The sea that carried him south was blood-red at dusk. The waves flecked with gold like the veins of a dying god.
Taranis stood chained at the bow . His eyes fixed on the horizon where Sicily’s black cliffs rose from the mist. Around him, soldiers whispered prayers, unsure if they guarded a man or something older.
Rome had sent for him again.
The Emperor’s priests claimed the island’s fires would cleanse the gods’ anger. But that the immortal gladiator Lupus. The Storm of the North must walk in chains through their sacred flames to renew Rome’s favour.
They called it The Ceremony of Chains.
As the ship docked, the air thickened with incense and fear. Bronze masks watched from the shore senators, generals, augurs, all gathered to witness what none understood.
“Bring him forth,” ordered a centurion.
Marcus obeyed, his jaw tight. He had seen Taranis survive pits that killed a hundred men, storms that tore stone apart. As he led him down the ramp, he murmured under his breath, “Don’t give them what they want, Lupus.”
Taranis smiled faintly. “I never have.”
They chained him to the altar of basalt, the metal glowing as the fire licked the air. The priests began their chants words of dominion, of empire everlasting.
But the wind shifted. Smoke twisted against their rhythm, curling into strange shapes wings, or storm clouds forming in defiance.
Then the first crack of thunder rolled across the sea.
The Emperor rose, hand trembling on the railing. “What is this?”
Marcus stepped back, eyes wide. “It’s him, sire. The storm doesn’t serve you. It never did.”
Lightning tore through the sky, striking the temple spire. The crowd scattered. Chains melted, ringing against stone like falling bells. Taranis stood midst the fire, eyes burning gold, his voice carrying across the chaos.
“Your empire fed on storms. Now taste one.”
When the smoke cleared, the altar was empty.
Only the scent of ozone and a single iron shackle remained cracked, blackened, and humming softly like a heartbeat.
© 2025 Emma Hewitt / StormborneLore. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized copying or reproduction of this content is prohibited
If you enjoyed this story, like, share, or leave a comment. your support keeps the storm alive and the chronicles continuing.
further Reading
StormborneLore 
Leave a comment