A delicate balance 1.32 - ING. VERSIÓN

Maria fell asleep an hour later and was now sleeping in Kain's arms. At the same time, the trio of idiots (Jason, Odysseus and Achilles) told stories of their experiences in the dungeon. From his arrival at the 50th floor, a place that very few adventurers have arrived. At the same time, Ottar, Viggo, Flora, and Tatsumi were listening to them without making a single sound. Totally absorbed in the description of the terrible beasts that lived in the depths of the dungeon. From time to time, they laughed at Jason's jokes or Odysseus' scolding. Jason as always was pure laughter and smiles; he never took anything seriously and that lightened the conversation. All the women, goddesses and children listened to his story in a good mood. Even if at times a real danger was mentioned.

For his part, Viggo was sitting next to Achilles and his sister Flora, sitting on the other side of the table. She made pleading glances so that he would let her sit there. Viggo smiled mockingly, and Flora frowned and pretended to punch herself in the face. Viggo understood very clearly the message "If you don't let me sit there, I'll hit you" Viggo scratched his head and looked at Achilles, who looked kind and laughing, listening in a good mood to everything Jason said.

Achilles caught his gaze and turned to look at him –What's wrong, little brother?– asked with a gentle smile and patted his back.

Viggo froze without knowing what to answer. In no way could he tell him that his sister was bullying him into sitting next to him. Viggo forced an uncomfortable smile and said -nothing, Achilles, only, only, I just wanted to ask you if you are good with the shield-

Achilles tilted his head from side to side and said with a modest tone -I handle-

-In that case, could you help me?-

-What is it about?-

Viggo looked sideways at Flora, whose face was getting moodier at every turn. Viggo thought. However, to avoid fuck it, Viggo continued -you see, my master taught me a shield technique, but in many cases, his explanation becomes very imprecise. For him everything is "you resist, repel and hit back as hard as you can"-

-Let´s, see? Show me-

Viggo smiled, looked at Flora, and winked at her. Flora's face lit up and she smiled full of joy. Viggo got up from his stall and walked to his father, at the other end of the table. At the same time, Flora surrounded the table and sat next to Achilles. She smiled and Achilles smiled for her, but quite different from what Flora expected, Achilles combed her hair like a little sister. That cast a shadow over Flora's heart, but she smiled anyway. Then she let out a sigh and thought that at least, she had managed to sit next to Achilles.

Viggo returned with a large shield, the Spartans called him aspís. Made of wood and a coating with a layer of broce convexly. Viggo carried him holding it on his left arm and stopped behind the Achilles seat. The latter turned his chair, turning his back on the boisterous Jason and looking at Viggo.

-Well- said Viggo, placing the shield in front, with his left leg firm in position and carrying his right leg back, as if it were the support that would prevent recoil if someone pushed the shield -this formation is called the phalanx and consists of joining shields with your partner, in such a way that they look like the scales of a snake. However, this does not serve me if I am in the middle of a solo struggle with many enemies. My master tells me that everything derives from this position, but I can't imagine it-

-In a sense your master is right- said Achilles pointing to the shield -it is an ancient formation, but especially useful, especially if you have an army- Achilles hit Odysseus on the shoulder, who was sitting on his left. He looked at him back and Achilles gestured to him to turn around.

For her part, Flora on the right side of Achilles, looked at Viggo and found the large bronze shield too rough and not very versatile.

-I told him that the phalanx is a good formation- Achilles told Odysseus -but that it is impractical when you are fighting alone-

-That's right- said Odysseus, looked at Viggo who held his position and nodded -it's a good formation, but in terms of blocking, repelling, and attacking, it's impractical-

-Attack?- asked Viggo somewhat confused.

-Of course- Achilles and Odysseus said at the same time. Odysseus looked at Achilles and waved his hand to explain.

Achilles nodded, looked at Viggo and said -the shield is another weapon, Viggo. It all goes through the kind of message you want to give your opponent. Staying firm and uncompromising to only defend with the shield, is telling your enemy that you can only attack with one hand-

-Show him better- said Odysseus.

Achilles stood up, asked Viggo for the shield and signalled him to go sit where he was. Achilles stood on his side, holding the shield with his left hand. Viggo, Flora and Odysseus looked at him in profile, watching as his long golden hair carried him up to his shoulders. With his great stature and athletic physique, he inspired a great combative aura.

Achilles turned his neck and asked Viggo -Do you know boxing?- Viggo nodded, and Achilles nodded, then he looked forward and said -it's similar, if not, the same. When you are boxing, you use the outside of your arms to receive, block, or deflect attacks. For logical reasons you cannot be attacked by a sword or spear, so in response to that, the shield is born. The shield serves to protect against attacks, but also to deflect them. Everything goes through how you receive the blow. On the one hand, it is to stand firm and receive the attack in a forceful way. On the other hand, there is the fact of going to look for the attack, cushion the impact and repel it. And finally, there is the fact of repelling the attack before it reaches its maximum strength. In simple terms it is to go for the blow before the enemy extends his limb to the maximum, which is when he reaches his maximum strength-

Then Achilles moved the shield a little forward and retracted it as if it were the flow of the storm surge. That reaches the shore of the beach, retracts, and then arrives again, but with more force. Viggo nodded silently, trying to burn that image on his retina.

-The other thing goes through the message you want to convey- said Achilles.

-Message?- asked Viggo

-Yes, little brother- Jason said behind his back. Viggo turned to look at him and saw him walk to where Achilles was -for example, if I threw a timid punch at my opponent, he would understand that I have no idea how to fight. I'll be underestimated and let my guard down or he can use that information to analyse me and beat me. Therefore, fighting is like talking, only through other means-

-That's right- said Achilles at his side.

Viggo took a brief look back and saw his family focused on the duo. Achilles put the shield aside and put himself in a boxing position, but with both hands open and looking at Jason. He hit his left palm with his right and Jason nodded understanding the intention.

-Look here- Jason said as he looked at Viggo. Then he looked at Achilles in front of him and threw a slow and gentle blow at him, something that would in no way be a threat. Achilles stood firm, expressing no discomfort.

-You see, my blow conveyed a "do not fight". However, if I apply strength and speed to it, then- Jason threw a punch at the palm of Achilles that sounded dry and forceful. Everyone was shocked and Achilles abandoned his posture and waved his hand in an expression of pain. Jason continued with his explanation -you convey something like "I'm going to beat you, I'm going to hit you" On the other hand, from the shape and angle that the other person hits you can read their intentions. They can be bad thoughts, with the intention of killing you, malicious thoughts, with the intention of injuring you or simply as I told you, "I am mediocre, or I am weak". There are a lot of interpretations, but everything derives from language. Just as when you argue with another person, you use certain phrases to assert, deny, refute, manipulate, or contradict what they say-

-Damn, which hurt me- said Achilles, even with his sore hand. Jason lifted his shoulders and smiled in a good mood. Achilles narrowed his eyes and threw himself at Jason, tackled him and both fell on the cobblestone path. Odysseus smiled from his seat and stood up. Then he walked to where the two idiots were struggling and threw himself on them, crushing both.

Viggo also smiled from his seat, ran towards them, and threw himself on top. He was followed by Ottar, Tatsumi and finally Flora. Everyone laughed willingly, both children and adults.

After playing for a while, Achilles continued to explain to Viggo the use of the shield while all the children looked at it. The rest of the participants began to clean and tidy up. María went to sleep with Demeter, while Hera left ahead of the trio of idiots and returned to her mansion in her own carriage.

An hour later, everyone said goodbye. However, only Viggo was left practicing with the Spartan shield. He tried to move fluidly, while imagining an attack and anticipating the trajectory, preventing it from reaching its maximum strength. He moved to receive him and repelled him with the same fluidity of a tidal wave.

-You have a good rhythm- someone said.

Viggo stopped his training and looked behind his back. It was his father, who looked at him with his arms folded. Viggo smiled, turned his back to him, and continued to exercise movement. Taking the blow, repelling it, deflecting it, or simply absorbing it and dispersing the impact. At least, that's how it was in his mind.

-It's not a good rhythm, father- said Viggo as he continued the exercise -my master says I have good instincts and every day that passes I think, he was right-

-How is that?-

-You see, I had never felt it, maybe because of my divine power. But once they sealed my power, I understood this feeling better. It's as if something is causing me a restlessness or anguish in my heart. If I continue to do or advance in the same way, the feeling persists. Then I begin to use new ways, to look for other alternatives, until that feeling calms down and I remain calm. On the other hand, I can feel when someone is looking at me or someone's intention. My master says it is closer to the sense of animals than to combat. He tells me that I need more training-

Kain let out an evil giggle and said -one always lacks training, Viggo. It doesn't matter where you are, who you are or where you go. There will always be someone stronger than you-

-The master also says the same thing- said Viggo.

-Tomorrow is the day- Kain said.

Viggo stopped his training and stared at the garden, with some parts illuminated by the lanterns thirty centimetres high and placed between the islands of flowers.

-Father, I- said Viggo and bent my gaze -I am afraid-

-Everyone is afraid, child, but whoever accepts it and carries it with him naturally, can face it. If you repel your fear, you will give power to that which is the object of your fear and will always be an obstacle. Accept your fear, as you can accept that if you fight someone else, you will take damage. It would be ideal not to be afraid and not to feel pain, but that is the magic of being alive. Only by understanding our shortcomings and limitations can we become better-

-Yes, father, I will be better, much better than the day before-

Kain on the way to Viggo, he turned around and looked at Kain.

-Calm down, stay focused and everything will be fine- Kain said.

Viggo nodded and hugged Kain by the waist. Kain also hugged him and wanted sincerely, to finish this training.