The sky was clear of clouds, just the bright burning sun overhead. Hekate inhaled slowly, his racing heart pounding against his chest, threatening to break free of its cage. When he tried to get up his head began to spin again, had that shield hit him that hard?
“Hekate get up.” said the drill instructor, his scratchy voice worn from yelling so much. “Leto how hard you hit him?”
“Sorry I probably hit him a little too hard.” Leto said from somewhere Hekate couldn't see. “Though he should be fine.”
Hekate was not fine. Though his vision was beginning to calm now. Hekate threw his head forward, falling forward and sitting on his knees and hands. He felt sick, but he wouldn't show that, he needed to get up so they would stop looking down on him.
His shield was still attached to his left arm, but his spear was a few feet away. Struggling to reach Hekate pulled up his spear, using it to lift himself to his feet. It was then that he began to feel the blood trickle down from his nose. Leto had hit him far too hard. Hekate stood straight up now, his helmet was knocked off his head, revealing his sandy hair that draped wildly. He had yet to grow a beard, but he hoped one day to have a mane like a lion.
“We're done.” The drill sergeant said, dismissing them all.
Hekate was slower than the rest of the soldiers, his head still hurt. He had been doing this since he turned ten, yet even seven years later he still had to run drills. As Hekate walked he spotted a statue that the others gawked at, everyday with them.
The statue depicted Hephaestus, the pride of the Illiona Archipelago. Hephaestus was once a part of the Grand Twelve, the highest government of Illiona, but he found his calling to become a Marine, and became a hero there. With Hephaestus joining the Marines it brought Illiona deeper into the fold of the rest of the world. Nowadays Illiona is viewed as the greatest training ground for Marines.
Hekate scoffed at the statue, he found the Marines to be annoying. All Hekate wanted was to become a great warrior, but everyone thought he would become a Marine. Hekate began to move past the statue but heard the scoffs of his fellow soldiers.
“Youd think he would take this more seriously right?” someone said about Hekate.
“What a disappointment.” Another said in a hushed whisper. They still hadn’t picked up on Hekates' enhanced hearing. “You'd think someone like him would be a general at this point, he doesn't even try during drills anymore.”
Hekate walked past them, eyes forward on the pale street. They had all looked at Hekate this way since he joined the army. He was from Hakathis, one of the islands of the Illiona archipelago. More importantly he was from the village of Evolia, the same village that Hepthaesus grew up in. Expectations were set from Hekate from the moment he picked up a spear.
He was free for the day and found himself walking to the edge of the city. The sea breeze blew in from foreign places as Hekate walked along the sandy beach. He looked off, the great expanse of the grand line lay out before him. After several minutes of walking Hekate found the cave that formed along the cliff side of the city. He looked around in case anyone was watching and entered.
“Panos” Hekate said aloud, his voice echoing off the rocky walls. “Panos.”
The head of an old man popped up from behind a large rock. “Oh Hekate!” Panos said, emerging fully from his rock. The man was old, with a white beard that reached down to his stomach. Panos was thin, almost a twig. He looked as if he would fall apart from just a strong gust of wind. “What you bring me today!”
Hekate came close, pulling free a lantern and lighting it so they were not in darkness. Once Panos had sat next to the lantern, revealing his clothing which was just a potato sack, he pulled out a bundle from his bag.
“I got some bread and jam for you.” Hekate said, pulling free a small jar and a knife.
“You spoil me!” Panos said, digging into the bread and jam. “Strawberry?”
“Yep, apparently they got it from Korolias.” Hekate said. “It wasn't too expensive since it was so close.”
Panos smiled as he enjoyed the jam. “What's on your mind lad?”
“Is it that clear?” Hekate asked.
“Well I assume it has something to do with the stuff in your nose.” Panos said. Hekate had stuffed some cloth in his nose to stop the bleeding, he had to snap the nose back in place which hurt like all hell.
“Just had a rough drill day.” Hekate said, looking low.
“Still giving ya trouble are they?” Panos said.
“Yeah, still not even aloud to go on the ships.” Hekate said annoyed. “Isnt that stupid? At this point I should be out there doing something.”
“Why not just apply to be a Marine?” Panos asked.
Hekate shot him a glare. “Marine? Like hell.” He looked up at the rocky ceiling. “I want to see the world, I want to be a brave warrior. If I join the Marines I’ll be locked to wherever they send me, having to climb through the system that is unfair. Not to mention, I'd still be compared to Hephaestus there. I just want to be free to do what I want.”
Panos munched away, eyeing Hekate. “You know lad.” Panos began, licking the jam off his dry lips. “I heard this legend.” Hekate looked at Panos with intrigue. Panos told tales alot, but most turned out to be true in some way. “There is this small island south of Kalymis, legend has it that there is a tree there that only bears fruit once every hundred years. The fruit in question bestows one with mystical powers. Though at the cost of the sea god shunning you for your entire life.”
Hekate leaned forward, eyes wide at Panos. “Do you mean a Devil Fruit?”
Panos gave a toothy smile. “That is exactly what I mean. The island is so small that most struggle to even spot it, and the tree is atop a cliff that needs to be climbed. Legend has it that whoever finds that fruit will become a great warrior. At least that is the legend.”
Hekate thought about it, Kalymis was south of the island he was currently on, Sisonyia. It would take a few days to sail, but he could get there. How would he get a ship? And what about the monsters? He would have to miss drills and probably be kicked out of the army for desertion if he left.
“Welp.” Panos said, looking around. “You should be getting back.”
“Already?” Hekate asked.
“Yes lad.” Panos said, standing so his face was in the shadow. “You have a lot to think about.”
“Alright, I’ll stop by tomorrow.” Hekate said, getting to his feet.
“Of course, I'll see you then.” Panos said.
Hekate didn't sleep much that night, he just laid in his bunk thinking. Could he just leave? Was this an adventure that he was willing to drop everything for?
Panos wasn't there. When Hekate arrived Panos was already long gone, leaving a bag and a note behind for Hekate. The bag was filled with gems and gold coins, a wealth Hekate hadn't ever expected to see from the man in the cave.
‘Hekate.’ The note read, written in a rough hand writing. ‘Thank you for the company over the last few years. However, the sea calls me back. It calls you too, so I know we will meet again, just not here. Forge your legend already lad.’ Hekate held the paper tightly, reading the last line till the ink faded from his years. ‘Thanks for the jam.’
Hekate snuck into the armory of the barracks. He grabbed a spear, a shield, and a set of armor. He clanked as he fled the barracks. No one paid him much mind since he did it in the middle of the day, everyone just assumed he was late for a patrol duty. No one questioned him even as he arrived at the port.
Hekate looked around, the army ships were being cleaned, except one. A Trireme, its sail folded so it did not flow in the wind. It was smaller than most galley’s that the army used currently, but was perfect for Hekate. The ship was on the far end of the port, where guards rarely partolled. By the time he was noticed, his ship had set sail. He stole a ship, he abandoned the army, he set course for the adventure he seeked. He set sail for the Devil Fruit.
