Cassius au Bellona
MajorA strikingly handsome young man of impeccable breeding with smooth lustrous skin, a wide and white smile, and golden curls that bounce like coiled springs around his regal head. Lively eyes dance over those nearby as he carries himself with natural arrogance and the bearing of a perfect knight, his body moving with graceful power whether in polished durosteel armor that shimmers like his hair or while galloping through enemies with a sword flickering like a tongue of fire.
Cassius au Bellona evolves from a strikingly handsome, arrogant Institute prodigy and blood-sworn enemy of Darrow in Red Rising and Golden Son, where he kills in duels and ignites a fierce Bellona feud, to a scarred, redemptive ally in Morning Star, defecting from the Sovereign to aid Darrow's rebellion after profound personal losses. In Iron Gold, the Peerless Scarred knight emerges battle-hardened and tragic, serving as adoptive brother and mentor to Lysander au Lune amid the Republic's chaos, his graceful warrior bearing now etched with the brutal marks of endless war and shattered loyalties.
Physical Description
A strikingly handsome young man of impeccable breeding with smooth lustrous skin, a wide and white smile, and golden curls that bounce like coiled springs around his regal head. Lively eyes dance over those nearby as he carries himself with natural arrogance and the bearing of a perfect knight, his body moving with graceful power whether in polished durosteel armor that shimmers like his hair or while galloping through enemies with a sword flickering like a tongue of fire. A young man of fair skin and powerful build with broad shoulders made for war stands with the noble grace of a born warrior. Thick lustrous golden curls frame his handsome face marked by a cleft chin and a dazzling white smile that charms the hearts of court, while his golden body moves with easy confidence and martial precision as the Morning Knight wearing the rising sun emblem. Cassius au Bellona stands over two meters tall with a broad-chested, athletic warrior's build and a strikingly beautiful face that looks as though carved by Michelangelo. His coiled hair falls lustrously like the trail of a falling star, accenting a clean-shaven visage with a slightly crooked nose from a break, a dimpled chin, and features that pulse with life and can appear tender or sad. Scars trace his broad neck from a hanging and arrow wound, yet he moves with innate grace whether clad in the white and gold cloak of the Morning Knight or simple garments, his presence always commanding and vital. A tall, powerfully built man with broad shoulders and the muscular frame of an elite warrior stands with noble posture. Lustrous golden curls frame his handsome, manly face which bears dark gold eyes that twinkle with distant warmth, a thick pointed beard often flecked with blood, a prominent bold nose, and the sharp Peerless Scar. His fair skin can appear flushed or drained from exertion, and his body shows the ravages of combat with sliced knuckles, flayed skin, puncture wounds, or matted hair from sweat and blood, yet he moves with the graceful authority of a Peerless Scarred knight whether wearing dark Ionian kimonos and slippers or pulse armor.
Gallery
Book 1: Red Rising
Book 2: Golden Son
Book 3: Morning Star: Book III of the Red Rising Trilogy
Book 4: Iron Gold
Evolution
Red Rising
A strikingly handsome young man of impeccable breeding with smooth lustrous skin, a wide and white smile, and golden curls that bounce like coiled springs around his regal head. Lively eyes dance over those nearby as he carries himself with natural arrogance and the bearing of a perfect knight, his body moving with graceful power whether in polished durosteel armor that shimmers like his hair or while galloping through enemies with a sword flickering like a tongue of fire.
- Competes as a top House Mars student at the Institute
- Kills Julian au Bellona's killer in a duel? Wait, no: Darrow kills Julian, Cassius declares blood feud against Darrow
- Showcases knightly prowess and arrogance in combat and social maneuvers
Golden Son
A young man of fair skin and powerful build with broad shoulders made for war stands with the noble grace of a born warrior. Thick lustrous golden curls frame his handsome face marked by a cleft chin and a dazzling white smile that charms the hearts of court, while his golden body moves with easy confidence and martial precision as the Morning Knight wearing the rising sun emblem.
- Continues bloodfeud as Morning Knight, hunting Darrow au Andromedus
- Courts Mustang au Augustus strategically amid court intrigues
- Fights alongside brother Karnus au Bellona against common foes
- Stabs Darrow during confrontation, deepening enmity
Morning Star: Book III of the Red Rising Trilogy
Cassius au Bellona stands over two meters tall with a broad-chested, athletic warrior's build and a strikingly beautiful face that looks as though carved by Michelangelo. His coiled hair falls lustrously like the trail of a falling star, accenting a clean-shaven visage with a slightly crooked nose from a break, a dimpled chin, and features that pulse with life and can appear tender or sad. Scars trace his broad neck from a hanging and arrow wound, yet he moves with innate grace whether clad in the white and gold cloak of the Morning Knight or simple garments, his presence always commanding and vital.
- Captures Darrow after battle but shows inner conflict
- Mourns brother Julian and reflects on family losses
- Defects from Sovereign Octavia au Lune, aiding Darrow's escape
- Fights in key battles toward Sovereign's downfall as reluctant ally
Iron Gold
A tall, powerfully built man with broad shoulders and the muscular frame of an elite warrior stands with noble posture. Lustrous golden curls frame his handsome, manly face which bears dark gold eyes that twinkle with distant warmth, a thick pointed beard often flecked with blood, a prominent bold nose, and the sharp Peerless Scar. His fair skin can appear flushed or drained from exertion, and his body shows the ravages of combat with sliced knuckles, flayed skin, puncture wounds, or matted hair from sweat and blood, yet he moves with the graceful authority of a Peerless Scarred knight whether wearing dark Ionian kimonos and slippers or pulse armor.
- Serves as protector and mentor to adoptive brother Lysander au Lune
- Bears Peerless Scar from duels, fighting in Rim War conflicts
- Sustains heavy combat wounds in battles against Republic forces
- Bond with Lysander ends in profound tragedy amid escalating war
Relationships
Begins as Institute rival who declares blood feud after Darrow kills his brother Julian, escalating to stabbing Darrow in book 2; evolves to capturing then defecting to aid Darrow against the Sovereign in book 3, marking redemption.
Beloved younger brother whose murder by Darrow at the Institute ignites lifelong vendetta; Cassius mourns him deeply across books, fueling initial rage that later softens into reflection.
Brother and fellow Bellona warrior, united in vendetta against Darrow during Institute aftermath and court wars.
Engages in strategic courtship exploited by Mustang for family protection, developing genuine feelings amid political machinations.
Becomes adoptive brother, protector, and mentor after mutual family tragedies, forging a profound bond that culminates in tragedy amid the escalating Solar War.
Key Events
Book Appearances
Red Rising
Golden Son
Morning Star: Book III of the Red Rising Trilogy
First appears Ch 3
Iron Gold
First appears Ch 8