14 [Training]

"Alright everyone, I see you've introduced yourselves already," Chiron spoke while approaching the bonfire.

Atalanta's body went tense, Icarus quickly tried to soothe her by patting her head. He noted that Chiron appeared in his human form and gave him a grateful nod.

"You all know what we usually do, so get to it while I help our newest recruits," Chiron addressed the others as they began getting into predetermined areas to train.

Icarus noted that Heracles started strength training mixed in with various weapons training. Castor seemed to practice some offensive type magic alongside a crude disc while Pollux trained a type of agility-based sword fighting style.

Asclepius left to his housing, presumably to study.

Jason was apparently given a punishment by Chiron and had to do all the chores along with a bunch a laps around the camp.

As they followed Chiron, Icarus held Atalanta close and whispered into her ear, "Don't worry he won't hurt you."

She then turned and look up towards Icarus with a truly pitiful expression, "H-how do you know...?"

Icarus gave a cocky smirk before responding with a head pat, "Because I'll protect you and....I trust him, he isn't called the trainer of heroes for nothing after all."

Icarus then picked up the pace to catch up to Chiron and Atalanta by going on ahead as she gathered her courage and followed.

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"Here we are." Chiron stated as Icarus observed the surroundings with a meek Atalanta hiding behind him.

They were in a small clearing cleared of grass, the field was covered in training objects from weights to hurdles, the place Chiron led them was filled with large wooden poles that Icarus could see covered in damages.

Chiron could see that Atalanta was clearly uncomfortable interacting with him so he handed her a quality bow along with some training arrows before leading her towards a target range alongside Icarus.

He showed them the proper ways to hold a bow along with practices like the right stances one should take and how to maintain the bow's balance while firing.

Both Icarus and Atalanta picked it up rather quickly with Atalanta's talent and Icarus' focus.

After practicing for a while, Chiron left Atalanta to continue while leading Icarus towards the clearing of wooden poles once more.

"Alright Icarus, i'm gonna teach the first thing I always teach my students, how to fight properly." Chiron spoke to Icarus with a smile.

"The martial arts I use to fight was person taught to me personally by Apollo, unfortunately it is almost impossible for a normal person to learn. Since it was the first martial arts ever created, it is also inherently infused with 'Mystery' due to it's age which not only empowers it, but also makes it more difficult to learn." Chiron told Icarus.

Icarus nodded to the information in surprise as Chiron continued,

"This martial arts is called, Pankration."

Chiron then began slowly and thoroughly explaining how the Martial Art worked, the different techniques, and the purpose of each strike, grapple, and kick. He went through teaching Icarus how to correctly throw a punch, how to use your momentum, and combat awareness.

He then had Icarus do warm-ups such as quick runs and stretches.

"Icarus, Pankration is a very adaptable martial art. This is the very reason it is called a Mixed Martial Art, one that focuses not on a single technique but many of them. It is important to adapt the Martial Art to yourself and have it feel comfortable for yourself." Chiron spoke.

"Now, how do you want to start, with practice against dummies or against me?" He asked Icarus.

"Against you," Icarus replied, he would be able to not only gain combat experience against Chiron but also insight on Chiron's techniques.

"Very well," Chiron replied with a smile.

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ThuD!

"ArgH!" Icarus yelled as his body full of bruises hit the dirt.

"Should we continue?" Chiron asked towards the downed Icarus.

"If I able to, then I will." Icarus wheezed out as he stood back to his own too feet with shaky arms.

"Very well." Chiron spoke with a smile as he grappled Icarus once more before slamming him back into the ground.

ThUd!

"A-again." Icarus coughed out in pain as he stood up once more.

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Jason watched queasily as another kick hit Icarus to the ground as blood began to leak out his mouth.

'What a weirdo...' Jason thought as he watched Icarus get up once more only for Chiron to throw him to the ground again, '....Maybe he is a masochist...?' Jason thought with a shiver.

"What strange thoughts are you thinking now, Jason?" A feminine voice from his side spoke.

Jason flinched from the sudden intrusion before turning to see Pollux at his side along with Heracles and Castor.

"D-do you think he enjoys it?" Jason asked weakly while looking towards Icarus being kicked once more.

The rest of them look at him with immense disgust, like he was a bug, even Heracles.

"....Herc, why...?" Jason asked pitifully.

Heracles shook his head at Jason before speaking, "He is not like us, he is far behind and without divine blood. He has to put in much more effort to just keep up, never mind actually catching up."

"Indeed, he doesn't have Chiron's strength or reach so the only way for him to learn is for it to be beaten into him." Castor spoke.

Pollux smirked as she looked down on Jason, "He isn't like you Jason, he actually does something."

"He still needs a lot of effort before he can even think of matching with us—cough—not including Jason." Castor spoke towards Jason with a malicious smile.

Jason's lips twitched before a wicked smile hit his face, "Says the ones who lost to him—cough—twice."

The rest flinched as their lips twitch with a frown, Jason burst into laughter at their reaction.

"Hahahahah!—Ow!—Stop! Don't hit me! Ahhhh!"

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Icarus tried to get up once more but was unable to, his muscles burned too much to move. Chiron looked towards him with a smile before speaking, "That's enough for today, anymore will inhibit you more than help. Go to Asclepius, he will give you some medicine to help your muscles."

"A-alright" Icarus spoke as he crawled to his legs as he limped away. He almost fell to the ground again before someone caught him.

He looked up only to be greeted by Heracles and the others. Heracles was helping him to walk and the others were gathered around him.

"Thanks." Icarus nodded towards Heracles who replied with a grin.

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That's all I can write for today. Thanks for reading.



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