Ali_Gin

Every civilization in embryo aspires to be Rome while the one on deathbed laments it. Inspired by Rome, Gods’ Gaze is an epic historical fantasy of multiple POVs relying on authentic stratagems of twists and turns. No one gets to Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo out of trouble. 


"All warfare is based on deception, like the theater."


Evoking his late father’s words, Cato Duilius Claudius assumes the alias, Moon Xeator, and he vows to have his vengeance. In the upcoming years, he plots to restore the dual consulship, his father’s legacy, by bringing down the Praetor Magnum and the Triumvirate that slaughtered his family when he was a child. Aware that nothing would crush a man as much as the chink in his own armor, he sows suspicions among his foes and lures them into overreaching. He games the power structure in which all participants are corruptible. Those he keeps around, he taps into their fears, hates, and wants as grist for his mill. He turns his friends into pawns, as does his life a board of chess.


But the game he plays cuts both ways. His vengeance also brings home the bitterest misery, which is to know so much and still have control over so little. And there is no return for him now. He can’t look back as there is nothing behind; nor does he dare look forward, knowing the road ahead. All he has is the time at hand, and it all slips through him into ruins like quicksand. When he trades in what he holds dear only to arrive at his destination, what will he find there when nothing can ease the pain of his losses? 


Fleshed out by his flaws, Xeator never meant to choose good over evil. His journey rings true that every important idea is only valid as in a paradox with an opposing idea, and the power to rise obliterates, too.

Gods' Gaze

Ariadne pursed her lips to smile at her maid.

Who looked anxious in Ariadne's stola, perching on a chaise lounge upholstered in cardinal velvet.

"Relax, Cassia," Ariadne whispered. "It'd be just like those games we used to play. I sneak out while you pretend to be me. Only this time, you'll be the one who sneaks out."

Cassia raised her head, her smile tremulous, her freckled round face ridden with unease.

"Don't worry, alright?" She regarded her maid with another reassuring smile. "Tribune Valerius will go with you, and nothing bad will happen to you!" She cleared her throat, trying to sound poised. "Now, don't move, I need to get your hair right," The maid's brown tresses kept springing from her hand while she struggled to twirl them to a chignon. After another failed attempt to hold it in place, she pouted, losing her patience. Turning on her heel, she snatched up her silver diadem beaded with a string of pearls from a pedestal end table and donned it on the maid. "Forget it," she said, "you look great."

"I can do my hair, m'lady," said Cassia in a small voice, her eyes lifting at the speculum.

Ariadne patted her on the shoulder and left her to it. Flipping the wall flaps, she dipped out. Was she trying to do something nice for Cassia, lest things go awry on their account? Stricken with a pang of guilt, she snuffed up the cold air sweeping about. She folded her arms, her eyes turning to the dusking edge of the sierra afar. The North Sea on the other side of the steppe, the archipelagos in the south where she had never been, and all the places yet to see, Julius promised to take her there one day - she could hear him, and the sound of his promise left her catatonic.

Premonition seeped under her skin, chilling her bones. Her heart clenched. Nibbling her bottom lip, she narrowed her gaze at the sun on its descent and decided to take a leap of faith.

15.