If you’ve come to kill me - do it now
I’m not your enemy.
Rest easy, soldier.
Who are you?
I’m Hercules.
They say you’re a good man.
I try to be.
Then grant a man his dying wish?
It would be an honor.
My name is Gregor.
I have a wife and son - in Fallia - Janista - and Titus.
Give them these -
and my love.
And tell my son - the art of the warrior is not to kill -
but to fight against the forces of evil.
I’ll do that, Gregor -
I promise you.
Titus!
I’m right here!
Good - I need some more mud.
I’ve already got it.
You’re all right. You know that?
You’d better say that. You’re my mother!
Hey, Titus! I’m going huntin’. Do you wanna come?
Can’t. I’ve gotta help Mom.
Go on. It’s all right. We’re about done here today, anyway.
Thanks, Mom.
Oh, see if you can bring home some dinner.
One day, Titus, we’re going to be warriors - fight with real weapons.
Yeah - and we won’t be just hunting rabbits -
we’ll be stalking our enemy - showing no mercy.
I’m going to be a centaur.
Yeah? I’m gonna be a centurion.
I’m gonna be Ares, god of war himself.
Ximenos - look.
Oh - it’s gone.
I can’t believe I missed.
It wasn’t your fault.
It was your weapons.
They’re not true.
Are you a soldier?
Ever since the Trojan War?
And you two?
We’re too young.
No one’s too young if you have the warrior spirit.
Let me show you.
Feels good to have something like that in your hands - doesn’t it?
Gives you a sense of worth - of power.
But you’ve gotta prove you deserve that power.
I want you to kill each other.
You’ve got him!
Good. Good!
Now, go for the kill!
What are you doing?!
Ridding the world of you.
No, don’t! We’re friends!
No coward’s a friend of mine.
Let him go.
I know who the winner is.
Hi.
Are you Janista?
I am.
I have a message for you.
It’s about my husband, isn’t it?
Yes. I found him dying on a battlefield near Chaldea.
His final thoughts were of you and your son.
He wanted you to have these.
Thank you.
Aren’t you gonna read it?
My husband’s been off fighting one war after another for nearly ten years.
I don’t wanna open things up that have already been closed.
I understand.
I know you’ve travelled a long way.
The least I can do is offer you something to eat and a place to rest.
I appreciate that.
Titus?!
Titus, where are you?!
He must - still be out hunting with Ximenos.
You know - I haven’t even asked your name.
I hope you don’t think I’m always this rude.
Don’t apologize. Uh - I’m Hercules.
If I had known the son of Zeus was gonna be in my house -
It looks fine to me.
Even with only - half a roof?
Uh - I thought that was something to enjoy the stars by.
I wish it was.
This place is always falling apart.
Titus and I can barely keep up.
But I guess we’re no worse than the rest of the town.
With all the men gone to war, there’s too many jobs, and not enough people.
Then let me give you a hand before I go back on the road.
You know you don’t have to.
It’s the least I can do to repay your hospitality - but I’ll need to find the blacksmith.
Hello.
Hello, ladies.
Hello? Is anyone home?
Back here.
Hi, I - um - uh - oh, uh -
I need some nails. I thought I’d find the blacksmith here.
You did.
But you’re - a woman.
And you’re a man - which I could’ve figured out even if you didn’t have your foot in your mouth.
Well, it’s, uh - no offense. It was - it was the steam; it got in my eyes.
They call me Atalanta. What’s your name?
Hercules.
Well, you’re big, and you look fit.
But there’s only one way to tell for sure.
Is this really necessary?
No one’s ever been able to beat me, so I figure it would take a guy like Hercules.
So, shut up - and say, ‘One, two, three.’
Come on, just say it.
One, two, three.
What’s the matter, Herc? More steam in your eyes?
You just proved you’re as much of a man as you are a god.
So, what brings Hercules to Fallia?
And, more importantly, how long you planning on staying?
Uh - long enough to do some repairs on Janista and Titus’ house.
Oh yeah, um - I’m gonna need those nails.
Slipped your mind, did they?
Damn that Ximenos!
He doesn’t show up for work; doesn’t refill the nail box.
Ximenos - isn’t he friends with Titus?
Yeah - he’s kind of like the kid brother I never had. He does odd jobs for me around here.
He let me down today.
Never mind the nails for now.
You got something else in mind?
Yeah - do you know where I can find those boys?
This is my headquarters, Ximenos.
And, this is the army I told you about.
But - there’s nobody here.
That’s where you’re wrong.
Look at them, Ximenos - all primed to kill.
We may be small in number - but with Ares’ help, we grow stronger every day.
Soon, we’ll be known throughout the land - known - and feared.
Are you ready to join the warriors of Ares, Ximenos?
Are you ready to become our brother?
Yeah!
I am.
Good.
He’s going to do the ritual.
Now, we’ll see if he’s with us.
Ares! Ares!
But first, you must burn.
What's happening to me?
She did it - just like you said she would.
Now, we have real weapons. Now, we’re ready to kill!
For Ares!
Ximenos! Where are you?!
Ximenos!
Hello, Titus.
Hey - how’d know my name? You’re not from around here.
I’ve been looking for you. I’m Hercules.
You’re kidding.
No - I’m not.
Did my Mom send you out to look for me?
I came on my own. She thought you’d come back by yourself.
I would have. But my friend’s still missing.
Well, maybe we’ll have better luck finding him if we look together. What do you say?
The last time I saw Ximenos - he was headed down into this valley.
Well, then - that’s where we’ll look.
Ximenos! You down here?
Ximenos!
What is this place?
I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.
Well - someone was - and not too long ago.
Hercules - what’s this?!
It’s something you and I should probably leave alone.
What do you say we go back home?
What about Ximenos?
Oh, I’m sure he’s home by now.
There’s someone here to see you.
Titus - are you all right?
I’m fine, Mom.
Hercules told me about what happened to Dad. I was worried about you.
I’ll be fine. I just wish you’d known your father. He was a good man.
I’m gonna be a good man, too.
Well, not if you’re always running off.
Where’d you find him?
In the woods - he was looking for his friend.
Ximenos is a wild kid.
I’m sure he’s tough enough to survive.
But you - you kept Hercules from fixing our roof.
Don’t worry. I’ll still do it.
You better.
I had to go down to the blacksmith’s to pick up the nails you forgot about.
Come on; they’re waiting for you.
She’s, uh - very thoughtful.
Titus.
Ximenos.
Come here.
I thought something terrible had happened to you out there.
It was great. The guy we met - his name’s Aurelius.
He wanted us to kill each other!
That was just a game. You’d have found out if you hadn’t run away.
Are you sure? It felt like I was fighting for real - like it wasn’t even me.
That just means you have the warrior in you.
Aurelius said all good soldiers do.
He’s got a whole army - and they’re just like us, Titus.
You’re not gonna join, are you?
I already have.
And you can too. It’ll be great - just like we always talked about.
I don’t know, Ximenos.
Uh-uh, Titus - a soldier doesn’t walk away from his comrades.
When I go back - you’re going with me. Come on.
He sure is a sight for sore eyes, isn’t he?
I’d almost forgotten what a real man looked like.
Why don’t - why don’t you go and talk to him?
- Oh - no - why don’t you? - No - you go! - I don’t think I can!
Y-y-you must be thirsty, Hercules. I brought you something to drink.
Thanks, but, uh - I’m fine for now.
But all that work - you must be starved.
Sorry, I, uh - had a big breakfast.
No thanks - really.
Hercules.
Ladies - please -
I need to talk to you.
Where’s he going?
I don’t know.
It’s as if something came over me.
I mean, the one minute, I’m shaping plow blades - and the next minute, I’m hammering out swords.
And I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t know why.
Who knows how long I would’ve kept it up if I hadn’t burnt myself?
Where’re all the swords now?
That’s just it. I don’t know.
Have other strange things been happening around here?
Not in this village. But in Styra, three families of farmers have been killed.
And in Lixus, there’s been rumors about roving bands of wild boys.
Does Hera have a - shrine or a temple near here?
You think Hera’s behind all this?
Well - there’s only one way to find out.
No guards, Hera.
You must be slipping.
Looks like nobody’s been in your temple for some time, Hera.
You’re not real popular anymore, I guess.
But it looks like somebody made a sacrifice here.
Ah, the sign of war - but why in Hera’s temple?
Ares.
Ares!
Hercules.
Come on!
Did you see the look on that guy’s face when I cut him?!
He thought he was gonna die.
Yeah.
Quiet! Pay attention!
You did a good job today!
The great god Ares would be proud.
But that was just the beginning. There is far greater glory ahead of us!
Aurelius!
You’re late, Ximenos. A true warrior doesn’t miss a battle.
You fought somebody?
They were no match for us.
Just ask your brothers-in-arms -
unless you’d rather hang back with the women and children with your friend, here.
Titus isn’t hanging back.
He wants to join us.
I talked him into it.
You did?
Is he telling the truth, Titus?
Do you really wanna be a warrior of Ares?
Do you have the spine for it?
Say, ‘Yes.’
Come on - don’t be a coward.
You want to be a servant of Ares - don’t you?
I can’t - I’ve gotta get back and help Hercules fix the roof. I’m sorry, Ximenos.
Coward!
Hercules -
Mighty Ares, god of war - make yourself present.
Hercules is in town.
Hercules - my half-brother. So, that’s why you’ve crawled to me in fear.
I just came to you for guidance - that’s all.
Who better to map a strategy against Hercules than the god of war himself
Use the boy.
Janista!
You were gonna read it sooner or later.
I guess part of me was still hoping that - he’d walk through the door someday.
Come here. It’s all right.
It’s all right.
I know what you’re feeling.
Hello, Titus.
What are you doing here?
I came to apologize. Must have seemed pretty strange out there today.
But every man in my army wants to be your friend, Titus. So do I.
I don’t think so.
Listen to me, Titus! I have something very important to tell you.
What?
There’s a stranger in the village.
It’s Hercules. He came to tell us my dad got killed in the war.
It wasn’t the war that killed your father, Titus.
It was Hercules.
And now he’s here to take advantage of your mother.
Hercules, come quick!
Titus, where have you been?!
Come on! I’ve gotta show you something!
What’s wrong?
Those swords that got stolen from Atalanta? I know who’s got them.
It’s a gang of kids. They’re hurting people, Hercules!
W- wait a minute, wait. How would you know about the stolen swords?
Where’d this come from?
Titus! Where are you?! Come back here!
You’re just a kid.
Now!
Atalanta, have you seen Titus or Hercules?
No, I haven’t seen Titus. If I knew where Hercules was, I sure wouldn’t be out here.
Oh, I thought you might have.
No, I haven’t seen him since this morning when I showed him something in the forge.
Oh, no! Please be alive.
Look! He’s still alive!
Thank the gods.
Hercules, are you all right?
Where’s Titus?
He’s not under there, is he?
He’s the one who led me into this trap.
What are you talking about?! Titus wouldn’t do something like that!
Uh, maybe he wouldn’t before - but Ares has ‘hold of him now.
I’ve gotta find him.
Wait! I’ll go with -
You’re not going anywhere, but with me, Herc.
- But - - No ‘buts’ about it, Herc.
What about me, Titus? You gonna try killing me, too?
Warriors of Ares don’t kill women.
Oh, just men.
When they stand in Ares’ way.
And what about Hercules? What did he deserve?
To die!
But why?!
He killed my father! Ares said so!
And I saw how he had his hands all over you last night.
Titus, you don’t know what you’re saying. Now, please, give that back to me.
No! I’m a soldier now. This belongs to me.
Well, if you won’t give it to me, then you can give it to Hercules.
Dead men don’t need swords.
Well, lucky for you, he isn’t dead. I just saw him.
- You’re lying! - No, I’m not!
Titus, come back here!
There, that should do it.
Thanks. I didn’t think you’d have such a gentle touch.
Come back when you don’t need repairs, and I’ll - treat you even better.
Sorry, but, I’ve - I’ve gotta go find those kids.
Fine, let’s get moving.
This is not your fight, Atalanta. This is between Ares and me.
Look, Ximenos might be out there. That makes it my fight.
I understand your concern.
Yeah, yeah - you don’t think I can handle myself? You think I’m weak?
No - I would never call you weak. But this is too dangerous.
Well, that’s why I have this.
And if you still wanna argue about it, we can always arm-wrestle.
Um - after you.
It was magnificent, Ares.
People will be talking about our triumph until the end of time.
Of course - Hercules didn’t fall until I delivered the killing blow.
Fool! Hercules isn’t dead!
He - he isn’t?
No - I still feel him.
My troops won’t fail you a second time - I promise.
Not your troops - you!
How?
Use my blood.
I’ve always been ashamed that Ares and I share the same father, but this is as low as he’s ever sunk -
using boys to get the blood he needs to live on.
Well, can’t Zeus do something to stop him?
Why would he? It’s only human life. That means nothing to him.
Ow, my arm!
Atalanta, are you all right?
I’m fine.
Not you, too.
Fighting in a woman’s body - you’re a coward, Ares!
What’s the matter?! Can’t you fight your own battles?!
Atalanta - are you all right?
Of course, I’m all right. Now, get me out of here!
What happened?!
You just tried to whip the hide off me. That’s what happened.
What are you talkin’ about?
Ares got into you and went crazy!
He must’ve been the same reason why I was makin’ those swords.
I had the same strange feeling.
Well - warn me the next time you get any strange feelings.
Aurelius! Aurelius! Hercules is still alive!
Old news, Titus.
Well, what’re you gonna do about it?!
I’m not gonna do anything. You are.
Ares wanted you dead when you screwed everything up - but I made him give you one more chance.
Hold up your sword.
Ares’ blood is pure poison.
One cut - and Hercules is dead.
Titus is my friend. I fight with him.
You better win with him.
Hercules - stop!
Titus - is acting crazy. He’s still tryin’ to kill you.
I know that. I know that. I know where to find him.
Please don’t hurt him. He’s all I have.
He’ll be all right.
The only one I wanna hurt - is Ares.
Go home, Janista. We’ll handle this.
I’m coming. He’s my son.
Ares!
This is where it ends, boys.
Game is over.
That’s what you think.
Great god, Ares - show him your power!
He’s all yours.
I thought you were my friend, Hercules - but you murdered my father!
And you came to take away my mother.
We’re gonna fix it so you don’t hurt anybody anymore.
Ares is filling you with hate and lies. He’s using you!
Shut up!
What’s the matter? Does it hurt that the god of war is a vulture, because that’s what Ares is.
He’ll have you kill me.
He’ll even make you kill your friends. And, who knows? He’ll probably make you kill each other.
He’s telling you the truth, Titus. He came here as a friend.
Don’t listen to them!
Ximenos!
Hercules hasn’t hurt anyone. He’s trying to help you get free from Ares.
What are you waiting for?! Kill him! Kill them all!
You must be the leader. You look like the kind of puppet Ares would like.
A puppet couldn’t kill you, Hercules.
You fell right into my trap. I’m Ares’ general.
And what kind of general could that be? A general nuisance?
For that - you die first!
Kill her! Show Hercules what’s in store for him.
No, Titus! Don’t do it!
Titus, Ximenos, think about it! You don’t want blood on your hands.
Don’t listen to him, Titus. Hercules is a liar! He killed your father, Titus.
No, Titus, don’t do this!
Don’t do it, Ximenos.
Think about your father, Titus. You too, Ximenos.
They fought against the very evil that Ares stands for.
You’re not killing anybody.
What’s it gonna be, boys? Whose side are you on?
Yours.
Good choice.
Don’t listen to him. You want to feel the wrath of Ares?
If you’ll excuse me, it’s time to teach someone a lesson.
Attack! Attack!
Great! I wanted to fight, but not with dwarves.
Stand back, Hercules. This sword is poison.
That just makes it more interesting.
One cut - one tiny little nick - and you’re dead!
Then you better not slip.
Come and get me, boys.
You see that? Huh?
Ares! Help me! Hercules is here!
So, there you are - little brother.
Stand back, Hercules. I am protected by Ares, himself. We have a deal.
Deal’s off!
I thought maybe I’d seen the last of you, half-brother.
Well, you haven’t gotten any better-lookin’ - that’s for sure.
Hercules! Get up! He’s coming!
Take your last breath, Hercules.
Here, Hercules! Use my father’s sword!
Time to die, little brother.
I hate my family.
Ares! Ares!
Next time, Hercules! Next time!
I’ll be looking forward to it.
Is that the god you worship?! That - ?!
Take those masks off.
Go home.
Go back to the villages and farms that you came from.
And if you have to fight, fight for peace, not for war.
Sorry, Mom - for everything.
Shh - it’s all right, Titus.
Is it over?
For this town - for today.
Come on. Let’s go home.
The circumstances were all wrong, Janista.
But I’m still glad I got the chance to meet you and Titus.
So am I, Hercules.
And don’t forget - there’s always room for you under our roof. After all - you built it.
Thank you.
Now, for you two.
Sorry for all the trouble we caused you, Hercules.
We wouldn’t have done it if we’d known.
Well - no hard feelings - as long as you promise me it won’t happen again.
- It won’t. - Good.
The last words your father spoke to me - were meant for you, Titus.
He wanted you to know that - the art of the warrior is not to kill - but to destroy the forces of evil.
I hope you’ll never forget that.
You’ve got my word.
Good. Then you’ll grow up to be the man that your father wanted you to be.
Atalanta - what can I say?
Just shut up and say, ‘One, two, three.’
You’re not gonna, like - flip me or anything, are ya?
Would you just say it?
One, two, three.
Come back and see me, sometime.
Ah - yeah. I’ll, uh - I’ll save - my strength for you.
Bye, Hercules.
Thanks.
Shush.