Hello, everyone. Chapter 1 to 7 have all been edited and rearranged. If you a second time reader please read the chapter again and I have changed many details. Some minor others major. :) Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Chapter 1: Rebirth

In the great city of Rome all were present in the coliseum to watch a battle, and soon to be legend, between the current Emperor and a former, famous, Roman General turned slave. The battle ended as quickly as it began, with a shocking conclusion, the Emperor lying on the ground dead.

This was an inconceivable possibility in any Roman's minds. As the very few times an Emperor has entered the arena battles, or games, would always end in the Emperor's victory. Not because of skill but because of their wealth and power as all of the Rome knew that the games were rigged.

"Who shall help me carry him?" Princess Lucilla, the sister of the now dead Commodus, former Emperor of Rome, called to the surrounding gladiators, soldiers, and senators. In response to her call dozens of each group began to walk towards a downed man. The man on the ground is the one who killed Emperor Commodus, a man who finally enacted his vengeance. This man whose son, wife, friends, career, life and father-like figure Marcus Aurelius, former Emperor of Rome and Father of Commodus, were either murdered or destroyed by Commodus.

This broken man's name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, a name that will be sung in legends for centuries to come.

As the men lifted him off the ground, Maximus stared at the bright sun above the clouds. His mind beginning to lose its consciousness as the wound at his side continued to leak his blood. With his final moments of life his only thoughts were of home and of his family. Soon, his half lidded eyes finally closed completely as he let himself finally relax and accept his death.

A soft breeze touched his face, as loud rustling surround him. He opened his eyes to see a beautiful sight. A field of grain spanning as far as the eye can see with a small yet decorative home in the center of the field, with a road leading towards it. He knew what this place was, as it was his home, the same home his family was murdered in. His eyes narrowed at the thought, eyes watering with tears of sadness, but in the distance he could see something, someone. His eyes, at first, had difficulty discerning who the people were until they final adjusted to the light. His tears of sadness soon became tears of joy. As his wife and son were with him, in their home in the afterlife. He walked towards them, his hand grazing the field of grain, as his family also walked towards him. His son, filled with impatience, began to run towards him causing a soft smile to appear over his face.

"Father!" the boy yelled as he neared Maximus. With the distance quickly lessening Maximus kneeled down to one knee and caught his son as he rammed into him. He chuckled while his son giggled, embracing one another with uncontrollable joy. Maximus, after months of sorrow, was finally happy, he can finally rest peacefully with his family.

As Maximus stood up he ruffled his son's hair as he looked to his wife, who now stood in front of them. He could not resist the urge to embrace her and give a heart filled kiss one his wife returned wholefully.

"I have missed you, dearly" Maximus said with his soft smile still plastered on his face.

"As have I." His wife said as she cupped his face.

They began to walk towards their home for a day of celebration, ironic considering they are all dead. During their feast Maximus and his family spoke of his exploits. Events they already knew of. It would seem that they have been watching him since the moment they were killed. It still pained his heart that he could not save them but they held no remorse and were happy that they could together again. Further telling him to remove his feeling of failure. For while they were indeed killed, it was not fault of his own, and then he had avenged their murder. For the entire day and night they feasted on food that tasted fit for the gods. After they had their fill Maximus and his son began to play outside with wooden swords or chasing after each other around the home, while his wife carried an unending smile on her face watching this all unfold. After the young boy was all tired out and put to sleep. He and his wife had taken the chance to express their love in a more intimate form.

This life remained for what felt like months.

With Maximus finally being at peace.

Another morning came as Maximus and his family ate fruits and cheese for breakfast on their family room table. Preparing themselves for another day on their peaceful farm. Though, today, Maximus noticed something different in his wife's eyes. They had sadness in them and he couldn't fathom why she would have this. So, he sent son to go to his room telling him to set up a mock battle with his toy soldiers. His son, with much enthusiasm, ran to his room to do what his father told him. As his son left the main room he turned to his wife that had her back to him, her long black hair falling to her lower back.

"Selene, what's wrong?" He said as he approached her. Her hands were trembling as she held a plate, tears falling from her eyes. He was now worried, what could have caused her to act this way. She then turned to him, her eyes locked with his, as she placed the plate down on the table.

"Maximus, before you arrived I was visited… by the Gods." Maximus's eyes grew wide as this.

'Which gods?" He asked curiously yet seriously. She hesitated with her response as she looked at her hands.

"Vesta, Mars, and Jupiter they came saying that your journey has not yet been completed. That there is still another fight, another war you must fight in." She said as more tears fell from her face. Maximus tried to comfort her in any way he could as he thought upon her words.

The Gods are calling him to fight in a war, even in death he could not escape the call. He wished he could say no to the Gods but he can't. They have the power of destroying his family's souls completely or worse Tartarus for all eternity.

"They said they will arrive for you in the morning after a year's time. To give you some peace and joy before being forced to fight once more. They were gracious enough to provide us with food until the day came." She continued as tears still fell but not as strong as before.

"I knew the food was to godly to have been made by your hands." Maximus joked, trying to lighten the mood, instead he got a smack to the arm and a stern look from his wife. Before either can say anything more a knock was heard from the front of their home. He, Selene and their son, who had heard the knock as well, walked towards their door.

When they arrived the was door already open and a woman stood before them. She wore a stainless silk white cloth, flawless tanned skin, a beautiful face and an attractive body, her blond hair placed in a large bun on her head with two locks of said hair falling to the sides of her face. Her most mesmerizing site, however, were her pure, heavenly, gold eyes. A smile spread across her lips as she saw Maximus but her eyes were filled with sadness.

"I am Vesta, Goddess of Family and Home, may I come in?" She asked with an unbelievably beautiful, and angelic voice. Maximus and his family bowed their heads, showed her into their home. They led her to the main room where they brought her stool to sit upon. As per custom, the family waited for her to sit first before they sat themselves. Maximus apologized for their lack of preparation and quality of furniture, that she surely was not used to. She waved them off saying that she didn't mind the quality. She went on to say how it gave their home a more family atmosphere that she enjoyed greatly. Her smile faded, however, when she looked at Maximus.

"I'm sorry, Maximus, for all that has happened to you and for what I, we, will put to put you through." She said grimly as Maximus only nodded.

"It is alright, my lady, this is your realm and we are simply quests. We have to, in some way, compensate your generosity. In that note, where is the front for this war you want me to fight in." Maximus asked as his wife's face grew tearful again and his son grew confused, as the young boy did not understand what was going on.

Vesta's face grew sadder at his question causing Maximus to worry that he had done something.

"I'm sorry Maximus, again, but there is no war in this realm you will be directly , Maximus, have been chosen by not one of us nor any other God of our plain. You were chosen by something we can not control. It is your Fate or Destiny, as some would like to call it, to fight once more. Though keep in mind that destinies are vague and very open. It only says your destination not your actions or ending." The more she spoke the more Maximus grew confused, not at the concept of fate or destiny, but of the part about destination. Where was he going?

"You have been marked to enter a different world, Maximus. A world where you will play a powerful role in but what you do in the world all depends on your choices." She finished getting a confused look from the young boy, a bemused look from Selene and a shocked look from Maximus.

They wanted him, a farmer, a former general, to be sent to a different world and do some kind of drastic changes that he and they have yet to know of. He could not fathom the reasoning behind this. Why they would choose him.

"Why me?"

"Because you have always had the ability to lead, to drive people forward, to create the impossible, even if you don't believe it yourself." A withered voice spoke behind Maximus and his family. The voice was familiar to him, it sounded almost like...no it couldn't be.

Maximus turned around to see an old man with a white beard and wrinkled face. Wearing a purple cloak and a white robe. He knew who this man was and he could not believe his eyes.

"Aurelius," Maximus whispered in shock. He soon shook out of stupar and quickly kneeled. The old man chuckled at his former generals action.

"I am not the Caesar anymore, Maximus, there is no need to kneel before me." He said with a wizened old voice. Maximus only lifted his head up, not standing from his position.

"You will always be Caesar to me, sire." Aurelius smiled at Maximus's loyalty and sense of duty. He motioned him to stand before walking closer, Maximus quickly got out of his stool and motioned for him to sit. Aurelius shook his head with a smile before sitting while Maximus got another stool to sit on.

"I am sorry I am late Lady Vasta, I am not as young as I used to be." Aurelius said to the Goddess causing her to chuckle.

"There is no need to apologize, it would appear you arrived at a perfect time." She said with a smile.

"It would seem I have," Aurelius said with a nod. He looked to Maximus once with an approving smile.

"Maximus, do you know how I died?" His question caused Maximus to stiffen. He had guessed on how he died and that guess was confirmed in his dual.

"Commodus." He said with venom. Aurelius nodded with a sad look in eyes.

"Do you know why he killed me?" Now that he did not know anything about. He could never figure out why he killed him. Maximus shook his head causing Aurelius to smile.

"He killed me because I named you, Maximus, as my heir to the throne. As the next Caesar, the next leader, and the next Emperor of Rome." Maximus's eyes grew wide, along with his family. He was to be the next Emperor of Rome. Why? Why was he chosen to be the next Emperor. This is just as confusing as to why he was going to a different world.

"You do not know what you have do you, my friend, your gift. Maximus, you've always had this incredible ability to direct the people's emotions, to lead people into whatever you've planned and they'll loyally follow without question. You would have been one of Rome's most famous and memorable Caesar's Rome would have ever had. It is only my son's greed to have caused you and everyone involved so much hardship and for that I am sorry" Aurelius finished, bowing his head slightly.

"Sire, you are not in fault in this. It was Commodus's own choice to follow his greed and not his loyalty to his nation's leader nor to his father." Maximus said strongly getting a smile from Aurelius, Maximus's loyalty to his country and family has always been commendable.

"Now there is your sense of duty that I enjoy so much, and that sense of duty will drive you to do what must be done in your coming campaign." Maximus, even though he was still confused on why he was chosen and why Aurelius has such high hopes on him being a great ruler, began to feel his old sense of duty begin worm into his heart. Driving him forward into this new mission and to complete it. He was hesitant, however, to allow it to have complete control over him.

With this in mind, Maximus turned to his wife and see what she had to say about the current situation. Her tear filled and saddened expression said it all, she accepted that he had to leave but she wasn't going to like it.

"Maximus, there is something else I must tell you." Vesta spoke up, catching the attention of everyone present.

"And that would be, my lady?" Maximus asked.

"The place we are sending you is in another world, another plane. We can send you their but we can't take you out." Vesta said sullenly, eyes downcast.

"Meaning?" His voice holding strained concern.

"Meaning that when you die from either old age or battle, you will not be able to return to this realm."

XXX

Vesta had left earlier that day saying that Maximus had until midday tomorrow before he had to be at the Gods Palace, Olympus.

Aurelius stayed and slept at Maximus' to show him the way the coming morning.

Maximus stood in the main room having finished strapping the final pieces of a replica of the armor he wore to his battles in the North. However, while it looked the same it was in fact crafted by using metals, enchanted to look like leather, that were also magically enhanced by divine powers. One of these metals was called Titanium, of which he was told it was impervious to mortal attacks, and with the enchantments placed upon them it was made even stronger. His sword, however, was made out of a magically metal named Mithril creating a sturdy and incredibly sharp weapon; so sharp in fact that he can cut wood in a single swing! Something he noticed when he accidently cut through the dining table.

His armor was fitted to him perfectly. It felt lighter even, which was surprising, but none of the less it will help him fight.

He also wore his Winter cloak, similar to the one he wore to the North, on the advice of Vesta as she says winter will come soon to the other world.

"Maximus," called out his wife from the other side of the room, he turned to her.

"Selene?" he said as he walked towards her stopping when their faces were inches apart. His hands around her waist while hers were on his chest.

"Maximus," She began again, her voice broke, looking directly into her husband's eyes. "Since you are going to another world...with no chance of returning to us. I believe that if you meet someone…someone that you would be interested in being with you should-"

"What!?" Maximus said in surprise. He began to speak but Selene placed her fingers on his lips to stop him.

"When you arrive there, Maximus, you will be reborn. Your life anew and identity blank. No one will know who you are, who you are, or where you came from. Allowing you to show that world who you truly are, like you have with me. A man with a kind heart but also with a strong conviction for duty and honor. If the other worlds woman is anything like ours then they'll be clamoring for your favor... I don't want you to remove yourself from finding love knowing you can never return to us. I want you to find happiness and joy. To have more children with a woman who will stay by your side as I have, and, most importantly, for you to find peace."

"Selene, I…"

"Promise me. Promise me that you will live on. That you will win this war. That you will find someone to be with you, to love you, to bear your children. Promise me you will find a peace that our world has never given you." She demanded of him, nearly begging even.

Maximus stared at her, tears welling in his eyes. Then he embraced his wife, his body enveloping her completely. His tears now falling freely, without shame.

"I will...I promise…"

In the thick forest filled with gargantuan trees and vines you would see a light glistening in the darkness of the night. The moon's illuminating rays only sparsely pierced the large branches and leaves. Revealing the muddy and wet ground riddled with animals tracks pointing towards all directions. Animals ranging from foxes and rabbits to wolves and wild boars. Yet among these tracks a set a man's boots was plastered on the mud. The footsteps in the mud were deep telling any experienced tracker that the man was very heavy, either by his fat or armor, and that he was marching through the forest with a determined mind.

The tracks cut through brushes, torn branches, and the corpses of a small pack of wolves. Each killed with a swift stab to the head or neck. It would seem that the man disturbed the packs meal as a deer's leg was lying on the ground among all the chaos. Drag marks leading out of the small clearing towards a mountain side. A mountain side with a small illuminated section.

Passing the large rocks and traitorous sliding stones a small camp fire can be seen. A slow turning leg of the venison was being rotated by a human wearing decorated armor, as he sat on a rock with a thick leather cloak over it for cushion. A large curved yet rectangular shield was laid next to him on his left with well crafted javelins resting on his right. A helmet with horse hair in a mohawk pattern was next to his feet.

Finally, he had been tracking this humy for a while now. His tongue slide across his sharp carnivorous teeth. His clawed hand gripping his barbaric and crudely made wooden mace. He heard footsteps behind, he could smell them, it was more of his pack. A crooked smile grew on his large animalistic face. His excitement grew to much and he started...laughing.

Maximus instinctively pulled out his gladius as he heard a very squeaky but very animalistic laugh coming from the rocks in front of him. He heard more and more and more laughs surrounding him, filling the entire mountain side with animalistic laughs. He grabbed his shield before sheathing his blade. He then grabbed his javelins, placing one in the shields holster, while placing the other on his shoulder, prepped for a quick throw.

He turned to his left then his right as he heard the sound of bare feet hitting solid stones.

Then there was a thunk behind him.

He didn't leave anything else to thought. As soon as he turned he threw his javelin, without looking, using his memory of the spacing between the rock and his camp fire to guide him. He heard a cry of pain, his blind throw was a success, but at that moment all of them pounced.

As he heard them dropping down the rocks he quickly pulled out his sword while running towards the direction of the wounded creature.

It was an ugly beast, yet very small. No more than four and a half feet tall, barely reaching his chest. It was walking on two feet like a man but it was pure animal. It almost looked like a lycan, a half man half wolf creature, but it looked more coyote, maybe hyena, than wolf.

Then the creature lunged at him. Maximus effortlessly dodge the attack, as the creature was severely weakened, and with this he counter attacked swiftly with a stab to its neck. It's body then fell face first. He kicked the corpse over to pull out the javelin and placed it next to the other on his shield.

He turned to look at the other beasts and counted a total of twelve. To many for him to fight head on. Most were naked, using only their claws and teeth as their weapons. While others, he noticed, wore crude leather armor and held wooden weapons.

"By the gods, that is the most annoying sound I have ever heard." Maximus thought as he tried to block out the creatures noises.

As he cringed at their cries another beast dropped down, making it now thirteen creatures. However, this one was different as it was also larger as well its size reaches as high as 5'11. It wore a metal shoulder guard along with a leather and metal, crudely, adjourned body armor while wielding a very large warhammer.

"That one must be the leader of this pack." He watched as the 'large' beast walked to the front of his pack. Then they began to stare at each other, looking for the slightest moment of weakness. Awaiting the most precise moment to strike but Maximus was no fool. He knew he could not defeat them in honor bound combat but thanks to his time as a gladiator. It taught him that survival by battle must be won with tricks or teamwork. Since, he was alone teamwork was out of the question.

"Trickery it is then" Being in a new world causes him to know very little of how anything of this world works. These beasts attest to the differences between his world and this one but if there's one thing Rome teaches its people, especially its soldiers, it's adapting.

Maximus turned around and ran through a crevice between two large boulders. The gnolls quickly followed.

As Maximus ran through the mountain he noticed that the rocks would prove difficult for anyone or anything to climb it. He surmised that if he had the high ground he would be able to take them out one by one. Finding a clearing that lead to a steep climb up the mountain the Roman began to climb. Thanks to his armor being light he was able to march his way up the mountain side then leaped across from boulder to boulder to reach a small plateau.

He looked down the cliff side and noticed the creatures were barely halfway up. Scanning the pack he noticed several of them were grouped up together, helping one another climb up. Seeing this he took a few moments to find large enough rock to throw down. Once he did, he pushed it off down the slope, the large rock causing a small rock avalanche. Surprised at the sudden rock avalanche the creatures did not move out of the way crushing the five of them, squealing in pain before dying.

However, that still left eight alive.

When the first beast arrived at the top he quickly swung at Maximus with a wooden plank only to have it blocked by Maximus's shield. The shock from hitting shield stunned the beast for a second. A second that costed him as Maximus stabbed him between his ribs and his heart, years of training and experience giving him the advantage in this skirmish. The beast then fell back dead. Retracting the blade he turned to find two more, both weaponless. One of them charged forward with a clawed hand. Maximus swatted the hand away with his shield allowing him to stab into the beast. With a yelp of pain the beast slumped forward dead but behind him the other creature waited. The beast lunged, this time however, it managed to get around Maximus' shield and clawed at his armor.

His clawed were broken as it tried to break through.

Maximus slashed at him cutting it's arms as the creature rose them up in defence. During the beasts cry of pain Maximus slashed again towards it neck, cutting it's head clean off, killing it in one swift motion.

Maximus stared at his godly sword.

"This sword is incredibly powerful. Almost impossibly so but it is not that surprising given that it was a gift from the Goddess of War herself." He thought but was interrupted as five more gnolls arrived and began to growl at him.

The gnolls were concaving him, his back towards the mountain. The beasts seemed confident, either because of their numbers or because he was trapped, as they began lick their lips or bark at each other, fighting over who gets what body part.

Their advantage proved to be false.

The first gnoll that attacked was dodged and with his momentum caused him to hit his face upon the mountain. In a split second, with amazing speed, Maximus sliced the creature open, leaving it to bleed out to death. The second was also dodged but he did not run into the mountain wall like his kin. Instead it stopped itself by pushing himself back with his leg, however, he forethought was not enough. As Maximus then cut his limb before cutting his chest followed with a strong kick to head. As he recentered himself from the kick Maximus dodged under the stone mace of an angry gnoll. Maximus, still in his crouch, turned and stabbed him in the stomach then pulled up word to its heart killing him, sword cutting through bone and guts with little resistance. After pulling the blade out he did a 180 turn and slammed his shield against another one of the creatures, of which tried to sneak behind him for a backstab; as it wielded a short dagger in his paw. The shield bash staggered the beast long enough for Maximus to finished it off like the rest.

Maximus turned towards the last creature, shield and sword at the ready. The beast whimpered like a dog and dropped its weapon, a flimsy handmade mace, and began to flee down the slope. As Maximus lost sight of it he heard the sound of beast crying once more before the recognizable sound of a hammer hitting meat coming from below

With a loud growl the Pack Leader of the beasts climbed up, parts of his armor and half of his warhammer covered in blood.

With a roar the Pack Leader charged, hammer above his head. Maximus seeing this rose his shield in defence and as the hammer struck his body shook as could felt the amount of strength put into the attack

Maximus quickly rolled his shoulders to shrug off the numbness in them before he moved to stab the Pack Leaders legs. Maximus managed to cut him once but the beast was much faster than the rest; dodging most of his attacks. The Pack Leader then roared with power before swinging with his warhammer in a wide arc. Maximus rose his shield but the warhammer head hooked around his shield. Allowing the Pack Leader to pull the shield away exposing his back to him and by using the momentum the beast reared his hammer back for another another swing. Knowing he couldn't place his shield in front of him fast enough Maximus dropped his shield, quickly spins around, two handing his blade, and parries the heavy swing, putting his faith upon the sword durability and his enhanced strength.

With grunts their weapons struck each other into being locked into place. Sword and hammer interlocked in in a battle of strength. Both resolute in their intent. During this pause Maximus noticed strange and slightly glowing markings on the weapon. He did not know what they meant but if he had to guess it was most likely some sort of enchantment. Most likely the reason why his godly blade did not cut through the metal handle so easily. He did, however, notice scratched and chipped off pieces of metal from every blow he parried. His sword was not useless only being repelled.

The beast, realizing that the use of hammer has been made useless, released his hold on his hammer causing Maximus to trip forward. As Maximus tried to catch himself the beast leaped on him, hammer forgotten, and began to use his clawed hands as a means to finish him off. His claws only slide off his armor as they struggled to pierce his protection. Maximus, his movements nearly restricted because of the beast, managed to stab his sword into the beast's side. It roared in pain and began pry himself off of Maximus but not before striking at his neck; seeing this Maximus tried to dodge. While he managed to avoid his throat being slit the claws slashed the lower part of his jaw. Maximus grunted in pain while the Pack Leader laughed, stepping away from Maximus, its hand on his side. Maximus, in his anger, dropped his sword and rose up in one motion, blood covering his neck and face. Maximus roared as he charged at the creature barehanded, surprising the beast, grabbing the bottom part of its thigh and began to lift him in a surprising amount of strength. The beast could only dangling over him, his arms flailing about, trying rake at Maximus's face or arms. As Maximus secured his grip as he began walking towards the slope.

"Victoria!"

Maximus screamed as he threw the beast down the slope. He watched as it bounced off rocks, sharp stones, and gravel. Maximus tempered his anger certain that the beast was dead. Only for his eyes to widen in shock as the creature began to stand up, wobbling in his pain, turning to look up at Maximus's surprised face.

"HUMAN!" The gnoll scream in a deranged and raspy voice; Maximus's head rearing back slightly, further surprised at its ability to speak.

"I have you scent! I kill you! With stronger pack! Remember name! Remember! Name is HOGGAR!" Hoggar screamed as he limped away from the mountain side. Maximus watched as he left, this Hoggar, allowing himself some breath of fresh air and to allow his wounds to heal.

The bleeding had stopped and it had already begun closing up completely. The blessings given to him seem, again, to be very helpful. As it finished healing it left a three jagged white lines as scars on his jaw.

Yet another battle scar for his body.

Maximus went and collected his weapon and shield before collecting his spoils of war.

He scavenged the corpses of the creatures finding some random pieces of cloth, parchment, herbs and many other things. Though the most important things he found were small coins, he assumed to be some type of currency, two handful of copper coins, thirteen silver coins and a single gold coin along with the discarded hammer of Hoggar.

The coins themselves did not have any sort of discernible feature like a face imprinted on it, symbol, or even a word. They were simple copper, silver, and gold coins.

After a few minutes of collecting, counting, and organizing Maximus returned to his camp making comfortable enough bed of leather from the armor of the gnolls. It smelled disgusting but he slept in worse.

The fire crackling next to him, his sword in hand, shield on his left side as he stared at the stars to hoping give him some peace but they only were a glaring reminder of his circumstance. All the stars were different in this world. The constellations that told stories of the gods were nowhere to be seen.

He sighed and closed his eyes, turning to the side. He needs rest and staring at the stars were not helping. He needed to be at full strength for what is soon to come, whatever it may be, but he knows one thing is certain. War is going to be involved.

For War, war never changes and it never stops.

….but he hopes that one day it could.

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