Tale of the Raging Sea

Chapter 12

Months passed and I hardly saw my fellow members of EURYDICE. In fact, most of us were relocated to our respective places. Jason was sent back to Arizona, Charles was still scrubbing dishes, Pollux was on Shore Patrol, the Stoll brothers were repairing ships, while Leo was in the airstrip, repairing aircrafts. I spent Christmas alone, drinking sweet pineapple juice and sitting in front of the fireplace, in the cabin. I was expecting to spend such a treasured time with Annabeth, or at least send her a gift. Alas, I was left in the dark of what happened in California. I sipped quietly and stared at the dancing shades of orange, red, and yellow.

"Ho, ho, ho." I said miserably. "Merry Christmas, Perseus Jackson."

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Everyone, as well as I, knew things were going to turn out that way. Even so, I missed the days where we sat around campfires, singing folk songs out of key, and drinking coca-cola until the early morning. Those pleasures were replaced with the songs of metal clashing against each other and drinking almost rotten milk. I almost forgot what it was like to be a soldier. The happiness that I found was long gone.

One day, I was ordered to meet a few French officials that were a part of the French resistance; the same ones that gave me my rapier. I was happy to see they were in good heath; however, they wore the saddest expressions on their face. I would do the same if America was under control, preferably New York. I shook their hands and sternly told them I would help in any way. They took me up on my offer and helped me to learn a few more words in French. I had no idea how bad my French was until I talked to them. One of them shook their head and sighed, while the other one would say endearing words like "imbécile"and "il ne sera pas en mesure d'apprendre le français comme ce." They would smack my head a few times when I got things wrong. Soon enough, my French was a least acceptable. Then, they would pat me on the back and say insulting words like "very good, very good."

Later that day, we had a few Fencing matches. The French officials taught us how correctly hold a rapier and the rules of Fencing. It was a little relieving to see they still taught the rules. Someone, besides me, knew what it was to have a fair fight. Despite of learning the rules, many of fellow Lts. fought against the rules. I had to stop and re-position myself a few dozen times to avoid getting my eye skewered out. Of course, I won every battle against the Lts, but against the French officials, no. I wasn't on the same level, but they still commended me on my effort. I was their favorite, and I accepted that with great pride.

Later on that day, after the French officials took a lunch break, I practiced Fencing with a fellow Lt., honing up my skills. The Lt., who's name was Jeff, told me about how well the Japanese were in close-combat fighting as we fenced. Their swordmen were taught to never let the other have a chance to strike, so I had to be as well. I watched my footing and advanced, striking forward in one quick movement. I caught Jeff's arm, piercing it slightly.  I pulled away and apologized. Jeff looked like if I insulted him with my apology.

"Man, Jackson. I hope you don't apologize to a Jap. Have some guts, for God's sake!" Jeff insulted. I stared down at my rapier and looked at the tip. It was pinkish-reddish color from Jeff's blood. Even if it was an accident, I saw blood. I didn't care who it was, I didn't want to see blood, unless it was mine. Jeff shoo'd away his assistant and grabbed his arm, adding pressure slightly. "Look Jackson- you're great at sword-fighting and your skills are impeccable, but you have to lose that fear of hurting someone. Because I were a Japanese swordsman, I wouldn't have the same compassion." He told me. I knew his words were true and they hurt. I guess I made a face because Jeff sighed. "Just imagine your opponent is an animal or something. It always helps me." He suggested. He walked past me smiling. He existed the room, leaving me alone with his assistant. I looked over to him and he squirmed. He left running after his commanding officer, looking back at me a few times. The way he smiled bugged me. He took pleasure in thinking of Japanese as wild animals. Is that what humanity was turning out to be? Wild animals?