“Stop fidgeting.” he chided his master fighting the urge to mess with his tie. The clothing was tight. Too tight. The pants were fine but his arms were constricted by a few layers of clothing. Suits were something he didn’t care for in this time. Even if he looked dashing in it.

The newly greased wheels on his Master’s wheelchair didn’t creak as he pushed down raising the wheels so he could clear a curb. Hercules was under orders not to reveal himself or show off his powers unless directed which was why he wasn’t lifting the chair and his little master over his head and doing squats.

Instead he reached down and batted his master’s hand away from the bow tie. “I don’t even know why I’m here. This was my parent’s thing and how do you know so much about bow ties? I thought they didn’t have them from your time?” “They didn’t. I watched how to do it from the fab five.” he said giving a thumbs up. “A servant such as me is talented, I can get my pre-workout workout in while they teach me useful fashion tips.” he said gleaming while he pushed his master along.

“While your mother is still in the hospital it is your duty as a man to attend such festivities even if you don’t want to.” Hercules stated smiling warmly at the others who were dressed. There were a lot of beautiful women here and was he not caring for his master the demi-god knew he could do some damage. He specialized in that sort of thing.

“This is stupid, everyone is going to stare.” “Let them! For they know not of struggles or of your gifts, you a child summoning and maintaining me! The greatest hero in history! They know you as the son of Erik. This was his event after all no?” Hercules asked rhetorically. “It’s Erikson.”

“That’s what I said, you shall interact with them and WHEN your mother arises from her slumber you shall inform her on all of it!” Hercules needed to make sure William kept his spirts up. It was sad to see a child young as him lose a father let alone a mother burdened with a sleep she may never wake from. Hercules’s eyes watered at the thought of it.

“Now rise to the occasion young master!” Hercules whispered loudly leaning over and reaching into his coat pocket and revealing the tickets. The woman smiled warmly at both of them. “May I see your tickets?” “You may! And might I say you could give Aphrodite a run for her money. Such beauty. Thank you for sharing it with us.” Hercules smiled at her then proceeded to push his master along taking care not to bump his injured legs into anything. “Easy there Romeo.” his master said rolling his eyes. “Master, you can’t have forgotten my name already?”

It was a collection of double edged swords, which was rough for a Samurai:

He hated formal events; there were plenty of beautiful women here, though.

He was on a boring kill and fetch quest; there was an open bar, though.

He had to kill a child to get back what they were looking for; actually there was nothing to really make up for that one. He needed another drink. "OOYYY, Another." His voice boomed out from the bar in the corner. The bartender, who looked overfrom his current patron, clear nerves surfacing at the pushy, tatted up man in the white suit. He was two drinks in already, but he would need a lot more if he was going to slice up a teenager in a wheelchair.

The cult had gotten him into the door of this event with their vast resources, and he'd even been able to bring his weapons in, peace tied, but with a little knife that he could use to cut them free hidden in his sleeve.

Not that he would need anything more than a small knife to kill a child. "Make it a double."

This gig had its perks. Money. Great fights. A privelleged lifestyle. Sometimes though, you had to do some things you might not be so pumped up about.

After all, it was a double edged sword.

He looked up toward the entrance as a giant of a man entered at the other end of the room. He was so tall he poked up above the rest of the crowd of people on the way to him. That piqued his interest... He had to be almost seven feet tall. The Yakuza sat up a little bit; that looked like a good fight waiting to happen! He soured a little as his drink landed in front of him. Right. He wasn't here for fun.

The man made his way a little further in, and... lo and behold; the hulk of a man was pushing a wheelchair that held within it none other than his target! A wide grin appeared on the wandering Samurai's face. He had a body guard.

The Yakuza watched in silence for a bit, getting the measure of the man instead of jumping at them right away. You'd better bet he started picking away at the ties on his sword handles with that little knife, though.

Maybe a sword with two sides wasn't so bad after all.

“I feel stupid trying to smile. I don’t want to be here.” On that they were of the same mind. Hercules would rather be watching a documentary on how cheese was made... again. He quietly giggled at the title in his head, ‘who cut the cheese’. “It’s not funny.” “No you’re right...” he said correcting his behavior. He was supposed to be after all William’s uncle and chaperone.

“I’m sure it will be good to see some familiar faces.” he offered smiling to everyone who walked over and gave his master a sympathetic nod or a slight touch on the shoulder. Most stayed away, seeing the demi-god in person he was told was intimidating. Which meant he’d be bored. At least it was bar that was open.

“You only have to thank everyone for being here and then we can go.” he said feeling his master’s irritation. “Thanks for coming.” Hercules chuckled. “I thirst.” he eyed a rather chesty woman in a dress walk by. In more ways than one. Her date was not amused. Hercules gave a smile and an encouraging thumbs up. He rolled his eyes and was about to say something then eyed Hercules’s master and quickly changed his mind. Shame. Hercules was willing for a confrontation. Maybe turn this into a ‘real’ party. One he was often the life of the party at. Best behavior.

“Grab me a ginger ale will you?” “One ale of ginger!” the servant repeated and gave his master a slight pat on the back. “A smile is good for the soul!” Hercules walked to the nearest bar where he saw drinks.

“I’d like a bottle of.... that and one ale of ginger.” The bartender in a white suit looked to the bottle then to Hercules and then offered him it in a small glass one he palmed easily in his hand. He frowned and accepted the other drink confused wondering if the bartender was hard of hearing. “THANK YOU!” he shouted and gave a thumbs up with his free hand. The bartender returned his thumbs up and Hercules turned back to his master and lifted the drinks in the air glad this place had tall ceilings.

The little doomed teenager and the big man were close. He could tell by the way the talked to each other while looking at other people. He couldn't hear them, but the body language and tone were easy to pick out. He grabbed his drink, a scotch double with a large ice cube, and took a long drink, and casually discarded the neatly cut peace tie that had been binding his swords on the ground.

The man was headed toward the bar, leaving the child behind. Now, logic would dictate that it was a perfect opportunity to stand up, walk over to the boy, and slit his throat. Seeing this giant of a man walk toward him, Raijin simply lost the ability to operate on logic.

He wanted to fight this man. He wanted to feel the thrill of victory before he stooped to slaying a child. Setting his drink aside, he became suddenly quite aware of the wide smile on his face as the man ordered a drink. He was shaking with excitement. He even sounded strong! He was so pumped! Thoughts of how the fight might go, limbs flying and skillful strikes, were interrupted by the realization that the man had his drinks, and was about to walk off.

"OY! Big man... Yes, you." He grabbed up his drink, and drained the last of it. As he did, it would become apparent that he wasn't wearing a shirt under the white blazer; his Yakuza style tattoos would show proudly, as well as his perfectly toned physique. He ended up tossing the glass to the side when it was empty, where it shattered on the floor. "Is that your friend, over there, in the chair?" A steady hand reached out to motion toward the boy across the room

He stood, and adjusted his coat, cracking his neck with a roll of his head before placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. He then stated the words he imagined would get this fight started as quickly as possible. "I am going to cut his head off. After I kill you."

The demi-god lowered his arms and beamed towards his master who eyerolled and face palmed. It was becoming apparent to Hercules that teenagers were embarrassed easily for the most ridiculous reasons. Mortals.

Hercules looked down to the man without a shirt under his jacket. Was that an option? He’d curse his master if he knew ahead of time. The god of raw power looked him up and down wondering how he got a sword in here then the man spoke. Hercules smile faded and a switch flipped. His master was in danger. William was right. His eyes grew cold and his brow lowered the two glasses breaking in his hand. He could feel the gaze of his master. He must have been pulling too much power suddenly. His tattoos illuminated his shirt.

He was supposed to be on his best behavior. ‘What’s wrong?’ Hercules responded mentally to his master as he shook his hand dry. ”Ha!” he boomed his laughter so all could hear. ‘No fighting!’ Hercules’s shirt tightened against his muscles the button around his neck broke free. “Then my Nephew has nothing to worry about then! Tell me. Are you working alone?” he laughed again patting himself on the back for calling him his nephew instead of by his title in front of his guest.

‘No fightin- on second thought. Go for it. You have my power.’ It was clear his master didn’t want to be be there. “You dare threaten my nephew?” he laughed, loudly. “Mortals. You’re arrogance never ceases to amaze me. To think I thought tonight would be boring.” Hercules flexed his shirt tearing at the seams revealing his own chest of tattoos, his power and his curse.

“Well then! Come at me with everything! We shall give them a show!” he pulled the tattered suit from his arms and chest. “As men!” Hercules raised his hand towards the house calling for his club. ‘Wait... I didn’t say you can use the club!’

The seemingly Jolly giant's smile dropped, and Raijin's smirk got stronger. The glasses shattered in a display of strength, and the familiar magical glow of runes activating caused the ronin's eyebrow to raise as he stared at the man.

He also wasn't bleeding profusely after shattering glass in his hand. Interesting. The boom of laughter caused Raijin to grin; it was a larger than life laugh. He loved to fight people with that feel to them. With a flex, the man broke buttons on his shirt. "I am. They never need to send more than me." Nephew, huh... There was a strong emotional attachment, though it was odd that there was a mystic about that he didn't know.

"I do." Then... something else came out. He called Raijin a... mortal? A god complex? Well, he couldn't say too much, he was named after a god, after all. His eyes widened completely as the towering giant of a man flexed once more, and tore his shirt wide open. His look wasn't one of shock or surprise. No, combined with that excited grin, it was a look of barely contained excitement. This was going to be a battle! One worthy of more than just a notch on his palm! He would have to get a whole new tattoo!

The giant was covered in runes! He couldn't make heads or tails of him, as he used runes that originated in his home country. Still, he had some ideas. The tension grew thicker as the hero pulled off the remains of his shirt and called Raijin out. "Hah! I want nothing more! Prepare to die a good death!"

Without another word, Raijin moved forward in a burst of speed, drawing his Katana, crafted by Muramasa himself, and going for a passing strike to the abdomen that could slice a man in half with ease. If he died from this, he was all talk, right?

The would be assassin was working alone good. It meant he could focus more on him than his master. There was always ‘that’ move to use if he had to but that was only if the man deviated from the original threat. Something Hercules really was excited before he hadn’t had a chance to cut loose maybe he’d be a challenge something to over come. His master would surely be impressed with Hercules then!

“Excellent! If I could only be so lucky!” Hercules boomed as the swordsman rushed forward his club wasn’t here yet and he didn’t have a way to defend himself. Being a showman he wished he could have fought the man with his weapon. It had been too long since he used that as well maybe too long. It was usually faster than this. His body glowed again and he lowered his hand into a guard and stepped forward bringing his forearm to block the cut. It wasn’t his preferred method but the man was quicker than he expected.

“Ha! Yes! This is what I have been waiting for!” he swung his forearm hoping to get the swordman off balance whether by him blocking the strike or by the force of the push alone. Hercules was big, slow but big he had a reach. Usually that was how he overcame speed all but Hermes. His club like hand took a swing at the chest of his opponent aiming for the ribs. Followed by a palm strike to the man’s chest this one-two combo was enough for Cyclopi surely they would best a mortal.

The HYPE.

Raijin found himself in a state of flux, bouncing in-between expressions of intense focus sopping with killing intent and manic, wide grinning joy at the drop of a hat. He was in the prior form as he shot forward, and his blade met the man's forearm as he passed.
TSHINK!

It feltlike running his blade against stone. "I will see you bleed, Okina Oni!" The second blade came out as the giant of a man thrust a forearm his way once more. He responded by allowing the force to assist him in increasing the range between them. Raijin's footwork would likely prove bothersome to the Greek hero. He didn't move back, forward, or side to side, per se, but at angles. Back, and to the right as he took a swing at his chest, using his parrying blade to redirect the last bit of force. Forward and to the left as his opponent when for a palm strike, counting on his overcorrecting from the previous leftward movement in order to juke inside of the hefty blow, this time using his longsword to parry as he moved in and went for a couple quick slashes with the wakizashi.

He would then disengage quickly, knocking a slower passerby out of the way as he found a way to make range again. He had speed on this man... but he had to admit, even deflecting the blows with the man's bare fists left his hands buzzing from the force.

One or two direct hits from this guy and it would be over. "Amazing! show me your true might, Oni!" He likely only had a second before the next attack. He used his off hand short blade to draw out a quick rune, making a shield crest about a foot wide appear before him. The softly glowing circle hung in the air, cracking occasionally with energy.

The man was but a mosquito, flying about dancing with his now twin blades had he been selfish and not share his gift with the man he would have been cut several times over. Worse yet he was calling him an Oni, or Ogre. Demons and ogres were but mere playthings to Hercules in his prime. Even now with one master he was sure he could combat him. Hercules swatted again and his opponent danced away apparently happy to be exchanging blows with the demi-god.

Hercules laughed in response. “God’s only bleed when they will it! I do not!” another flurry of slashes and Hercules took them all the sound of metal on his skin rang out through the hall. ‘Are you watching master! This is my power! My might!’ he thought as he laughed some more. “Ha! While I’m still a bit rusty I will! Witness the might of Hercules! Son of Zeus!” Hercules said raising his massive fist into a haymaker. ‘Stop telling everyone your name!’

He saw the rune being cast, thousands upon thousands of battles in his life times, some he won some he had lost. He knew the motions, but knew not what they did. Was it some sort of shield? Cute. Sheilds were useful. Not against him. With one blow it should easily crumble for there were few that could stand up to his might. “What? Getting tired mortal?” he asked as he tried to go through the shield.

With the mighty blow his body tensed up his whole body becoming charged with electricity at first the sound coming from his throat sounded like a howl in pain only to give to a howl of laughter. It hurt, he felt that. He hadn’t felt such power since his father! “Lighting? HA! This is nothing compared to my fathers!” his body drew more power healing his pain. William’s eyes grew heavy while he watched the battle. “I haven’t had a fight like this in soooo long!” his movement was slower and tense but he raised his hand again calling his club.

“Club!” he called through gritted teeth still feeling the effects of the spell. Overhead, a massive and heavy stone club broke through the ceiling and dropped towards Raijin letting gravity help him in his battle.

The man referred to himself first, as a god. Raijin swatted at him with his sword in a seriese of pinpoint strikes, looking for weakness. He saw a swooping blow coming and ducked low while darting to the side with a slash that still did not draw blood as the man proudly announced he was Heracles; or rather Hercules.

Raijin let out a booming laugh before shaking his head. "And you find yourself in the presence of Raijin, God of storms!" Hey, if they were pretending they were gods, now, he might as well play along right?

His crest was cast, and the man asked if he were getting tired. Raijin simply smirked as the legendary hero wailed against the barrier, and howled in pain as a result. "Hah! Does the great Demi God feel pain after all?" He grinned even as the man told him his father's lightning was better.

It didn't matter; it only needed to be powerful enough to let him win. Even then... it might not be. He had something up his sleeve in case, though. "Yes, Enjoy this fight! It will be your last!" Hercules called for his club. Raijin raised an eyebrow, but crouched down in response.

As the ceiling shattered inward, he was already rolling to the side, landing in a stumble on to his bottom as he was buffeted by ceiling debris. Alert eyes locked on the massive club for a moment before he rolled back to his feet and hopped backward a few times to watch the giant cautiously.

He took the moment of reprieve to draw another barrier. This didn't look good... Surely he couldn't lift such a massive weapon... On second thought, it fit the character pretty well. There was no way he was not about to lift it and start wailing away.

Raijin dropped into a ready stance, muttering under his breath as he did.

“I feel.... everything! More than you mortals can comprehend!” his body surged from the left over power his muscles still tightening and contracting from the electricity. So he was a god of storms? Fine. Hercules had bested gods before several of them, gods of lighting and wind this would just be another trial he could add should the man be worthy.

His will did not falter, meaning neither did his abilities. William however wasn’t fairing so well. The child’s eyes shut and he slumped in his chair. Hercules could still feel his master had more power to draw from but if he kept batting at the air it wouldn’t matter how much power he could draw. Human’s were so frail.

“If only mortals were capable besting me.” they had, however Hercules’s was determined to overcome his old limitations and thus losing as well. “Bare witness to the might of my club. Forged by Hephaestus himself! Only I have the power to wield such a weapon!” ‘Master! Behold my might!’ there was no response from William but the child’s eyes opened wide as Hercules brandished his weapon and twirled it in his hand as if he was about to step into the batter’s box.

“Hppppp!” he grunted as he threw the club forward right to Rajin god of storms and his warding spell. His club was of stone and iron and steel should it be damaged it would heal like him. A fitting weapon for a god of raw power such as himself. Hercules used the distraction to surge forward allowing his club to take the damage of the shield so he could attempt to close-line his opponent.

"I will give you a taste of mortality, then!" He knew this guy wasn't invincible; his elemental shield had caused some damage, though the bounceback was unnatural. This man seemed to be possessing of unnatural strength, fortitude and healing. Perhaps he was Hercules after all.

Raijin grinned, pulling his crest up before him as a giant shield, covering his whole form. He then did something not many people were likely want to do against such a giant man with such a stupidly massive weapon. He stepped toward the greatest Olympian, muttering under his breath, weapon clenched in his hand. "Your stick will be my trophy when you are no longer living!"

He was ready.

So was his opponent, as the massive weapon was quickly hefted his way. Up went his barrier to counter, which shattered in a flash of electricity as the ronin ducked in and used the temporary flash among the shattering cover to juke around the opposite side and flick the short sword out quickly. He found himself on the opposite side of the big man's clothesline attack, almost directly in his path.

He swung his blow, only trying to make the lightest of contact, before he was smacked into by the charging bull and found himself sprawling off to the side, rolling once before smacking into a chair. "HHNK." Even just being bowled over by this guy might have broken a rib...

Now... IF his sword made contact with the man, something odd would happen. The room would suddenly light up with pale blue light, as if a flash of lightning had arced through the room, but in absolute silence, and to no effect.

Until the man took another step. Then, his booming blade spell would go off, and a massive burst of thunder would echo out from the Olympian himself, rattling the bottles behind the nearby bar, and attacking him with force from the inside out. The Samurai struggled to try and get to his feet either way.

His club was stronger, of course it was it was forged by Hephaestus himself few smiths in any era could compete with how he made weapons. What’s more it was hefted by the strongest demi-god in existence! The would be assassin Raijin was clearly outclassed! There was a crack of club meeting his spell and then his club dropped onto the ground with a loud ‘clank’ as Hercules made contact next.

He saw the flash of the shorter sword before he made contact, Hercules however couldn’t stop and if he tied to dodge now he’d be sent rolling to the side. He doubled down and his form glowed a bit more then blinked a few times in a few spots as if his batteries were running low. Meaning his master was nearing his limit. He was a child after all even if he was exceptionally gifted.

Raijin was sent flying and Hercules witnessed the room turn blue. Something else odd happened as well. Where the smaller blade touched his skin there was a shallow cut. Hercules looked down at the cut and the small amount of red that trickled out of the wound. The room still blue which reminded him of his father’s throne room, how he hated that place. What he didn’t hate however was his lust for a challenge and Raijin seemed to be delivering. What an Era to be summoned.

His voice boomed in laughter unaware of the spell already cast on him, “HAHAHAHA! Yes!!!!! This was the battle I have been longing for!” he touched his small cut which was already fading and showed off the blood on his finger, “This right here! It is what I live for and why I adore you mortals so! You continue to surprise me!” his tattoo’s blinked once again and he fought the urge to check on his master. He couldn’t take his eyes off his opponent though. He found it would be an insult. ‘Master?’ he thought trying to connect with the boy who was sleeping in the wheelchair.

His tattoos started to glow again “Now, that I finally broke a sweat. Prepare yourself!” Hercules took a step forward knowing he had to finish this quickly before he sapped Willaim’s life force and he lost his physical form. What he didn’t know was the spell that still hung in the air. The one cast by his opponent. When he stepped he was hit with the ‘boom’.

Hercules wasn’t ready for it otherwise he would have drawn more power. His tattoo’s had a low glow to them and he coughed up blood as the thunder seemed to echo outward from himself. Hercules was in pain his eardrums bleeding. He coughed up a little blood and his arms lowered as he tried to get control of his body again. His smile however was still plastered on his face he was still standing, this is what brought him joy in life. Hercules finally found his newest trial! Defeating Raijin.

Climbing to his feet was a difficult task just this moment, but he had been in battle more than enough to know that he wouldn't survive just laying on the ground. He leaned against the table for support as he drew out a barrier crest as he looked over to his opponent.

His spell had landed, and he'd even managed to land the barest knick on the man as well. Now, all he needed to do was watch the booming blade take effect for the first time, on a powerful opponent. He grinned through the pain. It became readily apparent that this man was healing on top of all of his other strengths, as his short sword wound faded quickly. "Hah hah... I will admit, Son of Jupiter. You are amazing. A class of your own."

This was the strongest man he had ever fought. Thus far, though, no foe had ever been strong enough to defeat him.

The giant stepped, and the room rocked with the force of his spell being triggered. After it was cleared, his opponent was clearly worse for wear, having taken a blow that would render a normal man incapacitated. This was no normal man, though. Neither was Raijin. He gritted his teeth, and let go of the table, standing at his full height, well aware that he couldn't take too much more punishment.

"Good, you have not yet perished! Come at me, Oni!" The room was definitely clearing out at this point. People that had stayed, wondering if this were some strange sort of show, had gotten the hint and skedaddled. That did leave the passed out boy in the wheelchair out in the open, though Raijin's focus was solely on his opponent at this point.

The giant reached up and touched his lips and spotted the blood. Despite the pain and the sudden need to clench his teeth he still had a smile from ear to ear plastered on his face. His heart raced his fingers twitched until he could clench them into a club sized fist. Hercules could feel the power from his master fading no longer was it a roaring inferno that he could draw his power from, now it was just embers.

There was nothing more frustrating to the hero than to have his power limited like this. He needed more power to protect Willaim, more power to best Raijin. His ears healed and the ringing stopped, he focused on the table the would be assassin was leaning on and was tempted to throw his club again but he’d have to get it first. He doubted he could summon it to his hand again. It would have been the end of his master.

Hercules frowned at the man and punched his fist into the closest table. His eyes cold wishing he could finish the battle he needed to, wanted to. He was a proud hero, and something like this would no doubt eat at him knowing he couldn’t finish Raijin, god of storms. At least not without killing the young boy behind him. Hercules made a promise to him and his word was more important than winning another fight.

“I cannot.” tears started to well up in his eyes from the frustration. The prince of power was often easy to read it should be clear to his opponent this decision was more difficult than the fight itself. “My nephew,” nailed it, “needs medical attention. I promised the boy I’d look after him. When he’s better we can finish this god of storms.” he punched the table again his tattoo’s fading trying his best to conserve his power and William’s life force.

“My word is my bond.” he stated and stood tall his fists unclenching while he too stood tall. “You don’t strike me as the type to attack an innocent child, allow me to retreat for now and I promise we will continue this fight.” he said hoping the man before him was an honorable one.