For moment tense, none moved.
Germanic warriors maintained formation disciplined.
Clearly waiting for me to make first movement offensive.
Approach tactically sound.
Forcing opponent solitary to commit against posture defensive established.
I recognized strategy.
Deliberately refused to fall into trap obvious.
Instead of attacking recklessly, began circling slowly.
Forcing the three to adjust positions constantly to maintain formation effective.
Crowd initially reacted with impatience at lack of confrontation immediate.
But gradually began perceiving tension tactical developing.
Predator solitary testing methodically defenses of prey that, collectively, represented threat superior.
In box noble, Gallo commented with voice loud:
"Behold how he hesitates! He perceives that now faces warriors true, not gladiators trained to lose with elegance!"
"Or perhaps he demonstrates prudence tactical exceptional," rebuffed Governor Appius from seat near Senator. "Assessment before commitment stands as mark of warrior experienced, not coward."
"Tedium!" exclaimed Julia Porcia dramatically. "We came to see blood, not dance with caution!"
"Patience, dear one," responded Livia with smile enigmatic. "Best fights begin with strategy, not force brute."
Young Porcius, contrary to sister impatient, observed each movement with interest intense.
Occasionally noting upon small tablet of wax.
"Approach fascinating," he murmured to none in particular. "Forcing adaptation constant, eroding coordination initial. Rarely seen in gladiators conventional."
After nearly full minute of dance cautious this, warrior eldest apparently lost patience.
He barked order harsh in tongue tribal.
Three advanced simultaneously in attack coordinated.
Spearman central attacking directly while two younger flanked from sides opposite.
This was exactly type of attack multifaceted I had foreseen and trained to face.
Instead of retreating defensively, I executed maneuver refined during sessions with Atticus.
Advance diagonal explosive that simultaneously avoided attack central and disrupted coordination of flanks.
Movement surprised visibly the Germanic.
Who clearly expected reaction defensive conventional.
Bearer of axe, momentarily isolated by movement unexpected, became target immediate.
I attacked with precision surgical.
Not blow direct and easily blocked, but series of feints rapid and attacks directed at points vulnerable.
Knees, arm armed, junction of neck and shoulder.
I sought not death immediate, but dismantlement methodical of capacity combat.
Germanic defended with skill surprising.
But could not avoid completely combination complex.
Blow pierced partially shoulder right.
Damaging significantly capacity to wield axe heavy.
Crowd roared in approval at first spilling of blood.
While comments animated erupted among nobles:
"First blood!" exclaimed young admirer from retinue of Julia. "Move brilliant!"
"Fortune momentary mere," insisted Gallo, though face was slightly pale. "Germans are merely assessing style his before counterattack decisive."
"Technique extraordinarily precise," observed Tribune Cornelius to Senator. "Observe how he aimed specifically at joint of shoulder, not torso or neck. Economy of effort notable."
"Not technique gladiatorial standard," observed young Porcius, narrowing eyes in concentration. "More approach... clinical. Almost militarily efficient."
I had already repositioned.
Anticipating counterattack immediate from two remaining.
Spearman advanced with ferocity controlled.
Executing series of thrusts to keep me at distance while third warrior circled for attack lateral.
Coordination theirs confirmed experience significant in combat group.
Clearly not first time they fought together.
I retreated strategically toward one of columns decorative.
Using it as cover partial from spear while concentrating on opponent with sword and shield.
Space confined between column and wall arena neutralized advantage numerical of attackers.
Forcing them to approach at angles less favorable.
Combat intensified rapidly.
Warrior of sword and shield launched attack frontal while spearman circled column to recover position better.
Third, still recovering from wound in shoulder, restrained momentarily.
I allowed shieldman to approach.
Seeming to retreat under pressure.
Was feint deliberate.
Calibrated to provoke confidence excessive.
When German advanced for blow decisive, I executed counterattack perfectly timed.
Dodge lateral minimal followed by thrust precise that found narrow space between shield and body.
Blade pierced flank exposed.
Without depth sufficient to kill instantly.
But inflicting wound debilitating that left man staggering.
Crowd exploded in approval frenzied at seeing second opponent compromised in less than two minutes of combat.
In seats noble, tension was palpable.
Face of Gallo had lost all color.
While Quintus barely contained smile victorious.
Julia Porcia applauded enthusiastically.
Though excitement seemed more motivated by violence than by who was winning.
Young Porcius had abandoned tablet completely.
Eyes fixed upon me with intensity unsettling.
"Extraordinary," he murmured. "Almost as if he could anticipate each movement before it happens..."
Spearman, recognizing change in dynamics of combat, shifted tactics.
Instead of attack direct, initiated movements rhythmic with spear.
Advancing and retreating in pattern hypnotic.
With point of weapon tracing arcs fluid in air.
Was technique sophisticated I had never seen personally.
Clearly designed to induce errors of judgment of time and distance.
Eyes tracked pattern.
Attempting to decode rhythm underlying.
In moment critical of concentration intense, warrior wounded with axe suddenly returned to fight.
Hurling axe in arc horizontal low.
Aiming at legs.
Not to kill, but to force reaction defensive that would compromise focus on spearman.
Strategy almost worked.
I detected weapon flying peripherally.
Forcing jump defensive that momentarily broke posture.
Spearman exploited opportunity instantly.
Advancing in thrust direct.
By margin minimal, I managed to deflect blow primary with shield.
But point of spear still pierced thigh left in cut superficial.
First blood was against me.
Awakening excitement renewed from crowd that savored turn dramatic.
"Finally!" exclaimed Gallo, recovering confidence. "Now we shall see true nature of supposed champion before adversity real!"
"Cut superficial only," observed Tribune with disinterest apparent, though eyes remained intensely focused upon arena.
"Not wound itself," commented young Porcius, leaning forward. "Response that will reveal nature true."
I retreated rapidly to recover distance safe and reevaluate.
Opponent with wound in flank was significantly debilitated.
But still dangerous.
Spearman continued being threat greatest.
Skilled and disciplined.
Third, though disarmed of weapon primary, advanced again.
Dagger secondary drawn from boot.
Advantage numerical persisted.
Requiring solution decisive.
While trio regrouped for attack new coordinated, I adopted strategy more aggressive.
Instead of allowing them to reestablish formation effective, I invested explosively against warrior most wounded.
Not blow calculated and technical, but thrust brutal seeking elimination immediate.
Aggression sudden surprised both opponents and crowd.
Who roared at attack direct.
German wounded attempted defense desperate.
But mobility was much compromised.
I exploited vulnerability with efficiency lethal.
Rapid sequence of blows that culminated in stab deep in neck exposed.
Blood spurted in arc crimson while warrior collapsed.
One opponent eliminated.
Two remained.
Without hesitating, I turned toward opponent disarmed.
Attempting to dispatch second threat before spearman could intervene effectively.
But German disarmed demonstrated agility surprising.
Instead of retreating, advanced for combat body to body.
Tactic bold that partially nullified advantage of sword.
We collided with force bone-breaking.
German was unexpectedly strong.
Grasping arm that held sword while attempting to drive dagger into ribs.
I responded with headbutt direct to nose.
Followed by knee to solar plexus.
Double impact made German stagger backward.
But not before delivering blow superficial to forearm.
Blood fresh trickled down arm.
Mixed with sweat and dust.
Situation worsened when spearman returned to fight.
Forcing me to divide attention between two attackers from angles different.
Now in center of arena, I was completely exposed.
Without cover architectural any to exploit.
Was in moment of pressure maximum that unthinkable happened.
Warrior wielding dagger, temporarily pushed back by headbutt, suddenly threw sand in eyes.
Tactic strictly forbidden in arenas Roman standard.
But perfectly aligned with savagery tribal he embodied.
Partially blinded, I instinctively retreated.
Shield raised while blinking furiously to restore vision.
Crowd reacted with mixture of indignation and excitement exacerbated.
Battle now had transcended spectacle choreographed.
Entered realm of danger genuine.
Spearman lost no time.
Launched into attack decisive.
Acting almost exclusively by instinct and perception peripheral, I managed to angle shield enough to deflect major part of blow.
Spear still pierced edge of shield.
Lodging and stopping centimeters from chest.
Spearman pulled violently to free it.
But point remained briefly stuck in structure of shield.
In moment critical, with vision still blurred and spear temporarily immobilized, I sensed opportunity fleeting.
Advanced against resistance of spear.
Closing distance between me and opponent.
Simultaneously trapping weapon primary of enemy.
Maneuver surprised visibly German.
Who expected retreat, not attack sudden.
Before he could adapt, I was within reach effective of spear.
Brandishing sword in arc lateral directed at neck exposed.
Spearman managed to avoid decapitation complete with turn reflexive.
But blade still cut deeply shoulder and neck.
Jet of blood indicated artery important had been at least partially severed.
When spearman staggered backward, I suddenly felt strong impact at back of head.
Third warrior had circled and struck me with stone or object blunt.
Blow was devastating.
Vision already compromised exploded in flashes of light and darkness partial.
Balance disappeared.
Knees gave way.
World spun in spiral chaotic.
Was in moment of vulnerability extreme that something extraordinary occurred in mind.
Like film accelerated running in loops fragmented, images suddenly flooded consciousness:
...snow falling upon forest dark... men camouflaged moving silently... voices harsh giving commands in Russian... weapons automatic heavy in hands gloved... sensation cold of metal against skin...
"Setka!"
Voice guttural of instructor Soviet echoed with clarity shocking:
"When you lose consciousness, use pain as anchor! Pain awakens body and restores clarity!"
Memories surged like avalanche:
...field of training in mountains Ural... Recruits of Spetsnaz trembling in uniforms thin under snow relentless... instructor demonstrating techniques to recover consciousness after trauma cranial...
Controlled pain to restore lucidity!
Technique developed by forces special Soviet for conditions extreme!
Bite tongue! Breathing forced regulated! Redirection neural through stimuli sensory intense!
Simultaneously, another set of memories arose.
Fragments disconnected of Lucius original:
...courtyard of villa illuminated by sun... child playing with dog while man in tunic fine observed, smiling... "Caution, son, do not run so close to fountain!"... hand large holding fingers tiny... sensation of security absolute...
Memories collided and merged while I struggled to recover consciousness functional.
Instinctively, I applied technique from memory.
Biting tongue with force calculated while forcing breathing in pattern precise.
Pain sharp acted as anchor neural.
Restoring partially clarity.
Vision returned in fragments.
Balance partially restored.
Just in time to see warrior tribal advancing for blow final with dagger.
Time slowed.
As if world held breath.
German raised dagger high.
Eyes filled with triumph barbaric.
Crowd rose to feet.
Anticipating death of gladiator they had come to see.
But in mind fractured, two sets of training merged:
Soviet combat techniques for survival extreme.
And Roman discipline learned in ludus.
I rolled sideways.
Just as dagger descended.
Blade sparked against sand where head had been moments before.
From ground, I swept leg in arc wide.
Catching German behind knees.
He fell heavily.
Dagger flying from grasp.
Before he could recover, I was upon him.
Gladius finding mark between ribs.
Deep thrust that pierced heart.
German's eyes widened in surprise.
Then glazed in death.
Silence fell upon arena like shroud heavy.
Then eruption of sound deafening.
Crowd on feet, screaming approval.
Nobles leaning forward in disbelief.
Three warriors tribal lay still upon sand.
Blood pooling beneath bodies.
I stood swaying.
Vision still swimming from blow to head.
But alive.
Victorious.
Proven worthy before eyes that would determine fate.
In box of Senator, faces showed mixture of awe and calculation.
Gallo sat pale as marble.
Fortune lost and reputation damaged.
Quintus beamed with satisfaction.
Investment proven sound.
Tribune observed with expression unreadable.
But eyes showed approval slight.
Livia leaned forward.
Hunger in gaze unmistakable.
Young Porcius stared with fascination clinical.
As if witnessing phenomenon beyond understanding.
Senator rose.
Hands raised for silence.
"Citizens of Rome!" voice projected across arena. "Witness you have to display of courage and skill worthy of capital itself!"
Thunderous applause followed.
But in mind still reeling, questions multiplied.
Memories that were not mine.
Training I had never received.
Knowledge that came from time and place impossible.
Who was I truly?
What forces had shaped this mind and body?
Victory was won.
But mystery deepened.
Sand beneath feet was soaked red with blood of enemies.
Yet greatest battle might still lie ahead.
Not against warriors with blade and spear.
But against truth of what I had become.