Melaina's Burden Of The Aegean Sea

Chapter 4

"Ok just take a deep breath and relax your body" Melaina instructed her best friend. The two stood in the woods open field training as well as trying to help Thalia get better control of her abilities. "Now just feel the electricity surging through your body and then put that focus into your spear to shoot at that tree"

Closing her eyes as she took a deep and heavy breath, relaxing her body as she opened her eyes. Thalia glanced over at Melaina for a reassuring smile before aiming her spear towards the tree. However, the anticipation of whether she could strike the tree down was short lifted when nothing came out.

"Well, what a shame. Now, can we please just leave her here to babysit the house and be on our merry way?" Castor says clapping his hands together, as Thalia groaned out in frustration as she threw her spear down. "I mean she's not ready yet, clearly"

"Don't you have anything better to do than be here?" Thalia says falling back onto a tree, while Melaina picked up her spear. "You're not needed while I train"

"To train means you know what you're doing and how to use your powers which you don't. So, I am needed here because I'm not interrupting you"

"Castor, leave her alone" was all Melaina said before giving the younger girl her weapon. Castor only rolled his eyes walking away. "Hey, what's wrong? You're usually a fast learner when it comes to your training" She questioned sitting down next to her.

"Nothing," She said running her hands through her hair leaving them there. Melaina eyed her before casting her eyes towards Castor, who was skillfully playing around with Melaina's sword as well as one of Thalia's small hunting knives. "I don't understand why you said yes to him anyway"

"Is this what's bothering you? Castor coming with us?"

"No. No, I just don't get it" Melaina sat in silence. "He's just a jerk"

"I assume that is another human terminology" Thalia only shook her hand. "And I'm also going to assume that is a form of communication to insinuate that you don't like him because he is not kind"

"Haha, yeah something like that"

"Ah well, Talley as much as I hate to say this he is right" Thalia shot her head over looking at her now. "He is a great fighter when it comes to it. He might even be a better fighter than me"

"I know for a fact that I AM the better fighter, my beautiful nightmare," Castor says emphasizing the word, now sporting both of her swords over his shoulder, coming closer to them both. "Don't underestimate my fondness for you as anything less, I can best you with just one arm behind my back"

"I said you might be, not that you are" She clarifies for him. "We share the same fighting style and tactics, but I am more skilled than you in many ways"

"I beg to differ. I am no longer a kid, which means I am not the same guy, you once remembered. I have been in many fights and wars while you were away. I can without a doubt take you down"

"I would love to see that," Thalia said under her breath though they were still able to hear her.

Castor raised his eyebrow as a smirk played across his lips as he looked between the two. "Why don't we put that to the test, then? You and I will square off, as a practice run, and see who the best fighter is" He offered, holding out one of Melaina's swords for her to take.

"I do not have the time for your petty delusions," She says standing to her feet, grabbing both of her swords from him. "I have to train Thalia before we go out looking for Veritas"

"I'm sorry looking for who?" Thalia then asked. "Is she another Goddess?"

"Veritas and yes she is. She is the goddess of truth" She tells her, placing both of her swords down in the ground. "If anyone knows anything about what happened to my mother and about this whole prophecy bullshit, it's her. But she lives far from here. And the journey will be torturous and long, so I need to whip you into shape before we go" offering her hand out to the younger woman, Thalia took ahold of it, standing to her feet.