Conflict of Orders

The crowd, sufficiently drunk now, was eager and ready to witness the next battle. The two gladiators, Mephisnameistoolong and Celtiberius strode out upon the sands to the cheering of the crowds. They were ready to witness another fantastic battle.

Meph stood ready to face Celtiberius and his Falcata sword. He had heard of the other battle as he had recovered in the gladiator area, and had mentally mapped out how to win against this unusual tactic. He came equipped with an unusual assortment, an one-handed iron mace and a shield. The crowd looked on with wonder at this combination, but there was a method behind the madness. As Celtiberius began striking with heavy blows upon Meph's defenses, the mace served as a shock absorber. Not worried about cutting back or landing a hit, Meph instead used the mace as a mobile anvil that slowly but steadily drained Celtiberius of all his energy as the fight wore on. Hit after hit deflected, metal clanging upon metal. Meph began developing a distinct advantage as he conserved his strength while Celtiberius desperately struck again and again. Finally, in a fit of exhaustion, Celtiberius committed a critical error, going for a high slash that Meph deftly dodged, getting in under him and striking him with full force in the stomach with the mace, throwing the gladiator to the ground coughing up blood.

Celtiberius was defeated and was stretchered off the field. Behind stood Mephistopholes, panting, tired, but alive and victorious.

THE FINAL GAME OF LUDI APPOLINARES OF 193 B.C.

VENUCIUS "THE HEAD CRUSHER"

VERSUS

MEPHISTOPHOLES OF BELLICUS.

It was a match that had the crowd on edge. Nervous chatter filled the arena as men and women came back with more wine and bread, ready to witness the final glorious battle of the Ludi Apollinares of 193 B.C. The crowd favorite, Venucius, versus the newcommer Mephistopholes, in a battle to rival even the most epic of tales.

Out strode Venicus with his giant stone mace, the cheering of the crowd bathing down upon him as he was greeted as Rome's true new champion. Opposite came Mephistopholes, this time equipped simply with a sword and shield. The crowd echoed his name too, but no way as loudly as they did Venucius.

The battle lived up to expectations. The two titans clashed fiercely as weapons clattered against each other. Meph managed, better than his predecessors, to block and deflect Venucius mighty mace as it clanged off his shield. Contrary to those who had faced Venucius before, Meph even landed cutting swipes and dangerous stabs upon the mighty giant, but Venucius seemed unfazed by the fly before him. His might mace swung eagerly in the gathering twilight of the Ludi Appolinares. Finally, after many close calls, Venucius landed a heavy blow upon Mephistopholes shield, sending it flying off into the arena. Desperately, Meph decided that his last chance of winning the match had come. He flung himself at Venucius, trying to get inside of his swiping range, so that the mighty mace could not be used effectively. But the attack was mistimed. Venucius swung his mace just in time, sending Meph flying across the sand. The blow had landed on Mephs head, and in a violent shower of gore, it exploded. Few in the crowd had ever seen such extreme violence, and some even hurled up what they had been eating throughout the day, as they saw Mephistopholes skull disintegrate at the force of Venucius's swing.

The tournament was over, and Venucius was the champion of 193 B.C. His name was echoed by the roaring crowds who chanted it again and again long after Venucius had left the arena.

Consul Domitius Corbulo Hispanicus had been watching from the stands and exploded in cheer and applause when Venucius won.

"As promised, 25,000 Denarii to the games for my gladiators' victories plus 20,000 to celebrate the victory of Venucius!"