The Haunted Legion

Remus sat in the coliseum with myriads of people cheering the two gladiators fighting. Both were bulky and lean. One had armor with a dragon insignia on the breast armor and had golden shoulder plates. He was bald and had brandished a short sword and a bronze shield.

The other warrior, significantly younger, was shorter by about two feet and had a short hair cut. He held a long broad sword, and his armor was also less decedent, made of simple iron with no symbol or design.

The younger gladiator made a lunging vertical strike that was blocked by the other’s shield. The older scoffed and pushed his enemy away. The older one made a forward thrust and the other put up his shield and the force of the attack shoved the smaller one back farther.

The two circled each other. The older one made a horizontal slash but his opponent ducked. The momentum of the attack spun the older around, exposing his back. The younger took advantage of the vulnerability and struck his lower rib and he shrieked.

The towering behemoth gnashed his teeth. He made a mad dash, but the younger one slid between his foe’s legs and came up behind him and pierced his back. He tumbled and writhed around until he was still.

The unlikely victor took off his helmet and raised his sword in the air and everyone cheered.

Remus sat and clapped nonchalantly with a straight face. Though he was entertained by the performance, his stoic nature fared him a relative sentiment.

Remus exited the arena and another person bumped him. The person cursed Remus but it fell to no affect.

“Did you hear me, cretin!”

Remus said nothing.

“Silen treatment huh? Take this!”

The man swung at Remus but he caught the man in a wrist lock. “Please refrain from assaulting me, sir. I am going to release you.”

Remus let the man go. The man grabbed Remus by the neck. He elbowed the man in his stomach. Remus turned and struck the assailant in the face and he fell. “Apparently, this is what is called for. Please take this as a lesson, sir.

Remus walked away to his home.

A roman soldier stood in front of him. “Greetings, sir. What is your name?”

“Remus. And what is this sudden meeting for?”

“I am Tryphosa. The Roman military is shrinking.”

“Why is that?”

The Roman soldier sighed. “There are reports of a…ghost possessing people in the ranks. I saw the exchange with that brute and your collected demeanor. Your calmness will make you a good implement.”

“I see. Very well.”

“Excellent! Meet me tomorrow at the guards’ house at dawn.”



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Remus awoke at dawn and made his way to the guards’ quarters situated at a plot of land.

“Remus! Good morning. The rest of the centurions will come soon.”

“Tell me of this ghost.”

“It began two months ago. A soldier claimed a clear, hooded phantom took control over him. The next thing he recalled was being in the forest.”

“I see. I am enthralled.”

Soon, all soldiers were present.

Remus was told to just observe. When midday came, the drill ceased and Remus went on to the barracks.

“You have heard of the spirit?” said a centurion named Nithose.

Remus tilted his head. “Indeed. I am quite eager.”

“You should be afraid!”

“How is it that you, being a battle-hardened Centurion, are frightened, Nithose?”

“There is something that makes my spine tingle.”

“Be valiant, good soldier. I am tired. Goodnight.”

“Good night, Remus.”

Remus laid on his cot and fell asleep.

Remus awoke at midnight. Nithose’s bed was empty. Something within Remus alarmed him.

He exited the barracks in a full moon.

Remus heard something from a bush. He became calmly alert. And with a relaxed body and mind he inspected the bush. Suddenly, a squirrel scampered out.

Remus rolled his eyes. “Perceptive.”

Remus kept walking then stopped. Something was behind him. He turned and saw the dreaded specter.

Remus narrowed his eyes. “You are the mysterious spirit that has been possessing people.”

“You do not fear me?”

“I am…curious to put it succinctly. Where is centurion Nithose go?”

“I left him at the riverbank.”

“What will it take for you to leave?”

“Nothing. I relish the fear of all.”

“You are an evil spirit-an enemy of God.”

The ghost backed away and shuddered.

“I am not religious, but I do have faith in God. And if scripture tells me anything, a mere spiritual rebuke, will banish you.”

“Nooo!”

Suddenly, the ghost vanished.

Remus looked around and saw Tryphosa, the centurion general stood with open mouth. “I saw the whole exchange!”

“Yes, but it is still here. I did not rebuke it. Moreover…”

Tryphosa attacked Remus.

The centurion’s eyes were wide and bloodshot and his voice was raspy. “Die, human!”

Remus tried to pry the possessed man’s grasp from his neck but to no avail.

Remus was coy and alert with a tactful resolve. He took the spirit’s body by the thumbs and folded them in then shoved him with his foot.

Righteous wrath filled Remus. And he raised his voice. “In the name of God, I banish you to the Abyss!”

A dark, nebulous vortex opened over the ghost in the human body and the spirit separated from Tryphosa with a shriek as it was pulled into the portal.

Tryphosa fell to his side.

Remus ran to him.

“Are you alright?”

“What a strange experience…I am fine. You did it. The spirit is gone. When word gets around, soldiers will stay in the Roman military.”

“We must get Nithose. He is at the riverbank.”

While still far from the river, Nithose came towards them. “I was possessed.”

“The threat is over,” said Tryphosa. “Remus used God to dispel it.”

“That comforts me. Let’s go back to the barracks, I need rest.”

All three of them were thankful and all things were made normal.