Marvel: King of Mythology Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Finally, it's over

It is over.


<<Essence Duration Left: 15 Minutes>>


I was tired, it was exhausting.


But it also felt good.


A little… too good.


“Are you alright, Spider-Man?” The team asked their leader, but my mind was elsewhere.


Bloodlust.


That's what I felt.


Why?


I am not someone who inherently enjoys fighting. All my life, fighting had only been a last resort.


Then why?


My Essence?


It was Hercules, a war crazed hero. And someone who chased after glory, he got satisfaction from the heroism he did, from the praises he received. 


He loved battles.


Does that affect me? 


Is it not only the powers and weaknesses that I get but also their personality? Their mentality?


“Are you alright?”


This was directed at me and by someone that knew who I was.


“I am.” I lied, I wasn’t.


I was confused –worried even.


And somehow, Susan seemed to have noticed.


“Let's leave.” She said, “It will only be trouble for you to be investigated.”


She said this in a whisper, not letting anyone else hear.


I knew this was exactly what I should be doing.


My essence was going into a cooldown in just a few minutes and I couldn’t take the risk of breaking out into a scuffle.


“Hey!”


But the others didn’t share the same belief.


“Where are you going, man?”


I think his name was Nova, clearly the enthusiastic type.


“I have to go.” I said, “The issue is solved, there is no reason for me to be here any longer.” 


It was an effort to keep the persona that I built around Hercules.


Tough and uncaring.


“We don’t even know who you are.” White Tiger said, I think that was her hero name.


“My name is Hercules,” I said, “And I am on your side. That is all you have to know.”


“Who do you work for?” Power Man asked, and this was getting a bit too annoying for me.


I know they only meant good but I wasn’t in the mindscape to chat.


And two people had noticed that.


Not just Susan, but another hero.


“He has to go, guys.” It was Spider-Man. 


Somehow it felt like he was a little similar. He kept his identity very strictly hidden. And as much as I hated his sense of humor, he was a good guy.


“I can attest to him.” So was Susan, “He is someone I know. So, you guys do not have to worry.”


Spider-Man’s team wasn’t very happy.


But I also couldn't care less.


“Besides you all clearly have a lot of things to do.” She pointed at the frozen android, “Considering it is S.H.I.E.L.D technology that caused this ruckus.”


This made them all look down, a little embarrassed. 


Spider-Man, especially.


Which is a little confusing. 


<<Essence Duration Left: 5 Minutes>>


“Good Luck.” I said, “You guys seem like you need that.”


They did.


And with that, I made my way out.


There was no way I was going to get strangled in their issues any further. 


“Thank you.” I said, walking towards the building. 


“For?” Susan asked, amused at the sudden gratification.


“I just…” I sighed, “I don’t know. Thank you for helping me out of there.”


There were more reasons, but I didn't know how to phrase them.


“Still going to stay in that form, or is that your real look?” She asked, a smirk visible on her face.


“Uh, what?” I looked down and saw the massive body that I had, “Oh, fuck no.”


‘System, unequip Mask of Loki.’


<<Affirmative!>>


<<Mask of Loki unequipped!>>


Immediately I changed back to my original self. 


The one I preferred above all else.


“This is who I am.” I said, “Rest are all just parts of me.”


For some reason that even I don’t know, I didn't say disguises. 


“I liked the other one more.” Susan joked, “But this isn’t too bad.” 


It was clearly a joke, but I still rolled my eyes.


“And don’t worry.” She assured, “Your secret is safe with me. And I will make sure that Reed doesn’t reveal about your powers either.”


This made me show her a smile of gratitude, “Thank you.”


“Don't say thank you.” She said, “You already helped me back then and even now, you helped save so many people.”


“Back then, you didn't need my help.” I sighed, “I just jumped like a fool to play the hero. And about this time, this was necessary. A lot of lives were at stake.”


She nodded, “It doesn't matter whether I could have faced those thugs or not. What matters is that you helped.” She looked at me, “That is heroism, that is what makes a hero not their names or their clothes.”


Again, huh?


“I am not a hero.” I said, “I can never be a hero.”


She shook her head, “Everyone can be a hero.”


I don't know about that.


“And even if you do not want to be a hero, you are still heroic.” She said, “And sometimes that is all that you need.”


Maybe.


Maybe not.


“I see.”


We walked towards the building, it didn't take long but it still was a hassle moving through the rubble.


And finally, after going across it –we entered through the blown out wall.


It took possibly a fraction of a minute, before I felt a weight press against my back –pushing at me. 


“You are back.”


Gwen jumped at me, hugging me as tightly as she could.


It felt good. 


It felt relaxing that someone cared. 


“I’ll go check on Reed.” I heard Susan’s voice, but didn’t say anything. 


“You are safe.” She said, and I couldn't help but softly put my hands around her back.


“I am.” I said, “Sorry for making you worried.”


“You didn't have to run after that.” She said, “We could have escaped.”


I know.


And I still don’t know why I didn't. I might have died if my Essence went on cooldown or I might have died if it wasn’t something that could be defeated with brute force.


But I still went after it.


I might have been crazy.


“Are you hurt?” I asked, slowly moving out of the hug. 


“No.” She said, “You made sure that I wasn’t.”


This made me smile. At least, I didn't fuck up there.


If I did… I don't know what I would have done.


“How long did you have these powers?” She asked, curious about me.


“A little before I met you for the first time.” I said, “Even I am not fully sure about how it works and it confuses even me… scares me.” I didn't lie, “So, I didn't want to scare you either.”


She stared at me, “Idiot.”


Was I?


“You are.” She said, as if reading my mind. “But you are a good idiot. Much different from what everyone else thinks.”


I am glad that she thinks that, but those people aren’t wrong either. I wasn’t a hero.


Far from it.


“But I am glad you still told me.” She smiled.


Not that I had a choice. Her life was on the line.


“Because I trust you.” I said, “Because I know you won’t tell anyone about it.”


“I won’t,” She assured. “It is a secret that I am glad to keep.”


This made me smile.


She was a good person and a good friend.


“Let's go.” I said, “I will drop you home. Your parents must be worried sick.”


It was only a matter of time before her father came breaking in.


“It is best to not scare your father.”


After all, by now he should have gotten the news.


“Yeah.” She nodded, “Let's go.”


Besides.


I had the system rewards that I still had to check.


And a few things that I had to learn.


But first, let's get her back home.