Almost 500 years ago, the Roman army lost 20,000 men here. An army of almost unprecedented size had gathered here. Caesar Marjorianus looked across at the rival army. Odoacer, the giant Goth woman who acted like a man, had gathered an army of close to half a million. That said that Hannibal Barca, the accursed Carthaginian had been the ancestor of Odoacer. Though it was doubtful. They said that she was a witch of unbridled power. She had an army of Goths, Suevi, Burgundians, Vandals and an assortment of other barbarians. She was dressed in armour that looks forged into Magna Grecia rather than Gothic. Caesar could see why that cowardly Greek Zeno had chosen her to try to take back the West.
Marjorianus had taken Africa and Egypt back from Geiseric, the Vandal King. Marjorianus had defeated the Franks when they tried to rebel against his reign. Childeric was even now fighting with Odoacer, even though they loathed each other. Marjorianus had taken 34 years to get to this point. He had watched his wife, his sons and most of heirs die. Fought against his treacherous friend Ricimer. At his home, his grandson Flavius Marjorianus Malleolus was only 5 years old. He was the sole survivor left to inherit the Empire. Caesar knew that his death here would end the Empire. Britannia and Dacia were still outside the true Empire's reach. Even the Greek's Empire was fragile in the utmost. The Parthians under the rule of the heirs of Sasan had grown great at Zenos' expense. Once this was over, Marjorianus would make war on Zeno and destroy him. He would reunite the ancient Empire. The Lord and Saviour had chosen him to rule. He could not fail in his holy mission. Not when victory was so close at hand. And he would not.
Everything hinged on this day. Marjorianus threatened to bring back the threat of Rome. Odoacer held her amulet close to her. She stood tall almost 7 feet in height. The Romans were naught but midgets by comparison. She had three daughters, Thela; Sunigilda after her wife and Onoulpha after her sister. She had given her daughters instructions to take male form if she failed. They couldn't risk the line of Hannibal Barca to fail. Odoacer took stock of her so called allies. The Vandals were led by Gunthamund; grandson of the great Geiseric. His worthless uncle Huneric and his young cousin Hilderic were both deceased. Gunthamund was not a strong ruler and was prone to shaking. But he was better than his shameful Thrasamund, an exceedingly lazy womaniser. Thrasamund was living amongst the Ostrogoths who were notable for their non-appearance.
Theodoric the Ostrogoth refused to help either side. Even though he served Zeno. When it was over, Odoacer would slay Zeno and Theodoric herself. Euric was an incompetent drunk, more interesting in wine than fighting. The Burgundian brothers seemed more interested in one upping themselves than defeating Rome. The late King of Burgundy Gondioc would be delighted by his son's arrogant and weak conduct. The Suevi Theodemundus was interesting. He was disciplined, focused and determined to win. He was the one, Odoacer trusted the most. Sadly his army was the smallest. His leadership was contested, following the invasion by Marjorianus. Pity for he was more trust worthy than the other idiots. A burp let her known that Euric was awake, though he could barely stand.
She held her amulet close as she cast her spell. The lightning and thunder hit near the Roman lines. Marjorianus didn't move. It was time to advance. Odoacer moved her metal staff like a sword as she swung it with fury. Heads flew and the ground shook as she moved on. A young Roman soldier tried to fight her himself. Odoacer sent his broken body back into the Roman centre. She thought of her beautiful daughters forced to live their lives as men. She thought of the love of her life being killed after being violated. It spurred her on as she marched on. Fire flew into her eyes as she deflected arrows with her staff. A quick motion and the eye of a centurion was lost as he fell.
A quick deflection before the sweep of her weapon left 3 Roman families without a loved one. Marjorianus's army was powerful, but she had her magic. And none of the Romans could stop her. She advanced deep into the centre a trail of armies behind her. Up ahead was Rome's last hope. Caesar Marjorianus was slaying men in his horse. That would end now as a spell was cast. Lightning failed to strike him though. "Look up in the sky!" cried Euric. Odoacer sighed as she saw the familiar figure. "Destroy the Anti-Cbrist!" she declared as she saw the Consul's hateful face as his army descended from the sky.
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