepting the offer, Xavier had another idea that Cassius never expected.

"A task from you is more valuable than my freedom, but I'm willing to do it if you fulfil my one condition," Xavier said.

Cassius and Leonidas looked at Xavier questioningly. With Xavier's unfavourable situation, he still dared to make an offer, which piqued their curiosity: what made Xavier so confident in his situation that he dared to ask?

The answers to their questions will make the situation evolve in a new direction that they never expected. This is the one turning point Xavier has been waiting for.

Meanwhile, in a different time, John remained in a state of astonishment, his thoughts swirling like a tempest. The holographic projection had been uncanny, an eerie glimpse into a parallel existence. As he grappled with his thoughts, a rhythmic knocking on Gertrude's rustic door snapped him back to the present.

Startled, John's gaze shifted to Gertrude, who stood beside him, her expression serene despite the unexpected intrusion. She offered a gentle smile as she voiced her thought, "Perhaps it's some of my friends who've come for a visit."

With a graceful sweep of her hand, she unlatched the door, allowing it to creak open. Yet, as the door widened to reveal the outside world, Gertrude's composure wavered. Her eyes widened in disbelief as they locked onto the figures standing on her threshold.

Their presence felt like an abrupt disruption to the serene atmosphere of Gertrude's home, where time seemed to pass slowly and worries were rare guests. The unfamiliar attire of these two men clashed with the rustic charm of the cottage, creating an almost surreal contrast. It was as though they had been plucked from another world, a world of unknown motives and secrets.

"How are you, Gertrude?" one of them asked, the words flowing with a familiarity that sent chills down her spine. The two men looked at Gertrude with a sly grin.

Gertrude's heart was beating fast at the sight of the two men before her. She knew that her two guests had not come to bring peace, but rather a big problem that was still ongoing and had been haunting her all this time. However, this time the situation was different because there was a man behind her who was ready to help her deal with the big problem she was facing. Unfortunately, her two guests are not ordinary people like them. Now, trouble has arrived in front of their eyes, ready to tear apart the tranquillity of the era.