Chapter 399: An Old Alliance Reforged

Theodosius sat on his throne with a dark expression. Looking down the long walls of the throne room, he instinctively turned to the side to speak to Cato, forgetting the man had been imprisoned. As he clicked his tongue, remembering that, the doors opposite opened as Octavius walked in. A slight warmth in his eyes betrayed his rigid appearance and stern expression.

Just seeing the young man made Theodosius mad, but he sucked it up and took a deep breath. Octavius stood before the throne and fell to his knees, saluting the Emperor. "I Greet His Majesty."

"Yes, Commander. You may rise." Theodosius said lazily and leaned on his arm. Looking down at Octavius, he was unimpressed by the man. He was skinny but in shape. His eyes lacked the hardened look that someone like Albus had, and if he hadn’t personally ordered it before, he would have never believed the man had seen battle.

"It is an honour to be summoned," Octavius said respectfully.

"Yes." Theodosius pushed himself off the throne and walked down the steps. "Follow me." He couldn’t overturn the decision to make Octavius the General of Severia, but it didn’t have to be his loss. He could still get the man on his side. "When you look around this room, what do you see?"

Octavius was taken aback by the question but quickly collected himself and looked around, "Glory. Our long and glorious history as the centre of the world."

Theodosius nodded, "I see." He frowned, however, "I don’t see that. I see failure." Octavius was stunned once again, "Looking around, we have a glorious past that each passing generation has failed to live up to. Decades of stagnation have made it so our enemies not only exist beyond our borders but within them now." Turning to the young man, Theodosius smiled, "Albus was a good leader, but he was old. He lacked the risk-taking attributes young men such as yourself have."

Octavius looked around and shook his head. "May I speak freely, Your Majesty?" Theodosius nodded, "The Empire got comfortable. After Prodora was pushed back and the Year of Light was ushered in, we lived on that victory. I’ve seen it within our soldiers. Weapons and tactics. We have never strived to improve them beyond what our enemies have produced."

"Exactly." Theodosius quickly agreed with him, "We follow tradition and the old ways of our ancestors. I tried to be different, make the crown strong once again, but in the face of my actions, the nobility cowered in fear. They refused to change alongside me." He took a deep breath and looked at the young man, "The time for the younger generation to change the Empire has come. I feel safe knowing you and Julius will lead this change."

Octavius smiled and lowered his head, "Your words mean everything, Your Majesty." Theodosius smiled at him and slowly returned to the throne.

"Please rest. I know you had a long journey. We will begin work tomorrow." Octavius bowed once again and quickly left. Watching his back, Theodoisus could tell he would have to play the long game with Octavius. But he felt it was doable.

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"How did it go, my friend?" Octavius didn’t return to his room and quickly found Julius. Kneeling before the Prince, he looked down with slight worship at the man who performed a miracle.

"It was as you said, My Prince. He struggled to hide his disdain for me before trying to be my friend." Julius chuckled and indicated for Octavius to rise.

"Earn his trust, fall for his tricks. Make him believe that you are his loyal dog." Julius leaned back and touched the silver mask over his face. With emerald eyes full of hate, he clutched it and slowly pulled it off. His fingers curled around it angrily, and his breathing got heavier. Octavius watched the pure rage Julius was experiencing and said nothing. "We will ruin him. Make him suffer the pain I went through."

"Your will is my Command, My Prince." Octavius happily said. Even seeing the disfigured half of Julius’ face, he showed no disgust or repulsion towards it. The injury was a sign of the Divine. To feel anything but worship for them was blasphemous.

Julius slowly put the mask back on, tightly fitting it to his face. Taking a deep breath, he smiled at Octavius. "Sorry for showing you something so unsightly." Julius leaned forward and tapped his foot. "How is the military split now?"

"At a moderate guess, Cassuis has around a quarter of it under him. I believe I could garner the support of half, and the remaining quarter is free pickings. Whoever acts first will get it." Julius nodded.

"What did my father want from you?"

"He wishes to meet me tomorrow. To begin our work." Julius nodded.

"He’s acting quick." Speaking to himself, he grabbed his chin and rubbed, but stopped after touching his scars. Sighing, he nodded. "Act according to his wishes going forward. If you feel they would directly undermine us, however, don’t do anything. In the meantime, I will prepare a ball to announce your accession as General." Julius’ eyes turned deadly serious. "This ball cannot go wrong. Our alliance to face Magnus will depend on it."

Octavius nodded. "Is there anything else you require?"

"That will be all," Julius said with a deep sigh. Lying on the sofa, he grabbed his mask, "I wish to air my face. Leave me, please." Octavius nodded once more and left. Alone, Julius took the mask off and looked at it. His eyes once again went hateful. Towards his father, towards Constance, towards Bardas and Magnus. All of them had played a role in him becoming disfigured, and whilst the benefits he got because of it made up for the pain he suffered, he couldn’t forgive any of them.

’Constance is untouchable, but the rest.’His eyes turned sinister. He would let Constance use him for now. Slowly, he would get his revenge. He would make them all suffer as he had. It would be a long process, but he could be patient. He had already destroyed Cato. Next was his father.

It wasn’t enough to physically hurt him. He wanted him to suffer. To lose everything. Only then, when Theodosius had nothing, would Julius make him feel the pain he felt. He gleefully smiled, thinking about his father’s distorted face, engulfed in agony and chuckled to himself.

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Theodosius felt like a viper was slowly strangling him. He was slowly being isolated within his own Palace. Whilst his plans for Octavius were still underway, he needed someone he trusted. Opening the door to the dungeon, he walked through, unbothered by the putrid smell, and slowly arrived at a heavy set of iron doors. Grabbing the key, he unlocked it and saw his old ally sitting by the wall. Cato had frosty eyes looking at the man who had abandoned him.

"Your Majesty." With a mocking tone full of disdain, Cato leaned back, "Have you come to silence me after my little outburst at the Cathedral?"

"How long have I known you, old friend? If you didn’t try dragging me down as you sank, you wouldn’t be the man I knew." Cato chuckled and tried to cover his mouth, but was stopped by heavy chains around his arms. Looking at the key in his hand, Theodosius threw it towards the eunuch.

"What’s this. I didn’t know you could feel pity."

"You will be executed in the next week. I can’t have that." Theodoisus dryly chuckled, "I did what I had to do back then, as you did. But the reality is, there is no one in this whole Palace worthy of advising me, other than you." Theodosius walked in and, with great effort, crouched down to be eye level with Cato. "Help me with Julius, and the power you loved will be yours again."

Cato closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slamming the key into the lock, he twisted it, letting the heavy iron crash to the floor. "Bardas, too. He betrayed us." Theodosius nodded and stood up. Holding his hand out, he helped Cato stand.

"You can’t be seen for now. You know where to hide. I’ll find you when I need to. In the meantime, restore your old network. Bardas moved quickly, but no one likes that brat. They will quickly fall in line once their old master returns."

Cato nodded and stepped out of his cell. Looking through the gaps of the other cells, he saw a man wasting away who wore a black hooded robe. Letting himself in, he stole the man’s robe, leaving him naked and put it on. Although it stunk, he didn’t care, only needing it until he was out of sight of those who would recognise him.

Following behind Theodosius, the two walked in silence, heading back up to the main Palace. Opening a door, Theodosius checked if the area was clear before letting Cato follow. The two moved quickly and arrived at a large painting hanging in one of the halls. Pulling it to the side, a small door revealed itself.

Cato claimed in and turned to face the Emperor once more, "Trust nothing Constance says, Your Majesty. He is working with Julius." With his final warning, he pushed the door closed and heard the painting return to its original place.