"Good strike! You are improving my little gladiator! You are also learning so fast! Your mother would be so proud!" your father told you with gleaming eyes and his loving smile.

"Really father? Will i be as good as you one day? And would mother really be proud? you asked looking at your father.

"Yes, i have no doubt you will be as good as me and that your mother is proud. She is looking down at us as we speak with love and i know she is extremely proud. Let me take back what i said about you being as good as me. I believe ... i believe one day you will surpass me. I can tell from your heart, your determination and..."he stopped and picked you up and started spinning you around. You laughed madly. He stopped with you still in in his arms. "And your cuteness!" he said as he hugged you.

"Awe father! Let me down! Stop being so child like and let me train!" you said moving around in his arms.

"Yes ma'am!" he said as he let you down with a smile. "Ok, let me show you another move." You started to listen and watch very carefully. You were determined to become strong just like your father.

When you were born, your mother died a few days later because the plague had gotten to her. Your father was once a famous gladiator that was all in it for his enjoyment, not anyone elses. When your mother passed, your father decided he would have to hang up his sword. He didn't want to risk his life and have you live on your own. One day, your father dusted off his sword and you happened to see him with it. You were so attracted to it. It called your name. You ran to him at that moment and asked him if he could teach you. He refused, but you kept on asking with puppy eyes and he finally said yes. That happened many years ago. As you grew, you would watch little girls in disgust as they played with their dolls and toys. You were definitely the girl who stood out in school. You were tougher than most guys in school. Now you have grown and matured . Actually, you matured alot faster than most kids would. You trained with your father for countless years and now you were also a great swordsman just like him. You even surpassed him like he said he would. Now you are now 20. You have your mother's beauty and your father's strength. Well, that is what many people told you.

You are walking in the towns market square with your aged father.
"Look (your name). Look at that handsome fellow. He would be a great husband. Go ask him to marry you. He wouldn't be able to say no to you when he takes look at your face." you father told you a little too loudly. You started to blush deeply.

"Father! I-i will not do such a thing!" you told him.

"Why not? I want to see some grandchildren already! I want to see some before i die! You know, most women your age have husbands and children (your name) already."

"Don't say such thing father and I know, but i don't have time for men."

" I know you have your mind set on other things and i am proud of you, but just know that love will and should always come before anything."

"Ok dad. But i only love my sword!" you said with a laugh. You were walking toward a two men who were fighting. One was obviously a gladiator and the other a man who ran a booth. Your father walked straight up to them.

"Fellow Romans. Don't be corralling and saying such hateful words. You both should try and solve this like gentlemen without fighting."your father told them with his loving smile you loved so much.

"Get out of our business old man! This is not of your concern."the gladiator spat at your father. You started to get concerned.

"I jut wanted to hel-" your dad stopped. He dropped to the ground. As he did, you saw the gladiator remove his bloody dagger out of your father's limp body.

"FATHER!" you yelled as you felt tears sting your eyes. You ran up to the gladiator.

"Your father should have not gotten into my business. Serves him right!" he told you. You clutched your sword.

"You dirty fool! How dare you kill my father. An innocent man. You shall pay dearly! Take your sword out! " you told him with hatred and anger running through your veins.

"You challenge me? A woman challenging me?" he said out loud in order to draw in a crowd. It worked. People started to watch. "I accept your challenge. I feel sorry to make these people see me kill such a beautiful woman. What a waste!"

"Enough talking. You remind me of a gossiping woman! Now, Pull out your weapon and prepare for your death."you said. You leaned down and kissed your dead father's cheek.

"Oh, how you excite my wrath!" he yelled.

He swung at you first with much force. You moved quickly, avoiding it. You twirled the sword around with skill and then slashed him on his shoulder. Blood started to leak through his armor. He cringed. He tried to hit you again, but while he reached out, you took this chance to slice his throat. His knees buckled and he fell to the ground. You heard the crowd gasp. You heard people saying things like "A woman killing a gladiator?!" "This is unheard of!". Suddenly, the crowd broke apart as soldiers started to come toward you. A older man then faced you.

"So you are the one is what everyone was gossiping about? " he laughed "A swords man with enough skill to slay a powerful gladiator to actually be a woman! How interesting! As much as i find this amusing, i am going to have to arrest you." he snapped his fingers as a command for the soldiers to seize you. You looked back at the man that was arguing with the gladiator.

"Sir, take care of my father's body please! I will pay you back double what ever you pay for his burial!" you yelled out to him. He nodded.

They took you to the ruler's palace. Rome was out of town for business, so second in command would be convicting you. The soldiers led you to a room and pushed you in. You walked in and stared at the familiar man.

"Nice to see you again (your name)." You now remembered this man's name. It was Arsenio.

"Arsenio, enough talking. Please do what you must to me." you said looking up at him.

"Now, don't be so hasty (your name) with your own punishment. I have a deal in order." he said looking at you with his blue eyes.

"Ok, spit it out." He walked down the steps and toward you. He walked behind you and placed his hands on your shoulders.

"It is actually really easy my dear." he then leaned down to whisper into your ear. " All you have to do is give me your hand in marriage." he turned you around.

"I will never marry you you pig! I rather be thrown to the lions and die than to marry you!" you said as you pushed him away and spit on his face.

"So you refuse me and your freedom? What a selfish woman! You know how many woman want to be my bride? Well, if you insist on being thrown to the lions, so you shall!" he said as he wiped his face.

"Guards! Take this woman to be prepared for the Colosseum! Make sure she is in armor. Women are not allowed to fight and i do not want to start a riot." he yelled out. They pick you up by your arms and Lord you to the changing room. They gave you the smallest armor they had. It was still too big though. They offered you a sword, but you refused it. You were only going to use the sword your father left you. They took you to another room and then you waited. Suddenly, the huge doors to the Colosseum opened. You walked out the big doors. Then they closed. You walked into the middle of the arena. Thousands of Romans filled the stands. They were yelling madly. Then everything got quiet.

"Let the beasts out!"Arsenio said out loud.

They opened the gates to the lions' dens. They came out roaring. This didn't scare you. You only thought of them as mere cats. You smiled. You were living your dream. A lion came trying to pounce on you, but you were too quick. You had the advantage of being quick on your feet and strong. You pulled your sword out of it's sheaf. You sliced the lion's stomach as it flew above you. The crowd went wild. There was still 5 more. You ran up to one and it snapped at you. You jumped behind it and started to ride it. Then you plunged your sword into his neck from behind. You got off and another lion tried to bite you. It pinned you down, but you blocked his teeth with your sword. When you had the chance, you plunged the sword inside its mouth. You rolled the kitten off of your body and charged for the others. While you were fighting them, Rome had came back.

"Is this a prisoner?" Rome asked Arsenio.

"Ummm, yes my lord. Sh-i mean he killed one of our gladiators for revenge."

"Well, he is a great swords man. He is also very strong and fast. I admire his skill." Rome said looking down at you.

Soon, you were standing on top a lion. Blood covered your (your color) eyes. The crowd was yelling and cheering you on. You walked toward Arsenio's watch tower. You took off your helmet and shook your hair. Thousands of bystanders became silent. Rome stared at you in disbelief.

"Is that all you got for me Arsenio? Give me more if you dare! I will keep fighting and i won't give into your deal. I will never marry you." you called him out. The crowd gasped.

"You allowed a woman to partake in this? How dare you break my commands! You were also going to force her into marriage? I order you to go inside the Colosseum and fight for your life as she did!" Rome yelled to Arsenio.

"But my lord!" Rome didn't look back at him. He simply snapped his fingers and the guards too him away.

"Woman! Please come up here so you can watch Arsenio's punishment." You smiled and then the guards led you up to the watch tower. You sat next to Rome. You realized how attractive he was. He turned to you.

"You are amazing. I admire your talent. Please, tell me your name!" he asked with pleading eyes.

"It's (your name)." you said. He grabbed your hand and kissed it. You felt his little hairs from beard on it as he did this. You blushed.

"It is an honor to met you." Rome said.

"I should be saying that my lord" you said.

"Nonsense, you are the woman all these Romans are cheering for." He said. You smiled.

Your eyes moved down to the arena. There stood the frightened Arsenio. He clutched the sword and he shacked in horror.

"Would you like to do the honors?" Rome asked you.

"Release the bests!" You yelled out. The lions leaped out and Arsenio ran. The lions began to chase him and one pounced on him from behind. That didn't take too long. You didn't get to see much after that. All that you saw were the lions eating their lunch.

You were not charged with anything and got released. You immediately went to see your dad. You tried to pay the man who paid for his funeral, but he refused. He told you that he was honored to pay for such a noble man. You smiled. He was quite noble and you loved him so much. You knew he was happy with your mom in heaven and that they were watching over you. You and Rome stayed very close. You and him would meet up and talk. You didn't really want to trust him because you have heard he had been with many women and had used them. But that didn't stop you from falling in love with him. He didn't think it was possible, but he also fell for you. Rome invited you for dinner one night. You and him were eating. Well, mostly you. You were stuffing your face when,

"(your name)? I have to tell you something."

"Yess? "you said with a mouth full. He laughed at you. Then his face became serious.

" (your name)...i have feel as if Venus, the goddess of love has cast her spell on me. I believe i have fallen deeply in love with you. You are not like other women. You are different. You are strong, brilliant, and beautiful. You have attracted me the first time i saw you fight. I blush now, embarrassed that at that time you caught my interest, i thought you were a man." he said.

"I admit i have also caught Love's mad fever. I love you too Rome." you said looking into his eyes. He leaned in closer. You also leaned in. Your lips smashed into his. He cupped your soft face into his callused hands. He asked to come in, but you refused. You felt his eyebrows move in a frustrated position. He pulled back.

"You know, you can't always be the one conquering over things. Let me for once."

"You couldn't do it if i let you."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe. Take it as what ever you want, but i am telling you, i will be the one to dominate." you said with a teasing smile.

"Oh, really?" he said as he knocked everything off the table and grabbed you. He then forcefully laid you down the table.

"You will regret saying that. I will have to prove to you that i won't let that happen." he said as he riped your clothes off. He held you down with so much power. You couldn't escape if you wanted to. But you knew you didn't want to do that.

Somehow, you ended up in his bed. You were sore everywhere. You were still trying to catch your breath. He didn't seem to be breathing too heavily though. He cupped your face.

"Admit defeat!" he said. You grabbed a pillow and hit him over the head and said,

"Never!" You actually hit him so hard, that he fell off the bed.

"Rome?" He pounced on you.

"(your name). Marry me?"

"Oh of course my conqueror."