Chapter Thirteen, History Has Its Eyes On You.
"THE GODS HAVE SPOKEN!"

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     Octavia Amulius' rage and bottomless despair was domestic. She would often keep it bottled up and swallow it with pride — or fear.

     She held it close to her, pushing against her beating heart in hopes that the warmth of her nurturing nature could erase it altogether. To be able to turn around, paste that pretty smile on her lips, and forget all about her problems. To allow them to waste away into yesterday's events, and prepare for a better tomorrow. It was a rhythm — a familiar pattern she had trained herself to learn and repeat ever since she stepped foot into the Roman palace, and agreed to sign her freedom away to a dangerous man with no sense of love and no sense of honour in his blood. Keep him happy, smile and please him with heavenly pleasure, and don't plague your relationship with those opposing thoughts and beliefs. That was what the maids had told her.

     If the woman didn't train herself to swallow those unflattering emotions, she would turn around and live to regret it.

And on many occasions, she often has, receiving a firm punishment in the form of a violent fist, or a screech that shook her entire body to the core, distilling fear into her very being.

     And as she sat upon the tiled floor, her glassy eyes burning from the tears that fell throughout the night, staring directly down at the large crimson stain smeared across the ground beneath her where Caius rotting body once lied before he was taken away by guards, all Octavia Amulius felt was rage and despair. She was deeply saddened by the sudden and violent death of a dear friend and protector. Caius did what he did — sacrificing himself — to spare Augusta from the same fate, thus reuniting with his family in the next life. While Octavia knew her friend was at peace, she still grieved his absence in the aftermath of such a horrific death.

That was when the despair would falter and the rage would eventually take over. She felt her blood boil in this blazing anger she had never felt before. As her eyes narrowed down to the blood — Caius' blood — that not only stained the very ground she would walk upon, but her dress, and her skin too, she felt her jaw clench and her hands tighten into fists. She breathed heavily, shakily, as her fingernails picked at the dry blood painted across her flesh, a dull ache erupting in her chest when she remembered who the blood belonged to, and how Geta made sure this happened to hurt her. To punish her for loving another.

It made her angry, so angry, she found her gaze drifting towards the dagger that remained in the room with her, still in the place where Lucius had previously dropped it to the ground. Octavia wondered what would happen if she grabbed it and kept it hidden until she was given the perfect opportunity to strike. Octavia knew she was not a vengeful woman. She could never imagine harming another living being at her own hand. But Geta had pushed her. He pushed and pushed until she was nothing, but rage, her actions and mentality being driven by one thing — grief.

     And grief was a powerful tool. She was starting to learn how powerful that tool could be.

     However, as Octavia stretched her hand out to grab the dagger from where it lay lonesome on the ground, the doors to her chambers opened wide, and entered none other than Geta himself. Octavia was quick to grab the dagger before she retracted herself back to her original position, looking up at the man as he was already dressed and adorned in the finest clothing and jewels, ready for the spectacle she was sure he would force her to attend. She just thanked for gods for allowing her the time to push the dagger beneath her bed, keeping the blade hidden from Geta's eyes as his darkened gaze, the dark shades of colours painted around his eyes bringing out the evil glint within them.

     That glimmer became more apparent when he narrowed his eyes down towards where Octavia remained from the night before, an amused chuckle leaving his lips. "I shall request Augusta's presence here shortly. I need you cleaned up for today—"

     "I'm not going," Octavia interjected harshly, her bloodshot eyes meeting his hateful eyes.

     Geta scoffed in response to the woman's words, shaking his head as he took a seat in a chair directly in front of her, so he could remain level with her, but they were far from equals, and it was demonstrated in the way Geta still towered over her, looking down upon her like she was nothing. "Don't be fickle. You will be attending the games today. I designed them especially for you. The least you could do is make the effort to attend after all my efforts to making sure today is especially perfect," He explained, clearly not taking no for an answer from the woman.

     Octavia couldn't help but shudder in response to the emperor's words, knowing exactly what he meant. She knew he had every intention of harming her in any way possible, and having her lover killed in the colosseum was a greater punishment than anything she had ever experienced before. "What are you going to do to him?" She asked, her voice shaky as she spoke.

     "Your barbarian lover?" Geta questioned in a rhetorical manner as he leaned forward, rubbing his hands together, the countless rings that wrapped around his fingers shimmering in the cracks of sunlight peaking into the room. "I don't intend on him dying in the game today if that's what your main concern is. I'm saving him for something much more...thrilling."

     And that was when the thought crossed her mind; her friends.

     "What about Acacius? Lucilla? Augusta?" Octavia pushed, sniffling quietly as she lifted her teary eyes to meet Geta's once again. "What will you do to them?"

     Releasing a sigh past his lips, Geta stood up from his chair and walked towards Octavia before he crouched down in front of her, forcing the woman to cower away from him in fear, swallowing thickly as he parted his lips to speak once again. "Augusta? She was a mere pawn in someone else's game. She'll receive no punishment. Lucilla...is a little more tricky. She's a traitor, but my brother and I have a soft spot for her. Her fate is undecided..."

Octavia let out a scoff, shaking her head with a twinkle of amusement burning in her eyes. "Am I supposed to be grateful for your mercy?" She questioned.

Amused by her question, the corners of Geta's lips turned upwards into a sickly grin as he reached up and brushed some hair out of Octavia's face. "I'm letting your friends live. Am I not merciful enough?" Geta became a lot more harsh towards the woman, gripping her cheeks between his fingers as he tilted her face upwards so her eyes forcefully met his own. When she showed him nothing, only fear, he was content and let her go.

     "What about Acacius?" Octavia breathed out, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. "What will happen to him?"

     "The gods will decide his fate in the arena." The second those words left Geta's lips, rolling off of his tongue like sickly venom from a rattlesnake, striking her down with a vicious bite, Octavia felt her blood run cold, realisation washing over her that Acacius would be forced to fight and defend himself for the sake of his own survival in the colosseum.

Octavia shook her head, her quivering lips parting to speak. "Don't do this," She begged him. She wasn't stupid. She knew the chance of Acacius emerging out of the arena victorious was likely. He was a skilled fighter and could survive against the best of the best, but she knew Geta and Caracalla. She knew they would never allow Acacius to leave that arena alive. The gods wouldn't decided the man's fate. They would, for they believe they are vessels of a higher power.

"You can't appeal to my good nature, Octavia. The deed is done. He will fight in the colosseum, and for your entertainment, I will have your lover be his challenger, and nothing you can say or do will change my mind." Octavia felt her hand grip around the hilt of the dagger beneath her bed, her jaw clenched as Geta continued to berate her. "Now get dressed, and because I am so merciful, I will allow you to go and say goodbye to the general. A guard loyal to me and me only will escort you." Octavia knew she could end it here and now. She just had to take the emperor by surprise and strike him while his inhibitions were down.

However, she let out a breath when Geta rose his feet and stepped away from her, forcing the woman to let go of the dagger as she later sighed in defeat, wondering why she couldn't find the strength to do it, watching as Geta walked away. But something forced him to stop in his tracks before he turned back around to face her. "Octavia, this game will be one you'll never forget. I've made sure of it."

That was the last thing spoken between them before he gracefully left the room, thus leaving Octavia alone all over again to ponder on the previous conversation shared with between them. She wondered why Geta continuously emphasised how these games were momentous for her, and why she had to be there.

Octavia didn't know much about Geta's intentions, but her's were clear. She had to try and speak with Lucius, appeal to his good nature, and convince him to not kill Acacius before it was too late.

     Bribery went a long way, Octavia had learned during her time in the palace. Her experience being surrounded by rich and powerful men allowed her to learn their secrets and tactics to getting what they wanted. It didn't take much convincing to sway the guard Geta had assigned to keep an eye on the woman to allow her down into the gladiator cages to see Lucius. A simple offering of a jewelled necklace that could be easily traded for a large sum was all she had to offer for secrecy and discretion. The guard was reluctant enough to give it to her, allowing the woman to enter the cages through a secret passage that only a few knew about, and it was lead her straight to Lucius.

     Ravi was already waiting for her when she arrived. He offered her a small and sheepish smile that was also filled with much sympathy. She knew Ravi and Lucius had spoken on many occasions. It wouldn't have surprised her if Lucius had informed him of his unexpected trip to the palace last night when Geta's guards dragged him across the city for bedding the emperor's bride to-be. What happened between her and Lucius was slowly becoming public knowledge amongst those close to the pair. What surprised Octavia was that she didn't find herself caring much about what people thought of her anymore. If the whole city was to discover her affair with the prized gladiator, she would never hide her shame, for she believed there was no shame in falling in love.

     "This way, My Lady," Ravi offered, guiding her the rest of the way through the secret passage until they reached Lucius' cage, the same one kept away from all the others. The same one where Octavia and Lucius had found themselves entangled in each other's arms the night before.

Ravi did Octavia the kindness of unlocking the cage and opening the door, allowing her to enter. The second Lucius looked up from where he was seated, the cracks of sunlight peaking into his cage and illuminating the place where she stood, he quickly rose to his feet, rushing to Octavia before he pulled her into his embrace. Octavia didn't even hesitant to reciprocate the man's hold on her by reaching out and wrapping her arms firmly around Lucius' body, holding him close with all her might as a sigh of relief escaped past her quivering lips. The feeling of her body heat mingling with his was enough to make her melt into his touch, finally lowering all her inhibitions as she rested her chin comfortably on his shoulder.

     "Thank the gods you are safe," Lucius breathed out. Although he had deterred from religion, in that very moment, he was grateful to whatever force brought Octavia back to him again.

     "I'm okay," She reassured him, being the first to pull away before she looked back at him, her copper coloured eyes meeting his own. "Are you alright?" She asked, fearful that Geta may have harmed him more than he already had. Her eyes then flickered to the fresh bruise on the side of his forehead, given to him last night by Geta's guards.

     Lucius let out a shaky breath as he cupped Octavia's face in his hands, brushing his thumb gently against the softness of her right cheek. "It doesn't hurt. I've experienced worse," He told her, trying to ease her worries, even if it was just for a moment. Octavia offered him a small, but sad, smile as she remembered what had happened after Lucius was taken from her chambers last night, and while she wanted nothing more than to remain in this moment harmoniously, she had come to Lucius for more than just comfort — she needed his mercy too.

     "Caius is dead. Geta had him killed right in front of me," Octavia informed, her voice beginning to shake, all while her words caused for Lucius' gaze to soften. "And now he's going to have Acacius killed in that arena, unless you don't fight him..."

     Upon hearing those words, Lucius removed his hands from the woman's face before he took a step back, biting down on the inside of his cheek. "You cannot ask me not to fight," He argued.

     "Lucius—"

     "He ordered his men to kill Arishat," Lucius interjected, shaking his head in the process. "I can't just let him live. I swore that I would have his head for what he did. I will not abandon my promise now," He elaborated further, his deep blue eyes begging Octavia to find it in her to understand why he has to do this, why he had to kill Acacius.

     Octavia took a step towards Lucius, her copper coloured eyes filled with empathy before she parted her lips to speak once again. "Acacius is not the man you believe he is. He's a good man who was acting under orders from the emperors. If he didn't claim that victory in Numidia, he would've been killed for his failure. It killed him to do what he did. He told me himself that he wished no one had to die that day. It nearly broke him, Lucius." Lucius let out a scoff, not sure if he could even look Octavia in the eyes in that very moment.

     "Will you really kill your mother's husband?" Octavia continued, asking him in a rhetorical manner, but Lucius remained silent. "He was on his way to save you last night. To free you from the cages, and get you on a boat safely. He did that not just for Lucilla, but for you, too. And you're going to kill him for something that was out of his control?"

     Lucius then turned to meet Octavia's pleading eyes, watching as she silently hoped he would show some good will and take a step towards forgiveness for what Acacius had done. But all Lucius could do was stare back at the woman apologetically. "I have to see it through," He whispered, but loud enough for Octavia to hear, as she blinked away the tears that threatened to fall, the harrowing fear of losing a dear friend beginning to seep through the cracks.

"You know..." Octavia paused for a moment, swallowing thickly. "Killing him won't bring her back."

"I'm sorry," Lucius apologised, bowing his head to avoid her gaze.

Octavia didn't say anything else in response. Instead she turned and made her way towards the gate where Ravi remained, keeping careful eye on the pair. However, she soon came to a quick and sudden halt before she slowly turned to face Lucius once again. "You're a good man, Lucius. I saw that in you from the moment we met. My only hope is that you can find it in your heart to forgive Acacius and heal from this loss." Octavia paused again, a shaky breath leaving her lips. "Goodbye, Lucius," was the last thing to leave her lips before she turned back around and left the man behind altogether, hoping she had found a way to convince him to forgive rather than seek vengeance.

Or maybe it was already too late.

━━━━━━━━

     Saying goodbye was never an easy task.

     Octavia would know for she has done it more times than she could actually count.

Her mother, her father, Caius, and now Acacius. It was a never ending saga of pain and torment, forced upon her day in and day out. Octavia believed she would've grown accustomed to losing people at this point, and she should stop herself from feeling that dull ache in her chest. However, nothing could ever prepare her for the loss of losing someone she deeply cared about. Even if she had gone through it more times than any normal human being, that overwhelming feeling of grief that penetrated her beating heart somehow overpowered her very being until it was all she could feel at all.

     As Octavia was escorted into the cage where Acacius was being kept, and the woman set her gaze on him, she felt her heart shatter into a million pieces all at once. She noticed the bruises that adorned his flesh, dressed in rags and his battle armour he would only wear in instances of war and combat. But despite all that, he was still Acacius. He was still the same man who watched her grow up and looked out for her after her father's banishment from the city. The very sight of him made her heart swell into her chest as it ached profusely, like poison seeping through her ribcage. She mentally cursed towards the gods above for letting this happen to a good and honourable man.

     She hated that she was being forced to relive this moment — being forced to say goodbye to a traitor whom she held dear to her heart.

     "Octavia, what are you doing here?" Acacius' voice was barely above a whisper as he slowly approached the woman. "Is Lucilla alright?"

     "Lucilla is fine from what I know. Geta and Caracalla are undecided on a punishment for her. With any luck, their admiration for her will tip the scales in her favour," Octavia reassured, allowing Acacius to exhale a sigh of relief, but the crippling fear of her fate, which remained unknown, still hanged in the air like a thick cloud of smoke, threatening to choke them both out. Octavia then swallowed thickly before parting her lips to speak once again. "Geta granted me the permission to say goodbye. Instead, all I want to do is scream at you for doing something so foolish."

     Acacius cracked a small and faint smile that ghosted across his lips. "It was not foolish at the time," He admitted.

"But why even think about plotting against the emperors?" She paused, wanting straight answers to why Acacius and the others would risk everything to try and dethrone the emperors. Especially after what happened to her father when he was caught for the very same thing. "What was the end goal here?"

"Lucilla had asked me to free Lucius from the cages. But there was more to the plan." Acacius now had Octavia's undivided attention. She remained silent, allowing him to continue. "Once Lucius was free, my army were going to help me take down Geta and Caracalla. Augusta and Caius were going to get you out of the palace, get you and your father on a boat to safety, far away from Rome."

     Octavia couldn't believe what she was hearing. The plot involved freeing her from her cage of torment perfectly crafted by Geta himself. No matter how many times she had reassured others, telling them she was at peace with her decision to wed Geta in exchange for her father's freedom and safety, the same people she had spent the last year trying to convince she was okay, had actually been planning her escape this entire time, and she had no knowledge of it. Not once did it cross her mind that any of her closest friends would be plotting to free her from her own eternal prison. Knowing that they had done all of this, it left her feeling this strange twinge of guilt in the pit of her stomach.

     "It was Lucilla's idea to try and free you. The second she informed me of the reason why — what Geta was doing to you — it didn't take long for me to agree," Acacius explained, his words causing for Octavia's eyes to soften. "And if I could do it differently, I would make sure I never got caught because I do not regret trying to free you from this."

     "It was still foolish," Octavia corrected, shaking her head as she lowered her gaze to look down at the ground beneath her feet.

"And I made a promise to your father," Acacius argued, the mere mention of her father being enough to make Octavia look back at Acacius, her eyes meeting his own. "I promised Florian I would protect his daughter. And I wasn't going to stand by and let you get hurt."

Octavia felt the tears prick at the corners of her eyes, a shaky breath escaping past her quivering lips in the process. "Lucius will kill you out there. He blames you for what happened to his wife in Numidia. I tried talking some sense into him, but I fear it was not enough." Octavia reached out and grabbed ahold of Acacius' right hand, a sad smile etched at the corners of her lips. "My only hope is that your death can bring the Roman people together, to rebel and rise above the emperor's power. The only hope this city has now is the people," She explained, saddened by the knowledge of the impending future pathed by tragedy.

Acacius let out a quiet chuckle, his grip tightening around the woman's hand. "You know, Lucilla and I...we had spoken about who should take the throne after the emperors were gone. If the plot had gone according to plan. Neither of us could figure out a single individual who would be worthy of the title, who could restore Rome to its former glory, and bring together the people." Acacius smiled down at the woman, his gaze softening. "But now as I look at you, I realise that person should've been you. You would've made a fine empress, Octavia."

     Octavia shook her head in response. "I am just a woman. Not a ruler," She protested.

     "You are so much more than that. We all see it," Acacius retorted. "And I want you to know that I could not be more proud of the woman you have become. If things were different, I know could've been an even greater ruler."

     Octavia smiled softly, a stray tear rolling down her cheek before she reached out and embraced Acacius, holding onto him so tight she was scared to let him go, knowing that this may be the last conversation they ever shared with each other. Acacius reciprocated the embrace and wrapped his strong arms around the woman, stroking his hand down her thick black locks as he let out a heavy and exasperated sigh. They both then made the most of this moment, holding onto each other for dear life with the knowledge that they would soon have to let the other go.

     "Would you be able to do me a favour," Acacius then spoke up, pulling away from Octavia as their eyes met again. "Tell Lucilla I love her, and no matter what, I'll be with her."

     Octavia didn't even hesitate to nod. "Of course. You have my word," She promised.

     And while it was said as a goodbye, Octavia Amulius still held hope in her hands and hugged it close to her chest, hoping Lucius could find mercy in his heart to spare Acacius from something as harrowing as death.

     She just had to have hope.

"For his treason against the lives of the emperors and the Roman state..."

The master of ceremonies announced as Octavia was escorted to her seat directly placed between Geta and Lucilla, who was tied down by her wrists, creating an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Octavia wanted to speak to her, and she even wanted to untie the restraints that bound the woman to her chair, leaving her helpless against what would unfold in the arena today. Octavia knew the emperors wanted the woman to watch as her husband was slaughtered in the colosseum, and that's if the scales tipped in their favour. Octavia even made an attempt to speak to Lucilla, just to ask if she was okay and unharmed, but the look Geta quickly gave her, his gaze as cold as ice, was enough to silence Octavia out of fear as she took her seat beside him.

However, her fear of her husband to-be wasn't enough to stop her completely. Octavia carefully reached out and grabbed ahold of Lucilla's hand, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze. The kindness shown to her was enough to make Lucilla turn to Octavia, a sad smile etched at the corners of her lips, but her bright eyes remained grateful.

"General Justus Acacius, an enemy of the people!"

     Octavia turned her attention away from Lucilla upon hearing the familiar name bellow through the thick Roman air, looking down below to see Acacius walk out, sword in hand and dressed in battle gear. Octavia felt her heart start to race when she saw him step out into the open, her nerves only seem to amplify when she heard the crowd cheering in favour of the traitor the emperors had tried to paint him as. A ghost of a smile formed across Octavia's lips as she gave Lucilla's hand a gentle and reassuring squeeze. Maybe Acacius would be okay. Maybe there was still a chance he could get out of this alive.

     Waiting for the former general, stood a small handful of soldiers who had been caught in the crossfire for helping Acacius with his plot, all of them sharing their punishment for their crimes against the emperors. In honour, Acacius raised his sword to his chest and bowed his head. His soldiers did the same, before the fight ensued between them all. Octavia felt her breath hitch in the back of her throat, using her free hand to clutch her chest with worry and fright as the fight continued. Acacius was a beast in the arena, reminding everyone why he was the general of the Roman army to begin with. He slashed his sword through each challenger, not even allowing them a second to fight back against his fury.

     As the last challenger fell into Acacius' blade, killing him almost instantly, the crowd erupted into a loud chorus of cheers in favour of the general. Octavia allowed her smile to become more prominent. But she couldn't help but notice the visible disappointment coming from both Geta and Caracalla to see Acacius win a fight single-handedly on his own. And while Octavia did feel some sort of discomfort in response to their own frustrations, she took the win for what it was, turning to Lucilla for a moment and offering her a kind smile, to see her grinning with a sense of relief to know her husband was still standing victorious in the centre of the colosseum.

     However, the fight was far from over.

     "From the vanquished city of Numidia, the victor of two conquests in the colosseum..." Octavia's smile faltered the second the master of ceremonies voice filled the air again, cutting through the chorus of cheers coming from the crowd. Her heart raced, and her grip around Lucilla's hand tightened as dread filled her bloodstream, running cold. "Hanno!"

     Octavia turned to Lucilla again, the look of fear remaining visible in her eyes when she realised her husband, and her son, were going to be fighting to the death. This caused for Octavia to turn to Geta, a pleading look in her eyes. "Geta, please, you can still stop this," She begged.

The emperor did not take too kindly to her words.

"It's too late!" Geta spat, looking down at Octavia with this cold stare in his narrowed eyes as he looked down upon her, with all the hate in the world. "Your pleading won't save your lover's life, and it won't save the traitor's either." Octavia felt the chills run up and down her spine as she turned away from the man seated beside her, her heart thumping hard against her ribcage.

"The Roman traitor or the barbarian hero. Let the gods decide!"

Octavia watched, her eyes widening slightly when she saw Lucius step out into the arena, her worried gaze watching diligently as he picked up the pace, raising his sword high, and while Acacius made a foolish attempt to appeal to Lucius' good nature, it was no use. Lucius made the first strike, swinging the blade of his sword towards Acacius in an attempt to not kill him, but to at least wound him enough to weaken him. However, Acacius was twice as fast, and was able to defend himself in time, his blade colliding with Lucius' sword, a loud clanging around echoing through the colosseum, making Octavia jump in her seat in the process.

     However, no matter how many times Lucius tried to deliver life ending blows to Acacius, his insatiable desire for revenge at full throttle as he attacked Acacius repeatedly, Acacius didn't once reciprocate the violence, doing everything in his power to defending himself without harming Lucius. It was commendable, watching as Acacius did nothing more than throw a few hits in Lucius' face to send him down long enough for the older man to regain his balance and strength. However, Octavia knew it would only buy a short amount of time. Acacius had to do or say something that would stop Lucius if he wanted to make it out of the arena alive, but it was almost impossible when both of them were left swinging their swords, one trying to kill the other, while the other was only trying to keep his head.

     From the corner of her eye, amongst the chaos, Octavia noticed Caracalla and Geta rise to their feet as the fight grew longer and more intense than ever before. "I am a vessel," Geta spoke, pacing back and forth as his narrowed eyes focused on Acacius, thirsty for revenge, to see the man dead. "Fill me with vengeance and vanquish the betrayer," He begged, pleading to the gods above, hoping they would listen.

     Octavia prayed over and over that they would shun him instead.

     As the woman turned her attention back to the fight as it continued to unfold, her chest beginning to rise in her panicked and frightened state, she saw Lucius quickly disarm Acacius, leaving the man defenceless. "Pick it up!" Lucius ordered, pointing his blade at Acacius, knowing he wouldn't kill an unarmed man.

     As Lucius picks up a second sword, Acacius finds himself a new weapon, something that didn't resemble a blade at all. Something that wouldn't harm Lucius, before the fight ensued once again. However, as they swung the weapons at one another, it became clear Lucius would overpower Acacius due to his sheer fighting abilities and strength, proving he was more capable than the former Roman general. This forced Acacius to stop, take a step back before he threw his weapon to the ground. It stunned Octavia at first, leaning slightly forward in her seat, watching as Acacius raised his hand before he dropped down to his knees.

     Acacius had surrendered. Now it was up to Lucius to make his choice.

     "Acacius has raised his hand! He has surrendered. Let the gods decide."

     Octavia lifted her gaze to watch as Geta stopped pacing, halting in his tracks before he stretched out his hand. "The gods have rendered their judgement," Geta muttered harshly before he tilted his thumb down, declaring no mercy should be shown to Acacius, his actions ordering Lucius to make it quick and kill him where he knelt down, unarmed and completely as his mercy, if Lucius made the choice to give it to him.

     "Kill him!" Caracalla spat.

     However, for a brief moment, Lucius found himself beginning to hesitate. He could kill his wife's killer, the one responsible for her death at least, and yet, all he could do was halt before he looked around the colosseum, his eyes finding the royal box before his gaze focused solely on Octavia, and only her. Octavia locked eyes with the man she had given her heart to, a hopeful glimmer shining bright in her copper coloured eyes as she stared down towards Lucius, watching as his eyes softened and is hardened exterior dissolved and crumbled around him. She silently hoped he would have a change of heart. They didn't even have to exchange a single word, their silence and lingering glances doing all the talking in that very moment, and it was in that very moment, Lucius realised he couldn't go through with it.

He couldn't kill a good man.

And if Octavia Amulius could see the good in Acacius, why shouldn't he?

All of a sudden, Lucius turned away from Octavia before he dropped the sword from his hand, the weapon falling to the ground. Octavia smiled as a sigh of relief trickled past her quivering lips, watching as Lucius dropped down to his knees in front of Acacius. Octavia would be able to see her friend and the man she loved walk out of the colosseum alive, and not as enemies, but as allies. She never thought she would see it happen, but Lucius had proved her wrong, and she was thankful he had.

It was over.

Or at least that was what she thought.

Geta, displeased with the result of the fight, turned to the commander of the praetorian guard.

"Kill him."

The second Octavia heard the deadly order trickle past Geta's lips, she let go of Lucilla's hand and rose to her feet. "You can't do this!" She protested.

"Archers!"

As Lucilla's screams tore through the air like a sharp blade cutting through flesh and bone, Octavia tried to stop Geta from giving the order. However, when Geta turned back around to face Octavia, he harshly grabbed her bicep with the roughness of his hand, his grip tightening around her flesh before he forced her down onto her knees at the front of the royal box. Suddenly, the archers shot their arrows into the arena, and Octavia let out a cry as the first arrow hit Acacius in the back, killing him instantly as his whole body grew limp in the process. Octavia tried to fight Geta's grip off her body as she continued to cry, salty tears rolling down her cheeks as multiple arrows went through Acacius' dead body, before he fell to the ground, nothing but the sound of Lucilla's cries being heard across the arena as the crowd grew silent, so silent that it was almost harrowing.

He was dead, Octavia almost couldn't believe it.

Acacius was dead, and there was nothing she could've done to stop it.

The realisation was enough to make her chest ache as the soft and quiet cries escaped past her lips.

"Is this how Rome treats its heroes? Tell me!" Octavia lifted her teary eyes to see Lucius was now standing over Acacius' dead body, looking around at the crowd that stood in deathly silence. "If his life has no value, what are yours worth?!"

"The gods have spoken!" Geta declared, ignoring Lucius' words, his ignorance inciting chaos from the crowd as they began to boo the emperors.

And in that moment, Octavia saw the death of Rome right before her eyes. Acacius' death was the match, and the emperors wrath was the spark used to ignite the fire. And now the city would burn. But not before she made sure Geta burned with it.

And if there was one thing Octavia Amulius knew for sure, she would have her revenge.

     And nothing would stand in her way this time.

━━━━━━━━

authors note.
Had to rewatch my man Acacius die to write this scene so excuse the terrible writing as I angrily typed out that fight scene, but I hope this chapter was worth the wait. It's crazy to think there's two chapters left like we've come so far since the prologue, and the next chapter will be one for the history books I promise because Geta is finally getting what he deserves and it's going to be so satisfying for me to write.

Until then I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'll update again soon!!