Chapter 26: In Life and Death
You are right, Publius. Some things are sacred. I've nearly lost everything, my life, my estates, as well as my beloved. But now I have the whole Eboracum to protect. My heart is heavy. My conscience struggles from within. If my men aren't willing then I shan't force them. We will find another way to save Eboracum.
Septimus! Do you know what is at stake?! Publius! Surely you understand! It doesn't matter if we save our own Legion from this fate, only to fall under the sword of the savages! Eboracum will burn! This, is the lesser of the two evils.
Publius thought of Valerius words, his own heart in turmoil. Nothing seems right any more. He turned his gaze a the men he trained so hard. They returned his with a steely one. They nod without hesitation. There is no longer any doubt within him. For the greater good, the Ninth Legion will be reborn.
I'm sorry, spirits.
Septimussssss, will you release usssss?
I-
No, Publius. They deserve more than this!
That is because you asked the wrong men! SULLA LEGIONS! I ASK YOU: DO YOU WISH FOR THIS?!
YES WE DO! Our lives for Eboracum! LONG LIVE THE LEGION!
What in the Emperor's name-
It is done?
Come, Septimus. There's much to be done.
Honor their sacrifice, Septimus. Fight well. Their lives are in your hands now.
That night, Septimus dreams...
So...I've sacrificed everything. There's nothing left.
Do not toy with my feelings, Hadrian.
Why would I? I've given you the Ninth Legion, did I not? Trust in me and Eboracum shall return to its glory. Eboracum shall have its Empress.
Where is she?
Hadrian smiles before answering.
Samhain.
The next morning...
How did they know?
What's been done cannot be undone.
Come friends, I have another matter to attend to.
Hmm where to?
A ruined abbey, I had a dream...
You've lost so much so much, and the most painful loss was the death of your dear wife, Naevia. Could it be true that she's trapped somewhere out of this world, in that cold place they call Samhain? You must return to the aze where the fallen warriors wait for eternity, undying and bitter.
This is quite ancient - perhaps there's some old artifacts and such here.
Come, time's wasting. Let's find a way in.
Search this place. There might be a clue.
What exactly, are we looking for?
You wouldn't believe me if I told you.
They rummage among the heaps of rubble and rotten wood, but you only find some tattered scrolls of vellum and torn manuscripts with illuminated pages, depicting knights and praying hermits. You decide to go down the stairs.
Look at all these books! Let's search through it.
Alright. We can spare the time..
You inspect the old scrolls that cover a wide range of scholarly matters. You take away some maps and an obscure tract of the history of the Wall. However, you are beginning to realize that it could take weeks to search this place thoroughly.
We've no time for this.
Suit yourself. I'm staying here.
Alright. Be careful.
Septimus, you've not told me what is it you are seeking.
I'll know it when I see it.
The gate to the lower vaults open slowly, with loud creaks and groans. The noise echoes through the tunnels. The torches flicker in the musty draught.
Come. This Vault is bigger than I thought. Spread out and search.
You reach a huge cavern with a familiar stone slab in the middle. You grab the crystal and let the blue light coalesce into the gate to Samhain.
I'm not sure about this.
Come on, Publius.
The group stepped through the opening.
Where are we?
You're not like one of us....how did you get here?
Back, demon!
Easy, Publius. My name is Septimus, I seek a way into Samhain. Is this the place?
Ah, I sense you are a mighty warrior. You are not in Samhain. I too, am seeking a way into Samhain. I see you do not have the army to defeat the guardians that protect the gates. I can lend you mine.
I don't trust him.
If we defeat the guardians, we can enter Samhain?
I will not lie human. We too, seek to escape this place. Without each other's help, we are both trapped here, in the Void.
Publius, he's right. We've no choice.
The Ninth Legion, and now this.
Come, humans. The battle awaits.
How do you find my army?
Terrifyingly strong.
Let us battle, for our freedom!
The colossi protects the gates. Septimus grips his sword and closed his eyes momentarily.
Naevia, I'm coming...
All preparation ready, Commander.
CHARGE!
The Colossi, despite being powerful, stood no chance against the demonic horde that Septimus commands. Overwhelmed, the massive guardians crumble to the ground.
The flying gargoyles proved to be slightly more troublesome.
Argh, these blasted guardians won't come down and face us!
Do you have archers?
No. We could try magic...
Invoke the shrines! Let them suffer the might of Jupiter!
The shrines worked its magic and the stone gargoyles crashed to the ground in a heap of rubble.
A marvelous victory, human.
Naevia...I'm coming.
So it's true...
I...I thought I've lost you...
...
Naevia?
Septimus removes his helmet and walks closer.
Music:
Friendship
Naevia, it's me, Septimus! Beloved, I've come to take you back!
Septimus? Ah, Septimus...Sulla?
Septimus hugs her close. The chill against his flesh is nothing compared to the warm, hot tears flowing from his eyes.
NAEVIIAAAAAAA!
We're going home, beloved. I won't let it ever happen again. I...we'll have tea in the afternoon, just like those days. Naevia...I miss you so much...
ED: I teared a little bit. Sorry guys.
Septimus - the spirits...they're..
Septimus dons his helmet once more, holding Naevia close to his side.
I did not come for you. But if you desire to serve me, then swear your fealty to protect Eboracum!
No. I think not.
I...
Should Septimus let this demon escape?
Valerius are you ready?
As I'll ever be.
I am very uneasy about this...
of choices. I wouldn't sacrifice my army for a bunch of ghosts, no matter how good they are.
