Some time later both kids are out of the hospital and they're coming to stay with me at Olympus for the training I promised them. They arrive and they run to my side and look at me hopefully.
AJ-Hello, you're ready for practice, aren't you?
CJ-I know we are.
-Easy now. Training doesn't start until a week passes.
They groan sadly and I almost give in to the trap.
AJ POV
We groan sadly and we separate from Hades a bit hoping but he doesn't fall into our trap.
Ha-Come on, let's eat first.
-Fine. Be what it may be.
With that we pull him towards the kitchen by the arms laughing hard and we turn to eat and pass the time together until is finally the day to start training.
We stand at the training grounds at each side. He takes his suit off and as he throws the jacket off he tries to mock us.
Ha-Is almost a shame to do this again, well, I guess it can't be helped now that your auras have awoken.
-Mine hasn't.
Ha-Do you know why your injuries at the accident were only internal and not physical?
I know he's trying to distract me but I don't lower my guard but still ask him about the meaning of his words.
-Meaning?
Ha-Your aura snapped at your rescue when you got the hit. Still, the shake was so rough that it caused you the internal injuries only as a result. CJ got only minor scratches because your aura also protected him from the hit on the ground. That was your sibling love reacting.
We look at each other and for a moment we don't look at Hades and he tries his luck throwing a kick at me that I stop with my arms and a smile. He smiles as well.
Ha-You're good.
-Why thank you. I learn from watching you all fight.
I throw a kick at him and he evades and then is switching between my attacks and CJ's as well. We laugh as we make him retreat and go on the defensive. In a defense as we jump back I turn to my brother.
-CJ now!
He nods and he takes one of my arms and one leg and he throws me towards Hades. As I go flying towards him he kicks me out to the side in the stomach and I concentrate my aura where our bodies clash to not be badly hurt and I let myself fall on the floor and play dead. I hear the sound of his footsteps approach and when he's close enough I wrap myself around him and I get my arms around his neck. I can tell he's surprised but I don't give in. CJ comes and gives him a hard kick on the stomach and as he lands on a knee I get off of him and go with CJ out of his reach.
Ha-Good move there. You really fooled me.
-Never let your guard down.
With that we keep training and our attacks are well synchronized even when I'm not fighting material. He dodges our kicks and punches just barely. I start to enjoy myself in the fight and I can feel a new sensation being born inside me. I start delivering blows individually from my brother based just on instinct of pure survival.
-Ahhahahahahaha! Hit hit hit hit hit hit hit hit hit. Hahaha.
I force him back and I can tell he's having trouble keeping up with me as I deliver every blow. He blocks some but gets hit by others. In one I find an opening and I take it and wrap my arms around his neck and my legs by his torso as I private him from breathing. I don't let go of him even when he attacks me.
Hades POV
As the fight continues I notice as AJ becomes bloodthirsty and the way he gets himself around is too fast for me. In a moment of hesitation he gets on me and I really fear for my life as I can't breathe. I attack him but he doesn't let go of me. I feel him get tighter and stronger and for the first time in a really long time I fear for my life. I tap him indicating I give up but he doesn't get the message so I turn to CJ. He gets the message and he turns to help me.
CJ-AJ, that's enough.
He gets tighter and I fall to my knees.
CJ-Avi Jamal!!!
That seems to work as his grip loosens up a bit.
CJ POV
I call AJ by his full name and he loosens his grip on grandpa before he let's himself fall backwards on the floor resting. Hades falls on his face and for a moment I'm scared for him.
-Grandpa, you okay?
He manages a smile and I laugh as he catches his breath and recovers fully. He sits up and he looks at AJ still resting on the floor.
Ha-You certainly are strong.
AJ-Sorry.
Ha-Sorry for what?
AJ-I almost kill you and I just couldn't stop myself. Why couldn't I?
I pat his head a bit and he smiles cheerfully.
AJ POV
I smile fondly enjoying the warmth of my brother's hand on my head. I let out a laugh and they laugh as well.
-So, what now?
Ha-I don't think you need further training. But yes a bit of control, self-control if you may.
He helps me up and we go inside. He tells us about our weak points and strong points and answers all our questions.
-So we have to learn to keep it balanced? Strong enough to kill without killing.
Ha-If you may. You throw for the kill but never actually kill unless is necessary. Always kill as a last resort when you have no option. Honestly now, I don't want to keep fighting you. You have something that scares me. I think is best if we leave it like that.
-Huh? But you're the strongest amongst all of us.
He shrugs smiling at us and we turn to each other. Then I remember something I wanted to ask.
-Hey, um, when we were little, how did you differentiate us? I've seen pictures and we were always like mirror image of each other. So how could you tell?
Ha-No one could tell who was who.
CJ-No one could?
Ha-Only your dad could tell you exactly apart without a doubt. Even your mother had trouble telling you apart. She never said it but we could tell when she was confused. Alone she just kept looking at the both of you but when Calix was around when he noticed her in trouble he would take one of you calling you by name with the intention of helping her a bit.
We laugh a bit at that and I turn to him again.
-What would you say is the main difference between us?
Ha-Right now there are a couple differences. You are flexible and he's more muscle. You use glasses and he doesn't, you have the scar now he doesn't, you're faster and your eyes are the same as me while he has his mother's eyes. But all of those differences are more noticeable after a bit of time. I really had a hard time telling you apart at the beginning. Now that you've grown you can tell by your way of speaking and acting.
-Maybe we should play a joke on someone.
CJ-Dad is out of the question since he can tell us apart even from where he is right now.
-That's true. Let's keep training.
Ha-Three more days only. That's all I can give you.
We nod and go train together.three days later we are exhausted by his strict training.
Ha-With this, training is now over. This is your last night here. Go sleep.
CJ-Fine. Oh, can we play some videogames of the ones Karma has?
Ha-Sure if you want to die by his hand.
We dismiss the thought and he laughs as we all go to sleep. We take our own beds and we just fall asleep.
Nightmares
CJ's nightmare
I am enjoying myself in the car as I sing with AJ the songs I hear on the car's radio. We sing and are enjoying ourselves when I fall asleep for a moment. When I wake up I find that everything is dark and I can't see anything even if is in front of my nose. I get scared and when I try to call out for my brother my voice doesn't come out. I start to freak and I see a dim light on the distance. I walk towards it and when I reach it I see is a mirror image of me. I grow confused but then I realize is my brother and not my reflection.
AJ-Why did you not protect me? I thought you loved me. I thought I was important to you. Your baby brother, your best buddy. Why?
I feel tears roll down my cheeks as he keeps blaming me and questioning my love for me. I try to step back but my body won't move. I close my eyes and then I feel a pain on my stomach. I open my eyes and I see that AJ is holding a spear through me and I cry sadly at that.
AJ-You didn't saved me so I died. Now you die with me.
He gets the spear out and then gets it through my heart dealing the killing blow. I draw my final breath and as I do I wake up gasping for air.
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I check myself for any injuries but as I don't find any I sigh in relief. I look at AJ on the other bed and he's sleeping like a baby. I smile as I go back to sleep this time with no nightmares.
Nightmares
AJ's nightmare
I fall asleep and as I do I dream of the car crash we had some time ago. I grow uneasy at first as I know what is going to happen. I am merely an observer now. I am looking at myself from outside my own body as everything happens. The accident and the hospital. I see everything they did to me and when CJ wakes up and I see as he loses control as he tries to reach me. When my body is about to wake up I get a sense of relief as the bad is over but then everything stops and turns black and as I try to recover my senses I see that I'm back at the car in accident only this time around I have to see a horror picture. I am fine and well on the driver's seat like nothing happened but CJ on the other hand is lying on the street. I get out of the car and I go towards him. I check him and I realize he's dead cold like if he died a long time ago. His expression is frozen between shock and disbelief and then I jump in fear as he frowns and speaks to me angrily.
CJ-Why? Why didn't you trusted me? I'm your brother, if you've told me this was happening I could've helped you and we could have avoided this accident and everything would be fine. How can I trust you now? All of this is your fault and only you are to blame.
-No, is not my fault.
I hold my head with both hands as he keeps blaming me for the accident not trusting me anymore and I scream in pain.
-No, I was afraid, this is not my fault. IS NOT MY FAULT!!! STOP IT!!!!!
I keep screaming at he top of my lungs for him to stop but he doesn't instead it gets like there are more of him talking at the same time.
When I wake up it takes me a moment to realize what's happening but when I do I hug him tightly relieved that he's fine and concerned about me. Grandpa is here as well with us. He gives me a cup of tea but is not until I reach out for it that I realize I'm shaking.
Ha-I'll leave it here for later.
-Is not my fault.
CJ-What is not your fault?
-You got hurt because of me, my recklessness.
CJ-The accident?
I nod and he turns to hold my face.
CJ-Accidents happen. To anyone anywhere.
-You said you didn't trusted me.
At first he looks confused but then he gets it and gives me a smile while he pats me on the head. Hades goes to sleep again and leaves us alone together.
CJ-I had nightmares as well but as I wake up I make sure everything's good and fine before I go to sleep again.
-How come you never told me about it.
CJ-Is not often and honestly, is kind of embarrassing.
-Wait one second, Hades was just here, does he knows?
He shrugs and he slips on the bed with me.
CJ-Well now, drink this and let's go to sleep.
He passes me the hot tea and as I drink it I manage to calm down and finally relax at last. I drink it whole and he pits it back on the nightstand and we go to sleep hugging each other again.
To be continued..............
