Piso stood at the entrance of his domus on Palatine hill, overlooking the city of Rome, gazing out into the rain-soaked darkness of the night.

  His domus, located at the Caput Mundi Roma, stood as a grand testament to his success as a general and influence as a governor of Syria.

  From the outside, his residence looks plain and unassuming, with plain walls and a wide, simple entrance where he is standing now.

  However, the interior revealed a different story.

  Intricate colorful frescoes adorned the inside walls, while polished white marble floors gleamed under his foot.

  But it was dark and it was raining, so he couldn't appreciate it right now.

  It was a very cold night.

  *shwaaaaa*

  The central courtyard, called the atrium has a large fountain in the middle of it and is surrounded by statues.

  Various rooms branched out from the atrium including the tablinium, the triclinium, and the cubiculi.

  *shwaaaaa*

  The atrium behind him was dimly lit, casting his shadows from the flickering lucerna he held, an oil lamp.

  The only sound was the patter of raindrops on the roof and the gentle "tsss" of the flame.

  *tsssssss* *crackle*

  It may have been an hour before dawn or more, but sleep has long since abandoned Piso.

  His restless mind was consumed by the same questions that had haunted him for days like the relentless weather.

  How on Jupiter's name did Germanicus really die?

  "I haven't even done anything yet," he mumbled bitterly to himself, his voice barely audible over the hissing sound of the lucerna and the raindrops from the roof.

  *tsssssss* *shwaaaaa*

  "I had planned to strike, hiring assassins to kill him and his family while they traveled...," he continued to mumble to himself as if what he was saying was just something about the weather and not a plan for murder, "...perfect moment when Tiberius's decree would summon them back to Rome."

  *crackle* *shwaaaaaa*

  In the shadowy corridors of the Roman Empire, Emperor Tiberius ruled with caution, suspicions, and paranoia—his eyes ever-watchful for potential threats to his throne.

  Piso had known Tiberius's nature even before he became the second emperor—a man consumed by ambition and fear.

  Had the former emperor not died of natural illness, he might have not chosen Tiberius as the emperor, add the fact that Germanicus wasn't there in Rome when he died.

  "Well, Emperor Augustus made an arrangement though, that no matter what happens, Germanicus will be the one next in line to Tiberius.." he said in a quiet voice, then he looked around as if to see if there was anyone who may have heard it.

  Although Tiberius made sure not to let anyone know about that fact, only the selected few when Augustus was on his deathbed.

  And Piso is one of those people who knew.

  *tsssssss* *shwaaaaa*

  The new emperor's gaze had fallen upon Germanicus, a charismatic and victorious general, whose popularity and influence made Tiberius an unwilling wallflower.

  A wallflower who doesn't want to be one, but has no choice but to become one as he is being overshadowed even though he is the emperor.

  *tssssssss*

  Tiberius ordered Germanicus to travel to the Eastern provinces to resolve conflicts and secure the region's loyalty to Rome after his victorious campaign in Germania years ago.

  But that was only superficial, a lure for the famous general.

  Germanicus, devoted to Rome and duty-bound, set out on the long journey with his family, unaware of the treacherous environment awaiting him.

  *shwaaaaaa*

  As the last remnants of twilight succumbed to the darkness, the rain-soaked streets of Rome glistened like polished stone.

  *tsssss*

  The soft, golden glow of the lucerna that he held, cast a warm, intimate light amid the dark, foreboding gloom, creating an oasis of tranquility.

  And he stared at the scenery although his mind was elsewhere.

  Piso recalled Tiberius's secret instructions: to ensure Germanicus's loyalty and prevent him from gaining too much influence or popularity and to eliminate him in Syria if necessary.

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  "But I won't do that, acting alone. That's just asking to be the scapegoat" he sneered at Tiberius. "He thought he was so clever"

  He had arrived in Rome a month earlier, intending to report to Tiberius and request that Germanicus be recalled to Rome while he was sick in Syria, and set the plan in motion.

  But fate had intervened. Germanicus, it seemed, had already died.

  'From an unknown illness?' he can't believe it.

  'A fever, they said?' Piso's lip curled in disdain.

  How convenient.

  A death so convenient for a man like Germanicus.

  He allowed himself a bitter chuckle, his thoughts turning dark.

  "Pfft."

  What a great way to die for someone like him.

  He doesn't feel empathy for the dead general.

  "That is his karma."

  The seeds of rivalry had long been sown between Piso and Germanicus before he even became a governor of Syria.

  It was not a rivalry born overnight, but one that had taken root slowly, nurtured by old grievances and simmering ambitions.

  Piso remembered it as if it was just yesterday..

  They just both became general at the time.

  But Germanicus had long been seen as the golden child of the imperial family.

  Being born in both two prominent patrician families set him apart as a member of Rome's elite.

  A true golden spoon to the bone.

  Which contrasted with Piso's family.

  The Calpurniis.

  His family had humble plebeian origins but rose to prominence through notable figures, including consuls and governors, ultimately earning patrician status.

  And the difference between them is so noticeable like night and day, there can never be anyone to compare him with.

  It made him feel left out in his shadow, constantly overlooked, and undervalued.

  And his pride as a general was constantly taking a hit.

  He felt slighted—not just as a man, but as a servant of the empire who had worked tirelessly for its advancement.

  Still, he doesn't feel any resentment toward the person involved, since Germanicus does not entertain it and would always say that they are all equal as a man in the eyes of gods and goddesses.

  And he always shows that he is competent and that he does not rely on his family's influence.

  And it made Piso hold Germanicus in high esteem, drawn to his exceptional character and impressed by his self-reliant qualities.

  And then comes Agrippina, the most beautiful woman he has ever laid his eyes on.

  She had become the object of his desire but later found out that she was set to marry Germanicus.

  That it broke his heart.

  'Well, I married Placina, one of Germinacus's many ex-lovers.'

  He married his wife to at least get something out of Germinacus, just one reaction even just a frown would do!

  But there is none, as if Agrippina his wife is the only one in his eyes!

  *SHWAAAAAAAA*

  Suddenly, the patter of raindrops on the roof and pavement intensified, growing louder and more insistent.

  The rain began to drive against Piso's face, stinging his skin with icy droplets that soaked through his clothes, chilling him to the bone.

  *swaaaaaa*

  Piso channeled his emotions into his work, using the demands of serving Rome as a distraction from the pain of his unrequited love and the simmering resentment he felt towards Germanicus.

  In the end, he was promoted and later appointed to become the governor of Eastern provinces in Asia.

  But Germinacus saw his rise to ranks as too early, he cited his concerns about Piso's suitability for the role.

  Dismissing his ambitions as petty and misguided, and making his hard work feel like horseshit.

  That was the start of the animosity between them.

  From then on, Piso will always give snide remarks to Germinacus.

  And Germanicus would always counter smartly, making him lose face in the end.

  He started to seethe.

  Then he tried harder and saw an opportunity to finally break free from Germinacus's shackling family background.

  They say governing the Eastern provinces would be a great honor, but he knows better!

  It's a thankless task, a never-ending headache of petty squabbles and border disputes.

  That's when his eyes set on the Silk Road!

  An important trade route connecting East Asia and the Mediterranean region.

  A major channel for exchanging goods between East and West.

  The prospect of amassing wealth and power, unbothered by the burdens of governing a vast and unruly region, is intoxicating.

  It will make him equal to Germanicus!

  If not, more!

  And the Silk Road belongs to, Syria!

  A smaller scope, a more manageable domain, and most importantly, control of the lucrative Silk Road.

  It was a prize worth claiming.

  He'll take it from the man who didn't deserve it. Who did not see its potential!

  A governor there was more than just a bureaucrat; he was the gatekeeper of riches, the link between East and West, the one who could bend the empire's vast trade routes to his will.

  *tssssss*

  The flame in the lucerna he was holding started to fade.

  I'll be the master of my own destiny, wielding power with precision, and reaping the rewards of the Silk Road's riches!

  He had fought for Syria—not just to hold a title, but for the Silk Road, for wealth and power.

  In the end, Syria became his, even though Germanicus objected again, and criticized him again for taking it.

  It made Piso's pride took another hit, making him furious with Germanicus who had everything down to a golden platter from birth!

  While the golden boy had scorned him for taking it, Piso had watched as Germanicus's criticism only fueled his resentment.

  'Well, maybe he found out what I'm really after' he thought.

  Germanicus' view is more aligned with the needs of the empire.

  Piso, however, saw it as his rightful place.

  Germanicus had been loyal to Rome, to its ideals, and his ambition burned with the heat of a thousand unspoken dreams.

  How naive, he thought.

  To Germanicus, Piso's hunger for power had been obvious, yet misguided.

  He saw Piso's growing influence in Syria as a threat to Rome's stability and, perhaps more personally, to his legacy.

  Piso, in turn, had never taken kindly to Germanicus' interference.

  The criticism stung, fueling a resentment that had festered deep within him.

  As Germanicus made his departure to Germania, Piso's resentment only grew.

  The prospect of Germanicus rising more than ever, the adoration of the people, and the favor of the former emperor—all of it made Piso's ambition burn brighter.

  He knew that for his own future to be secured, Germanicus' path must be obstructed.

  And, perhaps, this was the moment when Piso truly realized the depth of his ambition.

  It was no longer just about proving himself worthy and amassing wealth of the governor's post in Syria—it was about shaping the future of Rome, about ensuring that He, and not Germanicus, would be the one to rise.

  Now, with Tiberius's blessing, Piso had seen an opportunity to rise even further—by removing Germanicus altogether.

  But it doesn't matter now..

  *tsssssssss*

  The lucerna he is holding died on its own, but it doesn't matter since the sun has already risen.

  Today, the ashes of Germanicus would return to Rome, and he wondered if he should attend the funeral.

  It has been months since he left Syria, Germanicus was still alive then, albeit already sick.

  Unbeknownst to him, his plan to eliminate Germanicus using assassins had become unnecessary; fate had intervened, and the general had died before Piso could put his plan into action.

  *Clank, clank, clang*

  His thoughts were disrupted by the slaves starting their early routine – the banging and clanging of pots indicated they were already cooking.

  *shwaaaaaaa*

  The rain still poured heavily, as if trying to prevent people from attending Germanicus's funeral.

  It might even cause delays, Piso thought, his mind then wandering to Agrippina.

  "Hoh, since Germanicus is already dead, I might take a shot with Agrippina. She's still alluring, unlike my wooden wife."

  *Splorch-splorch-splorch*

  As he turned his back, he heard the sound of horses galloping nearby.

  It wasn't just one or two horses; there were many, and the sound was unmistakable despite the rain.

  *fwip*

  Piso's curiosity was piqued, he wondered what was happening.

  *Splorch-splorch-splorch*

  The galloping grew louder, and he sensed the horses were approaching.

  Were they coming for him? Just then, a line of praetorian guards appeared, looking like they were being chased.

  Piso's thoughts turned to the emperor.

  He waited, and soon a drenched praetorian guard, clad in armor, arrived at his footsteps.

  Piso recognized him – Sejanus, Tiberius's most trusted man.

  He didn't like him; he could sense Sejanus's ambition.

  A plebeian daring to dream of power? he scoffed inwardly. "What is it?"

  Piso asked Sejanus, standing face-to-face with him and the surrounding praetorian guards.

  His domus was now surrounded. Sejanus stared at him, his expression unreadable.

  Piso's anger grew. "What do you want?" he yelled.

  Slaves and even Placinda emerged from their cubiculum, drawn by the commotion.

  Sejanus finally spoke, "Decree of the Senate concerning the Elder Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso."

  Piso's eyes narrowed.

  "You are to be imprisoned for suspicions of colluding and poisoning Nero Claudius Drusus also known as Germanicus Julius Caesar."

  "Guards! Seize the criminal!" Sejanus ordered.

  The praetorian guards closed in. Their eyes are cold.

  As if they are looking at someone unworthy.

  With a swift motion, the guards shackled Piso's wrists and ankles, rendering him immobile.

  *click* *click*

  They have easily captured him.

  His face twisted in a snarl, he tried to break free from the cold shackles but it was futile.

  *thud*

  They made him kneel down on the cold wet floor.

  Piso's face turned ashen, his eyes wide with terror.

  "What? What are you doing?" he stammered, his voice shaking.

  "No! I didn't... I couldn't..." he struggled against his restraints, his voice rising to a frantic crescendo.

  "Call the emperor! Now!"

  ************************************

  INDEX:

  Caput Mundi Roma - Rome capital of the world

  atrium - central courtyard

  tablinium - where they receive guests over

  triclinium - dining area with triclinia

  triclinia - a large, U-shaped couch for reclining during meals

  cubiculum/cubiculi - bedroom/rooms

  Lucerna - oil lamp