Chapter 32

It was strange, weird, yet all around incredible.

Hercules...could talk.

"Come on!" Jason cried out as he was on his knees where before him stood Hercules. Who was looking a lot more different, his face less savage, softer, and no freaky portusions coming from his elbows. All in all, a less of a monster and more of a man kind of thing. Jason having his scroll out and waving it. "Just say I'm the greatest on my recorder."

Or at least he could talk until now.

Hercules shook his head.

"Why!?" He lamented.

"Just give it up Jason." On the other side of the room is Atalanta, who is outfitting her arrows with Dust Crystals while absorbing a few for herself. "After last night, he hasn't spoken since."

"But how come?" Jason wondered and looked toward her. Hercules then pointed at his throat with Atalanta understanding.

"Because apparently after all that roaring at the top of his lungs and the water Dust entering his throat, his vocal cords are rather messed up." Frankly, it was amazing he was even capable of speaking that one time considering all the abuse he put his poor throat through after all that time.

"Dammit!" Jason mutters getting up. "Well, at least Hercules is no longer insane. I still can't believe he's now normal." He didn't even know how that was even possible. Though then again none of them did. The most they figured was that maybe this strange Singularity was the cause, or some other unknown factor. Well whatever it was, it seemed to have lifted the Mad Enchantment from Berserker making him normal.

While he was more or less silent and spoke no words like before, he was no longer the guy that went through the door breaking it. Accidentally crushing the toilet while sitting in it. Breaking pencils, chairs, and Dust crystals with his bare hands. Nope, all that was now behind him.

Crack.

The crate he had been sitting on said otherwise, but hey, he was better.

"Which reminds me," Jason then looked around their humble home, aka, another White Fang base in Vale while Hercules dusted himself off and stood up as always. Jason and Medea (Lily) had looted some of the Fang members from last night and stole their scrolls, wallets, and even their house keys. One of the scrolls then showing a base they could use, though had some faunus there.

Some persuasion and an arrow pointed between their eyes got them to leave.

"Where's Medea (Lily)?" He hasn't seen her since that horrible excuse Atalanta made called breakfast. He could still feel the burns in his throat.

"I think something about meeting someone." Atalanta told him. "I believe another Servant."

"Oh!" Jason then angrily spoke in fury. "It better not be those dirty traitors, the Hassans! How dare they get the galls in playing a part with Hercules death!" Atalanta rolled her eyes, knowing that had things been different Jason would have betrayed them first. Though even she felt some anger about them.

Sure she understood their reasons, and respected that decision. However, that didn't make their actions last night any less dire to her, and are now on her hit list. Just below Jason.

"No, I believe she isn't meeting them." Atalanta responds as she made certain her arrows were alright. Putting it down to then clean her gifted bow. "Most likely either Sigurd, who is part of Atlas now," Figues. That man was a soldier before. "Or maybe Sanzang. Last I recall, she's here somewhere in the city."

"So that makes us, the Hassan, Sanzang, Sigurd, that fool Avenger, and possibly others elsewhere. Man there are a lot of Servants here." Jason ignored his teammates' looks. Looks that accused him righteously that he's the reason they're here in the first place along with the others. "Still though, I wonder why she's visiting one of them? Knowing her it's not for some strategic value or plan, but to have a tea party I bet." The other two Argonauts could only nod in agreement.

Hercules then grunted, and while he hadn't said a word Jason instantly understood. You don't be best friends with a once near mindless man who only roared without learning some meaning here and there.

"Why yes Hercules, I do have a plan." Jason smugly grinned as he then walked in the center of the room, catching the two Servants attention. "Alright then, listen up folks. As you all know ever since we got here we've been facing one set back after another."

'I wonder why?' Atalanta sarcastically thought.

"Lost in the forest. Language problems. Thrown in jail. Betrayal. Homelessness. Plans going wrong. Heck, we're nowhere near our goal of taking over Vale. Even worse, we're only the second most wanted people after that Torchwick fool! Hell! What did he do to get that number one position!?" Jason exasperated.

"Constantly stealing from the city. Evading local police and Huntsmen. Assault on many crime families. Not to mention the most recent dock heist and now the Paladin incident with destruction all over." Atalanta responded, having seen the news. Yep. All those things would certainly make Roman number one, much to Jason's frustration.

"Moving on," Jason just groaned. "We keep running into these problems, and now we know for a fact that we'll be facing other Servants against us." Yeah, that'll be a problem all right. It was one thing facing the residents of this world, but now the Servants too. Not good.

"Luckily, we have the mighty (sane) Hercules with us." Jason then bragged out of nowhere with Atalanta just rolling her eyes. "Still, sad as it is, Hercules can't be everywhere at once. Plus something tells me we haven't faced the top dogs of this city just yet." Aside from Ozpin, they actually haven't faced to much opposition. Sure a few obstacles here and there, but nothing much from that.

That luck won't last though. Jason could feel it. His honed instincts were warning him, that eventually they'll face something that could threaten them. Perhaps top tier Servants. Maybe others who could use magic that can harm them. Or maybe even some ultra powerful Grimm.

'We should also be wary of the cunning individuals.' Roman Torchwick came to Jason's mind. While he now despised the thief for killing his friend, he wasn't dumb enough not to give credit where it was due. Atalanta gave her report from last night and he realized that despite being a regular human, that thief managed to do the impossible and become a hero killer by taking away one of Hercules' lives. Though he should have figured something like this may have happened.

After all, in legends humans did all sorts of amazing things in life that people could have considered impossible tasks. Fighting dragons, a God, demonic beasts, challenging powerful warriors. In a way, a Servant was no different when compared to the great challenges regular humans faced.

If a human can beat a dragon, then what's not to say they can't beat a Servant. It was difficult, but just as someone somehow became a dragon slayer, a person can become a hero slayer as well. So if that thief can do it, then what about other individuals?

"Basically put, we're going to have to be more careful." He announced to his team members. "Not only do we have Servants against us, but we may face special humans too. Humans that can beat us if they're smart enough, lucky enough, and of course determined enough as well."

Hercules and Atalanta agreed. They also knew that while tough, humans under the right circumstances can defeat a Servant. While many would say that was impossible with powers like theirs, at the end of the day nothing is truly invincible. Word in Chaldea had it that the King of Heroes himself lost to mere mortals three times.

Though that information was a bit unreliable since the source came from Avenger, All the World's Evils.

Whatever the case, with their conditions which is that near human level, they couldn't get cocky. Hercules was one thing, capable of having multiple lives, but they didn't. One wrong mistake, one wrong move, then bam, boom, they were gone to the dust. Literally.

"Which is why I have a new plan." Jason then told them both with his ever smug grin. "At the moment we're doing fine, but I think we can do better. We need to make a plan so big, so daring, that people will notice us and just maybe...praise our names for the heroes we really are."

Now that certainly got their attention. Atalanta then said, "Heroes. I thought you liked being a villain?"

"It's been cool being a dashing, handsome, criminally good, lavish, stylish-"

Hercules groaned with a raise of his fist.

"Ahem." Jason coughed up. "But, uh, at the end of the day, being the number one villain is really just passing time. Instead, we should become so good and famous, that the city will practically hand us the city itself."

The two Argonauts looked at each other, a bit hesitant in agreeing with this idea. After a second they then shrugged as this hasn't been the first plan of insanity they agreed with in the past. I mean, better than running around in the night scaring and mugging people. Atalanta being sick of Jason having her be a damsel for lustful men to attack her. She didn't even want to describe the outfit Jason gave her that showed a bit too much skin than she liked. Being aware those thugs had been staring at her butt and chest.

How Jason managed to get her to wear it, she never knew. Curse his way of words.

"Alright, we're in." Atalanta gave in accepting the plan with Hercules in tow. Deciding to tell Medea (Lily) about the plan later. "However, we're exactly do we start?"

"Simple." Jason smiled while taking out a scroll. "Our animal friends were kind enough to leave reminders on their message app. And while I can't read it fully, it seems we'll be headed on a trip outside Vale. So pack your travel outfits everyone, we're going t o Mount Glenn!"

"Excellent job boss!"

"You were incredible!"

"To actually kill one of the best! Outstanding!"

"You really are an awesome dad!"

Roman was having a...rather interesting day.

After last night he instantly hit the sack, too tired to care about anything, including Cinder's call which he hung up. Considering the crap he went through yesterday, he felt it was justified. Then when he woke up this morning, praise all around, a small ice cream cake from Neo no doubt, and pats on the back.

"Uh…" Roman just said, still tired and not even wearing his ever formal white suit and bowler hat. Just in a black shirt and his usual jeans. "...Thanks?"

"Have no modesty Mr. Torchwick." Cursed Arm, or should he even be called that considering the lack of said arm, then told him. "What you did truly was an incredible feat. To kill Hercules, even if only temporarily, isn't easy even for Servants like us."

"Not to mention you're human too." Hundred Persona smirked. "I mean, yeah Hercules wasn't at full strength,but he was still loads times stronger than the people here, yet you managed to kill him. Heck, nearly drown him."

"It was amazing." Serenity gave a curt bow.

"Exactly!" Abigail smiled at him. "Lots of people in Chaldea would certainly think high of your deed." Then challenge him to see what he's capable of. Something told Abigail though her newfound father won't win against that.

'Was pretty cool.' Neo gave a playful smirk to Roman. Having seen the battle near the end and was amazed that Roman pulled it off. Heck, she didn't even think she could do it, and would have probably been a frozen statue in that monster's presence. But as expected, her boss took a high-risk gable and won.

"Right…?" Roman said still weary from yesterday as he then sat down and chugged some milk to get his brain started. "In any case, I'm just glad that guy is gone. Can't believe this place of yours had him under control. Can't believe that clown Jason can control him."

"Yes. A fool he is, but he has earned the Berserkers loyalty." Cursed Arm admitted in reluctance. He may not like Jason, but there's a reason he and many other Servants didn't go trying to hurt him. Because Hercules would be there to stop them. So unless Jason did something stupid to allow pain, the first trail to beat him up was through Greek's greatest warrior. 'And nobody wants that.' Cursed Arm shuddered.

"Still, aside from Hercules we now have to deal with other Servants." Hundred Persona then reminded them.

'You mean like that sword wielder?' Neo thought out loud with her scroll with text written on it.

"Correct." Serenity told her. "No doubt the Argonauts and Sigurd with possibly others will now strike at us. Especially when Jason has Hercules strike back at us." Without the Chaldea Masters, fair game was upon them.

"Now hold on just a second." Roman then interrupted. Putting his hand out. "I get Jason and the other two, but I just killed Hercules. As scary as that was." He whispered that last part.

"Huh-oh. Oh!" Cursed Arm then chuckled, confusing the two humans of the room. "I get it. I can see why you think that." Cursed Arm then looked at Roman. "Yeah. Hercules is still alive." He then said bluntly.

"...Whu?" Roman said stupidly.

"Unfortunately you only took out one life of many." Hundred Persona told her employer. "You'd need to take out at least another ten more."

"Not to mention," Serenity added in a tone Roman took seriously. "He has a...power that allows him to adapt. So it's likely he's already immune to the Gram dagger you shot at him."

For a moment, Roman just stayed silent. Wondering if they were just joking with him. He then felt a tiny hand patting his leg. It was from Abigail, with eyes having a hint of pity in them. "Don't worry father, I'll protect you."

At the thought of that monster of a man being alive, one of his guards now de-armed, and now a little girl proclaiming to protect him, not to mention being forced to go to Mount Glenn...He now only had one thought because of that. 'This sucks.'

He then just grabbed his packet of cigars, and ignoring the protest of Abigail who tried grabbing it from his mouth, Roman could only say one thing to this strange band of weirdos with him. "To success. Yay."

Hopefully things won't get worse.

"Hi Sanzang!"

"Hi Medea (Lily)!"

The two Casters were now meeting each other outside school grounds. Medea (Lily) having made contact with the followers of Buddha with Sanzang doing the same. Unlike the other Servants, the two had no qualms with meeting with each other despite the fact the Servants can now kill each other. That was just how sweet these two were.

"Hey Sanzang, that's a nice outfit." Medea (Lily) commented as the two sat down on the bench, the older Caster sitting down crossed legged.

"You think so?" The monk asked, basking in the compliment. "Yeah. Apprentice got this for me."

"Apprentice?" Medea (Lily) tilted her head in a cute manner. "Who's that."

"Him." Sanzang then took out her own scroll which Sun gifted her and showed a picture of the monkey faunus. Medea (Lily)'s own eyes opening wide.

"Isn't that the guy from your legend?"

"Yep!" Sanzang nodded. "It's so nice to see him again. We hang together, eat together, have fun together with even some training. Though, he wouldn't let me sleep with him even though we did so during the old days. Or take nice baths together." He must be really shy.

Medea (Lily) just sighed and shook her head at her fellow Caster's obliviousness. Then a sparkle of mischief then came onto her eyes as she smiled. Jason is a bad influence on her. "Sounds like to me you two are dating." She coyly said, causing Sanzang to turn red at her cheeks.

"W-w-wha!" She then waved her hands and head rapidly. "N-no! We're just, uh," The Caster tried thinking of a word, tapping her two index fingers together. Medea (Lily) giggled as she then decided to help her out.

"Friends?"

"Y-yes! Friends!" Sanzang agreed. "We're just friends. Master and apprentice. No different from two boys hanging out."

"You mean like them?" Sanzang then followed where Medea (Lily) was pointing at. Where she then saw Sun hanging with Neptune, both their arms locked onto each other. Smiling and laughing.

"Hmp!" Sanzang just turned away pouting. Especially when she saw the two approach that cat girl Blake. The way her apprentice looked at her, tried going near her, hanging with her...Going to the dance with her. Suddenly her mood was plummeting at that thought, with a slight pain in her chest for some reason. She must have eaten something bad.

Medea (Lily)'s eyes glowed. She sees it. She sees it. Those eyes, those were of a Maiden in love! She looked at Sanzang and then Sun, remembering how they were Master and Apprentice, or otherwise a teacher student role. Recalling her female Master and those books she read she once caught her reading.

'It's a classic teacher x Student manga.' Giggling, she then tried thinking of an idea. Seeing a poster nearby with a dance, she then had an idea. "Hey Sanzang." Medea (Lily) said.

"Yeah." The older Caster asked, still in a down mood.

"Why don't you ask your stu-apprentice, to go to the dance with you." She told her.

"D-dance!?"

"Yep. In fact, maybe he'll need it. Look." Sanzang did and saw her apprentice appearing to be rejected by that Blake girl who then left with those tired eyes like always. Something about staying awake too long or whatever, and that blonde girl doing something about it. Anyway, she then saw Sun looking sad.

"Why don't you cheer him up." Medea (Lily) whispered as if she were the devil. One that Sanzang was slowly falling into.

"Uh-I-I-I don't know." She meeked.

"Then I guess he'll go with that boy." Medea (Lily) just sighed with Sanzang gasping. She quickly turned her head and saw Neptune patting Sun on the back with his hand on him. Her eyes then felt as if his hand was a bit too close to her apprentice's bottom-even though it wasn't at all and still on his shoulders.

"U-um, y-yes! I will!" Sanzang said with determination in her eyes. Standing up as she then walked toward him...then stopped and then looked back at Medea (Lily) with a small blush on her face. "Y-you think I look fine? Maybe I should...dress up a little?"

"You look fine." That outfit may have covered her skin, but did well in showing off her assets and cuteness. Sanzang then nodded as she then went to Sun, Medea (Lily) giggling at what she did. Oh well, at least it's nothing bad. She then got back up and began ready to go back home...when suddenly she stopped.

"?" It was for a quick moment, but for a second she thought she felt a magical presence. Not the one from that jerk Ozpin, but another. Narrowing her eyes, she then saw an Atlas Bullhead coming over to the school, where she felt the magical presence. One filled with curse.

Slowly, she then left. Her mind wondering what it was, without noticing the Bullhead land.

Or the man clutching his arm coming out of it as well.

And we're back, with all new plans being made. Jason ready to be the hero Vale certainly doesn't need or want, Hercules sane but unable to talk, Roman's life sucking at revelation, and Sanzang going to ask Sun to the dance, oh boy. Next chapter we'll be about the Beacon students this time, with other appearances. Until next time.

"So...I see this is where you were...Mongrel." Gilgamesh glared with the fury of a thousand suns, at the playful smile of the bitch he well knew and hated. Sitting down at a completely renovated school with people looking up at him. Smirking, Ishtar began floating up in the air, everyone's eyes on them.

"My, my, Gilgamesh." The bitch dared to say to him as she floated on a level equal to him. As if she had the right to be with him. This dung worm. "You certainly made the trip here. Far from home huh. Yet coming here where I am, you must be tired. Do you want lunch, a bath, or…" She then swished her own hair and put both arms under her chest with her hand touching the center of it as she then looked at him. "Me?"

Multiple portals opening up were her answers, as Gilgamesh instantly shot out numerous swords to try and kill her. They shot down at speeds faster than any missile, yet even then Ishtar dodged them with ease.

Screams could be heard though as while nobody was hurt, they were surprised by the sudden assault. Ishtar looking down before looking back up. "You sure you should be firing those weapons at innocent people?"

"Anybody associated with you is guilty." He declared with eyes of fury, floating higher and higher with more portals opening up. "Be it you or a thousand of those mongrels down below. I will kill you all."

"...I see." Ishtar said with her eyes becoming serious, not matching her smile. 'So sis, is this enough proof for you?"

"...Yes." Up until now, Ereshkigal had hope Gilgamesh would at least hear them out. Yet it seems he wouldn't at all unlike his other selves. The king's words were serious. Unlike his younger or older self, this version has yet to mature and had the personality of the tyrant, the oppressor. Heck, word had it that he once tried to kill off an entire planet in one Holy Grail War, so was it really surprising he would do the same in another? There was a reason the Masters rarely used him.

Now, they would have to stop him. No matter the cost.

"Well then Gilgamesh," Ishtar said, nearly all the Dust on her decaying as she absorbed the numerous high-quality crystals while utilizing her own power. Lifting some gems in her fingers and making a finger gun at him. "Let's play."

The people below were watching. To see what would happen next. Then they were all blinded by a great light.

Little did they know it, a battle between deities had come.