Alyx had known from the moment he heard the conversation last night that he would hate his time in boot camp. A week later and he had only been proven right. He wiped the sweat off his brow as he heard the drill sergeant call for one more lap. He started to jog again, alone. No one had talked to him besides those giving instructions. People avoided him like the plague, whispering behind his back. Even Primus had been missing since his first day. It didn't help that he preformed below average on any physical task. He had struggled with all the workouts. At least a week of running had helped his stamina. He might be gasping for air but at least he hadn't passed out like the first time. After the run was over he got back in formation. He heard more muttering a followed by laughter to his left. He glanced over and saw it was Brian and his cronies.
"What you looking at traitor?" Brian shouted as he noticed Alyx watching.
Alyx started to say something rude back but held his tongue. Responding would only escalate the situation, plus the last thing he needed was three angry Giants. He felt a shove at his back and turned around to find Brian behind him now.
"I said what were you looking at?"
A circle formed around them and Alyx knew what was about to happen: Brian was about to challenge him to duel.
"I was looking at you, so what?" Alyx shot back. He was stuck, so he had nothing to lose by speaking his mind.
"Maybe if you weren't so loud you wouldn't have caught my attention."
"I can be as loud as I want. Don't think just because you got Hades you are special. He's been MIA for a reason, He's the weakest."
Alyx gritted his teeth. Brain wanted an excuse to challenge for duel, wanted to make it seem like he was forced into it by Alyx's words.
"How about we duel then, and I'll show you what weak looks like" Alyx spat out. If they were dueling no matter what he may as well take the initiative.
"Oh, you're going to regret that Dirt Boy."
Alyx backed off as Brian started to change. Brian was already over 6ft, in his Giant form he stood almost 7ft, his armor a stark grey and his head protected by a mask of steel shaped to look like a knights helm. He roared out his challenge to Alex.
Alyx took a deep breath. He hadn't transformed since his first one and he had been reluctant to since. He held out his hand as the Reaper took over his body, his skin hardening into black metal. When it was done he noticed that the crowd had gone quiet. He remembered seeing himself for the first time.
'They fear me' he thought. He grinned behind his demon-looking mask. He had silenced them all finally. The joy didn't last long as Brian charged forward. He launched a right hook aimed at Alyx's side. Alyx moved to block it and immediately regretted his choice.
It was like getting hit by a truck. He took the brunt of the force in his arms instead of his torso however his right arm flared up in pain then when numb as he was launched away, catching himself before he fell. He had no hope of beating Brian in a contest of strength. He then looked over and noticed Primus had joined the crowd watching. He quickly launched a thought to the hooded man while barely dodging Brian's follow up attack, leaning a dust cloud and small crater where Alyssa had just been.
' Primus where have you been, but before that what do I do?'
"You havent summoned Hades so I couldn't come obviously. I'm attached to the Reaper. Also My name isn't Primus it's-"
Alyx didn't get to hear the last words. He was so focused on Primus that he didn't notice Brian's kick. It hit him right in the center of his chest, sending him tumbling along the ground. When he came to a rest he struggled to get regain his breath.
"Alyx, you have to fully accept Hades to unlock your abilities. You are still not surrendering yourself entirely."
Alyx took a few more shaky gasps of air as Brain advanced. He could hear him laughing as he moved forward.
"What wrong Dirt Boy? Can't take a single kick? You're pathetic. I'd be doing the world a favor by getting rid of you as Hades."
Brian's fist started to glow with a silver light. Alyx knew what was coming. All Giants had the same abilities, and he had seen Kazko use this one to chop wood.
"Giant's Edge!"
Brian swung his hand through the air, sending a disk of light spinning towards Alyx. Alyx ducked to the right quickly, feeling the disk barely cut his shoulder. He had been any slower that would have hit his neck.
'Brian was really aiming to kill. Why? It's not like I chose this life, like I chose to be Hades."
"You keep whining, quit it. You're Hades' champion, so get off the ground and accept it! If not stay still and die then."
Alyx's eyes looked towards Primus, who had suddenly appeared next to him.
"You can either fight or die Alyx. If i were you I would decide if you are a Reaper or just a waste of time. Preferably before that hits you."
Alyx looked back at Brian who was charging another Giant's Edge and made his decision then. He didn't choose this life but it was too late to turn back now. He gritted his teeth.
"I am no Reaper...I...am Hades!"
He said outloud as his armours eyes sparked with black energy. Suddenly he knew exactly what to do, as if he had already done it his entire life.
"Grasping Shadow!"
His own shadow suddenly sprang to life, shooting like a black beam and changing shape to that of a hand. It locked itself on to Brian as he cried out in shock.
"This, This is nothing!"
Brian struggled to break free but couldn't get out of the shadows grip. Alyx got up, feeling suddenly fatigued after using the skill.
"Do you yield?" Alyx asked.
Brian struggled more but finally gave up and hung his head.
"I concede..."
Alux released the hold then fell to his knees panting, reverting out of Hades. He was more tired then ever. He looked off to the side and could see Primus nod his head in approval before disappearing again into shadows. He could hear the crowd talking about his win when suddenly he all heard them get quite then start shouting in alarm. He looked up to see Brian still in Giant form barreling towards him, hand outstretched. Before he could react to that a lighting bolt struck Brian in the chest, knocking him back and forcibly reverting him out of his Reaper as he fell unconscious.
"Well, that wasn't very sportsmanlike from the loser."
Alux turned to see Zack in his Zeus Reaper, a elegant looking mech with white and gold metal woven to mirror a lighting storm next to a man who he recognized as one of the 12. Zack's Reaper disappeared to reveal his pale skin and golden hair, a smile on his face. The man next to him looked around the crowd.
"Everyone here besides Alyx should know that dueling with out a ranking officer supervising is not allowed. You all will be punished accordingly. Now disperse back to your barracks, We will deal with you soon."
The crowd quickly ran off, with Brian's friends carrying him back. Alyx also started to move as well, as he did know that rule, it was in the handbook. However before he could crawl away the man put a hand on his shoulder.
"Not you Alyx. Now that we know you finally have fully awakened into Hades you will rejoin the rest of us for training and living."
The man lifted Alyx off the ground and dusted him off.
"Guess introductions are in order. This is Zack, he's Zues, and My name is Felix and the champion of Hera. As the oldest Reaper I am the de facto leader of the 12. It's time you finally join us at Evernest."
Alyx was confused
"I thought this was Evernest?"
Felix laughed and motioned to look around.
"This is just the training facility and the barracks for the rookie Giants and Satrys. I'll show you how to get to the real Evernest"
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