Three men came rushing at me, one to my right, one to my left, and another behind me. The one on my right attacked first slicing his sword where my head was before I quickly ducked into a crouched position. I swung my legs out knocking him to the ground using the hilt of the sword in my right hand to hit him in the head, knocking him out. To my left, one of the men tried to swing the flat of their sword to my back but I quickly turn and raise my shield. I push against him creating enough distance to use my shield to knock him out. I had forgotten about the last man as he had circled to my right and slashed with his sword causing me to wince as my shoulder now sported a large gash. Well that's gonna hurt my time for knocking out this idiot. I put distance between us by rolling to my left, cautious of my wounded shoulder. I quickly stood and prepared myself. Without a second thought he tried for my right arm, hoping to weaken my dominant side. Rookie. I blocked his blade with my own, and used a disarming technique my brother showed me last week. The man's sword fell from his hand and I raised my sword to his throat.
"Yield." The man said before he dissolved into mist like the unconscious men on the ground thanks to my instructor's magic. Clapping sounds from the stands as my mother, father, and instructor stand evaluating my training.
"Our daughter is a natural! She will be the best warrior in Atlantis by the time she is ten." My father, Poseidon, boasted.
"That very well may be true but only time will tell. She did turn eight only last month, my lord." My instructor stated. This was my final test before I graduated to study with the other gods of the Olympian Council. I have been training since I could run: learning stamina, endurance, and strategy. We use the training arena for all of our warriors, having a dry land section as well as water in order to train all soldiers for land or sea attacks. Right now we sat in the dry arena and my instructor was using Atlantean magic to test my abilities, that's why I no longer felt pain in my arm. It was never real, no matter how much it felt like it happened.
"Well I am proud of my daughter but she needs to go freshen up before she goes to meet with Lady Athena." My mother Amphitrite spoke. She was my mother in everything but blood, you see I'm a demigod. My dad fell in love with a mortal woman and had me, but she died during childbirth. Amphitrite is my dad's immortal wife, and the woman who has raised me like her own along with my half-brother Triton ever since my dad brought me home.
"Yes, mother. I'll ride back to the palace on Coral, if that's okay?" I asked my parents. Coral is my hippocampus, I've had her since my second birthday. She was about 6 months old when I got her but she's been big enough to ride since I was 4 and I try to take her riding every chance I get. You see since my family lives in Atlantis, we are completely surrounded by water except for certain buildings, but since Poseidon is my father the water never truly touches me unless I allow it. There is always a little pocket of air surrounding me providing me with an air supply since I don't naturally breathe water. My parents did give me a necklace with a pendant that allows me to have a tail and breathe water, but I don't use it much. It's not as natural to me as legs even though it's harder to get around without Coral. My family supports my decision, however, and will often use legs themselves whenever I'm around.
"Of course you can. Just don't go too quickly, darling. We can't have you or anyone else getting hurt." My father said. I nodded in respect then quickly ran to the stables nearby. Eventually I was back into the water and swam the rest of the way until I got to Coral. As soon as I had her out of her stall and hopped on her back we rode to the palace. Whilst riding through the city several citizens bowed to me in greeting. I always waved back with a smile gracing my lips when I saw their happy expressions. Entering the royal stables I had a guard take Coral while I was escorted back to my chambers.
I had to get ready for my lessons with my Aunt Athena that would take place for the next month. Entering my room, I saw a few naiads packing a bag for me. Leaving them to it, I went to my restroom to freshen up. Once the naiads were done packing they helped me get ready. I exit my room with my hair done in tight ringlets instead of my natural straight hair and wearing a more appropriate light blue chiton that becomes darker as it reaches my feet. My mother always says that it brings out the blue in my eyes. Walking into the throne room I am greeted by my family.
"Princess, you look beautiful. Are you ready to go to Olympus?" My father asks me.
"Yes father, I am looking forward to learning more from Athena." I say to him truthfully, I walk to my mother and hug her goodbye as well as my older brother Triton. Once we finish I walk back to my father and hold his hand as we flash onto Olympus.
"Remember your manners, Nerissa. Your Uncle Zeus isn't always as kind as the people back home." My dad warned me. Nodding my head once we enter the throne room. He lets go of my hand and takes his seat at his throne while I walk ahead. Kneeling at Zeus's throne I wait for him to allow me to rise.
"Ah I see this one knows to show respect even at a young age. Obviously she doesn't inherit her father's barnacle brain." Zeus laughed at his own joke and I dislike him insulting my dad but I know better than to speak out. "Rise my niece. So you have finished your training in Atlantis, therefore you will be spending one month with each of the eleven Gods on this council as you have already been trained by your father. By your ninth birthday we will review your progress and see what course will be taken from there. Understood?" He asked me.
"Yes Lord Zeus, I understand." I say softly.
"Good, now you will be training with Athena for the next month however you will be staying in our palace and my wife Hera has asked to be your guardian." He said shocking me. I actually loved my Aunt Hera, she was very nice and motherly towards me, making sure I acted and was treated as a princess.
"It will be an honor my lord and lady." I say while bowing to the both of them and grinning from ear to ear.
"Athena will stay behind and take you to her temple where your training will begin. This council is dismissed." He said and I already knew to be looking down and closing my eyes when all the Gods except Athena, Zeus, and Hera left.
"Come child. We will begin your studies immediately." The Goddess of Wisdom spoke without looking at me before she began to walk away. Quickly following her we exited the throne room and began walking the streets of Olympus. Although I love Atlantis, nothing can compare to the beauty of Olympus. It's a gorgeous summer day with a nice breeze so the streets are filled with Olympus's citizens. Although Athena walks past the smiling nymphs and minor gods and goddesses, I smile and nod my head to those who notice us receiving smiles and giggles back. Smells from vendors and flowers the nymphs tend to are almost overwhelming with how wonderful they are. Soon we reach her temple, a great structure made of marble supported with greek pillars. The double doors are made of a polished olive wood with celestial bronze owls on each. Lady Athena opens her door and looks back to me while holding it open.
"Are you ready to begin?" She asked me with a serious expression. I know I'm ready for this, to learn more than I ever could studying at home. I will become the best warrior, the best strategist, and the best hero the God's, or even the Fates have ever known.
"Yes." I say as I walk past her and through the doors. To my destiny.
A/N: Okie Dokie I am so sorry it's been awhile since my last update but I'm hoping to never let that happen again. I am a new author but this is something that I've wanted to do for a super long time. My normal schedule I've decided will be every Sunday and if I get enough feedback or inspiration I'll update sometime in between that! I love all of the readers I've gotten and those who have commented their love for this story! It means so much to me!
