HI GUYS! I'm sooo sorry i couldn't update on tuesday! It's been pretty hectic lately with orientation to my junior college (MERIDIAN) and yea i've been so so so sos so so packed with plans i couldn't find the time to writ my stories .

I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

~Kuntakintae

Nico's POV

I had to admit that even though I already disliked Luke's over the top confidence and humongous head, his swordsmanship skills really lived up to its name.

Right before my very eyes, he was sparring against three of the top few fighters I knew in the club and was actually beating them mercilessly.

Of course, none of the masters in their own weapon department had sparred him yet. Chiron wanted us- as well as himself, I assume- to gauge Luke's skills and prowess.

Luke ducked, swerved and rolled with such fluidity and swiftness, actions controlled yet quick and precise that the three sparring with him could not even land a hit on him.

His parries were crisp and firm, without the slightest waver. His steps were purposeful and balanced. He executed technique after technique, each one a higher level than the one before, without a pause or even the slightest mistake.

What's worse was, it was very obvious that he was holding back.

It was really obvious. The strength he puts into his swings, the way he was breathing and his entire body posture…everything he did just screamed "This is nothing."

And that was what really worried me.

Of course, I had heard about Thalia and Annabeth. Thalia had told me about Luke's and her past, and that alone had made me want to kill Luke. When Annabeth happened, I wanted to kill him slowly.

However, the more I observed, the more I realized that I should forget about killing, or even injuring him. The thing I should worry about more is how to survive and last even a minute against him if he ever came at me seriously.

Even with Thalia, Jason, Frank, Hazel and Leo, I didn't think we would be able to beat him.

Maybe even Percy…

My thoughts shifted away from Luke for a moment and focused in on Percy. As I thought harder and harder about Percy, I realized that there was something similar about Luke and him- they always held back when they fight.

My eyes widened when I felt something shift. Suddenly, the whole atmosphere turned dark and heavy, sending terrible chills up my spine. My body shivered as I felt the major killing intent engulf the whole training hall.

My eyes shot back to the spar and zeroed in on a small, shallow cut on Luke's cheek. An extremely tiny but thick droplet of blood began to run down his cheek.

I then realized Luke's entire demeanor had changed.

In a flash, Luke had disarmed all three of his sparring partners on the arena. I immediately stood up and rushed to the arena as swept low and kicked out, sending all tumbling onto the floor.

"CLANG!" The shrill, piercing sound of metal against metal filled the entire hall, causing everyone to wince except Luke and I. My hand was shivering as I tried to prevent the blade from reaching the neck of one of the sparring partners.

Said sparring partner was so dazed that he didn't even move from his position. All he did was stare at the blade, eyes wide and facial expression frozen in utter shock.

Only now, standing right in front of him, sword drawn and clashing against his did I truly feel his prowess.

He was truly the best swordsman in the World.

What terrified me though weren't the skills or the prowess he had. What terrified me was the look in his eyes.

The look that said 'I'm going to slaughter you'.

The first thought that ran through my mind was 'There's no way he's human'.

"Stop!" Mr Brunner's commanding and stern voice echoed, rebounding off the walls of the halls and snapping everyone out of their stupor.

His voice seemed to manage to get through Luke too. Once he heard Mr Brunner's voice, the dark, terrifying look in his eyes immediately faded and disappeared. The killing intent seeping out of him immediately disappeared.

Suddenly, everything went back to normal- or at least closer to normal. The atmosphere no longer felt like as heavy as a ton of bricks and killing intent no longer flooded the entire place.

However, everyone in the hall- except Mr Brunner, the masters of their respective weapons and I – were frozen in horror. Their faces all bore expressions absolute fear and unadulterated terror.

Luke took a deep sigh and withdrew his blade. He then settled his eyes upon me and studied me keenly.

"I really wasn't going to hit him, Y'know. You didn't need to get in the way," He said with an irritated voice as he sheathed his sword.

"You're pretty good though. Not many people have that fast reaction and those great instincts. I would like to spar with you soon," He said in an arrogant tone as he walked towards the exit of the training hall. He seemed to be enjoying the attention and fear that were zeroed in on him.

With a last nod to Mr Brunner, he waved with his back turned to us and walked out of the hall. Only when the sight of his toned back disappear behind the door did the whole hall start to relax.

"Thanks for the save. I think I really would have d-died," the guy I saved stuttered in a shaky voice with gratefulness as he stood up slowly and unsteadily. He was drenched from head to toe in sweat and he looked like he had just done twenty hours of homework.

Not only was sparring with Luke physically draining. It was extremely costly on mental strength as well.

"You did a good job," I said softly, my mind miles away.

Fighting Luke one on one would be deadly. I was sure that within a minute, I would have his sword buried deep somewhere on my body. The emotional, mental and physical strength needed to fight him was way beyond my capabilities.

The three sparring partners would have been decimated in less than ten seconds if Luke had fought seriously.

"Nico, good job there. John is right- he would have gotten killed if you hadn't saved him," Mr Brunner's voice was heavy and gravelly as it traveled to me from behind.

"Thanks," I nodded, turning around.

I noticed that Mr Brunner was staring at the ground intently, deep in thought.

"Nico," Mr Brunner suddenly spoke up, his head snapping upwards and his eyes focusing on me. I gave him a questioning brow- I still wasn't really in the mood to be saying many words.

"Get Percy. There's something I need to discuss with him. Right now."