Post by F1 on Nov 25, 2010 8:53:44 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]The Man of Shadows and Souls
[/u][/glow]I awake, blood on my chest and sand beneath my fingernails. I brush the dust off of my forehead and slowly push myself off the ground, into an upright standing position. It takes a moment for my vision to clear. As I go to take a step, I waver and collapse into a heap. My legs are jello. I try once again to regain my feet and do so, only with the help of the cold concrete wall that I've dragged my body to.
I slowly, almost robotically walk towards the entrance way into the room; my legs shuddering with each step. It seems my whole body has been put to the limit and yet I live. Not remembering what has taken place prior to me waking up, so I go in search of answers. Outside of the room there's a group of four other men.
These men are the envy of all. Tall, handsome men with muscular chiseled bodies, there bodies all glistening in the sun that peers through the window at the far end of the room. As their sight turns to me they erupt in cheer, dashing over towards me they all give me a slap or a punch across the back or in the abdominals.
The cheer slowly comes to a hush and the dark olive skinned man, who is probably no older than twenty seven stares into my eyes. The look in his eyes shows respect and a hint of awe. The silence is quickly broken as is strong, steady confident voice caresses the ears of all who listen.
Man: The Bringer of Shadow and Keeper of Souls, you continue to amaze and impress all that witness you in the arena. The way you move is like a shadow, so smooth but yet quick like lightning leaving only a trail of where you once were. The way your axe slice's through the air and removes skin and demolishes bone as you make impact shows strength like none other than that of a god.
To have watched you in the arena is a great honor to all the people here in Milan, but it is a treasure from the gods to stand by you in brotherhood. You honor us all with your ways both in battle and out and I could see no better person to call my brother. As you know, we do not use that term lightly and to associate with us is only of the greatest imagination.
But you have turned that honor into ours. To have you a part of the Ambrosius family is a great pleasure of mine and my three brothers agree. We all had decided that now it is time for someone to extended the royalty onto, one who has the freedom to still move wherever he may please. As you know, all of our hearts lie here forever in Milan and on the sands inside the arena.
We are gladiators, the best gladiators to ever grace the arena and we hail from the ever lovely and powerful Milan. This is known every time we enter battle and the same goes for you as well. It is known by your presence and poise that you are of the Ambrosius namesake and represent Milan with your love, your heart, and your soul. As you do so, you continue you to paint the sands red and sacrifice the unfortunate souls who come toe to toe with the greatest warrior of all.
The reason I state this is I remind you of the question you poised yesterday before your battle with the Beast from Carthedge. So tell me, in confidence. Do you intend on returning back to the lands of America? If so, why do you flee from the name and reputation you have earned for yourself here.
The gladiators face suddenly winces and his face fills with anger and disappointment as he begins to seemingly roar at me.[/i][/color]
Gladiator: THE REPUTATION YOU HAVE EARNED HERE IS KNOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE MEDITERANEAN AND IS WHISPERED THROUGH THE ALLEYS AND ECHOES THROUGH THE ARENA!!! WHY BROTHER, DO YOU DEPART US NOW WHEN YOU HOLD ALL OF ITALIA IN YOUR PALMS!?
With this, moments of yesterday rush through my head. Shadowy images of a dark skinned man built like a bull of supreme descendants. He is a man above all other men...the vision fades from my memory only for him to return, but this time a hand, my hand wielding an axe that could cut steel and tear through cement pillar's like they are nothing more than glass.
The blade severs the man's head and I am showered in a down pour of blood. His head hits the ground before he even knows that his life has ended. Moments later his legs falter. All of his muscles seemingly no longer exist and he collapses into a heap. The ground underneath me quaking as I am shrouded in dust and sand.
The memories then fade away again and I snap back to reality to see the gladiator's still standing before me. The one who spoke before, I have this thought from deep in the abyss of the back of my skull that his name is Giovanni "The Golden Son." I finally bring myself to words, not feeling my body's pain anymore I stand up straight and look Giovanni in the eyes.
The Man of Shadows and Souls: The reason I intended to leave, I have no recollection. But, I have this feeling that I have unattended business to take care of back in America. Do not for a moment second guess your decision to accept me into this family and giving me a life to live. You will always be my brother in arms and I will always wear the mark on my chest in pride.
Yet I know it pains you all that I leave, but fret not for I will return in all due time. I will return and remind the people of Milan and those all over Italia why I am the one who they call "The Bringer of Shadow and Keeper of Souls" because I will never show mercy to those who oppose the house of Ambrosius.
My brothers, I will return after I overcome my next obstacle because right now it's as if it claws at my heart and attempts to rip it from my chest like I have done to so many of my opponents in the arena.
My words stop here...it seems my brain remembers more than I can recall, if that could ever make sense. But my words put my brothers at ease, as well as honoring and empowering them all at once. It is understood that there's nothing else that can be said to change my mind, wherever it may be set. But I do know that something deep within my soul burns at my heart and is my indication that I will continue to follow the path back to America.
What is there in which I chase is unknown to me, but I guess in all due time it will be discovered. I look around at my brothers one more time. No words exchanged, just forearm clasps and one armed hugs. It is now that I depart my brothers for the time being and begin a search, a chase to hopefully extinguish the fire that is ignited within...or at least that what I believe.
Within the next couple of hours I am on a plane back to America, Los Angeles to be specific. All that I have brought with me is two sets of clothes and my body armor. I drift off into another deep sleep as I travel across half the world where I shall awake in a place I don't remember.[/i][/color][/center]