Chapter 7: Of Gods and Men

'Whatever strategy you two are discussing over there won't work against me,' boasted Heracles.

James ignored the obvious taunt and then split his ax in two. As if reading James' thoughts, the blades melted into his gauntlets and created two inch spikes on the knuckles of each hand.

James smashed his fists together as red lightning began to arc from the impact. Mjölnir shrank to a smaller size as Gabriel hooked the hammer on his waist. His vambraces extended, covering the knuckles with both hands with the fingers exposed and knuckle parts made of the same stone material as the hammer.

'You're sure this will work?,' Gabriel asked James.

'Positive. Heracles has fought against monsters and maybe a few men. I'm guessing he doesn't know about how humans fight these days.'

Heracles, finally growing impatient, decided to charge at the two kings. Club raised above his head, Heracles slammed downwards. Gabriel and James both leaped to the side to avoid being caught within range of any follow up attacks.

'You run away like cowards,' Heracles laughed.

'And you're birthed from an incest relationship,' James said while flipping off Heracles.

The taunt worked just as James predicted.

Heracles sprinted towards James and swung his club like a baseball aiming for the head. James took a half step back as the wind pressure from the attack brushed his face. Heracles swung with a back and James weaved in the same direction while making sure to stay only inches from Heracles' range.

'Big man! All that fuckin muscle and no strength to back it up with. Maybe you should be called the God of Weakness instead,' taunted James again.

Heracles roared in anger and started swinging the club wildly in blind fury. James easily avoided the swings making sure that Heracles stayed focused on him. James weaved one more attack then delivered a left hook to Heracles' ribs.

James felt the ribs crack from the blow then put some space between himself and Heracles leaving the demi-god holding onto his side in pain.

'Well?,' asked Gabriel.

'He isn't invincible. I felt his ribs crack from the left hook I delivered,' James explained. 'What did you observe?'

'He has no technique whatsoever. No defense, and he exposes his weaknesses with each attack he makes. He's relying on brute strength and one-shot kill hits.'

'You think he's a grappler,' James asked.

'He did wrestle and kill a lion with his bare hands,' responded Gabriel.

'We have to fight him together. You remember my combos?,' asked James.

'I've been watching you fight for five years dude.'

James closed his eyes and started to take deep breaths and calm down his heart. A ritual he had always done before the bell rang inside the octagon. He opened his eyes, widened his stance, and put up his fists.

'You ain't gotta hold back anymore James,' Gabriel said.

A wicked half-smile spread across James face.

Heracles felt a chill go down his spine. He looked up to see the mortals staring at not with fear, but malice. These two men emitted a bloodlust so strong that it made the demi-god take a defensive stance for the first time in his entire life.

Unfortunately for Heracles it would also be the last time as well.

'I do understand. Why are the mortals getting serious now? Shouldn't they have been since the beginning of the fight?,' asked Zeus as more gods had gathered around to watch the fight on the screen. Thor had the screen enlarged to accommodate for the crowd that was increasing in size.

'You're son would know about that. Wouldn't you? Ares,' said Shango, not taking his eyes off the battle.

Silent, yet highly observant, the God of War nodded before speaking.

'The mortals were testing him. Measuring Heracles' range, and fighting style. Looking for weaknesses that could be exposed when he attacks, and gaps in his defense. Heracles is used to one shooting his enemies, killing them instantly. He may have superior strength, this is true, but he isn't invulnerable.'

'So?,' asked Zeus.

A joyful smile formed on Ares' face.

'Your son will die, father.'

"Why!?" Thought Heracles as an uppercut rocked his brain inside of skull.

"Why am I losing!?"

Heracles backhanded James into a pillar taking pride in the small victory. His pride was quickly diminished as Gabriel delivered a blow to Heracles' kidney. Heracles, not used to feeling pain, roared in anger wildly swinging at anything that was within his reach. James quickly recovered from being stunned and sprinted at Heracles.

James ducked one of Heracles' attacks and kicked him in the stomach.

Giving the demi-god no time to recover, James delivered two jabs to the face and finished the combo with a right hook to the face. That hook made Heracles turn to the side only to see a right cross from Gabriel strike the side of his face. The demi-god could not keep up with the speed and power of the two mortals. They attacked parts of his body that he didn't even think to protect. Each time Heracles regained his vision, another blow was dealt to his face. Heracles was losing.

'Wait!,' Heracles yelled, and held up hand as a fist with spiked knuckles stopped inches from his face. James pulled back his arm but remained on guard.

'Wait for what?,' James asked.

'You're James right?', Heracles asked.

James narrowed his eyes.

'I know about you. About your sister. I-'

James delivered a haymaker, making Heracles fly back into a roll. James ran after Heracles then kicked him in the face. Heracles spat up blood.

'What do you know about Nicole!?,' James roared.

Who..who knows,' laughed Heracles

'At least she wasn't raped like Gabriel's sister.'

Gabriel grabbed Heracles by the ankle, and slammed him into the norse pillar.

Heracles bounced off the pillar and slid down. James delivered a spartan kick to his face then grabbed Heracles by the face and slammed the back of his head against the pillar.

'Where is she!?,' demanded James.

'Probably getting gangbang by some gods! Ha!'

A haymaker to the face.

'Where. Is. My. Sister.'

'Who knows'

James slammed Heracles into the pillar. He grabbed Heracles by the wrists of both arms and swung him towards Gabriel, who grabbed the ankles.

'Last chance Heracles,' warned James.

'The Banished One has her. He has her trapped in the Lightless space! Now show me mercy. I beg of you!,' Heracles pleaded.

"Pathetic", James thought to himself. James released his grip so Gabriel could slam Heracles into the ground. Heracles somehow managed to stand up and was tackled into the ground.

James began to deliver heavy blows to the demi-gods face. Blood splattered in all directions. Heracles could not even defend himself as James kept punching him over and over again.

"Ah. So this is what it feels like to die"

James kept punching Heracles even though the demi-god died after the fifth hit. James hit the life body on more time making the mountain shake for within.

'James', Gabriel called.

'What man?'

James was breathing heavily after he stopped his barrage.

'How did he know?'

'I…I don't know.'

The two kings watched as the lifeless body of Heracles began to fade into golden shimmering light.

'I'll see you tomorrow James?', asked Gabriel.

James said nothing and snapped his fingers opening a portal.

'Yeah.'

James walked through it and it closed.

"Player had logged out"

Gabriel took a deep sigh of relief.

'What the hell is going on in this game?' He said to himself before logging out.