02x02 - The Indomitable w*r God

[bunniefuu]

Get him, Hercules!

Huh? H-Hey, look at that.

Hercules' tattoos...

They're getting bigger.

Hey, Ares. What's up with that?

That's the price.

Just before becoming a god,

Hercules completed the Twelve Labors
and mastered the Twelve Divine Arts.

But those tremendous powers
come at a price.

Every time he uses their powers,
the tattoos spread.

Every millimeter they spread

inflicts him with unbearable pain
that would knock out the average god.

He looks as cool as a cucumber,
but he's toughing out the pain, huh?

That's so like Hercules.
No wonder he's the indomitable god of w*r.

So, what happens
when those tattoos cover his whole body?

He dies. Niflheimr.

Complete obliteration.

Really?

In exchange for your life,
you perform mighty Divine Labors.

They are the Twelve Calamities and Sins,
Hercule Exodus!

If that's the case,
you Greeks are in quite a bind.

And after all the bragging you guys did.

Silence.

What?

I have complete faith
in that man, Hercules.

Oh, really?

Hercules' true strength isn't
his great physical strength.

It's his tenacious will
that even the gods could not break!

THE INDOMITABLE w*r GOD

THEBES, GREECE

Let go!

Let go of it, you moron!

Not this!

I was going to trade this calf
for some medicine for my mom...

Who cares?

It's ours now.

Stop!

- Huh?
- Huh?

Alcides...

S-Stay out of this!

You'll have to fight me!

ALCIDES [LATER KNOWN AS HERCULES]

Like I expected, they whooped you too.

You're such a weakling,
why do you stick up for me?

Isn't it obvious?
Because those losers were in the wrong!

I can't tell if you're really super kind
or super stupid.

I don't care what people think.

I just want to be on
the side of the righteous.

Come on! Let's go!

Where to?

Isn't it obvious?

We're getting that calf back.

You've got to be kidding.

This boy who was weaker than everyone

had a spirit that was stronger
and more righteous than anyone.

In fights...

and while hunting...

He always stood at the forefront
with his frail body

to stand up for the righteous.

- Thank Zeus for providing.
- We haven't had a catch like this in ages.

- There's plenty for all.
- Eat up, everyone!

- Sure thing!
- This is amazing!

Here. Have some.

Castor...

I don't have the right to eat any of that.

I need to get stronger
so I can be more useful.

You'll never get stronger
if you don't eat.

Well, well! If it isn't the wannabe hero!

Not you guys again.

I heard you got knocked
on your tail again.

So, Alcides.

You want to get strong?

Then why don't you drink
that stuff in the temple?

The blood of Zeus,
otherwise known as Ambrosia.

Legend says that if a true hero drinks it,
they will become immortal.

However, if they're not a true hero,
they will perish instantly.

The hero Achilles

was said to have gained invincibility
from Ambrosia.

Give me a break!

If this weakling drank that,
he'd die in a flash!

That's for sure!

Don't believe them.
That's nothing more than a legend.

I know.

I want to become strong,

but there's no point if I die trying.

Strength... Give me more strength!

When the boy had a choice of two ways,

he never hesitated to take
the more difficult one.

He did it simply to gain
the strength to protect the righteous.

That was all he ever strove for.

Eventually...

there was no longer anyone
who poked fun at the once weak boy.


THE COUNCIL OF VALHALLA

Very well.

I guess we'll be allowing mankind
to continue to exist, eh?

However, I'd like to hear
everyone's opinion on the matter.

Don't you think
we should teach them a lesson?

Besides driving animals to extinction,

they're always fighting wars.

Especially the people of Thebes.

Is that right?

Then like when
we destroyed the Tower of Babel...

Bam! We'll drop the hammer!

Loki!

If we do it your way,
you'll end up wiping out everything!

I'll take care of it this time.

One moment, please.

Huh?

Thebes is in my territory.

Leave this to me, Ares, the god of w*r.

In ancient times,
when mankind still worshiped the gods,

civilizations were often wiped out

when the gods deemed
that they had grown too arrogant.

Th-This is the end!
We've incurred the wrath of the gods!

People of Thebes!

You must atone for your sins
with your lives!

Submit to the judgment of the gods.

There is no defying the gods.

All mankind could do was pray and submit.

Except for one man.

Make way!

Th-That idiot!
You can't defy the gods like that!

Don't tick them off even more!

Cut that out, you wannabe hero!

Oh no... They're coming!

Please... Please have mercy!

Stop right there!

I won't...

let you pass!

Is that so?

You show a lot of grit for a human.

I like you!

Kneel before us gods!

Do so, and I'll spare your life.

Y-You must be kidding.

The gods create life on a whim...

and pass judgment on a whim too.

Humans are frail beings.

That's why some choose to live properly

and some choose to do evil.

Humans live in doubt
and uncertainty as we learn and grow.

The desire to be righteous exists
within each of us weak beings.

We are weak servants
who desperately lift up our prayers.

But even so,
you gods still strike us down!

You call that righteousness?

Is that just?

If that is the case... then...

I will risk my life to defy the gods!

That's...

You've got to be kidding!

It's Ambrosia!

The blood of Zeus!

Al!

Castor,

I want to

always be on the side of the righteous.

Alcides!

Fool.

That is a warning to those
who seek power beyond their station.

No mere human can ever drink that
and remain unharmed.

I guess I was wrong about you.

Where are you going?

I won't let you go a step further!

Impossible!

A-Alcides?

Such power!

I've had it
with this human lowlife's whining!

I won't stand for it!

You fool! Don't!

That power... There's no doubt about it!

It's the power of my father, Zeus!

- A human?
- k*ll him!

Curse you!

Stop! You'll never...

U-Unbelievable!

How can a single human destroy
the vanguard of the divine army

and fight toe-to-toe with me?

Enough!

Break it up!

Don't you think that's enough, Ares?

Lord Zeus!

Zeus? This old man is Zeus?

So, you drank my blood, huh?

Excellent!

Alcides, was it?

You will become a god.

You're kidding!

I'll... become a god?

Yep. Leaving you here on Earth
would just cause trouble.

What's more,

you want to be the protector
of the righteous, don't you?

Becoming a god is
the perfect way to do that.

What do you think?

On one condition.

How dare you make demands of Zeus!

Just one thing!

Swear that you'll never again
cause harm to mankind.

Sure thing.

Lord Zeus!

Just make sure you lead mankind
down the path of righteousness.

To protect the righteous...

I will descend to godhood.

Alcides!

You really are one reckless dude.

And now you're becoming a god?

Castor...

I'll see you again soon.

"Descend to godhood," he says?

Damn, that's one headstrong man.

That was the moment that signaled
the end of the era of mythology

when mankind and the gods consorted.

For the next 4,000 years,

the gods did not interfere
with Earth's affairs.

Alcides took his place
among the gods as a child of Zeus.

He was named after Zeus' wife, Hera,

and became known as Hercules.

But you know, if he's only as good as you,
that doesn't bode well for this fight.

That was the only time
we fought one another.

You wouldn't stand a chance
against him now.

Say what you like.

I'm proud of him.

It was through his fight with me
that he became a god.

And I'm proud that
I once fought fist-to-fist

with the indomitable Hercules!

For the first time in this fight,
Jack the Ripper goes in for the attack!

He's fighting hand-to-hand with Hercules!

Jack the Ripper is throwing
blade after blade!

There's another!

He has switched from close quarters
to dancing around the arena

and keeps the blades flying!

Hercules is overwhelmed
and is totally on the defensive!

It's the moment Hercules was looking for!
He's charging in for the attack!

Jack can't escape!

Wait! What's this?

Is Jack the Ripper floating in midair?

No, wait! Those are piano wires!

They're strung all over the place!

Still up to your tricks, huh?

Sir, do you have an umbrella?

London is known for its frequent rain.

I advise you to take care.

Ah, yes.

If only I had that umbrella
you destroyed earlier,

I could have lent it to you.

I'll just swat them all down!

Ricocheting off the piano wires,
the knives have accelerated,

assaulting Hercules
like a squall of blades,

and showering unpredictably
from all directions.

He can't block them all!

Even for Hercules,

taking that many wounds
will eventually be fatal.

Hercules...

I can't stand to watch.

You can do it, Alcides.

To be honest,
I've got conflicting feelings.

Yeah, I don't feel right
cheering for the gods.

But at the very least,

we should believe in Hercules... in Alcides.

He's our hero.

CASTOR
CITIZEN OF THEBES

Hercule Exodus!

The Sixth Labor!

Gust-Summoning Bird!

Stymphalian Bird!

Whatever you try, it's pointless.

You cannot defeat me with trickery.

Excellent.

Oh, yes.
Please, continue to rouse your passions.

What?

Lovely! You truly do have

a thoroughly unshakable will.

Such a beautiful colour.

This ought to be quite a sight to behold.

Oh, I am so terribly sorry.

I got a little carried away.

You see...

this is the first time that
I'll be slaying a god.

What's this nonsense?

Oh, I can barely restrain my anticipation.

What colour will you turn
the moment you meet your death?

My heart trembles in expectation.

Why you...

London Bridge is broken down

Broken down, broken down

London Bridge is broken down

My fair lady