”Aye, just one!” the prince of power said before holding up his hand for his club. “No,” William said cutting Hercules off before summoning his club. “It will break everything.” ”But it’s heavy, no mortal but I can lift it. Meaning it should weigh Rex of the Inferno down.” Hercules said proudly boasting of his plan as he floated near the pair of them.

The blue spectral owl flapped it’s wings flying over to Rex. Grabbing onto the man’s shoulders it turned him to face the ground and then flapped a few more times till it pushed the man right above the source of the spell. The enchanted paper.

“Can you burn it?” William asked now spinning through the air till he bumped into Hercules who was sulking from his idea not being appreciated. The boy apparently got motion sickness. Something Hercules would ask him about later.

Hercules caught William and held on to the boy’s wheelchair should the spell fade before any of them were more prepared . No harm would come to William while Hercules drew breath. Kicking his legs Hercules moved through the air as if he was swimming in clay. Slowly, and in no particular direction. ”The club is still my solution.” he said bitterly.

A few uncharitable thoughts went through Rex’s mind at Hercules’s suggestions, then William spoke in a more reasonable manner. Soon an owl was winging over to Rex and pulled and pushed and dragged him to where he needed to go.

“Fire is the backup plan,” Rex said, before turning his mind to his next task.

It was because of Hercules that Rex learned the possibility of learning new ways to use magic. He had thought the pillar of fire was all he could do before then. Although the man was unable to explain to Rex how to do magic, at least to Rex’s satisfaction, his stories were filled with possibilities and innovations.

It was Dr. Cama’s grimoire that provided the next link in the chain. In reading it from cover to cover, Rex discovered that the pursuit of magic was not too different from engaging in scientific pursuits, or even mastering a style of art. It took time, patience, and study in order to work out what you wanted to achieve.

It was the Bible that led Rex to everything else.

His eyes watered a bit as he contemplated his spell, forming the outcome in his mind. When he’d last seen Hercules, when he thought he’d killed the tattooed man, Rex had come out of the encounter shaken and disturbed. If it had not been for the providence of the Father, Rex would not have survived the night, not against someone of Hercules’s caliber. If anyone else could ever control Hercules like that, or if any other such magical monster existed, he needed a way to stand between the foe and the innocents.

Since that night, Rex had begun to forge himself a weapon that could level the field.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…” Rex began reciting as he called upon the place of power from which he brought forth fire and magic. Fire was too destructive and could so easily be turned against the innocent. His weapon needed to be precise and under his control.

“...piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow…” he continued. Yet a simple blade would not stop Hercules, or even the abominations of Dr. Cama. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities. It had to be a sword that could cut the magic from a man, to mortify a so-called god.

“...and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart!” he finished, as the sword in his mind’s eye turned to light, an everlasting reminder of his Redeemer’s grace and might.

That same blade blazed into being in Rex’s hand, a longsword of light with a blade beyond three feet. Then Rex focused his thoughts and the sword shifted, growing even longer until he held a greatsword in his hand. He clasped his other hand around it and held it overhead, like a lumberjack, and then stabbed it straight down.

The light pierced the paper and the floor, disintegrating the spell, and everything came tumbling down.

“Whoa. Cool” WIlliam said as the sword of fire and light appeared and drove into the enchantment that caused them all to float. ”Marvolous!” Hercules roared in awe. It was clear that Rex had improved his magic since they had last seen each other.

“Wait.” William said as the man stabbed it. Looking around statues were floating, they were floating. “****” the boy said as Hercules felt the pull of gravity first followed by the statues. The blue spectral owl held onto Rex and lowered him down gently as gravity pulled everything else down around them.

”Language!” Hercules said catching William and turning so the boy would land safely on top of the prince of power. The boy was light, even lighter without his chair. A statue slammed into the ground followed by a few more. Cracking the floors where they landed. Some statues were damaged. The wheelchair slammed to the ground next.

”That was exquisite Rex of the Inferno! No, Rex of the burning blade!” he said giving the man another title and pushing himself up. Getting up and lifting William with one arm he reached for the chair and put his young master into it delicately. ”When did you discover you could do that? My teachings eh?” he said looking back to William, ”I am a good teacher of magic.” Hercules said almost boasting.

William sighed and rolled his eyes, “Sure, Herc. Can you move the statues back?”

In hindsight, Rex should’ve seen it coming. What else would you expect from destroying a gravity spell? After all, what went up…

The owl slowed his fall but Rex still dropped into a roll to absorb the rest of the impact. Along the way he let go of the sword and the lightblade vanished. He finished the roll and pulled himself to his feet, already inwardly groaning. He was going to feel that in the morning.

Hercules was on his feet almost at the same time, if not quicker than Rex. Rex grimaced. Another title? Hercules’s typical “of the inferno” addendum was bad enough. Burning blade, though? What burning blade? His expression smoothed out though as Hercules, in all his excitement and pride touched a sore spot.

“It took a lot of prayer and study to learn that,” Rex said. “Months. You were…not available then.” He steeled his face to not show the face of a man who’d been haunted by causing the death of another. It seemed reality was not congruent with his thoughts, but it had been real enough to Rex.

William’s comment redirected Rex’s attention. He looked around at the mess caused by his ending of the spell and…frowned. There were only three statues in total in the room. None of them were the statue of Hercules or the bust of Zeus that Rex had focused on earlier. None of the vases, artifacts, or portraits were in the room either. Empty pedestals, empty glass displays, and naked nails littered the walls and floors. One of the statues had a fistful of necklaces clutched to it, and that was all.

“This place got robbed,” Rex said.

There was some hesitation with the answer. Hercules picked up on it but then realized the last time he saw the man was when Hercules ‘died’. It was true. It took some time for the prince of power to rematerialize on the current plane of existence but he was doing his best not to draw too much from the masters. Rex had freed the demi-god from the plant it’s roots deep. Fire was the only solution. Something Hercules was grateful for.

”Apologies, my friend.” Hercules helping William right himself in the chair which the teen swatted his massive hands away. Herc smiled, ”As I said I was... disposed of at the time. But I am always willing to listen.” was it praying when he heard the calls? The masters and potential new ones. It was one of the few things he loved about his curse.

”Should you wish to be able to call on me-” “Herc...” William said as he pointed to one of the few statues in the room. it was then Hercules and William looked around. Both of which were surprised by the lack of... relics of the past.

Hercules’s temper started to show. ”How? The battle was a distraction?” he thought they were there for him. Maybe they were? Robbing the place was just an added benefit. Hefting the first statue he placed it where he recalled it before and dusted off some of the chipped marble.

“Shadow is still trailing them. We can get the items back.” William said closing his eyes and visualizing his connection with the hell hound. The blue spectral owl landed on William’s shoulder and let out a loud ‘screeee’ William opened his eyes and saw Hercules lifting the second statue and walking it back into place. He also saw a group of security guards running towards them.

Turning immediately William shouted, “They robbed the place! Oh my god! Everything is gone!” the blue spectral owl vanished almost instantly.

Rex’s typical frown returned in full force as he looked around. Now that he was thinking about it, hadn’t the room been emptying out during the entire battle? Any time he used fire he always checked for fire hazards and there simply hadn’t been anything he could burn through most of the fight. Nothing to destroy or hide behind either.

He turned around. How had the fight between Hercules and Atlas not destroyed anything? Some statues had been crashed into, sure, but any bout between people like that surely would’ve caused actual destruction. Yet there was nothing.

”I don’t think this was connected…” Rex began. It didn’t make sense. Why rob a museum only when Hercules was present? Atlas had clearly been here for Hercules and William. Why intentionally make things harder on themselves?

Rex peered closer at the statues clutching the necklaces. The fingers were tightly gripped around them, in a way that should’ve been impossible unless the necklaces were threaded through a hold specifically designed for them. Except, as Rex noted, these necklaces didn’t have clasps - they were circles without beginning or end. His frown deepened. ”Father?” Rex began praying. ”Did I see this statue holding necklaces before?”

A feeling on confirmation washed over him, like a silent voice.

No.

Rex’s eyes narrowed. That meant--

The sound of footsteps and then William’s sudden yelling interrupted Rex’s train of thought.

Then the statue smiled. “Well, I guess that’s my cue to leave,” the statue of a woman in a simple robe said in a very feminine tone. “Thanks for the help, boys. I never could’ve pulled this off without your very distracting, and dare I say, exquisite display of masculine prowess. Thank you for the enchanting afternoon!”

The statue blew Rex and Hercules a kiss and then began marching out of the room with the necklaces in hand, even as the other two statues moved to block the incoming guards.

William debated calling Shadow back. If he did that he’d lose the trail of Atlas. Someone who was tracking them down. Who knew who the boy was... ‘mom’ the boy looked to Hercules concerned. But didn’t say anything. He didn’t know how much Rex knew but didn’t want to add more people their biggest weakness at the moment.

>>> “Well, I guess that’s my cue to leave,” “Thanks for the help, boys. I never could’ve pulled this off without your very distracting, and dare I say, exquisite display of masculine prowess. Thank you for the enchanting afternoon!”

”Oh?” Hercules raised his eyebrows as the statues came to life, complimented him on the show and then started to walk away. The guards that appeared were blocked by two statues who seemed to come to life as well. Only they weren’t holding any necklaces with precious stones. Hercules looked back to William who was staring at the statue confused. Continuing his act, “That statue is stealing stuff! Someone stop it!”

Not being aware that William was asking for someone else to stop it (mainly the guards) Hercules started to glow. ”I shall help!” before running out of the room charging after the statue. ”Stop thief!” before he exited the room he shouted, ”Rex of the burning blade! Protect William!” before running out of the exhibit as the guards tried to get past the statues on the other side.

“Herc! Wait! You got to be kidding me!” looking back to Rex. “She’s gonna get away!” wondering what they should do. The boy trusted Hercules to protect him with his life, it didn’t mean he trusted the summon to handle the situation they were in. Things tend to break around the demi-god.

So many things happened in such a short span of time. The statue spoke and moved as if it had a life of its own. Security guards arrived and were promptly blocked by two other living statues. Hercules took off after the third statue and jewels, after yelling for Rex to protect William.

"Hercules!" Rex yelled after the man. What in Heaven was the man doing? Why was he abandoning William right now? After several people just tried to kill him?

Rex's typical from turned into a full-on glare. If he'd been a mutant pyrokinetic, his clothes would've been burning in rage.

He tore his gaze from the door Hercules left through and marched over to William. "Can you make him come back?" he asked sternly, trying to keep the anger out of his voice. It wasn't directed at William anyhow. "We need to get you away from this place. The artifacts here are not our concern."

Rex glanced up at the guards, who were wrestling ineffectually against grinning statues, who were blocking that entryway with marble limbs. Rex's hand clenched, like an angry father unable to control what was happening around him.

And in the hallway that Hercules entered? There was an entire tableau on display.

Two statues from the gallery stood there, there hands locked around the throats of the two lackeys that had fled with Atlas. Assorted busted chunks of marble littered the floor where a third statue had attempted the same on Atlas. "It's about time you showed up," one of the statues said in that same lilting woman's voice as before. "You know what they say, if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself. I'm sorry I couldn't stop the other guy, but I can't lose all of my treasures on this, you understand. Anyways, I think this makes us even. You helped me and I helped you. Tell your boyfriend in there that I'd love another tryst like this again some day!"

Then there was no more voice and the statue's mouth froze once again.

“I can...” the boy said but was hesitant. He was helping people in chasing after the thief right? Wasn’t that one of Hercules’s rules for William? Let him help people? Would calling him breach the agreement. William didn’t call Hercules back, he knew if he did they’d have words. Unless he was in danger.

“I won’t though. Not until I have to. It draws more than I’d like to give at the moment. I still have Shadow tracking Atlas and I just summoned the owl. I’m tired.” William said honestly. Hercules trusted Rex, meaning the boy should trust Rex.

“You’re right though...” William said, “None of them are magical...” said the boy agreeing with getting out of there. Slowly William unlocked his wheels and started rolling in the direction of the exit or at least an area that wasn’t guarded by moving statues. “Mutant or magic?” William asked looking back to the hallway that Herc vanished into.

Hercules slowed from his sprint as he saw the statues holding the accomplices of Atlas. ”Oh?” he brought his hands up in a defensive position eyeing the broken statue. It was of Hera. Good. It looked better that way. The other two however were holding the struggling mystics.

”Apologies.” he said instinctively the prince of power hated making others wait for him. It was considered rude. Even if he didn’t know the statues were waiting on him. ”It doesn’t, and he isn’t my boyfriend.” the son of Zeus said finally folding his arms. The statues were silent now.

”Where are the items you stole?” Hercules asked walking closer. If Atlas destroyed one of the statues it should be easy for him as well. ”I asked you a question.” no response. He strode closer and looked to the statues and started to glow.

“Help!” one of the mystics said kicking his legs.

“We’re sorry!” the other said.

”No worries! You will make it up to me!” Hercules grinned and then started to roar with laughter....

While listening to William, Rex continued to assess their surroundings. He suddenly felt exposed, likely due to the emptiness of the large room. What was built to house a plethora of giant statues suddenly felt vast with vacancies. Not to mention they had already been ambushed there once already that night.

"Let's get you to him then," Rex said, eying the guards who were trying to figure out how to bypass priceless animated obstructionist art. Where Hercules went, there was trouble, but at least everyone would be together. Better that than isolated. Besides, they didn't need to deal with security right then. "I don't think this is a great time to be stopped for questions."

He shrugged. Who knew what was mutation or magic these days? "Doesn't matter, does it," he said. It wasn't really a question. He wasn't one to just ponder and philosophize - he was a responder. Whatever the statues were doing, they weren't actively trying to kill a child so they were the least of his concerns at the moment.

"Need a boost?" Rex asked, noting the kid's exhaustion. He didn't immediately push the wheelchair along - he knew teens could get prickly about independence. Rex wanted out quickly though, not only to avoid the gallery but also to find Hercules and figure out the game plan for what came next.

William looked over to Rex and wondered if he should tell the man about the rules Hercules had for all the masters. No, it wasn’t useful information and this man wasn’t a master. He’d learn in time if Hercules picked him. As Rex said it wasn’t the time to explain what drawbacks the god placed on those he chose. Not when it was possible they were still being listened to. William eyed a statue as he rolled past making sure not to let his guard down.

“No, I just like knowing what’s possible.” William said in all honesty. Months ago healing would have been impossible for the young boy, before that summoning an ancient Greek demi-god. Magic was still relatively new to William who absorbed the information like a sponge, he just loved the possibilities.

>>> "Need a boost?"

The teen looked back to Rex and raised an eyebrow. “Am I moving too slow for you?” slowing down he placed his hands on his lap and waited till Rex started to push behind him. Herc was the only one he let push him, it made the teen feel vulnerable exposing his back like that. However, the young summoner knew the trust placed with Rex. “..... thanks....”

They moved along until they left the room and entered the room where Hercules was standing there almost gloating to the two men being held in the air by the statues. ”How did Atlas find us?”

“Come on! Just get this thing to let go!” one shouted. “We already told you we will tell you anything you want just get us free!” the second said sounding a little more out of breath from the struggling. They were doing their best to keep them selves elevated so they wouldn’t be choked out by the now lifeless statues.

”I am a god of my word. You will be freed after you tell us everything.” Hercules said acting like they had all the time in the world because he figured they did. They were the good guys after all.

“You’re hard to miss. We’ve been following you for some time. A giant with a kid in a wheel chair. You are staying at that haven building. We just wait till you leave. Figured this was a spot good as any. Less people, no mutants. Easy pickings for our boss.”

”How long have you watching us?” Hercules asked arms still folded. The second one spoke up, “Atlas has been watching since the kid first stole the gauntlets.” Hercules rushed the man speaking faster than humanly possible.

The god’s expression changed and he was now holding the man by the throat. The marble hand that was holding him seconds ago shattered. Magic surged through Hercules. His own hand around the throat of the man speaking ”Were you the ones that cast the fire curse taking the boy’s father!?!?”

Rex didn't answer William's question. He recognized a verbal trap when he heard it. There was no good answer to "Am I moving too slow for you?" especially when the asker was a potentially prickly teen. Rex didn't care to put in all the effort to craft a reply that would circumvent all the possible pitfalls and instead merely grabbed the handles once Will stopped wheeling himself around. Rex then pushed William at a much faster pace, trying to find Hercules and get out of sight of the guards as quick as possible.

"Don't mention it," he grunted.

The scene they came upon made Rex's eyebrow quirk upward. More statues from the gallery were there, except now they seemed to be impeding two of their attackers. It was almost enough to make him smirk. Impressive work. He noted the shattered statue and the lack of Atlas, but decided two of the three (three of the four including the man they'd left in the gallery) still put them ahead.

All temptation to smile vanished as the men spoke. Now he was frowning in alarm. "Dios mio," he whispered as one hand went up to the crucifix that hung underneath his flannel shirt. This wasn't a one-off assault. This was a campaign against the kid.

Hercules seemed to come to the same conclusion and Rex watched light erupt across the man's exposed skin as magical tattoos activated and a statue was dismembered. "Hercules! No!" Rex said sharply. The hand on his crucifix shot down and to his side, fingers loose and ind in a grip as if he were holding an invisible sword. "Ease up," he ordered. A bible verse danced on the tip of his tongue as he re-evaluated the danger. He moved out from behind William, in case he needed to physically interpose himself.

William’s eyes started to tear up when he heard the words. Since he stole the gauntlets... it was his fault his mom was cursed and his father dead. Hercules glowed as he felt William open the flood gates of magical reserve he had been saving. “Don’t stop him.” William said to Rex. A blue spectral owl started to form near them. William didn't think he could take Rex in a fight but he wanted answers. This was why he made the pact with Hercules. Revenge.

The man gasped for air and grabbed the god’s hands and tried to loosen some of the tension around his neck. Hercules allowed it. He needed to speak after all. “No-not me.” the grip loosened further and the man kicked his legs as his face became less red. ”Speak! Now!”

“Don’t tell him anything! You know what happens if we talk! They’ll kill us.” With this statement Hercules looked to the other who was still being held by the other statue. ”Worry less what could happen. Worry more what will happen if you do not give us the answers we seek.” despite all his rage and anger tears were flowing down Hercules’s face he was crying because William couldn’t.

”You have no idea what you have put that boy through! Now speak!”

The grip tightened again and the words squeaked out, “F-ine... his name” the grip loosened so Hercules could hear the name, “Pro-meth---ah ah ahahhhhhhh!!!” upon the first syllable of the name uttered the curse was activated and blue flames erupted almost from within the man’s body. The sudden heat caused Hercules to step back and drop the man as he started to burn.

”Rex! Your sword!” Hercules shouted as he rushed to Willam’s side in case there was another attack.

Rex ignored the boy. Tragic as the kid's life had been, nobody had the moral right to kill right now. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the owl began to appear and Rex immediately began speaking under his breath, building energy to summon the sword. From what he'd seen, the kid's only tricks were pulling things out of nowhere. Just the kind of thing his sword was designed to destroy.

However, Rex did not need to finish the verse. He saw Hercules's grip slacken and a bit of color return to the man's face. Oh Blessed Maria, thank you for this providence! Rex eased up a notch, but his frown did not diminish. This was still a life and death situation and an interrogation.

He didn't know how prophetic that was.

"Blood of Christ!" Rex shouted in alarm as fire burst forth from the man's body. Hercules cried out for Rex's sword, but the firefighter didn't bother. He rushed the burning man, ripping his pea coat off in the process, and fell upon the man. He beat at the flames with the coat even as streams of prayer flowed from his lips. Yet the fire was not quenched. Before Rex's eyes, he saw skin rapidly blackening and burning away, exposing charred innards.

"Look away, William!" Rex shouted in horror as even he launched himself away from the conflagration, his coat carrying several flames as well, which he quickly struck against the ground to extinguish them.

In less than ten more seconds, all that was left of the man and his clothes were ash and the horrible stench of burned human flesh.

Rex was too late. The fire was magical in nature. It erupted from within. The man who was still being held by the statue still screamed and kicked as one of his crew members self combusted. Hercules stepped backwards and stood in the way of William and the sight knowing full well how stubborn the boy was.

“He’s cursed...” William said closing his nose and shaking. He wasn’t scared the exact opposite. He had a lead. They had a lead on the man who sent his mother to the hospital, crippled him and killed his father. The flames were a different color from the horses of fire that night but the feeling he got upon seeing the flames were the same. They were the same when he saw Rex’s magic. Anger.

Hercules on the other hand was openly crying. They had a lead. Prometh... whoever that was. They knew who cursed William’s family. His word was his bond and he gave William his word to help the boy, to protect them. The corpse on the ground now reduced to a fragile burnt body under Rex’s coat.

Sad someone’s life was extinguished he looked to Rex, ”Can you prevent that from happening again?” there was still one left to interrogate. The jewels and artwork gone. The person who controlled the statues gone. The first lead they had in months... gone. All that was left was another terrified captive. One Hercules hoped wouldn’t burst into flames.

”Who is this Prometh?” Hercules asked half expecting his own body to burst into flames. It didn’t. William sighed behind Hercules loudly, smart enough to put it all together. ”It’s Prometheus.... they had an Atlas. Titans.” Hercules folded his arms irritated the names of his former life were being brought to life.