The training hall wasn’t like the one Orion used to train Kael. This one was much bigger—massive. It was located behind the academy, under the clear sky. The arena was oval-shaped, with smooth, polished ground that shined under the sunlight. Track lanes ran around the outer edge, giving students space to train their stamina and speed.
Scattered across the arena were a few wooden dummies, chipped and worn from endless sword practice. Archery targets lined the far side, marked with faded bullseyes, some still pierced with arrows. In the left and right corners, two open armories stood—large racks stacked with everything a demigod might need: swords, shields, spears, bows, throwing knives, and practice armor.
Students were scattered around in groups, grabbing their desired weapons and warming up. In the middle of it all, Kael sat alone near the edge, watching Liz practice archery. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Kael was admiring Liz like she was a goddess. Her aim was perfect. At one point, she launched three arrows at three different targets, hitting all three at once. The longer Kael watched her, the more amazing she became in his eyes. He kept staring, completely caught up in the moment—until Chiron stepped into view.
The centaur coughed. "Mr. Kael, please grab a weapon and practice."
"I’m not in the mood today. Can I do it tomorrow?"
"No. Today, we will also have a mock battle," he said with a soft voice.
Chiron saw something in Kael’s expression. Something off. So he walked over and sat beside him.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. "I know you left the academy for a while... to go to the Underworld."
"No, just tired," Kael muttered. "You know, I just got back. Jet lag and stuff."
Kael’s tone was rough, and Chiron knew it. So he took a deep breath and said, "I might not be reckless or violent like the other centaurs," Chiron calmly said, "but I am known for being wise, Kael. You can’t hide anything from me. I understand—being alone is hard."
This got Kael’s attention. "You do?" Kael asked, not quite believing him.
"Yes, child. When I was born, my mother was so shocked by the way I looked that she abandoned me. And for someone to be the son of Kronos... not everyone trusts you. So I can see how you might feel."
Kael stayed quiet, because compared to what he went through, Chiron went through much worse.
Kael tried to speak, but Chiron wasn’t finished.
"There’s a pain that no healer can heal," he said softly. "The kind that lives inside your soul. You carry it like armor, boy. But I’ve seen that armor crack."
"What do I do now then?" Words barely came out of his mouth.
"You have to move forward."
Then, Chiron stood up and walked away.
Kael didn’t move for a while.
But he understood what Chiron meant. For the first time, he felt that someone truly understood what he was going through.
Then Chiron stepped into the center of the arena and stomped his horse foot. A large, rectangular battlefield rose up from the ground, glowing faintly at the edges. The mock battle was ready.
Kael was still sitting in silence when Liz appeared in front of him and pulled him up. He let it happen. She dragged him to the armory and stopped in front of the weapon racks.
"Pick one," she said.
"Oh, sunshine, I can’t fight you," Kael said, raising his arms for a hug. "My arms are only for hugs."
She looked him straight in the eyes, her golden eyes glowing. "Please."
Kael got lost in her gaze again—until he snapped out of it and muttered, "Damn woman. Fine, but you have to stop doing that from now on."
She smiled and moved toward the center of the field. The students began gathering around them, murmuring with interest as the circle formed.
Kael reached toward a wooden sword, but something was wrong.
It wouldn’t move forward, like something unseen was holding it back—pulling him away.
Then Liz’s voice cut through the noise. "C’mon. Grab it, scaredy cat."
"I am," he whispered.
He forced himself to grab the sword. His hand trembled around the grip.
As he walked toward the middle of the battlefield, his body felt heavy. His hand shook harder. His head grew light. His vision started to blur. Each step felt like walking underwater. His chest tightened, as if it was wrapped in chains that were slowly squeezing it, his breathing uncontrollable, and the students around him began to disappear.
He made it to the opposite side of the field, facing Liz.
Chiron’s voice rang out, "Ready."
Kael raised his sword—but everything changed.
In a blink, the wooden sword was gone.
In its place was a real blade.
The sword was stained with blood.
And his hand was soaked in blood. His fingers slipped slightly against it.
His heart beat fast and uncontrollably. His vision began to darken. He started to sweat. His legs locked in place. His entire body started shaking violently.
His eyes went wide, and the color drained from them. His pupils expanded like prey staring into a predator. It was as if he was no longer there—trapped, frozen in fear.
Liz pulled back her bowstring, ready to strike—but stopped.
She realized something was wrong.
Kael wasn’t moving. He wasn’t readying his sword. He was shaking. Badly.
She stepped forward slowly, lowering her weapon. The students whispered among themselves, confused and watching closely.
He was mumbling something, over and over.
Tears rolled down his face.
She slapped the sword out of his hand.
It clattered to the ground.
Kael just stood there, shaking, his mouth repeating the same thing over and over.
"I’m sorry, Mother... I’m sorry, Father..."
His hands trembled at his sides. His eyes were wide and empty. His body wouldn’t stop shaking.
Liz dropped her bow and grabbed his face gently, trying to shake him back to reality.
"You okay, Kael? Kael?!"
Her hands began to glow, golden warm light through her palms. The glow spread into his skin, like sunlight clearing through fog.
Then he dropped to his knees.
She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.
He didn’t speak. He couldn’t move.
He was completely drained.
Caius walked up without saying a word. He helped Liz carry Kael to a bench on the side of the arena.
The other students remained silent, unsure what had just happened.
Chiron stepped forward again and stomped once to bring the attention back.
"Students," he said, voice firm. "Let’s continue. Next is Rowan, son of Ares VS Dax, the son of Hephaestus."