TITLE: Eyes Shut.
Season two. Episode one
CAST IN THE PREVIEW: Livia Claudianus | Spunia Caesilia.
TIME-LINE: About four years before the awakening.
LOCATION: Beneventum, Roman Republic.
ABOUT: After finally realizing that her potential could be crucial to the position she could occupy in the yet Republic of Rome, Livia continues her deadly manipulations but when she kills her old friend Gnaeus (final of season one), the girl no longer finds Spunia to be on her side - an ally she once held close to her heart, but another trouble appears because Spunia not only was a friend, but also someone who shared many secrets with Livia and has the ear of Octavian. Meanwhile, Mars (Ares) tries to put Livia on the path of vengeance and play a part in his personal matters with Jorafes - a Grecian warlord gone rogue stealing the blood of Zeus with the power to make him invincible.
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A strong desire to smile faded from her mind as the eyes of Spunia were locked on Livia’s glare; the girl was but a Roman noble, denied all opportunity to face the danger and receive the glory the Champion of Rome spoke of every day - her thoughts filled with jealousy and unconventional ideas of a better Nation, of a peaceful Republic. Livia, on the other hand, was taught that there was no friendly touch deserving of attention if it was shaped by a soft voice and whispers of love - power had to be taken, forcefully gripped by both hands and never let out of sight.
Looking once again down, Spunia fake-thought about what Livia was saying, and before giving herself the time to think through the answer, as always, the tongue revealed the thoughts so unwell hidden behind the mind. “You kill for pleasure. You murder those who stand on your way to power and glory, and Dis forbid for one soul to deny your rights to the Empire Augustus is building. You are no Champion - you are a murder.” Shaping the opinions into strong words, the blonde no longer desired to stay put - her mind determinately turned towards the truth and a better future. She wanted nothing more than for Octavian to see the true face of the Commander of his Legions, to see the truth behind a polite smile, shaking the reason within his skull. But better yet, Spunia yet hoped that her childhood friend would stop the ravage and be an equal mind to herself. The blue eyes of the Champion rose quickly as the girl started to circle her, not even giving the chance to make Livia finish her idea of before, to explain herself, even though she began to see that she no longer needed to give any explanation to those undeserving of it. The woman smiled, and only smiled at the sweet speech of the Roman about the playing, rules and deals. Livia could not do much but smile; it was actually very amusing - even ironic; who said the Roman would do what she was asked to? The only difference between them both was that Livia was smart enough to know the Republic and its ways, to know how it was ruled and what was needed to keep it strong and feared, while Spunia was stupid enough to deny the reality of their world.
Pre-opening her mouth, the Champion allowed a grin to appear on the corners of her lips for but just a short moment, before it disappeared, letting place to a serious expression. “I do not kill for fun - I do it for protection.” Her voice rezoned through the atrium, without even caring that Neklia - her trusted body slave - was standing not far away and could hear every piece of the conversation. “An angry sky raging from the heavens would not do good to the Republic if I was not there to protect it. I stand tall and proud by the walls of Rome, and if the stains of innocent blood on my hands is the price for such a duty…” Livia stopped for a second, her eyes fixed on Spunia, her mind confused to why her once adored friend could not see the reason of her doings, of why she was what she was and could not change to what her friend desired. Slightly raising her hands and showing to Spunia her unstained palms, she continued, letting out a quiet sigh from behind shut teeth. “…then reveal to me the one good reason for me to stop.”
They both paused. Minds filled with different ideas and opinions, it was hard to believe that not so long ago, they shared the same desires, and it was Livia that changed; her mind shifted to the wishes of the War God, her desires became unstable and her opinions crashed into what she believed to be right. And perhaps she was not as wrong as Spunia wanted her to think she was; raised within a family of Senators and Commanders, she witnessed from her very young age the ways to power and conquest. It was not the God that changed her, it was her bloodline.
“The reason is the bodies falling down your path. Stop the killings, Livia. You can do it peacefully!” Spunia’s voice rushed through the ears as her intonation rose but the Champion was not moved by her words; she already heard all of it from a quite amount of people, and even if Octavian stayed still to the matter, the slaves and those caring for them could but pray for a mind change. “Peace is for those who desire but tranquility absent power and public admiration. I desire our Nation to rise beyond that.”
“You killed the one I loved most. You slit his throat as if he was a slave bound to your commands. There is no coming back and you will pay for this.” The blonde-headed answered, slightly pouting her lips and shrugging her shoulders in disappointment and anger. Her tiny fingers moved to the sides of her long pinkish dress and grabbing slightly the tissue, she slowly lifted the fabric turning around and began to make steps in the direction of the front door, as her slave quickly followed the movement, yet the both of them were forced to stop and once again pivot their bodies, with faces surprised to the threat as Livia raised voice again.
“Perhaps. I cannot predict the future, but you will not be the one holding blade…” Livia said.
“I need no blade to hurt you.” Spunia replied exiting the domus and leaving the Champion alone in the dark.
