EMBERS (Marcus Acacius)

"You're Acacius, aren't you? The one they say won't break."

A faint--almost imperceivable--smile tugged at the corner of Acacius' lips, but his eyes remained unreadable. He seemed to sense the curiosity in my voice, for he gave me a fleeting, knowing look. "That's the story they tell. But stories are always just that... stories." He eyed me closely, as if attempting to gauge my reaction to his words. "What brings you here, to the men who fight and die in the arena? Do you come to heal them, or do you come to watch them bleed?"

"I'm here because I can't stand by and do nothing." My voice was calm and collected. "I can't change what happens in the arena... but I can ease the suffering it causes. I can help them, even if it's just for a moment."

Acacius' expression shifted, and a small twinge of fear settled in my gut. Had I overstepped? He narrowed his eyes, his jaw clenching ever-so-slightly. "And do you think that's enough? Helping them, healing them... only for them to be thrown back into the arena? You're good with your hands, but you can't heal the heart of this empire. You can't heal the chains that bind them. Or do you pretend you can?"
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STARTED: 17/11/2024
FINISHED: Still in progress.
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🏆ACHEIVEMENTS🏆
4 in #thelastofus
1 in #pedropascalfanfiction
4 in #gladiator2
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1 in #generalacacius
1 in #regularupdates
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⚠️WARNING⚠️
mature themes, language, excessive fighting and violence, weapons and death. If you are uncomfortable with the themes in the movies then you SHOULD NOT read this book. Reader discretion advised.
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🏷️TAGS🏷️
#pedropascal #pascalispunk #gladiator2 #acacius #generalacacius