[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gR6oFps.png[/img] [h2][b]"Hercules"[/b][/h2] [i]Banquet of Kings, Academy[/i] 
[@ReallyDumb][@Froppy][@wug][@Yankee][@SSW][@BB][@Crusader Lord][@Phlogistinator][@Aoko Aozaki][@Phonic][/center]
Laughter fell away. There was something more here. The kings who sought blood, the fear of the nature behind the one who had assaulted their gathering, but beyond that, a feeling of terror began to well up in the Faker's core. It was not until the arrival of Hippocrates that he realized what that terror was born from. 

His expression tightened as he heard those words. No, even before it had been said, he knew somehow, knew that the man before him had seen through the faulty lie he had painted around himself. Yes, if the man before him was a physician, it was only right that he could see through the tumor that the Faker himself was.

But, this did not have to be the end. It was simply one man's word. He could attempt to persuade those present that it was not as the doctor had said, he could demand his Master use a Command Seal to have them vacate the premises, he could do any number of things that would see him live another day. And yet...

"...the antithesis of success, huh?"

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO8fVTug4Xk]Why was he smiling?[/url] Like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, he let out a quiet laugh. The bravado of seconds earlier had melted away, replaced with a calm acceptance. 

He was tired. So very tired. So then, perhaps it was for the best-

"You are more right than you know, physician. Very well. It is as he says, my existence is 'ruin'. If you permit me to live, then this city will fall. Your bodies will fail you, your belongings will crumble, and the Holy Grail shall fall apart. This is my curse."

A bow materialized in his hand, the dull trace of a shudder wracking his body as he spoke. Yes, for in the end, it is Emperor Commodus' role to be the enemy of man, to die as a villain. The antithesis of success- how apt a term, how tragic a sentence.

"If this is the path we will follow, then I ask one thing: let the boy be. He has not known of my true nature, he is faultless. The same for the two who arrived alongside me. The only one who must die is me."

He stepped away, away from that fool of a Master, away from those he had formed that slipshod alliance with. Changing the world? Changing fate? Of course Theseus would say that, of course a true hero could say such ridiculous things as if they were possible. That envy burned in his core. 

Because, in the end, nothing here had changed. He was the same. He would always be the same.

"...no, hero Theseus. I am sorry to disappoint, but I am not a hero. I cannot save a person. However, [b]He[/b] can."

But, at least, let him use [b]His[/b] power to save that life. Even if it is a fool of a human, a child who does not know of the world, one who might die in a stiff breeze. Just once, just once.

Great hero, your strength is needed, for Emperor Commodus is but a faceless villain.

[center][b]For He Is Another Hercules (False)[/b][/center]
"Come, then. Cull the disease. Slay the monster. Once more, the villain will be toppled, and the day will be saved."

Power flowed through his body, counterfeit might stolen from a greater being. The resignation of a dying man was splayed across his face, but behind that was steel.

"-But, do not think I will simply lie down and perish. Even if I am but a counterfeit, Hercules will not fall so easily."

A promise. An oath to that man. If he will die as Hercules, then he will not see that name disgraced. He will carry that banner of the strongest hero until his spiritual core is crushed. This is all he can do.

So please, just once-

"...boy, don't turn your eyes away. You must watch this to its conclusion."

-Just once, let him feel that he saved someone.