Prologue

Evad Nortorapoly hosts among the most popular of festival's held outside the nation's bustling metropolis. Extremus was once a settlement up north where the river begins to narrow towards the desert mountains. Now it's fame and popularity among the lanista family of Nortorapolys has grown the once settlement village hut into a challenging district for gladiator warriors. Not just any fighters, but children ones. 

Thanks to Evad, he established a well known school, notorious for monopolizing the very children audiences to become trained official fighters under his wing. Many lanistas dogged the man's initial years for such lunacies, but later they came to regret it as over-saturated numbers of younglings littered the district. Extra housing was built to contain the large flow of enrollment. In no time, Evad became the most respected lanista of Gladia. The Emperor supported the man, stating "how could he not be, the foundation of the next generations of fighters depends on him." Well respected and honored for the usefulness he's built; the man hosts a meeting for all lanistas to celebrate a booming festival filled with social gatherings, feasts, business, and entertainment.

Chapter 1: Executive Invites

The Oscan Capua was always a lively morning. Burning rows of coal lined the surfaces of warmed skillet top ovens. Delighting sounds of crinkling meats sizzled away their weight in fat, leaving behind tender textures of roasted rarities, cured with wines and spices. The preparer combined splashes of onions, herbs, and salts coated in a layer of olive oil all in a deep round iron pan, ferociously heated by the scorching hot rocks underneath. Iron tongs picked the meat into two platters, scattering fried vegetables on top, ultimately placing the complete meals on a rack of other prepared delicacies to be hauled to servers.

“Haul out!” The head cook announced along with others repeated the call, “Haul out!”, “Haul out!”, “Haul out!”

These platters are tagged with many assortments of insignias, distinguishing the recipient of each meal, ready to be sent. Strolling down the hall, two platters from which its cautious preparer marked with special ones, Headmaster Sevierow. Servers of all kinds approached the rack, taking the meals over and across the Oscan, the elegant orders to be delivered to officials, lanistas, and pedestrians alike. 

At the headmaster's quarters from his school's establishment, the 7 foot giant stepped out of his morning shower, steam floating off him as he dried his nice deep purplish pink hair. The slick ethiopian dawned his boxing garments on, robing himself with the black hoodless cloak, cuffed with gold tints at each arm's ends. Slipping his foot wear on, he left his bathing room and entered his living quarters leading to the outer quarter’s dining area where guests and visitors are free to linger. 

Entering the dining room, a servant came through the 10ft halls, building extensions for the master's sake.

“Meals Headmaster!” Says the male servant, seeing the master of the school take his seat around the esteemed decorated breakfast round table.

With an authoritative hand gesture, the lanista accepted,  “Set 'em down.” soon after, he pulls up a news article of current events, reading along the Capua’s column, “You may go.” the master dismissed, the servant blinking confused to whose the other meal for across the table.

“Headmaster, I'm unaware of any visitors arriving.”

“Headmaster Mulsuevi will be joining me for breakfast soon.” The lanista straightened bendy papyrus news article.

Nodding off, “Um I see, beckon me for anything else in need, master.” the slave departs away.

No sooner does the chap leave that a tall false adobe brick wall moves back and to a side revealing a haunting figure. The eerie heft of stone movements caught the headmaster’s glances from his reading, slightly squinting towards the figure in the bask shadowy darkness. 

It walks out, smashing a bright violet vase in front of the secret passageway, “Ah, son of a whore! By the devil, you gents ought to place bigger objects in me way then!”

Crumpling the news article into a makeshift stress ball, Sevierow welcomed his rival in, “Come in Raningo.”

The smaller giant seals off the passage, taking his seat. The smell of a fine hearty breakfast lingered in the air as he sniffs, sighing with exhale, “Damis ole friend,” removing the cover lid from his tray platter, “what a meal this is to start me day with.” Dabbing a finger into the meal, he helped himself to a mighty sampling of it. “To what do I aim for this meet of ours?”

Damis uncovered his, “Are aware of the Lanistal Festival happening this weekend?” folding a large napkin on his lap, Sevierow began eating with the knife and fork small compared to his hands.

Raningo chewing, “Oh yes.” then gulps down, “That gram pappy Evad’s managed to invite lanistas for a together at his villa. He's even picked among the day that suits all of us best." He dismissively snorts, “Typical.”

“Remember dude, he's got some pretty fine gladiators lined up to enter your wing once they graduate from his crib. Freshies dat you’ll want to impress. Absence from him and missed opportunities to bargain and greet new owners is a no-go.”

“Grrr.” The madman lip smacks, “Fine, I'll accept his invitation, gives me a chance to see that nice piece of eye candy headmistress.”

Damis glares at the lanista, “Raningo, leave her be when we're there.”

“We both know that she's a loose woman, mate.” He scoffed.”

“Have some respect for her. After dat spat you pulled in de Capua Square, I’d good measure to beat yo ass up.” Damis consoled in a serious tone.

“Humph! Fine.” before proceeding to say his next words in a mocking girly voice manner, “ ‘I'll leave the luffy whore princess alone at the party.’ ”

Damis narrows his brow at his headmaster colleague. So brutish are his kind of people under the mighty madman. Even with the nasty truth of powerful individuals revealed to the public, the sudo-emperor is none the kinder.

“I must’a mit dat after dat stunt a yours, you'd still hold yo head up high against the surface Gladians.” Damis rebukes, helping himself to some wine.

“That slut had et coming for er. I never been more attracted to thy bad girl in lady's clothing before. So forgive me pal, to know er dark secrets along that mac of a headmaster, Cortelyous, I'm way past me edge the nux time I meet em two faces again.” Finishing his plate and downing his refreshment, Raningo sighs with lip smacks, “You wanna defend their hetch of protection, fine by I. Just know that as soon as that false lady gets loose with me, I'm manhandling er to thy ground and pumping in me own offspring for a change, one that she’ll groom and raise unto me likeness.” the madman concluded his visit, standing, tossing the fork and knife on the table.

Damis sighs with closed eyes, “Sometimes I miss da olden days ov our youths, being fresh to this life of responsibilities, having us headmasters learn up our ways.”

Raningo hisses as he nears his exit to the underground tunneling network, opening it. “Those days of youth are beyond me, with all the crimeny blostanshan fun I can do nowadays, I'm glad to have stay me ways since me roots.”

Damis eyes the mad man, doubtfully. “You've hadn't missed the days of your youth huh?”

The madman then admits embarrassed and barks, “Rahhfhg! Alright!” Calms down to a chill face, “I'll admit, they were pretty awesome, being thy young, all thy energy, able to prove ourselves masters at our crafts…” Eyes Damis who's smugly smiling at him, “You buff of a man, fine! I still have pash on Beautanica since the moment I saw er all perky and blitz!”  He scowls, closing the passage on his way out.

Damis laughs as he rings for his servant to come return the empty platters and silverware.

Out in the Mercatus, Beautanica Oralcosis, Headmistress for the females only school for the gladiatrix warriors, diligently washes herself in very cold bath waters. Her butler, Acolytus, a retiarius, renown for his skills of servitude, hands her all her necessary soaps, shampoos, and scrubs for the lovely middle aged figure. Her hair glistens as the effects of her products smooth her self esteem. Beautanica washes off the residue with many ladle spoons of water, 

“Ohh Acolytus, I had a personal chat with the Emperor. He sat me down to explain how things were going to plan out since my filthy secrets came out.”

Acolytus clears throat, “Ahem.” The head servant gets nervous on his mistress’s expectation to inquire more on the daring matter. “Did you sit on his knee as you wanted?”

Beautanica splashes water on her face, “Yes, and in the privacy of his throne room no less.” She walks off up the bathe floor steps, dawning her towels, wrapping her hair up neatly as she sits herself on a wet bench. Sighing, “I guess the man of the nation isn't as pervy as I thought.”

“He told you to get off him, didn't he?”

Beautanica gloats disappointedly, “Yes, he said that I wasn't the same little girl that used to be so innocent and full of wonder. That he was distraught for me to express feeling ashamed of myself.”

Her thoughts recall the events, putting herself in the past, reliving those cautious memories.

She walks into the supreme leader's quarters. The emperor sat, bored, staring into space. It soon vanished as soon as the headmistress entered his presence. 

“Oh Beautanica, my fashion enthusiast dear, come here sit sit,” Gestures to his comfortable visitor's seat.

Beautanica, rather than sitting on the seat he's offering, she sat on his knee. The emperor was speechless, having a full grown woman's weight on his left knee, differed from the 6 year old little girl who innocently bounced on it with glee at his cheery playfulness.

She sighs, “My Emperor?”

“Ahem. Dear?” He laid his touch upon her leg. “Feel free to call me Sinus, no one's around for a while.”

“Sinus? Am I a horrible lady?”

Sinus couldn't get used to a beautiful woman sitting on him like this, “Umm uh listen, dear, you're all grown up now, would you please, take a seat as my guest?”

Beautanica does so, politely bowing, relaxing in the arms-rests of the cowshed seat.

Composing himself, Sinus confidently speaks, “Now, madam. Let me be the first to tell you; you're not an awful person, you play your role magnificently, inspiring the younglings on how a proper female behaves.” Puts his hand on top of hers. “You have no idea how grateful I am that you stepped up and took Vero's spot as Headmistress of the Mercatus school, and moreover, you took initiative on handling matters on your doing from there. A women's only school for any female in our nation, it's not just splendid, it's revolutionary. Please don't fret yourself a bad woman, because honestly, there isn't one, there isn't a good one either, everyone has says on what's good and what's bad, but what's the deeds of such an individual or group compared to their words? That's what I'm all about, Beautanica. Now, how can I turn that frown upside down?

Sniffling through his pep talk, she asks, “How will I look when people see me now, now that I'm out in the open with all this?”

“Madam, you already know what's the best course of action. You own it. Hold yourself accountable for such antics and answer truthfully all their curiosities down to the wire. You'll see that they will respect you more for it. Hold strong to what you believe in. And remember one thing, without failure, what is mankind?

Beautanica eyes were curious, "What is it?” her eye's curious.”

“A failure.” Sinus answers.

After a moment, Beautanica understands, gasping like a happy giddy little girl, “So... It's alright?”

Sinus chuckles, “It's more than alright my dear, it's truthfully useful.”

The emperor gives Beautanica a fatherly peck on her lips, one that reminds the grown woman of a childhood recurring dream of her very father, the kiss before the valiant hunter went to fend off the worst case of wild animal attacks on Gladia's settlements west. In reality, she never saw him in person, only in portraits. 

Her next feelings soothe her as the memories fade from the past to present. .

“But you know, a man like Sinus Maximus is Emperor for a reason.”

“Say it so madam.” Acolytus said appreciative.

“He's always understood the hearts of his people and never once corrupted it with ideals of power, wealth, and say so. If anything, he's what's stopping us from becoming such utter vanity. He was right to become Emperor since the day he was born, not at age 8.” The headmistress goes behind some dividers, flipping her towels on the wall hooks,  “Now if you please?” Reaching out a hand.

Acolytus walks up to her privacy wall, handing over her clothing.

“Look alive butler, this weekend's a fun one filled with much discussion, great leisure, and good looking men.”

The headmistress smiles, delighted of her new outlook on taking ownership for her character and personality.

From throughout the metropolis, the churning sounds of ropes and prop equipment flooded the inner sanctum theater school. The hoplomachus gladiator gently places the ornate battleship in the water, setting smaller ones next to it. A similar fleet is placed among it, as the Domus Nobilium Headmaster bathes away, his gifted souvenirs floating amongst himself as soap trickles over the naked young man.

“That's enough Amadeus.” Uberio said, seeing the hoplomachus nearly starting a third fleet of ornately decorated ships.

Amadeus places the one his hands carefully back in a carted stand of collectables and trinkets, “Headmaster Uberio?” Said Amadeus in a gentle tone.

“Yep?” The young adult said mesmerized by the craftsmanship.

“I'm right to assume you're aware of the Lanistal Festival happening this week's end?”

The nervious lanista reddens.

“Oh yeah,” Shies embarrassed, “lots of people will be there huh?”

“Yes master. Want me to accompany you as a personal guard.”

Uberio thinks about it, “Ohh umm. You have some family coming over, it wouldn't be right of me to take your time away from them. Pl... please enjoy your time with them. I'll... find someone else.”

The personal guard leans close, “You sure Headmaster?” Seeing if the guy really trusts himself enough to stay away from him.

“Ye... yes. In fact, maybe Acolytus will want some company throughout the party. Quite the foreigner he is.”

To this, Amadeus relaxes guard a little. “Very well master, if you change your mind, holler.” Looking at the cart, “Are you going to need any more of these?”

The little man lightly shook his head, “I'm going to reminiscent the days of my explorations at sea for a while.”

Amadeus places a fashion bell on the stool next to the tub, “ring me when you're through with bath time. I'll be in the other room naping.”

“Thank you hoplomachus.” Seeing the gladiator leave, Uberio makes silent cannonball sounds and sailors talking roleplay as he continues bathing for another 30 minutes.

The Lanistal Villa, home to the Nortorapolys, grand mastering lanistas from heritages since the days of the first Nortorapolys of Gladia from the Archaic Era. Two headmasters sat at elegant garden pillars outside the villa. They lay seating on comfort cots with fine quilted mats under their feet

“I tell you Evad,” Vero says, sipping warm tea, “you're 40 years old, a massively successful lanista, Headmaster of the daily hundreds of children scattering at your school's front door step. How does a wise man like you cope with such responsibilities? Such chaotic youngsters from all walks of Gladian life?”

Evad smiles, “Well, if it weren't for students like your offspring with the North Cycle, I’d still be running the show personally. Thanks to their motivation, I mainly supervise little of their management and find them lacking in little if not, nothing at their excellence of leadership.”

“Yeah? Stupendous students aren't they?” The archer chuckles, “Must have gotten it from their only father.”

Evad runs his under lips around his teeth, bringing the subject that always arises from the occasional visit, “Look Vero, I understand that this hussle between you and Pankraious is eating you up inside, but that doesn't mean you breed a bunch of children into my school doors.”

Vero’s eyes the impressive headmaster regrettably, “Yeah yeah I know, I should have told you. It's just... I never expected them to be so committed to taking down the undefeated champion of Gladia. None of the elite slaves in my own school have that unnerving will compared to those kids.”

Evad agrees, “It's strange to me as well,” sees his daughter passing by waving, he waves back to her. The daughter stopped, coming back to the two headmasters, “My daughter Tierra, how are you?” 

“I’m thrilled about the festival this weekend, also I couldn't help but overhear your two's curiosity of how Vero's offspring have the combined urges to defeat a challenger such as the Legendary fighter Pankraious.”

The two experienced men sit up at their lounge cots, intrigued.

Vero chuckles, “Isn't your daughter a practicing physician for that doctor chief Evad?”

“Yes, she's bound to have learned something valuable and very much applicable.” shifting his gaze onto her, “So tell us your thoughts pumpkin.”

“Well,” The little 10 year old flips through her leather ledger, “I too felt it strange how the children of Cortelyous have these unbendable urges to overwork themselves, training to even perfectionary combativeness. Questioning them in individual interviews, I came to the conclusion that it must be somehow genetic. So how,’ she eyes Vero with Nortorapoly suspicions, “does your determination and sheer will to defeat Pankraious become excessive dominance over the children your,” blushes a little, “multiple wives birthed for you. They order themselves as professional communicators to effectively produce the best odds to one day go up against such a force of nature. To put a target on it, if no natural born gladiator could best the unbeatable, then you needed offspring who will not halt their efforts until such matters are resolved. Like a marriage, to death, shall they part. It’s amazing how your daughters, Vero, cling to your sons to push them further into their training sessions, encouraging them through those extra reps on an already exhaustive muscle failure exercise. Their motivation to get them over the most life threatening trainings, mind you are normally reserved for advanced fighters, is phenomenal.”

Her father broke a bead of sweat by her descriptive details of such pupils. His eyes blink at his dear friend who asks of him what he thinks.

“So Evad, tell me, what do you think of such students 10 years from now? Think they got any shot against your infamous relative, or do they still need to train faster and harder for the chance to merely blunt such an unbeatable god?”

Evad gulps exquisitely, “ I was unaware that such students were practicing so... exhilaratingly for a chance to put to rest a…,” eyes Vero sharply, “a good for nothing mortal man.” 

Vero retorts, “As it's claimed by our glorious leader. Anyone who’s to defeat such a foe, FOE, will become the next Emperor.”

Evad blinks at Vero, “Let's hope it's in this lifetime that you're right.”

Vero fixes his belt under his toga, “All I'm asking for, is that you tell Pankraious to reveal himself one LAST time at the Spectacula District's Grand Area.”

The old man sighs, “In time, I like to see how far your kiddos are willing to sacrifice, trying everything in their might to take this so-called, ‘legendary champion’ of mine, down. Just presenting him is life threatening enough.”

“Well said my man.” Vero finishes his tea, in a refreshing sigh, “I think I'll invite your son Spartacus on teaching my kids a few lessons on what his experience against your champion was like.”

“Go ahead, he's gained the most experience of his dimachaerus career since that very fight 5 years ago.”

As the headmasters continue their chat, Tierra bows farewell to them as they continue discussing other subjects of matter.

Chapter 2: Festival Arrivals 

Days pass as the festival readies its night on the villa. With the sun downing its rays across the horizon, people boating to the docks of the villa, were greeted by the Nortorapoly servants. Those who came by land, rode with horses, chariots, and carriages, parked themselves across the district's spacious grounds. Multiple tents were hoisted up pronto for the public's arrival, for much of the day will involve shows, music, dances, games, gladiatorial displays, and important business meets for the official members of the governing districts. The Emperor himself will arrive when the attendance is at its peak. For every Gladian wanting to stay in the Extremus overnight, sleeping tents of all sizes and colors populated the district. Furnished with bedding cots and blankets, many of these people were important guests, speakers, ambassadors, and certain officials whom will wish early discussions with one another over morn's light breakfast. 

For now, Evad awaits at his villa’s northern dock, patient to greet his younger rivals. Sailing ships were seen crossing the Grand River Bridge’s archways. First among his competitive 5, a couple that made headlines as the most attractive pair of headmasters, the Spectacula, Vero Cortelyous, and his Mercatus fashion model wife, Beautanica Oralcosis. As the two's captains docked their boat, these headmasters departed down their ramp greeting Evad, the couple's daughter, Veronica, accompanying them.

“Headmaster Evad!” Vero greeted, his wife and daughter and himself bowing. “Ready for the big night?”

Evad smiles, head tilted handsomely confident, “You know it. This will be one of our longest reunions since Insulae's open house.” Beautanica composed with controlled breaths, her nerves about such provocativeness on her part on being revealed as a naughty woman. Sensing this, Evad pats her on the shoulder, blinks admirably, “You know Beautanica? I wouldn't want to be in any other woman's position than yours right now. You have it made.” Hand gestures at Vero, “You have a stunning husband, an alpha male for a multitude of wives. You have an entire nation seeking your reaction for the slutty Mrs. you are. And even the very Emperor adores your maturing challenge to accept who you are and what it means to be a real woman.”

Vero glances at his whore of a first wife, his feelings on her antics from the past only mildly piss off the headmaster now. For Beautanica, she eyes her alpha male sternly. Flicking her hair at him, 

“Humph. It takes an alpha female to sort out his flock of subjects under him. I'm no longer the dope headed missy who hides her true self anymore, I express myself with pride on being a naughty woman and intend not to let my stud muffin think of lacking therefore of.”

Vero narrowed his eyes at her, he was more annoyed to be with this woman embracing her perversions than he first thought. A woman, whom he initially adored as a daughter to mentor and care for, now more like a pesky bratty sister that interfered with his fatherly ways all this time.

Spitting on the ground, he calls her out, by lightly groping her throat dominantly, “I may have to start calling you sis, you bitch, because if I'd ever had one, I know I would regret it.”

Beautanica did the same to him in return, replying, “Unlike that madman, this girl can grab her bull by the horns.” She intimated Vero, grabbing him by the ballsack.

Evad humbly smiles briefly at the two then at Veronica nudging her mother’s grip on her father’s manhood, “Well missy, feel free to take your leisure anywhere at my villa while I greet the remainder of your parent's childhood brethren dear.”

The headmaster couple gave themselves puzzling looks of humility, wanting to perhaps put their hate aside if at all possible. Evad's much younger brother Wisely, came to tour the important guest around in the meantime.

As more lanistas arrived, the housemasters were accompanied with guests of their own. Family and friends that took the opportunity to visit such a grand villa establishment were escorted in tours by many Nortorapoly relatives young and old. Among the batch of housemasters came Headmaster Uberio of the Domus Nobilium District. His shy demeanor and delicate behavior was protected by one gladiator of Evad's. The tall stocky hoplomachus watched over and spoke in behalf of the headmaster. When they came to Evad, Uberio was quick greet his elder.

Uberio bows smiling, arms slightly opened suggesting a minor embrace to Evad,

The elder offers his a patting hug on Uberio, “My my Quin, you're still the youngling from before.” Glances at his protector, “And Amadeus, still admirable with those fashion tastes as always.”

The hoplomachus bowed to his real master and original slave owner, “Good greetings to see you master.” He chuckles. “It's neat to see Quinlan short as ever next to a regular heightened man like yourself.” 

The three laughed.

As if their host read their mind, Evad mentions about Acolytus.

“Have no worries Uberio, our head servant is here.” Turns to gesture at Amadeus, “And I know your strong slave here is bringing family over. Acolytus is more than honored to accompany your social greetings for the entirety of the event.” He reassures.

Quinlan bows again, “Thank you Headmaster.”

Evad laughs, “Now Quin,” rubbing the headmaster's shoulders, “long were the days that you were a simple freelancer lanista. You're with the big boys now; the Brotherhood of Headmasters.” Signaling over a relative, Alysia, “Escort Uberio to Acolytus, please.”

Alysia nods, “Oh, Evad, some of the guests are asking for you.”

The old man blinks understandably, “Tell them that I'll be available later on this evening, when all the headmasters arrive.” Alysia nods her head, moving on, “Thank you, sister.”

Uberio is brought over to Acolytus while in the meantime, Evad sees the last of the headmasters coming over on a battleship, one personally sailed for the Spectacula region's epic sea fights. The ship docks and lowers its ramps. Mulsuevi walks down, deranged as ever. Accompanying the madman, was the darkly dressed boxing built giant, taller than the already 6.5ft Insulae Headmaster. The two's heights were utterly distinct, their representatives greeted Evad briefly, making their way into the villa's garden hangout area.

Evad, spots the madman’s promising warriors ahead of the giants, “Hello Xizor, and Vanessa. I see you brought your dear little boy, Devol, with you.” Peers down at him with humor intent. “Quite the new look you're wearing little boy, you ought to straighten yourself out with my daughter if you hadn't already.”

The devilish looking boy glances up at his godfather of a slave owner. His parents held deep relationships with the Nortorapolys to be punctual and yet informal from time to time. His father laughed.

“Run along kiddo. Find your girlfriends, see the villa, and be merry.” Xizor encourages.

The little boy scuttles off, the brother and sister bid their welcome into the premises right as their headmaster and his friend approached. Mulsuevi and Damis stood before Evad, the giants heightening over him.

“Alright old man!” The madman barked, pulling out a large bag of money from his toga, “1000 denarii.” Then he whispers menacingly, “Ixion and his sis have been top notch feisties for Insulae's Wage Around Brawlings.” Spits at the ground, widening his eyes, “Present and accounted for, pops.” His stare challenged Evad's steely eyed expression, handing the bag over to him. “Don't sweat it, E.”

Grasping the bag with one hand, he lightly rifled the top with the other, verifying the pure silver payment. The host's gaze smirked playfully.

“Of course this is just for a small repayment of your debts to my establishment, Raningo. You're aware as always how fruitful my alumni warriors are to your colleagues.”

Mulsuevi growled in distaste of how effortlessly a crime lord syndicate like himself can be wrestled over by such a notorious family member of breedborn lanistas.

“Humph!” Stomps at the host about to cave his skull in, but quickly slows into a gesture of direction, surprised by the confidence Evad glared back at him. Huffing, “I got to hand it to ya totem pole. Ye either tough as nails, or scared like scrambling pig.” Composes his stance, “I'll be taking me welcome then, thank ye very much!” He stomps on into the villa's extravagant garden fling. Evad stared at the madman's behavior as he strolled over to the outer refreshments tables. 

Damis, the much more collective counterpart to Mulsuevi, steps forth to greet the charming headmaster with a cool fist bump.

“Always a sight for sore eyes, Evad.” Damis slicks back his deep pink hair, taking in the marvelous villa surroundings, exhaling, “What a fine festival night you got for us pals.”

Evad bounced the sack of coins playfully as the two walked on into the premises, the headmasters’ ships lingered about the grand river, anchored. Chuckling, “Not a day goes by that can go wrong with somebody like you around Damis.” Thinks about his soon to graduate gladiator children. “Are you happy with the selection of this year's young graduates I've elected for you?”

Damis brushes the cuffs of his selves up, appearing more formal for the party, “I could not be more grateful brotha. You always bin fitting me with valuable pupils who want to take de next step ov their fighting passions to de big leagues. Though de Oscan is an ovahly competitive zone for new comers, sending your children slaves to my domain quarterly, sure helped introduce tem to our advanced classed expectations.”

Evad secures the madman’s payment next to his purse, “I figured as much. Perhaps my students are some of the youngest in your facilities?”

Sniffing and exhaling, wiping his mustache with his fingers, “Yes indeed...” he catches a scent of some beef stuffed dumplings appetizers, sniffing the aroma moreover, “Is that what I think it is?”

“Ah yes, one of many delicacies to be served on the nightly feastings after some social gathering.” He signals one of 4 servants handing out samples on silver lined platters.”

Damis analysises the visual esthetic of the morsel, beckoning with approval. “Oh! Come ta daddy. Don't mind me doin a piece.” Picks a neatly warm beef dumpling with his large pointer and thumb fingers, then sees Evad picking more than 2 in his hand.

“Help yourself to as many you desire ref master.” Evad offered, “A man of your size will surely stay famished until dinner.”

Damis savors the lemon seasoned flavor from the small bite, “Oh don't mind if I do.” Grasps a few more into his hand as the servant turns to offer the rest to other nearby guests.

From the front apartment of the villa's stone chiseled decor, Acolytus shortly ran management of the servant waiters and waitresses until Wisely Nortorapoly returned from touring some of the guests. The much younger brother of Evad has always been a catchy figure. Dressed in the likeness of a matured lanista of the family, Wisely came back for Acolytus. He sees the retiarius explaining to pupil servants where and how to wait people. 

Acolytus points at the villa diagram hanging on the adobe stone wall, “Here is where most guests traffic, along further down, these guests need waiting. For the ones on the top floor patio, they are covered by me and my associates.” The butler hands out cloth towels, “and always be modest, polite, and presentable. You're representing the Nortoraploys' estate. Carry a cloth with you at all times, there’s no saying when a mess could happen, only that we're prepared should it happen.”

With that, the servants took to their posts and coordinated their service to accommodate everyone for the party as possible. The retiarius saw Wisely impressed by the foreigner's initiative to manage the lanista's flock of servant slaves. His calm mellow voice was similar to Evad's, but more outgoing in tone.

“Quite the astute butler you are. My brother was indeed right about you, you are a servant at heart.” The housemaster picks up some empty plates and platters in similar butler fashion, “I'll take charge for the rest of the evening's itinerary.”

“Yes housemaster.” Acolytus bowed, “If you request my services directly, I shall be with Headmaster Uberio.”

Wisely smiles. “Right you may, that fellow, an unjaded one he is, confident as molasses but kinda like my mother, shy to anger. Not so full of words for a decent crowd of people.”

Acolytus took his leave, finding Uberio somewhere at the villa's garden premises. By now most folk are populating around the villa. The neatly thin retiarius walked on through the crowds, spotting the tall boy teenager of the Masonius family at a distance, elegantly dressed in one of his own fashion tunics. His father and mother, Hemonius and Nautalia, both were gowned in appealing lavages that promoted their wares within the Mercatus markets. It did not take Acolytus long to find Headmaster Uberio. As a habit, when around the largest of crowds about him, Uberio always had one bodyguard. Amadeus stood by the short man taking in the greets and greenery.

"Greeting Masonius, Headmaster." The retiarius bowed in service to hand himself off in Amadeus's place.

"Greetings Leo." The hoplomachus greeted back happily. "I hope this arrangement doesn't disturb your butlering preference."

"Not one bit brethren. I quite enjoy your master's company. His reserveness is, much of the best masters from my homeland." He thanked.

The headmaster eyed the retiarius, his thin figure was of liking, skin, mostly lighter than many of Gladians. "Thank you for choosing to be with me. As most know, I'm not too keen with a crowd of guests, let alone visitors at my own estate."

Acolytus bowed, gesturing the headmaster to some quieter leisures within the stoned villa. 

Chapter 3: Bolstering Rendition

The sun began descending noticeably now, dusk orange rays of light poured in. People massed by the hundreds, huddled all around the villa, partaking in playful activities, drinks, and talks. Children hangout at the garden's playground, delighted in tabletop games involving cards, dice, and rewards brought over from their homes as cunning prizes for the lucky enough winners.

Among them, three kids sat at a table. Their voices mingled with all the other children around them, playfully greeting new ones on arrival. Devol Ixion the evil looking boy sat with his back towards the children's unaware knowledge of his presence, he never was one for meeting new company. Veronica sat beside him and another girl, her charming attire blended with the evening steadily nearing. Her dear friend Tierra, officially greeting the two's arrival,

"So, here we are, so close to going through with our little… arrangements. The very important figures are thoroughly enjoying my father's territory." Tierra said, sipping her red tea, thumbing through her leather bound book.

Devol eyed her, wondering how many people she's documented within those papyrus pages of hers, he wonders, what goes on with her other plans beside Veronica's. "Yep. I'm just grateful not to have scared off any of your guests yet."

Veronica giggles with delight, "Don't be, hun, the ones you need to worry about scaring off is ourselves." Seeing Devol give her flirty eyes of lust towards her.

The Nortorapoly girl picked her fingers between her pages, opening through profiles of people important to the current plan at hand. "Alright gent and miss, here’s the go around." She displays her book to the kid couple's intimate moment. "We are to greet our peeps with the idea of venturing out through the outerworld. Your father, Veronica, yours too, Devol, and mine, but first and foremost, the very Emperor who’s coming to visit soon."

Devol felt nervous about greeting such a useful man, compared to the sudo-emperor Mulsuevi, his time with the madman is more comforting than the supreme leader of the entire nation’s first impression. Veronica nodded in understanding. Tierra glanced to Devol, noticing his doubts.

"Devol, you won't have to speak to the emperor, feel assured that I'll be the one daring the conversation with Maximus. You just handle terms with Mulsuevi and your father." She said in a semi ordered fashion.

The three kids discussed further details about the plan to explore the outer worldly cultures in depth. Once the three were satisfied, they departed to their spots.

Devol searched for Raningo at the dinning hall of the villa, keeping his head hidden behind furniture and tables, guests strolling right past him. Catching sight of the man, he sees him conversating with another lanista. Udov Akimbar stood behind a bar type counter with a display of vintage drinks, suitable for a whole party of vip's.

The lanista pours a small amount of alcohol in a shot cup made of ceramic glass, carefully offering it to the headmaster. Raningo grasps it, eyeing Udov with ill intent, before downing the shot. A few seconds pass as Raningo darts his glare back at him. "Bahh! Ye low of housemaster, Akimbar. This tastes nothing like the wild stories proclaim it to be."

The housemaster doubtfully pours the smallest tasting of the drink in his own shot glass, lightly sampling it. His face puckers red for a moment, coughing, reaching for his glass of water, quickly trying to sate his burning throat for how little he sipped. "No headmaster, it seems like other stories are true. Your throat is as gone as your courtesy. You can't taste hot spices."

Raningo starred in annoyance, "Yeah, but I can taste liquid gold all right." He grabbed the housemaster by the throat. "How much for your bottle of golden herb tree scotch over there?"

Akimbar twisted a nerve in the headmaster's grip, releasing himself from him, slaves drew weapons on the sudo-emperor, watching their housemaster composed himself, still coughing, "One quinarius, gold variety to you, you madman."

Mulsuevi scoffed at him, reaching in his robe, pulling out an aureus. "Consider my courtesy not all gone, you pub." Flicking the gold coin at Udov, the headmaster took his bottled drink and walked off. Devol saw it as a fit opportunity to greet him. Stumbling into his presence Mulsuevi paused, eyeing the boy. "Well that's a new look for wear boyo, I thought you were some punk child wanting to test my patience.” His probing eyes squint at the special child up and down, “You know I like my non-warrior slaves 'lionclothed'.”

“Don't forgive me, I'm just fitting in, is all, low profile. I'd like to speak with you.” Devol remarked.

Mulsuevi approached the boy, shoving him next to his side. "Good! Because where we're going, we'll need some cover from spying ears." Raningo's been to the villa before and brought the small boy to the nearest private room where some of his men lurked, kinda like a small criminal pow wow. Grabbing the boy by one hand and launching him across the circular table, Devol lands on an empty sitting spot between two of Gladia's many dangerous gladiators. "Cannibalous, Taurus, meet the new underboss, Devol Ixion." The white bull and the gallus armored provocators glanced at the child.

"Ixion?" Called out the bull with a suspicious tone of voice, "You're Xizor's kid, aren't you?"

"And son to that nice peace of jailbait, Ramses," the headmaster butted in, "Vanessa has a really neat figure, don't she boyo?"

Devol chuckled in agreement. 

The bull wanting to cave in the child's head, couldn't now, not with the boss man favoring it. He gave the child an ox-like exhale down his face, as to remember the scent of his target.

"Listen up men! The old man's coming to town and we need some representation! Cannibalous, take your men scouting for some fresh recruitment. Taurus get your guys around to strengthen our presence, and as for you Devol," Mulsuevi pointed, "sit back and look pretty, no sense on revealing my golden trinket just yet. Now provocators, go make it happen." 

Amongst the two departing, the sudo-emperor was alone with Devol. A brief silence filled the air while the headmaster took a few gulps of his expensive drink, giving a semi satisfied sigh. "Speak boyo! You'd tell me something?!" He barked. The demon boy grabbed a pillowy cushion next to himself and threw it at Raningo in the midst of drinking. The madman's eyes caught sight, smacking the plush away, Mulsuevi launched himself over the paint stained table, inches away from pummeling Devol out of existence, gritting teeth spilling drink down his aggressive chin and neck. "You might be mistaken, I might actually go through with killing you!"

Devol saw through his threats and disregarded them. He's long ago earned favor with such a deranged hulligan. "I want to go to the outer world. See cultures unlike anything I've imagined."

Mulsuevi stood, tasting his split drink on his robe ware. His eyes gleamed over the boy's head, seeming unacknowledged to the question. Setting himself back down, his emotions then acted as delayed. "Bruuh! Oohh, to what extent does a little boy like you find interesting from all farthest traveling?"

"My father's done a good bit of it. From the sounds of it, I want to explore it for... myself." Devol stammered.

Mulsuevi, sensing something else at play, provoked the child, "Not yourself... Perhaps, something else?" He thought through the boy's evil distraught face, "no... someone else."

Devol glared at him, "fine, I'm not doing it for myself, but for someone."

"As to whyyy I must ask?"

"Well, I promised a certain... lanistress... that if I can, fulfill a certain obligation to her, she’d let me get frisky with her daughter." Devol prided.

The headmaster blinked uninterested, but then curious, then more and more anxiously curious, "Yesssss. Boyo, to which lucky woman has you under her spell?"

Devol eyes lit up with approval to the madman's mood. "Headmistress Beautanica Oralcosis."

To this, Mulsuevi's gaze sweetened, standing near the child, he quickly grappled Devol by his tunic and flung him across the room. The boy was quick to his feet, bounding off the adobe wall, rolling safety on a shaggy rug laying down his side propped up. His red eyes beamed up at the headmaster peering down at him with dis-ease. Pointing his distaste for the lanistress. 

"A beautiful whore, slutty bait for me eyes indeed, but sold to that vermin archer Cortelyous. Whore whore whore that I do so so adore. Boyo, for you to want to defile her offspring makeths me jealous because I can't defile ers mother’s runt of a cunt." Mulsuevi kneels down near Devol, minted breath from the golden scotch warmed the child's presence. "What does she need from the out there?" He begged to wonder.

"It's her daughter Raningo, she wants to be better than Spencer, that tall adolescent besting fashionable vendors from all around. Veronica and I see it fit as an adventure for us to see the wild world of cultures, suitable inspirations to topple that teenager beaten, in his own game."

Mulsuevi picked up the child, Devol bracing himself for another sudden throw down, feeling the man sit down and simply keep him on his lap, like a pet dog. The sudo-emperor tapped his fingers around the child's shoulder before looking at him and petting the child’s hair with light scratches, "If ye want to see thy world out there, ye don't need approval from anyone."

Baffled, Devol asked why, "how come?"

Mulsuevi chuckled into a smile, "Doesn't that juist please thy emperor, to know where ‘is subjects go? To bring back loyal news of their journeys to thy outworld. Blah humba! Xizor reports only to my orders and whims. And what I say, goes. So boyo, if ye wants to go out to thy outer world with yer girlyfriend, then do so."

Devol felt Mulsuevi shoved him on the ground, the tall madman walking off. It was clear that Devol needed to notify Tierra and Veronica of the good news before they unnecessarily trudged on convincing the Emperor's curiosity.

As the emperor's cruise liner neared the villa's docks, Veronica and Tierra were with their fathers at the villa's patio top complex. People mingled about from all walks of life. Drinks were being served as music and crispy aromas of served meats and cuisines filled the air. Finding the right way to hint at their exploration journeys outside Gladia, the girls hung by the fathers' chatting away. Unfortunately, Mulsuevi abruptly joins the two headmaster's having a snack or two of their servant's hand out platter.

"Oo delicatables? Give em ere?" Swiping the rest in his hands, the madman pushed the slave servant off on his way. "Scram puny, boss men a talking."

Vero and Evad both gave discerning looks as he smugly looked back. Evad, composed, gestured to the payment of money given to him by Mulsuevi. "At least your payments to me hold some respects Raningo."

"Yeah madman, payment for some of Evad's best slaves hold water in that bloody competition with your fighters." Vero chimed in.

"Huh, water? Helps thin out weaklings." Mulsuevi says catching eye on the two's pretty little daughters, in particularly, Veronica.

A group of lanistas walked up to Evad, wishing to consult some slave business with the headmaster. Ever the wise, useful man, Evad accepted in terms of having a short brief, leaving Raningo and Vero to themselves. The archer man feels the sudo-emperor's curiosity on his daughter. Veronica felt her father pat her head, gesturing her a glance to give them some space.

Raningo smugly growled "Say, Beautanica has been good on her looks.”

Vero, offended by the remark, glanced over to Evad and his group of lanistas, seeing one slave that didn't seem right. The bone ox’d killer, Cannibalous no less. Vero then replied to Mulsuevi's statement. "Yeah, pretty isn't she? Too bad she'd stuck with a mack like me."

Raningo's jealousy broiled. First finding out that Vero is a breeder to so many female slaves of Beautanica's school, utterly enraged the madman. Now he found it annoyingly amusing. "Yeah, what's a good little daughter like h’ers doing around a father like ye anyways?"

Vero sighed, peeved. "That woman is more complicating than she looks, you know that, Raningo."

"Whore more like it. Probably runs in thy family too." Eyes Veronica sat at a nearby bench glancing away from him.

Vero wanting to dismiss Raningo, spots Cannibalous stealthily pickpocketing the purse bags of the lanistas near to him. Impressive in a public area surrounded by many guests, the killer's tool belt is equipped not only with slaughtering weapons, but thieving ones too. It was with Vero's shooting eye that caught wind of the criminal. "So tell me Mulsuevi, what's a slave like Cannibalous doing here? Demonstrating sleight of hand in broad daylight?"

Mulsuevi's raised an eyebrow. "So, caught one of me lieutenants in the act? Shame it would be for ye to ruining the guests false sense of security now. But then again, why don't I allow him to capitalize on theirs’ unawareness." Raningo slapped Vero, drawing massive attention to all the guests nearby. "Huh! Isn't that right? A slut she is!" Slaps Vero once more and again, drawing all the attention. Cannibalous, in surprised opportunity, swiftly pockets the rest of the coin, nearly about to rob Evad's large payment the madman gave earlier in the day. Everyone around the vicinity began watching, including Beautanica and her staffing from a ways away.

Vero, after taking the madman's abuse, stood composed, feeling his cheeks with one hand, "Well Mulsuevi, you always forget. SHE'S MY SLUT!" In a quick surprise, Vero jumps his offender, bucking his feet on offender’s waist belt, smacking the madman in the head seven times in such rapid succession, Mulsuevi didn't have a chance to react, getting knocked down briefly.

Cannibalous, now distracted by the serious commotion, refocuses his attention on Evad's vulnerable coin once. Tierra, being at child height, sees the man deploy his hook blade on thieving her father's money. Her protective daddy instincts came bashing down on the killer’s attempt, her jab at the assassin's reach, severs the coin bag with a large tear, spilling the contents everywhere on the floor. Cannibalous glares at the girl with murderous intent as he plays into the crowd's surprise, scooting behind them, blending in with puzzled looks of curiosity.

Evad gawked at the ground littered with Mulsuevi's payment, his shock was amplified with what the sudo-emperor tried to pull on him. The thieving attempt gone wrong, wasn't his concern or detection, it was the payment in general. The money due was 1000 denarii, but Raningo situated the bag to contain 250 silver denarii on top and the rest with the lowest denomination of currency, quadrons, on the bottom 3/4's.

Raningo sprang up from Vero's offensive, the bull Taurus's gladiators stepped between him and Vero, holding Mulsuevi back from lunging at him. "Ya got a hard on to pick a fight with me again archer man!"

Vero stood his distance, a fleet of young children warriors populated in front of Vero. Gladiator children from the Extremus school's north cycle company; the best students of the entire academy, protecting their mutual father. Mulsuevi scoffed at the kids, offspring of many gladiatrix warriors of the Mercatus school.

"Headmaster Mulsuevi!" Evad called him in a serious tone. The madman shook off his men holding him back, glancing over to the host of the festival. Seeing his payment scattered all over the floor, it is obvious that his botched payment jig is up.

Mulsuevi turns his attention back to Vero. "You really done me off archer boy!" The sudo-emperor ordered his slaves to prepare for an assault on the Vero; the snap of his fingers made the warriors draw their weapons out. People gasped in horror at what was about to go down. Vero's kin drew their weapons out ready to entertain the madman's antics. 

Before Raningo unleashed his men, the very Emperor of Gladia stepped forth from among the agog crowd to everyone's dazzle. Carrying himself strong, though of old age, the fading gold helmeted, red caped figure appeared between the instigation.

"Gentlemen." His elegant words greeted. "Undraw weapons, now." He ordered in such peaceful, disengaging authority. The slaves doing so. "A full pardon to the ones that started this.”

“Again with tis! Come on ye old old man!!!” The madman scolds.

The emperor places two fingers pressure pointing up his neck to cease the sudo-emperor’s threats, “It's too soon in the evening for our night to be spoiled by some... altercations. Isn't it, you two." Referring to Vero and Raningo.

"Raffg, of course your lordship." Mulsuevi peevely stated.

"Yes Emperor." Vero head bowed.

Emperor Maximus raised his hands, looking to everyone around before taking a breath and sighing with a jesting remark. "Not the most enticing of welcomes for the emperor this night." The people giggled into laughter. "Go! Carrying on, let bygones be bygones at this once."

Mulsuevi glared at Vero from across the patio floor, seeing his mob of lethally trained children disappear within the settling crowds. The two turning their looks away from one another, the madman is met with Evad's disappointment gaze up at him. Seeing the trick plotted on the host, Mulsuevi chuckled. "He he heh. No hard feeling ight?"

Evad, with a small serious smile yet annoyed look about him, sighs. "Let bygones be bygones, he said. So Raningo? I'll look the other way this time. But be aware," Evad pulls the madman down to his level, gripping at the madman's tin crown, "if another incident happens at my festival because of you. I'll be taking my slaves back, you understand?" Evad told him in a disciplinary attitude.

Mulsuevi grumbled, defeated by the chance of losing some of his best men to Evad's ordained ownership of them. His raged eyes soften as he growls back at him, "Have it ye way, old man." He mutters. Released from his grip, Mulsuevi turns to Taurus the bull, "Get me a damn drink!" He orders.

After the scuffle, Beautanica marches up to Vero, giving him an ear full quietly.

“What the hell is the matter with you two!”

“Go back to your bitches.” Vero calmy advised.

“Not after the lip they all heard about you guys calling me out.” She rebukes.

Vero, not wanting to deal with her, grabs her by the hair and makes out with her briefly shoving her towards the direction of her company, “Go away. And take Veronica with you, god, you women are getting harder to maintain by the day!” He demands quietly.

Flustered, Beautanica shuns him, gesturing to their daughter to come.

The visitors gather at tables strung all around the villa inside and out for the nightly feasting of gourmet delicacies prepared by the finest chefs Nortorapolys can offer. 2 hours of long feasting blurs into the night while the games, shows, and exhibition tryout fights entertain the guests. In the meantime, Veronica and Tierra's attempts on going through with their plans were safely halted by Devol. The three sitting themselves at children's tables within the patio floor peering down at the guests in the villa's garden yard.

"Well that was a close one." Veronica said, cutting into her meat and potatoes.

“How can I be so reckless?" Tierra stated with displeasure. "If we told them about our plans, they might have restricted us from going."

Devol took bites from the grilled chicken still hot from the rotisserie. "The good news is, we can act alone as we'd wish."

Tierra sighs, moving on with the benefit of privacy still at hand. "Indeed. I'll let my father know when it suits me best. He isn't much of a concerned father if I know what I'm doing." She mixed her bowl of nuts and yogurt with her grains of raisins with a spoon, then eating.

"What's that? Devol asked, enticed by the sweet aroma the cereal bowl was giving.

"It's a fermented milk product mixed with a variety of nuts and dehydrated fruits. My father says the outer cultures refer to it as yogurt cereal." She explained.

"What a funny name for something that smells nice and candy like."

"Well here, try some then." Tierra pour a small spoonful on the demon boy's plate.

Devol took his fork utensil and scooped the delicious sweet cream and nuts into his mouth chewing the fantastic flavors of sugar, salt, and fruit. "Wow, I'd get addicted to that real quick."

Veronica smiled as she too tried some of Tierra's meal with the dominating girl’s own spoon. "Mmmm, a wonderful snack babe. Too bad it's hard to prepare, otherwise, I’d be having it all the time." Devol got aroused by such a strong friendship of the two as to share the same spoon.

"Yep a tasty meal, but like everything, wines, food, and leisure, all in moderation." Tierra advised, knowing from her studies on overeating highly dense sugars as a negative impact on health.

As the three finished their mealing, servants came to pick up everyone's plates and silverware, accepting offers for more drinks and upcoming desserts. From their view below, Devol and Veronica spot Spencer mingling with much of his family below, cheery laughter, and homey discussions blended around the rest of the Gladians. 

“There he is, girls,” Devol hinted.

“Always the charmer.” Tierra stated, as the tall boy was being compared to his uncle and grandfather’s heights.

Veronica smirked to herself, jealous of the teen’s fashionable progress, “Just you wait punk, I’ll make your talents kneel to mine in a real fashion competition.” She stated passionately.  

“And I’ll make that dream into a f***in reality, baby.” Devol states passionately as well. Veronica turns to him, so madly in love with the demon kid.

Chapter 4: Mingling Dinglings 

Within the villa's interior, the more distinguished members of lanistas and slaves ate. Uberio was accompanied by Acolytus, many slave owners offered up contract deals to utilize the headmaster's school services and equipment.

"Four slaves, three murmillo, one retiarius, like yourself." said Aurelio Fontus, a notable housemaster of the Spectacula District.

Acolytus leaned over to Uberio shaking his head no. the butler stating, "Sorry, no deal."

Fontus blinked unsurprised. Reaching under his robe, he pulled out a bag of silver quinarii. "A shy man's way of hassling business, through a foreigner, is unlike you, Uberio. I'll double the going rate. These slaves of mine want theater lessons. I pay extra then." Upon glancing back at Uberio's approving nod, Acolytus accepted the payment, passing it to the headmaster. "I'll send my contract to you tomorrow morn." Fontus upped and left with the same composure he sat down with. Lending the next lanista available to negotiate with this headmaster.

Vero and Beautanica ate at their respective table, a handful of slaves accompanying them from the headmaster's elite school. The aroused wife was eyeing her man up and down, hopeful she'd get some bedtime with the archer in one of the many tents reserved for lanistas around the villa.

"Honey." She asked.

"What?" Vero said uninterested while eating a roasted lion cut of a thyme seasoned buffalo.

"You want some loving tonight?" She offered, rubbing his crotch area.

Vero looked at her, him, annoyed as always by her sexual antics. "With you? Or a bunch of your petty slave warriors again?

Beautanica hardened her feelings towards him, "Me, you dumb cock."

Just now, Vanessa along with her brother, walked next to their table heading over to the serving lines for another scrumptious filling. Vero stared at the hot Insulae sister of Xizor's, the only eye candy he finds alluring to his lust. "Now there's a proper gal right there. Honest as she ought to be. Hiding nothing."

"Really? Her?" Beautanica got annoyed, "Again?" She then scolded Vero. "Out of all the women? I'll never understand you men." Beautanica stood, about to walk off. "Humph! I'm going to see what our daughter Veronica is doing. Behave yourself, darling."

"Humph, screw you too! Oh wait, you'd wish!" Vero rudely teased. Beautanica slapped grabbed the man's wound on his left shoulder. "Aw! Well buzz off then! He quietly shouted, being left with a pulsing mess of blood trickling down his shoulder, "Sheech!" Seeing Vanessa's brother leave her all alone at a table, Vero got very excited to meet with the hot eye candy once more, this time, for a home run to rub all over his wife's face. 

The headmistress walked around the villa, searching for her offspring. She met up with Evad and Wisely discussing lanistal matters. Their lovely sister, Housemistress Alysia, accompanied the two men.

"Headmistress." Wisely head bowed, "Finding the festival to your liking?"

Beautanica quite adored the little brother of the two Nortorapolys. "Wisely, what a cutie you are. Yes, I'm rather enjoying the festivities and more to come. Shame the madman couldn't knock some sense into my idiot husband though. He's no idea what kind of woman he's missing out on."

Evad gave a lip pop of his mouth, "Yep. I rather enjoy a madman's antics more than I like to admit. Helps me push the bully around when his slaves are liable for his abusive absurdities."

Beautanica glanced a special look on Alysia, how attractive she is, heavenly for a mom to such a cute daughter. "Is Tierra with Veronica, Aly?" She asked, the mother thought for a second.

"She was, I saw them heading upstairs, probably napping from such a filling feast. Could be in one of the guest rooms, or Tierra's own room." The mother said.

Beautanica bowed in her dismissal of the three "I'm going to check up on her." Evad gave the headmistress a good bye-for-now gesture as she made her way to the upper floors of the villa. Many slaves hurried by the hallways of the kitchen, sending out meals to the remaining guests of the festivals. Dodging the speedy servants, Beautanica made her way to the quiet guest rooms. Carefully peering through, there was no sign of anyone. Heading further in, one particular room stood out with the door shut, which had to be Tierra's. Placing her hand on the knob, she debated whether to knock. For her, personally, somebody disturbing her sleep seemed worse than someone checking up on you unannounced.

Upon entering the dark room, lights of the festivities glowed around the windows, Beautanica heard strange noises coming from the bedroom portion of the room. Sneaking her way in, she behold her daughter Veronica being kissed by none other than Devol. The headmistress stood in the darkness, agog at what the demon boy was enacting on her precious girl. The sight of such a delightful boy child soothing lips onto her little girl turned on the mother. 

Beautanica's breathing rapidly arose, catching the two love birds' attention. Veronica's head silhouette turned behind her, glancing over to her mother. Devol’s head stared at Beautanica direction. The mother felt her body numb, like she was in a dream state. Not knowing what's reality, her urges took hold of her, guiding herself out of the room. Her emotions ran full force, her face flushed, and mind dazed. She wanted a place to sit in her dizzy state. Little did she knew that her wandering led her outside among the gardens of the villa where less of the guests lingered. Hugging her back on an adobe fountain, she splashed some of the cold water on her forehead to alleviate the daunting feeling. It works.

As she semi recovered from such an ordeal, the very madman, Mulsuevi took full advantage on greeting the headmistress. Her vulnerable state has left her without protection of her guards aware of her whereabouts from inside the villa, along with anyone else whom were last to meet with her. The madman grappled his grip upon the waist of Beautanica, herself drawing concern of her mistake. 

“Why aren’t ye daring missy.” Raningo greeted, the smell of expensive alcohol emitted from his breath, in a weird way, this calmed her.

“Raningo? I’m… just…”

The sudo-emperor caressed her cheeks, halting her words, “Shh shh shhhh, no one shill be watching us ere, lucky ye. Rather it normal for me to strike ye down meself.”

“What do you want madman?” The headmistress placed her hand on his wrapped around her waist, his strong fingers alluring.

“But a wee catch up is all, come missy,” Raningo said, helping her up as the two went further back in the gardens where a few bonfires were lit. Over the garden walls, many of the loner guests retreated among these simmering locations of the villa to enjoy some peace and quiet from the vibrant activities of the festival, for a time. The two headmasters sat themselves at a private bonfire, one furthest from the rest. Beautanica watched kindling fire burn away at thick logs that seemingly lasted forever. She gazed at Mulsuevi, his calm but deranged like eyes stared into the flames. 

Feeling guilty, Beautanica broke the silence first, “I’m sorry big guy.” Her words didn’t receive any reply from him, nothing more that he just sat there blinking slowly away from the fire and across the calm river next to them. To this, the headmistress closed the gap between them, situating herself next to the madman. “I’m sorry that I chose Vero over you.” She finally admitted.

The madman slowly gazed upon her uninterested about the archerman now, “He’s done it good to be yers,” He muttered in scoffing fashion.

“Hey, I had no idea he’d be treating me like a daughter rather than a lover.”

“Yet ye knows I’s always crushing after ya. Why not just come to me?” He asked in a sudo aggressive tone, controlled but stern.

“Because.”

“Because what.” The madman inquired seriously.

“You… weren't my type.”

“Type? I?” The giant stood, towering over her, calmly shouting, “Not yer’s type! I’ve fought yers father’s killers, yers brothers’ wounders! Those foreign scums of hellish creatures were slaughtered as precious vengeance for wut they did to thee.”  He sat back down, muttering, “Hungh! Type.” 

Beautanica gets next to the large figure, her body pressing up to his ribcage. The man mumbles as he accepts her comforting embrace, putting an arm over her shoulder. The headmistress soothingly caresses the madman’s scars about his chest. Her words aim to compensate his decades jealousy,

“Notice how I said ‘weren’t my type’?” She corrected.

“Weren’t?” His eyes gaze down at her. “Y… ye… saying yers interested en me now?”

Beautanica blinked her caring eyes at him. “You have no idea how long I wanted a man to love me, but the one I was after didn’t want me, even If I hoaxed him into angrily ravaging me and other women countless times.” She continued rubbing the madman’s thigh, signing, “Huhh, even now, he’s found the right woman he wants.” Beautanica stood putting herself eye level with Mulsuevi’s crazy look about her. “I’m tired Raningo. Tired of fighting to seduce a man that doesn't want me for who I am. From the very beginning, I should have always belonged to you.”

Raningo felt her hands caress his chest compassionately, “Missy, I’ve only dreamed; I would hear ye say something like that.”

Sitting herself on his lap, she snuggles up to him, “Now the question is madman, how do I go on with this?”

Mulsuevi delightfully feels her hair tingle his wounds on his chest miraculously. His mind relaxes, for the first time in his long life of aggressive behavior, he calmly speaks adequately, “Miss I’d see only you playing yor part well. Partake your usuals. Leave me as mad as most would deem it. Every once in a long while, let us visit like a true couple.” As his words concluded, his tone returned greedy, stubborn, but more controlled, as if her time spent with him is therapeutic in nature.

Beautanica kissed his chest empathically, causing the madman to shriek silently, fondling her spirits. “Mulsuevi?” She asked.

“Ye relax, Mrs. Oralcosis. I’ll compensate an honest woman out of ye for ya troubles.” Raningo said, comforting Beautanica sexually, for the first time in her life, she was going to feel truly satisfied.

Back at the villa's interior dining hall, Vero lets his men know he'll be absent for a time, but with not too much information. "Boys, don't mind where I'll be, I'm going to enjoy myself a little." His men looked at each other nodding perplexed as they continued on with their discussions. Vero stood, heading off to Veronica's table. Sitting himself down, he met eyes with the succulent provocatess.

"Headmaster?" She greets.

Vero just eyes her face, analyzing those hot facial features. Body curves that even turn on single women, truly Vanessa is the sexiest gladiatrix alive. "Vanessa. I'm gonna be blunt." The archer man scoots his seat next to hers. "I gonna f*** the red out of those lovely eyes of yours tonight."

The woman blinks seductively, leaning into the master's chest. "You're serious about cheating on Beautanica?" The Insulae gal questioned.

"Well technically I have already, with so many of her gladiatrix warriors, but never in my entire life have I found a female worth my desires for a change."

"Why'd you marry her anyways?"

"Ohh miss. You lot in your dwellings are free to fornicate to your hearts’ orgasms, but us on the surface follow distinguishing rules; the rules of the metropolis, that is. She enraged me on multiple occasions, having me ravage her and her girls like a horny rooster with never ending wood. But you however, I ain't found a more fitting lady with revealing qualities from the inside, than whom sits beside me this day." Vero began fondling her ponytail, playfully rubbing the silk strands on his sore cheekbones from Mulsuevi's antics.

Vanessa massaged her hands on the right portion of his chest, where his robe opens. "You want me in bed?"

Vero began to grope her breasts. "I'd have you in any bed, dear."

"I like to see you honor that call then." Vanessa clasped his fondling hand. Vero eyed her confidently. "Any bed huh? How about Alysia's, hum? A proud Nortorapoly’s linens to really get ourselves through a night full of intercourse? Think your alpha enough for it?"

The headmaster stared at Vanessa. Her cocky sexy smile, daring as ever. Vero blinked his glance throughout the room, spotting the wonderful mistress roaming towards the restroom halls. Shifting his gaze back to Vanessa, "Consider your wishes true, and oh, do let your brother know where you'll be. It'll be one hell of a long night.”

The archer man stood from his table tailing the housemistress. Alysia went beyond the restrooms and into a private room, where bathrooms that held more privacy, were reserved for the headmasters and up. Vero stood just outside the door that the accountress entered. A few minutes pass when she’d opened the door to leave, her hands moist from the hand washing. Vero casually approached her, her serious look on the man. Feeling his grip on her shoulders and arms, she felt his body smother her onto a nearby wall. Remaining silent, the headmaster calmly talked with her.

"Meh? What more can I expect from a Nortorapoly?" He greeted, then proceeded to fondle her hair, massaging her round bum, and dominating her presence, proving his experience with women. Alysia couldn't deny the pleasure Vero was offering to her, it's more than Evad would ever do, never performing the sexual roles of a husband, just the role of a father for their daughter is all. Then all of sudden the archer man stopped.

"Oaw, is that it, that's all?" She said dazed, clearly wanting much more, until she came to her senses. Quickly shifting herself forward towards him, she pounded an arms length distance on the man's chest from hers. "Cortelyous. Don't ever alpha male your way on me again!” She threatens quietly, “Next time I won't be so lenient..." She felt his grip take a hold of her arm, pinning her to the wall.

"You'll do what? Get your brother Evad or Wisely after me. Why bother?" This is where Vero plays her out, knowing full well of a female's antics when it comes to sex, love, and desire. "You're not my type anyways, yet I know you desperately crave it like the rest of them. So pathetically predictable and horny, the lot of you women. So allow me to tell you what's gonna happen next. My woman wants a nice bed to get f***ed in all night, yours, and you're not gonna do anything about it, cept letting it happen. Yeah a Nortorapoly's authority is law in these parts of Gladia, but you're a woman and I'm your guest, Evad's the host, and I'm his wing man when it boils down to it."

Alysia glared at Vero. His sudden honesty and dominance of self power is what she can only imagine Evad being like. Seeing the man get his way, she felt necessary to grasp his hands on her breasts, baiting him to squeeze them. "Come on alpha. Grab them, squeeze them, violate me like the dirty whore I am then." She encouraged.

Vero was amused, grinning with such a humble and yet teasing smug smile. "Heh heh heh, ah uh uh, housemistress, you'd wish." He shook off her grip on his hands, staring at her with pettiness. "Go get your pretty little brother to fondle your desires. I still have a long enough night ahead of me." With that, Vero tipped his head off to her, hand gesture and all, walking off. As so, he would for sure sleep with Vanessa in Alysia's bed this night, having the best sex of his life.

Chapter 5: Fistful Typhoon

As the night progressed, most people were readying for bed. Uberio and Acolytus are in a final game of cards against Headmasters Evad, Raningo, and Damis. The steady group hung at a round table in the patio top of the villa. The large boxer sat on a short stone railing of the patio, his size, a little over a regular seat's proportions for his liking.

"Your move retiarius." The madman impatiently said.

"All in due time Mulsuevi, you ought ta let de opponent flex deir actions. Helps gauge tactics on how ta tackle deir assaults." Damis suggested.

The tired shy man revealed his hand of a full house, 4's over 3 murmillos. Evad showed his defeated hand, a pair of samnites. Mulsuevi's revealed a flush of secutors, likewise with Damis, but his are retiarii.

"I win." The sudo-emperor said intimidatingly.

Eyes raised at the madman. 

"Last I recall, a full house of warriors defeats a flush." Acolytus said cautiously.

"Indeed." Evad backs him up.

Mulsuevi, not wanting to accept defeat, entertained a showdown to resolve the dispute. "Well then now, looks like we'll settle this with an exhibition fight. Xizor!"

Damis patted his shoulder, "You sure about tis, brotha?"

The madman grinned, "I like some action, let's see our hands play out live for one round. Couldn’t hurt em much for one round. Xizor! Ye versus the murrillo."

"Hold it there Raningo." Evad spoke up. "Miarzim did not agree to these conditions."

"I agree." The egyptian arose to the call.

"Good on ye slave." Mulsuevi approved. "Now entertain us a brief fight. My secutor vs Uberio's murrillo."

"Very well, Xizor and Miarzim, brawl out a spectacle for the false emperor here." Evad ordered.

The two gladiators under his authority nodded, facing each other. The first swing came from the murrillo, hastily retracting to bash with his shield. Xizor's hammer clobbered heavy hits on Miarzim's defenses. The slashes that inflicted the secutor were unnoticeable to Xizor, hammering his way on smashing the mid armored opponent. Miarzim was agile enough to deflect his damage, the stance of Xizor was vulnerable to the curved sica sword. Xizor learning from paused mistakes, forcibly thrown his hammer at the murmillo mid swing, using his plate armored fists, he quickly bashed the black slave to the ground, to every master's surprise. Damis was intrigued by Xizor's quick punches for a dual manica armored secutor. Mulsuevi's smile widened. Uberio quietly kept his reaction to himself, shying at the brawl's climactic resolve. Evad's expression stood neutral, familiar with how the fight will end.

The murmillo fumbled his shield, now using his arm manica as protection against Xizor's upper assault on him. Palming the sword backwards, Miarzim used it as a sharp defense, making Xizor halt for risk of slicing his digits. The murillo found his opening to knock the fighter down and flake away at his defenses next. With the design of such a sica, it easily nibbled away at flesh between the secutor's armor. Miarzim demonstrated patients and advantage towards Xizor's hassles and attempts to end the fight now. To the secutor's bane, the murmillo pulls his elegant fighting style with his sica, cutting secutor down to the ground. The fancy strike did catch the eye of Uberio though. With Xizor wanting to fight on, master Evad called off the fight.

"That's win, for Miarzim... and Uberio's hand." Evad said in particularly towards Mulsuevi.

"Come on old man, you call that quits on a fight? A little more blood shed and Xizor here can pummel ‘im down for good this time." The madman argued.

"Of course, if it were an actual fight, not an exhibition. Accept Uberio's win." Evad advised.

The madman stared down Evad. Not too soon did the emperor arrive at their area intrigued in their activity.

"I've heard the commotion from below, seems like I missed an exhilarating fight." Sinus said.

"Blagh! An even older man." Raningo grunted.

Miarzim and Xizor stood, still panting from their light showdown. Acolytus brought them refreshments on a platter. Sinus looked at the table of cards, "Hum,  full house trumps flushes, Mulsuevi."

"Not in my terf, heheh heh." Raningo said.

"Well, it's way late into the night, surely everyone's feeling the need for sleep. Headmaster Evad, I'm confident our lodgings are prepped?" The emperor stated.

"Yes, but they must be, for every lanista in my habitat is comforted by my means, so are the slaves and, you my emperor." Evad reassured.

The emperor dismissed himself, eager to gets some shuteye as the headmasters bowed to him leaving. Few people were up and about now since Uberio revealed his final hand of cards, wishing to be escorted to his sleep quarters by Acolytus.

Damis went up to Xizor, picking up his hammer, he padded the warrior on the back, "Fair showmanship of your cestus abilities." Observing his hammer, the boxer ponders as he dabbles with its infrastructure and build, trying to find a lock mechanism that converts the weapon into another. He then glances at Xizor's figure with no extra weaponry about him. "Say slave, where's your secondary?" The Insulae warrior raises his fists up at him, knuckle plating facing Damis. The very tall headmaster peered at the warrior's confident eyes behind his face plate mask. Raising a palm up, Damis handed the hammer to Miarzim, raising his second palm at the fists of Xizor. "Thirty seconds son, try me." He ordered.

Xizor lowering his fist slightly eyed Damis before swiftly racking multiple strikes at the headmaster's palms like punching bags. Sevierow squinted at Xizor, the warrior increased his pacing, attacking at increasing intervals and force, at the 28 second mark, Damis cuffed his fists within his giant hands. Xizor, impressed by the shear grip strength, held himself steady. Mulsuevi watched their interaction, intrigued by the hold his slave finds himself with Sevierow. Xizor feels the pressure of the 7ft headmaster's hands clamp down on his fists, pain starting to set in. Raningo catches wind of this, twitching eyes staring down the warrior's. Damis's face calm and collective, only blinks casually as he applies more pressure. Mulsuevi stands next to Xizor leaning at him.

"You're not gonna let some pain get in the way of beating that bull, Taurus, are ya?" Mulsuevi taunts.

Damis applies even more pressure, sending severe pain into Xizor's hands. The warrior begins panting. Miarzim stands back, disturbed by the exchange. as pain becomes unbearably tolerable, Xizor shaking eyes shift to Sevierow's, the headmaster's controlled eyes reveal the slightest of twitches. To this, the secutor finds his adrenaline and self power to endure, to not only tolerate pain, but to relish in it. Xizor, in a complete pain state shock of control, stares at Damis's eyes.

"Is that all you got?" Xizor taunted his first words to the headmaster's growing discomfort. Damis, now slightly agitated doubled his grip, the sudo-emperor noticing the small crushing metallic pops under Damis's grasp. "You disappoint." Xizor provoked once more. Damis, now flustered with noticeable discomfort in his distraught face, gives all his might to crushing the warrior's fists with his bare hands. Evad watches from his seat, eyeing Mulsuevi's sickening nature for pain tolerance. The pressure was great, too much for the headmaster. Xizor's posture began to relax as Damis's worsened, the roles were reversed now. The boxer gritted his teeth, pain so great, he used his shoulder robe as a mouth guard. To this, Xizor crossed the line. "Thirty seconds son. Now, you try me." Evad stood from his seat, Mulsuevi's elated gaze glances angrily at him, aiming to end the interaction, before he approached them. A loud crunch sound was echoed from Xizor's hands, following blood trickling down the palms of Damis. Evad's eyes widened in horror, Mulsuevi's in delight. Miarzim dropped the hammer in shock, scrambling to find a doctor below.

Damis panting, carefully and painfully unviced his illegal grip on the poor slave's fists. To everyone's astonishment, it was the metal plating above of Xizor's hands that caved in, crushing skin tissue, but not his bones.

"Yes! Yessss!" Mulsuevi's cheered, "And that's exactly why you never play the game of pain with any of my gladiators!" Damis took a while to compose himself. Evad grabbed the sudo-emperor's robe wear and tugged his foolishness down a notch, Raningo remembering his early warning, put hands on grip. "I'll end you where you stand, old man." The madman threatened. Evad, eager to revoke the sudo-emperor's slave deals with him, felt the bloodied hands of Xizor's grasp the two headmaster's.

"Master Evad, be fair with Master Raningo," The secutor said. "Headmaster Sevierow is to blame this time." Mulsuevi lessened his grip on Evad.

The Nortorapoly eyed Damis wearily, the boxer sighed, "Yeah, it was my actions that are to be in question brother, not his."

Evad let his grip off Mulsuevi, seeing his robe partly stained in Xizor's blood. Sighing disgruntled, "I'm too tired for this nonsense," he rubs his face and eyes and sternly eyes Damis, "Do me a favor will ya, just keep a eye on him for the rest of the festival." Evad said pointing to Raningo's own tired state.

"Not a problem," sees Evad storm off but Damis catches his attention once more, "and thanks, on behalf of my deals to you." Evad gave an annoyed look at Damis before heading off.

The doctor soon arrived, his springlocked forelegs and winged acrobatic arrival changed the mood of the remaining individuals on the patio floor. The masked physician analyzed the area, following the bloody spots up to Xizors hands, the male figure approached Xizor. "Eternal Rest, at your service. Damis has made quite the mess of you."

"Nothing than a few bandages would do." Xizor replied.

Eternal tilted his head, "As one of the remedies, yes, but you'll want rapid recovery, as customary from my kind."

Xizor considered his advise, such a doctor is best during slow periods like now. "You're a chief?"

The doctor paused, "Unfortunately, the last of my bloodline."

This made Xizor more than willing to take any advise the miracle worker has. "Well how shall we do this?"

"For the best results..." Eternal gestured towards the direction of the metropolis, "my laboratory, in the Oscan."

Damis offered aid. "My men will send you there, slave." The headmaster shutters his nerves off from the ordeal. "It seems Mulsuevi's right. An Insulae warrior is infamous for enduring pain, never underestimate one."

"Damn right boxer man." Raningo growled.

While Xizor's hands were being treated by the doctor's substitution to halt the bleeding, the warrior spoke. "To be fair Damis, you've long crushed feeling in my hands, before the metal plating caved."

"What!" Mulsuevi's demanded to know. "Your brain ceased feeling of that excruciating pain!"

"What am I to do, Headmaster. It comeths and goeths as it pleases."

The doctor was intrigued. "Not to worry my false emperor, I can make… arrangements, for this man to feel pain during my operation on his hand tissue."

Rainigo was satisfied. "Good, that'll teach you Xizor on letting your mind block out valuable pain!"

Damis glared, displeased by the madman's incessant craving for dis-ease. "Madman, you are too much. We're both heading ta bed now doctor, see dat Xizor recuperates."

Eternal nodded, taking the slave to Sevierow's carriage men as much of the remaining guests take to their beds for the night.

As for some of the Nortorapolys, Wisely was preparing to sleep in his own large bedroom when he found himself snuggled between Alysia and Tierra’s cuddling grip. Unbenounced to Wisely, Alysia would go ahead with Vero’s foolish suggestion to use her cute younger sibling for her sexual desires, having her child daughter tag along.

Chapter 6: Tidings and Meetings

The night of festivities ended, nearly everyone sleeping in tent houses sprawled nearby. Few who remained awake were night watchmen, patrolling around for any nefarious activities from the criminal syndicate of Insulae. As morn arises, the cool air flourishes the district. Sunlight breaks the horizon as early risers warm their tents with camp fires. Early rising slaves prepare the morning breakfast for all the lanistas that chose to stay the night at the Extremus.

Tierra is first to wake of the Nortorapolys, heading out her uncle’s room stealthily, she heads over to the reserved restrooms to relieve herself. Upon her exit, she was ultimately frightened to see the life-threatening swing of the ox’d figure killer, Cannibalous’s strike at her. Yelping her eyes closed, she lifted them open ever so slightly to see the assassin before her, cracking the lid of a hot coco supreme cream latte, espresso-free. To her relief, the killer offered it to her,

“Zzzzzcare for a drink young lanistess?” 

Tierra eyed the assassin carefully, checking her surroundings for anyone around. She grasped a hold of the drink, feeling its warmth from the cool morning weather. Retaining her dominance, she probed the man,

“Slave, for what is this?”

The killer took a kneel to eye-level with her, “Zzzzzyou spared my actions. Keeping my deeds from being exposed. Lanistess, for what is this?” It asked in a morbid altar of atmosphere emitting out of its daunting soulless eye sockets.

Tierra blinked suspiciously at her drink, believing it laced with poison. But right as she could accuse the man, the killer grasped the drink from her hand, eyeing her disappointingly as it waterfalls a bit of the hot fluids down the open recesses of its bony ox’d mouth, proving his loyalty to her. It, grasping the drink back to her small hands, Tierra eyed the creature before her. Earning her trust, she sipps the drink, thanking it by answering its inquiring,

“I take it you’ve never been put behind Gladian bars? You certainly work for the sudo-emperor, and I take it that my father wasn't the only person you stole from yesterday?”

Cannibalous tiled its head, analyzing the little girl, “Hhmmmindeed.” It nodded carefully standing, adjusting hooks and knives from rattling his surroundings.

The girl continues, “I have no quarrels with your private domain or wish to have any part of it, but I’d appreciate your indirect services to my allegiance if you would… assist me on a personal journey to the outerworld.”

To this, the monster within the man glowed, seeming approving of such exchange as to turn a major blind eye to the offender’s thievery for a personal protection job, “Zzzzzzyou grace me with your handlings, I accept your commands.” 

Cannibalous kneeled, grabbing Tierra’s free hand and jabbing it on to his throat. The girl stared perplexed, and with a creepy understanding of the creature’s speechless instructions from its pitch dark aura eyes, she squeezed its neck hard, quickly releasing as the assassin stood eyeing her. The man left her presence as Tierra peered to her hand, a thick layer of ash coated her palm as she closed it, feeling a bone fragment within the ashes. Opening her palm, she sees the jagged piece marked with symbols and engraved glyphs to summon the lethal guardian, that now stalks her on rare occasions.

Beautanica wakes up to the morning sun rays beaming down her. Her mind races as to where she recalls only moments before seeing her daughter and Devol kissing. Quickly trying to rise herself out of bed, she feels her naked chest. That sudo-emperor was good, too good. She admitted to herself kindly with lightheadedness. Rising herself out of bed, she felt extremely sore in her rump from last night as she peers around the room. She recognized that she was in one of the many private esteemed guest rooms of the villa. Once Beautanica shifted herself to get off the bed, the pain in her own rump hit her like a freight train as she nearly toppled over to a nearby closet, helping herself from toppling over. To the headmistress’s erotic surprise, she rubbed her rear end vividly recalling all the fun Mulsuevi provided for her, repeatedly. Beautanica’s eyes widened with satisfaction, knowing her real love is with the baddest man of Gladia, who only holds a soft spot for her.

Tierra headed to her room to see what was left of the kid couple. With the ash partly rinsed off her hand, she inspected the delicately smithed fragment. Its strange presence almost spoke to her, telling her how to use its scrolled markings and instructions naturally. 

Upon entering her room, she spotted the demon boy passed out partly covered by the bed sheets. From the looks of it, Vanessa must have already woken and went to the private masters’ restrooms to freshen up. Seeing her boyfriend slumped as a log on her bed, she went over to tap him on the head. He yet remains passed out, like a drunken man. Rolling her eyes, she pondered a kinky prank to play on Devol. She crawled into bed with him. Adjusting the boy on herself, she was arousingly disturbed by how far she was willing to trick the demon child.

Wow, makes for an even better surprise. She thought.

Waiting for the boy to awake, she started feeling him naturally want to hug her body, to this, she simply caressed her hands on him. Feeling himself getting closer to waking, Devol opens his lustful gaze to be shocked on seeing Tierra. It was so sudden that he froze like a deer in the headlights. The Nortorapoly girl eyed the demon boy with extreme resentment, as he smiled, panting innocently from his touchy situation.

Devol chuckled, “Heh he he.” Then he puckered his lips onto her cheek, giving the noble girl a peck on the cheek. To Tierra’s shock, she socked the boy right in the head again and again and again, until he fell off the bed. “Ahhh! Ahh! Alright! Whaa…” The boy’s voice was quickly silenced as Tierra peered over to see Cannibalous, holding the child upside down, mouth gagged by his loincloth, the boy covering his privates with one hand.

“ZzzzI skin him now?” The killer offered.

Tierra frightened, scowled, “No!” She went over to yank the cloth out of Devol’s mouth as he spat,

“Ppfts ppft, haww, you blasted dimwit! Wait till Mulsuevi hears about this!” Devol threatens as he gets socked in the head once more by Tierra, “Wahhh ouch!”

“You won’t say anything to that madman, he’s with me, Devol.” He shifts her gaze to Cannibalous, “Drop him.” She ordered, having it drop the boy on the pile of bed sheets beneath him, meanwhile Tierra tossed the loincloth at Devol as he swipes it in the air, putting it on from under the sheets he was using to block his nudity.

“You’re a real piece of work, you know that?” Devol rebukes.

As Tierra composes herself, she counters, “No I took second place to my father last year, this time I’m going for first.” 

Her remark makes the assassin hiss in sadistic approval. Devol glares at Cannibalous,

“Buzz off!” Devol intimidated the killer by running up to him with his hands raised in fists. The creature shunned away such vile, disappearing from out the room’s only door exit as the demon calmed himself.

“Devol,” Tierra said, getting his attention, “you find your own way to the outside world with Veronica. That slave has it kind enough to help me with my own ambitions.”

“Fine by me, next time you wanna pull that prank on me, don’t expect me not to get frisky with ya.” Devol said genuinely peeved. 

Later when Veronica visited with Tierra in the showers together, she would get a kick at the playful antic she pulled on her love interest, agreeing that their trips across the outer world shall be on their own accord and resources.

Vero Cortelyous woke up next to his special lady, Vanessa. The whole night of intercourse left them satisfied. The archer wasn’t as rough on her like her brother Xizor. The sagittarius was akin to using his empatica touches and strokes to pleasure Vanessa more than any other man could. With the sun’s rays shining throughout the room, the slave woman kisses Vero on the cheek,

“Wait here hun. I’m gonna get you breakfast.” She said, crawling out of bed. 

Vero was content, for the first time in his long strife of battling slutty whorish women, he finally felt peace with himself. 

Vanessa paced herself to the kitchen center where many slaves prepared many lines of butter toasted biscuits, smoked hams, various cooking methods of eggs, grilled bacon slices crinkling with batches of fried vegetables and oils.

“Room service for Alysia’s bedroom.” She called for a server’s attention.

The slave that heard this, glanced his fascination at Vanessa and she glanced back at him with seductive brows. Holding a platter, the server loaded up a meal’s breakfast between two individuals. Topping off the meats with light paprika seasonings, she thanked him, receiving the platter with both hands. The head sever called out to her,

“Miss, do come back for the drinks.” The servant gestures at the mix of coffees, teas, and lemonades available.

“Oh my, I’ll be quick about it,” Vanessa says, a little peeved that she didn’t remember the drinks. Suddenly her son, Devol, came around the corner cautiously, seeing her with her hand full. Right away she demands of him, “Sonny, grab two drinks of coffee and follow me.”

The demon child whispers, “Alright mom, but it’ll cost you you know what.” He said wanting her to let him spend time with Veronica. 

She rolls her eyes, “Whatever just keep up with me.”

Quickly taking two coffee’s in both hands, Devol followed his mother as the two went through hallways entering the housemistress Alysia’s bedroom. As the mother and son appeared from the door, the archer looked up from his relaxed manner, eyeing the pair succulently.

“Speak of the angel, and speak of the devil.” Vero complimented in a jest way.

“You nailed her yet, guy?” Devol taunted.

“Yeah I did, you wimp.” 

“Oh Yeah? This wimp got frisky with your daughter last night!” Devol said pridefully.

“Good on ya kiddo.” Vero semi congratulated. Vanessa put the meal on a bed tray that supports itself like a miniature table over the senator’s waist. She gets put off that Devol didn’t respect her wishes to stay away from Vanessa sexually.

“Devol. I thought I said for you not to be intimate with her.”

The boy retorts, “You’ve said ‘I’ couldn’t take her out of the metropolis. And I didn’t, it’s your pretty sugar daddy here that did. So I hung out with his daughter last night.” Devol chuckles, “Mmmmm her sweet kisses of true love.”

Vero gazes at the child unimpressively, “Don’t mind him Vanessa, guess he’s better for it in the end, unlike Beautanica.”

The mother shrugged agreeably, feeding her love interest with some delectable morsels, “Yeah I bet she would like that personally.” She playfully teases, not knowing that the headmistress like Devol in actuality behind the mother’s and Vero’s back.

Vero delighted in the neatly prepared ham veggie sandwich, gulping down the first of many scrumptious bites ahead of him, “That wannabe whore can only imagine what it’s like to have a man give it to her good.”

“I’d say!” Devol sat on the bed, carefully placing the two coffees on the slightly crowded breakfast tray. “Beautanica was a hard crack for Mulsuevi.”

Vanessa and Vero returned gazes, the senator declining, “Surely she wouldn’t stoop that low to defile herself with the likes of him.”

“Oh yes she can! She’s into a real man.”

Vero laughs off his pride, “Him, a real man to her? Don’t be mistaken.”

The demon boy sipped the archer’s coffee drink, tasting the bitter strong flavor, “Brrrr, harsh drink for me. But of course, you don’t need to believe me, I'd rather prove it.” Devol hops off the bed, “The next time either of you see that headmistress, test her on sitting up right awhile.” 

With doubtful grins, the two adults laughed away the child’s wild imaginations, meanwhile the child made his way to visit with Mulsuevi.

After the incident on the upper patio, Damis made sure the madman couldn’t leave his tent unless for a restroom break. The two rised a little later than everyone else, heading into the showers to refresh themselves. Devol tagged along greeting the headmasters, Mulsuevi chuckled at the boy’s side entrance.

“Well then boy! Done anything interesting last night?” 

Devol smirked, “Yes bossman, I did.”

The three entered the male’s only reserved shower rooms held for the headmasters and above. Damis striped down to his undergarments revealing his toned out features, built like a boxer, skin slick and dark all around. Devil sees the madman downgrade himself likewise, a stout scarred fleshy being with a multitude of cuts, scapes, and wounds all over his body. The child removed his tunic, revealing his loincloth that doubled as his default outfit and undergarment. 

The madman yanked two towels off the shelves and tossed one towards the child, “Then enlighten yus with it boyo.” 

Damis and Mulsuevi entered into the private stalls turning on water values, releasing plentiful hot to warm water. Devil went inside his dong the same, telling of his time with Veronica last night. The spicy conversation had both of the men laughing, but at the mention of him seeing Beautanica and Mulsuevi together kissing and making out and worse yet, witnessing them doing it, the two headmasters gasped huskily.

“You whaaaaaaat!” Growled the madman.

“Doggone what!” Damis hestated.

Devol heard Mulsuev’s stall door slam open as he right away entered his, his almost naked glory towered the kid. The child’s wet loincloth dangled as the madman grappled him to the chilling sweaty walls.

“Cool it brotha!” Damis called out, dawning a quick towel from one of the shelves as he wandered on the two, the man and child giving each other stares.

The madman centered his eyes at Devol, intimidatingly probing, “If ye be missing? I might not have such thee soft spot for ye thinketh.” The sudo-emperor stated.

“Put the child down, man. Surely he’s jus playing with ya brotha. Come on Raningo, kids make stories up.” Damis advised.

Devol grasped the madman by his thick callused wrists, “If I were you Mulsuevi, I’d definitely take Beautanica and have your way with her fully.”

The madman growled by the sounds of this, presenting himself approving of the wild fantasy to become reality. “I be amazed, I shall.” Raningo huks the little guy at Damis where the boxer braces to cuff the child in his arms.

“Damn madman! Anything else’s a wrong with you?” 

“Bah! In due time I’ll have me way in er soon enough as is.” The sudo-emperor returned to his stall, Devol admiring the boxer’s smooth ebony skin on his own, “Wow mister, I never been held by a man with such strong arms before.”

 “And you don’ want ta be drop bya one, no? Then no funny feelings.” Damis say’s annoyed, letting the boy down gently, “Wash on child, best keep your wild stories to yourself.”

Devol retorts, “I’m not making it up. Mulsuevi and her… Aww whatever!” the demon boy just carried along with his day, more interested in spending more time with Veronica.

Beautanica strolled slowly throughout the villa, still not yet fully adjusting from soreness Raningo left her with. Uberio was accompanied by Acolytus as the headmistress was greeted with Eternal Rest. Composing herself to also greet arriving men walking towards her, she propped herself behind a stonewall of the villa.

“Good morning, Doctor Rest,” the retiarius said politely, bowing and gesturing to Ubero, “Wish to chat with Quinlan?”

“The doctor's springlock forelegs lightly rattled, “A wonderful chap he is, I do like to see how his writing hand has recovered since my quick work on it a week ago.”

Uberio offers him his right hand, the doctor, peering over it. 

Beautanica made a querk statement to lighten the ever warming weather arriving, “I hope that’s his wanking hand doctor. The young man does like playing with himself especially when it involves me.” 

Eternal glanced over to her direction, looking displeased, but then chuckled, humored. Placing his hand over Quinlan’s, the doctor glanced a bow to the headmistress, “Not to worry, madam, your boy wonder here is in good health now. I take it your husband's mental well being is… well?”

“Better yes, more willing to be in the outdoors since the great reveal of our misdeeds.”

The doctor gently releases Uberio’s shy hand to go observe the headmistress up close, detecting her soreness discomfort somewhere about her, “Mrs. are you ill mannered somewhere?”

“Yes.” Beautanica admits. Uberio’s natural feelings become clingy to hug her if she’s discomfortable, the lady noticing this, sics her daughter on him, “Veronica! Darling!” Her little girl comes from around the corner, her friend Tierra accompanying her, “help the shy man feel welcomed by my unchanged ways before I personally return to my unfeminist habits.”

Veronica nodded, eager to make short of the young man’s confidence, returning him to the side of reservedness, playfully nearing the man with an embrace. The headmaster’s insecure and waryself arrives to back away from the girl as Acolytus steps in, blocking her path to accept the hug for him. Her embrace rubs the butler by the thigh, Veronica held much respects to hug her mother’s favorite slave’s leg.

    Eternal’s head tilts, analyzing the mistress up and down in a circle, her composed manner to be questioned by a cunning whisper, “Care for me to alleviate some of the pain down there?” 

Beautanica glared at him, certainly he doesn't know that the madman was responsible, it would be foolish for her to saything of the fact anyhow, her simply reply of. “Please do,” must suffice.

The renowned doctor places two fingers above her anus applying just the right amount of pressure to relieve the soreness, relaxing her. Her senses come back to her, confidence returning, and gratitude ensuing, “Ooooh, you’re most certainly capable, who else but the best physician in all the nation to grace me with his aid?”

“I intend to leave as many practicing Gladians in my place to do much more, and to benefit all when I depart once more.”

Acolytus politely asks about this, “Doctor, if it may be possible and Headmistress, should our host, approve, may I journey alongside your travels?”

Beautanica gave a sour but brief sad face to this, “Awww but why would you go back to such a rough and cruel world that abandoned and left you for dead Acolytus?”

“Mistress, I seek answers for my disappearances back home. To comfort those I love with news that I yet still live.” 

The woman caves in agreeing it best, when the moment calls for his departure, “Very well my servant, but do notify me when you’re going, and part from me amicably.” Her butler bowed to honor the unique order.

The doctor sees the daughter, her grace upon the head servant’s leg. Lowering himself down to her level, he uses his spring lock forelegs to meet knees to the ground, the doctor adds to the conversation, as he gestures for the daughter, handing her a small treat of vitamin candy, “Indeed, Acolytus may, should Evad most definitely allow. From what I recall, the Emperor has entitled special responsibilities for the young foreigner to keep tabs on Amadeus Masonius and Xizor Ixion throughout their time in foreign soil.”

“Indeed Doctor, I currently will be, when the two depart.” Acolytus bows.

Beautanica’s daughter rejoined her mother with open arms, sucking the wondrous candy, her friend Tierra stood close by, admiring the legendary chief physician of Gladia. 

The group departs over to the conclusion event of the Lanistal Festival where Evad lets a gathering of every lanista say their words and offerings of negotiations in an auction style method of handling as much slave owner business as possible. As such, many if not everyone gets a deal they want settled. Those that stuck for the entire festival, gained the highest value for secure the best deals for their slave network while others arriving solely for the final event, are left with little to offer without the initial in depth minglings with other slave owners. When every owner has been given the chance to auction, the final words of their host, Evad Nortorapoly are shared, alongside the Emperor of Gladia dismissing everyone with wise words to continue making the nation a thrilling thriving haven for Gladians everywhere.