Chapter 453: Before the Gladiator tournament: The Heroes of Amun Ra divided

The Gladiator Tournament in Rome — Announced by Caesar Himself

When the news first broke, it didn’t simply travel—it

roared

across the continent like a thunderclap, echoing through kingdoms and deserts, crossing oceans and distant realms. From the bustling markets of Alexandria to the frozen shores of the North, word spread of a grand event—an unprecedented gladiator tournament, to be held in the heart of the Empire: Rome.

At first, few gave it more than a passing glance. Gladiator tournaments were, after all, as common in Rome as chariot races and senate debates. Every week, somewhere in the empire, men fought for glory or survival in sand-stained arenas, cheered on by bloodthirsty crowds and the dispassionate elite.

But this time... this was different.

This was not just another arena match for coin and spectacle. This tournament had been blessed—no,

sponsored

—by none other than Minerva, the Roman Goddess of Wisdom and War, known to the Greeks as Athena. Her divine seal turned what might have been a local festivity into an event of cosmic significance.

And it wasn’t just divine attention that elevated the stakes—it was the prize.

The hand of Pandora.

Yes,

Pandora

. The first woman ever created by the gods, sculpted from celestial clay and imbued with the essence of all Olympus. Beauty perfected, grace incarnate, a living vessel formed from the soul and divinity of goddesses like Minerva herself. She was no ordinary woman—she was a legend made flesh. And now, the victor of the tournament would earn the right to claim her.

Not gold. Not land. Not even titles.

A divine bride, and perhaps, a place among the immortals.

The mere mention of such a reward sent shockwaves rippling through the world. Some scoffed, terrified of Pandora and the old stories that clung to her like a second skin. They whispered of curses, of the box that once doomed mankind, and of the danger she might still pose.

But others—especially warriors—were enticed. Blinded by ambition, seduced by the prospect of immortality, recognition, and the favor of the gods.

Rome, already a city that thrived in chaos and celebration, erupted into a storm of noise and color. Foreign champions and exiled princes, wandering swordsmen and blood-soaked mercenaries—all flocked to the eternal city, eager to etch their names into history. Some came in armor forged from fallen stars. Others wielded weapons with names older than empires. All sought glory. All coveted her.

The city grew swollen with bodies and tension. Inns overflowed. Market stalls stayed open past midnight. The Colosseum was polished like a temple. Even the gods, it was said, would be watching.

The Roman legions found themselves overwhelmed, working without rest to control the restless population. Patrols doubled, checkpoints were established, and citizens were warned to behave—or risk Caesar’s wrath.

And Caesar... had changed.

In the weeks leading up to the tournament, whispers had begun to circulate within the palaces and guardhouses. Caesar, once known for his charm and ruthless cunning, had grown increasingly cold, his eyes distant, his judgments swift and merciless. He spoke less, smiled never, and kept to the shadows of his private quarters more than usual.

Some speculated it had to do with the absence of his most trusted general: Marcus Antonius.

But no one dared say it aloud.

They told themselves he was simply delayed. Others believed Marcus had taken leave to seek wisdom from an oracle or goddess, as warriors sometimes did. A few muttered that perhaps he had abandoned Rome altogether. But none believed he was dead.

No one

dared

to believe it. And certainly, no one had the courage to ask Caesar what had really happened to his favorite warrior.

Despite the swirling tension just beneath the surface, Rome was utterly consumed by festivity.

The announcement of the grand Gladiator Tournament had turned the Eternal City into a blazing epicenter of excitement and opportunity. From every corner of the known world, merchants, performers, artisans, and fortune seekers had descended upon Rome like moths to a divine flame. Streets overflowed with exotic goods—silks from the East, spices from the South, glass from Alexandria, and trinkets laced with alleged divine blessings.

Musicians filled every plaza with music—lutes, flutes, and pounding drums echoed through the marble avenues. Dancers spun like fire in the public squares. Even prophets and charlatans peddled visions of the future to wide-eyed travelers, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the gods or the legendary woman who was to be the grand prize.

Rome, already monumental in its splendor, had never felt more alive.

But with the revelry came the crush of too many people.

The city’s inns, villas, and temples overflowed within days. The outer roads teemed with tents, makeshift camps, and wagons repurposed as temporary shelters. Many slept beneath the stars, just beyond the city walls, but no one complained.

After all, Rome felt like a heaven on Earth during these days—a city where mortals might walk alongside gods. A place where history and divinity were being written in real-time. The discomfort of sleeping outside was a small price to pay for the chance to witness the tournament, and perhaps, the presence of Minerva herself.

Of course, the Roman aristocracy remained untouched by the chaos. In their sprawling villas of marble and gold, surrounded by servants and sycophants, they observed the swelling tide of pilgrims and warriors with both amusement and awe. Even they, the prideful patricians, buzzed with anticipation. For many of them, this would be the first time laying eyes on a true god—not statues, not myths, not prayers whispered in temples, but living, breathing divinity.

And among the sea of eager citizens and nobles, there was another group whose presence stirred whispers wherever they went:

The Heroes of the Amun-Ra Empire.

Once loyal to Queen Cleopatra, their allegiance had subtly—and controversially—shifted toward Caesar. Their decision wasn’t announced with fanfare, but the implications were known by all. They had chosen the Roman path, leaving behind the golden sands of Alexandria and the queen who had first summoned them.

But this choice had fractured them.

The once somewhat-knit class of summoned heroes had become a house divided.

Many of them resented Alexander, the charismatic but reckless member of their group whose private dealings with Caesar had led them down this path. Anger flared even hotter when they discovered that it was Johanna, their wise and respected teacher, who had first proposed the alliance. If she had endorsed it, what choice did they really have?

As if that weren’t enough, two other powerful figures among them—Freja and Elin—had also accepted the shift in loyalty. That revelation had sealed the class’s fate.

Faced with dwindling options, the rest had followed... but not willingly.

Now, unease simmered beneath every conversation. Half the group admired Roman luxury and enjoyed the fame that came with their new status; the other half yearned for the comfort and clarity of Alexandria. Some even whispered that Cleopatra, cunning and calculated as she was, stood a better chance of returning them to Earth than Caesar ever would.

Trust among them had frayed like a weathered scroll.

At present, the class had been given luxurious quarters within the Senate Castle, Rome’s majestic stronghold of politics and power. The heavy scent of incense drifted through the halls, and marble statues watched silently as the heroes sat in the great chamber, gathered not for diplomacy or strategy... but for a different reason entirely.

Their attention was fixed on one of their own.

Isak Persson.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and currently clad in a set of gleaming, flashy bronze armor inlaid with lapis and crimson streaks. The kind of armor that was less about protection and more about making a statement.

Isak stood proud, hands on his hips, grinning with the smug confidence of a man about to do something foolishly bold.

He was going to enter the tournament.

"You’re sure about this, Isak? You know you’re not being forced, right?" Johanna asked, her voice tinged with concern. Her brow was furrowed as she stepped forward, crossing her arms. The warm teacherly concern in her tone couldn’t hide the anxiety in her eyes.

"I’m sure," Isak replied without missing a beat, flashing his trademark cocky smirk.

Of course, Caesar had requested—more like subtly

commanded

—that one of the Heroes represent him in the grand tournament. Unsurprisingly, most of the class had refused. The risk was too great, the attention too unwanted. After all, they would be fighting not just gladiators, but warriors from across the world, and perhaps even champions blessed by the gods.

But Isak?

He had jumped at the opportunity.

"I’m gonna win this tournament," he declared, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "And I’m gonna get that hot chick everyone’s raving about."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

He was talking, of course, about Pandora.

Some of the others groaned. Others laughed under their breath or shook their heads. No one was truly surprised. Isak had always been a bit of a woman-chaser, and the idea of winning the hand of a divine woman—perhaps the most beautiful and powerful in existence—was all the motivation he needed.

"Stay focused, or you might die."

Alexander’s voice rang clear and serious across the chamber. The usual glint of charm in his expression was absent, replaced by a hardened gaze and the weight of leadership. His words cut through the air like a blade, silencing the low murmurs that had been drifting among the gathered heroes.

Isak scoffed and leaned lazily against a pillar, arms crossed over his ornate chestplate. He gave a lopsided grin that did little to hide his arrogance.

"Pfft. You worry too much, Alexander. I’m a

Hero

, remember? Ain’t no one out there who can beat me." His voice dripped with confidence—reckless, youthful confidence that had once inspired but now grated on the nerves of his peers.

Alexander didn’t respond immediately, but his jaw clenched ever so slightly.

"You

don’t

know that," Hugo said. "People from

all over the world

are coming to Rome for this tournament. Warriors, monsters, maybe even demigods. There will definitely be strong opponents. Stronger than us."

Isak waved the concern off with a lazy flick of his hand.

"Hmph. Whatever. I’m still the strongest." He then threw a cocky smirk in the direction of a fair-haired girl who had been silent until now. "Besides, I’ve got a cheat code with me." His grin widened. "My very own healing maiden."

Elin, the target of the remark, blinked. Her expression remained carefully neutral, but a faint discomfort flickered in her eyes.

"She’ll patch me up every night while the others limp around with broken ribs. I’ll be fresh as the morning sun."

"Elin isn’t yours to treat like a tool, Isak," came a sharp, ice-edged voice from the other side of the chamber.

It was Freja.

She stood tall and proud, arms folded across her chest, her posture radiating controlled fury. Her voice didn’t rise—if anything, it grew softer, colder, more dangerous. "And if you die out there, no one is obligated to save you. Especially not her."

The room fell tense, the laughter vanishing as if someone had snuffed a candle.

Isak clicked his tongue in irritation, turning his head away. "Tch. You’re always on my case, Freja. Chill, will you?"

But Freja’s gaze didn’t move. Her stare was as sharp as a blade unsheathed, unmoved by his deflection.

Seeing the tension rise,

Johanna

stepped forward, her soft smile attempting to cut through the tension like sunlight through a storm. She lifted a hand slightly, trying to ease the mood.

"Let’s not fight amongst ourselves," she said gently, her voice like honey laced with subtle exhaustion. "We’re on the same side, aren’t we? There’s no need to quarrel before something so important."

But if she expected to calm the waters, she failed.

Freja’s expression twisted—an unspoken storm tightening behind her eyes. Nathan’s words from days earlier echoed in her mind like a curse. The secret he had uncovered, whispered to her in bitter disgust, now felt like a dagger twisting in her gut.

Johanna had sold them.

Their teacher. Their mentor. The woman they trusted.

She had

offered them up to Caesar like political currency

... and then, as if mocking them, she spent her nights in the Emperor’s bed, wrapped in silk and power while her students were tossed like pawns onto a divine battlefield.

Freja couldn’t bear to look at her any longer.

"Come on, Elin," she said curtly, not sparing another glance for anyone else. Her voice held no warmth. It wasn’t a request—it was an order.

Elin hesitated for a second, glancing toward Johanna, then at the others. But whatever answer she might have given faded as she followed Freja wordlessly, her expression unreadable.

Several other students, mostly girls, exchanged silent looks. Some nodded to each other before rising from their seats and walking after Freja and Elin—quiet but firm in their rejection. They, too, were tired of the way the class was shifting. The arrogance of the boys. The blind loyalty to Caesar. The betrayal of trust.

One by one, they left the chamber, their footsteps echoing down the polished marble corridor.

And just like that, the divide within the class widened once more.