The demi-god stood with purpose examining the scene as the one he had been trying to get a hold since he learned his name stood. He was gold in color and Hercules had a distinct memory of the bronzed colossuses. They could take a punch well. Hercules watched the other underlings near the table no doubt presiding over the fight to make sure they could dispatch of any hostages as needed. ”Such cowards.” he shook his head and then turned his attention back to Brazen.

They had a flamethrower, Hercules had an ally in Rex of the Inferno. Surely he could best some flames from a gun. Mortals. They often forget what gods and their allies were capable of. Hercules smiled at the challenge, ”I got tired of fighting your underlings! I was worried you ran off!” Hercules flexed his arms as he wound his bat once then dropped it allowing the club to drop with a heavy ‘clunk’ the weapon didn’t bounce under the power of gravity.

”Only once you promise to release them after I defeat you! I understand they are hostages, deplorable behavior.” Hercules shook his head in disappointment, ”I gave my word I would try and free them. I intend to do so.”

Brazen chuckled shaking his own hand, “Sure, you beat me and they are free to go. I’m a man of my word. I’ll have words with whoever you talked to though.” he laughed and then shook his fists shouted again, “You can’t beat me! Nobody can!”

This time Hercules laughed at his comment a booming laugh, one that echoed through the large room, ”Nobody!?! I knew a nobody! He would have handled you with ease!” Hercules mirrored with a similar pose then charged his tattoos starting to glow steady now that he was no longer bleeding and full of holes.

”I however am not nobody! You are fighting Hercules! God of Strength! You will be bested tonight!” Hercules closed the distance and dodged the first punch feeling the heat from his white glowing fist. No doubt the most troublesome thing about the fight. Other than the hostages.

Launching his massive club of a fist into the ribs of his opponent Hercules frowned when Brazen’s chest rang out and he hardly moved. “Oh? Not just big, strong too!” Hercules was about to retort but then caught the other fist to the side of his face sending him spiraling into a pile of scrap metal. “Too bad I’m stronger.”

Rex’s eyes widened as he saw Hercules suddenly learn to fly. That wasn’t good. Not at all. Especially since Brazen hadn’t moved one bit when Hercules had punched him. And now Brazen was picking up a massive steel girder and starting to swing it at Hercules.

It didn’t look like it was going to be a long fight at all, so Rex needed to move now.

He slipped through the doors and his boots struck concrete flooring as he dashed across the open space. There was very little cover and he knew he didn’t have time to plan anything better. With Hercules momentarily occupying Brazen, Rex somehow had to take care of the other two bad guys and get everyone out.

“Father, forgive me!” he cried as he pulled back on the busted shotgun and hurled it as hard as he could at the woman with the rifle. It busted her across the face and she went down hard. The hostages made various sounds of surprises and gasps, but Rex wasn’t listening. The man with the flamethrower was on the other side of the hostages, and Rex didn’t have any better ideas so he just plowed through them, shoving them out of his way and yelling, “Hey, hombre! Take your best shot!” And he continued to yell out as he crossed the distance, trying to make himself the best target and highest threat, even as the barrel of the flame thrower rose up and a flame lit.

A river of fire blasted forth at Rex.

“Is that it? How’d you manage to take down my sister? So hard to find good help these days.” Brazen scoffed and then brushed some dirt off of his shoulder eyeing yet another nuisance. “Another one? That’s fine everyone can learn by example then. You don’t cross me.” Brazen turned and started to walk towards the newcomer but stopped when he heard metallic clangs behind him. Hercules was ready for round two.

”HA HA HA! YES! MORE!” he boomed and threw a broken catwalk that was apart of the pile. His forehead was bruised but it was sturdy how many times has he taken a punch to the face before? ”I’ve been practically begging for a good fight all night someone to test my abilities.” standing among the metallic leftovers from projects Hercules flexed his glow even brighter than before. He was pushing himself now. Which meant he was also pushing his master.

”It’s been weeks since I had a good fight! One that showed me why I’m in this era!” Hercules pushed off and closed the distance as Brazen turned already throwing a punch. ”I was afraid I might break you!” the Demi-god boasted as he sidestepped the crime lord’s white hot fist. The color was fading on it meaning it was less of a threat. However Hercules knew he couldn’t keep drawing his power like he had been. Poor William!

Hercules’s fist rushed in and hit the same spot this time the thunderous ‘ring’ of his fist hitting metal seemed to do far more than last time. It lifted Brazen off his feet. He didn’t get far because when he went airborne Hercules followed kicking off the ground sending him upward to unleash a flurry of blows. Every strike sending Brazen higher and higher until finally Hercules grabbed the man’s foot and launched him into the same pile of metallic scraps Hercules found as a landing moments ago. ”A rare opportunity indeed! I finally don’t have to hold back!”

Brazen was dented. Nobody could dent him. How long had he been evading the police, mafia and X-men? Where did this guy come from? “Okay, I’ll admit it. You’re strong.” brazen laughed pushing himself from the rubble, ”The Strongest.” Hercules corrected. He might have not been the strongest he seen physically but his strength came from his will power.... and his master Will.

“Let’s keep this up. I don’t even know if I can sweat!” Hercules charged again closing the distance Brazen’s white hot fist which was now a steady red glow grabbed the nearest piece of scrap and tried to lodge it into the charging demi-god. ”You can not best me this day! Not when I have Rex of the Inferno to inspire me!” Hercules boomed catching the metallic weapon and then pulling it away from Brazen.

The demi-god threw another punch and then another blocking the red hot fist. It was clear that was his game plan to burn the hero. Mark him. Make him remember. However Hercules already had enough scars and reminders. Today was not a day to add another from the likes of him.

“...columna de fuego.”

The recitation ended and once more a column of fire roared to life around Rex, blazing around him in a vengeful vortex. He could just make out the alarm on the flamethrower-wielder’s face through his protective helmet and the fire was upon him.

The river of thrown flames were swept into the current of Rex’s fire whirl, devoured by it’s ever-burning hunger. The fire kept pouring forth but it might as well have been a gentle breeze for all the good the flamethrower was doing. Rex stayed in front of the man, merely yards away, but not one flame licked his skin or singed a thread.

“Dios mio, it worked,” he breathed in relief. The hostages were regrouping at the other end of the room away from everything, seemingly too terrified to actually leave lest Brazen come a-knocking on their doors later. Brazen never lost a fight. Better to stay and risk incineration - at least it’d be quicker than molten hands melting your arms off inch by inch.

Rex didn’t know that, though. All he saw were people, terrified and panicked, and a person starting a fire. For the first time all night, he knew exactly what to do.

The flamethrower sputtered out as the last of its fuel was burned away, but Rex’s inferno was still going. And going. And going. And getting even closer as he walked forward. And then he lunged.

The person had realized too late that the flamethrower had been ineffective and stood there stupefied as a column of fire lunged at him. But that’s why he had fire retardant clothes! He went down hard as he was tackled and began grappling back, but that’s when he realized something.

Fire retardant is not fireproof.

“Yield,” Rex said loud enough to be heard around the fire, the fire whirling around him and the man both. But Rex’s clothes weren’t in danger of melting or being burned away. He held the man close, in almost the same hold he’d used on the thief earlier in the night. The man scrabbled to get free but the heat was sapping his strength.

“Yield!” Rex repeated himself even louder. The flames seemed to burn even hotter. He could tell the man’s clothing was going to start failing soon.

The man went limp, whether from exhaustion or surrender. “Good choice,”Rex said. The fire vanished.

He’d...won?

The fighting continued for the giant and the evildoer. Brazen was tough, not his toughest and with him trying not to draw too much power from his master he tried to be smarter about how he used his powers. The god ducked and blocked the punches with his forearms leaving other parts of his body less protected by his strength. It was clear Brazen was a handful however after glimpsing over at Rex of the Inferno and his display of fire Hercules had less to worry about.

”It seems we now have the upper hand!” he shouted throwing a fist into Brazen’s jaw when Hercules sidestepped the red fist throwing his arm up to help protect his face the glowing more intense on his upper torso and the brightest around his arms. “You think so? How’s that?” he asked spitting out a piece of metal which Hercules assumed was a tooth.

Flexing and pointing he identified the cause, ”It seems we won the day!” noting that the hostages were now free. “So hard to find good help.” Brazen sighed turning back to Hercules, “I’ll kill him after you then and then I’ll make a few more examples. You guys really pissed me off.” Another fist this time Hercules wasn’t quick enough to move nor did he want to at this point. Brazen played to one of Hercules’s weaknesses; threatening his allies.

”You will do no such thing!” Hercules stated his body glowing more than before as he decided to abandon his previous plan on being careful. Hercules caught the fist which was still red hot and frowned feeling the searing pain. His eyes grew dark he seemed far more imposing than he was moments ago. A look of fear passed in Brazen’s eyes as he looked from Hercules’s hand to his own. The smell of burning flesh could be smelled around them as Hercules’s hand tightened around the villain.

”As long as I am alive no one shall harm my allies!” it was a bold claim but Hercules was a bold god. ”You’re reign of terror is over Brazen, there is nothing you can do I can’t withstand! You are nothing to me but a burden to carry!” Hercules’s tightened his grip on Brazen’s hand then lifted him off the ground.

More fear in Brazen’s eyes was apparent when the Demi-god flipped him over and onto his back the concrete breaking under the weight of the force. Air escaped from Brazen’s lungs. ”Submit!” Hercules commanded.

Rex quickly yet carefully removed the flamethrower apparatus from the man, who offered no resistance. Through the man’s protective mask, Rex could see his eyes were shut and he was otherwise limp. It seemed like heat exhaustion, to Rex’s trained eye. Not fatal, but it would need to be remarked to the authorities when they called them.

Rex left the man lying where he was, after removing his mask so he could breathe more easily. Thundering blows marked the continuation of Hercules’s fight. Rex watched for a moment or two and realized Hercules was holding his own, especially as the molten fist had noticeably cooled. Now that was fireproof. Which meant Rex would be of no use whatsoever. At best he’d hurt his own...ally.

He turned back to the hostages and approached with his hands in clear sight...as if that was actually going to reassure them. Instead he saw fear shining in their eyes and half of them were still watching Brazen’s battle. But the other half were staring at him and backing away.

Rex’s face fell and he stared at his own hands. Hands that called up fire and wrestled a man into the ground until his protective clothing started breaking down - yet he was unmarred. “Oh God, what have I done?”

Rex back away from the people, who were still reluctant to leave. After all, Brazen knew where they lived. He could still find them. He could--

Brazen’s fall rumbled through the floor and Rex whirled around, the collision ringing in his ears. He watched as the metal monstrosity weakly reached up for Hercules’s face with his non-captured hand before slumping back against the ground, his head echoing as well with a minor crack of concrete.

“I...submit,” he said, glaring in his fury at his failure, even as he remained unable to budge the man’s hand. His own hand was almost back to it’s normal bronze color.

Rex looked on in grim fascination as Brazen slowly lost that bronze color, as metal morphed into flesh. Brazen gasped as exhaustion from maintaining that form through force of will under so much abuse swept through him and he spat blood at Hercules. “You won this round, but I will see you dead for this!” he promised.

Rex was already pulling out his phone to call the police.

The god corrected him, ”I win every round! I’m a god!” he said trying not to show he was in pain. His body would heal this pain would only last for a moment. William’s his master however... that was a different story. The energy it will take to heal his wounds. The smell of burnt flesh filled his nostrils and he released Brazen’s hand leaving some of his flesh on it when he pulled away.

”I will admit you were a challenge. Take solace in knowing you pushed me further than I have gone in months. If only you weren’t a criminal I’d look forward to meeting you again.” he said shaking his hand then realizing it was a mistake.

Hercules grabbed the nearest piece of metal, a long metallic pole and bent it in a circle. Careful not to use his injured jabbed it into the concrete with a loud grunt his tattoo’s flickering to life once again. He was running on fumes now, any more other than the healing he’d probably kill his young master. The thought brought some tears to his eyes. The boy had a promising life ahead of him. Hercules wasn’t going to be the cause to his demise.

Brazen looked at his temporary situation and scoffed, “You think this will hold me? I’m Brazen I’ll get free then hunt you down. I’ll make you pay.” he shouted now yelling and trying to fight despite his own pain and coughing up blood. Hercules shook his head and walked away though his usual swagger and confidence reduced to a slower stride. The day was won but at a cost. He had to return home at once to make sure William passed out on the floor.

Puffing out his chest Hercules cleared his throat, ”Citizens! You are freed thanks to Rex of the Inferno and Hercules!” he shouted letting his false bravado echo throughout the steel mill. The people looked around still confused and terrified. Hercules wasn’t sure what to say so he made his way to Rex of the Inferno. ”Well done!” he slapped him on the back with his good hand. It was on his opposite side so it was awkward for him.

”I have to say that was one of the most entertaining bouts I’ve been in, in.... centuries!” he forced a laugh. ”Truely was an honor to fight by your side Rex of the Inferno!”

By the time Hercules was finished with his second make-shift containment contraption of the night, Rex was off the phone. He’d highlighted that this was connected to an attempted ATM robbery and that Brazen had been captured, as well as a number of his associates. He’d remembered to mention the woman...Razorbeak’s...poisoned feathers, as well as all injuries he’d ascertained.

Which meant he’d missed the signs of weakness or the change in attitude of Hercules, as well as the latest round of declaring himself a god. That was probably for the best though.

Instead he was treated to a bellowing post-battle speech and a slap on that back that, while not sending him staggering like before, was still enough to put a hitch in Rex’s breathing for a moment. “Please stop slapping me,” Rex said in a low voice. It wouldn’t do to correct the man very openly, but as that was possibly unavoidable (and waiting for a better time could risk more slaps in the meantime) Rex just tried to be quiet about it.

He smiled back though. Or maybe grimaced. He wasn’t really sure how he felt. “Likewise,” he said, even though Rex really hadn’t done much of the fighting. He’d tackled two people tonight and threatened them with severe burnings. Was he any better than Brazen? After all, both of them scared the hostages. Even looking at them now, they turned from his gaze. They didn’t seem to be doing that to Hercules though. Because Hercules just humiliated a crime lord. I threatened to burn a man alive.

Oh God.

Rex’s shoulders slumped.

“We'll probably need you all to stick around so the police can get your statements,” Rex said to the hostages, not looking them in the eyes either. “So if you could…” He’d glanced up. It seemed those had been magic words, because the people started rushing for the exits without even a “thank you” or “bye”. Soon, it was just Rex, Hercules, and what was left of Brazen’s court.

“...so I guess we just wait for the police?”

The demi-god laughed and gave him one more reassuring pat on the back for extra comradery. It was important to show support and encouragement in one’s allies and Rex of the Inferno was no different. He needed encouragement. All mortals did.

The looks they got from the hostages they just freed was something Hercules was familiar with, you defeat a king and those loyal who still served under said king were often hesitant to accept what happened.

The hostages left and Hercules waved his injured hand regretting the move immediately but kept smiling as the charred flesh gave way for new skin and muscle tissue, ”Fair well citizens! Remember your loved ones are in police custody. It is important to contact them and let them know a god is true to his word! Hercules! Son of Zues is true to his word!” he flexed a little just incase any of them turned back around to get one last look from their heroes. This too encouraged mortals.

”Let them leave Rex of the Inferno! They have had a traumatic day today I’m sure. We rescued them and captured their loved ones, it is a lot to deal with for any mortal.” Hercules stated as he relaxed a little now it was just the two of them. His hand hurt. At this point losing the limb would have been better than the burn. The nerve endings were still there. Just damaged. He shook it again trying to get rid of the feeling as more nerve ends repaired themselves. His hand still felt like it was on fire.

”We should! While I don’t understand the proper protocol yet I found the police just want to get the captured villain and return to their duties. Very rarely do they want to stick around to chat.” he said speaking from experience. Most of them tried not to interact with him if they could help it. No doubt they are insecure around him. Hercules was a whole lot of god.

”Excellent work Rex of the Inferno! Without you it would have taken me twice as long to rescue them!” he said giving a thumbs up. His thumb was the first thing that was partially healed reverting back from a sooty blob of flesh to a normal thumb. At least normal for Hercules.

Another slap and Rex stiffened. That...was starting to get annoying. He sidestepped, pulling away from the brute and escaping arm’s reach. In doing so, he had a better view of watching the healing process on Hercules’s hand, the one that had smashed into Brazen’s burning fist. It had clearly been badly burned but Rex could see the damage repairing itself before his very eyes. Rex still had an urge to offer assistance and medical help, but then remembered he didn’t have any supplies on him. Besides, from what he’d learned in EMT training, mutants with regenerative abilities usually just needed time and calories before they were good as new.

So instead Rex focused on the other thing that had caught his attention. “You think you’re a god?” Rex asked clinically, his eyebrow arched. His blank expression returned. Of course. His name was Hercules, he was strong, tough, healed, had a club. Clearly a mutant playing up an angle, like the X-Men tended to do for marketing purposes or what-have-you. “Oh,” he said, things making sense.

The last thing he needed was a crazy, self-deluded juggernaut of a mutant running around spreading blasphemies and such.

“Glad I could assist,” Rex said automatically in response to being thanked. Wait, was he glad? He furrowed his eyebrows slightly before smoothing them out. Yes, yes he was. Several dangerous people had been taken down this night and numerous innocent people rescued. That was good. Good. Very good. Right? Yes. Good.

“Good work,” he forced himself to say to Hercules, his eyes taking in the partially-missing thumb without blinking. He’d seen far, far worse in his time. At least the smell of burning flesh was also fading with the healing. Rex knew on his own, he wouldn’t have done any of the things he’d done that night.

Not that he was sure how he truly felt about any of it. He just felt...strange.

“See you around, I guess,” he said very awkwardly. What did you do in these situations? Rex wasn’t a superhero or FBI or anyone who did this kind of thing. Hercules seemed to alway know what to do in each situation they’d encountered so Rex just kinda looked at the man with questioning eyes.

”No... I know I am one.” he said flexing and admiring his own muscles in a reflective surface. His body’s tattoos moved around in the dim light from the steel mill. It was usually more impressive when he glowed and said that. Hercules doubted he’d be able to glow at the moment he needed more power to do that and William was in no state to be lending such power.

”Hold fast Rex of the Inferno. Where’s the fire!” Hercules said almost holding out a hand to stop him then it dawned on him what he said. The giant of a god started laughing holding his side as he continued to do so. ”Fire! Rex of the Inferno!” he shook his head, ”Too bad the god of jokes was already taken when they gave me my powers.” he shook his head and wiped a tear from his eye. Normally he’d let them flow a real man was capable of crying the strongest of men were proud of their emotions. However there was some dust in them and he was feeling too good to ignore it.

”I wanted to ask you, not that it matters to me. Your powers. Are they mutant in nature or magic?” he asked stepping closer showing off his tattoos some wondering if any of the moving markings on his body spiked curiosity.

”It’s so hard to tell in this era and I liked to be informed of my allies capabilities if I ever need to call upon their assistance. Mutants were more durable, less likely to die. Mystics were more creative but still squishy.

Rex frowned at the bigger man. That was arrogance, wasn’t it? To proclaim himself a god in such bold terms. Or was it showmanship? It wouldn’t make a lot of sense to call oneself arguably one of the most famous gods from literature without playing the part. Or the man could be crazy. Mutants. They weren’t automatically problematic, but they sure didn’t make things easier.

His frown deepened as he saw the glowing tattoos in motion.He blinked and rubbed the bridge of his nose. It had been a long night, the lighting wasn’t the greatest in the mill, and he was tired from the pillar fire being used so many times so maybe he was seeing things. No, he wasn’t. Somehow this man had moving, glowing, changing tattoos. He’d noticed them before, hadn’t he?

Ugh. Mutants.

He transitioned to rubbing his temples, confident that a migraine was coming on soon. The rubbing intensified as Hercules made a joke in very poor taste and let out a thunderous laugh. Rex glared at the man. He did not appreciate people making jokes about fire. Not after the things he’d seen.

Then his jaw dropped as, miraculously, Hercules grew serious for a moment. Rex couldn’t have been shaken more if Hercules had picked him up and thrown him around.

His eyes searched frantically around the room. Why did the man bring up magic? How did he know? What did he know? Was he one of them? Like that Raijin character? Other pieces fell into place. The glowing tattoos, the various abilities. The only people who knew magic. That’s why Hercules had stuck with him all evening. What was his plan? What was his game? And why could the Welldrinkers leave him alone?

Rex forced his face to smooth out into a steely expression but his eyes couldn’t hide everything. He could lie, but honestly Rex was terrible at lying. Instead he stiffened his chin and glared into this false god’s eyes, his own suddenly flaring in anger. “I told you people before,” his voice was low and iron-crisp. “I am done with your cult. I will have no further concourse with you Welldrinkers. I am keeping your secret but this is the last straw. Leave me alone!”

Words in Latin, Spanish, and English leaped into his mind. He knew several verses that could call the flames, and in several languages. He also knew that Hercules could be burned.

The god’s smile dropped when Rex of the Inferno insulted him at least it sounded like an insult. ‘You people’ the immortal wasn’t sure what to make of the words as his ally suddenly seemed like a threat. Hercules sighed loudly and held up a large partially charred hand his palm now pink with new skin as it slowly grew up to the fingertips. ”Welldrinkers?” had he heard about them before? Had his master mentioned them in passing? He thought for a moment.

”I have no allegiance to the Welldrinkers you speak of. Have they crossed you Rex of the Inferno? Do I need to meet them?” he flexed trying to be blunt with his meaning behind it. ‘Do you need help?’ Hercules was a man of few words having always believed action was far louder than any spoken word.

”I did not mean to offend or startle you. This era is new to me. More mutants and masters of the mystic arts than ever before. I’m curious that is all. You are an ally and I wish not to lose you as one. You’re powers are formidable and you seem to be on the side of good. It was only a question. I’ve been told secrets don’t make friends.” he smiled awkwardly and lowered his healing hand.

”I’m sorry if I offended you!” Hercules said lowering his head in a bow. Hercules bowed to many in his time, out of respect this one was no different. Hercules hoped he didn’t offend his new friend.

Rex’s glare continued to smolder, the recitation of Exodus ready on the tip of his tongue. He’d have to be very fast, to get out enough of a verse to bring fire before Hercules could move. He doubted he could. He’d try anyway. He wasn’t going back.

His glare abated fractionally as Hercules’s body language….just didn’t line up with a threat. When Raijin had approached him, he was every bit as precise and cutting as his sword. Hercules...genuinely seemed unaware of the Welldrinkers and possibly...sincere.

The bow was the final straw.

Oh God, help me! he prayed. His mouth opened and closed as he couldn’t get the words out. He’d accused this man of being in a cult and was ready to burn him! Twice in the span of a half hour, he’d seriously considered burning someone to death!

Horror and self revulsion washed over him and Rex stumbled back. “No-no, I…” he stuttered and trailed off, his mouth as dry as if he’d been inside a burning building. “I didn’t--it was…” He searched for the words and threw his hands up.

“My mistake,” he finally said. “It’s...not you.” He rubbed his face with a palm. “Ay Dios mio, it’s just...I don’t like talking about it.” He didn’t say “magic”. He couldn’t bring himself to. “I...made some bad decisions. Joined a cult...and....” His voice choked out but his lips kept moving vainly.

Just like that the anger had burned out, leaving ashen shame behind. Rex slumped and abruptly sat on a small stack of wood pallets. “....sorry.” His head hung.

The Son of Zeus raised an eyebrow after his bow confused as Rex of the Inferno seemed to lose his composure, stuttering and then stumbled backwards. ”Oh?” he asked curiously as if the cult was the reason he was acting this way. Was he under the influence of someone from the cult? Did Hercules have to defeat them as well?

His master William, was no doubt passed out now over whatever books he was studying. Hercules needed to put him to bed first at least. He doubted he could muster much more power for the next few hours. If he wasn’t engaged with Rex he would have retreated to the ethereal plane to recover using less power in the process.

The demi-god stared at Rex of the Inferno for a moment trying to find the words needed to support his new ally. ”Ha! No apologies needed! You spoke your mind! Is that so wrong? Clearly there was a misunderstanding however....” the giant snapped his fingers with his good hand. ”I do know the cult of drinkers from the well you speak! I just remembered! They crippled my master! It seems this is a glorious day indeed! I have more reason to dislike them now! Knowing that they too wronged you!” Hercules said getting fired up. His adrenaline coursing through his body giving him yet another second wind.

”Apparently my master stole my totem from them and they responded by killing his father, crippling the boy and putting his mother in something of a coma.” tears welled up in his eyes the more he thought about it. ”My poor master.”

”Tell me Rex of the Inferno all you know of them and where they meet! I have words and actions I must share with these Well drinkers! They changed the course of a boy and his family and I will promised I’d help him right the wrong.” tears streaked down his face as he continued to stare at his new ally.