That night when I rolled into the dorm room intent on just unzipping my wetsuit and falling into bed, I found a small box on my bed. There was a note on top. It read: For your bravery in the face of defeat. P.
I opened it to find a large protein bar. Laughing, I picked it up and ate it in three bites. I was asleep by the time my head hit the pillow. And I didn’t dream. I had the best sleep of my life.
In the morning, I felt invigorated. I was pumped, ready for the day. I needed that energy for Ares’s trial. I braided my hair, put on shorts and a T-shirt, and figured I was ready for anything.
We gathered out on the south training field where Ares waited. Behind the God stood several warriors, including Heracles and Antiope, who was rumored to be one of the greatest female warriors to ever live.
“Today,” Ares bellowed, “is about single combat. For this trial, you may choose what kind of battle. Sword, spear, or hand to hand. Depending on what you choose will determine which great warrior you will face.” He gestured to those behind him. “In the old days, we would’ve fought to the death, but today you will fight until your opponent says otherwise. They will be the ones who determine whether you pass or fail.”
One by one, everyone picked their poison. Jasmine picked the sword, Georgina chose the spear, and Lucian picked the sword. When it became my turn, I said, “Hand to hand.”
Ares smiled at that, and I started to question why and whether I’d made a bad decision. “Your opponent will be Antiope.”
The warrior woman stepped forward. She was no shorter than six and a half feet. Her long, golden hair was tied back in a braid, and she wore a tank top and shorts. Her muscles rippled as she walked toward me.
Ares laughed. “Have fun, Richmond. I’ll inform Chiron to expect you in the infirmary later.” He stepped away from the fight area.
I didn’t let his smack talk rattle me. I didn’t need to beat Antiope; I just needed to get her attention, let her know that I was a worthy opponent. I was quick, I was agile, and I could take a big person down. I’d taken Heracles down a few times during training.
When we were toe to toe, I nodded to her then pulled my stance back a few steps. She had a longer arm reach than I did, and I knew if she got a proper hold on me, it would be lights out, and I’d lose the match. My best defense was a strong offense. I needed to come in quick and strike her where it counted.
As soon as she put up her hands in a defensive position, I moved in. I ducked under her right hook, landing a solid jab to her midsection. It was like punching stone and my knuckles ached. I took a few steps back again, danced around her to the right, and hit her again in the side. This time she flinched; I’d found the sweet spot.
Before I could move around her again, she spun to her right and struck me with a back hand to the face. Pain exploded across my cheek and mouth. I tasted blood. The blow had knocked me back a little, but I kept my balance and came at her again. I had to avoid getting hit in the head again. She was stronger, stronger than I was, and another blow would likely knock me on my ass. I had to be sneaky, I had to attack her in a way she’d least expect it.
As I took up my stance again, I spied a quick smile on Antiope’s face. She was toying with me. I took a couple steps back, leapt into the air and spun, aiming my right foot at her face. She blocked me with her arm, then pushed, like she was swatting a fly away. I landed on my side on the ground, the impact knocking my teeth together. More blood erupted into my mouth.
I couldn’t let her win. I refused to.
I flipped up back onto my feet, then moved around her to the right and hit her again in the flank. She dropped her elbow to protect that side. I moved around her and jumped onto her back. I wrapped an arm around her throat before she could get her chin down and pressed. Even a big opponent needed air.
I yanked on my arm as hard as I could, as her hands came up and tried to pull me off. I had my legs wrapped around her, my ankles locked at her navel. I was a spider clinging to its web; nothing was going to get me off. She’d have to drop onto the ground if she wanted me gone.
I could hear the cheers of my friends and peers.
“Keep at it, Blue. You got her!”
After a few more seconds, Antiope tapped my hand.
I couldn’t believe it. I let her go and dropped to the ground. She turned to look at me, rubbing at her throat. A purple mark was starting to blossom there.
She offered her hand to me. I took it. “Good job. You passed this trial.”
Jumping up into the air, I made a whooping sound. When I landed, Lucian was there to hug me. “You’re freaking amazing, Blue.” He kissed me, and it wasn’t a simple peck on the lips. It was a full on proper kiss with tongue.
There were several “oooohs” and wolf whistles. Then Ares was beside us, pulling us apart.
“Let’s go, lover boy, it’s your turn.”
“Good luck.”
I watched as he walked out onto the battlefield, with a sword and his shield. His opponent was Achilles, the greatest warrior to ever live. Nerves zipped through me as he battled. But I didn’t have to worry. Lucian fought like the warrior I knew he’d become.
At the end, even though he lost the battle with Achilles’s blade tip pressed into his neck, Achilles told him he fought bravely and valiantly. He passed the trial.
In fact all my friends passed the trial. We only had two more trials to complete then it was over, and we’d be divided into our clans. Then the real training would start. Soon, we would all be part of the Gods’ Army.
Chapter Twenty-Five
MELANY
Everyone was nervous for Zeus’s trial, and I didn’t blame them. It wasn’t going to be easy for anybody. After breakfast we were told to meet in the training facility where we did our elemental classes.
“Welcome to your trial by lightning.” Zeus beamed at us, like an indulgent father. It made me want to punch him in his bearded, square jaw.
“This will be a difficult trial, and most of you will fail it.” He clapped his hands together, and a boom of thunder shook the foundation of the building. The floor moved beneath our feet. Light sparked between his hands, and slowly he drew them out to create a bolt of lightning. The white glow was intense, difficult to look at.
“Each of you must grasp the bolt in both hands, and throw it at the target. The majority of you won’t even be able to hold the lightning, let alone throw it. But for those who do, you will pass this trial.” He stuck the bolt into the floor.
I gaped at him. All they had to do was grab and throw it? What about holding it for two minutes while being electrocuted?
“Miss Richmond, why don’t you come over here with me to observe since you already endured this task?”
I did a quick squeeze of my friends’ hands before moving over to stand beside Zeus.
I held my breath as the first person stepped up to grasp the lightning.
One by one, I watched as person after person tried to pick up the bolt and hold it long enough to attempt to throw it across the room at the target. Each one failed. I grimaced every time a face contorted in pain as the electrical current zipped up their arms and burned their hands.
I watched Jasmine, Ren, and Mia all attempt and fail. My heart ached for each of them.
Then Georgina stepped up. I bit down on my lip as she leaned forward and wrapped her hands around the sizzling bolt. She winced, but she didn’t drop it. In fact she looked in control. With it clutched in her hands, she turned, and with one arm, she balanced it, reared back, and tossed it across the room. She missed the target but it didn’t matter. She’d done the impossible. When she turned back toward me and grinned, it was then I noticed her shoes were full of dirt.
I laughed. She was absolutely brilliant. She took her affinity to the earth and literally grounded herself. I thought maybe Zeus had noticed because his lips twitched up.