Crack...Crack....Crack.
The wooden post groaned under the Kainos's strikes.
Kainos' fists slammed into it in a steady rhythm—jab, cross, elbow, knee—each strike precise, and repeated over and over again. Sweat rolled down his temples and soaked the collar of his black shirt, his breath heavy but even. He stayed focused and grounded, not let his bloodlust control him.
He moved his body like he remembered, it didn't respond as well. He was a grown man in the body of a five-year-old. Kainos hadn't to get use to shorter limbs yet, but his bodies natural ability to fight made adjusting easier.
It was like someone relearning to play a video game you haven't played in months or years. There is some familiarity, and it comes more easier. His past life memories and skills, bled through instinctively from angle adjustments, techniques, foot work and timing.
Kainos wasn't just hitting the post; he was listening to his instinct and body. Feeling how his body resisted. Then adjusting for better mind body connection.
Distant eyes watched him from everywhere as he trained.
Dryads leaned against trees, whispering and giggling softly. Swamp nymphs lounged half-submerged in water, chins resting on their hands as if watching a favorite show. One young dryad clapped quietly every time he landed a clean combination.
Kainos pivoted, twisted his hips, and threw a full-power right hook.
Crack.
The wooden post exploded, splitting clean through and collapsing in fragments.
Kainos exhaled slowly, shoulders rising and falling as the adrenaline drained. A dryad hurried over, offering him a carved wooden cup filled with cool spring water.
"Great form, as always, Kai," she said warmly.
"Thanks Mera," he replied, taking the cup and drinking deeply.
He waved one hand casually at the log. The shattered post creaked, as wood fibers knitting together as the log repaired itself, rising back into place as if untouched. Kainos glanced down at his body. A few scrapes, and bruises, but no blood.
Good. He thought.
The point of all this was to strengthened my body. I don't like losing control whenever I bleed, so I started doing this training. Luckily I can't hurt anyone out here in the swamp and the dryads and nymphs can restrain him if needed.
Kainos thought it was even weirder that more of them weren't scared of him. He swore they acted like school girls sometime.
He rolled his shoulders when he felt a familiar presence approaching. When he turned his head. Kainos noticed Galatea approaching.
Galatea emerged from between the trees, arms crossed, she was watching him with assessing eyes. Kainos waved to the nymphs. "See you tomorrow ladies. See ya Mira"
"Bye Kainos." Mira then walked back into the swamp and disappeared into the water.
The others waved back, a few sighing dramatically as he left.
"Camp back soon," they said.
"You really are a ladies man," Galatea said as they met. "How're you feeling? Sore?"
"Just a little, but nothing I wasn't use to," Kainos admitted. "Can't tell who hurt me more. You or Nia."
He chuckled lightly.
Galatea grimaced faintly. "Sorry about… all of that. Your mom and grandmother explained your condition. If I knew it was that bad I wouldn't have told you to do that."
Kainos sighed. "Yeah. That condition. Don't worry it's not your fault, I saw what you could do and since your the daughter of a god. I'm still trying to process that, I thought you could handle me."
She hesitated. " Don't worry I can explain more on that. I have another question. Do you really have to be drowned to calm down?"
Kainos shook his head, lips pulling into a faint, humorless smile. "No. It's just one of the fastest way. Not like anyone enjoys it." He paused. "Because of that, I don't really like baths, and taking showers make me anxious too."
Galatea blinked. "Then… how do you bathe?"
Kainos sighed with embarrassment. "There are spells for cleaning dirt, grime, bacteria, and smell of the body, among other things, " he said. "But mom and grandma insist insists I bathe properly anyway. So I do regardless of how I feel."
"…That's rough," Galatea said quietly.
"It's fine," Kainos replied. "I just need to get better at controlling the bloodlust."
She nodded once, then brightened slightly. "By the way. Your mom wants me to take you to see a Ms. Ramona. Form Mental wards."
Kainos nodded. "Yup, follow me I will lead the way."
Galatea put up a hand. "And," Galatea added with a grin, " Your mom said you have the sense of direction of a cursed pigeon, so I will be I'm guiding you."
"Yes, yes," he muttered.
Galatea chuckled. "Handsome, charming, strong physically and magically," she teased. "And can't find his own way out of a straight hallway. Gods, you're interesting, little brother."
Kainos just blushed with embarrassment. She led him back toward the city, mostly ignoring his attempted directions.
They entered the French Quarter as morning jazz drifted through the streets. Eventually, Galatea stopped in front of a bar.
Ms. Forgetful.
"…A bar?" Galatea asked.
"Yep."
"You saying our witch is here?."
"Yup. What can I say she loves to read her books with a good drink close by. She looks like a cute librarian so it will be easy to point her out."
She stared. "So we're looking for a library… inside a bar… on a Saturday morning."
"Yes."
"…Really."
"She likes their brunch, the mimosa's go well with her books " Kainos said.
" I'm curious now. What kind of books?"
Kainos made a face that said he was disgusted. "Smut for the most part, but she does read some classic fantasy novels as well."
Galatea frowned. "What's smut?"
"There," Kainos said quickly, pointing.
At the bar sat a slender curvy woman in a long green sundress that brushed her ankles, a silver anklet glinting softly from it. Large round glasses framed her face. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat ponytail. A champagne glass sat beside a tall picture.
Her nose was buried in a book.
Galatea nodded. " Cute Librarian , her really?
Kainos chuckled as they approached.
"Ms. Ramona."
Ramona looked up, smiling warmly. She was beautiful, and looked very young and had a calm disposition.
"Kainos," she said. "What brings you here? Don't tell me your lost again?"
"No," he said firmly. "Not this time. I came to see you."
She laughed softly. Showing a bright smile " Here to see little old me. I feel honored. Come sit and eat with me."
He shook his head. " Sorry not this time. I came to see you because, I need a mental ward."
Her interest sharpened instantly. " Mental Ward? Are you have visions or hearing voices, like in your dreams ?"
"Yes. ma'am"
Ramona then reached into her bag and pulled out two items. " A Silver necklace, and adream catcher weave on to a bonnet. Wear the silver necklace at all times. It will protect your mind. And this bonnet when you sleep."
Galatea and Kainos stared at her"…A bonnet?"
"It's Enchanted," Ramona said. "It will protect your dreams from invaders and allow you to dream walk in peace. But I know your mom doesn't want you dream walking yet, so that's our little secret" Ramona winked.
Kainos accepted them. "Thank you."
"If they don't work," she added, "I'll teach you another removal chant. Or place a stronger ward as a tattoo, but that's the worst case. Did the last one I taught you work?"
"Yes. It worked really well"
She smiled. "Good. I be so sad if anything happened to you."
Then they parted ways.
As they walked, Galatea said, "She's a witch."
Kainos nodded "And more," Kainos replied. "Witch. Druid. Shaman. Her specialty is the mind. From protecting it, to breaking it."
"That chant you mentioned earlier, what was it?"
"A Native Indian shaman magic mixed with ancient witchcraft. It calls on ones ancestral spirits, from the Earth, and the power Silver Moon."
Galatea whistled. "That's… impressive. I never heard of a spell like that."
"It is. She's very special and unique kind of witch. But don't let her looks deceive you."
"What do you mean Kainos?"
They walked in silence for a few steps. Then Galatea spoke again, more serious now.
"When we get back, I'll walk you through your training plan."
"For what, exactly?" Kainos asked.
She blinked. "…Right. I never actually told you. Spent more time fighting then actually talking"
She stopped walking.
"Little brother," she said, "you have a prophecy, and not a very good one either"
Kainos froze. "What?"
Galatea continued " That prophecy put a massive target on your back. Some gods want you dead. Some want you controlled by them. Some want to back you. But Father wants you prepared—so he can decide whether to send you to Camp Jupiter or Camp Half-Blood."
Kainos' heart skipped. "…Wait," he said slowly. "I have a prophecy?"
Kainos's mind raised. Oh gods, I'm not just some background extra, I'm part of the main cast. If there's a prophecy about me then I'm royally fucked.