I'm not Alone

Chapter 18

Like usual, Luke found Eidos meditating. At first glance, it wasn't obvious that he was doing anything other than relaxing, but looking closer you would wonder how many people sat in such a peculiar posture. 

Legs crossed and spine unnaturally straight, he looked no different than an ancient statue. And with half his face shrouded in darkness, the mysterious charm he excluded was attractive yet gave off a feeling of aloofness. 

When he had first joined, Luke had wondered why Eidos did it. He had thought it a mere hobby or method of relaxation, but when he saw the religious devotion Eidos gave it, he asked him. 

"Meditating helps me become one with my body." He had commented. "It allows me to sense every fiber, every tendon of my body." He dramatically turned his wrist, a gentle and elegant motion, perfectly controlled.
"This may be the reason behind my so called 'unnatural speed'." He laughed mildly, using the term bestowed by the soldiers. "It also helps me concentrate which helped me master my powers. This is also the reason behind sensing auras- Concentration."

And boy, did he master his powers. Using Hestia's blessing he made his fire powers on par with his water powers. It would be impossible for anyone else. Controlling another element completely opposite to an inherent power? And perfecting it? Blasphemous. 

But then he started practicing solidifying, melting and vaporizing water. Using one power to support another. He used fire to forge. He used water to cook. He summoned the most powerful fires and used them like casual tools. He was able to demolish anything in seconds with Greek fire and Celestial fire (a fire found on planet Genyl, which is extremely powerful).

And he concentrated not only on his powers, but his physique as well. He made his wings so strong that he could fly days and days without rest. At first, he used to be so sore that opening them would be painful, but now....lets just say he was strong. 

Inspired by Eidos's prowess, Cora and Xavier were encouraged to work harder. Looking at how meditating helped him, they both started the same. 

It did help them, but they could not reach the level of mastery he had on his powers and body. They were able to sense auras but only after severe concentration, unlike how Eidos did it naturally. 

It was in invaluable skill because a person's aura radiated the persons true nature. Since auras cannot be replicated or masked, it was a great method to identify people but the high price attached to it made it so that they had to strengthen their mentality beyond limits.

Eidos was done with his morning routine and returned back to their quarters. Knowing they were awake and ready he called them down. Unfortunately, both Luke and Zoë bumped into each other while coming toward him, ending in Luke holding her waist to prevent her from falling down. By the time they reached him both were blushing furiously and avoiding eye contact with one another.

Mentally Eidos was shaking his head. It had been 2 decades and they were still dancing around each other, unable to tell the other how they felt, and it was getting exhausting, seeing both of his best friends act like love-sick fools. He would have played matchmaker but personally he felt that nature should take her course.

Acting like he didn't notice their little slip, he went to matter at hand. "Shall we go?" He inquired.
They both nodded, still too flustered to answer in words. He just smirked under his hood and threw their cloaks at them.

"Let's show those Olympians how a real war meeting is held." 

~(Edited)~