Echoes of Olympus; The Return of the Forgotten Gods

Chapter 15

Dorian's pov

A week had passed since we decided to convert the abandoned warehouse into our training ground. The space was a testament to our collective determination, filled with the makeshift equipment we had scrounged together. Sacks of gravel served as punching bags, their coarse exteriors a perfect substitute for proper training equipment. Avaia had brought in her father's old dumbbells, a nostalgic reminder of better days.

Zephyr had been focusing on enhancing his strength and precision, trying out various techniques with an almost obsessive fervor. Each day, he pushed himself harder, his body becoming a finely tuned weapon. Seraphina, on the other hand, had shown a new type of fighting technique, her ability to move silently and strike swiftly making her an invaluable asset. Her movements were like shadows, swift and almost undetectable.

But it was Avaia who had shown the most surprising transformation. Usually, the one who lagged behind in training, she was now keeping up with the best of us, maybe even surpassing expectations. I couldn't help but think that Zephyr's harsh words during their argument had ignited a fire within her. Avaia's red hair, framing her determined face, seemed to blaze with an inner light as she trained.

As I stood lost in thought, watching my friends push their limits, Zephyr's voice snapped me back to reality. "Hey, Dorian!" he called out in his usual snarky tone. "How about sparring with me? Or are you too scared to get your ass handed to you?"

I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Bring it on, Zephyr," I replied, stepping into the makeshift ring we had marked out with chalk on the warehouse floor.

We began circling each other, sizing up our opponent. Zephyr's eyes gleamed with excitement, his usual cockiness evident in every movement. I had to admit, he had improved significantly over the past few weeks. His punches were faster, his footwork more precise. But I wasn't about to let him get the better of me.

The first few exchanges were swift and calculated. I blocked his jabs and countered with quick, controlled strikes. The impact of each blow reverberated through my body, a reminder of the strength he had gained. But I was no slouch either. My hits landed with precision, each one driving him back a step.

Zephyr lunged at me with a powerful right hook, but I ducked under it and delivered a sharp jab to his ribs. He grunted in pain but quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing with determination. He retaliated with a series of rapid punches, but I deflected them, my movements fluid and practiced.

Our sparring grew more intense, the sounds of our blows filling the warehouse. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, each hit fueling my resolve. Zephyr managed to land a solid punch to my shoulder, the impact sending a shockwave of pain through my arm. I clenched my teeth, pushing through the discomfort.

With a swift maneuver, I managed to get the upper hand, pushing Zephyr back until he rammed into a table. His eyes flashed with a mixture of frustration and excitement. Without missing a beat, he grabbed a dagger from the table and turned to face me, the blade gleaming menacingly.

"Only a coward brings a dagger to a fistfight," Seraphina's voice rang out from across the warehouse, her tone laced with playful disdain.

Zephyr shot her a confident grin. "Well, I guess I'll just have to be a coward then," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Besides, Dorian here could use the challenge."

I smirked, my adrenaline spiking at the added danger. "You think a dagger will give you the edge, Zephyr? I can take you down even with that."

His eyes lit up with excitement, and he lunged at me with renewed vigor. The dagger flashed in the dim light as he slashed at me, but I dodged his attacks with quick, calculated movements. Each time he struck, I countered with a precise blow, the impact of our hits resonating through the space.