The Spartans Demise

As Atencio roams the fiery pits of Tartarus, he is bound by the grip of Sparta. The only companion he has is his mind, which constantly reminds him that he is no one. All of Sparta has forgotten him, and he himself has lost who he is. But things weren't always this way. [[2 years ago.]]

“SHOW NO MERCY TO OUR INVADERS. THEY WILL SEE THE GLORY OF GREECE.” With emotions running high and blood lust fuelling Atencio’s veins he looks: [[Forward]] [[Around]]

Into a horde of unfit Persian faces. Their expressions withered by their hunger as they tremble behind their puny wooden shields. The look of horror streaks upon them as they witness the mighty wrath of Greece. Their leader Zubin, draped in golden robes sits upon a horse charging towards the front lines of the battlefield. [[As Atencio wipes the blood of his Persian adversary from his eyes, he sees the opposing General charge unrelenting towards him. Knocking into his own men with no regard. His sole purpose is to reach the army of Greece and strike fear into their hearts.]]

To see both Spartans and Athenians united in rows of formation, sharing the common goal of protecting Greece. Among their shields overlapping and their spears penetrating the Persian soldiers, they feel their feet sink into the soil, touching the blood of their enemies as the dirt stains red. The sounds of flesh being ripped apart and the screams of agony echo across the sunlit mountain ranges of Greece. [[As Atencio wipes the blood of his Persian adversary from his eyes, he sees the opposing General charge unrelenting towards him. Knocking into his own men with no regard. His sole purpose is to reach the army of Greece and strike fear into their hearts.]]

Seeing this, Atencio [[Dodges]] [[Waits]] [[Attacks]]

Dodges to the side of the approaching warhorse. Following his movements, the expertise of the Persian general follows his movement and commands his well-trained steed to adjust. Just before Atencio rolls to hit the grounds, he sees a darkened hoof flying towards his head. The sound of the impact echoes across the battlefield. A deafening crack that causes the armies of Greece to stop for a moment and see their heroic leader. (text-style:"rumble")[Dead] [[Attack]]

[[Atencio leans back before letting out a powerful thrust with his spear, Hitting the horse's side, it cuts through the warhorse's armour stabbing deep into the body. The horse falls back, taking the general with it, crushing his legs.]]

Waits for the perfect opportunity to arise. Hardened by thirty years of spartan warfare, Atencio holds his ground as the warhorse charges towards him. Mere meters from colliding, Atencio scowls at the dark steed, enough to make it falter. As the horse steps into Atencio’s reach, the horse rears back in terror. The Persian general never seeing such an intimidating force on the battlefield before, drops his scimitar in disbelief. [[Atencio leans back before letting out a powerful thrust with his spear, Hitting the horse's side, it cuts through the warhorse's armour stabbing deep into the body. The horse falls back, taking the general with it, crushing his legs.]]

Atencio saunters up to the defeated Persian general readies his short sword and looks into his eyes. Zubin staring intently towards the sky, whispers towards himself. “Live for something rather than die for nothing.” [[Atencio huffs at the Persian's words knowing full well what it means to die for a cause. As Atencio swings his sword to Zubin’s neck he yells out a powerful war cry, screaming “FOR THE GLORY OF GREECE.”]]

“They’re back! They’re back!” Chants fill the streets, as the heroes of Sparta return from their travels. The air is rich with excitement, kids and wives crying tears of joy to see their loved ones return from war while some cry in agony whilst searching for theirs throughout the bustling crowd. Atencio decides to celebrate his glorious victory by [[Celebrating with his Warriors]] [[Celebrating with his Wife]]

Atencio finds himself at a rowdy bar, drinking copious amounts of wine whilst all dancing and cheering about their great victory. Enjoying the night, Atencio notices a man, draped in a white robe, calling his name. “Atencio! Atencio!” Weaving through the crowd, Atencio approaches the man. [[“What is it that you seek? Atencio asks”]]

Atencio, dear fully missing his wife after the long journey returns home to celebrate his glorious victory. As he opens the door of his home, the smell of fresh bread and roasted meat fills his nose. There stands his wife joyous of his return. “I was worried you would not return, is this the last we will see of the Persians?” “The faith that I had in my men, it was all but guaranteed. If the Persians do come back, I will fight again.” As Atencio hugs his wife, the moment is abruptly interrupted by a knock at the door. There stood a short man draped in a white robe with an exasperated expression. [[“What is it that you seek? Atencio asks”]]

“I have a message from the Athenian Council, regarding the actions of your Spartans. I believe this is a message you would want to keep private.” As Atencio follows the man outside, he can’t help but feel tense. The short man turns to him handing Atencio a letter. //To Atencio the leader of the Spartan army. When we joined forces to fight the Persians, we put our hostility and rivalry away towards one another to fight for our land. However, it seems that you have not. A band of your Spartans were slaughtering our Athenian civilians. They raided our village beheading and hanging our women and children. You have shown us that there will never be peace between our two nations. And for this we demand blood.// Wanting to clear his mind of the situation at hand. Atencio decides to walk to the home of his closest confidant. A young spartan named Konstantinos, who he has trained since he was a child. Atencio hands the note from the Athenian council whilst watching his expression sour. Konstantinos, looking up from the note realises what is happening in his mentor's head. “I know exactly what you’re thinking, there are different ways to settle this conflict.” He pleads. [[Explain your reasons]] [[Do not explain your reasons]]

“There are no other ways to solve this. Conflict has always been bound in unison with bloodshed. If not me, they will stop at nothing. They will demand the lives of our people. It is my life or the life of many.” [[As Konstantinos ponders what is at stake, he understands that it is the right thing to do despite his attachment to his mentor. The young spartan hesitantly agrees to his master's decision.]]

“They demand blood Konstantinos. They want my blood. I am doing this for Sparta.” [[As Konstantinos ponders what is at stake, he understands that it is the right thing to do despite his attachment to his mentor. The young spartan hesitantly agrees to his master's decision.]]

“Atencio, I have known you since I was a child. You have not just been a mentor for me but a father as well. I have but only one condition, I want to be there when it is done. I will follow you to death. ” [[A week later.]]

Looking up from his bloodied brow while shackled to floor hooks, Atencio sees an arena full of people laughing and cheering as Athenian army troops beat him to a pulp. Those who accompanied him on his travels watched sadly, as they understood that this was the end. Exhausted and beaten he glances towards the Athenian general walking towards him, sword in hand. His face is filled with a bitter expression as he is wrapped in full armour. The clinking sounds of metal echo in Atencio's mind as he walks, a sign of his impending doom. [[With the last clink, Atencio gazes up to the general snickering at him.]]

“Look at you, you were once a great leader and now.. now you’re a man with nothing. I used to look up to you, as the exemplar idea for an incredible general. But now I see that you are no general. You are scum. I want you to remember my name, Atencio. It’s Alexandros. Remember it in the afterlife.” Alexandros readily lifts his sword above his head, but before he can perform the execution, Atencio [[Spits]] [[War Cries]]

Spits at the Athenian General's face. Alexandros’ anger creeps up upon his harsh face. He swings his sword. “THIS IS FOR THE BLOOD OF OUR PEOPLE.” [[Piercing through Atencio's chest and ripping open his flesh, his body falls to the ground. As time passes, Atencio's body lies in the arena, and although he is faintly breathing, his fate is all but sealed. The once great general of the Spartan army is doomed to decay and dissolve into the earth as a form of penance.]]

The sound of Atencio’s war cries echoes around the arena. “If you hurt my people, I will hunt you here and in death," cries the dishonoured general. Alexandros cackles while lifting his sword. [[Piercing through Atencio's chest and ripping open his flesh, his body falls to the ground. As time passes, Atencio's body lies in the arena, and although he is faintly breathing, his fate is all but sealed. The once great general of the Spartan army is doomed to decay and dissolve into the earth as a form of penance.]]

Atencio’s strength begins to leave his body, and the memories of his life begin to flash before his eyes. Suddenly, the sudden sound of a dripping noise steadily approaches. Finding the strength to lift his head, he turns to face the sound of trickling blood. The Athenian soldier who was beating him stood there with his mouth open, blood surrounding his face. As if it were just a delirious vision on the brink of death, Atencio sees a treacherous creature emerge out of the soldier's mouth. His face and body are draped entirely in a long midnight black robe, as the soldier's body seems to turn utterly lifeless and crumple to the floor. [[The creature speaks with a foreboding and ominous voice]]

“I have always been watching you, Atencio. You grant no mercy to your enemies. I like that about you. You died for others' actions, doesn’t that anger you? The Athenians will kill your people and those you love if you do not take my offer.” The dark figure says. As a general of a band of war-hungry, unflinching Spartans, the general is rarely scared. However in this moment, the sight of what seems to be a ghost just wilfully tore himself out of the body of another man. Wielding a large scythe, his face fully darkened by his garments, his voice seems to echo loudly inside Atencio’s head. Atencio looks at the threatening figure and mutters sceptically, “What offer?” “I will grant you powers beyond what you believe. I will make you indestructible. I am giving you a chance to protect your wife, your people, and your men.” [[Atencio gathers with all his might he has left “Who are you.”]]

“…..” (text-style:"shudder")[[“Death”]]

“What has happened to them.” Death, showing his hooked scythe, turns to Atencio “The Athenians killed them. Your blood was not enough, they wanted more. I can bring them back, just as I have done for you. You and your army will be unbreakable. Would you want that?” Atencio’s empty eyes somehow burn with a fury only a Spartan can feel. He walks up to the god. Staring at him eye to eye. [[“First, tell me where the Athenians are.”]]

“How are they.” “Your people are not safe, the Athenians have not got to them yet but they will. They have got to your men, I can bring them back. What do you say?” Atencio’s empty eyes somehow burn with a fury only a Spartan can feel. He walks up to the god. Staring at him eye to eye. [[“First, tell me where the Athenians are.”]]

Atencio looks to death, without even a word, the personification of death itself knows the Spartan's answer. Arms outstretched, the god embraced the once proud Spartan general. Transforming him into nothing but bones. In moments, the pile of bones rise up from the ground. Shackles fall off its bony wrists and a sharp cracking noise as pieces fall into place. Eagerly hungry for justice and revenge. The now skeleton body, donned with his bronze armour. Atencio looks to death and asks [[And my men]] [[And my people]]

As night falls over the city of Athens, the forum where the execution took place becomes alive. The dozen Spartans that followed their leader into the city rise up from beyond the earth to re-enact their vengeance upon their enemies. As the undead Spartans charge the Athenian land, they decide to [[Kill everyone]] [[Use stealth]]

Throughout the night, the platoon of undead unleashes their fury on every Athenian they see without holding back. With their spears in hand, they spare not a single soul as they move swiftly across the once bustling, prosperous town. With anger clouding Atencio’s mind he and his undead army ravage the town, enacting their vengeance even among the most undeserving. Women and children cry in their homes hearing the slaughter surrounding them. Their savagery seems only to heighten when encountering soldiers of the Athenian army. [[Throughout the rest of the night, the once prosperous city falls singlehandedly to the group of undead warriors. The power over death that was granted to Atencio satisfies him. He enjoys his victory over the Athenians and returns home with his men.]]

Sneak throughout the city and use the night to their advantage. Whilst empowered by the god of death, they are still only a dozen strong. The blood-hungry platoon creeps throughout the town locating their own executioners. Arriving at a town square, they find soldiers of the army drinking copious amounts of wine, all laughing and gambling for the belonging of the very same Spartans that are hunting them. In a flash and without a word Atencio hurls his spear towards a soldier's head. In the following moments, the rest of his skeleton companions follow suit. All spears hitting their marks. [[Throughout the rest of the night, the once prosperous city falls singlehandedly to the group of undead warriors. The power over death that was granted to Atencio satisfies him. He enjoys his victory over the Athenians and returns home with his men.]]

As Atencio and his men walk back to their home, eager to share their victory with their people and embrace their loved ones. He notices the citizens of Sparta freeze with terror upon seeing them. Children are shaking in fear, with tears running down their cheeks. Too scared to make noises. They look at the men with horror. “They’re monsters, don’t look at them,” women cry out, trying to shelter their children. Atencio raises his arms in front of his face to see thin, skeletal hands. In “What have I become?” he shudders in disbelief. [[With Atencio’s emotions overwhelming him, he cries out "THANATOS”]]

In an instant, Death stands behind him. Looks towards Atencio, only a sinister grin showing behind his robes “So you know who I am.” Atencio looks to him, “I know your name, I know that you are the incarnate of death itself. Release this curse and bring my men back to their families.” The god of death looks at Atencio, chuckling to himself. “After giving you the gift of revenge over your victors, you then ask me for another favour? No. You have had your time walking the land of the living. After accepting my deal, your life is now forfeit to me. Your men, however, as you put these curses on them, I will remove it. In return, you will wander the darkest depths of Tartarus forever.” [[Atencio ponders to himself about Death's request. Right before he has a chance to accept his offer, death interrupts-]]

“However, as you have sent many to me during your conquests across the world, I have a rather curious offer for you, Spartan.” You may return to the land of the living. But in return, your soldiers, whom you fought so hard for, will be mine. And all your past deeds and triumphs will be erased from history forever. [[So what will it be? Will you sacrifice your own life for the lives of your men? Or will you sacrifice those very same lives so that you can walk free?”]]

In almost an instant, Atencio agrees to [[Die for those who serve him]] [[Sacrifice the lives of his comrades]]

As Atencio looks to Death, knowing his fate is sealed, he can’t help but feel relieved. “My men have died for me as I will die for them. My last request for you is to let them rest.” Atencio walking towards Death, embracing him one last time. (text-style:"shudder")[ “Take me.”]

“I believe we all serve someone. My men serve me. But I serve no one. Not even you Death.” (text-style:"shudder")[“Free me.”]