”Gaze upon my might!” he said flexing in front of a handful of corner men who were doing their best to run. ”I will return to drag you to the police myself if I find out you try to attack another auction house again! Now return the items you stole! You have...” Hercules looked over to William who was busy playing ‘fetch’ with a crowbar. ”William, how long should I give them to return the items they stole?” he yelled across the warehouse still flexing.

“An hour!” the boy shouted back before turning his wheelchair to Svetlana who walked out of the office. No doubt successful with whatever she was planning. Hercules pointed back to the men, ”One hour! Or I shall return and get serious!” the giant leapt and found himself landing next to his master and his new ally the hell hound.

”Nicely done beast.” he said patting the jet black dog on it’s head. ”The creature will be useful in protecting you William!” the god decided then turned to Svetlana, ”I threw it. I was making a joke.” he looked over to the car imbedded in the wall and door. ”I think it landed.” he said chuckling at his perfect joke.

“A burger sounds great.” the boy said to Hercules. Then looked to the dog. “We’ll meet you there. Usual place.” William said as the dog and him melted into the shadows and vanished before the god could protest them traveling via shadows. ”He will sleep well tonight.” the god nodded sagely knowing the amount of energy the boy channeled and is still channeling. If it wasn’t for the hell hound Hercules was sure the boy would have been to sleep by now.

Turning to Svetlana, ”I am the ride!” he said glowing dimly as his tattoo’s traveled his flesh. ”It’s across town. Care for a boost?”

>>”I threw it. I was making a joke. I think it landed.”

Sveta groaned and rolled her eyes as she joined the strange little trio of shadow dog, wheelchair boy, and mythical wrestler. She was ware that her looks were probably not as pristine as they had been at the beginning of the evening. Or that she was not wearing shoes (which made her even smaller than Hercules).

>>“A burger sounds great. We’ll meet you there. Usual place.”

And just like that, the dog and the boy were gone.

>>”I am the ride! It’s across town. Care for a boost?”

"Soo..." Sveta eyed the glowing tattoos. "Just to be clear. You're not a mutant?... Is the kid a mutant? You get these powers from him?"

”So.” he responded with a warm smile looking down at the woman who was clearly distracted with his tapestry of perfection cursed to his chiseled form. ”I am not a mutant.” he agreed. ”Neither is the boy from what I can tell.” he said placing his hands on his hips.

”I do regain my godly strength through him yes.” the god agreed telling more than his master would have wanted. He forgot often and didn’t like lying to mortals. They had enough on their plate with such short lives.

”Does it matter if we are or not?” he raised an eyebrow. Hoping she didn’t harbor any hatred to them. Hercules had none, they were pitted more than anything.

>>”So. I am not a mutant. Neither is the boy from what I can tell.”

Well, damn. It would have been so much easier. Super strength and... shadow powers, like Nate's. So simple, so easy. But nope, it turned out it was just Sveta's luck to keep running into magic users all over the place.

>>”I do regain my godly strength through him yes. Does it matter if we are or not?”

"Mystic, then." she concluded. The kid was, anyway. And somehow he powered Hercules. That was... a lot of power. "Well, for one, it explains why I couldn't boost your powers. It only works on mutants." she paused. "Does it matter to you? I hear mystics are not very keen on mutants."

While she stared at his chest his chest a glowing bull ran across his pecs that might have been flexing. Hercules did like showing off, it did take him eons to archive that level of perfection. It was a gift to mortals after all. ”God.” he corrected. ”Demi-god to be correct but a god none the less.” he didn’t understand why people kept calling him a mystic. William was the mystic, Hercules just used his power to channel his strength.

”Oh? So that was what you were going on about!” he chuckled, ”It makes sense then why you kept offering us a boost!” he chuckled. ”I thought you were asking in a round about way for me to lift you!” he roared with laughter at his own misunderstanding then stopped when she seemed more concern with his thoughts on mutants.

”Why would I not like mutants?” he asked curiously. Sure, from his understanding magic only made a comeback because the non-powered humans were jealous of the powered ones. ”Are you not all mortals? I never understood why you all continue to fight about differences instead of learn to incorporate them into your society.” he frowned starting to recall the city that earned him his curses.

”I’ve lived in the age where gods, humans, ‘mutants’ and ‘mystics’ all lived and worked with each other.” he didn’t think about the cities fate. Tears were forming the more he thought about hating on the differences.

”I spent centuries protecting mortals. All mortals, humans, mystics, mutants... They all need protecting and guidance. Even these men. Misguided as they are.” he pointed to the men who were scattered about and groaning trying to push themselves up. ”If anything I pity them. They have such short lives and they waste it on hurting others instead of helping them.” tears at this point started to streak down his face. He didn’t try to hide it.

”Now, Svetlana! You mentioned that burger! I hunger and if I don’t eat my body pulls more from my master and I shall not cause the boy anymore stress. Will you accompany me?” he offered. ”I know you don’t shake hands but I can find a blanket so there is no contact between us!” recalling her preferred lack of contact.

>>”God. Demi-god to be correct but a god none the less.”

Svetlana decided to circle back to that later. If the guy thought he was an actual god, that was a topic for another time. Right now, she was more interested in the mystic part. At least now she knew why her powers did not work on Hercules. And he finally knew what she meant by boosting.

>>”Why would I not like mutants? Are you not all mortals? I never understood why you all continue to fight about differences instead of learn to incorporate them into your society. I’ve lived in the age where gods, humans, ‘mutants’ and ‘mystics’ all lived and worked with each other. I spent centuries protecting mortals. All mortals, humans, mystics, mutants... They all need protecting and guidance. Even these men. Misguided as they are.”

Ooookay, so there was no avoiding the god part, after all. Svetlana blinked, between awe and shock, listening to Hercules' detailed story about... living through centuries and observing mortals. Who did not really know how to behave. Well, that sounded historically accurate. And Hercules at least sounded very protective of them, which was... odd, for a self-proclaimed mythical being.

>>”If anything I pity them. They have such short lives and they waste it on hurting others instead of helping them.”

"Yeah, you can say that again..." she muttered, watching in shock as the big guy actually shed tears for poor, misguided mortals.

>>”Now, Svetlana! You mentioned that burger! I hunger and if I don’t eat my body pulls more from my master and I shall not cause the boy anymore stress. Will you accompany me? I know you don’t shake hands but I can find a blanket so there is no contact between us!”

"Oh." Wait, that was... She had so many questions. "No, it's fine. I can touch you without causing trouble, apparently. That's a relief..." She offered a hand to him a little awkwardly, not sure what he was planning on doing. "But I'm gonna have more questions..."

Gingerly taking her hand he guided her to one of the exits taking care to point out if there was any debris or glass laying around considering they just destroyed the place, was something burning? Hercules ignored the smell and continued onwards, ”Watch out for the glass. And I’ll have more answers I’m sure.” he chuckled opening the exit to the building instead of going through the ceiling.

While the prince of power had the ability to shrug off rocketing through a ceiling he doubted she would have. Mortals were far more fragile.

”Can you not touch people often?” he asked curiously waiting for her to exit first. He suddenly felt more pity towards her. That was... it must have been difficult indeed. Maybe he wasn’t the only one shouldering such a heavy burden.

Hercules crouched once they were outside. ”May I?” he put his massive hands outwards signaling he wished to carry her. It would be... difficult for her other ways. If the son of Zues showed to the diner with vomit on him again he doubted they’d let him return. Something that would horrible considering the behemoths love for the ‘malt’.

>>”Watch out for the glass. And I’ll have more answers I’m sure.”

Sveta followed as Hercules carefully picked his way out of the building. She knew the debris probably did not hurt him at all, but she appreciated him taking care of her being barefoot. The man was a giant, but he was not a brute.

>>”Can you not touch people often?”

"I almost never touch people" she admitted softly. "Unless I have proof it won't go wrong." Did that sound pitiful? Jesus, it probably sounded pitiful. She had had a long night. But at least a productive one.

>>”May I?”

Sveta blinked at the gesture. Did he... want to carry her? She moved closer, waiting for him to pick her up. It wasn't gonna be the weirdest thing that happened tonight.

"Are we... teleporting?"

Tears fell down his face when she admitted she rarely touched people. It was a fate worse than his, at least in his opinion. One of the many joys he got when it came to being immortal was being able to build relationships with people from every era he was summoned. Physical touch had a lot to do with it. ”That sounds... sad. I’m sorry you have been burdened with that.” he said solemnly. Not wanting to insult her or make her in turn feel sad.

”Well you have proof you can touch me and it won’t go wrong.” it wasn’t meant to be dirty. Hercules still didn’t have the phrasing down of this era. He was really trying to be supportive. All mortals needed help. Svetlana was no different. Hercules just wanted to support her for her help this evening.

”Ahhh... well no...” he said gingerly scooping her up in his large hands. His glowing continued and he pulled her closer to his chest where his tattoo’s gleamed and danced along his skin. ”I never tried ‘appearing’ with another. I don’t think the curse works like that. It also takes a lot of energy to summon me from somewhere else on this plane of existence. Few masters have been able to do it so well. William truly is a gifted mystic.”

Standing fully upright and making sure she was secured, ”No, you will be traveling by my usual methods!” he roared with laughter no longer crying for the woman he was now cradling. Hercules started to run as fast as he could towards a building before leaping once then jumping upwards till he was over the warehouse then he landed on the warehouse and started to run on that till he jumped again. and again. And again.

”Let me know if you feel ill, if that is the case we can get you a cab! I still prefer not to take the subway. The map still eludes me! It's worse than the labyrinth. I’d fight the minotaur ten times over than getting lost on the train again.” William mocked him relentlessly for it.

>>”That sounds... sad. I’m sorry you have been burdened with that.”

There it was. Not many people really thought about what it meant to have a touch-based power, even if they knew about Sveta's abilities. And only the precious few friends she had knew she struggled with it.

>>”Well you have proof you can touch me and it won’t go wrong.”

Sveta chuckled, allowing him to pick her up like she was as light as a feather. The tattoos on his body glowed, and it was strange to see them up close like that. Once again, as usual, Sveta was keenly aware how strange it felt for her to be held by someone. She expected the green flash any moment.

>>”Ahhh... well no... I never tried ‘appearing’ with another. I don’t think the curse works like that. It also takes a lot of energy to summon me from somewhere else on this plane of existence. Few masters have been able to do it so well. William truly is a gifted mystic. No, you will be traveling by my usual methods!”

"So... William can sum... WHOAA!" Sveta was about to ask a question, about William's mystic abilities to summon... whatever Hercules really was, but she was cut off by the sudden feeling of flying through the air. She held on to his shoulders on instinct. It felt like she was holding on to a jet. The guy could fly?... No. He was just... jumping.

Holy s***.

>>”Let me know if you feel ill, if that is the case we can get you a cab! I still prefer not to take the subway. The map still eludes me! It's worse than the labyrinth. I’d fight the minotaur ten times over than getting lost on the train again.”

Sveta laughed. The whole thing was amusing, in general, and she had never been just... hauled across town like this. But Hercules, in his way, was even more amusing, complaining about the subway while jumping over buildings. The whole experience was dizzying, but she laughed anyway, not even sure why. "Hello New York!"

Clearly the blonde had never seen New York like this. Most mortals he figured hadn’t not unless they could fly. Even then what was more exhilarating than a free fall? There were a few things that came to mind but this was pretty high up on his list. It reminded him when he was mortal. The fear of falling. Death. It was a feeling his mind and body never learned to shake. He felt alive during the falls. ”Does the city ever answer back?” he asked curiously if it was a custom of some kind or maybe a reference to a movie quote. William did that a lot.

Landing, then running the length of the roof and leaping again to the next building Hercules touched back on William’s powers. ”He can channel magic. Summoning me and the hell hound is just an aspect of his powers. It all depends what the boy sets his mind to. I have also seen him create light from thin air as well and snuff a candle.” such simple things escaped Hercules which was why he was so proud to call him his master.

”Have you not seen magic before?” he asked landing and jumping again. Hercules saw the giant building and the park signaling they were close so when he landed for the final time his running ceased into a slow strut. Lowering his body in a squat he set Svetlana down.

”We are here... however...” Hercules pointed down at her feet. ”They have a strict policy on ‘no shirts, no shoes, no service’.” he said ceasing his glow. ”This store does have sandals however. I shop here often!” he said proudly looking over to a ‘New York City’ tourist shop one that sold cheap souvenirs and gag gifts.

”My treat.” he offered before adding, ”It will help me barter for the stone currently in my masters position.” fully intending to pay what she asked for, Hercules did not condone stealing.

>>”He can channel magic. Summoning me and the hell hound is just an aspect of his powers. It all depends what the boy sets his mind to. I have also seen him create light from thin air as well and snuff a candle. Have you not seen magic before?”

"I have..." she did not add 'in a strip club' because it would have taken too long to explain. "Not like this, though. I'm still wrapping my head around it..."

They landed. Sveta was place on her own feet and she stood, a little dizzy from the journey.

”We are here... however... They have a strict policy on ‘no shirts, no shoes, no service’.”

Sveta blinked, looking down at her feet. She had... not been in that position before. Also felt a little ridiculous, in a gala dress and no shoes on.

>>”This store does have sandals however. I shop here often! My treat. It will help me barter for the stone currently in my masters position.”

She looked up at the souvenir show and chuckled, shaking her head. She had no money; she had left her purse at the gallery.

"I'll take it. And gloves too, if they have them." she added. One of her gloves was missing. "Thank you. And you can keep the stone for all I care, you both sure have earned it. Maybe you can tell me more about... all this, in exchange?"

”I shall look!” the god proclaimed as he opened the door carefully less he’d rip it off the hinges after she said the stone was there's to keep in exchange for the items and information. Hercules didn’t know what kind of information she needed but was sure William would be more than happy with the exchange. Which was good because he already formed a bond with the creature.

After a few minutes in the shop Hercules exited with the items and a shirt for himself. It was a large ‘I heart New York’ and had more glitter than he preferred along with a pair of bright yellow sandals and a pair of black mittens. None of the items matched with anything else it was better than nothing. The giant beamed as he returned victorious in his shopping.

”I also got a lighter!” it was the statue of liberty where the torch was where the flame came out. Pocketed the lighter and handing the articles of clothing over he pulled the shirt over himself. It was clear the shirt was made for someone half his size, the muscles bulged out of the shirt and his lower torso was exposed.

”What else would you like to know?” he asked waiting for her to get the clothing on before he offered an arm to lead her to the diner. William was sitting in their corner booth with a malt staring down at his phone.

Sveta looked at the sandals and mittens with suspicion, but the look of Hercules in a shirt several sizes too small for him made her crack up anyway. She put on the sandals (at least he had guessed the size right, quite impressive), but kept the mittens in one hand. They entered the burger place, and got a few glances, but this late at night downtown New York was not surprised at anything anymore. Sveta sat down with a grateful sigh next to William, and ordered a drink, and a burger.

>>”What else would you like to know?”

"Soo..." Sveta sighed, sitting back, looking at the unlikely pair of them. "William, you are a mystic, and you use magic to... summon Hercules. Who is a... god? Like, an actual, mythical person?"

Once he sat the waitress was there with his ‘usual’ malt order. He got it every time after experimenting with the other beverages they had. He and William decided that chocolate was the best. William’s face turned red as Sveta sat next to him and he tried to push himself further into his side of the booth to give a little more distance between him and the blonde.

After her order Hercules smiled to the waitress, ”Daphnie! How are you this evening?” the older girl smirked at his shirt and laughed, “The usual?” ”Please! I have worked up quite the appetite this evening!” he said bragging and flexing slightly before turning back to William who was now staring him down after Svetlana’s question.

“So.... what else did you tell her?” William frowned then folded his arms to look mad but was painfully aware that he was sitting next to Svetlana so quickly gave up. It was hard to maintain the expression while blushing. William buried his face back into his malt and started to suck the liquid down. “Yeah... but he isn’t supposed to share the information with anyone. Something I have to keep reminding him about.” the kid said grumbling into his drink.

”Why would I lie to her?” Hercules asked smiling, ”She had something you wanted. Money or information. Both are viable forms of compensation.” the god said chuckling. ”I’m whoever you need me to be.” he said winking to Svetlana before sipping his own beverage. The waitress returned with Svetlana’s drink before disappearing again.

William rolled his eyes, “He claims he at least. I don’t have any reason to doubt him nor could I prove he wasn’t. I just know when I woke up after the accident he was standing over me after pulling my parents from the accident.” the boy looked down and Hercules reached across the table and put a hand on William’s and changing the subject back to him.

”They boy excels with magic!” he said proudly, ”It has been centuries since I was last summoned! No one could hold my attention.” thousands had tried to summon the god in the past. Very few understood what he was looking for. ”I was mortal once.” it sounded like a brag, because it was. He loved humanity.

”My deeds and accomplishments, the ones that inspired your myths are more perverse than the actual events that occurred. Usually there was more people involved than just I.” he said tearing up at all the friends and allies that were long gone. ”Your myths it seems are more interested in the deeds of one versus the deeds of many.”