Classroom a Week Later
The class was almost over for the day. Mrs. Sophia standing behind her white board was filled with sentences of the history of the Trojan war all perfectly written. "And that is how the war ended, remember to burn that in your brands for it'll be on your upcoming test students."
The class in unison replied in understanding to her instructions. Finally with the bell ringing class was dismissed for the day letting everyone go home.
All but Leon, Cora, and Elais stayed behind chatting per usual in the hallways. "Training with the black haired beauty and the greek goddesses Athena!? You have no idea how lucky you are!" Elais enthusiasm shined learning his friends training yesterday.
Leon couldn't disagree Achillia was a beautiful woman with black hair but was surprised many people had given her a name. Cora at this point had to chime in bonking Elais square on the head "Tone it down you I can practically see you drooling," clearly she didn't like the seeing someone go crazy over an individual like that but Elais had to double back
"Hey! It's not my fault people really like her and I wasn't drooling." The two no matter what day finds some way to bicker and make Leon laugh a bit.
"Can't say it's easy, I'm still new at this but they do not hold back I can tell you that much," Leon said sighing a bit still a bit sore from the sparring match him and Achillia did and new it was gonna come again today.
"Well they are warriors so no helping it, just try not to die now," Cora said with honesty he could not help but agree even though she wasn't in his position.
Leon wanted to change the subject thought of something he should've asked sooner "Gotta ask out of all the people and class you two seem the closest, are you both childhood friends?" Elais even thought how that question went over his head but made sure not to say out loud less he wanted Cora to get on him for being simple minded.
"Our families knew one another so naturally we had the privilege of growing up together," Cora said with utmost pride in her voice like she was waiting for this moment. "We're like partners in crime, Cora here would be lost without me and my enthusiasm," Elais pointed out what he thought which made Cora have to answer back "And without me you would've failed classes had I not reminded you Mr I hate cleaning my room."
Elais turns to Leon smiling "See what I told you?" All he could do was listen to how much polar opposites somehow got along.
"Careful she doesn't put you in head lock Elais" He wanted to retort but Cora with smug grin did exactly what Leon said, someone who was suppose to be a warrior to be getting put into a head lock from a straight A student was something that would leave you either shocked or confused.
"You may be training Elais but you know I have my perks," she said in a playful manner shaking Elais around. These two were best friends in a goofy manner, something that helped brighten his day. "Anyway I gotta get going, Achillia is finally gonna let me try using magic since my body has been honed a bit."
Over the past week she had put him through rigorous training with not only the wooden sword and shield but also an ancient type of Greek fighting called Pankration, a form of fighting mixed with boxing and wrestling that was taught by soldiers to fight and subdued their opponents. Recalling the training regime for that was tough as when using wooden weapons.
A Few Days Ago out in the Fields
"Alright Leon learning to use the blade and shield is one thing but if someone were able to disarm you you'd be left defenseless from your opponent. So today to further hone your body we are going to practice Pankration an ancient Greek fighting style of both boxing and wrestling." Said Achillia getting into a fighter stance.
Leon nodded doing the same thing following her movements putting both fists above his head. "I get the boxing but how..." those sentences were cut off as she charged forward punching his arms.
Staggering and lowering his arms he winced in pain "Ow! Jeez you hi..." cut off again she then tackled and wrestled him to the ground completely immobilized." Just like her swordsmanship her Pankration was fast and fluted like she could dance while fighting if she wanted too.
"Your stance is too sloppy, you can't waver in the middle of a fight or you're dead," It was almost as if Achillia could break his arms in a second if she wanted too. Both of Leon's arms were held behind his back from her strong grip completely at the mercy of her.
"Ack! Okay okay I'll do better!" He said with the feeling of his muscles aching. Satisfied with his answer she let go fixing her hair letting him get up slowly. "Jeez you say my muscles are somewhat approved but your strength makes mine look like child's play," He slowly rubbed his armors lightly smiling despite the pain.
Achillia responded back with a good message to not lower his self esteem "Trial and error there were so many times I failed but I learned from my mistakes always improving, you'll catch up with in time Leon so no worries." Achillia had a way saying something bright to him, she clearly wanted to see him succeed but knew some tough love was in order to do better.
"Haha thanks for the pep talk, since my bones haven't snapped I'm ready to go again Achillia," Again he gets into the Pankration stance shown by his beautiful yet strong teacher, he knew this was gonna hurt and be a long day but was ready to brace through it. Clearly he had gotten more comfortable around Achillia to the point he could joke a bit with her, luckily she had no problem with that as even she enjoyed a bit of being a teacher.
"Alright Leon, keep your fist up, legs not too close and come at me!" Leon responded in kind moving forward throwing a few hits at her, he wasn't one to fight women but knowing Achillia she was no damsel in distress. "Ha! Ah!," He kept up the pressure even though she managed to duck and weave around his fist.
"Think fast!" she yelled out lunging her fist forward at him, this time whether it be luck or learning fast he blocked though not without wincing a bit in pain as he blows even if not serious pact some serious power behind it.
Watching from afar Athena looked on making sure things didn't get too rough. Her clothes around her armor blowing in the wind she was like a goddess watching over her children. "He's slightly improved, somewhat faster than I imagined. Could it be that small hint of power I sense in him or is he just a fast learner?"
Looking up at the sky for a bit her mind somewhat raced, the idea of over seeing two people with potential was exciting despite how weak they were compared to a goddess war such as herself. "Either way Hera was right to pick him and bring to our realm, had someone else got him we would be speculating if they had good intentions." Looking back down she saw Leon wrestled to the ground again by Achillia, she had gotten him again but wasn't surprised given her experience.
Athena let out a small laugh at the sight "For now we stick with the present and prepare for whatever future beholds us."
Somewhere in a Secluded location
Deep inside the depths of the jungle a cave that leads underground with torches that were used to illuminate the darkness shook violently as if something was rampaging inside. "Haaaaaaah!"
A loud yelling echoed, it's the sound of a man in pure frustration and anger. Another violent tumble shakes the cavern causing the stalagmites to break off crashing onto the ground shattered to pieces.
"Damn him! If it wasn't for whatever lurks inside that weak body...," the voice being none of their Heracles himself who had shattered a large boulder to pieces with multiple strikes of his fist. Though his knuckles somewhat bruised with some blood dripping down all over his hands he ignored the pain through sheer frustration and adrenaline.
"An unknown person simply shows up and she picks that! Over someone with the spirit of one of the greatest heroes in mythology." Veins all over his head and arms looked like they were about to pop, face and body totally drenched with sweat it could be smelled for miles.
"Now Now, killing yourself over not being chosen is very unbecoming of you Heracles," He turned around to the voice still upset. Footsteps could be heard from shadows, a lone figure in a brown hooded cloak stepped out. Her voice was feminine indicating this mysterious individual was a woman, a very mature woman. She also wore a mask made of clay in the shape of a woman with long curly hair down around to the chin.
"Tch, didn't I tell you I don't need your council when I'm pissed, unless you have something useless do not disturb me woman," He turned his back towards her rubbing his bloody knuckles together ready for round two on any other boulders.
This mysterious woman laughed walking behind him "I tell you this cause it's better you act now then regret later." Waving her hands over his she healed his wounds in an instant. Heracles had no plans to say thank you, just a grown looking over his now healed knuckles.
"I can admit that the boy has put a damper on your progress, a dormant power laying within him no doubt caught the gods presence. Though you yourself have a heroes spirit inside you you act too rash, strength wasn't your weakness just your attitude and that's why Hera the goddess who has recognized many people such as yourself has turned her gaze to another. Am I not wrong?"
Heracles could only scowl at this, being favored by gods granted you many privileges such as wealth and power. You could live a luxurious life with the might of the gods on your side should you be picked but sadly that was rare.
Heracles inhaled then exhaled making his muscles go up then down, all veins finally cleared up showing he had calmed down just a bit.
"What did you come here for? To tell me how hopeless it is? That if I lay one finger on Hera's precious little shit I'll be disowned and let only be executed for my crimes?" Despite all his attitude even he knew better than to go against the gods, that was a losing battle no matter what he did.
The mysterious woman shook her head "Think boy, you cannot interfere directly we agree on that. But interfere from the shadows, place a blame on the young man to show he is more trouble then he's worth then the gods will have to take notice of you. Even Hera will not have enough pull to say otherwise."
Secrecy rather than brute force wasn't Heracles style but he couldn't deny deep down the idea get Leon out of the picture and him in favor of the gods was tantalizing. "Hmph, even if what you say is possible it would have to be something big. Nothing normal or half assed."
The masked woman nodded in agreement, anything small could be overlooked yet at the same time getting too involved would link it to them. "Agreed Heracles, luckily for you I have per say some outside help."
Heracles while turning away grinning in a mischievous way. Unfolding his arms he cracked his knuckles ready to home his combat power even further. The masked woman turned around walking away but not after making one last comment
"We shall keep watch of Leon's, the boy with whatever dwells in him. He may be more of a threat then you realize Heracles." with those final words she walked back into the shadows with the footstep sounds fading away
Present Day in the Training area
Athena guided both Leon and Achillia to a hill top over the clear blue ocean beneath. Fresh sea air blew all around, one could meditate or allow clean air to fill their lungs for better breathing.
Reach the very top Athena turned her heels towards the two "Alright Leon with your body a bit more stronger and flexible it is time you learned how to wield magic. Of course a demonstration is in order first, Achillia if you would please."
Achillia stretched out her hand closing both eyes and concentrating. Soon her hand began to glow a bright blue hue until finally a ball of blue of light appeared. "Wow..." Leon finally could see what magic looked like at least in the Greek realm here.
"For us magic comes in many different varieties. Small magic such as fire, water, and earth is a starting point for new learners such as you, but with proper mental training and gifts your arsenal of magic/spell skills may increase."
In the realm of Greek mythology talented magic wielders could be taught far more powerful spells such as fire from the chimera, purification somewhat similar to Medusa who could turn you to stone just by looking at her eyes, the huge difference between said spell and Medusa was that the spell couldn't completely turn someone into stone but instead incase them in hard durable stone which would require strength to break out of. But these were reserved for the most skilled and ones who could be trusted with such power.
Achillia closed her hands fading the magic away "In truth I'm more of a fighter then a magic user but it doesn't hurt to learn some new things." Athena clapped her hands together to get their attention "Now then Leon we must have you sit down and focus on the energy within you."
Leon nodded responding with a "Yes ma'am." Though in the back of his mind he knew just like the combat training this would not be easy as well.
Wanting to appear respectable in some way Leon sits down as if he's meditating. Breathing in the fresh sea air he feels invigorated and refreshed as if he has more energy than before. "Now clear your mind Leon, focus on the energy you feel throughout your body."
A few seconds passed then a few minutes on the hill yet nothing seemed to happen. Achillia looked on wondering if any progress would be made. For her because of her lineage using magic wasn't too hard despite her preferring weapons. Still after learning of some unknown power dwelling within Leon she had hoped it would be possible it could show today on the magic training.
The physical training of the Pankration was in a way to help strengthen his body to be able to handle using magic and if possible unleashing the dormant power within.
"Goddess Athena do you think if it's possible we may make huge progress today?" She said with her voice lowered a bit as to not distract Leon's concentration. Athena looked at Leon then at Achillia, she clearly knew from years of experience such a question was not a simple one. "I sense there's more to that question, speak your mind Achillia."
She breathed in the fresh sea air then exhaled feeling a bit lighter "I feel like the power in him makes him a somewhat fast learner, like as he grows from all this training so does his ability to adapt. I feel like it's close, like..." Athena talked for her before finishing that sentence like she knew what was to be said "Like it's ready to be unleashed, or per day finally opening," Achillia nodded at this, even though she admits despite how small she could sense it as if it was growing through the days.
As if on those final words the winds started to pick up, both women's hair blowing over their faces and now having to hold it for a clear vision. Leon still sitting down eye's closed had a whitish yellow aura around his body, it was as if as it appeared the winds responded blowing more faster. "Well now..." Athena looked on in interest, Achillia surprised me thinking if she just told a prophecy now.
Inside Leon's mind
"I can feel it, or something...magic?" Leon felt warm as if a bright light was shining down all over him, not too hot but at the right temperature you could possibly sun bathe in it. "Alright don't get overworked, I can't have this going away as soon as it comes."
The power inside he could feel more and more now feeling as if he was light as a feather and floating in the air. He felt calm and collected, a feeling he wished he had more after his grandfather who took him in passed away. "So close, I feel li..." He stopped thinking and perked his ears, he felt like he heard a voice.
"Your...close...almost...there...," The voice he heard in his dreams he could hear now and more clearly then before. Whether it was because he was meditating that he could make out the words he could not say. "Hello? Who is this?" He asked this time more bolder to understand who or what was trying to communicate with him.
"Whoever you are trying to talk to can you please tell me what's inside of me that the gods decided to take notice of?" The feeling of finally understanding what was dwelling within excited Leon a bit, he never said but not knowing made him worry it could possibly be more trouble then it's worth.
"Foc...us...one...fin...al...push," slowly the voice started to fade away. Leon tried to call out, the answers seemingly so close yet so far. "Again...huh?" Leon could feel a pulse of energy swirling in his chest, that said feeling started to move all around his body. "I can feel it! I hope I can handle this."
Back out on the Hill
Athena and Achillia looked on in amazement at the sight of the young man they were training. His body glowed brightly, the aura around his body condensing all around his body. "Now we get to see what this is," Said Athena standing her ground making sure they were safe.
Suddenly the power started to shrink but it did not disappear and instead traveled its way towards his right arm. Almost as if it was swallowing it whole the light spread and condensed around it like it was eating his arm but that was not the case here.
The very bright power started to form around his arm, twisting and turning into a solid shape with jagged edges lining around his top arm
A matter of seconds passes until the form appears around his arm. A bronze-like gauntlet came around his whole arm, silver spheres around the fingers and knuckles shined before dying down.
"What...is this!?" Leon looked over this gauntlet, very curious on what it was. He figured the voice that tried to speak to him had something to do with it but didn't know just yet.
"Incredible..."
The young descendant of Achilles looks on in amazement at the power she senses. Even Athena was astonished at this, eager to know just what this power is.
"I must admit I expected you to have to try multiple times but to do it in one go, do you know how you did Leon?" Athena asked right beside him.
Whether they would believe him or not he had to tell them what he heard in his head. "I heard...a voice, I couldn't make it out clearly but I think it may have helped me."
"Hmmm. If possible try again to summon some power within yourself again."
Athena asked out of curiosity to know more, if he couldn't do it she wouldn't force it but to understand more on what they were dealing with information was needed.
Closing his eyes, breathing in and out, and letting his inner power flow his gauntlet glowed once more. But this time it did something different the before which was now materializing a weapon from a bright yellow light.
"One...more... push!" He yelled out before finally a silver sword with mysterious markings on it appeared from the light dying down. "Huff...huff...I...did it..."
In a split second Achillia catches the exhausted reincarnated young man before he bends the knee towards the ground. "Easy there Leon, you did good."
"Indeed. A gauntlet that can make a weapon." Without talking Athena then speaks in her head *Maybe just maybe this is a unique type of power.*
"Come on Leon you definitely deserve a long rest now."
Achillia placed his arm around her shoulders to keep him up almost like she would for any soldier that was wounded in combat.
"Yeah, a hot meal and bath would be...huh?"
Just down below on the beaches he noticed something shining on the clear white sand. He wouldn't have noticed it if he kept his head up looking at Achillia.
"Hmm, what is it?" She asked before Leon pointed his finger downwards and there she could see what he was talking about.
"Interesting, give me a moment." Athena held out the palm of her hand and used her mind magic to lift up the item and bring it to her hands.
It was revealed to be a golden ring with magical gems embedded in it. It almost seemed like it could be some royalty wedding ring but like with many royal families he or she could have rings on any of their fingers.
Athena looked it over-pointed at the sky for a better look. "Nothing that I have seen before, possibly a relic from old times during this realms many conflicts?"
Things made from the gods could last for centuries and still look as if they were brand new. If what Leon thought was correct it had to be incredibly old, still whether it was or not the sight of it looked beautifully amazing.
"Here Leon, a gift you deserve." Athena opened up his hand giving it to him without a second thought.
"You're giving this to me!? But what if it's an important relic?" He wasn't trying to sound ungrateful just wanting to make sure if this was something important it shouldn't be handed to him.
"Oh don't be like that, you saw it first so it belongs to you now." Achillia chuckled making sure he kept no if's, and's, or but's both women declared it was his.
"I-If you both say so then I'll happily accept it."
"Indeed, now come it is time for you to rest for today Leon."
With that all three head back into the city slowly giving Leon was still very exhausted from today.
Leon has now finally unleashed the power that dwelled within him. He has accomplished seeing it but this leaves more questions than answers on what it is and just what is the voice he hears in his mind. More to come in the next chapter.