Sextus looked at Philandros and then at Lycon. The lad was as vulnerable as a sheep upon the altar. Everything depended upon Sextus' action. The sneer on Lycon's face made him want to rip the man's head off but seeing Philon only a breath away from death left him uncertain as to what to do. Suddenly, without warning, there was a low rumble. Everyone heard it and knew exactly what it was. The rumbling become louder and the building started to shake, objects falling down from shelves and tables. For Sextus indecision turned into action. In that brief moment of panic when the earthquake began Lycon was caught offguard and Sextus lunged forward and drove his fist into his rival's jaw. The knife clattered to the floor. Lycon staggered backwards from the punch but quickly recovered and threw himself at Sextus. The two struggled while the rumbling continued. Lycon threw a lucky punch and caught Sextus squarely in the stomach. With the wind knocked out of him Sextus stood there gasping for breath.

"Now is the moment that Sextus Manlius dies!" screamed Lycon. He looked around for the knife but did not see it. At that very moment he felt the pain. He turned and looked at his assailant. Philandros had picked up the weapon and drove it deep into Lycon's back.