Chapter Four
The light started to dim. The three pursuers lowered the hands that were just shielding their eyes. As the light was drowned out in the darkness of night, they could make out the features of the escapee.
At around 6'1", he had an athletic frame. His shoulder length black hair mimicked the night as it blew in the dark alley. The pale man was dressed in a fitting black suit, clearly crafted from sneaking and remaining inconspicuous. The hood of the suit was pulled down. His stormy blue eyes seemed docile, yet pierced each of his foes. Their confidence had given way to unease. The pale man smirked. He was now coated in a shroud of confidence.
"Well let's see what this bad boy can do", he said in a low voice, more so to himself than to the three men blocking his path. The first pursuer motioned for his two associates to attack the pale man of mystery. They charged, but they were caught off guard seeing the man of mystery charged back. This froze one of them and in that moment of hesitation, the mystery man lunged with a straight right punch that tore through his torso like a wet napkin. The body dropped as he removed his arm from his body. The other attacker launched himself after the mystery man. He jumped and rolled in the air coming down with an axe kick. The pale man shifted his body to the side, air rushed passed his face as the attack missed. Now crouched, he shot his heel towards his opponent's chin. The pale man jumped back a few paces, but his attacker kept the pressure up.
"Careful Polus", the person assumed to be the leader of the trio spoke. "You see what the thief did to Rave". Polus, in his fit of anger, ignored every word from the person who he'd been taking orders from. The thief dodged the inhumanely swift punches that Polus was throwing.
Right incoming.
The thief leaned his head to the right. The arm zoomed passed him.
Now a wild left swing.
The thief ducked under the left swing and Polus knew it was over. He overextended himself and over committed. There was no protecting himself from what was about to occur.
"Gotcha", the thief said smugly. Just as Rave had just moments before, Polus had gained a hole in his torso. When the thief removed his arm from his combatant, he fell lifeless all the same. Now only two people remained in the alley…
Hercules examined the creature that towered in front of him. It stood at a mighty. Its eye stared at him, almost disgustingly so. Even though the one eye is a clear sign that this is a Cyclops, the similarities stop there. The head was that of a black furred minotaur. The chest was as dark and chiseled as obsidian rock. Attached to them were four massive arms. The torso sat on on a giant brown furred spider body with eight legs. Altogether, the creature stood around nine feet. Hercules whistled.
"You're quite the specimen aren't you?", Hercules said. "Haven't seen a creature quite like you." The creature bellowed loud enough that the cave shook with vigor. The spider legs moved swiftly as it rushed towards Hercules. Hercules readied himself. Two massive beast arms shot out. Hercules met them with his own as they each clasped in in a battle of strength. Feet digging into the ground, Hercules was pushing against the beast. His eyes quickly shifted to his left, but it was too late. A giant fist flew towards him and Hercules didn't have time to move out the way. Once it made contact, Hercules flew into the cave wall leaving a giant Hercules sized crater in it. Before he could even fall onto the ground, the beast was on top of him. Fist started flying. Hercules was on the defensive ducking and dodging. The punches of the beast peeled away the layers of the rock that the cave walls had. The monster threw a left that missed due to Hercules' ducking. Hercules spun off the wall and jumped to create more room. The creature turned his head, his eye frantically looking around to locate the demi-god.
It finally spotted him and it roared in anger. The eight legs on the beast moved frantically as it chased Hercules down. A quick look over his shoulder was enough to fluster the demi-god.
What the hell has Hades been cooking up?
Hercules quickly turned to once again face the beast. His teeth gritted as he prepared for another clash. Once the beast was within a few meters, Hercules lunged at it. The creature wasn't very impressed as it quickly swatted him out the air. Hercules hit the ground hard. It was the first time that he realized the ground was hot to the touch. The four arms beat the chest of the monster as it roared to showcase his superiority. Hercules smirked. Although he was annoyed, he couldn't help but feel some level of excitement. Its been awhile since he had a challenge.
Let's go on the offensive!
He ran at the beast once again. The barrage of punches didn't phase Hercules as he dipped in and out of them. He jumped forward and rolled under it, narrowly avoiding the steps from the spider legs. Before the beast could realize what Hercules was doing, it was pulled to the ground by its two back legs. It crashed into the ground. Again tremors shook the earth. The monster didn't have time to react before Hercules could rip those legs off.
Roaring in pain, one of the hands once again swatted Hercules away. This time he crashed into the Gates of Hell themselves and they bent around him. A swift recovery allowed him to see the creature grow new spider legs in the place of the ones recently detached. It righted itself and shook the debris off itself. And just like that it roared, barring fangs. Hercules unsheathed his sword. The blade was broad and it was a deep golden orange. The hilt was had a golden lion mid roar to signify the beast he had conquered during his 12 labors. Hercules gazed upon it in amazement briefly. Then he turned to his opposition and pointed the blade at it.
"You will kneel at the might of Hercules", Hercules goaded.
"AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH", Prometheus yelled. His screams echoed on the mountain top. Blood trickled down his side. An eagle had blood dripping from its beak. It cocked its head left and right, its eyes angrily looked around without focus. After a long screech it flew off into the night sky.
Damn demon bird. If only it would stay gone.
Prometheus panted and grunted has his wound slowly started heal. It's been like this everyday for thousands of years. Every night he heals up and every morning that eagle comes back to do its damage.
"How are you holding up", a voice questioned from the shadows. Prometheus couldn't make out anyone, not that he could see.
"How brave of you to show yourself to me." The voice chuckled.
"Even if I showed myself, what would it accomplish? You're still trapped, chained up here for eternity."
"I would just like to know who I'm talking to"
"Ah, but Sir Prometheus, these are the least of your worries."
"Careful little God", Prometheus' voice was dead serious. The pain in it all but hidden. "You should always address your elders with respect."
"My apologies", the voice was impish as it teased the titan. A hand reached out from the shadows. Before Prometheus got a good look at it, sparks flew from it. Instantly Prometheus started having visions of the great rebellion. He relived the war where he helped overthrow Kronos. Bur Prometheus had a strong mind, made stronger from the lifetimes of torture. He shook off the visions.
"You're getting quicker titan", the voice chuckled. Prometheus was quiet this time. That silence was met with silence. He no longer sensed a presence. He slowly drifted back into his nightly meditation. It was routine to strengthen his mind before the very little bit of sleep he was going to get.