What to do next? [Private][Aulus/Octavius]

Aulus sat anxiously waiting for Octavius to come, something had happened earlier this week and he needed to talk to someone he felt would listen and tell him what he should do next. Aulus was drinking heavily as he waited, but not enough to get him drunk and let him forget what he was going to say."Where are you?"He says to himself. He asked Octavius to meet him here an hour ago, but wasn't anger at that. Octavius was a very important man in Reim, being the leader of the Fanalis corps and was a very busy man.

Since this was an important talk Aulus wanted to have he invited Octavius to his home, not wanting any one else to hear their conversation. And also because it was obvious that Octaviuse didn't feel comfortable when the two talked in brothels. Aulus would get up from the chair he was sitting on and grab on of the already prepared drinks he had from a table. Honestly Aulus was on edge from what he had heard and drinking was helping his calm down as he waited for Octavius.

"Hey... I tried." Octavius said as he rode his horse. He was late after having conquered another territory in the name of Reim.  He had shortened a three hour mission into an hour and a half mission by completely forgetting stealth and simply slaughtering everything and anything that got in the corps way. Octavius's back remained straight as his large build took up more room then the horse did. As he rode towards town everyone would make way for him knowing he was the King's right hand man and none would dare even attempt to anger him in any way shape or form. Finally he arrived to the house now getting off of his mount. Octavius got off the horse hoping that the man had not done anything suicidal, or at least the things they needed to talk about was no where near that. He wasn't so sure how good he was at handling situations. Literally only war, battle, and training was his forte. Everything else, even his daughter, he still was having a hard time getting.  

Hopefully Aulus didn't have a reaction like his daughter when he showed up late to her graduation ceremony from her early years. He had shown up late after a mission, and still witness her getting her diploma, yet she was still enraged at her father for showing up, and he had to beg for her forgiveness, even to the point of getting on his knees. Not many people forced the man on his knees. Only two people had that type of power. The king, and his daughter and nothing would change that. This was a long overdue conversation which was meant to be done. He knocked on the door holding back enough energy. Moving a single finger incorrectly or using a bit too much strength could possibly crumble the structure. This was because even though he was a Fanalis he was still massive. Simply his framed made it so that he was stronger than most. It was even rumored that he took on an immuchak in a battle using physical techniques and skills and he won with ease. This man was simply a natural fighter. Him using his magoi was on rare occasions.

Aulus would calmly stand up and walked over to the door, opening it with a blank expression."Finally, come on in." He would say as he would go and sit back down.He would wait for Octavius to sit down in the chair that was across from Aulus. Aulus wasn't anxiousness anymore that he was here, relaxed from all of the drinks he had.But sadly drunk all he had in his home, so he had none for his guests."I have heard some things about the Dark continent, that has made me want to travel there soon.But before that I want you to help me become strong enough for me to travel there alone."Aulus would say seriously and with a calm tone.

From the first time Octavius said something about the Dark continent, even if it was a rumor, Aulus wanted to find out more about the place. Always asking people who boasted about traveling to different places if they ever went to the Dark continent. This discussion that was about to being was because earlier this week Aulus finally got some information from some strange guy.He seemed like a nice guy even though he asked Aulus to pay for the information.

The reason Aulus asked Octavius to train his was the simple fact that he knew he wasn't strong enough to take on the journey by himself or make it half way. And Octaviuse was the strongest person he knew so he was the obvious person to ask if you want to be stronger.
But those weren't the only thing he wanted to ask, but he will talk about the other thing after they discussed things about the Dark continent.

Octavius watched as the man said finally come in. The finally meant he had been waiting for a while, or at least that was what Octavius insinuated by it.  "My apologies." Octavius said as he continued stepping forward into the house. He would take slightly glanced observing the house and picking out details and observing his surroundings. It was something he had made a habit out of which he simply did subconsciously. It was at first something he was taught to do for defense when in other countries, but now even in his own country when he entered a place he will scan the room making sure nothing is hazardous. It was never horribly obvious, he often just scanned the room only moving his eyeball not moving his head. After scanning the room he would see Aulus now was walking toward a his own seat, therefore Octavius choose another seat in which he sat down in. It was across from Aulus and Octavius sat upright. His head focused on the man in front of him out of curtsey.  The man talked about the dark continent seriously  and talked about wanting to travel there soon.  The man needed assistance in becoming strong enough to want to travel there soon, yet Octavius was somewhat questioning this. He wasn't going to go encourage this man to go do a suicide mission. He hadn't yet heard of people who had returned from that continent yet.  Even Octavius was somewhat in the grey about it himself.

"Very well, training is fine. I shall train you as if you were one of my own. Yet I do not know much about the continent myself. I know our people came from there and not many return from there." Octavius said. He was too significant to the corpse to really have gone over there himself so therefore he didn't quite know what was there other than what he was told. Strength was something he could teach Aulus, but the Dark continent wasn't something Octavius was willing to be a part of. "If you plan to go there I don't know what awaits you. Some of our bravest men have gone on the other side. Some extremely strong and never having returned. We've decided that it is to deadly for most to go there. at the moment." Aulus was a man of curiosity it seemed, but he simply hoped that in this case curiosity wouldn't kill the cat.

Aulus noticed how Octavius observed the room, but didn't say anything about. He was glad Octavius agreed to train him but Aulus could feel that Octavius didn't want him to go. Especially when he spoke of about how some of our bravest and extremely strong haven't returned once they wen't there. But that doesn't mean that the died. The thought that went through Aulus's head was that what ever was in the Dark continent they couldn't return because of what they say. Those thoughts are what made Aulus want to go there even more, and he didn't on planning to stay there. He wanted to go there witness with his own eyes if there are other fanalis there and hopefully learn more about his race. And after he had done all of that he would return and let all of his people know everything about them and maybe bring them there to witness it for themselves.

"Thank you Ocatvius. I really am glad you agree to train me. Especially since you are a very busy person."Was the first thing Aulus would say to him. He highly respected this man and thought of him as a person all fanalis should strive to be."If you don't mind. I would like it if we could begin the training today, and also to only take breaks to eat and let our muscles rest." Aulus wanted his training to be the most difficult thing he would every do, and hopefully Octavius would deliver and make it that way. Aulus wanted to talk about the other thing but thinks it wouldn't be appropriate, so he decided he would talk about that after their training. The reason behind that is because it was about his Daughter,Sara. And there was a chance Octavius would refuse training him if he heard what Aulus was going to say. Aulus was a man who wanted to gain all the knowledge he could about his race and even though the Dark Continent was only rumored to be where they originated, he needed to go and check it out himself. But remembering something very important Aulus would speak again." Actually, can we grab something to eat?" Aulus says as he hold his stomach that growled. Aulus had been drinking the whole time he waited for Octavius and didn't eat since he had no food in his home.

Octavius observed as the man thank him for training, but anything to make the Corps stronger was enough to fuel Octavius to help anyone. The man began to debrief Octavius in the training routine, and Octavius thought about it. He needed to think of ways he could train the man. Sure he wasn't as big and muscular as Octavius. To octavius the possibility o the man having muscles the size of his didn't seem quite possible. He weighted to little. Yet Octavius was sure he could build the mans body o be the strongest he could be and remain in physical shape. He might even toss the man in a colosseum with another to see how well he preforms, yet that would be later in the training and not quite yet. "That is fine. Yet Recoveries, where muscles rest, will be timed." Octavius said giving his terms of conditions. To be in such good physical shape one had to do everything to get better. Sure less recovery would make things more painful and harder, yet once done and over with it would make the training and workout they did seem like a joke eventually when they move onto the harder things. It was going to be a long Journey for the other Fanalis. Little did he know he sighed a contract for a one way ticket to hell.

Finally Aulus asked to go get something to eat. Octavius decided it would be only fair, this would be the last time he would get the privilege to do that because one training began eating would be done only under the terms of starvation. It would be a cruel amount of time but Octavius had confidence in him. Maybe he would even surpass Sara. Octavius had always secretly wanted a male. He was satisfied with a daughter, and loved her yet the desire for a male was strong. Men usually ruled the world, and there weren't that many female rulers now in days. "Yes. Anywhere in particular?" Octavius asked. He was planning to pay for the thing. Not because he had the money, but he had a ring given to him by the king. It was basically a ring that showed he was on business for the king allowing him to simply buy or do most things he wanted to. Of course this was because he is the kings number one right hand man, and one of his greatest friends. If anything was to happen to him Octavius was certain he'd be the first one to sacrifice his life in the name of his king. That simply displayed his loyalty. Yet he was only loyal to a certain extent. The extent was to family. If the king told him to attack his daughter if there was a treason form her in someway he probably couldn't do it. Yet he doubt his king would ask him of such a thing. Hopefully Midora didn't leave, it seemed like the other young Fanalis in the corps had departure. He had red hair and was sent to the Dungeon and failed along with Sara. Yet Octavius didn't quite know his name. He shrugged it off. "SO have you heard of a Dungeon?" Octavius said thinking this man could claim one in the name of Reim if trained under Octavius.

Aulus would knob at the terms Octavius gave. Aulus would pause for a second thinking of what place he wanted to go and eat at, and since Octavius was probably going to be treating him he wanted to go somewhere good. Aulus didn't want to ask to eat at a brothel, having consideration to how Octavius felt about the place. Even though Octavius never said anything about it, Aulus could tell by his body language when in that place."I got it!" Aulus says finally thinking of a suitable place to have something to eat."I know where this great place is but I don't remember the name so just follow me."Aulus would tell him. It was strange that Aulus had forgotten the name of the place that had rejected him so many times, Aulus never having enough money to pay for the food there. Even though he hadn't eaten at the place he was saw how magnificent of an establishment it was. Aulus would make his way to the door, so he could exit the home.

But before they would leave Aulus would look back at Octavius with a confused look after he asked if he had every heard of a Dungeon. Aulus had to think before saying something, knowing he had remembered hearing something about a Dungeon before."Isn't that the place your daughter and Alekzander went? If so, I have heard of it. But I honestly don't know anything about it." Aulus would say to Octavius. Aulus only knew that the other two captains of the fanalis corps had went, but didn't know if they were successful in doing whatever they were sent to do there. And honestly the thing didn't interest him that being the only reason he didn't go along with them. As Aulus waited for Octavius to follow him out the house he wondered what  the reason for asking him if he knew about it come from. The question honestly to Aulus was random, but it must involve his training he was about to begin.

OOC: We can skip the eating and begin the training

He waited as Aulus finally determine what they were going to eat and decided to shout it. Octavius simply stood there awaiting for what he had to say. "Alright" Octavius said following the man not thinking much of it. He followed him hoping this place was well worth the money. He himself hadn't eaten since breakfast and was now hungry the more he thought about it. Food wasn't something that often came to his mind as a priority. Sure food was good, and when he did eat he feasted. Yet he could go hours without thinking of food. He knew he needed to eat to live, yet it didn't bother him knowing that he hadn't eaten the entire day. Somehow Aulus knew that Alekzander and Sara had gone into the Dungeon. Probably more rumors within the corps. Octavius nodded and smiled as the man said if so he thought he heard of it. That was good, yet the man said he didn't know anything about it whcihw as disappointing. Octavius simply walked with him, and decided to tell the man all about it on their journey to go eat. They walked out of the house as they were now heading to dinner Octavius began to explain it.

"This Dungeon is said to be a place with great power, yet no one has seen this power displayed. There is one in Reim at the moment, but we haven't pursuit it that much. sure we have a few men, sent yet the corps has not really sent our elite and best to go get it." Octavius said. "Would you be interested in obtaining one. If your planning to go to the dark continent, your going to need some power." Octavius said with a laugh. He wasn't sure what the man was going to say regarding his question. It was a honest question, yet he wouldn't blame the man after hearing how many casualties they are and lives that don't make it out to see their children.

"If obtaining one grantees me gaining more power I would be glad to conquer one." Aulus says serious about gaining anything that will help him go to the Dark continent and return to the fanalis corps. Even though he spoke about gaining more power he never would have the intention on misusing it if he gains it. His current purpose in life is to learn more about his race and then serve the Fanalis Corps to the best of his abilities. Aulus would suddenly stop, they had arrived." This is the place!" He says with a smile his tone turning to a happier one. The place was magnificently built nothing else could be put in the words on how the place looked. It obviously was a place were only the wealthy or even royalty would dine at. "You ready?"Aulus asks as he waits fro Ocativus to enter first, only because Octavius as paying. The meal they would have will be a great feast. Aulus had his mind set on devouring a large amount of food, there being no reason why other then the fact he was really hungry. He didn't even care if women were in the place he just wanted to eat. When Aulus entered Aulus would follow having the intent to eat until his stomach couldn't hold anymore food or drink.

Time Skip
OOC: Lets say they were in there for twenty minutes

Aulus would leave out of the place waiting for Octavius to join him outside. They had be in the place for a short time, the sun was still in the sky so it wasn't that late. Aulus ate well as he held his stomach "Man, that was good." He says as he smiles and continues to wait for Octavius. If Aulus wasn't serious getting strong from the training he was going to receive from Octavius he would have already headed home to sleep or to a brothel after the meal. As he waited for Octavius to join him outside he wondered where they would go to train.

OOC: Octavius specifically said any rest including eating would be timed. It will make more sense if we were only there for 15-30mins.

Octavius ordered a large serving of high quality meats however he also had two sides of fruit and vegetables respectively. He knew that part of keeping his large body was making sure he filled it with the right kind of fuel. Thankfully Reim had an impressive selection of foods even at the most simple stores and diners. The Finalis Corps. leader ate with the same ferocity as he fought and finished his servings(which had been more than thrice the size of Aulus' own) in just a few minutes. He'd wait only a while longer before slamming his fist on the table leaving a few gold coin's behind to pay for the meal. "Come on, we've spent long enough dilly dallying here! You wanted to train right?"

The Reim general's large frame barely fit through the exit of the establishment the pair had just shared a meal in. After squeezing his way out into the sunlight Octavious observed their surroundings and read the shadows for the time. There was still several hours of day light left which meant the arena would still be open and full of competitors and spectators alike. A grin came over the large warrior's face as he placed a large hand on Aulus' back before giving him a gentle nudge down the street as he pointed in the direction they were headed, "We're going to the Colosseum, don't fall behind." Of course a "gentle" nudge from the great man would be enough to send Aulus tumbling forward unless he was paying attention to catch himself from a fall. Octavious began walking towards the area with all the confidence one would expect of a man of his stature and position in society. Even when he wasn't atop his horse the crowds still parted for him out of both fear and respect.

Once they arrived at the Colosseum Octavius led Aulus in through the spectator's entrance oddly enough and together they would make their way up to the luxurious VIP suite which had an eagle's view of the entire battlefield. The crowd was currently roaring cheers as 6 gladiator's fought an intense three on three engagement. "Do you know what makes a fighter strong Aulus?" The great general asked as he looked over the balcony to observe the melee going on below. Based on the boy's answer, Octavious had a number of different planned responses...

OOC: My bad I changed it.

Aulus was going to reply with an okay until he was "gentle" nudged by the large man, which sent him tumbling forward. Aulus would quickly stand back up and dust himself off and chuckle at how far he was sent."You are really strong." Aulus says with a smile. Octavius was truly a power man Aulus would think to himself, since he was able to send a fully grown fanalis tumbling forward with a nudge. This training Aulus was about to do with this man surly would be increase his physical abilities more than he thought it would. Aulus would begin to follow Octavius as he lead him to the Colosseum. Aulus would notice as people would clear the way for the man, probably out of fear and respect. Aulus couldn't hardly believe that he would be training under someone so power.

They had made it to the Colosseum went up through the spectator's entrance. Aulus was surprised to the booth place they went into, not expecting it to be so luxurious. He thought they would have went to one with a good view but the one they had went to was truly amazing. Aulus would join Octavius to the edge of the balcony, amazed at the sight of how much he could see of the battlefield. When Aulus had come here on his own in the past he never had such a great view of the battlefield. Calming down after hearing Octavius's question, he had to think a minute before answering not sure on what to say. "Hmmm, what makes a fighter strong?"Aulus say out loud to himself as he stopped leaning against the balcony, but kept his eyes set on the battle that was taking place. He honestly didn't know how to answer that question so he answered it as if Octavius asked what made him strong."What makes a fighter strong is when they have something to fight for."Aulus says confidently.When he spoke it he looked at Octavius and when finished turned his attention back on the fight.

Octavius stroked his beard at Aulus' response and made a wide grin as his crimson eyes watched the gladiators below, "Well...An answer like that isn't wrong, but no matter how strong your convictions or how just your ideals may be, a kitten will never have the strength to defeat a lion." The general leaned over so his head would be level with Aulus' own before placing a hand on his shoulder and pointing towards the fighting warriors as the battle reached its climax.

One of the fighters had been knocked unconscious leaving his team short one man. With one side out numbered the battle quickly concluded with the eventual surrender of the weaker team. However the men who were victorious did not take the lives of the losers as they were all friends whom had been fighting in the Colosseum all their lives. The unconcious fighter was removed from the battle field while the winning team helped the losing team up to their feet and together the remaining five combatants all struck a pose riling up another wave of cheers from the crowd.


"Do you think the winners had something to protect? Do you think the losers had nothing to protect? That had nothing to do with the outcome of this match. One side simply had better team work and once the odds were in their favor they took advantage of the situation. There are many factors that go into true strength and yes, fighting for a cause can be a powerful one. But the most important aspects of strength are recognizing that you can't do everything by yourself. A king would be nothing without his people and I could not be general if not for the men serving in the corps. Do you understand what I am telling you?"

The great finalis let that sink in for a moment before adding one last piece of advice, "Another important aspect of true strength is being able to adapt to any situation..." The heavy hand had been on the boy's shoulder now gripped him firmly as Octavius picked Aulus off the ground and suddenly threw him from the balcony down to the arena below. The 5 fighters who were still standing would be surprised by the sudden appearance of a Finalis crashing into the ground in front of them and everyone's attention moved to the VIP suite where Aulus had come from.

Octavius lifted his fists into the air and let out a booming voice, "A special show is prepared for you all today! That brat is a hopeful new member of the Finalis Corps. and he must learn the meaning of strength! O' gladiators who have fought long and hard today, I ask that you teach this youth the meaning of fighting as a group!" The fighters rose their fists and roared in acceptance before the crowd roared even louder with cheers.

Aulus would have to fight 5 veteran gladiators at once. How would the young Finalis adapt to the situation?

((I'll be controlling the gladiators in my next post. So don't just go instantly destroying them all, however feel free to make an attempted attack in your post.))

Aulus would nob at hearing Octavius's response to his answer, understanding it somewhat. When Octavius put his hand on Aulus shoulder Aulus waited to see if he was going to say something really serious but he pointed to the battle that was taking place. Aulus would see that one of the teams had a member knocked unconscious and the battle was quickly concluded. A smile will come across Aulus's face when he saw the wining team to their feet. It truly was a amazing fight from start to finish, to Aulus those men deserved the cheers they were getting. And with that he would also applaud the gladiators. "That was a great fight." Aulus would say. He actually wanted to fight now after seeing a great fight.

Aulus would then turn to Octavius as he began to talk, he would nob his head to show that he understood what he mean't. Before Aulus would say something he would feel Octaivus's grip tightening and then he was in the air. "What are yo-" Aulus was able to finish his sentence as he would be thrown from the balcony and into the arena below. He would hit the ground hard, but braced himself in the air so he wouldn't suffer much damage. If he wasn't a fanalis he might not have survived the fall.

Aulus would stand to his feet and dust himself off, irritated a bit. Octavius could have told him to go into the arena and fight the guys instead of throwing him off of the balcony. Aulus would look around seeing that all eyes were on him would give a sigh and get into a fighting stance. His eye now strained on the five veteran gladiators he was going to fighting. It would seem his training would begin with facing these guys, "Lets do this!" Aulus would say wanting them to make the first move. He was outnumbered and what the already tired gladiators to use more of their energy to attack him. Aulus plan was to have them use up as much energy and then strike them one by one, the first being the one who was the tiredest.

"Let the battle begin! 5 VS 1 should be a fair handicap for a finalis, no!? Bwahahaha!" Octavious' laugh and shouts would be heard even over the roaring cheers of the arena as the five gladiators still able to fight teamed up as a united front to defeat Aulus. These were not amateurs and they knew the danger of facing a finalis in close quarters combat. The men let each let out a battle cry as they charged towards Aulus all at once before suddenly moving side to side and adjusting their speeds so a different fighter was at the front of the pack. It was a confusing formation that ended with each of the warriors directly behind the largest of them to hide their movements.

The big fighters at the front growled as he sent his large fist flying towards Aulus but grinned as he pulled the punch at the last second bringing his arms into a tight defensive peek-a-boo style guard while planting his feet and weight. Suddenly two of the other fighters jumped from behind the large man and used his body as a support to hold themselves up as each attacked with swift kicks, one high for Aulus' head, the other low sweeping for the Finalis' feet.

Of the last two fighters one remained hidden behind the first bracing him from behind in case a blow from Aulus tried to send him flying, meanwhile the other took flight of his own accord. The final fighter had actually jumped off the back of the large gladiator up front and flipped in the air jumping over the finalis landing 3m behind him. These gladiators had excellent synchronicity and experience fighting opponents stronger than themselves. Even a member of the finalis clan would find them harder to deal with than your average fighter.

Aulus became a little confused from the formation they took, but collected himself when remembering Octaivus's words about being able to adapt to any situation. When the larger gladiators sent his punches toward Aulus would return a fist of his own to the guy. Aulus would notice that the guy had pulled his punch back and was now in a defensive position, but Aulus wouldn't pull his punch back. The reason Aulus didn't pull his fist back was because he knew he could break the guys guard, since he put enough strength in it to send in back a bit or even flying backwards. Aulus would have a smirk come across his face if he was able to make contact to the guy because he would follow it up with a kick to his right leg, but that second attack didn't come. Because Aulus would be struck in his face and feet but two other gladiators, his smirk fading away as he stumbled back a bit.

Aulus would then slowly fall to one knee not because he was hurt but because he didn't expect them to land a hit on him, especially one to his face. Aulus would be looking at the ground for a minute before abruptly slamming his fist against the ground, not aware or caring that one of the gladiators had jumped behind him and could attack at any moment. Aulus would then slowly lift his head up a blank look on his face. He showed no emotion as he would quickly let out a devastating battle cry that would be heard through out the coliseum. The main purpose of his battle cry was to limit them their ability to communicate between each other and also to make have to also adapt to the pain they felt, if they were close enough to have their ear drums busted. Aulus had expected these veteran gladiators to have good team work but the seemingly perfect synchronicity they had was what he didn't expect or even put into consideration. But he wouldn't take them lightly anymore. After he finished his battle cry he would stand up and after he saw how the gladiators were effected by his battle cry would determine his next attack.

Spoiler:

The heavy fist of the finalis was nothing to be underestimated. When Aulus' strike connected with the large gladiator's guard it shattered the bronze armor he wore and still went on to crack the bone in his right arm. Normally he would have been sent back flying several meters, but instead he slowly skidded across the ground a mere 1 meter thanks to the support of his comrade from behind. This allowed the large fighter to quickly recover and get back into the fight engaging Aulus from the front once more. The gladiator's right arm was hanging limp and loose at his side and there was some blood dripping through the cracks in his armor, and yet despite this his eyes were brimming with confidence. As if he knew that they would be able to defeat the Finalis.

In fact, all of the men had this intent and belief along with the same confident smile painted on each of their faces. As Aulus fell to his knees then men who had flanked him before both got to their feet and moved to either of his sides both stopping to stand 3m away from him. They didn't attack as the finalis stared at the ground as they knew doing so was only asking to be crushed by a quickly building rage the red haired fighter was containing. Meanwhile, the fighter whom had landed behind Aulus slowly bent his knees contracting his entire body downwards like a spring. By the time Aulus looked up, the gladiator was already air borne again, flipping through the air in an arc that would bring a spinning kick to land on the back of the target's head. Just as Aulus tried screaming he would find his face suddenly forced into the ground muffling the battle cry into a useless expression of frustration which would only serve to waste the boy's energy.

The gladiator then stepped off Aulus' head and moved out of the way for the two flanking fighters to run in and lift the finalis off the ground with a powerful kick to the stomach from one side and a knee to the gut from the other. Both these blows would lift Aulus' body into the air as the largest fighter rushed towards him for a brutal clothesline with his still good left arm. If the combination of attacks was successful, Aulus would be sent spinning mid air before landing on his back.

((You aren't required to take every hit, but right now I'm just trying to build up the value of team work and working together. I want Aulus to learn that being a finalis doesn't make him invincible and that even weak humans can be incredibly dangerous if they work together. Whether he learns any lessons from this or not is ultimately up to you though.))

Aulus would be struck by a devastating kick to the back of the head, the mighty fanalis's face being slammed to the ground. His battle cry which was supposed to be his way to get back into this fight did nothing. How pitiful Aulus felt as he had a frustrated look on his face as he tried to rise, but was hit with powerful kick to the gut. Gasping for air from the attack Aulus wasn't able to dodge or block the knee to the gut from the other gladiator. And then there was the last attack. A viscous clothesline would hit Aulus sending him spinning mid air that ended with him on his back. Never has Aulus been in a fight with those who used teamwork like the gladiators did, and it showed by how they were beating him.

The spectators were silent when Aulus just laid there on the ground probably not wanting to see this fight end. But Aulus didn't move as it seemed he was knocked out by the gladiators combination attack. But this wasn't true as Aulus would quickly get to his feet. Fanalis were truly durable, but that was to an extent, anymore of this and Aulus would lose. Aulus could feel that this fight could end with him losing, but he didn't plan on it. Aulus would look up to where Octavius was and the back at the gladiators. Aulus would begin to move toward the injured gladiator, it only taking him a few seconds to get into a full sprint.

When Aulus sprinted at the man he would jump to his right side and kick down at his ankle, intending on breaking it. If that attack was successful he would then do a round house kick to the man's gut trying to send him flying or at least falling over on his side. The reasoning behind Aulus taking this man out first was to take the gladiators out one by one,weakest to the strongest or who ever was closest. But in real life or death situation Aulus would have gone after the currently strongest gladiator, but he was fighting to entertain the people of the coliseum.

If any or all of the attacks made contact Aulus wouldn't stay in that one spot so the gladiators could execute another one of their combination attacks. He needed them to fight the way he wanted, always moving. Aulus would begin to run around the coliseum but not in any specific direction, but like in zigzags. He wanted to also confuse his opponents so that couldn't predict what he was going to do next. Aulus would run past the two gladiators who had struck him before the large gladiators, but not close enough for them to attack him. They weren't his intended targets, as it was better to attack the gladiators who didn't have another next to him. The one Aulus quickly made his way in front of to deliver a kick to their chest was the gladiator who kicked Aulus in the face. Hopefully this attack and the other's had landed and the odds were back into Aulus's favor.

Aulus had made the right decision to target the largest and most injured of the gladiators. He was the slowest among them and could not manage to dodge or react in the face of the wild might and speed the Finalis acted with. The man's comrades tried to intercept Aulus' assault but they were too late to do anything before his ankle was shattered and a kick sent him flying all the way into the arena wall. Losing one of their allies caused all the remaining fighters to stop in their tracks to rethink their approach just as Aulus obviously now had by choosing to run about the arena evasively. Instead of pursuing Aulus the gladiators slowly began moving closer to each other while turning to always face the blur of red that Aulus had become. They watched the Finalis carefully with their arms and legs at the ready to defend or dodge at a moments notice.

When Aulus rushed between two of them leaving only one fighter left in his path it was clear who the beast had chosen as a target. The flying kick Aulus performed was met with a sudden side step followed by a clothesline arm to halt the air borne movement long enough for another gladiator to leap into the air to deliver a knee to Aulus' spine.

Aulus would notice what they would doing, but it was to late to switch his target and do something else. The sudden side step by the person who he wanted to attack was truly impressive, but Aulus had planned to be countered. Not really planned but expected them to be able to counter most of his attack, as they did this a few times earlier in the fight. While airborne and going one way it would seem to be extremely difficult to dodge or even parry an attack coming from behind, but the gladiator tried to go in with a clothesline. Pulling his legs in so that they where hugging his chest and putting his arms out, all of this simultaneously. When the clothesline came, a second after his movements, he would use his hands to hold on to the gladiators arm. Since he now had the guy's arm he could do something. As he gripped his arm he would push the guy forward but let him continue his attack, but Aulus would push of so that he would now be behind the guy. Since that is a extremely difficult maneuver Aulus tried to do it might of not worked, or if it did he wouldn't be able to land after going past the guy.

If he was able to get passed the guy he would fall to his knees, but get back to his feet and rush at the guy from behind. If the maneuver wasn't successful he would be struck by the clothesline to the chest, legs and armor on the legs, would lessen the impact. But the surprise knee to his back, spin, would send Aulus to the ground.Even if the second possibility happened Aulus would get back to his feet, still determined to have this be his type of battle. He would rush toward the guy who clothesline him and throw a punch, but would pull it back and kick the guy's shin. This battle needed to end soon as Aulus could feel that his body wouldn't be able to keep going due to all of the damage he has received over the battle.

Spoiler:

Aulus' maneuver was simply too hard to perform before the incoming knee to his back could reach him. The armored limb would slam into the finalis' back sending him flipping forward over the gladiator's arm. If he held on hard enough he could have broken the man's limb, but even if he did; the battle was already over. The crowd had suddenly gone silent and the other gladiator's backed away from Aulus even as he got back up and made for an attack on the one who clotheslined him. The feint he performed was superb as was his follow up, but it was never meant to meet its mark. Aulus's kick would be met with a tower of a leg as a shadow suddenly loomed over him. General Octavius was standing in the area with a grin on his face. The beast of a man seemed unphased by taking Aulus' kick even though he had taken no defensive posture and was instead laughing heartily once more.

A large hand reached down and grabbed Aulus by the head only to lift him up to his feet before moving to take one of his arms and raising it into the air. "We have a winner!" The crowd cheered wildly with some still congratulating the gladiators even though Aulus had just been declared the winner. The confusion would be cleared away when Octavius stepped aside and gestured to the gladiators whom had all fallen to their knees at this point. Some were breathing heavily and drenched with sweat while others were holding their limbs which had crossed paths with the amazing physical might of Aulus' finalis strength. They'd cracked their bones and were likely not going to have a career in the arena if they had continued the fight. Each one had given the signal for forfeit the moment one of their brothers had done so. Octavius went on to explain further so as to mentor the young new member of the Corps., "You won because of who you are and what you are. But in war you could find yourself fighting more than ten dozen combatants who all fight as a team much like these gladiators did. As you fight and grow stronger, even those odds might not scare you some day. But never underestimate how much more invincible you are with comrades you can call family at your side and covering your back." The general made a large toothy grin and then continued, "If you understand, then hold your head up high and go thank the gladiators for everything they've taught you! Bwahahaha!" The large finalis walked away as he chuckled, waving back at Aulus to let him know that this is where they would have to part.

While spectating the fight Octavius had been approached by someone from the palace. There was dire news regarding those mysterious "dungeons" that had been popping up lately. "Things are going to get real busy around here..." Octavius whispered to himself as he left the coliseum..