Training

I sat down at the Hades table tired, training had been exhausting. I'd never used a sword before and Alex decided we were going to use swords for training. Gods, I thought, I never realized how hard it was to use a sword.

"Hey, how was training?" August came and sat next to her.

"August, are you allowed to sit here?" I asked.

"Satyrs can sit at any table, but demigods can't because of the rules," August replied.

"Oh, well, training was terrible." I propped my head up with my hand.

"Why is that?" August asked.

"I had to use a sword and I don't know how to use a sword, also they were all either too heavy or too light." I stood up and walked over to the fire and poured part of my food into the fire. I prayed to my father for help with training then hurried back to my table and sat down next to August again.

"Let me guess all created with celestial bronze?" He asked.

"Yep." I sighed. "Alex wants to train some more after dinner, so I have to finish up pretty quick." I scarfed down my dinner.

"I'll see you later!" I stood up, put my dishes away and hurried to the training area.

I arrived before Alex and went to look for a sword that would feel comfortable to use in battle. I picked up each sword but they all felt too heavy or too light. I sighed and kicked the ground, I misaimed and hit a sword, it clattered on the ground. I picked it up and for once it didn't feel too heavy or too light.

"Peck!" Alex called my name as he arrived.

I walked out of the shadows holding the sword. "Hey, do you know what this is made of?" I asked him.

"Oh, that's made of stygian iron, it can kill monsters just like celestial bronze." He replied.

"Can I try it with training?" I asked looking at him with hopeful eyes.

"Yeah, sure." Alex unsheathed his sword and planted his feet in a fighting stance.

I stepped back a few feet from him and took my stance. Alex charged at me and I raised my sword to block, for the first time it didn't fall out of my hands.

"I think you found a good sword." Alex chuckled.

"We'll have to see," I smirked.

***

Alex sat on the ground as I pointed my sword at his chest. His sword lay a few feet away.

"You win, Peck." He chuckled.

"I guess stygian iron swords are my style." I lowered my sword.

"Never thought that sword would be useful for a demigod."

I chuckled and held out my hand, Alex took it gratefully and I helped him up.

"I think that's enough training for today." Alex brushed off the dirt from his jeans and grey shirt.

"Yeah." I placed my sword into the dirt and clicked something. My sword immediately transformed into a black bracelet. I blinked at the bracelet in my hand before I panicked. "What did I do? Where did my sword go?" My eyes widened.

"It's still here, you just transformed it into a bracelet, relax Peck." Alex took my hand and pressed a button on the bracelet, the bracelet vanished and my sword returned.

"What in the Hades? How is this possible?" I asked.

"Some weapons are disguised as small items, sometimes a pen like Percy Jackson's sword. But some can be coins or pieces of jewellery, like yours." Alex explained.

"Oh, that makes sense, does your sword do that?"

"No, but it's fine."

"But doesn't that scare mortals?"

"No, the Mist hides our weapons, makes it seem like we're using something else. But, some mortals can see through the Mist."

"Well, I guess I'll be sure to rem-"

"Hey! Ares cabin is training, clear out!" A familiar voice yelled from above.

Peck looked up and recognized Clarrise, Ares cabin's head counsellor. I grumbled a greek curse under my breath and walked out of Clarrise's way as she led her cabin down. Without saying anything to Alex I walked off to the stables.