Unconquerable Soul

A/N: Some elements of this were inspired by “Ender’s Game” by Orsen Scott Card.

-Chapter 1-

They were all here for different reasons. As she looked around the room, Ashley saw many kids her own age but only two other girls. She hadn’t really wanted to come here; it was her father’s idea. But this military school was better than being at home and going to public school--it was high school and college in one, so you came out with a degree. And there was a guaranteed job for you in the military if you wanted it. Besides, getting to know her new step-family was not exactly her idea of a fun time. “All right Lilies, listen up.” An older boy stood up in front of the group. “Today you’ll be assigned your Color which is also your House. When you get to your Houses, you’ll be told where to bunk. Keep in mind, this is the last day you will use your worldly name--you will earn a new one. Whether that’s right away or not until after your first battle is up to you. This place will become your home; your classmates will become your friends, your family, and sometimes even your enemies. In just a moment I will begin calling your worldly names; when you hear yours, come forward to receive your duffel. Inside are your new uniform, your books, and any and all supplies you will need until you are assigned a bunk. Everything else you will need to know will be told to you by your gods when you get to your House. The rules are very strict so make sure you listen carefully.”

“Gods?” A boy near Ashley asked her quietly in disbelief.

“As in mythology,” she whispered back. “That’s where they get the names and places.” He nodded that he understood.

“Percy Ackerman,” the announcer called. “Green. Haley Attony; Red. Jason Baltar; Gold.” Ashley sat wondering if she would be the only girl in her House from her Lily group. “Corey Ditter; Red. Michael Everly; Gold. Ashley Gardner.” She perked up at the sound of her name. “Blue.” Blue? she though. Am I really good enough for the Greeks? Ashley had done her homework--the Greeks had been Top House four years running. She was given a duffel bag and shuffled off down a hallway. It ended at a door, where outside waited a small, blue bus. Each Color had their own facilities, called a House; the central station was only used for Lilies entering the system, meetings between the Houses, or if one needed severe medical attention that couldn’t be provided at the House.

Ashley did turn out to be the only girl in her group, so she knew it would be a struggle right off the bat. She sat down in a seat and opened her duffel. She found a pair of blue coveralls, two blue T-shirts, and a blue pair of pants; there were also several changes of underwear. Beneath the clothes she discovered her books and began reading the titles: The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Life of Mozart, The Iliad, The Odyssey, Jason and the Argonauts. How were these supposed to help with battle? There was also a toothbrush, a bar of soap, and a lunch, complete with a turkey sandwich, two graham crackers, a small container of carrot sticks, and a bottle of water. The last of the boys climbed onto the bus, and the bus driver closed the door. This last boy looked too big to be a Lily. When the bus was moving, he stood up to face the group--Ashley was right; he was a veteran. “Attention up here Lilies.” All side conversations stopped, and all eyes turned to the front. “Can anyone tell me who I am?” There was a long pause as though no one knew how to answer. “You,” he finally called out, pointing at Ashley. “Yeah, the girl; do you have a guess?” Tentatively, she started to answer, but he cut her off. “Stand up so everyone can hear.” Quickly glancing at the boys surrounding her, she rose to her feet.

“You’re Hermes, right?”

“Very good,” he replied. “How did you know?”

“Because you’re the messenger.” He smiled and nodded at her, and she sat back down.

“In a few minutes we’ll be pulling up to Blue House, more commonly referred to as Greece. It is a compound with five halls—one of classrooms, one of bathrooms and showers, one of dining areas and game rooms, and two of bunks—all joined by a hub at the center. You will get your bunk assignment immediately; you are expected to change into your uniform--your worldly clothes will be collected in a plastic bag with your worldly name on it and will be sent home to your parents; though, your worldly clothes probably won’t fit you when you get out of here, so don’t get too attached to them. After that you will be assigned to your big brother or sister, and you will eat your first meal with them; they will be responsible for making sure you go to your classes and do your homework. And don’t make them mad at you because they’re also responsible for disciplining you. Believe me, I’ve seen some bad punishments. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘Lily’ until you earn your name--often times, it’s also accompanied by a distinguishing factor. For example, the smart young lady who guessed my name will more than likely be called ‘lily-chick.’” Great, he’s making an example of me--now it’s gonna be even harder. “All right Lilies, we’re coming up on the compound. Get ready to alight and head into the Hub.” He turned around to face the door as the bus slowed to a stop.

The boys filed out one by one. Ashley tried to step out into the aisle and was pushed back down into the seat by one of them. She quickly stood back up and shoved him backward, stepping out into the aisle and making for the door. He shoved her forward into another boy, who spun around and pushed her off of him. They treated her like a human pinball as they walked to the front of the bus where she finally got her footing and threw a hand up into each of their chins. Their heads jerked upward with a CLACK as their jaws clamped down hard. She stepped over the boy in front of her and got off the bus. Hermes met her at the bottom of the stairs. “They’ll be punished as soon as they get their siblings.”

“You don’t think I punished them enough?” she asked.

“I knew there was a reason we chose you Lily-chick,” he smiled. She nodded thanks to him and continued into the building with the others. The two boys left on the bus had to be herded in by Hermes.

When they got into the Hub, there was a young man standing on a pedestal with a young woman on his right and another young man on his left. Others were gathered, surrounding the new group like sentinels. “Lilies!” The man on the pedestal commanded their attention. He must be Zeus, Ashley thought to herself. “Here, you will learn discipline, strategy, loyalty, and strength. You will hone your individual talents for the good of the group. You have each been chosen for your particular abilities in your worldly schools. You were studied for the full year that it took to process your applications, and as Top House, we were awarded first pick. Logically, you should be the best of the best--so prove us right.” He gave a wry half-smile. “This is Hera,” he said, indicating the girl on his right. “She is your High Queen and has worked hard to become so. You will listen to her at all times, and will defer to her judgment above everyone’s but mine. This is Poseidon.” He indicated the boy on his left. “He is my second in command.” He held out his arms indicating the rest of the room. “These are your family members, your friends, your fellow soldiers.” Like the Spartans of old, the group raised a fist and called out as one. “Over the next six years, you will get to know them well. Some will leave before you; others will stay with you until you leave; still others you will meet in years to come, and you will teach them before you leave. There will be days that last forever, and weeks that pass in a minute. One aspect remains most important: above all things, be yourself--it is why we brought you here, and it will get you far. You were hand-picked for your particular field. So if you fail, it’s because you’re trying to be someone you’re not. Welcome, and I’ll see you again in the morning for First Breakfast.” He stepped down and was sent off by another cry from the veterans. Hera and Poseidon followed him out of the room, and Hermes stepped up onto the podium while the veterans each made their way back to their rooms.

“If your worldly last name started with A through M, you’re bunking in this hall on my right. Everyone else, you’re in the hall on the left. Your photo will be posted outside your room.” The ten Lilies made their way down their respective halls; Ashley walked confidently, looking for her photo. She found it and ducked inside the door to find five older boys already there, sitting on their beds, talking. They all noticed her--she was the first Lily to walk in.

“What’s your name?” One of the boys was trying to trick her, but she caught on.

“I’ve been deemed ‘Lily-chick’ thus-far,” she answered, “as I’m the only girl in my Lily group.” The boys all stood up laughing.

“Good answer,” one commented. “That’s your bed there.” He pointed to one in the middle of the room. “And you happen to be the only girl in this room. But should you have any female problems, Persephone is just in the next room.”

“Thanks.” She dropped her bag on her bed and began taking her uniform out. She noted how all of the boys turned around in respect and created a kind of wall for her to change behind.

“You won’t need your coveralls today,” one mentioned over his shoulder. “And socks and boots should be in your foot locker.”

“Okay, I’m done.” They all turned back around to face her. The rest of the Lilies entered the room together.

“Apollo, you lucky ass,” one of the older boys said. “You got the only Lily willing to think for herself.”

“Well, I am the only god in the room.” Ashley looked toward the boy who’d spoken in response. She met eyes with a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy who smiled down at her. “Besides, Daedalus, you math geeks have to stick together.”

“Sure you don’t want to trade?” One of the other veterans begged him. Apollo raised an eyebrow at him and put an arm around her in response. “Fine.” He turned to the other boys. “Lily-Runt, you’re here; Lily-Four-Eyes, you’re here; Number-Lily, here; and Blond-Lily, you’re mine, and you’re here. Suit up boys.”

“Have a seat,” Apollo offered, motioning to her bed. The two sat down facing each other. “Do you have any questions so far?”

“Why do I have a bunch of music and literature books?”

“You’re a muse of sorts,” he smiled. “Your job will eventually be negotiation and strategy. You’ll study the great works of art in order to develop your creativity and ability to make speeches. Then you’ll study the great heroes to make suggestions to the gods and kings on how to direct battle movements--mimicking victories and amending flaws.”

“So I’m not going to fight?” she asked, a little disappointed.

“Oh, you’ll still fight,” he assured her. “Everyone fights.” He looked at his watch, then looked around the room at all the other veterans. “All right, grab your chow; we’re gonna head down to mess, and you’ll get to meet the other guys in this room.” They stood, and she picked her paper sack of food out of her duffel and followed Apollo out the door.

They made their way down the hall and turned to the right, walking all the way down to the end of another hallway. Apollo and Daedalus opened the double doors to reveal a large, round room, filled with round tables. “We eat family style here,” Daedalus mentioned as the older boys ushered the younger ones into the mess hall. The older boys picked a table and everyone sat down--the veterans placing themselves between the Lilies so they were every other seat.

“It’s funny how Zeus’s right and left hands happen to be Hera and Poseidon--was that planned, or did it just work out that way?” she asked Apollo when they were seated.

“You’ll find that most names just work out like that in terms of relationships. Some are oddballs though--like Hestia and her little brother Pelias. Zeus was named almost immediately because of his natural leadership skills--his big brother was Cronus, the former High God. Poseidon is a year younger than him and is being trained to take over when Zeus graduates. The High God isn’t trained by his older brother, at least not after he grows out of him. Zeus had big shoes to fill--he wasn’t supposed to take over when he did, but both Eros and Cronus graduated early, so Zeus had to take over two years early. Usually a High God is only so for a year--maybe two if he’s lucky. But this will be Zeus’s third--and his final.”

“So, how do the names work then; I mean, there are only so many, right?”

“They get recycled every fourth or fifth graduation; sometimes it’s longer. It’s tradition that no one name can be held by two people in the school at the same time.”

“How many girls are here?”

“Um, including you . . . eight. The others are Hera, Persephone, Hestia, Atalanta, Aphrodite, Ariadne and Amphitrite.”

“Is it time for introductions?” Daedalus asked the table. “I’m Daedalus--the resident mathematician; this gorgeous man on my immediate left is Apollo--he’s the resident god, so he’ll be giving out most of our orders for battles. Next to him is Midas--the weapons expert; then is Aeetes--the biochemist, and finally, Glaucus--the psychologist. We’re all third-years, which means that eventually you do grow out of your big brothers, and take on a younger brother or sister--though siblings generally stay in contact; you’re given a younger sibling partially based on what their battlefield position will be, so you will most likely fight beside your older sibling until he graduates. This will be the only day our entire group will eat together--after this meal, you’ll get to meet other pairs based on where your older brother chooses to sit. From this moment on, you will follow him like a shadow. Now, let’s dig in.” They all started eating and talking to their big brothers about various aspects of the school that would become their lives for the next six years.

“Excuse me, may I have everyone’s attention please!” A veteran stood up on a table.

“Odysseus!” The group greeted him, showing he had their eyes and ears.

“While we’re here together, I have an announcement. But first I have a question: how do we treat our female members?”

“With the highest regard!” a young man yelled in response.

“Right you are Aegeus!

“Uh-oh, someone’s being punished already,” Apollo whispered to the girl on his right. Odysseus pulled the boy who had pushed her on the bus up onto the table next to himself.

“This was Lily-No-Brain. He was rude and disrespectful towards a woman--of his own Lily group no less. Thus he has earned his name.

“Ooh, that’s harsh,” Daedalus whispered.

“He is now to be called Acteon, for he showed disregard for a female, and the sister of Apollo.” A chorus of “Ooh’s” rang out in the hall. Another veteran stood up on his table.

“Friends, Brothers, I now ask for your attention!”

“Nereus!” The crowd acknowledged him.

“Another has earned his name from this act. This boy was once Deaf-Lily, but is so no longer. For his inability to stand up to Acteon and help Apollo’s sister--for his lack of chivalry, I now introduce you to Narcissus--lover of himself.” Another chorus of “Ooh’s” sounded.

Odysseus held up his hands; he wasn’t finished. “Would the young lady please stand so we may recognize you?” She looked to her big brother, who nodded, smiling. She climbed up onto the table. “Lily-chick,” Odysseus turned and addressed her. “Hermes has told us of your strength and bravery in the face of these two--literally.” He smiled. “Acteon is still bleeding from where he bit his tongue. Even after these boys disgraced you, you told Hermes they did not need to be punished further, and so concurrently showed pride and mercy.”

Apollo jumped up onto the table next to her. “Great and wise Odysseus, I humbly ask to take the floor from you.”

“It is yours, oh sun god.”

“Brothers, Sisters, Friends. Long have the years been since the goddess Artemis has graced our halls. But I tell you that she has come again.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “The announcement of this girl’s fight only solidifies the belief in my mind that she truly is my sister come back to me.” He turned to Poseidon, who was now standing on the floor next to his own table. “Great Poseidon, you’ve heard Odysseus’s story, and now I have a story to tell. This girl was the first of her group back to the room--she wasted no time. She wasn’t fooled by Glaucus when he asked for her name. She didn’t object to being the only woman in the room. And, though like true men, we turned our backs, she wasn’t embarrassed to have to change in front of us. All of her questions thus far have been smart--wondering about the people here and her place in the group. I believe this is the sign of a true god--concerned mainly with the people they govern. She has yet to test her skill in battle, but based on her encounter before even making it in these doors, I have no doubts.”

“You are wise Apollo, and I trust you to know your own sister. Artemis she is.”

“Artemis!” The group greeted her as their sister and goddess. Apollo jumped down, then helped her back to the floor. Then he gave her a hug, and smiled down at her. She looked up at her brother in awe.

“You didn’t have to do that--even if I were going to be Artemis, it could’ve waited until after the first battle--I mean, are you sure? You’ve never seen me fight.”

“And humble too,” Apollo laughed. “You’ll do fine--I’m training you.”

That night, they all lay down to sleep. Artemis lay awake for a few minutes going over the events of the day. She hadn’t even been here 24 hours and already they were making her a goddess . . . as if simply being a girl at Greece wasn’t enough. There weren’t many girls accepted into the program in general, but most of them were sent to Egypt or Rome. If a girl was chosen by Greece or Scandinavia, much more was expected of her. Though one might think Rome would mimic Greece in its student population, Rome had consistently been the bottom House, and therefore was forced to pick last among the qualified applicants. And so it became a vicious cycle--few girls were chosen by Greece and Scandinavia, forcing Egypt and Rome to take them. But very few who were gods were named on their first day--usually they weren’t named until at least after the first battle. As her mind swirled, she heard a whimpering sound from across the room. She heard a sniffle and saw a form move in one of the Lily-boy’s beds. Glancing quickly at Apollo on her left and Daedalus on her right to make sure they were asleep, she stealthily climbed out of her bed and snuck over to the boy’s bedside. He gasped quietly when he saw her and frantically tried to wipe the tears from his eyes and the snot from his nose. She didn’t say anything at first; she simply offered him a clean sock with which to wipe his nose. He accepted it and climbed down onto the floor with her. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve never been this far away from my family before.”

“Why did you apply?”

“I didn’t . . . my father applied for me--he said he wanted me to be a man, and this was the only way to make me one.”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t want to come here either--but I really didn’t want to deal with my new step-mother and her kids.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm . . . Are you gonna be okay?”

“I guess I’ll have to be huh?”

“Well, if you ever need anyone to talk to, I’ll be here.” She wrapped an arm around him and held him tightly.

“Thanks.”

She hadn’t noticed, but Apollo had woken when his sister had climbed out of her bed. He heard the exchange between the two, and it only reaffirmed his belief that he was correct in giving her goddess status--she was brave, she wouldn’t take crap from others, but at the same time she was willing to listen. She would make a great leader in years to come.