* * *
This time the twins were twenty-four years old. Both stood at 6’1” tall with shoulder length, wavy black hair and clean cut faces. Their muscles were defined, like statues of Greek heroes. Lupa always said they had the strength of Herakles with the handsome features of Achilles.
Lupa and her pack gathered around a fire while Remus gathered more kindle and Romulus cooked meat the wolves killed. Suddenly, a loud bang sounded behind the pack and all of the wolves jumped up in defense as the twins ran for their swords. Through billowing red smoke, a large muscular soldier emerged.
The soldier was dressed in formal hoplite attire made of bronze, but colored black and red. His breastplate was decorated with a singular red wolf, and his black grieves were outlined in gold with red crossing spears in the center. The soldier’s hair was jet black and accompanied by glowing red eyes. He had a clean-cut goatee framing his mouth.
The pack bowed down to the man, but Lupa stood tall in defiance. Instantly, the twins knew it was their father, Mars, and moved to unsheathe their swords. Mars laughed at their attempt. He waved his hand at the twins and their swords became stuck in their sheaths. Lupa snarled and bent in a pouncing position with her claws exposed.
Mars held up a finger warningly and addressed Lupa, “Do not challenge me again, Daughter. I will not hold back this time.”
Lupa eased her tension but refused to take her eyes off Mars. “Dearest father, how gladly you seem to acknowledge me as your daughter, yet you threaten me in the same breath.”
“It was not a threat, Lupa, it was a kind warning. Moreover, why would I not acknowledge you as my daughter? You are the first of your kind, mother of all wolves, strongest and smartest animal created,” Mars patted the top of Lupa’s head and continued to compliment her. “I am proud of you, despite what you may think of me. You have done well by my boys.”
Lupa snapped at Mars hand as he scratched behind her ears.
Mars looked from Remus and Romulus then back to Lupa, “Why so worried? I will do no harm here.”
Lupa stepped to the side of the twins but stood close enough so she could jump to their defense. She kept a watchful eye on her father.
“Sit,” Mars commanded, and immediately the boys had no choice but to sit where they were standing.
Mars leaned over on one knee and smiled. “Now, when we first met I had stated you were not yet ready, but …”
Romulus interrupted Mars, “But you think we are ready now? You come here and interrupt our din…”
Mars waved his hand at Romulus and his voice disappeared. “I respect your fiery spirit, Romulus, but do not interrupt me again. Am I understood?” Mars moved his pointed finger up and down and Romulus’ head nodded like a marionette. “Good, I’m glad you understand. Remus, do you understand?”
Remus stared at his brother with his mouth open in amazement.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” Mars chuckled. “Now let’s begin with your story.”
Mars began their tale, “I know you do not remember the day you were born, but it was the day you were meant to die. I never wanted those memories to resurface, but you need to understand how you were formed.”
Mars paused for a second and the twins noticed a moment a weakness…a moment of grief in their father’s red eyes.
“Your grandfather, King Numitor of Alba Longa, was a great and just king. His brother Amulius was jealous of his power. He slowly gained control over the treasury of the kingdom. He then used the kingdom’s money to buy a new army that would rise-up against Numitor.”
Mars picked up a long stick and stoked the fire with it. The fire grew into a wall of flames and images appeared, “This is a window into your past. Absorb everything you see, Boys. This will be the turning point in your war.”
The twins gazed into the flames and were entranced by what they saw. The images picked up where Mars left off in the story…