Meanwhile...
The smell of herbs and blood clung into the air of the tent--There lies soldiers--Some unconscious, some yelled--Though many had already died.
Flaytus walked in--His steps faltering with every step as he made his way--His gaze was hollow yet wandered right to left. Seeing his soldiers-Burned, cut, barely there. He clenched his fist as a pang of guilt hit him. His gaze then fell to a bed at the far end--It was Julius--His eyes were dazed as he looked out to the ceiling.
Flaytus strode to him--Without another word, he sat beside him. Julius--Didn't look at him--Didn't even utter a word his gaze was solely fixed on the ceiling--As a pearl of tears roll down his cheek.
J-Julius...Flaytus murmured, his voice careful--As he leaned in, his arms slightly grazing at his--Julius let out a soft shriek in pain--As Flaytus quickly pulled it away.
How are you...? he asked, voice almost a mumble. Julius's gaze then flickered to his--His busted lips then parted, wheezing in pain as he did. I-I'm...fine my master... he replied in a low raspy voice.
Flaytus nodded in reassurance--Just then a healer came. Flaytus glanced up--The healer bowed to him. He then nodded.
Flaytus got up, "get well soon, for-we will soon be returning" he then turned to leave, just then--Master...F-Flaytus...
He stopped and turned. "Where is Leo?" he breathed, is he okay? Flaytus forced a smile and nodded--Then came another--W-What about Marcus...? is he okay?
Flaytus's eye began to water as he wiped it away with his wrist--Julius's gaze widened, or is he...?
He nodded in reply--Then the healer interrupted the both of them as he then strode to Julius--Quickly giving orders to fellow servants as they began to make a small fire.
The healer, Salvio murmured something in the ears of Flaytus--He nodded and turned.
Julius sobbed--His sob seemed desperate--As if to spill everything he kept inside--Then he saw Flaytus retreat as the healer then handed him a piece of twig.
"Put in in-between your teeth, keep a tight hold on to it" he said. Julius gave it a glance then he took it from him. Then putting it in-between his teeth--As he saw the healer retreat to get a knife. He then placed it on top of the fire, absorbing its heat-He then placed it on top of his wounded abdomen.
(Aghhhh!!) he panted as he bit through the twig. The image of his mother's burned body--The dust that clung to his shirt from the attack and the fear and smell of death that seemed to be clung to him--All flashed in his minds.
May I be damned...he whispered, wheezing like a wounded animal. As tears pooled in his eyes--Clenching the twig with his teeth. Maybe this is my end...a thought flashed though his mind--As his body gave out, his eyes then began to shut involuntarily.
Flaytus's hands clenched as he walked off--He then went outside and crouched down. Rubbing his temple in frustration--As he sat there. Something in home broke--As he then let out his misery out- as he cried--His cry was desperate almost like he was pleading for something.
Just then--A hand was placed on his shoulders. He glanced up--It was master Aristos; his fingers were wrapped around a letter.
Young master... he said in a low voice, bowing to him--"A message had come from the emperor"
Flaytus gazed at him for a second then he took it--The letter read:
My son Flaytus, this is your emperor Augustus, I had reached the news of your whereabouts and what happened to you and your soldiers. Marcus paused slightly--His heart raced, what would his father--First, his emperor will say? Then he hesitantly continued, my son, those wretched beings have played an evil trickery on us, don't you be dishearten. For--We will get them, we will rain down upon them with our army--And this time--Flaytus's gaze darkened. He then read--And this time, they will be the one to suffer immensely" he ended.
Flaytus's jaw clenched as he then wiped away his tears--He then got up without a word. Aristos bowed--So, what now master?
Flaytus's gaze wandered then it returned to Aristos--"What else Aristos, we go back" Aristos' gaze dropped, then--"We will return" his words cut through the silence. Aristos shot him a look--His eyes slightly widened as his lips curled.
"Stronger" Flaytus's words were final.