Chapter 184: Lucian Vs. Heracles (3)

[Third Person's PoV] 

Lucian, still clad in his knight's armor, leaned forward when suddenly his fist darkened and ignited with flames. He pumped his fist downward as if starting an engine, causing the flames to burn darker and hotter. He channeled the power he used to create and manipulate curses to fuel the strength of his Curse Flames.

Raising his fist once more, he slammed it down. A trail of black flames lingered on the sand as he vanished, turning into a blur of black fire.

Heracles did not hesitate and charged toward Lucian. Lucian's eyes burned red as his fist left a trail of black flames while he raised it slowly. While Heracles' fist descended, leaving a white trail as it cut through the air.

Both combatants grinned with a wild, crazed look. When their fists collided, a shockwave erupted, sending sand flying around them.

Their fists soon became a blur as loud explosions resounded with each strike. Heracles felt the burn of the curse spreading from his knuckles to his chest, while Lucian's bones rattled, cracks forming in his armor.

They swung their fists without any technique, driven purely by raw power and a lust for battle.

Heracles delivered an uppercut that shattered Lucian's helmet and some of his teeth, sending him flying back. As Lucian landed on the ground, Heracles leapt after him, his punches becoming a blur as he pounded Lucian.

All Lucian could see were Heracles' fists raining down, pain radiating through his body as his consciousness began to fade.

After a minute, Heracles paused and noticed that Lucian was no longer responding. He withdrew his fist, observing the blood dripping from his knuckles and Lucian's battered form. His armor lay broken, and blood soaked the sand.

Heracles sighed as he stood up. "A pity… I was really having fun. But I have to say, kid, you've earned my respect. At such a young age, to wound me... There's no doubt you'll be great one day—maybe even greater than me. You're just too young, too full of youthful energy. I'll fight you again when you're older," Heracles said, turning away.

…

"BIG BRO!" Nico cried, tears streaming down his face, while Bianca covered her mouth in shock, her eyes watering at the sight of Lucian's state.

Percy stared, wide-eyed. He had never expected to see Lucian like this. He couldn't believe it.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ares laughed heartily. "I have to say, as much as I enjoyed it, a loss is a loss, little girl," Ares said, turning to Annabeth smugly, expecting to see devastation.

But all he saw was a cold look as she watched, arms crossed. Thalia, too, stood watching, hands behind her head.

Ares scoffed. "No matter how long you stare, wishing to change the outcome, you already lost. He's unconscious!"

Annabeth sighed, shaking her head. "You don't know Lucian like Thalia and I do. If Luke were here, he'd say the same. If you judge Lucian's victory or defeat by whether he's conscious, you're a fool."

"What are you talking about?" Ares demanded, narrowing his eyes. "This is a duel. He lost the moment he lost consciousness."

"That wasn't the deal," Thalia said with a frown. "We never said this was a duel; we only said there would be a winner and a loser."

Annabeth and Thalia smirked simultaneously. "And for Lucian to lose, you'd have to kill him first."

Grover, shaking his head, added, "No disrespect, Lord Ares, but knocking Lucian unconscious only makes him more dangerous. He loses all restraints and restrictions."

Annabeth pointed to Lucian. "Not to mention, Lucian is a very sore loser." She smirked as Ares' eyes widened in shock.

…

Lightning crackled between Lucian's fingers as they twitched. Unconsciously, he began using the powers he gained from drinking the potions.

First, he used [Magnetic Manipulation] to control the blood spread throughout his body, forcing himself to stand.

Lucian stood limply, surrounded by his own blood, head thrown back and arms hanging at his sides. His knight's armor crumbled away, leaving him shirtless in black sweatpants.

Heracles, who had bent to pick up his club, froze with a confused expression. He raised a brow as he looked back at Lucian. "That's some serious willpower, wanting to fight even while unconscious. You keep impressing me, kid," Heracles said with a smile.

Lucian's body activated [Curse Manipulation] modifying his self-inflicted curse that prevented him from sleeping, and changed it to ensure he wouldn't lose consciousness, even when his body wanted to.

Lucian's eyes fluttered open as his head swayed. He could barely stand without staggering.

"Kid, just go down. If you push it any further, I might kill you by accident," Heracles said seriously.

"Do you hear it…?" Lucian muttered, loud enough for Heracles to hear, his head still slightly back.

"Hear what?" Heracles asked, wondering if Lucian was hallucinating from blood loss.

Lucian grinned, blood staining his mouth as his eyes turned pitch black with two red dots.

"BOSS MUSIC! HAHAHAHA! Maybe it's just my heartbeat, but that's still music to my ears!" Lucian laughed with a crazed expression. "AS LONG AS THERE'S BLOOD IN MY VEINS AND MY HEART STILL BEATS, I CAN'T BE STOPPED!"

He crossed his arms, lightning crackling as his fingers snapped. He spread his arms wide as if crucified, using [Magnetic Manipulation] to clean himself of blood.

His blood was levitating in the air in forms of tiny droplets, even the blood in the sand wasn't spared. Lucian then began dancing in the sand, he stuck his hand out and began to spin, running his fingers on top of the other as he used two abilities simultaneously, [Magnetic Manipulation] and [Sigil Crafting]

'Sigil of Regeneration… Sigil of Strength… Sigil of Endurance… Sigil of Speed…'

Lucian twirling around in the sand curling his fingers as he used [Magnetic Manipulation] to draw on his own body different Symbols and Runes, the drawings started from his hands and went to his arms and then body, legs, neck, and all the up to head and face.

…

"What… What is he doing?" Ares asked, disturbed.

Annabeth chuckled. "He's having fun." Though she wasn't the strongest magic user, she knew exactly what Lucian was doing, thanks to studying Medea's books.

'That brilliant bastard, that's why I love him! He's using his own blood to draw sigils to enhance himself. Blood is the strongest medium for spells and creations, and his blood, imbued with the power of both a god and a witch, is even more potent. This will make his sigils stronger and more effective. It's absolutely ingenious,' Annabeth thought, eyes twinkling with excitement.

…

Lucian used [Magnetic Manipulation] to embed the blood into his skin, ensuring the sigils wouldn't break. When he spun around creating a circle in the sand. He took a deep breath puffing his chest, his fist were aimed slightly upwards before he smashed them into each other. 

When his fists connected, the designs on them pulsed with dark red magical energy. The energy swirled through his body, lighting up each sigil with power. It traveled down his legs and up his face, past his blackened eyes. His hair whipped wildly in the air as if charged with electricity.

Lucian crossed his feet in a balletic stance and spread his arms, closing his eyes. 'Hecate-sensei, what do you think of my new technique?'

'I think Medea created a suicidal monster. Do you realize how close your body was to dying? Only you could think of something this reckless and dangerous… But I can't deny I'm proud,' Hecate's voice rang in his head.

As the sigils lit up, Lucian's wounds began to heal, red sparks crackling across his body from the energy contained within.

'As my magic teacher, I shall give you the great honor of naming this technique,' Lucian teased.

"HERACLES!" Lucian shouted with a wide grin. "ARE YOU READY FOR ROUND TWO?"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE A LUNATIC, BOY! I DON'T NORMALLY DO THIS, BUT TELL ME YOUR NAME!"

"THE NAME'S LUCIAN BLACKHEART!"

"THEN LUCIAN BLACKHEART, WHEN THIS IS OVER, YOU WILL HAVE MY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, AND I WILL CONSIDER YOU A FRIEND!"

Lucian dropped into a runner's stance, his grin wide. "I would be honored."