We now find ourselves at the city gates; HERACLES stands before AZOTE. They have already fought a great battle; now they stare at each other, trying to analyze their movements.
AZOTE: Who would have thought? A hero from another dimension fell into this place. What is your name, boy? We have been fighting for several minutes now; it is an honor to fight you.
HERACLES: My name is HERACLES, but you surprise me; you are a Horseman of the Apocalypse, aren't you?
AZOTE: Yes, let me introduce myself as well; I am AZOTE of Pestilence, also a former demon leader from another universe, but that was a long time ago. What else do you want to know about me? Because I find you interesting.
HERACLES: Umm, I don't know if it's possible to know what powers you have, hehe, it would make things easier for me.
AZOTE: In all my millennia of life, no one ever asked me that... Fine, I will tell you: I am AZOTE of Pestilence. My powers, umm, no, you've already deduced it. I don't know if you've realized yet from all our fighting, but my powers are no mystery: poisons, different types of poison, there you have it.
HERACLES: Right, now it's clear to me; that nearly invisible mist coming off you is your power, isn't it? The poison.
AZOTE: That is natural; anyone who stands by my side within a certain radius will gradually lose their strength and abilities.
HERACLES: Strength, huh? Well, I believe that is the one thing I have plenty of.
AZOTE: Let us continue with this, demigod.
HERACLES: How the hell do you know that?
AZOTE: We are above everyone; we know many things, and you should not be in this realm. If you die, you will never be reborn in your kingdom again.
HERACLES: That's fine, I'm not afraid to die; in fact, I think it's a lovely day for it.
AZOTE: What boldness on your part, hahaha.
HERACLES wastes no more time with talk and attacks AZOTE, trying to strike him quickly, but AZOTE releases a gas from his sleeves and retreats. HERACLES holds his breath and delivers a powerful clap, which manages to dissipate all the gas around him. AZOTE is surprised by his strength, realizing that he is very powerful and that his aura wasn't affecting him much. Next, he pulls a whip from his sleeves; it is a whip embedded with thorns. AZOTE spins the whip around him, shattering stones, and quickly strikes toward HERACLES, grazing his leg and wounding him. HERACLES realizes he is dangerous with the whip. Out of nowhere, another high-speed attack forces HERACLES to dodge faster, noticing that AZOTE was still spinning the whip around himself while simultaneously attacking. It was an amazing display of defense and offense.
HERACLES spends a few minutes dodging and concludes that he cannot get close, deciding to destroy everything to reach him. Following this thought, he hits the ground with such force that it triggers an avalanche of stones toward AZOTE, unbalancing him with the movement and making him stop spinning the whip. AZOTE quickly dodges with difficulty and, out of nowhere, HERACLES appears behind him. AZOTE receives a massive, direct blow to the stomach, sending him flying and wounding him, but at the same time, HERACLES looks at his hand—it has turned purple—and wonders what happened.
AZOTE: (Getting up from the ground) Look, it's already taking effect, hahaha. If you touch me, you will be poisoned with a toxin that attacks your nervous system; you'll feel intense pain. How do you like that?
HERACLES: (pained expression) Damn, it really hurts... I'm not going to mess around with you anymore; now the real fight begins.
HERACLES spreads his legs slightly and concentrates all his strength into his body, producing a green aura and releasing great power, cracking the ground beneath his feet. He rushes at AZOTE so fast that AZOTE fails to dodge and takes a heavy blow to the face, but simultaneously, HERACLES' other hand becomes poisoned. Even so, HERACLES does not back down despite the pain. AZOTE recovers quickly and, while jumping to dodge, lashes out at HERACLES, while he dodges and tries to strike back. This goes on for a long time, but everything begins to turn in AZOTE's favor, as he also throws poisonous gases that weaken HERACLES.
When it seems like it's all over, AZOTE opens his hands and jumps, and a purple gas emanates from his entire body. HERACLES holds his breath and tries to do the same thing as before, clapping loudly to blow the poison away; he almost succeeds, but he is too weakened. He jumps very high, but in the air, AZOTE wraps him in his whip, wounding him, and slams him against a rock as he tries to get up. HERACLES notices that he can no longer move and can only speak.
HERACLES: What the hell is happening? Why can't I move? I didn't breathe in any of that poisonous gas!
AZOTE: (Drops from the sky and lands atop a rock) Idiot, do you think my poisons only harm you if you breathe them in? That last toxin I threw at you enters through the pores of your skin. In my current state, I can't control it very well, but it was enough to hurt you badly. (To himself) This is also consuming too much of my energy; damn celestial laws.
HERACLES: Curse it, this can't be happening... (sighs). Fine, I guess I'm going to lose. I'm so sorry, MALEKIN, RENJIT.
AZOTE turns his whip into steel and strikes, aiming seemingly to pierce HERACLES' heart. But in an instant, RENJIT emerges from HERACLES' shadow, blocking the attack, while MALEKIN appears above AZOTE, attempting to strike him. AZOTE dodges and retreats a great distance to analyze the situation.
MALEKIN: IDIOT! Do you think I'm going to let you die just like that? (He tears the handkerchief from his mouth). You are my best friend.
RENJIT: Whoa, you're going to make me cry, MALEKIN; I thought I was your friend too.
MALEKIN: (Healing HERACLES) You consider me your friend? What a surprise, I thought you were afraid of me.
RENJIT: That smile of yours is a bit intimidating, but for once, it looks nice to me. Let's get him, friends!
MALEKIN: Damn, I can't heal you completely, HERACLES. Do you think you can keep going?
HERACLES: As long as my soldiers keep fighting and my friends keep on the struggle, I will not give up. After all, I'm a damn hero!
Inwardly, HERACLES accepts who he is. Because of his previous death, he thought he didn't deserve the title of hero, but he realized that in this world, there was something worth protecting.
MALEKIN: HERACLES, you finally have confidence in yourself. Let's go, friend!
RENJIT: I thought I was the only one who had matured, but HERACLES, I understand how you feel.
The three friends quickly take their fighting stances; AZOTE shifts into a defensive mode. Tension hangs in the air, and all four are a bit nervous. Suddenly, the three of them rush at AZOTE, who leaps backward, releasing a poisonous gas. The three stop abruptly and jump. HERACLES strikes the air with such force that he generates a gust of wind to blow the gas away. AZOTE quickly strikes the ground with his whip, shattering it and hurling rocks at them. They quickly dodge and spread out.
RENJIT enters his shadow and emerges behind AZOTE, hitting him with a kick to the back and throwing him toward MALEKIN, who delivers a powerful blow to his face, slamming him against the ground. However, RENJIT's leg and MALEKIN's hand are injured by AZOTE's poison. MALEKIN quickly heals his hand and runs to heal RENJIT's leg.
HERACLES: Sorry, I forgot to tell you that we can't touch him because of his poison; it's very annoying.
MALEKIN: So that's what it was. Fine, I'll take care of this guy.
MALEKIN covers his body with a green shield and heads toward AZOTE, who looks at him laughing and unleashes a potent red poison. The other two jump to dodge, but MALEKIN takes the hit directly, leaving the others in shock.
HERACLES: MALEKIN, NOOO!
RENJIT: What the hell are you trying to do?!
When the thick poisonous mist clears, we see MALEKIN standing there as if nothing happened, laughing.
AZOTE: (In shock) What in the world is going on? It did nothing to him... Hey, demon, what on earth is that?
MALEKIN: It is one of my abilities, the Green Barrier. No type of gas, poison, or magic can pierce it.
HERACLES: What the hell, MALEKIN! Why didn't you ever tell us about that?
MALEKIN: It was meant to be a surprise for when we fought, but clearly, this is the right moment to use it.
HERACLES: Well, he's all yours, friend. Finish him!
AZOTE, enraged, lunges at MALEKIN, who is caught off guard and receives a powerful blow, sending him flying and bouncing off the ground a couple of times. He immediately gets up to attack AZOTE, who can no longer harm him with poison and a fistfight ensues. MALEKIN gets very close to AZOTE to prevent him from using his whip, forcing him to attack with punches. A fierce battle is underway as our friends watch and analyze the fight. Taking advantage of a moment of inattention, MALEKIN manages to land a powerful blow on AZOTE; RENJIT seizes the opportunity, appearing in an instant behind AZOTE and plunging his katana into his shoulder. As AZOTE barely manages to dodge, RENJIT continues his onslaught and manages to cut AZOTE's back with his other sword. With him injured between Malekin and Renjit, Azote is furious, but suddenly Heracles appears in mid-air and falls, striking Azote hard on the head, slamming him to the ground and creating a large crater. Azote lies on the ground, badly injured, and the three friends are looking at him.
AZOTE: (In critical condition) Damn it… (spits blood) How can you do this to me?
MALEKIN: This is your end, Horseman. You are great, but today, we surpassed you.
RENJIT: We have more experience now, thanks to you.
HERACLES: Today we shall celebrate this victory as great comrades.
AZOTE: (Agonizing) Good for you… but perhaps… you are taking me too lightly, hahahahahahaha!
Everyone watches AZOTE in surprise as his body turns black and suddenly begins to inflate like a balloon. The boys try to retreat, but out of nowhere, a massive explosion covers the entire area in a black mist. MALEKIN emerges from it and looks around anxiously.
MALEKIN: (To himself) Damn it, what the hell? Thank goodness I had my barrier up, but where are the others?; Guys, where are you?! Answer me!
RENJIT emerges from MALEKIN's shadow carrying HERACLES.
RENJIT: Damn it, I'm sorry, MALEKIN, but that black gas caught HERACLES' arm before I could get him away. He's in bad shape.
MALEKIN quickly tries to heal HERACLES, but the black color on his arm won't disappear. MALEKIN begins to panic.
MALEKIN: I can't heal it! What's wrong with this thing? Why?!
Suddenly, a familiar voice is heard; it was AZOTE, a voice that was beginning to fade into the air.
AZOTE: Hahaha... mortals, don't think that defeating me comes without a price. That poison is my secret weapon; there is no cure for it. That idiot will die and vanish forever, hahahaha...
AZOTE's voice has vanished; he is dead. Meanwhile, MALEKIN is desperately trying to heal HERACLES. In a last-ditch effort, he places his Green Barrier around HERACLES' arm to try and save him. The poison slows down slightly, but it is not cured.
RENJIT: Move aside! I'm going to cut off his arm, and you'll regenerate it with your powers.
MALEKIN: Good idea! Quick, do it now!
RENJIT cuts off HERACLES' arm, but the poison continues to appear further up from the stump. The two are out of options.
MALEKIN: DAMN IT! Why won't it go away?!
HERACLES: Leave it... I'm not going to survive this. I'm sorry. Instead, we must push on until the end. (He stands up with great difficulty). He is coming.
RENJIT: (With tears in his eyes) MALEKIN, he's right. He's coming... there's no more time for regrets.
MALEKIN: (Crying, wiping his eyes) You're right. I'm sorry, HERACLES... but I swear you will have a funeral worthy of you.
HERACLES: Thank you, friend. (He turns serious and looks ahead).
Standing before them MUERTE, the last Horseman, with his intimidating aura and his golden-yellow horse, which made them tremble slightly, for they were far too tired to continue the war. He had already reached the city gates; HERACLES' soldiers were retreating while the enemies advanced, cornering them. Behind came MAMMON on his enormous beast. The three were in trouble; they couldn't handle everything that was coming, MUERTE only watched, not moving from his spot.
HERACLES: Guys, he's not moving, and our army is retreating. There's nothing we can do now. I think we'll die here, but I want to do everything I can, so I'd rather die fighting by your side than be killed by this stupid poison.
RENJIT: To the end, brothers. Thank you for taking me in and making me a better person.
MALEKIN: I can still fight; I have enough strength left. Tell me what to do, HERACLES.
While they were discussing, MUERTE approached slightly and spoke to them.
MUERTE: Do not be afraid, mortals (the three are taken aback). You have proven yourselves very capable of winning, and you deserve a second chance. Furthermore, what my brother did to you is unforgivable; AZOTE has no honor for doing that. I cannot heal you, but I will ease your sorrow. I shall withdraw from this senseless conflict. The demon behind me is not as benevolent as I am, so good luck with your final fight.
HERACLES: Is this true? You're leaving, just like that?
MUERTE: I have nothing more to do in this place, so recover your strength as the end approaches. Farewell.
MALEKIN: This is a surprise.
With his scythe, MUERTE sliced through the air itself, opening a sort of rift to pass through, disappearing with his horse. Immediately, the hole closed, and our friends fell to their knees, not knowing what had just happened.
HERACLES: Damn it, there's no time to rest. Listen fast: this will be the end for me, but it doesn't have to be for you.
MALEKIN: What the hell are you talking about, HERACLES?
RENJIT: The big guy is right, we have hope; let's get out of here.
HERACLES: We cannot leave our people.
RENJIT: They don't matter! We can bring in more and build a city again. Let's escape!
HERACLES: MALEKIN, RENJIT, look at me. For me, there is no next time. Besides, you don't know humans; they are clumsy and sometimes lose their way, but that is what makes them special—because they learn from their mistakes to improve and become someone good. Just like them, today you will learn that we can improve. I don't want to leave them alone; they are my beloved humans, whom I will protect like the hero I am. Give it time, and you'll see they are worth protecting. (MALEKIN sobs loudly).
RENJIT: (Crying inconsolably) Don't say that, HERACLES. I'm sorry for all the bad things I said about you; I didn't know what you went through. We all have a past.
HERACLES: Alright, boys, this will be my last plan with you—don't let me down. MALEKIN, it's true you have immense power now, right? What powers do you have?
MALEKIN: Yes, and because I defeated AZOTE, I have a new technique: teleportation, among other things. I can also move objects with my barriers.
HERACLES: This changes everything. Do you think you can move the city and hide it with one of your barriers?
MALEKIN: What you're asking is very difficult, but not impossible; I will try.
HERACLES: Good. Move the city to the side of the forest you found; it will be better there. Then, place a barrier over it so they never detect it. RENJIT, you're the guide; you'll lead the survivors to the city and MALEKIN will quickly teleport them all together.
RENJIT: Very well. And what will you do, HERACLES?
HERACLES: This is my end, my friends. I will distract those who remain so you all can escape. I won't let that MAMMON guy get his way.
MALEKIN: Fine, I will respect your decision, my friend. Thank you for everything you did for me.
RENJIT: Likewise. I will remember you forever, brother.
HERACLES: Thank you. Now get going, I don't want you to see me—because I will die on my feet, I swear it. (To himself) This pain is unbearable.
The friends withdraw to fulfill their duties. MALEKIN grips the city walls and concentrates his power to create a barrier; while he does that, RENJIT helps all the surviving soldiers escape. RENJIT guides everyone to the city gates, as an immense barrier slowly begins to cover the entire city.
While this is happening, HERACLES leaps into the middle of the enemies and allies. He concentrates a massive amount of energy, becoming more muscular than usual, and with a single punch, he shatters the ground, forming a great cliff that stops the enemy forces in their tracks. Some fall into the void trying to advance. At the back of the army, MAMMON arrives and stops in front of HERACLES, who stands at the edge of the precipice formed by his extraordinary strength.
HERACLES: So, you are the demon king, aren't you?
MAMMON: Wretched mortal, my name is MAMMON. Remember it, for I shall be the one to kill you.
HERACLES: Well, if that's what you think, I'd like to see you try. (He concentrates power throughout his body, making the earth tremble).
MAMMON: (Sweating) What the hell is this immense power? I thought you were a mere mortal, and on top of that, you only have one arm!
HERACLES: (Growing even more muscular and taller). By my father Zeus, who once gave me power, I accept myself as the demigod I am, so that I may protect my people and my friends. (He remembers everything he lived through with them). I swear I will kill you today, MAMMON! HAAAAAA! (To himself) Farewell, my friends.
While all this is happening, MALEKIN watches from afar as his friend faces everyone alone, sending anyone who receives his fist flying. He looks at him with pride, and suddenly, a shout is heard.
HERACLES: (While fighting) MALEKIN, RENJIT, TAKE GOOD CARE OF EACH OTHER, BROTHERS!
MALEKIN sobs inconsolably; RENJIT, standing atop a city tower, watches his brother HERACLES, while crying non-stop. MALEKIN finishes placing the barrier around the city while weeping; he bows his head and says goodbye, teleporting the entire city along with himself to the edge of the forest, and the city begins to vanish. RENJIT quickly grabs MALEKIN and pulls him inside the city, as MALEKIN is exhausted, and the city disappears completely from the map.
On the battlefield, MAMMON is both angry and shocked.
MAMMON: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?! Where is the city? I can't sense anyone! You aren't a mortal—you are a demigod. And that Zeus... aggh, a god! Curse you! But it doesn't matter; it's all over for you anyway.
HERACLES: On that, you and I agree, but you won't be the one to kill me, hahaha. Let's see who bites the dust first: me from the poison, or you from my fist!
MAMMON: You arrogant bastard! You'll see... ATTACK! HAAAA!
And from afar, we see the end of a brave hero as he faces the army of a demon king, without fear of dying or vanishing as long as he protects what he loves most. That day, the legend of a demigod lost in the multiverse came to an end.
Meanwhile, MALEKIN, lying on the ground, sees the city entrance engulfed in flames... and this brings us back to the present day, with DANTE, REX, and MALEKIN looking at the burning entrance. But that will be for the next chapter.