Chapter 5:

The morning sun had just begun to rise, casting its golden light over the sprawling grounds of Camp Half-Blood. The air was still crisp, tinged with the remnants of the night's coolness. Campers were scattered around, stretching, running, or preparing for their daily routines. It was a calm start to what would likely be a busy day.

Aidon stood at the edge of the training grounds, his staff held firmly in both hands. His amber eyes narrowed as he shifted the staff's weight, testing its balance once more. It had been an hour since he started his practice, but something still didn't feel right. His grip, his stance, his movements—they weren't syncing as he wanted. The staff was a constant reminder that there was more to it, something deeper, but he couldn't quite tap into its full potential. It was almost like his movements were too rigid, too controlled. There was power there, waiting to be unleashed, but he was too hesitant to unlock it.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke his concentration. Aidon didn't need to look up to know who it was. He could sense Jade's presence before the familiar voice reached his ears.

"Hey there, early bird," Jade called out cheerfully, his voice light and teasing, as usual. Aidon turned just slightly to see him, standing a few feet away, grinning from ear to ear, his goggles perched atop his head like always. There was an easy confidence to Jade, a breeziness that was hard to ignore, even if Aidon wasn't in the mood for company.

"You're really working hard, huh?" Jade continued, his eyes scanning Aidon's stance with a raised eyebrow.

Aidon gave a grunt, his usual response when words felt unnecessary. His grip tightened slightly on the staff. "Trying to get a feel for it," he replied, his voice quieter than he meant it to be. He was frustrated, more with himself than anything else. "I'm not used to... this."

Jade, ever perceptive despite his laid-back demeanor, nodded with an understanding look in his eyes. He crossed his arms and leaned against a nearby training post. "Yeah, I get it. The whole camp thing is new for you, right? You're used to doing everything on your own." His tone was light, but there was a knowingness there, as if he understood exactly what Aidon was going through, even if he couldn't put it into words.

Aidon didn't respond at first. His eyes flickered back to the staff in his hands, his mind still turning over the movements, still feeling like he wasn't getting the full potential from the weapon. He didn't really want to talk about it—didn't want to talk about anything—but Jade's presence, for some reason, made things less difficult. Jade's constant optimism had a way of easing the tension that always seemed to be hovering around Aidon. It was a kind of comfort, though Aidon would never admit it aloud.

"You've got a lot of strength in you," Jade continued after a pause, his voice dropping a little. "But you're holding back. Too much tension. You need to loosen up. Like this."

Before Aidon could even protest, Jade pulled out his giant screwdriver from his back, holding it effortlessly like it was just another extension of himself. The weapon gleamed in the morning light as Jade gave it a few test swings, each one flowing with the ease of someone who had mastered their craft. His movements were smooth, deliberate, yet effortless—a stark contrast to Aidon's tense, cautious movements.

Aidon watched, transfixed by the precision of Jade's swings. His body seemed to move without thought, guided by some invisible rhythm that Aidon couldn't quite grasp. There was something almost mesmerizing about the way Jade wielded his weapon, like he was one with it. It wasn't about strength or power, it was about understanding, about feeling the weapon as an extension of himself.

"See?" Jade said, lowering his screwdriver and giving Aidon a playful grin. "It's not about overthinking. Just feel it, don't force it. If you're too rigid, your moves won't flow."

Aidon stood still for a moment, considering Jade's words. He wasn't sure if he could ever be that fluid, that carefree with his weapon. His whole experience at Camp Half-Blood had been about control, about restraint, about not letting anything slip. But Jade's demeanor made it hard to dismiss the idea entirely. Maybe it was worth a shot.

"Alright," Aidon muttered, though it wasn't exactly enthusiastic. "I'll give it a try."

Jade's grin widened. "That's the spirit! Don't worry, we'll take it slow."

Aidon shifted his staff, holding it loosely—though still much too stiff compared to Jade's flowing movements. His first swing was slow, careful, deliberate. Jade was quick to step forward, blocking the strike with his screwdriver in a swift, smooth motion.

"Good start," Jade said with an approving nod. "But now, try this."

Before Aidon could fully process what was happening, Jade launched into a series of quick, rapid strikes aimed at Aidon's midsection. Aidon barely had time to react, parrying each blow as best he could, but Jade's speed left little room for him to think.

"Focus on the rhythm!" Jade called out between strikes. "It's not about strength, it's about timing. The flow. You've gotta feel the timing, not think it."

Aidon's brow furrowed, his body tense with concentration as he tried to match Jade's pace. His staff moved with precision, but it wasn't enough. Jade's strikes came too quickly, too fluidly. Aidon's own movements were too slow, too rigid. Still, he didn't give up. Each time Jade's screwdriver clashed against his staff, he felt something inside him stir—a flicker of understanding, an instinct to move faster, more fluidly. But it wasn't enough yet.

The sparring continued, each minute stretching into what felt like hours. Jade was relentless, but he didn't seem to tire. He offered pointers, tips, and encouragement with every pause, even as Aidon struggled to keep up. It wasn't just about power, as Jade had said. It was about adaptability, about trusting his instincts, about flowing with the weapon, not forcing it.

Eventually, Jade stepped back, wiping his brow. "Alright, that's enough for now," he said, his voice surprisingly more serious than before. "You're doing better. You just can't overthink it. Let it flow."

Aidon, drenched in sweat, nodded, though the words were more for Jade than for himself. "Thanks."

Jade's grin returned. "You're welcome! And you know, you're ready for something else. You've got the basics down, but there's something else you need to know. You'll need it sooner or later."

Aidon raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

Jade's face turned a little more serious, but his playful demeanor never fully faded. "Have you heard of Capture the Flag?"

Aidon blinked, the name sounding familiar, but not something he could place. "Capture the Flag?"

"Yep! Big deal around here," Jade explained. "Everyone gets split into two teams, and you try to capture the other team's flag while protecting your own. There's a lot of tricks, but the main thing? Teamwork. It's a challenge, but it's also a blast."

Aidon wasn't sure if he liked the idea of a game that required teamwork. But something about the way Jade talked about it—the excitement in his voice, the way his eyes sparkled—made him want to try it. There was a competitive streak in him, one that had always thrived on challenges.

"It sounds simple," Aidon said, though there was a glint of interest in his voice.

"Oh, it's way more than simple," Jade grinned. "You'll see. It's a test of who you can trust and how well you can work with others. You might surprise yourself. Or, you might surprise someone else."

Aidon didn't respond right away. Trust wasn't something he was willing to give easily, but the challenge? That was something he could handle. Maybe. He glanced at Jade, unsure of how to respond. But Jade's enthusiasm was infectious.

"I'll think about it," Aidon muttered as he shifted his weight, preparing to walk off.

"No rush! But you'll be in soon enough, my friend," Jade called after him. "And when you do, you'll see. It's more than just a game."

Aidon didn't reply, but as he walked back toward the cabins, his mind was already turning over the idea of Capture the Flag. Teamwork, trust... challenges. Maybe this camp, despite all its craziness, wasn't so bad after all.