Beneath the Colosseum

Chapter Eight

In a blur of motion, Cassius is there, faster and more graceful than you've ever seen him. He leaps between you and the lion, his sword flashing in the sunlight as it slices through the air with deadly precision. The crowd erupts into gasps and cheers, the chaos of the moment barely registering as your mind tries to catch up.

The lion roars in fury, shifting its focus to Cassius, but he's faster. His blade finds its mark, cutting deep into the lion's side. The beast stumbles, swiping its massive paws in desperate defense, but Cassius is relentless. With a series of swift, controlled strikes, he forces the lion back, away from you. Each movement is calculated, each swing of his sword meant to protect you without hesitation.

The arena is in chaos, the crowd roaring as they realize the spectacle unfolding before them. Cassius stands over the fallen lion, his chest heaving, his sword raised in triumph. The beast lies motionless, broken and defeated. The crowd's roar is deafening, but all you can hear is the thundering of your own heartbeat.

Frozen in place, still gripping the dagger you had been given, you struggle to comprehend what just happened. A moment ago, you were certain you would face death at the claws of the lion. Now, Cassius has saved you, just as he must have planned all along.

Above you, the senator stands in the high balcony, his face a mix of shock and amusement. "Cassius!" he shouts, his voice booming across the arena. "You've robbed the crowd of their entertainment. What is the meaning of this?"

Cassius wipes the blood from his sword and turns to face the senator, his expression calm, almost indifferent. "The girl was no match for the lion," he says, his voice carrying easily through the arena. "There would have been no sport in it. Better that I give the crowd a true fight than watch her die needlessly."

The senator raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Cassius's boldness. "And what of the girl?" he asks, his voice tinged with amusement. "Do you intend to make her a gladiator, then? Or perhaps you wish to save her for yourself?"

The crowd quiets, waiting for Cassius's response. He turns to you, his gaze locking onto yours, and for a brief moment, the mask he wears slips. In his eyes, you see the truth—the quiet understanding and the plan that had been there all along.

"She is under my protection now," Cassius says firmly. "And no harm will come to her, not from lions or men."

The senator looks down at you, his amusement still clear, but there's no denying the power in Cassius's words. The crowd murmurs their approval, satisfied by the fight they've witnessed. After a long pause, the senator waves his hand dismissively. "Very well, Cassius," he says. "She is yours to protect. But remember—Rome loves its games. Let's hope you've given them enough today."

The gates open once more, and the crowd erupts into cheers as Cassius steps toward you. He extends his hand, offering you a way out of the arena. You hesitate for just a moment, still processing everything that's happened, but then you take his hand.

As his fingers close around yours, you feel a small measure of relief. For now, you are safe. Whatever Cassius's plan was, it worked.

As he leads you from the arena, the cheers of the crowd fade into the background. The bright sunlight glints off his armor, and your body trembles from the adrenaline still coursing through your veins. You know you need to say something, but the words feel tangled in your throat, trapped beneath the whirlwind of emotions—fear, relief, and confusion.

You glance up at him. His face remains impassive, as though saving you was just another fight, but you sense something deeper lurking beneath his calm exterior.

Taking a deep breath, you finally speak, your voice quiet but steady. "As a lady, I thank you for saving me," you say, the formality of your words clashing with the complicated emotions behind them. "As a person... I don't know what to think of you."