ELEVEN AND STRANDED: The Beginning

Josh the Brick Wall

Josh is a son of Mars.  He is able to bestow the Blessing of Mars upon everyone of his choosing while in combat.  He can instantly know how to use any weapon he gets his hands on.  Also he can summon dead soldiers from the losing side of all wars throughout history.  His main weapon is a Long Sword made of Imperial Gold.  He has an incredible record and has never lost a single battle.  He is a trainer to any demigod that enters Camp Jupiter and only goes on a quest that requires an experienced fighter.  His biggest achievement was made when he alone held back an army of 75 soldiers and kept them from crossing a bridge into the city he was protecting.  He also covered several escapes while he was outnumbered.  He is known for his willingness to serve and to protect others.  His final quest before the War of the Gods was to escort a military regime to a new camp and to help fortify the area.  The quest went south real fast.  The regime came under fire from a rebel force and were pinned down in a very bad town.  He let the Blessing of Mars cover the regime and completed the quest.  He then returned to Camp Jupiter and resumed his position as head trainer.

Josh "Listen up Private, if you are going to survive out here in the human world you must follow the five basic principles of combat."  Reyna "Josh would you lighten up a bit.  They are only starting their training and have to work up to your tactics.  Start with basic survival and then move to more advanced battle techniques."  "Yes ma'am.  I jump to the more advanced strategies by instinct.  You are right I need to start out more basic and slowly move them through the ranks."  "Now start out with the simplest self defense strategies and then move to offensive strategy."  "What happened to Jason and Percy?"  "They followed their hearts, that is all that matters."  "Octavian was a fool to begin with.  Nico just stood by as he armed a catapult and got his own uniform tangled in the explosive ball.  Nico stood by and watched as he launched himself to death.  He wasn't even part of that prophecy anyway."  "Focus on training our new recruits.  After you have done your service for disobeying orders I will allow you to return to the arena."

Josh "I hate women for this exact reason."  "I heard that!  Should I add another six months for making that remark?"  "Sorry."  "Much better."  Reyna went on her way and checked on the others.  Josh was stuck training the new recruits.  Josh "First you must learn how to parry your opponents blade.  MC will you come here for a moment."  MCRC "Sure thing Josh, what do you need?"  "I am teaching how to parry an opponents attack."  "We both know you can't beat me anyway.  But since this is your training I will let you call all the shots."  "I am going to strike at MCRC and he will parry my attack."  Josh throws a left jab at MCRC.  MCRC parries the attack with ease.  Then Josh throws a few more at him that he wasn't expecting and still he managed to parry all the attacks.  Josh "You have each been given a wooden sword to start with.  I want you each to choose someone to train with.  This person will be your training partner until one of you dies or you wind up retiring."  The trainees pair up and begin practicing.  Each one throws one hit and then the other until they both get the hang of it.  "MCRC and I were once training partners.  We are both sons of Mars, only one of us happens to have a little bit more skill and power.  You must study your opponent before attacking.  Let them strike first so you have a feel for their fighting style.  Once you get a feel for their fighting style you may then attack.  However you will not be learning offensive fighting until you have mastered all the principles of self defense."

"Your next lesson is how to dodge an attack.  This will take some time to master but once you master it you will have all power to avoid getting hit in battle.  You need to have enough stamina to maintain your strength during any battle.  In the coming months we are expecting more battles and possibly another war.  Only this time it will be different.  Never lose focus and always remember the golden rules.  1: Do not let your opponent distract you, maintain your focus on the battle.  2: Always remember your powers and make use of them in battle.  3: Your destiny may already be written but always believe you write your own destiny.  4: Always carry a secondary weapon.  If your opponent disarms you be sure to have a back up weapon.  5: Always get a good start to the day by doing physical exercise.  Start with push ups then sit ups and end with a nice refreshing half mile run."  "Do you honestly expect them to remember those?  Heck even we have problems remembering those rules from time to time."  "One, four and five are the most important to remember."  "I have to go to a meeting.  This may possibly be my last at Camp Jupiter."  "You are officially retiring?"  "Not exactly.  I am planning to take a trip in a few weeks and need to get my final orders."  "What kind of trip?"  " it involves a lost camp, I intend to find it and if I do I will bring it back to its prime.  We will gain another camp that we can use as a complete training facility."  "Sounds like fun, were you on your way to get your final orders?"  "Yes I was but I am always willing to help train others."