The End of Everything

Send Off

Thia's POV

I had two days to prepare for the quest. According to Chiron, risking anymore time could be catastrophic. I never realized how little I knew until I was being bombarded with information and skills that I would have to know. Thankfully, it was as bad for my friends as it was for me. I got little sleep after the first night because my mind just wouldn't turn off. All I could do was wonder about what would happen and repeat the stupid prophecy over and over again in my head like a mantra.

If I'd thought the first day was bad then the second was easily the worst. A sword was thrust into my hands early in the morning when I was hardly awake standing next to my friends in the arena. Uncle Percy was tasked with teaching us any survival skills we'd need to know when it came to combat with a blade.

The sword's handle felt awkward in my hands and for a moment I forgot what I was supposed to do with it. Andy held the axe he'd used previously and seemed pretty comfortable meanwhile Leah gripped a double bladed spear. Both of them seemed much more confident with their chosen weapons than I did with mine.

"Alright first thing we're going to do is a little sparring. Just to see where you're at and what you need to learn. Leah you first," Percy directed, Leah's expression gave away her doubts about going head to head with the most powerful son of Poseidon. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna destroy you."

"Thanks! That's somewhat reassuring." Leah stepped forward anyways and Andy and I made sure to stay back a good ways. Uncapping his pen I watched as it elongated into a very threatening blade, Riptide. Leah stepped into a firm stance and with Percy's nod she attacked.

It was amazing watching the way the spear twirled in her hands. It was certainly a dangerous weapon. If you missed the opposite end you'd get sliced. It was similar to a two headed snake. You had to be twice as alert with the enemy. She held her own for a good while and I couldn't help but be impressed with the smoothness and efficiency of her combat but my Uncle was quick to catch her off guard. Leah landed flat on her butt with a wince but took my Uncle's hand as she was tugged to her feet.

"Not bad at all. You're quick. Alright Andy, it's your turn." Andy nodded and was the next to face off against my Uncle. He wasn't as quick as Leah but he had the force and strength to at least cause my Uncle to struggle under the blows of his battle axe. In the end Andy suffered a similar fate as Leah. "Good job, the axe definitely suits you. Alright Little T, your turn."

Nerves caused butterflies to flit around in my stomach as I started to take notice of the small crowd that was gathering to watch. The sword suddenly felt even heavier than before but after a nudge from Leah I took a step forward. I was certain that I looked like a deer in headlights but I stepped back into a fighting stance anyways. At my uncle's signal I stepped forward testing the waters with a slight jab. He easily stepped aside and with a sigh I upped the tempo. A slash then a parry and a thrust. Only that was the last thing I accomplished before the flat of his blade disarmed me. My own sword went flying before its blade plunged into the dirt.

Instantly the heat of embarrassment flared up in my cheeks as I scrambled over to retrieve it. Tugging it out of its firm place in the ground I faced my Uncle who was trying but failing to mask his surprise. He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "Well, not bad, you just have work to do."

"Yeah. I know," I nodded, moving to stand next to Andy and Leah again but really I just wanted to stab my head in the ground like an Ostrich. The sparring continued on for a while and soon I was easily out of breath and covered in a thin layer of sweat but I had yet to improve much. Andy and Leah on the other hand were completely excelling.

"Little T come here." Uncle Percy beckoned me over after having talked to Andy for a moment. "You're gonna partner with him."

"Okay but you know he's way better than me right?" I laughed awkwardly but that didn't deter my uncle from his decision.