Perseus Jackson: Gladiator (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Heart to Heart Talks

  Copyright © 2015 runwild14. All rights reserved  

*THIS HAS BEEN EDITED*

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THIRD PERSON POV

Later that night

In celebration of their victory, the soldiers were having their biggest party since the war began. There was laughter all around, and the bonfires across camp seemed to be burning brighter than they had in the past 20 years. The only one not participating in the celebrations was Zoë. She stood in her tent, looking through the tent flaps at the partygoers. A small smile came across her face as she saw Perseus walking through the party, people slapping him on the back and offering their congratulations wherever he went. Suddenly, the tent flaps on the other side were pushed open, and in walked the Emperor. He observed Zoë for a moment before saying, "Ah, if only you had been born a man. What a Caesar you would have made."

At this Zoë looked up and walked over to where the Emperor stood. "Father," she greeted, lightly placing a kiss on either cheek. Her father smiled, then continued. "You would have been strong. I wonder, would you have been just?" She looked at him quizzically, wondering where this conversation was going, before replying. "I would have been what you have taught me to be," she said with the smile reappearing on her face. Her father also smiled at this and said, "Ah, I see. Tell me, how was your journey?" They started to walk further into the tent as Zoë gave her response. "Tiring," she said. "Uncomfortable." She then turned to face her father and asked, "Why have I come?" "I need your help," her father said simply. At her questioning glance he sighed, before continuing. "With your brother," he elaborated. Zoë laughed before saying, "Of course." Her father faked a glare at her before he proceeded with his explanation. "He will need you now, more than ever." As the true meaning behind his words sunk in, an uneasy silence settled over the two. Noticing this, the Emperor quickly changed the subject.

"Enough of politics," he said. "Let us pretend that you are a loving daughter, and I am a good father." He held out his arm for her, and after she had looped her arm through his, they continued on their walk throughout the tent. After a moments silence, Zoë glanced back up at her father before saying, "This is a pleasant fiction, isn't it?" Her father looked over at her and smiled, and they walked together for the rest of the night, washing their worries away in the mundane topics of daily life.

Early the next morning, Perseus was summoned to the Emperor's tent. When he entered, the Caesar was sitting at his desk, scribbling away on a piece of paper. "You sent for me, Caesar?" Perseus asked. After a moment passed with no response, Perseus tried again. "Caesar?" he questioned. This time, the Emperor answered, but he still did not look up from his writing. "Tell me again Perseus, why are we here?" he asked his most trusted general. Perseus sent his Caesar a quizzical look, but replied all the same. "For the glory of Rome, Sire," he said with the utmost confidence. The Caesar stopped writing. "Ah yes," he sighed. He then leaned back in his chair before saying again, "Ah yes. Now I remember." He looked across the room before saying, "Do you see that map Perseus?"-at this he pointed to a map of Europe across the room-"That is a map of the world which I created." "For twenty years I have conquered, spilt blood, expanded the Empire. Since I became Caesar, I have known four years without war. Four years of peace in twenty. And for what?" He stood from his chair and approached Perseus. Stopping a couple feet short of him he continued. "I have brought the sword, Perseus. Nothing more." At this Perseus tried to protest. "Caesar—" he began, but was cut short. "Please," the Emperor said, "Please don't call me that." He then turned around and walked to the living space of his tent. He stopped at the entrance and motioned for Perseus to follow. "Come sit," he invited. "Let us talk." He sat down across from Perseus and after a few seconds in silence he grew impatient. "Well?" he prompted. "Talk."

"5000 of my men are out there in the freezing mud, 3000 of them are bloodied and cleaved, 2000 will never see their homes again. I will not believe that they fought and died for nothing." "What would you believe?" the Caesar asked, sounding slightly exhausted. "They fought for you!" Perseus shouted. "And for Rome." "And what is Rome, Perseus?" the Caesar questioned. Perseus thought for a time before speaking and when he did, his words were filled with meaning. "I have seen much of the rest of the world," he began. "It is brutal and cruel and dark. Rome is the light." "Yet you have never been to Rome!" the Caesar stated. "You have not seen what it has become!" After a slight pause the Caesar continued, this time in a more tired tone. "I am dying, Perseus. When a man sees his end he wants to know there was some purpose to his life. How will the world speak my name in years to come? Will I be known as the philosopher? The warrior? The tyrant? Or will I be remembered as the Emperor who gave Rome back her true self?"

At this point he looked back up at his general. "There once was a dream that was Rome, Perseus," he said. "You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile. And I fear, that it will not survive the winter." At this point he got up and repositioned himself so that he sat next to Perseus. "Let us whisper now, together, you and I. You have a son?" the Caesar asked. At this Perseus nodded. A smile broke out on the Emperor's face and he said, "Tell me about your home." And so Perseus did. And as he spoke, 20 years of worry vanished from his face. He was relaxing in a way he had not been able to for quite some time. When he had finished his tale, the Caesar asked, "Do you remember the last time you were home?" Perseus didn't even hesitate before replying, "Two years 264 days, and this morning." The Emperor looked at his general and smiled. "I envy you Perseus. It is a good home. A home worth fighting for. There is only one last duty that I ask of you before you return home."

Perseus stood tall and faced him. "What would you have me do, Caesar?" he asked. The Emperor replied, "I want you to become protector of Rome when I die. I will empower you to one end alone. To give power back to the people of Rome, and end the corruption that has crippled it." He paused for a moment, judging Perseus' reaction, before saying, "Will you accept this great honor that I have offered you?" "With all my heart, no," answered his general sadly. At this, the Caesar smiled and said, "And that is why it must be you, Perseus." Perseus looked down and protested, "But surely a senator or somebody who understands the politics—" "But you have not been corrupted by the politics," the Caesar interrupted. He patted Perseus on the shoulder and started to walk away, but was stopped by his general saying, "And Lucas?" "Lucas is not a just man," the Emperor explained. "You have known that since you were young. Lucas cannot rule. He must not rule. You, Perseus, are the son I should have had." Perseus smiled and went to speak, but the Caesar was already continuing in his rant. "Lucas will accept my decision. He knows that you command the loyalty of the army." Perseus looked around nervously before speaking. "I need some time, Sire." "Yes," the Caesar agreed, "By sunset, I hope you will have agreed."