Y/N's POV-
That was one of the most uncomfortable nights of my life.. this cell is so cold and depressing and i didnt get much sleep as i couldn't stop thinking about the games tomorrow. My future has never been so unclear. Hanno is in a separate cell so I'm all alone but to be honest I don't really care at the moment. I need to be alone right now..
Being in Rome has unlocked some sort of memory of my past. I remember being here.. I must have been. I long to know who I am.. where I came from- who my parents are and why they abandoned me. I thought it wasn't possible but maybe now it is. It's giving me a reason to live on so we will win the games today, we have to.
Waiting was the worst part. I sat on the edge of the small bed they provided and found a chalky coal substance on the wall. I dip my finger in it and draw the small symbol of Numidia on my forehead. They think we are barbarians but they will find out the truth.
About an hour later, just when I finally started drifting to sleep the cell door loudly opens and I jump awake to see a man stood before me with the hood of his robes up so I couldn't see his face
?- "It's time.. we will take you to prepare and get the weapons you will need for the game today"
Y/N- "Not like I have a choice is it?" The man enters but instead of tying my hands behind my back he passes me a piece of folded paper. I unfold it and look at the two simple words written in a beautiful handwriting. It just read-
Goodluck, today.
I close it confused and place it on the table in my cell
Y/N- "Who is that from??"
?- "I've been told I can't tell you. This way" He guides me out of the cell and towards the colosseum.
?- "Your the first Female gladiator.. you know that?"
That sentence shocked me. Why did they choose me then?
Y/N- "No... I didn't know that"
?- "How old are you anyway? You look young..."
I was hesitant to answer, why did they care if I was to be slaughtered anyway
Y/N- "I'm 22 years old" I say bluntly
?- "Still a child yet you are trained in war.. it's a shame the world is going"
The man lifts down his hood and reveals General Acasius, he gave me a conforming little smile and slipped something into my pocket
A- "Got more answers out of you than before.. goodluck"
He gives me one last nod before leaving..
I walk into the room I was guided to and see Hanno on the opposite side. I give him a small smile but look around instead of going to him. Acasius was right, I am in a room full of men.. not a woman in sight. There is a long table piled with swords, daggers and shields so I walk over and start picking them up until I feel two strong arms wrap around my waist and a head on my shoulder
H- "I feel like I have annoyed you.."
Y/N- "I wonder how you got that impression" I am told sarcasm isn't my greatest quality
H- "I'm sorry Y/N.. please believe me. If we are going to win this we need to stick together"
Y/N- I nod "maybe I am over reacting a little"
Hanno releases me when we hear a loud voice. I'm surprised we even heard it over the sound of how many people were sat talking and laughing in the arena. We choose our weapons- I grab a shield and a sword and we wait by the gate to be let in. I think I've actually forgotten the severity of the situation as the nerves have only just hit me. I link my arm with Hanno as the gate starts to slowly raise..