3 Combat, Fire and Determination

6 years later

"Cyrus, correct your stance and swing leaving no openings" Helios stated from afar. They were in the middle of a clearing in the forest. Helios was standing besides a tree and Cyrus was standing in the middle of the clearing swinging his bronze, celestial bronze, sword.

As the smell of sweat and forest entered my nose, I knew today would be special. I kept swinging the cold bronze sword until my arms felt heavy and my body laced with sweat. My swings began to slow as my body burned, but that did not stop me from doing 50 more swings.

'Dang that was difficult, but it was very entertaining to do. I wonder what we'll eat today, or what we will do later combat training.' I thought while I laid in the clearing breathing heavily. The soreness of my muscles combined with the autumn smell of the forest only added to my tired state. 

"Dad how much more do we have to do?" I asked Helios because my body became to tire out. I also wanted to get back to reading the books in the library. Not to mention the baked goods I can try to make. 'ADHD acting up I think. Since I came to this world my thought always bounced up and down. Combined with dyslexia I figured reading would be a pain that I would never want to do. But apparently ancient Greek isn't a problem reading.

"We will have a few more hours of this. Then we will-" Helios form began to fade. As I saw that all the soreness faded away as I ran to my dad's side.

"DAD, YOUR FADING! " I yelled as my body began to shake and my thoughts were lined up just to think about dad.' Nectar? Ambrosia ? Maybe this will work' 

"Dad eat this." I began to hold up some nectar and ambrosia. But as quickly as I stood I was grabbed into a embrace.

"My son, I am sorry but this is my time" Helios began as the area felt colder and all my focus was on him. "D-dad, p-please just try." My eyes watered and my body gained a heaviness that I never felt before.

"I am sorry Cyrus, but I have overdone my limit. I am sorry that I can't see you grow up to be a proud warrior, man, and a father of your own." Helios figure began to fade more and more, at the same time my eyes began to drip and my heart ached. "D-dad, please no..." It had felt as my whole being was plunged into the void and came back a shell of myself.

"Go north until you reach a settlement then wait there for 3 days. On the 4th day go to the border. You will meet someone and he will guide you to your full potential."

"D-dad just stay with me....please...." I would fight the whole Greek nation by myself for even a chance that my dad would stay with me. The time that I had with my dad felt warmer than the sun itself, an embracing warmth.

"I, Helios, grant Cyrus the blessings of The Burning Sun. May his live be long. May he find joy in live. I infuse part of my being into the blessings." Helios said these words as the light dimmed in his eyes "Dad" I croaked out as my tears flowed uncontrollably, my voice becoming hoarse. 

"My son, please allow me to make this selfish wish of mine." I opened my eyes and faced the fading image of my father. "A-anything, just please stay with me" I begged

"Live your life well. I will always be with you... my son." Helios closed his eyes as he relaxed and faded. "DAD!" I tried to hug what was left of the fading figure, but atlas I couldn't. 

"No...No... why?..." I asked to no one in particular. I suddenly felt warmth hugging around me, just like how dad hugged me. I looked behind me to see flames hugging my back like a blanket placed on a kid sleeping on the couch.

Finally I let it all out. As I sobbed into my hands, I couldn't help but remember.... remember the best memories I had with Helios, my father.

As I rode the chariot together with My dad, he began to speak. "Cyrus, sometimes .even when you're strong, you need to make sacrifices for others. These sacrifice can be hard or easy, or impossible. But you need to do them. I do not wish for you to have to do some of these, but life can be hard on the people who don't deserve it. That is why I want you to remember, never give up. You are my son, you are strong. I believe with my whole being that you will become a hero in the eyes of the people. But don't let that pressure you. You are a person too. You need breaks, support, and love. Never forget that." When he finish speaking, we landed back at the castle.

"Dad?" I wanted to ask Helios a question about the gods. "Yes Cyrus?" "Why are all the gods evil? And why are you not evil?" "Hmm" Helios began "Not all gods are evil, and not all good gods haven't done evil things." "In fact I can say that I am not a being that has done no wrong. But at the same time for other gods, they have flaws just like me. This can cause their view to shift and sometimes when the gods are noted for something that they accept, sometimes it becomes just apart of their being. It is hard to remove or change it, trust me I have done that before. We gods aren't perfect, we just live long enough to be known for them"

"Cyrus, who would win. 1 warrior with noting left to lose or 300,000 warriors?" "Of course the 300,000 warriors." I replied with confidence in my answer. "Really? I think depending on who that warrior is, only ashes and scorched marks would remain"

"Cyrus, through out your life. I will spread gifts for you. It is up to you to find them." "Alright that sounds like fun."

_-----_-_--__-__--_--__--__--__--_--_--_

"Go north until you reach a settlement then wait there for 3 days. On the 4th day go to the border. You will meet someone and he will guide you to your full potential."

__--__---_-----____--_-__--_---_---__--___-

"I will do that father, even if it the last thing I do. Rest well Dad." I said looking up at the sun while it set. The smell of sobs, sweat, ashes and fire rained in my nose, but I knew what I had to do.

"It is time for me to do my fathers wish. I will become a warrior like no other." I stated like it was a fact, which it was.

Authors note: So how do you guys like the story so far? Ask questions here and I'll answer them. I won't be dropping this story until it complete. Which will be about the end of heroes of Olympus and 3-4 months after it. Then I will read the trials of apollo and finish it up. Then I'll might do some slice of life. Idk only thing I can confirm on is I will complete this to the end of heroes of Olympus and a little after it. Wish me luck and ask the questions you want to ask.