The Shadow Of Fate

The grand hall of Hercules resounded with the echoes of battle as the demigod surged forward, a mountain of muscle and fury. His fist descended like a meteor, the force rippling through the air and cracking the stone beneath him. Lazarus, his crimson eyes gleaming with cold calculation, sidestepped the blow with inhuman precision, his movements a blur. His blade lashed out, aiming for the opening in Hercules's assault, but the strike clanged against the demigod's bracer. Sparks flew, lighting up the dim hall as the impact sent vibrations rippling through the air.

Hercules grinned, unshaken, his confidence unyielding. "You're fast," he taunted, his deep voice booming. "But speed alone won't save you."

Lazarus's reply came, his voice devoid of emotion, a stark contrast to the roaring energy of his opponent. "Speed is merely the beginning."

Without hesitation, Lazarus extended his hand, summoning the cursed power of his blood magic. Crimson tendrils erupted from his form, twisting and writhing like serpents through the air, their sinister hue glinting under the flickering torches of the grand hall. The tendrils lashed toward Hercules, aiming to ensnare him, but the demigod met them head-on with sheer brute strength. His roars shook the very walls as he tore through the constricting magic, his movements defying the limits of mortal power. The ground trembled beneath their feet, cracks spidering outward like veins in stone, marking the ferocity of their battle.

Hercules's expression darkened, his tone laced with curiosity and disdain. "Blood magic… So, you're no ordinary foe. Tell me, monster, what drives you? Why do you seek my death?"

Lazarus's crimson gaze met Hercules's unflinchingly. "Power. Purpose. Nothing more," he answered coldly.

The battle resumed with greater intensity. Hercules's massive fists swung with devastating force, each strike carrying the power to shatter mountains. Lazarus danced around the onslaught, his movements fluid and precise. His agility was almost supernatural, yet even he couldn't completely avoid the blows. The demigod's attacks grew faster, sharper, and each narrowly dodged punch sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Glancing blows began to connect, the force behind them staggering. Crimson mist trailed Lazarus's movements as blood seeped from shallow wounds, a testament to the battle's toll.

Then came the momentary lapse. A crushing punch grazed Lazarus's ribs, sending him hurtling backward. He collided with a pillar, the stone cracking under the force of impact. Blood dripped from his lips as he rose slowly, his frame battered yet unyielding. His crimson eyes burned with defiance, refusing to show weakness.

"You bleed just like any mortal," Hercules sneered, his lips curling into a grin. "This ends now."

The demigod's fists began to glow with radiant light as he channeled his divine power. He lunged forward, his strikes faster than before, each one landing with unrelenting precision. Lazarus raised his hands, summoning his blood magic to form a barrier. Crimson energy coalesced into a shield, the glowing light of Hercules's fists slamming into it with deafening force. The shield cracked under the pressure, and the impact sent Lazarus skidding backward. His boots dug grooves into the stone floor as he fought to maintain his footing.

Hercules's laughter echoed through the hall. "Is this all you have?" he mocked. "I expected more from the fated destroyer."

Lazarus, his breathing controlled, wiped the blood from his lips. His expression remained calm, unshaken by the demigod's taunts. "You talk too much."

Crimson tendrils lashed out once more, binding Hercules's arms and locking him in place for a split second. Lazarus closed the distance, his fist flashing like a serpent's fang. But Hercules, with a roar of defiance, twisted free of the magical binds and swung his fist upward. The blow connected with Lazarus's jaw, the impact sending him sprawling across the floor. Blood splattered against the cracked stone as Lazarus struggled to rise.

Hercules paused, his brow furrowing as he studied his opponent. His thoughts churned as he watched Lazarus stagger to his feet. This bastard… He's never been pushed to his physical limits before. Every punch, every dodge, every block… He's learning, adapting, growing stronger with every second. His body and mind are evolving as we fight he's truly a monster don't die yet destroyer I haven't enjoyed a fight since i fought that overgrown cat.