Silence
“Herc...” The tone of the otherwise optimistic hunter’s voice carried an uncharacteristic tinge of hesitance.
Hercules glanced down at his partner questioningly. Iolaus looked like he already had second thoughts about putting his emotions into words, but then he figured he had nothing to lose, so he took a deep breath and finished the sentence he started.
“I can’t stand this ignorance much longer. It’s unnerving. I feel like an old, broken toy sitting on the shelf untouched for ages, dusty and useless.” He hung his head. “I hate being useless.” He added quietly.
Hercules sighed. He knew Iolaus was taking this badly. If he wanted to be honest, he too felt an unexpected pang of loneliness. After five millenniums of pretty boring bare existence in the void of oblivion, ten years ago they were suddenly remembered. Their souls were resurrected and for a short decade they were fully alive again, fighting new monsters, finding new friends and loves, living new adventures. They were celebrated, respected and most of all they were loved like in old times. Hercules – maybe part of being a demi-god – possessed the ability of observing his life from a wider perspective, sort of like an outsider, so as much as he enjoyed the blessings of these past ten years, he tried to remain prepared for the predictable wind-down. But it didn’t mean he wanted it to end, and, by gods, it was good to see his friend so happy. Now that it was almost over, the ever-deepening silence hurt and discouraged Iolaus. Hercules put on a brave face for his friend’s sake.
“Iolaus, we are not forgotten yet. But real life is not always easy on them, you know. They have many things to worry about, problems to solve, difficulties to work through.”
“It doesn’t make sense, Hercules.” Iolaus shook his blond head. “If it’s true, wouldn’t they try to escape that all rather than putting more and more energy into the fight? They are hardly around anymore.”
The taller man tried to find an appropriately reassuring answer, but he felt the truth wasn’t going go be good enough this time. Oh, he knew that part of their absence was the constant struggles of everyday life, but the main reason was not that. They have found new grounds to play on, new friends to play with. They sort of replaced the once irreplaceable duo of Hercules and Iolaus. Sometimes they still looked back, they rarely even popped in to see them, but their visits got shorter and fewer, and had an air of guilty impatience, sort of like when you still go to see an old friend occasionally, but rather out of the sense of obligation than for the fun of it, and maybe a little to hang onto some nice memories for a short while longer.
After a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence he offered a little lamely: “They’ll come...” But even he wasn’t convinced.
“What if they won’t? Do we have to go back to that cold, grey, dull place for another couple of thousand years? Don’t get me wrong here, buddy, but as much as I enjoy your company, playing five million rounds of rock, paper and scissors, I must believe that there is a more rewarding way of existence.”
“Iolaus, it’s just a question of patience.”
“Patience I have none. I need to know why this all is happening to us.”
Hercules started to say something but he was interrupted by his agitated friend.
“No, Herc, if we have to sink again, I want to know at least if there was a point of coming up for a few short breaths.”
This time Hercules was able to answer without hesitation.
“Iolaus, I know there was a point. Look, maybe we won’t be around for much longer. But for the short time we were here, we have made a lasting difference in their lives. They gained so much through us. They gave and they received the joy of creation. They improved themselves and each other. They shared their thoughts, their talent and their lives with each other as well as with us. Previously they were strangers. Now they are friends, some of them for a lifetime, and all this happened because of us. Hey, we even gave them back their careless childhood for a little while. They could play with monsters and swords, they wrote and read about princesses, kings, legends, pirates. We changed them and through small things we changed their lives for the better too.”
Iolaus was quiet for a long time as he tried to process what he was told.
“Do you think they know it?” finally he asked in a small voice.
“Maybe they don’t think about it often, but, yes, I think they know it and appreciate it.”
“So where does that leave us?”
“I hate to admit it, buddy, but even I don’t have all the answers. I do believe one thing though. As long as the effect of our influence is present in their lives, we can stay around. They’ll be back every now and then. And who knows, in a generation or two we may even attract new audience.” He smiled down at his friend. “With my legendary strength and your legendary charm, we can’t go unnoticed.”
“I hope you’re right, Herc.” There was still a slight tinge of uncertainty in Iolaus’ voice. “It’s just that… I like it too much here. I don’t want to leave yet.”
“We don’t have to. Not for a while, anyway. But when… no, if that time ever comes, I promise we’ll leave together. No matter when or where or for how long, I’ll be with you, keeping you company. Always.”
The sincerity in these last words eased the hunter’s doubts. He gratefully smiled up to the man who has been as essential in his existence as his own soul for as long as he could remember. Yes, maybe there’ll be a time when they’ll need to go. But for now they were still here. With Hercules, he wasn’t alone, and he wouldn’t ever be.
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