The Connor Chronicles: Bronze

  ‘Come, my dear, I presume you must have slept well. Come, have a hearty breakfast today. You will need all the energy as today we will test your powers, strengths and abilities in the physical platform. Eat well. However, as half day has passed, it will be replaced in due time’ she said.

  ‘You will have your meal breaks on time as your training schedule over the next month is strenuous. You will need all the energy you can get. I sense that you have a terrible migraine, it happens when you can hear and see everything. You will get used to it. Agrona will train you on how to overcome all the sights and sounds and how to focus clearly on what is essential. For now, just push the noises in your mind and prepare yourself for today’s physical training’ Dea continued as she sipped the freshly brewed black coffee. The aroma of the coffee wafted through the dining area as we continued with our breakfast.

  For breakfast, there was a lavish spread before us. There were scrambled eggs, omelets, fried potatoes, a variety of sausages, bacon, bagels, various cream cheeses, toasted bread with butter and jam, fresh fruits, muffins and donuts, oatmeal, cereals and granola and the freshest orange juice I have drank. When we finished, she led me to the palace living hall. She sat at the single seat as she motioned Frank to bring my trainer in.

  I looked around curiously hoping to glance at my trainer. I was curious to know who my trainer was since Agrona was nowhere to be seen. Just then, a man in full warrior attire walks in. He wore a helmet and carried a spear. At the top of the spear, there was a laurel. He was handsome, had curly hair and had a moustache. Our eyes met and locked in stare.

  I look at Dea, hands raised in the air, exasperated, ‘Tell me, HE isn’t my trainer’

  Dea smiled and said ‘Yes, HE is your physical trainer over the next one month’

  I gave out a loud sigh and the man looked at me in disbelief and then faces Dea, ‘You expect me to train barbarians now. Don’t you know who I am?’

  Dea looks at both of us, ‘You boys are behaving rather childishly now. Mars, you are the Roman God of War and Taran is the God of Thunder. Yes, I know both of you very well’

  ‘I sense hostility. Taran, you must learn to let go of your past. If you don’t let go, this hostility would impede your progresses. I trust Agrona made the right choice in choosing you’ she continued further. ‘Taran, though your skills are unquestionable, there is still some fine-tuning which needs to be made’ she said to which I nodded in agreement. ‘I’m not perfect and am ready for my training’ I tell Dea as I looked at Mars, who had considerably calmed down and removed his helmet and handed the laurel on his spear to his assistant.

  ‘Mars Gravidus, you need to change your mind set. Not everyone is your enemy out to kill you and take your place. Your place has been decided by Zeus. By training Taran, you are reminded of your duty to guard, protect and to preserve the peace of worlds, though you are the God of War’ Dea told Mars.

  Mars looks to be man of forty human years but his god age was about forty thousand years. He was married to Neraia. Theirs was a love marriage and it was said he loved her passionately. However, Neraia came from a lineage of Nereids as he parents had linkages to the Earth and the oceans. I had yet to meet the spouses and children of either Agrona or Mars, but there was plenty of time for that.

  Like guilty children after being reprimanded, Mars and I looked at each other. We both handed out our hands and immediately gave each other a firm handshake.

  Mars then says, ‘Friends?’

  I answered in the affirmative, with a broader smile this time, ‘Friends!’ and gave him a hug. We both then asked permission from Dea to be excused for our training to begin.

  As we walked along the corridor towards the northern gardens, Mars asked me, ‘you are the mortal who was transformed into a God, isn’t it?’ to which I nodded my head. ‘What’s your mortal name?’ Mars asked curiously. ‘Aidan … Aidan Connor’ I answered. It was the first time I had mentioned my mortal name after my transformation. I was reminded of my past, but I realized that my past was just a story of my life.

  Mars led me outside to the palace fields which were colossal. This area was vast with grass and greenery, shrubs and trees as well as mountainous regions. There were huge trees, so tall, as if to touch the heavens above. The sky was blue and the clouds were out. The sun was smiling at us as we proceeded to start our training.

  The training over the next one month was divided into three parts. Firstly, the first session was to test my physical strength by measuring my running speed, length and time to hold objects which weighed more than any mortal body could take. Secondly, was to test my stamina as there would be times when my energy could drain out. I wasn’t the most energetic man in the realm after all, although I did feel like one. The third session focused on agility. My physical training would last thirty days, with sufficient breaks in between. I would only train five days a week, weekends were my rest days for me to heal. There would be mental training as well but that would only begin much later. I was told that as God’s, there was no such thing as the most energetic man or woman, each God and Goddess had their own strength and weaknesses but they all shared the healing ability, although some healed differently than others. The common fact was the physical wounds would heal faster than emotional, mental and psychological wounds.

  As I had trained before under Donal, I was confident that I would ace this training. I was, after all, fit by my own standards, as a mortal. How wrong I was!!

  Mars started me with warm-ups, which was necessary for any physical training routine. My warm-ups lasted half an hour. There would be two types of training methods used, alternating between each. Then, my torture began.

  Mars placed the largest and heaviest dumbbells he could find on my hands and instructed me to circuit training. I was instructed to do planks with leg lift, single leg stiffed deadlift and alternating rows as part of my first circuit. I had 40 seconds between each of the three exercises. The next circuit involved dumbbells chops, push press and dumbbells side lunge and touch and the final circuit involved dumbbell lunges, goblet squat and dead lifts. These exercises were done three times a week.

  The balance two days was two ten-minute sessions which involved two rounds. In Round one, I had to do push-ups with the weights and sled pulls while Round two involved dumbbell rows, mountain climbing and wind sprints.

  Mars was a good trainer. He gave me encouragement, when I felt as if I could not take it anymore. I was exhausted at the end of the sessions and was allowed to go to my chambers. Dea had told me, before the sessions, that rest and sleep were important as during those periods, our bodies would heal, internally and externally.

  ~~

  The exercises were varied so as to avoid routine. Although I was now God with an already perfectly sculpted body, exercise was essential in order to always be on top of situations which may come up before us. Exercises kept our bodies fit and muscles prepared for any possibilities. It also kept our minds active and alert. Mars was happy with the progress I was making. My energy levels had stabilized throughout the training period and following a mortal lifestyle, I could adjust my new-found self with my mortal self. The balance between these lifestyles was essential as it ensured I had sufficient rest at night and could cope with my godly powers and senses which were now becoming stronger.

  At the end of the thirty-day period, I was pleased with myself. I had exceeded Mars and Dea’s expectations when it came to speed, strength and agility. I was the fastest in running and sprinting. I could climb mountains within seconds. I could carry weights beyond their imagination. The elements were no match to me. I could easily destroy an 18-wheeler truck with just a thump on its hood.

  At the living area of the palace, I sat on the classic sofa pondering my future. I was overwhelmed and excited with the tremendous strength and power I had gained. I could do many things which I could not do as mortal. ‘Killing an army of bandits is so much easier now’ I thought to myself. ‘NO, banish that thought!! I was chosen for a re
ason and I should make mother proud of me’ I continued thinking to myself as I made my way to the lounge chair in the living area.

  As if reading my thought, Dea walks in and sits beside me, ‘Taran, your powers do not give you the ability to interfere with fate. What is to happen will happen. You can foretell the future and can only assist to reduce its suffering of those around you. As for Erbin, fate will take care of him. He is no concern to you now’ Dea continued in a stern voice.

  I nodded shamefully in agreement and told Dea that I would not entertain such thoughts in the future. With that, I took my leave and made my way to my chambers.

  Chapter 4 - Mind over Matter

  One month flew my so fast and with my physical training complete, I could now move on to the next level of training. This was the mental, psychological and emotional training. Dea had informed me that this training was about the mind over matter, or specifically, mind over body.

  The following day, at breakfast with Dea, ‘I’m pleased with your progress Taran. You amaze us. As a new-comer, your godly powers and senses are our asset. Mars has been heaping praises about you. He has told me that physically, you are not a God when should not mess with. Today, Agrona will train you on using your mind. Our minds are our greatest strength, not many people make use of it’ she continued.

  ‘Thanks Dea. I am getting used to these powers myself. I will continue my physical training in order to keep fit, after all, a healthy body equals to a healthy mind. However, there has not been a day where I have a tremendous headache. I can see and hear everything of what is happening around me. Believe me, some of it I don’t want to hear at all. I have tried what you told me and that has helped tremendously’ I told Dea while munching a granola bar.

  ‘Today, you will learn to block out the unnecessary and harness your concentration to achieve and create. The elements are all with you. The elements of cloud, wind and rain are at your mercy, use them at will. Remember, focus, visualize and create!’ Dea continued.

  My mother’s dying words came to mind, ‘Focus. Visualize. Create’ I was shocked that Dea had used the same words to encourage me. I wanted to ask but Dea stopped me and said, ‘you will see when the time comes, eat well now’ Mother knew I was destined to walk this path. I shall make her proud and use my knowledge, skills, powers and senses for the greater good of mankind.

  ‘Taran, as Gods, we feel pain. The pain of our people, the pain of the wrongs that can’t be right, the pains whether physical, mental, emotional and psychological are all linked intricately. Mortals are trapped in the vicious cycle of birth and death. They feel pain at every stage. They have yet to master controlling their monkey minds to achieve. If only mortals could control their minds, more mortals would be in the realm of Gods’ she elaborated further.

  ‘Today, Agrona will train you as she has mastered the skills of focusing on the essentials and removing the unnecessary from our minds’ Dea says, as she motions Agrona into the dining area.

  ‘Ah! Agrona, how are the little ones doing? And how is Alain? ‘Do send my regards to him and the kids’ Dea tells Agrona.

  Agrona answered, ‘They are both doing fine. Alain and the kids are going for a picnic today. I will join them once today’s session is complete. Taran is a fast learner, his mind is like a sponge, able to pick up new things instantly’ she proclaims excitedly.

  Alain was Agrona’s consort. He was a man of nobility when he was a mortal. Agrona and Alain both fell madly in love. It was lovely to see them together as although they were parents now, they still behave as if they are a new couple who just fell in love for the first time. Dea gave Alain the status of consort upon his marriage to Agrona. However, as a consort and former mortal, Alain did have the pleasure to return to Earth occasionally. His visits stopped the day his parents passed away due to old age. He now lived with Agrona in the Realm of the Gods.

  Agrona then looked at me, ‘Good morning Taran! I heard you aced your training with Mars. He is a tough one. I’m glad you did well under him. Congratulations!’ she says as she hands out her hand. I take her hand and reply ‘Thank you, Agrona’

  ‘Now you too rush along to the Eastern Fields. I will meet both of you there soon’ Dea said as she pushed us towards the eastern exit.

  The Eastern Fields was a valley covered in lovely hues of greens, reds and yellows. The flowers had just blossomed and the place was as if it came out of a postcard. At the distance, there were the tallest trees I had seen and the mountains were huge too, although they were the furthest. The valleys had a clear view of the skies; just what I wanted as today’s training was going to be fun. I was using my godly powers and senses to its fullest today.

  ‘Dea tells me you have been experiencing severe migraines this past month during your training with Mars. She suggested you push aside the noises, which is correct. How have you been coping with it while you were training?’ Agrona asked.

  I nodded in agreement and answered, ‘While training, somehow, I would forget the pain; I guess I became so focused in the training, I forgot the pain and pushed the pain aside. I would focus and concentrate on the task at hand and how I was going to complete it in the time given to me’

  ‘There you go! You hit the nail on the head!’ Agrona said excitedly.

  I looked at her, blankly, ‘hit the nail on the head? How? By pushing aside the pain or by forgetting it altogether’ I had answered my own question as I looked at her sheepishly.

  ‘Yeah, by pushing unwanted noises and focusing only on what you want to see and hear. I want you to focus and concentrate in today’s session. Your mind is your power. It controls your senses which you feel, hear, touch and smell. Every action of the mind produces an equal reaction to the body. For example, a stubborn mind produces unconscious resistance to natural forces and an attitude of pride produces an impression of artificial growth. Most importantly, an attitude of fear creates the mind to become negative and in a state of incapacity, a state where you are much less than what you can be’ she continued as she explained enthusiastically.

  Agrona’s words hit me. I had succeeded my training as I listened to Dea and pushed aside my migraines. I had to master this concept of pushing and eventually eliminating thoughts of pain and at the same time harness and sharpen my focus and concentrate techniques.

  ‘A person who fears opens his entire system to the enemy and does not hold his own. To fear an adverse condition is to give permission for that condition to take full possession of our systems. That which we fear we impress upon the mind and what is impressed upon the mind will be created in mentality and in turn expressed in personality’ Agrona further explained.

  ‘Now, apply this concept if you want to create a storm. If you want to create a storm, close your eyes, look deep inside you, imagine the storm in terms of clouds, wind and rain intensity and your storm will come’ she explained as if it was a flick of a finger.

  ‘Firstly, to begin our session, I will train you on how to eliminate the unnecessary voices and sound. Now, close your eyes and tell me what you see and hear’ she then said as we both sat on a large rock in the meadows.

  ‘Close your eyes and tell me what you see on Earth, what’s happening in Kernow this very moment’ Agrona enquired. I closed my eyes as instructed and said, ‘I can see the stream nearby, the fishes are in it, looking for food, swimming upstream. Next to the stream, there is a horse, drinking from the stream. The horse’s master is nearby, resting and relaxing under the tree. ‘I am going to take a nap now. Has Beauty been tied? Yes, I checked earlier, she has. Should I check again? Nah, I’ll just doze off now, the master said and he has gone to sleep. Beauty doesn’t like being tied and wants to escape, to be free, once again. In the town of Kernow, I see people milling about doing their daily chores, the bakers roll out freshly baked bread and there are a stream of villagers shoving and pushing as they each try to grab a piece of bread as the baker collects payment and hands out a piece to those who have paid a few pence’

  ‘That’
s interesting’, Agrona says. ‘Do you sense anything unusual? In Kernow or here?’ she asks, curiously. I can sense that Agrona turned her head and looks at me. She is trying to read my mind but stops herself from doing so.

  ‘No, nothing unusual, all seem to be in place. All calm and peaceful’ I answered, with my eyes still closed.

  ‘Wait! There is someone approaching. Oh! It’s Dea’ I said happily as I felt a sense of achievement as I was able to focus on what Agrona had wanted me to. As if she knew I sensed her, Dea glided gracefully onto the ground.

  ‘You saw me approaching and sensed my presence. I am impressed!’ she said happily as she stood in front of me. I opened my eyes as Agrona nudged me and we rose to greet her.