The following story is rated M for language and violence, there are some hints to sexual situations but you won't get any vivid descriptions. Both shows belong to their respective owners, which are pretty much the same anyway. _; I'm just borrowing their character's to weave my own version haha. I apologize for any mistakes specifically towards the beginning of the chapter, it was difficult for me to write this story because I am not used to writing action scenes.
Blue eyes stare emptily at the ground before them, the small specks of sand shifting to the cheers and tremors of the crowd above. The distinct sound of steel on steel rising above the din of cheers and hollers. The pale eyes drift close as the scene above flashes behind their eyelids, a smaller man tries to hold off a gladiator.
His dirty brown hair sticking to his brow as their blades meet, both men grunting as neither gives way. The gladiator smirks behind his helmet, and swings a powerful right swing towards the unprotected mans temple. The crowd cheers as the blow lands, breaking the two weapons apart. The gladiator wastes no time, he brings his sword arm back and then brings it back over his head in a large and powerful arc. Feeling his adrenaline kick in, the smaller man moves to raise his blade but is unable to move quickly enough. He cries out as the gladiator's short sword meets his trapezius muscle and the bone hidden underneath on his right side.
The smaller main pulls his body free from the sword, the hope seeping from his eyes as he feels the limp form of his sword arm at his side. Using his left hand he pulls his sword into his working hand and takes a half stance as the gladiator gloats just across from him. His armored hands held up towards the heavens as the crowd cheers.
Finally the gladiator turns back to his breathless and bleeding opponent, the taller man moves forward slowly. A grin pulling apart his lips below his thick helmet as the man across from him moves to attack. The gladiator easily evaded and cries out in triumph as his sword finds itself ripping into the stomach as his enemy.
The pale eyes opened again slowly as the lifeblood from the dying Thracian above drips to the sands lying at booted feet, confirming the waiting Thracian's minds interpretation of the battle above. The cheering becomes almost deafening as the telltale sound of the other Thracian's head being severed from his body permeates the air.
xxxxx
"You're up." A deep voice grunts, grabbing the tall form roughly and jerking it into a standing position.
The pale eyes regard him coolly as he pulls them towards the bright light streaming in from above, the steps are narrow and the cheering grows louder with every step the two figures make closer to the arena. Yet the face of the dark warrior remains stoic even as they pass over the threshold and onto the blood stained sands.
The eyes glance up along the stands, the faces of the people locked into an excited frenzy. The more upstanding citizens feign disinterest as the new warrior is pulled into the line of view, Caesar smiles as a general off to his left stiffens.
"What is it, Darfus? See something displeasing?"
The man in question relaxes instantly at the calm voice of his leader, "No, I thought I recognized that Thracian cur for a moment."
Caesar's brown eyes narrowed slightly but he held his tongue as his general continued to study the lithe figure in the arena, rising slowly the man took his full height and readied his commanding voice.
"My people! I present you with yet another gift, another Thracian dog to feed to our powerful gladiators! Only a few have survived thus far but from what I hear, this one is special. It is said he is favored by a God! The God of war no less. Let us see if there is any truth to this statement." The ruler smirked as he returned to his seat, Darfus had once again taken on a rigid stance in his seat. His young wife Iliythia frowned as she watched any sense of serenity slip from his face, she then slowly brought her attention back onto the arena as the chanting picked up. Two Gladiators moved forward from the edge of the arena, one brandishing an axe and another a short sword.
Two more gladiators remained in the shadows of the Arena, one of them throwing a second short sword to the tall Thracian waiting in the sun. The pale eyes glanced down at the sword at their booted feet, the blade was chipped and rusted but it would have to do.
The pale eyes shot up as the man with the axe moved forward, his war cry echoing around the arena as he charged the unarmed Thracian.
The figure grinned, the white teeth standing out against the tan face and wild dark hair. Leaving the blade on the ground the Thracian easily dodged the oncoming gladiator and twisted their body back around as they delivered a solid kick to his back. The gladiator cried out in pain before turning and swinging his axe wildly at the slimmer form.
The gladiator with the short sword moves forward slowly, hoping to catch the Thracian off guard as they're busy dealing with the axe wielding gladiator. The two heavily armored figures move in a pincer movement as they attempt to move in for the kill.
The Thracian smirks as the gladiator's armor hints to the approaching gladiator from the back, the form a mere blob in the armor but its approach certain.
Waiting until the last second to make their move, the Thracian barely dodged the downward arc of the sword. There was a hiss as the fabric of the Thracian's tunic and chest wrapping met the business end of the sword. But the sound was drowned out by the startled cry of the Axeman who had been too close to avoid the blow from the sword. His own weapon ricocheting off of the swordsman's armor. Gritting his teeth the gladiator wrenched his sword free the other man's dying form.
He turned and his eyes widened, he now realized what the gasp was that had erupted from the crowd. The Thracian stood grinning, her teeth and chest bared to the entire arena. The Gladiator curled his lip up in disdain as he stared at the feral eyes of the woman before him.
"What is this madness?" He snarled, "No woman is ever to stand as a warrior in the Gladiator's realm!"
Caesars lips pulled into a smirk as he watched the events unfolding in his arena, he rose once again to speak to the now mumbling crowd. Knowing full well that the God's did not frown upon the practice but the people more often than not were insulted when a woman was forced into the arena. If they lost, it was frowned upon because women were naturally weaker. And it was unfair for them to be pitted against the objectives a normal Gladiator had to face. And if they won, it was a blow to the pride and ego of any man present.
"Now, now, Gladiator. There is no set rule saying you can deny this criminal her well deserved punishment... Although I am a bit surprised she was disguised as she was, is that a chest bind?" He questioned, his voice growing a bit more serious.
Darfus swallowed next to him, "Caesar... She was, she led the Thracian coup a few days back."
Caesar's eyes flickered to his general for a moment before moving back over the crowd, they seemed confused more than displeased.
"This woman, was in charge of the Thracian coup that took place just days before now. She is the reason that a whole unit of Rome's loyal men met an untimely demise." He said, his voice gaining in volume as he spoke. The whispers grew louder as the crowd digested the new information, Caesar smiled broadly now.
"What say you people of Rome? Fight, or no fight?"
The answer was clear, without hesitation the crowd erupted in cheers of "fight."
The Thracian grinned at this and without hesitation moved to pick up the axe from the fallen gladiator, she lifted the weapon into the air and let out a loud war cry. Caesar nodded to the two gladiators in the shadows and they moved forward brandishing their own weapons menacingly.
The woman cackled as the three remaining gladiators circled her slowly, her eyes flicked back and forth between the three forms looking for the weakest link. She found it in one of the new arrivals, she could see the look of fear as it crept into his eyes.
Her lips spread once more into a wide and ferocious grin as she watched their muscles twitch in anticipation for some change in position from her but she held firm her own muscles relaxed and ready to move at any given moment.
Seeing the shaking gladiator behind her, the Thracian decided it was time to make her move. She turned on him suddenly, forcing him to go on the offensive. The man shoved his spear forward hoping to impale her but the Thracian was too quick and the spear met it's mark behind her. The sword wielding gladiator fell to his knees as the spear-men met his untimely end, the Thracians blade cleaving his head clear from his shoulders. The crowd cheered as the woman raised her hands up towards the sun. The blood of her enemy dripping down her body slowly as she looked up through half lidded eyes at the sun. This was what she lived for, they could keep her here as long as they wanted.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the crowd grew quiet, she could hear the axeman approaching, his feet heavy on the hot sands.
The crowd gasped as the Thracian woman caught the axe in mid swing, she had seemed completely oblivious to the approaching man just seconds before. The man grit his teeth as he struggled to pull his weapon back from the stoic woman before him, her body was still but he could see the muscles underneath her skin were tight and hard as rock. She wasn't going to budge, panic filled him as he strained to remove the axe to no avail.
The man made a move in desperation to take the female warrior off guard but she barely flinched as his fist met her cheek. Her lips once again curled up into a sadistic smile and the man felt his insides cooling already as her cold voice met his ears.
"Wrong move."
The crowd moved to their feet as the axeman was knocked to the ground, the woman standing over him looked to the crowd before jamming her thumb down in a disapproving manner. The crowd cheered louder before erupting into a deafening cries of "kill him, kill him."
The pale eyes moved downward, the scent of urine was quickly overpowering the smell of blood and sweat as the man below her squirmed. She lifted the axe high above her head before bringing it back down to meet the sands below. The axeman cried out as his right arm was severed from his body with a sickening crunch, he raised his left hand in front of him. The limb was shaking and unsteady as he tried to beg for his life, the expression of the woman above him immediately darkened. She had planned on drawing it out, feeding the crowd until they could feed no more but she suddenly felt enraged by the pathetic man before him. He resembled a child, snot bubbling at his nostrils as he pleaded and begged.
With one last swing she cleaved his head from his shoulders, a murderous snarl erupting from her throat as she threw the axe across the arena. She could barely hear the crowds cheering as she turned to head back towards the shadows, she wanted nothing more to rid herself of the blood of such a pathetic being.
xxxxx
The Thracian scowled as she was led into a tent room full of noblemen, it was still dingy and dirty seeing as it was connected to the arena. The floor was dirt and the walls were were fairly thin. Even for it's size the tent was filled and their barely seemed enough room to walk through, the pale eyes softened slightly as they fell upon a blond haired man lined up with the rest of her group. Her eyes stayed focused on the blond haired man, ignoring most of the men she was passing as they turned up their noses at her dirty body and wild hair.
"Glad to see you survived, brother." The woman whispered as she was forced past him, the guard shook her roughly.
"No talking, unless you're asked a question. Slave." He snapped, dragging her down to the end of the line of Thracians before stepping back, it was then that the woman noticed a line of noblemen looking specifically at her group. And now, specifically at her.
"Bidding starts at ten dinars each, or fifty for the group." One of the Guards started, he was obviously higher up than the one before. His armor was much more decorated and his demeanor dripped importance. Scoffing slightly the warrior woman gazed over the group, most of the men were crinkling their noses in disgust. All but two, the more enthusiastic of the two had his eyes locked only on her.
"One hundred dinar for the lot of them!" The short enthusiastic man cried out, the rest of the men shook their heads and began to disperse.
"Going once, going twice... Sold. To Batiatas."
"Was that wise?" The taller of the two remaining men asked, Batiatas looked at him with amusement.
"You will see in due time, Solonius. I've just become rich, my ludus has now grown twice if not thrice as strong."
The other man snorted, "They're nothing but fodder, you speak through your ass Batiatas. I shall once again be victorious over you when we meet again in the arena."
Batiatas watched Solonius' retreating form with a smirk before turning back to the guard, "Here are your dinars, have them moved out to the front. I'll have my servant Ashur meet you there, he'll be driving the wagon."
The guard nodded and turned towards the Thracians, he made sure they were all secured before moving them towards the front of the tent.
The female Thracian watched as Batiatas was approached by none other than her former Roman Commander, Darfus. She furrowed her brow as she watched their expressions closely.
"Batiatas, do not take that woman. She will poison your ludus..." Darfus hissed, his expression filled with both panic and fury.
"Do you know her, Darfus? I saw how she fought, there is no reason based off of her abilities that I should not want her to fight along side my gladiators. Woman or not. Besides... I can't let my wife be the only one to have fun with the gladiators, can I?"
Darfus shook his head, "You do not understand Batiatas... Caesar wishes that woman dead, if he discovers that she still lives you and I shall both suffer greatly."
A knowing look entered Batiatas' eyes, "No, you shall suffer greatly. Who am I to know this woman? She is nothing more than a thracian dog to me, nothing more than a gladiator. If you continue to harass me and my ludus on this matter, the news may slip into Caesar's ear..."
Darfus watched Batiatus move out of the tent and into the head of his wagon, his fate now rested in the hands of a lanista.
xxxxx
Batiatas looked over his new gladiators, they had all survived their fights in the arena and proved that even if they lacked in skill that they had the will and the aggression to survive.
He stopped in front of the female gladiator who was regarding him coolly from behind dark, dirty bangs. "What's your name, woman?" He asked, his eyes moving from hers to give her a thorough once over.
"Xena." She replied in a bored tone, Batiatas' eyes found hers once more.
"I see, that makes sense. I have heard of you. All of the stories of the deadly female pirate and conquerer are true. And you're now even said to be favored by a God! What good fortune I have." He said, his smile broadening on his face with every word. He reached out a hand to stroke her taunt stomach, Xena fought back the urge to swat his hand away but before anything more could be said a woman erupted into the room.
"I hear you've brought more gladiators home, Batiatas. Who is this? Purchase seven gladiators get a whore free?" The woman asked, wrinkling her nose up in disdain as she looked Xena over quickly. Her blonde curls bouncing as she shook her head in disapproval.
"Lucretia... This woman is no whore, she is in fact the reason I purchased this group. Meet our new trump card for the games my gorgeous flower."
Xena watched the exchange in mild annoyance, the woman's lip were now pursed. "Who is she then? She has to be pretty important to get this reaction out of you.."
Batiatas moved towards his wife and placed several kisses from her jawline down, "Do you remember that warlord who gave Caesar such a run for his dinar not so many years ago?"
Lucretia gasped and swatted her husband away, her brows now furrowed in a combination of anger and worry, "Batiatas, what are you thinking?" She cried, she began to pace back and forth her ornate gown flowing elegantly with each stride of her long legs.
Xena fought back laughter at the scene, although her expression stayed neutral from the outside. Batiatus squeezed the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"My love, please... Calm yourself, our ludus has been in need of new fighters. We need something fresh, something no other ludus can offer the crowd, she is just that."
Lucretia paused in her pacing and stared at her husband in disbelief, "If Caesar finds out..."
"If Caesar finds out, we know nothing my love. We merely purchased gladiators from the auction tent, nothing more. Nothing less. And I promise you, prosperity shall return to our ludus with this purchase. Once these warriors are cleaned up I think they'll show us just how much more they're worth." He said turning back to face his new fighters, he approached Xena once more. She could smell the stale wine on his breath as he leaned in towards her, "You will fight for me, won't you?" He asked, his dark brow arching slightly.
The warriors full lips remained stoic but her eyes moved to Lucretia before returning to Batiatas, "Just make sure they give me real men to fight, no more pissing farmers..." She replied coolly. Batiatas laughed before nodding to the nearest guard.
"Send them to the baths and then to Doctore, he'll want to see his new gladiators."
Xena watched as the couple exited the room, she wasn't sure that she liked them but she couldn't help but smirk at the opportunity to kill in the arena.
To be continued in chapter 2.
I wasn't going to post this one just yet but... Oh well, this was the other story idea I had. Not as original as the other one I'm working on but it to me is going to be good in it's own way... Lucretia and Xena are not doppelgangers in my version by the way sorry for any confusion. :)