A loud banging sound pulled Aelius out of his nightmares. His nights had been haunted ever since that one faithful day; the day he had lost everything. Damn those Romans. It was them who caused him to wake up in the middle of the night bathing in sweat, the images still fresh in his mind. The burning farm, his wife's beautiful face, her blood dripping off the Roman's blade. She should have ran when he told her to, but she couldn't leave him behind. That courage was one of the many reasons Aelius fell in love all these years ago, and one of the reasons why she was dead now.<br/><br/>The sound originated from Doctore, still slamming his fist against the door. "Get up. The Lanista requires your presence." The burly man sounded impatient as he opened the door allowing Aelius to leave the room, if one could call it that. The gladiators in the ludus were treated no better than common slaves and the rooms cages fit for keeping animals. It was degrading, but Aelius simply complied. His spirit had not been broken yet - still keeping a faint hope of freedom. Not with Doctore next to him though. Aelius was not a small man by any means and the training had made him quite muscular, even though he couldn't been in the ludus for much more than a few weeks. But he still felt like an ant in the presence of the giant. Even the gods would be envious of that man's body.<br/><br/>With Doctore on his heels, Aelius made his way through the dark, empty hallways of the ludus. The stench of sweat and blood filled his nostrils as they neared the practice arena in the middle of the construction. The sounds of combat made it's way into his ears before he could even see the other gladiators training. The lanista stood at the side of the pit, observing his properties joined by another person - a beautiful woman dressed in luxurious clothing. He had never seen her before and Aelius neared them carefully, wondering what the meaning of this could be. Whatever the case may be, he was ready to face it.