'This isn't good' I thought, dodging a punch thrown by Heracles that tore through the air, leaving deep slashes in the ground behind me. His tattoos were spreading faster now, glowing with an ominous energy. Every sense of his was heightened, his reactions sharper, his strength even more monstrous. Each time I tried to get close or send a Cursed Slash his way, he either blocked it or forced me back. It was becoming a desperate game of cat and mouse.
My cursed magic reserves were draining quickly, far too quickly to keep up this pace much longer. But I wasn't out of options, not yet. I just needed an opening.
Heracles' right arm suddenly bulged, doubling in size. "Apheles Heros!" he roared as he swung at me with a mighty blow.
This was it. The best opening I could've asked for.
The punch grazed the left side of my face, sending a sharp sting through my skin. I rushed in, channeling what felt like the last of my cursed magic into Muramasa. My katana glowed a vibrant, furious red as I thrust it toward Heracles' chest.
The blade erupted with concentrated energy, exploding outward. Heracles was blasted back several feet, the force of the attack catching him off guard. But I wasn't finished. Before he even hit the ground, I was already rushing at him again, my legs burning with the effort. Heracles managed to land on his feet, and he bellowed out, his voice filled with fierce pride.
"Warrior Ryou!"
Our eyes locked as we charged at each other once more, neither of us willing to back down.
I raised Muramasa, and Heracles raised his massive fist. They collided with a thunderous force between us, and it became clear who had more strength left in reserve. Heracles was far less exhausted, his raw power pushing me back as my feet dug into the ground, trying to hold my position.
Realizing I couldn't win in a direct clash, I pulled back suddenly, letting the momentum of his swing carry him off balance. I seized the opportunity, channeling every remaining ounce of strength I had into Muramasa, and slashed at Heracles neck with all my might.
He reacted faster than I anticipated, swinging his severed arm towards my right side, where my open wound was. Pain shot through me as I felt my ribs crack under the force of the blow, but I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, forcing the katana deeper into his neck. Blood poured from the wound as I tried to sever his head, but before I could finish, Heracles struck my ribs again, sending me stumbling backward.
I crashed to the ground, gasping for air, my body screaming in pain. I forced myself onto one knee, barely holding Muramasa steady. Across from me, Heracles had also dropped to a knee, his neck wound gushing but his resolve unshaken.
'I can't take another hit to the side' I thought, my vision blurring. But there was no room for hesitation now.
I forced myself to speak through ragged breaths. "H-how about we finish this, Heracles?"
Heracles rose slowly to his feet, his body battered but his spirit unbroken. "Agreed," he replied, his voice filled with a mix of respect and determination. He readied himself for one final attack, and I did the same.
This was it. The last clash.
-With the Gods-
The tension among the gods watching the battle was palpable. Aphrodite, couldn't take her eyes off Heracles, her adopted brother. As much as she hated to admit it, the human, Ryou, had managed to push not only Zeus but now Heracles to their limits. It was something she couldn't comprehend. "Disgusting human," she muttered to herself. 'though, his body is quite the treat.'
Ares, on the other hand, felt a thrill that hadn't stirred in him for centuries. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched his brother, Heracles battle fiercely. He was surprised, yet proud, of how much Heracles had grown, how much further he'd pushed himself, even against this human. "I didn't expect this… A battle worth watching," he muttered under his breath, fists clenching with anticipation.
Hermes, as always, observed quietly. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, his mind already crafting the next song for whichever fighter would fall. But he wasn't sure yet how this one would end. Both Ryou and Heracles were pushing beyond their limits, he could sense it.
Zeus, however, wore a knowing smirk. His eyes sparkled with anticipation as if he was the only one who truly understood the depths of what was unfolding. "Hoho~ things are finally getting started" he muttered with amusement. Several gods turned towards him, confused by his words.
"What do you mean? This is clearly their final stand. Neither of them can take much more," one of the gods asked.
Zeus laughed again, not even bothering to glance at who had spoken. "Hoho~ That's where you're wrong. When I faced that human, he should've been out of that odd magic… but he wasn't. And now, sitting here watching, I see why." His smirk grew wider as he continued. "And Heracles… hasn't used that Labor yet, has he?"
A murmur of confusion spread through the gods until Ares' eyes widened in realization. He turned back to the fight with a knowing smile, his excitement growing. "I see now. If that's the case, then it's true… this battle has only just begun."
Zeus let out another laugh.
-With Brunhilde and the others-
Brunhilde stood on edge, her eyes flickering between the battlefield and the laughing figure of Zeus in the distance. The tension in the air was thick, almost unbearable. She couldn't decide if she wanted Ryou to win or if she wanted Heracles to win. One thing was certain, this battle would end in death.
Göll, her voice trembling, broke the silence. "U-uhm, is Z-Zeus laughing?"
Everyone turned to look, including Kojiro and Hrist, who were still recovering from their own battle. Looked towards where Zeus sat, he was laughing.
"T-that can't be good" Göll added, anxiety clear in her voice.
Kojiro, ever the experienced swordsman, wore a grim expression. "I couldn't catch everything he said, but it was something about Heracles not using something yet. Whatever it is... it might be the deciding factor."
Jack the Ripper, his usual unsettling calm present, spoke up next. "I believe Ryou will be alright. After all... it's a good thing his coat is red." His cryptic words earned no reactions.
Brunhilde's mind raced as she tried to piece it all together. What was Zeus hinting at? What hadn't Heracles used yet? "Could it be… something from one of Heracles' Labors?" she wondered aloud, the weight of the question lingering in the air.
No one had an answer, but whatever it was, they would find out soon. The final clash was approaching, and whether it was a secret technique or a hidden reserve of power, Zeus's laughter signaled that Heracles wasn't done yet.
Brunhilde clenched her fists.