Resurgence

14 - Ageless Camaraderie

I am really sorry for being away for so long. I wish I could have updated but I wanted to have something concrete to put up. I had, still having, the weirdest kind of writer's block. Don't know if I could call it a block. More like an onslaught of ideas, with me trying to fit in some of the few pre-written scenes but nothing ever panning out in just the right rhythm I was searching. I do believe this is the closest I will get with this part. Despite my ideas being a jumbling mess I am extremely proud of this part.

-------------------------
Three decades had passed since the deceased demigods became Primords, gaining partial immortality that halted their aging at their chosen appearance. The youngest, Bianca and Kyle, continued to age physically until they reached eighteen, after which Bianca chose to appear as her eighteen-year-old self, and Kyle took on the appearance of his nineteen-year-old self. The others had settled into their new ageless forms as well: Percy, who died at eighteen, now looked twenty-one; Luke, who passed at twenty-one, appeared twenty-five; Zoe, a former Hunter of Artemis whose age was cloaked in centuries, now looked nineteen; Michael, who died at seventeen, appeared twenty; Charles, who died at nineteen, now looked twenty-five; Silena, who passed at seventeen, appeared twenty-three; Castor, who died at sixteen, appeared twenty; and Ethan, who died at fifteen, now appeared nineteen. Though their bodies had ceased to age, their minds continued to mature until the age of thirty, allowing them to fully develop mentally while retaining their chosen youthful appearances.

-------------

The common area of Casa had been transformed into an arena for today’s duel, its wooden floor polished to a sheen. A circle had been marked out in the center, and the champions had gathered around, their eyes fixed on the combatants. Percy and Luke stood facing each other, their weapons gleaming under the afternoon sun filtering through the high windows.

Percy hefted Abaddon, the claymore’s broad blade casting long shadows on the ground. Luke, holding Lucidus, twirled the cutlass with a casual grace, the pale gold edge catching the light. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the two friends prepared to test their mettle.

The duel began with a sudden burst of movement. Percy advanced with deliberate, measured steps, his claymore held high. His approach was slow but imposing, each footfall a testament to the weight and power he wielded. Luke, agile and light on his feet, circled to the side, his cutlass flashing in quick, deceptive arcs.

Percy swung Abaddon in a wide arc, aiming to overpower his opponent with sheer force. Luke ducked beneath the sweeping blade, his cutlass slicing upward to meet Percy’s guard. The clang of metal on metal echoed through the room, punctuated by the sharp hiss of the claymore’s descent. Luke’s blade met Percy’s with a ringing collision, the impact reverberating through their arms.

“Nice move,” Percy grunted, eyes narrowed as he reset his stance. His breath came steadily, a testament to his physical conditioning.

“Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself,” Luke replied, his voice light but focused. He danced around Percy’s defenses, his movements fluid and precise. The cutlass moved like an extension of his own arm, a blur of golden steel aimed at exploiting any opening.

Percy adjusted his grip, his claymore a formidable wall of defense. He deflected Luke’s strikes with a controlled strength, each parry intended to disrupt Luke’s rhythm. The fight was a dance of contrasts: Percy’s powerful, deliberate strikes versus Luke’s nimble, quick counterattacks.

Luke feigned a high cut, only to drop low and slice at Percy’s legs. Percy reacted with instinctive precision, bringing Abaddon down in a defensive sweep that sent Luke stumbling back. The cutlass flashed again, catching Percy’s exposed side, but he absorbed the hit with a gritted jaw and a renewed resolve.