Chapter 125: Heracles

(3rd Person's POV)

The colossal club hung frozen in mid-air, inches from shattering bone and sinew. Heracles, eyes bloodshot and feral, gaped at the impossible scene: his wife, Deianeira, casually deflecting the blow with her bare hands.

Wait. But that wasn't Deianeira. The face held a chilling mockery, the familiar features twisted into a cruel mask.

A primal roar ripped from Heracles' throat, shattering the illusion. Madness, stoked by betrayal, consumed him utterly.

"GUAA!" he bellowed, a whirlwind of fury as he launched at the imposter. Famed throughout Greece for his strength, even gods trembled before his might.

Yet...

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

With uncanny grace, the figure danced away from each thunderous blow, a chilling smile plastered on his face. Heracles roared again, bringing down his club in a earth-shaking blow.

Just as the wood connected, the figure's smirk widened. "Hold, Heracles," he taunted, voice smooth as silk. "My turn now."

With a lightning-fast movement, he unleashed a fist that met Heracles squarely in the jaw.

BAM!

The sound of fracturing bone echoed through the air, the very air itself exploding outwards from the sheer force. Heracles, the eight-foot colossus, was sent hurtling through the air like a ragdoll.

One question burned in his mind, replacing the red haze of madness: Who was this frail-looking warrior who packed such devastating power?

He landed with a thud, the world blurring as his face miraculously knitted itself back together. Though madness still tinged his vision, a new hunger replaced it – the thrill of a worthy opponent. Heracles had never met a warrior who could not only withstand his blows but answer them in kind.

"Good! Let it out, big man," the figure chuckled, twirling a spear with unsettling ease. "Let the madness fuel your rage! Now, come dance with me!"

"GWA!" Heracles let out a war cry that rattled the heavens, charging once more with his club held high. The air crackled with anticipation as the two figures met in a clash that shook the very foundations of the battlefield.

---

Atalanta peered through the trees, her keen eyes glued to the epic duel unfolding before her. She gripped her bow tighter, its smooth wood a stark contrast to the raw power clashing in the clearing. Though she had arrived to aid Titus in his quest against Heracles, this battle transcended her involvement. It was a spectacle demanding only awe.

With each mighty blow, the landscape contorted. Rocks exploded into dust, trees were reduced to splinters. The earth itself trembled under the fury of their exchange. Atalanta found herself holding her breath, the fight captivating her senses.

"Titus..." she whispered, her voice thick with astonishment, "He's...powerful."

Titus, once known as Hippomenes, bore the unassuming air of a commoner. His average stature and humble demeanor had masked a truth Atalanta was only now witnessing. This seemingly ordinary man harbored a warrior's spirit she had never glimpsed before.

Their journey had begun just days ago, a desperate search for the abandoned children. It was then that Titus had revealed the chilling truth about Heracles' madness and his murderous intent towards his own family. Despite her awe of Heracles' legendary Twelve Labors, Atalanta, bound by friendship to both husband and wife, agreed to intervene. Saving the children was paramount, and Hercules, despite his descent into madness, remained a fellow Argonaut, once a comrade.

Together, they had convinced Heracles' family to flee the impending storm of madness. It was then that Titus, much to Atalanta's initial horror, had declared his intention to face Heracles alone. The strongest warrior in Greece, a towering titan compared to Titus' seemingly frail frame, Heracles seemed an insurmountable foe.

But now, understanding dawned on Atalanta. Titus, true to his words, held his own against the demigod.

"L-Lady Atalanta," a bewildered voice broke the silence. It was Megara, Heracles' wife, her eyes wide with disbelief as she witnessed the battle from afar. "Who is this young warrior who dares face Lord Heracles?"

"He is my frie—" Atalanta hesitated, then shook her head with a smile. Pride filled her voice as she declared, "He is Titus, my husband."

---

(Titus's POV)

With each successive attack, Heracles's rage seemed to fuel his speed and precision. Even in his berserk state, his tactics were formidable. However, my own skills were equally matched, if not superior. The (Emperor of War EX) skill I possessed was not for show. Heracles's strikes, capable of pulverizing stones, were formidable, yet I faced them head-on without faltering.

By my estimation, Heracles was at level 76. Despite his divine heritage, he was not a match for me, especially considering he had yet to complete all his labors.

"Huff* Let's get this over with," I smirked, wiping blood from my lips.

"GUAAA!!!" Heracles charged, his body adorned with spearheads I had thrust into him.

But before he could swing his weapon at me again, I tapped the base of my spear against the ground.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The spearheads embedded in Heracles exploded one after another, sending the giant demigod reeling backward. Without hesitation, my spear transformed, its form changing like a whip, and I ensnared Heracles's neck with the glowing cord of Rhongomyniad.

"Let's give you a ride, big guy," I grinned, swinging the 300 kg demigod as if he were mere prey caught in my snare, before hurling him towards a nearby hill.

BOOM!

Heracles crashed into the hill, reducing it to rubble. Taking a deep breath, I approached the fallen demigod. Though his wounds were healing, he was utterly drained of strength.

"Grr..." Heracles growled, his consciousness fading.

I smiled and raised my fist. "Sleep for now, greatest Greek hero."

BAM!

With that final blow, I hoped to grant Heracles the respite he desperately needed, even if only temporarily, from the curse that tormented him.

---

The news hung heavy in the air. "Cursed by Hera, the goddess herself," Heracles muttered, his voice thick with disbelief.

I revealed the truth to him of being plagued by the jealous rage of Zeus's wife. As he awoke, I explained his madness, the cruel hand Hera dealt him, but he seemed innocent of any wrongdoing that would spark such envy.

"But fear not, Heracles," I assured him, using his name with respect. "The curse is gone. I lifted it."

Having tackled the curse of Scathach myself, emerging only slightly hairier in the process, removing Heracles's burden wasn't a daunting task.

His eyes widened in surprise, and he rose to his full height, towering like a mountain.

"Lord Hippomenes," he boomed, his voice filled with gratitude, "you are my savior, a true warrior. This debt I shall never forget." He bowed, his immense form nearly scraping the ceiling.

The conversation shifted, and his gaze turned towards Atalanta. "Tell me, Atalanta," Heracles asked, his voice playful, "how did you snare such a magnificent warrior?"

Atalanta's cheeks flushed. "It was...unplanned," she stammered, flustered. "Just a twist of fate."

"But you are a huntress sworn to chastity," Heracles pointed out, a hint of concern in his voice. Marriage, in their traditional Greek society, was primarily for family creation. Atalanta's vow seemed incompatible with such a union.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Indeed, Atalanta is my wife, but I respect her choice. We share new goals now." I gently stroked her head, sending another wave of crimson to her cheeks.

Heracles' laughter echoed through the room. "I see! You earn my respect, Lord Hippomenes."

"Call me Titus when we are alone," I offered, before turning to him with a question. "You mentioned completing four Labors, is that correct?"

He confirmed, stating he had eight remaining. "So, these trials are known as Labors," he chuckled, "interesting. Do you, Titus, know what the future holds?"

After a thoughtful pause, I nodded. "I do," I smiled. "If you are willing, I can guide you through them, showing you a way to avoid entanglements of fate and unnecessary tragedies."

Heracles' face hardened.

"I admit," He said, "I was arrogant to think I could go it alone. The mere thought of harming my own family...it chilled me to the bone." He locked eyes with me. "Titus, I am ready. Lead the way. You have my trust."

A smirk played on my lips as I nodded. "Very well."

---

(3rd Person's POV)

The sun warmed Atalanta's back as she watched Titus play with Heracles' children. They tumbled and giggled in the grass, their voices ringing with carefree joy. Titus, she noted, moved with surprising ease, his strength tempered by a gentle patience as he coaxed shy smiles from the little ones.

A pang of longing pricked her heart. She'd seen glimpses of Titus raising children during his "missions," his care and love evident in every interaction. The image of herself and Titus with their own children flickered in her mind, but she swiftly banished it. Her vow, her path as a huntress, made such dreams forbidden.

"Atalanta..." Heracles' voice startled her. He stood beside her, his massive arms folded across his chest.

Their time together on the Argo had been brief, but despite their different paths, respect bloomed between them.

"Lord Hippomenes is a man of exceptional character," Heracles continued, his gaze fixed on the children. "His strength is matched only by his compassion and unwavering morals. His wisdom alone could guide you to achieving any goal you set your mind to. Though I may not be skilled in offering advice, I urge you, Atalanta, to cherish his honor and never betray his trust."

Atalanta felt a blush creep up her neck. A hero like Heracles praising Titus...it meant something. And deep down, she knew he was right. In this world of deceit and treachery, Titus was a beacon of truth.

"I won't," she said, her voice firm with conviction. In the chaos of their adventures, she had found someone she could trust, and that knowledge brought a sliver of comfort to her restless heart.

---

(Titus's POV)

Two weeks at Heracles' place flew by, and it was time for Atalanta and I to depart. "Bye, bye, big guy," I waved to Heracles and his family.

Atalanta mirrored my gesture, a warm smile lighting up her face as she watched them. "They look happy," she remarked, her hair dancing in the wind. "Those children will have the love they deserve." Her words tugged at my heart, not just for their beauty, but for the genuine emotion behind them.

We set off, and as we walked, I pulled up the system panel.

[Do you wish to transfer the skill (Blessing of Hades A) to Atalanta for 50,000 LPs?]

It was the skill I had copied from Heracles after he completed his fifth labor – slaying Cerberus. He'd even received a blessing from Hades himself, the lord of the underworld, along with the infamous cloak of invisibility. While missing a chance to meet my favorite Greek God was a bummer, I had to steer clear of the trinity gods at all costs.

Having copied the blessing as a skill, I decided to transfer it to Atalanta. My Presence Concealment skill offered enough protection for myself, but Atalanta could be vulnerable if a deity decided to mess with her. With Hades' blessing, Zeus wouldn't be able to see her within his domain, offering her much-needed protection.

"Did… did you do something?" Atalanta stopped, her gaze filled with surprise.

"Just a little something," I winked. "Transferred the Blessing of Hades to you. No more jealous gods bothering you."

"You can do that?!" Her jaw dropped.

"Yup. And here, take this too," I presented her with the cloak.

"Cloak of invisibility?" Her eyes widened. "B-but Heracles gave this to you…?"

I winked. "And I give it to my wife. What's wrong with a little caution?"

Atalanta blushed, accepting the gift without further argument. She knew a protest would only lead to more teasing.

But a different worry seemed to linger on her face. When I asked, she admitted, "It's just… Is it true about Hera cursing Heracles?"

I sighed. "Yes, it's true. But whether you believe it or not is up to you."

I understood that as a devout follower, Atalanta might struggle with this revelation, but she had to come to terms with the fact that the queen of the gods could be more malevolent than any demon. Even Artemis, whom she revered, had a contentious past, such as when she transformed Actaeon into a stag simply because he accidentally saw her bathing.

"No... It just..." Atalanta bit her lip, grappling with her thoughts, when she felt a gentle touch on her head.

"Atalanta, it will be hard to accept the truth, but don't push yourself. Whatever you stand for, I will stand with you and protect you at all costs, even if it means raising my weapon against all the gods," I assured her, offering comfort with a gentle pat.

"Thank you..." she murmured, her blush deepening. Then, in a playful tone, she added, "By the way, you've been petting me like I'm some sort of animal. Is this a new trend?"

"Oh, I didn't notice," I retracted my hand, apologetic. "Sorry, I didn't realize you didn't like it."

"It's not that... I don't like it," Atalanta mumbled, barely audible.

"What was that?" I asked, curious.

"Nothing! Humph!" she huffed, suddenly dashing ahead.

I chuckled to myself, "Hehe, this adventure is going to be interesting," and eagerly followed after Atalanta, looking forward to whatever lay ahead on our journey.

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