I sleep for most of the day, Nika wakes me up for a late lunch. George andJewel(which was the ladies name) had graciously provided lunch for us. It wassome sandwiches and warm croissants with some hot chocolate. We all enjoyedthe meal and chatted with the two. Jewel was in her late forties and hadworked at the hotel for years. George was relatively new to the hotel but knewJewel from a summer program she had taught. The two were the only ones inthe hotel which was interesting. I remembered seeing three cars outside. Maybeit was an abandoned car that was already there. I think but the familiarhesitation in the back of my head creeps in. I had learned to trust this sensebut I tried to reassure myself. Astraea would warn us if things got bad. I tellmyself and try to concentrate. We chat for a bit and then thank them for themeal and shelter. They were happy to help us. I walked back up to my room andcrashed in my bed again. Mistake. I was thrown into a dark room. It was likereal life but I knew it was a dream. I hear a ruffle and click. Hello? I say. Silverblinds my vision and I’m blinded. When I regain my vision I find myself in a workroom of some sort. Millions of maps, papers, and books are scattered. I hear afrustrated groan ahead and find desk where a woman sat scribbling on a pieceof paper. Hello? I ask her. She turns around. MOM?! I say in shock. Sure enough,it was Athena. She wasn’t in armor anymore but wore a simple sliver sweatshirtand sweatpants. About time you got here. We have work to do. She says andwaves her hand. Everything disappears and we stand in a field. The wind blowsacross my face pushing the hair out of my face. Where am I? And why? I askAthena as she holds a spear. You have a great destiny ahead of you, a difficultone but great. It will bring honor to the Athena house. But you need moretraining to be ready. She says and twirls her spear. Arm yourself. She says. Wait,you want ME to fight YOU?! I ask her. She shrugs like it wasn’t that big of adeal. Yes, how else will you learn to fight? She says. Valid point. And you wont
fight me, not yet. You will fight these. She says and snaps her fingers. A silvergladiator appears. It stands at attention, waiting for instructions. I fumble butgrab my glasses and they shift into my sword. Remember what Annabeth taughtyou. I tell myself and shift into my fighting stance. Good, at least Annabethtaught you something. She says without a smile. The gladiator rushes me and Ithrow up my sword in defense. The opponent was strong and fast, catching meway off guard. I tried to use a more advanced parry but the thing anticipated it And used the counter attack. I stumble and fall down. Athena givesme a disappointed look. My cheeks flush with shame and I stand backup. Again. She says and the cycle repeats. Strike, defend, thrust,stumble. Athena didnt let me stop to catch my breath, the next attackcoming. I used every move I knew but couldnt catch the thing offguard. After the millionth time I fell, I stayed down. Get up. Athenasays. I was so mad and tired that I didnt care. No. I say throughgritted teeth. No?! Get up! She says. No! I will not. I wont learn howto fight if you keep making me go into fights I have no idea how towin. I tell her and stand up. She was taller than me by a few inchesbut I walked right up to her. I looked right in the eyes. I had neverdone something like this before but I was too mad to care. No, I wontlearn like this. There is no way I can unless I have some sort ofinstruction. I tell her. You don’t want me to win so I survive. You wantthe honor. I tell her. I hit something because a slight emotion flickedin her eyes. It was gone in the blink of an eye but I had seen it. Westood there in silence, staring at each other waiting for the other tobreak. Fine, have it your way. Athena says, voice dripping with venom.When someone rushes you with a sword, always use the third manparry to unbalance the opponent. She says and shows me how. Therest of the time, she shows me different combinations of blows andparries to use in almost every situation. I was finally learningsomething. And I was actually enjoying myself. Not a lot but themotions and having something to do was a positive. I don’t know howlong we trained but time must have gone by differently in this realitythan the real one. I was exhausted when Athena called for it to stop.I was proud of myself. I had finally beaten the thing. That’s it for now,your friends need you. She says and I nod. And need me they did