Blogtober 2021 Story Project
“Lucius,” the dark man said. “I regret that I’ve not had the chance to extend a formal welcome to the great city of Jerusalem. What was built by the Hebrews and conquered by the Romans now belongs to the Lilitu.”
“You’re the king of the dead in a dead city,” Lucius said. “It’s nothing that I haven’t seen before.”
“That’s where you are mistaken,” he said. “From the ashes of the city will rise an empire to make the Romans pale in comparison.”
“You’re the one who’s pale to me,” Lucius said. “You don’t scare me.”
“Do you think you can intimidate me?” he said. “You’re nothing more than a pest, a fly buzzing around my head. Your legions were no match for us, and soon, all the cities of the world will fall under our command.”
“Get to the point,” Lucius said.
“Pest or no, you have proven yourself a man of courage and resourcefulness. I am offering you a double gift—a life extended beyond centuries, and the command of all my armies.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Your fate is sealed, and your blood will be consumed regardless of your choice. You can be a mindless minion like your former comrades, or you can sit at my right hand and be the supreme commander of an army that will conquer the world.”
Lucius approached the dark man, who towered over him by a foot. “I bent the knee to Caesar,” Lucius said. “I won’t bend it to you.”
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