Ragnarök, Eternal Tragedy.
Chapter 34: Exceeding Expectation

Chapter 34: Exceeding Expectation

The following morning Freyr wakes up and heads to the kitchen, she sees Apollo training in her back yard through the window. Amari on the other hand is reading one of Freyr’s books in the dining area.

’’Hey... I don’t want to seem rude but, I didn’t take you as someone who reads.’’

’’I do.’’

’’Why aren’t you training with your friend outside?’’

’’I’m not in the mood for anything that involves fighting right now.’’

’’Okay.’’

Amari reads for most of the morning while Apollo is training, Freyr prepares breakfast and calls for everyone. Apollo refuses to eat and continues with his training, but Freyr interrupts him.

’’Son... you’ve been it since the early morning, give it a rest, would you?’’

’’No thank you, I’ll stop when I think I’ve done enough.’’

’’Okay then at least eat some breakfast, then you’ll get back to it when you’re done.’’

’’Not now.’’

’’Okay...’’

She heads back to the house and joins Amari who’s already eating.

’’Is your friend always like this?’’

’’Like what?’’

’’Training from the morning to night?’’

’’No, but I think he wants to become stronger now.’’

’’Oh, I get now. I guess it’s his way of dealing with grief.’’

’’I think... it’s his way of fighting for the ones he loves.’’

Freyr smirks and nods at him. Erling barges in unannounced and joins them at the table.

’’Hey... what are we having?’’

’’Morning to you too, what are you doing here?’’

’’Apologies, Good morning, everyone. Can I have this plate?’’

Erling starts eating before getting an answer.

’’Where’s your friend?’’

Amari points out the window. They finish their breakfast and Amari heads back to the room to finish reading his book. Erling decides to spectate Apollo’s training.

’’What are you trying to do?’’

’’What do you mean?’’

’’Judging from the way you’re training, I want to know what you’re trying to do.’’

’’I’m simply trying to become stronger.’’

’’Yeah, I can see that, but at what?’’

’’At fighting. I don’t like to be disturb if you’ll keep asking me these aimless questions.’’

’’I’m asking question because I think I can help you.’’

’’I don’t need anyone’s help.’’

’’I knew you’d say that. If you don’t need my help than you should spar with me. And during this sparring match you’ll use everything you’ve learnt so far. Good?’’

’’Okay, I accept your challenge.’’

’’Great! Okay if you lose, I’ll have to train you.’’

’’Okay... but what if you lose?’’

’’That’s highly unlikely but if I do lose then you’ll carry on with what you’re doing since it’s working for you.’’

’’Okay.’’

Apollo prepares himself for the fight, and Erling goes to stand in position. Before Apollo could even comprehend what’s going on, it was already too late for him. He finds himself on his back looking at the blue.

’’Oops, maybe I did too much there.’’

Erling helps him on his feet.

’’Don’t worry I’ll tone it down for you a little.’’

’’That won’t be necessary, I’ll allow you to train me.’’

’’Oh really, you sure? Training under me won’t be easy.’’

’’Yes, I’m ready.’’

’’Okay than. Give me 200 push-ups right now.’’

He immediately drops starts doing push-ups. Erling is surprised at his instant attempt but lets him do it anyways, he goes to sit under a tree shade. After a while Apollo starts struggling but he keeps going, his movement become slower and he’s sweating more.

Freyr who’s still in the house goes to look at what Amari is busy with and he’s still reading a book but not the one he was reading in the morning.

’’Why aren’t you out there training with your friend?’’

’’Because I don’t want to.’’

’’You like reading?’’

’’Not till recently.’’

’’Really? What type of books do you like to real?’’

’’I haven’t read many, but I mostly read about history.’’

’’History? I don’t have many history books... but I can see you’ve found some. Who taught you to read books?’’

’’My... Someone who was really important to me.’’

’’Oh okay, your mother or father?’’

’’...’’

’’It’s okay, you don’t have to answer that...’’

Freyr awkwardly leaves the room.

Apollo is on his last couple of push-ups, and he can barely push himself up to complete a pushup. Before finishing his last one Erling puts his foot on his back and rests his elbows on his knee to add weight. Apollo is caught by surprise and grunts trying to shout but the words can’t come out of his mouth, but he finally completes the 200 push-ups.

’’Honestly, I didn’t think you’d get past 100. But I’m glad you did, because it means you’ll be able to handle whatever I have for you next.’’

’’Okay... what’s next.’’ Apollo utters while breathing heavily and is soaking wet.

’’Okay what you’ll be doing now... Is resting.’’

’’Rest? But I don’t want to rest.’’

’’Resting your muscles is also part of your training son, just rest.’’

’’No, I don’t want to rest now.’’

Erling sighs and puts his hand on his forehead.

’’You said I should train you, didn’t you? As your trainer I order you to rest.’’

’’I don’t want to rest.’’

’’Look at your legs they’re shaking, your body needs rest son.’’

’’No! I said I don’t want to rest! If you don’t want to train me then I’ll train by myself!’’

Apollo leaves in frustration, but as he walks to another spot. After few steps his head starts to feel like it’s spinning, and his legs stop moving and he suddenly collapses.

’’Erling! What’s going on?!’’ Freyr shouts from the kitchen.

’’Don’t worry man, he’s fine. Just tired.’’

He calmly goes to pick him up and heads to the house.

’’What happened?’’ Freyr runs to feel his temperature by feeling his forehead.

’’Could you relax? As I said he’s just tired from his training.’’

He takes him to the bed and prepares a glass of water for him and leaves the glass on the bed next to him.

’’You’ll be okay son, just rest a bit.’’

He joins Amari who is still reading in the other room. He sees a stack of books next to his chair by his ankles.

’’You’ll be reading all of those?’’

’’No... I’ve already read them all.’’

’’What’s wrong with these kids?’’ He whispers.

’’Which kids?’’

’’Nothing... Aunt Freyr, I’m leaving!’’

’’Goodbye.’’ Amari waves goodbye.

’’I’ll be back later.’’

’’Okay.’’