Six months are up!

These were the hardest six months of my life. Each and every day Hercules fought with me. Beat me. Trained me in every form of combat he knew. Beat into me his strength unrivaled. Until finally the day came.

" In six months time, you've made strides. You're not that weak man I saved all that time ago. You're a real man now. And now it's time for your final test." Hercules spoke.

" I'm ready for whatever you throw at me. Bring it on." I told the man. I stood ready to face whatever challenge the god threw at me.

" You and I are going to fight." Hercules exclaimed. He took off his toga and stood before me in nothing but his skirt.

I gulped heavily. I had sparred with Hercules many times over the past six months. But this felt different. Hercules had always held back. But I have a feeling this time would be different. And I couldn't help but feel excitement.

I grinned, happily, and assumed my fighting stance.

Hercules must have been able to feel my excitement as he too grinned and prepared himself.

Hercules and I both charged each other. The force of our steps cratering the ground below us. When I met the man, I reeled back and we headbutted each other.

" NGGHHHHH!" Hercules and I both grunted as our heads collided.

I smiled at Hercules. And he smiled back. The force of our headbutt sent out shockwaves across the land and sea and air.

Hercules reeled his fist back and punched me right in the stomach, lifting me up off the ground. he then grabbed me, and power bombed me back onto the ground, causing it to crater.

I spit up blood from the force of his attacks. But I didn't give up. I wrapped my legs around his head and shifted my weight. I threw him across the plain and right through a tree. I rolled over and pushed myself up on my feet and chased after the man.

Hercules recovered and ran towards me.

We both reeled back, and our fists met each other. I was told no powers. This would be a simple straight up fight. Hands and nothing else.

Our fists pushed against each and slowly but surely Hercules was pushing me back. I stuck my other hand out and grabbed Hercules' forearm. I shifted my weight and tried to use the momentum to throw Hercules over my shoulder, but the man planted his feet and punched me in my side, forcing me to let go. He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted my up into the air. He then slowly brought me back down and slammed me on my head. He then got back to his feet and grabbed my legs and started swinging me around. He then threw me back towards our training grounds.

He jumped into the air and tried to land on top of me with his fist, but I moved out of the way as his fist cratered the ground. I brought my hand up and backhanded him across the field.

I was actually holding my own. Hercules still held the advantage by a wide margin. But I was still capable of holding my own against the man.

These past six months weren't for nothing.

Hercules erupted out of the ground and jumped into the air.

" Is that the best you can do?" He asked me.

Feeling the challenge, I jumped into the air to meet him head on, but I miscalculated. I struck out at him, but I missed.

Hercules wrapped his arms around me as we fell and pointed my head towards the ground.

" I hope you survive this." Hercules spoke.

I watched as the ground steadily approached. I reached up and used as much strength as I could muster to try and free myself before I hit the ground. I didn't free myself completely, but I did just enough to avoid having my head smashed in.

" Welcome back to getting your ass kicked 101." Hercules joked. He reached down and grabbed my leg. " Do you yield?" He asked as he held me up.

I shook my head and punched Hercules in his gut. He heaved heavily and I felt his grip on my leg loosen. I swung my free leg back and Kneed Hercules in his face causing him to let go. As I dropped towards the ground, I stuck my hands out and kicked towards the man. I hit Hercules in his chest and sent careening backwards.

XxX

An hour later.

I was barely standing, blood leaking from my nose, mouth, and head. I had hit my limit.

Hercules, while heavily bruised, was in much better shape and could definitely go for another few hours or even a whole day if he needed to.

" Can you still fight?" he asked me.

" Of.... Course." I replied as I assumed my fighting stance once again. My arms were heavy, and my legs felt like they would buckle at any moment. But nevertheless, I would be ready.

Hercules nodded and rushed towards me.

I lifted my leg one after the other and eventually managed to reach my stride as well.

" UGGGGGGHHHHH! RAAAAAAGH!" I shouted. I put the remaining strength I had into my fist and I punched at Hercules and hit him in the chest.

He grinned and punched me right back.

I felt my entire body go numb as I spit up ore blood. I stumbled backwards and slowly I felt my legs give out. I fell and hit the ground hard.

My vision was blurring

' I am defeated. All this time spent for nothing. Was my journey for nothing. Am I forever cursed to be weak. Always losing?

' Do you want to lose?'

' Who speaks to me' I wondered.

' Who has always spoken to you?'

I felt my gaze turning, focusing on only what I wanted. Focusing only on that which has been with me always. The Ocean.

' Old friend. You call out to me in my time of need.'

' I have always been with you. You just never could hear me. Only see me. Come to me Timaeus of Sparta. Heed my call once more.'

It was if nature. No Instinct itself took over my body. I turned over on my stomach and began crawling towards the sea. Inch by Inch. Little by little. Until I was within arm's reach of it. Of My old friend.

' Accept me into your body. Feel my power bolstering yours.'

I stuck my hand into the water and felt a wave of relief wash over me. And then power. The water crawled up my arm, cleaning and healing my wounds along the way until finally I was standing once more.

I looked down over my previously worn and torn body and grinned.

I felt something, something new. Something fierce flowing through my body. I closed my eyes. I took a deep breath. And another. And another. And another!

The waves rose and fell with each of my breaths. Dancing and splashing to the sound of my beating heart.

" The Ocean isn't just the sea. It's life. Power. My friend. My Ally. And mine to command." I spoke. I raised my hands up into the air and opened my eyes. The waves stood over me. Climbing high into the air. I opened my eyes and smiled. I lowered my arms down over my chest and the waves settled back down.

I turned towards Hercules and saw him grinning ear to ear.

" Well done, Timaeus. You have finally awoken. It's time for us to take a trip. " Hercules spoke. He looked at my confused face and grinned even larger." It's time."