The warehouse had been empty for some time, mostly just gathering dust or used as a storage facility. It was near the water’s edge, which made it more suitable for Rex’s intentions. It wasn’t the largest warehouse ever, but you could easily play basketball inside of it. Several storage containers and industrial shelves still remained. Rex had gotten permission from the landlord to use the place - the man had owed Rex a favor and Rex finally had a reason to call it in.

It was late in the evening and darkness had already fallen. That, and the fact it was the weekend, meant very few people would be around. This also suited Rex’s intentions.

There were fewer chances anyone would get hurt.

He’d spent the day clearing out a large space, sweeping it thoroughly to remove anything flammable or, God forbid, explosive or toxic. He’d dragged over a few metal chairs and a table from a disused breakroom. It had taken him all day to set up because he still wasn’t at full strength, not from that horrible event.

Rex had unleashed hellfire on a man and has been suitably burnt himself by it. According to the doctor at that mutant school, Rex had had third-degree burns on nearly every inch of his flesh and had a severe case of heat stroke. The fact that he was even alive was a miracle. A miracle and an irony.

He would’ve died in the street, incinerating just as he incinerated a man, if the mutant Cold Steel hadn’t extinguished the flames. He still would’ve died not long after, if the X-Man hadn’t delivered him to the X-Men’s mutant healer, who’d healed virtually all of his burns over the course of a long, painful night. Rex had slept for four days straight after.

He’d been told he’d still have pain and some physical impairment for a while. There was a limit to even the doctor’s wonders, and seemingly the magic Rex had unleashed had been resistant to healing. The doctor had slept nearly as long as Rex had after. In his convalescence after, Rex finally admitted something to himself he’d been running from.

It was time to learn magic.

It was part of him. That was clear. No amount of praying had removed it, no amount of asking for forgiveness had neutralized it. All he could conclude was he was still meant to have it. “Fight fire with fire,” his priest had said lightly. Rex hadn’t smiled then, and didn’t now. Still, he saw the truth in the words. If he were to be damned for having taken up this power, and it was clear he could not set the power aside, not when there was a chance he could protect people, then he could not afford to be the servant with one talent, burying it in the ground. Whether it was two talents or five, it was up to him to increase that providence, for his master’s sake.

“Father, I hope I’m doing the right thing,” Rex said as he set the final fire extinguisher in place. There were a dozen of them strewn around the warehouse. A dozen buckets of sand and another dozen buckets of water and fire blankets also covered the perimeter. He didn’t want to take any chances.

He finally sat down on a chair and waited for his guest. Miraculously, the mutants had helped there too. After spilling his guts about magic to them, it turned out that one of the teachers at the mansion knew Hercules - in fact, she was dating him. Rex had had no way to contact the false god - Rex had given him his card, but hadn’t received one in return - but Elizabeth just arranged the whole thing.

It was time for Rex to learn magic and control his power. He couldn’t stand being helpless any longer and he couldn’t stand hurting people anymore.

The doors to the warehouse kicked open with enough force to dislodge them from the hinges if it was any other building. The steel doors held up better than wooden ones. Normally the god was more concerned about property damage but this was a joyous occasion. His ally and friend Rex of the Inferno had sought his guidance. To learn magic. While his current master was more suited for the task Hercules was more fire resistant than William and thought it be more important to get a base understanding of control before sending his adorable little master into the flames of hellfire.

”I have arrived Rex of the Inferno!” Hercules boomed already shirtless and in basketball shorts. While he was not there to preform tricks with a basketball he appreciated the comfort and the flexibility the clothing offered him. They were also not cotton meaning they’d have less chance to go up in flames. Not that it mattered though, Hercules would happily help his friend even if it was in nothing but his birthday suit.

”I am pleased to see that you are recovering! I heard about your exploits from Elizabeth, the good doctor and Sam of the Rime!” at some point he started crying. It didn’t matter though Hercules walked over and embraced Rex in a gentle hug, one that shouldn’t have been possible for one so large but the god had centuries to perfect his ‘gentle side’.

”Truely impressive! That you’d go so far as to help humanity! I am truly grateful we are friends Rex of the Inferno!” the god took a step back looking around in the building and wondering if he should have brought shoes. The amount of tools to suppress fire was indeed helpful but the god was hoping he wouldn’t have to put his friend out. Not after he pushed himself so hard. ”I am overjoyed you sought my guidance!” Hercules roared with laughter ignoring the tears that seemed to stop flowing.

”I didn’t believe it when Elizabeth told me you were looking to perfect your craft! I am so happy she wasn’t pulling my leg!” Hercules leaned forward a bit with a big grin. ”Tell me Rex, my friend. What would you like to accomplish here?” he asked hoping to strive towards that goal.

Rex set aside a book he’d been absently leafing through. It was entirely handwritten, filled with schematics, instructions, diagrams, and so much more. It didn’t make much sense to him. It was the book he’d taken from Dr. Cama’s office, right before he’d burnt the entire clinic down.

He rose to his feet to greet Hercules, who’s arrival could be felt in the bones due to the amount of sheer force that went into slamming over the doors. Rex winced out of habit. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me,” Rex said by way of greeting. His boots clunked on the concrete floor as he strode over to shake hands. He didn’t get the chance. He was pulled into a hug.

“Oh. Ah. Okay. Okay,” he said in bewilderment as he fought to process what was happening and he realized he’d tensed up mightily. His choice and muscles ached in protest. Beneath his work shirt, he still had healing wounds. In fact, he had bruises and scabs all over his body, although the doctor had granted him a kindness by healing away almost all the ones on his face. “Take it easy - I’ve still got a ways to go before I’m up to snuff.”

When he got the chance, he stumbled before righting himself. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. The gusto with which Hercules did everything was already buffeting Rex - he was starting to think he should’ve waited another week or so before trying this, when he’d have more energy.

“I’m still wrapping my head around how Sam and Elizabeth knew you, and that I encountered them both just that day,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “The ways of the Lord are strange and mysterious indeed.”

His face resumed his typical sternness and he locked eyes with Hercules. “I need to learn how to use magic,” he said bluntly. “I need to know how to control it and how to protect people with it. Right now all I can do is destroy and hurt. Can you help me?” His mask cracked a bit but he fought back a tremor in his lips. If Hercules couldn’t help him, then who else could he turn to? Every other magic user he knew was a Welldrinker. The Church would definitely be of no help.

The son of Zeus held out a hand when Rex tired to right himself after the hug, it was still too much even if he was gentle. The god made note and decided to work on his hugs later. Hercules was sure one of his masters would help him in the process, they were all so kind!

”That they are.” the demigod said making sure not to belittle Rex’s god. Now was not the time and he doubted his friend would appreciate Hercules explaining why all the gods seemed ‘mysterious’. That was just their nature. While they did have power, if their worshipers understood everything, they did they would not be worshipped.

”I believe you’d call it ‘dating’ in this era.” Hercules said smiling, ”Elizabeth is a remarkable woman! She stopped me from robbing a bank when I was first summoned to this era. She stood up to me despite being so.... fragile!” the god started to chuckle. Clarifying that he was seeing Elizabeth, not Sam of the Rime. Even if he was pleasant on the eyes.

”But you already know!” the god chuckled, ”I have seen you create flames from nothing, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. You even save me!” Hercules puffed out his chest. ”That would be difficult, my friend. Fire has a will of it’s own. I have seen those who wield it get burned.” he gave his friend the once over glad he was recovering.

”Not impossible though!” Hercules nodded his head. ”While my powers work differently from yours I am confident I can help! Or I can summon one of my masters and they’d be able to help. Not Serena. She doesn’t play well with others.” the said truthfully.

”Destryoing and hurting can help others. You have seen it’s effects up close.” Hercules said once again truthfully. ”They just need to be guided. If you wish to learn spells to protect, I can teach you what I know. While I can’t cast the magic myself I have an understanding of magic that goes well beyond most mortal’s understanding.” he tapped his chest. A sigil for durability. ”If you wish to heal, might I recommend one of my masters, he is currently studying to heal his mother and regain the use of his legs. If it is control you are in looking for then look no further. I have trained kings, gods and beasts. Even before I ascended to godhood I was a talented teacher.”

The god looked around and pointed to an empty spot. ”Create a flame.” Hercules commanded.

Dating? Elizalbeth was dating Hercules? Rex blinked in pure shock. “God, give her strength,”he said in a near-whistle.

Hercules…he had a point. Rex had been able to do some good with the pillar of fire. It just wasn’t enough. He’d been a distraction. Hercules was the one who’d defeated Razorbeak and Brazen. Hercules was the one who’d fought through Dr. Cama’s monster. Rex had broken Hercules’s chains, but then he’d destroyed the building.

Heaviness fell upon Rex’s shoulder and he slumped a bit, a shadow crossing his face. “I know fire,” Rex said hoarsely. “I have fought it for half of my life. I have seen what it can do, I’m still haunted by the people I’ve seen die to it. Help me control fire. I don’t want it to kill anyone else ever again.” His teeth clenched shut with the last syllable and unknown to him, a few sparks shot out from his mouth with the last declaration.

Concern deepened on Rex’s face as Hercules set a foundation. Healing was possible? His eyes lit up momentarily, but fell again. Hercules did not know healing. Very well. He did know control even if…he didn’t do magic myself?

Rex shut down the whirring in his mind. No point in questioning things. He was in this. He had to be all in. He had to trust this man. That was why they were there. “Very well,” Rex said with a sharp nod as he stepped forward to where Hercules pointed. He focused his mind of that source of power that always seemed to be just beyond his skin. He touched it and felt fire responding to his call. “...et per noctem in columna ignis ut dux esset itineris utroque tempore,” he said, switching to a Latin verse he knew would call the flames.

Fire burst into existence around him, swirling in a violent vortex and sheltering him in their blazing heat and blinding light. Flame flicked and lapped at the floor, but for the time being, Rex was holding them back from it.

The prince of power waited to respond to Rex’s wishes. They were childish and pure. Something he too wished to strive for. Even if the God had enough battle experience and power there were always going to be casualties in battle. In war. Sometimes, it was impossible to avoid them. A single tear streaked down the Greek’s cheek wishing he had the power to grant wishes. He’d have granted Rex that power in a heartbeat.

When the flames erupted in a tempest around Rex of the Inferno Hercules nodded his head, ”I was suggesting a smaller flame to start to make sure you were capable of wielding such might but very well!” roared the slayer of titans!

” You have lighted a fire under me as well! Yes! Push yourself Rex of the Inferno as I will push you! Give it everything! Keep it controlled for as long as you can!” the god stood on standby eyeing all the fire suppressants in the room should he need to act.

”Fire longs to consume and grow! You will, from now on be in control of what it can consume and how much it can grow and if it grows out of control you will snuff it! Use your experiences in the past. Learn from them. Give order to something that does not wish to have it!” Hercules stepped forward closer to Rex and the flames, un-afraid. Not only could the god heal, but he trusted Rex not to willingly burn him. Rex of the Inferno was a good man after all.

”You may wish to never kill again, but as long as you try to protect those who can’t protect themselves sometimes it will be inevitable. Mortals are fragile and have short lives. Sometimes you have no say in the matter. It is the way of battle and war. However, if I am there you will not have to make those decisions. I will bare the weight!” it was a burden he was willing to shoulder.

What else did Hercules expect? I don’t know any other way to make a flame with magic!”Rex said, raising his voice a bit to be heard clearly over the roaring flames. “Is this not what you wanted?” Embarrassment flushed his cheeks over the misunderstanding.

It didn’t seem to matter to the brawny man. Rex complied. He shut his eyes and focused on pushing himself. He’d done it before, when lives were on the line. He’d faced a mutant who commanded ice and snow and had countered everything the neanderthal had thrown at him. He’d made his fire hotter and hotter until the ice was sublimating. He could do that again. This time, there were no civilians to protect.

Rex took a deep breath and then punched the air with both fists as he pulled on that wellspring of power and channeled even more of it into his burning nimbus. The flames started burning brighter and brighter, the air starting blurring for a dozen feet in all directions as new levels of strength-sapping heat billowed out. “Aaaargh!” he cried as the energy coursed through him, sparking new pathways and conduits in his mind.

The fire dropped to the concrete floor and began scorching it as Rex focused on feeding the flame. The flames never grew larger, merely more intense. “Aaagh!” he said again.

In the midst of it all, he strained to hear Hercules too. “No! I reject that!” Rex said clenching his eyes shut in effort. “Killing is never the answer!

Then he realized Hercules had gotten closer. His voice was nearer. Rex’s eyes flew open and he turned in alarm. At once, rthe magic cut off and seconds later the flames vanished.

“Don’t-don’t come near me when I ‘m doing that!” he said, notes of panic emerging in his tone as he immediately threw his hands up in a likely futile effort to stop Hercules.

Green eyes watched as flames danced before him, they were bright. Hot. The air between them was shimmering from the flames. Rex of the Inferno was living up to his name. He was screaming though, it was clear the toll was hard on him. Hercules fought the urge to help him. He wanted control. This was how he got it.

”It is never an answer we search for.” the god said plainly, ”Reject it all you wish. I have lived lifetimes and sometimes it is the only answer. How many have I saved by taking the life of someone who wished death and pain on all around them?” it wasn’t something that he enjoyed. Mortals had such short lives, to take it early was a travesty.

The flames died as soon as the magical flow from Rex was severed. His concentration vanished. ”Again,” the god folded his arms, his tattoo’s danced across his body in a dim light now that the flames were gone. ”Your flames will not kill me so worry not, friend. For I am blessed with the power from my masters.”

”How many lives did you save when you stopped him?” his tone was softer, less harsh when he was speaking over the sound of the fire tempest.

”I will teach you control so you can prove me wrong Rex of the Inferno if that is your wish! Prove me, an Immortal wrong! I would love to see it!” Hercules roared with laughter! ”Such a time to be alive! You mortals never cease to amaze me! Your flames! Call upon them again! Hold them as long as you can!”

Rex stared at Hercules as he realized the man was in no danger. He could almost slap himself. Of course. He’d fought Brazen, hadn't he? The metal man who flung his fist into fire and then tried to burn Hercules’s hand off? Yet there was no scar tissue on Hercules’s hand. Relief crossed Rex’s face at the memory. Here, at least, was one person he wouldn’t be killing.

The relief changed to a frown. Was Hercules saying he’d killed many people? What? Who was this man? There was no trace of the typical joviality in the man’s manner as he calmly stated there was no option. Quite frankly, Rex did not know what to say. Did it matter? What could Rex do? Did Elizabeth know? Did Sam?

Are there any magic-wielders who do not commit atrocities? Is this my fate as well?

The frown became a defiant glare.

“Fine, you shall have your fire.”

Rex took a deep breath and exhaled. He crossed himself and muttered a quick prayer before closing his eyes, throwing back his head, and speaking from the Bible. “Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.”

The whirling curtain of fire erupted around him again, cloaking him in hellish light. He frowned and pushed harder and the fire grew lighter and whiter as the temperature increased.

It stayed like that for a couple of minutes before Rex could feel the fire beginning to waver. “And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,” he quoted. The fire bucked up and with a rush of new life, flared outward briefly.

Again and again Rex called for fire, new verses uttered each time, all the while pushing to make it burn brighter and hotter. It was stronger than any house or structural fire - all of his protective gear would not have saved him for long from this flame, but Rex stood in the middle of it, untouched. Even so, he could feel a cold sweat breaking out all over him. Lethargy was starting to sap at him even as the world began to spin in the direction of his flames. He knew the signs. Even as the headache began, Rex made his decision.

The fire vanished once more as the spell ended. Heat lingered in the air, the entire warehouse ending up considerably warmer than it had been a mere fifteen minutes before. All in all, Rex had kept the fire burning for just less than ten minutes.

“Need to stop,” Rex mumbled as he staggered to a table with a water cooler. He opened it and snagged a bottle of water, which he started sipping from. He grabbed some ice from the cooler and rubbed it on his forehead. “Starting to get heat exhaustion.” He collapsed on a chair.

”Indeed I shall!” Hercules roared encouraging the flames to once again be produced. They’d do this again and again till the magic would run dry from Rex of the Inferno and then they could truly start! Rex needed to be at the point of exhaustion to truly understand what he could and couldn’t control. This only became the main plan after he saw Rex summon the fire tempest.

The fire was dimming, it seemed Rex of the Inferno was truly coming up to the end of the well of power he drew from. Good. Hercules was about to let him know it was enough, that he could rest when the flames once again came back stronger than before.

”Ha ha! Yes! This is what it is about! Pushing yourself to your limits and then digging deeper! Tap into the reserve of willpower you hide! The one no one ever sees! Let the flames know you have yet more fuel to add to the tempest of flames!” Hercules cheered and clapped encouraging the reluctant mystic as he finally had enough. Rex was exhausted. So much fire and raw power. The god was truly impressed by the man’s fortitude, most others would have stopped long ago.

”Ten minutes by my count.” Hercules boomed with pride, ”That’s the starting point. By the time I am done with you, you’ll be able to hold it for twice as long... no three times!” he said placing a hand to his chin and grinning at the possibilities.

”Now, can you control all flames or just the ones you summoned?” Hercules asked curiously making sure to be there should his friend stumble and fall. Only once did he sit the glowing god backed off. ”Truly impressive! I’m proud to call you my ally! Even more impressive is you know your limits. Many others fail to understand when they approach their limits.”

Rex took a small swig of water and nearly gasped as the coolness hit his tongue. He was soaked in sweat and completely parched, but he kept his shirt on and forced himself to not guzzle the water. That could do just as much harm as the fire.

He instead stared at Hercules with a frown. He was sounding like some kind of coach or a personal trainer. From Hell. Rex had assumed magic would involve more drawing circles in chalk and chanting things in Latin while wearing hooded robes. Not…a workout. He nearly spewed what water he’d drunk when Hercules said he wanted Rex to be able to double or triple the time he could keep the fire blazing.

“You must be joking,” Rex said deadpan. “I’ll kill myself for sure if I try that.” He was already close to heat stroke as it was, not to mention already exhausted. The forming headache didn’t help.

Rex didn’t know what to do with the praise Hercules heaped on at the end. “...thank you,” he finally said then quickly moved on to business. “I can’t control fire at all. These flames just happen. Like in the Bible. I can’t do anything with other fire sources.” He drank more water and rubbed the ice all over his face.

”I never joke when it comes to setting goals!” the god said chuckling, him joking about training and pushing oneself. Please. ”All in due time! That is the thing about pushing yourself 100% every time. The well of strength just gets deeper!” Hercules said flexing and showing off his muscles.

”It took time and training to perfect myself! Just as it will take you the same kind of time and energy! It’s most important that you believe in yourself the way I believe in humanity!” Hercules struck a pose.

”You’re very welcome! And not yet.” Hercules offered holding up a massive finger, ”I shall read your bible and try to understand further what you mean.” now wasn’t the time to discuss books or other deities. Now was the time to focus on training. ”However, now that you have exhausted yourself it is time to go further.” Hercules grabbed another water and offered it up to Rex before continuing with the training.

”I am sure it’s difficult to control a roaring tempest, however...” Hercules held out a hand after grabbing another water and opened the cap and dripped a few drops into his hand to demonstrate. ”A few drops is easier to control than,” he poured more water into his hand till it spilled out onto the floor. ”an ocean no? It is the same with the flames. Start small, control it and then build on it.” Hercules said shaking his hand free from the water.

”Start small.”

Rex just had to stare, an ever-present frown on his face as he methodically sipped at the water. Hercules was a lot to deal with. The man had a strong and vibrant personality and bandied it about like a club of motivation. That alone was adding to Rex’s exhaustion. It took so much just parsing what the man said and extracting the important bits.

“Is magic like a muscle then? It can grow from pushing it to its limits?” Rex asked. He’d expected it to be far more academic.

Rex’s frown vanished when Hercules, in passing, agreed to read the Bible. “I will get you one, myself,” he said quickly. A novel thought struck him. Was this why he was here? To introduce the word of God to unbelievers like Hercules, who thought themselves to be or worhsipped other gods?

The frown returned as Hercules poured out some water onto the floor. Rex didn’t move from the chair. “....how do I make a small fire?”

That was a good question. One he’d think about later. ”I believe it to be.” he said confidently more so for him than Rex. ”There are other factors sure, but the most important one is that yourself and believe that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Magic, from my understanding relies on your intent.”

Hercules started to glow showing off the tattoo’s moving across his body overlapping each other making them difficult to read and understand, ”I can teach you about runes, magic from a bygone era but what I can’t teach you is intent. You are capable! You just need to believe it the way I believe it!” Hercules said even more confidently. ”The runes will come in time, you said you wanted to learn control. Today I will help with it.”

”Very well! I shall wish it to be signed by Rex of the Inferno himself then! An autograph, from a friend and Ally!” Hercules nodded his head and folded his arms. There was no way he’d worship another god again. Why worship an equal? Humanity was far more impressive than the gods. He would however try to understand the teachings more so he could relate and understand his friend before him.

”You make big fires? You don’t think about how large they are you just call upon them. When you want them to get hotter, they do so. When you want them to grow, they do so! Why not reverse it then? You are already exhausted, you already pushed yourself and depleted your reserves. Why not take this time and try to call upon a small flame? I am not the one who calls the flames, nor can I. it is beyond me now. You however need to visualize what you want. It’s the majority of spell casting is it not? What is your intent?” Hercules raised an eyebrow.

Magic relies on intent. Rex stared at the brawny man in silence for a moment. A faint smile threatened to show on his face. Hercules sounded like his priest. As controversial as the priest’s stance was, he was the one who kept suggesting that this magic Rex had, born not of a pact with a devil, could be an opportunity from God to be a force for His good.

Rex hoped they were both right.

“My intent is to make a fire, completely under my control,” Rex said seriously, frowning in concentration. Visualize the flame. Focus on it. Make it appear. Make it grow or shrink. Make it do what he wanted. The frown deepened. That wasn’t normally how he called fire. It was just something he knew.

The firefighter focused on the floor where Rex had pointed and imagined a small fire there. He tried reaching out to that place where he tapped into that energy, that fuel for his fires. He felt the power there, felt it yearning to be unleashed, but as he focused on the fire in his mind’s eye more, it just…didn’t connect.

Rex set his water to the side and leaned forward, his face tight with focus. The frown was a full -on glare. “Come on,” he said to himself. “Burn.”

Nothing happened. “It’s not working,” he said, slumping back in the chair and grabbing for the water again to take a sip.