The Summons

And with our group training on combining their abilities, all seemed well. Though, something still felt wrong. We looked ready, but we hadn't been in actual combat. Plus, I only knew one person who had been in combat with demigods and came out alive. We needed him. Despite his curse, I needed to get him here immediately. So, I pulled Beverly away from the rest. If anyone knew curses, it was a child of the Underworld.

"What did you need?" Her smile is still strong despite training with Loretta. I told her my plan, ready for a response that it was impossible. She surprised me. "There is one way. I could take the location of the curse and transfer it to another place. Though the change is permanent. Would you want him to be stuck here forever, despite his wishes to be free?"

Suddenly, I had a plan set, and told her, "What about a person? Would making the curse a person instead of location would that help?" I knew the basic details, but she surprised me.

"Of course, the only thing is when that person dies, it's lifted. Meaning if it's you, you have a choice to end it when you want. But if you don't die honorably, he will likely blame himself. That's a lot of time for regret."

"Well, how much time will it take for you to do what's needed?" I was ready for this to take a few hours, yet her answer was too good to be true.

"I can do it now, all I need is his full name. And his overall location. Other than that, I have everything I need." This kid was an insanely good choice, I'm glad Omoro had ran to show me Beverly and Skylar's match rather than another arena match.

"Ok, his name is William Stern, and he should be southwest of Topeka. Is there anything else you need?"

"Actually, do you got a Latin-to-English dictionary? I really don't want to mess this up. And if I do, it won't be pretty." Why didn't I guess she wasn't entirely up with her studies?

"What do you need to say? I can translate it for you, but you also need to work on this yourself."

"Actually, all you need to say is his name, location, and curse, then you say your name, the words 'wherever he is' or a radial distance away, and then repeat the curse." Sounds too simple, but I teach her the Latin needed.

In two minutes, we have the incantation. I call everyone together, and tell them to stand back a few feet.

"Okay, Beverly. You're up." I give her the go ahead. And the chant begins.

As she started chanting, the ground shook. "William Stern, meridiem Topeka, quia omnibus diebus vestris, ut instituendi, est non volens pugnabit bella iterum. Lucii Filius saeculi, L metra in omnibus diebus doceant nihil certaminis ultro bellum." With the last word, a huge mass of smoke poured into the room. When it finally cleared, standing before us was Bill. Sadly, we caught him at a bad time. It looks like he was in the shower, and we pulled him away before he could reach a towel.

"Ladies, leave the room. Beverly and Lucy, can you get him some clothes and armor. And leave it at the door." As I turned around, I noticed Omoro had fainted. Again, not good sign for a leader. "Also, someone carry Omoro to the forge, she'll wake up best there. Once she does, send her to me." Amidst the girls giggling, I noticed one of the guys seemed to look annoyed. "Larry, can I speak with you." I took him to the target practice room. "Okay, you don't seem to like Bill. I know how this can get, I reacted the same way. But he's here to stay, so if you could do as I did, and put those feeling aside, that would be great. Since he will be our combat trainer, I want you to start us off. Every target here is yours for the next 15 minutes, for every bullseye you get, it will be like one jab to his face. Do what you must." As I left Larry, I heard the targets being assaulted by a hailstorm of daggers. "He'll be fine, " I said to myself.

Upon entering the room again, Bill called me up. I knew what was coming, "Sorry about pulling you away, but you have exactly 28 hrs to help us ready for a battle. I didn't know anyone else who could do it, and you're the only one I trust enough to get it done in that time." I waited for the pain, for a punch at least. But Bill surprised me, he went for a hug. I was caught off guard to the point that I didn't stop him.

"Thank you, I was growing tired of that farm. And train your team I shall." I'm glad they got the clothes already, because this was awkward enough. "I wonder if my comrades are still able to be controlled? That would speed up your progress. Point me to the training room, and we can see how your team fights all together."

I stood back, and proudly stated, "This is no team, we are the Regiment. And we fight for honor. You have been accepted on a leadership role William Stern, Son of Iapetus. From now on, you and I are linked. Summon your comrades in the training room, and the Regiment will fight. We are not a troupe for show, in everything there is honor, and for all time we fight."

He saw what I was doing immediately, thank Othrys. "I, William Stern, Son of Iapetus, agree to these terms. From now on, you are my commanding officer, and for all time I fight." I called the girls and Larry, all of whom looked red and sweaty. "Ok, to the training room. Bill, summon your best. They can take it."

"Come forth Legion 16! Combat ready!" Bill summoned armored dryads, much like the ones he fought daily. These however, looked different. Almost like a tougher tree. However, the Regiment was up to the challenge. Within 25 minutes, each dryad fighter was either ash, drained, or in pieces. Bill looked like he was ready to laugh or cry. In the end, he laughed. "Great job, immense teamwork and raw power from everyone! Even the little one had her moments! I would never think someone her age would have such ferocity in battle! Great job to all! I am happy to see it again!"

Immediately, the Regiment felt his words. The sons of Apollo said it first, "Again?!" And Bill began laughing again.

"Combat in the field continues until either retreat, surrender, death, or victory over all. Do none of you agree? Now, today you will face a countdown of legions, you started at 16, you end at 1. As combat instructor to the Regiment, this is my choice." This was unseen, but I was thankful his lesson had a reason they would understand.

"Bill, why don't we try consecutive battles, they can take it. And Regiment, don't give up, we can take all 15 back to back. Bill, send in 15." I was confident the Regiment would join in. And they gave me hope, with a battle cry of "For all time", we destroyed each wave without stopping. Omoro and Lucy were like twin fireballs. Beverly and Loretta both created barricades and fought with the rage of the earth itself. Jeremy and Skylar created multiple tempests without any hint at their actions that would be noticed or easily countered. Larry and Jade were expert long-range fighters, as well as Jade using his blinding light to confuse from a distance. But, Welch surprised me. Despite his lack of combat abilities, he was in the thick of it. Both healing and fighting, and doing a great job of both. After another two hours, all fifteen legions had turned the training room into a veritable forest. We all agreed to rest, and Bill decided he would stay in the training room to rest since he wasn't known by the Titans and it felt like home. That left me my bunk in the captain's quarters. Oddly, it was within the limit of space for Bill and I to be separated. It's been an amazing day, and tomorrow we go to the field to ready ourselves for battle on the grounds.