Chapter 157: The Black Knight

[Third Person's PoV] 

A chill ran down their spines as the Black Knight's voice echoed through the battlefield. It was deep, cold, and commanding. "To me, my steed!"

The shadow behind him swelled, and from the darkness emerged a magnificent black stallion, its hooves pounding the ground as it reared back, letting out a piercing neigh. With effortless grace, the knight seized the reins and swung himself onto the horse's back, his cape billowing dramatically behind him.

With a powerful charge, the Black Knight galloped toward the remaining giants, his massive buster sword gleaming, poised for battle. The demigods could only watch in awe, spellbound by his terrifying yet elegant presence as he thundered toward the enemy.

The giants roared in fury, watching one of their own fall before their eyes. The ground trembled beneath their feet as they charged the knight. 

The first giant swung its enormous hand, trying to snatch him from his horse, but the knight leaned low, easily dodging the grapple. As he rode past, one swift slash of his buster sword severed the giant's leg clean off, sending the behemoth crashing to the ground.

Without a second glance, the knight and his steed vanished into the shadows, ignoring the giant's pitiful screams as it clutched its stump. The remaining giants stood in confusion, scanning their surroundings—until one of their heads flew into the air, blood spraying everywhere. Out of the darkness, the knight reappeared, his horse shrouded in black smoke, and his eyes glowing with a menacing red light.

With a fluid motion, the knight twisted his body and hurled his buster sword through the head of another giant. The sword hovered in midair before snapping back into his waiting hand.

As his steed levitated, a third giant lunged toward him. The knight gripped his sword with both hands, the blade turning pitch black as it absorbed the light around it. With a mighty swing, a dark crescent of energy shot from the sword, slicing through the giant's chest. The behemoth stumbled and fell, its chest exploding in a shower of blood, black veins spreading from the wound like an infection.

With a crack of the reins, the horse galloped through the air, its hooves conjuring dark clouds beneath it. As it charged forward, the knight drew his sword back, shifting his grip before throwing it once more. The wind twisted around the blade as it tore through the air. A giant tried to block the strike, but the sword cut cleanly through its hands and chest, then curved around to sever its head. The knight caught the blade midair with a flick of his wrist, wiping it clean of blood in a single motion.

With a final whip of the reins, the horse descended toward the last giant—the one clutching its bleeding stump, sobbing in desperation. The knight sat coldly in his saddle, his glowing eyes fixed on the giant. He raised his sword high, gripping it with both hands as he brought it down like a guillotine.

"Die."

His deep voice sent another shiver down their spines, the word carrying the weight of an undeniable command. With one clean stroke, the giant's head was severed, rolling to the ground. As the horse landed, the monsters around him disintegrated into dust.

The demigods stared in stunned silence at the carnage. 

Annabeth, her goggles pushed up onto her head, broke into a wide grin and ran past the others. Without hesitation, she leaped up and landed in the knight's lap, throwing her arms around him, beaming.

"Annabeth, what are you doing?! Get away from him!" Grover whispered urgently, waving her over.

"Yeah, Annabeth! He could be dangerous. What are you thinking?" Percy added, shooting her a confused look.

Thalia tilted her head, suspicion dawning. "Lucian?" she asked, recognizing him only by Annabeth's reaction.

The knight's mask retreated, revealing Lucian's familiar smirk. He glanced down at Annabeth and raised an eyebrow. "How is it that *you* were the only one who knew it was me?"

"Lucian?!" the others shouted in shock.

Annabeth scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Like I wouldn't recognize my boyfriend just because he's wearing some over-the-top armor."

"Wha—It's not over-the-top! I think I look cool. You don't think I look cool?"

Annabeth pinched her fingers together, teasing. "Maybe a little."

Lucian chuckled, then scooped Annabeth into his arms, jumping down from the stallion in a swift motion. "First a prince, now a knight. Can you get any hotter?" she teased with a grin.

"Alright, calm down, cowgirl."

The stallion neighed softly, nuzzling Lucian's cheek as he ran his hand down its face.

"And who's this?" Annabeth asked, amused.

"I named him… Sebastián," Lucian said ominously.

"Pfft, let me guess—came with the whole 'dark knight' package?"

"Free of charge."

Clarisse, watching in exasperation, crossed her arms. "Did you seriously disappear just to change your outfit and make a dramatic entrance?"

Lucian held up a finger, silencing her as he began walking slowly, his cape flowing elegantly behind him. When he reached the center of the battlefield, he raised his hand to his face level.

"Arise," he commanded.

His cape flared wildly, his eyes glowing a bright, sinister red as his chin-length hair whipped in the wind, and the battlefield obeyed his command.

From the disintegrated monsters, shadows formed small dots that rapidly expanded, and from them, 16 enormous black and red figures emerged, kneeling before Lucian in reverence.

Raising his hand higher, Lucian watched as their forms dissolved into smoke, swirling together before condensing into a black and red orb that pulsed ominously in his palm.

"Asura... come forth."

The ground darkened as Asura rose from Lucian's shadow, catching those unfamiliar with the creature by surprise. The towering figure knelt before Lucian, bowing with both hands on the ground, waiting for his master's command.

"Consume this," Lucian ordered, holding out the glowing orb.

Without hesitation, Asura took the orb and swallowed it whole. The others watched as it traveled down his throat. Slowly, Asura began to grow, his height increasing until he stood at a staggering 15 feet (4.5 meters). The red markings on his skin glowed intensely, and an intelligence flickered in his previously dull eyes.

Suddenly, a deep, guttural voice echoed around them. "T-T-Thank you... my lord."

Lucian, startled, nearly backhanded Asura. "Holy shit, you can talk now?"

"Yes... and it's all thanks to you, my lord..."

Lucian blinked in disbelief. "Uh... sure. I'm glad you enjoyed the gift. Now go chat with the others. I'm sure they're dying to hear about your new ability."

With that, Asura melted back into the shadows, leaving the group staring at Lucian, stunned by what they'd just witnessed. Lucian awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed.

Percy broke the silence. "Lucian... what the hell *are* your powers?"

Lucian ran his fingers through his hair, squinting as he puckered his lips. "Looking fashionable..."

"Ow, ow, ow, my hair's caught in my armor!" Lucian suddenly whined, his eyes watering as he struggled to free his tangled locks.

Thalia stifled a laugh behind her hand while Annabeth sighed, stepping forward to help him untangle his hair.

"Why don't you just unsummon your armor? That should free your hair," Annabeth suggested, working through the knots.

"Brilliant idea," Lucian praised, dismissing his armor with a sigh of relief as his hair finally fell free.

He leaped to his feet, grinning with his hands on his hips. "So! Shall we continue our grand adventure?"

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