Chapter 9 - Becoming the Weapon

(Alicia)

As the days blur into weeks, I throw myself headlong into training. Because what else is there to do when your life’s been handed to you on a silver platter by the gods?

I practise hand-to-hand combat, the kind where rules are just a suggestion; modern warfare with enough firearms to make any gun enthusiast blush; and then the classics: bows and arrows, daggers, and my personal favourite, the sword. A girl’s gotta have a hobby, right? And all this just to appease Athena’s blessing.

But the real challenge? That’s Aphrodite’s gift. I’m still not sure whether to thank her or curse her for it. About three months after I turned 18 and was just getting used to my gift from Athena, this extra marking appeared out of nowhere, signalling my second Elven blessing. Naturally, I freaked out and did what any sensible person would do. I told Darren. His blessing is from Marvi, one of those lesser gods who specialises in keeping secrets, so I figured he was the safest bet.

Darren, being Darren, found me a secret tutor. An elder with a blessing like mine, though hers is from Peithos, another lesser god. She’s been helping me figure out how to control this thing. I’m starting to get the hang of it, but let’s just say it’s a work in progress. Where we used to meet about once a month, we meet daily now, and we chip away at the chaos together.

Somehow, amidst all this, I’ve got fitness and endurance training, and wedding prep with that stick-insect devil of a wedding planner. At night, I devour spy novels and textbooks on covert warfare like they’re going out of style. I’m practically a walking encyclopedia on espionage at this point.

Friends? Who has time for that? I did manage a quick catch-up with a few college buddies, including the four I left stark naked in that pub a few weeks back. They couldn’t quite meet my eyes, but there was this naughty little glint that suggested they weren’t entirely traumatised. Darren and I mostly text, and he came over once with Thai takeout to spill the latest gossip. At least the juicy bits he wasn’t sworn to keep secret.

Apparently, none of the brides or grooms are thrilled about the upcoming nuptials, except for the vampire bride who’s snagged herself a mage prince. She’s all about climbing that social ladder. No clue how the poor prince feels about it, though.

It’s going to be a mass wedding in the supernatural council’s pentagon on a private island, fifty miles south of the city, hundreds of witnesses. Joy.

Sometimes, I catch myself wondering about my future groom. Does he even know my name? Does he care? But then I remind myself it doesn’t matter. He has his reasons for this marriage, just as I do. Maybe we’re both just pawns in a bigger game. Hell, I know I am. But even pawns can take down a king.

With two days to go, I have my last training day. If I’m going to be spending years as the only elf hundreds of miles away in enemy territory, alone among a hostile species, I better be prepared for anything. So I throw everything at it today and push myself to the brink.

The sweat dripping down my face is the only thing keeping me from overheating as I throw my weight into each strike. My fist connects with the padded dummy, leaving a satisfying dent. Hand-to-hand combat is all about power and precision, and today, I’m in the zone. My arms burn, my knuckles throb, but the pain is a welcome reminder that I’m still here, still fighting.

My muscles are screaming, but I’m not done yet. I take a quick break before switching gears. I need my sword.

Reaching behind my back, I feel the cool, smooth texture of my marking shift beneath my fingers. There’s a brief moment where the ink pulses, almost as if it’s alive, before it solidifies into the hilt of my sword. I draw it out, feeling the familiar weight settle into my hand. The blade hums with energy, a glowing blue that pulses in time with my heartbeat. This sword is mine, a part of me, born of my blood and soul. Athena’s gift, forged from my very essence.

I move through the training track, the blade slicing through the air with a satisfying swish. My movements are fluid, a deadly dance as I practise strikes and parries. The sword becomes an extension of my arm, and I can feel the energy coursing through it, waiting to be unleashed.

When the physical training finally ends, I’m exhausted, but my day’s far from over. Elder Marjorie waits for me in the quiet grove behind this old industrial building I’ve claimed as my training ground. With the stepped-up intensity and frequency, I’m finally gaining confidence in my gift. She’s taught me control. Control of my emotions, my powers, the storm inside me.

“Breathe,” she instructs as I sit cross-legged in front of her. “Feel your emotions, acknowledge them, but don’t let them rule you.”

I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, trying to calm the storm within. It’s tough, tougher than any physical fight I’ve faced. My emotions are like wildfire, burning hot and out of control. For years, I’ve let them fuel me, but now I have to learn to contain them, to harness that fire without letting it consume me.

Elder Marjorie’s voice is calm, a steady guide through the darkness. “Imagine your emotions as a river. They can be wild and untamed, but you can also channel them, direct their flow.”

I try. I picture the river. My thoughts keep slipping but I refuse to quit. This is just another battle, and I don’t lose battles.

“Good,” she murmurs, as if she can see the progress I’m making. “Remember, your power comes from your emotions, but your strength lies in controlling them. The more you master this, the more you’ll be able to use your gifts without them using you.”

She’s right. My gifts are potent, dangerously so, and if I don’t get a handle on them, they could destroy everything I care about. So I keep at it, focusing on the flow of my emotions, on guiding the river instead of letting it sweep me away.

By the time the sun sets, I’m drained. Physically, emotionally in every way possible. But there’s a sense of accomplishment too. I’m not there yet, not by a long shot, but I’m closer. Closer to mastering my gifts, closer to becoming the weapon I need to be.