Go Kill Some Monsters!

Isabella and Will went to pack some important supplies for the journey. While I, went to practice one last time with Stheno before I leave the valley. I thought I could use her fighting tips in the future.

She was in the training area, as always, training the sendates.

She was as composed and confident as always. Just by looking at her I could tell that, her one word and all the sendates would agree to even chase death. The scene looked as if Stheno was an army captain and the sendates were the soldiers, ready to strike on the enemy on their captain's order.

Stheno noticed me and ordered her students to self-practice.

I went towards her and bowed respectfully. After so many days of practicing with her, I now knew that her intentions were not anything evil. She was the most good and empathetic teacher I had ever had. Even if she was a monster, I didn't care anymore. She had become like my mother. I share all my problems with her and she had always given me the best solutions.

"You don't need to do that. How many times will I have to tell you this?" she held my shoulders that prevented me from bowing down.

"Stheno... I, umm, how about we practice now?" I said. I didn't tell her about the quest because Isabella had denied me from telling anyone. She never do anything without a reason so where she asked me to not tell anyone, I had to take it seriously.

Stheno looked at me with narrowed eyes. She knew I was hiding something but she didn't push me.

"Why not." she said and unsheathed her sword. We started our training.

It was already afternoon when Stheno ordered me to stop, but I didn't want to. My mind and heart were waging a war inside. I didn't know what I was doing. Only swordfighting cleared my mind.

"Stop it, Adrian! You'll exhaust yourself like this." Stheno worriedly said. But I shook away the thought.

"I'm fine. Let's practice a bit longer."

"NO! I order you to stop. Right NOW!" she said and I complied with her order. Stheno could be real scary if she wanted to. She often scare the hell out of some new sendates, who runs away, crying and yelling.

"What is it? What are you not telling me?" she asked, her brows creased into a knot. Her eyes looked frightening and filled with demand. For once, I got to see the monstrous side of Stheno. I was afraid that, deep down, the monster part of her was still alive and struggling to overtake her.

"It's nothing." I lied. I didn't know I should have done that or not, but at that time, I couldn't think of anything else. My doubts regarding Stheno resurfaced. I couldn't risk my quest by telling her.

"You are sure?" she asked again and I snapped back to reality.

"I'm totally fine." I tried to sound jolly, which wasn't easy. "I think, I will go take a bath. I smell like crap." I make an excuse and before she could argue anymore, I left.

I went straight to the cabin. I DID need a bath.

I had a shower, changed my dirty clothes and got ready to pack for the painful life ahead.

I took my backpack that was kept safely under my bed. When was the last time I had seen this bag? It was just a few weeks back, but so much had happened since then that now the fact that I once used to go to school like normal kids seemed so distant as if it was aeons ago.

I opened it and was surprised to find some books inside. These were my course books, but I didn't think they could help me anymore. My life wasn't governed by science but by creepy and imaginary creatures whom I used to think as fantasy. Ah! my life sucks.

I put the books aside and packed my bag with the things I could accumulate. A sky blue coloured T-shirt, faded jeans, some snacks and of course ambrosia and nectar, the godly food and drink that can heal the wounds of sendates and half-bloods.

I was just done, when Will arrived. He quietly sat on his bed, facing me.

"Are the arrangements done?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yes, we're ready to leave at dawn." he said. "Isabella had asked Mr Turner to drop us to the city and after that we're on our own."

"Okay. We should rest now." I said and Will at once laid back on his bed. He looked really exhausted.

I was tired too. Training with someone like Stheno demands quite a lot of energy.

I put the backpack beside my bed and went to sleep. Fortunately, I didn't have any terrorising dreams this time. Maybe my mind knew I couldn't afford any disturbing dreams right now.

I needed energy to go and kill some goddamned monsters. I just love my life.