All language subtitles for Gldtr2

Father, do you feel
the excitement?

I cannot wait to see
Cassius fight once more.

It will be a brilliant match.

Cassius is the favorite
to win in the next match.

Oh, yes.

The favorite of our great
leader, Emperor Tyber.

There is almost always a death
in the match with Cassius

Let us hope today
is no different.

Cassius!

Who do you think
they'll match him against?

I think that we're
about to find out.

- Attilius!
- Oh, no! Not Attilius!

He's always the victor!

So is Cassius.
At least thus far.

We who are about
to die salute you!

We who witness
salute you in return.

Begin.

Ah!

What will you do, Father?

What?

There won't be a kill?

What's the point in coming here?

You must admit,
the match was entertaining.

I would not want
to fight that Cassius.

And just how can one
be entertained

without the catharsis
of a bloody death?

And how will the people
of Rome know to fear

those in power
lest we use it?

Did you see that?

I thought Cassius was finished.

Then, at the very last,
he pulled it off.

Then tell me, what lesson did
you take from that match?

That one should
always continue to fight.

Even when it seems
you are beaten,

a victory might almost
be in your grasp.

Well observed, my son.

Will you give Cassius
the victor's palm?

I think we can
do better than that.

Arise, gladiators.

Cassius, you stand the victor.

You have won my son's
admiration, and my own.

And in recognition
of your victory,

we award you
the rudis of freedom.

Henceforward, you
are no longer a slave.

Thank you, Prince.
Thank you, my Lord.

Congratulations, Cassius.
Well done.

I haven't the words to
adequately express the gratitude

I have towards you both.

Now, should you wish,
I have a job for you.

My son requires training
in the art of war.

I have General Maxima
to teach him strategy,

but someone must teach
the heir how to fight.

Father, really?

Would you accept
this great charge?

I will.

Excellent.

We will assign quarters
to you in the palace.

My Lord, I am grateful
for everything.

And I hope it is not
perceived as ingratitude

if I humbly implore one request.

So be it a request
within reason,

I could never bear
to deny a champion.

I beg leave to marry
my beloved Thea,

the daughter of
Senator Marcellus.

A senator's daughter?

Does he approve the match?

Marcellus has welcomed me into
his home as one of his own.

He is a kind man
with an open mind.

He knows I will do everything
that I can for his daughter

to ensure that she has
the life she deserves.

He has been a loyal ally to me,

and I have known him
to be a man of honor.

You are blessed
to have been welcomed

into a family such as this.

And Thea loves you, too?

Yes, my Lord.
Our hearts are as one.

Then I grant
your match my blessing.

Walk out of here,
and go to her, freedman.

Thank you, my Lord.
I am forever in your debt.

Thea! Thea!

Cassius!

What are you doing here today?

I thought you had
a match to fight.

This is the best day of my life.

Of our life!

What? What is it?

I'm a freeman.

What has happened?

A rudis from the emperor.

Can this really be true?

Yes.

Avitus.
I must get Avitus.

He's the closest thing
to a father I've ever had.

Yes, go!

When I return...

We feast, your family and mine.

I love you.

And tomorrow, we'll marry.

I will be sad to
lose you as my fighter.

But then I always,

I always knew that
you would someday leave.

The gods, they have
something special for you.

Perhaps, Avitus.

Or maybe simply fortune
spends at its own will.

Ah, but you,

you won your freedom
with your own right fist.

But at a great cost.

I do not know how
many men I have killed.

But you fought them all
with honor, and you won.

And I would be honored
to witness your union tomorrow.

Ah...

I wish my brother
Marcus was still alive.

I think he would
be proud of this.

Still, tomorrow.

Tomorrow.
Good night, my friend.

Thea?

Thea!

Cassius!

Thea!

No...
No, no, no, no...

No.
Please, please don't go.

Please don't go.

Please, I love you, don't go.
Don't go.

Please...

Please!

No! No! No!

No! No!

No!

No! No!

I thought you'd be here.

They killed her.

If only I hadn't been there.
If I had not--

No wait, listen to me.

Don't keep going like this.

You will drive yourself insane.

I will find the one
who is responsible

and I will kill them.

The way they've killed her.

No, no. Look at me.

You have lived for
such a long time

not just to be killed
outside the arena.

Just... Just walk away.

Be proud of your freedom.

All right?

-Thea would have--
-Thea!

Thea is dead.

All I have left is rage.

The Roman people grow
more restless every day

with the continued
nightly attacks.

A senator's whole
family murdered.

If they are not safe, they
fear that now no one is safe.

Tyber's reluctance to
make a public address

is helping us, though
that could change any day.

But this business with Thea--

I know.

The death of the family,
though tragic,

was a necessary step.

Her father's opposition to us

and the continued
support of the emperor

was proving to be problematic.

I would worry about our
continued use of the Zaragosa.

I fear they're growing
too powerful.

They may soon decide they are
too good for even our money.

But we need them
to carry out this phase.

That is true.

Yet remember, they still
remain mere thieves.

It is critical we do not
lose sight of that fact.

Agreed.

But there is another
matter, Septimus.

The daughter's fiancé,
Cassius, was not killed.

He still lives.

How could this happen?

The orders were explicit.

Take him out along
with the senator's family.

No survivors.

There cannot be any witnesses.

I understand, but remember,

Cassius is not an ordinary man.

He's a formidable gladiator.

Perhaps his combat skills--

Excuses!

He was supposed
to be among the dead.

This is the second time he stood
between me and the throne.

Now he roams free,
a looming threat.

Yes.

And if he discovers
your involvement--

Our involvement.
Speak none of it.

Even a whisper of our
connection to this...

He must be dealt
with immediately.

How do we proceed?

We turn it to our advantage.

Make the public think
Cassius was involved.

The people love him.
He is revered.

Could that not turn
the people against us?

Only if you fail.

No. We'll turn
them against him.

The beast who couldn't
handle his freedom.

Went crazy and turned to murder.

We need the public
afraid of Cassius.

The people of Rome are fickle,
they will lap it up.

And if Cassius defends himself?

He will not get the chance.

Issue a warrant
for his arrest immediately.

Spread word of
a substantial award

for any information
leading to his capture.

And you believe that will
be enough to locate him?

Do not ask why
he still eludes us.

Just find him.

And once he is found...

bring him directly to me.

As you wish.

Cassius?

Why in Hades are you here?

I do not know where else to go.

I need the
origins of this blade.

A warrant has been
issued for your arrest.

Thea's dead.

Murdered last night
with her whole family.

What?

I... I did not kill them.

The authorities obviously
believe you are the killer.

Artaxa, please,
this is all I have.

This is the blade
that killed...

that killed Thea.

This is good steel.

Sorry.

-What?
-Just as I feared.

Yeah, I have seen
these engravings before.

The crest on the handle.

That's the mark
of the Zaragosa.

Bandits, thieves,
killers for hire,

led by a man named Ferox.

A devil in human form.

He resides
in a hidden fortress,

east of the city.

You would be killed
before you got inside.

I am undefeated in combat.

Yes, yes.

Gladiators have rules.

And honor.

These men know no such thing.

This is not the arena,
Cassius.

These men, they play a
different kind of game.

Artaxa!

Open up the door by order
of the Praetorian Guard.

Good morning.
Just give me one moment.

Ah...
Good morning.

And what a beautiful morning.

How may I assist you?

We're looking for Cassius.

Hmm.

I swear, by the gods,

I will hunt those down
who took you from me, Thea.

And they will feel
the full force

of my pain and my vengeance.

Pardon my intrusion,
Emperor Tyber.

I was just going over
my words to the Senate.

I have known Senator Marcellus
since my early days.

His murder weights heavy on me.

An unfathomable loss, my lord.

Why have you come?

Sire, some troubling
news has come to light

regarding the fate of Senator
Marcellus and his family.

We have cause to believe
that this heinous act

was executed by the very man
you freed from the arena.

The gladiator, Cassius.

Why would you suspect him?

He is capable,
he is strong enough,

he has killed before,

and he is the only
one unaccounted for.

He could be dead.

We have a witness
that heard his woman, Thea,

yell his name in a death-throw,

and saw Cassius jumped
out of a window

with a dagger
that very same night.

This is very concerning,
but I need more information.

I cannot accuse such
a noted man,

a man of such high regard,
on mere suspicion.

A wise observation, my lord,

and for that I have sent my
trusted advisor, Senator Lucius,

to pursue all lines of
questioning among the people.

As we speak, he is with
Artaxa, a local blacksmith.

We believe a friend
to the gladiators.

Thank you, Septimus.

Round the city magistrates.

I will meet with them in the
Curia Julia in the morning.

We can put off the announcement

for a day while Lucius
gathers more information,

but just a day.

Now, please,
summon General Maxima.

Yes, my Lord.

General Maxima, thank you
for coming so swiftly.

Of course, my Lord,
additional forces

are en route
to the city as we speak.

Very good.

After last night's attack
on Senator Marcellus,

I am worried,
not only for my safety,

but for the safety of Rome.

You are one of very
few men I can trust.

Your counsel has
never been more vital.

Be discreet with the
information that you share,

even within the senate.

Discretion is paramount.

I will relay strategies
directly to you and no other.

For now, that is prudent.

People are fearful.

We must quell the chaos.

We will make the streets
safe once more.

Find him, General Maxima.

Cassius must be brought to
justice, swiftly and surely.

Yes, my Lord.

Tagora?

You are not as
quiet as you think.

The gladiator?
Will he still be my protector?

A wild boar still poses
a threat when cornered.

He has already killed two
Praetorian guardsmen thus far.

How many more
must die by his hand?

He must be put down.

I'm sure that was
only in defense

because they
approached him first.

He did not kill Thea
or her family.

He loved her.
He said it.

Like you loved mother.

He does not know love like
you and I do.

How could he?

I saw it in his eyes.

You are a child who does not
what a man is capable of

if he believes
the world is against him.

Hey...
We must keep Rome safe.

Leave me.

Wait.

I do not want to catch you
hiding in the shadows again.

Any sign or trace of Cassius?

None.

Search along the entire
back of the Tibur

and any house
within a hundred gradus.

No one rests until he is found.

We'll double the efforts
and have men patrolling

at all hours, day and night.

Good.

But we need to do more.

Send word to
Ferox of Zaragosa.

Ferox?

Target another senator
and his family.

With Cassius absent,
the scapegoat is easily framed.

Of course.

We need the masses
to be afraid, Lucius.

Very, very afraid.

But do be careful.

The emperor has forbidden
travels of the Senate precincts.

Understood.

Which senator
would you have killed?

Whoever opposes us, of course.

This must go to
the hand of Ferox only.

No one else.

You have the
map and instructions?

Very good.

You'll be leaving Rome tonight.
Everything is organized.

The details are
enclosed with the map.

I will have
soldiers accompanying you.

So, you understand your orders?

Deliver the letter
to the Zaragosa

and tell no one of
your business.

The new emperor
will reward you greatly.

New emperor?

Tagora.

Artaxa!

Forgive me, my friend.

But do not surprise me again,

for you may not get
so lucky next time.

I believe you.

It is dangerous
to be seen with me.

So, you're stealing my metal.

Cassius, are you mad?

You'll be compensated.

Forget about that.

You're lucky I found you.

I have something more
about the Zaragosa.

Tell me.

Shortly after your escape,
men came here with swords.

They need to be sharpened.

They were the Zaragosa.

They used a type of vulgar Latin

not commonly heard now.

I know this because
my father taught me.

We used to speak secretly
in front of customers.

What did they say?

Zaragosa holds tournaments.

Rounds of fighting to the death

unsanctioned by the
jurisdiction of the city.

This is where they
find new recruits.

Did they say where these
tournaments are held?

Outside of the village
called Subiaco.

One day's journey by foot
east of Rome.

Do you know this location?

I do.

I'll draw you a map.

Okay.

There you go.

Thank you, my friend.

May the Gods be with you.

And you.

Cassius...

Go carefully.

He is leaving now?

He is.

I relayed to Cassius
exactly what you wanted,

word for word.

And he will leave on
the route that I laid out?

I drew him a map, senator.

That is excellent.

And now...

In exchange for Cassius,

the killer of Rome,

I get the exclusive
imperial commission.

Huh? Yes.

I alone will forge the weapons
for the Praetorian Guard.

Just as you promised.

No.

You do not get the commission.

I cannot have any
living witnesses

that might reveal
what I've engineered.

Avitus.

How are you, my friend?

You do know that
you're putting yourself

in danger being here?

I am so sorry about
what happened to Thea.

It seems that sadness
has followed you

ever since you were a child.

We can be talking
about your future.

There's nothing
that can be said.

Only what can be done now.

I will find this man
responsible for Thea's death.

This Ferox and his band of
killers known as the Zaragosa.

You will need an army
to defeat them.

And I have just that army.

This is my fight.

Then why are you here?

Perhaps to say goodbye.

You've been the closest thing
to a father I have ever had.

That's because you
just wouldn't die.

All I see is another day.

to see that justice is served
for Thea's death.

Why don't you take one of
my gladiators with you?

They can be of great help
to you on your trip.

And also, they'll teach
you to come back

to thinking like a warrior,

not like a
broken-hearted lover.

Do you have such a gladiator?

Let me show you two
that I'm training.

Fabius!

I think you will be
very surprised.

Fabius, this is an
old friend of mine.

He needs our help.

Cassius the Undefeated.

It's an honor.

You can trust me,

I'm not about to disparage
Avitus's kindness.

I need someone to accompany me.

I leave Rome tonight.

I may not return.

If you help him
succeed in his mission,

I will give you freedom.

I long for my freedom,

but until that day I'm not
afraid of a little bloodshed.

It's all I've ever known.

How many games
have you fought in?

I've been in the
training rings for months.

My first games are...

No...
No actual combat experience?

I've fought plenty.

Street brawls, mostly.

But I know how
to handle myself.

People thought
that I wouldn't make it, but

I've proved them
wrong time after time.

Street brawls are chaotic.

This is the
Zaragosa that we face.

They're methodical killers.

I can be a killer, too.
When the situation requires.

I trained myself, mostly.

Learned from necessity.

Watched others to survive.

Come on, street brawler.

Show me how good
of a trainer you are.

Save some of your energy.

You will tire quickly.

I have plenty more.

You're too strong-willed.

It is not weakness to
take advice from others.

Who else do you have?

Never turn your back
on an opponent!

Didn't they teach you that
in the Coliseum?

That is not how we spar.

Oh, yes.

Doing something like
that will get you killed.

But you have guts.

And creativity,
I'll give you that.

I do what I have to.
And I do not give up.

You've been to Subiaco?

Yes.
I was born there.

You might actually be useful.

Subiaco is a vile place.

All I ever wanted
to do was to leave.

I thought you were born
a slave, brought up to fight.

I was not born a slave, but...

I never really knew
my parents,

but I knew I
wanted something more

to prove I was better
than the life I was born into.

One day, Santor the
Death Trader pillaged our town,

snatched the young and
sold them into slavery.

That was the day I ran away.

Turns out I could handle myself,
and before I knew it,

I had killed a man
who tried to kill me first.

I thought, if that's my way out
of this life, then so be it.

I don't need
to explain all this to you.

I just hadn't realized

life would be filled
with so much pain.

Regret serves no purpose.

It's our past that shapes
us into who we are.

You're tough.
You survived.

You're here now.

Focus on that.

I enjoy fighting.

Seeing people's faces when they
expect me to lose, and I do not.

You no longer need
to prove yourself.

You are all that
you will ever need.

That's a simple sentiment
coming from you.

You've already achieved so much.

Victories, money.

One of the most
well-known gladiators.

Which means nothing.

The more you search
for those things,

the more empty you'll become.

Trust me, Fabius.

I will make something of myself.

I swear.

I do not doubt that.

But the pain will not disappear
in fame and fortune.

We should stop and rest.

No, no, I'm fine.

I need rest.
And water.

I'm sorry you
lost your friend.

Friends are hard to come
by in our line of work.

Because you're afraid
you'll have to kill one.

I haven't been
honest with you.

And if we are going
to be fighting side by--

I don't care
that you're a woman.

You knew this whole time?

Of course.

I have studied the way men
move and fight my whole life.

And with your speed
and agility, it was obvious.

Still...

This is my story.

It's why I have
to fight twice as hard

and prove myself twice
as much as everyone else.

Whenever I meet someone,
I look for their weaknesses.

Is that so?

And what are my weaknesses?

Well, apart from the fact
that you're sort of slow,

which is not much of a worry

because of your
strength and stride,

you do have a
lazy defense parry,

which you make
this work for yourself

by positioning your
blade diagonally,

which makes up for
how slow you are.

You also arch your
blade too much.

It costs you time.

But you have been a gladiator
for far longer than I have,

so I'm sure you are well
aware of these weaknesses.

I was a slave, like yourself,
but I was not captured.

I was born into it.

I've heard of this, but
I've never actually seen it.

Is this the branding
they give you

when you're born
to slave parents?

Yes.

Looks like it hurt.

It did.

They say I was
too young to recall.

But I remember.

We...
We were just small children.

Scared.

We cried for days after.

We?

My brother and I.

Did they separate you?

No.

We grew up in slavery together.

But...

he was not cut out to fight.

And he...

he was killed.

I'm so sorry.

It was a long time ago.

You know, I think
I'm feeling a second wind.

Shall we press on?

I believe so.
Let's go.

Tagora?

Tagora!

Father, what is it?

Are you all right?

Of course I am.

Oh, thank the gods.

What's going on?
Is something wrong?

There has been another attack.

Another Senator and his
family have been killed.

Father, there's something
I must tell you.

I did what you asked.

I tried not to eavesdrop.

But I accidentally
overheard them talking.

And I do not like what I heard.

I was walking the grounds.

I was not trying
to overhear anything.

What... What are you saying?

Father, they spoke of
a new emperor.

And killing Cassius!

What? Who?

My Lord!

There has been another attack.

I was coming to inform you.

Senator Horatius and his family.

It's brutal like before.

-Are you all right?
-Shaken, my Lord.

As we all are.

People are very unnerved.

I was just with the magistrates.

They are convinced that we are
being overthrown from within.

Gather the senate
to the Curia.

I will meet them when
the sun is at its zenith.

Tagora, I'm sorry.

You had news of some plot?

I...

Anything you can say to me,
you can say to Senator Septimus.

Tagora, this is not just
your father speaking.

He is your Caesar, your Lord.

And you will do
what your Lord says.

I heard Senator Lucius,
father, talking to a man

I did not recognize

about a new emperor from
and about the Zaragosa.

He was working with another.

Treason!
Do you hear this, Septimus?

The magistrates speak the truth.

Yes, my Lord.
And in our very own senate.

I'll have Lucius' brought in
for questioning immediately.

Let us hold
for the moment.

I believe that we should
keep our wits about us.

Let Lucius believe that
we are unaware of this.

I will see you at the address.

Mention none of this.

Yes, my Lord.

We look to your wisdom
and guidance.

Shh...

We need to get him
bound before he comes to.

Why don't we just kill him?

Because those were two
Praetorian guards following him.

I want to know
who actually he is.

Fabius?

-It's him.
-Who?

It's the Death Trader.

That's the mark
of the Zaragosa.

Who sent you after us?

Cassius, look.

If he moves, kill him.

"Tonight, Senator Horatius.

"There is to be a vote of
no confidence on Tyber.

If seen, the gladiator
Cassius is to be killed."

You read this,

and you thought you could
complete the last part of this.

Premeditated murder,
and unsanctioned surveillance.

All executable by death.

Still nothing.

Who could install this
much fear in people?

The Zaragosa.

But those are Roman guards.

And this letter is from
someone inside the government.

There is a deep corruption
in the heart of Rome.

Treason!
Just as I thought!

Father, Senators Septimus
and Senator Lucius

are always together, talking.

Tagora, my son.

It is very important
you do exactly as I say.

For the next few hours are
vital to our family,

and to the safety of Rome.

Yes, Father.

I believe that you
are no longer safe here.

Get yourself outside
the city walls of Rome,

where you can move more safely.

Take the Appian way south
to the Villa Farnesina.

Tell my sister everything.

Go now, and move quickly.

General Maxima,
thank you for meeting me.

We are on the edge
of losing Rome,

and I fear I can no
longer trust the Senate.

Will you stand by me?

Tyber, my old friend,
my lord,

you have my loyalty until death.

You saved my life more
than once on the battlefield.

And you mine.

But loyalty is no match
for promised power.

My promise is with you,
my emperor, and Rome.

I believe Senator Lucius,
perhaps with Senate Septimus,

is at the heart
of the sickness.

I will arrest the man.

Arrest Senator Lucius, and
see if he implicates others.

You fool!
The boy knows!

He does!
How do you know?

I was there!

Then how is it that
you're still--

All Tyber knows is that it
is you, along with another.

He does not suspect me, yet.

I get executed and
you walk away with it!

We...

We are both under the sword
if this does not work.

The emperor is calling
a public announcement soon.

We cannot let that happen.

Let him talk to the masses!

You have the Senate at your
service, they will appoint you!

It is true, I have the Senate.

They are cowards,
afraid of the phantom gladiator.

But the masses,
they are dumb and violent.

If I do not get them on my side,

there will be
rebellion by sundown.

And what good is being
emperor for a day?

No, I need them on my side.

You must listen to me
and do exactly as I say.

You'll be free of this,
I promise you.

General Maxima,
what give us the pleas--

Senator Lucius!

By proclamation
of emperor Tyber,

we hereby arrest you for
the usurpation of the government

and the murder of senator
Marcellus and his family.

Senator Lucius!

I... I...

I did not do any of this!

How can you say such a thing?

This is--

I'm curious how
they tracked us.

These are powerful people
who want to see us dead.

They will do anything
to see that it happens.

Hush.
Even your smile is too loud.

There it is.

Subiaco.

That's not an animal
I've ever heard before.

Nor I.

Defend until I say attack.

It was an honor
fighting with you.

Go on, you can say it.

What?

Oh, thank you.

For?

You didn't save my life.

I would have killed him
without your... help.

Look, let's get going
before they come back

in greater numbers.

They are ready for you.

I want to give my people peace.

You will give them good news
and calm them down.

Thank you for supporting
my speeches

to the people
and the Senate.

Of course.
This is what you do best.

You are their
charismatic leader.

Strong, forceful.

The people want
to hear from you.

I hear rumors that
the Senate is fractured.

That you of all people
are my opposition.

Me?

Well, I am almost flattered.

But my position
has been very clear.

You have aligned yourself
with the Senator Lucius

for many years.

I align myself
with many senators.

An unfortunate survival
tactic that serves me well.

But rest assured,
a good drinking partner

does not mean
I conspire an insurrection.

I'm happy that he is gone.

So that you may tell everyone

and be lauded with praise
and well-deserved love.

And yet Cassius
still roams free.

We must find him so
that the people know peace.

-We will.
-So that we know peace.

We will.

He is a marked man with a
large bounty on his head.

If it pleases you,
I will march into the Senate

and make it very clear that
I align myself with your cause,

with your vision,
with your purpose.

There will be no doubt

that I serve under you
and have the heart of Rome.

I would like that.

You make the introduction
before I come into the rostra.

As you decree, my Lord.

It is too late.

No, it is not.

The Emperor will be speaking
to the masses

in short order and all of
this will be forgotten.

The people who love him
will rally behind him.

Not for him.

It is too late for his
little rat child, Tagora,

the one who hides in the shadows
where he does not belong.

Tagora is safe.

Where is he?

Upstairs?

Is he safe with
the Emperor, his father?

Is he safe in the tunnels?

Safe with his aunt?

You have no idea
where he is, do you?

Let me help you out.

Where is Tagora?

A person with that
kind of information,

well, that could be
of some value.

You have nothing to barter.

I have my life, which may
not seem important to you,

but it is all
I have at this point.

You will take me to him.

It may be too late
for him now.

It is a trap, I know it.

It is my son's.

His mother made it for him.

I will go with you.

No, you need to stay here.

You are meeting with the people.

You are meeting
with the Senate.

How can I save my city when
I cannot even save my family?

No, Maxima.

We will leave now.

We will find my son.

Yes, my Lord.

My Lord, the Senate
awaits your address.

Senator Septimus,
we will return shortly.

Send my regrets.

Yes, my Lord.

I will convey your deep regrets.

We are outnumbered.
We must run.

I will not retreat.

Do as I say!

I make an opening, you run.
I will hold them off.

And you? I will not leave
you here to die.

I will follow when you're free.

Are you ready?

I am!

Enough!

You are not going to finish me?

And just kill
the great champion, Cassius?

No.

I have better plans for you.

You...

You killed my Thea.

You killed my family.

You took everything from me!

Welcome to Subiaco, Champion.

Bind him.

Welcome to my humble fortress.

How was your journey?

I do hope that this
is comfortable enough for you.

It is good
to see you again.

Oh, and thank you for
returning my pugio.

I was looking for it.

Unchain me!
Fight me like a man!

It's a shame
you cleaned the blood off.

I'm going to enjoy this.

Senators, while we slept,

our revered emperor fled Rome

like the god Metus
fleeing from the Gauls.

Now, I know, Tyber was
once a mighty warrior,

but that was a long time ago.

And where is he now?

Where, when we need him most?

He is not standing
before you today, like I am.

We need to take a vote.

An important one.

And we need to do so now.

Emperor Septimus?

Fabius, what are you doing here?

And where is Cassius?

They have him.

Who has him?

Zaragosa.

And you didn't go back?
You didn't help him?

I came here, didn't I?

There is no refuge here.

Avitus, I am but one.

They have an army.
You have an army.

Yes, but it is at
the discretion of the emperor.

We have a new emperor, Septimus.

-That does not matter.
-Things are changing.

I have already been
instructed

that they want the gladiatorial
games to begin again,

and he wants, in the first game,
to feature Cassius.

How do they even
know where Cassius is?

I assume nothing.

Only that the new emperor
is involved with Zaragosa.

He has sent one
of his couriers

to deliver the message
that Cassius the Unbeaten

is to lose in the first
game day after tomorrow.

Then we have a day to prepare.

Apparently emperor Tyber
was captured outside of Rome,

and there is to be a
public execution

for abdicating and
breaking of royal oath

by order of the new emperor.

And to commemorate this day,

the beginning of the reign
of Emperor Septimus,

there is to be a month of
games in the amphitheater.

To officially start
this celebration,

there is to be a
gladiatorial match

featuring the once
great champion...

Cassius.

That is disappointing for me,

but lucky for you.

I will die before I stand
foot in the arena again.

Oh, and I would love that too,

but you are to fight there,

the day after tomorrow.

So I'm going to take
you to Rome tonight.

I will not fight in the arena.

If you do not fight,

they will kill your
beloved Avitus.

Your choice, of course.

Still, while you
are deciding,

let's get to know each
other a little better.

These blades cut so finely
that it will be hours

before any blood shows,

but the pain is excruciating.

What's this?

What do you think?

You think you are
the first to torture me?

You were a slave.

We were all born slaves,

but you...

you were risen
to gladiator heights.

You were given fame,
you were given fortune,

you earned your freedom.

You started a family,

but then you lost a love,

and a family,

and soon you will
lose everything.

The golden boy
of the amphitheater.

Look at you now.

Do I know you?

Have we shared
some former path?

You don't remember.

Did I kill someone you love?

I've killed many men.

It's not important.

If so, I hope it hurt
as much as it did--

Rise for your emperor.

My Lord, and emperor.

Hail, Caesar!

Arise, my subject.

There is much to do.

Whatever, Caesar,
you require of me.

Ferox is on his way to Rome,
with Cassius in tow.

I want you to meet
him outside the city.

Yes, my Lord.

Ferox is a shadow, and will
remain so until the fight.

So you and the units of
my praetorian guards

will escort our prisoner
to the amphitheater.

Do you understand?

I understand, my Lord.

Now, rest assured
that Cassius does not want

to return to the arena.

So understand that if
he does not make it,

meaning if he escapes,

it will be you taking his
place in my inaugural games.

Yes, my Lord.

Excellent.

Now come.

Let us get you out
of those clothes.

An agent of the Roman
state cannot be seen

in such a condition
of the dishevelment.

You don't look too scary.

Take him away.

Sir!

I bet you thought...

that you would
never be sitting here again.

The fates playing
their games again.

Are you ready
to go back into the arena?

To exact justice on the one
who has already condemned me?

Yes, I am.

Rome has taken
everything from me.

They can have my body.

You will die as a criminal.

He will do that.

Where is Emperor Tyber?

I have heard rumors
that he is being held

captive in the imperial palace.

Him and his son.

They will be prosecuted
and found guilty.

-For what crimes?
-It doesn't matter what.

This is...

This is our
senator's confession

for crimes against
the Roman Empire.

Yes.

Oh, yes.

My days are over.

But if you can get that to the
Senate or Emperor Tyber himself,

you yourself can be free.

And Fabius and all of Rome

can be free of the
scourge of Septimus.

I will try.

For you.

For who you are.

But now, you need to rest.

Because you have
a long day tomorrow.

That's my boy.

Ah!

Dress the words underneath
his clothing and armor.

Break a couple of ribs, too.

They'll be coming
for him shortly.

My Lord.

Your litter and
escort await.

Lucius, I was thinking.

You need to make sure Cassius
wins the battle against Ferox.

Ferox?

Is there a problem?

No, My Lord.

I will make sure this happens.

I just came to check in on
how you three are doing.

You will never get
away with this, Senator.

It is Emperor Septimus!

I came to inform you
that I am off to the games

where I will witness the death
of Cassius the Undefeated.

No! He didn't do anything!

I know.

Just like you and
your father here.

Yet, you will all meet the same
fate by the end of the day.

You can have me.
But do not hurt my son.

That is not an option.

I will not sleep with one eye
open the rest of my days.

But that always part
of being a ruler.

Sleeping well means you
are not doing enough

for the people of Rome.

I will sleep just fine.

-I'm sure you will.
-Quiet!

My litter is waiting.

I will see the
three of you very soon.

Men.

My friends,
we are rebuilding Rome.

A new Rome which
I am honored to be leading.

Today marks the birthday of
my reign as Emperor of Rome.

And I will give you
one month of games.

I will give you blood
and flesh and bone!

I will give you chariot races!

I will give you wild animals!

And today...

I give you
someone you already know.

I give you Cassius
the Undefeated.

Cassius the murderer.

Cassius the child killer.

Will he pay for his crimes?

Or will he live
to fight again?

Today, you will fight Ferox.

A man unknown to some

but infamous to others.

Ferox, the hero that
captured Cassius.

It was his militia group that
hunted down the rage of Rome

and brought him to his knees.

People of Rome, I give you
your next greatest hero.

Your newest legend.

Ferox, leader of the Zaragosa!

Gladiators, to the
death you will fight.

Commence!

You should have
stabbed me twice.

I never truly appreciate a fight
until I have a stake in it.

Did you...

I added hemlock
to his morning posca.

Good.

Thank you, my Lord.

I never told you about
the night I killed your wife.

It was so easy.

There she was.
No one to stop me.

If only you had been there.

maybe you could have saved her.

If he kills Ferox before
the poison takes effect...

This will be the last time
you look me in the eye.

Is there anything
you'd like to say?

Goodbye.

Yes! Cassius still
has some fight in him.

That's it.
Come on, gladiator.

What?

That's right.

Brother.

Do you still wish to kill me?

It's impossible.
You are dead.

And you are too sentimental.

I thought you were
dead this whole time.

Everyone did.

But you left me to
a life of slavery.

You left me.
You didn't come back.

You lived the dream
of a gladiator

while I was living
in a nightmare.

You think I wanted this?

It was a way out.

Every day I dreamt of putting
the sword down forever.

And I had that until
you came along.

You were all I had
and you left me!

So we're even.

Even?

You couldn't even fight me.
without wounding me first.

Is this what you really want?

We could walk away
from this alive.

We don't have to kill
each other.

Do you think this is the future
our mother wanted for us?

It's not up to us, brother.

I'm sorry.

It seems he would be
disobeying, my Lord.

Take my hand, brother.

He is making me look weak.

What do we do now?

Get me my armor.

And one of you get me a sword.

Out of my way.

Cassius the Undefeated!

Cassius the murderer!

I, Emperor Septimus of Rome,
hereby sentence you to death

for the murder of the senators
and their families.

For the mayhem
that you have caused,

for the chaos that
you have raised

and for your lack of respect
for the Roman people.

What are you going
to do, Septimus?

Kill us both?

You're both already dead, Ferox.

Or haven't you figured
that out yet?

Hold him aside, men.

And as Emperor Septimus...

whatever happens between Cassius
and I, do not interfere.

A Roman emperor needs no
advantage to kill a criminal.

The thorn in my side.

I've been wanting to do
this for a while.

Septimus the Great overcame
Cassius the Undefeated.

Ah!

Sire!

No more.

No more killing!

No more.

Just one more.

You.

Cassius, Cassius!

You didn't do it,
you didn't do it!

I knew it, I knew it!

Yes, he did.
Cassius is a murderer!

No, Septimus,
you did it!

Stop!

By the order of Caesar
and the Roman senate!

You have no authority!

I am the Caesar! I am!

Your power is no more.

The Senate read your letter,
confessing your crimes.

And your plans
to execute Cassius

when you hired
Santor the Death Trader.

What letter?

This man is a hero
of the Roman state!

My Lord, once again,
you have saved my life.

I am so grateful.

Gladiator, I can never repay
here all you have done for me

and for Rome.

We are forever indebted to you.

Where is... Where is...

Fabius!

Take in the day, Fabius.

Didn't think I'd see another.

And you will
have a lifetime more.

The gladiator world will not
know what they're missing.

In truth, they will
know soon enough.

Why is that?

Soon, I will be the one
teaching new gladiators.

That's wonderful.

And what about you?

Oh, I have another assignment.

Hopefully something that
uses all of your skills.

It would not be worth
your time otherwise.

Yes, all of them,
and some new ones.

Ferox.

You're done with the Senate?

Indeed.

Though my testimony
is a bit slanted,

I am in their
eyes a villain.

You helped save Rome from
an illegitimate emperor,

and they chain you like a dog.

Chained for my transgressions.

Chained from my own good.

So, how are you alive?

Oh, the hemlock.

Yes, Cassius
told me about that.

Hemlock smells like rat urine.

It's pretty obvious.

And I'm a Zaragosa.

So I threw it out the moment
I stepped into the room.

Fabius, can you give
us a second?

I'm so grateful that we
have been able to reconnect

after such a long time, brother.

My heart and soul
died when we were separated.

But it came back to life
in the arena.

I know that I've caused you
nothing but pain and suffering.

I know it.

And I'm forever cursed
by my actions.

But when I am free
from these chains,

I will forever
be your protector.

I'll be the brother
you thought was dead.

My debt to you is ongoing.

You owe me nothing, brother.

I owe you my soul.

Ah.

My hero gladiators.

Ferox, thank you
for your testimony.

You were very honest
and eloquent.

The Senate is ready
to hear from the great

Cassius the Undefeated.

Ferox?

Ferox! I...

I do not see anyone missing.