The Journey of Hardship

Spar with a blade

“Then we will start working on your sword work, you need it if you want to have a chance in capture the flag.” Spoke Luke,handing me face wash.  

 I nod my head. "Okay, but I never used a sword before." Placing the face wash under the bed, I was stationed right beside. Carefully making sure it doesn't fall in one of the cracks on the floor that might be under the bed.

"That's fine. It's not as hard as it looks."

"I don't believe you." I retorted, making the son of Hermes laugh before he got up.

"Yeah, well, you will find out tomorrow." He remarked. "Now I recommend getting some sleep, we wake up bright and early tomorrow." 

My body yawned in reply, realizing how tired I was. Luke could only smile.

"Yeah okay." I said with another yawn escaping my mouth. Luke only smiles before walking towards another Hermes camper who was having trouble with his sleeping back.

Thankfully I didn't have any trouble with mine. I was simply able to roll it out and plant my head on the pillow I was giving. But I was having trouble and that was with my dreams.

Unlike my other dream I didn't wake up in a vast void of black but a nice view of the ocean with cliffs hanging from above. Have to say this was definitely an upgrade from my last one.

I take a slow breath of the air smelling the sea from below. 

I could get used to this.I thought but this view didn't last long when a thunderbolt struck in the sky changing the scenario. Now I was floating in the sky. Of the act of my instincts I wanted to scream but like in my other dream I couldn't speak at all. I look around only to see the clear blue sky. Then I took notice of the sound of thunder, which is not common in a clear sky. That wasn't the strange part, what was strange was how many times it struck.Twenty two times. Then the sky began to darken. Like the light was beginning to be swallowed by Shadows. I look above me to see the sun being covered by the moon. A solstice. The wind started to pick up around me smacking against my face with the smell of summer blowing into my nostrils. Light flashed before my eye, blinding me for a moment with the sounds of thunder ringing in my ear. When I opened I saw storm clouds all dark and hazy, then the sound of thunder. I prepared myself to be blinded by the light of lighting but it didn't come. I covered my eyes just to make sure with the sound of thunder rolled in again but no flash. I uncovered my eyes to see storm clouds speaking out the sound of thunder but no lighting.

I readied myself preparing Luke's sword to come swinging at me but instead I was met with a leg sweep, knocking me to the solid ground, leaving me dazed. When I collected myself I noticed my sword was in front of me. I reach my arm for it, trying to grab the end of the hilt, only for it to be kicked away and a tip of a wooden sword pointed to my face.

"You almost had it." Luke smiled.

I looked up to the blond counselor. "I don't think so." Spitting out what I thought was dirt in my mouth.

"Don't worry you'll get these down soon." He held out his hand and I gratefully took it, hauling me up to my feet. 

"Maybe we should try it more slowly." He suggests picking up the wooden blade.

"Maybe." I shrugged, grabbing the practice sword from his hands.

Luke takes a couple steps back just far away that out blades with only touch. "Let's try it again." 

I nod my head raising the sword in the air, holding with both of my arms so I don't drop it. A couple minutes ago I was able to hold this sword with only one arm. The sword wasn't very heavy, light even. Like it was weightless, even practicing with a dummy but being kicked, lunged at and swept me off my feet drained my strength.