Frias awoke the next day in a dark and dingy cell on a hard cot. Looking around he could see Volk and the rest of the officers also in the cells. His body cried out in pain from the numerous hits he took the day prior, however his leg didn't hurt as much anymore. Looking down to the fresh bandages and peeling them back he was able to see that the wound looked much better and was healing nicely. In the corner of his dark cell he was able to see what looked like a tray and a cup. Rushing over he was able to see a cup of water and a small meal of what looked like gruel along with bread. It was all cold, but that hardly made a difference as he scoffed it all down in seconds. The taste wasn't offensive, nor was it appetizing. It would do to satisfy his hunger. Standing up in his cell he could see outside through a small window about face height. Far too small to escape from, but enough in fresh air and some moonlight. Frias decided to lay back down and relax while he could. He quickly lulled to sleep as he relaxed on the cot.
What felt like only twenty minutes later a ringing bell along with yells awoke him. Looking up he could see sunshine seeping through the window illuminating the cell. Standing up, he could see the man from yesterday, Doctore Cassius, walking up and down the cells screaming at everyone. Eventually the man stopped screaming and motioned everyone to step to the front of their cells.
Starting on the other side of the cells two men opened up one of the cells and took one of the other men from yesterday away. The rest of the group stood where they were in their cells for ten minutes until they came back without the man and took the next person. The process was repeated until it was Frias' turn. After another ten minute wait the two men came for him. Both men were significantly shorter than him but the swords at their sides made it clear that they were not to be messed with. No words were spoken as they simply pointed at him to step out and to follow. Frias complied as there was nothing else he could really do unless he wanted a pointless beating.
Following the men he was led into a room where two female slaves stood waiting with razors, robes and a large tub of water.
The first slave, a woman with light brown skin and brunette curls with subtle curves and a serious although pretty face spoke, " So this is one of the other worlders. He doesn't seem too different from any of us, although he is an impressive specimen. Quite handsome too. Do you think Cassius will let me spend the night in his cell if I sneak him some of the hearty wine he enjoys?"
"Always so crass aren't you Claudia?" The other slave, an older lady with a weathered and stern face and diminutive stature replied. "And what have I told you about stealing from the masters? You will get yourself killed one of these days young lady. Let us just get about doing our jobs. The poor man doesn't even understand a word of our language, look how confused he looks." She gestured to Frias who was standing in the room.
"Always have to take the fun out of everything don't you Livia?" Claudia replied as she approached Frias, "Besides, I don't need to be able to speak to him for me to mount him. I'm sure he would get the hint in other manners."
"Let's just get our work done, see if he still breathes after hell week and their initiation. Then you can see about doing whatever it is you wish." Livia said before she motioned Frias to take his shirt off which he reluctantly did.
"I believe he will be just fine. He's certainly a strong man." Claudia replied as she ran her hands along Frias' chest. "And exotic. These tattoos are rather intricate and beautiful"
"Let's just get started Claudia. We have a few more trainees to go through and we still have to complete other tasks today. You can seduce him some other time." Livia shot back as she forced Frias to take off the rest of his clothes and they began to clean him.
"Well at least I know it will be an enjoyable ride." Claudia quipped back as she washed his back.
"That's enough young lady. Begin shaving his head since you obviously can't control yourself." Livia ordered.
"Fine!" Claudia whined disappointedly as she began shaving his head.
They continued on in silence as they shaved and cleaned him from head to two before covering him in a white powder. He was then given a tunic and belt along with a loincloth that was used as underwear. They then sent him into a small hall that had the rest of the slaves who were now freshly shaved and powdered. He sat at the table that was empty excluding the elf and bunny girl both of who were not shaved, but rather had their hair cut extremely short similar to a pixie cut. A bowl of gruel and water was given to him as soon as he sat down. He shoved the gruel down his throat and washed it all down with water. As soon as he finished eating Volk sat next to him and began eating.
"Where did they take Newlin and Kopman?" Frias asked as Volk ate.
"No clue. I think they might have been taken to some other trainer. We'll figure that out later, we just have to focus on surviving and learning. Learning the language is a must."
"I agree hopefully our fellow slaves can help us learn."
"Well let's hope so. Also what's with this powder?"
"No clue bro, might be symbolic, might be used to prevent infection, honestly as long as it doesn't hurt me I couldn't care less."
"Same bro, but that felt invasive as fuck bro. I could have washed and shaved myself."
"When in Rome do as the Romans do. I'm not surprised they did this to us. I wouldn't be surprised if they do worse. As long as we keep breathing and stay healthy that's all that matters. We will just do as they say."
"Until help arrives, right?"
"Yes, until help arrives."
They remained in silence as Volk finished his food. The group waited until the last of the Japanese officers were brought in from being shaved and washed. Five minutes later the Doctore collected them and brought them into the arena. He lined them up in a similar manner as yesterday. Next to him were a pile of heavy wood logs, barrels of wooden swords, and another pile of shields.
"Well Maggots today begins your introduction into a gladiator lifestyle. This is hell week. Some of you will not survive until the end of this week. This is a fact. Those that survive will be welcomed into the ranks of the Gladiators. If you look up to the balcony behind me you will see the Family of Aurelius Fabius Gallius. They are your new masters." Doctore Cassius pointed to the balcony behind him where Aurelius and his family sat in comfortable chairs seemingly enjoying breakfast.
"You will do well to prove your worth here this week. Your lives depend on it. I want all of you to grab a log. This will be your training equipment. They all weigh the same so worry not over which one you pick. Hurry up and grab a log!" Doctore ordered as he snapped his whip.
Immediately the trainees all grabbed a log with the otherworlder group catching up and grabbing one too. Each log weighed roughly eighty pounds. Soon everyone was back in formation. And the training began. They completed sit ups with the log on their chest, using the log for incline push ups, curling the log, so on and so forth. They ended the morning workout with a long hour long jog around the premises while carrying the log on their shoulders.
They were given twenty minutes to eat and drink before they were sent back our into the arena and handed a sword and shield. Doctore quickly showed them the proper swinging motion and ordered them to repeat after him. The otherworlders quickly caught on and began mimicking everyone else. Swinging at their invisible opponent until they were told to stop. They then went on to learn a series of slashes, stabs, and shield movements.
They were then split off into pairs by Doctore. The man made sure that none of the otherworlders were paired together. He paired Frias with the Elf, Volk with the Warrior Bunny, Tenshi with a Former Imperial citizen, and the other two Japanese officers with Enslaved barbarians.
Frias faced off with his opponent the elf was roughly a head shorter with a lithe body meant for speed rather than strength. The Elf was obviously exhausted from the earlier morning workout seeing as he was barely keeping his shield up. Frias motioned for the Elf to drop his shield as he did the same. Only for Frias' back to light up in pain as Doctore whipped him across the back. Doctore pointed at the shield on the floor and back to Frias. The order was clear, you keep the shield up or be punished. Frias winced at the pain before grabbing the shield and lifting it.
"Seems like the otherworlder feels pity for you! Show him that you are not one to be pitied!" Doctore yelled at the Elf as he cracked his whip.
The elf hesitantly nodded and commenced his attack beginning with a large sloppy overhead strike. Frias blocked it easily and shoved him to the ground with his sword arm. The elf was quick to get back on his feet and slash again at Frias, who easily knocked it aside with his shield and shield bashed the poor elf to the ground.
"Back on your feet Elf! The otherworlder is making fun of you! He doesn't even raise his sword against you! Make him respect you!" Doctore emphasized with a crack of his whip.
The Elf charged again and again each time trying and failing harder and harder. Frias never hit the elf once with his sword, opting to just knock him down over and over. Eventually Frias had enough and motioned with his hands to stop. Looking around the training ground and making eye contact with the Doctore. He then motioned to his sword and made a motion to make it smaller then pointing at the elf.
"Seems like the otherworlder thinks you would do better with a dagger than a sword. Maybe he is right." Doctore then grabbed two daggers and threw them at the feet of the elf. "Be thankful that the otherworlder is kind enough to offer you assistance. You will find no such kindness amongst the others."
The elf nodded towards the Doctore then nodded to Frias in thanks before putting aside the shield and sword to pick up the daggers. The Elf quickly spun the daggers around in his hand before reverse gripping it and charging. This time the Elf was more efficient taking quick swipes at Frias and probing his defenses. None of the attacks made it past Frias' shield, but It was a much better engagement and forced Frias to become mobile enough to avoid the attacks. The Elf was swift enough to dodge any counters Frias threw back causing the fighting to become more of an equal fight. The Elf proved to be flexible and agile using his lithe frame to make him almost impossible to hit. The two continued on pushing each other and trading blows, both pushing themselves to be faster and accurate.
Doctore looked up to the balcony to see Aurelius nodding in approval of the by play between Frias and the Elf. Deciding his approval was enough Doctore allowed the two to continue as he moved onwards to the others. Next he came on to the Warrior Bunny and Volk. The bunny warrior was attacking well with the sword, but seemed a bit uncomfortable with the shield. However her speed more than protected her from any of Volk's slashes, however Volk made an impenetrable defense with his shield. They would work off well with each other. Volk clearly being a good defensive fighter while the Warrior Bunny was of the offensive mindset. Moving onwards he revised each pairing to ensure that they were well matched. For the most part he was content, for now. Looking out towards the cages he could see some of the seasoned Gladiators scoping out the newbies. The Otherworlders catching most of their eyes first and foremost. Not that he could blame them, he was just as curious himself. He would see in the time to come if they would rise to the challenge and prove themselves in the pit, or die on the hot sands. For now he would have them run until they collapse.
Frias dragged himself off the ground with a ragged breath, his lungs on fire and his legs giving out on him as he tried to stand only to crash onto his knees. Looking around he could see everyone else was in much the same situation having to run for what felt like the last three hours after sparring for an hour or so. The sun had long set and a series of torches lit up the arena. Doctore gave one final crack of his whip and pointed towards the now open door leading back into the cells. The message clear. Training was done for the day. Flopping on his back Frias took a while to collect his breath and gaze at the beautiful night's sky. After a while Frias stood back up and was actually able to steady himself on his aching and sore legs. He could feel the rawness of his feet that were no doubt bleeding. Standing up he could see that Volk also made it onto his feet. A few dozen feet away from him he could see his sparring partner collapsed on the ground struggling to get to his feet. Hobbling over to his partner he gives him a hand up to which the Elf hesitantly takes.
"Gratias tibi", The Elf speaks softly thanking Frias only to almost collapse face first only for Frias to catch him and throw his arm over his shoulder to help him walk.
"Gratias tibi, I'm going to assume that Thank you? De nadi? Is that right?" Frias responded only to get a short chuckle and shake of the head from the Elf. The Elf pointed at himself and said, "Yumi"
"Ah, Yumi. Weird name, but weirder place so can't judge." Frias said before he pointed to himself and said, "Frias"
"Frias, Nomen Fortis" The Elf replied softly.
"Oh I think I can figure that one out! Nomen must be name and fortis is like strong or something like that. Gratias tibi!" Frias replied with a smile which got one in return as they hobbled back to the cells. However as they entered the cafeteria they saw food awaiting us. At that moment Frias' stomach decided to make itself known. They quickly scarfed down the bread and gruel, but not before Yumi taught him that they were called panem et polentam. After eating they dragged themselves into their individual cells before passing out on their individual cots. It was only the beginning of a hellish week.