The stone wall Julian made backfired, causing all six legions to be trapped by his own creation.
Thanks to that, with just a few hundred gladiators, the rebels managed to hold the wall for hours, while the remaining 40.000 rebels were able to get out safely of the mountains and start walking toward the capital city of Rome.
This once more turned the legionaries in a difficult situation, as there was no legion left protecting their capital city other than the town guards. Hence the roman legion had to quickly rush back to stop the rebels.
Along their way, the rebels took some time to sack a few villages in order to get some food and liberate more slaves. Within the span of just two days, their numbers grew once more.
On that night, Spartacus, their leader, ordered them to do something that was unexpected, but much welcomed by everyone.
They went to a large, empty field near one of the villages and cleared the place out of debris, while a few of them gathered wood to create a bonfire. Thanks to their cooperation, everything was done in a few hours, dozen of bonfire placed in a circle creating a space that resemble an arena
Thrax ordered them to prepare a game to honor the fallen.
The rebels gathered dozens of captured Roman soldiers from the garrison and forced them to stand in the middle of their makeshift 'arena'.
"Win the game and you shall live." said Thrax
That was the offer given by the rebels, an echo to the gladiator games they were once subjected to.
Some decided to accept and bet their life, but others refused to give the rebels the satisfaction and they chose to die by the sword.
The game was held as a way to honor the dead slaves from the last battle, and to raise the rebels' morale for the final battle in the near future.
At least, that was what Thrax claimed to be. But the real purpose was to prepare for the promised duel. After 2 days of preparation, this is finally the time.
It was open with the fight by the captured roman. As expected of a game made to showcase its inherent cruelty, the Roman soldiers who tried to claw their way out were swiftly torn apart by the slaves.
After the death of all Romans, the awaited match finally started. It was time for Spartacus himself to stand on the rough sands of the Arena once more.
Thousands of people were cheering when their champion showed himself.
"My brothers! Tonight, I will fight to honor the blood spilled by the cruelty of rome!"
From one side of the arena, a figure fully decked in Roman officer garb walked in with confident steps. There was no one else it could be, but Julian himself.
While on the edge of the Arena, Emery and Klea stood to watch their duel.
Klea had come prepared with her bracelet artifacts to help her cast magic towards the spectators. Enchanting thousands of people with mind-affecting spells was not easy, but she found a way to just bend their perception of reality a bit, so they would merely see this particular fight as if it was a dream.
Julian and Thrax would be going all-out. A panicked and shocked audience was the last thing they wanted at this moment.
The cheer echoing the night as the Roman officer stopped at the center of the Arena and locked eyes with the legendary Thracian.
"I didn't know you were such a performer," Julian smiled and turned around in to audience. "This arena and crowds were unnecessary, but this is a pretty good reception."
Thrax raised his arms towards the spectators, which earned him another round of applause and calmly answered.
"One of the good things I have learned from the Romans."
"Is that so? I am glad we managed to teach you something at all."
With Emery and Klea as their witness, the two promised no matter who wins, the loser will have to pull back from the battle between Rome and the rebels. The results of this fight could mean the death of ten thousand rebels, or the fall of Rome. Both came with the intention to win.
"Let the fight begin!"
Julian stood on one side, wearing a magnificent Roman combat gear and wielding a roman gladius and a massive tower shield. As for Thrax, he came prepared with a bit of leather armor and a spear fully made with Roman forging irons.
While the two raided their stance, the crowds of tens of thousands started to cheer for Thrax, while booing Julian, the representative of Roman forces. Any normal man would be affected by the enraged shouts and insults directed towards them, but not Julian.
He concentrated his spirit energy towards his nerve points and unleashed the full might of his strength.
[Immortal Gate: Stage 4]
[Battle Power increased by 16 points!]
[Battle Power: 70 (52)]
Normal adult humans would usually have their battle power in the range of 10 to 15 battle power. 52 battle power means having five times the strength of normal men. One punch hit from such a person would be enough to send any gladiator in the arena out of commission.
But Julian knew, it was far from enough to defeat Thrax. Atop of that, he decided to layer an extra defensive spell [Stone Skin] before charging towards the gladiator.
With his shield, Julian bashed the calm-looking Thracian before attempting to attack.
Thrax shouted his battle crymand, with it, he used his own skill.
"AArgggghh!!" A sudden explosion of power follow by a smash using the spear.
The massive Roman shield was broken into pieces with just one hit and Julian was pushed away a few meters.
[Immortal gate stage 5]
[Battle power increased 32 poin]
[Battle power: 94 (74)]
If Julian did not use his [Stone Skin] spell beforehand, such strength would definitely knock him out.
Thrax walked with relaxed steps, as his muscles contracted. In that moment, his power, speed and reaction time were all boosted. He had become the legendary warrior he was known as.
He raised his spear towards the audience and spun it around.
The display made the audience scream in ecstasy and wonder, all of them eager to see the defeat of what symbolized their time in suffering. He held the spear with both hands and pointed it at the half-kneeling Julian.
"Spartacus! Spartacus!"
Thrax looked at Julian and smirked.
"Is that all you got, Roman?!"
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Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v..e.l,