VENGEANCE
I walked out into the
arena. My young, smooth body glistening in the sunlight. This was
my first fight in the arena, but I was ready for it. As the son of
one of the greatest lanistas in this town, I was well-acquainted with
the arena.
I also knew my enemy
well, the “great” champion of Antium. He was a highway robber
who had killed my father and mother as they traveled from the city.
I was only fourteen at the time and vowed my revenge. I stood before
the magistrate and demanded the man's head. Instead, a rival lanista
bribed the magistrate into letting the man fight for him in the
arena.
I watched every fight,
hoping to see him fall, instead, I saw him turn from a murderous
villain into the “hero” of the city when he slew two gladiators
brought by a Roman Senator. Being too young to own my father's
gladiators, I was forced to sell them off, retaining only my personal
servant, who was only a year older than I. Although I was still well
off financially, I spent very little money. Most of the people who
saw me walking the streets to the market, only saw some small, lanky
boy and looked down on me as one to be pitied.
For the next few years, I
had kept a very solitary life. I accepted no guests. The only
companion I had was my servant, who, at times, seemed to be more of
the master than I was. I spent my time training myself in my
father's ludus and he was my doctore. For at least 14 hours every
day, he would give me a brutal workout. Each passing hour, my young
body ached and yearned to quit from the exhaustive pain. Most other
men, better men than I, would have given up. Several times I passed
out from the heat, but my servant was there to dowse my head with
water and get me back up. My body was still weak, but my mind and
heart were fixed.
Each month, I grew stronger
and stronger, feeding myself on the same meat and gruel that my
father had fed his gladiators on. At the crow of the rooster, before
the light of day, I started my sword training until the sun was
directly overhead. The heat of the afternoon sun gave me time for my
endurance training. In the evening, was my strength training. As
the finale of the strength training, I had my servant chain me
against the wall and give my abs a long, gut-punching work-over until
I could no longer stand on my own feet. He would then, drag me to my
bed and lie with me for the evening. When the rooster howled in the
pre-dawn light, I was up again.
Each day was the same
schedule, with the exception of one day each week, when we would
spend the morning in the market purchasing our needs and conducting
what little business I could. By the peak of the sun, we lunched and
took off on a a six-hour run along the coastline or up into the
hills.
Without a break, I
trained every day, preparing myself. Through all the pain and
turmoil, my heart and mind were focused on one goal. If no other
gladiator would arise to avenge my father's death and bring this
villain down to the dust, then I would.
Four long years seemed to
pass in short time. My pecs and shoulders bulged into hardened
rocks. My once smooth belly, transformed itself into a granite
washboard. The few times I could see my own reflection, I stood in
awe. I, who was once a small gangly boy, was now a god.
I went to the magistrate
and presented the challenge against “Antium's greatest champion.”
At first, he was reluctant. He kept questioning my skills as a
gladiator, and perhaps, I should challenge some lesser to gain more
experience first. But, I was not about to become some common
spectacle for others' entertainment. This was to be my only fight.
The magistrate knew of my
lust for vengeance and justice. “Well,” said he, “You may not
have the experience of being a gladiator. But, you most certainly
have the heart.”
So, here I stand today,
under the hot sun of the arena. The crowd had heard of my challenge
and it seemed that all the city had come to watch me avenge the death
of my parents. It was astounding to see how quickly the fickle
crowd, who had always cheered on their beloved champion had turned
against him in an instant. I stood there, blade in hand, awaiting
the last entrance that the champion will ever make.
The horns bellowed and
the crowd booed as the other gate opened. He walked out from the
darkness into the light of day. His massive muscular figure gleaming
in the sunlight. I watched him as he flexed for the crowd. I wasn't
impressed. All I could think of was how those same muscles would be
tensing up when my sword ran him through. I enjoyed watching his
little show, knowing full well, those same powerful muscles would
soon enough be doing a final encore.
He spread out his arms
arrogantly and turned around haughtily, a mighty spectacle for the
crowd to behold. He didn't seem to care about the disapproval of the
crowd. He didn't need them. After all, he had his blade and it was
far to easy to turn a crowd. A small tingling of doubt cast its
shadow over me. I tried hard to subdue it. But, my heart began
racing in my chest. Hatred and anger with even a slight touch of
fear boiled over. After a quick salute, I made my charge.
He stood there, as I
mustered my vengeful rage into a powerful courage and made my dash at
him. My sword arm was fully cocked for the kill. The crowd was awed
by my muscular, youthful beauty as I charged my opponent. Time
seemed to briefly stand still. The ladies longed to have their legs
and arms wrapped around my powerful handsome hips. The older men
desired to be or at least have me. I was a young god in their eyes,
a god of youth, a god of strength, a god of justice, a god of beauty.
Those four years slaving away myself at home had paid off. I was,
for this brief moment, the new champion and the desire of all.
What was really about
five seconds seemed more like a minute as I made the charge. He
might have strength and experience. But I had justice, heart and
speed on my side. I got in close enough proximity to almost collide
with him, about to thrust my sword straight into his heart, when I
felt a heavy hit to my gut, almost as if he had kneed me there.
I heard a loud gasp
“Uuhhhh!!”. I wasn't sure if it was from him or the crowd. I
bent forward and looked down at my gut to see his blade buried about
six inches into my navel. My eyes widened in disbelief, shock ran
throughout my body, causing me to drop my sword. This couldn't be.
I looked up at him, my face flushed. His arrogant eyes squinted from
the sly grin.
My stomach sickened.
This was supposed to be justice. I looked again at my firm, strong
body and realized that, though clothed in tightly toned muscles, I
was still a weak young man. I had spent years training and toning,
only to lose it all in a single quick instant.
He placed an arm around
my shoulder. His chest pressed partly against mine as he whispered
in my ear. “You had the heart of a warrior, but lacked the skill.”
My knees began to shake
as my manhood released and semen ran down my leg. My breathing was
still strong and powerful. I felt as If I was going to pass out,
but, he began rubbing my back gently. “Not yet,” he whispered.
“You tried hard, now, the least you can do is die like a man.”
He slowly added pressure on the blade and I felt my whole gut begin
throbbing violently as he buried the blade entirely through my gut.
The sharp point sticking out through my back. I arched forward from
the searing pain, my chest resting against his arm, my cheek pressed
against his massive bicep.
He rubbed his hand
tenderly between my shoulder blades and gave me a couple pats. “Now,
that's a good boy. Go to your daddy.” With that, he yanked the
blade out of my gut. The sharp, almost electric pain caused me to
let out a muffled cry as I fell down to my knees. I bent forward,
placing my hands over my wounds, the streaming blood trickled between
my fingers.
I felt light-headed
and dizzied as I fell over to my side. I
looked up to see him raise his sword high in the air, my blood still
dripping from it, while the crowd erupted out into great cheers. My abs muscles heaved
together with a couple of pounding thusts. I let out a couple quiet
gaspy sighs. My bare legs gave a final squirming seizure and all went
still........
