Marina's.P.O.V.
I stared at my bed. It was comfy looking. I placed my pack on it. I was on the top bunk, below me the other girl, 'Lillith' would sleep. She had short blond hair and was shorter than me by quite a few inches. She was bubbly and boisterous and immediately we had liked each other. Across from us Hercules, Iolaus and Jason slept, well not right now, Hercules sat on his bed staring at me. I self-consciously pushed back strands of hair that stubbornly fell out of its braid and in my eyes.
"You really are the daughter of Poseidon?" Hercules asked finally, as I was putting some of my clothes in the trunk below my bed. "Yes." I answered. "You're the son of Zeus, right?" I asked. "Yes." Hercules answered, his eyes followed my every movement. "That makes us cousins." I said, stating the obvious. "Yes, indeed it does." Hercules said.
"I'm glad to know there are others...like me."I said, quietly, it felt like if I said it too loudly I would make my words untrue. "I know. I use to think that I was the only one, too. I have met others, sons and daughters of gods, but...they are so cruel." Hercules stated his usually pleasant face darkened as he spoke of our other family.
"Have you ever met Zeus?" I asked, curious. "No." Hercules sighed. "Though one day I hope to." He added there was a hint of a childish hope in his voice. Hope that I might be noticed by his almighty father. I knew this voice so well because I had often been that voice.
"Why did you come to the Academy?" Hercules asked, changing the subject. "To become a warrior." I answered my voice laced with determination. "Are you good at swordplay?" he asked, his voice coy. "I can out-sword anyone in my village." I said confidently.
"I hope you fight well. I have been in need of a challenge." Hercules laughed good naturedly. I laughed along. It felt good to laugh with someone. To know that I wasn't all alone. Hercules was a kindred spirit, I felt drawn to him even though we had only known each other a few days.
When we stopped laughing I heard a bell ring. "Ah, dinner bell." Hercules sighed. Something implied by his sigh that dinner wasn't going to be enjoyable. We walked to the dinner hall. Loud, boisterous sounds emanating from the dinner hall. We walked in; I saw a hand wave and beckon us. "Hercules!" Jason called (it was his hand that went up). "Hey." Hercules called. I followed him to the table. Lillith made room for him and me. We sat across from Jason and Iolaus. "Welcome to the dinner hall." Iolaus said, laughing at some joke that was told.
"Hey Marina." Lillith said, gently shoulder checking me. I smiled shyly. Even though they were very friendly I still felt shy. "Don't be so quiet." Jason commanded jovially. I laughed. "So, you're the daughter of Poseidon?" Iolaus asked. Suddenly my guard was up. "Yes." I said my voice cold as ice. "No offense, just a question." Iolaus said completely innocent. I felt instantly guilty...I shouldn't have snapped at him. "I'm sorry, I'm just so used to people making fun of me...because of my Father." I explained. "Don't worry we won't make fun of you, Marina." Jason laughed. Instantly the mood lightened.
I began to enjoy myself more and more. I felt myself grow less tense I could laugh openly with the others and not be afraid that they would pick on me.
My time at the Academy was the best time of my life. My days were filled with studies, training and having fun with my new friends. Lilith and I enjoyed training together; my fighting style became disciplined through Cheiron's and Lilith's watchful eye. I loved learning new techniques from her and Cheiron, soon I was one of the best cadets, under Hercules.
Iolaus and Jason were awesome. They would tease me and play around like older brothers, but at the same time help me with my studies and training as well. We spent a lot of time at Kora's whenever we had free time. Kora's Inn was awesome because the food at the Academy was gross. I would try to eat there whenever my budget would allow.
I enjoyed everyone there but my most cherished time was when I was with Hercules. His opinion and thoughts were the ones that really mattered. We would spend hours talking and laughing. Hercules would tell me stories of his adventures and misadventures. I loved to listen. They seemed to exciting compared to rural village life.
Even though Hercules always had a smile on his face I could sense a great sadness in Hercules. A deep yearning for his Father to notice him but that yearning went unquenched.
As the days turned into months we all grew closer. I had found out that I had a knack for herbs and potions to heal ailments and illnesses. This skill did not go unnoticed from Cheiron. He often would tutor me no which herbs to use and how to prepare them. He also taught me how to deal with sickness and how to dress wounds. I enjoyed my work. I spent a lot of my time in the infirmary helping the sick.
But then my powers began to spike. I was abnormally strong causing me to break things unintentionally. Hercules helped me control my strength and how to use them wisely. Soon I was almost equal to Hercules; almost...he still could beat me at arm wrestling, much to my embarrassment. But for once I felt truly accepted.
