Perseus Jackson: Gladiator (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Death of a Caesar

  Copyright © 2015 runwild14. All rights reserved  

*THIS HAS BEEN EDITED*

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THIRD PERSON POV

Shortly after Perseus left the Emperor's tent, Lucas entered it. He wandered around the tent, taking in his surroundings. At the end of his investigation of sorts, he stopped in front of a marble bust of the Caesar. Engraved at the bottom was his name, Hermes Diaktoros. As he was admiring the statue, he failed to notice the very person it depicted was standing right behind him, until he spoke.

"Are you ready to do your duty for Rome?" Hermes asked. At this, Lucas whipped around to face him, removing his gaze from the statue. Lucas looked him in the eyes before saying simply, "Yes father." Hermes took a deep breath before saying, "You will not be Emperor." Lucas looked like he had been physically struck, and for good reason too. The one thing he wanted above all others was taken away from him in the blink of an eye, and by the one person he loved the most. But he held his emotions in check and asked, "What wiser older man is to take my place." "My powers will be passed to Perseus, to hold and trust, until the Senate is ready to rule once more," Hermes stated. "Rome is to be a republic again."

At this point, Lucas was struggling to reign in his tears. Through his chocked sobs he managed to get out, "Perseus?" The way he said it, one would think that the name itself was a curse. "Yes," his father said. "My decision disappoints you?" Ignoring the question, Lucas said, "You wrote to me once, listing the four key virtues. Wisdom. Justice. Fortitude. And Temperance. As I read the list I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness. Courage. Perhaps not on the battlefield, but there are many types of courage."–at this point his voice was rising with every word, and he was almost shouting now-"Devotion. To my family. To you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn't want me for your son." He was chocking back sobs again now and his father tried to interrupt. "Lucas...you go too far," he said, but he was cut off by his son. "I searched the faces of the gods for ways to please you," Lucas said. "To make you proud. To hear one kind word. What is it in me you hate so much?" At this, Hermes knelt in front of his son and pleaded, "Shhh Lucas please." His son continued paying no attention to his father. "All I've ever wanted was to live up to you, Caesar, father."

At this point, his father had heard enough. "Lucas," he said in a stronger tone, "Your faults as a son are my failings as a father." He opened his arms for a hug and his son slowly accepted. They embraced one another as the tears fell. Lucas tightened his grip as if he was holding on for dear life and his father responded with as much strength as he could muster in his old age. Pretty soon, the sadness turned to anger, and in a blind rage, Lucas tightened his grip on his father. Because of his age, Hermes could not fight back, but one could hear his muffled yells. After a few moments of struggle, the yells died out and Lucas stepped back. Just like that, the Caesar Hermes Diaktoros was no more.

Perseus lay on his bed trying to make his decision. As he thought, the door opened and Quintus walked in. "Perseus, the Emperor needs you," he said. Perseus walked through the rows of tents until he came upon the one he was looking for. When he walked in, Lucas approached him and said, "Mourn with me, brother. Our great father is dead." Perseus just stared at Lucas in shock, before moving past him and approaching the bed where the Caesar lay. When he reached him, he slowly reached out a hand and rested it upon the great Caesar's forehead. "How did he die?" he asked. "The surgeons say there was no pain," Lucas answered. "His breath gave out as he slept." Perseus absorbed the news before gently leaning over and kissing the spot where his hand was moments ago. It was a farewell to the great man whom he looked up to and cherished. "Father," he whispered, as the Caesar was a great father figure to him. Unable to bear the sight of the Caesar's unmoving body, he then swiftly got up and let the tent, just as Zoë entered.

As soon as he saw his sister, without giving her any time to grieve, Lucas asked, "Will you support me as Caesar?" She stared at him for a moment, disgust the only emotion visible on her face, and then walked up to him and slapped him across the face with tears in her eyes. Absolute fury washed over her, for she knew without a doubt how her father had died. And she vowed to the gods that she would make him pay for it in every way. Still, remembering some of her father's last words to her, she took his hand, raised it up to her lips, and pressed a gentle kiss to it. "Hail Caesar," she said in a monotone voice,before quickly leaving the tent.