Angels and Death

How to Spar. By Nico di Angelo and Adrienne Morte

Word Count: 1027

Recap: "This is going to be loong day." Nico muttered, dragging out the 'o'. He then proceeded to follow Adri out so they both could spar together.

          They both found Jenna sitting by the fireplace. "Jenna, is there a place where we can spar?" asked Adri. "Hmm.. Nom since I don't have the need to spar myself, but if you give five minutes, I'll arrange a place for you." Adri smiled brightly. "Thank you!!" "Thanks, Jenna." Nico said as he walked over to the age-worn but comfy loveseat. As he flopped down on the couch, he stared at the smokeless fire.

          "Fire is so enchanting to look at." Adri commented as she sat down beside him. Nico mutely nodded, his thoughts suddenly wandering away to dark corners of his mind. Corners that showed him what the world would look like if he, if they didn't save it. He dropped his head back onto the back of the sofa and closed his eyes.

          "Y'know, we all feel the same way. We can't afford to think what'll happen if the world isn't saved." Adri said softly, as if reading his mind. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "C'mon di Angelo. I'm the newbie. Don't scare me off from saving the world." She poked him in the side. Nico cracked a small smile at her efforts to cheer him up. Just as he was about to say something, Jenna walked into the room. 

          "Demigods. The room is ready for you to spar. Just proceed into the second room on the right and you'll find the room." "Thank you very much Jenna." They found the room exactly where Jenna told them it would be and opened the door. It was nice and big enough space sparsely decorated with shields and swords on the walls. There were a few dummies distributed and stranded across the floor.

          Nico walked to the center of the arena thingy and pulled his sword out of its sheath. Adri twirled her hand and mid-movement, her scythe appeared in her hand. "Hey!! No fair. You've got a scythe and I've got a sword. You have an advantage Morte." Nico chided. "Well, enemies aren't gonna be fair, so suck it up di Angelo." Adri reasoned and walked forward, taking a fighting stance.

          They circled each other, each waiting for the other to strike. The air was thick with anticipation and Adri could almost hear tense Wild West music playing. As expected, Nico striked first but Adri dodged his blade. Since Nico used minimum force, he swung back easily, as Adri had anticipated. 

          Adri wasn't new to this style of fighting. It's the style that's self-taught and specially designed for the user. It's the style that helps people on the streets. And Adri wasn't knew to this. Her own style of fighting is similar to this. There is no way to predict it because it is completely unique. 

          Nico went back to circling her and Adri, too, moved so that there was always at least ten feet of space between them. Adri lunged at Nico, this time, but Nico sidestepped and jabbed her in the side with the hilt of his sword. She cursed under her breath and lunged at Nico, once again. 

          Nico put her scythe at a distance by holding his sword against the wooden handle of the scythe. He noticed the dark wood that he suspected was dark Oak. He also saw how his blade wasn't even cutting into the wood. Observing her weapon seemed to be a mistake as Adri took this as a chance and willed her scythe to morph into a sword.

          It took Nico by surprise and Adri easily overpowered him, pushing him onto his rear. At his throat, she pressed her sword tip against his jugular. She held it there for a few seconds before stepping back and extending her hand for Nico.

          He ignored her hand. He stood up and dusted himself off. "Really?? I thought you'd be better..." Adri teased. "That was just warm up, Morte. Don't get your hopes too high." Nico told her, once again readying himself.

          They did this a few more times, eleven more, to be exact, before Jenna called them for dinner. They were both drenched in sweat and were panting profusely by the time they walked into the main room.

          "What were you guys doing in there?" asked Magnus with a suggestive smirk when he noticed the ruffled hair and crumpled clothes on them. Adri's ears went bright pink as Nico stumbled upon his words, trying to explain it wasn't what they think. Alex gave a crazy laugh and told them to sit. 

          "Poor kids. Come sit down. We hope you used protection, but anyway, Jenna's getting us dinner." Still flustered, they both sat down next to each other because, well, Magnus and Alex didn't want to give the two a break. "Alex, Magnus. If we were doing whatever you're suggesting, why would we have cuts across our bodies??" Adri asked, trying to reason with the two. "Well, who knows?? You might be into those things~" A sing-song tone accompanied Alex's eyebrow wiggle.

          The undead were about to tease them more but were interrupted by Jenna, who chose that moment to come in with soup and sandwiches. "You must eat quickly. If you leave before sunset, you might have time to explore the cave to which you will be sent to."

          The time was nearing 9:00 PM by the time they completed their dinner, healed the Greeks' cuts and packed all of their stuff. "It's best you leave now demigods. You'll have time to scout the area. Oh- and I almost forgot. Take the garnet," she handed it to Alex. "it will guide you through the underground tavern. May the gods be with you." She wished them, making a three-fingered claw over her heart and pushing outwards. Warding off evil spirits, Adri thought.

          They all wished Jenna good-bye. "Well Jenna. We'll find you once we're done with the quest." If we're done with the quest, Nico thought ominously. They then stepped into the portal that took the shape of a door made from Yew wood. For a few seconds, all they could see was blinding colours and all they could hear was wind whistling past their ears.

          After a few moments, it ended abruptly and they found themselves standing in pitch-black and cold darkness with no light to guide them. The garnet in Alex's hand began glowing with a faint crimson light and that is how they knew they had come to the right place.

AN: Yes. It's been nearly a week since I updated and I sincerely apologise for that. But, on the other hand, the fanfiction's almost finished!! Thanks for waiting <3

Love,

Helene <3