Like a wild animal, Thrax was unable to stop thrashing around, resisting his binds. It required double chains and multiple strong men to hold him down. If it wasn't for his multiple injuries and the fact he had barely eaten anything for the past few days, none of them would be able to suppress him.
Once he was finally caged, they delivered him to a huge estate on the hills of Capua.
"Welcome to the house of Batiatus!"
It was a gladiator's house, apparently one of the best in the entirety of the Roman Republic.
For the first few days, he was starved and dried on the court under the sweltering sun. On the fifth day, just when Thrax thought he was going to shrivel up from the heat, he was led to a great bathing area where he was showered and oiled.
The sensation of cool water on his burnt skin made him feel a bit drunk and his eyes heavy. The manservants bathing him were muttering amongst themselves, in voices that felt very far away, about a special guest who would see him tomorrow.
The next day he was in chains again, back in the center of the courtyard. Dozens of gladiators encircled him, intently observing his every move.
From the second floor balcony, Thrax could see the master of the house and his various guests seated around him. Suddenly, a flare of recognition. He realized one of them was the roman officer Galdius Glabber, the man who had captured him.
At that moment, Thrax's chains were loosened and he was tossed a wooden sword. He knew what this meant. He was being tested.
Four gladiators instantly surrounded him. Instead of attacking, he threw the sword to the side. He knew these gladiators were not the real enemy.
The gladiators charged at him as hard as they could, but Thrax could easily dodge them one by one.
Bam!! A straight punch to a gladiator's face effortlessly broke his nose. Thrax could feel the bones crack underneath his fist; when he pulled away, it was dripping with blood.
The master of the house gave another signal and all four ran towards him at the same time. But to Thrax, they were no threat. He could defeat them with his bare hands.
With another gesture of the master's hand, four more rushed into the circle. Now there were eight gladiators attacking him all at once.
Thrax roared!
He used up all the strength he saved up these few days, for this one moment.
[Thrax]
[Battle power 55 (40)]
[Spirit force 198 (123)]
[Fire spirit - mid foundation]
[Acolyte rank 7]
[Immortal gate stage 4 ]
[Battle power 68]
Making the courageous gladiators start and unconsciously step back from the fight!
The minister Galdius Grabbar had seen the Thracian battle cry before and today everyone witnessed it with him.
But the gladiators were being thrown around like sacks, forcing them to surrender under the hands of this monstrous beast.
More came and joined the fight, as if to prove their worth. But all those powerful gladiators only required one hit from Thrax to be struck down. A single punch or kick sent them flying across the courtyard and, after a few minutes of fighting, Thrax was quickly recognized as an undefeated opponent by even the most senior gladiators.
At this moment, Thrax suddenly used the chance to jump to the second floor location, trying to grab that damned roman minister.
All eyes were shocked to see the Thracian flying upwards, charging with all his might. He must have propelled dozens of meters off the ground.
"Stop! Barbarian! Hurt me and you can forget about ever seeing your woman again!!"
The announcement made Thrax stop in his tracks. Just like that, he was forced to follow all of the commands of his new master.
Soon, a cycle of being chained and sent to multiple fights began. Still being undefeated, his presence became more and more renowned, until eventually the Bautitus house was invited to join the games in the capital.
Thrax was their main attraction. He was showered, dressed and oiled according to custom, like a legendary Thracian fighter.
Seen by ten thousand Roman citizens, Thrax was pitted against a whole unit of top roman gladiators.
Against all odds he was able to defeat them all. The undefeated Thrax was standing alone on top of the bloody sand. He raised his arms skyward and emitted a long, deep battle cry.
The high council of Rome was impressed at the performance he had just witnessed. He named Thrax victor, giving him the title of legendary Thracian warrior Spartacus.
The crowd roared. Tens of thousands of Roman citizens all chanted his name.
"Spartacus! Spartacus!"
Thrax had become a legend among all the gladiators. These fighters who stood beside him and against him only spoke with the language of power and Thrax being at the pinnacle of that power was idolized.
On that particular night, in the room he was provided with, he was paid an unexpected visit by the only Roman he could call a friend.
"Thrax, you barbarian scum, this is what happens when you only use your muscles to think!"
Unfortunately, the once cheerful Barbarian that Julian knew had changed. He was full of anger.
"I am in no mood for jokes, Julian."
Thrax had no worries about himself. He was worried about his wife. He needed a guarantee that she was protected and safe. That was the only request he asked from Julian.
Surely, Julian agreed to help. It was not that easy to find her. These days, there were far too many slaves within the Roman Republic. It was easy to lose track of people, especially women. A few days later, unfortunately, the only news he could deliver was utterly devastating.
Julian once more paid the famous gladiator a visit after a certain match to bring the bad news.
"I am sorry, brother... your wife... She committed suicide... weeks ago."
Julian braced himself for Thrax's wrath, which he was so famous for, but surprisingly Thrax remained completely still in the darkness of the room.
He did not scream nor did he cry, he was completely silent.
Julian left him there for a while, thinking of a way he could be able to help this pitiful friend of his.
"You hang on, Thrax! I will find a way to buy your freedom!"
A few days later, one of Julian's underlings ran to his chambers, breath ragged. The Batiatus house was apparently been set on fire, they were massacred and all the gladiator's had run away.
In a short time, Thrax has suddenly become the leader of the rebels against Rome