The Parthians descended like a storm.

  Their war cries ripped through the air, mixing with the thunder of hooves and the whistling of arrows. The Twelfth Legion stood firm, a wall of iron and discipline against the chaos.

  Lucius’s breath came fast. His fingers clenched around his pilum, heart hammering as the enemy grew closer—closer—

  “PILA, READY!”

  The command boomed over the battlefield.

  Lucius lifted his pilum, feeling the rough wood press against his palm, the weight of iron at its tip. The enemy was almost within range.

  The centurion’s voice cut through the air:

  “LOOSE!”

  A hundred spears flew as one.

  Lucius’s arm snapped forward, and his pilum soared through the sky.

  THUNK.

  His spear found its mark—slamming into the chest of a charging rider. The Parthian let out a choked gasp, his body snapping backward, tumbling from his horse.

  Lucius had killed a man.

  A second of stillness. A heartbeat of realization.

  Then the Parthians crashed into the Roman line.

  ?

  Steel and Blood

  The world became a blur of violence.

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  A rider charged straight at Lucius, curved sword raised.

  Lucius reacted on instinct.

  He raised his scutum, feeling the impact slam into his shield as the Parthian’s blade bit into the wood.

  Lucius roared, shoving the shield forward, knocking the rider off balance—then drove his gladius into the man’s exposed thigh.

  Steel met flesh. Blood sprayed.

  The Parthian screamed, tumbling from the saddle.

  Lucius barely had time to think before another rider came for him.

  The Parthian’s spear lunged forward, aiming for Lucius’s throat.

  MOVE.

  Lucius twisted, the spear’s tip slicing just past his cheek. He brought his gladius up and slashed across the enemy’s outstretched arm.

  The man howled, dropping his weapon.

  Lucius stepped in and rammed his shield against the rider’s leg, sending him sprawling to the ground. Before the man could rise, a Roman spear drove through his chest.

  Lucius turned—more Parthians were coming.

  The battle had only begun.

  ?

  The Unseen Awakens

  As Lucius fought, something shifted.

  A pulse. A whisper. A presence coiling within him.

  Then—

  A wave of clarity and awareness surged through his mind. The chaos of battle slowed—every movement, every enemy, every opportunity became clearer.

  His muscles burned less. His strikes became sharper.

  And for the first time, he felt unstoppable.

  ?

  Lucius felt the change.

  His next strike came faster. His movements felt sharper, more refined.

  This was not just training.

  This was something else.

  Something ancient had awakened within him.

  And as the battle raged, Lucius knew one thing for certain—

  This was only the beginning.