Author's notes:

Thanks for the reviews and I hope I keep you ready.

This story will not have a premonition or be a dream, this is happening and they will be in ancient Rome for the entire season. Of course Leo and Cole will be in this heavily as well and it will include all four sisters. This story is very plot driven and these other characters are very important to push that along. I have done a lot of research on how gladiators were trained and what certain people were called. Here are the definitions of titles.

Trainers were called Doctores

The master of the house, usually the owner, was called dominus.

Schools for gladiators are call Ludi

From the research I found there were women gladiators although they were rare and for short a time they did fight in the arena. Some fought against dwarfs whom I will not use, and others fought against other women or exotic beasts which I will use. If I decide to use to Amazons which were common, they will not be freakishly huge but just better skilled at fighting than most other women in other cultures.

Lastly this is rated M but more closely to rated R. They will be gratuitous sex and violence because ancient Rome was not kid friendly, and was not an afterschool special. But these scenes serve a purpose, whether it will be for character arcs or to move the plot forward.

Chapter 2

The Breaking

The sun lit the world and the sleeping sisters who were sore from a hard night and felt more like 70 than in their late 20s and early 30s. Phoebe rubbed her eyes that were red from the sand that came through small cracks in the stone walls and remembered that this nightmare was not of dreams but real. It has been almost two days since they were in the manor and she tried to recall how they could have been brought here. "Cole you son of a bitch," she thought and stood up slowly while holding her back as it protested her movement. The place was quiet for the most part but she could hear muffed voices from the hallway and from what she could tell it was men's voices. She stretched while moving to the other side of the room, where she knew Piper was kept and wanted to reduce her anxiety by communicating with her. "Piper," she whispered at first and put her ear to the wall, listening intensely for sounds of life. "Phoebe are you ok?" Piper asks from the other side and the middle sister exhaled a breath she kept against its will in her lungs. "Yeah honey, are you ok?" she asked. "Peachy," Piper replied and Phoebe smiled at her answer. "Can you hear Paige?" Phoebe asked and lowered herself to a sitting position but made sure she could still hear her sister. "Yeah, she is ok and she is on the other side of me," Piper answered but the muffled voices wore now upon them as a guard opened Phoebe's door. "Shit," she said softly to not alarm Piper in the other cell. But Piper telling them to leave her alone made that useless as her cell was also being entered by a guard along with Paige's. Phoebe's lips were devoid of moisture and the lack of saliva just made them stick together as she was pulled out of her room. All of them were placed against the wall outside of their cells and shackles were put on their wrist and attached to the metal belt around their waists.

"This is getting old," Piper said and the guard yanked hard on hers in attempts to shut her up. "Ouch, dammit."

"Piper please we need to play along ok, just for now," Paige chimed in and the guard pulled her away from the wall along with the others. It was the first time they got a good look at their new home for now. The smell of sweat was pungent and blood stains on the floor did not help calm their nerves as they past empty cells. The guards themselves were dressed in armor, a chest plate of bronze along with a helmet, they looked a little like Roman soldiers but not as well groomed or detailed. Some of the cells had shackles on the walls and they could not tell if it was rust or blood that stained them. The long hallway gave way to an outdoor patio that had benches and tables set up and now they could see instead of hear who was talking. Ten very large men, just wearing white linen cloth wrapped several times around their waists, were eating and some were standing as the guards brought them in. For the most part the girls were overdressed as they were still in their pajamas. Piper was wearing dark green cotton pants and a white tea shirt, while Phoebe was also wearing cotton pants with a tank top. Paige was wearing long pants because it was winter in San Francisco but it was in the 60s which to them was a little chilly. It must have been summer in Rome because the heat was gripping and the men were very shiny from perspiration. These men were not meek but extremely well-built, muscles well defined but also home of many scars that told stories of survival and glory, along with pain and suffering.

"Come Doctore, what pleasures have you brought us?" a man asked, looking at another who was standing near a pot of food. But it was in Latin so the girls could not understand him.

"Your appetite could never be filled Petra," the Doctore answered and motioned the guards to bring the women to the table where the food was. "And these women are not for your pleasure, they are to be trained as Gladiators."

The men stopped laughing and looked at each other in confusion and disbelief.

"Gladiators! Are they not enough men left in all of Rome to fill the blood lust?" Petra asked and moved closer to the sisters as he eyed them down, measuring them.

"The new Emperor wants to see women fighters, so we do what we are told," the Doctore replied and put his hand on Piper's shoulder who was squinting hard at him in an attempt to understand the conversation. He pointed to the pot of food and made a gesture of eating. Piper looked at the pot of what looked like cardboard mixed with water and although she was starving, she did not pick up the bowl but instead shook her head. The Doctore was not pleased with her disobedience and squeezed on her shoulder harder while pressing his lips together. He did not want to hurt her but these women were being stubborn from what his master said and knew a hard lesson would come upon them if they did not listen.

"Eat," he said but Piper just squinted at him.

"What?" Piper replied.

"I think he wants us to eat that crap," Paige said and felt a pull on her chains from the guard that was still there. She got the hint and kept her mouth shut.

"I don't think so," Piper said with a snort and a disgusted look on her face.

"These slaves must eat of wine and grapes to deny our offerings," Melito laughed out from the back of the patio. The Doctore pressed his lips once more and was getting impatient with their lack of discipline. He reached for his whip but Phoebe jumped in and grabbed a bowl off the table and handed it to Piper while getting her and Paige one.

"It's ok we can eat," Phoebe said giving her stubborn sister a hard look. "Dammit Piper."

"It looks disgusting," she replied in a whisper as Phoebe filled the bowls. "Ok well it's hard to eat with these on," she continued and left her arms up a little to explain in body language instead of words that these needed to come off. The man put his whip back on around his waist and nodded at the guard to remove the shackles. The sisters rubbed their wrist that were a little red from the metal and took their new delight to a table where no men were sitting, but all eyes were on them and they could hear whispering from all sides.

"Piper you need to eat and try not to piss them off." Phoebe reminded her of the seriousness of her condition.

"Yeah I have never been flogged and I don't want to know how it feels," Paige chimed in as she stuck her dirty fingers into the porridge-like breakfast.

"It's not in my nature to just be bullied around Phoebe and for god's sake Paige wipe your hands first," Piper replied while wrinkling her face a bit.

"I'm starving and do you see a bathroom nearby," Paige answered as she took a bite, but the food almost escaped as quickly as it entered her mouth as she forced it down her throat. Piper was hungry and she knew she was eating for two and decided to take a bite for herself while holding her nose. "It's mush," she said after forcing a swallow.

"It's food," Phoebe replied and ate quickly so she would not taste it as much. They had small wooden cups filled with water and surprisingly it was not dirty but clean. "Well at least the water is ok."

Petra made his way to the Doctore who was the trainer for the gladiators and had words with him.

"These women are not fit to tend my fields let alone fight in matches," he said.

"Do you not know of things taking hold in Rome Petra. Ludis are being taken over by the state and we could lose this one to it. Winning favor from the new Emperor will keep this ludi in the family of Molateus Magums. So your destiny and theirs are intertwined my friend, and their training or the lack there of, or would you prefer to have Roman soldiers loom over you?" Doctore answered before removing himself from the conversation and walked out to the training grounds. Petra took a deep breath and looked over at the women who were forcing down their food. He was not a tall man and not as big as the others only about 5'6" but what he lacked in body mass he made up in swiftness and cunning. He was respected by the other men and bore the mark of the house on his arm of Molateus Magums that was branded on him for life.

Upstairs were much better accommodations were present, Molateus stood outside his balcony that looked over the training grounds that was surrounded by a large stone wall, as a breeze moved long strands of red silk back into the dwelling of the house while his wife approached and he was brought out of his thoughts by her touch on his back.

"The sun wakes me rudely," he commented as she stood next to him with a bronze cup in her hand.

"It is in its nature," she replied and took a sip. "So what news of Rome?"

"Ominous. Just two moon cycles ago Rufus had his Ludi seized by the state and I fear that our time is quickly approaching," he answered and then turned to face her. The sun hit her red hair and her eyes were the deep blue of the sea and for a moment he fell into them, lost to her.

"Careful Husband for you may drown," she said noticing her lover's loss of the moment and his reason.

"And I would sink into that sea with joy," he replied and kissed her on the cheek softly while rubbing her arms.

"We will not lose this house Molateus."

"Those women and my champion are my only hope; I must get favor in upcoming matches to gain prominence in the new Coliseum. And the Festival comes near for the Emperor wants women to perform," he said and squeezed the banister tight.

"And you picked those, were there not more suitable ones? I hear the Amazons are good with steel."

"No, but they cost no coin so it was not a loss; if they do not do well then we will sell them for a profit. I hope that what they lack in strength their will to survive will commit. For they are more stubborn than you," he said with a smile.

"If eternity had a son you would have to wait for its passing for that to be possible," she replied with a laugh of her own.

Back at the manner Leo has scried, yelled and tried to sense his wife and the sisters since they have gone missing. He remembered that day well as he orbed to the elders. He woke up from a sound sleep but the house was quiet and empty, at first he thought they had appointments but after seeing cars in driveways and cell phones lying about, he knew something more sinister had occurred. He knew that Piper was protected but her sisters were not, and he feared for them as well as her.

"Odin, have you found anything out yet?" he asked, walking quickly next to the large elder.

"Not yet Leo and they are not with us, so that should give you some comfort."

"How did they just disappear off the planet?"

"We don't know Leo and the longer they are gone the more the underworld gains courage."

"I know Cole has something to do with this," Leo said with venom in his tone.

"Then contact him and try to find some answers."

Leo nodded his head and plotted his capture of Cole.

Back in Rome the sisters tried to finish their so called breakfast. What they did not understand was how all of this works when it comes to the training of a gladiator. They were low on the totem pole and had to earn respect, so they would eat last and be treated like dogs. But that lesson was about to be expressed with blood as the Doctore would drop new garments for them to wear on the table. The new clothing was mostly white linen cloth that they would have to shape around their body a certain way to keep it from falling off.

"I think what we have on is fine thank you," Piper said and pushed the garment away from her. The Doctore was losing his patience and he grabbed her arm hard while picking up her new attire and forced it into her chest. "Ok fine," she said and looked around for a place to change as her sisters stood up as well doing the same.

Phoebe felt her stomach tighten as she figured out that they were not going to get any privacy. "Piper I don't see anywhere to change," she whispered.

"The day grows old," he said and motioned for them to remove their clothes.

"Oh god," Paige said and she clenched the white cloth close to her. Phoebe was not as shy as her sisters and began to undress. "Thank god I work out," she thought as she disrobed.

"Phoebe," Piper said as the men looked her middle sister over and her mouth opened in disgust as she moved in front of her to protect her. It took some time for her to get dressed and the Doctore was trying to help with instructions on how it should be worn. But the minute he tried to touch Phoebe, Piper gave him a hard glare which caused him to back up a little and put his hands up in defense. The men laughed and so did the Doctore as her glare could freeze fire. "Ok I think I got it," she said and came out from behind Piper. Somehow she did it correctly and the cloth fell into the right places, as it covered her breasts and lower region well. Only her knees were showing and her arms. "How did you do that?" Paige asks as she looked at her cloth in wonderment. "I have no idea," Phoebe said with a small smile. The sisters would repeat this step making sure to protect each other while the other one dressed. It took Piper the longest and she managed some applause from her effort when she immersed from behind them.

"Holy crap that was hard," she said and wiped sweat off her brow.

The trainer led the sisters outside and onto the sand as the sun was in the midday position. The other gladiators came out as well as the master of the house stood on his balcony with his wife and some house servants. They were completely lost as the men took formation so they could face him. But it did not take long for them to get the gist of what was about to happen. Piper could feel the cold stare from the wife of the man she hit the day before and avoided eye contact for the most part. "Hell hath no fury," she thought and began to listen as the man spoke.

"My warriors, my honor, my gods amongst men and now goddesses if they would wish it," Molateus said while looking up to the sky. "The new arena awaits us as the festival draws near; much is at stake. I remind you of your oath to this house as the day approaches. These women are not of champions nor of gladiators, they are seeds for you to grow. Tend them well but give them no homage and no mercy as you would not give your brother in this training. Just as you had to endure so must they. But you will not use your cock to do so unless they dishonor this house or the name of gladiator. Now take hold of your dreams of glory and blood and unleash the Zeus and you all." He finished and nodded to the Doctore to begin training.

"You are more for the Senate than for this, husband," Sora said with sideways smile.

"And you give me too much praise," Molateus replied.

Sora looked at the new additions to their house but was fixated on Paige. "She is to fight?" she asked.

"Or die from the looks of her," he answered and sat down in a heavy wooden chair.

"She is a natural redhead, that is no wig and her skin is of goat's milk. Would it not be a horrid thing for that to perish?"

"And what would you have me do, sell her?" he asked.

"No, but bring her up here to be with my other servants, for she would be pleasing to the eye of our guests," she answered while smiling at him softly.

"I could not resist you and you bring reason to my madness," he said and motioned one of his servants to him.

"Tell the guard to bring me the pale one," he commanded and the slave nodded in understanding as the wife smiled at her small win.

Petra handed Piper a wooden sword and round wooden shield and took her to a tall chunk of wood that rose out of the ground about 7 feet. He showed her the motions of how to wield the sword and use the shield as a weapon. Piper nodded at him showing she understood but in truth she was completely lost and just hoped he would walk away. Phoebe was being shown the same thing from the trainer along with Paige as the other men did their own routines while some sparred. Petra did walk away to continue his training and Piper was alone with her thoughts as she tried to mimic what he showed her. "Dammit Leo where are you?" She thought and hit the wood post hard out of frustration. The sword was heavy and the shield was not much lighter even though they were made out of wood. "Poor Paige she has only been a damn witch for a year and now this, and she is more fragile than me and Phoebe." She continued her thinking until she heard Phoebe scream her name.

"Piper!"

Piper turned around to see a guard taking Paige away in shackles and the Doctore holding Phoebe in place.

"Paige!" Piper yelled out and decided to use her wooden sword as a projectile to stop the men from taking her, but the sting of a whip wrapping around her wrist stopped that motion as the Doctore released Phoebe, which the middle sister took no delay in taking advantage of and with one quick motion pulled out the guard's metal sword and stabbed him in the leg with it. He fell to the ground as the gladiators grabbed her in attempts to save for from doing any more harm, not just to the guard but mostly to herself. The commotion made both wife and husband run to the balcony. Phoebe was being held down by two of the gladiators while Piper rushed to Paige as more guards entered the sanctum. She still had the whip wrapped around her wrist and the Doctore pulled back hard which caused her to leave her feet and land on her back, knocking the wind out of her. The other guards took Paige and no matter how hard she struggled she could not break free from their grasp. "God please help me," Paige thought as many things ran through her mind. "He didn't want me; he only took me because of Piper and Phoebe oh god they going to sell me. No I don't want to be alone here," she pleaded to herself as her sisters went away from her sight. Tears were like small rivers flowing down her face as she was dragged off in shackles. Piper finally rose and could no longer see her baby sister but could still hear her pleas for help. The sound was like daggers into her heart as she ran forward once again but was stopped by two guards.

"NO let me go!" she yelled but the gate to the main house closed tight. Phoebe was shedding tears of her own as she struggled to get free. The Doctore looked up at his master awaiting orders, he knew that attacking a guard was forbidden and could even mean death, but he hoped that a hard lesson would suffice.

"Who stabbed my guard?" he asked almost too calmly.

"The one I hold now dominus," he answered and after a few agonizing moments he gave the order to kill her. But the Doctore hesitated at the request.

"My I have audience dominus?"

"Yes."

"They both show potential for this one tried to throw her practice sword, while the other had the cunning and quickness to grab real steal. A memorable lesson instead of death would be more fruitful."

Everyone's eyes were on the dominus as he evaluated the situation and decided that she should be flogged instead of killed for her actions. The other guards helped the wounded one up and he gave no question on where his anger was directed as he looked at Phoebe.

Piper was still looking at the door that Paige disappeared from behind and she could feel her breath quicken by the minute. "Where did you take her?" she yelled and felt a hand cover her mouth to silence her again, more for her protection than theirs.

"Take her to her cell and prep the other," the dominus commanded his two guards, who they did what they were told.

Piper was locked in her cell as Phoebe was being prepped for her punishment, which she did not know anything about. The minute the door slammed she tried using her power, kicked and looked for something to open the door with, but nothing would move the metal bars from their place. All she could do was use her voice. "LEO!" she yelled over and over again as panic rose in her. She knew what Phoebe did was not good and it was possible that they would kill her, and as for Paige, she could be anywhere – even sold. She pulled on her long and tangled dark hair as she paced the room still searching for any means to escape.

Phoebe was tied with her arms stretched out between two wooden posts. "Piper!" she yelled as her face was red with her blood which was moving faster than her body could contain. Everything moved in slow motion as the sound of the whip being dragged on the sand almost made a hissing sound like a snake. One of the guards pulled away the top of her tunic so her back was bare ready to receive the lashes as her breasts were also shown to the onlookers. "LEO!" she yelled out. In all their years of being witches and facing demons she has never felt so vulnerable and exposed in her life. "Fuck," she whimpered out as she could not break free from her bonds. "Please don't do this, please," she pleaded to the ears that could not understand nor care what she had to say.

The dominus nodded his head as the Doctore walked behind her. He raised the whip as a pro who has done this many times before. Paige was being taken to a room where other servants awaited her, and they began to undress her and put her in better garments. She fought them until the sharp sting of a man's hand crossed her face made her lose her balance but she rose with purpose and struck him. The others were in shock of her actions, but she was outnumbered and it did not take long for them to get her under control.

The sound of the whip hitting flesh echoed through the cells and into Piper's ears like a blow horn.

"You mother fuckers, I will kill you!" she yelled as she stood in the center of her cell, but the sound of Phoebe screaming from the pain that was been exalted on her was drowning out her profanities. She put her hands to her ears trying to block out the crippling sounds. Any liquid she had in her body was now flowing freely from her eyes as she went to her knees and rocked back and forth. Helplessness was overwhelming and she vomited as the whip continued its assault.

All Phoebe could do was scream as she felt her skin rip from her body and the ropes tighten around her wrist, engraving its mark into them. Many minutes would pass before the sound of men practicing would take the place of cries of help. All three sisters were alone in different parts of the ludi as night quickly approached as a reminder that another day of hell will come with the sunrise.

To be continued