Learning Archery

[Lysandros Evermore, Camp Half-Blood]

"How much does this thing even weight?" - I asked with an interested expression.

"Whoa... it should be around 900 pounds (400Kg). How did you do it?" - Lina asked with eyes wide in surprise - "I did not know you would be such a big boy!" - She gave me some pats on my back.

Putting a little strength into my arms, I manage to pull the string, and after holding for a couple of seconds, my hand started to tremble - "To think it would fit perfectly with you..." - Lina could only shake her head.

"That's really impressive..." - Added the flabbergasted Lee

"This bow had even started to become a local legend, you see? Some even joked it was no bow, but an strangely designed club. You are really abnormal to be able to use it as just a regular bow... what are you? The second coming of Heracles?" - She explained, and even joked around.

As she was talking my mind went blank. Scenes I had never seen found their way into my head. One moment I was flying freely in the blue clear skies, the next I there were people throwing things at me, just for me to be thrown into the raging fire of a furnace some seconds later, to the furious face of someone that seemed familiar, but the image was blurred, he seemed to be riding a horse... is that Chiron? There was even a sudden burst of warmth as someone tried to calm down the angry man. Next I saw the place I had just been in the armory. My vision then returned to normal.

"Ugh..." - I groaned holding my head, as her last words registered themselves into my brain, despite the strange scenes I had just lived through - "don't compare me with that scummy bastard please..." - I grumbled, still a bit confused at what had just happened.

She rolled her eyes and thought my sudden groan was a sign I found her story burdensome, which could not be farther from the truth - "By the way, you can keep it... it's not like there even is anybody else who could make use of it, and so, it's better for it not to collect any more dust. It's name is Firefly. It was made using a phoenix body, they casted the bones with celestial bronze, used the tendons to make the string, and made it absorb phoenix blood essence for a couple of years.

After that, they created a kit of arrows that can only be shot by this bow, out of some feathers and even phoenix tears, that are said to be able to even bring back the dead. So they always return back to the wielder, even if they were to be destroyed, they would come back from the ashes, just like a phoenix. Hephaestus even gave it his blessing, though that only seemed to have pissed Chiron even further.

So, this is pretty much a super strong magic bow that could be said to be indestructible, and with infinite arrows. It's just that, no one could even hold it for long, much less use it effectively. Chiron was said to have even harboured thoughts of dissolving the Hephaestus Cabin at the time." - She got really excited as she spoke on and on about this bow, while I got really confused, as those fragments of memory I had just seen seemed to narrate something similar to her tale.

Putting my questions on the back of my head, I strapped the bow to my back, with a quiver for the special arrows, and we went back the way we had come, with Lee's eyes shining brightly as he started at the legendary bow on my back. I could even feel his eyes trying to tear holes in me, it was quite unnerving honestly.

Soon we had arrived into an empty track, that could still be used in our training. We took some distance until we were around 30 meters away from the target.

"Should we get any closer, man?" - Lee asked, as he wasn't too sure if it would be a good idea to be this far when I barely even knew how to hold the bow.

"If this is too much we could always go closer later." - I said shaking my head, as I started paying close attention to whatever Lee was going to teach me.

"Well, for starters, let me show you how to hold your bow. There are other ways, but this is kinda like the standard one for beginners. First your stance, you will stay sideways with your non-dominant side facing your target, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart, maintaining your balance evenly on both legs. You will also will imagine an imaginary line from your target to your stance, keeping your feet on either side of said line." -Seeing me putting my left foot to the front, and doing as I was being told, he gave an approving nod and continued.

"You did great!" - Yay! I even got some praise! - "Second comes the bow grip. Hold your bow with your non-dominant hand, keeping the V formed by your thumb and index finger on the handle. The bow should sit on the meaty part of your hand, least you get hurt for doing otherwise. Also, be careful not to grip it too tightly, as you might generate torque, and we don't want that to happen."

Sparing a glance and seeing nothing wrong, he went on with the next step - "Pick up an arrow, and nock it onto the string, and you can either leave 1 finger above the arrow and 2 below, which we call the mediterranean draw, or all 3 fingers below, the three-fingers draw, whatever makes you more comfortable. Mortals usually preffer to use gloves to not hurt their fingers, so you could use it if you feel it's needed, but in the Apollo Cabin we would rather not as we like to have more control over the arrows."

"That mediterranean draw seems to fit me better... I also don't think I will need a glove." - I said.

"Whatever suits you buddy. Remember to also keep your fingers curled around the string without squeezing too tightly. Now you can pull the string back, keep your hand that is holding the bow straight! Keep your elbow up! You want to keep your elbow and hand aligned! Draw the string until you can maintain a stable hold, it's usually when it's nearby your mouth or cheek." - He started instructing me on how to shoot.

"You are doing great! Now, take aim, and slowly release your fingers!" - He said, and I followed.

I watched as the released arrow flew at an astonishing speed. A shame it went off it's intended target... and it kept on going... and going. Yeah, I cannot even see it anymore. The arrow soon returned to his quiver. Thankfully there were no bloodstains, so no one got hurt by it.

"I guess we got carried away with your strength and kinda forgot this bow would be too much... wait here while I fetch another bow... a weaker one." - Lee said as he turned to leave.

"What really is in that direction?" - I asked, pointing towards the direction the arrow had gone.

Turning his head, Lee said - "The woods, so it should be fine, even if you shoot a couple more arrows like that one."

Oh... then all should be well... right?

* * *

[Grover Underwood, Camp Half-Blood]

What a beautiful day this is. A clear blue sky, birds chirping, the sun shining. Just perfect. I sat on an old tree stump, having these thoughts. Taking out my favorite Reed Pipe, and started playing.

I even saw a couple Tree Nymphs peeping at me playing from afar. What a great day to be alive! Should I try and talk with them? Maybe I could even get myself a girlfriend! That'd be a dream come true!

I then started hearing a funny buzzing sound. Could it be that the gods have heard my pleas, and are sending me their divine answer?!

The very next moment, something got stuck on the old stump, right in between my legs, a little under my crotch.

Máaaaaaaa! I got it! I won't have such thoughts again! I will just focus on finding pan! Have mercy on my poor self!

After that I could hear the Nymphs giggling in the distance, as no more arrows came.

* * *

Author's notes:

Hi, guys! Thanks for all the support you have given, and shower me with power stones!

I want to see where are the people who said his mother did not give him any useful powers now!

Hope you are all having fun!

Peace out!