Ancient Rome. The sun blazes over an empty, sandy arena scattered with broken pillars and jagged stones. Two gladiators face off: our hero, armored simply with sword, shield, and helmet, and his opponent—a lean retiarius draped in a crimson manica, armed with an obsidian-tipped trident and a weighted net, known for darting, taunting, and deadly ambushes. Between them stands the Summa Rudis, solemn in his white tunic striped with imperial purple, wooden staff in hand, ready to referee, intervene, or declare victory. Honor, glory, and vengeance hang in the hot, tense air.