Athanasios Perseus Apollyon - The Forgotten Tide

Chapter 28: Hydlona Training

Perseus's POV

Hydlona was a city like no other. Its foundations were steeped in the ancient magics of the deep, while its towers reached toward the surface, gleaming with a blend of modern technology and ancient wisdom. The city, nestled within a colossal reef, had become a beacon of power and civilization under my rule. The city's defenses were second to none, bolstered by the tireless training of the Sea Squad and our forces. But as I stood on a balcony overlooking the city, I knew that strength alone wouldn't keep us safe in the turbulent times ahead.

A Day in the Life of the Sea Squad

The Sea Squad had grown into a force to be reckoned with, composed of warriors from across time and legend, each trained and honed to perfection. The training grounds buzzed with energy as the morning sun filtered through the crystalline waters surrounding Hydlona.

King Nestor led the Greek Phalanx with unyielding discipline. The soldiers, all seasoned veterans, moved as one, their shields interlocking to form an impenetrable wall. Each thrust of their spears was precise, each step synchronized. Leonidas's voice rang out, a mixture of encouragement and command, as he drilled the men in the ancient art of hoplite warfare.

On the adjacent field, Romulus and Remus commanded the Roman Legions. The twin brothers had forged their soldiers into a cohesive unit, their strategies rooted in the might of the Roman Empire. The Legions practiced formations and maneuvers, their shields raised high and their swords at the ready. Every command from Romulus was met with immediate action, every order from Remus executed with deadly precision.

The Round Table, led by King Arthur and Merlin, trained in the art of chivalry and magic. The knights sparred with each other, their swords flashing as they practiced their forms. Merlin, the wise and enigmatic sorcerer, guided them in the use of enchanted weapons and spells, ensuring that they were as skilled in magic as they were in combat. Joan of Arc observed from the sidelines, her gaze sharp and unwavering as she assessed the knights' progress.

Meanwhile, the Hydlona Army trained under the watchful eyes of my childhood friends. Aegon, with his sharp wit and unparalleled strategic mind, led the drills with a blend of humor and authority. The soldiers respected him deeply, knowing that beneath his jovial exterior lay a mind capable of outmaneuvering any foe. Thalossios, with his deep connection to the seas, trained the soldiers in aquatic combat, ensuring that they could fight as effectively beneath the waves as they could on land. Krya was a master of subterfuge and strategy, teaching the soldiers the art of stealth and deception. Melia and Zerek, both formidable warriors in their own right, focused on physical conditioning and weapons training, ensuring that every soldier was at peak performance.

To keep the Sea Squad sharp, we frequently held practice wars. These mock battles were intense and often felt like real skirmishes, designed to test the limits of our strategies and the endurance of our warriors.

One such day saw the Greek Phalanx pitted against the Roman Legions. The two forces clashed with a ferocity that shook the training grounds. Leonidas led his men with the precision of a seasoned general, their phalanx formation nearly impossible to breach. On the other side, Romulus and Remus coordinated their legionnaires with masterful tactics, using feints and flanking maneuvers to try and break the phalanx. The battle raged on, with neither side willing to concede. Finally, after hours of grueling combat, the two sides withdrew, both commanders acknowledging the skill and tenacity of their opponents.

In another exercise, the Round Table faced off against the Hydlona Army. The knights, led by Arthur, fought valiantly, their swords clashing with the Hydlona soldiers' enchanted weapons. Merlin's magic wove through the battlefield, creating illusions and barriers that confounded the soldiers. However, Aegon's sharp mind quickly countered Merlin's spells, turning the tide of the battle. Joan of Arc, leading the city's defenses, proved herself a formidable adversary, her strategic prowess pushing the knights to their limits. The battle ended in a draw, both sides exhausted but more prepared than ever for the challenges ahead.

Beyond Hydlona, my childhood friends commanded outposts across the seven seas. Aegon had established a stronghold in the Artic Ocean, where he monitored the region and trained the local forces. Thalossios oversaw the South Atlantic, his connection to the sea allowing him to command the waters with ease. Krya's outpost in the North Atlantic was a hub of espionage and intelligence, with her agents gathering information from across the globe. Melia controlled the Indian Ocean, her outpost a bastion of resilience and strength against the harshest of elements. Zerek commanded the Southern Ocean, his forces guarding the edges of the world and keeping watch for any threats from the unknown.

As I trained and prepared my forces, the world above was embroiled in conflicts that spanned the globe. The World Wars had torn nations apart, and the Vietnam War had left scars that would never fully heal.

World War I had been a brutal conflict, and though I did not intervene directly, I kept a watchful eye on the supernatural forces that sought to exploit the chaos. I ensured that the conflicts remained within the bounds of mortal affairs, preventing the escalation of dark forces that could have tipped the balance irreparably.

World War II presented even greater challenges. The rise of totalitarian regimes and the ensuing global conflict required more direct intervention. I thwarted attempts to use ancient relics in the war effort, and my presence helped to safeguard key figures who played pivotal roles in the war's outcome. The battles were fierce, and the stakes were high, but I ensured that the forces of darkness did not prevail.

The Vietnam War was a different beast entirely. The guerrilla warfare and complex political dynamics made it a challenging conflict to navigate. My role was to protect innocent lives and prevent malevolent forces from manipulating the situation. I confronted hidden covens and dark entities that sought to exploit the chaos, ensuring that the balance of power remained in favor of the forces of good.

As Hydlona continued to thrive, a new challenge presented itself. Ketos and Phorys, ancient sea creatures with a long history, arrived seeking refuge. They were terrified of a forgotten sea monster, a creature so ancient and powerful that its name had been lost to time. I agreed to meet with this creature, hoping to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

The creature, an immense and terrifying beast with a form that seemed to shift and change with the currents, was not the mindless destroyer that Ketos and Phorys had feared. Instead, it was a sentient being, weary of its isolation and longing for a place to call home.

"I do not wish to fight," the creature said, its voice a deep rumble that reverberated through the waters. "I seek only a place to rest, where I will not be disturbed."

I offered the creature a cave near Hydlona and the responsibility of being a guardian for the city. In return, the creature would serve as a partner to Joan of Arc, bolstering the city's defenses with its formidable presence. The creature agreed, and I named it Thalassan, after the primordial sea deity. Thalassan's loyalty was assured, and with Joan as its partner, Hydlona's defenses were stronger than ever.

Training and Council Meetings

Back in Hydlona, the training continued, each unit of the Sea Squad refining their skills and preparing for any potential threats. The city's magical technology continued to advance, with new constructs and devices being developed every day.

Our war council meetings were frequent and intense, as we strategized and prepared for the unknown challenges that lay ahead. Aegon's wit and strategic mind were invaluable, and his teachings in the art of Sass had become a crucial part of my own leadership style. I embraced the discipline fully, and the city's forces benefited greatly from our collective expertise.

The integration of Thalassan into the city's defenses was a significant development, adding a formidable layer of protection. Euryale, the guardian monster, had already proven to be a valuable ally, and with Thalassan, our defenses were nearly impenetrable.