“Imperator, imperator!” a chorus of exhausted voices chanted as the last vestiges of resistance had been subdued. Truly the last stand of these Gauls was a bloody one. A few carrion crows had already taken to the field to begin a gruesome feast.
“Men! This is a heroic victory, THE DAY IS OURS!” Centurion Vibius exclaimed, drawing another round of cheers from the remaining hastati. “Tonight we feast on fattened boar and drink of the finest ale, or at least whatever swill these barbarians had stored away. Search the buildings!”
Continuing past a breach in the settlement walls the sounds of a dying man reached the Centurion’s ears, “Also, will someone please put that man out of his misery?” Nodding his head to the officer standing on the low wall to his right Vibius called out “Opito Fabius, walk with me.”
Fabius Julii, Optio of the forward Hastati Centuria, acknowledged his senior commander with an affirmative grunt and began to descend from the primitive battlements.
Rickety logs patched with mud may have been sufficient to keep away wild animals and the occasional brigand away but stood no chance against the might of a Legion supplied with a deployment of onagers and ballista. A massive pile of debris lay just down the way where a watch tower had collapsed under artillery fire.
“Yes sir? What do you need?” Fabius asked.
“At ease, you of all people have earned it,” Vibius responded with a sigh, “our casualties?”
“Fourteen dead and two dozen wounded, about third criticality. Marius is likely to lose his arm.”
“A shame, he was shaping up to be a fine officer with a bit more experience. For the rest, we fought, and they paid the price. Good men, though telling their families the news is not a task I relish. At least we won,” Vibius paused then took a moment to wave his hand across the town, plumes of smoke rising from burning bodies and buildings alike, “this.”
“For the glory of Rome,” Fabius replied, “and her children. They may fight like devils, but they are still an honorable sort. I look to the strength they will add to the empire once we have brought civilization to their ranks.”
“Indeed so Fabius, too many would decry them as hopeless and lost, but our strength as humanity is adaptability. Look at the advantages we held over them, and yet they still bloodied us. That with ferocity and belief is what makes us kindred to them, even if they do not yet know that themselves. These people are our people. Now let’s go see to setting up some semblance of order before the soldiers create a real problem.”
Dismissed, Fabius found the tents of their unit. The relaxing men were divided into groups of a half dozen each to patrol the town in shifts to maintain order through the night. Coming up short on drawing lots Fabius saw he would take the midnight bell.
The first group left camp and began their patrol through the darkening city. Heading towards the center of camp, it seemed apparent that someone had indeed located the Centurion’s request. The sound of sizzling pork over an open fire reached Fabius’ ears, followed swiftly by the crisp aroma of woodsmoke and plethora of spices quartermaster Silvias somehow managed to have available at all times.
Silvias sliced a hunk of meat from the crisped boar and placed it on a platter, “Here ya go boy, eat up.”
Even after Fabius’ 23 years, Silvias still considered everyone without a few grey hairs as a kid. Not that he was wrong either, few had the combat experience that he had survived through. An untreated wound had cost him some function of his leg but didn’t stop him from serving the army. Quite literally now.
“Thanks ya old bastard, I’m going to miss the cooking once you finally die off,” Fabius ribbed with a slight smirk growing on his face.
“Just don’t you try to beat me to the grave, this old man has achieved more than you whelps could dream of and I’ll be damned if you think you’ll get a piece of sweet, sweet Venus before I!”
“Maybe 30 years ago you would have had a chance, but now,” Fabius shook his head, “Now it probably would take Venus to just get that flab up again!”
“With age comes wisdom kid, and knowledge of how to please a partner. Something I hope you learn some day! Now get a move on, I’ve got a whole camp to feed here.”
“Later gramps!” Fabius called out as he went to sit down and eat. Even if the joking interaction between the two of them was a bit tired, he knew that a return to normalcy was important for everyone after a battle. Some scars were not caused by spear or arrow, but the wounds deadly just the same.
Truthfully the losses were less than expected, storming settlement walls was an action that carried the great risks, but was necessary to avoid laying siege over the long winter when frostbite and starvation might kill a man as surely as an arrow to the heart. Being second in command of the front hastati maniple of the Legion was an honor, as was any command position, but his troops were among poorest and least experienced. In turn, they were deemed the most expendable.
Overall, the battle was surely a massive success. Minimal losses and the town was captured mostly intact. Cries of “Imperator” were still ringing out as the soldiers celebrated the crowning achievement of their long campaign. It had been early spring when they first crossed over into Gaul. The head of the Legion would be heralded all the way back to Rome herself with their new title. Some small consolation for those who lost their lives, but such was the path to citizenship for common soldiers and the opportunity to do better for their own families.
Fabius reflected as he found a handy log to set on for his dinner. As the adopted third son of a small family of vintners located in the eastern end of Umbria, his prospects in life were limited. Eldest brother was set to inherit the land, while the middle was determined to become a politician of all things! “Quint at least has the demeanor to keep our holdings together, but Gaius? That boy thinks to become emperor or some such madness,” Fabius let out a chuckle at the thought of Gaius having control over a country. “Maybe once he learns control over his bladder,” The prank when they were kids with the ’wolf’ was worth every lashing Fabius had received.
With a contented groan Fabius finished licking his fingers clean, then went over to inspect his gear. One of his pilum had been lost in battle, the heavy javelin thrown into a burgeoning gap in the wall where it had buried itself into a defender’s thigh. One enemy taken out of the fight. The second pila was still intact and in good condition, after applying a bit of oil and rubbing it down the man height weapon was returned to its scabbard. The armorer had already arranged for a replacement and it joined the other.
Next was his gladius, a short blade roughly the length of a forearm with hand extended. It had claimed three lives today and while the blood was long since removed, the edge was dulled. Leather armor was decent defense against slashing, but controlled thrusts with a sharpened blade made short work of said protection. Swift strokes with a stone honed the blade. A soldier’s weapon was their lifeline, a good one always took care of their gear, that it could take care of them.
Fabius then looked over to his trusty scutum, the rectangular shield holding a few new gashes where it had caught blows intended for him. Still, it would be able to cover him from shoulder to knee for at least another couple battles provided that some idiot with an axe didn’t decide to make kindling of it.
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With a full belly and gear checked, Fabius stripped from his armor. Ebony skin reflected the firelight as he grabbed a washcloth to wipe down the accumulated sweat and dirt from the day. His unruly hair would take some time to manage, time that might be better spent elsewhere. No soap but water was enough to remove the worst of the grime that had caked on during the course of battle. Limber muscles rippled slightly as he twisted to reach the entirety of his body.
“Military rations might not be the best tasting, but they do keep a man from growing fat,” Fabius allowed himself with a slight smile. While not as muscular as some of the veterans, he was a member of the Roman Legions. Physical fitness was a given.
Setting aside the cleaning bucket and wash rag, Fabius stood to shave the facial hair that had been trying to come in ever thicker these last few years. A few minutes with the edge of his gladius later and the unruly face was declared clean.
Setting into the sack, Fabius allowed himself to slowly drift into a dreamless sleep.
***
“Sir, the patrol has returned,” said a head poking into his tent.
“Any disturbances?” Fabius asked.
“No sir, the townspeople are staying indoors and all is quiet for the time being.”
“Excellent, give me a moment to rouse the men and we’ll be on our way.”
Fabius stretched then began waking his patrol members. Once all were awake, they began gearing up. A recently conquered city was always a tinderbox waiting to alight if given half a chance. Their duties were to keep that from happening.
Fully geared, the patrol began walking north from the encampment and into the settlement proper. Eyes watched his passing from behind bolted doorways, and whispers in a foreign tongue silencing at his approach then rising as he passed their abodes. It was far too late to be awake but given all that had happened he wasn’t surprised if they too were maintaining their own vigil.
The devastation near the walls was subdued as they walked further into the settlement. Fewer stray projectiles had crashed into the houses and granaries here, but the massive energy wrought by siege engines did not discriminate between arrow towers or a tannery. Their patrol continued without incident for several hours.
Eyes watched from the shadows but none made a move on the heavily armed and armored group.
“Sir, did you hear something from over there?” Bellius, one of the more senior recruits, said and motioned towards a small copse set aside from the trade district of the village.
“A Druidic circle from the layout,” Fabius remarked, “keep your eyes peeled, zealots can be the most dangerous of enemies.”
Twisting vines climbed trees by the perimeter, hand hewn stone paved the curving walkway. Several circular paths separated by shrubbery hid the centerpiece of the ritual site. A low fire drew flickering shadows into the night. Murmuring voices could be heard, an ancient chant rising and falling with words the approaching Legionaries could not comprehend. Fabius lifted his fist then motioned for three to head left, three to the right. He and Bellius would approach the group head on to see if they would peacefully disperse while the rest positioned themselves for combat.
As the main group of practitioners came into view, the chant faltered for a moment as the armed men approached. “Citizens, I am Fabius Julii of the fourth Legion. This city is-,”
The lead priest glared but continued his chanting, bringing it to a crescendo that seemed more belted out than sung “Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba!”
Fabius’ incredulous response was cut off by tenor of the crowd’s menacing chant “Sithi uhm ingonyama”
As Fabius was about to open his mouth again, the priest uttered another phrase, “Siyo Nqoba”.
This was apparently the trigger phrase as the crowd began closing in while chanting, the sense of urgency increasing with each repetition, “Ingonyama nengw’ enamabwa, ingonyama nengw’ enamabwa, ingonyama nengw’ enamabwa, INGONYAMA NENGW’ ENAMABWA!”
Fabius readied his shield, this group would not move along quietly. There had already been too much bloodshed this day. Making martyrs of them would only leave the town in a worse state. The civilians likewise appeared unarmed in loose robes and not a legitimate threat. “Men, advance. Non lethal force, shields and pommel only!”
Suddenly, a brilliant golden spark rose from the campfire and rose to the height of two men before settling into place. It hovered for but a moment until with a rush of wind it opened into an unfathomable void. It was beyond black, beyond anything that had ever been seen before. An absence from the world itself. Brilliant golden flames licked the edge of the circular tear in reality.
The priest and his flock had withdrawn already from the epicenter of the ritual, Fabius’ squad had came forward to contain. From the looks of the civilians present, none had expected... this. Whatever it was.
The night was silent. The low fire had been extinguished, only the ring holding itself aloft over the ground provided illumination. No motion came from the ring aside from the flickering ethereal flames which neither consumed the thin layer of nothingness nor flared up.
A soft breeze... no... a pull towards the ring. Like the gentlest of aromas drifting along in summer. Nothing moved but it felt like they were being pulled towards it. Spellbound, the soldiers began to slowly circle the opening, perhaps a well? Or was it a wall?
Bellius picked up a pebble and cast it into the abyss. It resisted for a briefest moment before a ripple, much like quicksilver, emanated from the impact point and the stone disappeared.
Nothing happened.
“What is it?” Bellius picked up another, slightly larger pebble and lobbed it again.
As before, it hit the barrier before sinking into its depths.
“I rightfully don’t know,” Fabius responded, looking for where the two stones had disappeared to. There was no trace of them on the ground nor had they been glued in place. The civilians began to slink away into the shadows, clearly pleased with what they had wrought and looking to dissipate into the night. All except the head priest who looked at the circle with a growing smile of ecstasy. “Hold them here men, we need answers. Antony and Marcellus, go report this to Vibius.”
The two young men left in a hurry, leaving a half dozen soldiers with the ten worshipers and their leader. “Your doom approaches despoilers,” the priest stated with the conviction of a man who has accepted death “now all you know and love shall burn, as all I have loved burned before me.”
“What is this you have created?” Fabius asked the man who was starting to rave.
“I? I have created a monument to all your sins.”
“Talk! What sorcery is this, what does it do! Tell me that I may end your life swiftly.”
“Talk?” He left out a sardonic laugh. The old man continued, “There is much talk. And I have listened. Now I will talk, and you shall listen.”
“Bellius, grab some cloth to muzzle him and anyone else that makes a move. We need to sort this out. There’s too much madness here and it’s giving me a headache.”
Bellius stopped flicking rocks for the moment and stood up. The remaining handful of rocks he’d collected were unceremoniously tossed into the hole before walking over to restrain the loud if otherwise unremarkable demagogue.
“I will not be silenced! You may slay me, but my voice will echo on through the ages. Mark my words, Rome WILL B-”
“Finally,” Fabius groaned into his hand as the man was silenced with a gag. “You there.”
“Yes?” One of the frightened followers visibly shrunk back trying to avoid the attention directed at her.
“Calm down, we are not going to hurt you if you don’t try to hurt us. What is your name?”
“I am known at Nia to my countrymen.”
“Nia, what is this, and how do we stop it?”
“We come here to begin the cycle of rebirth. After such slaughter... it is more important to place the spirits of the dead to rest, that they might return to us again.”
“And this,” Fabius nodded at the void, “has this happened before?
“Never, though it may be tha-”
“WAAAAAGGH!” A guttural cry split the quiet of the night as a hideous creature from the depths of Pluto’s domain came through the portal to what must surely be the underworld. A pebble idly tossed by another of the men before its appearance rolled to the ground after hitting it in the face.
The creature was monstrous, standing a head taller than the greatest man present with sickly green skin over its body. A pair of brutal tusks sprouted from its lower jaw, one chipped from some unknown fight over lost souls. An earthy scent like that of cave mushrooms wafted into the clearing. After taking a quick step forward, the beast stumbled across the holy ground, catching itself on a jagged piece of steel that could only be called a sword by the most desperate.
The legionaries had not been idle in watching, forming a circle around the monster and warily approached it.
“Die foul demon!” Bellius broke rank and charged. Hoisting his shield for protection, his roar was matched by one of the creature’s own.
Smooth wood hit green flesh as Bellius slammed into the beast. A gap toothed grin was the only response he received as the charge was simply caught on one arm. Bellius pivoted to deliver a piercing strike into the belly of his opponent while the infernal eyes watched appraisingly.
The monster, what else could it be called, back-stepped quicker than should have been possible for a being of such bulk. Bellius overextended his reach and the blade drew only a shallow wound.
A lash from his opponent’s crude weapon raced towards Bellius’ shoulder as he whirled his protective shield to catch it. With a thunderous crack, it drove halfway through before becoming wedged.
Feral grin spreading across its face, the green beast wrenched its weapon backwards still embedded in the shield. Bellius let out a cry of pain as his arm was pulled against its natural orientation.
Two more of the creatures appeared from the portal. One held a great length of chain with links the size of a man’s hand. The other lofted a brutal mace coated with spikes and a shield hewn from what looked to be an insect carapace and roared. Seeing their brethren in combat, they began to lash out as they came to their senses.
The first one was growing more confident as its foul presence polluted the holy site, though its reinforcements were still suffering from the effects.
Seizing the advantage, Fabius called for a charge. Slashing steel and sparks flew under the flickering lights as discipline was called to match against against overwhelming power and ferocity. If this continued for long, the tide would surely turn against them. “Men, hold them off! There’s no way to stop it from here. I’ll scatter this infernal circle from the other side. We must not let these creatures from the depths gain a foothold on our world!”
As if understanding his words, the beasts from below began to move to protect the portal while still under attack from the soldiers. With a mighty bellow, Fabius raised his gladius to the sky and defied the spawn attempting to take root on his world, “FOR THE EMPEROR!”
A flurry of steel and blood erupted as the beasts fought their opponents. Fabius’ eyes saw they bled green, while his own men were growing battered and bloodied by the unconventional weaponry wielded against them with great force.
The portal to the underworld lay before him, seeming to grow larger and turbulent as he advanced. A lash from the chain wielding beast nearly took off his head, luckily he was able to raise his shield in time to absorb the blow. It still nearly bowled him over with the impact. One staggering step then another, Fabius regained his feet and reached the barrier.
There was no resistance like what he had expected. Only the endless hungering void. A jolt of pain shot through the core of his being and crawled excruciatingly slowly, burning through his extremities until the whole world was blinding white heat and pain followed by... nothing.