Chiron, born of divine lineage between Chronos, god of time, and Philyra, goddess of elegance, was not like the other centaurs. While his kin were known for their wild, untamed nature, Chiron was the opposite—a wise, gentle teacher who mentored nearly every Greek hero. He was an immortal deity, a master of countless arts.
But today, Chiron found himself puzzled.
"Self-defense techniques?" Chiron repeated, eyeing the young man sitting before him. Cyd, pale and winded from a recent fall, nodded eagerly.
"Yeah, I want to learn how to defend myself," Cyd said, his voice steady. "How to counter attacks."
Chiron knelt down, meeting his gaze. "Before we begin, why do you want to learn self-defense?" he asked, noting how Cyd didn't flinch despite the pain in his hand.
"I need to protect myself," Cyd answered honestly. "From war, disaster… you know, life."
Chiron tilted his head. "Just self-preservation?" He reached out, gently plucking a leaf from Cyd's hair. "I could teach you more than that."
"Sensei… can I call you that?"
Chiron smiled warmly. "Of course."
"What I'm asking for is the opposite of the Heroic Path," Cyd said, locking eyes with Chiron. His voice was earnest.
"Opposite?" Chiron mused. "Most of my students seek glory. You, however, want an ordinary life."
Chiron stood and extended his hand to Cyd. "Magnificent or ordinary, it doesn't matter. As my student, I'll guide you forward."
"Sensei..." Cyd took his hand.
"Shall I introduce you to the others?" Chiron asked with a gentle smile.
"No!" Cyd said quickly, shaking his head. The last thing he wanted was to be compared to heroes like Hercules.
Chiron chuckled. "You'll meet them eventually, you know."
"I'll do my best to avoid that."
Three years later.
Chiron walked leisurely through the forest, carrying a basket of apples. "Cyd, I can always sense your presence," he said, sidestepping a hidden trap in the grass. He pressed a hoof to the ground, and a pit opened in front of him.
"Your traps are good for catching animals," Chiron remarked, picking an apple from the basket. He effortlessly leaped over the pit. "But you'll need more than this to catch me."
"That's right!" Cyd's voice came from the bushes as he suddenly leaped out. "But wait—"
A shadow sprang from the pit, swinging a stick at Chiron's head. At the same time, another figure tried to pull Chiron into the ground with a line, while three arrows shot toward his eyes.
"You've improved!" Chiron said calmly, even as the ambush unfolded around him.
He used the basket to deflect the arrows, then kicked the shadow in the stomach. The figure flew through the air, crashing into the trees as Chiron casually retrieved a crossbow from the grass.
"Watch out with that!" Cyd groaned from the ground, pulling off a black cloth that had covered him. "I don't have an immortal body, you know."
"But your body's tougher than mine," Chiron said with a shrug, putting the crossbow back in the basket. He hopped over the pit Cyd had dug.
"It's scary seeing someone fly after being kicked," Cyd muttered, still clutching his stomach.
"The Styx didn't just make your skin invulnerable," Chiron explained. "Your flesh is stronger, your bones harder. You've grown."
"Really?" Cyd ran a hand through his white hair.
"But you're still half a head shorter than Hercules," Chiron teased, ruffling Cyd's hair. "Are you eating enough?"
"I thought I was doing fine," Cyd sighed, taking the basket from Chiron.
Despite Chiron's encouragement, Cyd remained fascinated by the idea of an ordinary life. Chiron often tried to introduce him to other students, most of whom were sons of gods, like Hercules, who epitomized divine strength.
But Cyd wanted none of that. Especially after hearing about Hercules's infamous temper. The guy had killed his own nephew after a disagreement with another teacher. Cyd wanted to keep his distance from someone that powerful.
Still, Hercules's eventual remorse offered some hope that his future wouldn't be as grim as his father Zeus's. Maybe there was more to him after all.
"Normal?" Chiron said, his tone light but firm. "Cyd, when was the last time you saw anyone as strong as you?"
Chiron took Cyd's hand, his eyes serious. "It's not good to stay hidden away. You need to see the world, meet people, travel. That's how you grow."